Chapter 3

Present...

"Get in the car," his voice had a raspy blunt quality, an authoritativeness that bleeds out with every word.  

"W... What?" She stammered, dumbfounded.  

Angela didn't know how to function. This was the last thing she expected to happen after how hard she was trying never to see him again. 

"Have you lost your hearing?" 

Surprise slowly dwindled, and her eyes narrowed at him. His tone was the same as usual, ticking her off. "Not yet but you're making my ears bleed," She retorted sharply.  

It was subtle but his eyes darkened, there was a slight tick in his jaw other than that he seemed unfazed.  

She wondered how he knew she was there but recalled how easy it was for him to track her down.  

Luca took a step forward when a hand grabbed her jacket, and she was pulled behind Milo who now stood between Angela and Luca. Julian came to her aid as well. "You deliberately hit her with your car." Milo rumbled.  

Luca wasn't even looking at Milo. It was absurd how tall and huge he was, he could easily see past Milo, his eyes were solely fixed on her, and she knew that look. It meant business and he seemed annoyed.  

"I'll call the cops," Julian retrieved his phone but Angela stopped him.  

"I know him," she said, grabbing the back of Milo's shirt and pulling him behind her. She had to crane her neck up to face the mountain of a man.  

As soon as she took Milo's place, she felt intimidated because of his huge frame. Milo, who was the tallest in her club, was still an inch or two shorter than Luca.  

Luca tipped his head at the car without a word, and she glared at him. "I'll ride on my bike." She said and stomped over to her precious bike which was held by one of the club members.  

She didn't want to go with him, but she also didn't want to create a scene here. 

"Thank you," she said and got on the bike. Milo approached her. He stared at her forehead before retrieving a band-aid from his pocket and gently putting it on her forehead without touching her as she thanked him.

"That dude. Are you sure you know him?" he asked, eyeing Luca skeptically.  

"He's my brother's best friend." She said as Julian passed her helmet.  

She wore it and faced Milo. "Why did he look so pissed? That dude was about to kill you just minutes ago. I don't think it's safe for you to go with him alone." Milo said and Angela smiled, shaking her head lightly.

"It's fine. He can't hurt me. My brother will skin him alive so don't worry." She assured him and he let her go hesitantly.  

"Call me if you need me," Julian said looking her in the eyes. He has warm brown eyes, brown curly hair, and dashing looks, he has a protective leader personality. She gave him a nod. 

As soon as she drove past her friends, her expression darkened. Luca was driving right behind her. She increased the speed and so did he. 

Angela pulled over, parked her bike in the garage, and stormed inside her house. Placing her helmet aside, she got rid of her gloves when Luca stepped inside and locked the door.  

"What the hell was all that?" she asked, summoning the calm that went Mia as soon as he hit her with his car.  

"Where's your phone?" He demanded.  

"Why?" 

"I called you multiple times. You gave me no choice."  

"So, you'd try to kill me?" 

He stayed quiet and her temper skyrocketed but she held on to the invisible patience.  

"Why are you here?" She demanded folding her arms across her chest.  

"Your brother has sent me to protect you." His deep voice caused her to look away. The last time she heard his voice was years ago. It had changed and became more masculine, deeper, and rough.  

"Protect from what?" 

"A threat. Hunter is getting threats on you. He wants you back at the pack house. He'll be here to take you back in a week. Until then you must stay under my watch."  

Her eyes widened at that news. No way. "I don't need your protection. I can protect myself. You can leave." 

He scoffed. "Protect yourself? Seriously?" She gnashed her molars at his disrespect. Only if she could smack that attitude out of his system. 

Angela retrieved her phone, turning away from him she noticed seven missed calls from Luca. She dialed Hunter who picked up on the first call.  

"What is this, Hunter? You said you'll come. Then why is he here?" 

"I can't let you be defenseless like that. Luca was in the States. It was the best option. I know you don't like him but bear with him for a week. I'll come get you by then." Hunter said.  

"I'm not coming back and please call him back. I can protect myself." 

"This is a serious matter, Angela. Just cope with it until we find the person behind those threats."  

"Send Kevin." She said pressing her temple.  

"He's on a mission and besides there's no better fighter than Luca."  

"But I can't stay with him!" Her voice rose in anger.  

"You have to. There's no other option. Either you come back with Luca right now until I settle this matter or stay there and wait for me to find that person and kill him off. Please, I'm worried about you, Angela." 

Angela chewed on her bottom lip. She could've lived with anyone but Luca. "Fine." She whispered and dropped the call.  

Rubbing a hand down her face she breathed in deeply before facing Luca.  

"You can take the guest room down the hall. If you need anything, don't ask me. And try your best to be nonexistent." With that said she hurried up the stairs and locked herself in her room.  

Angela searched for the bottle of transparent liquid, and she quickly drank it. She texted Silvia to deliver more of it and put the phone on charging.  

She wiggled out of her suit and dropped her weight on the bed.  

What in the world just happened?

She had made sure to never see him again to the point she stopped visiting her family and now, look at him. He was going to live with her.  

Bad idea. But she had no say in it. She couldn't possibly go back after working so hard to fulfill her dream to pursue her studies in the States.  

