Song~ Adrianna Lenker - Forwards Beckon Song~ Skott - Overcome Song ~ Montell Fish - Bathroom Song~ Never felt so lonely- Labrinth



Not long after Rylee left my room to shower, I called Silas and told him to come over to the mansion.

I thought I was done with all these serious talks and maybe I could finally drink away my problems but no, instead im waiting on Arabella's biological father to come over to my house so they can have a potential relationship.

If she wants.

With the sound of the water still running, I slip out of my room and walk over to Lucien's room. I quietly open the door incase Arabella was still sleeping but to my surprise Bella is sitting up - snuggled with Lucien- and watching a movie.

Arabella smiles when she catches sight of me and i immediately hop onto the bed beside Bella and warp my arms around her little body.

"How'd you sleep?" My voice is soft, careful not to mess up the silence.

"Good." She replies, her voice equally as soft. Arabella doesn't take her eyes off the screen as she speaks, specifically telling me something's wrong.

I turn my head over to Lucien only to see him shake his head as if denying what she said.

"Are you sure Bella?" If she doesn't feel ready to tell me then she doesn't have to tell me. It's her choice.

Her little eyes finally look up to meet mine, "Maybe."

I gave her a soft smile and shake my head. "Come on, you need to eat. Then we can talk."

She complied, gently moving the covers off of herself and hopping down onto the floor. She grabbed my hand and waited for me to begin to move. Only I didn't move, I merely looked over at Lucien.

"You too, you need to eat." I sternly demanded him- in a gentle way.

With a roll of his eyes, he too made his way off the bed. "You're not my mom." He whispered, the attitude clear in his voice.

I raised an eyebrow, "Loose the attitude Lucien Stewart Martinez." Lucien's eyes widened at the use of the government name.

"Okay, okay." Lucien muttered walking past Arabella and I without another complaint.

The second he was out of the room Bella and I both bust out laughing, our laughs sounding more like a wheeze.

"Is his middle name really Stewart?" Arabella asks between laughs.

Laughing myself, I respond. "Yes, funny isn't it?"

She nods her head viciously and I laugh as I lead her out of the room and down the stairs. Chatter still fills the house so my brothers must still be here.

Which means I should probably talk to Arabella about Silas before we move into the kitchen where everyone else is.

I stop in a quiet corridor- a good enough distance from the kitchen for no one to hear us. And when Arabella gives me a questioning look, I begin to explain.

"Arabella, do you remember the man who came to help me when your mother- Sasha- was in the room with us at the ball?" My voice is soft, understanding that this topic may be overwhelming for her.

We have so much to talk about and this conversation is only the beginning.

Arabella nods her head once letting me know she remembers. "That man was Silas Marucci, he is your real father." I explain softly. "I know this is overwhelming and probably scary, but I've contacted him to ensure him you're safe."

"However," I let my voice ring in the silence. "He has requested to meet you, maybe even speak with you. I told him that it was up to you. You decide what you want to do and how you feel about it." I assure her, she needs to know it's her choice and no one is taking that away.

She's had enough of her choices taken away.

Arabella hesitates in her answer- her face unsure. "Uh, okay. When is he coming here?" Her voice is shaky- a betrayal to how she really feels.

"He can come here when I tell him he can." I say sharply. "This is your choice, so I'll ask once more for confirmation. Do you want to meet him today? Or not at all? Or another day? This is up to you Bella. You're in full control."

Arabella contemplates my words- taking the time to understand that she is in control. So with that in mind, she responds.

"I wanna give him a chance." She all but whispers.

"I'll make it happen."

With that I slip my hand back into hers and begin to make my way to the kitchen.

~|~|~

The second we entered the kitchen, Ares scooped Arabella up and sat her in the stool next to him. I chuckled while taking a seat next to Nik.

Nik wrapped an arm around my waist- pulling me closer to him.

Right now Elijah is making pasta, apparently Lucien and Luca are... speaking in the hallway, Dom and Seb stayed home today just to make sure everyone was okay, Ares and Bella are thumb wrestling, Matteo is trying to convince Eli to let him cook, and Gia is laughing with Cas and Atlas.

Rylee should be coming down soon after she finishes her shower.

