GraysonI need to apologise. I don't like the fact we're essentially using Raven to get work done. She shouldn't be used, not by us for any reason. Yet arguing with Emmett and Ashton did little to change their minds. They are right about certain things though. Like Raven is family, we can't hide her and shield her from everything anymore.She's a target because she is with us. That target won't be removed if we hide her from things. Emmett was also right, it's not my choice, and we can't always hide what we do from her. I've tried, I deal with business when she isn't with us or is sleeping. I shouldn't be hiding it from her. We made everyone aware she is ours, which means the whole shitshow we run is hers as well. So who am I to refuse her help?So, I will apologise, because I said things that were fucked up and while she has heard worse from her mother, I shouldn't have said it. Not now though, I'm still angry with all three of them for thinking this is a good idea.Standing I lean a
RavenYesterday was bad. For some reason, Grayson kept attacking me with words. I didn't want to hear his excuses, so as soon as I got back with Asthon I walked into my room and went to bed. I didn't want to face the world. Not with Grayson and his attitude anyway.Waking up I'm alone, and it's an uneasy feeling. I've got so used to waking up with at least one of them in bed with me, it feels weird that no one is.Getting showered and dressed I sit back on the bed. Glancing at my phone I pick it up and begin reading the messages. I don't see Ava anywhere near as much as I would like to these days. Then again, she's safer away from me. I give her and Alexa a quick reply saying I'm good, then I move on, ready to read his messages. Only there isn't any.His silence is far more scary than his threats and twisted game. I need to find him. Sure the brothers said they will, but I need to. Maybe now I know it is him, he will listen?I laugh slightly, knowing that he won't ever listen. Just be
RavenNearly ten minutes later I stop the bike outside an old building. Taking out my phone I try them all again and get no response. A message coming through as I do.I see you little fox.Ignoring his message I walk towards the building and my phone beeps again.Not in there little fox, turn to your right, and walk across the field.Shit, I told the brothers I was here. Turning I walk across the field, a few minutes later my phone beeps, I don't want to look.Almost little fox, come into the treesStanding I face the trees. He said he could see me, how? I can just about see my bike, so how did he see me from somewhere inside the trees? I try the brother's phones again and still, there is no response. My phone beeps again, glancing down, I read it.You're out of time little fox, every minute now countsMy head rises as I hear a scream. Stepping forward I walk into the trees but it's silent. My eyes scan around. He didn't say where to go, how the hell am I meant to know? A minute pass
EmmettToday should be a good day. That is what I think to myself as I get ready and walk out. I stop when I see Grayson. Today isn't going to be a good day."Sit, we need to talk." Moving I sit down with him and Ashton. "Paul keeps calling and messaging.""Good for him." I laugh slightly."Shut up and listen Emmett. He wants to make a deal.""What does he have to offer Grayson?" Nothing at all."Gary." I look at him. "He's known Gary was here all along, he didn't know Raven though, so it's a good job she used a fake name.""So, what he tells us where Gary is?""I don't know, I said we would go speak to him in person. See what he has to offer and what he wants." I laugh slightly at his words."Come on Grayson, he wants to keep dealing those drugs in the city. Even I know that." I nod in agreement with Ashton."Then we agree.""No!" What the hell? I stare at him."We agree, get what we need then stop Paul." Grayson looks at me."That's worse. You go back on a deal made, others will be
RavenWe get back, and I don't bother talking to any of them. Instead, I walk to my room, closing and locking the door behind me. Nothing I tell them can help, so why even bother answering their questions? Lying in bed I stare at the ceiling considering everything. I'm thrown by Gary's actions. I was ready for him to hurt me, but for some reason he didn't. My phone rings, looking down at the screen it says withheld number.Hitting answer I hold it against my ear."How's your hand?" I glance down seeing the blood coming through the fabric. "I didn't want you hurt, next time, be careful please." The line cuts out and I sit confused.He's changed, from the first time I met him. He's changed from the time he raped me, he physically hit me then, and now though he is avoiding it. Why?Looking at my phone I click my mother's name and listen to it ringing."Raven, what do you want?""I don't know." Somehow, somewhere inside of me, I miss her, which is fucked up. Part of me also wants her comf
RavenI wake with the familiar feeling of Grayson's hand wrapped around my neck. I need to ask about that, not today though. I'm spending today with Alexa and the girls, planning and sorting this lady's night."Morning Doll." I smile at his words, and his hand tightens on my neck as he pulls me closer to him."I'm busy today, so do what you need to in order to feel happy that I am safe." My words are quiet and I turn to face him.His hand stays in place and is now wrapped around the back of my neck."Okay, well, what is the plan, where will you be?" He looks at me waiting."Today at the club, planning. At about eight, me and Alexa are going through to The Stallion, to decide on which dancers. We will be back for about eleven."I watch as he nods and considers it."We're busy today, so I will make sure some guys are stood outside the club doors. Then when it comes to you going to The Stallion, either we will escort you there, or I will ensure someone else is." His hand tightens on the
RavenGetting inside I see Alexa sitting at the tables. She smiles as I walk towards her."You good?" She looks at me worried."Yes, honestly." I am, I feel far better than I have in years."Good, Grayson kind of explained what is going on, so we always have someone on the door now watching for him." I sit down."Okay, enough of my doomsday psychotic stalker. Lady's night?" She laughs and nods."This Saturday! We've sold all the tickets already. We need to plan the timings, so we know how many dancers we need. We also need to consider the types of dancing.""Why not have it like when we're dancing?" It makes more sense."It will be, but I am thinking of making it more like other male strip clubs, where the dancers also have a woman on stage." She grins and I feel she is up to something."Okay, spill, as you're hiding something, what?" She laughs nodding."Nothing bad. There is a guy there called Oliver, I want to ensure that Candice is with him. They need a little nudge, they like eac
GraysonWe leave and escort Raven and Alexa to The Stallion. It's been too long since I have been here, or seen Ruth. Stopping the bike, I watch as they get out of the car and walk in. "What is the plan, now?" Ashton asks."The plan is, we give them a few minutes to get settled, then we go in."Emmett laughs, "Why are we waiting?"I thought that would have been obvious. "So, if Ruth is watching she doesn't know she is with us." I can't trust her. There is a chance she has no idea who Raven is as I know Alexa won’t have said the name of who she was bringing."Fine, let's get in." Ashton opens the door and we fellow. I walk to the bar and sit."She's there." I turn to the direction he points. Raven is sitting with Alexa. I turn my eyes away and focus on the glass in my hand."He's not even touching her Grayson." Emmett laughs, and I know he isn't. The guy dancing near them isn't even close, even if he was that wouldn't be the issue."Is it because it's personal?" Emmett laughs and I tur
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