Chapter 16

Maybe this was a bad idea.

Why I thought going back to work was the right thing to do is beyond me. But when I looked into my baby girl's eyes this morning, it was the push I needed that I need money to pay for her needs. She always comes first.

An hour later, I was able to get into a routine behind the bar. Tia was sick with a cold, so she couldn't come in. She was pissed at not being able to support me on my first night back, but I made it the entire shift without incident.

"Night, Sadie," Boston calls out as I walk out the back door. I hold my jacket close to my chest when the cool spring breeze hits my face. As I walk toward the front of the building, Seb is nowhere to be seen. He sent me a text an hour before my shift ended, reminding me to wait for him in the front.

"Shit."

I pull my phone out to call him when I feel eyes on me, watching each step I take I frantically look around, but I can't see anything. I lean against the front of the building. The traffic is constantly flowing, and people walk by. I feel a little safer knowing nothing will happen to me while out in public.

Right?

I look down at my phone, ready to unlock it when a text message comes through.

Unknown: Why do you look so nervous?

What the…

Unknown: I told you I'd be back for you.

No. No, this can't be happening.

My heart rate picks up as I scan the area, hoping he's lying and just trying to scare me. Two cops walk out of the Deli next door. With my phone tightly wrapped in my hands and held against my chest, I push off the wall and start to walk with urgency toward them but the aggressive vibration from my phone stops me in my tracks. I pull the phone away and dread seeps through me.

Unknown: Go on. Run and see what happens when you do.

When I look back up, the cops pull away from the curb.

Me: What do you want?

Unknown: You.

"Ma'am, are you ok?" A young couple stands in front of me.

"Huh?" I ask, dumbfounded. I notice I'm in the middle of the sidewalk and blocking their way.

"Oh, I am so sorry." I step aside for them to pass, but for whatever reason, this makes them pause.

"Are you sure you're ok? You look a little pale," the girl asks me with a concerned look in her eyes.

The vibration of my phone startles me. My quick movement causes the couple to jump back.

"Sorry," I mumble as I look down at the screen.

Unknown: Get rid of them.

Swallowing a gulp of fear, I look back up at the couple and notice a red laser dot bouncing between their foreheads.

What the hell is going on?

"Do you need us to call someone for you?" the young man asks, mirroring his girl's concerned expression.

Before I have the chance to respond, another text message comes through.

Unknown: Don't think I won't pull the fucking trigger. Get. Rid. Of. Them. NOW!

"No, I'm fine. I…" Fear takes over my body, and I thought I feel like I'd might faint.

"Woah. Are you sure you're ok? We can give you a ride to—"No!" I interrupt and her eyes bug out of her head. "I mean, no, I'm fine, thank you."

"Ok…are you sure, because—"

"Yes, really, I'm fine. Thank you. Have a good night." I don't wait for them to respond and hurry away.

My heart rate picks up when I feel my phone vibrating in my hand.

Unknown: Good girl. Take a right once you get to the first set of lights.

Me: No.

I shouldn't be baiting him, but I can't let him think I'm scared of him. If I show him an ounce of fear, that will only give him the power to control me.

Suddenly, the sound of screeching tires and the opening of a car door force my feet to move on their own accord.

He is not taking me again!

Fuck that.

Before I could make a run down the street, strong arms wraps around my waist and covers my mouth with their hand.

I fight them with everything I have. If I'm going down, I'm not going down without a fight.

When I'm free, I steady myself and turn around and knee the asshole in his junk.

"Fuuuuck."

You have got to be shitting me!

"Donnie?"

"Yeah," he grunts cupping his junk and leaning over. "Jesus. I'm dying here."

"Oh, my God! I'm so sorry…wait…" I smack his chest. "What is wrong with you? You scared the shit out of me!" I screech at him. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to take you home." He exhales while righting himself.

"And why in the hell were you walking down the alley at night by yourself?" He ask when he finally composes himself.

"Never mind that. Why are you the one taking me home?"

"What do you mean why?" Now he sounds annoyed.

"How did you know I was off work?"

"Seb," he hisses through clenched teeth.

Of course, that fucker.

"Seb told me your car was in the shop and asked me to pick you up. I gotta say, I was a little hurt you didn't call me." His eyes are full of pain and not from the kick to his dick.

I look away, not wanting to explain myself. I can't keep risking putting him in danger. If he finds out about the threatening text messages, it's only going to fuel his anger and he'll want to watch me 24/7.

I can't let him put his baseball career in jeopardy. He needs to focus on his future, and not the drama that always follows me like a bad rash.

"Don—"

"Just let me take you home," he begs. "I just want to make sure you get home safe. That's all."

This a bad idea.

Whomever is sending me these text messages could be watching us. They will know how much Donnie means to me if they haven't figured it out yet. But when I look at the pained expression on his face, and note of desperation in his tone, I lose all reserve and give in to his request.

"Ok." With his hand on my lower back, he leads me to his car. I glance the area once more before climbing in. After settling in the passenger side, he slides in and looks over at me.

"What?" I ask, reaching for the seatbelt.

"Nothing, it's just good to see you." He gives me a genuine smile.

"It's good to see you too."

"Yeah?" His eyes are full of hope.

"Just shut up and drive." I smile back but it slowly fades when my phone vibrates.

Unknown: You just fucked up, precisoa.

Not one word in spoken on the ride to Abuela's; only the sound of "Loyal" by Party Next Door featuring Drake fills the silence. The last person I want to invade my head is Christian.

"Hey, are you ok?" If it wasn't for Donnie's voice pulling me back from my thoughts, I would never have known the car stopped.

"Hmm?" I turn to face him.

"You haven't said a word since we left. Is everything ok?"

No, everything is not fine.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired." I give him a weak smile and unbuckle my seatbelt.

I lean over and softly brush a kiss on the corner of his mouth, and whisper, "Thank you for always looking out for me. Good night."

"Wait." Donnie yanks his seatbelt off and rounds the car to my side. He pushes me back against the car, shutting the door, one hand on either side of my head, caging me in.

"Talk to me. What's going on?" He leans in until we're nose to nose. His scent is intoxicating. I want to pull him closer and get lost in him.

"Nothing's wrong. I'm just really tired."

"Bullshit."

"Donnie," I admonish in a quiet tone.

"Don't Donnie, me, just…" He looks away and lets out an exasperated sigh. The tortured look on his face makes me want to kick myself for putting it there.

When his blue eyes full of pain turn back to me, my heart sinks. I raise my hand and gently rub my thumb up and down his cheek.

"I'm sorry I keep pushing you away," I say.

"Then why do you?"

I look away from him.

I can't stand to see how much I'm hurting him.

He catches my chin and turns me to face him, so I look right into his gaze. "I will go to battle for you if it means I get to keep you safe. No matter what comes our way, I will be your shield. I will carry you to safety. All I ask for you to trust me, and let me in."

I don't deserve you," I say softly.

He gives me a comforting smile. "Yeah, you do."

He captures my lips, kissing me like he needs air to breathe and I'm the only one who can give it to him.

He pulls back, his breathing heavy, and rests his forehead against mine. "Sorry. Got carried away."

I just stare at him.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow," he says with a ridiculous grin.

I don't give him an answer because his kiss paralyzes me in place. I continue to stare at him like an idiot, not wanting to move away from him.

"Go inside, Shorty." Donovan chuckles with a low rumble in his chest, as if taking pleasure in my frozen state.

I obey his command and move my legs toward the front door. Once I'm inside the doorway, I turn back to see him waiting until I'm safely tucked inside before pulling away from the curb.

After locking myself in, I rest my head against the door, knowing how screwed I am with Donovan DuPont.