Just to warn you all ahead, I did quite a lot of switching (POV'S) in this episode. It's all for a better understanding, so I hope you can cope.
OLIVER.
I stand in the darkness, my eyes moving across the room before settling on a certain alluring shadow that's quite visible even through the darkness.
With little deliberation, I know exactly who he is and I know what he has come here for.
"Do you think you could pull that stunt on me and get away with it?"
His voice echoes through the darkness, and I let out a chuckle, shaking my head.
"I knew you were going to come for me. I know you and I didn't expect less from you. "
I shrug, crossing my arms against my chest, and the darkness falls into silence, which makes it quite terrifying with the fact that the bastard isn't making as much as any sound.
"Why did you do it?"
He's getting closer to me.
I move back a little, getting closer to the switch before turning my body in the voice's direction. He's going to attack, he's going to catch me when I least expect. Unguarded.
"Is that really what you came here for? Why I did it? You know, "
I draw before setting my finger on the switch, feeling his breathing closer and closer.
"People always seem to forget the devil they are once they have a taste of happiness. People like you, Ryder. "
I turn the switch on and the room falls into silence once again, light settling upon the room and taking over the darkness that was there seconds ago before lighting on the man who has his jaw clenched and his fists balled.
I'm ready for you. I always am.
"Ryder, "
I give him a tight smile, just to taunt him and judging by the way he sets his expression into a deep scowl, his eyes darkening like he's ready to jump on me any second from now; I know it worked.
"How did you love my little surprise?"
I step closer to him, but he remains unfazed, not breaking eye contact.
"Did you really thought I was going to allow you to live a perfectly happy life when you destroyed everyone else's?"
I raise my brows before ticking my tongue over and over once again, crossing my arms against my chest.
"You thought wrong. You don't deserve Dawn. You don't deserve anyone. You don't deserve happiness. You don't even DESERVE TO HAVE A TASTE OF IT! YOU'RE A FUCKING DEVIL! A MOTHER FUCKING KILLER AND THE ONLY THING DESERVE IS TO ROT IN HELL FOR ETERNITY!"
He says nothing and to my surprise; he enrolls his fists, giving me a tight smirk before tilting his head in the ring's direction.
"How about you take me there?"
His voice remains calm, and for some damn reason, that makes me a little scared. Where the fuck is this man driving at? I expected him to be lunging at me by now, but he's asking for a fight?
Settling my lips into a scowl, I nod at him.
"I plan to, Smith. "
DAWN.
"She shouldn't have called you here, "
Kira scowls at me, giving me a glare before moving to sit beside me.
"Of course she should! You disappeared for the entire day, only to come back acting like a bitch. Of course she would be worried and I'm glad that she called me here first. What the hell happened Dawn?"
When I raise my head to stare into those eyes, the emotions in them look so familiar, and it makes me so angry.
"Nothing happened, I told aunt already. I just, "
"Don't give me that bullshit, Dawn. I really mean it now. I know something happened and for you to act like this, I know it's about Ryder, so start spilling. "
And at the sound of his name alone, my heart aches. It ached badly, and it hurts so much. I want to plunge at my heart and pull it the fuck off if it means it'll stop hurting.
"It hurts, Kira. So much. "
RYDER.
"Motherfucker!"
I spit before throwing a punch at him, which meets straight to his jaw, catching him unguarded, and he stumbles backwards, giving me time to get on my feet again.
He chuckles, wiping off the blood that trails down his jaw before raising his gaze back to me, that mocking smirk that I plan on erasing till he can't pull it up anymore, appearing.
"What has gotten into you, Ryder?"
He raises his brows, his tone mocking, and I know I won't like the shit that's going to come out of him next.
"Seems like you've gotten quite weak. "
This bastard-
"You just got a hit on me. Was her pussy so tight that you forgot how to throw a few punches here and there?"
He continues to taunt me, his smirk never leaving his face, and I never wanted to kill someone so badly until now even though I know he's right. I have a few bruises, an eye which I'm sure must be purple by now and busted lips. Yet, the only hit I could get on him is one.
