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

Current Chapter Posted - Monday, August 7, 2017

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{ Chapter 35 }: Late night fanatics and their fantasies

There was a brief flicker where my eyes collided with Sam's, and I was sure he could feel my confusion rolling off me in deep waves.

The grip he was keeping on my hair tightened, a marker of his impatience, and I jerked in his embrace like his touch scorched me. I brought distance between us by pushing at his broad shoulders. His hand dropped but stayed at the small of my back.

My gaze roved over his length - taking in the tips of his matted golden hair and stopping when it reached the deliciously sculpted V of his hips where his jeans were slung. Despite the injuries, physically he looked fine. Mentally? It may have been anyone's guess.

I hedged him a dumbfounded look.

"Baby, what are you talking about?"

Sam didn't budge, keeping his calculating stare on me. It grew stormier by the second, angrier in sorts. "Did you date a guy named Joey Donald?"

I closed my gaping mouth a little and decided to tackle the situation in a different way. Maybe he did have a damn concussion? "Honey, you might have hit your head pretty -"

"Jodanna," he growled, fingers in my hair tugging me down until our mouths were a hairsbreadth away and he breathed my air - selfish bxstard. "I didn't hit my head. Answer the damn question."

I squeaked a little, jumping in his lap when he pinched my a$s with two very strong fingers. A chuckle he tried to mask swallowed my sound. I hit his shoulder lightly, mindful of his swelling. "You know this! I did! You saw him in the alleyway after Nicholas's race. He bruised my wrist, and I showed you that, too. I've told you about him." Not much, but enough to spur hatred inside of you. "Why are you asking me this?"

Sam's narrowed eyes didn't leave me as he reclined back against the seat and took me with him. "Just wanted you to fully admit it. You never did. Giving me bits and pieces here and there. Wanted to hear it from your mouth."

I stayed silent, not knowing what to say at his admission.

His jaw worked a little, a muscle in his cheek ticking. "Did you love him?"

Did I love him? No. Years ago, I thought I did, but I know now that wasn't love. "No. So you can hold the barbaric act and stop being so jealous."

He pinched my a$s again.

I snapped, hitting him square in the chest with a feeble fist. Sam's entire face transformed as he winced and pressed a palm flat over his right pec. I gasped, pulling his hand away frantically. "Oh, my God. I'm sorry - I didn't think I hit you that hard. I didn't know. Oh- God."

The a$swipe threw his head back and rumbled a deep laugh, the kind that started in your belly, his big body quaking and taking me with him. I scowled and muffled the male sound with my hand so no one woke up from it. "I hate you."

He stopped guffawing, but his laugh turned into a simmering chuckle as he curled a piece of my strand behind my ear. "Nah, baby. You really don't."

"Why are you asking me about Joey?" I asked softly, wrapping my arms around him again and needing that closeness. Sam kissed my forehead and I suddenly felt shy, vulnerable, so I tucked my face where his neck met his shoulder.

Samuel ran his hands down my back in the gentlest caress and gave a martyr sigh. "Your ex-boyfriend sent men after me."

I already knew, but it didn't stop my body's response. My muscles tensed like cold water had been poured over. My swallow felt stale and tasted like sandpaper. "Go on."

His stomach rumbled.

"I..." Sam released a semi-embarrassed sound. "Anna, I'm...hungry. I need a beer and a sandwich and you. Can we have this conversation outside? Not when you're wrapped around me like a kitten, planted right on my hard-on?"

I practically melted off his lap, flushed by his dirtiness. I shouldn't be surprised - this was Sam. I didn't know why I still blushed at his crudeness. He wasn't anything if not a little sexy, dirty and jagged around the edges.

As I bent down to retrieve the bloodied pieces of his t-shirt, I thought of leaving him alone to do his business and maybe whip up a quick dinner for him. Sam hoisted his body up with a painful grunt and circled my wrist with a bandaged hand.

When I stopped, he raised the towel I'd wetted earlier for myself and used it to wipe down my cheeks and rid my face completely of any streak of makeup.

"Thank you," I whispered, touched by the soft gesture.

His lips skirted over my cheek when he was done. "Anytime, Tesoro."

* * *

The soft light crammed away in the crevice of the exhaust area kept my work space lit as I speared a cube of butter in the frying pan, before depositing two grilled cheese sandwiches inside. I'd made sure to stuff slices of tomatoes inside since I knew how much he liked those.

