by G. Bailey
"You didn't kill him or something, right? I highly doubt Eric would have just let you have a divorce," Luke remarks, shocked.
"He had a change of heart, sort of. He got his assistant pregnant, and he’s moving out," I explain.
"Well, that changes things. God, I’m happy. I’ll be over soon," Luke says.
"Good. I want to show you how much I've missed you," I say.
"Damn don't say that. I have half an hour to wait until I can touch you," he groans, and I giggle.
"Bye, Luke," I say, putting the phone down. I aimlessly walk around the house until I hear Eric walking down the stairs and I come out of the kitchen, watching him open the door. He looks back, nodding once before leaving. I should feel sad that my husband just walked out, but I don't. Not even a little bit. He isn't the man I want, and he could never be. I go upstairs, checking on Parker, who is sound asleep, and knowing it is going to be difficult to explain all this to him in the morning. I might ask Luke to stay in the morning so we can explain it together. Who knows, it might help Parker’s reaction. I strip out of all my clothes, pulling on a silk dressing gown and tying it up as the doorbell rings. I leave my room and go down to the door, pulling it open to see Luke waiting there. Luke looks as handsome as always in a leather jacket, jeans, and big boots. I like this more casual dress sense than the suits he wears a lot. Even though he looks so handsome, there is something more about this moment as I throw myself into his arms and he catches me, kissing me. Luke walks us into the house as we kiss, making our way to the left and into the kitchen. I'm sure Luke wanted a lounge, but the kitchen will do. Luke pulls my dressing gown open after sliding me on the counter, his eyes widening at my lack of clothing.
“I love your tattoos, you know that?” he says, stroking his fingers over my tattoo on my arms and my thighs as I look at his.
“Didn’t you want to be a tattoo designer before?” I breathlessly ask.
“I did,” he mutters, making me shiver as he runs his eyes all over me.
“Maybe you still can, and then you can do some for me,” I say, his eyes widening in clear desire at my suggestion. He pulls my hips to the edge of the counter and lowers his head, his tongue diving deep between my legs. He licks, sucks, and teases my clit as I lie back on the counter, holding his hair and moaning loudly. I cry out as Luke teases me into an orgasm before pulling his head up. He frees his erection, pulling me to the edge of the counter and sliding a hand to my ass before thrusting deep in me.
"Luke, fucking hell," I moan out him, feeling so sensitive.
"God, so fucking tight and perfect. You make me want to come the moment I’m in you, you know that?" Luke whispers into my ear as he thrusts in and out of me, pounding me into another orgasm in a matter of moments. "I could fuck you forever." Luke groans, biting down on my shoulder a few thrusts later, holding my ass tightly in his hand.
"I'm glad I invited you over now," I mutter, and he laughs, lifting his head from my shoulder and meeting my gaze.
"Me too, sweetheart," he says, kissing me gently. "Now where is your bedroom because I'm not done with you yet."
Luke
"Where are you taking me then?" I ask Luke, who arranged for Parker to sleep over at Harley’s and then told me we are going out on a surprise date.
"Get in the car and you’ll see, won't you?" he says, and I laugh, doing as I am told. Luke drives us for about half an hour to a small town and parks up on a busy street.
"What is going on?" I ask, seeing bright lights and hearing loud music at the bottom of the street we are parked on. Everyone is walking towards the street past our car.
"It's the light festival. They go around England once a year, and tonight they’re here," he explains to me. Luke offers me a multicoloured mask that will just cover my eyes. "Everyone wears them. They sell them for a charity." I smile, putting my mask on as Luke places his similar one on himself. I wait for a space in the people passing the car before opening the door and getting out. Luke walks to my side as we join the people, wrapping an arm around my waist.
"Did I tell you they dance on the streets?" Luke asks just the festival comes into view. Stalls line the sides of the streets, shining bright lights all around the people dancing in the middle of them. Loud, beautiful music is blasting from a band on a stage in the middle of the stalls. A man is singing loudly as he jumps around the stage, full of energy and laughter.
