DAWN.
"Ryder, I have to go back—Ouch, that hurts, you idiot!"
Despite my somehow harsh words, I can't help the laugh that slips through my parted lips as Ryder cages me against his hard chest, his mouth nibbling on my ear. I was right when I said he's got a new fucking obsession for that part of me.
"I don't want you to go just yet, Princess. Stay one more day, Uh?"
He asks again for the thousandth time today. And I, once again, decline his request/offer. "I can't stay, Ryder. I've got classes to attend and some papers to present on campus, considering the fact that I'll be busy with my internship. "
I let out a sigh, closing my eyes to the feel of his warmth against my skin. He feels good.
"I know. I've just been away from you for too long and now that I've got you back, I don't want to let go. I want to keep you there forever—just like before. "
He presses a kiss to my neck and I nod before turning in h
WASHINGTON DC, THE QUEEN'S MANSION. Lady Sarah barges into her living room with a frown on her face and anger coursing through her veins. No, you wouldn't call it anger. The more appropriate one is Fury... Rage. Ire and resentment as her eyes searches through the large space of the living before finally settling on her husband, Matthew Queen and she marches towards him with heavy steps. Snatching the newspaper from his grip, she glares at the man with eyes angry enough to have any lesser man cowering away. "What did you do, Matthew?!" She raises her voice, dropping her bag on the couch and placing her hands against her hips, waiting for the answer she demanded. "What's going on, Honey? Are you okay?" The man tries to bring his wife closer to him but she moves out of his embrace, holding her hand out to stop him from moving closer with her glare never softening. "This is not the time for you to question me, Matthew. I
THE DAY BEFORE. [BOSTON] Elijah stares at the man before him, the smirk that's been etched to his face ever since he spilled their plans. Never disappearing. Shuffling in his seat, he leans forward with his glare hard. "So you mean to tell me that your plan is to track where this man is and carry out your job?" He raises his brows at him and Jagger leans back against his own seat, crossing his arms against his chest with a small grin covering his face. He seems obviously proud of this plan. "And what you need me to do is to give you Dawn's number because you think somehow she will be with him?" He continues, and Jagger nods again before moving closer, folding his hands on the table between them. "Either track him using her contact or we hack her phone and get his number off there. " "And how do you suppose you'll do that? How do you even know about Dawn Meek in the first place? Have you been following her?" Elijah's jaw tig
DAWN. I raise my gaze to the direction of the voice; my body instantly relaxing along with my racing heart at the sight of Ryder. Alive and breathing. However, my heart clenches when I take in his appearance and the state he's in. His face is bruised and his lower lip appears cut, looking fucking bloody. Blood drips from inside the upper arm of the black suit he's putting on and down onto the floor. He looks damn messy. In a way it reminds of me of his bad days and that makes my heart aches. Who the fuck did him this way? Glancing between me and Ryder, the security slowly removes his hand from before and I splint across the room to get to where Ryder is standing; not caring of the many watchful gazes in the room or the fact that he's injured ā I jump into his arms, throwing myself into his embrace and burying my face in the crook of his hair to muffle my sobs. "I'm fine, Princess. I promise, I'm fine. " No, you'
EARLIER. [ELIJAH] "What the fuck is wrong with you guys?! One man! One damn motherfucker! You couldn't get hold of one man and do your job fucking properly?!" I cross my arms against my chest, leaning against the door as I watch Jagger yell at the bunch of bruised men with spiked interest. "We tried but it was almost as if he knew we were coming. The suite security was so damn tight and the man wasn't an easy target himself. I expected someone we could take care of easily but it seem like the man's experienced in the field himself. He was able to hold Laser and Theo off before the securities arrived and it was too late when we went in. We barely made it out. " Hunter, next in line to Jagger says and Jagger watch him with a disgusted look; almost like he's ready to kill him with his bare hands. "Can you hear the nonsense you just spurt out? You underestimated the man by sending two men in? And keeping eight out? From the many operations we
DAWN. I let out a yawn, removing my glasses to rub the mist under my eyes before pushing my chair back; eyes trained on the ceiling. My phone vibrates against the desk and I'm quick to grab it, eager eyes running across the screen, and a frown stretches over my lips when I realize it's just a text from Bryan. 'Hey, how's you doing? You think I should come over for lunch?' Not the one I was kind of expecting. Rubbing my eyes, I type back a reply. 'I still got a whole shitload of work to do. Thanks for asking by the way, maybe another time though. ' Once it shows sent and delivered, I move to my message inbox, staring at a certain name I left hundreds of messages for, but not for once did I get replied, and I'm getting both worried and so fucking angry. 'Hey, I just got to work. Sending your support from here, I know you can do this. ' 'Hey, lunch time. Know you're busy but felt like
DAWN. "Ryder, give it back, " I scowl at Ryder, who only watches me with an amused expression, his lips twitching by the sides. "I told you, you won't be needing this anymore. Why would you want me to give it back?" He raises his brows at me and I suddenly feel so small under his intense gaze as the room falls into silence; Ryder waiting for me to answer his question and me simply waiting for him to give me back my fucking pants! Seriously, he can't just do this. "Princess. " He moves with a smirk dancing by the corners of his lips and I glare at him, trying to hide my smile. Ryder chuckles with a shake of his head before pulling me towards him, his left arm around my waist while the right rests on my breasts. "I need to get back to Washington. " He suddenly says, and I stop squirming in his hold, raising my brows at him. He's heading back today? I thought he was gonna to stay at his hotel or something; well,
