Dangerous Hearts

Hopeful Reassurance

Alexander's POV

I was seething.

I wanted to torture Charlie's ex-husband the way he'd tortured her, but I'd promised I wouldn't do anything to him without the go ahead from her. It was a struggle, but I managed to temper the blazing fire within me enough to dial Killian's number. I doubted he'd be asleep, the man was always up and running after something I needed whenever I needed him. He and Joseph were my most trusted and closest confidants, and since Joseph had been sent to watch over Charlie last night, I trusted Killian to be the one for this job.

The line rang only once before his calm voice answered, "What do you need, boss?"

"I need you to locate Charlie's son, Oliver, and keep an eye on him. He's with his father, Stephen, this weekend. I've just been told some disturbing news about the man and I want to make sure he doesn't do anything to harm her son."

There was rustling on the other end, despite the fact that the man barely made a sound himself, which meant that he was packing what he needed for the time he'd be gone. "I'll make sure nothing happens to the boy," he answered steadily. "Retreival or just stake out?"

"Just watch for the moment. I've promised Charlie he wouldn't be killed, for now, but the boy needs to remain safe. They're under our protection now."

"Got it," I heard him zip his bag up and the click of him checking his magazine, "Updates to come."

"Thanks man," I said before we disconnected.

I sighed and slipped my phone back in my pocket. I was still very angry at what she'd told me, but I forced myself to take deep, even breaths before returning to the room. She had the comforter over her and was sitting up with her legs tucked into her chest. She looked so small and vulnerable sitting like that, and her soft doe eyes were watching me warily as I approached her. I sat down on the side she was on a few inches away from her so she didn't feel crowded.

"I've sent Killian to watch over Oliver while he's at Stephen's house. He'll make sure nothing happens to him." She nodded her assent before getting up to move closer to me. I put my hand on her cheek, "I really hope I'm not overstepping when I ask this, but will you move into the estate with me? It's heavily guarded and the safest place for you and Oliver to be in. No one will be able to get to you guys here and Stephen would never be able to harm you here."

"I appreciate you wanting to protect us, but I'm not sure if I can leave Stella to handle the house by herself and if Stephen found out that we'd left, he'd lose his mind and send out a manhunt for us."

I wasn't sure if I could take no for an answer because of how concerned I was about her safety. I was going to make sure that every protest and argument that she had would be countered and taken care of so that she didn't have to worry about anything. "I could make sure that Stella was also protected and the house paid for completely. As for Stephen finding out you left, we can still have him pick Oliver up from there on the weekends and drop him off there. The only difference is that you'd live here with us and not have to be bombarded by him."

"He'll still find out we're gone," she protested, her beautiful eyes started to tear up, "he'll go after Stella to find out where we are and he'll hurt her to get to me. I just know it."

I pulled her back onto my lap and rubbed her arms, "I promise that no one that you love will come to harm. I'll have every man I have out there watching over them if I need to. Stella. Oliver. You. You'll all be safe with us." She still looked uncertain, but I could tell that she trusted me. Her telling me about him to begin with was testament to that fact, and I prayed that I would be able to prove that I was worthy of her trust.

"I have to talk to Stella about it. She's with her boyfriend this weekend." I nodded, "And Oliver...I don't want to confuse him. He has school and friends, we can't tear him away from those."

"We have kids here that probably go to school with Oliver. We won't be taking him away from his life, we'll be making it easier for us to keep watch over you two. I'd be more than happy to help you talk with your friend about everything and answer any questions or concerns she may have as well. My main concern is keeping you and Oliver from getting hurt by Stephen and I'll do everything in my power to make sure that you feel safe again."

She sighed and leaned forward to lay her head on my chest. My heart did a weird flip at the motion, but I felt like I was on top of the world right now. "What about my job? He knows where I work, where Stella works. He knows everything and could easily get to us there."

"Nothing would change except for the sleeping arrangements and my men watching out for you guys," I assured her, "Everything will be fine."

She was silent for a few minutes while she thought about it, probably trying to come up with another protest, but eventually, when she sat up, her face was determined and she nodded, "Alright, Alexander. I'm trusting you completely here. Please don't make me regret it."

In other words, 'don't f**k this up, Alex', I thought to myself. "If I do, I'll let you put a bullet in me," I grinned at her. She rolled her eyes before laughing softly.

"I will just have to end up digging it out of you anyway," she said softly, before a huge yawn overtook her. I glanced at the clock, it was already past two in the morning and I knew that she wanted to go home to do her chores. I was going with her, for protection and to help her get things done.

"What time did you want to go home tomorrow?" I asked her as she leaned back into me again.

She sighed, "I have to do yardwork and some patching up on the house tomorrow. I was hoping to get an early start, but with what time it is, I'm probably going to have to make it ten instead of at eight like I was planning."

I chuckled, "Sounds good to me. Let's get some sleep then." She agreed and I helped her get back under the covers again before going to change out of my clothes and into my sweatpants before coming back to join her. I didn't think of wearing a shirt, since I never did anyway, but when I noticed that she was staring at me, I froze. "Uh...is this okay? Should I wear a shirt instead?"

Her eyes snapped to mine and her cheeks colored when she realized that I'd caught her staring. I almost made a joke about it, but I knew that she was exhausted, both mentally and physically, so I kept it to myself. "It's okay," she whispered softly. I nodded and began turning off the lights as I made my way back to the bed.

I crawled on to the other side of my large bed, debating on whether or not she'd be okay with me moving closer to her so that I could hold her. Instead of me moving, though, she scooched over and curled up against my side and pressed her small body against me in every way she could. I wrapped my arm around her waist as she put hers over my abdomen and let her nestle her nose into my shoulder before turning off my lamp on my side. "Goodnight," I told her quietly, pressing a kiss into her hair.

"Night," she whispered before slipping into sleep. I followed shortly behind.