I am Leo (Book 3)

Chapter 5

Violet POV

“Good morning love” his deep raspy voice says

“Morning handsome” I whisper as he turns to face me. His face contorts when he is met with the bright sunlight

“Gotta close the curtains. Too bright” he groans getting up. My eyes follow him walking up to the window but I don’t miss the opportunity to scan his muscular physique from top to bottom. Looking real good in boxers

“You got some aspirin? My head is killing me” he asks rubbing his temples

“Yeah, here” I say reaching into the bedside table drawer holding the container out to him

“Thanks. I need more sleep” he groans crawling back in bed laying his head on my shoulder. I turn to him, wrap my arms around his broad figure and kiss his head

“Then we sleep. It’s Saturday, we can sleep in” I say through a yawn. He wraps his arm around my waist snuggling closer and we’re out. Later that afternoon I step out of the bathroom, he’s spread out on the bed watching TV

“That feels better” I say walking over to the bed sitting on the edge

“You look beautiful” he says

“You’re kidding right?” I ask looking at my plain grey t-shirt and shorts

“I’ve never looked more unattractive in my life” I say running my fingers through my wet hair. I don’t even have make-up on. He sits up, grabs my hand and pulls me toward him

“Nope. You’re more beautiful than ever” he says leaning back against the headboard. I lean back against his chest trying to concentrate on whatever is on TV, but he’s distracting. Now before you go all oh love at first sight, no it’s not. I’m not in love with him, but the chemistry is undeniably strong between us.

“This tattoo on your arm, does it mean anything?” I ask tracing the tattoo from his shoulder down his bicep. It’s an hourglass with a pocket watch wrapped around it

“It’s for my mom” he says sitting up, turning to face him he continues “the hourglass is a representation that her time wasn’t up yet, the watch is the actual time she died” he says with a sad smile

“That’s beautiful” I whisper. He moves my fingers over the tattoo on his left shoulder, just under the collarbone. 2 dragons form the shape of a heart. One black and one red

“This is for my sister. I’m the black dragon and she’s the red, it means we’ll always have each other in our hearts” he says softly

“Amazing” I say moving my hand to the tattoo on his right peck. It’s an encircled star

“And this one?” I ask watching as he tenses up

“It’s for protection” he states making me chuckle

“How does a star tattoo protect you?” I ask smiling, but he doesn’t

“It’s not a star Vi, it’s a pentagram” he says and my smile fades

“Like the satanic symbol?” I ask pulling my hand away

“That’s a common misconception. This is to protect me from demonic possession” he says making me frown

“But it’s not real… demons, ghosts, monsters are not real” I say but he shakes his head

“Oh no they’re real love, very real. My job is to hunt them” he says. I slowly start moving away from this nut case. Oh crap, I knew he seemed too perfect, he’s batshit crazy. He’s quick to grab my hands looking at me with pleading eyes.

“Violet, I’m not crazy okay. Please let me explain” he pleads. I’m scared but for some reason I don’t move, I just sit there staring at him. Okay calm down, if he’s mentally unstable I need to focus. How do I get away from him?

“I’m a hunter, my job is to make sure the evil in this world is kept in place. Away from innocent people” he says but my mind is rushing trying to figure out how to get out. But then a thought strikes me. What he said at the bar last night. No human being committed that atrocity

“Is that why you’re looking into my parent’s murders? You think something, or rather a monster did that to them?” I ask frowning, my voice is shaky, my eyes searching his for any sign of madness, dishonesty

“Yes” he says in a soft caring voice. My brain is now jumbled, confused and working in hyper drive to make sense of this situation. I glance at my hands in my lap, trembling my fingers struggle to remove a lose thread from my shorts

“Don’t cry Violet, please” he says gently. I look back at him, his eyes are so gentle, caring and inviting. Wiping at my tears I didn’t realize I was crying I speak

“What… what did that?” I ask unsure if I really want to know

“I don’t know, could’ve been a couple of things. I’m seeing the coroner on Monday morning to get the report” he says but I can’t help it anymore. I get up and walk to the bathroom closing the door behind me. Sitting on the toilet I sob into my hands. This is not happening, how can this be?

