Defying Fate

by Lis, Heidi

  Dominic’s laugh is puzzling. “Izzabella, where is his daughter? Once we took him last night, he was with us until he stumbled through your front door. I know he spent the night on your couch, and he is still there. I will ask again, where is his daughter?”

  With ice is running through my veins, I jump up and run to the living room. Liam, Dex, and Zeke dash out of their seats as I enter the room with crazed eyes. I notice Braxton is still out cold and don’t even react to Kara’s questions as I yell over her shoulder to Liam.

  “Where the hell is Eve?” The anxiousness in my voice is apparent.

  Liam notices me on the phone and puts two and two together. Taking out his phone, he starts pressing numbers. He is pacing the room as his anxiety increases with every ring of his phone.

  A heavy sigh escapes his lips. “Tiff you still got Eve? Listen bitch, I am not playing here. Do. You. Still. Have. Eve?”

  I can hear her raising her voice, but have no clue what she is saying. Liam’s eyes find mine, shaking his head as if to answer my question.

  Satisfied with the fact the Tiffany has Eve, I clench my teeth. How dare he even breathe that sweet girl’s name? With a carefully controlled tone, I say, “Dominic she is with her mother, why are you even asking me this?” Not having a clue what his game is with Eve.

  “Oh yes, Tiffany. Bitch has a mouth on her, not my type at all. She is fake as they come, including her body parts.”

  I would laugh because I for once agree with him, but this is no laughing matter at the moment.

  Momentarily pausing, he then continues, as if completing his thought. “Back to my point, do you know where Tiffany and the girl are, right fucking, now Izzabella?”

  He frustrates me so much I might pull my hair out. “No,” I say, sighing deeply, “I don’t know where they are, why are you asking me this, you crazy asshole?”

  “Tsk, tsk, tsk Izzabella. You never swore to me, you knew better. A month with this asshole, you all of a sudden think it is okay to swear, at me? You fucking know better Izzabella.” Gone is his laughter once again the cold, calculated monster returns.

  “What the fuck is going on?” All eyes swing over to the couch. A worn out looking Braxton is trying to hold himself up against the back of the sofa, wincing with pain.

  The look of concern on his face knocks out what little breath I had in my lungs. He looks slightly more like himself this morning, but still battered and bruised. “Oh Brax.” It comes out a muttered sigh as it’s all I can get out before clamping my mouth shut with my hand. I want to say more, feel more, but I can’t. One minute, I'm speechless as I gaze into his amazingly warm brown eyes only seconds later, haunted I have the devil on the phone as well. Dominic’s voice shakes me to my core with panic as I slowly put the phone back to my ear. My eyes slowly return to Braxton’s face, and all, I can see, is bruised. Those bruises and Dominic’s voice push me over the edge.

  Dominic’s voice full of sarcasm. “Oh, sleeping beauty is waking up I hear.”

  Hearing his voice is like needles pricking my spine, and I lose it, snapping! “Shut the hell up, you insensitive prick. You will never hurt anyone I love again, you hear me Dominic?” I’m so tired and beat down when it comes to Dominic. Just call me delusional to think I ever could get free of him. I have lost it all at the hands of this man, but he can’t hurt anyone else, not because of me. It seems I’m talking to myself and the words escape my lips. “I just don’t give a shit about me, not anymore.”

  Dominic is furious and is shouting into the phone. All of his threats aimed at me only frighten me more knowing what awaits me if I’m in his possession once again. Drowning out his idle threats, I focus on Braxton, his looks alone instantly calm me. All the traces of conflict that was on his face after his conversation with Tiffany have now disappeared. All, I see is my sweet, compassionate Braxton.

  Closing his eyes as if savoring the moment, he sweetly smiles. “You called me Brax. Guess we must be friends, huh?”

  Every twitch, every breath, every word he winces in pain. He still finds it in him to smile as we recall our conversation, not long ago about me obsessing over calling him Braxton. Holding out his hand to me; I don’t hesitate. I run over to him and kneel down in front of the sofa.

  “Oh Braxton, so not the time for jokes,” I say laying my head in his lap.

