Chapter 5
Silas
Iwas sitting across the table from Rosalie, and I couldn’t stop looking at her. She was adorable. From her strawberry blonde curls she had half tied back with a pink scrunchie, down to the freckles on her face. I wanted to count them. Every last one.
I need to stop staring; she’ll think I’m weird.
I diverted my eyes elsewhere, only to circle back to her again, watching her fiddle with the menu. The restaurant bustled with laughter and the clinking of glasses but all I could focus on was her.
I felt a fierce protectiveness over her. The desire to hold her hand and ease whatever anxiety she was feeling, but I found enough self restraint not to overstep.
Is she nervous because she always dates assholes? Or is she worried that I am also an asshole? I’m not an asshole. At least, I don't think I am. How do I prove to her that I only have the desire to kiss the ground she walks on and worship her in the way that she deserves?
I didn’t want to scare her away, not after I finally managed to get a date with her. Now that I thought about it, I’ve seen her drink coffee, but I’ve never actually seen her eat before.
“So, have you decided what you want?” I leaned forward.
Rosalie smiled. “I think I’m going to get the crispy chicken caesar salad. What about you?”
“Aren’t you hungry for something more?” I pressed. “Steak? You can get whatever you want, I’m paying.” I smiled.
Did she want salad because she actually wanted it, or was she more insecure than she let on? Was she worried about her weight because of ballet? Rosalie, darling, you’re beautiful just the way you are…
Rosalie shrugged. “I mean, it’s lunch, not dinner. I’m trying to keep it light.”
“Light is overrated,” I quipped. “Come on, you need your strength, but—if your heart desires a crispy chicken caesar salad, who am I to get in the way of that.”
She giggled.
I love her laugh.
Our playful exchange warmed my heart. I was about to lean in closer when an unwelcome figure approached our table.
It was Jason, a well-known total sleaze.
A goddamn loudmouth who had a penchant for interrupting other people’s good times and Rosalie’s shitbag of an ex who cheated on her with one of her friends.
I hated people like him. Hell, I hated him.
You know, now that I think about it. Why the fuck have I not killed him yet?
My eyes narrowed as he approached our table.
How dare he interrupt my date with her.
“Hey there, beautiful,” Jason's voice dripped with insincerity. He leaned against her side of the table.
Ok, yeah. I’m going to kill him.
I wanted to wipe that obnoxious smirk plastered across his face. I cleared my throat, but he ignored my existence entirely.
“Didn’t think I’d be seeing you sitting with this guy,” Jason remarked.
Rude. The fuck is that supposed to mean?
My jaw tightened. Irritation surged through me while I watched Jason’s eyes rake over Rosalie. She shifted uncomfortably under the unwanted attention.
“Jason, we are in the middle of something.” Rosalie’s tone was firm yet polite, attempting to brush him off.
Jason waved his hand dismissively. “Oh, come on, I just wanted to say hi.” He leaned in, trying to catch her gaze. I knew what he was doing. “Rosalie, baby, come on.”
“Thank you, but no thank you. Please leave us alone,” Rosalie replied as politely as she could.
“She said she wasn’t interested. Back off Jason. Go play somewhere else, we’re busy.”
Jason’s eyes turned icy, sneering at me. “Busy with what? A boring ass lunch? Please. Rosalie could do so much better than you.”
My pulse quickened. He had no idea who he was messing with.
How did this idiot think he had a right to disrespect Rosalie like that?
The urge to defend her overtook all rational thought.
I rose from my seat, and grabbed Jason by the collar of his stupid Vineyard Vines polo T-shirt.
“Listen closely, Jason. I am only going to tell you once. You’re out of line, and if you don’t back the fuck off, I will make sure you regret it. ”
Jason chuckled, clearly unphased. “What are you going to do, tough guy?”
He was about the same height as me, but I didn’t care; his beer belly wasn’t the slightest bit intimidating. This guy looked like he lived off Bud Light and Easy Cheese. “Back off before I show you.”
Rosalie looked between us, reaching out. She grabbed my forearm with delicate fingers. “Silas, it’s okay,” she muttered softly. “Can we just ignore him and go back to our lunch?”
The moment I felt her touch, a wave of calm washed over me. I looked at her, and my eyes softened. Turning back to Jason, I tightened my grip on him before letting go and pushing him away from us.
He’s not worth it… I need to cool it. I don’t want to scare her.
Jason rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath as he turned away.
