by Beth Maria
“You’re my Adrian, Em.” My eyes snap open. Shit, I was drifting off.
“Huh?” I ask disorientated.
“I said, you’re my Adrian.” Phoenix smiles over at me. I was caught.
“So, I guess that makes you my Rocky?”
“I guess it does. If I ever fight again, when I win, I’ll stand in the middle of the cage, hold my hands in the air, and shout, ‘Yo Adrian, I did it!’”
I burst out laughing.
“Oh, God, you’re kidding me, right? Please tell me you’re joking.”
“Nope, I’m being deadly serious. You’re my Adrian, remember.” He winks. He takes a handful of popcorn, shoving it all into his mouth in one go. Pig. Then he turns his attention back to the television, conversation forgotten. I’m still chuckling. I can just imagine him doing that, and when he does, I’m going to wish that the ground would swallow me up. I just hope he doesn’t go back to fighting after what happened.
Apart from that, the endearment is adorable. I’m his Adrian, and he’s definitely my Rocky.
I snuggle into the pillow I’m cuddling, closing my eyes again with a smile on my face.
I jolt out of my deep sleep. I jump so hard I nearly fall off of the sofa. Had Phoenix not have held me down, I probably would have.
I cast my eyes over to Phoenix. His finger is in front of his mouth, signaling for me to be quiet. He removes my feet from his lap, placing them back on the sofa, before quietly making his way over to the door.
Somebody knocks again. Whoever it is, they’re insistent.
Phoenix checks through the peephole, and his back goes rigid. Whoever is on the other side of that door is bad news. And I’m right.
Getting up slowly, I meet Phoenix halfway.
“I want you to go into the bathroom in my bedroom and don’t come out. Hide in the shower, but whatever happens, don’t come out. Do I make myself clear?” he whispers sternly. He’s not joking around. I know better than to defy him, which is what I really want to do right now. I want to be right next to him, hearing exactly what this person wants my Phoenix to do, but I know I can’t.
I nod my head in defeat.
A quick kiss on the forehead, then I’m making my way into his bedroom, into his bathroom, and hiding behind the shower curtain. Not the best hiding place, if I do say so myself; however, it will have to do.
It’s so silent. I’m pretty sure I’m not breathing. All I can hear is my heart beating loudly.
A door slams shut somewhere in the apartment, followed by voices. Male voices. They’re getting closer. One is Phoenix, but the other one? I can’t distinguish. They are too far away.
“No, I’m not doing it.” Phoenix’s voice is that cold one that I used to be graced with months ago. It sends a chill down my spine upon hearing it, but not as much as the next voice does.
“That’s where you’re wrong, son. You are, and you will do it. I know you want out. You won’t say it, but I know, and all for my doting daughter.” I swallow, my hand going to my throat. I can’t breathe very well. “That being said, you’re not out until I dismiss you from your duties. I think you need to remember what I’m capable of, Phoenix…” It’s a silent threat, a promise of what is to come should he defy him.
I hate my father more than I ever have in this moment. Because he has a sad and lonely life, he has to make everybody else’s that he comes into contact with exactly the same. I almost feel sorry for the guy who brought me up. Almost.
“What do you want me to do?”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from screaming. No! I can’t allow this to happen anymore. I won’t allow it to happen anymore!
Why can’t he allow Phoenix and me to get on with our lives? Why does there always have to be hurt where Nico is involved? And more importantly, why doesn’t Phoenix stand up to my father? I’m pretty sure he could handle him. Phoenix has age on his side and stamina. My father is getting old and certainly isn’t as fit as he used to be. Phoenix is in his prime. Surely he could use that to his advantage, couldn’t he?
Remember all those months ago, when he mentioned having a plan. Maybe this is all part of his plan, and he knows what he’s doing. You just need to trust him to be able to pull through and come out the other end unharmed.
The rational side of me knows that he’s right. I should trust him. He hasn’t done anything recently to prove to me that I shouldn’t trust him. He’s loved me with everything he has and let me into his life, not asking for anything in return but love and trust. I need to give him that.