I was in the midst of cracking open a beer when Sam's carpet muted steps echoed down to the kitchen.

My eyes swiveled to the stovetop. 3:11 am.

Sam was cleaning up while I was prepping his very, very late dinner. He insisted he'd be okay on his own, and I hadn't dared to stay in case I offended him by making it seem like he wasn't capable of giving himself a sponge bath or whatever it is he was planning on doing.

I didn't turn around from my position as I flipped over the grilled-cheeses.

Sam's dark voice carried over with a slight hint of playful accusation. "You changed."

I spun around and my eyes were greeted to a sight for sore eyes. Even my throat ran drier.

Holy hell, suck a dxck, why don't you, Anna? Your guy's damn fine.

Something about a guy, bare feet, screamed to me on a primal level, as if he were so masculine and comfortable in his skin. He'd changed to well-worn ripped jeans with a purple silk dress shirt that clung to his arms and shoulders like a second skin. It lay unbuttoned so the part between exposed richly tanned and tatted skin that stretched over steel band muscles. Even with the bandages, I never forgot how his body was a work of art, a playground for tattoos and chiseled to perfection from the finest of stones.

The dim light screened half of his face. The half that was visible was nothing short of perfection. The jagged blond brow cocked in bemusement looked feral at the same time that it was a turn-on. So were his full lips, shielded slightly by the growing golden beard - yes, not stubble - that seemed like it would feel silky smooth and scratchy in my hands. He was in dire need for a haircut, the arrowed strands at his crown combed and slicked back for once. It was new, but I liked it.

He portrayed every bit the virility God and golden beast I claimed him to be.

"So did you," I fired back quietly in the same playful manner.

The corners of Sam's mouth hitched into a smile that was sensual and tingled my insides. Like he had a secret and he wanted me to keep it. "It was supposed to be laundry day. Got nothing but this fancy shirt to wear."

"I like it," I breathed. Loved it, actually.

"You're staring."

I cracked a grin and leaned against the edge of the counter. "Can't help it. My guy's damn beautiful."

Sam's voice dropped an octave so it was darker, smoother even, like honeyed sin. "Stealing my lines now, eh, Barbie?"

I chuckled despite the trapped feelings insides me and pivoted around, giving him an eyeful of my derriere. I went back to checking the sandwiches to distract myself from the obvious state he put me in. I ached now. "What are you going to do about it, smartass?"

"Spank your ass, maybe." Yes, please.

"Behave, baby."

"That's poetry right there, Tesoro. A+ for rhyming."

He's such a prick. I grinned, but he couldn't see it. "Your drink awaits you, your majesty. I didn't have any Sam Adams, so this will have to do."

"You think you're funny?"

I knew how to push all his buttons. "I know I am."

Sam was behind me in an instance, gripping my hips and canting them so my full back was plastered to his front in no time. I stuttered out a breath and felt an odd sense of peace overcoming me as he branded his strong forearms around my stomach and edged his chin in the crook of my shoulder. I suddenly remembered the first time he'd held like me this. It was weeks before but now felt like a millennium ago, at Josh's party when he was showing me how to hold his pool stick with expert skills. I was buzzed back then, but had every recollection of that specific moment.

The way his smell had evaded my senses, something woody like pine, musky and male. The way his hardened planes had molded to my softer curves. The way the husky timbre of his voice had whispered instructions in my ear.

And I remembered it all.

Sam picked up the beer, took a swig and I felt his swallow through my shoulder, but not once did he let me go. He held me tighter, squeezing me impossibly closer to his body and giving me a searching kiss against the side of my throat. "Grilled cheese?"

I felt choked up for no reason. I nodded, because I knew he could feel it and because my words had died somewhere in the journey up to my mouth.

"Tomatoes?" he mumbled softly into my hair, before inhaling like he was greedy for my smell.

"Just the way you like it."

He tilted my head back and kissed the side of my temple. "Love what you're wearing, Tesoro."

When I was at work in the stockroom, going over new shipment about two weeks ago, I'd come across L'Amore's new fall lingerie collection. The deep emerald colored satin negligee I'd donned reminded me of Sam's eyes. For some reason, I'd had to have it.

I served the sandwiches on a white ceramic plate. "I bought it thinking of you," I confessed, feeling heat suffuse my cheeks.

