Diana
"You okay...oh?" Cody asked as I looked at him distracted before I hid my shaking hand.
"Yeah," I let out breathily as he watched Ryder who was joking around with Wilder as they made to get my bags before turning to me.
"There is a trail up on the hill. Just stick to the east side of the house before you reach the greenhouse. It's marked by twin rose bushes. Go through those it should help sneak you out of the compound. Don't wander far off the trail. It gets fairly dark out there, even though there are no wild animals you could still get lost. It's just about 9. I'll give security a heads up. Do you need anything?" He asked and I shook my head no before handing him my keys and jacket and looking at the two brothers still joking around. "I'll tell them."
"Thanks," I told him before I took off taking a glance back at them just in time as they turned towards the direction I'd taken and I caught the wistful glance Ryder had before he nodded.
But the damage was already done and I promised myself to hurry back as popped in my earphones and started the trek once I found the bushes going on and on till I felt my feet starting to sting and I could no longer hear the noise of the excited teenagers and I finally took a breather and let my thoughts run.
The power that came with the Stone name was definitely not something to be trifled with as it seemed. And this is saying something given the kind of power my family has when all the underground connections are cut. It was both scary and thrilling and I had no idea what came first. And it still amazed me everyday and it seemed that when I thought he couldn't surprise me, he did. He was gentle, loving and definitely loved reminding me that we could always have great sex like the pervert he was, I thought with a wistful smile as I came out to view a clearing and I reduced my steps as my instincts kicked in not allowing me to keep my guard down as I watched the open area.
And yet the only thing I could think of was the man who had claimed me as his. Always so possessive and yet never obsessive. Honestly at this point, I think I was turning into the obsessive one. All had been in my mind when he asked about Jordan was that I would teach her that there was no way she could have a chance with him when she'd gotten as close. Maybe that's why I took off the first chance I got. But I should have realized that he's the only person who could really drive me over the edge, I thought and as if on cue a new song played on my player. Over the edge, Riell ft Conch. I laughed stepping into the clearing. The irony wasn't lost to me.
"Come out. We might as well get this over with," I called out as I stepped at the center and almost immediately I heard a curse and shuffling before a dark figure emerged from the bushes. "Hello, old friend."
"Old friend," the figure scoffed and I bit down a laugh. "Whose your old friend? And who are you calling old?"
"Fine. Do you want me to call you old enemy or old man?" I taunted and I could just about see his eyebrow twitch.
"That's it. I was planning to go easy on you but not anymore. Prepare to feel the wrath of my Shadow Squad, 30 of my best trained men. And they only need half an hour," he said and I mentally facepalmed.
Ambushing me when I was out of it. Did he really understand the meaning of going easy on someone? And Shadow Squad? What kind of name is that? I asked inwardly as more shadows came from behind the trees and I tucked my player into my yoga pants and bound my hair up when a small cloth hit me in the face. Regarding it surprised, I raised the man in front of me an eyebrow before frowning.
"Seriously?"
Sigh, this kind of luck. Not receiving an answer, I could only harrumph annoyed as I covered my eyes and took up a fighting stance when I felt a certain rush of air signalling the first man had rushed towards me.
Roughly half an hour later,
"Hmmph, you slimy bastards. Did you think you could win? And on the twenty minute mark. My baby girl is the best," came the voice over the moans and groans and I refrained from chuckling.
"Grandpa?"
***********
The loud music welcomed me barely a quarter mile from the bushes and I cringed inwardly. Maybe I should have stayed a bit longer in the quiet woods, I thought as I found the back entrance into the house. No. I had to find Ryder first. The party had seemingly started and gone into full swing in the two hours I'd been gone and I couldn't be more surprised as I questioned where all these a hundred plus partiers would stay but I'd already seen the size of the house. Rather it was safe to assume not everyone would spend the weekend here. It would save a lot of people the embarrassment of having to be kicked out when morning came. I'm pretty sure Wilder wasn't joking when he said he do that. But I could care less. All I wanted to do was find Ryder and they weren't helping for the most part until they started clearing as I got closer to a raised deck where I spotted Wilder's wild mass of hair and immediately rushed up receiving curious stares from the people around when no one dared to stop me.
"Sis," Wilder exclaimed standing up once I came into view and I could see heads turn on the deck to see who Wilder would greet ever so enthusiastically. "Woah, what happened to you?"
