EmmettToday has been weird. I look at Ashton. He hasn't been himself today. "Right, one more place and then home."He doesn't answer, just stares out of the window. I know he is worried for Raven, but Grayson will have answers, I hope."We will know tonight Ashton. Grayson has files on her past. So it should make it easier. We will know what she is running from then she won't need to.""Like I give a shit"I turn shocked by his words. "Come on baby brother, that's a lie, You know it" I laugh slightly."Honestly, Emmett, I don't give a shit. Can we just finish and get back?" He looks at me annoyed and I nod. Stopping the car I get out with him following. Walking through I sit, Everyone is staring at us. We don't often go to day parties, and it's hardly ever we go to parties without all three of us."Keep your eyes open Ashton. Ears as well," Word is someone here knows about the drugs. I sit and watch. My eyes roll as I see Ashton standing with a woman. What is he doing? My eyes stay o
RavenAfter driving around trying to figure out the way forward I give up and go to the gym. The weight of Emilia’s words weighs heavily on me. The messages may be a joke, hell I wouldn't put it past my mother to do it, but in case it isn't I need to be ready.After half an hour of fighting with Sarah, I am exhausted but unwilling to quit."Raven." Turning I look at Jason. He waves me over, getting to him, he asks me to follow him, and I do. He stops at his office and opens the door, gesturing me to go into it. Stepping inside, I hear the door close, turning I see he is gone, my eyes glance around and stop on Emmett."We need to talk.""I don't want to." I go to walk out, but his hand stops me."I don't give a shit what you want, I need answers, so sit." He points to the chair, moving I sit. Shit, he looked and sounded so much like Grayson then."What happened with Ashton?" I turn looking at him confused."Nothing." What? Does he think we fucked again?"Don't 'nothing' me Raven, he ha
AshtonWe watch her walk out."You shouldn't have let her." Emmett stares at Grayson."It's her choice, I said no, but she refused. Let her talk to him. You." Grayson turns to me. "Sorted out your shit now?" I nod."Sorry.""I don't care, Ashton, you don't need to apologise, but stop letting your mind run away, as I know she highly unlikely said anything like that to you, that's what you heard."I nod, he's right. I feel bad for her getting in trouble with Emmett."We need to decide now, no turning back. Raven or not?" Grayson looks at us. "This isn't just about hurting her, this is about more than that now. We can't agree then push her out and hurt her, as she won’t let anyone in again.""I already decided Raven." I had."Yet you fucked a random on day one?" Grayson laughs. He turns to Emmett."I've not decided." Of course he has, he's just running scared. He always does.We turn hearing her enter, and Grayson stops her from rushing past us. His hand grasps her chin."He hit you agai
RavenHis words burn through me. I can't stay, not if this is him."Whatever you keep running from, we can protect you, have we not proven that already?" He looks at me waiting."I'm not scared for me Ashton." Her words are solemn. "Something tells me I wouldn't be physically hurt, but those I let in? They will be.""Do you not think we can look after ourselves? Protect ourselves, Raven? Have you always run before letting people all the way in?"He looks at me and I nod."It isn't entirely down to me though, my mum frequently, changed partners, so moving was inevitable. Those times I did get close to people and let them in, I ran, before history could repeat itself.""Surely you realise running doesn't prevent anything though right? If you're worried those you let in will get hurt, what's to stop that from happening once you walk?"I smile at him."Because the danger will follow me, Ashton. If I leave, those I let in are no longer a threat to him, they are gone from my life. He wants
GraysonI grab the things I need and leave, I know Emmett and Ashton will meet me there. Stopping at the gate I hit the button, and ride my bike in. Getting off I walk through and see them instantly."Grayson, you're alone?" Hawk stands looking at me. His eyes glance behind me in confusion."They will be here, this deal will be made with us all here." Emmett shouldn't be taking this long on his little detour."Come grab a drink." I walk through with him, sitting down I get handed the drink. My eyes look around, the Waysley brothers have done amazing for themselves. Anyone can see that, but things need to change. A few minutes later I hear the bikes, and I know it's Ashton and Emmett. I don't bother turning as I hear them sit down beside me."Right, let's discuss this." Hawk leans forward."The way I see it, the city is ours, we run the clubs, and your clubs will work well along with ours. You want to increase those who come here, this alliance will do that." I look at him waiting."Yo
RavenI finish the dance and walk off stage."Come sit, you run away too much Raven." I laugh at Alexa and nod. Walking to her I sit and watch as Olivia dances."We're thinking of doing a lady's night." I turn and look at her confused."You mean like the dancers having a night together, or like this place changing to a lady's night with male dancers?" Both sound amazing.She looks at me puzzled and then smiles."I meant the first, but the second, that's even better. Why hadn't I thought of that? I will get it sorted quickly, but no, I meant us dancers. We don't often get time together, so a night out together, what do you think?"Nodding I smile. "I'm down, let me know when.""She's blushing." I look at her confused, and she points to Sasha. "He offered her a drink and she blushed." I look and laugh."She's so tame." We both laugh at my words."It will be nice for her though, when she started working here she was shy. Normally I would refuse dancers like that, but I knew her past and
