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“Miss Atlas, can you hear me?” The voice is closer and not the same as the one demanding I open my eyes. I can feel my spirit moving in and out of the space. I don’t want to. I want to stay here. It’s pleasant and freeing. I throw my head back and spread my arms as the wind picks up and then, I am no longer in the pasture.
“Ah. There you are. Gorgeous just like I knew they would be.” My eyes have apparently been closed and now they are open. I am staring at two men, one of which is obviously a doctor and the other…I am not sure, but I feel like I know him. His voice is like a shot of whiskey on a summer night. It's deep and smoky with a gentleness you wouldn’t expect.
The doctor moves him out of the way and waves that annoying light in my face. “Miss Atlas, look at me please and follow the light.” I hear a growl from the other side and the faint sound of cursing and then some very stern words.
“Her eyes should be on no one but me.” the mystery man says. My body responds to not only the words but his voice, like we are acquainted, and it is both baffling and invigorating.
“Sir, since you are not her family, I am going to have to ask you to wait outside.” Oh no. I am about to beg him not to leave the room but apparently I don't have to.
“Not fucking going anywhere unless she asks me too.” he widens his stance and crosses his arms. I watch as the doctor straightens his back, but it is clear he is no match for the lumberjack standing beside my bed. When he is done looking over me and asking me questions, he scoffs at the lumberjack and walks out. “I thought he would never leave.'' He says walking back to my right side. He smiles before moving my hair out of my face and then I know. I know what I felt while I was dreaming, it was his fingers touching me. “Do you need some water beauty?'' His eyes, so kind and soft are a contradiction to the rest of him which is hard and unmoving.
“Yes, please.” I barely whisper, my throat scratchy and gritty. I am foolishly soaking up this attention from this stranger, but I need to get some answers. “Who are you?” he smirks and looks at me before chuckling.
“Shit. Fair question. I would have led with that if that damn doctor wasn’t in my way. My name is Loid March and I have been assigned to be your…security of sorts until the man who did this to you is found.” well that answers the next question about if he was caught.
“So he hasn't been found yet. Who hired you?” my first thought is Diamond, but it can’t be her. She doesn’t have the money for it.
“The police. My buddies and I own a security company. We do pro bono work for witnesses of violent acts that need to be protected before, during and after prosecution. The guy that did this to you is a fugitive. There has been a manhunt for him for the last three weeks. He is wanted for murder, rape and trafficking.” Oh God. My stomach begins to clench when I remember that he took my I.D. From my purse before he fled out the back door. I cry out as the enormity of the situation hits me.
“What am I going to do? I have nowhere else to go. Oh God.” I am lost in my head, cursing my mind for not foreseeing this. That is why I call it a curse and a blessing. It’s a blessing for all others who come to me for help. But I curse myself because I can’t see for myself. I hear him in my ear, telling me it is going to be ok, and I realize I am in his arms, being rocked.
“Calm down baby girl. I got you. You are going to be fine. I promise. I am not going to let anything happen to you. I put my life on it.” I believe him. I allow my eyes to close and soak in his warmth and embrace. His words are soothing, but it is his breath on my neck and the proximity of his mouth to my skin. What the hell is wrong with me? I should not be thinking about any part of him right now of all times. I stiffen and try to pull away from him, but the reluctance is on both of our parts. His arms haven’t released me. I stop struggling and take a deep breath and holy crotch on toast that was a mistake. My ‘Spidey’ senses go apeshit and start screaming at me like those weird fairies from the Spiderwick Chronicles. Danger. Danger. Holy hell this man smells good. Like my favorite bakery on Sunday with a hint of tobacco.