"Crazy run. Have you seen Ryder? I can't find him anywhere."
"Of course, you're not here for me," he said with a pout and I chuckled. Seemingly, the booze had started getting to him.
"You forget you invited me here first."
"You'd have come for him anyway but I'll buy what you're selling. Have you checked in his room? If he's not there, he must be in the greenhouse," he said and I grimaced before turning to him who was watching me.
"How bad is it?" I asked and he furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, no doubt somewhat muddled with all the drinking. "Nevermind, I'll find him."
"You do that," he said smiling at me brightly and I chuckled at the cute expression before moving away and once again people parted as I moved through quickly.
"Didi. There you are. Did you forget your best friend?" Alice called out and I turned to her surprised. "Uh-oh, that's not a happy to see you too best friend. Where did you disappear to?"
"Hiking? And I am happy to see you."
"But.. looking for lover boy ain't ya?" She said with a wink and I rolled my eyes at her, unable to hide my grin. "Ah, so I'm right?"
"You could say that?"
"Figures. That's why it's a scavenger hunt in here," she said and I could feel my lips flatten as she said her next words. "Heather has all hands in on finding him. Something about his hard time. That's why I came to find you. I'm pretty sure she would have liked to keep it low key but not with not so smart drunk cronies."
"Figures," I muttered under my breath. Maybe this was the reason I promised myself to come back fast. Somehow my subconscious had been reminding me that I really didn't trust that Heather would not dare to make a move here. Only it was not on me, but rather on him. "I'm going to kill her."
"Maybe not yet. I think she's heading up to his room. It's where I would check. And besides crony #1 and crony #2 have their eyes on the elevator probably more on the stairs," Alice said and I heard a deep growl from deep in my throat as I stepped forward spotting the two scantily dressed females, one of whom was Bianca and I narrowed my eyes at her. Reminded suddenly of the last we had met as she ogled him, I realized I was becoming almost as equally possessive as Ryder was. And I was mad.
"Thanks for the heads up but I have to go," I said realizing I'd mentally crossed out the greenhouse. Though I wondered why he'd go there despite it being somewhere he might have gone, I was sure he would want to be somewhere less noisy which meant Heather had a headstart on me.
"I'm coming with you. You need a wing woman for this."
"But.." I started to disagree but meeting her defiant glare I thought otherwise. "Fine, but only because I don't have time to deal with anyone who's more or less harebrained."
"Whatever floats your boat," she said with a shrug and I chuckled. No doubt she was craving all the drama. One which I was trying to avoid. "Hey, where are you going? The stairs are that way."
"Are you trying to tell me that you are really in the mood for some meaninglessness catfights?"
"Well, I always did wanna pull out Henley's fake extensions..." She faltered when I sent a glare her way. "But I suppose hurrying now is the best choice of action."
"No worries. I'm sure one of these days you'll get a chance to do as you please," I said vaguely and she nodded excited and I laughed as we approached the stairs. Though to my utmost surprise, no one was there.
"Should we be worried that so far we've met no one? Or the fact you are not in a rush as you led me to believe," Alice asked and I shook my head as we turned into the third floor, my steps measured and definitely not in a hurry.
"She's either desperate that she didn't consider this stairway in a rush to gain his attention or she's confident enough that I won't be in time."
"Seriously? Doesn't she have an idea that you two are officially together and playing house and all?" She asked and I shrugged not even contradicting her. I was still unwilling to dwell on the break in but Ryder must have told her to keep an eye on me after updating her.
"Who knows? Maybe she's counting on that I will be delayed enough to find them in a compromising situation. You know I get mad, I back off but she spins it around. I come off as the one in the wrong. It's a perfect plan to ensure humiliation," I answered nonchalantly and with a shrug and I saw her tremble from my peripheral vision.
"That is... That is actually doable! How did you figure that out when I couldn't? And why aren't you worried? Diana, she's setting you up for destruction. Already making you an outcast among the students especially after you embarrassed her today, which is so cool by the way, but if she does that, it would actually harm your reputation," she said and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.
"I have a reputation?" I asked and she stopped watching me with a calculating look as we came up to the door opening to the 4th floor. "Locked? She really did think this through."
I said with a chuckle before I realized her gaze hadn't wavered from me.
"What?"
