The morning air was damp. Despite the sun already making its way up, it felt chilly as it stung my nose every time I inhaled. Maybe it's just me, or those clouds that had appeared out of nowhere. Honestly speaking, the weather seemed to be accompanying my depressed mood as I stared down at my hands. But even if that was true, it was the last thing on my mind. Despite being decked up in warm clothing, they were trembling. Fair and smooth palms, contrasting the honey coloured skin on the white tile. Strong on most days but I doubt I could even hold a pen at the moment and I pursed my lips clenching them suddenly and holding back a whimper at how my nails dug harshly on my skin. Blood. They reeked of blood. As a matter of fact, all of me did. Literally.
The realization made me feel as if a bucket of ice water had just been damped over my head as a chill dropped down my spine and my whole body had joined my hands in their crazy dance. Thump! Thump! My heart beat rapidly, my teeth shuddered chattering against each other and I finally let out a chortled sob. The small sound garnered an immeasurable reaction as the presences nearby moved and someone let out a curse. Suddenly, someone was pulling me into an embrace, concerned voices drifting to my ears as they called my name. The only acknowledgement I could give was a lone tear escaping my eye and cascading down my cheek and all I could do was wonder what exactly happened?
A few hours ago,
"Babydoll?"
One word and my anger and the other not so nice words I had planned in a spun of the moment died out immediately. The subconscious part of my mind immediately pointed out that it was crazy just his much control this particular male had so much control over me that every my father, and grandfather, would probably want to get rid of him. I probably would have cared enough for me to shake that weak wall that reminded me go
"Ray? Is everything okay? Are you still coming back tonight?" I asked hurriedly not even noticing how worried I was till I heard him sigh on the other side and a cold chill seeped into my bones. "Ray..?"
"I just wanted to talk to you," he said and I frowned.
While it was something Ryder would definitely say, something about it just felt off. From his tone and his breathing, I could tell something was wrong. While it could be something that could be described along the lines of intuition, I had just about enough experience to make a deduction.
"Are you hurt?" I blurted out before he could speak once more and the line went silent for a couple of moments before he let out a sigh.
"I'm fine."
"But your breathing.."
"I need your help," he cut me off and I froze for a brief moment before snapping out of it as I frowned but eventually my curiosity overrode my shock.
Over the time we'd been together, we'd somehow come to a compromise of sorts, sticking to mutual respect when it came each other's businesses even if we were not exactly trying to hide, this was the first time he'd openly asked for help. Not that he couldn't call me for help, but even I recognized that the situation couldn't be that simple. And when he told me, I felt like I was paralyzed and in shock to the point I almost dropped, I agreed without a doubt.
And so a quarter hour to 3 in the morning, I was rushing out of the house. Why? Because apparently my boyfriend and his friends got themselves arrested.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A couple of minutes before, (after the arrest)
"Is that so?" The barritone voice said as a smug expression appeared on his face and he smirked.
"Yes sir."
"Well I think the boy could use a couple of nights in your facilities to get a couple of teachings on respect," he said receiving a glass of red wine from a voluptuous woman in a skimpy night gown as she threw a leg over his form straddling him on his seat and he smiled.
"Of course sir. Normally, it wouldn't work. Of course given it was in self defense and we have the right to hold a culprit for 48 hours, it should be possible," the man on the other end of the line said making roll his eyes at the lame attempt to bootlicking.
"Good. I hope everything will be under wraps," he said before hanging up and kissing deeply the woman in his arms.
"What was that about?"
"Seems like my eldest son finally slipped up and got himself arrested."
"Arrested? Are you going to use this to get him to accept the conditions for the matter?"
"He's not a child anymore. He can't keep tantrums because he's displeased with me."
"If he is doesn't that mean, he wouldn't ask you help?"
"Of course, he wouldn't but it doesn't mean his brother won't reach out," he answered caressing the woman.
"I know you said that it didn't matter if they didn't like me or not, but if the opportunity arises, maybe I could try to appeal," she said coyly her expression appearing even more coquettish, muddling the male with lust.
"What do you have in mind?"
"I could always play hero when he calls."
At her words, the male furrowed his eyebrows in deep thought before he nodded.
