Luke's PoV

Watching Kira's face light up as soon as I said we were seeing Cody again was immeasurable. How could I fight to keep her away from someone she truly looked elated to see? Despite only knowing the kid for a week, it was like the two of them were attached at the hip - wanting to do everything together. I watched her chat about Cody with such happiness every day after school and Alyssa had already saved me from having to pay for being late on the first day. So far, nothing seemed bad about them but then again I was always the naive one, wanting to think the best of everyone. That's what had got us into trouble before. My fingers whizzed over my phones keyboard as I got ready for the play date.

Me: hey Ash, do me a favour and pop over in a few hours time just to check in? I'll explain later.

Calum had already told me what he thought of Alyssa and Cody, but I needed more than his opinion. As soon as that door opened, I saw his eyes widen slightly. He obviously thought she was pretty and clearly wanted to see more of her just by what he said to me in the car. Ashton was a lot more honest, not caring if it went against every moral bone in his body. He would pop in, see the people I'd been associating with and then tell me if he thought they were suspicious. I couldn't bear the park or any open space for the kids to play; they were breeding grounds for paps and stalkers and all the people I tried so hard to keep my innocent daughter away from. That's why I'd invited the two of them to our house. I didn't know how Alyssa would react to it, but she seemed unbothered as she responded that they were ready and I told her I'd pick her up.

We got to their house in record time but as I glanced in my wing mirror, I happened to notice a blue car that I'd thought we'd seen as we left our house. My gaze moved towards the rear-view mirror where I caught out a bit of the license plate... it was definitely the same car. My fingers gripped the wheel tighter as my gut concluded that we had been followed. Cody and Alyssa obliviously entered the car and before they had a chance to speak, I pulled away at speed with my eyes focused on the blue car that was still behind us. How was it possible? I was normally so careful. Somehow I'd let this stalker follow me from our house to Alyssa's and they're now following me to our final destination. I could imagine the news articles now; ones about my new love, bringing up my late wife, writing about my daughter, ruining our lives with their lies and-

"Luke!!" Alyssa shouted as she yanked the steering wheel and caused my car to swerve out of the way of an oncoming vehicle. I slammed the brakes on quickly and we came to a stop, the car I'd thought had been following us pulling past without a second glance - an old man in the front seat whistling along to an old tune probably playing from a cassette tape. What an idiot I'd been. Alyssa checked on the kids, who luckily were fine, and then seemed to stare at me awaiting them explanation I barely wanted to give.

"I'm so sorry." I ran my hands through my hair and sighed. I'd been so caught up in my thoughts and the idea of news stories that I wasn't watching the road. I could have hurt Kira or Cody. "I thought-"

"Daddy was scared of a car." Kira innocently said, taking the heat off me for a moment. As much as I wanted to thank her, I also wanted to tell her to be quiet - she was way too clever and could already understand my fear of attachments. Alyssa looked back to Kira with a softened look.

"What do you mean, Kira?" She pressed.

"A blue car came up and I kept seeing daddy looking at it. He is scared of cars sometimes when we drive." Kira explained in a way that made sense to me but caused Alyssa to whip her head back towards me for more information. This was it. The panic had set in.

"I promise I'll explain, just..." I sighed as I looked at the two innocent faces in the back of the car. "Not in front of the kids please." I whispered. Alyssa instantly softened and nodded, turning back to the front as I set off again, keeping my eyes on the road as I pulled up to my house. I used the keycard to unlock the gate and drove in, the view I was so used to seemed to silence Alyssa as she gasped quietly, leaning forward to take it in as we pulled into the garage and the gate closed behind us. "Kira, hun, go and show Cody your play room." I said with a smile and in an instant, the two children ran ahead of us screaming and cheering with excitement.

"Play room?" Alyssa quizzed in a humorous tone. I laughed in response as i shrugged.

"Yeah, I had to do something with the spare rooms."

"Rooms?" She questioned with an eyebrow raised.

"It's a five bed place. My mates, like Calum who you met before, often stay over. It's great when everyone's here but when they're not it's quite lonely." I led us into the large kitchen diner. "Can I get you a drink?"

"I'd love a coffee if that's okay?" She asked carefully as she sat on a stool at the breakfast bar. "And an explanation." My stomach tightened as her tone suddenly got harsher. I couldn't blame her though, I'd nearly injured her and Cody. She looked over with a partially apologetic look, not wanting to make a bad impression, as she waited for my response.

"Sure." I said as I pulled a couple of pods out and made some from our coffee machine. As the milk churned out, I let out a heavy sigh as I tried to explain myself. How much would I disclose to her? How much could I trust her with? There was only one way to find out and that's by saying it and hoping it stays with her. Fingers crossed it does.