And as if on cue, Rylee walks through the kitchen doors. Everyone glances at her before tensely going back to what they were doing- everyone but me, Cas, Atlas, Nik, and Arabella who look to be unfazed about her presence.

I understand they're probably worried about a betrayal because she was dead but I've already told them she wouldn't do that. I know she wouldn't.

Rylee glances at me then Cas before Lucien walks in with Luca behind him. Lucien looks around the room- taking in the atmosphere- and before I know it, he's laughing.

Doubled over laughing.

And soon enough, I'm joining him- so is Rylee.

The room is tense and I can tell everyone thinks we're crazy.

But it's funny.

"Why are you guys laughing?" Matteo asks, finally having stopped with his pestering about cooking.

I offer a smirk in return. "You guys all look like you've seen a ghost." That sentence only causes Rylee, Lucien, and I to fall into another fit of laughter. Nik chuckles from beside me while rubbing my back and Cas and Atlas are soon joining us.

My family definitely thinks we're crazy.

"Get it?" Lucien asks. "Cause she was 'dead' for two years." By this time I'm clutching my stomach, Rylee has her hand on the wall for support and Lucien's on the floor.

Everyone else remains silent- Ruining the funny time because they have no humor.

When we seem to realize no one else was laughing we sobered up and stared at each other. "Y'all are no fun." I muttered sadly.

Party poopers.

Nik places his hand on my back and begins to rub my back soothingly. I lean my head on his shoulder- basking in his comfort- until someone just had to ruin it.

"Can you guys not be all lovey-dovey and touchy-touchy? It's gross." Matteo says causing me to roll my eyes. "I can handle your dark jokes but seeing my lil sis with a guy makes me want to vomit."

I give him a questioning look, his statement catching me off guard.

Nik leans down towards my ear, "I'm regretting saving him." My eyes widen and I elbow him in the stomach, hard.

Nikolaos lets out a wheeze and everyone looks at him crazy while I fain innocence. "Are you okay? What happened?"

Nikolaos shoots a glare my way and I almost smile at it- almost. "You happened." He mutters still holding his stomach.

I chuckle at his misery.

Maybe I was a little evil.

No.

Yea, that was justified.

Just then, a steaming bowl of pasta was placed in front of me. My nostrils welcomed the heavenly scent it brought while my mouth watered at the sight.

I looked around to see Elijah was passing out the pasta to everyone so I decided to be patient and wait for everyone to get their food before I started eating.

Once everyone had their food and Eli was seated, we all dug in. I definitely forgot how much I love pasta.

Domenico suddenly clears his throat rather loudly, "So, any plans for today?"

I glance over at Arabella but her eyes are down on her food. "Movie?" I ask distractedly.

"Sounds good to me." Matteo adds, his mouth filled with pasta.

Gross.

"Do not speak with your mouth full." Sebastian reprimands Matteo before continuing with eating his own pasta.

"Movie it is." I mutter, my decision final. Hopefully the movie would provide some kind of distraction for Arabella and the raging storm in her mind.

I wish there was some sort of comfort I could provide Bella with- some sort of understanding I could coax her with- but I'd never had a father. Hell, I'd never had a father figure.

So how could I help her with something I couldn't even help myself with.

My relationship with my father was shit, and I'd never let Silas do that to Arabella. No daughter should have that relationship with her father.

So I'd be dammed if I let her go through the same thing.

~|~|~

I spoke with Silas after lunch, and to say that the man was ecstatic that his unknown-daughter agreed to see him was an understatement. I could practically feel his excitement through the phone even if his tone over all had not changed.

Hopefully that was a good sign, Arabella deserves a real father- to replace the mother she was given and to make up for the time she spent wishing for a father.

Silas is supposed to arrive at the mansion for three-o'clock PM. This way, if he and Arabella wanted to speak outside the weather would be nice and shinny- and I could watch them through the patio window.

Better safe than sorry.

Besides, the earlier Silas came the better. Arabella was already tired from yesterday's events and she needed to get back on a calculated sleep schedule. I'd make sure of that as well.

The time on the clock read two PM. We were watching Moana, Matteo said she was a good representation of someone brave and achieving.