  Lowering my gaze, I peer at the voice screaming at me from my phone. Dominic’s voice leaves me open mouthed, but no words escape. As the panic grips me I, raise my eyes to look at Braxton’s murderous stare. His face looks lethal, as he holds out his hand for me to pass him the phone.

  Shaking my head in disagreement, as this fight is mine and mine alone. I blow out some breaths to gain some much-needed courage. I know I’m failing to do so because tears are welling up in my eyes yet again.

  Hanging my head low against my chest, I surrender my regret and realize I will never let Dominic have his satisfaction when it comes to me. After a long exhale closing my eyes, I say to him. “You can go to hell. I will die before returning to you. Even if it means I blow my Goddamn brains out myself. You’ll never lay another finger on me again.” I’ve never openly said such sadistic things and hearing myself say them, surprisingly I feel nothing.

  With that said, I hand my phone over to Braxton. He gives me an agonizing look before a slight smile. The look alone tells me what I need to know. He believes me, he trusts me and having him believe in me, means everything. He is giving me the one thing my family never did. The benefit of the doubt; they blamed me, they handed me over to Dominic without a backward glance. Trust is hard to find in people, but he practically trusts a stranger.

  Braxton is white knuckling the phone. “Listen to me you piece of shit, where are Tiffany and my daughter. Tiffany you can have for all I fucking care, my daughter is a whole other story. Give me my goddamn daughter or you will fucking die. You get what I’m saying?”

  I can’t hear Dominic’s words, only muttered sounds. I can’t make out any words. The whole room is watching Braxton’s reactions to the stream of words being thrown at him. His expression is mixed; some serious, some humor, and the rest is; well not too damn sure.

  Liam and Braxton share a look and then Braxton nods his head, his way of communicating something. Having no idea what that is about, I just let it go.

  We are all watching him, holding our breaths as Braxton ends the call. Waiting for what he is going to say, we all gather a little closer. His look is clouded and distant. It’s easy to see he is thinking and contemplating; that’s what scares me.

  “What an asshole.” He says, shaking his head.

  That’s it. That’s all he says. I hold out my hands saying ‘well’ and yet nothing.

  Looking at the group of men surrounding him one by one, Braxton then drifts his gaze to me. His eyes start to squint as a hint of a smile pulls his lips apart. He pulls me up onto his lap the best he can.

  “How the hell did you ever get mixed up with this dick I will never know? But you will never go back to him again, you hear me Iz?” He says as he kisses my head.

  Holding onto his sweet kiss, I have to ask, “What is going on with Tiffany and Eve?”

  “Not for you to worry about, just know I got it covered. Fucker won’t touch my daughter, now Tiff I could care less about. She’s the reason he is here, not you. I am in the shape I am in because I cared about you and refused to give him what he wants. Which is you sweetheart.”

  Closing my eyes I have to shake my head to disagree. “No, this is all my fault. You will get Eve back, even if I have to take her place. I will go to him if he lets Eve come home unharmed.”

  “It won’t come to that because right about now my daughter is being picked up.” He says it like it’s no big deal. What the hell?

  Am I the only one who has no clue what is going on? “Why aren’t you going bat shit crazy right now? You are too calm, so what gives?” I say, pulling away from him.

  Blowing out a deep breath, he starts to say some
thing, but Liam’s phone rings first.

  “Yo’, give me good news,” Liam answers eagerly. “Gotcha’. Thanks, man! Yes, seems all went according to plan.” With an arm around Kara’s shoulder Liam kisses her head. He nods his head in agreement to whatever was said to him on the other end of the phone. “Yep, my girl knows her brother well. I’ll let Brax know buddy. No dumbass, he’s not moving a muscle, fuckers got broken ribs.” He says while looking at Braxton’s wrapped body.

  Shutting his phone, he grabs Kara and kisses the hell out of her in front of us all.

  Squealing out a woo-hoo he sets her down on her feet. “Got my niece back sweet cheeks; thanks to you.”

  “Awesome, I am so relieved, because I know my best friend would have traded herself for Eve. My friend will never go back to my sick brother.” She says with such sadness looking right at me.

  “You all had a plan? Thank God, I was sweating bullets over here. Good Lord, where is she now?” I ask Kara, over excited, because she was the one with a plan from what I gather.

