E.W.E.W - L.W.T.B.B Copyright © 2012-2017 xXMopelXx All Rights Reserved.

Current Chapter Posted - Saturday, July 8 2017

Holy, God! This is a long one. 18 pages on word and 7000 words! I hope this makes up for the lack of updates in the last few months. I'm trying to update frequently now that I'm in summer. 

Happy Reading, Babes! xo

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{ Chapter 32 } : It's Beer Boy and Barbie Girl until the world stops turning

 "I think I have a plan," Nate's voice rumbled, coated with a hint of edginess. "You're just going to have to trust me on it."

Didn't he tell me that last time as well?

I clenched my teeth until my jaw felt like it was going to pop. My stomach churned with a new wave of nausea, and my head spun with a sliver of dizziness. I already vomited twice, there wouldn't be a third time.

"I don't know how much I trust your words, Nate. You promised you'd find a solution the last time, too. We've wasted enough time as it is. I can't afford more."

"Anna-"

"I'm not going to let him hurt anyone else, Nate. I'm telling Sam as soon as I see him."

"No – You can't." Nate's deep voice dropped a few octaves, panicked. "Look. I know. You're right. You have every reason to doubt me. I haven't done a bang-up job of fixing this. But I'm trying to salvage the fvcking situation. I think I've found it, girl. A way to stop him from harassing you and from going after Sam. I need tonight to end this. Give me until tonight, Anna."

"What are you going to do?" My voice was bleak. There was a havoc waiting to wreck and I was keeping a tight lease on the chaos ready to unfurl inside of me. I didn't know how much longer I could do it.

The best thing I could do right now is be honest with Samuel if I cared for him. And I did. Truly. So much. No more lies or deceits, I should be living by that mantra. And maybe tonight, that's what I'd do. Tell him the truth. After all, honesty was the best policy.

"A trade, Anna. Me for Sam."

My train of thoughts had briefly altered that when Nate's words sunk in, I inhaled a sharp breath, like I'd been sucker-punched straight in the gut. My hand trembled as I reached for the toilet bowl, unable to hold down my heave.

Nate's concerned showed, asking me if I was okay.

Okay? I wanted to scream. I was far from fvcking okay! He was so calm. As if we were discussing the damn weather and not a possible life-or-death situation between him and his best friend. I cared for Sam, but I held a lot of respect for Nate, which meant that I also cared for him and didn't want him hurt either.

"Nate, no." My whisper was bare and meek, no power to my words.

"Think about it," he drawled, deep baritone turning a shade somber. "Baxton wants back in the circuit. He wants to beat Sam because he thinks that's his best way in. Defeat the hottest fighter in the city. Sam's climbing the ranks and he's doing it quick. Your guy loosing will get people talking in the underground – It might even get the Donalds back in the game with their old clients. You know how they like to fill their pockets to keep their estate business running, don't you, Anna?"

I wrapped a hand around my head, borderline panting. Of course, I knew how they filled their pockets. Its what got my dad killed in the first place. "The cartel. The cartel...and the mob."

My involvement with Joey Donald signed my dad's death warrant.

"Exactly. Bax wants a match to the end. I'll give him one. I'm a better catch than Samuel and the Donalds damn well know it, too. My brother may be getting the attention now, but I've been several steps ahead of him. I've been training in the game longer than Sam has. Baxton will find more ego and twisted-joy defeating a guy who's most likely making it into the semi-finals. Meaning me."

"Oh, God."

"This is all a strategy to get their broke-ass family back on track and their drug-addicted son's wounded pride. You know this, Anna. If Sam doesn't accept the fight – or if I don't offer the trade and accept it – people are going to get hurt."

"I know. Oh, God. I know. But Nate – A match to the end? No. No. No. No. Just fvcking no. There's got to be another way."

When Nate didn't say anything, the blood running through my veins, already cooling from this heated conversation, turned to ice as another sinking realization hit the pit of my stomach. "You're going to let him win, aren't you?"

"There's no other way."

"Bullshxt, Nate. Bullshxt." Tears burned the back of my lids and I sobbed once, my head hitting the tiled wall. "Please."

"I wish I could tell you what you want to hear. But...I'm not sure I have that answer, Anna." His chuckle was humourless and choppy. "Sam's like a brother to me. He's done a lot for me. I... I owe him this. Him and his mom. They took care of me when my own drunkard parents wouldn't."

