Page 13 of Always Watching
Sighing, I lean my head against the headrest and close my eyes. “Some assholes from my site.” I clear my throat and look out the window. “I cam.” I pause to see if my words have any effect on him, but all he does is glance at me briefly, so I continue. “Some people said they wished whoever attacked me had finished the job, since I’m such a tease. And I got what I deserved for being a whore.”
A growl percolates up North’s throat. “Who are they?”
I shrug. “Don’t know. I blocked them. I won’t hear from them anymore.” Doesn’t stop the words from hurting. No one deserves what I got just for camming. I’m doing what I want with my body because I choose to. That’s no reason to break into my home and beat me to a pulp.
We pull up to my apartment and my heart hammers in my chest. This was supposed to be my sanctuary, the place I felt the safest, but all I feel now is fear.
North takes my hand, squeezing it gently. “Come on. It’ll be fine. I promise.”
“How do you know?” I whisper, my hand shaking in his grip.
“Because I’m going to keep you safe.” He gives my hand another squeeze, then gets out of the car, rounding the hood to help me out. “Take it slow. Unless you want me to carry you up the stairs?”
“I can manage. Thanks.”
It takes a few minutes for us to climb the stairs, and by the time we get to my door, I’m breathing heavily. Sweat dots my forehead and my ribs burn with every deep breath I take. “I’m going to carry you next time,” North says, leaning me against the wall so I can rest. He stares at me intently. “You don’t have to push yourself. Not while I’m here. Understand?”
“You won’t be here for long, so I’ll have to do what I have to do.” I push off the wall and turn to my door, entering the code. The green light flashes and I push inside. I cry out when I almost trip over bags by the door. North’s strong arm wraps around my waist, pulling me upright. “What the fuck is this? Why are there bags here?”
“They’re mine. I need clothes here since I’m going to watch over you.”
“Watch over me? What…?” I look at the three gym bags on the floor, along with a few pairs of shoes that don’t belong to me. “Are you… Tell me what you’re doing?”
“I’m keeping my promise. I’m going to watch out for you. That means I have to be here with you.”
He wouldn’t have to watch over me if someone hadn’t broken in and beaten me to a pulp.
My breathing comes in short and choppy as more sweat breaks out over my brow and down my back. My watery eyes trail down the hallway to my cam room. The room I was almost killed in.
“Breathe,” North says, his voice sounding far away. His solid hand lands on my back, rubbing in slow circles. “It’s okay, Ranen. Take a deep breath for me.”
With effort, I pull in one deep, painful breath after another, trying to steady my racing heart.
After god knows how long, I have myself under control, my breathing even, and my hands no longer shaking.
“Thank you,” I whisper, wiping my eyes as I look over at North. “Sorry for coming apart like that.”
He shrugs and goes over to the door to flip the lock. “You’re allowed. You experienced something… traumatic. That’s why I’m here.”
“That’s not a good idea.” I almost hate myself for saying it. He just helped me down from a panic attack, and now I feel safe with him standing so near. What if he agrees with me and decides to leave? Then I’ll be alone.
He tilts his head to the side and peers down at me. The gesture is oddly endearing. “Why not?”
“Because I don’t know you.” I wince when I drag in a deep breath. My hands fly to my ribs and I gasp when that light touch sends a jolt of pain through me. “I need to sit down.”
North doesn’t let me take more than two steps before he scoops me up into his arms. I gasp again as he walks me to the couch and sets me down gently. “You may not want to admit it, but you need someone here with you. That someone is me. I already have my things packed, so stop fighting it and let me help.”
“I shouldn’t,” I say, leaning my head back against the pillow and closing my eyes. “You could be a psycho killer or something.”
He’s quiet for a beat, then says, “Even if I were, you wouldn’t be my victim. You’re too sweet for that.”
A tired chuckle drifts up my throat. “I’m not… but thank you.” I crack an eye open and look at his handsome face.
It wouldn’t be so bad having someone who looks like North around. He’s been nothing but kind to me—he saved me, for fuck’s sake—and if he wanted to harm me, he would have done so already. Not like I could fight back, as weak as I am. He’s so much bigger than me. Even if I were at full strength, he’d crush me.
Besides that, he’s offering his help. It’s a little weird that he already had his bags packed, though. A bit presumptuous.
“How did you get into my apartment?” I ask, opening both eyes to look at him now. “Your bags were already here. When did you bring them? Were you already plotting to stay here as my… what? My guardian?”
