Page 67 of I Don't Need Your Protection

I shake my head, pulling my gaze away from them. “No, I already told Warner I’m going to my room.”

“All right. After you.”

He trails me back to the dorm. Because it’s late, he can’t be seen entering. So he disappears in the shadows and then he’s suddenly walking alongside me, but he hides behind the plants and statues.

“How do you even do that?” I ask once we’re in my room. I plop down on my bed while he takes his chair.

“Do what?” he asks.

“Hide like that. I mean, you’ve been sleeping in my room for two weeks and no one has caught you yet. Or when you sneak out of my room.”

He lifts a brow. “Do you want someone to catch me in the hope you’ll get rid of me?”

I frown. The thought of him not being here makes my heart sink a little. I guess it’s because I’m so used to having him around. And I’d feel a little unsafe without him.

I sit up. “No. I’m serious. How is it that you’re so good?”

“Years of training.”

“Right. You’ve said that before. But what would happen if you do get caught? Like, will I not be protected anymore?”

He studies me for a bit, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. “No one will catch me.”

“You’re that confident?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… well, let’s see how good you are.”

I get up and make my way toward him. He keeps his eyes on me, his expression telling me he has no idea what I’m up to.

I shoot my fist toward him, aiming for his shoulder. He’s on his feet in an instant, grabbing my arm, and pinning me over the chair. His chest is on my back, and he’s clutching me so tightly, I can’t move.

“Ow. Okay. You’re good. Can you let go now?”

He eases his grip, but doesn’t let go. Instead, he pulls me toward the wall and presses my back to it. His lips are only a few inches from mine. His eyes drop to my mouth before meeting my gaze.

Bending close, he whispers, “Sorry if I hurt you. But know this: When someone raises their fist at me, I see it as a threat and I react. Swiftly and forcefully. That’s how I’ve been trained. So…” He tucks some hair behind my ear, sending tingles down my spine. “You can be assured that I willneverallow anyone tocome near you. I’ll protect you with my life.”

Turning around, he walks back to his chair and sits down. His head moves from right to left as he searches for any sign of danger.

I just remain against the wall, gaping at him as I relive the feeling of him touching me.

Chapter Twenty

Addie

I wake up in a rotten mood on Sunday morning. Because today is Parents’ Day. It’s a reminder that I don’t have parents and that I’ll be forced to spend the day with strangers pretending to be my parents. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday.

When I turn my head to the left, I find Caleb doing pull-ups over a bar he must have installed…recently? I don’t remember seeing it before. Sheesh, how does he manage to do everything so stealthily?

He’s once again not wearing a shirt and I find myself staring at the way his burly chest moves as he does his workout. My gosh, the guy looks so freakin’ strong. He doesn’t walk around with a gun or any weapon, so if I ever find myself in need of rescuing, he would have to resort to his fists. I imagine him doing all these ninja moves as he takes the enemy down.Wham, wham, wham, knockout!

“What are you smiling at?” he asks, yanking me out of my daydream.

“What? Oh. Um, nothing. I’m surprised your trumpet didn’t blast my ears off this morning.”

“It’s half an hour early.”