Why? Because she keeps appearing. I keep seeing her everywhere. She won't fucking leave me the hell alone even after she left me physically! She's all over my head, taking over my senses, and I'm allowing her to. I'm weak for her, I still am, but will I continue to be and not kill the bastard that drove her away?
"You know I drove her home because she was just so pitiful. The poor girl standing in the heavy rain all by herself and looking like she has no life in her already. You broke her, Ryder. Just like. You. Always. Do. "
My answer? No, I won't continue to be this weak, and I'll be damned if I don't drag this man through hell and forth.
DAWN.
"He what?!"
She shouts, raising from the bed faster than possible with her face set into a scowl. All I can do is nod, letting her know the words I muttered are true. Even though I wish they aren't, even though I wish it didn't have to be this way, it is and nothing can change that.
"Oh my God, Dawn. I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, you didn't deserve this. You don't deserve this, you deserve to be happy, you don't deserve to go through this all over again. I'm so sorry, Dawn. "
She kneels by my side, pulling me into her arms, and I bury my head in her chest, sobbing pathetically like I've been doing all night.
"How could he do something like this? How could he?!"
"He said, "
Hiccup.
"He said he didn't want to lose me. "
An ugly laugh.
"He said.. that bastard dared to tell me he loves me. You know, I've always wanted to hear those words from him, I waited so much to hear them but when.. he.. he finally did, it.. it hurts. So much. "
"I understand, baby. I understand and I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, Dawn, "
"I can't continue like this, Kira. I just, I just can't. I have.. I have to, "
She moves back, grabbing my face in her hands and raising a questioning brow at me with eyes full of concern.
"What the fuck are you trying to say, Dawn?"
Wiping the tears that rolled down my cheeks, I shift back to move away from her touch.
"I can't stay here anymore. I just can't, this city. I can't, it holds so much pain in it. My pains, and I won't be able to move on knowing he's here and one day, we'll come across each other no matter how much I avoid it. I have to leave, Kira. "
Your opinions about book 2 so far?
DAWN."The fuck are you talking about?"Kira pull away from me, his eyes pinning me down; daring me to repeat the words I had just muttered and I know exactly what she's thinking. She thinks I'm making a terrible decision but if course she wouldn't get it. I don't expect her to."I have to go, Kira. ""No, you don't! What the hell are you talking about, Dawn? You want to leave here and go where? You have been here your entire life! Need I remind you! You don't know any life outside of this! Here's where your life is, it's where your friends are and it's where your last family is but you're just going to throw all that away because you got hurt by some guy?"She scoffs and the tone at the edge of her voice males me so angry."Yes, I am! That's exactly what I'm going to do and if you have even the slightest idea of what I'm going through right now; you would agree to my decision! Not try to trash talk it!""I'm not agreeing
DAWN. "Are you sure you want to do this right now?" Kira places a hand on my shoulder as we both descend the stairs and I let out a sigh, my gaze moving across the room before landing on my aunt who's currently preparing to head out of here. "I don't think I can. I should probably wait till she's back. " I say, and she nods before giving me a small smile. "You're up early, Dawn. Good morning, Kira. " "Good morning, Aunt. Heading for work already?" Kira greets with a big smile, which aunt returns with one of hers before nodding in confirmation to her words. "Well, you know how I am. " She chuckles before her eyes darts to me, her brows raising in slight questioning and weirdly, for some strange reason, j understand what she's trying to ask. "I'm fine, Aunt. I'm sorry that I scared you yesterday. I needed to - I just - well, I needed to think some things through. " She
RYDER. "Don't, Dawn. Please, " I plead, staring down at her and she giggles before pulling me closer, her lips hovering slightly over mine each time she moves it to say something. It's driving me fucking insane, and I'm sure she knows it. "What's it going to be, Smith?" She has been using that one all night, and it's bad that it gets to me each time she says it. "Fuck you!" I spit before grabbing her hands, crossing them over each other, and pinning it to the soft material of the bed above her head. "That's what I.." Her words end up with a gasp as I move my hips against hers, claiming her mouth greedily and selfishly, like it's the last thing I will do. Though in this case, it sounds close to it. I'm going to regret this tomorrow. I know I will, but do Igive a fuck right now? I really don't. If she's allowing me to touch her, then I'll gl
