by Blue Saffire
“I love you,” I gasp.
He groans loudly. “I’ve always loved you,” he breathes, his deep voice rumbling over me.
“You feel so good,” I moan.
“You make me feel like my chest is going to explode. Shit, I can’t wait to get you in my cuffs.”
I pause, looking at him with furrowed brows. “What the fuck? You’re serious about those cuffs?”
He kneads my ass, still pulsing inside me. “You have no idea. I warned you,” he grins.
I burst into laughter. Caging his head between my arms, I push my breasts into his face to muffle his laughter. Shaking my head, I go back to riding him.
“I’m yours forever,” I whisper in his ear, when we finally come together.
Chapter 44
Just Friends
Lucy
Heather called to say she would be back from New York today. I can’t even tell you how happy I am to hear that. I want to tell her all about how I’ve bonded with her little sister Amanda.
She came by the apartment looking for Heather one day, I happened to be just getting in. I was bummed about not going to New York, but I’m so glad I got to meet Amanda and make friends with her. She worships Heather, which I can totally understand.
Although, I get the feeling she’s a sad girl. To be sixteen, she has a watchfulness about her. Like she’s looking over her shoulder. Seeing that, I asked her to come over after school to spend time with me. For two weeks, we’ve been hanging out at the apartment.
I just know this is something Heather and I will be able to bond over. Heather hasn’t really spoken much about Amanda to me. I would have been skeptical, when she arrived on the doorstep had she not looked so much like Heather.
I went out to get a few things to bake brownies for the three of us. Amanda should be coming by today, as well. I’m so excited.
I beam as I juggle the bags to open the front door. I may have over did it on the junk food. Happily weighed down with bags, I push into the apartment.
I smile when I see Heather’s bags dropped by the door. My smile falters from my lips, when I hear Heather’s laughter. Quickly placing my bags down, I start to move for the bedrooms at the back of the apartment.
A moan floats out, followed by more laughter, freezing me in place. I know I should turn and go back the way I came, but I can’t. I bite my lip and force my legs forward. I can hear my own breathing ringing in my ears.
I reach out a shaking hand to push the cracked door of Heather’s room further open. Tears tumble over onto my cheeks, as Braxton’s red hair between Heather’s legs comes into view. He’s so distracted by inhaling her, he doesn’t hear me. Neither of them do.
He’s naked. His shoulder blades displaying a tat that says, Brothers Black. His back and shoulders are tanned, muscular, and broad, holding her long legs up. Sweat trickles down his skin, showing his effort. Heather’s fingers move to lock in his hair, pushing him to devour her even more. He groans, pushing his face into her.
“Aww,” Heather sighs. “Babe, I’m so close.”
I look at her face, her eyes closed, a smile on her lips. Her features twisted in the ecstasy, I’ve always dreamed of bringing her. I jump a little, when a cry pierces the air signaling her climax.
Still not noticing me, Braxton stalks his way up her body like a panther. Lifting her legs over his shoulders, as he enters her, he releases a loud groan. I feel my heart shatter as I flinch at the sight before me.
His body rolls and pushes into hers, taking and giving. Every muscle flexing and moving, with his strokes of ownership. This doesn’t look like an accident or a first time thing.
“I love you,” Heather keens, tearing a sob from my chest.
They both still, their head snapping in my direction. I shake my head, as tears fall. I stumble back out of the room. Wobbling to the living room, where I sink to my knees. I can hear the loud sobs that rip through me. I’m just powerless to stop them.
I’ve lost her.
Heather
“Oh, my God,” I gasp at Lucy’s retreating back.
I look at Brax, who’s staring at the doorway with a scowl. My place was closer than the house he purchased. We’d come here not even thinking of Lucy. I honestly forgot she’s been here.
I close my eyes and run a hand through my damp hair. I don’t even know how long she was standing there. I was so wrapped up in Braxton, I didn’t hear a thing other than my cries, until her loud sob. Brax lifts to storm out of the room after her, I rush to get to my knees, grabbing his arm.
