Date = 9 JulyPlace = San Francisco (Damion’s house)POV - AriaWARNING – sex scene!!!“Do you want me, Fairy girl?”I feel his need pressing against my hip and resist the urge to let out a whole hysterical laugh. “Sport … "“Yes,” he feathers kisses down my neck. My brain shuts down.“I … eh … " Oh hell I’m stuttering. I let out a low laugh and try to push him away. “I want you. I do. But I still want to hurt you too. Because you always hurt me … but that’s just who you are … and I know that … you’re a player and actually it’s not your fault … you never led me on … but still I need you to feel the same pain … it’s pitiful but …”He cups my face and kisses me … most likely to shut me up … and frickin hell it’s working - here hauled up against the very sexy, very warm, very hard body of the man I love I’m totally speechless.There’s a million and one reasons why this is a bad idea … my heart getting broken all over again the main one. I should run. Now is the time to push him away, rej
Date = 14 JulyPlace = San Francisco (on the road)POV - Enrique“So, and correct me if I’m wrong here … you dropped River and her parents with Damion … Lee is back here with you … but where’s Skye then?” I look at the man riding shotgun. Axel interrupted his Olympic practice to go help Jackson - not much of a surprise there - and they found the little stowaway hiding in his truck after I let them know about her disappearance. That’s one super strange kid.I shift my gaze to my twin. Together they rescued the innocent, picked up River’s parents in Portland and stuffed them safely with Damion’s group … wherever that may be. But, and I asked Mel about this, there’s no trace of this Skye chick …So I’m trying the impossible - to figure out what Jackson’s done with the girl. His usual brainwave regime is like herding cats to begin with … so a smitten Jackson might act even more illogically ridiculous. Jackson with feelings - that’s a whole new concept. Right about now, I’m even considerin
Date = 18 MarchPlace = San Francisco International AirportAria Thompson = 20 years oldEnrique Blackburn = 23 years oldLeyla Thompson = 7 years oldPOV - Aria ThompsonI hold a firm grip on the small hand in mine, patiently waiting next to one of the blue cylindrical columns that support the roof of the terminal. I keep my eye on the silver carousel for our bright green suitcase to arrive.Funny how you can fit a whole 20 years of existence into a single suitcase. For the umpteenth time since we bordered the plane, my morning coffee pushes up in my throat; my nerves are not only raw but bleeding. I swallow down the burning sensation and look down to find a pair of tired teal eyes fixed on me. I fake a smile at the pale elf-like face under the bright pink bandanna sprouting white daisies and receive a goofy toothless one in return.The colorful garment hides her bald head, her hair loss a side-effect of the chemo treatments, but typical Leyla … she just takes it in her stride. She no
Meet Enrique Blackburn Birth date: 1 April Star sign: Aries Age: 23 Hair color: Blonde Eye color: Heterochromia (blue and hazel) Favorite color: Red Height: 189 cm Warning!! There’s a small scene describing his mother’s murder that might be disturbing to sensitive readers! Date = 18 March Place = San Francisco (Enrique’s home) POV - Enrique Blackburn With an irritated flick of my hand, I close the laptop on the coffee table while simultaneously getting up from the brown leather sofa. The large windows overlook the ocean, but I don’t even take in the scenery, my mind on the freaking girl in my shower – that I wouldn’t mind joining … actually! Thud! Thud! The side of my fist collides with the glass, but not hard enough to break it, just a motion to try and calm myself down a little. What the hell did I get myself into? I’ve just met my so-called girlfriend and she’s already fucking with my mind and my life. That’s why I never date for too long – women are just too complica
Date = 18 March Place = San Francisco (Enrique’s home) POV - Enrique “Do you want something to drink before we start?” I ask, getting up from the bed a little too quickly. “Coffee, coffee, coffee,” she pleads, holding her hands together as if she’s praying. How can she be so comfortable? I feel as if I can’t breathe. I walk behind her to the kitchen. Her hips sway sensually with each step and I take a deep frustrated breath. I’m mantsy as hell. ‘Get a grip on those hormones, Blackburn!’ I pep talk myself out of my daze and notice her eyes moving over my body before she plops down on one of the red high chairs standing in a row at the breakfast nook. I’ll have to think out some strategy to get the sex thoughts out of my head else I’ll be walking with a hard-on all the time. Maybe we should include sexual rights in the contract, I mean … she must have needs too. I turn my back towards her and focus on the red Nespresso, putting a pod inside and pressing the button. Almost immedia
Date = 26 March Place = San Francisco (Mission Street) POV - Aria “I can’t believe you let me buy all this shit!” Three heads swivel to face the blonde that’s been talking non-stop using extreme hand gestures, despite the fact that the one is still in a cast. We’re simply four women enjoying a deserving day away from the overbearing males in our lives, and turning heads as we walk down the colorful world of Mission Street to where we’ve parked our car, lugging loads of parcels and bags. “But they’re so cute … ain’t they cute?” She’s looking at me now and I just nod my head cause I know she probably won’t give me a turn to talk anyway. “Look at this tee-dee, its tum-tum is so fat and cuddly,” she pulls out a teddy bear from one of the parcels and talks in this baby voice. I look up at the sky with a smile. “Ug, I know. Granny is so excited to meet the little cheese ball. Yes, she is.” Now Haley is joining the coo-coo parade, talking in her baby voice, patting Mel’s little bump so
