The nights after Keller tried to kidnap me, I had nightmares. The only problem is, I couldn't tell my dad. He already felt guilty that Keller broke in, tried to take me, and that I was the one who shot him. If he knew I was having nightmares, his guilt would get worse.
So instead, I suffered alone. After a nightmare, I'd wake up and struggle to cover my sobs. Much like tonight.
My arms were tied behind my back. The room was dark and musty. I sucked in a breath and backed as far against the wall as I could get as he walked in.
"Well well well," Keller chuckled as he walked closer. "I have to say, Y/N, waiting on your father to pay your ransom is getting a little tiresome."
I whimpered as he knelt down, smirking at me. "If he doesn't pay soon, you and I are going to have some fun."
I let out a muffled scream as he pulled out a knife, gliding the blade down my cheek.
"Fun in 3. . . 2. . ."
I woke as he was about to push the knife into my stomach. I instantly covered my mouth to stifle my sobs. I jumped when my door swung open. I looked over, still struggling to breathe as Rapp ran over to me.
"Y/N?" He said my name, the panic clear in his voice. "Are you alright? What happened?"
"I. . . He. . . He had me. . .waiting. . . a ransom. . . my dad," I stuttered.
Mitch carefully cupped my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him. His thumbs rubbed my cheeks as he smiled at me. "Y/N, who's he?"
"Keller," I said under my breath. Mitch sighed before sitting on the edge of my bed and pulling me into his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and rubbed my back as he held me close to his chest.
"It's alright, Y/N," he said softly. "Just breathe. You're safe. Keller's gone. He can't hurt you anymore. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you. Ever again."
And he meant it.
Ever since Keller broke into the Barn, my father hasn't let me out of his sight. He's been constantly checking in on me, doubling security, and never lets me be alone. If my dad isn't the one watching me, Mitch Rapp is with me.
He actually was the assassin to volunteer to watch me if my dad had to go meet with Irene. Surprisingly, my dad is also still allowing Rapp to train me. But only if he can stand by and observe. He watches us train, constantly reminding Rapp to take it easy on me.
* * * * *
I was reading a book in my room when my father stormed in. "Is everything okay?" I stuttered as I slowly closed my book.
"Honey, something's happened." He said as he stopped in front of me.
"What?" I asked as I stood up. He gently grabbed my shoulders, rubbing his hands up and down my arms.
"Listen, baby," he sighed. "I have to go."
"Wait," I stuttered. "Why?" I asked, trying not to panic.
"I have to fly to Washington D.C. to talk to Irene and some other heads at the CIA and FBI."
"You're. . . You're leaving?" I stuttered. "But. . . What if. . ."
"You're going to be fine, baby," Dad said gently. "I promise. I've already talked to Victor and Rapp. They're going to make sure you're safe while I'm gone. Rapp will still be training you and Victor will be overseeing it. You're going to be fine, sweetheart. I promise."
* * * * *
I watched with my arms wrapped around myself as my dad put his bags in his car. I bit my lip as he turned around, sending me a soft smile. He walked over and wrapped his arms around me.
"You're going to be fine," he whispered. "I promise. I'll call you every day, okay?"
"Okay," I said under my breath. He pulled out of the hug and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
He looked behind me to see Victor and Rapp watching us. "You two take care of her, alright? I'm counting on both of you."
"Yes, sir." They said in sync as they both nodded.
My dad looked back at me with a soft smile. "I'll call you every night, baby. I promise. I love you."
"I love you too, dad."
He kissed my forehead one last time before turning on his heel and getting in his car. I chewed on my bottom lip as his car pulled away from the Barn.
"Don't worry, Y/N." I turned around to see everyone leaving except Rapp. He walked over and stood next to me. "Victor and I promised Hurley we would keep you safe. And we will."
* * * * *
A few days later, my dad was still in Washington D.C. He kept his promise and called me every day. Except for today. I've waited for it, but it's been an hour since he usually calls me.
I looked up when my door opened. "Rapp? Everything alright?"
"Pack a bag," he cut me off.
"What?" I stuttered nervously. I looked down when I noticed he was holding a packed bag. "Why?"
"I got a call from Hurley," he said as he grabbed the suitcase out of my closet and put it on my bed. "He is having me take you to a safe house."
"A safe house?"
"Yes. It's across the state line. He is supposed to meet us there once things clear up." He tried to walk out of the room but I grabbed his arm, turning him around.
"Mitch, what's going on?" I asked, my voice breaking. "You're scaring me."
He sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. "There's a man named Michael Walker. He used to work with Keller. In fact, he was Keller's right-hand man before he disappeared. Well, it turns out, he wasn't gone. He was in hiding. And now that Keller is gone. . ."
"He wants revenge," I cut him off. I took a step away from him, my anxiety rising. "He's coming after me. That's why my dad wants you to take me away before Walker gets here. My dad wants us to be gone in case he comes for me."
