?No,? he responded immediately, extending his arm across the
doorway to block her exit. ?I don?t care if you?re embarrassed. I
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don?t care if you don?t want us here. There are a lot of people who?d
like to see you dead, Princess, and unfortunately my family can?t
leave you unprotected until I say you can defend yourself.?
?Why do you get to decide when I?m ready?? Helen crossed her
arms and rubbed her shoulders against the cold. The wind off the
water had teeth.
?Because everyone knows that I?m the only one who won?t go
easy on you. And just so you know, I?m not about to apologize for
making sure you don?t get kidnapped by one of those batty women
running around the island,? he warned. Helen?s teeth chattered.
He looked at her standing there shivering and Helen could have almost
sworn that he looked guilty for a second. Then he looked off
to the side and cursed to himself. ?But maybe we should have told
you that we were sleeping up here,? he admitted finally.
?You think? I get it, Hector. I?m in a lot of danger. But you should
have at least given me a heads-up about this.?
?All right! Point taken!? he said, nearly growling with frustration.
?But we?re still not leaving you or your father unguarded at night.?
Suddenly, Helen wasn?t angry anymore. In fact, knowing that
Hector and his family extended their protection to her father made
her feel ridiculously grateful. She stood there smiling at him for a
second.
?Thank you,? she said quietly.
He froze midbreath and stared at her, amazed that her mood had
changed so quickly. ?That?s it? No more arguing?? he asked
doubtfully.
?Why, do you want to?? she began, but she was interrupted by