“Let me,” I sigh. “Please.” I add, when he looks like his going to protest.
His jaw works, but he gives me a curt nod. I climb from the bed and dress quickly in sweats and a t-shirt. I go to step out of the room, but Brax pulls me back against his chest.
“She’s in love with you. She’s been lying to you for a very long time. Lucy gave up her apartment a week before she moved in,” Braxton says softly.
I stiffen turning to face him. He looks down at me apologetically. My mind races. My face heats, as I start to get pissed off.
Turning I storm into the living room. “What the fuck were you doing coming into my room?” I snap, not using any of the gentle words I’d planned. “No, forget that. What the hell really happened with your apartment?”
My mind starts to spin and it all clicks into place. I stumble back, as I watch her look up at me, pleading with her eyes. I feel like I’m going to be sick. I feel so violated.
“You were never trying to get Billy back were you,” I say brokenly. “You lied to me. You pushed me to make out with you for a lie? I trusted you. I never lied to you. You were my friend, why would you do that to me?”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what else to do,” she sobs.
I scoff. “Are you fucking kidding me? Do you know what I’ve been through. Do you know how long it’s taken me to get over him raping me?”
I’m screaming at the top of my lungs. I feel like I’m going to lose it. I’m so hurt. I trusted her. I thought I was helping a friend.
“Oh, my God, Heather,” Lucy’s eyes bulge, as she sobs.
“You’re no better than him,” I growl just, before I lunge at her.
Brax’s strong arms wrap around me, catching me just before my first punch connects. I fight against him needing to get my hands on her.
“I fucking hate you. I hate you. You stupid bitch,” I scream. “Get off of me, Brax. I’m going to whip her fucking ass.”
“I’m sorry. Oh, my God, you see me like him. I’m so, so sorry,” she sobs some more.
“Save that shit,” I hiss. “Get the fuck out!”
“I really am sorry,” Lucy hiccups, as she races for the door. “So, so sorry.”
“Choke on your sorry,” I spit. “You’re gonna catch these hands, when I see your ass. I promise you that.”
Braxton
“Shh,” I whisper in her ear, as the door slams shut and she crumbles in my arms.
I’m an asshole. I heard Lucy the moment she entered the apartment. I told Heather I didn’t trust her. Thanks to Sephora, I found out about the apartment while we were in New York.
However, I didn’t know about the scam Lucy was running to get Heather to make out with her more than two years ago. My stomach rolls as I feel the pain my baby is in. I hate that she had to find out this way, but Heather is so fucking hard headed.
Shit, I didn’t think Lucy would have the balls to come into the bedroom. I just meant for her to hear and hightail her ass out of here. Heather turns in my arms, wrapping around my waist.
“Brax?” she sniffles.
“Yeah, Baby,” I coo, rubbing her back.
“I’m going to kick your ass. None of this was a coincidence, I know you,” she mutters. When I don’t reply, she murmurs, “I’m sorry I didn’t listen.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. You’re an amazing friend. I’m sorry you got hurt,” I sigh.
“Yeah, me too, but it’s not your fau
lt,” she pulls away. “I need a shower.”
I watch her walk away. Halfway to the hall, she pauses to look over her shoulder. “Well, you just going to stand there. I need you,” she says with a shaky smile.
That little smile tugs at my heart. She’ll bounce back. Just like my little hero. She’ll bounce back.
Chapter 45
Unfinished
Heather
Three months later…
I twist my lips up looking at wedding gowns on my phone. I’m not even sure I want a big wedding. I don’t think Brax would mind of I opted out of one, as long as we get married.
“You’re glowing, lass,” Aunt Cass says from my Mom and Dad’s kitchen.
“Am I?” I laugh.
Mom and I coerced her into coming over to bake cookies and watch movies with us. Aunt Jennifer and Bean are here too. They’re in the back yard torturing Noah into getting the grill started.
He was across the street with the rest of the guys, when Bean sweet talked him over here, with the promise of steaks. It’s like a family day around here. The guys across the street, us girls over here.