"Do what you have to do. But tomorrow. For now, I want you," he said making the woman squeal and giggle before those sounds later turned into moans and low grunts.
Lost in the throes of passion, neither of them registered the low click sound of the door being closed nor did they realize that the elder man with a disappointed expression on his face had been there all along and was now staring at the door before turning to the phone in his hand expressionlessly before shaking his head and walking away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'm here to bail someone out," I said expressionlessly as I looked at the cop sitting behind the desk eyes focused on the screen in front of him but he didn't even aim to lift his eyes and I frowned.
"She's speaking to you."
But that only seemed to annoy him even further and I raised my eyebrows in question.
"Come back in the morning."
Again with that dismissive time and I frowned. Before I was just dissatisfied with being woken up in the middle of the night. With the worry of whether Ryder and the boys made me more perverse to irritability. This guy here seemingly at least 5 years older than me was truly pushing my buttons. What's with the grouchy attitude? It's not my fault he dislikes his job, or that he was got a night shift. Whatever came first, I didn't care, I thought raising my hand when I sensed Kai was about to move. On most accounts he wouldn't act without orders but he couldn't stand anyone who dated disrespect me. Something I figured when I was 7.
"I expected better from such a known station, but it seemed I truly underestimated how their people are trained."
At my words he lifted his gaze shocked before he cast me a glance in disdain. All that was left was the words 'I hate rich people and the kids' to be scribbled on his forehead and I pursed my lips annoyed.
"Go home kid..."
"Before you start adding me onto the dozens of reasons why you're not pleased with your life choices, I'd appreciate it help me with my issue it we find someone else to do so," I said and his face flushed red in anger and what I could guess humiliation as he stood up ready to retort but I didn't give him a chance. "I sincerely hope that the fact that you are already putting on airs to a citizen in need of help and ready to argue with her, a kid nonetheless, doesn't potray just how training for this station is unsatisfactory."
I said and his cheeks puffed up as he glared daggers at me.
"What is going on here?" A new voice said and immediately his face turned to one of flattery and admiration and I refrained from rolling my eyes as I gaze at the man in uniform.
Honey coloured skin, a pair of slanted hazel colored eyes, looking strong and powerful in his uniform. The guy couldn't be any older than 27, with looks that couldn't be rivaled, of course he couldn't surpass my little boyfriend's looks, but it didn't change the fact that this was a formidable man. Added to his uniform, a high ranking male.
"I'm sorry but it seems like my age and the fact that there isn't light yet is a high factor that wouldn't let me bail someone out," I said my voice neither soft nor overbearing and they both looked at me surprised as if they didn't expect me to merely point out the truth. After all given if I was any other person I would have tried sucking up to this male.
"Boyfriend?"
"Husband," I answered curtly making Kai snicker and the man's eyes widened in shock before he chuckled gauging me with narrowed.
"Is that so? Well, I'll try to help you but your age.. "
"While I did say I was bailing him out, I never said I was going to take care of it myself."
"Of course. What's his name?" He said moving towards the young cop who was standing behind the counter and held his hand out and the male fumbled around before handing him a log book.
"Ryder Stone. And his friends, Cody Burns and Ethan Marshall," I said and both males froze for a brief moment.
"Of course," the man said and my eyes narrowed slightly on him when I saw his hand tremble for a brief moment just as my gaze zeroed on the other cop who had a complicated expression. It definitely wasn't from realizing just what kind of connections I had.
"But sir..." He started but the glare the other man threw him made him stutter as a sort of silent communication passed through them and I clenched my fingers hard.
"They are here, but the process to bail him ..."
"I'd like to see them," I said and they shared a look again making me roll my eyes as my expression eased once more.
"In a moment but..."
"Talk to your superiors," I said having had enough of this pitiful sham as I directed him to lead the way at the same time the phone on the desk and they both turned to it, and the high rank picked it up.
After a few moments of him introducing himself, he went quiet before his eyes widened slightly and he glanced.
"Of course, Commissioner sir," he replied quickly.
