A Protector's Second Chance (Unit Matched #2)

by Mary Smith

  Would I stay in the city?

  Would I move far away?

  The city was too close and might tempt me to check on my sister. Who was I kidding? I would want to see Oliver, too.

  “Hey,” he rubbed my back. “Why don’t we make some popcorn and watch some Thor? I know that you have a serious crush on him.”

  I nodded.

  We made the snacks together and curled up together on the couch. Normally, Chris Hemsworth could distract me from anything; it wasn’t working this time.

  Periodically, Oliver would kiss my head, and lightly trail his finger up and down my arm. I had my arm around his waist, fidgeting with his thin, gray shirt.

  When the credits started rolling at the end, I hadn’t even realized that much time had passed. Oliver flipped the TV off, but neither of us moved from our position. He kept rubbing me, and I listened to his heart race faster. I stared at the blank TV, knowing that time was still moving even though I didn’t want it to.

  “I want this moment to last forever,” I whispered into his chest.

  “I do, too. I never thought that we would get here.”

  I smiled. Yet again, Oliver was right. I’d really put him through the paces these past few months. It was my fault, because looking back, I knew he had only been trying to help me.

  “Oliver,” I sat up and faced him.

  “Yes.”

  I looked deep into his green eyes. I wanted to tell him how I felt. He deserved to hear it. I needed to tell him. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Damn, all the thoughts running through my head were confusing me.

  One side of my head was screaming for me to tell him. The other was saying not to. If I said it out loud, I couldn’t take it back.

  What would Oliver do?

  Did he feel the same way?

  What would happen after I was banished?

  “Amaya?”

  I was still staring at him. His eyebrows had furrowed, and he looked a little fearful. I couldn’t tell him. I did the next best thing.

  I kissed him.

  I shoved my tongue deep into his mouth. He moaned loudly, vibrating my lips. He pushed me until I was lying on my back. He had become much bolder since the first time we had sex.

  What was I saying?

  We’d only had sex three times. But, I knew Oliver wanted me at this moment. I could feel him and it felt so right.

  “I need you,” I panted, working on his jeans. I couldn’t get them undone, so I pushed him to sit up.

  Finally, he was freed from the constriction of his jeans. I dropped to my knees and worked him into my mouth. I smiled, hearing his moans. Even though we’re both still new at being together, he hadn’t complained yet. He gripped my hair tighter, and guided me more.

  “Amaya, you need to stop.”

  I knew that he was getting close when I pulled away. I reached into his back pocket, grabbing the condom that I knew that would be there. I rolled it on him then pulled my shirt and shorts off.

  I watched his eyes go wide as I straddled him. We hadn’t been in this position yet, but I really wanted to try it. I stroked him a couple times before I fully sat down on him.

  Oliver lay his head back on the couch and gripped my hips. I thought that he might leave bruises, but I didn’t care. My thought was on making him feel good, and from the look on his face, I was doing a good job. I continued to rock my hips and Oliver was groaning louder.

  “Amaya,” he gripped me tighter, digging his fingers into my skin. “Faster.”

  I complied. That familiar tension was building in the pit of my stomach again, and I picked up my pace. I wanted this release, and I wanted it as he found his.

  I needed Oliver.

  I loved him.

  I finally yelled out his name the same time he said mine, and together we found our release.

  I lay my head on his shoulder, feeling the dampness on his skin.

  “Yep, I want to say ‘thank you’ again.”

  I laughed at him, lifting my head up. “You’re welcome, again.”

  I softly kissed him.

  I was going to miss him so much.

  Chapter 32

  Day 90 of 90

  I didn’t sleep last night.

  Not one wink.

  Oliver and I had packed the Escalade last night, cleaned the whole cabin again, and spent the day avoiding the looming topic.

  “I’m going to jump in the shower, okay?”

  I nodded, not looking at him. We didn’t have sex last night. I couldn’t do it. The only thing that I’d wanted was for him to hold me.