“Vi?” I hear his voice calling form the other side of the door but I don’t answer him

“Violet please love, we’ll figure this out okay? I phoned an old friend to come and help, it’ll be okay you’ll see” he soothes but my heart is in tethers. My parents are dead, murdered by something that’s not supposed to exist and the first guy I let near me after the disaster that was my ex is a lunatic. I hate my life

“Vi let me in please” he pleads again

“It’s open” I sob out and he enters. He hands me a box of tissues crouching down in front of me

“I’m alone in that house the whole day. What if it comes back? Are we next Dean?” I ask through my tears

“I won’t let it get you. Do you hear me Vi?” he says determinately

“You can’t be in two places at once. We’re starting with the renovations on Monday. My brother and his family will be here tomorrow night” I say wiping my nose

“Dammit, okay well leave that to me. Just give me his number, I’ll figure something out” he says and I feel a little better

“Now please calm down love” he pleads and I nod slowly

“Tell me more about this hunting thing” I say but he sighs sitting on the floor

“There’s nothing more to tell, it’s a job” he states running his hand through his hair. He does that when he’s uncomfortable

“How do you get by? Do people pay you to kill these things?” I ask making him laugh

“No, most people are blissfully unaware of what I really do” he says

“But why do you do it then?” I ask and he shrugs

“It’s the family business. It’s what I do best” he states and I frown

“Your sister does this too?” I ask

“Pretty much yeah” he says and I nod. Okay so a family believing in the supernatural, maybe it’s hereditary

“And your dad?” I ask but then his expression falls, sadness crossing his handsome features

“He uhm… he died” he says looking away

“I’m so sorry Dean” I whisper taking his hand in mine. He gives me a weak, sad smile shrugging

“Don’t be” he says still not looking me in the eye

“How did he die?” he closes his eyes leaning his head back

“He gave up his life for me. We were on a hunt and things went real bad. I got shot. He made a deal, his life for mine” he says and my eyes go wide

“He did what any father would’ve done” I say but his eyes snap to mine and he seems angry

“He shouldn’t have done that. He should’ve just…” he trails off standing abruptly walking out of the bathroom with clenched fists at his side. I get up and cautiously follow him, making sure there are a good few feet between us. He stops in front of the window looking out

“He should’ve let me die. My sister needed a father not me” he says his voice harsh. I carefully step up behind him placing my hand on his shoulder

“Dean, don’t think like that. He did what he believed was best” I say in a caring voice. He spins around facing me his eyes dark with rage, his body tense

“He wasn’t thinking! He was selfish! He wanted out and he left me with… with nothing” he all but screams in my face making me step back

“How can you say that? He saved you, what else was he to do? Bury his only son?” I ask dumbfounded at his logic

“Yes! I mean no… you don’t understand Violet” he says frustrated

“Then help me understand. Why are you so angry at him?” I ask as calmly as possible. Okay not helping

“Because this is all I had growing up! I had to look after my sister since I was 6. She never knew mom and my dad would leave us alone for days sometimes weeks, leaving me to fend for us. I was a kid Vi!” he rages, his body now shaking with anger 

“Dean I… I didn’t know. I mean I-“ he cuts me off as he steps back

“That’s the thing Violet, no-one knows. Not even my sister knows. He moved us around, every few weeks we’d be in a different place. She’d ask me countless times where he was” he sinks to the floor with his head in his hands “I had to lie to her… every time. I didn’t want her to know about all the bad things. I wanted her to have a normal childhood, where monsters aren’t real. But I… I failed” he presses the balls of his hands over his eyes rubbing them. I sit down in front of him

“Dean, that’s a big burden to bear for anyone, especially a child” I say in a gentle voice. He sighs leaning his head back looking at the ceiling

“Don’t feel sorry for me. I chose this” he says, his voice and body now much more calm

“It’s not entirely true, you’re not to blame, but neither is your dad. In the end he gave up everything for you” I reason

“I know… I just wish it could be different sometimes you know? This isn’t just a job, it’s a lifestyle” he says. I reach for his hand enveloping it in both of mine

“It might be easier if you share it with someone, you know so that you don’t have to carry all of this on your own” I say but he shakes his head

“It’s not that simple Vi. Having people close to me, to this life, it’s dangerous” he says finally looking at me

“Well have you tried?” I ask

“No” he states

“You can’t do this alone for the rest of your life Dean” I argue

“I’m not, there are others doing the same as me” he says

“You know that’s not what I meant” I say in a flat tone

“I know, that’s why I keep moving. Love is a weakness” he says and for some strange reason that statement hurt me

“Only if you let it be” I state but he shakes his head

“It’s not that simple” he says sounding defeated

“Why?” I ask

“I’ve seen what this life does Vi. You lose everyone you love, everyone close to you” he says and I scoff

“You still have your sister and that friend you told me about earlier” I say firmly

“Yeah, but they’re hunters” he says

“What if the person is willing to do anything to stay?” I ask. I don’t know why but I want to stay, I want him to stay

“I er… I have never thought about it” he says

“It’s not impossible, we can do it together” I say cupping his cheek. Don’t ask me why I would willingly place myself in harm’s way, I don’t know. I just feel this connection to him I really can’t explain

“Dean, we can take it slow, it’s not like we’re getting married or anything” I say making him chuckle leaning into my touch

“Okay. I can try” he says smiling pulling me in for a hug. We chat for the rest of the day, telling each other anecdotes, little secrets and I end up telling him everything I want to do with the renovations