"Dance with me?" Luke asks, reminding me of when we first met. I nod, trying not to get emotional. Luke walks us into the dancers and wraps his arms around my waist, as I rest my head on his shoulder.
"We never got the first date, not really. I want to correct that time and time again with you, Emilia," he whispers to me. I lift my head and place my hand on his cheek as we sway to the music.
"I never needed fancy dates to fall in love with you. I just wanted you around," I explain to him.
"I'm here now," Luke promises, turning his head and kissing my hand before I lower it. "And I love you." I lean up and kiss Luke, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. We are both lost in each for a long time, kissing, dancing, and laughing. Some moments couldn't be more perfect. Eventually, we make our way out of the dancers to look at the stalls. I walk to a stall that sells little wooden toys and pick up a hand-painted red fire engine.
"Would Parker like that?" Luke asks.
"He would. Fire engines are his favourite," I say, and Luke buys the fire engine truck, and the stall keeper places it in a bag. We walk down past more stalls, stopping to look every so often.
"Do you want to move in?" I blurt out, and Luke stops, looking down at me with a big smile.
"I mean Parker needs to know about us soon anyway and it's a big house. It might be too soon, but I'm throwing it out there. You’re already sneaking in every night anyway."
"I would love to. I want to be with you and Parker," he says, leaning down and kissing me. "You have no idea how much I'd love to live with you."
"We should have a long chat with Parker about everything," I say, knowing it is best we explain it all to him soon.
"How was he about Eric moving out?" Luke asks.
"Actually, he seemed to understand. Eric took him out for ice cream this week, and he came back with big smiles, telling me he has a baby brother or sister on the way," I say, remembering how happy he was. We agreed to go to the shops to get a teddy gift for the baby when he or she is born. I'm glad Eric is involving Parker so much already, it no doubt helped him understand why his dad moved out.
"You have brought up an amazing kid," Luke says, making me feel proud.
"He’s like his dad," I say, winking at Luke. He laughs, holding me close to him as we continue walking down the street, dreaming of our future we know we are lucky to have.
Emilia
"You can't fight tonight. I'm serious," I say, catching Luke's arm in the changing room as I start to really panic about all this. We’ve been living in peace the last week, pretending like this wasn’t going to happen today, and now it’s here, and we can’t avoid it. The fight is planned, and Arthur is out there waiting. Watching.
"He has to," my brother says behind me, and Luke tensely looks down at me. I know he doesn’t want to do this, and I want to hate him. I want to drag him out of here, but I understand why, and that’s even worse.
"I don't want to do this, but it's all over if I don't. Five years of pain, misery, and destruction for nothing. Arthur will kill me, you, and everyone I care about," Luke says, sliding his hands onto my face. “I can’t risk you and Parker. My brothers, my sister. Everyone.”
"He’s my brother," I whisper.
"I know the price," my stupid brother replies. I turn my tear filled eyes on Dale, who looks over my shoulder at Luke. "I want some time with my sister. Meet you out there, Luke."
"I'm sorry," Luke whispers, letting go of me before he walks past. "I’ll try to make it quick." A sob escapes my lips as I just stare at his green eyes, knowing every part of him doesn’t want to do this. Wh
atever Luke is, he isn’t a cold-blooded killer.
I hear Luke walk away, the door open and shut in the distance, and I look back at my brother. The light from the tiny window in the room shines on my brother, his tanned skin and black hair so similar to my own.
"I don't want to die. I will admit that," Dale says, coming up to me and placing his hands on my shoulders. "I want you and our family to live more than me. We’ve both spent years being used by that monster. Years where I have done things I want nothing more than to forget. Luke will never forgive himself for killing me, so he’ll need you to forgive him. I need you to forgive me for this."
"I can't watch the man I love kill my brother because of this goddamn place!" I shout, whacking my fists onto his chest as I burst into uncontrollable sobs. Dale pulls me into his arms, holding me tight as we hear the door open. I know it’s time, but Dale still has to pull me off of him.
