CHAPTER NINETEEN
Ember
“A happy ending is all they needed.”
My head spins as I sit up, the soft comforter pooling at my waist as I prop my back onto the pillows.
Nothing feels better than being safe.
The room is still draped in dark shadows—the thick black velvet curtains hang keeping the sun from piercing our eyes.
The walls are black to match and odd paintings are hung around the room.
The bed is situated in the middle, against the farthest wall from the door.
A love seat is to my left in front of a big mahogany fireplace and a plush grey rug is situated underneath the couch.
The room screams Ronan. It’s like stepping into his head and seeing the world in black and greys.
I glance down but Ronan’s not there. I lightly trace my hand across the crumpled sheets and they're cold to the touch, meaning he’s been out of bed for awhile. I glance at the big ornate clock on the wall and it’s still quite early being only 9:00 am.
I slip out of bed, my feet hitting the cold floor. A chill settles in me and I wrap my arms around my torso. When my arm brushes over the silk fabric I look down. Ronan has showered and changed me into a silk nightgown. My skin smells of him—rich in pine and something musky, something only he owns.
I smile and look at the photos on the wall, each small detail catching my eyes.
One with a broken frame catches my attention and I grab it.
As I pull the picture free from the nail on the wall, a small paper falls to the ground.
I place the frame back on its hook and lean down, grabbing the picture in my hands.
A little boy with brunette hair and a sly smile stares back at me.
His grey irises shine with mischief and I know from the pining stare it’s Ronan as a child.
An older lady with greying hair stands beside him, holding his shoulder and smiling at the camera as well.
Her eyes hold so much comfort and stability I get lost in the kindness radiating off her.
“That was my favorite teacher, Mrs. Warcliff. She was too kind for this world.” I jump at the sound of his voice behind me, deep and rough.
I twist around and our eyes lock instantly. My hand around the picture tightens with a silent unease and I step back until I hit the wall.
“Fuck, you scared me.” I mumble and look down at the picture again.
“Of course I did.” I can hear the smirk in his voice as he steps into the room but I ignore it.
“Why was she your favorite?” My hand traces over little him and my eyes finally catch the many bruises across his arms and legs, especially his knees.
My heart beats rapidly in my chest and all I can think about is what he said in the escape room. His mother raped him, more than once, she used her age as leverage against him.
“She tried her damndest to help me. She never gave up, even when I did and when the world tried to make me out to be some monster she was there to vouch for me. She saved me.” I can hear the sincerity in his voice as he speaks but I don’t understand how he manages to be so calm during moments like these.
“That was nice of her. Where is she now? Are you still in contact with her?” I place the picture behind the frame as he steps around me, trapping me between the wall and his body.
“She’s dead, six feet under.” He whispers, his breath fanning the back of my neck.
A soft hum leaves my throat as my mouth dries. Death is never a sensitive subject for him and the male body we discovered trickles into my vision.
“Do you think the male that died will get a proper burial?” His arm snakes around my waist, forcing me to face him.
My eyes meet his ruthless ones and the breath I was holding flows out of me in a gust of alarm. I know Ronan will never hurt me but his blank stare will always scare me.
“Every year they go and get all the bodies once the building is cleared out.” I nod and he tilts his head observing my reactions. “It’s ok, Little Devil, he’s most likely in a better place.”
And like that the fear vanishes from my veins. He always knows what to say, even in the most dire situations.
My eyes widen with realization and my head snaps to my phone on the night stand. “My brother.”
The words barely leave my lips as I stumble out of his hold and over to my phone. I tap the screen but nothing happens. I snatch it up and click the power button, but the old flip thing barely lights up. A red dot glows and then switches right back off.
It’s dead.
“I have to go. My brother—.” The words die on my tongue and my head begins to spin—the worst thoughts entering my mind.
What if my brother ended up just like that guy?
“Touching.” Ronan muses behind me. “Run home and check on him.”
My head snaps to him. “Don’t be a dick. My brother could be seriously hurt. If you’re coming, let's go, I don’t have time to waste.”