In some ways, I agreed. I had recently watched Moana for the first time when I returned from the Blood Doves. It was overall a good movie, and right now Matteo's yapping about how awesome Moana is was the perfect distraction for Bella as I watched her laugh at something Matteo was talking about.

Everyone was in here- spread along the couches in the living room. Seb, Dom, and Eli sat on one couch discussing business- a laptop in front of Seb as he showed them something. Lucien, Luca, and Ares were on another couch. Lucien had his head resting on Luca's shoulder while Luca had his hand interwoven with Lucien's hand.

Lucien and Luca hadn't outwardly said they were a couple, but everyone knew. We knew ages ago but until they said something, no one else dared to say it and make them feel uncomfortable.

Ares was continuously complaining about how he got stuck on the couch with the love birds.

Nik and I were cuddled on this couch- I was pressed against him, my head resting on his chest while his arms wrapped around me. Matteo, Gia, Rylee, and Bella were all on the floor watching the movie.

Matteo had wanted to braid Bella's hair and she agreed. Rylee and Gia had spoken a few words since Rylee had come back- I'm happy to see her interacting with everyone.

I missed her, a lot.

And last but not least, we had Atlas and Cas who were on the last couch. They were both engrossed in the movie- having not seen it before- to say they were both intrigued would be an understatement. Cas hasn't taken her eyes off the screen once.

This felt oddly nice... for everyone to be in the same room together, watching a movie, everything feels calm.

I couldn't ask for anything better.

~|~|~

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

The doorbell rang and I didn't have to guess to know who it was at the front door.

The clock had just touched three-o'clock on the dot. If that was anything to go by, Silas Maninchi was on the other side of the door.

I stood from my spot on the couch, my eyes finding Arabella's whose eyes held nothing. In this moment I realized maybe this wasn't right, maybe it was too much for her, because never once had her eyes looked like this- not since the first day I met her.

Arabella stood from her seat on the couch and walked my way. She didn't take my hand like she normally would have, she didn't even look at me.

Something was wrong, I could tell. I led Arabella in to the foyer away from the front door- away from everyone's eyes- before shooting a text to Randy telling him to let Silas in and into the living room.

I quickly put my phone away and crouched in front of Arabella. Her eyes were unseeing and just from a glance I knew her mind was racing. She was having an internal panic attack- loss of control, shaking of the hands, numbness- I knew it all to well.

It was what she grew up with, it was what I grew up with.

"Bella," I said softly, lightly snapping my fingers trying to get any sort of reaction from her. "Can you tell me what you're thinking? Hm? What's going on in that little head of yours?"

I kept my tone light when speaking to her, my fingers snapping as a background noise. I didn't want to trigger her any further, that would be the worst case scenario.

Arabella didn't respond to my question, but a lone tear escaped her eye and I knew the dam was about to break.

She's so young and keeping everything to herself- her emotions, her feelings, her problems- it will only hurt her. I don't want her to hurt, never.

I said she'd tell me when she was ready and I think this was her way of telling me, that everything was getting to be to much, that she needed someone to support her.

I slowly pulled her into a hug and waited for her arms to wrap around me as well before I pulled her closer. A sob racked through her body and my heart broke at the sound of her soft cry's

My little sister has been through so much, and if I had to endure twice the amount of torture I had endured when I was at that school just for her to be safe- I'd do it in a heartbeat.

"I'm scared," Arabella croaked, her voice so timid and broken. "I'm so scared Dio." Her tears fell endlessly and I squeezed her tighter. I'd protect this little girl with everything I had. Everything.

"I'm right here Bella, right here." I assured her. "You're not alone, never will be again."

Her tears wet my shirt and I could do nothing but hold her. "I want a dad." She chokes out. "But do I really deserve the love from a dad? I'm scared Dio, I'm not brave like you. I'm a monster, I'm selfish, so do I really deserve anything at all. "

Her words confuse me. Not brave like me? She is the strongest girl I know- stronger than me. Selfish? She's the most caring girl I know. A monster? Her soul is like an angel sent from above.

"You don't know how strong you really are Bella." I whispered. "Don't sell yourself short."

I continued to whisper sweet-reassuring things in her ear until she pulled away with a final sniffle. She lowered herself until she was sitting crisscrossed on the floor and I followed suit.