"I'm trying to figure out if you're clueless or oblivious, ignorant or just naive. Maybe all. Or maybe you're just dumb. Yeah. You are. Stone and I definitely need to have a talk about this. It's alarming," she mumbled more to herself and I shook my head helplessly as I turned to go back downstairs. "Wait, so this is it? You're just going to let her win and let make a move on your soulmate?"
I stopped not on her words but because I'd caught the sign nailed onto the white wall but at her statement I turned to her with a slight grin.
"Soulmate?"
"Soulmate. Do you know how freaking-fantastic it is that you both always seem to have that freaky instinct when it comes to each other? Come on, you were already looking for him before I came and you do remember he came to find you that day when you didn't come to school because of your...uh.." she said flushing red and I narrowed my eyes at her.
"How do you know about that?"
"He'd been waiting outside your house for almost half an hour trying to convince himself that all the supplies I got would be enough," She said and my eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"All of them?" I asked remembering somehow through making a hearty breakfast he'd said that he had sent for supplies to help with the 'situation' as he so put it. When she nodded I could feel myself blushing. And I wasn't even mad that he'd been there to wait on me but rather because I had a hunch that Kate might have made it slip about my period.
"I'm pretty sure he made sure to get an emergency bag for those days. Who knows, maybe on the day he'll finally knock you up, he'll know about it first"
"Okay, okay, I get it," I said throwing her a daggered glare.
"Point is he always puts you first no matter what and you do too in your own way. Just don't let Heather destroy that," she said gently and I nodded turning back to the door. "What are we going to do now?"
I doubted going back to the floor below and around wouldn't be fruitful and I had no doubt neither of us had pins. I could probably kick it down. I didn't have any boots but the shoes were almost comfortable enough to just enough to ensure I wouldn't really break my foot. But just as soon as the thought passed through my mind, my eyes were pulled to the sign again and I looked towards the stairs once more before stepping forward.
"Diana?"
"I don't know but I don't think he's in his room. I mean if he wanted to disappear for a while, why go to the first place anyone would consider?"
"But so are a lot of places in this compound. But...It's worth a try," she said nodding encouragingly and I smiled genuinely starting my way up, hoping I was right as we came to the door the out of order sign disheartening but the flicker of hope that had bloomed deep in my chest flared. He was here.
"You can deal with the doors right?" I asked and she nodded eagerly as I opened the door.
"You go get that, hunk of meat. Make sure you make valentine babies too," she said behind me but I paid no attention to her as I stepped onto the roof, feeling the cool breeze caress my hot body after all that work out and I sighed in content hearing the door close behind me.
Just like the house itself, the roof was a masterpiece. With two doors leading into it, it was full with a huge pool that shimmered under the moonlight, since the lights in the pool were seemingly off, surrounded with a dozen lounge chairs that were no doubt if the finest quality. A huge barbecue pit set up on one corner next to a lounge area with glass tables, leather seats and huge white vases with exotic plants that gave it a zen feeling to the place and a bar area fill to the brim with alcoholic drinks decorated with fairy lights giving it a warm glow and a couple of vending machines to complete the look alongside the magnificent view of the area. At this point I was sure this whole area was just a family sized country club. Small enough to cater a rich family and their rich family friends but not big enough to accept anyone else into the circle. Come to think of it, it could be why Ryder is so familiar with this place. Given their own net worth and their families', they probably grew up here alongside many other country clubs. At the thought, I heard a quiet splash and I stepped forward realizing there was someone already in the pool and my heart clenched at the sight of the lonesome figure as I coughed to announce my presence.
"Diana...?" He calls out blinking slowly as he turned to me and I frowned. "You're here..?
He asked confused as if he wasn't expecting to see me and my gut clenched painfully. Grandpa, you just had to have your 9 o'clock tea an hour late, I thought with a sad smile as I walked forward realizing he looked drunk and I frowned in confusion and concern as he started swimming towards me.
"It's me. I'm here," I said as he started getting out of the pool with a struggle and I rushed for him when he started wobbling. "Be careful, Ryder. It's... aarrgh!"
I groaned opening my eyes to find his naked body pressed against mine with the exception of his trunks.
"Are you okay?"
"I don't care. Let's just stay like this for a while."
"You do realize I'm sweaty, sticky and probably reek..." I started trailing off at the sight of big fat tears welling around his eyes and my frown deepens.