I walk over to the other door in the room and snatch it open. Bingo, his closet. I look around for sweatpants and find some grey ones tucked into a draw.
“You want to drag me into your daylight world?” I can't tell if it's a taunt or a warning but shrug as I walk past him.
“Why not? You’d have to meet them eventually.” I can hear him walking behind me across the threshold of his house.
Part of me had hoped he’d laugh it off, deny meeting my family but it seems like he's all for it. Knowing Ronan he won’t just meet them. He’ll get inside their heads just like he’s got into mine—leaving behind little pieces of him.
The car ride was a blur. Ronan was calm the entire time while I suffered in silence, dreading getting home and knowing my brother was gone.
I stare up at the blue Victorian home. The place I called home for years. The paint is clean, untouched by the weather, and the white shutters make the house seem so innocent. Just like the family that lives inside.
“Fuck, I’m nervous.” I whisper as I wipe my palms against my sweats.
Ronan stands behind me, his presence making me more anxious. “Why?”
“Um, probably because a 6 '2"man is going to see my parents? Or maybe because my brother may not be behind those doors.” I roll my eyes and shakily lift my hand to knock.
As soon as the first touch of my hand hits the door it slings open. My mother stares back at me with tears in her eyes. Her hair is wet like she has just showered and her robe is tightly wrapped around her waist.
“Ember, oh my, I was so worried.” The sweetness of her voice is angelic and eases my nerves as she pulls me in for a hug.
“Is Emerson home?” My voice is muffled against her shoulder.
“Yes, he just woke up. He’s been here since yesterday. We were so worried about you, princess.” Once we untangle from the hug her hand runs through my hair, pulling at the tangled strands—not painfully, just enough to tease my scalp.
Relief floods my body at her words and I watch as her eyes shift from mine to behind me.
Her eyes widen as she looks back at me, “Who’s that?”
I breathe out before I turn to him. “Mom, this is Ronan. Ronan, this is my mom, Mrs. Mary Bellerose.”
He steps forward with ease, a practiced calm and smile presented on his face as he stretches his hand out to her. She looks at the piercings glinting on his face and down at the tattoos on his exposed arms.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mary. I’m the one that kept your beautiful daughter alive.” He says smoothly when her hand lands in his. They shake for only a second and a bright smile spreads across my mothers cheeks.
“Thank you.” She blushes. Blushes? Like a school girl.
And there goes his charm, working to claim everyone around him. Never should’ve doubted his abilities.
She ushers us into the house and I follow her through the foyer into the living room where dad sits. His eyes are on the television screen as one of his favorite classics reruns.
“I was just making breakfast, sweetie. Have a seat.” I pull Ronan with me over to sit on the opposite couch as my dad.
My dad glances over at us, his eyes shifting from the screen and then doubling over as he turns to me.
“Princess, I’m so glad you’re home.” His eyes flicker to Ronan and a stern look crosses his face. “And who’s this you’ve brought with you?”
“I’m glad to be home, dad, and this is Ronan. He was assigned to be in the room with me. He helped me escape.”
My dad nods absentmindedly at my words but his eyes never leave Ronan.
Ronan stands with quick confidence and steps closer to my dad with his hand out. “Ronan Grieves, nice to meet the father of the girl I’ve fallen in love with. She’s lovely.”
I roll my eyes at his words. He can be real convincing when he needs to be. This second skin of his is honestly scary, I’d rather have the cold, sarcastic Ronan.
“Oh…thank you.” My dads chest puffs out with appreciation as they both shake hands.
The room seems to naturally bend into Ronan, admiring him as well. They both go into an easy conversation about cars and I turn to the stairs, waiting for my brother to finally come down.
A knock on the door startles me and I shift on the couch to stand.
“Who is it, sweetheart?” My mom yells from the kitchen.
“I don’t know. I’ll go see.” I walk over to the door and look through the small window. Sophie’s blonde hair greets me first because she’s turned, looking down the street.
“It’s Sophie!” I squeal and pull the door open.
Before she can say anything I pull her into a hug. A small sound leaves her throat from my grip around her waist.