I hate that I’m weak and scared of my father, that I can’t help Phoenix.
“I want you to get rid of Joe Douglas. Him and his boss messed with the wrong people.”
“Consider it done.” My blood runs cold. He’s going to kill somebody else, and not just anybody, but the guy who put him in hospital. Oh, God, I don’t know if I can go through knowing that he killed somebody else.
“Good choice. I want it done tomorrow.” My father’s voice is gruff, his tone firm. It’s grating on my nerves, if I’m being honest with myself. My hands are balled into fists. What I wouldn’t do to be able to punch him in the face repeatedly. A girl can wish.
I don’t hear Phoenix’s reply. There’s a bang, muffling it out.
“Brushing up on your skills, are we?”
“Huh?” Phoenix asks.
“You’re watching Rocky. I’m pretty sure that guy could teach you a thing or two about fighting.” My father laughs humorlessly.
It wouldn’t surprise me if he was a robot.
He’s heartless, cold, and calculated. He shows no mercy or remorse for any of his actions.
Yup, definitely a robot.
“You wish. No, I just enjoy these movies,” Phoenix replies vaguely, stiffly.
I could burst out laughing. Look at me; I’m hiding in a shower from my father.
The shower curtain is snatched from my hand. I scream, nearly toppling over on my ass.
“For crying out loud!” I’m panicking. “What the hell was that for?” My voice is a few octaves higher than necessary, but what do you expect? I think I might have peed my panties a little from shock. Fucker!
“Did I scare you?” Phoenix is trying to keep a straight face and failing miserably. I smack him in the chest.
“Yes, you infuriating man. You wait, I’ll get you back!”
As soon as I’m out of the shower, Phoenix scoops me up into a bear hug. My feet leave the floor, my chest being pressed against his rock hard bare chest. It’s warm. I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze him back equally as hard. We need this right now. We need this closeness. Phoenix knows that I no doubt heard everything, and even though it’s not being said, we’re both scared about the outcome. Will I be able to handle knowing that he’s taken another person’s life? And will Phoenix ever find a way to escape my father’s clutches?
“I need you.” It’s nothing more than a whisper but it speaks a thousand words.
He’s hurting, and it’s my job to take away his pain.
I kiss him in reply. The kiss is fervent. We can’t get enough of each other.
With my feet still off the ground, I climb up Phoenix’s body, wrapping my legs around his waist as he carries us into the bedroom. I’m thrown onto the bed. I lean on my elbows, watching Phoenix preform his own little strip tease for me. There is no joke behind the act; it’s purely sexual, and God, I’m so turned on watching him take off his clothes, revealing more of himself to my hungry eyes. Last but not least, his rigid cock springs free of his sweatpants. My tongue snakes out and licks my suddenly dry lips.
Perfection. That’s what Phoenix is.
Phoenix saunters over toward me, crawling on his hands and knees until he is directly on top of me. His chest grazing my nipples through my tee causes them to harden, straining through my tee.
“You have far too many clothes on,” he breathes, nibbling my ear.
I agree.
With a little help, Phoenix hel
ps me get undressed in record time. Then he’s back, lying on top of me, skin against skin.
In one swift movement, Phoenix enters me without permission. I don’t complain. I need this as much as he does. We both need to feel what we can give each other with our bodies. It’s not slow and gentle. No, it’s rough and demanding. It’s about forgetting what lies outside of this apartment, what is inevitable.
I grab onto the pillows, my legs going around his waist. Phoenix grabs my hips, lifts, squeezes, and pounds into me harder. I’m pretty certain I’m going to have bruises there tomorrow. I can forget about that when he’s hitting me right in the perfect spot, the spot that in three, two, one is going to make me see stars.
And boy does it.
I come so hard my vision disappears for a few seconds. I scream at the same time I bite onto Phoenix’s shoulder. My pussy clenches Phoenix’s cock, milking him of every last drop of his love for me as he climaxes at the same time, grunting my name.