RYDER. "You can leave. " I tell Mr Rodriguez the man standing before me and he nods, bowing before turning around to exit the office. I let out a tired sigh before swirling in my seat, phone in hand, as my mind gets filled with thoughts of a certain beautiful woman. "Ryder. " Frowning, my brain comprehends the fact that voice sounds very familiar and I turn around to be met with the gaze of the last person I wish to see. Sitting upright and pushing the chair near to my desk, I raise my brows at Sarah, "What do you think you're doing here?" She shakes her head, ignoring my question as she let herself in, shutting the door behind her and striding towards me. Without my consent, she takes a seat across from me and I scowl at her. "Just because you own fifty percent of the company doesn't mean you can come in here, Sarah. You are trespassing. " "I'm just here to talk, Ryder. " "And what could
DAWN. "You seem to smile a lot these days, Dawn. I'm thrilled for thatāits nice to see you smile. You have a really beautiful smile. " Joanne tells me over lunch and I chuckle to her words, taking my hand from the chips before us and leaning back against my seat. "Yes, I am. Thank you. " I smile brightly at her, feeling my cheeks glow. And it's all thanks to a certain man with hots tattoos and beautiful brown eyes. One, that's the reason I'm without panties or pants right now. As stupid as it sounds, the man was right when he uttered those words. Every time I think about what went down between us in my office, I feel this raging desire burn inside me and by every time; I mean every single moment my mind goes blank and I suddenly stare at that desk, the image of him taking me on the surface occupying my blank mind almost instantly. And every single time I think about it, I feel the juices leaks between my thighs and I take my
DAWN. "You shouldn't be scared. " Ryder states beside me and I glare at him, "Easy for you to say. You're not the one meeting your man's parents for the first time. ""I don't remember you being nervous when you met Miranda and the rest. " He teases and I nudge him with my shoulder, earning a laugh from him. "Just joking, babe. You'll be fine. They're not scary. ""Are you sure about that?" I cast him a side glance as I rub my palms against each other and he hums, "Not to that extent. ""Ryder, " I whine as I slap his thigh. "Stop teasing me. You're not helping. ""I know, " he chuckles. "I just can't help it when you're this worried. Come on, you'll be fine, baby. " He presses a hand to my face and I push more of my skin into his touch, letting out a breath at the feeling of calmness that comes with it. It's been a month since I graduated and left college, and today; I'll be meeting Ryder's family. His second family that's come to be a part of the big one. We haven't met because I
āTHREE YEARS LATER. āBOSTON. DAWN. "He isn't picking the calls, still?" I drop the phone from my ear and lift my gaze to Bryan, a frown covering my expression as I shake my head in a response to his words. "He isn't. I have no idea what's happening. ""When last did you two speak?" He asks as he steps closer and I say, "He's been busy so we haven't been speaking much. Probably last two days if I remember correctly. ""And he knows your graduation is today?" He lifts his brow and I hum, "He knows. He couldn't have forgotten. He isn't the type to forget these sorts of things. ""Then he should be here. Maybe he's planning a surprise for you?" He suggests and I let out a chuckle, "I don't think so, Bryan. Maybe he truly isn't coming. "I stare down at the screen of my phone, like I've been doing for hours, waiting patiently for Ryder's text or call to inform me he's somewhere around here for one of the important moments of my lifeā my graduation, but there's been nothing from him. "Y
DAWN. "She didn't give me a chance to refuse when she overheard me talking to Ryder. " Miranda snickers as she nudges Emily towards me and I chuckle, wrapping my arms around the little one's body. "Hey, sweetheart. Will you miss me?" I raise my brows and she bobs her head slowly, her lips pushed forward in a small, cute pout. I smile and press my fingers to it, "Is that right? You never asked of sister Dawn since you left with your mom. " "She does, " Miranda groans behind me and I take my eyes back to her with raised brows. "Every single day. Trust me. " "Good girl. " I ruffle her hair and she smiles brightly at me. I move her to my side, and look towards Ryder who has a sad look on his face. No matter how much he tells me he's alright with this, I know he isn't. I know he doesn't want me to go, and I wish there was another way but this is something I have to do. This is something I st
DAWN."Your Aunt seems so nice. " Ryder comments as I get into bed with him, moving to his chest with his arm going around my waist and I chuckle with a small nod, saying, "She is. That's why I love her so much. ""I can tell by the way you gazed at her and that smile you had on your face. " He says."It's been so long since I last saw her, Ryder. It felt too good to be in her presence again. I honestly feel bad for leaving her alone for so long. " I tell him and he hums, "It wasn't your fault. Everything is falling back to place at least. " He smiles and I nod.Everything truly is. Rider reconciled with his family, and I did the same with my Aunt. Elijah is off my back, and there's no need to worry any longer. No challenges gnawing at us, threatening to pull us apart, and that calms my heart. Except for that one thought that stays at the back of my mind.
