by G. Bailey
We don't say anything for a while as I calm down before Sebastian says, “Let’s eat while you think, sis.”
Everyone starts eating. I feel sorry for them, wondering how they cope. Fighting is dangerous, as I saw the other night, and our dad did that to people. Why did he? The question rolls around in my head, but looking at my brothers’ faces, I can’t ask them.
I don't want to show them pity, as I feel they wouldn't want that, but if they owed the debt, does that mean I do, too? I am guessing that's why they don't want me involved, as well as it being clearly dangerous. I’m taking a wild guess that not everyone likes getting beat all the time, and I would be an easy revenge.
I smile as Luke hands me a plate loaded with pizza. I pick at a piece of pizza, not really feeling it, but I don’t want to disappoint the boys. Luke pours me a drink and passes it to me with a smile, which I return.
“So, you’re close to finishing your fighting in The Cage?” I ask, despite the fact I'm sure they are.
“Yes, can I ask you a question now?” Harley asks in a stern, parental voice that reminds me of how my mother used to sound before I was told off as a child.
I shift uncomfortably before saying, “Yes, I guess.” I’m hoping it’s nothing to do with Blake as I’m not ready to tell them. I understand why Blake wouldn’t tell me, and he is right that this is their story to tell. I’m happy he has stuck by them through all of this, and it reminds me what a great guy he is.
“Who took you? We know nearly everyone in this town, and I can't think of anyone who would be stupid enough to take you. They don't care about you if they did,” he says, as his eyes flash in anger, not at me, but at the idea of someone putting me in danger.
“No one took me. I followed you that night, but I was lucky when Tristan bumped into me outside. Tris looked after me and then took me home when he could,” I say, almost whispering because, hell, they are intimidating, all staring at me in anger.
Sebastian drops his pizza on the floor, looking shell-shocked, and I try not to smile at that.
“Shit,” Sebastian says with a groan, picking it up and putting it in the box. Luke smirks before he looks away.
“That was stupid of you, Izzy, but I guess you never heard the saying, ‘curiosity killed the cat’?” Harley says while shaking his head. I can see how angry he is.
“Lucky I'm not a cat, then,” I mutter, making Luke laugh loudly before putting a hand over his mouth, holding it back and looking away.
“Seb, thank Tristan when you see him, yeah?” Harley says and stands up, looking more tired than I’ve ever seen him.
“Izzy, you need to stay away from The Cage and all things near it. If Arthur finds out about you, he will ask us to fight for longer, or worse, expect you to pay him in some way. It's only a few more fights to win, and then we can tell him to fuck off,” he says and walks over to me, kneeling down to my level on the floor so he is directly in my face.
“Promise me you won't go near there, Izzy.” he demands, staring at me and daring me to say no or to lie to him. Harley is right. It's far more dangerous than I realised, and the boss could make me pay. I don’t want to test the theory that much.
“I promise, Harley,” I say, locking eyes with his matching ones, and smile gently at him.
He nods, standing up, and walks to the door. “I’ve got to go out. I’ll see you all later,” he says before shutting the door.
“Me, too. I’ve got things to do. Can you call Blake? He hasn’t answered my calls all day,” Elliot says to Sebastian, as I try not to blush.
“Sure, will do,” Sebastian says, not looking at me, but I lift my gaze to see Luke looking at me strangely before he looks away as Elliot walks out.
“Well, now that they’re gone, do you want to play Xbox?” Luke asks, and I nod my head as Sebastian grins at me.
“I guess I could spend time kicking your asses,” I say, giggling, and we spend the next few hours with me beating them.
Honestly, men are sore losers because a few games in and they are swearing they won't play with me again, but I see their smiles, which gives away that they will. I end up falling asleep on the sofa, and one of the boys must put me to bed.
I wake up Saturday with plans to go to Harley’s gym and have a look around. After I show interest at what his gym is like, Harley says there is a swimming pool. So I pack my swimsuit and dress in blue skinny jeans and a white top that says ‘I should still be in bed.’ I slip on my blue, ballet shoes as I decide to send Tilly an email, replying to her questions before going downstairs.
