Chapter 16

I got to the grocery store without a problem. I picked up my necessities and then realized how much stuff I needed. I ended up walking out with almost more bags than I could carry. I stumbled my way home. While walking back I ran into a dude. "Oh shit! I'm so sorry!" I back up. He spun around. He had dirty blond hair and green eyes. "It's okay." His eyes flicked to the bags in my hands. "Do you need help?" He asked. "If it's not too much to ask. Please." I whined. He grinned and took a better half of the bags from me.

"Not to intrude on your privacy, but what's all this for?" He asked. "Well I just moved here and I realized there were a lot of things I needed." We kept walking. "Why'd you move here?" He asked. "School. I'm going to art school come August. School of the Art Institute of Chicago I think. . ." We paused and watched the cars so we could cross the street. "Really! I'm going there too. How old are you?" He asked. "Seventeen." He turned his head to look at me. "You're so young." He muttered. I placed my hands on my hips. "I'm not young. You say it like I'm twelve." I snapped. "No! It's just that a lot of people on campus are 20 and older. How did you get in?" He asked. I rolled my eyes. "I'm on full scholarship, but I could pay it if I had too." He looked at me in awe. "And you moved yourself here?" He asked. "Yeah, and?"

He grinned at me. "You're amazing." That put a small smile on my face. We crossed the street and kept walking. "Are you usually this trusting to strangers?" He asked. "I can defend myself. 11 boys kicked in the balls, 6 girls knocked out, and 23 kids I've fought and beat up." I restated my stats. "How do I know your not lying?" He asked. "I could put you on your ass with these bags in my hands, why would I lie?" I asked. He put down the bags he was holding. "Then do it." He taunted.

I darted forward and gave him a thai style kick to the stomach pushing him to the side. I followed through with a roundhouse kick that put him on the ground. "Shit." He snapped. He rubbed his side. "Sorry if I kicked you too hard." I leaned down and helped his to his feet. He grabbed his bags. "Why didn't you do sports?" He asked. "I wasn't into it. Just because I can doesn't mean I want to." He laughed. A red Bugatti screeched to a stop next to us. A very angry man came out of the driver's seat. It was Lucian.

"Hey Lucian!" I called him over. He stomped over to us. "Who's this?" He snapped. I shrugged. "He's helping me get home." I said defensively. "Who is he?" Lucian growled. "I don't know. He's just helping me." I spat. "You could have called me." He whined. I rolled my eyes. "Did you really come here because you were jealous someone was helping me home?" I asked. "No. I saw you kick him and I thought you were in danger. I don't want you hurt." I rolled my eyes. "I can fully take care of myself." I growled. "Who are you?" Lucian growled at the stranger. "Luca, sir. I didn't mean to talk to your girl." He said.

I burst out laughing. "I'm not his girl." I giggled. Lucian glared at me. "We're dating." He growled. "I'm also seeing Everett. No one has a claim on me right now." I reminded him. "Get in the car Inayah. I'll drop you home." He growled. I shrugged and put my bags in the back and Luca followed suite. "Later Luca. Maybe I'll see you in my classes." I called. I slid into the passenger seat. Lucian got in the driver's seat. He ignored me and started driving at break-neck speed. Then he randomly stopped and parked.

"What happened after you got home today?" He asked. I looked at him. "I should tell you why?" I asked. "I'm a very rich man, and one of my enemies have been spying on you. I need to make sure you're safe." I rolled my eyes, but deep down inside I was very afraid. "I realized I needed groceries so I left my house to get some. Oh, i ran into the strangest man. He forced me to hug him and he said he wanted me. Then I walked to the. . ." I started. "Tell me more about the man. What did he look like?" He interrupted. "Obnoxiously tall, black hair, gray eyes. Why?" I asked.

Lucian looked angry. Really angry. "That is my biggest enemy. He wouldn't hesitate to kill you just to get at me. Inayah I know this is a lot to ask, but move into one of my penthouses. I need to make sure you're safe." He begged. "You'll have to give me like a week, but sure. I'm the only person who will have the key right?" I asked. He nodded. "Well can we get to my house sir?" I asked. "Don't know the way." He admitted. I rolled my eyes. "Take this left."