"It's okay. I love every part of you," he says sounding all choked up as he places a chaste kiss in the middle of my chest.
But the sweet words don't get to me as much as those blue eyes glistening with tears do and I lift my arms and hug him as much as my position can allow me, which is mostly awkward and he gave me an indescribable look.
"I don't know what happened but you're not going to go through this alone. You remember that, right?"
"Are you trying to comfort me?" He asks but none of his words come out as sarcastic.
"In my own way, yeah," I said and he looked at me seemingly downcast.
"It's been a long time since anyone comforted me. At least until you came along," he said as his gaze softened before he rested his head against my chest. There was definitely no way he couldn't hear my heart beating so fast now. "It has always felt familiar with you."
"What has?" I asked as I lifted my hand to his wet locks of hair and he let out a breathy sigh lifting his hand to catch my hand glancing at the faint bruises before looking away as if he hadn't seen them and held it in his.
"Everything. From your voice to your small touches, it all feels familiar like I've known you all along. I know I have hurt you more times than I'd like to count and yet you're... still here. I'm sorry. For being such an asshole. When we first met till now. I know it's not going to stop but I try not to be one to you," he said quietly and my heartbeat sped up as if acknowledging his words and he lifted his head to look at me.
"It's okay," I said as he looked at me thought fully before the hand that had been holding mine lifted to brush my cheek with his thumb.
"So pretty. My babydoll," he called out softly with a dimmed smile as he brushed over the dark bruised marks that littered my neck. "I get too carried away.."
He said with no hint of apology and I refrained from bursting out in laughter. Not that I expected an apology but it's not like I was going to apologise for the ones on his neck and the couple of scratches I may or may not have something to do it. We'd claimed each other. Why apologize for something that felt right?
"You do, but I don't mind. Come on, let's get you back inside. At this rate, you'll get a cold," I said pushing him away carefully but as soon as I was sitting upright his arms were already back around my shoulders and his long legs prisoning me in between his thighs as I pulled my head back to look at him.
"Let's just stay here a while."
"Ray.." I called resigned as I looked into his eyes and I immediately regretted it. Damn, that's cheating. How am I supposed to refuse when he giving me those puppy eyes?
"I don't want to be alone right now. Just don't leave me," he said and my breath caught at my throat, leaving me speechless when my phone rang and I raised it to my ear.
"Umm, Didi. It's an amber alert. I think she just figured out where you guys are," Alice said and I furrowed my eyebrows in frustration.
"What happened?"
"I feigned going back to my room to get closer. She must have had someone following us. When I came back alone they started pointing. What do you want me to do?"
"Who are you talking to at a time like this?" Ryder asked behind me and I let out a sigh.
"Alice. Where are you right now?"
"The safest place I could be. With the boys. Do you need me to tell Wilder?"
"No, we'll handle it just fine. Just keep with them. I don't want you getting hurt because of me," I said hanging up before she got a word in. If I let her, we'd never finish the conversation before Heather got here.
"What was that about?" He asked as I pulled out of his arms to stand before helping him up, which he gratefully did with no complains.
"Heather," I replied leading him to the lounge chair where I spotted where he clearly set up his stuff and I grabbed the towel and robe distracted. "Look at you. You are already shivering... Ah, she figured out that she wasted nearly more than two hours with silly partying instead of.. carrying out whatever she had in mind."
I said letting my eyes linger briefly on the quarter full bottle of whiskey, trying to soothe the sudden sense of alarm that filled me out of the blue as I helped him into the robe and motioned for him to lower his head when I realized he had returned the death grip onto my waist.
"I would have never fallen for it. Her charms or tricks. I wouldn't."
"Why do you sound so sure?"
"She wouldn't be you," he whispered and I was at loss for words as he lazily kissed my throat.
"Hey, I'm still grimy and in need of a good shower, remember?" I said my cheeks growing warm. It was crazy that this was a lingering thought all the time I'd been here, but who could blame me. The need to look good always around him, roused whenever he was involved and I couldn't be bothered. Not when it felt so natural.
"I love you all the same," he said kissing my cheek.
Love, that was the second time I'd heard that in the past half hour and I wanted to question every event that had led him into concluding this but as it seemed it wasn't yet time.
"Ray, are you up here?"