Chapter Ten

Sierra

It was a restless night; now I'm in the kitchen, sipping a large black coffee after barely sleeping. I wasn’t expecting him to kiss me in such a manner. It was such a hot kiss. No one has ever kissed me like that. With the way he rushed off, he wasn’t expecting it to happen either. I don’t know how he will be with me today. I should stay out of his way since we are stuck together all day.

I hear him come downstairs and prepare myself for what has to come. He enters the kitchen.

“Morning.” I greet.

He grunts a morning back and heads over to pour a coffee for himself. I watch as his back muscles flex as he moves. He has such a strong back and broad shoulders. My tongue involuntarily darts along my lips as I check him out. I pry my eyes away before he catches me staring. He takes his coffee and disappears from the kitchen without another word. It sounds like he goes to his office. Is this how the day is going to go? Great! It's just what I need. Hmm, maybe I can use his avoidance to my advantage.

I smirk, exit the kitchen and sneak upstairs. I need to get out of this house, even for an hour. I don’t know where I will go, but anywhere is better than here. It's beyond a joke that I'm twenty-four years old and have to sneak out like I'm a teenager.

I quickly change into some clothes, wash my face and brush my teeth before heading back downstairs. I make sure he is nowhere in sight. I search around for my car keys, but I can’t find them. I came across something better: the keys to his car and the fob that I hope will allow me to open the main gate to get out. I will be mindful of the camera and sensors he has outside.

I leave my cell behind and use the door that leads to the car garage. I find the car the keys belong to. He has five different vehicles. I quickly climb in. I drive out of the garage and head for freedom. I laugh to myself as I drive away from the house. The car feels good and powerful. He is going to be so pissed at me, not only for leaving but for taking his car and going out without security.

What does he expect me to do when his possessive ass won’t allow me to go out alone. I don’t plan on going far or staying out for too long. I need a little time, that is all. I will be careful, though and be on alert since I still have no clue who is after me. Maybe going out alone wasn’t such a good idea. I am not turning back now.

I don’t drive long, about fifteen minutes before I pull up outside a café. I want some coffee and breakfast. I will take it to the park across the road to have it. I park the car and climb out. I glance around, checking that no one has followed me or that no one dodgy-looking is around. When I confirm I am safe, I stroll inside and place my order.

It doesn’t take long to be ready. I go across the road and find a spot to sit. I settle down on the grass, making sure the sun hits me. I close my eyes and take in the warmth, enjoying the quiet. It is what I need, only for a little while. Ambrose can’t disturb me since I left my cell behind. It is the only reason why I left it so that he couldn’t track me.

I eat breakfast before lying down. I can get a tan while I am out. I listen to the sounds that surround me. The sounds of nature and people. It relaxes me.

Suddenly, my sun is blocked. Where did it go? I groan, ready to move, but when I open my eyes, I realise the sun hasn’t gone anywhere. Ambrose stands over me, an angry look on his face.

“Do you have a death wish, Sierra?”

“No, of course not. I am fine. How did you find me?”

“You took my car. It has a tracker on it, all my cars do. You are not fine, Sierra. There are two guys in a black sedan watching you.” He replies.

“What? Are you sure? Or are you trying to scare me?”

“Yes, I am serious. We need to go. Wade is taking the car back. You will come in my other car. Don’t look at them, pretend like you don’t know they are there.”

How did they find me? It must be a fluke. Ambrose offers his hand to me, which I take. He helps me to my feet. Fear takes over me. Are they the same two guys from last night? I want to look, but I won’t.

Ambrose keeps a hold of my hand, “Relax, Sierra. You are safe.”

“How do you work that one out? I don’t know who they are. They could have guns.” I protest.

Ambrose squeezes my hand. “You are with me. You are safe. I promise.”

How can he be certain?

“You don’t know that for sure,” I whisper.

“I do know for sure. Stay close.” He replies.

