"What do you mean my parcel went missing?" Tristan asked as we sat around a table in his study.
His voice was gruff, and there was an angry scowl etched on his face. His blue eyes were as cold as ice as he glared at the man—Sid, who had come to report the mishap.
Sid looked away and remained silent, his gaze darting back and forth between Tristan's eyes and the floor.
Tristan remained still as a stone for several moments before speaking in a calming voice, "You should have kept an eye on it."
He stared at Sid for a few moments before turning his attention to his second in command and saying, "Now go find the parcel before it's too late."
Sid nodded quickly and left the room.
"Sid is a good man," he said, turning back towards me. "But I don't know how much longer I can keep relying on him. It's been too long since the last incident with him."
No matter what had been said, I knew I had made it so obvious that my thoughts were on the incident that took place yesterday and not on the one that had occurred just a few minutes ago.
No one knew of my presence in Elderon except Tristan and his men. They intercepted my arrival on that day, and ever since then, I've been hiding inside Tristan's home.
It was a comfortable feeling, staying by Tristan's home, away from the prying eyes of society. I would get up early every morning and go out for a walk before breakfast. It was always nice to be outside and admire the beautiful scenery surrounding the mansion.
But even that joy was short-lived today. I had to hide once again. And the fear of being in danger after we were attacked had robbed me of the ability to enjoy my daily routine.
I needed a disguise and, most definitely, a means of transportation. And the latter was easier said than done.
Tristan's home was not only huge but also extremely well-guarded by his men. And he knew them well; they knew his habits and how he usually arrived or left the place.
They wouldn't let anyone else enter the property unless they had permission from Tristan. And that meant if I were to use Tristan's vehicle to escape, someone would recognize me.
It would be difficult for me to hide behind the wheel of the car. And even if I were to somehow manage to drive away without being spotted, I'd be stuck with nowhere to go but into a populated area.
There was no way I could manage to make it through unnoticed with so many people around.
And that was if I were lucky enough to escape the compound without being seen first.
I needed to make a stand right now. I came to this city with a purpose, and I definitely wasn't going to let a little hiccup get in the way of my plan.
"Tristan..." I murmured in a quiet voice, hoping that he would pick up on what I wanted to say.
"Hmm?" He turned his head toward me, his eyes filled with curiosity. "What is it?" he asked, tilting his head slightly to one side. "Are you hungry? Or thirsty?"
I shook my head quickly, making him frown as he sat up straighter. "Are you sure you're alright? You don't look yourself."
He placed his hand on my forehead and gently tilted my head back so that he could look at me from different angles, making me feel embarrassed under his scrutiny.
"You look pale," he commented, sounding worried as he reached for a glass of water on the table and brought it towards my lips.
I took the glass from his hand and gulped down the cool liquid before handing it back to him with a smile. "Thank you."
Tristan looked at me with a frown before putting the glass back on the table.
"Is there anything else?" he asked, worry evident in his tone. "Anything that you need? Are there any requests or needs that you want to fulfill? Or any errands you need taken care of?"
Why does he keep worrying so much about me? If he keeps this up, I won't be able to do anything without him!
I shook my head, trying to sound as normal as possible. "No, nothing."
His frown didn't fade away as he turned his gaze towards the door Sid had just walked out of. "I know you feel a bit guarded with me right now," he paused for a moment and took a deep breath before speaking, "but I need you to trust me; I need you to tell me what's wrong."
"Nothing is wrong," I replied truthfully, but with a tinge of doubt in my voice. "Why would you think so?" I asked softly, trying not to sound suspicious or accusing.
It wasn't about anything being wrong, but what I had in my heart to do once I left here. I didn't want to lie to him, but at the same time, I didn't want to share what was going through my head at the moment. It didn't feel right.
He stared at me for a moment before finally sighing deeply and turning his eyes back to me. "I just want to protect you," he murmured. "That's all."
I smiled softly at the sincerity in his voice. "Tristan..." I started tentatively before my voice grew firm and determined: "Why do you care so much about me? I had always wondered why a cold-blooded Mafia who is rumored to have a huge distaste for women suddenly makes me an exception to it." I paused as my cheeks flushed with shame. "I had always wondered why you were willing to help me despite being in troubling situations due to my presence."
Tristan's eyes were fixed on mine, and I saw a hint of surprise in them. He remained still for a few moments before he finally spoke. "I don't understand your question," he said simply.
Are you kidding me? There is no way you are going to snake your way out of this one!
I cleared my throat and took a deep breath before replying quietly, "Well, then I'll ask it another way."
I paused for a few seconds before I spoke again: "Tristan, why did you help me those nights?"
I could see the muscles in his jaw working as he clenched his teeth together tightly before finally opening his mouth and saying something that shocked me.
"You're different from everyone else I've ever met," he muttered before stopping again as if trying to gather his thoughts.
He got up slowly, moving towards the door before turning back to me with a faint smile on his face. "You're so much more pure-hearted than they could ever hope to be. A gift that came knocking on my doorstep, one I never regretted having stumbled upon."
The air froze inside my lungs when I heard those words. He was trying to tell me that he loved me—that he had feelings for me—but not as a lustful desire that had been ignited by seeing me naked and vulnerable, but more like a man would love a woman.
I felt like I was going to faint when I heard that, but at the same time, I couldn't look away from him as my mind wandered to thoughts of how I wanted to feel in his arms.
How soft those lips would feel as they moved against mine; how his tongue would move against mine; how warm his skin would feel against mine...
Damn! What's wrong with me?
I took a deep breath as he approached me slowly and stood before me, looking down at me with a smirk on his face as if he knew exactly what was going through my head.
He leaned down until our foreheads were touching, and I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin as he whispered, "And now you've just reminded me of how much I care for you... how much I want you in my life."
His eyes searched mine and held them as I felt the heat of his lips brush against mine before he pulled back. "I can't afford for you to leave now, not when I'm just getting used to having you around."
I looked into his blue eyes, trying to make sure I was reading his expression correctly. Did he just say what I think he did? Did he just say that he loves me in another form?
But as my heart began to beat faster, my mind began to wander again, and all I could think about was how nice it would be to be kissed by him.
And I felt myself blush again as his hands lifted my chin gently and brushed his lips against mine. I closed my eyes at the sensation, loving how tender it felt, as if his lips were actually touching mine.
And it felt even more wonderful as his lips moved slowly against mine as his tongue gently caressed my lower lip. The tingling sensation that spread through me was something indescribable—something that made my whole body go numb.
The burning sensation vanished as soon as he moved away from me, and in its place was a dull ache that made my legs weak.
"That's what you wanted to hear?" he asked softly, brushing his lips against my forehead.
I opened my eyes slowly and stared at him for a few moments before nodding my head.
He nodded as well, smiling gently. "Then let me say this," he murmured. "I love you."