It’s been sort of peaceful around here, eerily so. Lucy finally stopped calling and trying to apologize. This time before disappearing, Eugene called to tell me he would be taking a trip. I found that odd, his voice had something in it. Almost like a warning. I was distracted at the time, babysitting for both Nellie and Kamara.
I push all that stuff aside, as Aunt Cass moves to the table. She narrows her eyes on me. I smile, watching her back, amused.
“Aye, fuck me, yer going to make me ask,” she huffs. “I’ve been dying to see the ring.”
My eyes widen. “He told you?” I gasp.
“He’s me son, lass. He knows better than to keep secrets,” she lifts a brow pointedly.
I palm my forehead, shaking my head. Cass just laughs at me. My shoulders sag, but I quickly perk up at the thought of showing someone my ring and getting to talk about planning the wedding .
I reach into my t-shirt for the long chain around my neck. When I reveal the ring on the end of the chain, Cass’s eyes tear up and she covers her mouth. I feel a little teary eyed, as I watch her reaction.
“That little fucker did good, the wee monster. I told ye he would charm his way into yer heart. Little shit pulled it off,” Cass chortles.
I laugh, feeling my heart fill up. The doorbell rings and I drop the ring and chain back on the inside of my shirt. Lifting from my seat, I start for the door.
“I got it,” Mom sings, getting there before me. I turn back for the kitchen, but pause, when I hear mom’s loud gasp. “Come in, come in. Oh, my God, what happened to you?”
I rush to the door to see who she’s talking to. My birth mother comes into view, causing me to skid to a stop. Her face looks like someone used it as a punching bag. One of her eyes is sealed shut, her lip is busted. Little cuts and bruises litter her face.
I stand with my mouth open. “Is…is Rob here? I…need his help,” my mother tries to say, it’s then that I realize her jaw might even be broken or fractured.
Tears blur my eyes. Anger rises in me, but I don’t even know where to place it. So I lash out at my mom.
“You come to dad now,” I shriek at her. “You’re kidding me, right?”
She inhales a shaky breath. “I wouldn’t be here if it were just me,” she reaches out of my view, pulling someone forward.
When Amanda comes into view a blood curdling shrill rips from my lips. Her face is just as busted up, her arm cradled limply to her chest. Tears staining her chubby cheeks.
“H…he found out I was going to your place. Th...that I was hanging with your friend. He lost it on me, mom threw herself on me to make him stop,” Amanda sobs.
I feel bile rise in my mouth. I’ve been so busy at work catching the office up, I haven’t gone to check in. When Eugene called I was relieved. He’d said Amanda was fine. She’d been excited about junior prom.
I can’t even think straight. I haven’t been in my old place in months. I moved right in with Brax. Lucy. I never got the key back from her. I never invited Amanda to my place. How did she know to go to my apartment?
Drunk with rage, swaying on my feet, I lift a finger, pointing at Amanda. “Is this the first time?” I choke out.
Amanda’s head drops. “No, he broke my arm once before. Mom usually takes the beating for me. She wasn’t home that time.”
I don’t know what happens after that. I can’t see straight. I hear people behind me calling my name. I just don’t stop moving.
I’m going to fucking kill him.
Braxton
I’m doubled over in laughter, when the sound of tires screeching hits my ears. Noah bursts through the front door moments later. His eyes meet mine and he tosses keys in the air. I catch the keys mid-air and look at him questioningly.
“It’s Heather,” Noah booms. “Her stepfather beat the shit out of Debbie and her kid. It’s bad, dude. Deb’s jaw looks broken and the girl’s arm looks like it too.”
I’m moving, before he can finish. I feel like I’m on fire. There’s nothing and no one that’ll stop me. Uncle Ronan gave me the green light two days ago. He just ask for time for a friend. He knows I’m not leaving anyone breathing.
I asked Ry to have my back. He never asked why, he just said that he would. We were going to make a move tomorrow night. Debbie and Amanda were going to be away at a two day school function, for Amanda’s Junior year.
