Chapter 8: Meetings

What the hell is that noise? It sounds like a pig is suffocating in sand. Why in the hell is it so loud?! I opened my eyes to see who or what was making that incredibly annoying noise, only to find Thorn sprawled over me, taking over the whole damn bed. He snores?! More importantly. . .why am I in the same bed as him?!

I growl in effort of pushing him off but all in vain. How much did this guy weigh? I tried again, but instead of moving him, I woke him. He peered down at me sleepily. My head throbbing with irritation, this guy has some serious guts.

"Move," I snarled, "get off me before I tear your face off." He didn't react, just continued to stare at me. Then he shifted my body so that my back rested flush against his chest. I could feel his rock hard abs press up against my lower back. He arched his neck to rest his nose on my hair, holding me tighter in his arms.

I tried to pry his hands apart but he had a grip like steel. Am I seriously stuck here until he gets the will to wake up? Ugh, why is he like this? I have to admit though, this isn't as awkward as I thought it would be. In fact, I might even have to push down my pride to admit I like this. I didn't even notice I fell asleep until I blinked and woke to a sharp knock on my door.

What was so urgent that Christine had to knock like this? Before I could even wake myself up completely, Thorn was up in seconds. He was only wearing his boxers, but I was too tired to get flustered. He swung open the door to see who caused the commotion when not a second later, he was flown back by three guys.

That caught my attention, I only know two people who could do that with such ease apart from myself. My father and his brother, my uncle, and that's who I find standing in my doorway. Him along with several of my cousins' husbands ambushed Thorn, he looked at me as if I would help him. I just smiled and watched with great amusement as my uncle and cousin in laws dragged him out.

I followed shortly after, not wanting to miss the interrogation. I do sometimes wonder how my whole family managed to come here in little less than a day. Even though I was mad that they didn't tell me first, I did appreciate that they had cleaned the whole place up. They tied him to a chair that was in the middle of a circle of my family members.

Well that peculiar, Thorn has more than enough strength to fight them bit he isn't, might as well ask him,

"Thorn, you're as strong as me, yet you haven't struggled when they took you away, you can break those restrains as easy as tearing paper, why haven't you done it yet?" He chuckled slightly,

"I don't think ya want me hurting yer' family, right?" His smirk was oozing with cockiness. I let out a laugh myself.

"Do what you want with this smartass, he's all yours." His face contorted to a frown, he knows he's screwed. My family smiled at me then their aura turned dark once they turned to Thorn. I grabbed a nearby chair and proceeded to put it not far from him, he looked displeased at this.

"Yer' just gonna watch them torture me?" His voice was set as a whine, I almost felt pity for him. . .almost.

I chuckled darkly, "Yep."

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(45 minutes later)

"I really have no idea how you managed to win everyone by the end of it. They even let you go on a private tour with me." I said astonished. This guy had somehow convinced them to let him go, but also trust him enough to leave me alone with him! That isn't something my family takes lightly.

"It's a secret~" He carried out the last word for emphasis, that earned him a slap upside the head. We entered a theater that I told him about not too long ago. The place was relatively deserted when we got there, guess business is slow today. He spotted a bathroom and told me to wait outside for him, and to yell if anything happened.

I scoffed as he went inside. No wonder he and my family got along well, he babies me like everyone else. I was suddenly hit with a sense of dread and anger, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. What's gone over me all of a sudden?

"Well, if it isn't the freak bitch, Esphera." I turned around towards the voice and my heart dropped. Andrew had the same short blond hair and athletic body, but he had a woman clinging onto his arm. What is he doing here? "Where are the sunglasses I gave you to hide those disgusting eyes? How about you leave, and let normal people have their fun, you're scaring my girl."

I felt my throat close up, but I made a pact to myself to never let this man control me again. I stood my ground and kept his gaze steadily, "No." I tried to make my voice threatening but I couldn't.

He flared up and bounded towards me, I couldn't move, too scared and distracted by the memories from those times. He grabbed my collar and pulled me closer to him, our noses almost touching.

"You listen here wrench, you are nothing, just a weak little leach. Don't think you're high and mighty just because you survived a shooting. I bet you just fucked them to keep yourself alive, I'm right aren't I?" I clenched my teeth, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to show themselves. No matter what, I won't let him control me again.

"No you're wrong, I killed them, but I guess you're too much of a pussy to understand that." I growled with a wicked smile. He was shocked, but it soon turned to pure rage. He raised his hand, the memory of this exact moment flooded my mind and I couldn't react on time. I braced myself, but nothing came.

Slowly I opened my eyes and saw Thorn in front of me, holding Andrew's wrist, squeezing it until there was a pop. He screamed in agony but he couldn't detach himself from Thorn. My eyes widened when I saw Thorn's face, it was devoid of all emotion except for rage, his eyes burned into Andrew's soul. I shivered involuntarily, so this is what it feels like to be around a death stare.

I sighed and smiled, putting my hand on Thorn's arm. He turned his attention to me and his face immediately softened, which I was extremely grateful for. With my eyes, I pleaded for him to not hurt someone in public, even if it was practically deserted. He seemed to understand but turned to Andrew, he growled deeply,

"Listen here, kid. She's mine, don't let me catch you so much as in the same room as her, understood?" Andrew could only nod pitifully. I couldn't contain my laughter any longer when he almost threw himself out the door as soon as Thorn let him go. My small moment of happiness didn't last long as I remembered my past in detail.

Now that I think of it, he has always been a coward. Always belittling me to make me believe I couldn't harm him. Thorn noticed my change in mood and asked if I needed anything. I only chuckled weakly before saying,

"I just need some rest, I promise I'll tell you everything tomorrow." He nodded and brought me home, draping his arm around my shoulders to pull me closer the whole way. If it had been any other time, I would've died of embarrassment, but right now, I just needed someone to hold me down to earth.

The second we came back, the family that was left in my house came to us in a heartbeat. He told them briefly of what happened, just like I had thought, they became angry and we're demanding to know where he was now.

"The coward ran off with his tail between his legs before I could follow, Esphera needs to rest now." They nodded and parted, making a path leading to my room. He's getting good at calming them down, he's really going to be handy in the future. He set me down gently on the bed after closing the door behind us, he laid down beside me and held me for what felt like hours.

It wasn't uncomfortable, it actually helped me sleep. I was too tired and the thoughts and memories plaguing my mind didn't really help. He pressed me closer to him and I felt safe in his arms, I think I'm starting to like his annoying presence. This might not be as bad as I thought.