“Grace,” I lightly placed my hands on her shoulders, “believe me, I understand what you’re feeling right now. I know you want revenge for your mother, your father, and for what he did to you. I really do get that. But,” I looked away, not wanting to picture what I was about to say, “He’s going to hurt you. He’s promised he would. How can I let you near him, how can I let you fight this fight, if I know there’s a possibility you won’t be coming home to me? Just answer me that.”
Her palm on my cheek brought me back. “And I’m just supposed to stay home and pray you make it back alive?”
“It doesn’t make sense, I know that.”
“We can fight about this all we want. We can say that the other is unprepared. The truth is, unless both of us are a part of this, it’s never going to happen. We need to work together.”
I knew she was right, she was always right, but that didn’t mean I had to like it. Like it or not, I knew I wasn’t getting my way. Grace would be part of this fight. I would have to trust that she could protect herself.
“So how do we finish this thing? Together.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Grace grabbed my hands and squeezed.
Grace
It was oddly exhilarating, sitting there and comparing notes on the inner workings of our families. We got to see sides of each other that, for the entirety of our relationship, we had been hiding. I saw the hurt and pain he felt, but also the pride he was afraid to show. He didn’t want to be evil, he didn’t want to have any evil thoughts, but being raised with a slightly off-balance moral compass is sure to mess with anyone’s brain. It surely messed with mine.
“I don’t want to see anyone hurt, Grace.”
“I don’t either, and if we could find a way to not involve them then that would obviously be ideal, but this is their livelihood. They live to protect their own. We can’t ask them to step away from that. Same as you and me, they’re in this.”
“Do you know how brilliant you are? You are so practical, so self-aware. Every decision you make is only after careful deliberation,” Ryan said
“I’ve been told that from time to time.”
“So how did the decision to fall in love with me stick?”
I snuck a kiss as I stood. “Falling in love with you was the only thing I’ve ever done that I didn’t need to think about. Now will you try to get some sleep, please?”
“I could sleep.” He repeated the words I had said to myself only a few days ago. Why did it feel like these past few days were a lifetime?
I didn’t want to leave him, but I wanted to check on Rocky and Aunt Kathryn. Although Ryan trusted him with his life, I still felt as though I should be there, just in case. As I rounded the corner into the kitchen, I heard laughter.
“What’s going on in here?”
Aunt Kathryn turned to me. “We were just laughing about this situation.”
“It’s not that funny, you know?” I was a bit irritated. This was not a laughing matter.
Rocky jumped in. “No, we were just talking about the likelihood of you two actually meeting. Believe me, we don’t think any of this is funny.”
In a way, it was funny. If I believed in fate, I would’ve blamed it all on the stars. So many things had to happen for us to fall into the situation we currently were in. I chose a grad school in Philadelphia, my father agreed to let me attend, Ryan found himself in a part of the city he never visits on the exact night that I finally decided to leave the apartment. Yes, it all sounded like fate. Had one of those things not happened, would we be where we were today? Then again, isn’t that true of anything in life? I kept blaming myself for all the mistakes I made leading up to my father’s death. Had I stayed away from Ryan, had I told him whom I really was, had I not rushed ahead to try to warn him of my family’s attack, would none of this have happened?
Would Ryan and I already be sitting in our dream home with the red door playing fetch with our dog?
I shook the thoughts from my head. I couldn’t allow myself to live in a dream world. This was my reality, and I was in charge of the outcome.
My aunt’s phone began to ring, and she excused herself to answer it.
“So, Grace, how do I know I can trust you?”
I had been waiting for this. “You don’t. You can only hope that Ryan is smart enough to know whose company he keeps.”
“Snarky, I like that.”
“I don’t have time to sugarcoat things. I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to get my life back.”
“And do you plan on doing that by stealing Ryan’s life?”
“Excuse me?”
“You know, he was fine before he met you.”
“Was he? How well do you actually know him, Rocky?”
“Well enough to know that it wasn’t until you showed up that he started petitioning for the group to leave behind our one percenter patch.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re filling his head with this bullshit.”
“I never asked him for any of that.”
“Ask or not, he’s doing it for you.”
“Listen, I appreciate you looking out for him, but he’s a big boy. And although he trusts you, after the whole Sean and Danny debacle, I’m a little skeptical when it comes to the Cupids, as I’m sure you can imagine. I never asked anything of Ryan that he hasn’t offered, and I’m sorry if he’s offered more than you or your club is able or willing to deliver, but that’s what I’m talking about when I say that ‘I’m here to get my life back.’ I don’t give a rat’s ass what you decide to do with yours. And yes, maybe I am snarky, but I’ve had to put up with Cupid bullshit for too long, and I’m fed up with it. Good as you or Ryan may think you are, you’re still a Cupid to me.”
I had said my peace. I was ready for the conversation to be over.
“You are not at all what I imagined, Grace Brennan.”
“Well, I’m glad.”
“I knew your mother.”
My entire demeanor changed when I heard those words. I sank into my chair, waiting for him to continue.
