In the middle of Jacob and I's conversation, Chase walks up and swings his arms over our shoulders.

"'Sup lovebirds?"

Jacob laughs awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.

"What do you want Chase?" I laugh.

"You going to the party this weekend?"

"Nah man, she's going out of town." Justin cuts in and pulls Chases arm off me.

"Oh, really now?" Chase looks at Justin in amusement and crosses his arms over his chest.

"Yeah. She's going with me," he snarls and steps towards Chase. I roll my eyes at his statement and action before Jacob looks at me.

"You little–"

"So where are you two going?" Jacob interrupts Chase.

"Smart move, buddy," Justin says lowly before pulling me away from them and to my class. "Why were you talking to them?"

"Why do you care?" I shoot back.

"I don't." He says staring at me with an unreadable expression. "Be ready and packed by 10 tomorrow," he mumbles before leaving me at my class and storming away.

Fuck.
.
.
.
"Are you sure you have everything?" I ask for the fifth time tonight as my parents turn to walk out the door.

"You sound like your mom," my dad chuckles in response.

"Hey!" My mom and I yell in unison, earning a laugh from all of us.

This is what I live with. My parents are caring, understanding, and loving, but I never actually see them. They're constantly working, out of town, or talking about working. They're rarely home, and when they are they barely pay attention to me, which is why pulling off this trip should be so much easier. If I was lucky, they're trip would only last a week or two, and they'd be home for a few days. I've only been with them on one of their trips. But I'm not very lucky most of the time. Now, don't get me wrong, I love them both with all my heart, but it's hard to love someone you don't really know.

They left after a short goodbye–go figure–and I was left alone to start packing. I grabbed a spare suitcase from my parents room before filling it with basic hygiene products and enough outfits for the following week. I don't know if I should bring a swim suit though. I decide since I'm going tho a tropical island somewhere in the Caribbean, I'll probably need one. I go with a beige bikini that has intricate cut outs. It's my favorite.

All packed, and tired, I plop down on the oh-so-familiar couch I won't see again for another week.

I feel bad for being so harsh towards him. But he shouldn't be so hurt by that, right? I mean it's not like he likes me or anything so why would he get so butt hurt about it?

Oh shit.

No, he can't like me! I'm like 99.99998% sure he doesn't like me. How could be anyways? How could he like a girl like me? I'll just cause him trouble, and that's the last thing I want for him right now. He has enough problems to deal with, and I don't plan on being one of them. I'm ripped out of my thoughts as the sound of the doorbell echoes through my empty home.

With a sigh, I get up to answer the door.

"Yes?" I say while opening the door, but stop in my tracks as he wraps his arms around me tightly. "J-justin?"

"I'm sorry I was an ass," he mumbles and nestles his head in the crook of my neck.

"I was an ass too," I whisper and sigh in content. I'm not going to bother trying to hide the fact it felt nice being in his protective arms.

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment. "I cant stay at my house tonight."

"What?" I ask surprised. How can he not stay at his house? Did something happen? Oh lord.

"I can't stay with the guys tonight."

"Why?"

"That's not important. Can I spend the night here? I won't be a burden. I'll even sleep on the couch if I have to." He looks up at me pleadingly.

Long story short, he's spending the night. I wasn't expecting this but I guess it's not all that bad. We talked about school like nothing happened between us, and what will happen on the trip.

Then I realize something. "Wait, which island even going to?"

"Dominican Republic." He responds and turns on the TV, surfing the channels.

"Why?"

"I'm in a gang, right?" He says, turning to me with a serious expression and looks me in the eye. I nod confused, not entirely sure where he's going with this. He grabs my hand quietly and intertwines our fingers, staring at them.

"Justin," I say firmly and he tears his gaze away from our hands. "What are you talking about?"

"I lied. I'm not in a gang," he begins with a sigh. "But you have to let me explain, okay?"

"Okay?" What could be so bad that he had to lie about it? I've been through a lot, obviously, so I don't think it will be like life changing or anything. Right?

"I'm in the mafia–" I'm pretty sure my heart stops "–and I'm going to the Dominican Republic to meet with another familia."

The word 'familia' rolls of his tongue perfectly.

"Another familia just means another mafia."

"So I'm going to come with to meet a man who's probably stronger and more dangerous? I just wanted a relaxing vacation!" I yell frustrated. I groan as he chuckles.

"One, I said it was for work. Two, we're meeting the man. Three," he leans in close and lowers his voice to a whisper, "I'm the most dangerous man in the business, Avery. Don't you forget that." His voice makes me shiver and he lets out a low chuckle. The way he says ny name makes my body feel weak and vulnerable. "As long as I'm around, you have nothing to fear, Princess." He plants a soft, feathery kiss on my jaw before backing away smirking. I had to bite down on my lip so no unwanted sounds escaped. He knows he has this effect on me and somehow finds it funny.

"I'm going to go to bed," I say quickly, looking at the time.

11:36 pm.

He chuckles once more. "I'll wake you up when it's time to leave. I assume you're all packed?"

I nod and make my way upstairs while saying goodnight. I lay down onto my bed and almost immediately, I feel my eyelids get heavier by the second. Mafia. Just Carter was in the mafia, and he had lied about it.
.
.
.
"Princess."

A warm arm snakes around my waist and pulls me into a rock solid chest. I feel a cool breeze and I snuggle into the warm chest. It begins to vibrate as he laughs.

"Princes, it's time to get up," he whispers in a groggy voice in my ear.

In the morning I have no filter whatsoever.

"Your voice is hot in the morning."

Oh wait. You see what I mean?

"Really?" He whispers again. I just close my eyes and block him out so I can return to my slumber. "Avery?" He laughs. I groan and roll onto my side to face away from him.

I open my eyes lazily as I feel his fingers grazing my side, leaving me confused. I look at his beautiful face. His 5 o'clock shadow, his sharp jawline, the way his messy hair would've looked hideous on anyone else but somehow looked like perfection on him. In the moment, I forgot I could be in danger, or that yesterday we'd been dicks to each other. "I'm tired," I mumble, yawning.

"You can sleep on the plane and in the car. But we need to get ready. Our flights at 1." He smiles softly and brushes the hair out of my face. I look over to the clock. We have about one hour until we have to leave to the airport.

With a sigh, I reluctantly sit up and stretch.
.
.
.
woaaaah there! two updates in one day? unheard of! anyway i would just like to say WE'RE ALMOST AT 200 READS TYSMM<3 that's craaazy i love you guys so much!!

my friend is starting a book so if you guys could go check her out that would be great:) it's called 'in the after' ( norajean04 )

if you could vote, comment, and follow me that would be amazing ❤ i'm so grateful:) also tell people about my story please alright thanks byeee x