Chapter Twelve #2
“A bit. Things are just too complicated in this lifetime. Love is a weakness or it comes with strings attached. I wouldn’t even get a choice in a husband if my father was more traditional.
At some point I will have to marry and produce children.
I am the heir and will need to leave behind a legacy.
It’s my duty but sometimes it feels suffocating.
” I breathe out. Tears threatened to leak from my eyes but they would never fall. I don't cry, ever.
“Hey, let's make a deal. If we don't find love in the next ten years, we will get married.” He wraps an arm around my shoulders and gives a gentle squeeze.
“Deal, now let's get our cider.” We enter the small coffee house , waiting in line before ordering our drinks. We pay and start hurriedly towards the rink. Minutes into us next to the ice, we watch a middle aged gentleman skate with shaking limbs. Children pass him with ease. We give each other a knowing look and set our sights on this gentleman. It doesn’t take long for him to start flailing his limbs and wiping out.
Laughing hysterically, we tap cups before taking a sip.
This goes on for a while before a security guard approaches and asks us to leave.
This only causes us to laugh harder but we oblige anyways.
“I missed this.” Lucas says from beside me as we make our way back to the car.
“Me too. I'm sorry I’ve been so absent. There’s so much going on in the background. My head has been a mess this year. I guess it's just been taking its toll on me.” I reach out and take his hand in mine. We continue to walk while holding hands.
“I get it. It’s been a crazy year for all of us.” He responds while shifting our hands.
“I actually want to go check out a property. Want to come with? No reason to end such a good afternoon early.” I offer with a beaming smile. He nods happily and we continue our journey.
Twenty minutes later, we find ourselves in the middle of the woods down a long uninhabited road.
Woods stretching for miles leaves nothing but the sound of trees and birds to fill the air.
It offers a serene type of energy. The car slows and we turn onto a cobble road that disappears into more woods.
Lanterns on trees light the path as tree branches cast back and forth creating a tunnel of green.
Slowly, the path gives way and opens up.
Lavish landscaping traces various areas of grass surrounding the estate.
The cobblestone driveway continues into a horseshoe shape wrapping around a large black fountain and leading off into another section of woods.
My attention pulls to the fountain as I notice mermaid style figures placed on the edges, spitting water from their mouths.
How fitting, a pool of sirens. We leave the car and turn around to face the house.
Before us, stands a gothic style Victorian home covered in cathedral windows and delicate woodwork.
On the upper stories, multiple railed patios can be found.
On each point of the home they hold an elegantly designed rod of iron.
This house is a dream. I’m already swooning.
We enter the twelve foot tall, glass French doors and are stopped at the entryway.
It’s a massive open floor plan. As I look up, I take notice of the staircases that hug each wall leading to a walkway that wraps entirely around the room.
A door to my left offers an archway that peaks my interest. Walking through it, it opens up to a lounge showcasing a massive stone fireplace and a twisted staircase leading to a perched area of bookshelves.
I'm starstruck. The realtor is found standing in the main space with a welcoming smile.
She beckons us towards the kitchen and before I can take in the modern Tuscan style kitchen, my attention is pulled to the patio doors.
Beyond them is a massive garden, pond, indoor pool, horse stables, and a lounge area.
I push open the doors and walk towards the edge of the railing.
Looking around, I absorb my surroundings.
Something draws my eyes down towards the ground below me.
I see a suited man standing on the lawn looking at the same view that held my attention moments ago.
“Excuse me? Can I help you?” I shout towards him. This draws the attention of Lucas and the realtor as they join me on the balcony. His head whips around and we come eye to eye.
“Everly?” Blake asks, standing there looking as shocked as I am.
“What are you doing here?” I push.
“House hunting, you?” He offers a playboy smirk that almost makes me smile back.
“Same.” I say, as he nods in understanding.
“Stay there. I’ll join you.” He says while almost jogging to a door below us.
Soon we find each other and look through the rest of the house.
Apparently, we share similar taste in homes.
As we go room to room I tell him and Lucas, in fine detail, how I would decorate each.
By the fifth room, Lucas is practically groaning from my rambling.
Meanwhile, Blake watches me with great interest .
He hangs on to each of my words, occasionally adding suggestions or asking for clarification on my meaning of the ideas.
He tentatively follows me through to the dining hall.
We must think of the same thing, as our sights cast to each other with memories of our first dance.
He extends his hand out to me. Placing my hand in his we spin around the room in a formal but light style dance.
This carries on for a couple of minutes until we are both out of breath from dancing and laughing.
I look to find Lucas perched against the wall with a knowing smirk.
It’s just as obvious to him as it should be to me.
There is something between Blake and I. We aren’t just partners.