I vaguely hear Ry, as I exit the door. “Let’s go. He’s going to blackout. Her stepfather is the one that hurt her.”
Chapter 46
Raw
Braxton
Noah had tossed me the keys to his bike. I’m grateful, as I eat up ground trying to catch Heather. Ernest has increased his security. He did it when I noticed him moving differently. It was one of the things that set me on alert.
I curse, as I zip between cars. Heather has a head start on me and she’s in my Maserati. I have a feeling she’s gunning that shit. I watch in horror as an accident happens in front of me, almost in slow motion.
Traffic comes to a standstill and I’m locked in. “Fuck!” I roar.
Lucy
I have to make this right. I fucked up so bad. I can never take back what I did. I’ve tried to apologize and explain, but Heather won’t even take my calls.
I’d been waiting at the apartment for her to come back, when Amanda came by again. I told her Heather was delayed, but she should check in daily. I don’t know how, but I knew he was the one. The moment I opened the door and saw his black eyes, I knew.
I was so afraid for Amanda, as he dragged her away. I know I should’ve gone to Braxton, but I was afraid he would turn me away. So I followed Amanda and her father home.
He beat them, he hit the woman with a club. No one tried to help them. All those men and not one tried to stop it. I could see into the house from the road.
I can’t believe no one did a thing. Not the neighbors, not the men, no one tried to help them. I was too frozen in shock to do anything. I feel so bed. I should’ve called someone.
“Well, I’m going to do something now,” I declare, pulling into the driveway.
I jump out of the car, my stomach in knots. The big guy at the door is too distracted by my open blouse and the tiny school girl skirt I have on. My red bra is on display, pushing up my breasts.
I had the outfit in my trunk from a photoshoot. This was the first thing I could think of. I still don’t know what I plan to do.
I blow a bubble, with the bubble gum I’m smacking. Seductively tittering in my red heels, I bat my lashes at him. The big guy grins down at my breast. I want to barf on his shoes.
“I think I have the right address. I’m here for a private party,” I give him a wink.
His grin grows. “Hold on, the boss is going to love this,” the buff buffoon says.
He rushes into the house, reappearing moments later. I smooth a hand over the red w
ig, hoping that it and the brown contacts are enough to fool Amanda’s dad. He was so angry with her, busy yelling at her. I don’t think he noticed me. Every other word out of his mouth was, ‘that cunt, Heather, this, that cunt, Heather, that.’
Amanda’s dad steps out from behind the buff guard. His eyes crawl over me, making me feel sick. I force a shaky smile to my lips. Reaching to twirl a lock of hair.
“Are you my party of one, I have my things in the car,” I purr.
“Why, sure, gorgeous. Just what daddy needs,” he croons.
I turn for my car and bag, before I puke all over him. I tug the bag out of my back seat, silently thanking Heather for leaving a little heavy metal, behind at the apartment. I grabbed it before I followed after them. This is the least I can do.
I’ll fix this, Heather. I’ll take care of the bad man.
Heather
I don’t even know how I got here. I’ve been here for twenty minutes. My phone keeps ringing, but I can’t answer. No one is going to talk me out of this. I silence it, sticking it in my back pocket.
I won’t get caught slipping this time. I parked around the corner, after driving by to scope the place out. Ernest seems to have become paranoid over the years. He’s never had so much security around.
Do dirt, you get dirt. Who else have you pissed off, Ernest? No matter, I’m here for you now.
I pop the trunk of Brax’s Maserati. I smile, when I find what’s sitting in my crazy man’s trunk. I pull out the duffle bag of weapons, knowing I will find more hidden under the trunk’s interior. I settle for two chrome pieces, tucking them in the back of my pants and grab a few clips.
“Thanks, Dad,” I mutter, moving for the house.
Braxton
The LoJack on my car, leads me and my brothers right to it. Unfortunately, Heather isn’t with the fucking car. We find my bag of guns, but I notice right away that two are missing.