Chapter Ten
Riley
We are lying in bed, Alina’s head on my chest, and I can't help but feel simply… complete. There is no coldness between us, no walls or barriers. No degrees that hold her in higher standing or cheesy jokes that help me make it through my day. My parents and what they have might work for them. Maybe they are happy, and that is truly what they were meant to have in this lifetime. Pulling my girl closer, though, I know this is all-consuming, passionate, die for her, live for her, breathe for her, and love some people never have the chance to experience.
I never want to be without her. I watched Grayson fall for Harper and thought it was young love that can't be erased, but not always meant to last. I saw Kas fight for Charli’s heart and still thought the end of the summer would bring heartbreak for my best friend and his girl, though she tried to fight it with everything she could. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be thrown into the depths like those two love-sick birds. Turns out I was the worst of them all. I had her under my nose the whole time, and it took one song, one kiss under that boardwalk to change my life forever. I don't know what the future holds, but I know that come hell or high tides, my Siren will be right beside me the whole time.
Speaking of my Siren, I smile as she stretches out beside me. She smiles shyly when she realizes I’ve been sitting here watching her.
“Oh no, don't hide from me now.” I smile, leaning over and tickling her sides until she's laughing unabashedly while the sheets are at our feet. She's completely naked and on display for me, and though I can see the rosy blush traveling from the roots of her head down her chest, she still lets me look my fill. I love her bravery, but I know she's probably still sore from last night. So with a regretful sigh, and one kiss to her stomach, I place the covers back over her and move until my face is lined up with hers.
“Morning, Siren,” I whisper, kissing the tip of her nose.
“Morning,” she says, leaning up and giving me a peck on the lips. I swear I'm smiling so wide I have to be glowing.
“What were your plans for the day, baby? I have to work for about four hours today, then I get two days off,” I tell her, excited to finally get some uninterrupted time with her. She sighs, and with that one breath, I know I’m not going to like her suggestion.
“I think it might be time I get back home. As much as I hate to leave you and our little bubble, I have to face what's coming,” she says, and I can hear the fear in her voice. That fear is nowhere near as strong as her determination, and while I'm proud of her. The last thing I want is for her to leave.
“We can stay here as long as you want, Siren. There is no rush,” I tell her, not ready to admit that she could have gone home two days ago. She must be already getting used to my looks because, somehow, she can tell I'm being evasive. Though I don't know why I'm surprised, I could feel her moods since that very first day. This connection we have runs deeper than surface level.
“What's going on? You're hiding something from me, Riley,” she says, touching my cheek and making me meet her eyes.
I hoped to have a little more time to make her fall for me before having this conversation. It will be hard to tell her about my involvement in the situation, but she has a right to know. There isn't anything I wouldn't do to keep her safe, even if that means losing her forever. If she's safe, that's all that matters to me. I might be a shell of a person, but I’ll use that hard shell to protect her for as long as I live. I just have to spit it out and get this over with.
“I need to tell you something, but you have to swear you won't freak out and leave,” I try to say calmly. That does not work… at all.
“Riley, you're scaring me. You can't just tell a girl not to freak out. Do you know the first thing she's going to do?”
“I'm guessing here, but I think, freak out,” I mumble as I watch her, in fact, freak out. I decide to rip the bandaid off and just get it over with. Put both of us out of our misery.
“After that night, when you told me it was your brother, I may have pulled a few strings to have him looked into. Before you get mad, I just had to see what was happening. If he was going to keep targeting you, baby, I needed to know so I could help protect you. I had Beck talk to some of his guys at the ritzy ass golf course. They have pull in this town. What they found wasn't good, Siren. I'm so damn sorry,” I tell her, trying to decide if I should pull her into my arms. She’s sitting up in bed, staring blankly at the wall.
“What are you telling me, Riley?” she asks in a completely neutral tone. I think I’d rather her yell at me than give me no emotions. I swear I gulp before I finish.
“They looked into your brother, baby. It wasn't good. He’s mixed up with some really bad people. Owes them money, a lot of it. Turns out, after he attacked you, he went on a bit of a bender and ended up on the other side of the island, broke into three different houses, and stole a car. They arrested him trying to get off the island with the stolen car, a back seat full of stolen crap, and a glove box full of cash.”
I sit there and wait for the inevitable. I wait for her to stand, get dressed, and walk out the door. She has to be so angry with me. I potentially started the downfall of her family. I might not have made her brother do what he did, but I was the reason he was flagged. I don't regret it. I would do it all again for what he put her through. Not just the night of the attack, but her whole life. In my opinion, he deserves worse than prison time, but I keep that to myself. Right now, I have to figure out a way to convince her to stay. To still be mine. Even if she hates me, I can love her enough for both of us. I open my mouth to beg her not to leave me when she turns to me with tears in her eyes. Her next words stop me cold.
“I’m finally free.”