I nod and stay silent. There is no point in trying to disagree with him. He keeps my hand in his all the way to the car. He allows me to climb in first, closing the door behind me. I can’t understand how they keep finding me. Last night and now today. He hops into the driver’s seat and drives away.

“Sierra, I need you to stop pulling this shit. What would have happened if I had never followed you? They could have taken you or hurt you.”

I am surprised by his calm voice.

“I know. I am sorry. I won’t do it again.” I whimper.

Ambrose sighs loudly, “Please, don’t get upset. You are going to be okay as long as you follow the rules.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

I am not in the mood to fight with him.

“You should have taken your cell. Do I need to find another device to track you with that you won’t know about?”

“Drop it! I am not in the mood. You shouldn’t be tracking me at all, Ambrose.” I snap.

I am sure there are laws against it, especially when permission is not given.

“I don’t have much of a choice since you don’t do as you are told. If you would fucking listen and follow the rules, I wouldn’t need to.” He hisses, his grip on the wheel tightening. I swear he still thinks I am a teenager with how he treats me.

“Stop the car. I would rather walk back than drive back with you.”

“Not happening! There is no chance in hell I am allowing that. I refuse to put you at risk, especially when I have no idea who the two men who were watching you are.”

The sternness in his voice causes me to shudder.

“Then please, stop having a go at me.”

I turn to stare out of the window to hide the tears in my eyes. I quickly wipe them away, but they seem to return. There has been a lot happening over the last week. I am surprised I haven’t cried or broken down more than I have.

I jump when Ambrose rests his hand on my knee. “I am sorry.” He says softly.

Is he trying to comfort me? I look over at him. His eyes are on the road.

“I am sorry, too.”

“Are you crying?” he asks, surprised.

My voice must have given me away. He must have heard in my voice that I was crying.

“No, I am fine,” I answer quickly.

He doesn’t need to see me cry. He will see it as a weakness, as a vulnerability. I refuse to give him anything to use against me. He lets out another sigh, louder this time and draws his hand back. Silence fills the car for the remainder of our journey.

When we arrive at his place and park, I go to climb out, but he locks the doors to stop that from happening.

“What the hell?” I ask, annoyed.

He turns off the engine, unfastens his belt and turns to face me.

“None of us knows how long we will be living together. We need to find a way to make it work. We need to stop fighting. You need to accept that you are under my protection, and if you continue to run off, you will put yourself in danger. I know you don’t want to be here. I am not thrilled about having you here, but we are making it more difficult than it needs to be. At least he isn’t putting all the blame on me.

“We can try, but it doesn’t mean it will work. We have clashed for as long as I can remember, even if I’ve never understood why.”

“Yes, I know we have. I don’t know why either, but it is something we need to try to stop.”

He has a point.

“Yes. Hopefully, we won’t have to be in this situation for long. Can you unlock the door now?”

He nods and finally unlocks it. I climb out and quickly make my way inside.

“Sierra, are you okay?” Wade asks as I enter.

“Yes, I am fine, thanks. Please excuse me.” I smile and run upstairs.

I reach my room, rush in and close the door behind me. I slide down the door to the floor. I bring my knees to my chest, hugging them. I rest my head on them and let my tears flow freely.

I can’t stop the bad thoughts from plaguing my mind. Would they have taken me or hurt me if Ambrose didn’t show up? Are they trying to get to me to draw out my father? I need to be more careful and less stubborn. If I put myself in harm’s way, I put my father in danger, too. No matter how much I dislike staying here, I will do it if it keeps my father and me safe.

I bury my face in my hands and continue to cry. I hate I need to go through this alone. I don’t have anyone to hold or comfort me. I pull myself up from the floor. I will go and cry in the shower. There is a lower chance of someone hearing or seeing me cry. It is best for me to hide away in the room for the rest of the day. I may sleep until tomorrow. It will stop me from overthinking. I will be safe, too and not mess up again.