  I watched him walk into the bathroom. I had known this day would come, and I had to face it. It was here. I climbed out of the bed and waited for Oliver to get out of the shower.

  He wasn’t in there long. Soon he was out and kneeling in front of me.

  “Your turn, we need to hurry though, okay?”

  He cupped my face, brushing the tears away; tears I hadn’t even known were falling.

  I nodded and headed into the shower. I cleaned up, changed, and packed up the rest of my belongings. Oliver was downstairs making sure that everything was in order and the trash had been taken out.

  When I walked down the stairs, he took my bag and purse to the SUV. I stood in the middle of the living room, looking the cabin over.

  As much as I’d hated it when I first arrived, I loved it now. It felt like a home to me. In three short months, many memories had been created here. From a mental breakdown, our first kiss, having sex, and the personal growth that had happened for me.

  I had grown up and I was still facing banishment.

  “Amaya.” Oliver took my hand. “I’m sorry, but we need to go.”

  I nodded.

  “We’ll come back in the spring, okay? Then we can really explore the land.”

  There he went again, being positive that I wasn’t going to be banished.

  I nodded.

  He locked up the cabin, helped me into the Escalade, and we left. The ride was quiet. I couldn’t say anything because it would only make me cry.

  I still hadn’t told Oliver that I loved him. I still couldn’t say it. I needed to. I know that I needed to, but I couldn’t get the words out.

  Before I could believe it, Oliver punched in his code to Unit and the gate slowly opened. My heart was pounding so hard it was going to jump out of my chest.

  “It’s going to be okay.” Oliver took my hand and easily calmed me down.

  I nodded, unable to say anything.

  I studied the scenery all around me. This was my home. It was where I had grown up. I had walked every street, played here, and this would be my last time here.

  Oliver pulled into a driveway and I couldn’t figure out what he was doing.

  “This is where the Princess lives now.”

  It was then I noticed all the cars on the street. Of course, there were going to be a lot of people to see my punishment. They might even have a party afterwards.

  “Come on, Amaya.”

  I stepped out, and the snow crunched beneath my boots. The house was beautiful, and it screamed Xaviera, even covered in snow.

  When we reached the porch, I thought I was going to pass out. This was going to happen. I was about to be banished and leave Oliver forever.

  “Oliver, wait.” I tugged him back to me. “I have to tell you something. I love you.” I rushed out. “I love that you yell at me. I love that you kept harping at me until I opened up. I love that you never gave up on me. I love that you never judged me. I love that you care about me. I love everything about you.” I was panting by the time I finished my deepest confession to him.

  Oliver wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheek.

  “I love you, Amaya. I love everything about you.”

  “I’m going to miss you so much.” I hung onto him.

  “You’re going to be fine. However, we need to get in there.” He pulled back a little bit. “Come on.”

  I followed him a
s he opened the door. I took a deep breath and stepped over the threshold. This was it. This was happening, and I needed to face the music.

  Oliver pointed to his left and there, in the living room, was… everyone. The King and Queen sat on the loveseat, looking prim and proper. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were standing behind them, along with Rebecca. On the couch were Gia and Graham.

  Everyone was staring at me, everyone but one.

  Xaviera.

  She sat next to Gia, looking down at her swollen belly.

  I scanned the room again. My parents weren’t there. I shouldn’t have been shocked, I was sure they’d already disowned me.

  I looked at Rebecca and her eyes were wide. I checked her over to see if there were any bruises, but she had on a sweater and jeans. The Queen looked over at Rebecca and nodded.

  Rebecca took off like a shot and leapt into my arms. I easily caught her; she was smaller than I was. She sobbed into the crook my neck and the tears automatically fell from my eyes.

  “I’ve missed you,” she continued sobbing.

  I couldn’t say anything; I just squeezed her tighter.

  I don’t know how long we held each other, but I reluctantly let her go when the King cleared his throat. I wiped the tears from her face.

