Under His Protection

Sixteen

"Adrianna, what the f**k is going on?" Landon asks as he pulls me to him, her gun still pointed at my head. Adrianna's snarl doesn't fade as she looks from Landon to me.

"I tried to give you a chance, Landon. We could have been together and changed our lives, but no. You chose this nothing over me. She doesn't know you like I do. No one does. So, I figured since you didn't want me, there is no use in protecting you"

One cue, the door swings open and Crow strides in. "Well, well" Is all he says as a sly smile creeps on his lips. A smile that i'm too used to by now. Crow walks around Viktor and Adrianna, not taking his eyes off me. Squeezing Landon's shirt, I try to move behind him. Before I can, Adrianna reaches at me, yanking me by my shirt out of Landon's arms. When Landon steps forward, Adrianna points the gun at his face "Unless you want your face blown off, I suggest you don't. God, you've let this girl make you weak"

Adrianna pushes me towards Crow and he wraps his arms around me, his cigar stenched breath blowing in my face as he chuckles lightly "Did you miss me, Princess?"

Without thinking, I thrust my knee up into his groin, sending him doubling over. "You f*****g, b***h" He groans and suddenly, his hand flies up and slaps me hard. Stumbling a bit, I manage to find my footing. Cupping my face, I shake off the sting and look up at him. Standing around in silence, Crow reaches out to touch me, but I slap his hand away "No"

"When did you become so defiant?" He mumbles, running his thumb over his dry bottom lip.

"When I got the hell out of that house, you f*****g troll" I snap and when Crow goes to hit me again, Landon pulls me back, probably thinking that this is the wrong time for me to be so liberated. "Crow, what do you want? You don't need us anymore. Just let us go"

"Well, I want what any man wants when his house is burned down. I want f*****g revenge, Landon, but first, I have a little surprise for Princess" Crow pushes the screen door open and gestures for someone. Frowning, I can't make out who the person is until they step into the door. I never expected to see him this soon and I hadn't really prepared a speech or anything, but I can imagine that "f**k you" would be the foundation of it. If I'd know I would see him again, i would have practiced saying it a few more times.

Heart pounding in my throat and palms clammy, I inhale sharply at the man I barely recognize."Ray"

Stepping up to me, Ray smiles, his long hair no longer long. His bare face, now has a fine beard. He looks like my Ray, but different. More uptight and dark. "Camilla, I've missed you"

I process his words for a moment, still taking in his new, odd appearance "You missed me?"

"Yes, baby and I'm sorry that you had to go through all of this. I never meant for you to suffer for my actions, but I'm here now. We can be together again" Ray reaches out, taking my hand. His large palm wraps around mine and I can feel Landon fuming behind me. "Ray, I...I thought you loved me"

Stepping closer, Ray cups my face "I still love you, baby. All this can be over if you just come with me. We can go home to our apartment" His warm tone, sends an uncomfortable shudder down my spine as his eyes burn into mine, pulling me in with the idea of my life going back to normal. I want so badly for my life to be normal again. I want my cat and apartment back. I want to lay around in pajamas and have warm arms wrapped around me. But, I want those things with Landon, not Ray.

Pulling back, I shake my head "No, Ray. I don't want you anymore. You hurt me. Do you have any idea what i've been through while you've been god knows where doing god knows what with who. You don't care about me."

"What? That's not true, Cam. I never stopped caring. And I actually haven't been that far. Didn't Crow tell you?"

I frown and my eyes flicker to Crow "T..Tell me what? He didn't tell me anything" Ray looks over at Crow who smiles and shrugs innocently "Must've slipped my mind"

When Ray turns back to me, he has a look of anger on his face mixed with confusions "Cam, while you were staying with Crow, he had me housed a few miles away. Some men caught me and dragged me there where he told me that if I worked for him then he'd let the both of us live. I've been training to work for him. I thought you knew."

I inhale sharply, feeling both nauseous and confused. "Wait, you knew where I was the whole time? You never asked to talk to me or come see me? Ray, he hurt me, a lot" I whisper the last part, but he hears me.

