Guarded: Worth the Risk

Chapter 18

                                                                                          Nico

            “What the hell happened?” my heart sinks seeing an unconscious Natalia on the ground, blood running from her head. “Get 911 here stat!” My voice cracking as I bark orders at Damon.

            “ETA 15 minutes.” He replies frantic. “You don’t think-“ I cut him off before he can finish his statement.

            It couldn’t be him. He’s been radio silent for three weeks, so why now.

            “I don’t know, but there’s no way to be sure.”

            All I can focus on is Natalia at this moment in time. Stay with me, don’t you dare leave me. Her body is still, and hair stained red, her pulse strong, but breath shallow.

            Anger overcomes me, but I try to keep my composure as I wait for help to arrive.

            He was here. Orlando was here and he f*****g hurt her. The reality that he had been here undetected stabs me in the gut. He’s a dead man.           

            Damon’s voice waivers as he briefs EMS, his face reddened with anger and worry as he looks at Natalia. My hand holding Natalia’s tight as they begin working on her. It’s a miracle he didn’t kill her.

            “We need to get her to the hospital. We’re going to move her to the stretcher on the count of three-“The EMT counts as we hoist Natalia’s fragile, unconscious body to the stretcher and into the ambulance.

            “Damon, I need you to stay here and do a full sweep of the property with the police.” I say climbing into the back of the ambulance. “And call her father. He needs to be aware of what’s going on.” My voice firm, but altogether my tone is lacking strength. Seeing her this way, when I was supposed to protect her took it all away from me. I let her down.

            The tick, tick, tick, ticking of the clock on the wall of the Emergency Room fills the quiet waiting room as I wait for the Doctors to update me. Dimitri and Kara rushed here when they got word of what happened, and I know they are just as angry and defeated as I am. I should have known; it was the calm before the storm and there was no way he would give her up so easily. Everything about this scream’s danger, but I ignored it rather and trusted some FBI Agent I barely know with Natalia’s protection.

            “I shouldn’t have trusted that f*****g FBI Agent. That he had this whole thing under control.”

            “Nico, you couldn’t have known this was going to happen.” Kara says in a calming tone. I know she wishes she could have done more too, but there was nothing any of us could have done to prevent this. Natalia likes her independence. “She will be ok.”

            “You didn’t see the amount of blood coming from her head.”

            “That is not your fault Nico.” Dimitri’s voice cracks. With a rushed breath he croaks out, “That bastard Orlando is at fault here. Let me catch his ass snooping around.”

            “Down boy.” My lips curl into a slight smile at his threats. I’ve seen my fair share of assault cases like this back home, but nothing prepares you for the struggle when it happens to someone close to you. It feels like Orlando hit me over the head.

            “You can see her now.” The nurse at the front desk interrupts. “She’s unconscious still so not for long.”

              Regardless of what they say, I’m not leaving her side. I already failed her once and I’m not about to let that happen again.

            “She’s only sedated for the time being, but she should wake up soon.” The Doctor says as I try to process the scene in front of me. “It was quite a knock over the head, but a few stitches and she’s good as new. MRI and CT were all clear, so she should be good to go home after a day or two of observation.”

            “The police will want her statement, but I’m asking that they wait till she’s discharged. Also, I know you have visiting hours, but I’m her bodyguard and I refuse to leave her side, so I’ll be staying.” My voice is a bit hard, but I’m standing my ground. He nods his head before excusing himself.

            Somethings off about this whole situation. Why not kill Natalia?

            The waves of anger and confusion, conflict within me. The sudden need for fresh air hounds me.

            The hospital lot is mostly empty tonight. Fox Lake is small and more spread out compared to the city. It reminds me of home.

            I look back at the entrance to the Emergency Room before pulling out my phone and calling Chase. The pavement is loud under my shoes as I pace back and forth waiting for him to answer, my thoughts all over the place. I need to protect her.

            “Sup.” Chase’s voice chipper as he answers the phone.

            “She’s in trouble man.” I say immediately, pausing for a moment to catch my breath. “I don’t know what to do-“

            He cuts me off before I can even finish my sentence. “What the f**k happened? I thought you were making headway and that Agent Romero was helping?” his tone quickly changing.

            I release a deep breath before explaining it all. “Orlando attacked Natalia at the house. He’s sent threats for weeks, then went silent until tonight when he attacked her.” I spoke it all to quickly, but I was able to get it out. “I can’t trust Agent Romero- he’s too close to this in more way then one. I just have this gut feeling.”