  “You okay?” I quickly whispered.

  Rebecca gave me a big smile. “I’m great.”

  “Amaya, we have things to attend to now.” The King’s voice boomed.

  I nodded, but still held onto Rebecca’s hand. I wanted to hold onto that good memory of us.

  “A lot has happened since you left us,” he continued.

  I glanced at Xaviera, but she still wouldn’t look at me. Gia was crying and Graham was holding her hand. I needed to stay strong. I didn’t want to become too overwhelmed with emotions right now.

  “Amaya,” the Queen’s gentile voice made my eyes shift to her. “We need to tell you what has changed before Xaviera hands down your punishment.”

  I nodded. Rebecca squeezed my hand. I looked over at Oliver, on my left, and he gave me a small smile.

  “Oliver told us that he informed you about Thaddeus’ punishment and that you knew Xaviera was with child.”

  I nodded. Of course, Oliver told them that. He would never defy the Royal bloodline. Some rebel he was.

  “But, he didn’t tell you everything.” The King said as he stood up and walked over to me. “I’ve known you since the day you came into this world. I have thought of you as my own daughter.”

  I lowered my gaze from his. The King and Queen had always been so kind.

  “I paired you with Xaviera to be her Protector. I saw your talent at such a young age, and your stubbornness. But, I never thought you would break the Rules.”

  I closed my eyes, and my tears fell.

  “Nonetheless, Oliver was very informative about your time at the cabin.”

  The King’s words stopped my thoughts.

  What?

  I looked over at him, and he took a small step back.

  “He told us about your parents.”

  All the air left my body. I couldn’t breathe; I was stuck in the quicksand of the King’s voice. They knew. They knew everything.

  My parents were going to kill me.

  “They’ve been banished.”

  Did I hear him correctly?

  “What?”

  The King repeated it.

  I don’t know what happened in those few seconds. I felt as if I was having an out-of-body experience. I jerked Rebecca behind me and took three steps back from the King.

  “What about my sister? You can’t banish her, too. She isn’t a Rule breaker. Let her stay in my parent’s house. I’ll get a job and pay the bills, I swear it, but please don’t banish her. She can’t be in the real world yet. She just turned eighteen and is still in high school.”

  “Amaya, I’m okay,” Rebecca soothed me. “I’m okay.”

  “I would never banish your sister because of your parents,” The King told me.

  “I… um…,” I didn’t know what to say.

  “She’s staying with the Thomas’.”

  “She took Oliver’s old room,” Mrs. Thomas jumped in. “She’s been with us for a while.”

  I looked at Rebecca.

  “Amaya, I’m fine. I’m better than fine. The Thomas’ have been great to me. I can actually sleep at night without being scared.”

  My shoulders sagged with relief. She was going to be okay. I knew the Thomas’ would take care of her. They were good people.

  “When Oliver told us, I called for Rebecca and she confirmed everything.” The King stepped closer to me. “Why didn’t you ever tell us? I would have never allowed anyone to harm a child like that. Never.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know. For so long, they told me that I was worthless; I believed them. Then I wasn’t sure if anyone would believe me; I was a child, they were respected trainers.”

  “Is that why you stayed with us so much?” the Queen asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I went to the Unit Urgent Care and retrieved your medical records. Amaya, there were pages of broken bones, bruises, concussions.” The King’s voice cracked. “I wish you would have told us. I wish I had paid better attention; I would have stopped this.”

  “It wasn’t your fault. I was really good at hiding things.”

  “Well, I thought you should know that and now,” he turned back to everyone in the room. “It’s time to leave.”

  My mouth went dry again. It was my time for my punishment.

  Rebecca wrapped herself tightly around me. “I love you,” she whispered.

  “I love you.” Possibly the last time I would ever see her, I needed to tell her what I thought. “I’m so proud of you.”

  “You’ll always be my favorite Protector.”

  I smiled at her.