I heard Sam sucking in a sharp breath behind me. One arm dropped from my stomach before his hand snaked down my spine and palmed my bottom. "You got matching panties on, Anna?"

"Yes."

"Wanna give me a souvenir, baby?" He nibbled my earlobe, before svcking it in his mouth.

"Sam," I dragged out his name in warning, squirming in his hold.

Sam's wicked fingers were deftly pushing the hem of my slip up until they encountered lace. He growled something low and hxt that sounded like 'fvck me' in the best way possible at finding my soft skin.

I gulped deep breaths. "What do you want?"

"These." He f!ngered the edge of my pxnties before dragging a thumb over my a$s cheek. When I didn't relent, he pinched the skin and I gxsped. "Please, baby. Give 'em to me. I want something to hold onto at night when I'm gone and stuck alone in my bed. So fvcking lonely." He bit my earlobe. "They'll be of better use with me anyway."

My breathing was labored and I was mad that I was about to give in. "Fine," I snapped, trembling as I pushed his plate to the side to better grip the counter top. My knuckles turned white. "What are you even going to do with them?"

I had an idea...

Sam's predatory chuckle washed over me like a tidal wave. "Grazie, Tesoro." I felt him bend down behind me and furiously push my gown further up. A loud smxck resonated against my right a$s cheek as he palmed it and grunted in approval. Next came the bite of his teeth. I released a noise and went on my tippy-toes. "I promise I'll be such a good boy."

"You don't know how to be good." My next breath no longer mattered. I couldn't get enough air around him. Ever.

"I'm no fun when I'm good, baby. You know this better than anyone."

Sam pushed my legs apart with a hand to my knees and I obliged. His callused palms warmly ghosted up my calves and up to the back of my thighs.

Then in a move that left me breathless, he used his teeth to t-ear my pxnties down my legs. I gxsped at the feel of them skittering down my bxhind, knowing it was going to leave marks. He lifted my ankles out of them before pocketing the material in the back of his jeans pocket. I saw all of this as I glanced at him over my shoulder with eyelids weighed down by de$ire, my throat so, so fvcking dry.

He kissed the insides of my knees before he stood up, leaving me hanging onto a piece of my sanity with nothing but a thin thread. He smoothed the material of my slip back into place. Once again, his wet mouth sucked the skin near my neck. "I'll even take a picture when I fuck myself, and send it to you."

Oh, god. I shook. "You're so wicked." 

His answer was a dark chuckle that sent all the emotions I kept coiled deep inside haywire. "I'll want you to return the favor."

I pushed his plate at him without turning around. "Y-Your food. I thought we could sit outside and just hang out while we talk. Because you know, we n-need to talk. It's really important -"

"I have this fantasy about you and I. Want to hear it?"

Yes. Oh, God.

"Turn around."

I did so, slowly, and Sam trapped me to the counter with his hips pressing into mine. But, really, was it considered trapping if I wanted to be there myself?

Those stormy orbs were brewing at a hint of challenge as he took another swig of his beer. His tongue swiped over his busted bottom lip, leaving it so shiny and inviting. I might have released another sound, wanting to be the one to leave his lips red and swollen.

Sam raised the bottleneck to my lips so I could take a sip like he wanted. I wrapped my mouth around it, peering at the dark look on his face. He looked at the pink stain my remaining lipstick left around the rim with a wry smirk that hinted his self-control was low. The low lidded quality of his eyes spoke volumes about his undiluted lust for me.

His mouth found my ear. "I look at you, all tall with perfect curves, wild wavy hair, sultry eyes, and that ridiculously pink painted mouth. All I want to do is kiss you 'til you're only thinking about me and nothing else. I just want you to feel me."

My fingers crept up his defined Apollo's belt. "I only ever feel you."

The smile poised near my earlobe turned mocking before his teeth joined the play and he bit, hard. "I want those stains on other places of my body."

His hand covered my left breast and I let him squeeze me possessively over my satin slip. As if squeezing my heart to remind me who resided there - him. Only ever him. 

Sam was downright filthy now and the best version of him possible. "One night when I f!ngered your little pvssy, you kissed me all over my neck with that mouth painted pink, telling me how dxmn wxt I got you. Not only did you ruin my t-shirt, but I couldn't scrub that nonsense off my skin no matter how hard I tried. Fvcking loved it, baby."

