I WANT YOU

CHAPTER 7

Anna placed her hand in Arthur’s and felt as if an electrical storm zapped through her. Arthur stood there as if he hadn’t felt a thing. The man’s larger hand wrapped around hers frailer one before the guy walked her to the door. Conrad was coming down the hallway as they neared the exit.

Anna could see past the bodyguard to the sliding glass doors that led outside. It was dark out. How long had she been out of it? She wasn’t sure, but she sighed heavily when Arthur released her hand to take care of the paperwork.

She was never going to wash that hand ever again.

“The car is ready, King Knight,” Conrad said.

No matter how many times Anna heard the title it always puzzled her that Arthur was some kind of royalty. She’d asked Cristina about it once, but her best friend had said that her father never talked about her family, so she had no idea why Conrad and Aberdeen referred to her father as king.

Cristina was referred to as Lady Cristina by Aberdeen and Conrad. Weird, but Anna had grown used to the titles over the years. She didn’t even bat an eye when they were used. Well, once in a while she was still curious, like now.

She glanced around the waiting area to see few people milling around. The clock on the back wall said it was a little past midnight. It had to be the following night because Cristina and Anna had been at the asylum going on eleven.

Once again a strange look passed between Arthur and Conrad before Arthur steered Anna out the front doors. They spilled out onto Canton Street, one of the busiest streets in Dark Haven. Anna frowned. If they’d gone out the side door, they’d be in the parking lot.

“Why did we go this way?” Anna asked as Arthur pulled her closer when a group of drunken men passed them.

“It is a nice night for a walk,” Arthur answered.

Strange, hadn’t Arthur said that Anna needed to heal? “But—” she curled her lips in when she thought about going back to Frost Manor and being cooped up in a room. Besides, she liked being so close to Arthur.

Conrad was a few steps behind them, silent as ever. The feeling that she was being watched came over Anna once more. She glanced around, but all she could see were cars passing by and a few drunkards making their way wherever. The drunks appeared harmless.

Anna had spent plenty of time on the streets growing up. Her foster parents had been in it for the money and hadn’t cared where she went just as long as she stayed out of their hair. She knew Dark Haven like the back of her hand, so when Arthur turned the corner onto Harbor Avenue, Anna frowned.

“You want to stroll through the Warehouse District?”

It wasn’t a very serene or safe setting.

“Walking will help the circulation in your blood.”

The man was lying through his pretty white teeth. They weren’t walking for their health. Anna felt the tension thick in the air.

Something was going down. “You know, you don’t have to lie to me. If someone is following us, just let me know so I’m aware of what’s going on.”

Arthur gazed down at Anna with a quizzical frown. “Why would you think someone is following us?”

“I’m smarter than the average bear,” Justin answered and was pleased to receive one of Arthur's rare and beautiful smiles.

“That you are, young Anna.”

“You know, I’m twenty,” Anna said, pricked that Arthur had referred to her as young.

Arthur's overcoat flapped in the light breeze, and his dark hair ruffled slightly. Anna couldn’t help but stare at the man. He was like some kind of savvy king waiting to go into battle. That was how Anna saw him at this moment.

“I’m well aware of how old you are, Anna,” Arthur replied as his polished shoes clicked along the sidewalk. “You’ve been coming to my home since you were ten, correct?”

Anna nodded.

“And I’ve been watching over you from the first day.”

“Why is that?” Anna blurted out. Her skin heated with embarrassment. She’d wanted to know the answer to that question for years. She wanted to know if he felt the same as her.

........