second-class citizens and raped on a daily basis. They were held on…I couldn’t even finish the thought. “Just trust me when I say you don’t want to know. I know you feel safe in your city but you are much safer with me than you are alone.”
She stared at me with calculating eyes.
“At least compromise with me. Let me walk you to your building. I won’t go inside so I won’t know what apartment you’re in. That’s fair.”
“You could just read the list of names on the intercom outside.”
I rolled my eyes. “Seriously, why are you paranoid like this?”
Her eyes filled with sadness. “Because I don’t trust people. I’m sorry. You seem like a really good guy and I’m sure you are. But I’ve been wrong before…”
What did that mean? “Did someone hurt you?”
She lowered her gaze. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
That was as good as a yes. “I give you my word I would never, ever hurt you. I have nothing but respect for you. I won’t be able to sleep tonight unless I know you got there safely. I would ask you to call me but I know you won’t give me your number. And if you don’t call me, I’ll have no way of making sure you’re okay.”
“Just let it go.”
“No!” I rose to my feet and felt my anger rise. “Alessandra, do you want to see me beg? I’m not above that.”
She sighed then stood up. “Fine. You obviously aren’t going to let this go.”
I relaxed when I finally got my way. “I know you’re just being cautious, which I think is smart, but you don’t need to be cautious with me. I understand you don’t know me that well but you know me well enough. Just trust your instincts on this.”
She grabbed her clutch from the coffee table then headed to the door.
I grabbed my wallet and walked out with her. We left my building then headed up the sidewalk together. People passed us, hardly visible in the street lamps. It was unusually quiet and there wasn’t much traffic.
“Thank you.” Those were words I didn’t say often, only when I truly meant them.
“You’re welcome.” She crossed her arms over her chest like she was cold.
I hooked my arm around her waist so my body would keep her warm. She moved closer into my side like she needed the touch. “So, where do you live?”
“A few blocks from the park.”
“Nice area.”
“I don’t have any complaints.”
Her waist was so tiny I could wrap my arm around it twice. “Have you lived here all your life?”
“Yep.”
“Where are your parents?”
“They live here too. I don’t see them much.”
“Not close?”
“No, not really.”
I didn’t ask her any more questions so it wouldn’t seem like I was prying. “I know I come off a bit…harsh but I mean it in a good way.”
She stared at me with unreadable eyes.
“I’ve seen a lot of people get hurt and I just…can’t stand it. I guess a part of me will always be a soldier, and I need to protect people—especially someone I care about. I know men are pigs, and I know people can be evil. They’ll take advantage of you the second your guard is down. It’s cruel, but it’s the truth. I would never want that to happen to you. That’s why I need to walk you home.” I faced forward again and watched the neon signs of the city flash on and off.
“I know, Ash.”
At least she understood.
We approached her building then I walked her inside. She lived on the third floor and had a view of the street corner. I walked her to her door, and when she fished her keys out of her clutch, I dropped my embrace.
I put my hands in my pockets while I waited for her to get inside.
She continued searching in her clutch. The sound of loose change moved around. She paused and grew flustered. Then she opened another flap of her wallet.
“Everything okay?”
“My keys aren’t here…”
“Did you leave them inside?”
“No…” She grabbed the handle and jiggled it. “It’s locked…which means I locked it before I left.”
“Did you leave them at the restaurant?”
“I never opened my clutch.”
“Maybe they’re at my place. They could have fallen out.”
“I never opened my clutch to even look at my phone…”
“Well, we can call a locksmith in the morning. You aren’t going to get anyone out here at this time of night.”
“You’re right.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at her door like it might