Tilly
Guess what I’m not anymore? I have a hot boyfriend and I didn’t know sex could be that great. I know what you were going on about now! I really think I’m falling for him.
I need a phone call to discuss this with you!
My brothers are amazing. We all get along well. Elliot doesn’t speak to me much but seems to care in his own way.
I have a new friend named Allie. She is amazing and reminds me of you. I think you would get along well with her and I miss you.
The school is good. I have applied to the local university to study an art therapy course. Blake and Sebastian are going there too, so I won’t be alone. I think Allie is as well.
We need to Skype soon as I miss your hot face and mad red hair.
Love you
Xxxxx
I check my phone after I press send and Blake has texted me to say good morning, and I message him back saying the same.
Sexiest man alive: I’m taking you out for a date tonight x
Me: how are we going to escape my brothers for a whole night? X
I ask because they haven’t let me out of their sight since I went to Blake’s yesterday.
Sexiest man alive: leave it to me beauty ;) be ready at 7 pm x
I text him back saying yes and then do a girly squeal in my bedroom at the idea of a normal date with Blake.
I find Harley in the kitchen, and he hands me a plate with toast and scrambled eggs as I sit down, like he has waited for me.
“Thank you,” I say and sit down to eat.
“So, I can’t persuade you into working at the gym?” He grins, and I know he is joking. I doubt he would let me.
“Well, looking at fit guys working out all day does have its appeal. I’ve changed my mind,” I say, smirking, and I try not to laugh at his horrified face.
“No, I’ve changed my mind; that was a bad idea. Let’s go somewhere else this morning. I can make Seb meet the trainers.” He goes to grab his phone.
“I’m joking. I’ll be fine, I’m just going to go swimming,” I say quickly, so he puts his phone down and his face goes back to that serious one I know so well.
“You can’t tell anyone at the gym that you’re our sister. Telling people at school is fine, but the general town doesn’t know. Arthur, the boss, could find out.”
“I won’t say anything. You can drop me off down the road so they don’t see me get out of your car and I’ll message you when I’m done. I won’t swim long, so I can keep an eye on my phone.”
“Sounds good,” Harley says.
We eat in peace, and I don’t see my other brothers that morning, which is usual for them on a weekend. I hop into Harley’s SUV as we go to the gym an hour later.
I get out like we agreed, about five minutes away, and walk past a few shops in town before getting to the gym. The front is all glass, so you can see the reception counter and the exercise bikes in the background. The place looks big from the outside, with an impressive sign above the door saying ‘The King Gym.’ I snort at the smart name as I walk in through the automatic doors expecting the awful smell of sweat to hit me. I’m surprised when it actually smells like lemons instead. Harley says he has registered me, so I only have to say my name.
We also discussed that he has had my name legally changed while we were on it. I wasn’t happy that he forgot to tell me. Harley says he did tell me before I signed the forms, but he guesses I wasn’t really
listening, which I remember I wasn’t. Luke was showing me his tattoo drawings, and I couldn’t believe how good at drawing he is. I guess I get my artistic side from my father. It’s hard not to think of him and hate him now for what he did to my brothers. They don’t deserve the life they have been dealt; hell, no one does.
“Elizabeth King,” I say, shaking my bad thoughts away as I stand in front of the counter. There’s a young guy, a bit older than me, sitting behind the counter. He looks around twenty-five with black dreadlocks and a white vest.
He flashes me a flirty grin. “Related to the owner?” he asks as he types on his laptop.
“Nah, I’m just new to town,” I say, looking behind him at the guys working out. There is a nice a view, like I thought. What would it be like to watch Blake working out? All those muscles covered in sweat, I shiver at the thought.
“All right, Blondie, here is your card. You just show this next time you come. Do you need someone to show you around?” He winks at me, and I barely notice the flirting with my thoughts of Blake.
