Welcome back to this chaotic story. You may hate it, or you may love it. It's up to you. I just need to finish it xD

I advise you to at least read the last part of the last chapter so as not to get lost. Also, mature content ahead, so tread carefully xD

Anyways, Happy reading!

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Lilly's POV

"We are gonna lea...oh shit, Sally look, they are stealing our bet!"

Conner's voice was enough to drag me out of my dreamy heavenly moment and push me away, breaking the kiss, very flustered and shocked at the sudden turn of events. My hand abruptly moved over the counter, accidentally knocking the glass of water down. A low gasp left my lips at the sound it made and how the water spilled into the floor, all at once then dropwise.

My throat bobbed heavily, and my eyes didn't dare to look at Chase's side yet. My gaze lifted up from the dripping water and went to Conner, standing beside Sally at the kitchen's doorway. He crossed his arms over his chest, his eyebrow raising in utter bafflement as he caught us red-handed.

Sally gave me a questioning look, part relieved, and part so very confused. Believe me, I was more confused, the last thing I expected to happen was this. I was innocently drinking my water when he unexpectedly took it away and knocked the breath out of my lungs by slamming his lips into mine...oh damn.

I could still feel his hand resting over my thigh, so big and warm and I wanted to push it the hell away from me. I could feel the redness coat my body whole, my neck, and my face. It was so fucking hot all of a sudden. My heart was thumping hard in my ears, and the only thing I could hear besides it was the sound of the water dripping from the counter and hitting the ground, one drop after another...why was it so much louder than it should be!

Without looking at him, my hand went to my thigh and pushed his away, not very discreetly I might add. Damn it, but I just needed him to be a hundred miles away from me as I try and compose myself again. Conner noticed my uncomfortableness and his lips twitched, "I just love when I make it awkward," He said giddily, looking at Sally and winking.

She sighed and rolled her eyes, not willing to indulge him in this. She curled her hand over his wrist, "Let's go," She whispered, more like hissed, ready to drag him out for my benefit.

"Why?" He innocently questioned, "This is fun...oh wait, yeah, we have a bet to take care of, right," He added in realization, the thought of having sex more convincing and interesting than staying here and making us uncomfortable, obviously.

Sally waved us bye, flashing me a wide grin, indirectly encouraging me to indulge further in this nonsense and I couldn't get my face to make any other expression. I was fully frozen, horrified by what could transpire following their departure. I wanted to use my voice and ask them to stay because if they do, I won't have to face Chase and discuss what we did and what we could still do.

Sally dragged Conner out of the kitchen and I heard him speak, loud enough for us to hear, "I left you a condom here, use it, don't be irresponsible, " He stressed out, "I don't want to have siblings anytime soon!"

His words were followed by Sally grumbling something, their footsteps fading away, and lastly the door closing shut. I blew out a low breath from my mouth and decided that it is in everyone's best interest not to face Chase and look him in the eye now; I would crumble to pieces. So, I pushed myself off the counter, using the little space between us so I can run away.

Before I could make my escape, a hand curled over my arm and pulled me right back in. My lower back crashed into the counter and Chase crowded my personal space again, blocking my way and hovering a couple of feet above me. I gulped down, letting my eyelids drop down for a short while as I tried to logically think.

I started to count to ten in my head just so I won't go and make any hasty decisions; One, two...

His fingers unwrapped before they slowly made their way along the length of my arm, gently caressing, and even though I was fully clothed, goosebumps erupted all over and knocked the logic right out of my brain.

Three, four...

His hand reached the side of my neck, his skin so warm, his touch so familiar, and his scent enveloped me from every corner, pushing itself deep into my lungs and shoving me into a whirlwind of emotions and memories I had no courage to feel nor acknowledge now.

Five, six...

His forefinger and thumb rested below my chin and tilted my head up, forcing me to face and look him straight in the eyes. My weakness; I bet that he knows that.

Seven, eight...

He ran his thumb over my lower lip, a feather touch that had my lips parting involuntarily. My eyes were still closed, still counting, attempting to pave the right path, and trying to make the correct decision as my chest heaved for one breath only.

Nine, ten.

"Lilly," He urged, his voice rough and soft at the same time. Rough with his need to finish what he started and soft as it recalled everything we once shared and hoped we still do.

My eyes glided open, and my breath got caught in my throat at the closeness of our faces, at the way a mere touch and a mere look could weaken all of my defenses and crumble my heavy walls into light ashes.

He sensed my anxiousness and could feel my fear. His expression mirrored mine, the same stressed lines etched his forehead, especially when I spoke out truthfully, "I am scared," I am terrified...

Why? Because whenever we get so close, something pushes us cities and countries away. Because I am no way near ready to start anything serious, and with Chase, it will always be serious. I am neither mentally nor emotionally prepared for such a heavy weight to carry around every day, especially not when danger lurked so close. I don't want to drag him into my mess. I don't want to hurt him in any way, not when Christian made it his mission to push himself into my business...I won't be able to stop him and Chase would never approve of that. Rightfully so.

He read the words I couldn't say out loud and he shook his head, "There is nothing to be scared of," The assurance in his voice was almost convincing, he indirectly suggested that we didn't need to jump right into where we stopped years ago, that this could be our little escape instead of it being a heavy weight on our shoulders, "But Lilly, I will go crazy if we keep doing this push and pull every time," He admitted and I agreed with him there.

"Chase, now...now we are kissing and all is okay...but then later tomorrow, you will remember all that I did and we will end up hurting each other again," I didn't want to hurt him but I also didn't want him to hurt me. His words will hurt. His blame will hurt too. And really, I can't take more pain, "We will go back to square one like we always do."

He shook his head, "I told you that I stopped letting that part control my life," He recalled back what he said on the day we left Italy, "I am really done with fighting against what I really want," His gaze flickered all over my face, almost like he could see in me things I am incapable of seeing myself, his thumb drew circles at the corner of my mouth as he whispered, "And I want this."

My heart weakened at his few words, my stomach tightening into a hundred knots and he asked, "So, the question Lilly is," His gaze went back to my eyes, "Do you want this too or not?"

He left it for me to decide, for me to take the step, in or out, forward or backward, and all the thinking I did since I came back from that cursed land, all faded into nothingness as I did what he did. For a mere second, I didn't fight against what I wanted. I surrendered to it, wanting this as well.

His expression relaxed when my lips twitched into the smallest smile even though I felt like bursting into tears for some reason. The corner of his lip lifted up a small fraction, his gaze absorbing all of me in, reading all behind the surface before he settled those beautiful eyes back on my lips, for a second too long.

It was that fleeting moment when I became sure of what was about to happen next. You know, there is always that one moment before attempting anything physical, the one second where you become aware of whether you are committing a huge mistake, or you are just letting things make clearer sense.

The instant he edged closer and his lips met mine again, I felt things fall back into their right places. It never felt wrong with him. It never felt like a sin to kiss Chase, hug him, and have his skin on mine. It always felt wrong every time I was close to Christian, it always felt like I was trespassing a limit and overstepping morals...almost like it was forbidden and the reckless stupid girl in me liked that.

But that little girl who got hurt and betrayed due to that same fact, she reveled in how right and familiar this felt. That girl felt safe for a fleeting moment and she allowed herself to let go of everything for the time being.

I sank into the kiss and allowed him to steal every breath in my lungs away, leaving a yearning pulsing in their place. His hands traveled to my waist and then to my hips, he flattened his palm over the back of my thigh before he grabbed it hard, lifting it, and at the same moment, he pressed his body closer to mine, crashing me against the counter. His mouth was firm and demanding, he devoured my lips and I lost any battle I was fighting. I opened for him and his tongue thrust home, invading me, taking any word, any sense that wasn't already utterly wrapped in and around him.

