Always (Cape Hill Book 3)

by C. L. Matthews

  The way all of his front teeth show with the maniacal smile he offers only confirms my suspicions. Between Leia and Xo not being here to ground him, he’s lost it. That and the lack of sleep around his eyes, the weeks-old hair growth, and the way he can’t focus for long without needing to move.

  “I wish you would have listened, Hermano. You’ll be bled dry by the time I’m done with you…” he trails off, spinning in a slow staggered circle.

  When he faces me again, there’s a denial lingering in his expression, like he doesn’t know how either of us got here. Yet, his knuckles, already split from the abuse he’s delivered, beat me over and over again.

  My fists fly effectively. At some point, I must’ve dropped him on the ground, since I’m towering his body, our flesh connecting brutally. The grass is somehow moist beneath my knees, and it isn’t until arms are grabbing me, forcing me off the kid, that I realize it’s wet from blood. The mangled mess in front of me doesn’t faze me. I haven’t fully come back to reality yet.

  “You should’ve stayed away.”

  “Crimson isn’t a good look on you, Sy.”

  “Death would be too simple, Sy.”

  “One cut for every time you touched my baby girl.”

  “This hurts me more than it could ever hurt you.”

  “You did this, Sy. This was all you.”

  I shut my eyes trying to shake away the shuddering memories. It’s no help. Danté’s brutality swims through my mind as thoroughly as blood in my veins.

  “You don’t deserve to be happy.”

  “You don’t deserve love.”

  “You don’t deserve mi familia.”

  “I’ll kill you for this. For loving them.”

  Warmth spreads through me when hands touch my face. Opening my heavy lids, I see her. My light. My blessing. Mi alma. She stares at me with as much understanding as fear. Her eyes are redder now, full and brimming with tears.

  Don’t cry, my soul.

  I hate when you cry.

  I feel so helpless seeing him this way. One second, he was taunting Aster, the next, he’s beating him to a bloody pulp. Even now, covered in red and maddened with animalistic rage, he’s beautiful.

  He saved me.

  Again.

  His eyes are feral, lost, almost as if his mind isn’t here, even if his body along with his actions are. I want to wash away his hurt, erase his sorrow, and eradicate the desolate expression he’s wearing. Brax, Brady, along with several others had to pull Sy off of Aster. The campus security was called, and it won’t be long until they’re here.

  If he stays, he’ll go away.

  If he goes, he’ll be in trouble.

  What I’d do to be on Sinthe’s good side right now… He could make it go away. Luckily, no one captured a video of Sy hitting Aster, but they are sure to have photos by now.

  “He should go,” Brax mutters for only me to hear. He stares at me like he realizes he wasn’t here and could have witnessed a much worse sight.

  “How could I possibly get him out?” I question, panic settling inside me, slithering like a serpent up my body. I can’t lose him.

  “You can’t. Just wait for the cops,” Brady butts in.

  It’s the first time I’ve ever wanted to hit him. Not even when I’m positive he’s fucking around with Brax do I want to hurt him. But now, when he wants the worst possible thing for Sy, my fists clench with barely abated anger.

  “There’s no way, man,” Brax comments, his face showing signs of remorse.

  “He’ll go to jail,” I add, and that’s when the shakes settle in.

  “No me iré,” Sy explains, only for me to understand. I’m not going.

  “Tienes que,” I plead, bending down so we’re face-to-face. “Por Dios.” You need to. Please God.

  His eyes bore into mine, his focus not wavering, not even when there’s commotion around us.

  “Nunca te abandonaré.” I won’t abandon you.

  With those final words, tears streak down my face, and I can’t stop the onslaught of sobs. “Sy, don’t do this.”

  This time, his eyes won’t meet mine, but they do seek out Brax, and his demand is as chilling as his stiffness.

  “Get her the fuck outta here, Braxton, and I swear to God,” Silas enunciates each word with malice, “if anything, and I mean anything, happens to her, you’ll pay with your life.”

  Brax tenses beside me, and I hear someone near me gulp. He doesn’t falter, though. He responds with tact and strength he reserves for the Vipers. “You have my word.”