My breathing hitched as both of his hands fell to my bottom. He might as well have explicit told me he was going to fuck me, because my pussy clenced. I ached all over and there was only one remedy: Samuel Rafael Adams. "Get to your fantasy already, Sam," I whined.

He raced a path down my neck, svcking love bites. Biting, all sloppy with teeth and so hxt, when I wasn't breathing hard enough for him to get a reaction out of me. "My fantasy, Anna? I want you on your dxmn knee$ in front of me, nxked. Wearing those fishnet tights and little thxngs that I found in your drawer, you cxcktease. Want your hxt mxuth to leave rings around my cxck as you svck me off. Your f!ngers stvffed up your pvssy, strxking and plxying yourself, as you deep thrxat the fvck out of me. That's what I want. And if you're good girl - only if my baby's been fvcking good - will I let you r!de my face and cxme. Mmm. Sound good to you, Tesoro?"

"Sam." I pushed him away before he starting grinding us together and eventually shoved his hand between my legs. I didn't trust myself enough not to scream and wake the whole damn house up. "Baby, you're injured and-"

His words were razor sharp, just like the growl. He was squeezing me tight again like I was the glue keeping him together. "Sound fucking good to you, Anna?"

A millions times over - yes. "Fantastic," I spurted out on another shocking breath. Such a dirty mouth. Such a sinful dirty mouth, and it was all for me.

I wanted to wrap myself around him and kiss him silly. I was game for anything right now. But I had to remind myself he was reeling from injuries and despite what I wanted, I wasn't going to be selfish. Sam could definitely talk the talk and walk it, too, but I needed him to rest.

"Got any fantasy you want to share with me, Barbie? I'm all game."

Of course, he was and of course I had. Now. Thanks to the images conjured in my head from that mouth of his. Jesus Christ. Sam was exactly the kind of guy your mom warned you about.

And I wanted him.

Hell, I had him.

I'd been his for two years, from the second he'd laid eyes on me in the parking lot. He'd been mine from the moment I threw my drink all over him at Josh's party. Inevitable, as always. Everything of mine was his. Everything of his was mine.

It just took us some time to get to this point.

"We need to talk, Sam," I tried to be reasonable, even though my gaze must have that glazed look. He couldn't stop staring at me like he wanted to do bad, bad things to me. Oh, boy.

Then again, he always wanted to do bad things to me.

Sam's mouth split in a smile that was so devil-may-care. "Sure, honey. Whatever you want." The condescending prick let me go and sent me one of his heated looks that warmed me up from the inside. "Dinner?"

I shakily handed him his plate. "I'll be right out. I just need to get myself some water. Make yourself, um, comfortable." Also known as I needed to calm myself the fuck down before I begged him to take me right here, right now. 

"Hmm. Your pussy's a little wet, huh? Take your time, baby." The grin transforming his face was sensual and mischievous. "Serves you right for all the times you left me to tend to my blue balls."

Bewildered, my mouth fell open and I must have flipped his retreating back the middle finger. I couldn't yell at him even though I was embarrassed. My mom and Michael might wake up.

The glass door to the patio slid shut and muted his rumbling laugh.

* * *

After getting my racing heart in check (and doing a quick bathroom run), I stepped out onto the deck. Our backyard was small and quaint and my parents had converted a big portion of it into a big wooden deck and solarium.

The weather would be chilly as we neared the end of October, but the solarium was warm enough for Sam and I.

Tonight, he was occupying my mom's favorite taupe-colored, suede recliner. It was a big affair, enough to house an entire family. Enough to house us.

Sam was lying down on it like a lazy sultan, surrounded by plush black pillows that carved his outline, treating the piece of furniture like his throne. One leg was resting outside and the other was propped knee-up. His thighs were parted enough that I could climb into his lap and rest comfortably. He watched me under those hooded eyes as I approached - hooded eyes that were so alive and sparking with something akin to electrifying energy.

Our gazes latched with strong intent.

"I see you made yourself comfortable."

"You did tell me, I could. So."

"Hmm."

"Come here, sweetheart." He crooked two fingers at me. Grabbing onto my wrists with his hands, he steered me so I was astride. I fell into his lap with an oomph. "Talk."

I glanced at the dinner plate, save for a few crumbs. "You finished it."

