[Leo’s POV]My fist connects with the punching bag, sending tingles of pain rushing up my arm, but it isn’t enough to make the images of my songbird with that british bastard go away. Stepping back, I prepare for another attack and then move.Again and again, I hit the bag in front of me, pretending that it is the bastard who dares even attempt to have ideas about my songbird, until my breathing is coming out in labored puffs and my knuckles are bloodied.“I think you’ve shown that bag who is boss,” Jackson chuckles from his seat along the wall. “Don’t you think we should get down to business now?”Business? I didn’t want to focus on fucking business. It was already five in the afternoon, and my songbird hadn’t contacted me. Where the fuck was she, and what was she doing? When my driver called me and told me she never showed up, I attempted to call, but it went straight to voicemail.“FUCK!” I rumble, hitting the bag again.“That’s enough,” Jackson sighs, getting up and making his way
[Thad’s POV]I sit alone, watching Darlene finish her set, while wondering how much longer Brielle is going to be. A good twenty minutes had passed since she went out to take a call, and I was beginning to wonder if everything was alright.“You look perplexed.”Snapping out of my head, I lift my gaze to Darlene as she takes a seat across from me and steals my beer.“Oi,” I huff as she brings it to her lips and chugs. “That's disgusting, you know.”“I'm your sister,” she giggles, placing the empty bottle on the table. “My germs are your germs, and your germs are mine.”Gagging, I lean back in my seat and look toward the bar exit.“Are you worried about her?” Darlene asks, giving me a funny grin. “Shouldn't you go after her then?”“I don't know who you mean,” I smirk. “There are many pretty women around me, you know; you're going to have to be more specific as to what you mean.”“Pretty blonde. Didn't you see some thug was following her out the…”Darlene doesn't get the chance to finish
[Thad’s POV]My eyes slowly take in the scene in front of me from Brielle, who is on her hands and knees with a masked man positioned behind her. I don’t have to look closely to understand what is happening here, given Brielle’s flushed cheeks and where his hand is positioned.Fuck, what the hell is this? Some kind of freakish foreplay? Her whole fucking backside is red and welted from him hitting her, and she still seems to be enjoying every damn minute, to the point where I was sure she was still oblivious to my presence.“You!” The man growls, yanking his hand free and surging forward so that his body crashes into mine. “What the fuck are you doing here?”Letting out a huff from the force that I’m hit with, I try to dig my feet into the carpet beneath me to stop myself from crashing into the wall.“The door,” I hiss, lashing out and pushing him away from me. “You left the bloody door open!”As I speak, the masked freak moves forward again, attacking with his left hand while I attac
[Brielle’s POV]Panic begins to build as the paramedics start to attempt to lift me. No! I couldn't go with them; what if L came back, or worse, what if he didn't?“You,” I hiss, feeling my tears beginning to fall down my cheeks. “Why did you show up and ruin everything?”I knew lashing out at Thad was wrong, especially when he looked genuinely concerned for me, but I was becoming manic. What would I do if L disappeared from my life because of this?“No,” I gasp, feeling my throat begin to close up. “I can't!”I would be completely alone without him! He was all I had after my parents’ murder. Because both sides of my family were gone, L was the closest thing I had, and I didn't want to picture a world without him.“Please!” I beg, clawing at the paramedic, who is gently leading me toward a stretcher. “I can't go to the hospital! I have to find him!”“Find him?” The paramedic repeats. “Don't worry, the gentleman is right…”“NOT HIM!” I wail, beginning to fight. “L! I HAVE TO FIND L!”“
[Thad's POV]“Welcome back, little brother.”Darlene's voice is too damn chipper after what I just went through, and it grates on my last nerve.“Why are you here?” I huff, collapsing on my bed and throwing an arm over my eyes. “Do I look like I want to see you right now?”Honestly, if Darlene didn't insist I return Brielle's purse to her, I wouldn't be a human pin cushion, nor would Brielle and I be walking on damned eggshells. So in retrospect, this whole fucking situation was her fault.“I came to keep my cute brother company while he is in the hospital.” Darlene responds unphased. “What kind of sister would I be if I didn't?”As she speaks, she flips her long, dark hair behind her shoulder and wiggles into a more comfortable position in her seat.“Anyway,” she continues now. “How is your lady? You were just visiting her, yes?”How was she? Completely out of her bloody mind and defending the bastard that hurt not only her but me. Even if it happened because I walked in unannounced,
[Brielle's POV]“Prove it.”The words leave my lips before I can stop myself, but I’m in desperate need of proof that even if no one else was on my side, I had L and that he would be with me forever.“Do you know what you’re asking, little songbird?” L husks, keeping his head low so that I can’t make out his face. “Because I don't..."“I do,” I counter, feeling a slight sting of betrayal. “I know exactly what I’m asking.”I knew. I knew from the day he came into my life that he would become my world, and I need something to prove that is true. He is my everything, but at times I feel like I’m not his.Growing quiet, I wait as a low rumble of frustration escapes him, and when he brings my hand to his masked lips, I feel another sting of rejection.“Not now,” he sighs, beginning to get up while I watch. “Not when you’re like this.”Like this… What was he even talking about?“I don’t understand,” I whisper, pulling my hand from his in anger. “You act like you want me, and you make me do