“Ryan and I grew up just a few doors down from each other. I’m ten years older than him, and on nights when his Pops would be out, I’d watch over the little guy. So, as you can imagine, I met your mother from time to time.”
“She came to the house?” It occurred to me how little I knew about this part of her life.
“About once a week. Ryan’s mom wasn’t home much. I think she was having some sort of affair as well, but your mom was different. She was sweet and caring, unlike any ol’ lady I’ve ever come across. She always offered to help with my homework.”
“She was a teacher.”
“She told me.” He paused, taking a good look at me. “Grace, your mom didn’t belong in this lifestyle. When I heard about you, I assumed it was that same innocence that drew Ryan to you. After talking to you though, I see that I’m wrong. You look just like your mother, but you have your father’s spirit, his drive. I think this is all more you than you’d like to admit.”
My first instinct was to punch him in the face, but that would’ve just made his point. In all my years trying to hide from it, I had learned to stick up for myself, to take care of myself. I had hardened myself past the point of normalcy. But over the last few days, I took that hardening to a new level. I had felt the change inside of me. I didn’t want to run away any longer; I wanted to fight. I wanted to kill. Aunt Kathryn noticed it, then Ryan, and now this man who I had barely known more than five minutes.
But wasn’t the same thing happening to Ryan? When we first met, we both wanted out. We hated the life. But now, we were both determined to fight, to win. We’d devised plans, been kidnapped, and escaped a madman. Yet, we were still standing and, in a way, looking forward to the next fight. In light of their deaths, had we both become our fathers? If Ryan and I did find a way out, would we be able to survive? Would we miss the thrill? Would our boring lives be enough to sustain us? Wi
thout the chase, would we be enough for each other?
It was something that I had never thought about. I knew I loved Ryan, but what was it about him that I loved? He was exciting and caring and passionate, but did all that come from of the club? If we had grown up in normal households with normal parents and normal relatives, would we have been drawn to each other? Would we still have the same passions? This was the type of thing I would talk over with Aunt Kathryn. Where did she go? How long was that phone conversation?
Something felt wrong.
“Where’s my aunt?”
“She answered the phone and walked out the front door.”
“Something isn’t right.”
“She seemed fine.”
“No.”
I raced out of the kitchen and to the door. Without another thought, I swung it open.
Sean was smugly standing on the front porch and Mr. Muscles was holding a knife to Aunt Kathryn’s throat. She lowered her eyes to me.
“Grace, I’m so sorry.”
Ryan
“Wake up, lover boy.”
It had to have been a dream. There was no way I was hearing that voice. I was safe; no one knew we were here.
“Ryan, it’s time to wake up.”
Why was I hearing Sean? What could it mean? And if he was here, where was Grace? Grace. My eyes sprung open, prepared for the worst.
“There he is! How are you feeling, buddy?” Sean stood over me, pointing his revolver at my forehead.
“Where is Grace?”
“Oh my God, do you have any other thoughts in that head of yours?”
“Sean, where is she?”
“She’s fine. I didn’t hurt her. But seriously, Ryan, you got to get a new hobby. Aren’t you over this one yet?”
“Don’t talk about her like that.”
“I’m fucking holding a gun to your head. You do see that, right? Is there any other question you would like to ask me?”
There really wasn’t any other question that I had for him. I knew what he wanted. He was going to hand me over to the Shadows so they would patch him over. That was a given. I wasn’t planning on giving myself up easily, but the only thing I needed to be certain of was Grace’s safety. Then, I’d improvise.
“What do you want me to do?”
“He can be taught! Stand up.”
I carefully sat up, swinging my feet over the side of the bed. The pain of my ribs made standing a difficult task, but I managed to get to my feet on my own.
“You done?” Sean asked.
“Well, maybe if someone hadn’t used my ribs as a speed bag, this wouldn’t take so long.”
“Maybe if your fucking piece of work girlfriend hadn’t attacked me with a knife, this whole thing would be over.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, even if it hurt my ribcage. Grace was certainly a piece of work; she was pretty spectacular.
“Speaking of knives, you’re not hiding a weapon from me, are you?”
Sean patted me down carefully, assuring himself that I was defenseless. In my condition, I would have no way to fight back.
I followed Sean out to the living room where Aunt Kathryn was seated on the couch.
“Where is she, Sean?”
“One track mind.”
“Don’t fuck with me.”
“Gracie, dear, could you come in here?”
From the doorway to the kitchen, Grace was pushed forward, followed closely by that meathead that had tried to kiss her. I should’ve figured he was a part of this. He was probably just trying to get close to Grace to deceive her about his involvement.
“You bastard!” I took a step forward, intent on beating him within an inch of his life.
“Ryan, no,” Grace stopped me, putting her palm up to my chest. “Not now. Not here.”
The touch of her hand melted my anger. She was right. I was in no condition to fight Sean. I needed to keep my calm until the Cupids made their presence known. Grace squinted her eyes and allowed her hand to drop, tugging at my belt loop before her touch was gone. I prayed it wasn’t her way of saying goodbye.