Excitement thrilled through my veins and I felt like I was flying and yet anchored against him and between his arms. The heart-stopping, whole-mouthed kiss of his left me dizzy and unsteady. My hands were on his arms and my body leaned into his so hard my chest slammed into his as I tasted him back with the same feverish need. Not slow, not savoring but hungry and desperate to see what changed since all those years, see how different the man standing here is from the boy I once gave my heart to.

His hand went to my hair, tugging the purple ribbon from over my ponytail away and freeing my hair, allowing it to cascade down my shoulders. We peeled our lips apart and his mouth immediately sought a path down my throat. My eyes pressed shut, and my head moved, granting him better access as I ran my hand through his thick and silky hair. He groaned under my slow but impulsive caresses and the sound vibrated through me in an erotic wave. His neck kisses drove me half-mad and I wanted his mouth on mine again, my lips felt empty and bare and the need for him increased, it pulsed through every alive nerve in my being.

My head tilted slightly and he was there, thinking the same thoughts as our lips fused again. He groaned, and I moaned, as we tasted each other feverishly, trying to make up for years and years of pent-up feelings and needs. At the same moment, he lifted my thigh high enough for me to wrap my legs and hook them around his waist. I lowly gasped at the way my center pressed against his hard length.

"Too many clothes," I mumbled against his mouth, burning everywhere and needing his bare skin against mine as he carried me out of the kitchen, "Take them off," I added ever so desperately between our kisses.

I felt him grin against my lips, and his low dirty chuckle was another lick of heat between my legs, "As the lady commands," He said as he pushed open the door to my room. We broke the link between our mouths when my ass hit the mattress. I licked my swollen lips as I stared up at him.

"Hold on," I said breathlessly, hurriedly getting up to my feet and jogging out of the room. I reached the living room and true to his words, Conner had really left us a condom over the table. I grabbed it and rushed back in, closing the door to my room shut. Usually, I keep some around just in case, but getting laid was the least of my concerns these days.

Chase's confusion cleared when I waved the condom in my hand, "I swear I love Conner sometimes," I said with a grin and the beautiful tilt of his lips was enough to beckon me closer.

"Come here," He urged, and the bit of command in his tone had me reach for him even faster. He fisted his hand over my sweater, pulling me closer as his head dipped down and took my lips into another torturous ride, nipping and biting just as his hands played with the hem of my sweater, pulling it up and we paused for a second as he slid it over my head. He carelessly tossed it somewhere as his eyes descended down below my neck, noticing how I was only wearing a flimsy white tank top under, no bra, nothing, my nipples hard and pointed beneath the simple cotton.

His jaw tightened, his breathing as ragged as mine, and his eyes, a blue flame ready to ignite us both and set us on fire. I left him no chance to comment as I attacked the buttons of his shirt, needing him bare for me to see and touch as well. He was more desperate because he left me no chance to undress him, his palm flattened over my ass, lifting me up enough to drag me forward to the bed and all I felt after was my back hit the comfy mattress as he dropped me down. A low gasp parted my lips at his hurried-not-very-gentle action. He swallowed it down when he attacked my lips, his teeth grazing my lower lip as he bit it. When he released it, his mouth was already discovering another path, going down the side of my neck, and my collarbone.

He yanked the scoop neck of my top down, baring me to him. I felt his hot breath on my skin, his low groan vibrating through me as his lips closed over my nipple, sucking and taking it into his delicious mouth. His mouth was wet and warm and the sensation had me press the back of my head deeper against the mattress, the pleasure leaving my mouth with no restraints. I grabbed at his hair, pulling as he sucked harder, driving me to the edge of my release faster than ever.

Fuck, but I could feel his erection pressing tighter against my stomach and my eyes rolled back, my breath was coming in short, sharp pants, my nipples throbbing in his mouth and under his sweet torture, "Chase," I moaned, my tortured voice showing him how desperate I am for him.

He kissed his way down my navel and started tugging at my legging, he edged back slightly as he pulled it down my legs, freeing me and tossing it away, "This is not fair," I said, whining because he was fully clothed still. I pushed myself up, pulling the top over my head and throwing it away. I pressed my knees over the mattress as I edged closer, reaching the edge and his side, more than ready to rip his clothes off.

His eyes flickered all over me, bare for him to see everything. His eyes flared as I crawled closer to him, my hand unbuttoning the rest of his shirt and trying to pull it off when his fingers tightened over my chin and forced my face up, "Naked and crawling toward me," He commented with a low hum, a dark hint in his voice, a one matching the edge in his tone, "I think I found my new favorite scene."

I bit down my lip, "Shh, don't say dirty things, that's my job," I teased playfully and his mouth lifted up into the most beautiful of smiles; with his lips, all red and swollen, his hair messed up from my push and pull, and his shirt open, his bare chest for me to admire, I was a gone case.

My heart thumped harder and harder, I was sure it would ram a hole right through my chest. Chase must be every artist's favorite muse. Even though I had no creative bone in me but I wanted to paint him, store his features on paper, secure and keep them alive forever. I wanted to write pages and pages of poetry in his name, those that could speak of his eyes; the shades of blue stormy waters against milky white clouds. And if possible, I wanted to write songs describing all that he is and melodies that could reflect the type of magic he carries around and within.

His fingers that were around my chin dropped down slightly, they fell over my neck, and around it, they hung loosely, his eyes focused there as his fingertips grazed the soft skin, "So, am I not allowed to speak of all the things I want to do to you right now," The tease in his voice was enough to make me shiver in anticipation.

I looked up at him, torturing my lower lip as I tugged at it again, my fingers still fisted over his shirt, more than ready to rip it apart, "What do you want to do?" I said in a whisper, unable to find my voice.

His head tilted slightly, his fingers still over my neck, his thumb drawing lazy circles on one side, "I want to touch you everywhere, I don't want there to be an inch of you I don't know," He said, his voice dropping low, a bit intense as he ran the tip of his fingers over my neck, reaching the area under my ear before they leisurely went down, a feather touch that had no right to ignite this much fire under my skin, "I want to make up for every year we lost, every month and every damn day we spent apart," His eyes were on my neck, following the path he drew with his fingers, they flickered to my lips, to any part of me but not my eyes. Not yet.

"I want to go slow, to taste and savor you. I want you to come on my fingers, on my fucking mouth and I want to spend hours just worshipping you but I know that I won't be able to do any of that," His voice tightened and so did his hand, a small light squeeze over my sensitive skin as his eyes, all male and demanding went up to mine, "Because I know that once I start, I won't be able to stop. fucking. you." He said each word alone, emphasizing every letter and I felt my legs turn to jelly.

He was doing things to my insides that aren't legal and shouldn't be.

He used his hand over my neck to angle my face, forcing it to look up. He edged his head closer, so we could breathe the same air, "I want to bury myself deep in you so that you won't be able to feel anything but me for days and days to come," He said and I lost sense of what I was feeling, my brain melting and my nerves short-cutting and malfunctioning, "If I start with you, Lilly, I am scared I won't be able to stop, that I won't be gentle at all because the intensity of what I feel toward you is more powerful than anything I've ever experienced."

He shook his head, "If I start with you, I know that I won't stop until I ruin you and me, both."