Date = 26 March Place = San Francisco (Pier 39) POV - Aria Soon we are laughing so much, tears stream down our cheeks and my tummy actually starts to ache. These girls know just how to cheer a person up, and I’m so glad they entered my life. I hate lying to them and I hope, one day, after the contract expires, we can still be friends. POP! BANG! The car swirls across the road and seems to decelerate quickly making a strange flop-flop-flop sound. “Ship!” Kiara screams and pulls on the steering wheel to counteract the sudden pull to the right. She concentrates to keep the white BMW going in a straight line, her tongue sticking out of her mouth slightly, and eventually, she manages to park safely next to the road. The smell of burnt rubber and dust mixes in a cloud over us. “What the hell happened?” Haley asks looking at each of us as if she’s mentally making sure we’re okay. Mel is pale and she looks around frantically as if she’s expecting somebody to come and snatch her away. I
Date = 27 March Place = San Francisco (Palace of Fine Arts) POV – Enrique “Where are you?” I’m on the phone waiting at the door for my ‘girlfriend’ to arrive, hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. I’ve learned in the past week not to expect anything rational from Aria, cause she will surprise you. “Eh, in the limo, duh!” This girl will drive me through the madhouse straight to hell. “Aria! Stop doing that!” “Then don’t ask me questions I don’t have the answers for! For the last time, get it into that robotic skull of yours – I don’t know San Francisco, Sport!” I open my mouth to comment, but she hangs up the phone. I take the phone from my ear and look at the screen as if I need some proof that she just did that. I take a deep breath and count to 20 – ten just won’t cut it this time. It’s the second time she’s done this hanging-up-on-me shit and it is extremely annoying. Deep inside I know she’s right … she doesn’t know the city yet … but it doesn’t matter. For some reas
Date = 14 JulyPlace = San Francisco (on the road)POV - Enrique“So, and correct me if I’m wrong here … you dropped River and her parents with Damion … Lee is back here with you … but where’s Skye then?” I look at the man riding shotgun. Axel interrupted his Olympic practice to go help Jackson - not much of a surprise there - and they found the little stowaway hiding in his truck after I let them know about her disappearance. That’s one super strange kid.I shift my gaze to my twin. Together they rescued the innocent, picked up River’s parents in Portland and stuffed them safely with Damion’s group … wherever that may be. But, and I asked Mel about this, there’s no trace of this Skye chick …So I’m trying the impossible - to figure out what Jackson’s done with the girl. His usual brainwave regime is like herding cats to begin with … so a smitten Jackson might act even more illogically ridiculous. Jackson with feelings - that’s a whole new concept. Right about now, I’m even considerin
Date = 9 JulyPlace = San Francisco (Damion’s house)POV - AriaWARNING – sex scene!!!“Do you want me, Fairy girl?”I feel his need pressing against my hip and resist the urge to let out a whole hysterical laugh. “Sport … "“Yes,” he feathers kisses down my neck. My brain shuts down.“I … eh … " Oh hell I’m stuttering. I let out a low laugh and try to push him away. “I want you. I do. But I still want to hurt you too. Because you always hurt me … but that’s just who you are … and I know that … you’re a player and actually it’s not your fault … you never led me on … but still I need you to feel the same pain … it’s pitiful but …”He cups my face and kisses me … most likely to shut me up … and frickin hell it’s working - here hauled up against the very sexy, very warm, very hard body of the man I love I’m totally speechless.There’s a million and one reasons why this is a bad idea … my heart getting broken all over again the main one. I should run. Now is the time to push him away, rej
Date = 8 JulyPlace = San Francisco (Damion’s house)POV - Enrique“Sooo, you’re Jackson. Well, I see what Skye means … you ARE the hot one.” I roll my eyes. We’re fucking identical. Well, except for the tats … and his crazy eyes. And it’s that glower that examines the girl sitting on the kitchen counter with a critical squint. River, however, does not seem to be rattled, not even in the slightest, by his seemingly chained up intensity. Her face scrunches up, wrinkling that cute upturned button-nose, as she gives a big, toothy smile (missing a few).“But you’re a hot mess, dude. I’ve seen better dog turds.” She seems genuinely sincere and I clench my lips to suppress my laugh. He cracks his knuckles. Right now he won’t see the humorous side of anything. Jackson is on the edge. Right on the very tip of it. I know this from years of experience living under the same roof. The slightest chuckle might push him right over. And getting into a one-on-one with my brother when he’s like this is
