Her Guardians: Her Guardians Trilogy Book 1 (28 page)

If I gave myself to Michael
, it would be all of me, not just the one part that wanted him whilst the other part craved Stephen. That would never be fair.

“I’m sorry.”
Michael took a deep breath, his eyes still shut.

“I don’t know why you’re apologising for kissing me.
I didn’t stop you, did I?”

He kissed
me lightly again, then stopped. I knew he was in turmoil. I was in turmoil, too, and I hated seeing him this way.

“This is delicious.”
He pulled away suddenly and got back to his meal.

“Yes, it is.”
I raised my eyebrow to try and lighten the mood a little.

He caught
my little cheeky stare and smiled. After that, the meal seemed tasteless compared to Michael’s sweet lips.

By the time
dinner was over and the dishes were done, we were both ready for bed. Michael seemed to be getting a bed ready on the sofa, which I frowned about.

“You can’t sleep on there, Michael
. It’s too small. You can sleep next to me. I won’t mind.”

“
I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m good on the sofa, but thanks.” His tone sounded sad. I couldn’t help the sag in my shoulders. Now it felt as though he didn’t want to even be near me. All because my stupid head and stupid heart doesn’t seem to know what it wants. Suffice it to say, it would seem that tonight was going to be just as bad as the night before.

Chapter 14

I
was tied to a bed and I don’t know where I was. I struggled, but I couldn’t move. The next thing I saw was a figure hovering above me. Daniel.

I immediately
tried to scream, but he held his hand over my mouth. I was shaking my head and crying for him to release me.

Suddenly, I
felt a gun against my head. I cried even more, thinking how desperate I was to get away.

Trailing the gun from my face down to my chest, Daniel’s steely blue eyes trap
ped me. His evil smile made me want to vomit. He loved the fact that he had all the power over me and I was completely at his mercy to do whatever he wanted to me.

He breathe
d hard in my ear and kissed my neck. Knowing that there was nothing I could do, I just accepted the fact that he might kill me once he was done with me. I was ready to go. I could take it if I had to. I’d much rather be dead than have to endure this.

As if in answer to my prayers, Stephen
was in the room with us and grabbed Daniel by the scruff of the neck. He punched him in the face, sending a very shocked Daniel to the floor. Soon, though, he was laughing and Stephen went for him again, only to be stopped by a bullet to his chest. “Noooo!” I cried out.

I bolt up in bed, panting and sweating. “Cassie, are you alright?” Michael sat on the bed and scooted over to me. “Bad dream?” I nodded. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I
felt the tears begin to fall, my head spinning. It all just seemed too real. I knew I could never live without Stephen. I wondered whether the dream was preparing me for the inevitable. When they both, leave me, I’ll be broken-hearted.

“Daniel was
in it.”

I was being somewhat truthful
. I didn’t elaborate, though. I wasn’t going to tell him that Stephen was in it, too.

Pulling me towards his chest
, Michael gently stroked my hair. “He can’t hurt you anymore. I’m here and will never let anyone hurt you.”

With an exhausted sigh
, I let the feeling of Michael being so close to me take over. It wasn’t long before I was back to sleep, but it was a restless sleep. I kept dreaming and worrying about Stephen. I was actually glad once my alarm went off. It was only then that I realised Michael was already gone. He left a note on my pillow, asking me to call him as soon as I was awake. I did so straight away.

“Cassie, how are you?
I’ve been worried about you.”

“I’m fine now, honestly.
You helped me. Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome
. You’re still my girl, you know.”

“I know.
I’ll see you soon. I’m just going to jump into the shower.”

We said our goodbyes and I
started to get ready for work. I was actually eager to see that Stephen was okay. I knew he had been working all weekend, and that he would be in for the next three days.

I thought back to the dream and it scared me
. I was frightened by the knowledge that I could lose him.

In my attempt to get to work as soon as I could
, I ran down the stairs. But then a voice made me jump. “Don’t be in too much of a hurry. You’ll slip again.”

I look
ed over to find Lisa-Marie smiling at me. “Good morning.” My voice was chirpier than I expected.

“Good morning to you, too.
I tried calling ‘round for you on Saturday night, but you weren’t in. I was going to ask you if you wanted to get a drink.”

“That would have been great.
I was at a friend’s house. It’s been a little hectic lately.”

“Ou
t saving the world.” She threw her head back a little and laughed.

I laugh
ed, too, but nervously. “Something like that, yes. How have you been?”

Walking at
a steady pace towards the common, we took our time heading for work.

“Fine
. More than fine. I actually wanted to come and thank you. I met that girl you must have seen.”

“Really?
Wow, that’s great. When did that happen?”

“Only a few nights ago.
I know it sounds crazy, but when I saw her, I knew. It’s hard to explain. I’ve never felt for someone what I did with her. It was almost like something was pulling me to her. It’s very early, of course, but I like her very much. We’ve been kind of inseparable since we met.”

“That’s great news.
I’m really happy for you, Lisa-Marie. You deserve it, believe me. You’ll make each other very happy. I’m sure of it.”

“I didn’t tell her about you
, of course. She’ll probably think I’m a bit of a nut-job if I do. Plus, I know you don’t like people knowing.”

