Defending Deanna

Chapter 3

Ryker

Maddox is waiting outside when I get back to Deanna's. I’m not really looking forward to spending so much time alone with her. It has been years since we've spent much time together.

I had feelings then and I’m worried what would happen if I spend too much time alone with her now.

The last thing she needs is for me to catch feelings again. It is bad enough that I am going to be so in her space. She won't have much privacy. I hate to invade her space, but it can't be helped at this point. Maddox begged me, and we both know someone needs to be around to protect her. I will do what Maddox asks of me.

"I made sure the security system is working and up to date. It has an alarm that notifies our offices and my cell and also sends the police a notification if it's tripped.” Maddox says.

I’m more comfortable in this element anyway. I’m good at my job and I’m less sure about how I’ll be when I’m alone with her.

"I'll need the code."

"Got it here and also there is a second code that we set up just in case. It's a code that will stop the alarm but doesn't stop the alert to us. That way if she's made to disable the alarm, she can do that, and we'll still know to come. There is also a special code word to say if we call to check up on her and she wants to let us know it’s important."

Of course, they have a special backup code. Maddox doesn't mess around when it comes to his sister's protection. He is also very good at his job. After Deanna was rescued, Maddox spent months learning security and how to protect his sister. He took up Taekwondo and other martial arts and learned how to use a gun. He was not going to mess around with her protection.

He started the security firm and brought me on soon after. It took me a bit to catch up, but I love my job. After what happened with Deanna, I felt weak and like a failure.

My life took a pretty dark turn after I realized how much she blamed me for what happened to her. I never blamed her, because I know I am responsible for that awful night. I started sleeping around and dating awful women and had dead-end jobs that wouldn’t lead anywhere.

Then my best friend started his security company and trusted me to be a part of it. I was the first employee but we’ve since added a few other guys, and we have a pretty good team.

We usually do more security guard jobs for personal security. What I would be doing with Deanna was more in-depth than usual, but I will step up and protect her with my life. I won’t let them down again.

"I really appreciate this. I know this wasn't the plan, but she's been so tough to secure lately. She keeps throwing up barriers and getting in my way. If she'll let you guard, her then it’ll be easier. Truthfully, I've thought about holding her against her will but that seems a bit far after what she went through. So that’s kind of the no other options plan. We haven’t gotten there yet."

I agree that would be a bit far. I don't doubt my friend will do it though and I assume Maddox has multiple plans in place just in case that becomes his only option. We worry it might be a bit triggering though. Another kidnapping, well-intentioned or not might push her over the edge.

"Yeah, this is definitely a better way to go.”

“You’re on around-the-clock duty. Where she goes you go, no matter what. Obviously, there are a few exceptions and I trust you to make those choices.”

“I’ve got this and you need to know I will lay down my life for hers."

He nods. "I don't doubt that brother or I wouldn't trust you to do this. You're the only person I would trust with her."

That makes me feel better. Maddox never blamed me for not staying with her that night. We each kind of only blamed ourselves. It wasn't Maddox’s fault, but he couldn't see that. And he said the same thing about me.

In my opinion, I was the last one in charge of making sure she made it home. She was 14, not a baby but still, we tried to make sure she had support if she needed it, and I had dropped the ball. I had been so caught up in lusting after her that I let that get in the way. If I had just been able to control my dirty thoughts, then I never would have left her side, and she never would’ve been in a position to be kidnapped.

“Ok head on in and I owe you one. She's not the easiest to corral."

I laugh. "It'll be fine. I've got this."

Maddox leaves and I head into my new job.

******

Ryker

Maddox told me to go on in so that's just what I do. I walk in and stop in my tracks.

Deanna is in her room, but the door isn't closed all the way and she's changing. Her back is to me so I can't see anything too delicate but my mouth waters at the curve of her back. She’s in nothing but lacey panties. They are fairly modest still, but I want to run my tongue along all the delicate skin that stretches while she reaches up to put on her shirt. There had been a time when I would have killed to see that much of her.

