IRISI ran as fast as I could until I ran out of breath, stopping, and wiping the few tears coming from my eyes. I had left Ohio and all that it entailed behind. I couldn't let this man bring danger and hurt into my life. I had to focus on my schooling, get a badass attorney position, and move away from Long Beach. I don't understand what is happening, no, I didn't give him time to explain. "Hand in many cookie jars" and "They want to destroy me" gave me all the answers I needed. I don't want to be a part of whatever cookies he shouldn't have been reaching for. I started to walk instead of run, somewhat shocked that Deacon wasn't chasing after me. After a week though, I'm sure Ryker won't even notice my absence. I closed my eyes tightly forcing out the remaining tears, and promised myself no more would fall. The tunnel was only about a 15-minute walk from the university. I don't know how he found that place, I would have to go out there and take some photos for my club. I think we have
RykerDeacon called to tell me the dorm was set on fire. He didn't know why yet but was working closely with the police and campus security to figure it out. No one was hurt, thank god. What the hell is going on? Why would someone be coming after her like that? I was furious, and scared, but mostly pissed off. "I will kill someone if she gets hurt Deac, They will be dead instantly." I said feeling my anger increasing."You gotta calm down boss, I am sure it was some stupid college kid playing with a candle or something." He said with a nervous laugh. His laugh told me he wasn't so sure, and neither was I. Iris hadn't said anything to him yet. She wasn't blaming me so far. I was dazing off while I drove so much that I wasn't sure how I had already made it to the city. I pulled up to my dad's office and just stared at the building. It made me physically ill to think about walking inside. I left that door with no intention of ever walking back through it. He doesn't own me anymore. I put m
IRISWhen I received the text on my phone, my eyes got misty. It told me that I was happy to hear from him. It told me that his effect on me wasn't going to leave anytime soon. Deacon was following me around all evening until I came back to my dorm which was after they cleared it for us to come back. Nothing of mine was affected, but I spent some time helping others with theirs. I hadn't spoken to Mage about what happened yet. I wasn't ready to talk to her. I knew she would have questions about the note, and I didnt want to answer them. I didn't message Ryker back automatically even though I wanted to. I thought it would make me look desperate. I looked at the message again. It seemed scatterbrained, nervous, and not really what I was used to getting from him. Deacon told me he had headed to the city for a while. I don't know why, and I shouldn't care. I told him I couldn't be a part of this, and I meant it. Didnt I? Why does chaos always seem to follow me around? When I was younger, w
RykerWhen I received a text from Deacon telling me what Iris had asked him to do, well more where she was asking him to take her, I was instantly enraged. Not really with her, but with myself. I gave her a taste of something I knew she was needing in her life, and then whoever this stalker is, fucked it up. She is going out to look for what I introduced her to. I have no excuse to be Jealous, but I am. I could feel the green seeping from my pores. I drove back to the home, the one I despise, and called Deacon's phone. When I said her name, it was completely silent. "Hello?" Finally, I heard her soft voice. "Please don't go to that club," I said as nicely as I could muster. I was trying not to tell her what to do. "Come here, to the city, come and see me." I didn't even think about it when I said it. Silence again. I heard Deacon ask her what she wanted to do. She yelled at him for telling me what she was doing and threatened to get out of the car. He apologized, sorta, but told her he
IRISHe was looking at me like I was sick or something. "Who is Ivy?" I asked again. I heard her name mentioned when all this started and I wanted to know who she was. Why she had something to do with all of this? "She was my last sub before I moved out of the city." He said subconsciously looking around the room. She must have been here with him at some point. "Is that who sent me the note?" I asked quietly feeling like I was interrupting his memory. "No, it wasn't Ivy," he said with a sudden look of sadness on his face. "Are you sure? The message sounded like it came from a woman?" I said, thinking the message sounded very personal. "I can tell you for certain, your note didn't come from Ivy Sweetheart." This time he had a stoic look on his face. "Okay," I said softly deciding not to push it any further. I watched his emotions unfold before my eyes. He changed from stoic to sad and then suddenly he was angry. "The man I put in prison before I decided to come teach ran a club, The Pun
RykerWe raced to get dressed and to get out to my car. She was shocked by my car, but I didn't think much of it. It was just a car. I was worried about Deacon. He has been by my side for so long he is more like family to me. They didn't know much when they called me. The only thing she told me was that someone ran him off the road in the city and he was en route to the hospital. She was so upset I couldn't hardly understand that much. I drove faster than usual, trying to get there as quickly as possible. If he needs a specialist, if he needs money or power. I need to be there. He stays under the surface. People in this city know me though, they know the name Lorcane holds domain over others here. I glanced over at Iris, trying to get a feel for her reaction to this. She was solid, not frigid, but steadfast staring out the window. She looked brave and strong compared to my wavering state. "Iris, I am sorry you have to deal with this," I said slowly looking straight ahead. She didn't sp