  I watched as she left with the Thomas’ and then the King and Queen took their leave. I guess everyone else was going to stay for my punishment. I was glad Oliver was here. I needed him by my side.

  “I want to talk to her alone,” Xaviera finally spoke.

  “Are you sure?” Gia’s soft voice asked.

  Xaviera nodded.

  Graham and Gia rose from the couch. My eyes locked with Gia. She looked back at Xaviera before rushing over to me, hugging my neck. Gia was very short; she jumped up to reach me.

  “I missed you, too.” I choked out the words.

  We finally broke apart, and she took Graham’s hand and walked to the door. Oliver leaned over and kissed my cheek.

  “I’ll see you soon; I love you.”

  Even though I knew that I shouldn’t, I gave him a full smile. I was about to be banished and I wanted my last words to be meaningful. “I love you.”

  He squeezed my hand one more time, and he left, leaving me alone with Xaviera.

  “You can sit down.” She said, still not looking at me. I walked over and sat on the loveseat across from her.

  The only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire. I didn’t know what to say or do. Normally, I would have been so comfortable with her, but now I don’t have any idea what is going to happen.

  “I’m a hot mess of emotions,” Xaviera started. “And I’m fat.” She mindlessly rubbed her belly.

  “Congrats, by the way.”

  She finally looked up at me. “Oliver told me that he told you.”

  I cracked a smile. “I forced it out of him. Please don’t be upset with him.”

  Xaviera waved her hand. “I’m not. He cares a lot about you. It was really hard for him to break the trust he had with you to tell us about your parents.”

  I nodded. “He’s much stronger than I am.”

  “Do you love him?”

  “I do.” Deep in my soul, I knew that we were meant for each other.

  We fell into silence, and it was killing me. I hated the waiting.

  “Why didn’t you tell me? I can understand why you didn’t tell my parents, but why not
me?”

  “I was your Protector. It was my job to take care of you not the other way around.” I shrugged.

  “Amaya, you’re my best friend. You’re my sister. All those times with the bruises and broken bones, that was all from your parents.”

  I nodded.

  “Goodness.” I could hear the pain in her voice.

  “Princess, it’s over. But, if you don’t mind, could you please give me my punishment. It’s driving me crazy.” I pushed my hands through my hair. I was a ball of nerves.

  “You’ve always been impatient,” she softly giggled. “I’ve missed you. I’ve missed you so much. I never realized how much I relied on you until you were gone. There were so many times I wanted to text you, talk to you. Then when Oliver told us and Rebecca filled in the horrific details, I had the urge to run to that cabin and hug you.”

  I closed my eyes. Xaviera’s words pierced my heart.

  “I’m sorry. I’m sorry about everything. I know I broke the Rules, and I’ve ruined so many lives. You don’t know how much that will weigh on me. I mean it. I never wanted any of this to happen, especially to your baby.” I sobbed. “I didn’t. I swear.”

  “I know. I know that you mean it, too.” She handed me a tissue, and I wiped my face.

  “Thanks.”

  “The day you slammed the door in my face, I didn’t think I knew you at all, but then standing there in my Dad’s office, I saw the real you again. I really don’t want to know the details, but why did you and Thaddeus, you know,” she stopped talking and looked away from me.

  “I had convinced myself that since I was leaving Unit the Rules didn’t apply to me.”

  “Why didn’t you leave? I know that you talked about it so much right before you turned eighteen.”

  “Rebecca. You. Gia. I still wanted to be your Protector. I wanted to know who I was Matched with. I thought it was Thaddeus. I had said it so many times that I had convinced myself of it. Then, that day in the woods, when I saw that you two were Matched, I didn’t know what to think or do. Soon, I realized that he had never told you, and I continued to keep the secret.”

  “Until you couldn’t anymore.”

  “Yes. I wanted you to know. The guilt was eating me up, that was one reason why Oliver and I failed during our first decision period. But, I need to say thank you for the last three months. They haven’t been perfect, but Oliver really showed me who I was.”