5 Chapter Five

[P.O.V. Adriana Braxton]

Scarlet pulling up into the police station parking lot. Turning the engine off in front of an old brick building, we both head inside. Standing in front of the receptionist's desk, a woman that looked to be in her late forties look up at us.

"Good afternoon, ladies. What can I do for you?" She asks kindly.

"Sheriff Miles wanted me to come down for my statement." Answering her question.

"Name?"

"Adriana Braxton." She looked at her computer and dialed a number on the phone.

"Hey, Sheriff, an Adriana Braxton, is here for her statement... yes sir, I will." Hanging up the phone, she stood up from the desk. "Right this way, please."

Following her down a hallway with different offices passing by, we come to the end of the hallway. Reminded me of a Sheriff's office you would see on the t.v. An older man with a grey beard, brown eyes, and a bald head. Sitting there behind the desk, looking up from his paperwork.

"Miss Braxton," Standing up to shake my hand, "Mrs. Rosston didn't expect you to be here but very nice to see you." Shaking Scarlet hand.

"Miss Braxton, if it alright with you? I have one of the Woods brothers coming in as well. Are you okay if we make both statements at the same time?"

"Yes, that fine with me." One of the Woods boys are coming? The office phone rings. Sheriff Miles picks it up.

"Sheriff Miles... That fine send him in Sherry...Great timing his here." Hearing this has my stomach fluttering with butterflies. Hoping that it's the one I've called green eyes.

A knock on the door pulled my attention towards the doorway, a man that looks like he's about in his late 20's standing there.

He has short black hair, black facial hair circling his mouth, coming down into a small beard, white skin, and a perfect muscular body.

Wearing a tight black T-shirt showing off his 8 pack. Dark blue jeans and black tennis shoes. Tattoo sleeves covering both arms. The left-arm has dragon printing, and the right with wolf printing. Gorgeous green emerald eyes with a hint of gold with little blue round the pupil just staring at me.

Just looking at him has my heart beating hard and fast, and the butterflies got a whole lot worse. Pulling his gaze away, shaking the sheriff's hand.

"Mr. Woods, thank you for coming." Says the sheriff.

"Anytime." Green eyes, dark deep voices say. Both of them put their gaze on Scar and Me.

"This here is Scarlet Rosston." Green eyes shake her hand " This here is Adriana Braxton." Green eyes reaching out his hand to me to shake. Reaching out and shaking hands, the pleasurable sparks we're back. Breath Adriana, just breath' I had to remind myself, taking his hand away, leaving my skin feeling empty, I could slightly breathe.

"Ladies, this is Zyston Woods." Sheriff Miles got done, introducing everyone.

Zyston takes a seat next to me. I could smell his intoxicating manly scent. Just being near him, I knew this would be a long conversation with a lot of butterflies fluttering around.

After giving my statement, the Sheriff looks at me seriously.

"Miss Braxton, I suggest you shouldn't walk home alone anymore."

"Yes, sir, of course." Once done talking, Scarlet and I walked out of the building with Zyston trailing right behind us.

"Miss Braxton?" Zyston voice making my heart pick up. Turning around, he stood in front of me. "Can I have a word with you?" Giving Scarlet the okay, she went to the car.

"You can call me Adriana." Why is he talking to me? I'm nobody compared to what he probably used to. A small smile formed with those perfect dark pink lips of his. 'Damn, I wish I could kiss those lips. Wait, kiss? Whoa! Adriana slows down, girl, you barely know the guy.'

"Adriana, I know we don't know each other. If you ever need a ride, I can give you one. I also was wondering if you would like to go to the fall celebration with me?" Saying my name sounds perfect coming from his mouth. 'Did he ask me out on a date? Is he serious? This beauty of a man wants to go out? He also wants to give me a ride home?' Trying to find my voice, regretting the words that come out.

"What? With me? Why would you want to go out with me? This isn't you being polite to me for what happened last night, is it?" The smile on his face disappeared; instead, it got severe.

"No, I'm asking you because I find you very attractive, and I care about your safety." Said with a solemn tone. Never in a million years would I have expected that answer. It made my heart and stomach flutter even more, also bringing a blush.

"Oh... Well, in that case, I would love to." I wish I could facepalm self right now for being stupid. 'Why is it so hard to talk to him? My face is probably redder than tomato right now.'

Exchanging numbers, we both went towards our vehicles. Opening the passenger door, remembering I still have his hoodie on. 'Maybe I can still catch him?' Looking back towards him, he was walking towards his vehicle. Yelling really loud and catching his attention.

"Zyston?!" He looked back.

"I still have your hoodie! do you want it back?!" He smirked at me.

"No! You keep it looks better on you anyway!" With that, he continued to walk away.

Smiling and feeling like a high school girl talking to her crush, I got in the car. Scarlet taking me to work and teasing me the whole way.

Work was busy again tonight. It is going to be another long night. Jake is going to be here late again. Really doesn't want to be up all night. Then it dawned on me I could call Zyston. Thinking about it makes me happy and giggly inside.

Leaving the bar to Jessie, the other bartender. Going out the back door, preparing myself for the phone call. 'You can do this. Try to stay calm and act normal.' Going into my phone contacts pressing on his name, the phone starts dialing. Listening to it ring on the third ring, he answers.

"Hello?" His dark voice sending a shiver down my body.

"Hey Zyston, It Adriana, I know this is sudden and really soon, but could you give me a ride home? Is that okay with you?" 'Can my words be any lamer?'

"I'm glad you asked. What time would you like me to come and get you? And where?" He doesn't mind? What a relief.

"From the bar in town around 1:00 a.m.?"

"Sounds great. I will see you then."

"Great! See you later, Zyston."

"See you later." Hanging up the phone and letting out a breath. All excited to get off work, I head into the bar, and the night just flew by.

Back in the bar kitchen where the storage is, Jake was doing inventory. He totally looks like a nerd with those reading glasses on.

"Hey, just letting you know I got a ride home tonight." Letting Jake know.

"With who?" He asks while looking at the paper on his clipboard.

"Zyston Woods." Jake looks at me all serious.

"Since when do you know Zyston Woods?" That where I gave him the short version of what happened last night and early today.

"Fuck! Adri, why didn't you tell me sooner? I would have given you the night off." Jake scolds me like a child.

"I didn't want the night off. Doing nothing is what makes me think about what happened."

He took a deep breath and let it out.

"Sorry, I care about you. I didn't mean to raise my voice. You sure you want a ride with him?"

"Yes, I'm more than sure." Reassuring him, he just slightly smiled.

"Alright...I will see you back home then? Right?"

"Yes, you nagging hag, some days your worst, then Scarlet." Rolling his eyes at me, going back to work.

[P.O.V. Unknown]

Been keeping an eye on Adriana for about a week now. The beginning of the week is when I saw her again, bartending in a local bar. It's been five years since her escape from my grasp. She doesn't even know that I have found her. Soon enough, she will know, and when she does, I will make sure her friends won't be in the way this time. When I get a hold of her again, she will regret the day she even left me.

This time I will make sure she won't escape, and nobody will find her. Eventually, the people that even knew her wouldn't even remember who she is. I'll make sure that my plan will go through, also looking forward to it. 'We will see each other soon, baby girl, for I can't wait too long to have you.'