Protecting Her - Alexis Noelle Page 0,10

My stomach growls but I ignore it, hearing my mother’s words echo in my head. As I walk to the car, I try to take deep breaths. I need to push the emotions back down. I reach the car and climb in, needing to shut the world out for a few minutes so I can put the mask back on that everyone is used to seeing. I lean my head back against the seat, closing my eyes.

A knock jolts me out of my state. When I open my eyes, I see a figure in a black sweatshirt, a black bandana covering their face. I scream quickly, pushing the lock down on the door. The figure doesn’t move, but just stands there and even though I can’t see their eyes, I know they are trained on me. When they move toward the front door, I throw myself up there, pushing the button to lock all of them. The person raises their fist, slamming it against the window and I scream. Hunter isn’t that far away but with all the people, the sounds of the ocean, and the windows closed, he can’t hear me. What the hell do I do?

I look over and Hunter is still standing there, talking to her. I never saved his number in my phone. That’s when I see the button for the moon roof. I press it and as soon as the smallest opening appears, I scream for Hunter. His head immediately turns toward the car and he drops the food in his hand, running toward me. The figure lays a black rose on the hood of the car before running away. I sink to the floor of the car and curl into the fetal position. The walls of the car feel like they are closing in on me. Someone really is trying to hurt me. They came close today.

Would anyone have noticed?

Even if they did, nobody would really care.

Chapter Six

Samantha

My anxiety is setting in and everything is muffled. I hear banging, yelling. I think I can pick out Hunter’s voice. I want to open the door. I want to move. I can’t. I’m frozen. My body hurts as an ache radiates through my bones. Tears are streaming down my face but as much as I try, I can’t yell for help. It’s like my brain has stopped communicating with my body.

When I feel arms wrap around me, I try to struggle at first, pushing them away until I hear his voice. “Sam, you’re safe. I’m here,” he whispers next to my ear, his breath warming a patch on my neck. His touch calms the nerves that are on high alert. My body rests against him and when I look up we are sitting in the car, alone. My hands are gripping his shirt as if I’m holding on for my life. “Calm down.” His hand slowly runs up and down my back.

The door of the car opens and I see my mother. “Are you done now, Samantha? The paparazzi are eating up this little show you are putting on.” I look at her in disbelief. I can feel Hunter’s muscles tense underneath me. “Joe, get the car out of here now.” The door shuts and I start to cry again.

I know that she is my mother. I know that she loves me. Sometimes I just wish that she liked me.

Hunter’s arms tighten around me. He probably thinks I’m pathetic too. The girl who collapses after the littlest thing. The fact that I’m still on top of him like a damn baby doesn’t help either. I move to climb off of him but his hold keeps me in place. I look up into his eyes and am taken aback by the emotion I see behind them.

“Don’t put up the wall with me. You have every right to be upset.” It’s all he says, and it’s all I need to hear from him. Today has definitely changed my perception of Hunter. Before he was just an asshole that used me, threw me away, and thought I was a toy to be played with. Now he has shown me that he cares, even if it is just a little bit of progress. I feel like if I need him, he will be there for me. I shake my head, realizing how crazy I sound. I don’t matter to him. I’m a job. A paycheck. Just like every other person, man or woman, who has ever put in effort with