DAWN."You look so nervous, " Ryder chuckles as we stand before my aunt's door, and I laugh rubbing my palms against each other."That, I definitely am. What if she's mad at me, and doesn't want to see me? It's been so long since I checked on him. I mean, I know I do call, but I've been in Washington for days, and I didn't check on her, Ryder. What if she sends me out?""Okay, babe. You really need to be calm. You're freaking out. " Ryder says with a shake of his head, grabbing hold of my shoulders to still my movement, and I let out a low breath as I raise my gaze to meet his. "She will be more than happy to see you, Dawn. You're her family, and even if she might get mad that this took you so long; nothing will stop her from embracing you. " He assures, his palm cupping my face, and I shut my eyes to the warmth of his touch against my skin, before nodding."Okay. Here we go. " I mo
DAWN."And you're okay with everything?" I ask Ryder who have a wide smile on his face as his hands graze over my thighs, while the other controls the steering wheel."Yes, I am, babe, " he responds with a laugh, and it warms my heart to hear that beautiful sound fall off his lips. He's happy. Genuinely happy, just like I always want him to be, and I don't think I want anything else than what I have right now."I'm glad you agreed to go there. " I tell him, holding my hand over the one that rests over my thigh, and he hums, nodding."I'm glad I did too. I have a fucking twin sister! Can you believe that?" He laughs with a shake of his head as he stops at the green light, and I can't help the laugh that slips through my parted lips at the sight of an excited Ryder Smith."I do now that you say it. How was she like? How was everyone like?" I turn to hi
DAWN.I lean back against my seat as I wait for Ryder's arrival. My phone vibrates against the skin of my leg; bringing me out of my daze, and I push forward, grabbing it as my eyes widen at the name across my screen.Elijah.He's calling me.With a nervous sigh, I push the mobile against my ear, and wait for his voice."Dawn?" He says, and I hum, leaning back against the car seat, saying, "Hey, Elijah. ""I'm glad you picked. I had doubts. " He laughs, the sound booming through the device, and my body visibly relaxes at that; knowing he isn't here for trouble."Why wouldn't I?" I chuckle, and there's a sigh from his end, before he says, "The things I did to you. They weren't right, Dawn. I said, and did terrible things. I was so obsessed with the idea of having you that I didn't even realize you were h
RYDER.I stare at the woman that walks inside the room; her eyes scanning across the room, till it lands on my gaze, and her eyes drink me in, moving down my length.I'm in awe, and my eyes are wide as I stare at the woman that stands before me. Damn! She could be mistaken as my twin. Who is this woman?"Ryder, " the man says, drawing my attention back to him, and I move my eyes from the lady back to the man, who calls for the lady with a smile on his face as he says, "This is Delilah. Your sister. " You've got to be fucking kidding me! My sister? I have a sister?"He's my brother? Ryder Smith is my brother?" Brother. That word. I've not known that word outside the Smith's family, and to be called that by a girl that's the other version of me makes my heart warm, as much as it aches.I move my gaze to the family before me. Am an old man, with a beautiful old wom
DAWN."Are you sure you're ready to do this?" I raise my brows at Ryder who leans against his seat with his head raised, and his hand over his forehead.He snaps his gaze to mine, with a small smile gracing his lips as he slowly bobs his head. "I think I deserve to know why my parents thought I was useless enough to be abandoned. " The pain is evident in his voice, and I shake my head, grabbing hold of his shoulder, and squeezing the skin slightly."I don't want you to ever think like that again, babe. You're not useless, and their answers will prove that. " I tell him with a wide smile, and he pulls me flush against his side; his lips melting against my forehead, and I shut my eyes at the warmth that spread over the skin."I love you, Dawn. Really fucking much. " He whispers, and I smile; raising my head to meet his gaze, before saying, "I love you too, Ryder. Really fucking