AshtonWe walk into the party, and I quickly take a look around without making it obvious, that I can't see anyone here giving out drugs. Sitting I feel arms wrap around my neck, looking up I expect Raven and freeze when I see Gracie. My hands raise to remove her arms.She pouts slightly. "You're quick to refuse Ashton." I see her eyes flicker to Rizzo."What do you want Gracie?" I keep my eyes scanning the room."You."I laugh slightly. My eyes looking at Rizzo, do they think I am a fool? Of course they do, rolling my eyes I look at her and smile, my hands grasping hers and wrapping them around my neck."Anytime baby." Her smile widens. I want to see what the plan is. "I'm surprised we were invited Gracie, we are not exactly on talking terms with your father.""He is trying to forgive and forget, realising I am not his little girl anymore."I nod, if only that was the issue. He tried taking us down, although I don't think she knows that."He seems to be doing well Gracie, he even smi
EmmettI knock on her door and wait. "Raven, it's me." I would rather not just walk in. Knocking again I wait, but she doesn't respond. Opening the door I walk in, and see her sitting on the bed.Closing the door behind me I walk over and sit down. My hand instinctively raises and wipes away the tear from her cheek."Don't cry for that asshat."She laughs slightly at my words."He's not an asshat, and I’m not crying."She’s not, sure there is a single tear, but she isn’t crying in the way she should be. “Maybe not, but what he did puts him in that bracket. I'm not here to defend him, but explain what happened, if you will let me?"She nods but doesn't answer."Look, Rizzo was using Gracie to trap Ashton. He noticed and decided to play the game to get information. Nothing happened, we watched, she had her arms around him but literally, he was doing it to get information."I look at her, wondering if she will reply but she doesn't."Just under a year ago, Ashton and Gracie fucked. Turne
RavenI face Aileen, my fingers tapping on the arm of the chair."I assumed it would be the brothers coming." She doesn't falter but I can see the worry in her eyes."Things changed. Just because they do not like hurting women, and look at creative ways to ensure rules are followed does not mean they are weak and can be ignored." I stop for a moment. "Me however, I have no issues with hurting women, and considering you ignored them, and mocked their attempts to solve the issue I figured I would help."I don't like her. Not just because she uses the fact they won't hurt her as a way to get away with shit, but she in general isn't a nice woman."So you plan to hurt me and get me to agree?" She laughs and sits back."I plan to see if you will listen, then go from there. They have tried Aileen, but your attitude has become worse. This is the fourth month of no payment."She sits quietly and I watch her, not moving. I know she expected me to come in with people, but I didn't. If I did she
RavenI wake up hearing a bang and shouting. My eyes adjust to the darkness."All of them! Every fucking one is dead tonight." I stand hearing Grayson. Walking out, I see him going through his cupboard and grabbing guns."Grayson?""Go to bed Doll."My head shakes, why is he covered in blood?"I will burn it down with them in, I swear." He has the phone to his ear. Something happened."Go to bed." He shouts looking at me, and I glance around, looking towards the living room I see Emmett pacing. His eyes meet mine and I walk to him, his hands stopping me."What happened?""Nothing to concern yourself with tonight, go to bed." He kisses my cheek."No!" I glance down seeing the blood. "Emmett!""Now! If you get in my way, you’re starting the war." I turn hearing Grayson shout and walk out of his room, Emmett chasing after him."Grayson, think.""Fuck thinking, stay with him, Emmett." I watch him walk out and Emmett chasing him while telling him to stop. Turning I walk into the living and
RavenI can't believe I am eight months pregnant. For a while, I worked at the club, and it felt amazing. Slowly, I noticed Grayson talking to some of the guys there. He did what I did, ran and hid, so me opening the club and hiring those dancers that Ruth used meant Grayson couldn't hide anymore. I sat and watched him talk to them, something he admitted he didn't do after he left.Many are grateful for the escape from Ruth. Over the months working I learnt a lot from the men. Ruth didn't just use them and lure them in as children. She continued it in their adulthood as well.They had told her their deepest darkest secrets and she held it over them. So it was nice to see them finally free of that, I expected most to refuse the job, but many of them do enjoy it and are grateful to have a safe place to dance.It's been crazy, Grayson struggled to give me space, more through fear, but the city has learnt women are not weaknesses. Hawk and Doc I guess helped there, everyone knows that it