            The silence on the other end of the phone has me concerned. “What can I do to help?”

            Help? I’m not even sure what to do at this moment in time, especially since she is currently in the hospital. “I don’t f*****g know man… but were not safe here anymore.”

            “What if you brought her here- to Ketchum.” I can hear the hesitation in his voice, but he continues. “You know the department here will have your back and you can trust us.”

            Ketchum. The home I was so desperate to escape now may be my only saving grace for keeping Natalia safe until this madman is caught. But how? How will I get Natalia to agree to come with me? Her business is here. Everything meaningful to her is here. I take in a deep breath allowing the crisp fall air to fill my lungs as I think about what Chase has just said. It could work. It may be our only option.

            “It may be our only choice. I’ll keep you posted.” I say before hanging up.

            Not wasting another moment of being away from Natalia, I walk back to Natalia’s room and sit in a chair that gives me full view of the entire room. I won’t sleep, not until she’s safe. I rub a hand over my face as I weigh the options in my head.

            The hospital room isn’t very large. Monitors and machinery line the walls and to the right a small window that doesn’t open for several reason I can assume.

            A nurse enters her room, checking her vitals signs and to hang another bag of fluids. I feel her eyes on me the entire time, attempting to get my attention she tries to make small talk, questioning me as if I’m being interrogated at a police station.

            It’s none of her damn business as to why I’m here and who I am to her.

Natalia is all that matters right now. Ignoring her nurse completely, I make my way over to Natalia’s bedside and grip her hand tight. My once cold hand warms when hers is in mine.

“Nico?” Her voice low and cracked as her eyes begin to flicker and twitch before they slowly open. I crouch down next to her, brushing a few strands from her face.

“Thank god your awake. I thought I lost you there for a minute.”

Relief washes over me, but not for long. Soon the realization as to what happen hits her, her eyes widening as she struggles to escape her hospital bed, the sheets, wires and IV lines getting tangled along the way.

“Orlando- Orlando… he was here- he attacked me!” Her tone filled with fear.

“You’re alright- you’re safe.” But the question is for how long.

I let out a sigh, closing my eyes tightly before pinching the bridge of my nose. “He breached the grounds somehow and authorities have been alerted as well as your father.”

Nodding her head, she’s tense at my words, but when I take her cheek in my hand she leans into the touch and relaxes ever so slightly. I failed her, and I will never forgive myself for it. However, I won’t let anything like this happen again. 

            Forty-eight hours have passed. Forty-eight hours of not knowing Orlando’s wear abouts or what his next moves are. With everything that has happened, I haven’t considered what our next moves should be. Natalia’s safety was a priority to me now more than ever.

            After being discharged from the hospital, Natalia never left my sight. Hours have passed. Hours, as she sat on the couch staring blankly, waiting for him to come and finish what he started. I won’t allow that to happen though. Over my dead f*****g body.

            I pick her up bridal style, her arms wrapping tightly around my neck and carry her to her bathroom. Pulling the crop top over her head and tossing it in the corner, I wondered if someone as sick as Orlando ever cared for her like this. My guess is no, she’s very independent.

            Her hair is matted with dried blood, and her makeups smeared. She never bothered to shower once we arrived home from the hospital, my guess in part is due to fear. I can’t ask the questions that still hang to the tip of my tongue.

            Was he alone?

            Did he say anything to you?

            I don’t want to bring it up, just as much as she doesn’t want to talk about it, but at some point, myself as well as the police are going to want the details as to what happened. I can only hold off Agent Romero and his band of idiots for so long.

            She slides out of her dirt-stained leggings as I steady her on her feet helping her out of it before throwing the corner with the rest of her clothing. She hasn’t uttered a single word, but her eyes say it all. Fear, anxiety, tragedy.

            For a moment there, I think the flame within her has dimmed.

            “Are you steady enough to stand?” I barely get the question out as Natalia nods her head, wrapping her arms around her body focusing her gaze away from me. I wonder if Orlando ever saw this side of her. The vulnerability that she is currently wearing as she stands naked in her bathroom.

            The shower warms and steam begins to build, filling the bathroom with warmth. I busy myself rubbing the tension that has built in my neck, I watch her from my periphery in the mirror as she steps into the fishbowl looking shower.