  Then Brax is hauling me away, practically dragging me as I fight him. He can’t do this. Sy needs witnesses. He needs backup!

  “No! Take me back! They need the full story! They need to know Aster tried to rape me!” I screech, clawing at Brax, but it doesn’t faze him. It doesn’t even make him miss a single step.

  This can’t be happening. We can’t leave him by himself.

  “If you don’t let me go back, I’ll never forgive you!”

  He stops, staring at me with contempt. He can hate me all he wants, but I’m not leaving Sy to fend for himself.

  “You listen and fucking listen well, Lele,” Brax barks. Gripping my shoulders, his thumbs dig into my soft flesh, making me tense a little. “We’re going to go home. You will shower. You will listen to every fucking demand, and most importantly, you will say no word of this. Between the Vipers and Brady’s stepdad, Sy will be fine.”

  I have no clue what Brady’s stepdad has to do with any of this, or even who the man is, but something fierce in Brax’s gaze has me settling a little and trusting what he has to say.

  Numbly, I comply, nodding and getting into his car.

  I better not regret this.

  When he gets into the driver’s side, I let him know. “If he is put away, I’ll never speak to you again.”

  Every word packs a punch, and I mean each one.

  Pick a side, he said. Choose. Well, it’s done. He forced my fucking hand.

  Keep going for a sneak peek of my Thou Shall Not story…

  Coming summer 2019.

  We sit together, our bodies pressed together--irrevocably close--sinisterly decadent. His mouth brushes mine, my hands wander across his chest reverently. It’s perfect, until it’s not.

  “I want you to meet my parents,” Cal voices after pulling his mouth from mine, effectively forcing my mouth shut. We were just getting hot and heavy, his lips only leaving mine to say these words.

  Callum, my boyfriend that’s super Catholic. Callum, my best friend that won’t sleep with me because of his religion. Callum Shaw… a Deacon’s son. Fuck.

  It’s not that I don’t love him… I do. Very much in fact. I love his smiles, the way he kisses me until I’m breathless, and the way he lights up whenever we’re in the room together. He’s the sweetest boy. One you’d bring home to your family. One you’d brag about until you couldn’t stop talking about him. But that’s what he is, a boy.

  He thinks I’m a virgin.

  Before he met me though, I rode dicks like it was the Olympics. It paid for school and clothes and food. Sex was easy, it kept me alive. That is until I met him.

  Even now, It’s something I love to do. Fuck, be fucked, have a man tongue fuck me until I scream. And being spanked and choked? I love that too. There’s nothing I love more than being held down and drilled into.

  Those are words and desires that are kept hidden from Cal. He’ll never know my dirty desires, the heat my body craves, or the pain that’s necessary for me to get off.

  Since meeting him, I’ve wanted to change my life. Be a good little girl--a kept woman. He makes me want to be a better person, to give instead of take, to be sweet instead of devious like I want to be, to be his and only his and satisfied.

  “W-what?” I stammer, unsure of how we went from heavy petting to talking about meeting the parents.

  “My parents, Tempi. I want you to meet them.” His response has my heart hammering. He always
talks about marriage and making a proper woman of me. But I thought it was a joke. We haven’t been dating all that long. And parents? That’s terrifying. I’ve never met one of my boyfriend’s parents. Though, most of my boyfriends were fuck buddies, not actual relationship kinds.

  “I… uhm,” I stumble over a response, clearing my throat that’s suddenly dry.

  “C’mon, babe. They’ll love you like I do.” His eyes twinkle with affection as he pets my cheeks softly. There’s so much adoration and love in his expression, and it has tears pricking my eyes. Cal’s such an amazing guy. He’s considerate, sweet, and does everything in his power to make me happy.

  If he’d just bang my brains out, it’d be better.

  He’s not like the cliché altar boys that fuck and lie to their parents. He follows his rules, he goes to his Priests and Deacons and proclaims his sins. But his sins don’t match mine. His are lighthearted and simple. Mine are dark and depraved.

  If I stepped into his dad’s church or go to mass, I’d probably catch fire. I’m a sinner, through and through. I’m corrupt and dirty. I’m Michelle Temperance, a godless whore.

