#theesirenteller characters

[theesirenteller]

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫

ＷＡＲＮＩＮＧ ! ! DO NOT READ WHAT'S STATED BELOW IF YOU"RE TRIGGED ➷ ➷

【 This chapter contains Gun Violence, Abuse both psychological & physical】

Chapter Five; 𝕴𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖛𝖊 | Masterlist

"We have a problem."

"We? No, you have a problem."

"Oh no, we have a problem."

"And how does my cousin banging some stripper affect me?" Nick questioned with a chastising grin. 

Over the last month, Christopher and Epiphany had been more friendly in the public eye. It didn't take a genius to figure out they were seeing one another or at least messing around. Annie had yet to tell Beth about Epiphany's casual bragging about her and Christopher's sex life. Despite Beth being her older sister, Annie didn't want to be seen as a rat or lose someone she had considered a friend. She liked having Epiphany as a friend and didn't want her relationship spilling into her sisterhood. On the flip side, Beth took notice of just about everything Rio did. He wasn't one to be flashy or make a scene. His behavior over the course of the three years she'd known him was either consistent or spontaneous. Nowadays he'd drop by the club more often and never on the days when Epiphany wasn't working. Drop and pick-up days were whenever Epiphany worked. The two would share smiles at one another from across the room. He would stay to watch her perform solos on stage and then they'd share a drink at the bar. Or Beth would see him leave and then Epiphany would leave right after. If not that, it was the shared touches. His hand would pat her back on his way out or if he was close enough, Epiphany would kiss him on the cheek.

And Beth loathed it all.

Keeping your friends close and your enemies closer was something that Nick learned and lived by. After Beth had set him up to be locked up and he'd gotten her back 'where it hurts' things were back to 'normal'. Well, as normal as he and his brother wanted things to be. The blonde councilwoman at her beck and call, open to being bent in whichever direction they could push her in. The brothers were still playing the long game with her. Beth was the perfect spokesperson to appeal to rich, white, privileged investors in across states better than Nick could. And when things go to shit, Beth is set to have a hard time. Both Rio and Nick would be sure of it.

"It affects you because it affects me," she hissed, "I'm not close to him like that and I doubt you two are close after…last year's events." A teasing glint in her eye and a smug smirk laid across her thin lips as she saw Nick's smile slowly diminish. "Anyway," She started off with a higher pitched voice and chirpy tone, "Your cousin, brother, whatever is involved with the Japanese. I don't know what the details are but I want in. "

"You want a percentage of that deal." Nick clarified while he relaxed back in his office seat, "How do you know he's even in business with them?"

"He moved eight SUV trucks filled with Japanese yen through my strip club and my second dealership." She informed before shrugging her shoulders with a subtle hair flip, "We're partners, it's only fair that I'm cut in."

Nick looked at her with amusement in his eyes. He was amused but still impressed with how far she had come. She was more like him than she could ever admit, if not worse, "Right," he replied casually with a slight nod."I can't be involved, that'd be a conflict of interest-" 

He was quickly cut off by Beth, "How? This affects you because then we have nothing to pin on him with the feds!"

"It's personal. I don't know how close they are or how he feels about this chick. So either one of us removing her without motive causes unnecessary heat. You can't just kill her because he'd banging her," Nick replied with a raised voice and sharp tone. He didn't miss the way her eyes widened, or how she gulped and clenched her jaw. Her discomfort was loud without words needing to be said,  "You're gonna have to create a shadow. Set her up in some way, get photos, and then you get rid of her. That'll be your reason and he'll have to understand because it's just business. Take a page out of his book." he advised.

Beth quickly grabbed her designer tote bag and stood up, "Well thank you, councilman, I heard you loud and clear." and with her passive-aggressive statement she spun on her heel and strutted out of his office.

"Happy to help, Councilwoman!"Nick ridiculed behind her with a chuckle just before the door shut.

