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Joe's POV

I have this an uneasy feeling in my gut. I don't really know why, but I hope everyone is safe at home.

The last time I got this feeling was that night two years ago. I don't want to dwell on it and I pray to God nothing like that happens again.

I quickly shake my head and pass my hands in my face. I have to make sure everyone is safe.

I ignored it last time and what happened next I didn't like. I have to get home.

"Hey, you guys, I'm just going to go home for a while," I say to Darrell and Jayden, who are sitting across from me.

"What! Why? We're just starting to have fun," Darrell protests.

"I just got to go. If all is well, then I'll be back shortly."

"Are you saying there's something amiss?" Jayden asks, raising his eyebrows.

"Not that I know of," I say and quickly stand up.

I don't let anyone say anything else as I make my way out of the diner. I take a cab since I don't want to leave those two stranded.

I wonder why it's getting more intense each passing second. I sure hope no one's is in danger.

When I get home, I go through all the rooms and sure enough everyone is home and safe.

Thank God for that.

Except, there's one missing person. Erica. I didn't bother going into her room since she and I aren't exactly on speaking terms.

I rush up the stairs and stop right in front of her door. Right now, my heart is slamming in my chest. I brave up and knock.

No answer.

I knock some more and still the only answer I get is silence. Where is that girl?

I could have two possibilities. One, she doesn't want to talk to me and two, she's not in her room.

I scurry to where I last saw Moana. By the pools. Sure enough, she's still there thank heavens.

"Moana, where's Erica?" I ask.

She looks at me for a while as if trying to figure something out. "That's a first," is all she says.

"C'mon Mo, you know where she is?"

She smiles. "She's at Jaime's place."

I clench my jaw in utter annoyance. I do not like the sound of that one bit.

"For how long has she been gone?"

"Three to four hours," she shrugs.

Four hours?

"Can we uh...pay 'em a visit?"

She furrows her brows, "who are you and what did you do to my brother?"

Under different circumstances I would have laughed at that. But right now, I've to make sure Erica is fine.

"Why would you do that?" She asks.

"Well, she's your best friend and you happen to be my sister so technically she's like a sister to me too."

"So..."

"So, I'm allowed to see just where her boyfriend takes her."

"He lives just next door."

"Goddamn it Mo, are you coming or not?" I'm literary frustrated right now.

"Okay, jeez, what's got your panties in a twist?"

You have no idea.

We cross the beach and get to the back of the house. I motion to Moana to remain quiet. I try the doorknob to find the door isn't locked.

"Isn't this trespassing?" Moana whispers.

"Shh..."

"I don't want to go to jail you know."

"Shut up, Mo, just shut up."

She motions to her lips as if she's zipping it and placing a lock on it, throwing away the key.

I look into the kitchen but find no one. I proceed to the living room, the movie room, guest bedroom, and still I find no one.

Maybe no one's home. I haven't checked the first floor though. So I take the flight of stairs with Moana on my heels.

There are five doors on this floor. I check room one, nobody. Room two, nobody.

As I proceed to room three, I hear noise coming from the room at the end of the hall.

Bingo!

I lean my ear on the door and try to listen in but all I hear is a muffled voice.

Is that...Erica?

I don't wait so much as ponder what I do next. For all I know I could be walking in on their love making, but I care less.

My eyes immediately zero in on the scene in front of me. The blood drains out of my face and I unconsciously clench my fists.

I hear Moana let out a scream behind me and I snap out of my daze.

Jaime hovers above Erica, naked. Completely naked. Erica on the hand, lays on the bed with nothing but her lingerie. And she's...unconscious?

As I process what exactly is happening, Moana rushes past me into the room. Jaime gets off Erica and pushes himself into the wall as if hoping it would swallow him.

Moana rushes to Erica's side while I advance menacingly on the cowering idiot.

I look over to Moana and she confirms Erica is unconscious. That's when I snap.

I grab Jaime's neck and lift him slightly off the ground. I land my first blow on his cheek, managing to tear open the corner of his mouth.

"I can explain man, listen to me, please," he pleads but I hear none of it as my fist connects with his nose, breaking a bone.

I let go of his neck and he falls to the floor. I hover above him as I land blow after blow.

Nobody

Touches

What's

Mine!

My knuckles are soon soaked in blood. Moana pulls me away. If it wasn't for her, I would have killed that bustard.

I can't believe it almost happened again. Thank God I got here on time.

Moana wraps Erica in a towel she finds and I carry her in my arms and we head back home. My mother rushes to me with wide eyes, asking what happened.

I respond to no one, knowing that Moana will fill them in. All I care about right now, is the girl in my arms.

The girl I've grown to love, much as I tried to suppress those feelings. The girl who annoys the hell out of me but still manages to get to my heart.

I almost let that very girl to be treated like how my younger sister was treated two years ago.

I place Erica gently onto the bed, careful not to create any discomfort.

I pull the covers away and get her into bed, finally pulling the comforter over her.

I sit still and study her beautiful face. I sigh and pass my fingers through my hair.

At least she's safe now.

I lean over and press my lips on her forehead, lingering a bit.

I stand up to leave, only to be stopped by her holding my hand way too tightly than necessary.

I smile to myself as I get the message. Of course I'll stay by her side.

I take my jacket off and slide in bed with her. She unconsciously turns her body to me, putting her head on my chest, her hand over my stomach and twining her legs with mine.

My dick jerks in anticipation over the compromising position but sorry buddy, you ain't getting any.

I close my eyes and let the sleep claim me, knowing that my woman is in my arms. And safe.

•••••••••

I hope you enjoy this chapter. Joe is now the knight in shining armour:)

That Jaime deserves to go to prison for that stunt. Let's wait and see what happens next.

Thanks for reading my story so far.

Don't forget to vote and comment.

TQ17