Rose In Bloom

by Mia Michelle

  “The next day, he wasn’t at practice, and then when he finally showed on our last game day, he just stood on the sidelines and glared at me hatefully the entire time. I couldn’t even concentrate on the game and ended up missing a crucial play. He screamed at me afterwards in front of everyone. It was as if he had become a completely different person. I wanted to talk to him, but it was time to get on the bus to head for the plane back home.”

  “So you haven’t seen or heard from him since?”

  “No,” she says sadly, hanging her head. “But now that I am back in Boston, Rylan is determined more than ever to get me back. He even transferred to Boston University. Part of me feels like I need to work things out with him. We had a good thing. I mean I loved him, but nothing like I had felt for Keiran. I mean I’m crazy right? It was only one time and I’d only known him two weeks. But we had shared so many things about our lives to one another. I felt like I knew him all my life. I guess he got what he wanted from me and I disappointed him.”

  “You know that isn’t true! He is obviously an asshole to have used you like that. I’m so sorry that happened to you.”

  Picking up her phone, she stares at it. “Rylan is who I was talking to on the phone just then. He wants us to get together when I get back to school on Monday.”

  “Oh God! Speaking of school, is coming here going to get you in trouble?”

  “No, not at all. I am only missing two classes and I already spoke to my teachers. Since your soon-to-be husband just purchased the team a new travel bus, I don’t think the coach minds that I will be missing this Saturday morning training.”

  “No, he didn’t!” I gasp.

  “Oh yeah, he did.”

  Shaking my head, I laugh. Sebastian Thorne is relentless when he wants something, but I love him for it.

  “So, what are you going to do when you get back to Boston?” I ask, taking a drink of my pineapple juice.

  “I don’t know Skylar. I care about him so much and I don’t want to risk losing something with him. What if I was just in some sort of rebound haze? Maybe I’m just confusing lust with love.”

  “When it comes to loving someone, never just settle, Sophie. Love is not about obligation and comfort. Being with Rylan feels safe to you because it’s familiar. I’m not saying that he isn’t the one for you. I’m just saying you need to follow your heart. All right?”

  Nodding, she smiles and squeezes my hand. “I love you, sis.”

  “I love you, too, baby girl! Now, let’s go see if we can rescue Kylie before it’s too late.”

  Lucas

  With the journals tucked away in my leather satchel, I make my way inside Maverick Larson’s office. Honestly, I would be lying if I were to say that I’m not nervous right now. This matter has to be handled just right or it can be disastrous. Today, I will call his bluff. Like a good hand in poker, I’m laying all the cards on the table, including the ace in my bag. There is no way in hell I’m leaving here today without getting some answers.

  “Welcome, Mr. Drake.” Maverick stands, extending his hand out to me. By looking at this man, you’d never suspect he is dangerous. Even with his immaculately clean-cut look and sleek designer suit, you’d never suspect you were coming face to face with a stone cold killer. His powerful presence is more than intimidating that I will fully admit. That is the key in being successful in this business.

  You don’t want this man as your enemy. That is what makes this all very tedious. Everyone knows what Maverick Larson is capable of. If I become an issue to him, I can easily be made to disappear. I’ve done the smart thing though. These ledgers are not the only copies. There are several “save your ass” files in many different locations. If something happens to me, he will not be able to deny anything, including having this meeting with me.

  “Good morning, Mr. Larson,” I reply and he motions for me to have a seat across from him. Unbuttoning his suit jacket, he confidently leans back in his large leather chair and props his feet up on his desk. His expensive Italian leather shoes sport such a shine that I can almost see my reflection in them.

  “So, let’s get to the point, shall we? What business regarding Sebastian Thorne do you need to discuss with me?”

  Clearing my throat, I take a deep breath and begin talking to the devil himself. “Mr. Larson, what dealings would you say you’ve had with Thorne Enterprises in the past?”