DAWN. My eyes flutters open and I let out a sigh as I take in my surroundings. Just one look at it and I know this isn't my place. I know exactly where this place is and judging by my sore legs; I remember what happened last night, too. I sigh again before rolling to the other side of the bed, my eyes meeting with Ryder Smith who's peacefully sleeping at his side, his one hand laying across my stomach while the other rests at his side. What the fuck have you done, Dawn? I promised I was going to stay away and hate this man with every fiber in me and yet, the first thing that came to my drunk mind was to get into his pants. What the fuck is wrong with me?! This is only going to complicate things further, and complications are very far from what I need right now. I swipe my hands down my face before attempting to sit up, only for his arm to tighten around me, encircling around my waist before pul
DAWN.Bryan is going to Boston? Why the hell is he going to Boston and how am I just knowing this?"I thought we all applied to Washington. How the hell is he going to Boston?"I turn my entire body towards Kira, who just shrugs, telling me she has absolutely no idea either."I really don't know, but it seems like its something he's been planning for a while because he already applied and did all other necessary things. According to him, he was going to tell us until the last minute but when he found out you're going too, he decided to just let the cat out of the bag but hey, you know this is a good thing, right? I have been worried about how your shitty self was going to cope in a new city, but now that you have at least one close friend coming along with you, you guys should be fine. "She smiles and I nod absentmindedly, staring ahead of us. She's right. In all honesty, I have been nervous about how it'll be moving to a new city, but
DAWN."Oh, I'm going to miss you so much, Dawn. So, so much. I can't believe you're leaving me. I can't believe I'm allowing you to do this, but I know you have to. Everything you have said up to now are all true, which is why I'm giving you this freedom. I love you so much, Dawn, and I'm going to miss you so much. "Aunt cries as she squeezes me tightly for the hundredth time and I let out a chuckle, hugging her once again, just like I've been doing."I know, Aunt. I know, I'm going to miss you too and I'll try to call you now and then to let you know how things go. "I give her a small smile, pulling away from her and she nods, her eyes suddenly getting teary and I know she's about to cry. Again!"Aunt, please don't cry. I'm not leaving to die, I'm leaving to pull myself together and become a better person. "I assure her, and she nods, wiping away her tears."Oh, I know. I know that very much, it's just being so l
DAWN. I press my lips into a thin line, my hands gripping tightly onto the flesh of my thighs, almost hurting in a way as the string of cusses I'll throw at him runs through my mind. Who the fuck does he think he is to pull this stupid trick on me? Have his men kidnap me from the airport? I raise my gaze, my heart drumming fast against my chest, when I realize the car isn't going toward his place. Where are we heading to? I say nothing, even though slight fear shakes through my body. These are truly Ryder's men, right? Of course they are. Which other man would be stupid enough not to understand simple words that says; We are over. The car speeds down a silent road with no one passing through here. I gaze out the door and raise my brows in confusion when I realize we are moving out of the city. Why are we moving out of the city? I thought we were going to Ryder. I gaze back at the two men at the fro
RYDER.She's here again. In my arms. Even if she doesn't want to be here, she's here again and it'll be the last time I have with her. This time for real; there will be no going back.She gazes at me, her eyes moving across my face as if she's trying to weigh her options, but I know her. I know her far more than she realizes and I know she wants me just as much as I want to hold her in my arms once again before she embarks on this stupid journey of hers that she thinks will keep me away from her or make her forget me. She won't be able to, not because I don't want her to, but because we are both in too deep and it's just too late to want to start over again.I know I'm terrible to her. I have been so selfish with her but if being selfish is what I need to do to keep her from leaving; the selfish is what I'm going to be, despite everything I have done. Despite how much she has hurt because of me. The many times she has cried because of me. The pain no
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
√THREE YEARS LATER. √BOSTON. 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 life— 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