I didn't have to look at him to know he was wondering why on within moments of stating my purpose here, the Commissioner had called. Not that I cared but him being around meant he knew just what kind of people they had in their station. Of course I didn't know just how on point I was. The male had the highest ranking position in the station tonight. Of course, he had known when Ryder had been apprehended and he had been the one to inform his Commissioner. But the fact that the Commissioner had called wasn't as surprising as the fact that this was the third time he had done so in one night.
The first time to order him and his men to keep the teenager longer before his father bailed him. The second, about an hour later to tell him to keep him till morning and that future Mrs Stone would be dropping by later. And the third this. And what was even surprising was that he only picked the call from this line only because he had decided he was going to take a leak before picking up the late dinner he had order. This was to mean his Commissioner was calling the main desk directly. Little did he know just as he was wondering why his Commissioner had changed his time quickly and who the beautiful girl in front of him was, the said Commissioner was pacing around in his study making his wife worry. He and Mr Stone were good friends at least as good as it gets in this world. A favour for a favor and he had thought it was the same today if it weren't for the call that had just been made. He couldn't afford to offend Mr Stone. He could lose some favour, or worse, his job and the career he had dedicated most of his life on. But he also couldn't offend the other party. While it didn't mean he could lose his life, he knew he'd prefer offending the former. He could always start over. And just like that he made orders for them to be released. Despite his strange actions, he knew he had to keep mum about the call. Thinking about it, he was planning to retire soon anyway. A year or two earlier didn't matter. All he could do now is merely hope for the best.
One could wonder what he'd do if he were to find out the culprit behind the unnerving call was a small teenager girl standing in his station. Probably die from anger and humiliation for letting himself be intimidated. But of course, there was no way he could ever find out. As a matter of fact he knew as much as the next person, in the highest apex of society, of course, that the person who had just called him was a new character whose influence was growing rapidly fast as he made his connections and networks across the country. With rumors about how the guy was from Europe as the only thing they could find out, the aim was to make connections and intergrate him into the society. If he was useful he'd stay, if he was trouble, then....
But the person had called the young Mr Stone his acquintance. If people were to learn of this speck of information, who knew how rich he'd be. But the dread of endangering himself and his family outweighed his greed. This way no one knew of this relationship apart from that single outsider who chose to forget it, afraid of death, till a couple of years later.
"I'll show you myself," the high rank said before taking the lead. Honestly I probably could remember his name after polishing my information before coming here. But due to an absurd dislike for knowing a lot of people, I didn't bother to entertain him.
He was prying and at this point he only reminded me of Howard. Nosy and annoying. By the time he finally stopped at a door he had long figured I wasn't going to talk anymore. Seemingly, just because of their identities they had not been thrown into a cell though I guess this would still do. Bare grey walls, a table in the middle with three seats in which Ethan and Cody sat on two, and a small bed, rather bench built into the wall with a sizable mattress in the darkest corner. Though thin, it served it's purpose. Here was where Ryder lay with an arm over his head, one of his legs dangling on the side the other hiked up. He did not shift even when the door opened. I pretty sure I'd have been bothered if I wasn't more focused on searching for any injuries. Not that that helped anyway given he was in all black.
"You can leave anytime," he said standing aside but I didn't glance towards him giving a slight nod of my head before walking in.
"Diana!? What are you doing here?" Ethan asked as they both got to their feet.
"I'm bailing you out."
"Really?"
"You want to spend the night? Sure go ahead," I said giving him a dirty glare.
"But how did.."
"Just be grateful."
"What happened?" I asked before turning to the wiser of the group since a certain someone wasn't willing to glance my way, especially because everyone in the room was aware I was speaking to him.
"It was just a small brawl," he answered and I frowned. I was well aware Cody would either lie, downplay or all in all refuse to tell me but it didn't change just how hurting and disappointing it felt getting lied to your face.
"Would be believable if you didn't end up in here?" I said before rubbing my forehead tiredly when I realized that they were unwilling to say anymore.
The fact that they were both unwilling to look me right in the eye made me feel nauseated for a moment, thinking it was probably even worse than I imagined and a flash of anger rushed through me before I shrugged it off. The fact that I just bailed them out should have granted me a little more than knowing they got into a fight in a club. And that itself somehow sounds worse in my ears and I grimaced. While I wasn't naive enough to think they didn't indulge in other worldly pleasures that could be considered normal. I knew that better than anyone else. I mean I do seek the thrill of underground fighting and earn from it even if I don't exactly need to.