I wiped my eyes before the tears could spill. "I hate all of this. I wish it didn't have to be this way. I wish..."

Nate's voice was just as resigned as mine. "I did some digging, Anna, and found some real fvcked up shit. Henry Donald is just a front boss, his business is run by bad people. He gets his money from his involvement with them and that how he buys half the estates he owns. Every time he sells one of his assets, a lot of that money gets run down and back into the pockets of the bad guys. I'm sure your dad tried to explain this to you a long time ago. Moreover, I've heard on the streets that Joey runs with them now. Henry Donald was so desperate for cash he sold his younger son. I don't know what Joey does for these people – these people who have questionable affiliations to gangs and the cartel – but I think it's got something to do with debt collecting. Maybe even trouble of the hit-man variety."

My dad did try explaining this to me. Three years ago, I was young and ignorant, and lived in a world where Joey was my God. He'd been bad then, but not as bad as he sounded now. I wasn't surprised that he was running the streets, answering the malicious calls of his family. Venom ran in their bloodline.

"Your dad. He was their accountant, right?"

I nodded miserably, before realizing he couldn't see it. "Yeah. Yeah, he was." There was a lump in my throat. "He caught them for money laundering, above other illegal activities."

"I had a feeling," Nate's swallow was audible. "Hear this. Baxton started training in Richie's gym a few years back, before I started. He was a hot fighter a couple of years ago – the hottest – and even made it to the underground finals. Daddy dearest caught wind, and found a way to exploit his son. Said son being just as money and fame greedy went along with it. Got some dangerous people involved. He started fighting for them, for their rings, and for their dirty money. Henry thought it would be an ideal way to make extra cash on the side. But Bax's drug and alcohol addiction were his down fall and eventually he spiralled out of control. He became useless to these people once he was sent into rehab."

"You're kidding me." This was a lot to take in. My mind was still reeling from Nate's offer.

"I swear it. Do you understand what kind of situation we're in? I don't want these people after Sam. If the match with Bax doesn't injure him enough, these guys will. This might be the only way. I know some people and I think I can cash in a few favors to handle myself. I just need to get Bax to see that I'm a better deal. The rest will fall into place."

"And what if it doesn't? You're important too, Nate. I'm not going to let you go in like some sacrificial lamb."

"That's sweet, girl. But I need to do this. Understand that, Anna?" he murmured. "It's a tough situation, but we might just pull through."

I understood it and that was the problem. I wished I didn't. I flashed back to my dad, wishing I could have done something to prevent his death. They were going to let him go. They had. I just had to get involved with Henry Donald's bxstard of a son.

Maybe you should have kept your legs closed, Anna, I thought bitterly. That might have changed the course of things.

"What if we tried going to the police, Nate?" I pleaded, tears stinging my eyes anew. The second the words were out of my mouth, I knew they were useless. My dad had tried going to enforcers. It hadn't worked.

"Anna," Nate started. "Going to the police and snitching will only anger these people. You'll achieve nothing. How fast do you think the mob can put a bullet through your brother? How fast do you think the cartel can send men for you and your mother? Between you and I, pretty fvcking fast. One wrong move and we're all dead. But you already knew that, didn't you, girl?"

The chaos I'd been keeping on a leash uncoiled fast and hard. I sobbed again. The sound was razor-sharp. My chest hurt from the pressure of balancing my frustration at bay.

Nate swore on the other line. "I'm sorry, fvck. I don't mean to upset you. I'm frustrated, too. I need to protect people as well."

I ran a shaky palm down my face, my back trembling. "I know. Jesus Christ, Nate. I know. It's just...I hate feeling helpless. I feel like my dad died all over again, and it's my fault somehow."

"None of it is your fault. Don't say that," he snarled. "I need to go now. Get back to work before anyone hears this conversation. Remember what I said, okay? I'm working on fixing this. For now, keep safe and don't do anything reckless. Do that for me?"

"I will," I whispered. "And we're going to find a way to make sure you're okay. I promise."

He exhaled sharply, and I sensed that he was about to cut the line. "Hey, Anna. I want you to know something."

"Yeah?"

