I pulled her closer to me, kissing her like a man that's been starving for years. And I have. It's been so fucking long since I have wanted to kiss her and taste her soft pink lips.

She's the forbidden fruit I was never allowed to have but right now I didn't care. She chose me. Even after I told her everything, laid down my soul at her feet and placed my heart, my vulnerability and my emotions in her loving hands. She accepted it. All of it. She didn't run away from me or get weighed down by everything. No. She embraced me with all my demons and bloody legacy.

No matter what, I would protect her and never let go. And we will find a way to be together. I'll make sure of it, even if it means I'm disowned by my father.

Pulling out of the kiss through inhuman force, I leaned my forehead against hers gently watching the soft pink that climbed up her cheeks and neck. As soon as our eyes met, she turned adorably redder.

And I knew why. It was her first kiss. A kiss that would be imprinted on my mind for the rest of my god damn life. And no matter how much I wanted to claim her right then and there, I needed to take it slow both for her and me. She still needed to know that I never touched another woman though, not in all those years. Never.

"It was my first kiss too, Little Flame" I said softly watching as she gawked at me incredulously.

"You're serious?"Celine asked.

"I am. I have never been interested in anyone until you. I never needed companionship. I was completely content with just Landon by my side. But when you came along, everything changed. I was completely caught under your spell the moment I stared at you and I knew right then and there that this girl.. This girl was the one I wanted to share everything with. I knew back then I couldn't desire you like that but my heart had other plans"I confessed as I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"So you have never been with anyone. At all.." Celine whispered more to herself than to me. Her eyes flashing with satisfaction, love and warmth.

I chuckled. "You're happy about it"

"Of course. And so are you."The cheeky little minx retorted back.

"Guilty as charged. You're mine. Your soft lips, sweet mouth and luscious curves are all mine" I responded, arms tightening around her in a territorial grip.

"And you're all mine too. Mine to cherish. Love. And adore" She whispered back, weakening my resolve.

I placed a soft kiss close to her lips. "I am. I'm yours only. Always have been"

The blinding smile she gave me in response was everything.

We settled into a comfortable silence afterwards, her head tucked beneath my chin, my hand stroking her hair while I thought of everything going forth.

"I sent Landon the picture you took of the killer. He's going to track him down and pull up all the information we can get on him. No matter what, he won't get to you again but we need to be vigilant. We are going to stay at my safe house with Elysium. I'll drive you to work on Monday and Elysium to school"I said watching as she lifted her head to look up at me.

"I thought you would want us to stay hidden?"Celine said, eyes flickering with worry.

"The killer didn't expect to fail that night. He is probably fuming right now at the failed attempt but that also means he's going to lay low until he can think of something moving forth. Hiding will make him think he scared you. If anything I want him to know he cannot get to you now and that we are not scared. My own men will be stationed at your company day and night. Around Elysium's school too. Agnus, my tech guy must have already hacked into the cameras in your company by now and I will make him hack the ones in Elysium's school too. If anything happens, we will know instantly. Besides that we know his face now which gives the killer more reasons to lay low"I explained, voice calculated.

"The reason why you asked me to not go to the police was also because the attack was in connection to you. And because you want to get to him first, isn't it?What are you going to do once you get to him,Eli?"Celine asked, searching my eyes.

I didn't have the heart to lie to her. She already knew who I was either way.

"Yes. I need to get to him first. That thing beating in my chest, Little Flame nearly shattered when you told me what happened on the phone, you were miles away from me and in that instant I wanted nothing more than to pull you in my arms through that screen. When I find the man that dared to touch my little Flame. I'll make him pay. In blood."I responded, jaw tight with the fury thrumming in my veins.

Celine exhaled calmly, processing my thoughts. As much as I was proud of her calm spirit and composed demeanour, I didn't want to spook her. Telling her everything was one thing. Confessing to her I was going to kill someone was another but I trusted her. I trusted our love and I knew she wouldn't leave me no matter what.

"Let's get Elysium ready. I don't want to worry him but we both know our little Star is mature and very perceptive. I won't reveal the details too much but he needs to be cautious and careful moving forward"Celine responded making the tension leave my shoulders.

"You're not frightened by the fact that I'm going to kill someone?"I asked, rubbing soothing circles on her waist.

"I'm apprehensive. And definitely need some time to process everything but I know why you are doing it. He's a danger to me and Elysium. If the roles were reversed I would do it too" Celine said, her beautiful green eyes flashing with that familiar fire that made me fall for her.

"That's my little Flame" I replied, placing a soft kiss on her temple.

"What's up with both of you?"Elysium asked the moment he entered through the back door and saw us like that.

Celine and I shared a knowing look before she got up and went to her son. "My little star, there's something we need to discuss"

"What is it? Are you both finally over the best friend zone?"Elysium asked, his hazelnut brown eyes staring at us expectantly.

We both paused. "Come again"

"Well she was just in your lap, her hair is slightly tousled and so is yours. So you both clearly finally stopped pretending you're just best friends"Elysium concluded making me chuckle at how bright red little Flame became.

"Now since when are you this observant?"Celine chided, fixing her hair.

"Alway have been, Mamá" Elysium rolled his eyes before adding "Are you both finally together or not?"

I stared at Celine quietly before answering "Well we did confess to each other"

The words were barely out before Elysium did a happy dance that tugged at my heart strings. I have always wanted to be his adoptive father and seeing him reacting like this only further strengthened the notion that he was my son. Always have been.

And I would keep him safe. Both him and his mom. Starting with them in my safe house.

"Elysium.. It's not what we wanted to talk to you about" I said calmly standing up and coming next to my little Flame.

"Then..what is it?"Elysium asked, all traces of joy gone staring from his mom to me.

"We are going to stay at Eli's safe house for some time. Something happened last night and I was hurt."Celine said, pausing briefly when Elysium's eyes zeroed in on the marks on her throat. Marks I would inflict ten times harder on that piece of shit.

"Who hurt you?"Elysium asked in a still small voice and I hated how fearful he sounded. As long as I was here, he never had anything to fear.

"A bad man and right now he's on the loose. To ensure our safety, we are going to stay with Eli until we figure things out. I know you're wondering why we didn't go to the police but I need you to trust Mamá on this okay?"Celine said, grabbing his hands.

Elysium stared at both of us in silence for a long time before finally mumbling"I just don't want to lose either of you"

"You won't, my little lion. I'll make sure of it" I vowed softly, pulling him and Celine both in my arms, holding them close to me.

I would protect them both even if I had to bleed for it.