Before Ray can speak, Crow chuckles "I told him that I took care of you and that you'd want to be with him again. I assured him that you were in good hands and you were, so stop complaining. "

When I look back to Ray, he face is turning red, fuming with anger. Crow lied to him just like he lied to me "Cam, I'm so sorry"

I shake my head, looking down "What did you think he was doing to me this whole time? He beat me from day one, s****l abused me, and threatened to kill me everyday. How could you be so damn blind, Ray. He is clearly using you. You plotted to kill him. Aren't you the least bit curious as to why he is so forgiving of that?"

"I was just trying to save our lives. I thought I was making the right choice"

Rolling my eyes, I throw my head back, fed up with everything "Oh God, you're so f*****g simple, Ray. He wants killers to be for him, not against him."

"No, it's not like that. He said he wouldn't hold it against me once I finished my training. Please, Cam, just come back with me. We can be happy. No one will hurt you again" When Ray takes my hand and tries to pull me to him, I snatch it away. "No! I'm not going."

"Yes, you are! I'm not leaving you with these people" When he reaches again, anger takes over and I punch him. Ray's nose begins to bleed. I don't know what Crow has done to him in such a short amount of time or maybe he has always been like this, but he isn't the Ray I know.

Next to him, Crow chuckles "You're just going to let her hit you like that. Be a man, Ray. Teach her a lesson. Don't let all that training go to waste"

"Ray, please don't listen to him. I don't know what he has told you, but it's all lies. He didn't take care of me like he told you. He didn't forgive you. He hurt me everyday, because of what you did. He is a manipulative, monster who will do anything to get what he wants. Please, don't listen to him" I plead, feeling tears come to my eyes. No matter how anger I am with Ray, I don't want him to have anything to do with Crow.

Ray's face calms for a moment and in his eyes I suddenly see something snap in him. Everything begins to go in slow motion as Ray reaches behind him, pulling out his own appointed gun. I cover my mouth and step back, thinking that he is going to shoot me, but instead, Ray turns and aims at Crow. Before he can pull the trigger, a shot goes off. yelling loudly, I look at Adrianna, who has a sick satisfactory smile on her face.

Ray, holding his chest, falls to his knees as blood seeps through his fingers. I know I should be happy that the person who put me in this situation is dying, but that doesn't stop me from falling to my knees in front of him. Tears blur my eyes and I cup his face "Ray"

He looks up at me "Cam, I'm so sorry. I swear I never stopped loving you"

"I know." I whisper, lying so he doesn't have to leave this world with regret.

Ray tries to say something, but nothing comes out as he falls over. Sorrow washes over me as I stand up, wiping tears from my cheeks. Looking over at Adrianna, I want nothing more than to beat her face in. "You b***h"

"Is that supposed to hurt my feelings?"

Leaning over, Crow takes the gun from Ray's hand and sighs "So much promise gone down the drain." He shakes his head as he looks out the door gesturing to whoever else is outside. A group of men walk onto the porch and Crow looks over at Adrianna "Good work. I'm glad you called when you did. I appreciate the tip."

Adrianna's smile beams from ear to ear "Thank you, sir. I hope you've put some thought into what we discussed over the phone. I'd really like to be apart of your team" That backstabbing, slut.

Nodding, Crow walks over to her and reaches up to caress her face, causing her to point her gun down, no longer aiming at me. I almost gag at the way she is swooning over him. Clearly, she is the one he should have kidnapped. Crow leans into her ear and whispers something that causes her proud smile to fade quickly "I'm sorry, but your work is no longer needed" He mumbles before stepping back and pointing the gun at her head, pulling the trigger once.

I merely flinch as her body falls to the floor, Crow dropping the gun on her chest. I want to say that i'm happy she is dead, but she didn't deserve it. No one deserves to die this way.

