19 : Panic

**Evelyn :**

This time, instead of the help of his magical powers so we can teleport, Phoenix thought that it would be better to move in a car, so there is not too much attention from other enemies. The more invisible background, the less problems for us.

Cuddling closer to the window, as far away from Raphael as possible, without really wanting to, I wrapped my jacket tighter to protect myself. It was not a logical move, I know but that's what I always used to do when I didn't feel really safe or didn't feel good in my own skin.

It was already half past ten and the night had come rather quickly. It was also much colder, the air temperature dropped at least five degrees below.

"I see you're wearing my jacket," his voice broke me out of my thoughts, over the soft music which was playing softly in the background, through the radio.

My cheeks immediately turned crimson but I didn't say anything.

There was silence for a moment and I thought he will stay silent along the ride until we get home but as I closed my eyes, he spoke again.

"Evelyn, you know that you got two weeks of house arrest for what you did. I'm not going to put you at risk just because I want to protect you. Your stubbornness could have gotten you into even more trouble. Worse - killed," he warned, and with my eyes wide open, I looked at him with my shocked stare.

Trying not to notice how attractive he looks as he concentrates while looking at the road as he drives, my anger was once again above his effect on me.

"Arrest for two weeks? Are you kidding?!!"

"Don't raise your voice at me. This is your punishment, I already warned you that you won't get through anywhere without it," he squinted a little at me and watched as his jaw muscle twitched with rage.

Now I was angry like never before.

"You are not my daddy who can just order me around!" I kicked the door. Now I wanted nothing more than to get out.

I was no longer in the center of town like before where anyone could hear me scream. We were driving quite fast, in the dark, in the middle of nowhere, and I knew I couldn't jump out of a moving car. He must have read my mind because immediately I heard the car lock up and the speed was increased. I grabbed the handle in fear to see if the door would open for me but luckily it didn't. Child safety switches were in place, on all sides.

"Don't hurt yourself with a stupid idea," his low voice murmurs.

It sounded like he really cared but probably because I would stain his expensive and beautiful car salon with blood stains if I tried to do something crazy.

Not knowing what to do, the thought that I had no way out, made me panic and feel sick. The feeling worsened when it seemed that I would pass out at any moment, knowing that we were also driving at a brutal speed, at least over 150 km/h, almost at 200 in an hour.

Closing my eyes, I tried to get my breathing under control to relax my brain but in vain. I needed to calm down because I didn't have time for that now. Absolutely the wrong place to get hysterical.

Realizing his mistake, I felt Raphael slowly slow down until the car started to drive slower and slower, finally stopping completely on the side of the road.

"Breathe with me," his tone was much softer than before.

This time I listened right away and let his body move closer to me until his strong arms took me in, holding me tightly when I was literally on his lap, my head resting against his chest.

Feeling his slow breaths, I tried to match the same rhythm as him. With one hand he opened the window on his side to let fresh air in and I found myself slowly calming down.

"Breathe, breathe deeply, love. Everything is fine, nothing bad will happen to you, trust me," whispering into my hair, his hands began massaging the back of my head in slow movements.

Where was the dangerous angel of death who was going to punish me? *Maybe I need often to fall into hysteria?*

"I'm sorry," I was tired and didn't know why I was apologizing but I felt guilty for running away from him. I was well aware of the risks and was already involved in this mess myself.

The man sighed heavily, pulling me closer.

"It's my fault, so don't apologize. You just scared me that you were gone. It's not hard for me to find you but to turn away one second when someone can take you from me, made me angry that I didn't convince you enough to at least wait for me until we can talk things through. I'm not patient and I won't be in a good mood if you disobey me again but I'd never hurt you, you have to trust me for that," running his hands lightly through my hair, Phoenix tilted my head back, to look at him.

After caressing my cheeks with his fingertips, his eyes were already glinting again.

"I would never hurt you but I don't guarantee that you won't be spanked for disobedience. If you're a bad girl, you'll get them just to teach you a lesson, so you better listen to me, okay?" seriously warning me, I swallowed hard not knowing how to respond.

"Answer me, Evelyn. Are we clear on that?"

I could only nod slowly, afraid of his mood swings. At that, my man gave me a beautiful grin that immediately made my heart skip a beat.

"See, that's better. It's not that hard, is it?" nuzzling me with his nose, I could only giggle because of the tickling sensation. Raphael just smiled wider and pulled me close again, burying his face in my neck as he inhaled deeply.

"I'm so damn happy to have found you," he muttered quietly. I didn't know if that was what I actually heard but that alone made me blush like a tomato.

In the end, when the air was already much better, we sat down in our seats to drive back to his home. After that, I immediately fell asleep like a bear in hibernation, trusting the angel of death who promised to protect me.

****

I was being carried in someone's arms, I knew it the moment I saw a familiar bedroom.

Through the hazy vision, due to sleep and fatigue, I had no strength to resist. All I could do was mumble something incoherently.

"What are you saying?" a low voice leaned into my face.

"I want a duck, feel me you know, really juicy and so the meat is really really tasty...Hey, whatever..." I fell silent, not even knowing what am I even saying when I heard low laughter above my head and soon warm lips touched my forehead.

"You're so sleepy, my love. Sleep tight," I heard the smile in his voice, and I was laid down in fabulous softness. Soon my clothes were off and in their place was just a big comfortable shirt.

I didn't even have the strength and time to think that he saw me naked, I was too far from reality.

"But I have to brush my teeth," I managed to understand at least that myself but I was wrapped in warm blankets and by the time my head fell into the pillow, I was dead in the dreamland.

The last thing I heard was something like that - When you wake up, relax now. *I love...* " And a kiss on the cheek.

That was all.