Matthew said nothing as he got to work cleaning her father’s room. He needed to do this and as he worked he imagined strangling the man that he had yet to lay eyes on, he would strangle him with his own two hands and watch the light fade from his eyes. Better yet he would hunt him down in his other form and rip him to shreds. He pictured the faceless man’s death a hundred different times as he tore up the bed sheets, breathing hard and shoving them into a trash bag before getting the bleach and a mop to tackle the floor, even going so far as to wipe down the fire poker and return it to its station by the fire. Finally he spoke, though his voice was low and strained. “No I’m not taking you to some kiddie shelter, I’m taking you home with me.” He hadn’t actually thought that far ahead yet, all he knew was he had to get Abby out of there and he had the space. Of course the Elders would flip if they found out. More like<span style="font-style: italic">when</span>. But what else could he do? “And no, you’re not coming back here. Don’t be stupid. Don’t even think about it. No,” he growled, giving the bed post a kick. If anyone came back here it would be him.<br/><br/>He was just on his way to the bathroom to wash the grime from his hands when Abby stopped him, placing her fragile body between him and his exit route. Matthew grimaced and immediately averted his gaze. “Abby please, can we just-…” He was cut off as stretched up and kissed him. And Matthew was very aware of the way her body pressed up against his, of how she tasted and how warm she felt. He was so tempted to slip his arms around her waist and deepen the kiss. But he was also aware that he had just invited her to stay with him. “Ground rules,” he muttered once she’d released him. “We are definitely going to be needing some ground rules.”<br/><br/>Snatching the duffel bag away from her he hauled it over his own shoulder. “Rule one: No sexually harassing your teacher. Especially not at school. Or ever. Ever is good,” he mused, closing the door behind them and heading towards his jeep. “Rules two and three: I always drive and driver gets to choose the music.” He grinned and opened the door, tucking her bag inside before offering her a hand to help her up into the car. "Rule four," he murmured, leaning over her with his mouth close to her ear. "Always wear your seatbelt. You got it so far?" All he could think about in that second was exploring the shell of her delicate ear with his tongue, pulling the lobe into his mouth, crushing her body against the side of the jeep and...He shook his head. Maybe he needs a set of private ground rules for himself while he was at it.