I freeze at his statement, my stomach flipping as I feel something hard rub my butt through the material of my shorts. "Shit!" I blurted and jumped away in shock only to he yanked back to his side.
"Stay," he whispers in my ear, minty breath fanning my skin and causing goosebumps to rise on the surface. Before I can utter a word in protest his left arm circles my midriff and pins my form to his.
"You alright Lis?" Josh implores in worry, a panicked expression on his facial features, more so as a gun is swiftly pointed at his head. "Fuck."
"What are you doing?" I inquire, my eyes wide as I watch my best friend almost shit his pants, a sweat breaking out on his forehead. The men around him poised for attack. "Klein?"
"This is a warning," Nicholas growls, his hold on me tightening as I aim to break free and run toward Josh. "Next time you poison any ounce of harm to my mate, you might have your head separated from your body."
"Drop that gun," I grit at Klein, my eyes spitting daggers. "Now!"
"Stand down," Nicholas commands and I feel the power in his voice. Klein's hand drops and the others stand back.
"Josh," I call, breaking free from Nicholas as Josh drops to his knees, relief and fear washing over him at once. I squat beside him and clamp his shoulders gently. "I'm sorry Josh."
"It's okay," he exhales, forcing a smile as he shifts his vision from the floor to my face. "I'm fine. Just shaken up, that's all."
"Did you have to do that?" I snarl, anger directed at Nicholas who despite my rage towards him, my mind can't help but deny how handsome he appears in black track pants and a red vest. I slowly help Josh rise to his feet. "Can't you tell he pushed me by mistake?"
"It might have been a mistake as you say," Nicholas counters, irises trained on me as his lips curl to the side. "However, I believe a mistake should be corrected to prevent its repetition."
"Shut up," I muttered under my breath, rage blazing in my eyes.
"It's fine Liz," Josh taps my arm to pull my gaze from Nicholas to him. He sends me a reassuring look and turns. "I apologise for pushing you roughly."
"Glad to see you are a fast learner," Nicholas chips in and I hear a ticking sound in my head as my anger is about to skyrocket to the roof.
I open my mouth to say something but Josh cuts me off by smiling though his stare carries a message I quickly interpret. "Bye Lis." He nods at Nicholas, "Nice to meet you Sir."
"Same here." The handsome devil nods in return, his blue irises pinned on me as I happen to remain by Josh's side.
"I'll see him out," I murmur to his silent question as Josh takes steps toward the stairs. He didn't respond and I was grateful for that, however, I feel his hot stare follow me as Josh and I descend to the down floor, past the living room and toward the exit door.
Josh and I reach the veranda and spot the large white van with about 2-3 men around it. He drags me out of their vision before they can and together we walk to the corner of my building away from strange eyes.
When he is certain we aren't trailed he drops my hand and takes a step back, full of concern and worry shooting from his expression. "Is that the kind of man you want to live with Lis?"
"Josh, I know what you are thinking," I aim to appease and take a step forward.
"Damn right you should," he counters in a mild tone. "What do you think you are doing getting with someone like him? I've heard stories about him but never believed it till now."
"Trust me he isn't all that," I try to defend someone I don't even know. "He's just overprotective toward me."
"I can see through your lie Lis," he argues, his voice sad. "I've known you long enough to nitpick your words."
"I know Josh," I force a lighthearted outlook. "I just need you to trust me on this okay?"
"Your safety is what matters to me Lis." He shakes his head. "But with what I've seen I can't assure myself you'll be safe."
"You tend to see things negatively ," I beam, hoping the doubt doesn't reflect in my orbs as I speak, however I have no idea I was speaking my mind as I say "If anything the incident today guarantee my safety more than any time in my life."
"What makes you think so?" He interrogates, still adamant.
"His behaviour shows he is willing to bring down anyone who poses a threat to me even if that person is one I see as family," I explain, eyes boring into his, the doubt I am scared of showing nowhere to be found as I believe every word that leaves my lips.
^^^^^^^^
The ride is silent as I sit in the passenger seat of the newest GLK model. The navy blue painted vehicle cuts through the traffic and concrete roads as we drive out of the city.
My vision was pinned at my window as we zoomed past houses, people and objects. The events of the morning run through my mind every now and then and I can't help but feel sorry for Josh who unfortunately got tangled up in my little mess.
Minutes passed and we are currently on a quiet road which if I'm not wrong leads to the Lazarus Estate. A wide space of land owned by the Lazarus family that was used to build a different kind of environment that housed thousands of people who were often seen or overheard as strange, people whom I now know to be werewolves.
The whole world knows there is something fishy about the estranged city but no one, not even the government or the strongest military can dare to investigate or have control over the land or people in it.
Nicholas's mother is one of the most powerful women in the world and is oftentimes invited alongside the president and high ranking officials for certain events and occasions.
"Why do I get the feeling you are mad?" His husky voice cut through the quiet atmosphere of the car and my thoughts.
"Who wouldn't be?" I divert my attention to my left and observe him lift a brow as he steers the wheel on a straight path. "After the stunt you pulled on Josh."
I unconsciously note his fingers tighten at the mention of Josh and I take that as something to ponder about later. His gaze darts in my direction as he says. "Not only mad, nonetheless I can sense a hint of sadness."
"It's understandable on my part." I shrug, "you won't expect me to be happy about leaving my home and the city I love to an unaccustomed environment I've never visited."
"Think of it as an adventure," he suggests, his lips tilting slightly as he tries to tease me.
"Adventure my foot" I scoff and roll my eyes. "More like kidnapping."
"You came willingly so I'll like to call it an impromptu trip," he defends and for the first time since I've known him I notice his expression relax to somewhat of a carefree one. "I thought chefs loved to travel?"
"Well this chef doesn't," I declare and whirl my face back to the window in the bid to hide the tears I know will be clouding my irises as I think of the past. "I've only travelled for sad and unplanned reasons."
The atmosphere returns to silence after my words and I can't help but pray he doesn't discern the trembling in my voice at my last statement. Seconds tick by and I jump in shock as a palm rests on my thigh exposed by the shorts I have on.
I swerve sharply to make sure I am not imagining things, my eyes widening as I trace the hand to its owner, Nicholas Damien Lazarus. My outlook is a pure definition of disbelief as my mouth unhinges.
He seems to notice as he shocks me further by giving the spot a squeeze, causing lines of electricity to run through my bones.
He surprises me further by briefly looking at me as he says, "I promise to make sure this doesn't fall under one of the sad reasons you've experienced."
I am rendered speechless by his utterance as his words keep ringing in my head. Never in my dreams did I think the cold hearted man the world talked about will have a soft side.
What I just experienced is so fleeting that it can be taken as my imagination playing tricks on me, however the present feeling of his index finger drawing circles on my thigh is a reminder that I didn't imagine it.