"I never once regretted beating the ever-loving-crap out of Connor O'Malley. I don't think Sam did either that night in the parking lot of Danny's Grill. You deserved to be defended after all the shit that's happened to you."

I choked a little. "Nate. T-Thank you."

"No worries. You take care now –"

"Wait, Nate. You're saying you need to protect people. It obviously has something to do with friends and family. But...Does it have anything to do with that girl you once told me about? I think her name was Kate."

There was a quiet stillness on the other side of the receiver and I thought he hung up for a moment.

Before he released a harsh, clipped sound. "Maybe."

The line went dead.

* * *

The following moments could only be described as a passing blur. My body, weakened by three sessions of gut-wrenching vomiting, buzzed with a draining energy I couldn't quite decipher. Hauling my frame into the shower and staying upright was a fit. My neck cramped from the ongoing headache, and my head throbbed mercilessly. A prickly sensation hit me like a heat wave, commencing at the tips of my fingers and ending at the ends of my toes. I felt airy, like I could float through anything.

I cleaned up in the shower, slowly but thoroughly, and even shed a few tears. The hot rivulets sloping down my cheeks were a jarring contrast to the cold water pummeling down on me.

There was a reason I loved being numb. Long ago, I used to seek that thrill in different potent forms – alcohol, weed, and sometimes even ecstasy. Feeling caused the immersion of painful thoughts, which lead to an unending row of regretful memories that left a bitter taste in my mouth. I hated feeling.

But now all I did was feel.

I was immune for so long – or rather, I had sheltered my battered self in a manner that I'd feign indifference to mask the nature of my true emotions – that my caged heart, newly roaming free, felt like it was taking poison-tipped arrows straight to the core now that I'd allowed it to feel more for the ones it cared deeply for – Michael, Mom, and Samuel.

I hated feeling; so many consequences.

One thing was guaranteed. I would never allow Joey and the people who got my father to ever hurt another one of mine. Over my dead body. I wasn't going to lose anyone else.

I'd damn well fvcking make sure of that.

Sam, he would know the truth. I couldn't hide it from him any longer, whether Nate pulled through with a plan or not.

This green-eyed-blond-haired giant with the kindest and most caring heart, passionate and fiery soul, protective and possessive attitude, honest and vulnerable streaks had found a way to mangle my icy barriers and discovered pure liquified heat inside of me. Made me realize that I was missing and wanting and needing something so strongly – something that was him. Him and him alone. He was vital to me. I was vital to him. I'd fight for him, too.

Jesus, Anna. Why don't you write him a haiku?

With a rough groan, I turned the water off and knocked my head against the wet backsplash. I stared into space, looking for nothing and finding everything in an instant.

As the steam let up, the haziness clouding my mind spirited away and the deep fissure in my chest cemented with another swift realization.

Sam's drunk words from a millennium ago echoed monumentally in the hollow cave of my mind.

I knew why I'd fight for him. It was more than being inevitable.

My fingers trekked over the condensation on the glass door.

Sam once murmured it himself one night, mischievously as he held me close in his arms, and I was going to work on solidifying that fact.

"It's Beer Boy and Barbie Girl until the world stops turning."

* * *

I picked up a short last-minute shift at work since Katie, my coworker, had caught a nasty flu.

Work was gruelling because I kept thinking and thinking until I thought my brain would explode as I served customers at Amore's and delicately handled rows of designer shoes and lingerie.

Coming home was even worse since Mom was still at the hospital, Michael at Kurt's, and Sam behind his closed door. I felt like an outside in my own home for a small fleeting second.

Mentally exhausted, I was too tired to talk with Sam. I knew I would have to apologize, but just not now. It was his last night here, and I didn't want to fight. Even though I felt it looming upon us, as Nate's conversation stayed poised at the tip of my tongue.

I made myself a turkey and cheese sandwich and brought my dinner to my room as I finished working on a humanities paper. My baby pink horloge read 9:30 pm by the time I finished. Although it was the weekend, I longed to go to bed early in a desperate attempt to wash out all of today's events.

My fingers perched on the rim of my laptop. Just as I was about to shut it close, my phone pinged with a text message. Distracted, I left it the way it was.

Dear God, please don't let it be another picture attachment.

Worry wormed its way inside me until I saw that it was from Nicholas.

