Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Aria
S houlders back, focus ready, I snapped the photo. The shutter clicked, a scene frozen in time. I repeated the action, sucking in a breath as the fawn moved slightly to the left, and its twin took center stage.
Another shot. Another.
The doe lifted her head, as if allowing the breeze to slide over her face. She had to be exhausted. Dealing with newborn twins in the wild while protecting them from predators and humans, while also nursing and trying to find food, had to take every ounce of her energy. But her babies looked healthy and moved around on near wobbly legs as they danced through the meadow as if they hadn’t a care in the world .
I did my best to capture that magic. The moment where the doe could finally feel relaxed enough in order to check on her babies. Thanks to where I had situated myself, the deer couldn’t scent me, and I hoped there were no predators around for all of our sakes.
I loved walking through the forest in the mountains, taking photos of what lay beneath. It wasn’t a sunset, not just mountainous peaks that looked purple after a deep rain. Instead, I tried to take snapshots of life that crawled through. Of the fallen log that had rotted from the inside out, with life persevering.
Another tree that had been split in half by lightning, the dark brand of fire creating a scar.
The rocks themselves created their own beauty, with the wildlife that belonged in these lands making the mark.
I hadn’t gone too deep into the forest, and was still on the trail, but part of me wanted to go deeper. To spend weeks within the Rocky Mountain National Forest. I was on my way to working in every single national and state park I could find my way to. I wanted to travel the world and see what struck.
Because while I didn’t take photos of people often, my goal was to capture what humanity was slowly taking away .
The litter that dusted the canyon. The stream dry from a change in climate. The broken tree limbs and craters left behind from a mudslide thanks to the erosion our deforestation and building had created. Countless marks upon the earth from humanity. Because we all left scars and carried some of our own. In this moment, however, I snapped a photo of life. And then I turned to the side and took one more shot.
Crew didn’t look up, but I saw his brow raised. He sat on a rock, booted foot over his knee as he sketched whatever was on his mind. I knew he wanted to get a few ideas for a showcase, and so we decided to take our date on a hike. He had packed a lunch because he was better at sandwich making. I hadn’t known that was a thing until he had mentioned it offhand. The ensuing fight reminded me of the good old days where we spent more time fighting with each other only to make up, than we did laughing.
I pressed my thighs together at the memory, though that didn’t help much.
“What is on your mind?” he asked, that deep voice of his sending shivers down my spine.
“Just thinking about lunch.”
“I did have a damn good breakfast before we headed out.” He smirked and I rolled my eyes considering what his breakfast had been. He had laid me out on his kitchen counter, my hands on my breasts, and had his fill. My thighs had been around his face, legs wrapped around his head.
He had licked, sucked, and speared me with two fingers so quickly that I had come once, and then another time when he continued his motions. I loved the way that his beard scraped the inner silk of my thighs. There was just something about Crew that always kept me on edge. Whether it was the tension, or just Crew.
“I suppose I had my breakfast as well,” I said dryly.
He merely grinned, closing his notebook. Because I had ended up on my knees, his hand in my hair, as he slid that thick cock down my throat. He had been the one in control, fucking my face as he moved his length between my lips. I had flattened my tongue and swallowed the tip of him as deep down as possible without gagging. Then I’d made myself come by holding the dildo he’d bought me, rotating my hips up and down to fuck myself, as I had my other hand on his thigh to keep steady. Then I had swallowed every drop of him as he had come down my throat.
Seriously, the best way to wake up.
In the three weeks since I had finally realized I loved him and told him, it had been like this. The two of us doing our best to find our pattern in life. Staying at each other’s houses, going into the studio together. Doing things like this . Me trying to capture what I wanted for my next large project. And Crew coming with me so he could find new inspiration.
And throughout it all, it felt like we were back to a new normal. Still arguing, still making love, and just being.
No more mention of his family because in the end, they weren’t what was important. But plenty of mention of mine because they were always in our hair. In fact, a couple of my cousins had wanted to come out with us today, but I had nipped that in the bud. Frankly, I just wanted time with Crew. Everything felt so new and fresh. And it felt like if I didn’t latch on to it now, it could fall at any moment. I hated that feeling.
“What’s with that face?” Crew asked as he reached out to cup my cheek. I leaned into his hold and sighed.
