It All Started With Hate

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I recalled her telling me that someone hurt her in the past. Jesus. I had never been protective of anyone other than Kade and Levi, but the moment she said those words? I knew I'd do whatever it took to remove the threat from her. From her nightmares, and her life.

I didn't want her to feel pressured to tell me, because she wasn't obliged to. I took what she offered, and connected it to everything I'd seen so far. I just couldn't place the who, or when, or what. Hurt stood for a lot of things, but with those scars on her stomach, I knew that it had been more than a couple of insults.

I willed my hand to stop shaking around her but the more I thought on it, the more my rage built. I didn't know what changed, but it did. Because, I knew, without a doubt, that if Maggie was in trouble, I'd tear down every wall, and every single brick to get to her.

It was strange to see that she shared something similar. A part of me wondered if it'd been fake at first, but after yesterday night, there was no way.

She kicked my brother's ass, stood up to Beatrice, and jumped in front of me just to stop my father from reaching me. She put her whole, maybe, 5'9" body in front of three people, without an ounce of fear...all to protect me. No one had ever done that for me, not once, in my entire life.

She was the first person to ever stand up for me against my family.

I didn't know whether to be grateful,,or afraid. Not for her since I would have ripped every single one of their heads from their bodies before they even reached her, but for myself. I had no idea what to feel; or how to even barely explain what it was. I didn't know if there were enough words in the English dictionary to describe it.

All I knew was that I was trying to fight it, and it was growing harder by the fucking second.

I didn't want to like it, or her. I didn't want any of it. I didn't want to look forward to seeing her at my shop, I didn't want to like her smile, or her snort when she laughs, I didn't want to dread the moment her laughs stopped because I knew I'd miss it so badly. I didn't want to touch her, I didn't want her to claim every fucking thought in my head.

But, she did.

I needed to suppress. That was what I did best. I didn't want anymore 'technicallys', I wanted to go back to wanting to run her over, or insulting her. I wanted to go back to fucking different women without picturing her underneath me. I wanted to go back to the me that didn't give two fucks about anyone or anything, but himself.

I would, somehow, someway.

I sucked in a tight spot of air as I felt Maggie bury her head against my chest. My heart sped up so fast I nearly thought it to be a heart attack. Jesus.

I shook my head. I needed a drink. I needed to smoke, to go and fuck the shit out of the nearest mouth in this hotel. I needed to get the fuck out of here, and away from Norris.

Yet I hadn't moved.

"Oh, for fuck sake," I hissed in frustration at myself.

A vibration set off between us. I thought my phone would be dead from the show, but I guess not. I could leave it ringing, but if it continued on, it'd wake her up. At the thought, I felt dread wash over me.

In that moment, I knew I'd rather sleep on pins and needles than wake her up.

I shifted a bit until I had the phone in my grasp. Involuntarily, my attention snaked back to Maggie,again.

Her expression had grown nothing, but peaceful, now. A faint smile was trained over those pretty lips. Before I could stop myself, my finger lifted to trail the length of her jaw, again. Her smile only grew as she leaned into my palm.