"Dase had run because he couldn’t watch, so after this, you’ll only have dad and Luke to watch your back. Be careful," Dale tells me, before letting me go and walking away.
"I love you. I wish I could change this," I cry out.
"My death has been coming for a long time. At least I will die for something; that can't be said for our brothers or most our family, sis," he tells me, his words echoing around the room before he shuts the door. The slam of the door feels like the final goodbye, and I can't process the pain as I fall to the floor. I don't know how long I sit there on the floor, remembering every good thing I can about my brother. How he would steal ice cream out of the freezer for me. How he would beat up the big boys who used to chase me around the playground and steal my lunch. How he was there for me when I went into labour and how Dale was the first person to hold Parker. I block out all the sounds of cheering, the bloodthirsty customers who love to see a fight until I have to hold my hands over my ears. The world seems to blur away for a long time, my thoughts disappearing into nothing but pain. Hands gently cover my mine on my ears, lowering them and I know that touch anywhere. This time, I don't want to look at him, and I can't.
"It's over," he whispers to me.
"I want to hate you for it," I cry.
"Then hate me," he replies.
"I can't. I fucking love you," I say, bursting into tears. Luke wraps his arms around me, sitting on the floor and holding me close as I wish for the pain to disappear. It doesn't, and I suspect it never will.
"I have to go," Luke gently tells me, reminding me why my brother's death was so important. “I have to finish this.”
"Make sure he pays for it," I demand, locking eyes with Luke and seeing the pain. Seeing the heartbreak and how scared he is to lose me.
"I will." His words are firm as I lean closer and press my lips to his for only a moment before pulling back. "Leave and let me finish this. Keep our son safe." I don't reply to him, knowing I can't process any words right now before I get up and walk out. I hold my head high, not looking once at the cage and the place that keeps destroying every part of my soul. This place will burn, and Arthur just lit the match.
Emilia
I keep banging the door to Harley's as I ring Tilly's phone again, wishing they would damn well answer the phone or door. It only took me a minute of sitting on that cold floor to realise that Luke is going to need our help. I can’t help him on my own, but his brothers can. I’m scared for him, and after losing my own brother, I can’t lose Luke. It’s not happening. Not without a fight. Tilly pulls the door open, a dressing gown wrapped around her shoulders and Harley is standing right behind her, wearing just joggers and a thin shirt.
"What the hell are you doing here at one in the morning?" Tilly asks, before seeing my eyes and asking the more important question. "What's wrong?"
"Elliot and Seb are on their way, but we don't have time for a long explanation," I hurriedly say. “Put your coat on Harley; we need to go.”
"Time for what?" Harley asks.
"Luke was with Arthur all these years,” I wait for that to sink in for a moment before I carry on speaking. “Luke needs your help now. He thinks he can do this all on his own, take down The Cage, like he’s always done.” There is nothing but fury building in Harley's eyes as I speak. "Luke is wrong."
"He spent five years with Arthur? Why the fuck would he do that?" he asks.
"The police, they used him as a spy. They needed someone close to Arthur and Arthur made Luke a deal," I say. “Luke told me that Arthur’s men were beating him, getting close to killing him in prison, so he took the police’s deal and Arthur’s deal.”
"Fuck," Harley mutters. “Why didn’t he tell us?”
"Where is Luke, Emilia?" Tilly asks.
"At The Cage,” I say, rubbing my arms from the cold and lack of coat. “H-he killed my brother tonight because Arthur is going to show him the vaults. Whatever is in the vaults, Luke is planning to finish everything tonight after he sees it."
"The vaults?" Harley asks. "What could possibly be in there?"
"I don't know!" I reply. "I just know Luke needs you. He isn't planning on walking out of there alive tonight. I saw the look in his eyes, and I know Luke better than I know myself. Luke is going to die to take down Arthur and The Cage, and that can't happen."
"He isn't dying. No way is that hellhole taking anyone else from me," Harley says, kissing the side of Tilly's head after she gives him a nod. Harley disappears for a moment, likely getting shoes on.