“I’m just worried that I am too happy.”
He gave me a look. “I swear you overthink more than anyone I know.”
“I’m good at it.”
He raised a brow. “It isn’t the only thing you’re good at,” he whispered. At that deep rasp of his voice, the deer cantered off, and I moved back so I could put my camera away.
“I am not having sex outdoors with you. Last time we did that, we nearly got caught by that couple who were trying to do the same thing.”
“It’s not my fault we were better at it than they were.”
“And how do you know that?” I asked, laughing.
“Because the guy couldn’t find a trail on a clearly marked map. How the hell is he supposed to find her clit?”
I burst out laughing, before pulling my camera bag over my shoulder. “I so happy that you were the perfect Boy Scout and can read a map.”
“I’m always prepared. Don’t worry. I’ll never get lost when I’m down there.”
I rolled my eyes, holding out my hand. He took it, lifted that curious brow of his, and we made our way back down the trail.
“When we get back, I have a few things to do before my meeting. Dinner tonight?”
The domesticity of the question made me smile. Was this what it was supposed to be like? People just figuring things out together. Making plans, whether they were huge or smaller ones. I had never had this before. I thought maybe at one point I could with Travis, until I realized it wasn’t love I was feeling, but friendship and the desire to try to find peace. But any other relationship I had been in hadn’t been close .
I scared myself. Because the more I had, the happier I felt, the harder it would hurt if it was ever taken away.
“Dinner sounds great,” I said, wondering why I was so introspective and worried.
“I don’t really want to go to this meeting, but I have to sign off on everything for the lawyer.”
I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “But then you’re done, right? Powers of attorney, other legal jargon that is beyond even my degree, but no more issues. You only have to deal with your own businesses.”
He nodded tightly. “I’ll have to deal with it later if they keep me in the will. And frankly, that’s not a sure thing. She might keep me in it only to fuck with me, or she’s finally cutting me off forever. She can’t touch the trust or what I’ve made since, but she can do something with her personal will. However, I’m done. It might make me a terrible person, a horrific son, but I’m done.”
“You are not either one of those. You are just protecting your peace. And you’re allowed to do that.”
“I yelled at you enough to do the same, I suppose I should eat my own words.”
“Damn straight.”
We made our way to his SUV, and I was grateful that his tires were new, and the added security at his place meant it wouldn’t happen again. Still, an unsettled feeling slid through me as we got inside and made our way out of the state park. “They haven’t found anything else since they spoke to Travis, right?” I asked, blurting the thought before I could even formulate it fully.
The hand that wasn’t on my thigh tightened on the steering wheel. “After they questioned him, they didn’t have much else. No evidence, just a feeling. So unless something else happens, they are out of luck. And he’s been a good boy since, according to the authorities. His parents are keeping his nose clean.”
“So let’s just go with nothing happening.”
“That sounds like a damn fine plan for me.”
After the authorities had spoken to Travis, I received a few more threatening texts. We’d sent them to the authorities as well though there was nothing inherently dangerous about them according to the people in charge. Crew wasn’t sure he believed that. And frankly, I wasn’t sure either. Travis wasn’t in his right mind. I didn’t know what he was capable of anymore. But after those initial texts, he hadn’t contacted me again. Nor had he spoken to anyone in my family from what I could tell.
It was as if he had vanished in these past weeks. And while part of me was relieved because I didn’t have to deal with him, the rest of me was worried. And no matter how many times I told myself it wasn’t my problem, I wasn’t going to stop worrying. He had been my friend for years. And he was in trouble.
“If you want, I can have the private detective I hired see if he could help Travis.”
I blinked, looking over at the man I loved. “Your detective is just trying to figure out who did that to your cars, right?”
“You could’ve been at the house. You could have been hurt. And I don’t like thinking about that. So of course I’m going to try to figure it out on my own. I know the guy looked Travis up, but it isn’t like he is following him around or anything.”
I moved my hand, so it was over his on my thigh and squeezed. “Sometimes I feel like you can read my mind.”
“I’ve been wanting you for so long, sometimes it feels as if I can.”
I smiled at him as we pulled into the parking lot of the gallery. “That sounds creepily sexy. And I don’t know what that says about me.”
