The Badass Protector

Iris

“YOU DON’T have to apologize. I would do the same thing if I were in your position. I couldn’t help but blame myself because whether I liked it or not; those murderers went there looking for me. Knowing they died because of me, I felt the guilt eating me up every second. It kills me if something bad happens to all of you, you know. That’s why I wanted to turn myself in.”

“You don’t have to shoulder it alone anymore, Iris. You have us, and we’ll figure this out together.”

As it sounded good coming from Lois, I couldn’t ignore the fact that they were still hunting me. I had to go back to the reality that we were about to face Otis Wise in a few hours or days if we were lucky.

“I wish I knew what you all are fighting for.” I glanced down at my hand, feeling useless.

“We already know, Iris. It’s you, the woman we met weeks ago. Our friend, our family.”

“I would have been dead if not because of you. All of you. I owe you all my life.”

“Let me ask you one thing. If something goes wrong, are you going to leave me alone?”

I stared at her, scowling. “Why would I do that?”

She shrugged. “Then you got the answer. We care about you, and so as Colt.”

“I didn’t know you cared so much about Colton. Until earlier.”

“He saved me more than I could count. He, Gael, and Frost. We owe them a lot.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“It just… I don’t know what they want from me. I’ve been asking myself many times, but I couldn’t still figure it out. I’m nothing important to them, believe me.” I nonchalantly rubbed the pendant on my chest. “And I’m tired of running away, and people died because of me. Do you know that feeling?”

“You are important enough for us. That’s what matters.”

I scanned the cabin and found a halogen lamp hanging on the ceiling. “Why are we not using the light? There’s a generator, right?”

“Those motherfuckers might see the light from a distance.” I stilled to the voice behind me as the thuds of footsteps got closer.

My heart raced in anticipation of seeing him again.

I turned to face Colt, studying him-he was wearing Camo gear. “Where did you get that?” He discarded the uniform back at the lake when it got soaked.

“I’m a very resourceful man.” He smirked, and that smirk alone made my blood pump so fast against my veins-I could feel the sudden rush that shot straight to my chest and neck.

“I can see that now.” I smiled. “Where are they?”

“Outside. Have you eaten something?” Colton leaned down to kiss my forehead.

“Now that you’re here, I got to go and take a nap. Wake me up if you need anything,” Lois said.

“We got it from here, Lois. Thanks.”

Colton took a seat beside me, gripping my thigh. “How are you feeling?”

“I got a lot of that kind of question lately, but I’m good as new aside from having some sore muscles. Thank you for asking. And don’t worry, I’ll live.” I covered his hand with mine, letting the warm feeling seep through my palm. I leaned my shoulder on his arm.

“Do you need painkillers? I think Frost has some.”

“I’m good.” I lifted my gaze, meeting his. “Did you go and scavenge while I’m out?”

“No. They went to scavenge, remember?” he answered softly. His breathing was warming my face. The softness of his voice alone had a ripple effect down my spine. He studied me, from my eyes, nose, down to my lips, then gulped-pain gleaming in his eyes.

“What is it, Colton?”

“I thought you chose to leave us. To- to leave me.”

I cringed, but I managed to smile lightly. “I want you all to live. Maybe when all these will be over, and I’ll live, I might still get a chance to see you again even though you might have already moved on with someone else.”

“That easy, huh?” He smiled-there was no laced of joy on his face.

“I would do it in a heartbeat. I mean turning myself in.”

“Don’t be selfish, twig.”

“I’m sorry if I had to decide it on my own,” I whispered, reaching for his face.

“Apology accepted. I almost lost you once, and the feeling was hard to bear. I don’t want to be in the same position again, twig. I can’t let that happen.” He leaned closer-our noses touched. “Don’t do that to me. Ever. Again. You and I-we’re not giving us up. Do you understand me?

God, this man will be the death of me.

“Loud and clear.” I angled to get access to press my lips on his, but he was a damn teased and eased back. I watched his eyes darken, but he seemed to have it under control.

We stared at each other for a while and let the sexual tension bank in until the atmosphere around us suddenly changed. I wished the time would slow down and give us a few moments together before things would crumble down on us again.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I groaned, grabbed the back of his head, and crashed my mouth on his. My body felt alive, and I let it burn. My nipples hardened and felt sensitive against my bra-a dull ache set on my sex-almost painful.

Colt groaned, taking my mouth with a fierce and rough claim. His hand slid south, cupping my jeans-covered mound.

I gasped, and it gave him access to slip his tongue inside my mouth as he palmed my sex at the same time.

My face flushed with arousal and embarrassment, still shocked and aching. Then his mouth and hand were gone, leaving me hot and bothered.

He abruptly stood up without excuse, checking the small dirty window covered with cobwebs.

“Hold still. Don’t move.” His unexpected action caught me off guard.