"You know you're a damn good cook. Don't go fishing for compliments now."

I rolled my eyes playfully, before sobering up. "How do you feel?"

Sam's mouth moved in a mocking smile. "Like I got hit by a bulldozer. But I'll survive, now that I'm here with you."

I looked at his chest, then at his eyes, wondering if it was okay to put my head there. Sam opened his arms and gathered me close so my cheek was plastered to the skin above his thumping heart. My calves were on either side of his sides. I clutched him close. "Tell me about tonight, Sam."

Sam sighed and squeezed me closer. "Where do I start?"

"The beginning."

"I left you and went to go see Crystal. She was at her place. We spoke for a bit and I told her I had a girlfriend. She knew it was you. I told her I'm still here for her - as a friend - and not in the way that I used to be." I tensed in his embrace and he felt it. "But she was understanding, Anna, and didn't seem mad. That's the thing about her. She's always been misunderstood. She was dealt shitty cards and I helped her cope for awhile. All that's done now. I'm with you and that's the only place I want to be."

"I want to be where you are, too."

"Nate called me when Crystal and I were done. He asked if I was down to spar with him. I figured you'd still be out with Nicholas, so I went ahead. I didn't think our night would get started that early anyway," he chuckled. "When I parked my bike behind the alleyway, something was off. Nate wasn't picking up."

I pulled back to look at his face. His expression was closed off.

"The yelling started in the alleyway behind Richie's gym. I ran towards the sound when I started hearing thrashing. There were older men there with guns." Oh fvck, that did sound like Joey's men. "They were dressed in suits and had this...I don't fvcking know...bloodthirsty look in their eyes. I lost it when I saw one of them pin Nate to the wall with a gun to his forehead. A couple of the guys from the gym had come out to see the commotion and then all the fighting started. I jumped in. Didn't even hesitate. Until I heard the name Joey Donald ringing out. Some guy shoved me to the wall with his knuckle rings up my ribs and asked me if I was Rafael. When I didn't say anything, using my fists instead, a couple more ganged up on me, told me about a fighter named Baxton, and a match at the end of the month for me. Said bad things would happen to me if I didn't lose it."

My heart was beating a thousand beats a minute. 

"I said I wasn't taking this fight. Said I didn't know a Baxton. Until one of the guys mentioned you, Anna. They knew your fvcking name. They said bad things would happen to you if I didn't accept the fight. They said you even knew him, Anna..." He glared at me a little, holding on to me tighter. "And I'm here trying to figure out what the fvck I missed out about you. I would ask Nate, but I couldn't, considering that we were both being beat to an inch of our lives. Add the fact that he got fvcking shot taking a bullet meant for me. Doesn't leave much options. He was mumbling something, saying you knew the rest of the story and to ask you. Said he was sorry for not fixing shit and that I owed it to you to hear you out. So now I'm here. I'm done with your secrets, baby. You want total honesty from me? I want the same from you. You got to tell me why these men almost killed me and my brother tonight and what the fvck they want from you."

"They want nothing from me," I murmured miserably. "It's all from you." Then I gasped. "Nate got fucking shot? Please, tell me he's going to be okay." Instinctively, I knew he had to be okay, because Sam wouldn't be here otherwise.

"Bullet hit his upper arm. Kate will take care of him. He's going to live, but he's going to be in a lot of pain."

I took a deep breath. My turn to be honest and give my truth. "This is going to be long. I just need you to listen, okay? Everything. From start to finish."

"I'm all ears, babe."

* * *

I recounted how Joey and I met.

Nearly three years ago, I was the untouchable 'party girl'. I had friends in every corner. People knew me. Everyone wanted to be around me. I was pretty, smart, driven, and always down for a good time where drugs and substances were concerned. Joey Donald was a good-looking douchebag with a rich father, hailing from another school. At fifteen, I thought I was untouchable. I could do and act however I wanted, and there was no consequences. I was, essentially, living the teenage dream. 

But I had enough love, self-respect and confidence not to feel the need to spread my legs for anyone for the sake of validation. My parents taught me intimacy was sacred. So I valued it. 

I had fun with people but I practiced, in my own way, celibacy. 

Joey saw a challenge in me.

