Hallie.

"I'm not going to hurt you," He said.

The look in his eyes told me I could. Sincerity pooled in the depths of his eyes, like it did in his voice and the way he was standing in front of me. But still, a voice inside my head is screaming not to let this man in. Not to let him see how vulnerable I am and how helpless and in need of saving.

I simply couldn't let this man help me. I can't trust anyone. Not one single person. Then why am I struggling to tell him just that?

What is it about him that made me want to trust him? That made me want to accept the help his offering me now?

I don't even know him. He could be a serial killer for all I know.

I rolled my eyes at myself.

Yeah. Sure. A man who's suit probably costs thousands of dollars is a serial killer. 

You'll never know.

He's too good looking for his own good too.

Great. Now you point out how handsome he is too? What's next?

I sighed.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he said again.

As I looked into his eyes, I knew he meant it.

Damien

"Listen, let's get out of the cold night while we wait for my driver. It shouldn't take him long, it he does need to switch cars."

"It isn't necessary. Really. We could walk and..."

I frowned at her and silenced her with one look. "Do you have a death wish? You're apartment is a long way from here."

"I've done it before," she mumbled quietly. So quietly that I didn't think I heard right, because if I did, then I might just shake this woman into sense.

"Let's go," was all I said. I'm so close to losing my temper, I don't want to scare her off. She's already skittish as it is.

As we started walking, my phone suddenly rang.

I looked at the caller ID and it was my twin sister Bella.

"Hey sis," I answered.

"Where are you? I thought you were just going for a walk?" She asked.

"Hey, yeah, sorry something came up and it can't wait. I'll call Mom and Dad later," I said.

"Is everything okay?" She asked.

"Yeah. I'll explain everything soon," I said.

"Okay. I'll see you later then. Love you," she said.

"Love you too, sis. Bye."

"That was my twin sister," I said.

"You have a twin?"

I nodded with a smile. "A pain in the butt twin sister," I said. "My Aunt Liv is having a charity event  at my Uncle's hotel.

"Which hotel?" She asked.

"El Sueño..."

"Who's your uncle," she asked.

"Adam Murray. He's married to my Aunt Ally, who's cousin, Aunt Andy is married to my Uncle Ethan," I said chuckling. "Our family tree goes on for miles. I'd only confuse you if I explain how I'm related to all of them and more," I grinned.

Her eyes held confusion as well as recognition. "Wait. What did you say your last name was?"

"Anastasi. Why?"

"Oh my god," she said.

Hallie

"Oh my god," I said.

He's not just rich, he's famous. His whole family is. And I work at his building. I mean his office. I mean I clean his office twice a week.

I can't risk this kind of exposure. I can't be seen with him. What if one of those damn paparazzi gets a picture? He'd know where I am. He'd know where to find me.

I can't let that happen.

As much as I need his help, I can't accept it.

Our safety depends on it.

Damien

"What? What is it?"

"What is it?" She squeaked. "You're one of them... your family... I mean... this was a mistake. Listen..."

"No. You listen, Hallie. Calm down. I don't understand what the big deal is. You and I are going to talk once we get to my place."

"No! You need to stay away from me or me—us from you," she said. "Give me my son," she said.

"Stop it. You're causing a scene," I glowered at her.

"No!"

"Of all the obstinate woman..."

"Don't call me obstinate you, Neanderthal!" She grounded out.

I ignored her and saw my car approaching. "My driver's here," I said. "Let's go."

"I'm not going in there," she said stubbornly.

"Sir."

I turned and found my Jerry, my driver walking toward us.

I passed the sleeping boy to him.

"Hey, give me my son!"

My driver stopped in his tracks.

"Don't listen to her, just get him settled." The little guy must have been exhausted. He didn't move an inch or stir from all this ruckus.

"This is kidnaping! I could call the cops on you. You can't make me go anywhere!"

"You can walk or I can carry you," I said, ignoring her outburst.

"I'm not a child!"

"Then stop acting like one and get in the damn car."

"You don't understand," she started to say.

"Then make me. Explain it to me, once we get to your place and you've extended your gratitude by offering me coffee."

"But I'm not inviting you in..." she started to protest.

"Get in the car."

"You can't make me. This is kidnaping or illegal detention..." she repeated making me laugh.

She scowled and glared at me at the same time.

"We can stand here all night, Hallie."

"Stop saying my name like that!" She demanded.

"Like what, Hallie?"

"Like that!" She snapped. "Why do you have to say my name like that?"

"Like what?" I asked again, my mouth twitching with amusement. "How am I saying your name, Hallie?"

"With familiarity," she glared at me. "You're saying it with familiarity."

"What kind of familiarity?"

"Like you know me... like..." she trailed off.

"Like...?"

"Forget it. You're infuriating!"

I laughed. "Stop fighting me."

"Stop telling me what to do!"

"We're attracting attention and between you and me, I don't like having my pictures plastered on tabloids and I definitely would not like having one of us arguing in the streets on the tabloids tomorrow morning.

Her face paled and she visibly swallowed as she looked around to see if indeed someone was taking our picture.

She quickly moved towards the car without another word.

I frowned. That's all it takes? A mere mention of the tabloids?

I shook my head.

Our gaze collided and I was shocked to see fear in her eyes. I've never known anyone to react that way at the mere mention of having their picture taken and printed on tabloids. Annoyance? yes. Fear? No.

"Hey," I said softly. "You don't have to worry. I have people who's job is to prevent exactly that," I assured her. "I pay them well enough to be the best at what they do. Nothing will be printed about you or this. But it will definitely make their job a lot easier if we don't give the press any material to work on."

I saw her shoulders sag with relief.

"Why don't you get...?" I nodded towards the baby she pulled into her arms after unstrapping her from the stroller.

"Michy," she said softly. "I call her Michy."

"Is that short for anything?"

"Michelle. It's short for Michelle."

I nodded with a smile. "Why don't you get Michy settled and I'll put this in the back of the car.

She nodded.

"You sit in the back, I'll ride shot gun," I said.

Jerry took the stroller from me and I got in the car.

"Do you have kids?" She asked.

"No. But I've got a million nieces and nephews," I said with a grin.

She smiled. A first real smile, which made my heart stop for a second.

Then she quickly looked away and worry, once agin crossed her features.

Curiosity washed through me.

What's her story?

Where's the kids father?

Why is she on edge?

What is she afraid of?

All of these questions ran around in my head like a refrain, never wanting to end.

This girl has me tied up in knots and she doesn't even know it. I can't even explain it. Nor do I even want to. It would only drive me insane trying to figure out how and why.

"Where to, Sir?" Jerry asked as he claimed in the driver side.

"Brookwest," I said and Jerry looked at me, before looking back at the woman sitting behind me and her two kids.  Concern marred his features, knowing exactly just what kind of a neighbourhood that is.

The woman said her apartment isn't so bad, but I'll be damn if I leave her there ton get with her young ones.

I'm driving her there to get her things and she'll be staying with me until we figure out another solution to her situation. There's no way I'm leaving her at a place where her and her kids' safety is in jeopardy.

I looked back and saw defeat.

She looked exhausted. 

She turned and her gaze collided with mine and what I saw squeezed my chest and made me want to punch a hole in the wall.

I saw fear and pain in her eyes and there could only be one explanation for it.

She's been hurt.

The questions is, by whom?