"I had a nightmare last night," Bella admits softly. "A couple of nightmares. The m-man I k-killed to save Lucien." My heart clenched at her words. She's so young and I should have been there. "Sure I'd fought people in school, I'd use the weapons, I'd do as they asked- but I'd never killed anyone."

Her first kill. Those stay.

"The day you saved me." She clears her throat, wiping a tear that slipped. "That was my first mission. Nix had said if I failed, we all faced punishment. He told me that if they failed it was up to me to carry out the orders given to us."

"I didn't want to kill anyone- not Ruth, Luna, no one. I was afraid yet I had the time to kill both of them and I didn't because I would have took the punishment. They would have given it to me anyway." She sounds so mature, to mature.

"Yet when it came to someone else- someone who had shown me what safety and care really looked like- I didn't hesitate to pull the trigger." She pauses and meets my gaze. "I didn't hesitate." She repeats herself.

"That man could have had a family, a child to protect, a wife or husband to love. Yet I pulled that trigger without a second thought to save someone who loves and protects me." Her eyes looked dead. So lifeless. "Doesn't that make me, selfish? A monster? To only think of yourself before taking someone's life. I did that, and I can't give it back." Her words hit like a knife to the chest. How do I tell her there is no getting past that feeling? That I never really found a way to cope with my first kill so I shoved it down till I couldn't feel the guilt anymore.

"I'm sorry," I whisper to her. "I can't tell you how to reverse the past, i can't tell you how to change what we've done." I answer honestly. "But what I can't tell you is that you are not a monster. You are not selfish. And you deserve to be loved."

"Arabella that man was not a good man. He had no family. But he was a human trafficker. He may not run it but he was involved. Do you know who human traffickers are?" I ask to which Arabella slowly nods.

"They are the monsters, they are the selfish ones, they are the ones undeserving of love." I made sure to do full backgrounds on every body found in that safe house. It was safe to say not one of those Russians sent to kidnap me were innocent in any way.

"Isn't it wrong to kill anyone? No matter who they are? Isn't that wrong?" Bella asks, slightly tilting her head.

I smile softly to her, "Sometimes the hero has to kill the villain to save the innocents. In our world there aren't a lot of hero's, so people like you and me need to step up and protect these innocents because they cannot do it themselves." I explain.

"We are the hero's Bella." A smile slowly graces her lips. "Don't forget that, even when you feel like you're not the hero."

Hero's was a complicated concept. Sometimes the hero has to do bad things to end the villain, but are you still a hero if you have listened to the villain in the past?

That was a concept even I couldn't understand.

"Can we meet him now? My dad?" Arabella's soft voice met my ears. Her eyes were a little red and puffy while her throat seemed to ache.

"Yes, let's go shall we." I muttered standing up and extending my arm towards her.

Arabella took my hand and I pulled her up. We walked towards the living room and I gently pushed the door open- leading Arabella inside the living room. Silas was shaking hands and talking to my brothers and even Nikolaos and Atlas were speaking with him.

Cas, Lucien, Rylee, and Gia were engrossed in their own conversation- probably not giving a shit about the other's conversation.

Everyone paused at the sound of the door being opened. Silas's head snapped in our direction and I felt Arabella shrink closer to me. I rubbed my thumb over her hand trying to sooth anything she must be feeling.

No one spoke, Silas was simply staring at Bella- the daughter he didn't know he had, the daughter who was taken from him, the daughter whose mother made her life with eight-years of abuse.

"Why don't we give them some privacy." Sebastian says- directing his words towards my siblings and my friends.

No one needed to be told twice, because everyone left the living room after the one command was given. Nik lingered a little longer until I sent him a nod saying we'd be fine. He finally decided that was enough confirmation of Arabella and i's safety and left to wait in the hallway or dining room- somewhere close.

A calm- but tense- silence engulfed the room. And while I stood here next to Arabella- hopefully offering her an ounce of comfort- I know this is something Arabella has to decide on her own.

It's her choice if she wants him in her life or not.

It's up to her to make the decision.

And I have a feeling of which one she will choose.



As she stood here across from me, there was no mistake- this little Angel was mine.