My chest heaved and I felt my heart clumsily miss a beat as a chill settled in my chest. My hand moved from his shirt and fluttered over his chest, feeling his heart wildly beating, "I doubt you are capable of ruining anything," He is as perfect as they come, I will never be worthy of him, never, "That's more like my job."

Something flashed in his eyes, and for a second I think he thought of that too, for a second only he saw me for who I really am, the selfish girl who broke and ruined his heart not that long ago but the moment passed too quickly for him to dwell into. Instead of questioning it, he leaned closer and slammed his lips into mine, his strong arm going around my naked body and crushing me against him, "But is it crazy that I want you to ruin me too," I whispered into his lips just as I pushed the shirt off his shoulders, letting it fall on the floor before my hands reached for his pants, unzipping it and ready for the sweetest form of ruination.

His forehead pressed against mine, his ocean eyes staring into mine as he asked, "Do you trust me?"

Without hesitation, I nodded my head. I trusted him more than I trust myself. That was more than enough for me now.

My hands reached his face, cupping it, feeling the roughness and the light stubble under my fingertips. I edged my head forward, leaving a light kiss at the corner of his mouth, "When you left, I spent every night dreaming about this, about you," I whispered when my lips drifted a bit lower, leaving another kiss over his jaw, "So now," I looked him in the eye, high on hormones and drunk on his words and touch that I bluntly spoke, "I don't want your tongue or your fingers," I said and I could feel him, thick and hard, pressing against my stomach and I felt like I could faint at the sensation, "The first thing you put inside me, Chase, is going to be your dick..."

I couldn't complete the sentence, the rest of my words evaporating into a gasp when Chase's hand grabbed the back of my thigh and pulled me forward so that my back crashed into the mattress and he wasted no time by climbing over and slamming his lips into mine, "This mouth of yours will be the end of me one day," He groaned into the said mouth, his palm moved from the back of my thigh and into its inner walls, teasing at the edge of my panties before he pulled and discarded them away.

A pool of heat gathered at the pit of my stomach, and I could feel it spread further down the closer he got. Damn it but I was dripping already, more than ready for him. Was it the lack of any sexual contact for how long or was it just the fact that this man is ready to break through me just anytime, that he will always trigger in me all kinds of emotions and needs...that no matter who will come into my life, he will always be the one and only; my first kiss, my first touch, my first love, and first everything...

"I will have time for the rest," He addressed my previous request, breaking the contact of our lips and looking me in the eyes, "Because this isn't for just one night, Lilly. So get used to it," Oh, I could easily get used to all of this, "Once I am inside you, there is no going back."

My heart squeezed tighter because deep down, under many layers, I wanted this, I wanted him. My confused mind had chosen him from the very start but the fact was too terrifying, too heartbreaking to admit. He slid a knee between my thighs, spreading them apart and I picked up the condom and tore it open before I handed it to him.

My eyes watched every move he made and my mouth watered in desperation. I shivered at the sight and the thought only. I wanted to spend days and days tasting and discovering all of him. I wanted to hug those broad shoulders, claw my nails into his back, and mark him as mine only, god I desperately wanted to be the only one to ever touch him, is it possible? I wanted to trace his hard chest and the edge of every pec and muscle. The boy I once knew was a man now, one I want to sink and melt into till the day I breathe my last.

My breath was coming in short, sharp pants, especially when he dipped his head and tortured my throbbing nipples again. I thought I was going to die with the way he teased at my flushed skin. We haven't started yet and I was already on cloud nine. I shamelessly wrapped my legs around his waist trying to pull him down to me, desperate for him in ways he can't ever imagine.

His flaming eyes met mine, a silent question in them, asking if I am ready, giving me one last chance to back away but no, not even god is going to stop this now.

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Chase's POV

Lilly nodded her head, wordlessly answering my indirect question. I felt so many things. I felt powerful. Vulnerable. Ready. Terrified. A tiny part of me was wishing she would change her mind and stop me, push me away before I break the last string holding us apart. Because after this, everything was about to change. Everything.

The needy look in her eyes beckoned me forward and I lined the weeping head of my cock up against her sweet entrance. Fuck, I wanted my head buried between those sensitive folds, tasting all of her but all in good times. She was so fucking wet I thought I might unravel under her warmth. I wanted to tease her a bit and prepare her for me. But I couldn't help myself when she whimpered, "Chase, please."

I gave a shallow pump, force-feeding the first two thick inches into her. She gasped, and the sound echoed inside my thundering blood. I gritted my teeth, trying to hold into the edge of my sanity as she squeezed the head of my dick. Fuck, this was literal hell but why did it also feel so close to damn heaven, "Tell me you understand me, Lilly," I grated out, I needed her to comprehend that what we are doing can never be a passing moment of weakness, or a one night release, "Tell me you know that this makes you mine." Because I wouldn't allow it any other way after.

She was trembling around my throbbing tip and if she wasn't going to speak now, I was going to slam deep into her anyway, fuck her senseless and make her say it after because I could only hang on for so long. I was only human after all, one who felt things for this girl that weren't humanly possible. Five years later and she still got that same strong deadly grip over my heart and mind.

"Chase," She whispered, both a plea and a broken whisper.

"Say it. Lilly, tell me," I knew I wasn't making any sense, not when I spent the last months telling myself that we could never work and forcing her away from me since the day she got back. Now, I was claiming her, needing her sweet touch in order to take my next breath. I didn't know what it meant, or what it could cost. All I knew is that I was willing to pay any price.

She squeezed her eyes closed tight, "After tonight," She whispered, "I am only yours," She whimpered.

The knot in my chest loosened and as soon she pried her eyes open, I pushed into her in one long, hard thrust, my chest vibrating with a groan at the mindblowing sensation. She scrambled beneath me, managing to open a little wider and my last inch slid into her. She was so tight, she clamped around my erection and I was so damn hard I was seeing stars.

"Breathe," I gritted out. She was quivering around me. Nothing between us. Bare. She was impaled on me, her beautiful whiskey eyes open now, wide and glassy, "Just breath for a second," I urged because she was torturing me. She sucked into a breath and I swear to god I felt it deep in my cock.

I wanted to just mindlessly fuck my way in and out of her perfect body, but I gave her a brief moment to adjust before I push us both off the edge of sanity.

"If you move, I am going to come," She mumbled breathlessly.

I kissed her again, teasing her mouth with my tongue, her breast smashed against my bare chest and once she slightly relaxed, I pulled out and thrust back in.

"Oh, God, yes..."

"It's Chase, baby," I corrected her, after another pump and she was clamping down on my dick that I couldn't take it anymore. I kept diving into her, one hard wild thrust after another. She pressed her eyes shut, pushing the back of her head against the mattress, "Chase!" Her fingers bit into my back harshly and I fucking loved that nip of pain. I continued fucking my way in and out of her as if it was my life's mission, as if my very own existence depended on this moment only.

She undulated beneath me and I felt every squeeze, every wave that rumbled through her body, her head falling back into the mattress and her eyes tight shut as she crashed down from her upper high. The way her inner walls tightened around me almost brought me to the edge but I was so determined to hold on through the most incredible experience I ever had. It was always so much different with her, more intense because she was embedded deep into every cell in my being.

She was my curse and cure. My little ribbon. The one I kept with me, always, through the good and the bad.

I kissed her and when she dreamily sighed against my tongue, I bit her bottom lip, "I have been dreaming about this since the day we kissed in Italy," She whispered, humming against my mouth, and her eyes opened up, hazy with pleasure and glassy.

She whined in protest when I pulled out of her, those eyes growing a bit wide. The corner of my lips slightly pulled up because she had no clue of the type of things I wanted to do to her. My hands circled around her waist and hips, using enough force to flip her over the mattress.

