I ignored his stern voice and continued "I will get the money and I will pay you back every cent."

"Just a promise that you will never get hurt again is enough payment." His voice deepened as he spoke, "That is all I can ask for."

"I am paying you back. End of discussion." I quickly disclosed before asking a question to change the subject even though it was none of my business anymore "How much do you make from one fight?"

His answer was short "Twenty."

Knowing that he definitely did not mean twenty dollars, I replied "Twenty hundred?"

"Thousand." He said before taking a look at my surprised expression then adding "I do not need your money."

Twenty thousand. Even I would attempt to put up some sort of fight for that amount of money.

"I do not need your money either. I will pay you back." I argued.

He did not reply aloud but I could tell he was not giving up.

"I did have a job a year ago. It was at this healthy smoothie place. I was terrible at the job. I lasted barely a month." I rambled on to fill the silence "This woman had ordered a Bloody Mary smoothie, so I chopped a lot of tomatoes for the drink, but I was not paying attention while I done it. Let’s just say it was definitely a very Bloody Mary."

A small smile made its way onto his face for a split second.

With that in mind, I kept going with trying to use humour to avoid what was really hanging in the air between us "So I am not good at anything that has to do with food service. I do not think I would make a very good anything. I am always too busy thinking or in my own little dream world. Maybe I can become a stripper—"

"What," He growled and cut me off “did you just say?"

There was not a single hint of amusement in his face as he sent a glower that was so intense that it sent a shiver down my spine.

Another growl and he emphasised every word of his next sentence "That will never fucking happen."

I fiddled with my hands, but my arms caught my attention and I let out a laugh "I guess I can not be one. Especially not when I look like I have been in a fight with Edward Scissorhands."

"Ella, you could have a million permanent cuts on your skin, and you would still be the most beautiful girl." His eyes softened as he took a glance in my direction and affirmed "I said what I said because you are mine."

My head fell back onto the headrest, and I watched the ongoing traffic as I softly asked, "Why will you not let me go?"