Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

?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