  “Dealings? I can’t say I’ve had any dealings with them. I’ve never worked with Sebastian, although I’m somewhat familiar with him. I know that he has a ruthless reputation, worse than his father does, when it comes to business deals. He stops at nothing to get what he wants. As a businessman, I can respect that about him though because I’m the same way.”

  “So, you knew his father, then?”

  “Alexander? Yes, we both knew one another. Why?”

  “Did you and Alexander conduct any business with one another in the past?”

  “I told you, I’ve not done any business with Thorne Enterprises. What is this about exactly? I don’t like being questioned.” He immediately becomes agitated.

  “Well, sir, I guess I’m a bit confused. You say you’ve never done business with him, so exactly why would these suggest otherwise?” I say, pulling out the books from my bag. Opening up the marked page, I stand and place the ledger in front of him on his desk. Dropping his legs down, he straightens in his chair and looks down at the book.

  “Where did you get this?” he harshly snaps at me.

  Breathe, Lucas, you’ve got him, now reel him in.

  “I have this, along with several other documents, linking you and Alexander to some pretty sketchy business transactions. How I got my hands on them is not of importance.”

  “What exactly is your concern then, Mr. Drake? I’m not blind. I know when someone is trying to blackmail me.”

  “It’s simple, really. I only want to know why, in those short months, Alexander paid you that much money.”

  “I see. May I ask why this is any concern of yours?” he asks me, leaning back in his chair.

  “Really, it isn’t any concern of mine, but it may become one for you. Recently, several documents have come into my possession, Mr. Larson. Many of which implicate you as being responsible for several different real estate frauds. I did a little research on you, and it seems that, in 2005, you were involved in some significant legal issues, corporate fraud, to be exact. It’s curious how those charges were suddenly dropped and loans were paid in full. Those loans were all paid by three different accounts of yours, the same accounts where Alexander wired this money,” I say, pointing at the ledger.

  “What do you want, Mr. Drake? I hope you know who you’re dealing with, to just walk in here, accusing me of such things.”

  “I only need to understand why Alexander would stick his neck out for you if he weren’t equally guilty of something himself. Sebastian is hiding something, and I have a gut feeling that this all ties together.”

  “And what if I were to tell you that Mr. Thorne had more than his share of secrets? Secrets that would destroy him if they ever were to be told?”

  “Then I would tell you that it is time to trade secrets.”

  He stands and walks towards his bar. “Would you like something?” he asks calmly.

  “No, thank you.” I respond.

  He still pours two drinks. Picking up the glasses, he extends one out to me and I hesitantly take it. Settling back into his large office chair, he leans back and crosses his legs before taking a long sip of the dark aged scotch.

  “To answer your question, Mr. Drake, Alexander and I had known each other for years. He wasn’t exactly known for building his company the honest way, so we had occasional business dealings when we needed problems solved. Late one night in 2005, Alexander called me needing help. It seems Sebastian had been driving drunk home from a party and hit another car. It had killed two people in the front, but the other passengers in the back survived. Since there were no witnesses, it had
been considered a hit and run. If Sebastian’s car had been seen, he would immediately have been questioned. So, I made it disappear and his father reported it stolen that next week. When I did this, he agreed to pay my way out of my legal mess. He pulled some major strings and paid me the money I needed to pay off the loans. After that, we didn’t have any further dealings with one another.”

  “Wait. Are you saying that Sebastian killed two people?”

  “Yes, that is exactly what I am saying.”

  I can’t process this in my head. Of all people, how can she forgive him for this? She’d lost her parents in a similar way, so how can she keep this a secret?

  “So you both had leverage on one another. That is why you kept quiet all these years and he had kept that proof,” I say, pointing back at the book in front of him.

  “Yes, we were finally even, you could say. At the time, there was no reason to drag the past out. Not until now, anyway. Sebastian shouldn’t have interfered with my family. He crossed the line when he put my son behind bars.”

  Brandon. I will kill the motherfucker myself if I ever lay eyes on him.

  “I’m certain him being in jail hasn’t been easy on you, Mr. Larson.”