I watched him leave the restaurant with his buddies, and once he was out of earshot, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
Turning back to Rosalie, my features softened.
“I’m sorry about that… are you okay?” Sitting back down in my seat.
I reached out for her hand, gently grazing my thumb across her knuckles.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she smiled, “Thank you for stepping in… I don’t know why he acts like that—like he has a chance with me—but I assure you, he doesn’t.”
“That guy doesn’t know how to treat a woman, least of all you. You deserve someone who—”
“Treats me well? I know,” she interrupted, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “We didn’t even date all that long, but he thinks everyone wants him, which,” she leaned forward, “certainly isn’t true.”
Her touch was electrifying, and I wanted more. I didn’t care that I was greedy when it came to her.
She was mine; she just didn’t know it yet.
The waiter came to our table to take our orders. I gestured for her to go ahead.
“Could I get the 6 ounce steak with garlic butter please? Medium well, with mashed potatoes and broccoli on the side?”
I smiled, happy that she listened to my suggestion and ordered something more filling.
Ithink the date went really well, but I couldn’t shake off the interaction with Jason.
The darkness within me couldn’t be ignored; it only grew until I satisfied its bloodlust. My mother always said my father had psychopathic tendencies.
Maybe I got it from him. I never killed without good reason, though.
I did what I had to do to ensure Rosalie’s safety.
That was all. I did what I had to do for her sake.
I was her protector, she just didn't know it yet.
I walked Rosalie back to her car, feeling the urge to keep her close just in case Jason reappeared for whatever reason.
“Do you need me to drive you?” I offered as we approached her vehicle.
“No, I can manage. Thank you, though.” She smiled, opening her car door.
I hesitated for a moment, watching her get into the driver’s seat. “Call me later?”
“Of course,” Rosalie answered. “You’re sweet.”
I’m sweet. She thinks I’m sweet.
I felt the heat rise within my cheeks. Those two words were so simple, yet they meant so much to me.
“Drive safe,” I took a step back and watched her pull out of the parking lot.
I stood there, anger burned within me as I retraced our interaction with Jason.
I needed to find him and put him in his place.
It wasn’t rational, and the police were already beginning to question three dead bodies in the past couple months…
I had to be careful. The last thing I needed was my uncle to come prowling around.
This town was small—too small for my liking.
It wasn’t hard to track Jason down. It was mid-afternoon, and a few hours had passed since Rosalie and I’s initial interaction with him.
He was so predictable. Based on his social media, he always hung around the same run down bars.
I waited for the proper moment to strike.
I lifted my hood over my head. Lucky for me, it was dreary out, which made it even darker than what it should be.
I used it to my advantage. Watching him stumble out of the bar drunk, my hands in my pockets, I took a breath.
I’m doing this for her.
“Hey Jason—” I called out. The moment he turned around, I punched him so hard in the face he nearly fell on his ass.
Good god that felt good.
Jason grabbed the nearby lamppost to steady himself. “What the fuck—” he grimaced. Turning back to me, he attempted to throw a punch at me. “The hell do you think you are?”
I smiled. “Your worst nightmare.” With considerable strength, I shoved Jason to the ground. I felt alive—something primal, something raw. Something inside me that drove me to keep going. This wasn’t merely about sending a message, or even making a statement. I was going to fucking kill him.
It was the only way to truly protect Rosalie.
I kicked his teeth in, watching him roll onto his side.
Jason grunted, spitting blood onto the concrete.
Without a moment of hesitation, I reached down and grabbed him by the collar, dragging him towards the alleyway.
I wasn’t concerned about the blood, the rain would wash it away.
Even if the police utilized a blood kit, it wouldn't make a difference. It wasn't my blood being spilt.
“What are you doing—” Jason choked out.
The air thickened with anticipation. The adrenaline was almost overwhelming.
I smiled. “Goodbye, Jason,” I picked up a pipe that was lying by the dumpster, and delivered a blow to his head that echoed like thunder in the night.
The crunch of his nose breaking on impact was such a sweet sound; the thrill of power tasted even sweeter.
I swung the pipe again, and again. Watching Jason’s blood splatter until he was unrecognizable, nothing but a bloody carcass left to rot.
With the pipe still in hand, I looked down to see the blood that dripped from it. I would have to dispose of the pipe, my gloves and these clothes. Easy enough, really. Nothing I hadn’t done before.
I stepped back into the light.
No matter the cost, I would always protect Rosalie.