Landon pulls me back against him and out of the corner of my eye, I see Viktor look at Landon. I don't know what is brewing in their brains, but they need to figure it out quickly before we become next of Crow's hit list. I don't know about everyone else, but I personally have come too far to die like this. Crow runs his thumb over his eyebrow and sighs "Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way, Princess. You either get in the can outside or die. I've run out of patience with you, my dear"

Silence falls over the room and footsteps get closer to the front door, causing me to glance at the men standing standing there. I don't recognize any of them them, but they are dressed in the typical black clothing that all Crow's men wear. I realize that all their eyes are on me, waiting for me to answer Crow. "I don't-"

I can't find the words to somehow be in control of this situation. Crow reaches over and grabs my arm, yanking me to him. Gasping softly, my body bumps into his and his cigar breath hits my nose, causing me to turn my face away from him. Grabbing both arms, he pins them to my sides and my hand grazes over my pocket. I feel something inside and manage to slip my fingers in, feeling the weird object as Crow looks down at me. "Sweetie, once I get you home, i'm never letting you out of my sight again"

When I get my fingers wrapped around the object, I realize it's a pocket knife. Through all the drama, I must've missed the moment where Landon slipped it in my pocket. Flicking it open, I hold it tightly, waiting for the moment when Crow let me go. Looking up at him, I blink "You're hurting me."

"If this hurts then you're in for a rude awakening when I get you alone. Or maybe I should just take you while Landon watches. From the looks of you two, it seems some extra bonding went on behind my back. Did you f**k him?"

I stay silent as his face hardens "You dirty w***e" Crow lifts his hand to hit me, letting go of my arm. I quickly pull the knife out and jam it into his shoulder, causing him to double over, grabbing his arm. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Viktor move fast, drawing his gun and turning towards the door. Before any of the men can get their own weapons out, Viktor shoots two of them right in the head. Landon wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me "Let's go!"

With Viktor behind us, we run through the kitchen and out of the back door. The night air hits me filling my lungs as Landon continues to pull me by my wrist. Behind us, I hear the door swing open frantically and gun shots ring out as we run through the wooded area. I want to scream or cry or something, but all I can do is run. Under my feet, sticks snap and I begin tripping over rocks and fallen branches.

"Come on, Camilla, focus" I hear Viktor behind me as he presses his hand in my back to keep me going. Landon tells us that our ride is waiting right through the woods on the main road. Behind us, the faint sound of yelling enters my ear and I hear Crow shouting orders. They are getting closer.

"Landon" I huff out, panic beginning to rise in me.

"I got you, Cam" Is all he says and it's enough for me. Just hearing that could keep me going for 20 miles. Suddenly, more gun shots ring out in our direction. A bullet hits the tree not too far from us and I yelp, nearly tripping over my own foot. When another set of gun shots fill the air, my eyes water in fear that we won't make it out of here. Somehow confirming my worst fears, I hear Viktor yell out and his hand grips my shirt, yanking me down. Hitting the cool ground, I scramble to my knees and when I look behind me, Viktor is laying on the ground, hand on his side.

My eyes widen, "No! No! Viktor!" I crawl over to him and his hands are covered in blood as he grunts loudly "f**k" He hisses.

Landon knees down beside me, peeling off his sweater and covering Viktor's side "Can you make it?"

When Viktor tries to sit up, he's stricken with pain "Ah, f**k. I can't"

Tears roll down my face and Viktor looks at me, the distant noises getting closer to us. When Viktor's eyes pierce into mine, he frowns for a moment before looking at Landon "Go, take her"

What! No! "I'm not leaving without you" I shake my head, frantically. I refuse to leave him here. I refuse to let him die alone with nobody to console him. Viktor ignores my plea and yells louder "I said, take her, Landon! Now!"

Landon looks as if he wants to protest, but instead he stands and pulls me up by my arm "We have to go, Camilla"

"No! I can't leave him. I told you I would save you, Viktor"

"Please, Landon, take her" He mumbles, gritting his teeth together in pain. Why is he ignoring me!? Landon pulls me harder and I try to pull away. In the distance, I hear someone yelling something, but I can't make out what it is. I just want to stay with Viktor.