  “No, it certainly hasn’t.” he says, taking another long sip. “Brandon is a world-class fuck up, that is for damn sure, but no son of mine belongs behind bars. It is why I had it taken care of.”

  “Had what taken care of?” I ask, now more curious to what his hidden meaning is.

  “Brandon was released yesterday from prison. It seems my son’s arrest wasn’t handled properly. I have no doubt my son got a little too rough with that stripper girl, but come on! I hardly think it was headed towards rape. Thorne showed up and she got scared of getting caught. I know how these things work. Hopefully, my son has learned his lesson and will move on from the bitch.”

  Don’t fucking call her that! As far as Brandon goes, he’d better stay the fuck away from her or I will cut his dick off and feed it to him.

  “What about your son? If we are doing this, he can’t be a part of it. It is way too risky to involve him. I’m sure you don’t want to risk him being put back behind bars,” I say, trying to control my voice. The truth is that I want him as far away as possible from Skylar.

  “Brandon won’t be an issue. I can more than assure you of that, Mr. Drake.”

  “I’m glad to hear that then. I will make all of this disappear if you help me bring him down. In the process, you will pretty much be handed Thorne Enterprises on a silver platter for the taking. What do you say, Mr. Larson? Do we have a deal?”

  “Tell me, though, Mr. Drake, what exactly do you have to gain from this? In the end, you will walk away with nothing.”

  “No, Mr. Larson, I plan on walking away with everything,” I say, standing to shake his hand.

  “I’ll be in touch.”

  Sebastian

  After Skylar and her sister had left the bar, I ended up staying until almost 3 am trying to console a heartbroken Nik. After Kylie had left with that guy, he was beside himself with grief. The girl he had kissed to get back at Kylie had ended up hanging on him most of the night. He’d kept pushing her away until she’d finally left with another guy from the bar.

  “Go get some sleep, man,” I say. Keeping a tight hold around his torso, I use my free hand to open his bungalow door. This walk over here has already exhausted me and I plan on kicking his ass for getting this wasted. Looking over at Kylie’s place, he stares at the light that is still on.

  “She’s probably in there fucking him right now,” he says, dropping his head. I’ve never seen him like this before. Regardless of being drunk, Nik is always fun, never letting a girl get the best of him. But Kylie Reynolds got the best of him, the minute he eyed her in the club almost a year ago and his world hasn’t been the same since.

  “You don’t know that,” I say, trying to push him on in the door. Maybe if he sleeps the alcohol off, he’ll be all right for the wedding tomorrow afternoon. Well, let’s put it this way, he better or I will seriously kill him.

  “All I want is for things to go back to like they were,” he says sadly.

  “Talk to her then. Tell her how you feel.”

  “I’ve tried to, but every single time I open my mouth to fix things, I fuck things up and make it worse.”

  “You know, all you have to do is walk across from your front porch and talk to her.”

  He stumbles as I help him over to the bed. When I release his arm, he collapses back against the pillows. Nik covers his face with his hands and lets out a loud frustrated groan.

  “And what if she is with that guy? I don’t think I can handle it. I’ll end up losing my shit and killing him.”

  I throw the blanket back over him and sit the trashcan beside him, just in case he starts puking.

  “Sleep it off, dude. I’ll check on you in the morning.”

  “Yeah, whatever. But it better not be fucking early!” Rolling over, he grabs the pillow beside him and covers his head with it.

  I roll my eyes up at his stupidity and let myself out. The night air hits me and I smile. This time tomorrow, Skylar will be my wife. Forever. Heading in the direction of our nearby bungalow, I see it is completely dark inside. Quietly, I let myself in, careful not to wake her.

  Pulling my shirt over my head, I toss it over the nearby chair and step out of my sandals. I walk across the large space towards where our bedroom is in the far back. As I approach our bed, I almost gasp at the magnificent sight in front of me. The bright moonlight shines down on her beautiful face, making her glow like a vision from heaven itself. I literally feel the breath being knocked out of my chest. Her long dark waves look even darker against the bright white silk sheets. Unable to move, I can’t help but stand here and admire her. Her legs are tangled in the sheets with one completely exposed. She’s lying on her side with one hand under her pillow and the other resting on her stomach.