Her blonde hair shadowed her face but her eyes were piercing like mine. Her nails dug into her palm as if trying to ground herself.

No one spoke. No one moved. I didn't know what to say because Sasha had hid her from me and now I've lost eight years with my little angel.

How could I say anything?

No words could make up for my absence, so why say them?

"Why don't you guys have a seat? I can go get us some coffee and some chocolate milk for Bella here. I'll be right back." Diovanna spoke while leading Arabella towards one of the couches.

I had forgot she was here, but I owe her everything for contacting me.

If she had simply chosen to not run a DNA test and her family had kept her- which would have been better than Diovanna sending her back to Sasha- I would have never known Arabella even existed.

"Okay," Bella whispered snapping me back to reality. I nodded in thanks towards Diovanna which she returned with a stern nod of her own.

I decided I didn't want to make my little angel uncomfortable, so I sat on the couch a little away from her so she didn't feel like I was too close to her.

Neither of us spoke, but the silence between us was calm. It wasn't awkward- it felt like the silence between to people who were strangers but on mutual terms.

I wonder how she felt about Sasha? From what i understand, Sasha was not the best mother- not surprising at all. However, I wonder what she feels now that she knows Sasha lied to her about me.

Does she even know the truth?

My little angel suddenly stood from her seat, her hands rubbing on her pants slightly over and over again before she walked towards me- slowly, cautiously.

She took the seat on the couch beside me- not too close but not far either. Her hands rubbed at her pants as she looked towards the ground.

"So," she breathed shakily. "You're really my dad huh?"

A light chuckle left my lips for what felt like the first time in a long time. "Yeah," I whispered. "I am."

This felt unreal. I am a dad and no one can take that away from me. Not one soul.

"My mom," My little angel started. "She didn't speak about you much. Anytime I asked, she refused to speak to me for days."

I remained silent, allowing her to speak as much as she wanted. Her voice was light and as angelic as she looks.

"Now I know why she never wanted to talk about you. You were alive." A pang of anger hits me like a wave. I despise Sasha for doing this to me- to my little Angel.

But the anger burning inside me could never outweigh the pain I felt knowing how much I missed and what Arabella has suffered over the years.

"I'm sorry." I admit, sneaking a glance over at her. "I know that doesn't make up for all of the time I missed but I need you to understand that if I'd known about you, I would have been there." My tone was sincere, hoping she knew I meant every word.

Silence engulfed the air around us. I didn't look at her again, I was afraid the resentment for my absence would still be there even if it wasn't all my fault.

But when I felt a soft hand place itself on my big one, I took the chance. Arabella was looking at me, her eyes had tears in them and her lip wobbled a bit.

"I need a dad." She spoke softly, a lone tear escaping her eye. "Please, please stay. I want to try." Another tear rolled down her cheek and something inside me shattered.

I'd protect this girl to my last breath, there was no doubt in my mind about that. I want a relationship with my little angel more than anything and it seems like she wants a father-daughter relationship too.

"I promise, I'll stay. I missed out on eight years with you but i won't miss anymore."

~|~|~



Arabella was asleep- tucked into Ares's side. I noticed his tattoos looking a little colorful when I closed the door.

Bella had cried and cried after Silas had left. Nothing I did would calm her down until eventually, Ares had enough and brought some markers over to her and just held her. Arabella silently let her tears fall as she colored until exhaustion took over her and she fell asleep.

My poor baby didn't know how to feel. Yesterday's events, today's events, it was a lot to handle. But it was progress- a journey- a start for her.

Ares had taken her up to his room and said he'd stay with her tonight. I appreciated it, especially since I had planned to go out tonight. I felt bad for leaving Arabella but I needed this, Rylee needed this.

Tonight would be a night to have fun and pretend like one of us hasn't been dead for the last two years- like our lives aren't filled with constant chaos.

Nik would pick Lucien, Rylee, and I up while Atlas and Cassandra would meet us there since they were both at Cassandra's place to get ready. Nik had went home to change as well.

And since Nik is picking us up for eight, I need to pick out my outfit asap. It's seven-thirty right now, I've already got my hair and makeup done. But I can't choose the outfit I want.