            She reaches for the shampoo as the hot water splashes. I take that as my cue to leave and grab her a pair of her pajama pant, oversized sweatshirt and a fresh towel from the laundry.

            I can only imagine what she’s thinking, what she’s feeling in this moment.

            I lay the towel and clothes on the bathroom counter for when she’s finished. I don’t hesitate to tell her the thoughts swarming my mind.

            “I’m going to admit it- I was scared that I actually lost you for a moment.”

            “Yeah? Well, he failed yet again.” She says and its clear as day that there is more to the story of what happened five years ago. I feel the rage build within me at her confession. My chest tightens and my lungs stop halting my breath. I focus on her profile as she stares in the abyss. Her face void of emotion.

            Cautiously, I open the shower door and step inside closing the gap between us as her head hangs low, pulling her close to my body. My clothes now completely drenched as I hold her close, refusing to let her go.

            “I tried to fight this; I didn’t want to complicate things between us.” I whisper and her gaze shifts to mine. “I can’t deny the pull between us any longer, the events of what happened two days ago solidified that for me, and I won’t allow it to happen again. I don’t know what I’d do if it did.”

            She’s silent as she continues to hold my gaze as a new tension settles between us. “I meant what I said about always protecting you in every way possible.” The seriousness now reflecting in my tone for the first time since she’s woken and been discharged, but it doesn’t phase her in the slightest, her arms snake up around my neck as she pulls me down for my lips to meet hers.

            The hot, steam filled room heats even further as steam billows out the glass pained shower. She deepens our kiss as my hand snake around her hips, pulling her closer to my body. My c**k presses against the soaked fabric of my jeans, begging to be released.

            “Thank you,” she mutters against my lips as she heaves in a breath, prepared to let her go, she crashes her lips back into mine before I can even get out my next statement. Her hands move to the seams of my wet t-shirt, which clings to my muscular body, as I help her pull the shirt over my head never breaking out kiss. She’s vulnerable, I’m all too aware, but I f*****g need her just as much as she needs me on this moment in time.

            “What for?” I ask her as she runs her hands down my wet abs. “I feel like I have failed you more than anything. I wasn’t there when I should have been.” The excuses choke me as I attempt to put some space between us. Her emotions overcoming her at my words.

            My dear sweet Natalia. I’ve seen this look before. The fear, the anxiety, the anticipation of being unwanted and unloved. It f*****g hurts me to see her in this state. Constantly on edge, much different from the first time I met her.

            “If I were to tell you that I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night, knowing that I let this guy hurt you, steal your fire and confidence, love and strength all while I was a mere two feet away…”

            “Nico, please.” She begs me, bringing both her hands to each side of my unshaved jaw line. The tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

            She doesn’t give me the chance to continue, I watch she closes her eyes taking in a deep breath as she tries to gather her thoughts. “I am not okay. That much is clear.” She tells me as she lowers her head, resting it against my chest, the hot water beating against her back.  “But for now, in this moment, I just need you. All of you.” I pause swallowing the thick lump that’s been hanging in the back of my throat.

            My greedy fingers grip her hips tightly as I pull her into me, crashing our lips back together. It’s a kiss unlike the one from before, this one filled with passion, a possessiveness if you will.

            My lips move to her jaw line, trailing kiss down her neck as my right hand move to her right breast, palming it before rolling her harden n****e between my thumb and forefinger. She fumbles with my belt buckle before unbuttoning my jeans and pulling them down the wet shower tiles, my boxers following shortly behind.

            My c**k stands at attention as she grips my long shaft in her hand, soon lowering herself down to lick the bit of precum from the tip. Gripping a fist full of her hair she takes my length into her mouth, working her tongue up the long vein before deep throating me once again, all while rubbing my balls with her free hand.  

            She releases a throaty moan as she continues to work my shaft in out of her mouth, I grow closer to my release each time she takes me deeper into her mouth. In attempt to last longer, I pull her back to her feet gripping underneath her ass lifting her and pushing her back up against the wet tiles, as her legs wrap around my waste. My c**k teases the opening of her wet slit, her lips meeting mine in a thirsty kiss before I thrust my length deep within her. Stopping for a moment allow her to adjust to my length before pulling back out then back in again.

            “Your p***y is so wet. Practically begging me to f**k you.” I say as I thrust in and out of her quickening then slowing my pace to drive her crazy. “I could f**k it all night long.” Crashing my lips back into hers.