“Sophie, oh my god, are you ok?” I pull from the hug and look down at her body. Her costume is gone and replaced with her normal skinny jeans and sweater.
“I’m fine. I had a fun time, came out alive.” She winks and I step back letting her inside. “I came to check on you and Emerson, are you ok? How’s your brother?”
I push the door shut with my foot as I walk behind her over to the living room.
“Holy shit, who’s that?” Sophie whispers as we step up to the threshold of the living room.
Oh fuck, I forgot about Ronan.
He turns to us. His eyes roaming over me before they flicker to Sophie. He barely glances at her, his eyes finding mine once more. His eyes darken as he takes me in and a wicked smirk lifts the corners of his lips.
I grab Sophie’s arm, pulling her back into the foyer.
I awkwardly laugh as she turns to me with a pointed gaze. “Well—uh, I kind of met him at Hallows Inn. We’re dating or something now. His name is Ronan.”
Her eyes widen the more I talk and her mouth sags open in surprise.
“Him?” She peeks around the corner. “Holy shit, you’ve got good taste.”
“You’re not mad at me?” I squint my eyes and her head snaps back to me.
“Oh, I’m mad but you’ve picked the hottest of them all, so I’m not too mad.” We both giggle and I lightly bump my shoulder into hers.
“He’s taken ma’am.” I say with a smirk.
“I can tell. His eyes found you instantly and that look he gave you. I’m hot just thinking about it.”
A blush warms my cheeks.
“Oh, where’s Emerson?” She asks and I look up the stairs behind her.
“Mom said he’s still upstairs asleep. I’m going to go get him.” She nods and walks into the living room.
I can hear her greeting my dad and Ronan as she walks into the kitchen with my mom.
“I’m going to wake Emerson.” I walk over to the living room and stare at my dad and Ronan. My dad nods, lost in the conversation with Ronan.
Fuck, this is so weird. I never thought it’d be this easy, considering how dangerous Ronan looks but I guess everyone falls into his charm.
As I reach the bottom of the staircase, Emerson begins walking down them. His hair a mess and a hoodie thrown over his lean body.
“Ember!” His strides are quick as he stumbles down the steps. His arms engulf me before I can say anything and his arms tighten around me with brutal force as he lifts me.
I beat his back as I flail around. “I’m ok, Emerson. Put me down, I can't breathe.” I mumble.
“Oh, sorry. I just got so excited.” He lets me down slowly, my feet softly touching the ground.
“I was so scared you weren’t going to make it out. We both know how dumb you are.” I say as I grind my knuckles into his head.
“Hey, not the hair.” He pushes me back softly as we both giggle.
He steps around me and into the living room. His eyes settle on Ronan and his head snaps back to me, suspicion swirling around sharp and protective.
“Who the fuck is that?” He whispers to me as we approach both my dad and Ronan.
“His name is Ronan. He’s really nice, I promise.” I whisper back.
“He better hope so.” He walks up to Ronan and a huge fake smile spreads across his chiseled jaw.
“Emerson, nice to meet you.” He pats Ronan's shoulder and the sound of his hand smacking Ronan’s skin has me cringing.
“Ronan Grieves.” Ronan muses as he looks up at my brother from his position on the couch. “Nice to meet you, I’ve heard lots. You’re the center of Ember’s life.”
Ronan’s eyes flicker to mine and I shake my head rapidly. A smirk lifts the corner of his mouth as he faces my brother again.
My brother's eyebrows lift with surprise as he drops his hand from Ronan's shoulder.
I’m not surprised anymore as everyone falls in love with Ronan.
He knows how to play people, flipping a switch with the flutter of his beautiful eyes.
Knowing he could do that frightens me because what if he’s played me this entire time, but it also makes me sigh as relief washes through me. My family likes him.
Ever since the teacher incident they have been quite possessive and protective, not letting anyone cross that line with me but right now they seem at peace with my decision—with whatever me and Ronan are. Boyfriend and girlfriend? I don’t know anymore.
I’m his and he’s mine. That’s all that matters. No labels, as long as I can be his Little Devil.
Book made for edfloresauthor@