"I’ll tell Elliot and Seb what happened. Come back to me," Tilly nervously replies. "Both of you. Keep my husband safe." she looks at me, and I try not to cry at her affection and worry. I hate that all I can do is nod. I couldn’t keep Harley safe if I tried. I couldn’t keep Luke safe. Harley storms off to his car, with me following right behind him, knowing I can't just stay here. I need to make sure Luke survives this. Deep down, I know he is partly doing this all for me and Parker. A deeper part of me knows I can't live without Luke again. I wasn't living before; I was drowning.
"You shouldn't come," Harley suggests when he sees me following. “The Cage isn’t a good place.”
"I'm just as part of The Cage as all of you," I say. “We’re all Arthur’s pets.”
"You might need to explain that one to me, Emilia. Now," Harley snaps, but he carries on walking.
"Arthur owns me, he married me off and then bribed me to spy on you all these years," I say, my last words blurting out as Harley opens the car door. I expect to see anger, hate or at least distrust in his gaze but he still looks at me the same as he always has. Like I'm family.
"That man destroys everyone. You can't save yourself from him once he owns you. Not without a lot of pain," Harley tells me.
"Trust me; there has been enough. I can't lose Luke," I whisper as hot tears stream down my cheeks, but he hears me.
"You won't. We won't lose Luke. Not again," he says, before pulling the car door open and we both get into the car. I just hope we can get there in time.
Luke
"That was a very good fight, though a little short for my liking," Arthur comments like the asshole I know he is.
"Yeah, I could have dragged it out longer," I remark, though I never would have. I made it quick and as painless as I possibly could for him. I don’t think I will ever be able to forget tonight. Never.
"You usually do," Arthur says, patting my shoulder just like Harley does, but it's not the same. Arthur's is patronising, and a show of power, whereas Harley does it because he’s my brother and cares. It's a show of affection.
"Now, you promised me a reward," I say, keeping my words and expression playful when Arthur looks my way.
"That I did," Arthur says, nodding his head to the side. We walk down the empty corridor, and towards a door that Arthur unlocks as he talks. "Having you around reminds me of the times when it was just me and your father. Us against the world and he was a true brother to me until he lost his mind."
"I wish he hadn't had made those decisions in the end," I remark, not wanting to press on the delusional
idea that Arthur thought his relationship with his father was anything like what a brother relationship should really be like. They weren't even friends, not really. Friends don't kill each other when shit goes wrong. Arthur pushes the large door open, holding it with a hand to let me in before locking it on the other side. Automatic lights turn on as Arthur walks down the steep stairs into the darkness below and I follow right behind him. At the end of the stairs is another corridor, though this one is pretty short and made of steel walls and dark wood floors. At the end of the corridor is a massive vault door, exactly what I wanted to see. Arthur presses a few buttons to unlock the vault before using his fingerprint to pass the security. When the door scans his face, I know we have a problem. I can copy his fingerprints and the passcode, but not his face. I will have to end this tonight, but I know the plan is set anyway. If I kill Arthur tonight, it’s not going to make a difference. Everything is lost for him. Arthur opens the vault door, which slides automatically to the side and lights switch on as we walk in.
“Do you like bombs? These boxes are full of them,” Arthur says, placing his hand on one of the wooden boxes. “At the back is a private jewel collection that was stolen from all over the world.”
“It’s over, Arthur,” I coldly say, and he looks back, his eyes widening in fear at the gun held in my hand, pointed right at him.
“A few weeks back with your brothers and you are doing their dirty work already?” he asks in disgust. “You’re a son to me, Luke. We can figure something out. You want Emilia? You want anything? I will give you the world, just put the gun down.”
“They don’t have a clue what is going on, and you can’t give me what I want,” I reply.
“Then why are you doing this?” he asks.
“Why?” I say, laughing. “For years, I’ve been doing your dirty work. Your toy to command as you wanted, and you called it affection. You said I was lucky when really, I was doing it to destroy you.”