You busy tonight? -N

I thumbed back a quick reply. No. Just finished some homework. Was going to make it an early night. Why? – A

I'm applying to a new job. Wanna check out a bar not too far away from here. Scope out the place. They're looking for a bartender. – N

Oh, no way. You love Danny's. What's wrong with it? – A

Got in a fight with a co-worker. Not down to work there anymore. – N

That sucks. I'm sorry, Nico. – A

Don't be. Come with me. It'll only be for two hours max. I don't want to go alone. -N

I glanced at the clock again. My sore muscles ached in protest, but I owed Nico and he rarely asked me for favors.

Okay. If it's not for too long. I'm a little tired. -A

Be ready. Coming to get you in half an hour. -N

Okay. -A

Thanks, babe. I owe you one. – N

No, you don't. – A

* * * 

After reading Michael a bedtime story together, mom and I tucked him in. She made her way to her room and I followed her, watching as she settled into the middle of her bed with her Kindle in her lap.

"You're okay if I leave?" I leaned against the doorjamb.

My mom tied her hair in a ponytail and peered at me above the rim of her reading glasses. "Yes. I told you it's okay. I've always liked that Nicholas boy and I trust you with him."

"Thanks, mom. I'll pass your offer to him. I'm sure he'd love to come over for dinner some time soon."

"You do that." She tucked a wayward strand of her brown hair behind her ear. "And be safe. I'll be asleep but text me when you get home, all right?"

"Will do. Love you."

"Love you, too, honey. Goodnight."

I closed her door and spun around, almost bumping into a wall.

Sam's fingers grasped my hips to steady me, his warm green eyes burning into mine. His touch was electrifying. "Hey."

I stepped back from him until he was forced to drop his hands from my waist. My eyes ran over his frame almost hungrily, taking in his freshly cut dark blond hair – shortly cropped on the sides and seemingly fuller strands on the top, his usual – and the white long-sleeved shirt that molded to his torso muscles like a second skin. His ripped jeans encased his muscular thighs endearingly and I loved that he kept the scruff on his chiseled jaw clean and trimmed.

"Hey," I murmured, gliding my fingers over his scratchy cheeks.

Sam wasn't having the whole distance thing as he backed me into the wall with his nothing but hiss body. His forearms caged my head and he leaned in, pressing his forehead to mine. "You've been avoiding me."

My fingers were still cupping his jaw as I shook my head. "No."

His eyes searched mine and he must have seen something there that had him exhaling softly. His eyes fluttered closed. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you."

My smirk was wry. "I can think of a few things."

He cracked the barest of grins. A simple twitch of his lips. Then he was layering cotton-soft kisses on my forehead, down my temple, and on the corners of my mouth. "Dirty girl."

"You smell so good," I spoke the truth as I clutched his broad shoulders, holding them tightly like he loved. I wasn't lying, Sam had this earthy scent that was musky and spicy at the same time. I could get intoxicated off it. Especially when it was combined with his aftershave, right after a shower. Mmm.

"You smell even better, Barbie." His left hand had formed around my chin, holding my face to the side and tipped back, as he continued leaving pecks along the underside of my jaw. "Like honey and strawberries. Roses. I don't fvcking know."

My fingers softly tracked down his sides and held onto his hips. "Mmm. Must be the lotion I use."

"Yeah. Must be," he whispered in my ear, slightly taunting, svcking my earlobe between his lips. "I'm sure it's the same lotion you used to massage my back three nights ago. I'm also sure it's the same lotion I told you I was going to use on my d-"

"Sam. Oh, my God!" I shushed. "My mom will hear. Be quiet!" I was flushed.

He grinned and neared his face to kiss me. I dodged it, laughing under my breath, and let his lips land on my pulse point. He bit the skin as punishment. I squirmed in his arms, suddenly short of breath.

"Where you headed, baby?"

It was his turn to scan my outfit with an arched brow.

"Out," I quipped.

The pad of his callused thumb swiped over my bottom lip, now stained by my hot-pink lipstick. His heavy-lidded eyes narrowed. "Who you dressed up for?"

The predatory glint in his eyes grew as he took in my tight-as-fvck skinny jeans, infamous thigh-high boots, and black lacy halter top. It showed some side-bxxb. And my tattoo. I thought it looked good. Sam thought it looked hot, based on the clenching of his jaw.