"Get on your hands and knees."

She did as told immediately. The sight of her as she positioned herself on all fours was another shot of adrenaline straight into my heart my blood. She was drenched, dripping all down her thighs even though we were just at the beginning of the night. I knew tonight would never be enough. I wanted to throw her down and eat her out. To slam into her from every corner, front and behind, on the bed, up against the wall, and in every conceivable position known to humans. I wanted to take weeks and months discovering all the ways I could make her come.

The heat of my body enveloped hers as I slid the head of my cock against her entrance. One of my hands grabbed her hip harshly, while the other fattened over her back. She tilted her head up slightly, her eyes meeting mine through the mirror positioned across from the bed. Her body language and the look in those beautiful sinful eyes were enough, she delivered her message wide and clear, giving me permission to cross any boundary I wanted.

My hand moved over her back and settled on her shoulders as I slammed into her with a single powerful thrust. She let out a little cry, her body crashing forward but I held her in place, my hand fisting and wrapping around her hair. A groan rumbled from my throat at the way she tried to accommodate me and she was a writhing mess again. My teeth clenched, and my head tilted backward slightly, suppressing my groan, especially when she pushed back at me, desperate for me just as much.

"That's my girl," I said with a low dark chuckle before I slammed into her again, more viciously this time that she screamed my name out loud, "Chase!" It was the sweetest form of melody, leaving her sinful lips with that tone and desperation, I wanted to hear nothing but her sweet screams for days and days to come. She was so responsive to every touch, I thought I was gonna fall mad. I left her no chance to react as I started moving in and out of her again. I used my hand over her hair to pull her up and yank her closer to me as the dirty sound of our skins slapping and uniting as one enveloped her room.

Her breath was coming out in soft breathless pants. Her back pressed against my front, the position allowing me to bury myself deep into every sweet drenched inch of her. Dark pleasure burst through me and my hand moved from her hair and to the side of her neck, moving up front till I wrapped my hand fully around the soft delicate skin, tightening my grip and angeling her face up, forcing her to look at the mirror and watch me as I brought her closer to the edge of her release again.

Pleasurable tears stung her eyes, her lips parting with a moan with every thrust I rammed into her. Another whimper flew through her mouth when my other hand stroked past her hips and moved to her inner thigh, finding her sweet spot as I stroked and then pinched her clit.

I used my tight grip over her neck to tilt her head to the side, enough for me to have access and slam my lips into hers, swallowing down her whimpers and moans, "You feel so fucking good, Lilly," I groaned in the sweetest form of pain, taking her lips whole into mine, "It's like every inch of you was made only for me. It makes me wonder why did we stay apart for so long."

Why...at this moment, it didn't make any sense.

We were perfect together. She was and will always be my one and only. The only one to trigger in me so many feelings at once. The chaos to my calm controlled life. The wild to my tamed self-disciplined self. Only her, only Lilly is capable of triggering a wild animal in me who wants to devour and eat her alive. Claim her as mine and go to the extent of killing those who will dare to come near her.

I withdrew so just the tip remained inside her, and paused for less than a second before I plunged back with one brutal thrust. Again and again, not stopping as she writhed against me. A punishing, sensual rhythm that lured moan after moan out of her mouth. My grip tightened over her throat, "You're dripping all over my cock, Lilly," I swept my thumb over the corner of her mouth, my eyes on hers through the mirror, "Look at you."

She was exquisite. An electrical shiver surged through every nerve in my being, "Please," She begged, needing something and on the edge of her release, "Oh my god...Chase, I need to..." Her choked breaths, the tears in her eyes, and the way her muscles clamped around me indicated exactly what she needed and was begging for, and the gentleman that I am, her wish was my command.

She wrapped her hand over mine on her throat, holding tight to me as I fastened my pace, harder and more brutal. A series of incoherent hoarse words and moans erupted from her body before she shattered beneath my touch and assault. Her eyes closed shut and if it wasn't for my hand over her neck and that over her stomach, she would've crashed down headfirst. I was so fucking close too. The way she was rippling around me was enough to drive any man mad.

I loosened my grip over her neck, the skin sensitive and red and I flipped her onto her back. My arms engulfed her, our bodies still connected in the most sensual way ever. My mouth grazed hers as my thrusts slowed down a bit, allowing her to cling to the remnants of her orgasm.

My hand stroked down the side of her neck and I cupped her breast, rubbing my thumb over the stiff peak. She kissed me back, running her fingers over my chest, "This is so..." She breathed out, panting and unable to find the right word and I agreed with her there, "...incredible."

This wasn't real. It felt surreal. A figment of my imagination. A sensual dream. A one brought out by the memory of me here and her, continents away.

My jaw clenched at the mere idea and I kissed her harder, shaking the bad hurtful thoughts away and my hand mapped out her body as I fucked us both right into our next release. She clung to me, she kissed and nibbed at my neck, moaning my name against my skin when I spread her legs wider and forced her to take all of me as deep as she could.

She cried out and tightened her arms around me just as wave after wave of pleasure washed through my body at the same time. I shuddered as well, and jerked inside her before I came too with a groan, our lips swallowing the chaotic sounds into one another as we kept breathing the same air. We were both swept up in ecstasy so exceptional it overpowered everything else.

The world didn't exist in that passing moment. It consisted only of her and me, in the sanctuary of this room, letting things fall back into their right place.

I gave her swollen pink lips a small peck, my palm flattened her cheek and she opened her sleepy tired eyes, both of us slumping down as we found our lost breaths, "We should do this every day," She mumbled sleepily and ever so seriously, earning a smile from me. She mirrored my smile and stroked my cheek, "If so, tell me, so I can cancel my membership to the gym."

My chest vibrated with a low chuckle. I leaned down for another quick peck before I pulled myself up and cleaned us up. She sighed in contentment and curled her body under the blanket, "It's cold," She mumbled, her innocent puppy eyes on me, "And I am thirsty," She added, her lips slightly pouting and I nodded my head, leaning for another peck, unable to get enough of her addictive taste.

When I pulled back, I walked into the bathroom and washed up before I headed for the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water for her. When I got back, she was all tucked under the blanket, her head over the pillow and her eyes resting. She pried them open when I got closer, and a sleepy smile crawled up her lips, lifting her upper body slightly as I helped her drink her water, "Thanks," She mumbled as I placed it on the nightstand.

I turned off the lights before I joined her in the bed, my arm going around her naked body and pulling it into mine. She melted into my arms immediately. She hummed in satisfaction, her arm sneaking around my waist and her eyes lifted up to meet my own as I rested my palm over her cheek, my thumb gently stroking her soft skin, "I have an early flight tomorrow," I said, my voice low as not to disturb her sleepy state, "When you wake up and not find me beside you, don't think I ran away."

She nodded her head with a smile at my playful tone, "When would you come back?" She whispered her question, her fingers drawing random patterns over my back.

"The day after," My answer had small lines etch between her eyebrows before she shook it away, "Be careful, okay?" She urged and I nodded my head, "I am always careful." Just not when it comes to you...

"Call me when you land?" She started to say, then her throat bobbed and she drifted her eyes down to my chest, "If you want to, I mean."

I rested my fingers under her chin, angling her face up, "I will."

She gave me a soft smile and my heart stuttered in my chest.

"Sleep now, you will have to wake up early," She mumbled before she sweetly pecked my lips, "Goodnight, Chase."

"Goodnight, my little ribbon."