  My heart pulls for a moment when I think about the fact I’d almost lost her to Lucas. I don’t know how I would have gone on, knowing she chose to have a life and family with someone else. I don’t know why I hate Lucas so much. Well, other than for obvious reasons, of course. But I think I hate him because I know deep down he deserves Skylar, where I know I don’t. Whether or not I deserve her, I can’t live without her. Even through everything, she had chosen me. I will never let a moment in my life pass by, without her knowing just how grateful I am to her for giving me this chance.

  Unfastening my belt, I allow the shorts to drop beside the bed. Lifting up the covers, I slide in behind her and kiss the back of her bare shoulder.

  “Sebastian,” she whispers and I melt. God, if she only knew what it does to me when she says my name like that.

  “Shh. Go back to sleep baby.” I urge, pulling her tighter to me and lacing my hand through hers. Closing my eyes, I silently pray that I can make tomorrow one of the best days of her life.

  I’m in an old building. Where am I?

  “Help me! PLEASE, someone help me!” I hear Skylar screaming, but I can’t find her. Her cries grow even louder and more terrifying.

  “PLEASE! Sebastian!”

  “I am coming, baby! Where are you? SKYLAR!”

  Every room I run in ends up being empty.

  “SEBASTIAN!”

  My chest is killing me. I can’t breathe. Then I see her, lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Her clothes are ripped, her face bruised. She isn’t moving. Oh God, why isn’t she moving? Brandon’s face appears from the shadows, wiping a blade with the hem of his shirt. A sick, perverted look is plastered on his face as he adjusts his pants.

  “SKYLAR!” I scream and run to her, but my attention turns to a gun in his hand. The same gun pointed at her body.

  An evil laugh erupts from his mouth, causing his body to shake. The laugh grows louder and louder. The click of the gun engaging sends terror through my body.

  His eyes settle back on her, his aim dead on.

&
nbsp; “NOOOOOOOO!” I beg, running to her. The gunshot deafens me as I watch her body jolt from the contact of the bullet.

  It is over. I have lost her.

  “NOOOOOO!” I scream, bolting up in the bed. Blinking open my eyes, I see that it is morning. My chest frantically heaves as I try to bring myself back to reality. The bathroom door flies open and a panicked, frantic Skylar comes running into the room.

  It is just a dream. She is safe. Everything is all right.

  “Sebastian! Are you all right?” Her face is full of concern and terror.

  I can’t tell her about this right now. I won’t ruin our wedding day.

  “Baby, talk to me,” she urges, coming around to my side of the bed. Turning my body to face her, she climbs into my lap and wraps her arms around my neck.

  “It was just a bad dream. Everything is fine. I promise.”

  She is completely unconvinced.

  “Baby, you promised me, remember? Let me in.”

  “It was seriously one of those dreams where someone was playing a cruel joke on me. I’m fine. I promise.”

  “Sebas-“

  I cut her off, which makes her frown in anger. She stands and places her hands on her hips.

  “You look awfully fucking hot when you’re mad, Ms. Rose. Or should I start calling you Mrs. Thorne?”

  “Hmm… I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about not changing my name at all now.” The huge smirk on her face tells me she is completely joking, but the arrogant bastard inside me doesn’t take the joke well. She’d better take my damn name. I want the world to know she is officially mine.

  “Oh really?” I tease.

  “Yes, really,” she returns.

  Wrapping my arms around her waist, I bury my head in her chest and pull her closer. She steps between my legs and takes my hair in her hands.

  Her soft touch is all I need to calm my racing fears and silence the demons raging inside of me. It returns the lost breath in my body, the paused beat of my heart. In just that one touch, she holds both the power to heal me and destroy me. I surrender to her. She owns every part of me. She is my lifeline… she is my soul. Skylar Rose is my everything, my forever.