Still being held at her elbow by the meathead, Grace cleared her throat.
“So where are we heading?” She asked.
Sean placed his hand on the back of my neck, holding me in place. “You’re not heading anywhere, sweetheart. We’re taking Ryan, and you’re staying here.”
“No,” She pleaded.
“Yes.” I put my foot down. “Leave the two women here, and I’ll come peacefully.”
“Ryan, please.”
She continued to argue with me, but I was adamant that there was no need to involve her any further. Rocky wasn’t among the small group in the living room, which meant he must have snuck out a side door and headed to meet up with the rest of the Cupids. They would have my back, even if this fight turned bloody; I was sure of that.
Grace
I raced out of the kitchen and to the door. Without another thought, I swung it open.
Sean was standing on the front porch, and Mr. Muscles was holding a knife to Aunt Kathryn’s throat. She lowered her eyes to me.
“Grace, I’m so sorry.”
“Aunt Kathryn! No!”
“I didn’t realize…”
“When did you call him?”
I really did love the woman, but sometimes she could be an idiot.
“I just called Muscles, when you went to check in on Ryan. I thought he would help us.”
“I should’ve known.” I looked to Mr. Muscles, shaking my head. “Okay, what happens now?”
“Well now,” Sean took a step forward, pushing his way into the house, “I take Ryan.”
I could only imagine what would happen when Mr. Muscles and Sean brought Ryan back to the clubhouse and told the rest of the Shadows I was hiding out with him. I could practically hear their thoughts.
She betrayed our family with that Cupid boy.
She’s the reason her father is dead.
She deserves what’s coming to her.
This is what Bowie would want.
I knew what they would be thinking was because I was thinking the same things. How had I gotten myself in such a mess? It was unfair to blame anyone else but us for this disaster. Ryan and I deserved what was coming.
Nevertheless, we wouldn’t give up without a fight.
Deserving or not, I loved that man with every fiber of my being, and if the possibility of a life together remained, I would do anything to seize it.
Aunt Kathryn nervously sat down and Sean disappeared down the hall, no doubt to wake Ryan. I scoffed and turned toward the kitchen, hoping Muscles would follow me. He was quite predictable.
“Grace, I’m sorry. This was the only way,” he whispered.
“You know what doesn’t quite add up? I never saw you as evil. I think you’re stupid. But not evil.”
“I’m not stupid,” he fired back.
“Then tell me, why is Sean here right now?”
He paused, searching the past for the order of events.
“It’s because you’re stupid, right?” I wanted him to get angry. I wanted to see the extent of his loyalty.
“No.”
“Nothing else makes sense.”
“He promised…”
I cut him off. “What could he possibly promise you that you didn’t already have with the Shadows?”
“He promised me he wouldn’t kill you.” He spat out the words.
That was what I needed to hear. It was what I had assumed all along. Muscles always had a weird big brother obsession with me. It was because of that constant ‘big brother’ attitude that it had shocked me when he actually kissed me, but I still felt his same protective instinct. He had always had my best interests at heart. This time, he was just being stupid.
I sat down at the table and looked at him. “So, Muscles, what’s your name?”
“Leopard. See?” He flashed his leopard tattoo in my direction.
“Not your road name, I
know that,” I lied, but it seemed like the civil thing to do in the moment. “What’s your real name?”
“It’s Leo,” he mumbled softly.
Leo… Leopard… that made sense. I don’t know why it took me so long to learn his name. I had tried to distance myself from the club so much over the past few years that I actually stopped caring about the people in it. Or at least I tried to stop caring. But this man, Leo, truly cared for me. Everything he did was with the best intentions, even if his actions were questionable.
“Well, Leo, I appreciate your intentions. It can’t be easy dealing with me, especially lately.”
“Ha,” he chortled, “you’ve definitely kept me on my toes.”
It was time to get serious. “You know he’s going to kill me anyway, right?”
“I had a feeling, but at least I thought this gave me some time come up with another option.”
“So, let’s keep doing that.”
“What do you mean?”
An idea was coming to me; I just needed to work out the details.
“We can use your relationship with him to our advantage, to throw him off.”
“He’s quick, he’ll catch on.”
“I’m sure he will, but we’ll just have to be quicker.”
“I’m listening.” He narrowed his eyes at me.
“Sean is going to take Ryan from here,” I said.
“Yes, but he promised to leave you. Do you think he won’t keep that promise?”
“No, he will. He’s going to hold up his end of the bargain until he gets exactly what he wants. That’s when he’ll change the rules.”
“Okay, that gives us more time,” Leo said.
“Exactly. Now, I’ll fight, because that’s something I’d do. I’ll say something along the lines of ‘where are we heading?’ Then Ryan will fight with me, as he always does, but I’ll let him win. If this is going to work, I’ll need to stay behind.”
“If what’s going to work?”
Betrayal of Cupids Page 14