IRISAs delightful as I found Deacon's family, I wish I was in the room learning how this happened. Finding out if my life is in danger. I would imagine this has something to do with the dorm fire and the note. Those were just to get his attention, this is different. This was someone who knew Deacon always drives him. This was someone who was trying to take his life. I tried to hide my worry but was unsuccessful as I noticed Jill staring at me. "What is it?" She said looking honestly concerned. This surprised me too. I was very aware of her feelings towards Ryker. She couldn't control her disdain for me when we first met. It seems I have won her over some. "This has something to do with Ryker, doesn't it?" I smiled at her and shook my head. " I don't think so. I just have a mix of emotions going on right now. Deacon has helped me in some hard spots lately. Why isn't his lady here?" I asked to try to distract from the current path of conversation. Jill rolled her eyes. "I don't know. Ma
RYKER I watched as her breathing increased when I touched her. I wanted to make her feel so good after the explosion she gave me in the car. I haven't had a woman do that before and I was amazed by it. It fascinated me the courage it took for her to place her hand there, and to put her mouth on me knowing the lifestyle I introduced to her. I wanted to show her how much I appreciated what she had done. I pulled out a wand and turned it on the highest setting. As soon as it hit her slit her eyes flew open and she tried to shut her legs. "Be still," I said pushing her legs apart again. When I placed the vibration on her clit she moaned out loudly. I held it there and pushed two fingers inside searching for her sweet spot. When I found it, I watched as he arched her back and pushed into the wand and my hand. It didn't take long for her to start convulsing and screaming out for me. "Oh, Ryk. I mean Daddy!" I almost laughed out loud as the words flew out of her mouth. "You can scream my nam
IRIS I swallowed deeply when I heard the name. That man was terrifying. Claud. Flashes of the wicked smile he had on his face when abusing me were stuck in my mind. He wanted to hurt me. I looked from face to face, looking for answers in their eyes. No one said anything. Theo reached over for my hand, and I saw Ryker flinch when I took it. I was terrified. I didn’t care whose hand I held if someone was keeping me safe. Deacon was on the phone immediately asking the guys in security to trace and follow the call. Theo pulled out his phone as well, calling his contact to find out what he could do from his side. I closed my eyes. “Tell me where you are mother fucker, don’t be afraid, I wanna chat.” Ryker sounded murderous. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. I felt tears burning in my eyes, but I wasn’t sure if it was from fear, anger, or sadness. I had a mixture of them brewing inside of me. “Ryk?” I said softly looking up at him. He calmed. Instead of cursing into the phone he
IrisThe darkness in his eyes when I asked him about his name told me more than his words did. “Its my last name.” He was short and stern with his response, but his eyes told me the most. Lorcane was like his shadow person, the darkness inside of him. The person they all see as dangerous. The one who was violent and cold. Lorcane was someone I have only seen pieces of. He is a prosecutor, but I am starting to think at this point he also played executioner. What I wasn’t sure of was if he still played that role. A lot of what I knew about him, the powerful, well managed, prosecutor turned professor was not who I thought he was. Not as disciplined. Not as in control. “I am not an idiot Ryker.” I said winching as I tried to sit up straight. “I know you aren’t Iris, but I also know I don’t know everything about your past.” His words burned some. His emotional state when he walked in had now turned. He was now defensive and guarded. I am sure he has questions about me, I know he is wonderin
RykerI listened as Deacon talked but the world was spinning around me. I had downed more of that whiskey bottle, and the last one, than he knew. Way more than I was willing to admit to. “Ill drive.” I said, grabbing my keys, knowing inside that I shouldn’t do that. That was the good thing about Deacon. He worked for me, yes, but he also knew how to stand up to me. Not a lot of people did that. He was one of the very few that was permitted to do so. I shook my head when he reached for my keys. “I want her to know that it is me coming for her.” I said in a drunken stupor. I sounded like an idiot. Emotional and irrational. I didn’t know what real love looked like, not loving a woman like this. I believe I have loved before. I thought I loved Ivy at one point. I know I love Deacon, like family. This love was messy, hard, and could destroy me in an instant. It made me open, raw, and vulnerable. Deacon was looking at me differently. I don’t think he was losing respect for me; I think he was