Suddenly, in one swift movement, he spun me around so my front was pressed to the wall. A distressed sound escaped me and my palms came up to brace myself.

Sam pushed my hair to one shoulder, and pressed himself up against me. His fingers traced down the lines of my nxked back and I gxsped a little, pushing back against him. He hissed in a breath through gritted teeth as I rubbed against his quickly stxffening crxtch. He pushed his thumbs against the base of my spine in warning.

"Sam." My voice was hoarse and gritty. I had to remind myself my mom was in the room next to us. We had thin walls.

Sam released an anguished sound as his hands fell to my a$s, kneading the flesh over my jeans. "Such a tiny waist, baby." His hand delivered a stinging slxp to my bxttom and I gasped for air, coming up short. "Such a thick as$."

My forehead hit the wall and I supressed a grxan as he jerked me back by the hxps so we were molded together. Not even space for a thin sheet of paper to come between us.

The rasp of his shirt against my bare back was too much. His fingers drifted around my sides, delving in my top, escalating higher until they enclosed my brxasts. He grxaned, kneading the skin like he'd done to my bottom.

"No bra?" he barred through clenched teeth. His forehead hit my shoulder and he svcked in another sharp breath. "Anna, you'll be the death of me."

"I-I can't wear one with this t-top. Sam," I mxaned when his fingernails lightly grazed my pxbbled nxpples.

"What did I call you the other day?"

"I-I can't remember –"

"Think fast, baby." His jaw opened over my shoulder and his teeth bit down the expanse of free skin there, no doubt leaving a red mark. I whxmpered. "Before someone catches us like this. I'm so hxrd for you and your txts feel so damn good in my hands. Ever tell you you're for me, baby? Look how well we fvcking fit. There's no one else out there. Just you."

Oh, my God. He's for me. There's no one else.

"Words, Anna. Say them." All too fast, his searing touch was gone as he released my brxasts. I could still feel it though. I would feel the imprint of his hands there tonight when I'd be out, remembering that I made a wise decision by forgoing a bra.

"That I'm a cxcktease," I whispered desperately, feeling a twinge bxtween my lxgs. "Your cxcktease."

"That's right. Mine." Grabbing my hips, he pvshed up against me once, grxwling, so I could feel his cxck and I pushed back to tease.

My fists banged against the wall with the motion and I bit my lip, trying to stop the mewling noises. Jesus Christ, he's created a monster. I was achxng, almost thrashing, and he'd already given me so much this morning.

"You getting shy on me, Barbie? You know I hate it when you're shy."

My back arched and I pxnted. I was two seconds away from pulling apart my bxdysuit and tvgging my jeans down to gvide his hand where I nxxded it if he didn't stop talking all sxxy and filthy to me. "I'm never shy around you."

"No, you're never anything but fvcking hot," he growled, fingers weaving in my hair and moving my head to the side. His mouth descending on my neck and he svcked voraciously, giving me a big love bite where it would be so obviously to anyone.

"Oh, my God." I didn't know how I'd explain that hickey, but I loved it.

"Where are you going?" he rasped against my neck, taking more skin between his lips. His other hand had wedged itself against the wall and my bxdy, cvpping me pxssessively.

"A b-bar. With Nico."

"You're leaving me so hxrd, so I'm leaving my marks all over you. Serves right to every a$$hole who tries to ogle you. I know just how fvcking sxxy you are. They're all going to want a taste. But nobody gets one. They'll know you're mine."

"Jesus," I wheezed when he bit my shoulder again, right over the marks he'd already created with his teeth. "Have you always been this possessive?" You fvcking love it, Anna.

"You haven't seen anything yet." He nxpped my back, right between my shoulder blades. Then lxcked up my spine. I was pxnting, trembling from the ferocity of his words and actions.

I had to pull away before we did something stupid. I was so close to begging him to fvck me right here and right then. My mom was right next door, that was enough to tamper down my arovsal.

I turned back around, my chest heaving up and down with every laboured breath. My neck and shoulder felt deliciously raw and my once perfectly curled hair felt like a wild mess as it tumbled down my shoulders and back.

The lvstful look Sam was giving me had me shaking. He licked his thumb mischievously, the same one that was stained from my lipstick.

