Chapter 4
1015 Words
Lydia POV
I wake up slowly, like I am swimming up from a heavy, dark ocean. My head feels packed with fog and fear. For a few seconds, I cannot remember where I am. Then I hear footsteps. Controlled. Heavy. Familiar.
Xander.
My eyes open fully, and I see him sitting in the chair beside the bed. His posture is relaxed, but his eyes are sharp and alert, watching the door like an enemy might break in any second.
The safehouse. Right.
I swallow. My throat feels tight. I search his face, hoping for any sign of softness. He does not look at me yet, but just knowing he is there keeps my heart from exploding in panic.
He stayed.
I whisper, "Thank you."
His gaze snaps to me. Those dark eyes do something to my chest. It becomes hard to breathe, but not in a bad way. More like something new is waking up inside me, warm and frightening.
"You scared me." His voice sounds low and rough, like it scraped against something on the way out.
I blink at him. "You. Scared."
He gives me a sharp look. "You fainted in my car. That is not something I take lightly."
I should feel embarrassed. But all I feel is watched. Protected. It makes me want to curl into him and hide from the world.
Instead, I sit up slowly. My hand brushes his by accident. I freeze.
He does too.
The air changes. Thickens. Our eyes lock. Heat coils low in my stomach.
He clears his throat and stands, putting just a tiny bit of space between us. I instantly miss the closeness.
"You need water," he says.
"I do not want water."
His eyes narrow a little, like he could see right through that lie. I do not want anything that will take him away from my side. Even for a moment.
"Lydia. You need to take care of yourself."
"I will. Later."
A muscle jumps in his jaw. He does not argue. Instead, he stays exactly where he is.
I cannot stop staring at his hands. Strong. Veined. Hands that can break someone or hold someone together.
He notices my stare and tilts his head slightly.
"What is going on in that mind of yours?"
My cheeks heat. "Nothing."
"Liar."
One word. Deep. Certain. It sends a shiver through me.
I look down at my lap. Silence stretches between us, full of everything I do not know how to say.
He sits back down. His voice softens.
"You are safe here."
Safe. The word tastes foreign. My chest aches.
"I do not even know what that feels like."
His expression darkens. Something dangerous flashes in his eyes.
"You will learn."
There is a promise in those words. A vow. And I believe him.
Before I can speak again, the door bursts open and Kelly steps into the room like she owns the place.
I flinch.
Xander stands instantly. His body blocks me from her in one smooth motion. Kelly rolls her eyes, folding her arms.
"Oh please, I am not here to fight."
Xander does not relax.
Kelly lifts her chin. "Mother is gone. That means we need to discuss the company. Lydia needs to be briefed and prepared."
The reminder hits me like cold water. The company. The funeral. Everything I ran from.
"I am not ready," I whisper.
"You do not have the luxury of time," Kelly answers. "The shareholders expect a statement tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow?" My voice cracks.
Xander cuts in. "She is not stable enough for that yet."
Kelly’s eyes flick to him. "You are her bodyguard, not her doctor. Stay in your lane."
He steps closer to her. His voice is low. Scary. "My lane is whatever keeps her alive."
Kelly stares at him like she wants to argue but decides it is not worth the fight. She looks back at me, her tone softer.
"You can either let them smell weakness or you can show them who you are. Your choice."
She walks out before I can respond.
Xander exhales, still glaring at the door. I reach out and touch his arm. His muscles jump beneath my fingers.
"Thank you. For defending me."
"I only said the truth."
"Still. Thank you."
He looks at my hand on his arm. For a moment, I think he might pull away. He does not.
Instead, he lowers himself to sit, closer this time. Close enough that our knees touch.
"Do you trust me, Lydia?"
The question sinks into my chest. Heavy. Important.
I nod.
"Yes."
His eyelids lower like he is trying to hide his reaction. When he speaks again, his voice is softer. Almost tender.
"Then listen to me. You are stronger than you think. You are not alone anymore."
A tear slips down my cheek before I can stop it. He sees. He leans forward and wipes it with his thumb. A small touch. Too soft for a man like him.
It destroys me.
I inhale sharply, my chest shaking. His hand stays on my cheek. Warm. Grounding. Dangerous.
I whisper, "Why do you care so much?"
His eyes burn into mine. "I do not."
But his thumb strokes my skin one more time before he pulls back.
A lie. Just like before.
I try to speak again, but the lights suddenly flicker.
The entire room goes dark.
A sharp alarm blasts through the walls.
Xander is on his feet before I understand what is happening.
"What is that?" My voice shakes.
He grabs his gun from the table, eyes locked on the door.
"Someone found the safehouse."
My heart slams into my ribs.
He steps in front of me, shield-like.
"Lydia. Stay behind me."
The doorknob twitches.
Footsteps outside.
Shouted orders.
My blood runs cold.
I cling to the back of his shirt as the lock begins to turn.
Xander steadies his grip on the gun, voice low and deadly.
"Do not fear. I will kill every single one of them before they get to you."
The door starts to open.
And my breath stops.
- Writer
