Chapter 4
The next morning, I get up and put on my black form fitted tank top, short khaki shorts and my black wedges. Pulling my hair into a ponytail and doing light makeup, I walk out to the living room and Mateo and Marci are waiting for me. We get into the car and head to Lincoln City. Getting out of the car, we start walking around, looking at the cars. I'm standing with my brother and Marci, while he talks, I feel someone walk up behind me. "You look beautiful Princesa." the voice says and I can't help but smile. I turn slightly as he moves beside me and say "Thank you." He places his hand on the small of my back and kisses my cheek. I look and see Mateo smiling and I can't help but smile back. We talk for a few before Ghost has to return to his car for the judges to come around.
I decide to walk around for awhile by myself and just looking at the cars. There are some beautiful murals on the cars and I realized just how much I missed being home. The more I walk, the more I find myself feeling like my old self. I turn around to head back to my brother when I see him. I freeze. Before I can move, he's standing right in front of me. "Luisa. My love." he says and I can't move. I can't speak. I'm frozen. All of a sudden I feel a hand move around my waist and a voice say "There you are Princesa. You ready to go?" he asks and I just nod. He walks me away and once we're out of sight, and gets in front of me. "Are you okay?" he asks and I look into his eyes and he sees the fear. He pulls me close and just holds me while pulling out his phone. A couple of minutes later, Mateo shows up and asks "What happened?" Ghost wraps his other arm around me, keeping me close and says "I saw her walking and she just froze when this guy came up and spoke to her and I got her away from him." Mateo looks at me and asks "Who did you see?" I look at him and all that I can say is "Paul." Mateo looks away and says "Shit. Marci, can you take her home?" Marci nods. Ghost tilts my head up to look at him and says "I'll be by to check on you, okay Princesa?" I look at him and nod and he kisses my cheek before Marci leads me to the car to leave. "Who's Paul?" Ghost asks. "Her ex. We moved her back here from Georgia after he beat the shit out of her and put her in the hospital, again. She's scared shitless of him." Mateo says. "How do you want to handle this?" Ghost asks. "I want to take his ass out." Mateo says. "Let's go." Ghost says.
I am sitting at home with mom on one side and Marci on the other when the door opens. "Mateo!" I shout as I get up and run to hug my brother. "It's okay. He won't bother you again." he says. I look at him and he says "That's all you need to know." I nod. I look past him and see Ghost standing there. I walk over and stand in front of him and say "Thank you." He places his hand on my cheek and says "I won't let anyone hurt you." I look at him and take his hand before leading him out to the back steps. Sitting down, he sits next to me and I say "Thank you for helping my brother." I tell him. "Is that what was holding you back from letting me take you out?" he asks. I nod my head yes. He takes my hand and laces his fingers with mine and kisses my knuckles. "Let me take you out." he says. I look at him and say "Okay." He smiles and I lay my head on his shoulder with him kissing the top of my head. "Tomorrow night." I tell him. "Tomorrow night." He says.
We head back inside and I see him out to his car. He kisses my cheek and says "I'll be here at six to pick you up." I nod and say "I need to take things slow but Ghost, I want this." I tell him. "Whatever you need." he tells me. I walk back inside and see Mom and Mateo looking at me. "Are you okay?" Mom asks. "Yeah Mom. I am now." I tell her. "So, you and Ghost?" Mateo asks. "Tay...shit. Yeah. Me and Ghost." I tell him and he pulls me into a hug and says "He'll be good to you." he tells me.