"Yes," Mitch said softly as he walked up to me. "That's right. Your dad wants me to get you to safety. And that's what I'm going to do. Pack some clothes, maybe even some books. But nothing electronic. We can't give Walker anything that could lead him to us. Hurley said the safe house will have an encrypted computer and phone. He wants me to call him when we get there."
Even though Mitch was trying to explain everything to me as calmly as he could, I was in an anxiety attack.
"Y/N? You okay?"
"I can't breathe," I said under my breath. Mitch dropped his bag and walked over so he was standing in front of me.
"Y/N, look at me," he said gently. I gasped as he grabbed my shoulders, turning me towards him. "You are going to be fine. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I promise."
"But," I stuttered.
"But nothing," he said instantly. "You trust me, right?"
"Of course," I said, not able to look away from him.
"Well, I'm not going to let anyone hurt you. I promise, Y/N." He waited for me to nod before he finally let me go. "Okay," he said clearing this throat. "Pack some clothes and then we'll go."
I nodded, not saying a word as I started packing. While I did, Mitch stood by the door. I wasn't sure if he was just waiting for me or guarding me.
When I was finally done, Mitch led me through the house with his hand on my back. I nervously chewed on my bottom lip as we got in the car and got onto the highway. We sat in silence, the radio playing in the background. Mitch was the first to break the silence when we had been driving for about three hours.
"You okay?" Rapp asked.
"I'm fine," I mumbled. I kept staring out the window, not wanting him to see how scared I actually was.
"Y/N," he said softly. "You don't have to hide from me."
I sighed as I shook my head. "I just," I hesitated. "I thought we. . . We just killed Keller, getting rid of that threat, and there is apparently another one? I mean, I know my father is the great Stan Hurley but. . . Am I ever going to be safe?"
"Of course you will," he said instantly. I glanced over at him to see his jaw clenched. "I'm not going to let anyone get to you. I won't give anyone the chance to hurt you."
"Why?"
"What?" He stuttered, glancing at me for only a second.
"Why are you so deadset on protecting me?" I looked over at him when he didn't respond. "Mitch?"
"How much did Hurley tell you about my past?" He asked, still not looking at me.
"Not much," I stuttered. I looked down to see his hands clenched around the steering wheel so tight his knuckles were turning white.
"I lost my fiancé in a terrorist attack before I joined Orion." My heart sank when his voice cracked. "And after I lost her. . ."
He didn't finish his sentence as he looked over at me. Without hesitation, I reached over and took his hand. He sighed, looking back at the road as he intertwined our fingers.
We sat like that, not saying a word, as we continued to drive to the safe house. Somewhere around the state line, I fell asleep. I didn't wake up until I felt someone cupping my cheek. My eyes fluttered open to see Mitch smiling at me.
"Hey," he said softly. "We're here."
I hummed as he helped me out of the car. I noticed his guard up as we walked up the steps to the house. He grabbed the key under the mat and unlocked the door.
"Stay here," he said before slipping inside. I looked around the suburban neighborhood and waited as he went inside to check the house. After he was done, he came back outside and helped me with the bags. We walked inside, slowly getting settled.
A few hours later, after we had gone to the store and picked up supplies, I started making the two of us dinner. I was almost done preparing the food when I looked up to see Mitch standing in the doorway, watching me.
"You know you don't have to stand watch," I said, trying to lighten the mood. I sighed when the expression on his face didn't change.
"Mitch," I sighed as I walked over to him.
"I can't stand losing anyone else," he said once I was standing in front of him. "I lost my parents when I was fourteen. Then I lost the love of my life. I mean. . . Y/N, I had a hard enough time after losing Katrina and I wasn't even trained then. But if something happened to you now that I know what I'm doing. . ."
"Mitch," I said, cutting him off. I hesitated before gently putting my hand on his shoulder. He looked at my hand before looking back up at my eyes. "The whole way here you've been telling me that you wouldn't let anything happen to me. I trust you. I know that you would risk your own life to protect mine. Maybe it's just because I'm Stan Hurley's daughter and you're one of his assassins. Maybe I'm just a relocate and protect mission. But, either way. . ."
I gasped as Mitch cut me off, grabbed my face, and pressed his lips to mine. My eyes fluttered closed as I instantly started moving my lips against his. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him.
When we finally broke the kiss, he leaned his forehead against mine as we caught our breath. I bit my bottom lip as he slightly rubbed his nose against mine.
"I don't want to lose anyone else," he whispered, not pulling away or letting me go.
"You're not going to lose me, Mitch," I sighed, leaning back so I could see his face. "If anyone can protect me, it's you." I smirked before adding, "And maybe my dad."
"How romantic," he teased before pressing his lips back to mine.