I might have grxaned.

He stepped into my space again and ran the same thumb down my neck and bxtween the valley of my brxasts. He husked out, "You wxt for me, Tesoro?"

My eyes never left his transforming face as several shades of de$ire darkened his chiseled features. "Probably."

He took my bottom lip with his teeth and tugged. "That's what I like to hear. When you come home tonight, I'll be waiting for you, in my room." He fxngered the tie of my halter top at the nape of my neck. "I'm going to undo this and peel it down real slow."

Then he kissed my mouth, fast and hard. It was bruising and demanding, making his intent clear. Mine. Mine. Mine. I raised myself on my tippy-toes to accept his assxult full-on, giving back as much as I got. Against my mouth, he spoke more dxrty words, fxlthy taunts in that sxxy rasp of his. Telling me what more he was going to do once he peeled it off.

"You're so bad," My voice was small and breathy.

"You don't like me when I'm good, Anna. You prefer me when I'm fvcking bad. That's when I'm the best to you."

"Mm. True. So good to me." I archxd against him and rvbbed him right. He cussed in Italian under his breath. "You're dressed up, too. Tell me where you're going tonight."

A slight grimace twisted his face. "I'm going to see Crystal right now. She wants to talk and I need to be clear where we stand. For us. I need her to know you're my girl, in case she has any misconceptions."

I narrowed my eyes. "You swear?"

His shoulders sagged and he peered at me under his lashes as he ducked his head, once again pressing his forehead to mine. "Cross my heart and hope to die."

If that was the case, then I needed to mark my territory as well. The bxtch would know better than to fvck with me.

Keeping my gaze trained on his, I wrapped my arms around his neck, bringing us closer. My right leg curled around his waist. His breath stuttered out shakily when I put weight right where he needed it, undxlating my hxps the way he liked.

"Tonight, when I come home," I hushed into his ear, txrmenting him. One arm around his neck, my other hand trickled in the strands of his hair and tugged hard. I could be dxrty, too. "I'm going to let you peel my txp off real slow, baby. So slowly. Then I'll get down on my knees, let you fxst my hair the way you like it, and wrap my mxuth around your cxck, hmm. How does that sound to you? Either you let me svck you off real good, or you fvck my mouth."

Sam's head tipped ceilingward and he cursed, the muscles in his neck rising to prominence. "Fvck. Fvck. Fvck. Tesoro. Anna. Such a dirty fvcking mouth."

I grinned, chuckling. "Sure, baby. You can fvck my dxrty mouth tonight if that's how you like it." I punctuated my statement with another twist of my hxps, hitting him right there and he grxwled, tightening his arms around me until I thought he'd crush me. He lifted my other leg around his waist. I should stop this. Tormenting him meant I was tormenting me. Oh, well. I lxcked his neck until I reached his ear. "Between you and I, I really, really want to svck you off."

He was panting now, his face contorting. "Both. Merda, Tesoro, you damn well know what I'd like."

"Just checking, baby." I left hxt, open-mxuthed kisses down his strong neck, making sure my lipstick stains were obvious. I bit and lxcked that bronzed skin along the way. My hxps were still doing that lazy grxnding thing that was driving him insane. "I want to leave my marks all over you, too."

"God," he grxaned, holding my hxps to stop me. His muscular chest bowed with every inhale and exhale. "You need to stop playing these games, Jodanna. You're too hot for your own good. I'm two seconds away from fvcking you against this wall. We said slow, baby. I like teasing you. Fvcking love it when you tease me back. But slow does not mean me rxpping your clothes off and fvcking you bare and raw with everything I'm worth. That's exactly what's going to happen if you don't stop grxnding on me like that."

I dropped my legs but tugged his head back with the hair I was still clutching, dropping a scorching kiss on his mouth, svcking on that bee-stung bottom lip until I was certain my lipstick was all over his mouth in the hottest way possible.

I placed both hands on his chest and pushed him away, letting him falter a few steps until his back hit the opposite side of the hallway. His chest moved up and down like mine as his breathing slowed from it's erratic pace.

His eyes were mindless and dazed from de$ire but there was still something feral about the way he worked his jaw and clenched his fists at his side. The bvlge in his jeans spoke volumes.

It was exhilarating knowing that I could cause that reaction in him.