I enjoyed getting a glimpse of her, but it feels creepy and messed up considering all that Deanna had been through, so I quickly make a hasty retreat out of the apartment.

I take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves. I did not expect to see that much of Deanna ever, let alone the first time I ever stepped into her apartment. These months of living with her may be harder than I had first planned. That image of her would be playing in my head a lot during the weeks I’m with her.

Five seconds on the job and I’ve already failed in my plan to be strong and not lust after her. How did I expect to get through months with her after seeing that and not want to put my hands all over her?

I had to though. This was important and I could keep my hands and eyes to myself. After my lack of control led to her kidnapping I worked to rein in my desires and learned to control my needs. It came in handy on certain jobs. Like jobs with a sexy client or I’ve had jobs that have taken me to strip clubs and things with clients. I need to be always on my game while on a job. I can’t get distracted by a pair of boobs.

I’ve never questioned my control on a job before, but I have a feeling this one could test my restraint.

I brace myself and knock.

******

Deanna

I just finished getting dressed when there is a knock on my door. Knowing that Ryker would be moving in made me so nervous that I took a quick bath to try and calm down. When I was held captive, I didn't dare take a bath. I showered as quickly as possible since I never knew when he would come back, and I hated for him to see me bare if I could help it. There were times when he forced me, but I tried to protect myself as much as possible. So now a bath truly helps relax me and reminds me that I’m free.

Having Ryker in my space was not something I had planned on when I woke this morning. He set me on edge. He reminded me of before. He made me believe that I actually had a chance at normal when deep down I knew I was way too damaged for anything like that.

I open the door to find my new roommate and security guard on the other side of the door.

I bite my lip. I am not at all prepared to be around him in such close quarters.

"Come in."

I head to my spare room and hope he follows. The room makes me happy. It’s the room that I set up for Maddox because he would sleep over often at the beginning. I tried to get him out, but he had made excuses as often as possible for the first few months I lived "alone". I didn't mind much though because being alone made me sad sometimes. It was the time when I would sink into my darkest moments. But eventually, I needed my own space completely. He finally started to respect my place and my privacy.

Even still this room represents my greatest protector and favorite person. It made me feel safe. That's why I never bothered to turn it into an office or anything. Knowing it was here if I needed him to stay over helped me feel safer. I decorated it in light airy colors. Whites and pale yellows and blues. I avoided greys and anything dingy. My time in captivity was so grey and dingy that it made me uncomfortable. I try to surround myself with pretty and nice things that make me feel at peace.

"So, this is your room while you're here. The bed is crazy comfortable. Maddox picked it out and you know that boy doesn't skimp on comfort if he can help it.”

I hear Ryker laugh behind me. It makes me smile. His laugh is deep and hearty just like I remember from before. I don’t know what I expected, he hasn’t changed much from before, maybe bigger and scruffier. He also seems to carry himself calmer than he ever has before. He also has more muscles from what I can see. He hadn’t been small before but as I saw with Maddox his security work called for him to be in good shape.

"So, I guess make yourself at home."

"De,"

I stop at his nickname. Tons of people called me De. It was short for my name but hearing him say it brought up so many memories from when I was still normal and wanted a regular life. I had wanted that life to be with him, so badly. It hurts now to think about how not normal I am after what happened.

I would never get that normal life with a husband and 2.5 kids. That's what hurt the most. That monster had taken so much from me, but he still takes and there is nothing I can do to stop it.

I meet his eyes. "Yeah?"

"I'm going to try not to get too in your way while I'm here. I'm just here to keep an eye on things and make sure you're safe."

I smile. "I know, and you’re obviously welcome here. I'm going to start making dinner. I'm making mom's spaghetti so as you know I have to make enough for an army because it's impossible not to so you can join me if you want."

I hear him laughing as I walk out of the room. It warms my heart. Ryker was an honorary member of our family. He didn't have the best home life, so he ate dinner at our house more than he did at home. It was a big joke in the house that Mom couldn't make a small amount of spaghetti. She made a boat full every time and somehow, I had also picked up that weird skill. We would be eating spaghetti for days. It was part of the fun though.