She buried her face in my chest, but still, I caught the shy giddy smile curling up her delicious lips. I allowed my eyelids to drop down for a passing second, my lungs breathing in her sweet scent. I opened my eyes slightly and even though it was dark, the blinds of the window were open still, allowing the moonlight to reflect inside. My eyes fell into the nightstand, one thing there in specific grabbing my attention the most. A small snowstorm globe. One that had the word London engraved in red at its base, carrying big ben, a red London bus, and an old-fashioned telephone box within its glass globe in addition to glitter and fake snow.

Involuntarily, my jaw tightened, the innocent globe reflecting something that I needed to take care of, as soon as possible. Lilly had fallen asleep in my arms and even though she couldn't hear me, I grated out lowly, "I don't want him coming near you, ever again," I will have to deal with that part on my own, I wouldn't be able to bear the thought, especially after what she and I shared tonight.

************

Lilly's POV

I felt like I was flying. On cloud nine. Up high in the sky.

I hummed, a low satisfied sound leaving my lips as I finally pried my eyes open, kicking the sleep away. Even though I was alone in bed, I couldn't shake off the small smile creeping up my lips. The rumbled sheets beneath me, the flushness over my skin, and the soreness between my legs were enough proof that last night wasn't a dream.

No, definitely not a dream. But it sure as hell felt like sweet heaven.

I dangled my legs over the bed, the smile permanently stuck to my lips as I opened my closet and pulled out a new pair of underwear, shorts, and a sweatshirt to cover up my naked body. I stretched my arms above my head as I made my way out of the room and into the kitchen, stifling out a yawn and in desperate need of water.

I paused to a stop by the kitchen's counter, my eyes growing a bit wide, taken aback and gaping at the beautiful basket placed there.

It held inside it a big loaf of bread that smelled so fresh and felt warm still, a bottle of milk, some strawberries, a couple of chocolate bars, and my favorite croissants...damn, what's happening?

My eyes took notice of the big ribbon wrapped around the wicker basket, a very nice way elegant way to package it. Flustered, I picked up the card placed on the top and read what was written;

"Morning little ribbon, since I will be out flying till tomorrow, here is enough bread and milk to get you going. Don't starve till I get back and don't get yourself locked out of the house.

- Best neighbor ever,
Chase."

Involuntarily I smiled at the way he recalled what I had told him when I first moved into here. My heart fluttered in a way that erupted dozens of butterflies in my stomach. I picked up one of the strawberries and took a bite as I sat on the stool, pulling my phone and going to Chase's name immediately without thinking.

I paused and took notice of the time to see it was still early, I suppose he is still at the airport. Testing my luck, I opened facetime and waited for his pretty face to show up on my screen. I wanted to start my day like that, with him, even if he was away. I tried to fix my hair through the screen because I looked exactly like someone who had been fucked last night. All messy and flushed, lips that are swollen, and eyes wide bright and glassy.

His handsome face came up after a few rings only and his smile alone made me squirm in my seat, desperately needing him to be here so we can relive last night all over again, "Morning," I mumbled, dreamily sighing.

I mean, look at that face and those sinful lips. God, was last night even real?

"Morning," He said back, his perfect self a total contradiction to my disheveled one. His light-colored hair was neatly smoothed back, a bit wet still from his shower and he was wearing his pilot clothes, "I am thankful I didn't wake up before you left," I started to say, "Or else I would've not let you leave looking like this."

His low chuckle was the best music my ears could hear, amusement flickered all over his face as he looked back at me in a way that proved he is also trying to comprehend whether last night was real or a figment of our imagination.

I held the rest of my strawberry and took another bite, "Why do you have to be so perfect?" I asked, addressing his sweet gesture.

He shook his head, "I just felt bad leaving you to wake up alone," He whispered and my heart quivered. It's not like he did it on purpose, yet he still felt bad to leave my side in the morning...oh god, I will never be worthy of this man and it stings, it fucking stings because I want to be someone he deserves, someone he can depend on and trust.

A male voice called him and he flickered his gaze away from the screen, saying something before he looked back at me again, "You look busy, we can talk later," I said, smiling again, "I just wanted to say thank you and wish you a safe flight."

He returned my smile with a beautiful tilt of his lips, "If you need anything, write me, I will call you when I land."

I nodded my head, "Take care, okay?"

He nodded, "You too."

We hung up and I felt like I was about to melt into the ground. A gooey mess. That's what he makes of me. I felt so much at once. Happiness. Sadness. Relief. And fear. I kicked the negativity away and clung to the giddy soothing sensation. It's been a while since I felt anything besides cynical so I am not letting my mood go down this easily.

I walked back into my room and opened the music app, blasting music through my phone as I started making the bed before I walked into the living room and started tidying up the house. I cleaned up all the mess we left behind, considering I didn't touch a thing after the game ended last night. I was rather busy...

I danced to the music and happily moved around. I picked up one of the croissants, and took a large bite, chewing on the delicious pastry as I wiped the counter and placed the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. I paused in my movement when the sudden ringing of the bell echoed through the house, shaking me out of my little exciting moment.

My nerves tightened and my first instinct was to panic, considering if someone was to visit, the security guard would've called me beforehand. I stayed frozen in my spot for a minute too long, trying to think logically. If Louis was here to hurt me, he would definitely not knock on my door, he would just barge in unannounced and probably kill me in my sleep, right?

Gulping down, I pushed my feet forward when the bell rang again. I reached the door and hesitantly peeked through the peephole. The sight of the person behind the door had my jaw tightening and I backed away only to pull the door open, very angry and enraged now.

"How did you get past security?" I shot out in pure frustration as my eyes fell on a very calm Christian, who casually shrugged in return, "What can I do, I have a charm that people can't seem to resist," He commented, his tone neutral as he pushed his way inside the house and past me.

My jaw ticked at his cockiness. He keeps proving to me that anyone can get me anywhere. I wasn't safe, even in my own fucking house. Great.

I closed the door and whirled around, my glare hard as it focused on him and I crossed my arms over my chest, "What are you doing here?"

"You didn't answer my calls," He replied as a matter of a fact, "I didn't want to disturb you over the past week because you had work," He said, pausing by the kitchen counter and leaning against it, "We agreed to work together on the whole Louis slash Nathan thing, so here I am."

His words stole the color from my face as I recalled that agreement and how well it contradicted with what I did last night. I was so wrapped up in work over the past week that I thought Christian had forgotten all about what we previously agreed on when Louis painted my car red and straight out threatened me.

I gulped down, rubbing a hand over my throat at the mere memory. I shivered and shook it away. My gaze fell back on Christian as he ever so casually picked one of the strawberries and took a bite, so unaware of the thoughts roaming my head. I agreed to work with him just so I can get him off my case, or else he would really go and talk with dad. My jaw tightened, still, he can't be here, not now, not ever.

I need to talk with Chase about this and find a middle ground.

Damn it, why does everything in my life need to be so complicated?

"Can you please leave?" I suggested, my words grabbing Christian's gaze to me, lines etched between his eyebrows at my indirect attempt to kick him out, "I...uh, I am just really busy today, can you leave?"

His eyebrow raised and the sound of the music blaring from my room was getting annoying, and increasing my anxiousness. With angry footsteps, I left the kitchen and marched to my room. I picked up my phone, turning off the music before I slammed the phone back on the mattress. Here I thought today was a good today. I woke up from my drunk happy state too early, again reminded that my life hasn't changed, it is still the same, and I am still the same.

When I returned to Christian's side, ready to reason with him and have him leave till I figure out how to arrange all the messy pieces of my puzzling life, "Christian, really, can you..." I spoke but he wasn't listening to me anymore, his eyes were focused on the piece of paper in his hand, the one Chase wrote for me.