“Thank you, and no, but which way is the pool?” I ask, looking around for a sign.
His face falls a little in rejection, but he recovers quickly, telling me, “Down the corridor on the left, the signs on the doors say which room is the women’s locker room. I hope to see you around more.”
“Thanks,” I reply before walking the way he says.
I come across the women’s locker rooms and pay a pound for a key to a locker before stripping down in one of the closed rooms. I put my things in a locker before clipping the locker band key around my wrist.
The pool is huge with white tiles surrounding it, and there are about ten people in the pool already swimming. My hair is up in a tight bun, so it doesn’t get too wet, and I spend the next hour swimming. I’m resting next to the wall, calming my breathing before I get out, and I turn to see the old man from The Cage leaning against the wall next to me. I jump from the shock of seeing him so close to me, staring.
“I remember you. You’re Tristan’s friend.” He draws the word friend out slowly and grins at me. He makes my skin crawl.
“Yes, I remember you, too,” I say politely, looking away from his creepy eyes to watch someone swim past us.
“What’s your name?” he asks nicely.
“It’s Elizabeth,” I say. I don’t bother asking his name, as I don’t want to encourage him to keep talking to me.
“It’s a lovely pool, isn’t it, Elizabeth? I do enjoy swimming.” The way he says my name makes me shiver; it’s like I’m the prey, and he is the predator. One look in his eyes tells me he enjoys the chase.
“Yes, it is. It’s nice to see you again, but I have to leave now. Goodbye,” I say, moving away, but not quick enough as he grabs my hand roughly and, to my shock, brings it to his mouth, placing a kiss on it. It makes me want to puke, and I quickly pull my hand away, putting it under the water.
His eyes darken when he sees that, but I can see the amusement. It’s all a game to guys like this and I have a feeling I’ve made the chase better. I really need to get away from this creep.
“See you around, sweet Elizabeth,” he says with a gleam in his eyes.
I quickly swim to the ladder, and I feel his eyes on me all the way until I’m out of his sight. I dress quickly and leave the gym as I watch out for the creepy man, but I don’t see him, thankfully.
“Are you all right? How was swimming?” Harley asks as I hop into the car. I’m tempted to tell him about the old man, but as I think about it, I decide not to. Harley said that people from The Cage might be at the gym, so I guess it must be normal. If I did tell him, he would hurt the creepy man, and then everyone would know that I’m his sister.
“I’m good. It’s a really nice pool,” I say, looking out the window as he drives through town.
“I enjoy it, too. I’m glad you like my gym. I’ve spent so much time working on it, and I’m happy it’s such a success.” I glance at him, and his face is proud.
“It looked busy. Is it always like that?” I enquire, because everywhere I looked was full of people.
“No, weekends are our busiest days. Your friend, Allie, goes to our dance classes in one of our rooms every Saturday,” he comments.
“Yes, she invited me to join her, but I’m not much of a dancer.” I laugh to myself; hell, I’m a terrible dancer, and it’s embarrassing to watch.
“I’m glad, some of the dances they do are a little too–” He stops, clearing his throat, and shakes his head, “it doesn’t matter, but I’m glad you at least like swimming.”
“Am I ever going to be able to date anyone?” I ask, referring to his over protectiveness.
“Yes, but no one around here is nearly good enough for you, that’s why we are a little protective.”
“A ‘little’? I don’t want to be a virgin at thirty.” Harley swerves the car a little at my statement as his cheeks go red. I can’t exactly tell him I’m not one anymore, and that I’m in love with Blake.
“So, is there any other exercise you like to do?” He changes the subject, as he seems very uncomfortable.
“I did like to run, but I haven’t done that in a while,” I humour him by answering and try not to laugh a little.
“How about you and I go running sometime? I’m busy this month, but how about we start every Sunday morning at the end of the month?” he offers.
“I would like that.” I grin.
“Good. Now, have you applied to your university yet?” he asks in his serious tone again.
“Yes, all sent. Just have to wait for my results, but I think I’m doing well.” I hope so anyway.