He barked out a laugh as he turned off the engine. “Well, your creepily sexy boyfriend will do anything you want him to.”
“I love you.”
Crew leaned forward and brushed his lips against mine. “I love you too.”
“But back to your offer. I think following Travis is just going to make things worse. Which hurts to say.”
“Anything you want.”
“Well that’s a loaded statement.”
He snorted, and we got out of the SUV and headed toward the main building. Someone shifted out of the shadows, and Crew immediately put me behind him, his shoulders tense.
“You ruined everything,” Travis spat as he jumped at Crew.
I staggered back as the ghost of my friend swung his arm wildly, trying to punch Crew. “Travis! Stop.”
“You don’t get to be happy. You left me alone. How could you do this?” Travis asked, his voice high-pitched. He punched out at Crew again, and Crew just moved out of the way, before shifting quickly to the other side. He had Travis’s arms pinned behind him, the man I had thought was my friend kicking wildly.
“If you don’t stop, I’m going to break your fucking arm.”
My eyes widened at Crew, but I didn’t blame him for the threat. Not right now. I heard people running in the distance, and I figured my cousins who worked at the security side of the building were on their way. After all, this place was covered in cameras.
“Don’t you threaten me. I should have thrown you in jail. There are so many things I could’ve done to you. Look what he’s doing to me, Aria! All you care about is spreading your legs for him.”
“Travis. Let us help you.” He had to be high on something, his eyes wide, his body so thin. It looked as if he’d lost another twenty pounds. He had already had a small frame. Now he just looked like a shadow of who he had been.
Ford and Noah were there, arms outstretched because I knew they wanted to help the situation. But Crew seem to have it in hand.
“I don’t need your help. If you had wanted to help me, you wouldn’t have sent your pet cops at me. Wouldn’t have left me alone. But you’re nothing. I never want to talk to you again.”
“But you are here. Let us help you. Travis. I know you’re angry. I know nothing makes sense. But if you are hurting, let us help.”
He spat at my feet before kicking Crew in the knee.
My boyfriend didn’t move, instead he just growled under his breath. “There’s nothing you can do right now. You need to stop, Travis.”
“Come on, Travis, let’s get you a cup of coffee,” Ford said calmly.
“I’m fine . I don’t need your help. I will come back. I don’t need you anymore, Aria. You never came when I needed you in the first place. So why do I need you now?” Travis just tugged himself away, and for some reason Crew let him go.
I didn’t stagger back, didn’t feel as if he would hit me. Because I did not know the person in front of me. I didn’t know what drugs and alcohol had done to him. And even if I stuffed him in my trunk and forced him into rehab, he wouldn’t do anything. He would still hate me.
Just like he always had.
“Okay. If we can’t help you, then you need to go. Staying here isn’t going to work out for you, Travis. You’re just going to end up behind bars because you’re going to hurt someone. And I don’t want that for you.”
“I hate you,” he snarled.
I ignored the barb because this wasn’t my Travis. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see that Travis again. It broke something inside, but I’d be here if that man I’d once known came back. “That’s fine. Because I don’t hate you. I don’t know who you are right now, but I don’t hate you.”
Travis opened his mouth to say something, but instead he just took a few steps back before turning and running the other direction.
Crew moved slightly, as if to follow him, but I reached out and touched his arm. He immediately stopped moving forward .
“Stay. He’ll find a way to hurt you and I…I just want the people I love safe. I don’t know how to help him right now.”
“I don’t think you can,” Ford said softly. “Kingston is on the other side of the property, and he and Daisy can head Travis off. Maybe get him some coffee. Or have him talk to someone. See what they can do. The cops are going to need to be called since I’m sure this is against the agreement he made. But his parents seem to get him out of everything. I don’t trust him around you, Aria.”
I nodded tightly, my chest squeezing. Crew was there then, pulling me into his arms. “Did he hurt you?” I asked.
“No. I was afraid I was leaving bruises on his arms though. He has like no weight left to him.”
I closed my eyes, hating what had become of the boy I had once known. “Hopefully the others can do more for him. I don’t like him out here on the streets.”
“Nobody does. We will try what we can, okay?” Ford whispered.