Date = 8 July Place = San Francisco (Damion’s house) POV - Aria “Just stick your finger up his nose and then kick him on his sexy ass!” My laugh sounds sectionable, like I’ve been chicken-flipping cocaine. Mel lowers her voice, “But really bitch, talk to my stupid brother and make him open his frickin eyes.” Yeah, right. That would be nice, except I’m the blind one, seeing things that ain’t real. For him we are nothing more than an expired contract. Signatures on a piece of paper. But I can’t tell her that. “Come on Aria, hurry up.” From the passenger seat, the tiny voice, giddy with anticipation, interrupts my phone call with my best friend. I miss her. “Mel, wish you were here.” “Soon.” Really though? I’m not so sure this whole revenge ‘thing’ those people got going is ending soon. In a world teeming with intrigue and uncertainty, there are those who find themselves marked for danger. Like these San Francisco boys. A spectre of stalking looms over their existence, an eminent th
Date = 7 JulyPlace = San Francisco (Inferno)POV - EnriqueAlone.That’s how I feel. Sole-slayingly alone.Everybody appears to be gone. My mood sucks. And I’m feeling as though I’ve been abandoned in hell.It’s been more than a week since we rescued Aria … more than seven days since my twin raced off somewhere with our uncle. And over 200 hours since Logan and Alejandro disappeared.Axel is on a training spree, getting ready for the Olympics. Damion is still hiding my sister while Ilkay is somewhere on the black continent treating mosquito bites. And here I am, spending my nights at the club, and my days trailing Aria like some twisted stalker in the shadows, holding my breath that nothing bad happens to her again. Although we’ve taken all the necessary precautions we could under these circumstances … equipping everyone with tracking bracelets (complementary of Blackburn Inc.), handing out stunt guns small enough to fit in one’s pocket, and exploiting a shitload of guards secretly a
Date = 27 JunePlace = San Francisco (UCSF Medical center)POV - AriaI watch them walk away. They seem happy. The previous anxious aura now gone. His father looks just like him - dark hair, dark eyes. So does his sister. I’ve seen them in here before. The little girl with the ice cream. In total contrast, his brother inherited their mom’s blonde hair.“I’m going in. Talk to you just after.” I end my conversation with Mel. She told me everything Enrique left out earlier … the part about what’s gonna happen with Lee, one way or the other. I also learned that Amanda died in an unthinkable horrible way. On the bright side … she sent me a photo and her tummy suddenly popped … looks like she swallowed a basketball.“You can go in now,” a nurse announces to me. I’ve patiently waited for his family to leave. I didn’t want to intrude. Or rather … I didn’t want to answer their, what would be, awkward questions. They seem so friendly; loving; normal. So where did Brian fall off the bus? Why did
Date = 27 JunePlace = San Francisco (Inferno)POV - EnriqueWARNING – sex scene!!!“Are you hungry?” I ask, trying desperately to cut through the uncomfortable edge hanging in the air. Why this girl has the ability to make me suffering from a chronic tummy ache, for one, I’m not sure … but I have an idea. I’m in … I’ve fallen for her. And I want her in my life. Forever.First, I need to fix my mistakes. Even though I did it to keep her safe, I know I hurt her. And, after everything, she was still put in harms way. Maybe if I haven’t pushed her away, I would have been there to protect her … like I’m supposed to.I walk to the small kitchen, where the bacon and mushroom omelets are sitting cold on the room service trolley. I had it delivered earlier, but Aria was still asleep from the sedative the medic gave her on the scene. She was having a full on panic attack when she woke up at the warehouse.The whole pregnancy issue, the way I put her down, the fact that I wasn’t around when she
Date = 27 JunePlace = San Francisco (Inferno)POV - Aria“Ow,” I murmur as pain pierces my head, little knifes stabbing into my brain while images flash through my mind like a low-budget horror movie. The dirty mattress. Lee’s angry eyes! Amanda’s scared mascara-smudged face! Eerie screaming, similar to seagulls fighting over food. Blood. Wicked laughter. I take a deep breath. I swear I can smell the ocean. And fried bacon. My eyes jolt open. I blink a few times to adjust them to the bright sunlight shining through the large open sliding door. I’m in a strangely familiar-ish room. Fear paralyzes me. First they took Amanda away … then Lee … now it must be my turn.I try to move but seem to be weighed down. I gasp, bracing myself for an impending panic attack. They tied me to the bed. They’re gonna kill me. Or worse, rape me. Or the ultimate worst - both. In a fit of panic I gasp a few fast breaths, before gently turning my head to see what’s pinning me down …Just to find Enrique’s an
stronzo = Italian for ‘asshole’ Figlio di puttana = Italian for ‘Son of a bitch’ Cazzone = Italian for ‘Idiot’ Date = 27 June Place = San Francisco (Grimms) POV - Enrique Warning – graphic content! “Anything?” Jackson leans over Jesse’s shoulder to stare at the screen, asking the same question for probably the millionth time. I’ve never seen my twin this on edge. I get that he feels responsible for his roommate. I just don’t understand why he feels responsible THIS much. He’s behaving just as crazy as he did when Mel was abducted … maybe even more so. Typically, nothing rattles him much. So this frantic behavior is completely novel. In this situation, I should be the one to go crazy here, but instead I feel entirely depleted; drained of every inch of energy. I stare at the intricate pattern on the thick carpet under my feet. The blue color matching my brother’s wild eyes. I know something is amiss with him … known it for a while … but right now I don’t give a fig … all I care a