His fingers twitched over it before he dropped it down, and his eyes, grey as silver drifted to me, falling on my face, flickering all over it before they went to my neck, something there grabbing his attention the most. Involuntarily, my hand went up there, to the side that was red and marked still from Chase's kisses last night.

The muscle of his jaw twitched, getting the message wide and clear, something so dark flashed in his eyes, "I need to get out of here," He grated out, his tone held a dangerous edge and he left me no space to say anything as he whirled around and headed for the door. He walked out and slammed it behind him, so harshly that I winced, my eyes pressing shut at the force he left luring behind.

Sighing, I crashed down, falling into the chair and I placed my head in my hands, my ecstatic state short-lived.

My life was still complicated as hell, last night didn't change that. I am still just as messed up. My gaze flickered to the kitchen's drawer, the one hiding beneath layers of towels a metallic gun, securely saved in there for when needed. My jaw ticked, I am still ready to do anything to keep Nathan away from my family. But now, I needed to be extra careful as I do that. Now that Chase is so close to me, I can't and won't let anything happen to him.

Maybe I will never be worthy of him, but I'd rather die than let anyone harm him.

**************

Alex's POV

"Hey Ashton, how was the game last night?" Laurent from Marketing asked Ashton as he passed by us in the company's kitchen, his words drawing lines between my eyebrows as I looked up from the file Ashton was showing me and looked between them, trying to understand.

"Oh, it was great," Ashton replied back before he and Laurent went into detail about the game and I stared at them both dumbfounded. When they were done, Laurent waved us goodbye and headed back to his office.

"You went to the game last night?" I asked, confused. Why didn't he tell me?

Ashton's eyes fell back on me, a bit hesitant as he nodded his head.

"Why didn't you tell me you had tickets you bimbo, I would've gone with you!"

"I remember you saying you had other plans," He answered, ever so innocently and defending himself.

"We had dinner at Cara's mother's place, that's not a plan, I would've easily canceled it for last night's game," Gosh, I need new friends, I swear, "It was the Lakers game, you know how I am a die-hard fan."

"I didn't know, I thought you were busy," He shrugged, "I got an extra shirt, I can give it to you," He suggested, almost like giving candy to a kid just to shut him up and I shot him a hard glare in return before I picked up my coffee cup and totally ignored him, resuming reading through the updated agreement.

I will make a big deal of this later, he will see. I will make him regret not taking me along.

The sound of footsteps nearing interrupted my train of thought and I looked up, my eyebrows pulling together when my eyes fell on my dear brother, "I didn't find you in your office," He said, "Guessed you'd be here," My frown tightened because he wasn't directing those words at me, no, he was speaking with Ashton. Why?

He didn't even greet me with a decent simple good morning. The fuck is happening here?

Ashton got up to his feet, smiling giddily as he faced Nikolas, "Pay up, come on."

Nikolas grumbled something incoherent under his breath, shooting Ashton a glare before he pulled a couple of hundred dollars from his wallet and pushed them into Ashton's palm.

Huh?

"It was a fun game though, you can't deny that," Ashton added, and Nikolas nodded his head, agreeing, his grumpiness fading away almost too fast, "Yeah, thanks for the tickets, by the way. Nathan had so much fun," Nikolas said, "We used to attend almost every game when he was younger."

What the actual fuck?

My eyes widened and I pushed myself to their side, finally making sense of everything, looking at Ashton and accusing, "You went to the game with him?" I said the last word as I pointed at Nikolas, still in denial.

Ashton nodded his head, "Yeah, as I said, I thought you were busy and I had extra tickets, so-"

"What the fuck?" I grumbled out, I was gonna go mad, "You went to the game with someone else?" I felt utterly betrayed, "That with no one other than my brother," I scoffed, "Wow, wow, the betrayal," My gaze flickered between them both, "Well, I hope my back didn't hurt your knives. Assholes."

Nikolas rolled his eyes and Ashton closed his eyes briefly before he opened them up and glared at me. I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling a weird ache in my chest and arm as I looked at Ashton, "So what now...is he your...new best friend?"

Oh wow, here comes the pain...

I looked at Nikolas, "And you...everything I've done for you and this is how you repay me back?" I grated out, "Unbelievable!"

I shook my head and started to walk away, "They do say expect betrayal from those closest to you, wow, I really have no comment anymore."

I walked toward my office, needing space away from these two, or I will end up beating them up both. On my way, I spotted Katherine in the hallway, talking with one of the staff, probably making sure everything went smoothly for today's conference. It was Saturday and I was at work, as if that wasn't torture enough, those two bitches go out and betray me like that.

When Katherine saw me, she smiled immediately but my lack of response and troubled expression pushed her to my side, walking alongside me as she asked, "What's wrong?"

I sighed and paused by my office's door, facing her as I spoke, "Well, I'd rather you hear it from me first," I stated, seriously, "But Ashton and I are no longer best friends."

Her eyes widened at my words, "What? Why?"

I crossed my arms over my chest and my gaze drifted away, "Well, he has been having secret game dates with Nikolas, can you believe that?"

Lines etched her forehead and she shook her head, "You scared me, I thought something really happened."

My eyes widened at the way she dismissed it, "Something did happen!" I shot back, "He'd rather spend time with Nikolas," My jaw tightened and I was angry away, "That bitch must be enjoying stealing my best friend from me. That's it, from now on, I am brotherless too."

Katherine's lips twitched into a smile and she tiptoed slightly so she can pinch my cheek, "You are so cute," She pecked my cheek, "Don't worry, you still have me as your best friend."

I smiled at her words, "You won't pick Nikolas over me, right?" I asked as I entered my office.

She shook her head as she followed me inside, "Never."

I settled in my chair and restarted my computer, I'd rather busy myself with work than deal with them now. Katherine came behind me and settled her hands over my shoulders, gently messaging and squeezing at my tired muscles, allowing me to relax. I sighed and tilted my head backward, it pressed against her stomach as I looked up at her, smiling, "You are the best, sweetheart."

She smiled sweetly back in return and tapped her hand over my cheek, just as the two sons of bitches barged into my office and disturbed my comfort again. Nikolas's eyes fell on me, his eyebrow raising in questioning, "Are you seriously gonna overreact over this now?"

I rolled my eyes at him and looked at Katherine, "Sweetheart, can you please tell them that I am not talking to either of them anymore."

She chuckled lowly and moved from beside me, and Nikolas being the dump shit he is, inched closer to my side but I kept ignoring him. He poked my arm, "Hey," He said and I shrugged his hand away, still not willing to talk or look at him.

Ashton settled on the chair across from me, his head tilting and trying to make me look at him. When he failed to get any reaction from me, he leaned closer and snatched the file from my hands, forcing me to face him. My jaw ticked as I glared at him and I snatched it back. He gave me a small guilty smile, "Next game, it will be just you and me, I promise," He tried to smooth-talk his way out of this one but no.

I shook my head, "It's too late."

I ignored him and Nikolas poked my arm yet again, "Alex," He said, urging me to face him and I groaned in annoyance.

"What are these?" Katherine asked, pointing at the many packages sitting at the edge of my desk.

I sighed and shrugged, "You know when were are hosting a conference, the guests bring us all types of chocolate, gifts, and whatnot, trying to sweet-talk their way into our business," I looked at my computer screen again, beyond disinterested, "I didn't open any of them yet."