DeaconHe didn’t speak all the way back to the city. He didn’t want to. He decided to leave Iris at Ayden’s clinic, and not give her a chance to say anything. He wants to keep her safe. I disagree with him, horribly, but he will not listen to me. I can't say anything. It isn't my place to do so. He went straight to his house shutting the door behind him. The lights were still off. He hadn’t even turned on a lamp. I knew he was sitting in the dark, drinking his whiskey, and sulking in there all alone. I stood outside the security building and stared towards the house. Part of me wanted to go check on him, but part of me knew better. He wouldn’t even answer the door, I am sure. I stood there, leaning against the brick, watching for any movement. My phone dinged taking my attention away from the front door. I reached in my pocket and pulled it out. Check on her. Make sure she is okay. Let me know. -LorcaneHe hadn’t addressed himself as Lorcane in a long time. He was in a very dark plac
IRIS The lights burned my eyes, bright and surprising as I tried to open my eyes. I closed them multiple times trying to adjust to the lights. I couldn't hear anything but machines running around me. The sound of air blasting somewhere and beeping, so much beeping. My head felt like it was going to explode. I heard mumbling, angry mumbling, in weirdly hushed voices. I tried to speak but felt like something was choking me. I tried to move my arms, but someone was holding them down. Tears started to sting my already burning eyes. I started to breathe harder, and the beeping got louder. I felt a hand on mine, and I slightly turned my head. “Iris, calm down. Please, baby, you have to calm down.” Ryker was talking to me softly, bending over now to look into my eyes. He wiped a tear away from my eyes. I blinked twice, like I had seen on television medical shows, to let him know I couldn't calm down. I needed to know what was going on. I needed to be able to speak. “Iris, you were sho
RYKER I watched as she fell to the floor, the color leaving her face almost instantly. I heard someone scream but it sounded as if it was coming through a tunnel. Echoed, and mumbled. Deacon ran to her as I stood frozen. My side burned some, but I couldn't pay attention to that. What was probably only a few seconds felt like hours while I waited for her to open her eyes. “Iris? Keep your eyes open.” Deacon talked to her calmly. I stood there willing my legs to move. “Ryker, call an ambulance.” He yelled at me; I knew what he was saying but I still couldn't budge. He stood up, walking towards me, the closer he got the blurrier he was. He hit me hard, open handed across the face. “Ryker, snap the fuck out of it! I need your help.” He begged. He was shaken, but still calm. Deacon was great under high pressure. I usually was too. I don't know what has happened to me. This woman has changed my whole being. I walked over, suddenly more conscious, but still panicked. I kneeled down beside I
IRIS Ivy laughed hysterically after hanging up the phone. Why was she enjoying torturing Ryker so much? I know he was always good to her. He searched for her till it made him dark, from what I understand. I get what Theo said about whatever these mob men did to her, but why torture Ryker. It wasn't his fault. "What are you staring at?" She said after the laughter stopped. I shook my head, "nothing." She walked closer to me. "Are you worried about Lorcane, I assure you baby girl, he will get over it." Her words were sharp edged. She was trying to stab me through with them. "I am sure he will." I smiled at her; I wasn't going to let her upset me. She didn't deserve that. "Oh, Ivy, why are you so dramatic?" Theo said laughing at her and walking around my chair. I slowly tried to pull on my restraints, trying not to gain attention. "Tell me Theo," She walked to him placing herself right in front of his face, "what is it about this little twat that makes you men all weak in the knees?"
RYKER "How are you Rkyer? You don't sound good!" Ivy had called me again. At one time her voice sounded like morning birds chirping or church bells to me. Now it makes my skin crawl. "Where are you, Ivy?" I said not returning her pleasantries. "Temper temper. I can't tell you where I am, that's not how this game is played. I wouldn't worry, our friend Theo is taking great care of your girl. Well, she seems to have become his girl. She likes him an awful lot. Just this morning I came, and he was sleeping right on her lap. She was sleeping comfortably like that. I think they are falling in love." Her words tore through me, but I assume that was her intent. I hadn't slept all night, and my nerves were raw, so I wasn't thinking clearly to begin with. "Where are you, Ivy?" I asked again. "I can't tell you that daddy" She sounded pouty. She didn't like that I didn't respond to her taunt. "Don't call me that." I growled. I could hear someone talking in the background. It was a different m
IRIS It was quiet for a while. I sat in the room alone. All I could think about was Ryker. I know he is losing his mind trying to find me. Deacon is probably using all his resources to find me. I just hope no one gets hurt coming for me. I looked around, finally able to see if there were any ways for me to escape. I couldn't really see anything promising. A window in the distance, but they would catch me before I made it there. Thats if I could even get out of the ties on the chair. Theo seems to be an ally, but I don't know if he is legit. Is he trying to trick me? I tried to relax my arms and pull them backwards out of the ropes. I could fight my way out. I am a pretty good fighter. I have always had to be. I know they have weapons. It couldn't be that easy. My hands wouldn't go through the ropes completely. They were still tight. Obviously, Theo loosened the ropes for comfort. He must know I would be killed if I tried to escape. He knew I would try. He was going to try to keep m