RIVER

I step out of the shadows, putting my gun in the waistband of my jeans. I can't pull the trigger, not with her crying and scared like she is.

Not that I'm new to tears, but she hasn't really done anything that warrants death.

She takes one look at me and scrambles to her feet clumsily, like a fawn. She stumbles over to me and wraps her slim arms around my waist, clinging to me like a lifeline.

I look down at her, her face buried in my abdomen. Tiny little thing.

As an instinct, I go to shove her away, but my hand ignores my command and involuntarily gentles.

Awkwardly, I pat her silky curls, unsure as to what I'm doing.

She sniffs and rubs her eyes tiredly, "I'm so glad i- it's y -you. I just wanna g- go home."

"Are you lost?" My voice is shockingly gentle. D*mn.

She nods taking shaky breaths, "P--please take me home."

The question slips out before I can stop it, "Where do you live?"

Her knees start shaking like she's gonna collapse and I scoop up her tiny frame, holding her close to my chest. She wraps her arms around my neck and snuggles closer, "Mom says I couldn't remember directions if my life depended on it," she mumbles against my neck, sending goose bumps across my skin.

D*mn it. How does a person forget their f**king address?! And how did I forget who I am?! I mumble a string of profanities before scowling down at her. I guess work will be cut short tonight.

Reluctantly, I turn in the direction of my house, her still clinging to me. I'm so gonna regret this.

After about five minutes, she's sleeping like the dead. I refuse to look at her peaceful face.

Shaking my head, I accidentally glance down at her and inhale sharply.

Her lips are puckered so her huge dimples show and her soft tearstained cheek is pressed up against my chest. She looks so d*mn innocent and I quickly look away.

Something's wrong with me.

                                                      ° ° ° °

As soon as I open my front door, I immediately regret bringing her here.

One word; brothers.

F**king perverts, they are.

As soon as they spot me carrying a girl up the stairs, both of them are in my face asking questions, or checking her out. I grind my teeth together, anger growing inside of me.

"Who's this," inquires Caleb, my oldest brother, eye raping Thia while she sleeps unknowingly.

B*stard.

Davion studies her before smirking slyly, "Isn't that the psycho girl from earlier?"

*ss hole.

I shove them out of the way and stomp upstairs to my room where I know they won't touch her. They, of course, follow.

"What's her name again? Oh yeah! Tina Olivia!"

"Thia Oliver," I growl angrily, shutting the door in their ugly faces.

They laugh loudly, causing Thia to stir and burry her face into my chest, moaning tiredly.

I grind my teeth and freeze. No use in waking her up.

As soon as her gentle breathing evens out, I carefully lay her on my bed and cover her. She starts mumbling incoherent words and snuggling into the blankets.

F**k.