I explained how Westwood High had this sick game - a game created by Joey where guys would bet money in their circle to see how fast one of them could screw a chick. More money if she was a virgin. It was gut-churning and disgusting. I wasn't the first victim. Nor had I ever made an effort to reach out to those who had suffered the same fate as me. After it was over, I just wanted to die and be left alone.

I was Joey's biggest challenge. I had boyfriends, but nothing serious. I didn't fuck around either. But I knew how to party like it was my middle name. That's what caught his eye. And that I was apparently the most beautiful-looking girl he'd ever laid eyes on. Oh, and a spreading rumor declaring that, despite my 'frivolous ways', I was a virgin.

And he'd wanted to be the first one to break me in. 

Joey asked me out because of a bet. I didn't know back then. I hadn't said yes the first time. Then he became persistent. Going to my favorite ice creams shops. Catching me with flirtatious winks at the library. Joining me for my morning jogs. I'd thought it was cute. I'd caved in. Now I realized it was creepy and stalkerish.

We had a whirlwind of a relationship. He was soon becoming the bad boy I couldn't quit. I wanted to tame him, just like every other girl. I had failed. He didn't want a relationship from me. He'd wanted my body - just one time - and a thousand dollars cash.

That's how much my virginity had been worth. A thousand dollars. According to the grape vine, I was the most expensive bet yet.

I told Sam how he'd turned me into a horrible version of myself. I became careless. I became rude. I became snappy. I fought constantly with my parents and defied them because he'd asked me too. I took the word rebellious to a whole new level.

Then I told him how he'd guilt trip me when it came to sex. How I never gave in. Until one night.

Sam's expression thundered with anger, but he reigned it in so I could continue.

"My dad was always telling me that the Donalds' were bad people, Sam. I didn't listen. One night when my dad came into my room and yelled at me for sneaking out of the house and getting high with a random boy, I'd lost it. I screamed, telling my dad I loved my boyfriend and that he treated me like a princess. The latter was true, to a certain extent. Anytime Joey was in a good mood, he treated me like one. When he wasn't, I was thrash. My dad got even madder when he found out it was him. Still, I didn't stop seeing the motherfucker. I went against my parents' wishes just to drive them crazy. I was a stupid teenager and wanted to live my life on my own terms. I know now that my parents had always had my best interest in their mind. I...I wish I had listened to them, you know?"

Sam smoothed a hand down my back. "How did your dad know they were bad people?"

"Henry Donald's got several boards on untouched land with his name on it. Joey's dad runs a real estate business, but it's more than that, Sam. They do other things as well. Illegal shit with weapons and drugs - the real estate business is just a front. My dad and Henry went to college together and were acquaintances, friends even. My dad was an accountant - Henry Donald's accountant to be specific. Henry hired him on some false friendship pretense without giving my dad the full breadth of his empire's dealings. My dad would have never accepted if he knew what the Donalds' were involved in. Eventually my father figured out shit wasn't adding up and caught them for money laundering. When my dad confronted Henry, wanting out, they tried to buy him in. A lifetime of sin in exchange for silence and the promise of making him a wealthy man. Sam, my dad figured out they had ties with the cartel and even, shit, some members of the Mafia. I don't know what deal my dad made with the devil, but he was able to quit his job, but never Henry Donald's radar. He took personal offense that my dad wanted nothing to do with a piece of shit like him. I think they were constantly worried my dad snitching to the cops - Derek had a strong sense of justice and doing the right thing. So my family stayed low until the threatening calls and messages came in for my parents. One night after my mom finished her shift, her car was vandalized. They wanted my dad to work for them again - he knew too much. My dad was terrified for our safety and went to the police, who did nothing. It was too late - some were already in the Donalds' pockets. Time trickled by and Henry dropped his fascination with my father. Everything was okay, until I had to get involved with Joey by dating him. I opened up old wounds. Pandora's box. Ironic isn't it?"

Sam watched me, utterly shocked at my revelation. 

I laughed bitterly, feeling tears sting my eyes. "It gets worse, Sam. I fucked everything up. I got involved with Joey despite my father's warnings. One night when he was lecturing me, I lost my shit. I loved, Joey. So much that I was ready to run away and live with him. Joey convinced me my family was poisonous and I believed him. God, I was such an idiot. I packed my things the night my dad snapped at me. He never yelled at me. But he came home that day and saw a bunch of hickeys on my neck and me just lying high in my bed. He lost it and so did I. Sick and tired of my parents' shit."

