I Love You in Secret

Isabelle

I have a lot of questions.

What is a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ doing in front of my house?

Why are the footsteps I usually hear and the animosity I usually feel gone?

Why are the lights inside my house on? I left no one in there.

“Well, I should say you’re welcome, but you haven’t said thank you.” A voice from the bushes just behind me would have made me leap seventy feet into the air if my nerves of expectation and fear hasn’t been dulled by the past six months of the eagle’s following me.

“Who are you?” I spin around as fast as I can, my switch blade placed in front of me to defend myself. “I know how to use this thing well.” My voice is anything but threatening.

I’m just not used to violence despite the fact that I’ve been in a hive of the same for years at a time.

“Duck.” The voice responds quickly, in a way that I know it’s not an answer to my question.

If there’s anything I have learned in the short time that I’ve been exposed to these dangers, it’s that a call to duck, hundred percent of the time, means you should duck.

I ducked, as soon as I got the command and the bullet that whizzed over my head makes me duck lower.

I hear a sound, like someone huffing, followed by a loud thud. Looking back, I see a man on the lawn, fallen from the dogwood tree.

He’d have been easier to spot if it was daytime.

In the same timeframe, a man appears from a nearby shrub, dusting his sleeves as he stands properly.

“Three days, at least, these guys have been on you.”

“Six months.” My correction shouldn’t be a brag, but I need to assert dominance. I still don’t know who he even is.

He comes into the light and my breath hitches in my throat.

‘Angels aren’t real… angels aren’t real.’ I have to repeat in my head, just so that his face doesn’t become the ingrain of an Angel in my subconscious.

“Nope. Still don’t recognize you.” I shrug.

His deep blue eyes are sharp and focused as he nods. “Good. I would have had to kill you if you did.”

My eyes widen for a millisecond, before I remember I’m not scared of death.

“Kidding.” He smiles, but it’s a brief one that disappears as soon as he gives me the satisfaction of seeing his pearly white teeth displayed.

“So… I’m guessing you’re the one that owns the Lamborghini?” I nod further up the parking lot and he smiles in agreement.

“It’s the most humble vehicle I own. Sorry.” He rubs the back of his head. I’d love to see the extended form of his smile, really. “Your brother home?”

I take a step back. “He doesn’t live… ohhh…” I look back at my apartment to see a giant waving from the living room window that directly overlooks this part of the ground floor.

“He didn’t tell me he’d be around today.” I shake my head.

“Or that he has the key, I presume?” The handsome man adds. He’s right. There, however, isn’t a lock made that Damien can’t break into.

The man moves a little closer to me, and, instinctively, of course I move back.

He might look like an angel and all, and just might even be an angel, but they do say ‘The demons you know are better than the angels you don’t.’

“Six months is a long time for these guys to be following you and not yet attacked you. Have any clue why?” he queries me, and suddenly, I feel like I’m in a cell.

I get defensive when I feel cornered.

No need to answer any questions.

“I don’t think it’s any of your business.” Is my reply. To further confuse the flabbergasted man, I add, “and I hope they aren’t dead either.”

He gives me a blank look. “I’m not a registered cop. I don’t have license to kill.”

Oh.

I turn my head to see the man rolling slightly in the grass.

“A diluted sedative mixed with very strong hallucinogens. He’s going to hate himself after this. You’re welcome.” He takes a small bow, even at which he’s still taller than I am.

“Thank you for… I dunno, saving me? I don’t know if I should appreciate this or be mad at you for ruining a balance.” I chuckle lightly.

On one hand, I feel good about going to bed without staring at the windows and seeing figures in the distance, watching me, but on the other hand… I’m screwed.

Of course, they’ll report the happening to their leader and who knows what he’ll do?

“Balance? You’ll tell me more when we get inside.” He walks ahead of me and heads for my door.

Umm… just like that? I think not!

I hurry after him and squeeze myself in front of him, becoming the cheese in cheese sandwich between him and the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I pant and watch him smirk at my slight panic. I might be used to strangers follow me everywhere like malevolent spirits, but never into my house.

They’ve never been able to do that, neither will be.

“Your house? Does it belong to another person?” his golden five o’clock beard just makes him more prestigious, looking from the lower point I’m looking at him from, and in a way, it’s sexy as hell.

My direct line of sight is his jaws, if I tilt a little. To be more carnal, his lips as well.

“Well… you can’t go in there. I have no idea who you are.” I give a weak argument. It’s obvious that he’s not a threat, but my insecurity could never.

“Lucian Dane.” He stretches his hands for a shake. “You’re Isabelle Raven. We’re no longer strangers.” He lays out the obvious and just… walks past me, opens the door and is in the house.

The audacity…