I’m exhausted. What little energy I had left has just been used.
Phoenix gets up, pulls the covers back for me to roll over under, then walks over to the other side of the bed and climbs in next to me. After turning off the lamp, his arm comes around, pulling me back into his body. I’m struggling to keep my eyes open, but I’m fully aware of his semi flaccid cock resting against my ass.
“Go to sleep, my sweet Emilia. We’ll talk tomorrow.” His voice is barely a whisper. I’m glad he remembered that we need to talk about the elephant in the room. It will have to wait until tomorrow. As much as I want to know, I just don’t have the energy to listen to what he has to say, or to put across my point.
His warm lips graze my shoulder. It’s tender and loving, reassuring me that everything will turn out okay.
“I love you, Emilia. I will do whatever it takes to protect you, to keep you safe.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
I went for a run this morning. I can’t even remember the last time that I went for a run, and boy did my body know that. I had a stitch after ten minutes, sore calves after twenty minutes, and then five minutes later, I gave up. It’s been years since I’ve only been able to run for twenty-five minutes. I’ve let myself go. I’ve let real life get in the middle of my release, and now I’ve fucked myself over because I can’t run without feeling like I’m going to die. From now on, I’m going running every day until I can run like I used to. I think I’m going to need it as a stress release this week anyway…
I haven’t spoken to Phoenix since this morning. I’m nervous and a little antsy. I’m not going to lie; I’m at my apartment, and I haven’t sat down for longer than ten seconds. I’m pretty sure I’ve put holes in my floorboards from the amount of pacing I’ve done in the last hour.
Yes, that’s right. An HOUR! It’s not even like I’ve been home for a few hours, just ONE hour. That’s how much I’ve been pacing. I don’t even have the energy after my run. I’m pretty sure I’m running on fumes right now, about to conk out at any second. Maybe I need to sleep. That will make time go faster.
I pace into my bedroom and plop down on my bed. I close my eyes and just lie there.
C’mon, sleep, dammit! Sleep!
Nope, it’s no good. I can’t sleep at a time like this. I’m going to have to go to his apartment and wait for him. Maybe he’s there, and I’m just thinking the worst. Wouldn’t he answer your calls if he wasn’t busy? I really hate my subconscious sometimes. She’s a bitch.
I rush downstairs to my car, hop in, and slam the door behind me. Then I’m off.
It doesn’t take too long to get to Phoenix’s apartment. The traffic wasn’t too bad, what with it being New Years Eve; mostly everybody is with their family, preparing for the countdown and getting completely obliterated. All I want to do is spend the evening with Phoenix, not worrying about what trouble he’s getting into today, and chasing around town trying to find out where he is.
I jump out the car. It’s not until I’m walking through the lobby of his apartment building that I realize I’m still wearing my running gear. People are looking at me like I’m dirt because I’m not dressed in a suit or a dress. People who live in these apartments are obviously too snooty to be seen in anything other than their Sunday best. I stare each individual down. C’mon, bitches, say something to me. I’m not in the mood for your stuck-up-ness. Yeah, I totally made that word up because I’m super cool like that. Suck on it, bitches!
The elevator doors start closing. For extra measure, I flip them the bird. The last image I see before the doors close is their mouths touching the floor. I burst out laughing. I needed that, something, anything, to take my mind off of my impending doom for a few seconds.
The doors open on Phoenix’s floor, and I walk to his door. It’s half open.
“Hello?” I call, slowly pushing the door all the way open and stepping in.
“Em, is that you?” Phoenix replies from somewhere in the apartment.
“Yeah, it’s me. Why is your door open?”
He comes around the corner, his jacket on and his keys and phone in his hands.
“I’m running out really quick. I forgot something so came back to get it. What’s wrong?” He asks, concerned. He peruses my body, checking for what I don’t know.
“Where are you off to?” I ignore his question.
“I have some business to take care of. I’ll be back soon. Make yourself a warm drink, get comfy, and watch something on the TV. I have Netflix if you want. Try watching ‘Orange Is The New Black’ or something. Apparently it’s supposed to be really good.”
