Oliver's POV

I turn the heat up as high as it will go, letting the water pound into my back. The pressure relaxes the tension I've been holding in my neck all day.

Fuck.

I knew she was coming home today. Of course, I'd hired two body guards to keep an eye on her while she was away. Still, I didn't think it would be this hard to see her again, to keep my composure. All those old feelings resurfaced the second I saw her.

She looked so damn beautiful sitting at the bar. She's always been beautiful, but her timid nature grew into something far more confident and sensual.

Looking at Camden again, I was just that awkward gangly teenage boy I was the day she left.My blood starts to rush south at just the thought of her. That shy smile as she looked over her shoulder at me. Her drunk giggle. Her ass when she leaned over the bar to grab a bottle.

Jesus, maybe I am still a teenage boy I note as I look down. I decide it's a good time to cut the shower before I get too carried away, but I can't stop thinking about tonight.

I initially went in to just watch her. To make sure that she looked happy, or at the very least that she was okay. I had watched as she laughed and joked with Marley. I thought I was going to grind my teeth to the gums as I watched her pound back drinks, and goddammit, Marley let her grab the bottle. I'll have to have a talk with her about that.

I need Camden to keep her wits about her. Even though she's safer at home, where I can keep a closer eye on her, that means my enemies have a closer eye on her, too.

I dry off quickly and throw on some briefs and a pair of grey sweatpants. I look at the shirt I laid out on the bed, but decide against it and step out onto the balcony. My ears perk up when I hear Camden's door shut, but I will myself to ignore it.

Thinking of her getting dressed will only make my... situation, worse.

Instead I focus on lighting a cigarette and taking a long, deep drag. Camden hated these things, told me I smelled like shit when I smoked them and that they made my voice sound funny when I woke up in the morning.

I smile when I remember all the times she'd hide my packs from me to try and force me to quit. I'd just go right back out and buy more, much to her dismay.

How did things get so fucked up?

Obviously deep down I knew how. I fucked everything up, like I knew was always bound to happen. There was just no other way. I could have told her that I'd always been in love with her, that even after she left, she was all I could think about.

I could tell her that even when I'm fucking other girls, it's always her I imagine on top of me. But it's just not possible.

I rejected her to protect her. The family business is just too dangerous and she already had a big enough target on her back being her father's daughter. We made dangerous deals with a lot of dangerous men, from gang bangers to dirty politicians.

Anything they needed, no matter how illegal, we had it. I've seen some fucked up shit, but it pays well.

Jasper, my rival, has been taunting me for months. He wants to move in on my territory and I'll be damned if I let him, the prick.

If he finds out about Camden, though, it's game over. I'd give up this entire empire I've built since our parents retired, hand it over to Jasper and his mouth breathing band of thugs if it meant keeping her safe.

I just need more time. I've opened several legal businesses to try and ease myself out of it all, but I'm in too deep.

This isn't a life I want for Camden. She's too good, too pure and the fuckers I work with would love to take advantage of that. I was already scared shitless at the thought of her going so far to school, even with two body guards looking after her.

No matter what, though, I'll protect her. Even if she hates me.

I snuff out the cigarette and head back inside. The guest bed is comfortable as hell, not that it'll matter.

I haven't slept for shit in six years.