Ch. 1 Stay Close, Lisa

Lisa's P.O.V.

"You're mine, Lisa. You can't get away," Branden hissed beside my ear as he held my throat tightly. 

I couldn't breath as fear gripped my heart. My voice was nonexistent with his hand tightened around my neck. 

Why do I always choose the shitty guys?

I closed my eyes waiting to feel the pain of him all over me. He'd found me again, or more like he followed me today. There's no escaping him, and I refuse to let my brother, Lucas, or his wife, Liv, know. They're happy right now. They have a kid and don't need to be involved in my mess. 

I need to learn to fight for myself. 

With Liv in mind I found myself gaining courage. If she can fend off men twice her size, then so can I! Probably not with as much experience as her, but it's possible. I gripped Branden by his shoulders, to steady myself as I lifted my knee and had it meet the dangling bits between his leg. His hand gripped at my throat further as he bent forward. 

I pushed on him, but his grip would not relinquish. I hit the inside of his elbow, forcing his arm to bend. The moment his hand eased around my neck I backed away, finally freeing myself. I didn't waste a moment as I ran out of the alley he'd dragged me in. The adrenaline in my body kept me going until I was several blocks away. 

I bent down, resting my hands on my knees as I tried to catch my breath. The breeze caused my long black hair to fall over my face, blocking my view. I stood pushing it out of the way, catching the eyes of strangers who looked at me and then my neck. I instinctively covered it with my hand, rushing towards my car. 

I'll hide it with makeup. 

The benefits of being rich is you can afford the expensive stuff. I have the best cover up there is. I swallowed, feeling the pain radiate down my throat. My car was in view just across the street when I heard my name called in the distance. 

"Lisa!" I didn't recognize the voice right away, but I refused to turn and look. Whoever it was can't see me like this. 

I pushed past the crowd, hearing the voice continue to call me from behind. They were getting closer, probably walking faster to catch up. I felt a hand grip my arm lightly to catch my attention. My steps halted, but I didn't turn. 

"Lisa, what's wrong?" They asked, but I knew if I spoke right now my voice would be too horse. I shook my head instead, looking down so that my chin could cover my neck more. "Hey, I know we don't know each other that well, but I can tell something is wrong. Tell me what's the matter," his strong voice demanded with a stern yet concerned tone. 

He stepped in front of me, letting me see his dark shoes before me. The laces were uneven which bothered my OCD greatly. I wanted to bend down and fix them, but the panic was outweighing my need to have everything neat and even. The curiosity in me was too great as I began to look up. I wanted to know who stopped me. Who is the man that could tell something was wrong from just seeing my back? 

His long braided blonde hair matched that of a vikings, which is exactly what Lucas calls him. Viking Man. For good reason it seems. I almost forgot how big his muscles were as they sat crossed over his chest. His blue eyes studied me carefully, landing on my neck. I could see the anger brewing in him as his strong jaw clenched. He was a hot, powerful, viking of a man with a heart of gold. A man that ran a whole underground fighting ring, and raised a daughter all on his own. 

"Where's your car?" He asked with his brows pinched. He was pissed, but he didn't let it seep into his tone. His voice was steady and calm as he spoke to me, almost gentle. 

I pointed across the street, unable to speak. My cheeks tinged pinked with embarrassment. I'm not strong like Liv, his pretty much adoptive daughter. She fights in his rings, but I don't even stand a chance against one man. I wonder what he thinks of me. I must look so pathetic to him. He slowly reached for me as if fast movements would make me run. His large hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me in the direction of my car. He opened the passenger door looking at me like I needed to get in. I cocked my head to the side with a arched brow. 

"I'm driving you home, and then you're telling me everything, starting with the name of the man that did this to you," he explained, gesturing for me to get in with his head. There was a giant storm brewing in him, one I would never want to be on the receiving end of. 

I reluctantly got into my passenger seat, handing my keys to him as he held his hand open. I watched him circle around the car and open the driver seat. The car was new, still having that strong leather smell inside. I had tried to mask it with a floral scented car air freshener, but it didn't work, only causing the car to have a strange odor of leather and strong flowers. 

Davis looked comfortable behind the wheel as if this were his car and not mine. Was this something he did often? Run into panicked women and drive them home in their own car. He started down the road, taking the correct way without me saying anything. 

How does he know where I live? 

The ride was silent with me further sinking into myself. I felt a deep sense of shame the closer we got to my apartment, the one Lucas had stayed in previously. Dad had me move in there when he found out Lucas had moved out. He didn't like that I lived outside the city. He wanted me close, to control me better. 

Dad found out the day after while they were gone on their honeymoon. He was beyond furious, complaining about how marrying her did nothing to better his business. She didn't have connections like Clover Camilo did. It seemed he wanted Lucas to marry the daughter of a business man so that their companies could merge. He was calling a judge to force them to annul the marriage. I stopped him by offering myself in Lucas' stead.

'Stay close Lisa, or I'll make your brother's new life hell. I can make it to where that worthless woman gets fired and blacklisted. You know I have the power to force her to divorce him if I really want.'  Dad had told me the day after Lucas' wedding.

'You can't do that! She's worked hard for her career.' I had actually spoken back to him for once, feeling the need to protect them. 

'I can do whatever I want, Lisa. I have the power and the means to do so,' he threatened, and I knew he was right. 

'That's the mother of your grandchild. Don't you feel anything?' I thought I could pull at the strings of his heart, but I'd forgotten he never had one. He's a heartless demon disguised as a man. 

'All I feel is disgust. That's no granddaughter of mine.' 

His words confirmed that the only way to keep Lucas and Liv safe was to do as he said. Lucas has kept me safe all my life, protecting me from father's abuse, from his punches and kicks. It's my turn to protect him. 

I'll live in this prison so he can be free. 

Davis pulled into the building garage, parking near the elevator. He stepped out the instant the car was parked. He opened my door for me before I had even unbuckled. Thankfully no one was in the garage or the elevator to see the state I was in. We quickly entered my apartment as if there were someone chasing after us. 

"Tell me his name," Davis immediately demanded. 

I shook my head, not wanting to involve more people in my mess. That's two abusive boyfriends I've had now. Liv took care of the first already. I can't keep having people clean up my messes. 

"Lisa, tell me his name, right now!" His voice was stern and demanding as he stood straight with his muscles flexed. 

Normally, I'd be scared shitless. This is around the time one of my boyfriends would slap me across the face or punch me in the stomach for being defiant. Somehow I didn't get that same fear as I looked at Davis. It was obvious his anger was not directed at me. I sighed, realizing he was not going to drop this.  

"His name is Branden," I answered, hearing my voice for the first time since leaving the alley. It was hoarse as I suspected it would be, sounding almost scratchy. 

"Who is he?" He asked. His face was so serious and fierce. I feel bad for anyone that gets on his bad side. 

"An ex." 

"Where does he live?" 

"What? Why?" 

"Tell me where he lives, Lisa," he demanded, ignoring my questions completely. 

After a few minutes of silence I finally gave him an address along with the places he hangs out, with a general description of what he looks like. Davis seemed determined, like he had just received some kind of mission. 

"Don't worry about him anymore. He won't bother you again. Here, I'm leaving my number with you. Call me if you ever need some muscle around. No matter the day or time, got it?" He stared me dead in the eyes as he asked. He wanted to make sure that I knew he meant those words. I nodded. 

"Got it." 

Seems I have a new protector.