  Braxton then interrupts. “Liam I need to get my ass home, so I am there when my baby comes home. I want to try to look somewhat better before she sees me.” Braxton says, trying to get up from the couch.

  “Here let me help you.” I try to help him up, but he is taller and outweighs me. Smiling, he struggles to stand, but takes me with him enveloping me in his arms.

  “Iz, give your man a kiss.” He takes a deep breath, savoring the moment. “Getting my ass kicked for you hurt likes a bitch, got to tell yah.” He leans down and I stretch on my tiptoes until our lips meet.

  The pull is so strong between us, once our lips touch, it’s like an electric current through our bodies. Arching my back, I put my arms around his neck, pulling him to me. A slight moan escapes me while my lips slide against his. I don’t ever want to let him go, there is such uncertainty between us. When I finally pull away to break the kiss I need to see his eyes. I need something from them, I need to see that we are going to be okay.

  “Don’t worry sweetheart, you're not getting rid me. I know you got questions, the day with Tiffany and all that went down the way it did. I always knew the truth deep down. When she told us, she found that fucker, I knew I had to play her very carefully. Had to, but I did not mean to hurt you. What you think you saw, you didn’t, I had to play with her some to make her believe I was interested, but my intentions were always to keep you safe. Fucking killed me to watch the look on your face.” Taking my face in his hands, he kisses the tip of my nose.

  “Never again, you and I are going to get this worked out. No more Tiffany, no more Dominic. Just you, me, and Eve, tell me you want that too?” Those dang piercing brown eyes melt me into him.

  “More than you will ever know.” His lips crush down on mine and for now I feel safe.

  “Let’s go man, got to clean your ass up before my niece gets an eye full. Swear to God, the fucker touches a hair on her head, he will die faster than he thinks.” Liam is trying to pull Brax out of the house.

  After telling me he will see me later, I nod and watch him hobble out of my front door. Zeke and Matt are to stay behind with Kara and I. Now that Braxton is safe, they seem more willing to help us out.

  Keeping my eye on the men walking to Braxton’s house I turn to look at my best friend. “Kara, what the hell is going to happen next? Dominic is not going to leave, he must have something else planned.” I whisper so our bodyguards won’t hear me.

  “Damn if I know, once he figures out we have Eve, he might go crazy. These two guys are no match for my brother that much I do know.”

  The lack of confidence in her words raises my eyebrows. “Did Liam say anything to you? He just left with Braxton saying nothing, it’s eerie, something’s off.” Pulling her hand to me, I ask, “Are you keeping anything from me?”

  “No., I'm fresh out of ideas and Liam, has not talked to me about anything more. Maybe you're just paranoid.” She says, yanking on my hand so she can hug me.

  Not ten minutes later, Zeke gets a phone call and informs us we are all going to Braxton’s house.

  THE STREET IS PEACEFUL and dark as the only sounds heard are of the crickets and nearby croaking frogs. At night, they serenade me to sleep. It’s serene and most relaxing. The best thing about the ‘Evergreen State,' is the overabundant evergreen trees that line the area behind our homes. It’s a scene straight out of ‘Twilight,’ most beautiful sight ever. I remember taking a hike recently at one of the state parks the makeshift trail covered in moss led straight to one of the most breathtaking waterfalls I have ever seen. A perfect place to lose yourself in, or hide if you are trying to escape from someone, I found that idea to be ironic.

  Slightly laughing to myself, too bad I could not hike Dominic up the trail and drop him over the edge. A sick thought I know, but at the same time, a comforting idea. Not having to look over my shoulders would be a pleasant feeling. It’s a feeling I have not had in a very long time.

  We are walking behind Zeke and Matt, not far behind, but enough so we could talk privately. Stopping to tie my shoe, I’m startled by a shooting pain down my spine, as my surroundings suddenly began to spin. The fading scream of Kara was all I heard as two men subdued her. I caught a glimpse of Matt and Zeke doubled over on the ground as a cloth covered my nose and mouth. With that, my world went dark.

