Page 8 of His to Protect

Dante climbed out of the backseat and into the driver's seat. When he started the car, Felix jumped. He reached for the door, uncertain. "Sorry, I'll just--"

"Stop. I'm taking you home," he stated simply, his tone cold and detached.

"What? Why?"

In the rear vision mirror, he could see the way Dante's eyes cut to him. "You think I'm gonna let a kid like you walk through a neighborhood like this? In the state you're in?" He snorted. "Christ, kid. You'd have every pervert in a ten mile radius honing in on you."

"I can take care of myself."

"Sure you can, just like you did tonight. Look, just take the offer, yeah? It's not worth winding up in some freak's basement."

Felix's chest tightened as a confusing mix of emotions swirled within him. He had gotten what he'd wanted, but at what cost? Still aching, his body shivering with aftershocks, he felt vulnerable and exposed in a way he'd never thought possible.

"Okay," he said, trying to ignore the ghostly aftertouch of Dante's hands still on his body. "Thanks."

In the rear view mirror, Dante wore a wolfish smirk. "My pleasure."

Chapter four

Felixstoodinfrontof his small, worn-down house, the night air clinging to him like a shroud. He could feel the aftermath of the evening's events still lingering in every beat of his heart.

Dante. The feeling of him against Felix's body.

InsideFelix's body.

"Nice place."

Dante's presence beside him was a strange, clashing mixture of threat and safety. He'd treated Felix well… but he'd also killed a man in cold blood right in front of him.

Felix's jaw tightened as he glanced at the older man. "Thanks for the ride."

Dante smirked. "Not gonna invite me in for coffee?"

Heat rose in Felix's cheeks. "You can go now" he commanded, his protective instincts flaring up.I don't want my sister anywhere near the likes of you.

Dante chuckled, but Felix tried as hard as he could to ignore him. He got out of the car, not making eye contact, and walked up to the small house that he and his sister called home.

Felix unlocked and pushed open the front door, the familiar creaking sound filling the dark entryway. "Luna?" he called.

Only silence greeted him.

Anxiety knotted in Felix's stomach. He leaned into the doorway, peering into the dark house. "Luna?"

The sound of footsteps behind him made him jump. He turned to see Dante striding up to him, one eyebrow cocked. "You look spooked. Problem?"

"No-- Maybe--"

Without another word, Dante stepped into the house. As much as Felix wanted to protest, some part of him welcomed the presence of someone who could handle themselves.

Dante moved through the rooms with lethal grace, each step calculated and precise as he scanned for potential threats. Felix hesitantly trailed after him, torn between gratitude and resentment.

Each room was dark and empty. Felix's heart sank.

But then, finally, there was a sound. A burst of giggly laughter sent relief running through Felix's veins. When Dante jerked his head in its direction, Felix put a hand on his bicep, holding him back. "That's my sister."

They found Luna sitting on the back step, her phone pressed to her ear, oblivious to the world around her. "Where? Oh, yeah, that's not too far. I could get the bus there after school--"

"Luna!"

Source: www.allfreenovel.com