12)

Louisa felt her body stiffen up at Charlie's question. Why hadn't that been a question that popped in her head previously? How had she forgotten something so important? With all the people he killed there was no way he was out on good behavior. "Oh no, Charlie." Her hands started shaking uncontrollably. Charlie reached over and grabbed her hand. "I have an idea." He gathered together a pen and baby and began frantically writing a letter.

Louisa looked over his shoulder.

Ron.

Please research the following name with our ministry. If it is proven that he is out of prison and it was not approved by the correct authorities, please bring Aurous here immediately. This is an urgent matter.

Charlie

In a whisper Charlie said "Ron works for the ministry. He'll figure this out. In the meantime, you are never to be alone. Do you understand?" Louisa nodded. "I'm going to sleep on your sofa until we get this resolved." Charlie wrapped his arms around Louisa and held her tight. She allowed herself to be consumed by this man. She felt safe in his big arms and comforting words.

That night she set Charlie up on her sofa before she went to bed. "Thank you, Charlie." She said over her shoulder. "Night." He said, his voice filed with sleep.

For the next three weeks Louisa spent her time split between working, avoiding Victor and growing more and more comfortable with Charlie. Victor threw his charm on the entire town, even Nora, who Louisa had told her story too, would occasionally fall for his tricks. Louisa couldn't blame her, it was so easy to get caught up in his stories, and smooth words.

Victor was getting bolder with his movies on Louisa as well. He would show up at the hospital, or at her house unannounced. The first time he arrived and saw Charlie was there he was not happy. His jaw twitched and he flexed his arms, classic signs Louisa knew, but he kept his face calm as ever. "Oh, hello again!" he said cheerfully before inviting himself in. He turned and took in all of Charlies things thrown all over Louisa's living room.

"Excuse the mess." She said curtly. Victor looked at her in a way that gave her the chills. It was like he knew the exact reason why Charlie was there. Charlie seemed to have found the center of the house. He could stand and see the entrance of each room of her house as Louisa followed closely behind Vic wherever he stepped. "You have a beautiful view from here." He said scanning her back yard. "I didn't mean to interrupt your dinner; I will be off. Louisa, I hope we can catch up again soon." He added taking her hand and kissing it.

Louisa and Charlie stood in the doorway watching him head back towards the hotel. "I can't figure out what he is up too." Charlie placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her back into the kitchen closing the door and locking it behind them. "There is a chance he doesn't want anything." Louisa whipped her head around to face Charlie. He threw his hands up in defense. "Hey! I'm not saying he's safe, would I still be here if I wasn't concerned?"

That night standing in her kitchen washing dishes with Charlie something stirred inside her. She had basically been living with this man for weeks now, it was natural for her body to want something more. What scared her though was that her head and heart weren't objecting either. She looked up at Charlie who was pulling away the dry dishes. She watched his muscles tense under his shirt as he moved to reach the upper shelves. When he looked at her, she could see desire in his eyes.

She bit her lower lip knowing he was thinking similar thoughts. "Charlie." She said so quietly she wasn't sure he would have even heard her. Her mouth was dry, and her words were raspy. In one swift motion his arm was around her waist and he was lifting her onto the counter. He paused only a moment to look into her eyes before bringing his lips to hers. Her body was electrified. She felt as though she could feel every nerve in her body. Forgetting her wet hands, she brought them up to his neck pulling him closer into her. She let out a small moan when he pulled away from her.

He leaned down kissing her again, lifted her off the counter and into the bedroom. He placed her on the bed, closing the door behind him. They stared at each other, breathing heavily before rushing to remove each other's clothes. It was the first time Louisa ever felt free and protected at the same time. The passion expressed between the two of them had her head in a spin. She pulled him closer to her, needing to feel as much of him as she could.

After they laid together in her bed. Charlie seeming to large to fit comfortably as he laid on his back with his arm around her. Louisa turned onto her side, tracing his skin with her finger. "Stay with me tonight." She said, hoping he understand her. He moved his arm to pull her on top of him. He gazed up at her before pulling her face close to his and kissing her passionately.

The following morning Louisa woke up to find Charlie still asleep beside her. She smiled as she watched him sleep, so peaceful