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” I try for an excuse. His eyes soften, like he understands my battle, even if I don’t even fully comprehend it.

  “Let’s just try this once, if you don’t like them or are uncomfortable, we’ll leave.”

  With his reassuring words and soft kiss on my lips, I’m at a loss for an argument. How can I deny him when he’s so kind? Maybe it’s time to face Jesus or something.

  I close my eyes, allowing his mouth to distract me, and forget why I can’t go to a church.

  First off, I want to thank the shippers. Whether you’re a Sy fan, a Brax fan, or an in-between-er and love Sandwiches, this book wouldn’t have happened without your continued support. I appreciate each and every one of you.

  My husband, Matthew. God. Words could not express how much you mean to me or the constant love and support you offer. This dream would only be a dream without you. You’ve helped me live it entirely—beautifully. I love you.

  Helen, my best friend. We met because of these characters, we grew close over tacos and witty humor, and I couldn’t imagine my life without you. I love you so much, dude. It’s insane. Without you, I’d still be doubting Brax’s growth game, and that would be a sad day.

  Selena, my writing bae. You popped into my life at the right time. Hell, I didn’t know I needed you until you came. And look at us now? We’re each other’s constant support and push one another until we get the job done. Like, really, drink your water, bitch.

  California, my twin, the evil half of me, the insane sister I never had. Lex is too innocent to say she’s evil, but then again, we can train her well too. I love you without hugs.

  Dimples,  Your forever name. I’ll have to continually thank Leigh for this happening. I wouldn’t have found you without her. Thank you for dealing with my constant book hopping and proofreading and pretty much just by being here for every time I complain and lose my mind. I’m glad we bond over our Asian addictions and the THREE boys you’re obsessed with that I’m writing for you. I love you, bruh.

  Jessi, my coach, my confidante, my constant cheerleader, I love you so much more than you being my coach. There will never come a time where I don’t need you. I appreciate your words of wisdom, constant mom voice, and how you always push me to be my best me.

  Lenny, my Aussie, my scientific pal. Eight protons, eight neutrons. Forever.

  Mari. Dudette. Yo. I’m so glad I corrupted you and I’m so glad you’re here. You, Geynar, Tyi, Ofa, Michelle, Rumi, and Helen help me grow with each book. Y’all support all my crazy antics and insanity. I straight up love the hell outta you all.

  Lexi babe, without you, I’d drown on deadlines. You keep me sane. Love your face!

  Nicole, for always putting up with me and supporting me from day one. My book wouldn’t have the guts without your magical touch.

  Cat, my Canadian bae, my sister wife, and supporter from the Maple land, I love you. I love our shared addiction of everything Nate related, and how I’ve come to know so much about you. And I appreciate everything you do. Especially for introducing me to India!

  Leigh and Sunny, I couldn’t love a pair more. You’re always here for me. Whether advice for weird questions that people would laugh at, or just for love. You give it tenfold without question. Thank you!

  Sammy and Allana-boo. Two halves filled with love. That’s what you are to me.

  Nadège, we’ve been friends for a long ass time. I’ll never trust anyone to make my insides as pretty as you. I’m glad to have you and grateful AF that you introduced me to kpop. Oh, and I switched teams. Definitely team Yoonmin now.

  To my author friends that I cannot list all of, I appreciate you. I say that word a lot, but I want you to know that. Every share, every like, and every comment of love, I appreciate each one.

  To all my ARC readers, bloggers, and readers, you make this all possible! I cannot thank you enough, but I will try to continue to do so by writing books you love.

  To everyone I may have forgotten, I love you! Don’t think I forgot you intentionally, I usually leave out people by accident.

  Forevers is coming Summer 2019! Add it to your TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39672233-forevers

  If you need a read in between, I have a Cape Hill spin-off novella with our Vipers!

  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LDWZSMP/

  Or, if RomComs are your thing, meet my sassy redhead, Rebel.

  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0763FSPSH/

  And as always, if you want to follow me, I welcome y’all with open arms!

  Website: clmatthewsbooks.com

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