"Well?" I asked dreadfully as they looked anywhere but me. I mean even Ethan looked like he'd rather be anywhere else than here.
"Babydoll?" Ryder called out and I stiffened immediately shifting my gaze towards him to find him looking at me with a subtle smile before my legs automatically responded.
I didn't miss the relieved expressions with underlying tones of...pity? But before I could question it, they ran out of the room just as my feet brought me beside him. A wisp of antiseptic wafted through my nose along with a familiar metallic smell. Just when I was about to ask, he tugged on my arm, making me lose my balance and I fell directly onto his lap. It was at this moment that I saw his other hand that was currently holding onto my waist and I wasn't amused at all.
"Why are you so mad?"
"You are hurt," I deadpanned and he let out a small smile before touching my cheek.
"I'm fine now," he said that same smile on his face and I frowned.
It wasn't that simple, I thought looking at him over again looking for a small sign that he wasn't okay despite wishing the opposite. I couldn't help but feel something wasn't right.
"You mean other than the fact you woke me from dreamland?"
To my surprise, he laughed before curling his hand around the back of my head and pulled me down till my lips were barely an inch from his as my hands rested on his chest.
"What happened?"
"Just a small act of self defense," he answered nuzzling his nose against my jaw as I eased myself on his side wondering on the flicker of doubt that flashed in my mind for ba moment when he stiffened. Seeing the look on his face, naturally thinking of the worst, I did too but his next words surprised me.
"Did you come here like this for me?" He asked cocking his head at me, that slight move that made me blush and bite my lips knowing just how much it made him look like a sexy treat. That paired with his heated gaze, how could I not feel like a pervert when I thought of the full package that came with that face?
"It was hot," I murmured dumbly as his hand clawed under the hoodie I randomly threw on, up my stomach as his hands dropped briefly. Knowing my own body, I knew those nips were hard and out of control and considering the position I was in, the material of the cloth against my skin, they were definitely poking through as if they wanted out.
"Was it?" He asked knowingly and I met his gaze refusing to acknowledge it.
"And besides I was in a hurry. I didn't have the time to figure out if I needed to change into a low cut one or any for that matter," I said flippantly and his lips curved up slightly as his hand rested on one of the mounds atop the hard peak and I let out a small whimper.
Before I knew it, I was sitting in the place he was just lying in while he sat infront of me one of his legs folded under the other that was hanging free such that if I raised my butt a little and moved to his embrace I'd been straddling that powerful looking thigh and I was more than ready to hug it with my own thigh. Seeming to read my thoughts, he smirked drawing his face close to mine as lifted up my chin with his bandaged hand the other inching back to my breast and pinched the nipples hard.
"Mmmf..." My complain in grievance remained lodged in my mouth as he pressed his lips onto mine, shoving his tongue in my mouth. "Ray..?"
"Do you want me to stop?" He asked sucking on my lips and I practically swooned, melting in his arms.
Though I was curious about the sudden mood change my previous anger and dissatisfaction was immediately placated. It probably had something to do that I was being sexed up against my will, I mean I definitely, definitely didn't want to be kissed by hot and sexy boyfriend, who was currently playing a game of tease and suck with my tongue with lil old me pressed flush against his hard body, working my still slightly sensitive nipples at a back room of sorts in a police station. Well, it's not like they'd arrest us for public indecency. We were... mostly dressed and we weren't in public. We were alone in a room that probably anyone could walk in at any time but it didn't change the fact we are in a room, at a police station!! Is it supposed to feel wrong when it feels so good being turned on at a police station? While I would much rather run away shamefaced, I knew no matter what happened I trusted him a lot more than I liked to admit and so stopping this was pretty much the last thing on my mind as his mouth clamped down on my neck and I moaned. He didn't disappoint, swirling his tongue on the skin as my hands grabbed fistfuls of his hair. He growled deeply from the back of his throat the vibration sending multiple shocks right to the middle of my core and I wiggled my ass trying to dampen the molten heat surging uncontrollably. Holding me firmly by my waist, his lips trailed back to my earlobe nibbling on the saggy little thing his fingers still working on my chest and I shuddered as goosebumps littered my skin.