Sitting up on his elbows, Viktor looks down at the blood on his hands before looking at me again. I yank my arm from Landon and fall in from of Viktor, throwing my arms around his neck "I love you, Viktor." I want to say so much more, but there isn't enough time. With his free arm, he wraps it around me "I love you too, Cam. You made all of this worth it. I swear I don't regret a thing. Now please, go"

Landon lifts me to my feet and before pulling me away, Landon looks at Viktor. Neither of them say anything to each other, but I can tell from their eyes that what matters the most doesn't need to be said aloud. When Landon pulls me again, I let him. Looking back, I watch Viktor become further and further away as we run. When we clear the woods, I see a truck sitting off the side of the road. The driver jumps out "Christ, I thought you didn't make it. I heard the shots." The mysterious man looks around and frowns "Where's vik?"

Landon looks at him and shakes it head. The man curses in the wind before marching back to the driver's side. Landon opens the back door, pushing me before joining me. The man drives off quickly and I sit next to Landon breathing hard, throat burning. I turn and look back and immediately break down. "We left him" I choke out and tears come flooding out. I throw my face into my hands, unable to breath or think.

Reaching over, Landon pulls me to him and I bury my face into his chest. "We left him, Landon" My body shakes as I cry, harder. Landon doesn't say anything and I don't expect him to. Men like him handle pain differently. They absorb it and keep going.

I don't know how long I sob in his arms, but soon my cries lessen and are replaced by sleep.

When I wake up, the sun is shining in my face and I realize that we're still in the truck. I shift slightly, still quite exhausted. Landon tightens his arms around me "Go back to sleep, baby" He doesn't have to tell me twice. In my sleep, I dream of Ray then it slowly transitions to Viktor. Images of them flash through my head until I jolt away, flinching in Landon's arms. His lips press into my forehead and when I look up, he looks tired. "Hi" I whisper.

His lips press together and he just pulls me closer, pressing his chin on top of my head. We sit silently until the man driver says we're coming up to a rest stop to take a break. When he pulls in, Landon and I get out. The warm sun drenches me as I stretch. Landon does the same and when his eyes catch mine, I become slightly overwhelmed. I run my fingers through my hair as Landon steps to me, pain etched into his expression. When he's towering over me, he reaches up and tucks my hair behind my ear "Camilla, you're my life now. You're all I have in this world" His voice cracks and his eyes water a bit.

I've never seen this side of Landon. Up until now he's only had two sides, happy and not happy. Never one to show his emotions or express how he really feels. Up until this very moment, I've never been so sure of my own feelings. I've had theories and hypothesis, but never anything set in stone. Now, I know. I can't deny it anymore. Frowning, I look down at his chest, quite afraid of what i'm about to say.

"Landon, I'm so in love with you that it hurts. I don't know if this is like some stockholm syndrome, but I don't care. I know we haven't been around each other long enough to get to know one another, but I wouldn't want to be with anyone else right now or ever" I close my eye, trying to gather my thoughts and when Landon cups my jaw, I breathe a sigh of relief. I crave his touch.

"Open your eyes, baby" Landon whispers and I look up at him. "I've never wanted to protect someone as much as I do you. You're all I care about and if you didn't love me then I'd be useless."

A small smile, creeps onto my lips "So you love me? Like all the time love me? Like you won't take it back later kind of love?"

My silliness earns a soft chuckle from Landon and he squeezes his arms around me "You're mad, woman. But yes, I love you, all day and all night. Tomorrow, next week, next month, next year" His words warm me, deeply. However, though the two sided confessional, a tinge of pain hits me.

"I'm going to miss, Viktor." I sigh, body still pressed against Landon's "Me too. He was like a true brother to me. I've done some crappy things to him in the past, but he never gave up on me."

"I'll never give up on you" I promise as I pull back. Landon smile, softly, pressing his lips to my forehead, then nose, then lips. We're all each other has now.