Harper

It's been two days since the incident outside our house and staying with Levy is like living in a dream. The man cooks, I mean he actually cooks using all fresh ingredients and prepares everything from scratch.

He made us a delicious smoked salmon yesterday evening with fresh long green beans and mash. For breakfast today he flipped pancakes for Taylor and I. She sat there grinning like a girl who'd been given a year's supply of candy floss. Sure, I make them sometimes but not very often. Between taking care of the house, my work shifts, college and college work I don't have time in the mornings. In fact, I always feel like my back is up against the wall.

This is luxurious, his house is much bigger than ours and everything about it is spacious. It only hits me now since I've been staying here for two nights. Funny how I never realized it all the times I came to play and then later years study with Dylan or stayed over. The kitchen patio doors are slightly open allowing in the crisp fresh air, we can see the woods behind and the trees are swaying. Birds are chirping as I take the last of my pancake stack onto my fork and place it in my mouth.

Everything about Levy's property is spacious, modern and open. He is standing by the coffee machine eyeing me causing me to blush. Thankfully, Taylor is paying no attention since she is still drooling over her pancakes that have more maple syrup on them than there is pancake. It's good to see her with a genuine smile on her face and eating a healthy amount of food. At least now she has some color back in her cheeks.

"What do you girls have planned today?" he asks as I try hard not to look below his waistband. Why I like a man in joggers is weird because they're not exactly the most attractive garment to wear. Yet there he stands with his ankles crossed and his biceps on full display in his tight, pale blue T-shirt. I can make out the definition of his pecs and it's making my core all tight.

"Not a lot. I've got a few days off the shifts, to be honest I don't feel ready to go back just yet," I tell him. Taylor looks up and uses her free hand to squeeze my hand. "Maybe just hang out here if that's okay. We do have to go back home at some point though."

"Hey, there is no rush. Besides, I want to finish with the cameras surrounding your house today and make sure everything is working first. Why don't you stay for a while longer? It's kind of nice having you both around filling up the place. Dylan and I rattle around in it on our own."

"Morning," Dylan says as he brings his sleepy face into the kitchen. Levy pours him a coffee and hands it to him.

"Morning, Son. Sleep well?"

"Yeah, it was okay. Dad we er," he glances towards me then Taylor. "Need to make time to talk."

Levy nods and takes a drink from his red coffee mug with a biker's badge on it. "I'm free this morning before I head over to the girl's house to finish installing the cameras and changing all the locks. Does that work for you, Son?"

"Yeah, that can work. I'm heading out to catch up with Lacey after, she wants to go shopping." He lets out a groan, yeah Dylan never was one for the whole girl shopping thing.

"Taylor and I can go shopping with Lacey if you want and you and your dad can spend some time together," I tell him pushing my plate away from me. Levy springs into action and grabs it placing it in the dishwasher. The man has been watching me like a hawk and taking care of me better than my own mother. He's massaged my feet of an evening when Dylan and Taylor were in their respective rooms as we watched movies. And trust me, his touch is divine. He has fingers that are strong yet gentle, and the way he makes me feel just by massaging my feet. However, I'm not ready to go down that road again just yet.

The other night has really shaken me up. More so than I am letting on. Levy has enough on his plate right now with his businesses and his relationship with Dylan. On top of that I just feel all weird to do anything when Dylan is around. It makes me shudder – nobody notices although I do catch Levy narrowing his eyes in that look that says, everything okay sweetheart?

"I said I'd take her to lunch afterwards. I don't mind so much, it'll be fun so long as she doesn't keep going from one shop to the next," Dylan continues. I laugh. Oh boy, he doesn't know Lacey the way I know Lacey when it comes to shopping.

"No problem. Taylor and I will hang out here. Levy do you want me to do some chores for you? I feel useless sitting around. Taylor and I can help out."

"No way. Absolutely not. You are both my guests and I'll not have either of you lifting a finger. Besides, I have a lady who comes in once a week to take care of everything. You should maybe try getting some fresh air. How about you both go for a walk along the trails in the woods out back?"