"I texted Joey, and he said he'd come pick me up and we'd go back to his place. Forever. My dad and I got into a verbal fight. I left. He cried. Joey came to pick me up, smug bastard. Took me home, pressured me into having sex with him - even though I wasn't ready - and wasn't even  gentle with me. He made me feel like I owed him since he was giving me a roof over my head. My dad came that same night to get me, even though he clearly said he wasn't going to do so. He loved me with all his heart. My dad was a softie. Could never stay mad for longer than two hours. He got to the gated residence of The Donalds. And when he came out of his car to get me - his underage daughter - Henry laughed in his face and got his goons to beat up my father. One of them tore a bullet through his heart. They killed my dad, Sam. And it was all because I'd been too hard-headed, stubborn, and fucking stupid. Still think I'm the best person in the world? Because I'd fucking beg to differ. In the span of a few months, I destroyed my entire family."

"Anna..."

"There's a reason why I'm guilty, Sam. There's a reason I kept it all in. I deserve to feel guilt. I deserve to have it suffocate me because I killed one of the most important people in my whole world. My involvement with Joey pretty much sighed my dad's death warrant. Henry Donald thought Derek had sent his daughter to spy on his son to get more intel about their drug trade business so we could get him locked up forever."

Sam's sad eyes fixed on my wet ones. He gabbed each side of my face fiercely. "I feel like there's so much I want to say, but being in the state you are, you won't listen to me."

"There's more, Sam."

He winced, like he'd heard enough. But he wanted my secrets. The box of Pandora had opened up now.

I told him how the torture didn't stop there. I explained to him how Joey tortured me after the whole thing was done. While I was in Joey's bed getting fucked by him, they dropped off my dad's body at the parking lot of the hospital where my mom worked.

It didn't end there. When I came to my senses, I told Joey I had to leave, that I needed my dad's forgiveness. I went home, but he wasn't there. I waited until the next morning when the police showed up at our doorstep. Just like that, my whole world fell apart. 

I went to confront Joey at his school, and tell him about what happened, when he admitted that he was already in on his father's plans. He laughed and humiliated me in front of the entire population of Westwood High, stripping and dethroning me of everything in a mere moment. Told me I wasn't his girlfriend, just a damn lay. Told me I was pathetic to think there was anything between him and I. Told me he killed two birds with one stone - won the bet and gotten his dad what he'd wanted for years: Derek's life. 

I fell sick afterwards. Mind, body and soul.

I got stalked after. People would follow me home. Sometimes I'd get cornered in the alleyway. I became known as the resident whore of the town. Joey said I'd been a good fuck. Now a bunch of people wanted the same from me. And I could do nothing because if I spoke about the abuse, Joey would come for my mom and little brother. But It never got to the point. Yet the terror was scary enough. I was a shadow of what I used to be. A walking shell. I was a social pariah at my own school and no one wanted anything to do with me.

I'd paid the price for years.

Until suddenly everyone forgot about the incident. Or acted like it no longer mattered.That was a year ago. I was able to live a peaceful existence where I laid low. No one seemed to care about who I used to be. I was fine with the new me. Some people didn't forget though. The girls in the hallway calling me fake because I was 'too beautiful' to be natural was a great example.

"And now he's back in my life, Sam." I cried silent tears. "I didn't ever meet Baxton when I was with Joey. He didn't introduce me to his family, but I was aware of his older brother."

I told Sam everything about Baxton. How he'd been a hot fighter before going to rehab. I rehashed everything that Nate told me about him and Sam listened, but his body was frozen like stone.

I told him they were trying to torture me again. I told him what Nicholas and I had done to divert attention from me. I told him we were still trying to get him out of this situation. That Nate had wanted to take the fight on his behalf. Sam was seething when I told him that.

"I have a few days to think on it. They told me," he growled, drawing me closer. "I'll kill him if he gets near you. I fucking swear it, Anna."

"Please. Stop. Sam, I'm so tired of all this. I don't know how to keep everyone safe. My family is important to me. But so are you. You're kind of everything, you know? I need you safe, too."

Sam's eyes searched for something in mine. They said eyes were the windows to our souls. Maybe something pure and innocent reflected in mine at that moment, because he slowly nodded and held my face in his warm hands.

"My decision has never been clearer to me, Anna."

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