Chapter 17 Hana
HANA
I was exhausted and ready for bed; my body ached from being on my feet all day. I wasn’t complaining about how busy we were, but if I didn’t want to work all hours, I needed to find more staff, and fast.
Knocking on Amber’s front door, I decided to make this a flying visit. She didn’t know I was coming, but I’d not seen her for a few days and, knowing how scatty she was, I wanted to make sure my new friend had eaten and wasn’t in a pile on the bottom of the stairs or something worse.
She answered, giggling, her eyes widening when she saw me. “Hana?”
I looked her up and down. Wearing only a short T-shirt, her hair was all over the place, and her cheeks were flushed. I quirked my brow accusingly, but before I could speak, a loud voice boomed, “Hurry up with that pizza and get that fine arse back in here and sitting on my cock again, baby.”
Laughter burst from us both as Amber’s hand slammed over her mouth. “I’m so sorry you had to hear that,” she mumbled.
Still laughing, I held out the trays of food I’d brought her. “Not pizza, but I was worried because I’d not seen you for a while, so I came to check you’re alive and eating.”
Her eyes grew glossy. “That’s so sweet. Thank you. Do you want to come in? Jarrid’s here.”
I backed away. “Er, no. Not after what I just heard. Go have fun, but don’t be a stranger, okay?”
She blew me a kiss. “Cocktails next Friday? My treat.”
With a nod, I turned and glanced back over my shoulder at her. “It’s a date. And I want to hear all about whatever is going on between you two.”
She practically had love hearts in her eyes as she let out a contented sigh. “Promise. See you then.”
I walked away and heard the door click closed behind me, followed by a loud scream and a giggle, and I was glad I wasn’t Amber’s neighbours. Feeling like I’d been a good friend, I began walking through town to get back to my car.
It was relatively quiet, despite it being early, but small town life was a stark comparison to the city I’d lived in for the last few years. I liked it—the slower pace, people knowing and caring about each other. It felt like the family I’d never really had.
I glanced up at the sky, melancholy settling over me like a blanket as I thought about my brother. Despite how long he’d been gone, remembering him never got any easier, although recently, I’d felt that connection to him I lost for a while. Like he was here, watching me, and I liked the idea.
I was obviously distracted by memories as I didn’t notice the figure standing in a dark alley until they grabbed me and pulled me against them, their hold tight.
Instinct took over. I slammed my heel down on their foot before bringing my elbow back, hearing the satisfying crunch of bone and a grunt before they released me, and I set off running.
“Hana!” A familiar voice came out muffled, and I came to a stop.
Roman?
I turned, and he stepped out of the shadows, his hand cupping his nose.
“Jesus, what were you playing at?”
“Surprising you,” he replied, like it should have been obvious.
I pointed at his face. “Right, and how did that go for you?”
“You hit me.” I wasn’t sure if he sounded annoyed or surprised.
“You hid in a dark alley and grabbed me. And that is why you have the nickname, psycho.”
He took his hand away from his nose and wiped it tentatively on the back of his hand, smearing blood over the black ink of his tattoos.
“What are you doing here, Roman, and please don’t tell me you just happened to be here?” He didn’t reply, so I carried on talking. “How did you even know I was here?”
He shrugged. “I followed you from work. You shouldn’t be walking around in the dark on your own.” There wasn’t even a hint of remorse in his words.
“You followed me?” I should be surprised, horrified even, but instead, a feeling of warmth spread through me.
“Yes.”
I didn’t want him to see how messed up and needy I was for someone to care about me, or give him ideas that this was in any way normal, so I replied, “Right… and you don’t see anything wrong with that?”
Seconds passed, and he didn’t reply. God, we were as messed up as each other. I rolled my lips to hide my smile. “Goodnight, Roman.” I started walking, and he grabbed me again, but this time I didn’t try to fight him, letting myself crash into his chest.
“I wanted to see you, okay?”
His eyes bounced between mine as he guided us backwards into the alley, the shadows hiding us from anyone who happened to pass. Butterflies flooded my stomach as my back hit the wall.
I sucked in a breath, his familiar scent enveloping me. I should be scared of this man. God, he even smelled of danger, but there was something about him that reassured me, that made me want more.
“Why?” I asked innocently.
He stroked his fingers along my jaw, raking into my hair and gripping tightly, pulling my head back so I had to look up at him. I took him in—those piercing blue eyes, that hard jaw, the beard I wanted to feel against my lips.
“Because, little menace, you’ve plagued my thoughts ever since I laid eyes on you.
I can’t tell you how often I’ve thought about you or wondered what it would be like to be close to you.
To taste you. To have you cry my name while I did unspeakable things to you.
You’re infuriating, and bewitching, and you’re right.
I probably am a psycho, but I’m your psycho, and there isn’t a thing I wouldn’t do to keep you safe. ”
My heart stopped beating, and time stood still as I let his words settle, but I couldn’t, wouldn’t, let someone sweet-talk me into lowering my defences.
I’d never really had anyone to take care of me, and I wouldn’t be starting anytime soon.
I was more than capable of taking care of myself.
My thoughts hardened my resolve. I was on my own.
I was always on my own. “I think I’ve proven I don’t need protecting, Roman.
” My words hit just like I wanted them to, but Roman didn’t even flinch.
“And that makes you even hotter, but this isn’t a question or an offer, Hana. It’s a done deal. You were always mine to protect.”
I should have questioned his words, but his lips slamming against mine stole the thoughts from my head, consuming me.