Should I wear a dress? Or a crop top and pants. Or this mini skirt I can't remember buying.

I need a drink.

I move over towards my nightstand and reach into the last drawer- pulling out a large bottle of tequila.

I had never opened it, I had merely stashed it there when Lucien told me no alcohol for a week. I guess I never ended up drinking it.

I open the bottle and take a sip- embracing the burn of the liquid going down my throat.

"Before shots? Didn't even ask if I wanted to join?" Rylees voice fills my ears and I turn to see her and Lucien entering through my door.

When Lucien's in arms reach, he snatches the tequila from me. "It's almost eight! Why are you not dressed?" He exclaims exasperatedly.

I shrug while Rylee reply's for me. "Relax a little." She chuckles. "We're going out, no need to be so uptight Lucy."

Lucien lets out an annoyed grumble while Rylee ignores him and moves over to my closet and starts rummaging through my clothes. I take the opportunity to snatch my tequila back and take a seat on my bed.

Lucien eventually sighs and does the same- waiting on Rylee to come out with an outfit for me.

And when she finally does come out with an outfit, I wish she didn't.

"I'm not wearing that." I say, a scowl settles its way onto my face. "I don't even know where that came from. I didn't buy it."

Rylee rolls her eyes, "Your eighteenth birthday is in three weeks, we're celebrating early. Besides, you'll look hot." She winks at me with a grin. "Now go change." She throws the outfit at me before taking my tequila and drinking it herself.

I'm pushed towards the bathroom and Rylee closes the door behind me- practically locking me in my own bathroom from the outside.

I roll my eyes but eventually change into the outfit. It's short and shows a lot - including my new stab wound and all my other scars.

I'm not too worried about the scars on my back, my hair will cover most of them. The scar that runs down my arm and the other running across my body - from my shoulder to my hip- those are both more showy.

I decide to change the bandage on my stab wound and add a smaller one on. Maybe if I just put some makeup over it-

Rylee opens the door, walks in, and closes it. "What is taking you so long- damn you look good." She whistles giving me a once over. I roll my eyes and give her shoulder a light shove.

"Seriously what's taking so long?" She asks.

I make my way over to the trash can and discard of the old bandage. "I'm trying to put some foundation on this bandage so it's less noticeable." I answer honestly.

Rylee lets out a light hearted laugh, "The bandage is already tan, the club will be dark. No one will even notice it." Rylee says taking the foundation from my hand. "If anyone says something I'll handle it."

"You know I can handle myself, right?" I say genuinely. "I don't need anyone fighting for me."

Rylee rolls her eyes. "I didn't say you needed anyone too. I'm simply promising I will deal with someone personally if they say anything." She states fixing a piece of my hair. "Now let's go, your hair and makeup looks great and I've picked out some heels for you."

Great.

~|~|~

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Nikolaos's gaze was on me the second he got his car over here. My leather jacket covered most of my body, but the night air still managed to cause goosebumps to arise on my arms- Nik's gaze wasn't helping.

His car door opened and he stepped out- standing to his full height. It only took a few strides before he was standing in front of me- his eyes roaming every inch of my body.

"Are you ready?" He didn't tell me anything about my outfit like I thought he would. He didn't tell me to change like I thought he would. He didn't call me slurs like I thought he might.

And I was thankful.

"Yeah," I muttered glancing back towards Rylee and Lucien. They both nodded and began walking towards Nikolaos's car.

Nik slept his hand under my jacket- resting his hand firmly on my waist- and leaned down towards my ear. "If any man touches you, he will have a bullet in his skull. That little outfit of yours is gonna drive me insane." He whispered to me before opening my door and helping me slip inside.

A red tint coated my cheeks and I let my hair fall in attempt to hide it. Nikolaos merely chuckled and closed my door before making his way to the drivers side and slipped into his seat.

His arm flexed against his black dress shirt as he placed one hand on the wheel and the other on the gear. Nik skillfully backed out and began driving down the road and towards the club.

When we started cruising, his hand moved from the gear- to my bare thigh. I tensed beneath his touch- the contact causing goosebumps to rise on my skin.

Music played in the background of the car, but instead of listening to it, I tuned in to what Rylee leaned forward to tell me. "Someone's getting laid tonight." I reached my hand back and plucked her forehead.