"I can be possessive, too, Beer Boy." I lxcked my lips, satisfied by the marks over his neck and the smudge of pink over his mouth. "You better see her like that. Nobody gets you either, Sam. Not her. Not someone else. Mine. Got it?"

If I was wearing any pxnties, they would have melted with the look he shot me. "And you say I'm bad," he grated, his voice gravelly from what he was feeling. "You have no idea what you are to me."

"I'm everything," I grinned cheekily.

He laughed under his breath and it was so boyish that my heart swelled in my chest. "Damn right, baby. Know your worth."

"I can't wait for tonight."

There was a secret look that passed between us as we leaned on opposite sides of the hallway, the heat of a hundred fires lingering between us, watching each other with something akin to fascination. I loved doing this. Commemorating every bit of him to my memory. I could close my eyes right now and still see him without seeing him.

"You're something else, Anna," he whispered.

"Oh, now you chose to be quiet," I whispered back, teasingly. "I'm surprised my mom hasn't come out yet."

He stuck out his tongue and it was so out of place, so silly, that I burst out laughing, clamping a hand over my mouth. He grinned harder at my sound.

"You're something else, too, Sam," I said.

My phone pinged with a text message and it snapped us out of our reverie. The moment was broken and reality was all around us. Nico was outside waiting for me and Sam had to go see Crystal.

"I need to go." I stared at him. Sam nodded, pushing away from the wall, and coming to me.

He held my chin in his fingers, giving me a serious look. "If he touches you, I'm going to hurt him."

Nico? I wanted to laugh again. He's my best friend. That wouldn't be a problem.

I turned around and descended the staircase, before halting abruptly. "Sam?"

"Hmm?" He was busy watching my a$$. Typical male. My male.

"If she gets near you tonight, I'll rip her throat out." I motioned my long pink nails with a Cheshire grin. "With my claws."

He folded his arms over his chest, his tall and lean frame falling sideways against the wall as he guffawed. "I don't expect anything less from you."

I shot him a wink over my shoulder. "You know me so well, baby."

"Be safe, Tesoro."

"Always."

* * * 

Nicholas's sleek white mustang was parked next to Sam's black crotch-rocket bike. His head snapped up when he saw me coming out of the house. "Hey."

My eyes drank him in – he looked good and healthy. His inky black curls, the ones I always found fitting for a Greek God, were longer than usual and he had them tied at the nape of his neck in a small bun. His dark scruff looked so pleasant on his caramel skin tone. His lean and muscular physique were poured in a simple white t-shirt and black jeans with combat boots. He looked very much like the renowned Papi King as he watched me approach with his light eyes, nervously toying with the diamond stud in his left ear.

I smiled and went to wrap my arms around him. He gave me a huge bear hug in return. "I've missed you. I haven't seen you in so long."

He canted an eyebrow. "I wonder whose fault is that. You're always busy."

I raised my hands defensively. "Guilty."

He tilted his head, narrowing his eyes as he caught something. He reached forward and gingerly plucked a piece of my locks, pushing it behind my shoulder. Then his eyes widened and he blushed. "Um, did you just have sxx or something?"

I froze up for a split second, then burst out laughing. "Oh, my God. Why would you say that?"

He smiled timidly and lowered his lashes. "No offense but that's a huge hickey. Or hickeys, I should say. I, uh, think you have bite marks."

Holy God, Sam must have done a number on me. I didn't even check a mirror as I left. I shrugged it off. "No, Nico. I didn't have sxx. Ha-ha-ha."

He gave me a skeptical look. "Honestly, you were never really good at hiding your thoughts from me. If it's not sxx then it was something else. You definitely did something."

Yes, we dry-hvmped in the hallway. He mauled me like an animal and I loved it. Then I did the same to him, marking my territory in a weird animalistic fashion. Now I'm here with you.

"Do I ask you who you're getting it on with?" I deadpanned.

He choked on his saliva, turning away from me. "Jesus, Anna."

"No, right? So how about we leave my sxx life–" or lack of, "– out of this conversation."

Nico opened my door like a gentleman and gave me the side-eye. "If you say so."

"Thank you." I sat down, the smell of leather and something woodsy engulfing me. I watched him walk around the car before coming to his side.

While he buckled up and started his car, I stared at him obnoxiously. "So."

