I watched her sleep. It'd been hours and night had already arrived to shoo the day away.

Her chest rose and fell evenly and I tried hard not to take my imagination beyond what her dress revealed. There was no doubt she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.

Suddenly, her face began contorting in anguish and her body moved uneasily. I ran to her side just as she jolted awake. She looked terrified and was breathing heavily.

I didn't hesitate to pull her in a hug. “Calm down it was only a nightmare.”

She pulled back and looked into my eyes with her teary ones. “That woman... They killed her. They killed her because she was trying to save me.”

I nodded, gritting my teeth at the memory of her bloodied, lifeless body. “It's okay.”

“No it isn't. It's all my fault. It's my fault your girlfriend was killed. Why did you even come to help me?”

“Helena wasn't my girlfriend. She was just a friend. And it isn't your fault. If anything, it's mine.” I stroked her face gently. “Okay? Do not blame yourself. Now here, I prepared a little something."

I pointed at the plate of pancakes accompanied by a jar of honey. Monthse looked at it without much enthusiasm.

*-*-*-*

“I'm sorry, Helena.” I whispered, spreading the last bit of sand on the grave I'd just covered in my backyard.

As much as I wanted to give her a proper burial and all, I knew I couldn't do that without the police getting involved. Even though I wasn't her murderer, I could still be arrested as a suspect because she died in my house.

It would only get worse if investigations were carried out because the police could find out that I'd killed the people who murdered her.

The last thing I wanted was to spend time away from Montse. It was only good for me that Helena had no family and I wouldn't have to lie to anyone.

I went back into the house to clean up the mess and the blood. I couldn't help the reality that Helena had died to protect Montse. Damn it, if I could bring those bastards back from the dead, I would, then kill them all over again.

After I was done cleaning up the house and taking a shower, I gathered some of Montse's clothes and mine and drove into town to buy the groceries I'd told her I was going to buy. Then I drove back to the chalet.

I knew that Montse now knew or at least thought that she wasn't in any kind of danger.

I just wanted to spend a few more days with her before she finally decided whether she wanted me in her life now that she didn't need my protection anymore.

It was night now, and the stars helped the crescent to light up the earth. Entering the chalet while balancing the bags of groceries and our clothes, I walked towards the living room, expecting to find Montse huddled on the couch and watching TV.

The TV was on alright, but there was no Montse. My stomach clenched. I took the stairs up to her room, willing myself some calm. She wasn't there either, and the shower from her bathroom wasn't running.

I came back downstairs. Perhaps she'd gone to the kitchen to get a glass of water. When I entered the kitchen and she wasn't there, I raked a hand through my hair. Now I was really freaking out.

Then I heard faint sounds of water splashing. It was coming from the lake outside beyond the kitchen. Using the kitchen's backdoor, I couldn't have gotten there faster.

Montse was swimming in the lake, looking like she was having the time of her life. Relief slammed through me.

For a moment I'd thought there were still associates of the guys who'd kidnapped Montse that were still out to make my life hell.

I watched her as she swam back and forth over a short distance, then rolled to swim on her back. Coupled with the glow from the moon that let the water surface shimmer like a jeweled silk, she looked so gorgeous all wet with her hair flowing around her.

And God help me, she was only in bra and panties. At least they weren't lacy but damn they barely left anything for the imagination.

I knew she'd sensed my presence when her eyes snapped open. A smile fitted on her lips so naturally. She rolled onto her front and swam towards me. I met her at the metal rail.

“Why didn't you tell me there was a lake out here?” She glared at me playfully. “God, this is so amazing. I'm so glad I decided to explore the house.”

I just smiled, grateful she was happy, even if it was a lake that did the trick.

“Hey, come join me.” She said, looking at me expectantly.

“I'm good."

“Oh, come on. Don't tell me you can't swim.”

“I can swim.”

“Then why won't you come in.” She didn't give me a chance to answer.

Grabbing my leg, she pulled me right into the lake. She didn't even care that I was fully clothed in a T-Shirt and trousers. I gasped as I sank under the cold water, then bounced to the surface.

Montse was laughing her ass off like this was the funniest thing ever.

“You think this is funny?” I said, unable to fight my own smile. “Wait till I get to you!”

Realizing my intent, she shrieked, attempting to swim away. I leapt for her, but in the process ripped the stitches on my thigh. The pain made me let go of her as I groaned.

“Mikhail!” She fretted, swimming closer to me. “Are you okay?”

“It's okay, just the wound.”

Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my God, I'm so inconsiderate. I totatlly forgot about you being shot. I'm so sorry.”

“It's okay.” I said assuringly.

“Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital?”

“I just put some strain on it, nothing serious.” I smiled, hoping she would drop it.

She did, thankfully. “Can you even blame me for forgetting? You don't even limp! How are you so strong?”