"Why do I get the feeling I might just make you cum from playing with your tits?" He mumbled pulling away, a smirk playing on his lips as once again his hand found its way back to my chest and I trembled.
He probably could but I wasn't going to say that out loud.
"When did you guys get out..?" A familiar voice came down the corridor and naturally I stiffened.
"Ray, we better get going," I whispered but he was already fixing my clothes before he kissed my cheek but his arm still held me firmly in place. "Ray?"
"Thank you," he whispered back and I froze for a moment before nodding as I pulled away and we both stiffened, in all for different and yet the same reason.
Now that we were standing, I could clearly spot the side of his shirt that was a different shade from the rest of the black dress shirt confirming the red blotches that stained my hand as he pulled me up and I stared up at him dumbfounded. And yet before I could say anything his body was already going down at the same time a low shriek pierced through the air. While it took a few moments to piece together what was happening, my hands had already reached to protect his head as I found the rapidly soaking bandage to try and stop the bleeding. Somehow after that, the details blurring together in my panic, we had arrived at the hospital and he went into surgery.
I didn't know when exactly it started, when he'd become someone who mattered, but he had wiggled himself between the cracks and settled there. At that I'd spent close to half an hour shedding secret tears in the washrooms. He was going to be okay, I coaxed myself chanting the words Cody had been telling me over and over again in the past hour as I placing my hand on the bandage wrapped on my inner arm and for once I thanked my people for their intrusive investigation otherwise I'd never have known that I could donate. But knowing that still didn't put me at ease. I still didn't know who he got into a fight with and if he was the one who stabbed him. But until I found out he was okay, I wasn't going to push them for information. However, they were not the only ones I held a petty grudge against. It couldn't be called petty anymore of course but I wouldn't let it go that easy. And you could tell granted I pulled away from the two boys who had been sitting on either side of me on the floor and made a beeline to the couple rushing towards us.
"Diana!?" I heard Ethan yell out after I lunged towards the man who had at least 50% of his DNA in my boyfriend but the damage was already done as he clutched at his now bleeding nose, the crack assuring that it was definitely broken.
But I wasn't in the least regretful or fazed as he stared at me expressionless. I could only return his gaze not even shifting my expression as the dramatic what's-her-face asked for someone to call security successfully shifting everyone's attention towards us. And yet my gaze was solely focused on the male infront of me whose expression shifted a tad and he nodded.
"That's enough. Forget it," he said curtly pulling the complaining botox filled female with him and I let out a relieved sigh before turning on my heels back to the seat and they turned to me quietly.
"Sunshine..?" Ethan was the first to break the silence, carefully as if trying to figure out if I would suddenly break out in a fit and I lifted my gaze from my reddening fists to find three pairs of eyes watching me carefully, given I ignored the gossip seeking ones, and I looked at them before my gaze landed on Wilder's. I recognized that look and it made me sigh.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly to no one in particular not sure to what I was apologizing for. That their father actually gave the go for manipulation of the situation so his girlfriend could gain a foothold in the home or that I let my emotions get the best of me and struck out without thinking things through. I hadn't thought much of it when Ryder called but for sure I didn't expect it when Alfred called me minutes after I saw the voice message he had sent. I was sure he didn't believe I could help but rather I could find someone to, at least without complicating family relations or embarrassing their family outside. I couldn't help but wonder now of he'd known all along his father wouldn't help. For now at least, I was willing to forget he'd tried to distract me from the fact he was hurt. Yes, distract. I wasn't a full willing participant, I thought rubbing my forehead wondering how exactly I was going to explain why I just broke senior Stone's nose when the doctor approached.
"Mr Stone?" At his words, I was up on my feet and at the front of the group. I had already figured I could hide how anxious I was. Given my limited-to- first-aid medical knowledge, I knew his wound was deep. Any longer and it probably would have been detrimental to his overall health, at least that's what the doctor said once Logan assured him, I was family and I let out a sigh in relief.