A loud knock on the door startled her causing her to flinch.  

"W... What?" 

"Just making sure you're alive." His deep voice infiltrated the door and then she heard his footsteps fading away.  

Angela hopped under the shower and stayed inside her room. She only stepped out once she made sure he had slept.  

She stepped into the kitchen to find her dinner gone and he even washed the dishes leaving no trace that he gobbled her food.  

Angela contemplated. The urge to bang on his door and demand her food back was tempting but she decided against it. It was better to stay miles away from him. 

She wasn't that good of a cook, but she was hungry, and it was too late to order food.  

She checked what she had and made a sandwich for herself. Grabbing a soda from the fridge she lit a scented candle and took her seat on the bar stool at the island counter.  

Angela took a bite enjoying her food. She was so drowned in having her meal that she didn't notice someone leaning against the doorframe and watching her silently.  

"Five minutes and you still didn't notice my presence." A deep velvety voice filled the void with ease causing her to jump in her seat.  

Her heart just leaped to her mouth. She was accustomed to living alone. He just scared her to death.  

Her eyes darted to the man standing in the doorframe and she stopped eating. One of her cheeks was full of food as she gaped at him with wide eyes.  

"Anyone can kill you at this rate. You should've scented me, but you didn't." He said, staring at the sandwich in her hand before meeting her gaze again.  

Angela looked away and chewed the food before swallowing it elegantly before she was just gobbling the food like a starving fish. Way to embarrass herself.  

She noticed him approaching and he leaned against the wall in front of her with his arms crossed over his chest.  

Angela stared at him. He has changed a lot. His hair wasn't long anymore. He was donning a long top and short sides haircut. It suits him, giving more highlight to his sharp jawline. His light stubble gave him a rugged look. He was wearing sweats and a loose tee. Overall, he looked so far better than when she last saw him, and she didn't even want to look down from his face. And his eyes, well let's not talk about them. 

"Why are you here?" 

"I heard some noise and decided to check." He spoke.  

She didn't bother to answer him and began eating her food. She expected him to leave but he stood there peering over her with that expressionless gaze.  

Angela couldn't help but meet his gaze. She thought if she matched his gaze long enough, he'd look away, but he didn't. He kept staring and it got so intense that she had to force her eyes down.  

Luca was the only man who intimidated her. Maybe it was because he was ten years older than her. Or the fact that she used to have a crush on him in her training days.  

As he stood in her kitchen, she couldn't help but notice how small it looked and felt because of his daunting presence.  

Why was he observing her like a stalker? Last time she checked he didn't want her to be anywhere near him.  

"As you see it's just me. Rest assured and go back to your room." She said as politely as she could.  

"Is Hunter aware of your escapades?" 

"It's none of your concern." She retorted sharply. She didn't like the lane his thought process was taking.  

"Who were those guys? How did they get close to you?" 

"As I said, it's none of your business. Don't indulge in my personal life." She rebuked him sternly.  

"If possible, please go and send Kevin to take your place here. I'd appreciate his presence." Angela said, gulping down the soda.  

"Where did you learn to ride a bike?" 

"Why are you so damn interested?" 

"Don't be a brat!" 

"Don't be my boss!" 

"Angela!" 

"Luca!" 

"Watch your tone!" He warned darkly.  

"Then don't f*cking interfere. Focus on your life. Oh, I forgot, you don't have any-" She sealed her lips when he charged forward and halted near the edge of the island countertop opposite her.   

"Behave. Don't use that crude language." He grounded out the words.  

"I can. I will. You can't tell me what to do with my life. After all, I'm a brat and brats don't listen, old man." She retorted. Got to her feet and shoved the dishes in the basin. Washing her hands she turned to leave but he was standing behind her causing her to pause.  

"Whom are you calling an old man?" 

"Can you see anyone else here?" She retaliated.  

"Are you still mad at what happened-" 

"No. I'm not mad. Why would I be? I was just a stupid teen at that time. It was a mistake. I've long forgotten about it. Now if you'll excuse me." 

She tried to walk past him, but he blocked her way again.  

It was a sudden move, and she didn't see that coming so Angela bumped into his hard chest and stumbled back almost falling but a strong hand grabbed her arm, and she came crashing into him again.  

Her nose hurt after the crash as she scowled and glared up at him, but her breath hitched finding those steel orbs piercing through her soul.  

He was too close.  

Goosebumps rose on her flesh, where his skin touched hers. Angela wasn't comfortable with any sort of male touch out of combat or sparring and in sparring she only felt pain or adrenaline so at that time she never thought about the touch but now it was different.  

Ever since that time when she was sexually assaulted at her friend's home, she didn't let any man near her and maintained her distance.  

It took her some time to get comfortable with her brothers and dad. She didn't ever allow any male to touch her. The touch often makes her anxiety rise and she has to fight the urge to hide away. Luca knows this. Or perhaps he forgot about it in the last five years.  

"Can... Can you let me go," her voice was small and shallow.  

Luca didn't seem to hear her. He was pulled out of his reverie when she tugged at her arm.  

His dilated pupils shrank in those icy pools and the sight was magnificent.  

Luca let her go and she quickly stepped back. Not waiting for a second, she ran out of there leaving him alone.