Chapter One

Why do I always get stuck next to the old wrinkled man who smells like
cigarettes? I never get to sit next to the hot guy. I sniffed my hoodie in
disgust. Uggh. I was still muttering to myself when I reached the apartment
building. Top floor of a skyscraper with panorama windows. I had waited
years for this. My mood brightened as I entered the lobby. An employee took
my bags as I picked up my key. More like a hotel than an apartment complex,
but I wasn't about to complain.

I watched her enter the building and waited a few minutes. I knew which
room she was in anyway. I was on the same floor, along with two other
people. I tossed my cigarette stub ruefully. I suppose that was my last
cigarette for a while. I waited for a break in the steady stream of cars,
and went back to the building.

I had just emptied my suitcases when the doorbell rang. I frowned. Clothes
and shoes were strewn everywhere. Shrugging, I went to open the door. A tall
man stood before it, with disheveled brown hair and matching eyes.
"I just wanted to be the first to welcome you to our floor on the top of the
world," he grinned.
"Uh, thanks!" I smiled. He had a pretty disarming grin.

"I was going to invite you to coffee, but I guess you weren't planning on
leaving anymore today."

I must have shown my confusion because he pointed at my clothing. I blushed.
I forgot I had switched to sweats and a tank top.
"I wasn't really, no," I admitted somewhat sheepishly.
"Would you permit me to bring the coffee to you?"
I hesitated, but he flashed me another smile and I decided there wasn't
really any harm.
"I drink it black."

His smile broadened. "I shall return soon, milady." He bowed dramatically
and left. I laughed and shut the door. He seemed friendly enough, and not
overly creepy. And he had cute hair. It looked like he worked out a lot too.
And oh God he was about to come into my messy apartment.

I began to throw things into the closet and dresser. I would fold everything
nicely once he left. Ah, who was I kidding. Everything would be left in a
chaotic mess, aside from my sneakers. Those were special. I was still
contemplating whether I should touch up my makeup or whether it would seem
ridiculously obvious, when he rang the doorbell again.

I swirled the rest of my drink in the tumbler. She liked her coffee
black. I knew that beforehand. I also knew she was chaotic, and collects
sneakers like some people collect stamps. She was a nerd at heart, which is the only reason she had made it this far. I knew just about everything I
needed to know about her. Now I would just have to watch what habits she developed over the next few days. She was a creature of habit, which made things hat much easier for me.

Over the next few weeks, I became acquainted with the city. I found the cafe
I wanted to write at, on tyed street corner, and a small bar that made great
tequila sunrises and mojitos. Best of all, no smoking permitted.

I was rather surprised to find that my neighbour, whose name was Jack, as I
soon discovered, also frequented the bar, and picked up his morning coffee
at the same cafe. He didn't seem like a needy stalker, and everyone knew him
well, so I didn't think much about it. He wasn't pushy either, so I let my
barriers down and let him help me familiarize myself with he city. It was
nice to have a friend. An extremely good looking one at that.

I sighed and set my coffee cup in the washer. Funny, how different she
and I truly were. She trusted far too easily. I trusted no one. Tonight she
would see just where her trust had brought her. It was rather sad, because
she had really no obvious reason to distrust. She should have listened to
her instinct though. Beautiful girl, but far too naive. Girls that cute
should be doubly careful. I looked at my watch, grabbed my gun, and went to change. It was nearly time.

I looked at the clock. Jack was going to be here any second and I wasn't
dressed. I threw on some leggings and a long sweater. Perfect for a
movie-at-home date. He pounded against he door, and I rushed to open it. His
hands were full with pizza and ice cream.
"What, I don't weigh enough?"
He laughed and kissed my cheek.

I don't know when I fell asleep. It happened sometimes when I had spent an
extraordinary long day translating mundane texts. Jack usually covered me up
and let himself out. Not this time. He nudged me awake, smiling as he
stroked my cheek. I growled.
"You know you look adorable when you sleep?"
"Then why wake me?" I muttered. He was cute, and I like him, but I detested
being woken up.

He grinned and pushed my bangs to the side. "Because this is so much more fun when you're awake."

I don't know what was worse. The way his eyes turned cold or the way he gun
dug into my forehead. He must have seen the "why" on my face.

"You know what I love most, is watching trust build up in your eyes and then
seeing it shatter. Like now. All the times I could have hurt you and waited.
Until now."

"I'm afraid you're not going to hurt her now either."
I looked up as Jack turned. A man stood in front of the couch. He was tall,
pitch black hair and piercing green eyes; with a gun pointed straight at
Jack. 

"Who the hell are you?"
"I'd be more interested in the gun pointed at my skull than the name of he
carrier, but you like knowing people, don't you Jack?"
"How the f**k do you know me?"
"I make it a point to know everything about everyone. Especially when it
involves my charges. I normally work in the background, but you forced my
hand. You attacked the wrong girl, Jack. I'm afraid you won't live long
enough to regret it."

I stared in shock. I didn't know what to think.

She was prettier up close than I had imagined. Jack's type. It didn't
matter. That f****r was never going to come near her or anyone else ever
again.

"Get the gun away from her you sick f**k."
"Shoot me and I shoot her. Either way you're going to kill me. Either way
she's going to die."

I laughed. He honestly didn't know who he was up against. I walked toward him. "Normally, yes. But go ahead, try and shoot her."

He pushed the gun further against her forehead. She kept her eyes on me even as he pulled the trigger. Son of a w***e would have killed her right there. I tossed the bullets at him. "You should check your gun before using it." I grabbed him by the throat and tore him off her. 

"Don't move," I warned her, and dragged him out across the hall. I shoved him into he shower and slit his throat. He wasn't worth my words. I would take care of the body later. I returned to find her just where I left her; eyes fixated on me. Eyes like hers made the nicotine withdrawal almost worthwhile. I sat down next to her and sighed.

"You need to be less naive. I can't go around killing people because you
don't listen to instinct."
"Who are you?"
"You don't deserve the answer," I smirked.

Her eyes bored through mine. Damn her. And her eyes. "Damon. I'm a guardian. You're one of my charges. A very stupid one, I might add."

The rest of my lecture was lost as she tackled me with a hug. "Did I not
just tell you to stop trusting people?!"

She was hopeless. She was hugging me. She was tiny. She looked at me again, her eyes liquid blue. She was about to cry. "Don't cry. It's over now. He's dead. You should just, be more careful."

A tear trailed down her cheek. Oh damn it. I brushed it away and pulled her close. She was no soldier. She was just a confused kid who almost died. Her tears were turning into sobs. I shook my head and stroked her hair. She calmed and looked up at me again. She really had the most beautiful eyes. Jack was right. You could see the trust build in them. He watched it break. 

That was his kick. I should have made him suffer before killing him.

"Maybe I should trust less. Maybe I shouldn't trust you. But I do. Please.
Don't go."

She was begging me. Her mouth was begging me. Her hands were begging me. Her eyes were begging me.

I gave in. "I'll stay. For now."
Her grip tightened.
"For a while."
She leaned her head against my neck.
"I'll stay."

She fell asleep on my lap, still clinging to me.

I never really liked cigarettes anyway.