            “Nico,” she moans my name against my lips as her back arches. I reach one hand down between our bodies, finding her c**t and using my thumb, rubbing slow circles. Her body feels tense from the sensation as I continue to tease her c**t while pumping in and out of her. I know she’s close as she begins to fall apart in my arms. “Holyshit…I-I.”

            Her legs grip me tighter as I pick up the pace of my thrusts. A wave of pleasure over comes me as I feel her walls clench tightly on my d**k, her head falling back as her orgasm over comes her. My pace never faulting as I continue to ride out my own release capturing her moans of pleasure with my mouth.

            There are no words, only gasps of air as we try to catch our breaths. I slowly release my grip on her body, allowing her feet to touch the wet tiles of the shower once again as the water begins to run cold. I watch as she runs her tongue along her lower lips, pulling it between her teeth. I groan, taking in a deep breath trying to resist what she does to me.

            I step out of the shower grabbing a towel and wrapping it around my waist as she turns off the faucet. Tossing her the towel I can tell she feels it too, the attraction between us, her body craving mine just as much as mine needs hers.

            “Stay with me tonight.” Her statement takes me off guard.

            I accept it greedily before turning to leave the bathroom returning to my room for only a moment to get some dry clothes. She’s dressing as I enter the room, pulling only the oversized sweatshirt on. With my back against the headboard, I wait for her to climb into bed, resting her head slightly on my chest. I stare up at the palm tree looking ceiling fan as it rotates, wondering how I should approach the topic of getting her somewhere safer. Her tiny hand snakes across my chest. Cuddling closer to me, she begins to drift off into a light sleep.

            “Natalia,” I say in a low voice gently rubbing small circles along her back, placing my other hand on top of the one she’s laid on my chest. “How would you feel if I were to suggest that we leave Chicago for a few days. Till Romero holds up his promise and finds that asshole.”

            The gentle touch startles her ever so slightly. “Where would we go that he wouldn’t find me?” Her voice no higher than a whisper as she huddles in even closer to me. Her shoulder shifting as she readjusts herself.

            She resettles even closer to me, her head still resting on my chest. I’ll lay beside her till she no longer allows me too. Mending the years of heartache and damage Orlando caused. I close my eyes, taking in her fresh clean scent as I feel a sense of comfort over come me.

            “We could go to my hometown.” I say as I peer down to her, her fingers rubbing along my stomach.

            “Ketchum?”

            “I mean what other options do we have? I refuse to let anything like this happen to you again.”

            “He’ll still come for me… He’s made that pretty clear, Nico.” There’s a hint of hesitation in her tone.

            Taking in a deep breath, I swallow down the lump in my throat, taking in everything she has said. I hate that he has this effect of fear on her.

            “Well, if he does come for you, he’ll be on my turf. Plus, I’ll be by your side the entire time.”

            “I’m scared,” She whispers.

            “You have nothing to be scared of when you’re with me Natalia.” I say heaving in a deep breath as I readjust myself on the bed. “I will never know the full extent of what hell he put you through. But I want to understand. One moment I’m thinking I’m only coming here for a job, and the next thing I know…”

            Natalia doesn’t push me to finish my statement, but when I look down at her, her gaze is intently fixed on mine, peering up at me through her thick lashes.

            “I’m not sure what I expect from this.”

            “This?” She questions.

            For a moment I contemplate my last statement, wishing more than anything I could take it back. It’s too risky, especially when she’s in a state like this, and more importantly, we blurred the lines.

            “Forget it for now.” I stop taking in a deep breath, regathering my thoughts as I think back to the very first time, I kissed her. “Your safety is my top priority, and I will do anything to make sure you stay safe.” I explain. “I’m not sure I one hundred percent trust Agent Romero.” I tell her. “I just get a bad feeling, that he’s somehow involved in all this.”

            She stills for a moment before letting out a deep sigh. I can almost see the wheels turning in her head as I mention not fully trusting Agent Romero. I know they have a past, but somethings not adding up. “Ok, I’ll go.”

            “Good, well leave in the morning. Have Dimitri tell your clients you’re going out of town to visit your father. Nothing more then that.”

            She nods her head in agreement before settling back into myside. Her closeness and warmth calm me from the running thoughts in my mind. As her breathing slows, telling me she’s finally fell asleep, I close my eyes. Wishing I could go back and change the past five years for her.

            One thing is for sure, Orlando will not harm her again.