I chuckled at how fascinated she looked and realized how close we were. I stopped chuckling when she was still looking keenly at me after some seconds.

“What?” I asked, suddenly unnerved. My heart began pounding furiously. I didn't even know why.

“Those men. . . that kidnapped me, they told me all sort of horrible lies about to you. They tried to make me think you were a horrible person.”

Every fibre in my body froze. Montse probably sensed it because she hastened to continue.

“But of course, I knew they were all just lies. I mean this is you. You work for a secret agency that works with the police to catch criminals and save people. You saved my life twice."

“You wouldn't have been in danger in the first place if not for me.” I muttered under my breath.

“Yes, they told me they kidnapped me to use me as a means to kill you because you'd. . . killed one of them. I was so afraid they would hurt you.”

“That man they were talking about was a criminal. He dealt in all sort of trafficking; women, drugs, children. When we went after him, he killed some of my collegues. I had to kill him to protect myself and the others.”

My gut twisted. I didn't want to lie, but lord knew I couldn't tell her the truth. This was the best approach so that her image of me didn't get ruined.

She nodded with a small smile on her face. “You had to do what you had to.”

“I'm so sorry for being the reason why your life was in danger all this while.”

Her eyes flew wide open. “Wait! Did I just hear Mikhail Berlusconi say sorry? Oh my God, wonders will never end.”

“You clown.” I said, unable to resist a small laugh.

She caught me completely off guard with a kiss on the lips. My unresponsive state lasted for two seconds before I was kissing her back, matching her rhythm.

Desire burned inside my veins. There was nothing I wanted more than to make love to her, but I knew she wasn't planning on going that far.

It took every ounce of control in me to break the kiss before I sacred her off with any intensity.

“That was for being my guardian angel.” She told me, and then she turned and swam towards the railing.

After climbing, she grabbed a white towel from the lounger. “We'd better go prepare dinner. I'm starving.”

She flashed me an abashed smile before hurrying inside. A smile curved up my lips as the kiss replayed in my head.

My happiness faded almost immediately. Montse saw me as an angel, someone who only helped people. I knew she wouldn't be saying that if she knew the kind of man I truly was.

The kind of man I had been.

Yes, had been because I was so done with this life of vigilantism. I just wanted to be with her and be the kind of man she would want to spend her life with.

So what if it meant I would have to give up my ultimate mission; killing the man who'd ordered for my parents death?

I would do anything for Montse. I was going to be okay as long as I had her.

At least I hoped so.

******

I stumbled out of the bathroom into my bedroom still feeling as shitty as I'd felt on waking up this morning.

Last night, after our moment in the pool I'd had a helluva good time with Montse as we cooked together and later ate in the living room while watching TV, all the while with her regaling me with her wit and jokes.

She'd kissed me again as a goodnight, making me even more confused and so much more aroused. I'd had to force myself not to follow her to her room.

I'd slept with blueballs but with a smile plastered on my face. Only to wake up this morning to find my body weak all over, my bones and joints feeling like they were turning to jelly.

I'd expected a shower to do the trick but it seemed to have only made it worse.

After getting dressed into a casual outfit, I left my room and headed downstairs. I was met with a sight that had me pausing in the middle of the stairs.

Montserrat was dancing. No, more like dance exercising. Dressed in a black vest on matching black pantyhose, she contorted her body in tune with what the fitness instructor was teaching on the TV as music played.

She looked happy doing it, and I was marvelled. For someone who had been victim of a gun attack, and had to put her life on hold because she feared she was in danger, had been kidnapped, had witnessed murder, and had had to kill for the first time, she looked as normal as normal could get.

Unless she was putting on an act. How did she fucking do it?

As I continued to descend, the room spun for a second and I gripped the railing, afraid I would fall. Trying to steady my view only resulted in Montserrat dividing into two.

What the hell was wrong with me?

The two Montserrats looked up and smiled. “Hey there! Good morning. Just doing some exercising. Come join me.”

I continued going down the stairs, deciding to join her. When the room spun in my eyes again this time, I wasn't quick enough to grab onto the railing.

I tumbled, rolling until I was on the base of the stairs at an awkward angle. Luckily, I'd been on the fourth stair before I fell so the impact wasn't too strong.

“Mikhail!”

Montserrat rushed to my side. This time, there was only one of her, and she looked worried.

“What's wrong? Are you okay?” She cupped my cheek and gasped. “Oh my God, you're burning up!”

My breathing had turned more laboured now and I couldn't deny anymore that I was sick.

“I'm calling the ambulance.”

She stood up to run but I grabbed her hand, shaking my head. “No. Not the ambulance. Go for my phone. Password is justice. Call Doctor Marina.”

That was the last thing I said before darkness enveloped me.

_______

Montse and Mikhail are finally getting a little lovey dovey. Did it take too long? Vote and let me hear your thoughts.

LOL(Lots Of Love)
–Enock