"Oh yes, one time they sent really good chocolate," She picked up one of the packages and started opening it, "Let's see what's in here this time."

"Alex, seriously now, I don't like this," Nikolas grumbled out, pushing at my arm. I lifted my eyes up and glared at him, "Get out of here."

"Not until you talk to me-"

"I don't want to tal-"

"Ahhhh!" Katherine's scream was enough to interrupt our banter. It wasn't anything exaggerated, no, it was as real as it could be. She dropped the box to the ground and backed away into the wall, her face paling out, too white as if she has seen a ghost.

Ashton shot up from his seat immediately and to her side, his arm going around her body, "Baby, what's wrong?" His hands were on her cheek, gently making her face him. Her eyes were wide and she pointed at the box again, her lips parting slightly but no coherent word came out.

I was on my feet already but Nikolas beat me to it, crouching down and picking up what she dropped. He held the packaged box and the second his eyes fell into its insides, he tensed. His jaw clenched so hard and his fingers over it twitched as negativity vibrated off him in waves. I leaned closer, trying to observe what got everyone so shocked and my eyes widened at the scene presented ahead of me. A finger, a real human finger, bloodied and laying inside the box. What the fuck?

My heart picked up the pace, the veins pulsing through my neck as Nikolas tore the note sticking to the box's side and straightened himself up, reading what was scribbled over it. I inched closer to him and read through the fucked up words, fury unwrapping inside my chest and tightening every alive nerve in my being.

"Haha, frightened you there for a second, didn't I? :)
It didn't belong to anyone important, so don't worry. I just wanted to mentally prepare you, because the next time you open a package from me, it will have... Uhm, something that belongs to your precious Lilly.
Her finger? Her hand? Maybe even her face...who knows, I will decide only when I get my hands on her. Soon.

Farewell, for now, stepbro :)."

I couldn't breathe. Oxygen couldn't get sucked into the tight wells of my lungs after his few words. The anger from before unraveled every other emotion in me, especially at the way he addressed...my daughter. The image he drew in my head was too brutal, I felt like I wanted to scream and destroy everything around me.

"He knew you were here," I grated out, the message was addressed to Nikolas but the package was sent to my office. The fucker knows where we are, and what we are doing. How? Who does he have working on his side?

I couldn't control the rage bristling through my muscles because no place was safe for my kids, no-fucking-where.

Nikolas's eyes were still focused on the note, his fingers tightening over the disgusting piece of paper, crumbling it in his grip, "He has someone on the inside, that's the only explanation," Nikolas grated out through clenched teeth and Katherine's terrified eyes flickered between us as Ashton tightened his hold around her.

"Who could it be?" I questioned myself, trying to find the possible suspects.

Nikolas shook his head, his words tight and measured, "I don't know, but I will figure it out."

************

Lilly's POV

I parked my car in its assigned spot before I went down, opening the backseat and picking up my purse and laptop bag. It was Saturday and even though I wasn't necessarily obligated to attend the conference, I preferred it over staying home alone, overthinking and analyzing every damn thing about my life.

I let the laptop's bag straps hang over my shoulder as I closed the door and locked my car, ready to turn around and walk inside. A hand landing over my shoulder from the back had me jump up and gasp out loud, the key falling from my hand and into the ground as a jolt of terror quaked my whole being.

"Lilly, it's me," Noah's soft voice had me suck deep into a calming breath and I whirled around, pressing my hand over my chest in an attempt to control my erratic heartbeats, "Oh god, Noah, you scared the crap out of me!"

He leaned down and picked up my keys, straightening up and handing them to me as I spoke, "As long as we have a psychotic serial killer on the loose, don't sneak up on me like this."

Even though my words had a hint of humor in them, they didn't change the serious tense expression on Noah's face. Stressed lines drew between his eyebrows and when I flashed him a smile, he relaxed slightly and smiled back. I leaned into him as we both made our way out of the parking lot and into the building, "I haven't seen you over the past week," I commented and he threw his arm over my shoulders, "Yeah, just been busy."

He looked at me, "But don't worry, I always have my eyes on you."

I smiled and nodded, letting out a low relaxed sigh, "I never doubt that."

We chatted a bit as we rode the elevator to our floor. I was careful not to mention Chase or what happened. I was not ready to speak about it out loud or share that blissful moment with anyone yet. I wanted to belong to just me and him for the time being. Although Sally keeps texting and pressuring me for details.

I shook that thought away and headed first toward dad's office, it still sucks that I am living alone now because I keep missing him. It is a great advantage to work at the same place though, allowing me to see him every day. I knocked lowly on the ajar door before I opened it and stepped inside, Noah still on my side.

Dad's eyes fell into mine first and I smiled almost instantly, "Good morning," I greeted them all, my eyes drifting from him to Nikolas, then to uncle Ashton and auntie Katherine.

I stepped closer and much to my shock, dad walked to my side, his eyes troubled as he suddenly pulled me into his embrace, his arms squeezing me so tight. I hugged him back and chuckled, "Dad, I saw you yesterday," I said into his chest, his warm scent engulfing me and relaxing my tensed muscles.

He pulled back slightly and looked down at me. He brought his hand to my face and stroked my cheek, smiling weakly, "Am I not allowed to miss my daughter?" He tried to play it off like that but I sensed something else brewing underneath. The way he looked at me, it was almost like he wanted to check whether I was okay or not...Did something new happen? God, I hope not.

My smile faded at the thought and before I could question, dad spoke, "Why are you here?" He asked, eyebrows pulling closer. I smiled and answered, "I want to watch you speak at the conference."

He shook his head, "It's not important," He said, his eyes flickering to Noah, urging me to get out of here for some reason, "Let Noah take you back home, go and rest, it's the weekend."

Lines got etched between my eyebrows and before I could protest, Nikolas walked closer to our side. His eyes were on Noah first and they held a dark edge before they fell on me. Almost instantly, they softened. He offered me a small smile, "Actually I haven't seen you in a while, maybe we can go have...breakfast or something."

Confused, my gaze flickered between dad and Nikolas. Something was out of the ordinary, I just couldn't pinpoint what it was. Deciding it was better to listen to them without questioning, I looked at Nikolas and nodded my head, "Yeah, sure," My acceptance had dad's shoulders relax down, his worry melting down into assurance.

I bid uncle Ashton and Katherine goodbye and gave dad a peck on his cheek hoping to further relieve his stressed nerves before I left the office with Nikolas on my side.

"So, where do you want to go?" He asked, looking at me as we headed for the parking lot.

A small smile crawled up my lips, "Actually, if you don't mind, I would like to go to your house," I suggested, "I really missed Maria and I want to check up on Nathan...you know, after all that had happened."

My request softened his expression even more and he nodded his head, "Of course," He wrapped his arm around my body, pulling me to his side and dropping a soft kiss over the top of my head. I sighed in contentment because even though my life sucked, I had so many people I am beyond grateful for, "They would love that."

**************

Natalie's POV

"Mommy, I want to help," Maria protested as we went out of the car. She paused by my side and watched me with puppy eyes as I opened the trunk. I pulled out the lightest grocery bag and handed it to her. She beamed brightly, always wanting to be part of everything I do, she was her father's daughter after all. I smiled at how she hugged the grocery bag with both arms, struggling even though it was so light.

"Take this inside and I will bring in the rest," I suggested with a warm smile, "Then, you can help me prepare breakfast, okay?"

She nodded her head multiple times, so very excited, "Deal!"