[Brielle’s POV]I open my mouth, preparing to bear my heart, but stop as my phone begins to buzz. Frowning, I lift it up, and my eyes widen as I take in L’s name on the screen. With shaky fingers, I press the open option to the message that is waiting for me while fearing for the worst, but instead of that, I’m met with something more jarring.L: Make him leave before I do.Gasping, I turn my gaze toward the door just in time to see a shadowy form just beyond my window, but instead of getting up to chase it, I remain in place.“Are you alright?” Thad asks, not missing my sudden change. “If talking to me about whatever it was you wanted to is too hard, then..."“You need to leave,” I squeak, knowing that L would remain nearby until he saw Thad leave my room. “Now.”For a moment, Thad stares at me in disbelief, but when his eyes snap to the phone, I still clutch it in my hand, and a look of understanding appears. I know he knows what the message is.“The scary bloke must be nearby,” he
[Leo’s POV]“If you’ll look at these numbers..."I listen intently as Jackson goes over the numbers for the month. It was a welcome distraction from the many messages I was receiving the past few days from my little songbird, which I was leaving unread.As he continues, my phone goes off again, and he grows quiet while pointedly fixing his gaze on my phone.“What?” I ask, leaning back in my seat. “Are you finished?”“Aren’t you going to check it?” He asks, giving me a look of curiosity. “I’m sure it is your little songbird.”“Doesn’t matter,” I huff, waving a dismissive hand.Since seeing another man walk into her hospital room moments after my leaving and her even welcoming him, I was teaching my little songbird a lesson. If she wanted to depend on another man, then fine, she could do that. However, I knew she wouldn’t, but this was a punishment of sorts to remind her of who she truly cares for and who has consumed her mind. Once she realized this, things would go back to how they we
[Thad’s POV]I don’t speak as Trudy buries her face in my chest, breathing me in while she does a damn good job of pretending that she was actually happy to see me. However, I know better than to fall for her tricks this time. And because of that, I reach down, grabbing her arms and pulling them off of me, then stepping back and wrapping an arm around Brielle. As I do so, Trudy’s gaze drifts to my arm and then back up to my face while a look of questioning crosses it.“Oh,” she gasps, putting on a fake look of shock. “I’m sorry!”“Sure you are.” I say, causing Brielle to give me a look of questioning. “I’m certain that you knew exactly what you were doing.”“Thad,” Brielle says softly, clearly confused about what is happening. “Should I…”“No,” I say much too strongly while tightening my hold on her. “No,” I repeat, trying to calm down. “There’s no reason for you to do that. Let’s go.”“But…” She continues as I start to pull her. “What about…”“Don’t worry about her.”As I speak, Brie
[Thad’s POV]For the next few days, Brielle stays locked in her room, and although I want to barge in there and drag her out, Darlene doesn’t allow me. From the way she and Steven glare at me, you would think I was some villain trying to get to a beauty. It was frustrating, especially when I knew that Brielle was suffering, but deep down I knew that my sister and her boyfriend’s intentions were pure.However, by the third day of Brielle’s self-isolation, I can’t take it anymore. That’s why I creep around the house that we share, making my way to the window that will allow me into Brielle’s bedroom.When I reach, I chance a peek inside to find Brielle sitting in bed with her knees pulled against her body. In the moment, she looks so tiny, and I can’t help but want to pull her against me.“That bastard.” I growl, lifting a hand and gently rapping on the glass in front of me while hoping that I don’t startle Brielle too much. “If only you could see the state you’ve left her.”Growing qui
[Brielle’s POV]I stare at Thad, my emotions racing as he considers what it is that I’ve just asked of him. Even from my point of view, I can tell that he thinks I’m being a bit too rash, and honestly, deep down in my rational mind and heart, I knew I was, but I was so desperate to forget even for a little bit the pain and sorrow that I was feeling.“Please,” I repeat, reaching out and trying to touch his cheek only to be stopped by his hand. “You won’t?” I ask as he leads my hand back to the bed. “Are you rejecting me?”“I am,” he confirms, though it is clear that he doesn’t want to.“Is it because I’m dirty?” I ask quietly, pain shooting through me. “Is it because I’m tainted by L and now carrying his baby?”God, what the hell was I saying? Was I really trying to guilt Thad into feeling sorry for me and helping me ignore all the emotions I so desperately wanted to escape? Didn’t that make me no better than the bastard that had broken me so completely?“You think that I’m a whore tha