She leaned back placing one hand on her head and letting out a grunt of pain.

"Shut it."

The car was silent after that- the music filling the car.

Yet the silence wasn't awkward, instead, I basked in it.

~|~|~

The club music blasted in my ears, the beat of the music practically shaking the walls. Nik's arm was tight and secure around my waist as he walked us through the back hallways towards the VIP section.

Lucien was scanning the hallway, most likely looking for anything out of the ordinary. His hand rested on Rylees back in a protective manner- the same as Nik is doing to me.

Lucien definitely doesn't swing that way but I find it sweet to know how protective he is over Rylee- over us.

Two guards stepped aside to let us up the stairs and now that we were a little further from downstairs the music wasn't as loud.

There weren't many people up here. Some people were in the corner laughing with beers in their hands. A woman and a man were sat near the bar- the man's full attention captivated by the woman as she spoke.

Four men looked to be doing a business deal at another table. Casandra and Atlas were seated on the other end of the bar, Cas with a margarita and Atlas with a beer in hand.

Nikolaos lead us towards them and when they noticed are presence, we all shared a greeting.

"Hey girl!" Cassandra smiled towards me. "Rylee! You came!" I think she may have already started drinking because she is never that cheery.

I glanced over at Rylee and she merely shrugged her shoulders and walked towards the chair next to Cas.

I left Nik's hold and sat next to Rylee. "Three shots please." I asked the bartender and he nodded, moving away to go fix our drinks.

Atlas, Lucien, and Nik all started conversing with themselves about- who gives a shit.

I focused more on the drinks placed in front of me. "You girls want to have some fun?" I asked them. They shared a look before nodding. A grin spread across my face.

"Let's have some fun then." I spoke downing the shots.



~|~|~

The alcohol was kicking in. Cassandra, Rylee, and I are sitting in a booth- empty glasses scattered on the table.

"Can- can we play try not to laugh?" I half slurred to them. They both giggled but agreed nonetheless.

We all put our glasses down and tried to sober our laughs before we started. Once we were all ready, I counted us down.

"3, 2, 1." We stared at each other. My lips twitched as I tried to contain my smile. It only took probably about five seconds before the three of us bust out laughing.

My stomach ached with each wheeze I let out. I couldn't help it and I didn't want to stop. For some reason I felt so free. I want to allow myself this moment, because my birthdays in three weeks.

Which means if I don't kill Aleksei soon I will belong to him. Stupid fucking sperm donor.

"Hey!" Rylee says loudly- flicking my forehead. "Get." *flick* "Out." *flick* "That." *flick* "Stupid." *flick* "Head." *flick*

I swatted her hand away with a scowl. She sent me a sheepish smile while moving her eyebrows up and down.

My scowl remained on my face but it didn't seem to faze her in the slightest because next thing I know, Rylee is dragging me towards the stairs and down towards the dance floor.

Cassandra orders one more round of shots at the downstairs bar before we go dance. The liquid burns down my throat but I embrace it. I place the shot glass down and grab Rylee and Cassandra's wrists- pulling them to the dance floor.

I'm not sure where Nik, Lucien, and Atlas are but I don't really care right now either.

The music boomed in my ears, the alcohol buzzing in my system to the point of taking over, my hips moving to the rhythm of the song, the beat of the music shaking the walls- it all sent adrenaline through my body.

And I loved it.

Rylee, Cassandra, and I danced and danced. I've never felt more free. I'm not sure where Nik and them went, but I don't mind. I'm having fun.

I grabbed a glass of who knows what off a guy passing by with a tray. Right as I brought the glass to my lips, Rylee tapped my shoulder.

"I'm going to the bathroom!" She shouted over the music. I nodded and was going to follow after her- after grabbing Cas who was still dancing without a care in the world.

Before I could slur anything to her, she stopped me. "You two stay together, you're both more drunk than I am."

I took a worry glance back at Cas and then Rylee. I was not drunk. I'm a little tipsy, that's all.

"Okay." I agreed. "But if you're not back in three minutes I'm coming get you." She nodded before disappearing in the swarm of body's.

Casandra was still dancing but I need another drink. I wrap my hand on her arm and gently pull her towards the bar.