He’s rambling, and it’s obvious he isn’t going to tell me what he’s about to do.
I have a plan.
“Okay, yeah, I will. You won’t be long?” I clarify.
“Nope. An hour tops.” He kisses my forehead, and then he’s gone, shutting the door quietly behind him.
If Phoenix thinks I’m just going to make myself a coffee and relax on his sofa, watching some TV show, he has another thing coming. We haven’t had that talk about what my father wanted him to do, and Phoenix has no idea that I know. For once, I’m thankful that I have supersonic hearing. No, I’m not waiting here for him to get back, for him to fob me off with some lame ass story. I’m going to do my own detective work – for I’m not Sherlock Holmes.
I give it a few seconds before I follow. He’s in the elevator, so I’ll take the stairs.
I rush down. Just as I get to the lobby, his car goes past. Quickly running to mine, I get in and speed off in the direction Phoenix just left. I find his car down the next road. Keeping a safe distance behind, so as not to alert him of my presence, I follow.
This could end up really, really badly. Why am I doing this when it’s apparent what’s about to happen. Why didn’t I just stay at his apartment, where I then only have to think about the possible activity that is taking place? Why do I need to be stubborn and have to know everything? Do I really want to witness another murder? I already know the answer to that – no, I don’t. The problem? I can’t seem to find the strength to turn my car around and head back in the direction that I just came from. I need to find out if Phoenix is going to go ahead with this.
I’m a sucker for torture it seems.
A short drive later, I’m pulling over on the side of the road when I see Phoenix’s car drive into a deserted parking lot. I know this place all too well. It sends a shiver down my spine. It’s the place where I saw Phoenix kill that last guy – my old house.
Flashbacks of all the painful memories here flash in my mind. I push them away. There is a time and a place for that, but it’s not right now, not when I don’t know who is watching.
A quick look around the gate tells me that Phoenix is now in the house. Now I just have to find away to get in without being seen. It’s a good thing I know where all the cameras are, unless they have decided to add more. Then I’m screwed.
I run to the side of the house and crouch down. I stay in this slouched positioned until I’
m at the side door. Popping my head up, I check through the glass of the door. Clear. Slowly grabbing the handle, I twist.
It’s open.
I step inside, the smell of musk and mold invading my nostrils.
Jeez, does nobody give this place a clean?
“He’s down here,” a gruff voice says, followed by two pairs of footsteps.
Their shadows go past the door to somewhere down the hall.
On my tiptoes, trying to be conspicuous, I tiptoe toward the door and have a quick peek around the side.
Clear.
I don’t need to see where they’ve gone. My gut already knows.
Even though I know that they’re already down there, I still keep my eyes peeled for any unwelcome visitors.
I have to internally laugh to myself. I’m the unwelcome visitor here!
I see the stairs, the same stairs that I haven’t been near for four years, not since that fateful day where my whole life changed. It was a pivotal moment in my life, and I’m about to rehash it, just with a different person there, and I don’t mean Phoenix. I mean Joe Douglas.
One foot in front of the other.
Remind me, why am I doing this to myself again?
Oh, that’s right, because you like torturing yourself.
I silently huff. My subconscious is right. I’m not going to debate with it at a time like this.
Reaching the bottom step, that door calls to me like a beacon- an unwanted beacon, but a beacon nonetheless.
I’m getting closer. I can hear muffled voices, shuffling of feet, and a little banging. I shudder.
It’s too late to turn back now. Take a deep breath and resume your position.
I do as I’m told.
Quietly.
“I think you know why you’re here, Joe,” Phoenix says coldly, sternly. He’s pacing in front of a tied up Joe. I can only see the side of his face from the position I’m in, but that guy who looked fearless last month in the cage isn’t so fearless anymore. It’s written all over the side of his face – he’s scared shitless. I would be too. Phoenix is unpredictable when this side of him comes out. It makes me scared, and I’m not even the person in the crossfire. I’m just a bystander.