Ethan's eyes grew wide, a vast ocean filled with a myriad of emotions. I had watched them play each other out as I told him what had happened between Christian and I. His expressions shifted from shock to anger, to hurt, to pain, and to utter sadness. He eventually settled on anger, his hands shaking with the emotion threatening to short circuit his system.

It had taken me a while to decide to do it, and even longer to muster up the courage to address the topic. Then, when Ethan sat crossed legged beside me on the bed, his hair freshly damp and neatly tousled, I jumped him with the truth. I flushed as my eyes fell upon his bare chest once again. They were sculpted but not as well as Christian's.

My inner goddess rolled her eyes at me. Well atleast you didn't pinch at his name.

It certainly was getting better. After that phone call and a long time sorting my feelings, I knew that I should not be the one worrying over our next meeting. Christian was the one who had cheated on me. He was the one who had to try and land our next meeting. In that meeting, he would be at my mercy. I would figure out how to handle the pain of seeing him and the tortirue of talking our issues out later on. For now, I had an impending headache from the drinking last night.

Ethan's eyes were trained on me the entire time I had been overwhelmed by my thoughts. By the time I had come around to realise this, he leaned into me. He emphasized his net workds menacingly, "I. Could. Kill. Him."

Ethan killing Christian? I thought to myself, amused. That would be highly improbable. Yet, the blood rushed to my cheeks at the thought of Ethan putting himself in that precarious position for me. It also made me question why he had to in the first place, shouldn't Christian be the one protecting me?

I was once again reminded of the shitty position I was in.

Ethan drew me against himself, and I grew aware of his warmth. This was what I had slept against last night. This was what kept my dreams clear of nightmares. "I'd never cheat on you, Ana." He leaned down and planted a small kiss on the top of my head. So soft I wondered if it I had imagined it completely. "Never."

I bathed myself in his words and took great comfort in them. Just like Kate, Ethan was there for me too. The Kavanaughs were starting to be steady pillars in my ever-changing, alays unravelling life. A thought crossed my mind.

"Ethan," I muttered against his skin. "He's going to find you."

My thoughts ran along the movie Taken, realizing that just like Liam Neeson, Ethan was going to be hunted down. Christian did not have that special set of skills, but he had the money to buy a set of men with those exceptional skills. Welch. It would not be long now.

Ethan chuckled.

"What?" I piped up, worried that I was driving him insane.

"Hey, it saves me the trouble of hunting him down myself. " His tone was tauting, as if he could stand a chance against Christian. "Alright," he pulled back. "Take a shower and i'll bring you out for brunch."

I smiled at the thought at first. Then, after further consideration, I shook my head.

"What now?" He said, eyebrows furrowing.

I crossed my arms against my chest. "Firstly, being out in public will make us susceptible."

Ethan digested my words and smirked.

"Secondly, I don't have clothes."

Mimicking me, he crossed his arms too and pouted for dramatic effect. "Firstly, Ms. Steele. He can't do anything to us in public. Secondly, I left a fresh set for you in the toilet."

"Fresh?" Had Ethan gone to the apartment?

"My set. I picked the most feminine I could find." His mouth twisted. "But the flowery board shorts were all I could find."

I could not resist throwing him a bright smile for his thoughtfulness. Ethan was probably the best thing that had come out of this entire situation. It had been a while since we last hung out alone, and it was something I did not know I missed. Before we left the apartment, I made coffee for Ethan's accommodating friend. Even though he was still in bed, hungover, it was the least I could do.

Ethan landed us at a quiet cafe at a secluded alley, obviously giving thought to avoid Grey's many eyes. Secretly, I wished we did as it would buy as more time together. Over eggs benedict and pancakes, Ethan shapeshifted into a story teller. He told me about his adventures overseas and the pain of having both Elliott and Kate in his company. Apparently, they could not keep their hands off of each other. I winced at the thought.

I told him about work and the most interesting manuscripts I had come across. Most of them were twilight rip-offs, but others were pretty promising. It was like finding a needle in a haystack, but the feeling once you did was phenomenal. Around the end of our meal, Ethan's phone started ringing. 

It was an unknown number.

I was about to stop him, but without so much as a thought, Ethan unlocked his phone and held it against his ear.

Christian?

"Kavanaugh." He seemed perfectly at ease. Maybe it wasn't Christian after all. "Grey."

My heart stopped at the name.

Still composed, Ethan bemusedly took on Christian. "No, I have not seen her. But yes, I know what you did. I know exactly what you did, you son of a bitch."

There were some noises from the iPhone and I knew Christian was doing a combination of badmouthing and threatening Ethan. I had half the mind to reach out and give Christian the massive earful he deserved, but resisted. 

Ethan laughed. "I'm pretty calm because I know Ana can take care of herself. You do know she had a life before you." Flexing his fingers, Ethan laughed again. "Not to mention, I know exacly where she is." With that, he ended the call abruptly and placed his phone back onto the table. I gawked as he took the last sip of his iced latte and handed a passing waiter a wad of cash.

Turning to me, his eyes were tainted with amusement. "Seems to me your stalker traced my call from Jack's phone. I am indeed not his mother." He paused, looking around him. "Not long until he puts two and two together." Ethan shrugged, still composed. "Shall we head back to your apartment, grab some clothes?"

My mouth hung at the audacity of his suggestion. "It's probably crawling with security."

Ethan leaned back against his chair. "Not to worry. That call would be enough for Grey to start looking for me. It's highly unlikely he would think to look in your apartment. Besides, you have me. I am here with you."

When I remained uncertain, Ethan smiled at me. "Besides, we'll have back up." 

"Back up?" I questioned, confused but hopeful.

Ethan laughed.

Oh, he was joking.

My inner goddess shined her grenade, dressed in an army outfit and ready for battle.

"Come on, Ana. Let's get you into a fresh set of underwear, shall we?"