"If you want to sleep with me," Cas slurs. "I need you to ask my boyfriend. I don't think he'll want you to." My brows furrow in confusion. Sleep with her?

"No thanks girly, I don't think my man would want me sleeping with another woman." I don't think that was right.

I take a seat at the bar and pull Cas down onto a stool next to me. "T-two margaritas!" I told the bartender extra cheerfully.

The bartender looked a little concerned and I couldn't tell why. I just want a drink.

"This is your last drink, then I think I have to cut you off or you give me your keys." He says before going back to make the drinks I ordered.

Wait a second! Take my keys? I don't have any keys.

"I don't have a key." I mutter. He turns around and places two margaritas on the counter.

"Well-," the bartender is cut off by someone else.

"Thanks Leo, but I've got her from here." The voice is deep and commanding. He sounds familiar.

I turn my head around to check who's speaking yet someone's chest is right in my face. I push them back a little so I can actually move my head up to see.

Oh, it's just Nikolaos.

"Hey," I utter softly.

He chuckles, "Hey όμορφο κορίτσι." He mutters back to me. [Pretty Girl]

I look to the side to see Atlas helping Cassandra up and Lucien was standing alone behind him.

Rylee still isn't back?

I place a hand on Nik's shoulder to help me balance when I stand up. Nikolaos's gives me a confused look but helps me get up nonetheless.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

"I need to check on Rylee." I whisper to him when I'm close to his ear. He nods and tells the other three we'll be right back.

We walk together towards the hallway where the bathrooms are.

As we got there, I was relieved to see Rylee in the hallway talking to someone- but the little bag with pills in it made my body still.

It was as if that bag was all it took for me to sober up.

Has she relapsed again?

I moved forward, no doubt my footsteps loud and clear. Rylee slipped the money to the man and place the pills behind her back. The man moved past both of us and right now I couldn't quite find it in me to care about the dealer right now.

How did I not notice?

"Rylee," I muttered, my body feeling more sober. "Just give me the bag. I promise we can work to get you clean again." Rylee looked so torn between taking my hand or taking the pills.

"Just this once Dio, please just let me have these and I'll stop." My stomach twisted at her words. We had gotten her clean, and now she was using again and I didn't even notice.

"Please," I wasn't going to let her go down that path, not again. She brought her hands down from behind her back- the bag held in a tight grip.

"No, please Dove. Just this one bag. I promise, I'll go to rehab, get clean, just let me have this." She pleaded with me.

I walked a few steps forward so she was in arms reach. "It's okay, we're gonna get you clean okay?" I promised her I wouldn't let her go back to this again. I promised. "I promised you didn't I? This is me sticking to it." I remind her.

Rylee didn't respond but she loosened her grip on the tiny bag filled with pills- giving me the silent approval to take the bag. Rylees hand fell limp at her sides and her face looked so deflated. We were having fun, how could I not notice?

She was so carefree, nonchalant, and seemed to have everything under control.

Why didn't I notice?

I tossed the little bag towards Nik who was standing by the door to give us some privacy. He caught it with ease and I turned my attention back towards Rylee.

I didn't know what to say, so I opted to pulling her into a hug. "How long?" I asked softly with my head resting on her shoulder.

It took a while before she finally answered but i didn't rush her. This was on her terms, I'm lucky she even gave me the pills so we could get her clean. "Three weeks after I faked my death." She whispered. "It's the only thing that kept me sane."

I didn't respond to her answer, I merely hugged her tighter.

"You'll get through this." I assured.

"Yeah, maybe."

~~~



A/N: I'm so. So so sorry for how long this update took. I had such bad writers block and had no idea how to write Arabella and Silas's first time meeting. Thank you Tina for helping me start that scene!!!

This chapter gives an insight to Rylee's past which we will see more of in my book Sold.

Do you guys have any suggestions for this series name? It's a mafia series and all of my book names start with an S but idk what to put as the series name.

It's safe to say this book is almost complete! Not much left to go and we're almost to Dio's birthday!

I'll see you guys next month!!!

Just kidding I hope to have a new chapter up sooner than that. But life's crazy so I'll keep yall updated.

Love you hoes <3