Sheltered(15)
Chapter 6
Ryker
“Are you sure about this?” John asks as he paces nervously.
He’s been this way since I told him my plans. I knew this morning when he stepped out he was going to see Blair for a moment. Not that I blamed him. She has a magnetism that I know all too well. I would be lying if I didn't admit I felt some jealousy of the closeness they share. He had something with her that I didn’t. But I fought it back knowing that John only wants the best for her. And I was able to pacify myself knowing that in time I’ll have her in all always.
“Yes,” I answer calmly as I check my watch for the twentieth time. She should have been out of work by now. It’s putting me on edge that she hasn't left yet. I always feel jumpy when I don’t have eyes on her.
“She’s a nice girl, Ryker.”
I turn around to face him and shove my hands in my pockets. “Do you think there’s something about her I don’t know?” I raise an eyebrow and wait, but he shakes his head. “I hired you to do a job, and I expect you to do it. You and I go back a long time, but I’ll understand if you can’t handle taking this the rest of the way. No hard feelings,” I tell him. I’m trying to give him an out if he needs one, but I know he won’t take it. He’s too loyal. When John says he’ll do something it will be done without a doubt.
John exhales heavily. “Your family has been good to me, and I’d do anything for you.” I should feel guilty that I’m making him help me with this, but I don’t. All I feel when it comes to Blair is an obsession I don’t understand. One that I stopped trying to understand long ago. It’s better that way. I would only drive myself crazy trying to figure it out, and I already know I’ve gone crazy enough at this point. So I’m not going to fight it.
I’ve known John since I was a baby. John’s mother was a nursemaid to my mama and took care of her when she got scarlet fever as a baby. My mama said John was like her brother, since they were only a few years apart. I called him Uncle John for most of my life until I realized we weren’t actually related by blood. But he’s as good as, and I always made sure that he and his family had everything they needed. Now he’s helping to make sure I get what I need.
“I just don’t like lying to her,” he confesses, and I see guilt in his eyes. It’s not in his character to deceive anyone. He’s a good man and fought for his country. He’s always been the most honorable person in my life, and I knew asking him to do this was going to take a toll.
“This is the end of the road, if you’re ready to stop,” I say.
“And it won’t hurt?” he asks, going over the plan again.
“She’ll go right to sleep.” I’d never hurt her. The thought makes my stomach turn. I’m already uneasy with the fear I know she’s going to have. A fear of me that I know is going to rip me to shreds. That’s the last thing I ever want to see on her face when she looks at me. I’ll work hard to change that look.
He nods again, and then we both look up when we hear a noise coming from inside the gallery.
Right then Blair comes bursting out of the glass doors, her eyes full of tears and her face flushed. My chest tightens at seeing her cry. I didn’t plan for this. I run to her and grab her in my arms as she stumbles to stay on her feet. Her body melts against me, and I press my nose to the top of her head, inhaling her sweet scent. I love that I finally have her in my arms, but her tears cut me.
“I’ve got you,” I whisper and lay my cheek on the top of her head. She fits against me so perfectly. A calm settles over me, reminding me that I’m doing the right thing, that I will take her and make sure she never has a reason to cry again.
I try to comfort her with my body as much as possible. I want to destroy whatever has made her cry and never let it get close to her again. She deserves to be happy and full of light, not crying bitter tears. She needs a protector.
Holding her against me is selfish, but I do it as long as I can before she pulls away. She glances to my left and she sees John in the background.
“Johnny? What are you doing here?” She tries to move away from me, and I tighten my grip. I don’t want to spook her, but I can’t let her go.
Her eyes travel up my wide chest before they land on my face. I don’t know how much of me she can see, but I see all of her in the moonlight. Her hazel eyes have specks of gold in them, and her dark lashes make them seem brighter. Her full lips are parted, and I ache to run my tongue between them, to know what she tastes like.
“Shhh. It’s all going to be okay,” I say as I try to calm her down. There’s a moment when our eyes lock and I can see that she might just be the one to break me.
I grab the needle from my pocket and stick it in her arm. When the sleeping drug is injected, it makes her eyes glassy almost instantly. She makes a small noise, but I hold her close and wait for the drugs to take her under.
“Go to sleep, little cricket.” My voice is soft, and it only takes a second before her eyes close.
I scoop her up in my arms and turn to face John.
“It’s time.”
Chapter 7
Blair
Bear’s tail smacks me awake, and I brush it off. “Bear,” I groan, rolling over and searching for him with my hands before pulling his big furry body to me. He purrs loudly, making me smile. It’s nice waking up and knowing someone is going to be there waiting for you. “Let me sleep in a little longer and I’ll feed you.” I pet him, wanting five more minutes. My body feels heavy and I don’t want to get up yet, so I snuggle deeper into the sheets. I inhale, and a deep, rich scent fills my nose. It sparks something in my brain, and I gasp.