  ***

  HOLDING MY HEAD, pounding like a jackhammer drilling in my skull I grimace in pain. Jesus! Slowly opening my eyes I quickly scan my surroundings, nothing looks familiar. The room is dark, and it resembles a hotel room if I’m honest. Realizing I am under the covers, I am shocked to find I’m only wearing my bra and panties, WTF!

  I’m panicked sitting up looking around the room for my clothes, I see nothing, no purse or phone, and no clothes. Slowly getting out of bed, I rummage around the room looking in dresser drawers, I admit I’m also looking for a phone or even a weapon anything to help me. The only light at the moment is the moonlight coming in through the window, it’s slightly eerie as I have no idea how long I’ve been here. It’s then I feel arms wrap around me. I freeze!

  Just then he touches my hair and pulls my body to him. His smell, his hands, and his low, menacing voice leave me with a feeling of hopelessness. The way his hands roam my body, I know these hands belong to the one person I fear more than anything. I would rather die than be in this room alone with him. My eyes gripped with fear as Dominic’s voice collapses any hope I had left. Here I am half naked with his hands around my waist. As my tears well in my eyes I, wish myself anywhere but here. Its times like so many before that I slowly close my eyes and silently leave my body.

  “My sweet, sweet Izzabella, how I’ve missed you. Now I know what you are thinking. You are waiting for me to be mad and start yelling at you and are likely waiting for your punishment. You would be wise to remember those things, but...”

  Turning inward, withdrawing myself with the way his familiar hands start at my throat and slowly move to caress every inch of my body I stop breathing. It’s vulgar and disgusting as he moans, and excitement are as revolting as his erection that is rubbing my backside. I let my tears fall, let my silent screams yell to the moon and back. They have to be quiet because if I were to vocalize my distaste for him it would end much worse for me. I know because I’ve made that mistake too many times before. I’ve learned to swallow my horror and my pain so I can survive on the outside.

  Holding my wrists, he spins me around, so we are now face to face. Crushing my body against his, he digs his fingers painfully into my hips. Dominic was never one to be gentle, but oh my God, he is pressing so hard I know he will leave bruises, and that is exactly what he intends to do. He wants to leave marks on me, it’s a reminder of who I belong to. Little does he know, only one man has my heart, in reality, he is the only man who ever felt real to me. Braxton Ryles is one of a kind, and I’m lucky to have had him in my life no matter how short.

  Dominic threads his hands through my hair as he no
t so gently winds them around the base of my neck. “You need to sleep for now, I got a ton of plans to make. Your Brax and his band of idiots are giving me some problems. Once they got his daughter from under my nose, well, let's just say as long as I got you, an eye for an eye, I guess. He has his daughter, and I have you. A win/win for everyone.”

  Yeah, his plan, to scare me, is, freaking working.

  “What’s the plan? Where is Kara by the way?” I try to stare at the floor so I can escape looking into his death glare. It doesn’t work because he takes his finger and tilts my chin toward him.

  “Look at me when you want me to answer.” His tone and eyes are ice cold. “Kara, I left in the front yard of that Brax fellow. Mikey roughed her up a bit, to make a statement of course. Now they know I mean business. They have what they wanted, and now, so do I. If they are smart, they will leave well enough alone. If they try to find you, well, let's just say; you will pay that price.” He takes his hand around the back of my neck and pulls me against him to aggressively put his lips to mine.

  Holding my breath, I try to not feel anything, not to put any effort into the rough kiss. The only thing, I can think of, is how vile and revolting he feels. I want to gag, but the moment he gets my lower lip in between his teeth he bites down. I groan and cry out as it not only hurt, but the blood flooding my mouth disgusts me. Wanting nothing more than to vomit, I try to fight. I knew better, but this is just, so, so wrong. I hate every minute his hands on me, his mouth on me. It’s like a death sentence. My struggle and discomfort only excite this sicko. Hands are going around my hips as he carries me to the bed, never losing contact his larger frame traps me under his.

  Pulling my legs apart with his knee I suddenly want to leave my body. I don’t want this to happen. Sensing my hesitation, he pulls back and looks down at my trembling body. To subdue my arms, he pulls them over my head and holds them with his hands. Crushing his lower body into mine, he grinds his ever so present erection, rubbing my panty covered seam. Closing my eyes tight, I beg.