I nodded, and my family did what they did best, and tried to help those around them. And I stood in Crew’s arms, feeling helpless. “I’m sorry that he tried to hurt you.”
“He didn’t even get close. But damn it, if he would’ve touched you, I would’ve ended him.” I saw the rage in his gaze then and reached out to his cheek.
“Then let’s not let that happen. Let’s drop off what we need to and head back to the house.”
He moved to kiss my palm, nodding tightly. “Fine. But I don’t like leaving you alone.”
“You’re leaving me at my house under a full security system. And the only time I will be leaving my house is going into my attached garage to get into my car and drive toward you. I’ll be fine.”
“I’d rather take you with me.”
“And I need to shower and do a few work things for the business, while you do your lawyerly things. You said we had to start living our lives? Let’s try to do so. I want to be normal. Just for once, I want normal.”
“You need to stop throwing my words back in my face.”
“I love you. I can’t help it.”
He leaned down and brushed his lips to mine, but I still couldn’t relax. Because Travis was out there, and he was in pain, and nothing I could do could help. But maybe someone else could.
Crew dropped me off at my place, made sure I was behind my security system, and went to deal with his paperwork. I put on music, showered, and spent the rest of my time at my computer with a hair mask and under eye patches doing their work. I was going to go on a date with my boyfriend tonight, and while I couldn’t pretend that everything was perfect, I could at least try to move on.
My phone rang then, and I smiled at my father’s face on the screen.
“Hey there.”
“Hello, daughter of mine. I heard you had a run-in today.”
I winced, grateful he hadn’t video called. “Who told you?”
“Three of your cousins. And then Sebastian called because he heard it from another cousin and wanted to know if you had told me.”
“I’m sorry. Crew dropped me off at home, and we talked it out. I should have told you but…I just needed a moment.”
“I can understand that but your family loves you. Okay?”
“I know. I love you too.” I paused, my throat tight. “Now I’m getting ready for my date.”
My dad was silent for long enough, I was afraid I’d done something wrong. “You sound happy, Aria.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “I am happy. I feel selfish that I am sometimes, but I am. I love him so much, Daddy.”
“That’s good to hear. My kids are all starting to settle, and I’m feeling like an old man.”
“Whatever you say, Grandpa.”
“Rude.” He paused again. “I know the situation isn’t easy with Travis. And there’s not an answer that I can give. Your grandparents, aunts, and uncles all did their best to try to help me before I was ready for it. But as soon as I reached out, they were there. Just like I know you will be. Even though it pains me because I want you out of harm’s reach. I don’t know what’s going on in Travis’s head, because sometimes I don’t know what had gone through mine. But you’re trying. And you’re living your life. I’m proud of you, Aria.”
My throat tightened even as a weight lifted from my shoulders. Because of all people, my dad understood where I was coming from. He’d been on the other side of it, after all. Though he’d never hurt anyone—not like Travis was doing. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Now, make sure you bring Crew over for dinner this weekend. Your mom is making noises about surprising you at his house since you haven’t brought him over recently.”
“Mom is? Because that sounds like a you thing. Mom makes intricate plans.”
I could practically hear him rolling his eyes at me through the phone. “Fine. It’s my idea. Let me do what I want. You’re my baby girl.”
“We will put it in the books, that way Mom’s planner is happy.”
“Honestly, that is what I strive for in life. Making sure your mother’s planner is happy.”
I burst out laughing, knowing he was actually telling the truth. My dad loved making my mother and her planners happy. We said our goodbyes, and I went to finish getting ready.
Crew:
Are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up? I’m almost done here.
Me:
I am spending the night at your house, and I want a car for tomorrow. I’ll meet you there. Then I’ll let you finger bang me in your truck later.
Crew:
Now I’m talking to my lawyer with a hard on.
Me:
You’re welcome.
I snapped a photo of me in just a towel, my breasts nearly falling out of the fabric, and laughed when he sent back a middle finger emoji.
I dressed, added lip gloss to my look, and went to pack a bag, only to realize that everything I needed was at Crew’s house. Hell. When had that happened? I shook my head, wondering exactly what that meant, and grabbed my purse. I went through my garage and walked to my car.
A small sound echoed behind me, and I turned. Only to meet with darkness as something slammed into the side of my head.