I slowly get off the couch, it's been 3 hours since Lyla had left to go up to her room. She's such a happy person, I could see the glimmer in her eyes as we were talking, she isn't scared of me though. I'm surprised by that, she looks at me with so much hope in her eyes and I can't help but feel something for her. I don't know what it is about her. I get lost in my thoughts as I walk up towards my bedroom, I open the door and as I close it I hear a blood curdling scream.

I run over to my nightstand and pull out my gun and cock it back as I slowly open my door and walk towards Lyla's room. I stand against the wall and prepare myself before I kick the door open and see her jolt up from her bed from the door hitting the wall. I look at her and she has tear stained cheeks and a frightened look on her face.

"Please don't hurt me," she yells with more tears running down her face

I slowly put my gun down on the table by the door and put my hands up showing her that I didn't have it in my hands anymore. I make my way over to her, she looks at me with so much horror in her eyes, "Lyla, what happened," I asked, concerned kneeling down beside her bed. She just shakes her head and looks away from me.

"I'm sorr-"

"Stop, you have nothing to be sorry for, what happened," I whisper caressing her cheek.

"It was just a nightmare, I'm okay," she says with a slight smile.

I slowly get up from my position on the floor and nod, I turn to leave her side and she grabs my wrist, she whispers, "please stay, I don't want to be alone."

I stop and think for a moment, not knowing what to do. I make my way over to the other side of her bed and lay down on top of the comforter, I watch as she turns towards me and slowly closes her eyes. Her face softens, she looks so peaceful when she sleeps.

Lyla turned in her sleep and ended up with her hair all over her face, I gently pushed it behind her ear and whispered, "You are so beautiful," I softly kissed her forehead before moving out of her bed. Before I can get off I can feel her grip, I look down and her hand is gripping onto my shirt. I sigh and lay back down beside her.

I close my eyes, thinking that she will let go and leave, but my tired soul slowly falls asleep at last. I slowly open my eyes and see the daylight coming through the window. I look to my right and see her asleep beside me, turned the opposite way.

I smile as I climb off the bed, I slowly and quietly walk to the door shutting it behind me. I look towards the stairs and see a smirking Joey. I shake my head and motion for him to follow me into my office.

"You have fun last night," he says, hitting my shoulder. I turn and glare at him, "I just fell asleep in her room, nothing happened."

He laughs and rolls his eyes, "She's a sweet soul E, you're gonna end up hurting her. She's innocent and full of hope, she isn't for this cruel world and you know it."

I sit in my chair and put my head on my desk as he lectures me, "You're no good for her," he states. My head shoots up off of my desk, "what the fuck did you just say."

"Come on, don't go soft on me now. Everyone fears you. You're known as the devil in disguise. We don't need you to be out here letting some girl get in the way of the fear that you bestow onto people, that would ruin us if they knew you were just a big softy." I sigh loudly.

I knew he was right but my heart and my mind are telling me something different. She is different. She makes me feel something.

"Alright," I say staring at him blankly.

"There we go boss," he says. He takes a seat in front of me. "You're father told me yesterday to mention that the spring ball was coming up next week, do you want me to tell Brittany to get a dress."

"No it's alright, don't wanna be around her. Her voice is annoying and she's very clingy." I say looking through the paperwork on my desk, I look up as I see Joey standing up.

"Just remember what I said E, it's for the best," he turns and leaves the room leaving me to  my thoughts.

------------------

The next couple days I find myself taking Joey's advice and distancing myself from Lyla. Every morning and late nights are spent at the warehouse hoping that I don't see her when I get back. But every time she's there and when I walk straight up the stairs to my room, I catch a glance of hurt in her eyes.

I lay on my bed with all the lights off. 'I can't keep doing this,' I think to myself. She is addictive, even when I'm not around her I can see her hopeful eyes and I can hear her laugh which brings a smile to my face. I run my hand down my face and sigh.

I'm not going to keep doing this.