My Guardian Angel(29)

He stepped outside, his eyes always looking around. He opened his trunk and took out my bags. He then took my hand and led me to the elevator. He pressed the sixth floor and up we went. He held my hand the whole way up, his thumb gently rubbing against my knuckles. His touch eased my nerves, nearly calming me down. The elevator dinged and he pulled both my bags and me out until we reached his door. He fished his keys from his jeans pocket and unlocked his door. He then pulled me inside, closing the door behind me.

It was a beautiful open spaced condo with wrap-around windows. How the hell did a SWAT guy like him afford a place like this? I took two small steps forward and admired his open concept, contemporary design. I could see the sun even though it was partially blocked by the building next to us.

“It’s stunning,” I said breathlessly.

“Thanks.” He placed my things down, took my hand, and led me through his condo.

“This is the kitchen. Down the hallway is my bedroom and bathroom and to the left is my office. Here is the living room. It’s pretty self-explanatory, I guess.”

I eased my hand away from his, afraid he’d feel my heart beat.

“You…you can have my bedroom,” he offered as he cleared his throat. I nodded.

“So now, what do I do?” I asked.

“Well, first, you call you brother, and then you call the police and your agent. They’ll need to know what’s going on. Then we’ll figure it out from there.” He put his hands deep into his front jean pockets.

“We?” I asked, confused.

“I'm not going anywhere, Kassia. I'm here to stay,” he said quietly, his damn eyes peering down at me.

“I'm so confused with you,” I finally let it out.

“Confused by what?” he asked.

“By everything. You, me, us. You’re always there, making sure I'm okay. You say things that make me think…” I began pacing.

“Do you like me?” I finally asked as I stopped in mid-stride, surprised at my own fuckin’ mouth. He waited and slowly made his way to me. He put his hands on my shoulders and squeezed them gently.

“I like you as a friend, maybe even like an older sister. You’re easy to talk to, but that’s all.” His words cut me to my core.

Like an older sister, he said. I laughed to myself at how stupid I was to think of him any other way. I pushed his hands off me and moved away from him.

“Good. Just as long as we got that cleared up. So you said I could use your bedroom?” I pointed to the hallway.

“Yes,” he answered.

“Then I need some time to sort all this out and call everyone you told me.”

I took my things and headed down the hall. Don’t cry. Don’t you dare cry, Kassia, I mentally yelled at myself. When I closed that door, I couldn’t stop the tears from coming.

My brother was up in arms about the whole thing, but felt like it was a safe place since Jason was a cop and the building was secure. Tiff was pissed that someone might have leaked out where I lived. The cops, well, they said the usual. That it’s not important until something else happens. I guess me being dead constituted something else. They did say they would patrol my street more often and if anything were to happen, to call them right away.

I didn’t bother to tell the girls, since they were busy and rarely ever came over. I figured I’d tell them when I saw them.



It was already a week since I was living with Jason and we had figured out a way to quietly avoid each other. I wrote most of the time and read the rest, while he worked odd hours. I did cook, leaving him food for whenever he got home, which varied each day.

Like an older sister. Well, that was a new one I hadn’t ever heard someone say to me. I was so stupid to think otherwise. I was seven years older. Obviously, he would want someone younger and prettier. Great! My self-esteem was taking a beating. I needed to find someone to date and get my mind off Jason, but who? Maybe I should call my stalker? I hadn’t felt this low in years. I texted Tiff to see if she wanted to come over, which thankfully, she said yes to. Besides my brother, she was the only other one who knew where I was. Not even my editor or my publishing house knew. Jason said the less who knew the better.

“So, you have the hots for young Jason.” Tiffs words made it sound so dirty.

“It’s more than the hots,” I said, embarrassed at how I felt. I stood up from the couch, headed towards the large windows and stared outside at the busy street below.

“Shit girl! You have it bad.” Tiff’s revelation only annoyed me more.

“Whatever I have, it’s one-sided,” I answered, pissed off at myself.

“One-sided? How? The boy brought you here and is protecting you from some crazy ass, which by the way, I'm hiring security for you. It’s not like you can be in hiding forever,” she stated.