It feels natural being with him. Everything is so carefree.
He doesn’t just listen to me, he hears me.
He doesn’t just look at me, he sees me. He doesn’t just know me, he gets me.
It’s as easy as breathing, but why do I feel a tinge of guilt?
Ghost won't have me, he’s never said as much but actions speak louder than words.
He only shows up to mess with my head, fuck me, and leave.
I never know when he will show up again.
I need to let Ghost go. I need to allow myself something real and tangible.
A phone ringing in the distance drags my attention from my thoughts back to the scene in front of me. Blake stands nearby still watching me with those honey colored eyes. His phone buzzes before he drags his sight to the device situated in his pants pocket.
”Ev, there’s a job.” Lucas says, in a deadly serious tone, from across the room.
“Yeah. Looks like we have our first assignment.” Blake pipes in while adding emphasis to the “we”.
“What’s the mission?” I question them.
“Break up a sex ring at the fourth street docks and collect the leader, Jose Leroza, for questioning.” Lucas states matter of factly.
“Will you guys be there?” I ask in his direction.
“Of course.” He says sweetly. I smile in response and take the lead in walking out of my future house.
Forty minutes later, after being briefed and dressed in our gear, we arrive at our destination. To say Blake is hot in his gear would be an understatement. Dressed in black from head to toe, he stands before me looking entirely edible.
“Everly, if you want a taste so badly you should just ask. It’s rude to salivate that way.” I quite literally choke. I impulsively drop my gaze to his crotch.
“Eyes up, pretty girl. We have a mission to complete.” Blake chuckles in a throaty way that makes me quiver. I regain my nerve and put on a straight face.
“Yes, sir.” I salute in an overly fake seriousness. He closes the distance between us and boxes me in with his arm against a cargo container.
“The only thing I want you to call me is husband.” He looks my face over and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
My heavy breathing is the only thing that can be heard in this silent night.
I nod absentmindedly because my words have failed me.
I have no other form of communication at this point.
What is with all these hot guys fucking up my head lately?
He walks off with a grin and strides towards his men standing close by.
I do the same as I find the guys standing by a concrete wall.
“Ready?” I ask them. All emotions wiped from my face. They offer curt nods before we all make our way to our various positions.
Blake and I lay on the roof of a small office building.
We rest our sniper rifles on the ledge as we set our eyes on the scene below.
Men in black SUVs file out one by one as they create a large circle.
Our target, Jose, breaks from the group as he makes his way over to the nearest shipping container.
The door creaks loudly as he opens it, revealing copious amounts of living beings inside.
Most are huddled towards the back. I would assume both to conserve heat and in fear.
My heart aches as I look at the many children that can be found clinging to their mothers, having no understanding of what they are intended for.
Their ages seem to range from infancy to teens.
My skin crawls at the intentions of the men below us.
Some can be seen licking their lips while others are even bolder.
They grab their groin area, erections noticeably caused by their depraved interests.
The next part is my favorite. Knowing they will die and those innocent beings will live.
I can feel their terror as if it were my own and I know that feeling all too well.
“Eyes on target. Confirm.” I demand into my earpiece. All the men from our teams give confirmation. My heart rate increases.
“On my shot.” I tell them, letting them know to fire after me.
Looking down my scope, I pick out the man who won't stop touching himself. My optic sight lands on his forehead. Without another thought, I fire my weapon. The bullet hits him at lightning speed and he drops. There’s almost no time to process as the sounds of gunfire fills the air.
One by one the men fall and our teams move in.
We surround Jose with our guns aimed at only him.
Some of the group branches off to retrieve the victims from behind us and help them to nearby vans.
“It’s over, Jose. We’ve got you. Now tell us, where is El Rey planning his next drop?
” He laughs in a way that only a mother could love.
Blake walks up and cracks him across the face with the butt end of his rifle, offering no emotion to the scene.
It makes a ghostly sound on impact and I nearly wince.
Jose looks up before spitting out blood and teeth.
Now that’s gross. Wouldn’t want to get that on your shoes.
“Just kill me. I’m not telling you shit, bitch. Ronnie will be happy to know that his singer is still alive.” He spits at me in Spanish while hysterically laughing like a maniac.
My heart pounds in my chest and my vision starts to shutter.
No, this can’t happen again. Never again.
I begin hyperventilating and choking for oxygen.
My brain spirals and the world gets darker with each passing second.
All I can see are the chains and the blue striped sheets.
The sounds of a metal door banging and footsteps inching closer.
My screams fill the room until my voice gives out.
I don't know that I’ve fallen until I am looking up at the night sky with Blake standing over me.
The world comes and goes until I see nothing but darkness.