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Harry’s POV

I couldn’t make the town any more safe for her. It never has been, but it’s going to get much worse now, especially because her dad is rich, and she’s a target for many people, some of them not even in gangs. I’ve been watching her for years now, though, and I know her. I know her tendency to run when she’s scared, her panic attacks that are becoming more frequent, I know her smile when she’s happy, her tears when she’s sad. I want her to know me, and know she can be safe with me. I do get violent, and sometimes I may direct it at her, but I still love her all the same, and I want her to know that. I’ll try my best to never direct my anger at her, but I know sometimes I’ll slip up. All I can do is keep her as safe as I can, I guess. Other wise, it’s all in vain, I could own Bradford and have her not be safe, and I’d want to give up the power to someone else. I’ve kept her safe from a distance for years, and I can’t slip up now that I’m close to her.

“Harry?” Ember asked, breaking me out of my thoughts. I was standing at the Starbucks she worked at, staring at the menu. “Oh yes, sorry love. I’ll have a hot chocolate with a side of Emberlynn Parker, please.” I smiled. “I can get you a hot chocolate, but I’m not sure about the side of Emberlynn Parker, let me ask her.” She replied coyly, a smile on her face. I laughed a bit and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you later, Ember. But I do need that hot chocolate, I have a meeting.” I smiled. “Alright, would you like a tall, grande, or venti? And is it gang related? Can I come?” She asked. “I’ll have a grande, yes, it is gang related, but no, you can’t come because you have class this afternoon.” I replied, grabbing my wallet from my back pocket. “I can skip, I won’t miss anything, we had a test yesterday, and-“ “Love, it’s not safe for you, it’s with my dad’s gang, we’re discussing territories and shit.” I cut her off gently. “But I want to come.” She said, handing a cup to her co-worker to make my hot chocolate. “How about this, I’ll take you to the next one, when I’m sure you’ll be safe.” I suggested. “Or you could take a chance and take me to this one.” She sassed back. “Emberlynn, I’m not bringing you.” I said sternly. “Harry please, my shift ends in a half hour.” She pleaded. “Ember! No!” I snapped, and paid her for the hot chocolate. “I’ll come by your place later, and we can go out, alright?” I said in a more gentle tone. “You know I’ll just get Zayn to take me.” She sassed as she handed me my change. “No, you won’t, because I’ve told him not to bring you.” I said patiently. “Fine, but I want to come to the next one.” She said, defeated. “You can. I promise.” I smiled. “Alright. Go do your gang stuff.” She smiled. “Alright, go do your school stuff.” I kissed her cheek and walked away.

We weren’t together yet, and I wanted to hold that off for a while, especially with the impending arrival of my father. He’d probably want to capture her, and I don’t want our relationship being marked by such a horrible thing. I also knew that she didn’t trust me fully yet, which I completely understand. I stalked her, keeping her safe, for all of two years without her knowledge, if I was her I’d be uneasy, too. I pulled up at the house we were meeting my dad’s gang at and parked, trying to turn my thoughts from Ember, knowing it was futile, but also knowing that if I didn’t pay attention and try to make good deals, I wouldn’t be able to keep her safe. I walked in after turning my phone off, she’d been texting me incessantly, and I knew reading them would surely distract me. I sat down at the table and stared down at my father, Des. He was to put it simply, horrible. I’ve never hated anyone so much he’s a monster. I watched as Niall, Liam, Zayn, and Louis walked in, followed by whoever accompanied my father to this meeting. “So, son, let’s get down to business.” My father started off. I clenched my fists and looked down at the table, already angry. “Harry, if you can’t keep your temper in check, I’ll just have Sebastian go fetch that girl of yours, Ember, is it?” I could hear him smirking through his words and I looked at him. “My temper is fine, and if you so much as breathe in her direction I will not hesitate to kill you.” I said lowly, enunciating every syllable. “I want territory in this town, I want to take over the town.” My father said. “Not happening, I’m very close to owning it with the boys, and I’ve worked for a long time. Too long to just give it up to a scumbag who doesn’t deserve it.” I snapped. “Ah, interesting. Well, may the best man win, and keep an eye on Ember, Harry. Wouldn’t want her to get hurt, especially since she’s so fragile.” My father said with a smirk as I got up to leave. I flashed a glare at him, shaking my head. “You touch her, dad and I will kill you on the spot.” I said coldly, spitting out the word dad as if it was poison. I turned and walked out of the room, followed by Liam, Zayn, Niall, and Louis. “Mate, go check on Ember.” Zayn suggested. I nodded, running a hand through my hair. “Establish our territories. I’m not giving up, and I’m not letting him touch her.” I said as calmly as I could. “Anything else?” Liam asked with a smile. “Yeah, call McCann in from Vegas. We need bombs.” I said as I waited for my phone to turn on. “You’re going to destroy the town that we all want to own?” Zayn asked. “No, but I do want to blow up my dad’s safe houses.” I smirked. “Excellent game plan!” Niall said enthusiastically. I laughed as I dialed Ember’s number.

“Harry?” She said, sounding puzzled, when she picked up after three rings. “Hey, baby. Are you okay?” I asked. “Yeah, some guy named Sebastian’s giving me a ride home.” She responded, I could hear the smile in her voice. “Emberlynn, what does he look like?” I asked, suddenly very serious. “Well, he’s tall, with blonde hair, and a bunch of tattoos.” She said. “Stay where you are. Are you in his car?” I asked. “No, I’m still at uni, why?” She asked. “Baby, he was sent by my father to hurt you. Hide somewhere, and wait for me. Text me where you plan to hide, and I’ll come get you.” I said gently. “Okay. I’m sorry I should’ve-“ “Em, no. You weren’t aware, none of this is your fault. Just let me come get you.” I said in an even gentler tone as I walked to my car. I turned it on and waited for the boys to get in. “Text me, okay? Don’t go anywhere with him.” I said again. “Okay Haz. I’m in the faculty bathroom.” She whispered. “Alright baby. Hold tight.” I said as I hung up. “Sebastian came for her.” Liam stated. “Yes, but I called just in time, but he won’t touch her. He knows the consequences, so if she doesn’t come by will, he can’t make her come by force.” I said calmly as we drove to her university. “Are you alright?” Louis asked. “No, but I need to hold it together long enough to go to the gym tonight.” I replied, running my hand through my hair again. “Just keep her safe mate. You do a great job of it already.” Niall put in. “And let her come to the meeting next time.” Zayn added. “I will keep her safe, and I’ll think about the meeting thing. That’ll only happen if it’s over the phone.” I said. “Why?” Zayn asked. “Because that way, my dad can’t touch her. He knows what I’d do but that wouldn’t stop him.” I said simply. “But he’s seen how you react.” Liam said. “Yeah mate, but that didn’t stop him from hurting my mum, did it? And if it didn’t stop him then, nothing will stop him now.” I replied. “Makes sense.” Louis said as we pulled up at Ember’s college.

Notes

Oh, we get to meet Harry's dad.

Do you hate him as much as I do already?

Do you think Ember will ever trust Harry?

Sorry for the long gap between updates, but I did get the extra one in like I tried to!!

I hope the things revealed and the length makes up for the wait.

Until Tuesday, Stylesirwin, aka Chlo. :)