She turned around and stepped over the porch, her little short self carrying the bag inside. I shook my head with a smile before I pulled out the rest of the groceries and placed them on the ground by my feet. I closed the trunk and locked the car before I leaned down and tried to pick up all of the bags at once. As I did that, I felt a presence approach me. I expected it to be Gregory, Nikolas has him follow me every-fucking-where when he is not around.

Not that I blame him, danger still lurked so close.

"Hey, Grego-" Apparently closer than I expected.

I swallowed down the rest of my words, my eyes widened and the bags in my hands fell and hit the floor. I backed away on instinct. Panic rushed and tightened my chest. Even though it was my first time seeing him, I knew exactly who he was, the alarms blaring in my head were enough proof.

The guy standing across from me was wearing a grey hoodie, his hands tucked into his pockets as he took a step closer. He moved one hand out and pulled the hoodie off his head. His eyes flickered all over my face and he smiled as he ran his hand through his hair. His smile was almost...warm, and gentle and if I didn't know any better I would say innocent and soft.

"Hey," He said, a bit of softness in his voice, and my eyes grew even wider.

How long has it been? Oh god, I thought he...died. I grieved him. I was devasted. Destroyed. For too long.

But...but, he is here now, "Nathan," His name left my mouth breathlessly, my mind short-circuiting and malfunctioning. This can't be real. I still expected it to be someone else threatening us, just not him. Someone Isaac had left behind to destroy us, anyone disguising himself as him, but not him.

His lips curled up in a grin, a friendly one, "Yes, Natalie, it's me," He answered.

I was sucked out of the moment too fast when images of me holding my bleeding little boy in my arms brutally flashed behind my eyes. I recalled back the day Alex called us, informing about Max and the way his life was hanging by a thread. It all rushed back and fury enveloped me from head to toe. I could no longer think straight, all I could comprehend was that Nathan, my little boy, was inside the house, in his room, sleeping. That Maria has just walked in and would come out any moment...that he was so close, that he could hurt them.

My eyes flickered to his sleeves, where blood was splattered. I gulped down and he followed my eyesight, "Oh, this," He addressed it so casually, "I had to kill Gregory, sorry," His apology was anything but sincere and involuntarily, I took another step away, my back pressing into the car, "I had to do it, or he would've not let me talk to you."

My survival instinct and the need to keep him away from my kids had my hand go to the back of my pants so quickly, pulling my gun out and aiming it forward at him. His hazel eyes flickered to the metallic weapon in my grip and his eyebrow raised, amused before he looked back at me, "You really are Nikolas's wife after all, aren't you?" There was a bit of distaste in his voice, one that quickly replaced the softness it held seconds ago.

"Is that what he made from you?" He questioned, taking a step closer, not threatened at all, "Carrying a gun around, scared for your life all the damn time?"

I shook my head, my teeth clenching, "He didn't do this," I grated out, "You did," I shot back, "What you did to my own son did this," Deep down I knew that it won't be long before he comes knocking my door and I had to be prepared.

He stopped only when the barrel pressed over his chest, his hazel eyes focused on me, "It slightly...hurts me that I had to hurt you that way," He said but I didn't believe him one bit, "But what can I do?" He shrugged, faking helplessness, "You are his wife, the mother of his kids," He scoffed, "I mean seriously, sis, you really have a horrible taste in men."

My jaw tightened and I pushed the gun further into his chest, my finger over the trigger, but was I actually capable of pulling it? "Don't talk about him like that," I shot out harshly.

He looked confused, unable to understand why I will always stick to Nikolas's side no matter what, "You see, that's why I don't like love," His head tilted, trying to analyze me but failing, "It's just so...eww."

I clenched my jaw, "Get away from my here, away from my house or I will pull the trigger, Nathan."

Please, Maria, stay inside, please...

He smiled and nodded, "Go ahead, I am waiting," He said, "I am willing to bet to what extent did Nikolas taint you," He added, his hand going above mine over the gun, "The trigger is right here, come on sis, push it," He urged, playing games on me.

Tears of desperation stung my eyes, my chest so tight and I kept praying to god that Maria won't follow me back here, I wished Nikolas would show up any minute now because deep down, I was terrified.

"Kill me, because if you don't, I am gonna hurt everyone around you," His voice held an amount of darkness I couldn't decipher, nor could I make sense of the psychotic devil lurking in his eyes.

"Why are you doing this?" I cried out, a few tears dripping down my cheeks, everything that happened and could happen took its toll on me now, "Why do you hate us so much? We are your family," My words were choked as they raced out of my restricted throat, "They are your nephews and nieces, I am your sister, Ronald is your brother..."

Something about my words hit him in a place he didn't like, triggering something in him because he harshly snatched the gun from me, bruising my hand in the process as he flipped it around, aiming the barrel at my own chest, his other hand harshly grabbed my shoulder, pushing me further against the car, "You are not my family," He grated out, venom dripping with each word, "You all lied to me."

"Nikolas was trying to help you," I tried to speak but he pushed the barrel further into my chest, it was hurting so bad and his hand moved from my shoulder and tightened over my chin, squeezing my flesh, "I didn't need to be helped, I just wanted my dad, why couldn't you give him to me?!" His voice bellowed so viciously and I was so scared they heard him inside.

Tears blurred my vision, "Let me speak in words you will understand," He added, tightening his grip, "If I went and kidnapped Max from Alex; if I locked him up in a room and forced Nikolas inside with him, would that mean I am helping him?!"

I shook my head, "It's not the same-"

"It's the fucking same!" He shot out, "You all took my father from me, and I won't stop till I see you all dead," He inched his face so close, spitting the words in my face, "And if you stand in my way, sis, you will be on that list too," He let go of my chin, composing himself and his lips twitched just slightly, "Maybe Maria will be the only one I don't hurt," He smiled and my heart raced at the mention of her, "She is cute."

"Mommy?" The air left my lungs when I heard her soft voice coming from somewhere so close.

I couldn't even turn and look at her, he was crowding me from every corner, "Maria, baby, please go back inside, I will come in a bit," I pleaded and Nathan finally released the gun away from me, tucking it into the back of his pants.

I turned around to see her stepping over the porch, her eyes flickered from me to him. Her eyes widened in astonishment, "It's uncle Nathan!" She said so cheerfully as she ran and stopped by our side.

I struggled away from him and to her side, picking and wrapping her up in my arms ever so protectively. I didn't trust him one bit and I didn't know to what extent was he willing to take this.

Nathan's eyes fell into hers and he smiled, immediately switching back to his sweet warm expression. He inched closer and I took a step backward, "Hey there," He said sweetly and she giggled, waving her hand at him, "Hey," She looked at me and palmed my cheek, "Mommy look, it's uncle Nathan, he is your brother!"

I was looking at her so that I didn't see him step so close, his hand going to her face and fixing the beanie over her head, "Isn't she the cutest," He said, his eyes flickering up to me before they fell back on her.

"You know what, little one?" He leaned closer and dropped a kiss over her cheek, I was too frozen to move, trying to digest everything at once, "I am going to kill everyone except you," He whispered and I pushed him away, stepping back and building distance away from him and maniac thoughts, "I will have you by my side, make you witness how I will burn this kingdom to the ground," His dangerous eyes met mine once again, "And how I will build it back up from ashes."

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Welcome back and a happy new year! 🥳

I can't believe we are starting the year with a new update of Blue Ribbon, huh! xD who would've thought...

Anyways, if you have any questions about this story, feel free to ask, it's been a while so you might be confused. I am ready to answer them all.

I wish you a great year ahead and hopefully 2023 will be a better year for these characters, because sure as hell they suffered a lot through 2022 xD

See ya soon! ♥️