[Thad’s POV]I stare at Darlene as she takes me in with a look that screams she doesn’t quite believe me. It’s annoying as hell, and part of me just wants to tell her to fuck off, but I don’t bother doing it; instead, I turn and knock on the door and then wait as I hear someone moving around inside, and when it opens and Brielle’s puffy gaze meets mine, I’m moving.“Delivery,” I announce, ignoring the gaze that is burning into my back. “I’m sure that you’re probably starving, so I’ve brought you some food out of the kindness of my heart.”As I speak, I can hear Darlene’s laughter from the hall beyond, but I don’t turn around. I simply place the tray I’m holding on the bedside table, then straighten myself out.“Come on,” I say, peeking over my shoulder at Brielle. “Shut that door and come eat.”“Oh, okay.” She says quietly while doing exactly what it is that I’ve said. “Sorry, I’m just a...”“What have I told you about apologizing all the time?” I ask, narrowing my gaze on her. “Stop
[Brielle’s POV]I sit on the edge of the toilet, my head in hands, as the soft tick, tick, tick, of a timer fills the area around me. How long have I been waiting now with my heart in my throat? Was it minutes? Maybe hours? It felt like eternity, but when the alarm that I’ve been waiting for goes off, I know that only five minutes have passed.Swallowing, I sit up and take a few deep breaths before grabbing the test beside me and then taking in the two pink lines that sit on it while my ears begin to ring and my head spins.“No,” I whisper, unable to believe that this was happening. “How can…”Don’t be stupid. The small voice in the back of my head snaps. You know good and well how it happened, and now that it has progressed to this, you need to figure out what to do.Figure out what to do. Of course, there was only one option. I was going to keep it since it wasn’t the fetus’ fault that its parents were in such a fucked-up relationship. But to find myself pregnant at this point in ti
[Brielle’s POV]I walk down a busy street that is surrounded by stands filled with all types of things. There is the woman who runs a bakery just down the street selling her latest creations. A fisherman offering the freshest of catches. A woman and her small child are selling stained glass ornaments for your home. And even a butcher selling sizzling fresh meat.It’s a peaceful sight that blends in with the buildings sitting on either side of the street and the sparkling ocean just in the distance.This is the place that I’m slowly getting used to, the people that I’m slowly becoming acquainted with, and the life that I’m now leading after running away from the one I had in the past. And although I know that I should be at ease, that I shouldn’t hold the slightest bit of fear over being found since I changed my name and our tracks were hidden perfectly, there are still moments that I feel like the one I ran from is here watching me, following me, and just waiting to attack and drag me
[Leo’s POV]“This the place?” Jackson asks me as we pull up in the place where the blue-haired bastard’s phone was pinging. “But isn’t it…”“Beneath,” I growl, parking and hopping out of the car. “They’re using the city’s underground tunnel system.”For a moment, Jackson doesn’t respond as he considers what I have told him, and when shock flashes in his eyes, I almost want to kill him.“So that’s how they’ve evaded you for an entire day.”“Yes,” I respond, starting to head toward some rubble that should be covering one of the tunnel’s entrances. “But they’ve run out of time.”Kicking aside the wood in my way, I eye the trap door that is almost unnoticable, and as I kneel, I pull my gun from side and position it.“Ready?” I ask Jackson, pulling the door open.“Lead the way, boss.”Nodding, I open the door completely and let the air within hit me in the face, filling my nose with the scent of mold and rot.“How dare he bring my songbird somewhere like this?” I growl, feeling my anger sp
[Thad’s POV]I hang up my phone and know right then and there that it's time to go, but hopefully this would keep the crazy bastard distracted while we escaped. Throwing it on the ground and stomping it, I turn and head out of the kitchen to find Darlene and Steven waiting with their luggage.“Is it that time?” Darlene asks, eyeing me.“Yep,” I announce, making my way to the room where Brielle is waiting. “I can only hope that she’s able to do it.”Darlene doesn’t respond to what I’ve said, but she doesn’t need to. We both knew how hard this was going to be, but I could only hope that Brielle cared about her own well-being.“Thad,” she gasps when I step into the room and find her in a pair of pants and bra, her back turned to me as she works to put on a sweater. “Why are you…”“What is that?” I hiss, taking in a long scar on her back. “What the hell happened?”Before I can stop myself, I’m moving, rushing forward, and grabbing her shoulders so that I can get a good look.“How did you
[Leo’s POV]I stand on my balcony, staring out at the city while my phone rings. Of course, I knew that this was pushing things, but if there was a chance that blue-haired bastard would answer, I was willing to take the chance.Answer. I think inwardly knowing that was the only way I could get his location. Answer the phone, you thieving bastard, so I can bring my songbird back to my side.“Hello.”A wave of satisfaction rushes through me as the blue-haired bastard’s smug voice speaks from the other end of the line.“You answered,” I chuckle, taking a deep drag of my cigarette. “I don’t know if you are brave or stupid.”“Maybe a little bit of both.” He chuckles, completely unbothered, which just pisses me off even more. “However, I should say the same for you.”“Never stupid.” I admit, hoping Jackson was quickly working to get the location I needed. “But I must admit, I wasn’t expecting you to answer.”“And yet you called.”“Touche,” I chuckle, fighting to not break my phone over the