"He's currently put in his room. He's surprisingly awake and can see visitors until the drugs kick in. He's asking for...uh, babydoll? He's post-surgery so his, is words might come out all jumbled, all loopy from the drugs so bear with him at the moment," he said as Wilder put his hand on my shoulder.
"It's okay. You can go in first," he reassured and I nodded quietly as we followed the doctor into the elevator to the VIP rooms.
But while I might have been ready to see him, I didn't expect that I wouldn't actually know what do after coming to terms with my newfound feelings for him as I closed the door behind me. Glancing at him briefly, it seemed to hit me just how shabby I was. In my pajamas, eyes red from lack of sleep and crying previously and my hair all shabby from running my hands through it and continuously tying it up into a messy knot. This wasn't really one of my best moments, I realized but my gaze was focused on his gauzed torso and my nails dug into my palms once more. The mere thought that he might have not come from this had my insides twisting into knots and I didn't like the feeling.
"Babydoll..?" It was only when his voice brought me from my thoughts and I realized that I had been stuck in a trance for a while, keeping my distance from him. "Come here."
He called patting the side of his bed and I felt momentarily ashamed that he had to worry about me when he needed it more than I did, I thought making my way to the side of his bed, but before I could say anything he pulled me into his arms and I froze.
"Shh, stay here for a moment," his voice stopped my squirming and managing to have my back to him, his arms crossed against the round mounds on my chest and I stiffened. I was pretty sure by now I was more or less as a stick he'd plastered to himself. "Look at me, I'm okay."
He whispered into my ear but I refused to turn around feeling that familiar stinging at the back of my eyes. I was afraid if I really did look back at him I would lose control of my emotions.
"It had nothing to do with you. I was the one stubborn enough to think I could take care of it myself. I might be confined now but I'm okay," he whispered dragging his lips on my neck and I shuddered slightly as unshed tears pooled my eyes and I chose not to let them fall before his words hit me.
Did he really think that was the reason I was upset? Of course, I didn't like what he did after all who hasn't hid some injuries or wounds no matter how bad, but it couldn't compare to what I felt when I saw him lying motionlessly with that mush of blood covering the large slash particularly glaring. It had to be deeper than a mere flesh wound such there had been minimal bleeding. Even the other two thought, he had merely cut his palm when they saw the Swiss penknife. Without another word, I buried my face into his chest holding onto him tight as if he'd vanish if I dared to let him go. As if sensing my shift in mood he held me equally tighter, stroking my hair.
"Are you crying?" He asked stiffening after a while of silence.
"No. You're crying. Your whole family is crying," I shot back holding back a sniffle with no avail.
"Okay, okay. I'm the one crying," he consoled tipping my chin pressing a kiss on my lips and another on my forehead after wiping the beads of tears on my tears and pulled me on the bed with him. "It's only fair for my girlfriend to keep me company as I rest."
He added and the complain I had made up and at the tip of my tongue died out immediately as he kept me in his embrace.
"I'm not your girlfriend," I said in a voice that definitely didn't sound like I was refusing his claim.
"Sure, you are not, but I'm your boyfriend. My claim is pretty much justified."
"No you are not."
"Then I'll stick with that you are my girlfriend instead," he said and I felt my lips twitch as he held my hand in his.
His roundabout way of explaining things would have definitely made me confused if I didn't understand what he meant. But it still didn't change the fact that he considered me his girlfriend whether I liked to admit it or not. While I might have liked this fact, I wasn't naive enough think this couldn't potentially be a severe case of puppy love. That said I was definitely afraid of getting my heart broken after I unsheathed that little girl within that definitely hoped to find her prince charming, even if he were to come with creepy looking wings and two pointed horns on top of his head, after all who exactly likes to be hurt, no matter how cold hearted they were. Then again how exactly could you understand the world without a little pain once a while? At the thought, I peeked my eyes open and let my eyes roam over his exquisite face when I heard his soft breathing. It didn't matter. When we get there, we will deal with it. Even if it's merely puppy love, I'd hang on to the feeling for now. At that, I finally let out a smile snuggling deeper into his embrace. I didn't know when I finally slept but it didn't matter. I was content right where I was.