“Good girl.” He grins proudly at me, making me feel great as we drive home.
18
Blake
My muscles cramp, as I push up the heavy weight for the tenth time before lowering it above my head and back into the holder. I sit up on the bench as Luke grins at me from the next bench.
"I've done five more than you, while I waited for you to finish."
"Shut the fuck up." I laugh, drinking some of my water as Luke laughs loudly.
We both get on the treadmill for half an hour before Elliot turns up.
"Hey, man," he says, heading straight for the punching bag, and then wraps his knuckles up before he starts punching the shit out of it. What the hell is he mad about?
"I'm off," I shout to Luke, who joins his brother with a wave at me. Elliot doesn't stop, but it's normal. After showering, I drive back home to get ready for my date tonight with Izzy. I really hope she likes it. I'm so nervous, it's crazy. With Allie’s help, I’ve planned for Allie to pick up Izzy and drive her to where our date will take place on the beach.
I head out after dressing in black trousers and a dark-blue shirt, which Seb said suits me. The fucker replaced most of my clothes over the years without my knowledge.
It's just getting dark as I arrive at the beach, and I park my car. I walk a few minutes down the beach to the small, beach café that has wooden decking all around, making it look like it’s floating on the sand. I've rented out the place for tonight, and they have done a great job with what I asked. The decking facing the beach is filled with little tea lights and a table with a light blue tablecloth is in the middle. There is a single rose in the vase on the table, and soft music is playing inside the empty café.
"Hey, man." I walk up to the middle-age owner who helped me do all of this. I was here earlier setting up all the candles and giving them the things to do this.
"Hello. I've left my best waitress and chef here for whatever you need. Please call me if there's any trouble." He smiles gently. My mom suggested this place because my dad took her once. I couldn’t think of a better place to take Izzy with her love of the sea.
"I'm sure there won't be, thank you again," I say, shaking the man’s hand, who seems surprised.
"You are a lucky man," he says, making me confused as he releases my hand and nods behind me. I turn around, and I'm met
with the stunning sight of Izzy walking toward me. She is wearing a short, white dress, which shows off her amazing body, and her hair is flowing around her shoulders in a wave of white, just like I love it. I walk the last steps to meet her, and I shiver as our mouths meet.
"You look so beautiful, Izzy; I don't think I’ll ever forget how lovely you look tonight," I say honestly as she blushes. I love that I can make her fucking blush by telling her the truth.
"Blake," she sighs, rubbing her hands up my chest.
"So, Elizabeth, would you join me for a meal?" I ask a little more respectable than usual and wink at her.
"Of course, sir." She winks back at me.
"I think I like you calling me ‘sir,’" I whisper into her ear as I pull her to my side. She laughs again, and I know I'm falling in love with the sound of her laugh.
We sit down and soon after, we order drinks and our food.
"The view is so, well, there isn't a word to describe it," Izzy says, leaning across the table to hold my hand.
"I agree," I mutter, but my eyes are only for her; she is the only sight I need tonight.
We both eat in a comfortable silence, and eventually, we chat about normal day-to-day things. I've paid the bill already, so when we finish, and Izzy says she doesn't want dessert, we take a walk down the beach.
"I used to love coming to the sea with my mom," she says as we stop to sit down on the sand. The tide is coming in, but I’ve been told it’s safe for another hour.
"Well, would I sound like a stalker if I said I guessed the beach meant something to you?" I ask her.
"A little." She grins up at me.
"I saw your paintings in art class, of the beaches, and you were so happy here the other day when we came."
“How did you find this place?” she asks as she picks up a handful of sand, and I watch as it drifts between her fingers.
“My dad took my mom here on their first date, he actually asked her to marry him around here too,” I tell her, and her eyes widen a little.
"Thank you for bringing me here, and, well, for the whole night. It's perfect.” She smiles. “Like you,” she says as she leans up to kiss me. I wrap my hands around her waist, pulling her so that she is straddling me.