RavenI fall back onto Ashton hearing him laugh.“Don’t be a dick.” My words are quiet.“I can give you one if you wish?” Groaning my head shakes. “We warned you, Grayson hates being woken up.” He laughs and sits up carrying me to shower he holds me against him.“You’re all mean.” He laughs and looks at me.“Why Cutie pie? If I agree, I will make it up to you.” He looks at me waiting.“Well, I didn’t do anything wrong.” He looks at me amused. “Okay, I wanted to taunt and play and none of you saved me from the other.”“Why would I save you from them when you taunted me as well?” He looks at me amused.“Fine, Grayson cheated, I knew he had limited time and couldn’t go to the room. I never expected that though.” My head rests against him.“Don’t you like squirting?” I nod my head and he laughs. “Then why are you complaining as of yet there hasn’t been a complaint Cutie Pie.”“I feel like I lost, I don’t know what, but I feel like I lost.” He nods and pulls me closer.“You won, we fucked
RavenWaking, I am still in Ashton’s arms, my eyes notice the box next to the bed and I smile.“Morning Cutie pie.” His hand grips my ass.“Happy birthday.” He freezes. “You failed at hiding it, they told me.” I smile at him.“Wasn’t trying to hide it.” I laugh at his words. Moving, I roll over so I’m straddling him. “Although, I’m already loving this birthday.” His eyes go to my chest, and he grips my hips. Leaning over I pick up the box and feel his teeth biting my nipple.“Stop!” Laughing I pull back.“Well don’t shove them in my face then!” He laughs.“I’m getting something, tell your mouth to behave.” Leaning over I grab the box his hands grasping my breasts.“You said nothing about hands behaving.”Laughing I nod and kiss him. His hands slide across my back before grabbing my ass.“You’re an ass kind of guy, right?” He seems obsessed with it. He nods laughing. “Well, happy birthday.” I hold out the box and he looks at it suspiciously.“I’m weird, and don’t do normal. So I though
RavenI watch Grayson walk away, Emmett kisses me and leaves. I stand and look at Ashton, I can see it, that look is back. I didn't even think, I should have thought. Walking to him I wrap my arms around his neck. "I'm sorry.""It's fine, cutie pie. Did you eat at all today?" He looks at me and I shake my head."Just breakfast." He pulls me into the kitchen and together we cook. I feel awful, I didn't even think. I just wanted to do it alone, and I knew Grayson wouldn't let me. Not that I can blame him, with how crazy I have been lately. After eating I pull Ashton to my room.Stripping, I walk to the bed and he stops me."Shower, you smell of smoke." Kissing me he turns me to the bathroom."Join me?" He stands debating it. "I've been alone all day Ashton." I watch him stand and walk to me, before pulling me into the shower. My head rests against his chest as the water flows over us."I won't ever leave Ashton." I peer up at him. "I promise, I will never leave you." His arms tighten ar
GraysonI disagreed with her going alone. This isn't like she is going to see Ava, it's her mother's funeral. Yet the tone of Ashton's voice reminded me that I asked them to warn me.So I took it and left, even if I didn't think it was right for her to go alone. Part of me wants to leave and go there, but the thought of our mother beating me stops me. I know she is right, I ignored her warnings and made things worse. I honestly thought unpacking would be a good thing. Clearly, I was wrong."Hey." Turning I look at Emmett. "Big bear is here." I forgot about that."Deal with Emmett.""No, we deal with it. Don't go back to the person who gives orders Grayson or I will walk out and ignore everything you say." He stands looking annoyed."Fine." Standing I walk out, stopping I sit down and look at him."You said you wanted me to bring things here Grayson." He looks at me worried."It's fine, just not a good day that's all. Hand it here." I watch as he holds out the papers, glancing through
RavenI wake alone, but don't get out of bed. Staying laid down I consider everything. I don't know what was wrong with me yesterday. I want to put it down to being pregnant, but I know that's wrong. I shouldn't have felt alone but I did, despite them being right there."Good morning beautiful." I smile hearing Emmett and watch as he climbs on the bed, kissing me he places the tray down. His mouth presses a gentle kiss on my stomach. "Morning little one." I stare at him and laugh."Food, talk, then you get ready for today." He grins and sits back and I watch Grayson and Ashton walk in and sit down."Fine with me.""Okay, first you have the doctor today. Just to check on you." Grayson states and I nod."That's good as I need the implant removing." He nods and glances around."Raven, today is your mothers funeral." Ashton looks at me. "It is your choice what you do, it's at eleven," Ashton explains."We will be with you regardless Raven. If you want to go we will be there for you." Gray
AshtonI hear the door open. Sitting we don't talk, I want to go check on her though, which defies the whole point of her having space."Grayson Blake Caddel!" I smirk hearing our mum."It wasn't me!" He jumps up and I laugh."What did I say less than twenty-four hours ago?" She stands looking at him. Hell, she is more pissed off with him than she was me.He stands trying to look confused and shrugs his shoulders."I'm not blind, you know, so come on what did I say?""You told me not to force her to unpack the case." His words are quiet. Wait, I look at him, I thought Mum knew. He said she agreed."Grayson!" I stand up shocked."I thought it would fucking help! I'm sorry, I thought her unpacking would make her accept this is her home and relax.""You messaged and said Mum agreed it would help!""No, I told him it would be worse. That was her final safety net. Why ask for advice Grayson if you do the damn opposite?" She looks at him annoyed.I'm just glad it isn't me today. It's rare