FOUR

"Link." My own voice betrayed me. It was like nothing changed all the years that passed and whatever I had told myself constantly the past six years flew out the window.

My own promise that no one could affect me to this point anymore again came crashing down, and caused by the one person that lead to me making this promise.

For six years, I tried to erase him from my head. But as the years went on, it became harder and continuously difficult. I started to fear that Link would forever be that someone in my life I couldn't shake off.

And here he was, standing in the flesh. There were times where I allowed my mind to wonder how he was doing. What he was doing. Who he was. And none of what my mind could concur up bared resemblance to the reality.

He had grown into his body, filling out in every aspect. His hair was longer, a few strands curling around his ears. And from what I could see, he had more tattoos than I could remember.

"Orianna." It might of been actually hearing his voice - a much deeper one at that - that I unravelled. It made everything suddenly ten times more frightening than it was.

The knee-jerk reaction was amazing, if I could say so myself. One second the door was open, and the next it was slammed shut. I instantly decided that I was not going to do it. Nope. I wasn't going to do it.

I was a grown adult and all my decisions were my own. And not dealing with this particular person would be one of  it.

"Orianna." I heard his voice again, travelling through the door.

I quickly locked the door, not sure how else I could make sure that he wouldn't come in. He had a knack for coming in uninvited and I could bet my left leg he still possessed that same knack. For added measure, I leaned back against the door making sure that if he did decide to actually kick the door down, then he would have an extra few pounds to get through.

"Let me see you." I heard him say, not sure if he meant it in a sweet way or a normal let-me-see-you way. Either way, I didn't reply.

I looked towards the toilet door and could hear that Joy was still in the shower. Knowing that she was close to the door sent panic waves through me. She was too young to be exposed to this stuff. She should have her shower, her pizza and then sleep. Having to see her mum deal with this man would not be okay. I was the boss over her and I knew what was best for her.

"You already seen me." I said after a prolonged pause.

"For one second?" I heard his scoff.

"What more do you need?" I shot back. I knew how childish and immature it seemed to be semi-arguing with Link through a locked door but I didn't give a toss. There was no way in hell that I was going to open that door.

"Please."

Hearing that one word, how soft he uttered it got me good. My whole insides warmed stupidly and I let out a breath I was holding. Without giving myself another second to remind me that this was a terrible idea, I opened the door and quickly got out, making sure to close it behind me. I knew Link well enough that he wouldn't go away unless I saw him.

I turned around and literally slammed into him. I lifted my hands to steady myself, coincidently having them placed on his solid chest.

"If you saw me coming, you could have stepped back." I muttered into his chest, not ready to catch his eye yet.

"Could have," he mused out loud.

I pushed against his chest hoping he'd get the hint to move back. It took a few seconds before he stepped back. My hands dropped to my sides and that's when I make full eye contact with him. His eyes were ink, dark pits swirling down at me.  He was looking my face closely, his eyes roaming around as thought he wanted to remember each and every part of it.

I had to gulp down audibly in order to clear my throat which suddenly was filled with something heavy. "Hi," I said over my barely audible voice.

He stared down at me, unwavering. "Hi," he replied and then asked, "How's it going?"

It was like someone had given us an laughable script to read off from. I could imagine myself looking down at both of us and inwardly cringed at the awkwardness. Apart from my hands falling onto his chest moments ago, there was no other warming touch.

"Pretty well." I lied. Nothing was going well for me. I wasn't even a full day back and already I was hauling my daughter around the city, attempting to dodge all sorts of trouble but failing immensely. "Apart from a man or two following me around and flashing me their guns, pretty well." I added on a dry note.

Link's eyes darkened. "I heard about that. You okay?"

I nodded, falling for the concern that was evident in his tone. "Lucian is taking care of it. And right now, he's the only one I really trust."

If his already dark eyes could darken, they did on the spot. I watched his jaw visibly clench at my words but I didn't know what I actually said wrong for him to get like that. "The only one?" He repeated.

My heart started speeding up. I wasn't a fool nor was I stupid and I knew what he was trying to get at. And no way in hell did I trust him. How he could even think that of himself was beyond me but since the years I've done nothing but grown wiser, so I knew it was best to not comment.

"I have to go," I muttered in a low voice, pointing feebly over my shoulder to my hotel door. I wasn't even out here for a minute and I already wanted to be gone.

Link dashed out his hand and grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the door and closer to him. "Not so fast," his deep voice rumbled. I couldn't let myself down completely and allow to fall in the deep end with Link. I fidgeted on the spot, ignoring the burning sensation that somehow started to ripple along the arm that coincidentally Link still had a hold off.

Damn it... what is happening to me?

We were closer to one another, much closer than we were when I had bumped into him Hollywood style. He tugged on my arm further, practically forcing me to stumble into him. "Link." I said on a warning tone. I wasn't sure if that would do anything since Link seemed like he would do whatever the hell he pleased.

As expected, he ignored my words. I felt his other hand move and then it was suddenly on my hip, digging deep. I couldn't help the small gasp that escaped from my parted lips. I saw his eyes drop to them and an uncontrollable shiver coursed through me.

Oh my god.

"Told Lucian it's going to be me." Link said, his eyes not moving past my lips.

"For what?" I said, surprised at how composed my voice came out since two spots seemed to be burning on my body now.

He looked up at me. "Not Lucian or Mace, or Quan. It's going to be me that going to take care of you."

I understood what he meant and panic soared through me. If Link replaced either of those men then I would see him every day. And that could be nothing but trouble.

I shifted, not sure what to say about him taking care of me. So I decided on something else. "But I like those guys."

Another lie. I hardly knew them expect for Lucian to say those words about them. Yeah, they seemed like nice guys but I wasn't trying to be friends with anyone here.

"It's going to be me," Link repeated again, his fingers digging deeper into my hip... and it felt good. So good that I felt something shift in my lower section.

What the hell... I couldn't believe myself at how I ended up standing so close to Link and feeling snippets of what I thought I buried years ago. All those times I convinced myself that there was nothing between us flew right over my head and I was really... pissed off.

My attempt to contain my sudden pissed off mood deserved a standing ovation. I shoved against his chest, albeit not as rough was I wanted to and took a step back.

He dropped the hold he had on me, both on my hip and arm. I saw his lips twitch at me and it did nothing but make it harder for me to keep a hold on myself. He was enjoying this.

"I got to go." I muttered, taking another step back until my back hit my hotel door. I twisted my arm around my back, trying to search for the door knob whilst keeping my eyes on a now amused Link.

"You don't think it's best to actually turn around?" He said after a while of me just trying to find the door knob and failing.

I scowled at him and flicked around. I managed to open the door and slightly push it open when I heard him say. "I'll see you tomorrow."

I was close to retorting back a "yeah right you will."

Before he uttered his parting words. "And your little girl."

I scurried inside my room, slamming the door behind me and quickly locking it with all the bolts.

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> not entirely sure I'm feeling this chapter but I didn't want to carry on and further spoil it.
> and yeah, it's short but I know what I want to do next chapter so expect it to be up soon!! Xx