“Thanks.
It’s not led me into the best of situations lately.”

We were now halfway
through the Eelbrook Common. I knew Lisa-Marie was heading for the train station, which was on my way to work.

As we were walking through, she l
ooked at me with concern. “Something’s happened?”

“You could say that, yes.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I wondered if I should
, then I thought it would be nice to share it with a friend. And I knew that she was one to me now.

“Well, the Friday before last
, I went out and someone touched my hand. I saw something quite evil. The fact that he works in the station didn’t help matters. To cut a long story short, I avoided him like the plague and he knew something was wrong. He confronted me and things got a little bit out of hand. I ended up in the hospital, and now he is in custody with several charges to face.”

Gasping
, she stood rigid for a moment, then touched my arm. “Oh, my god! Are you okay?”

I smiled at her
. “Yes, I’m fine now. I had a little concussion, nothing serious. I’m just so glad that his wife is safe. He’s been abusing her something awful. I saw how much of a monster he was and knew I had to help. I just didn’t think it would end up how it did.”

“I’m here for you.”
She reached out her hand and squeezed my shoulder. “You know that, right? I know we don’t know each other well, but I feel a huge bond with you. I guess you saving my life has something to do with that.” She laughed a little more and the sound was rather hypnotic.

“I know, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

We eventually get to the point where Lisa-Marie would have to go one way and me the other. She faced me with a smile. “I would really like it if we went out one night.”

“Me
, too. I’ll call you and arrange something. Maybe I could meet your mystery lady?”

I saw her eyes sparkle as she thought about it.
“Oh, yes. That would be great.”

“What is her name
, by the way? I thought I heard Catherine, but I wasn’t too sure.”

“Wow, I don’t think you’ll ever fail to amaze me.
You’re right on.”

“Really?
” I couldn’t help the amused smile.

“Yep, Catherine Jenkins.
I’m actually seeing her again tonight.”

“Well, you go and have a great time
. I’ll call you soon.”

“I look forward to that.
” She hugged me tightly, then pulled away.

I watch
ed her leave and carried on as quickly as I could to the station. I was eager to see if Stephen was okay.

Eventually, I
get to work, where I’m immediately greeted by Paul. “Cassie!” He bellowed my name as he ran towards me. “How are you?”

“I’m much better now
, thanks.” I surprised him by giving him a hug. It wasn’t something I would normally do, but I felt it was the least I could do to thank him for his kindness.

His shocked expression made me giggle a bit.
“I appreciate everything you did for me.”

“Ah
…I didn’t do anything. I’m just glad you’re alright.”

He touched
my cheek and I nodded. We then walked up to my office.

Because of all the stares I was getting, I was glad he was with me.
They weren’t being rude. I just think people found me fascinating all of a sudden. They’re probably wondering if I’ll spontaneously combust or something.

E
ventually, I get into the office where everyone greeted me with big smiles and welcome pats on the back. I noticed some flowers on my desk, and Kali told me that they took up a collection for me. I thank everybody and that was it. Everyone seemed to return back to work, and that was fine with me. I didn’t want too much attention. It was something I never craved.

“You know
, the Chief wants to see you this morning.” Kali winced a little, causing me to do the same.

“Yes, I know.
I want to see Stephen first, though. Is he around?”

Kali’s
face instantly changed into a relaxing smile. “Yes, I think so. Try the Station Officer. Maybe he will know.”

I waste
d no time after that. I picked up the phone and the Station Officer told me he saw him going down to the basement gym about ten minutes ago. I quickly rose and began my search.

I was soon
down the stairs and into the quiet, dark basement. I felt a little fear, remembering all too well what could happen, even in a police station. I shuddered and wondered whether to make a dash back upstairs, but then I heard raised voices. One sounded distinctly like Michael’s.

P
utting my ear to the door, I could hear what sounded like someone being punched. I knew who it was and I was about to go in and break it up, but what Stephen said stopped me dead in my tracks.

“I’m sorry about what I did to you with Elizabeth.
I was only trying to make you see how bad she was for you.”

“By
sleeping with her?” Michael hissed. “What kind of person would do that to their own brother?”

I tried
hard to hold in the gasp. Tears immediately began welling at the betrayal I felt. Neither one of them told me about the situation with Elizabeth—and, greater still, they failed to mention to me that they were brothers!

“Look, I’m
really sorry about what I did, I truly am, but I can’t say I’m sorry for Cassie. I can never apologise for falling in love.”

Those words tore me apart.
I felt anger, but I also felt pain. I would want nothing more than to have Stephen tell me he loved me, but not under these circumstances.

“You’re not deserving of her.
” Michael’s anger was rising in his voice.

“I know I’m not, but I can’t help it.”

“You’d
better
help it. You’ve always been self-centred, Stephen. Always wanting what you can’t have. Always wanting what’s mine.”

“But Cassie’s not yours!
” Stephen’s angry tone vibrated through the walls.

Trying
desperately to peer through the door, I narrowed my eyes to see what was happening. All of a sudden, I saw Michael lunge for Stephen, holding him up against the wall.