I bite my lower lip. I'm way too frightened to even step outside right now. Taylor looks expectantly at me. Fuck, how can I say no? It's not fair to keep her cooped up inside all day because of how I feel. Maybe I should speak with someone. Levy and Dylan, both suggested it would be the sensible thing to do. The lady police officer also spoke with me yesterday and suggested I speak with one of their people. I declined.

"Okay, yeah, sure. Taylor would you like that?"

"Yes, if you're alright to go out that is. Don't feel you need to because of me though, Harper."

Dammit she is so sweet. I tuck her hair behind her ears. "I'm fine, honestly. Levy is right. It'll do us good to get some fresh air. Maybe tomorrow we can go check out some new books in the library."

To that her eyes open wider, she loves the library and since we can't really afford books like others can it's our main place to go. "That would be so cool. Are you sure you'll be ready to leave the house? There's no rush, Harper."

I pull her to me causing her to almost slide off her stool. "Of course I'll be fine," I lie knowing I won't be but I have no choice. I can't let some fucker win and control my life from behind bars. I am a strong woman. Levy told me last night that I am the strongest woman he knows with everything I have had to go through since childhood and how I seem to be coping with the incident the other night.

Inside I feel like a train wreck, my insides are constantly knotted with anxiety and I feel nauseous most of the time. I was way too close to being.... I still can't say the word it horrifies me; it repulses me and makes me almost gag.

"I will drive you both and pick you both up. In fact, I've got business in town tomorrow so I can hang around and be there when you need to leave or want to move on anywhere else," Levy says.

"Oo, like our own personal bodyguard," Taylor pipes up smiling.

"Whatever you want to call it. It's my job to protect you both and make sure no harm comes to you. Unfortunately, you mother knew some not very nice folk and they may all start to crawl out of the woodwork."

He can say that again. My mother knew and hung with some absolute scum bags. I'm thankful from the bottom of my heart that none of her boyfriend's physically did anything to either Taylor or myself. If anyone had ever touched my younger sister – I'd be behind bars for murder.

"Thanks, Levy but we've already put you to so much trouble. I've got this, we can take the bus there and back. That will be plenty safe. We're not going to bump into any of mom's so-called friends in the library or in town."

He frowns and furrows his dark brows. "That doesn't work for me, Sunflower. You'll have me take you there and back. I don't mean to pull the domineering older guy thing here but I do want to protect you, Harper. You too, Taylor."

She shrugs. "I'm cool with that," Taylor says. Dylan looks at me.

"You'd best let dad take you, Harper. When he's got that look on his face, it's take it or leave it. You don't want to be on house arrest, do you?"

Actually, I do. I'm literally only forcing myself out for Taylor's sake. "Okay, thank you Levy. It means a lot to us."

"Good, that's settled. Dylan you ready for a chat before I go across the road to sort out the cameras and change some locks? If you need me buzz on my mobile. There are some warm fleeces in the cupboard that will fit you both. They were Lilly's."

Dylan gets up and puts his plate in the dishwasher. "Yes, I'm ready then, I'm going to get ready. See you two later. If you want, I'll bring Lacey back after shopping and lunch, and we can all watch a movie."

"That'd be amazing, Dylan. Thanks so much," I tell him. He smiles and heads out of the kitchen. Taylor stands and mumbles something about needing the bathroom then shoots like a bat out of hell from the kitchen.

"What was that all about?" Levy asks me stunned.

"I think that's called making a hasty exit to give us two some space," I say with a hint of laughter in my voice.

"Is that so, well then get your mighty fine ass over here so I can give you a hug and a kiss before I chat with Dylan and head out. Is that okay with you, Sunflower?"

"It's more than okay. I'm alright with kissing, I think the rest will take a while. I'm sorry," I tell him as I stand and walk towards his outstretched arms. As soon as he folds me into his chest, I feel like I've just come home. His chest is hard, he's all muscle and his body is warm. I feel comforted, I feel protected like nothing in this world will ever touch me again.

"Nothing to be sorry about, Harper. Don't ever apologize to me. What you went through the other night was a lot. It's going to take a while baby and we have all the time in the world."