I'm in love with him

Celine

I was carried straight to my room as we arrived back at the house. My fear had subsided now, but Dave’s body remained rigid with a tension I could not help but feel it as he held me in his arms.

He laid me gently on the bed, adjusting the pillow beneath my head with surprising care.

“I’ll send for the doctor,” he said quietly, turning to leave.

My fingers shot out and grabbed his wrist.

“No need. I wasn’t hurt,” I told him.

He turned to me, his eyes still clouded with worry. “You almost fell down and…”

“But I didn’t,” I cut him short.

I could hear his breath heavy as he spoke. All these years, I’ve always known I was his one weakness, and that was why he’s so protective of me.

He might have been so scared earlier. It was my fault for being alone at the balcony; if only I wasn’t so upset about him and Sabrina.

Dave sat down on the edge of the bed and moved a little closer. He stared at me, trying to calm down for a second.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low and filled with guilt.

He lowered his gaze briefly before looking back at me.

“I should have been watching you.”

Suddenly, I wasn’t so angry about Sabrina anymore. I clutched my hands on the blanket covering my body. I swallowed and asked softly.

“Do you think it was one of the people who wants to get back at you?”

His jaw tightened at my question.

“I don’t know yet.”

A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes, the kind that says a crazy storm is coming.

“But whoever it was, I’m going to make sure they never appear in front of you again.”

A small chill ran through me.

I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I dreaded it. I had always known what kind of man Dave was, and heard rumors about people who crossed him.

Even after all these years, the thought still frightened me sometimes. Not because I thought he would hurt me, but because I knew he was capable of hurting others without hesitation.

I drew in a slow breath.

Then, without thinking, I moved closer and wrapped my arms around him. Dave went completely still. For a second, he didn’t move.

Gently, he pulled back just enough to look at me. His hand rose to brush a strand of hair away from my forehead. I lifted my head to gaze into his eyes, but he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss against my forehead.

My heart did a crazy backflip.

I tried not to gulp, but it didn’t help the feelings rumbling in that instant. I slammed my teeth silently and pressed my lips together, my toes curled together, twisting lightly against each other beneath the sheets.

“I promise this won’t happen again,” Dave said after he retreated.

I stared at him, my lips parted slightly, and made a nod instead.

The door opened after, and Jeff walked in. He bowed his head down, not looking up. I knew that kind of situation well.

Dave got up and drew near to him. In a moment, he pulled out a gun I didn’t know he had had all this while and pointed it at Jeff, who fell to his knees immediately.

“Boss, I’m sorry.”

My eyes widened, and I jumped down from the bed, shooting forward to grab Dave’s arm quickly.

“Stop. What are you doing?” I questioned.

Dave’s face was deadpan.

“He failed to watch you,” he said, the roughness in his tone frightening.

I gripped him tighter.

“It’s not his fault. Don’t you dare punish him,” I said faster and firmer than intended.

My eyes dashed to Jeff, who looked quite shocked to hear me defending him so hard. I do not intervene whenever Dave punishes his men, but Jeff was basically like a brother to me now.

Plus, I’ve put him into a lot of trouble before; watching him get blamed for this is just not fair.

Dave turned to me.

The eyes that seemed to be blazing fire a second ago softened swiftly.

“Fine,” he breathed.

Jeff let out an involuntary shaky breath, his body loosening as he realized he was being spared. I turned to Dave, who was still gazing at him, and wondered if he would have really shot him if I hadn’t pleaded.

“We have him, Boss,” he reported.

Dave’s gaze snapped back to him at once.

“Let’s go,” he said without waiting a second, and before I could stop him, he walked out of the room.

I exhaled, not letting myself imagine what he was going to do. My phone rang, and I walked back to the bed to pick it up.

“Hey, Celine.” Tyra’s voice rang loud as soon as I picked up.

I pulled the phone from my ear with a grunt.

“Are you alright?” she asked in a rush.

“Dave saved me just in time,” I replied with a hint of arrogance.

Tyra gave a little chuckle at the end of the line.

“Your uncle looks terrifying and panicked as he carried you out. I thought you were dead, girl,” she said.

I paused for a second. Yeah, he does. That’s why I love him.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Tyra’s voice cut my thoughts short.

“I’m in love with him. With Dave,” I blurted out.

Tyra went silent for almost a minute, and I bit my lips, waiting for her to respond.

“Say something,” I snapped, impatiently.

I heard a gulp.

“Whoa, I didn’t see that coming,” she said.

My breath hitched. “How do I get him to love me?” I asked again.

Tyra did not have the chance to answer my question when I heard a noise from downstairs.

“I’ll call you back,” I told her and dropped the phone.

With a slight scowl, I walked out to see what was going on. Sabrina was standing there, fighting with the guards who were trying to stop her.

I stood at the top of the stairs and watched her struggle for a moment, then I cleared my throat, announcing my presence with pride.

“What is it, Alfonso?” I called to one of the guards.

They all looked up at me, Sabrina too. The second she saw me, she looked so pissed.

She gave a loud, snorting laugh.

“I thought you were about to die, seeing how Dave ran out with you from our engagement,” she snorted.

My lips curved in a low smile.

“Be thankful I didn’t cancel the engagement,” I retorted with an arrogant glare and watched her face turn redder with anger.