(Bubbles pov)

I wake up and everything from the night before comes back to me when I try to move and one of my arms can't. I'm still cuffed to the headboard against my will. The guy who I'm currently in the "care" of was nowhere to be found and I sighed in agitation. Butch was far different from anyone I've ever met, it was refreshing to at least not wake up to fearing my so called husband.

Butch had this cold demeanor, I wonder if it was just for show or if it was really who he was. I shifted uncomfortably and sighed heavily. I lay with my head on the pillow and closed my eyes in unease. Butch told me last night that he was protecting me. But my question is from what? Why did Brick send this lethal man to be my bodyguard? The guy wasn't friendly, and had a "take what I'm doing and deal with it" approach to this.

He killed somebody last night like it was absolutely nothing, it was so easy for him to do that, but he didn't even hurt me... Even after I stomped on his feet like I did, he just acted very cold and far too blunt. I wonder what his life is like behind that whole outter shell, if his life was just as messed up as mine.

I hear a door open and I open my eyes, now a little startled. I see Butch walk in and look in my direction. He was was covered in tattoos and had a look that just radiated the energy of "talk to with caution". I wouldn't ever vocalize that he was actually a very good looking guy on the outside, the only off putting thing was those distant and abrasive forest green eyes. He looked like he was hardened by life and everything around him.

"Good, you're awake... Glad I didn't have to do it myself..." He said sarcastically and threw a paper bag in my direction. I caught it and open it with curiosity. It was food, it was nice but odd to receive, because I hadn't eaten the night before due to the situation with Derek, who, to my surprise, was in the farthest part of my mind. I guess getting escorted to this location against my will and being handcuffed to a bed was definitely a distraction.

"Thank you..." I say reluctantly, he can be the rudest person alive, but I wasn't going to be. He raised a brow, it looked like he was genuinely surprised that I just thanked him.

"Sure..." He chuckles in amusement, he sits down at the small table in the motel room and began looking through a bunch of written addresses on a small piece of paper. I wonder what those are for.

"Are those addresses the places you are going to be taking me next?" I hope this was gonna be a easier conversation than yesterday.

"Yes..." He wasn't making eye contact, but at least he was answering my question.

"When are we going to be heading there?" I just wanted ease my mind, this was my attempt to do it.

"In a few hours... I gotta get some shit settled first..." He finally looked into my eyes and this odd shiver runs up my spine, it wasn't fear at this moment because I knew he wasn't going to hurt me, it was something different. I can't exactly figure it out.

After I finished eating, he got up and walked over to the bed, surprisingly, he uncuffed my hand.

"Take a shit, do your girl things, and if I catch you doing anything stupid, I'll change you to a leash and walk you around like a dog..." His threat I took as a warning and nod. I get up and stretch, my arm was a little sore from being handcuffed. He was giving me a little freedom.

"You don't have to worry... It's not like I want to return home anyway... I was already packing before you kidnapped me... I actually don't have anywhere else to go... Brick is my only family..." I frown, even a contract killer was more respectful to me than my own husband. Yes he talks to me very rudely, but I didn't feel like I was in any physical danger.

"Well... If you get through this shit doing as you're told, I'll keep you uncuffed... But if you try to run... I'm not going to be nice in the slightest..." He motions to the bathroom, my gaze moves to the floor.

I go to my suitcases and take out something wear, heading to the bathroom. I use the toilet and then take a shower, I wanted to wash away yesterday. I hear a harsh knock on the door and jump in surprise.

"Our next location is set.. It's in Santa Monica... Were leaving in 2 hrs..." Butch told me through the door.

"Okay..." My mind began to wander to back home, I wonder if Derek even noticed that I was gone.

I had plenty of time to think though, because that was a very long time to be in a car with someone. I had to get used to this, because my brother told this guy to be my unwilling bodyguard, and I was his unwilling job. So we had to deal with each other.

A trip from here to Santa Monica by car was over 37 hrs.

I exit the bathroom and saw Butch walking around the room shirtless again, I studied him like the night before. I was trying to absorb his look. He was covered in scars, they looked like they were inflicted by really painful things. One on his left shoulder caught my eye, it looked distinctly round, possibly a bullet wound was there previously.

"What are you looking at cupcake?" Butch knocked me out of my staring, his amusement was back.

"Just studying you like you did last night to me..." I say tiredly, looking into his eyes again.

"What you got this time?" He rolled his eyes.

"The scar on your shoulder... We're you shot?" I at least wanted to get to know my "babysitter" a little bit more.

He raised a brow like earlier, "Plenty of times... My job is full of guns... Bound to see at least a bullet in my body... " Butch didn't move to cuff me again, so I sat at the small table and got comfortable. At least he could keep his word...

"Did it hurt?" I was so curious now, I wasn't used to something beyond my dull and abuse filled marriage. This guy was mysterious and that was definitely new to me. I notice that he usually kept his distance, even when he slept beside me the night before. Any time my body grazed his, he'd pull away almost violently. Did he not like to be touched?

He pinched the bridge of his nose, "Sweetheart... I got shot... It's pretty fuckin obvious that it hurt..." He was just as sarcastic and cold as yesterday, but that for some reason drew me in more. I couldn't read his cold as ice demeanor, his eyes were even void of any emotion.

"Why do you call me those names? I'm not a child or a doll... " I wasn't some sweet sugary confection. I was a grown woman and would prefer him to respect that.

"Would you prefer I call you bitch or something more derogatory?" He smirks. Of course he had to say that..

My eyes widen, "No! I prefer the other ones over any of that! Probably the only "nice" thing about you..." I grumble, I've never met a more unpleasant person. He was such a grumpy man My brother certainly had very odd tastes in people he associated with. .

"I thought we established that I wasn't the definition of nice last night darling... I ain't no prince charming sweeping in to save you from you bland ass life... I couldn't care less actually... " He chuckles dryly.

"I've never met someone so blunt and rude... You're also impossible..." I scoffed, but why do I find it so intriguing? That he could just spout that nonsense without caring. He obviously didn't like people if he was always killing them.

"I've never met someone so annoying and let em live..." He teased me and my jaw drops. I knew that he said that to get a reaction from me, and boy did he.

"I'm not annoying! You're the annoying one with your handcuffing and your rude comments!" With Derek I felt submissive and afraid, but for some reason, this man made me defend myself. Standing up to him made me feel kinda giddy, almost proud of myself. I hadn't felt that in forever. It was like I was putting this big, tough and ruthless person in his place.

"I can handcuff you again for trying my patience Princess..." He warned me and I roll my eyes.

"Dick..." I stuck my tongue out at him. It's like I was almost taking joy in annoying him like this.

His eye twitched and I raised a brow, was he pissed off or annoyed? With Derek I can tell, but with Butch it was a guessing game.

"Just grab your suitcases and go outside before I cave and shoot you..." He said lowly, his voice was intimidating, I huffed, doing as I'm told.

I felt my cheeks flush in annoyance and that same odd shiver from earlier. I'm standing by the car we were in last night.

Butch walked out a minute later and I avoid eye contact to prevent the urge of making another comment towards him. I liked standing up for myself, but people did have their buttons that you shouldn't press, I wasn't going to be the one to find it.

"Get in the car..." He spoke quietly, but those words sounded loud and clear to me.

I get in the car without another word.

-She likes messing with him lol-