He reversed out of my driveway and gave me a hesitant look. "So?"

"Did you ever have that hot date with Nate's ex-step sister? You know, the one who asked you for – and the one you wanted to give, might I add – oral sxx on the hood of your car?"

* * *

The bar Nico wanted to scope out rested near the outskirts of town. For the life of me, I couldn't fathom why he'd want to work so far away.

I'd always admired his perseverance and determination. This guy was a full-time student like the rest of us and worked two jobs – Danny's Grill and Lo's Den. Moreover, he raced on the side and made good hard cash from his hobby. As far as I was concerned, he was financially secure.

I started getting restless when we were going down a long road highlighted by an endless stream of trees. "Why so far, Nico?"

He seemed fidgety which was weird. Nico behind the wheel was the poster child of calm and confident. He was so in-tune with his car and his driving skills by far were impeccable. Honed to perfection. Tonight, he seemed on edge and I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was missing an important element.

"I don't know. Need a change of scenery."

"If you're planning on quitting Danny's, why do you need another job? Shxt. You've got so much on your plate. Do you really need this money?"

He cast me a glance, before staring straight ahead, giving me his profile. Straight nose, strong cheekbones, stubborn jaw, dark stubble. There was something like unease looming over his expression.

Something clicked in my head. "Did you even get in a fight with a co-worker or was that all bullshxt?"

It was dark in the car, save for the lampposts illuminating his expression in intervals as we drove. The second light draped over his face, I saw the telltale tick of muscle in his jaw. There. Right there.

"Nico, you better start talking now," I said lowly, almost warningly.

His lips pinched and his face tightened. "I didn't get in a fight with a co-worker."

"Don't be cryptic now. Tell me what's wrong."

"We're here."

I didn't even notice him pulling into a small, dingy looking parking lot. Nico cut the engine and faced me with a grim expression. My mouth ran dry as I took in the sight before me.

From the exterior, it appeared to be a normal looking bar, if not slightly worn-out. The bricks walls looked like they'd seen better days, splattered in yellow and blue graffito. The sidewalk lining the entry of the bar was littered with cigarette butts. It seemed to be in business – and business was most definitely fvcking booming.

But that's not what had me choking.

No.

It was the large crowd of scary-looking bikers gathered outside, smoking heavy and drinking canned beers. Nicholas's white mustang stood out like an angel amongst demons. The name of the bar was a laughing irony – Chez Devil's.

But then again, something about it was familiar sounding.

Like a flashing lightbulb, it clicked in my head.

Chez Devil's... Devil's... Devlin.

"My dad's friend, uh, Devlin, Anna. It'll only be a few hours, we'll have fun. We always go to Danny's. Let's try something different." Joey's voice echoed inside my head and my head fell against the headrest as I stared at the bar in front of me with sickness.

This had Joey written all over it.

"You've got to be kidding me," I sneered. "Nicholas you're not serious–"

A sweater that Nicholas had picked up from the backseat was thrvst in my direction. He nodded gravely. "Put that on. We don't want to draw unnecessary attention."

Of course not, I thought bitterly, as I donned the sweater. I'm dressed appropriate for a bar like Danny's Grill. Not one consisting of outlaw bikers. Nico must be out of his fucking mind. "I don't understand why you brought us here."

I wanted to fvcking leave. I wasn't above admitting that I was scared. Nico's car was well-tinted, so they couldn't see who was inside. But I knew all eyes were on us when we stepped out of the car.

In a blaze, he was at my side. "Don't look at anyone and don't maintain eye contact. We're not here for very long. Play along when we get inside."

Dread poured through my bloodstream and I ignored the rude catcalls and wolf-whistles we got when Nico took my hand in his and weaved our fingers together.

"I don't want to go inside, Nico," I hissed. "Tell me what we're doing here."

He took a deep breath and stared me square in the eyes. His hand touched my cheek lightly. "Nate call you today?"

I stayed rooted to my spot, immobile. Dread was now pounding in my veins. "Yes."

"This is all part of the plan, sweetheart. Now paste a smile on your face and let's get this fvcking over with."

I thought of Sam's words as Nico dragged us inside.

This isn't being safe.

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A/N's: Okayyyy there's a lot going on! Leave me your thoughts <3