But as soon as those thoughts entered my head, he had managed to push them off and pull out a dagger, slicing one of their heads off and then staking the other.
“Thanks for attempting to come to my aid.” He said, breathing heavily.
“You seemed to have it under control.”
I popped my stakes back into my pockets and started to walk out the alley as he took hold of my forearm, pulling me back a little.
“Look, you can keep fighting me or you can just allow me to help you.”
“I have been doing just fine without you, I don’t need anyone’s help.”
“Are you sure about that?”
I wiggled my arm free and started walking, unsure if he was following or if he had left me alone, finally.
“Hayley, something is coming, and you’re not prepared for it.”
He came up beside me, keeping pace with me and I sighed. I hated how he was already getting under my skin, even if he was lying, his words were beginning to make me question so many things. I had been attacked and my home was set ablaze. Of course, something was coming, I just wasn’t sure what ‘it’ was.
“I am always prepared.”
“Not for this.” He turned me then, placing his hands firmly on my shoulders, making me stop. “I am not your enemy.”
“Then, what are you? And if you say friend one more time, I swear to God.”
“I was sent here to help you, that’s all I know. I received this letter months ago and at first, I wasn’t sure what it meant but now I know, especially after meeting you.”
Taking out a battered old envelope that had clearly seen better days, he handed it to me and as I turned it, my heart stopped. It was addressed to Darius in my mother’s handwriting. Looking up at him with shock as I took the letter, I almost tore it open but as I did, he placed his hands over mine.
“Not here, is there somewhere safe we can talk?”
Curiosity killed the cat, and I was now full of it. How did my mother know him? Were they friends? What part did he play in all this?
“We can go to my apartment, it’s safe, but only if you promise to tell me everything.”
“Yes, of course, I promise.”
Nodding then, I took to heading back home with Darius closely following behind.
9
The walk back to the apartment was silent, no more words spoken. The silence gave my mind a chance to think, to fill the spaces around me as I thought about the letter I held tightly in my grasp and the many more questions that came up about Darius and who he really was.
He had appeared out of nowhere, but then again, he said he had been watching me, aiding me whenever I needed it and I went back and forth in my mind about fights I had somehow managed to win, without a scratch. Had he been there? Helping in the shadows? Even meeting him in the gym felt totally random, but maybe that was planned?
Before I could unlock my front door, it swung open as Eric stood there in a pair of grey jogging bottoms which left little to the imagination and there was a very disdained look upon his face as his arms crossed. Rolling my eyes, I shoved past him and into the hallway, flinging my keys onto the sideboard and kicked off my shoes.
“Darius, meet Eric - Eric meet Darius. My stalker.”
Darius stood in the doorway as Eric continued to block the way, half turning to look at me and then back at Darius. Darius, like a deer in headlights, just stared at me for help. Eric didn’t move.
“Well, don’t just stand there, come in.”
I didn’t stick around for the testosterone show and headed into the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of water. Placing the letter down on the breakfast counter, I stared at it.
My body itched like crazy, ready to rip open and read the contents inside. Soon, Darius joined me with Eric slowly walking behind him, clearly demanding I explain tonight’s events but as this was my home and I was the boss, I didn’t have to explain anything.
“Where in hell did you run off to?” Eric asked, taking a seat opposite the counter.