When she arrived at her home, Beth had done exactly like she was told but not without adding her own details. Beth had a four-bedroom, two-bathroom luxurious home in a more upscale area of the suburbs of Detroit. She lived in luxury now with her new position and she enjoyed the space that was solely hers. Seeing her children every other weekend was good enough for her, nowadays. Her old life felt like another world but she couldn't deny that she didn't miss it. She was powerful now. She was somebody who people either loved or feared. She felt invincible. "Annie, could you come down here for a second?!" 

"What's up?" the short-haired dirty blonde questioned a few minutes later. 

"Hey, do you think you could set up lunch between your little stripper friend and me?" Beth asked, " I'm thinking that Ruby and you need to be there as well."

"Yeah sure, but uh what for?" Annie replied as she raised her bushy eyebrows.

"Just lunch," her voice softened as her eyes lowered to a more 'saddened' look, "I have to talk to her about Rio. He's dangerous and I don't want her ending up like Lucy," she sighed with faux-sorrow.

"Or is it that you're jealous." Annie smirked and wiggled her brows. 

"Oh please, Annie," Beth rolled her eyes, " I am not jealous of some bimbo stripper hooking up with him. Believe me, she's keeping him out of my hair."

"Mhmm, whatever you say," Annie teased with a sing-a-song tone, "But yeah I'll set it up."

And she did just that. Annie had set up a lunch date the following weekend with Epiphany at Tony's diner. Saturday afternoon to be exact. Epiphany had gotten ready at Christopher's apartment. It'd become a routine for the pair to hook up in the middle of the day instead of grabbing lunch. Sometimes, a quick lunch date was after an hour of indulging in each other's bodies. As usual, Christopher had left first then thirty minutes later, Epiphany had left. 

She had gotten into an Uber and two of Christopher's henchmen weren't far behind. They tailed behind unbeknownst to her, all the way to the diner. As soon as she walked in and the suburban mothers spotted her, almost immediately judgment flashed across their eyes. Their eyes ranked her attire thaat consisted of; A short green-camo mini skirt with green sequin scattered across it,  a tight-fitted white cropped camisole that read 'AS IF' in big bold gold letters, a dark green jean bolero jacket, and knee–high heeled boots hugged her thighs.

"Oh hell no…"Ruby scoffed. 

"Geez, you can take the girl outta of the strip-club but can't take the club out of the girl,"Beth added.

"Wow…uh…that's a lot for lunch," Annie cringed and bit at her lip.

Epiphany raised her left eyebrow as she looked at the three women before her eyes narrowed in on Annie, "I thought you said we were having brunch. As just the two of us."She proceeds to take a seat in the booth seat across from the trio. Her arms soon folded under her ample breasts as an expression remained unmoved.

"I know and I'm sorry I didn't clarify there would be more than just the two of us but-" Annie was cut off by Epiphany in the midst of trying to apologize and explain herself.

"But, you wanted to ambush me." Epiphany stated in a matter-of-fact tone, straightening her shoulders back as she sat up straighter,

"We're not here to fire you," Ruby stated.

"No. Not at all!" Annie protested.

"Look, we're just here to talk to you," Beth sighed, "To warn you."

"Oh? About what? Is the club shutting down?" Epiphany questioned them, her eyes moving across the three women back and forth until they settled in on Beth.

"Look Epiphany, I know we haven't exactly seen eye to eye-" Beth attempted to reason but was cut off.

"We haven't?" Epiphany mocked with a higher pitch to her voice and a slight head tilt, "...Why would you think that?"

"Well we haven't had a full conversation over a cup of cof-" Beth giggled before she was cut off once again.

"And who's fault would that be? I've never thought we had beef. In fact," Epiphany licked across her bottom lip as her eyes swept up and down the Detroit council woman's face, "I don't think of you at all."

A look of bewilderment washed over the three women's faces. The nostrils of Beth's nose flared and her peach lipstick-covered lips curled. Before anyone could utter a word, the waitress came trotting over, "What will y'all be having?" she asked with an impatient tone.

"Well, all have Cobb salads." Beth ordered for everyone but Epiphany quickly jumped in after to switch her order, "I'll just take a black coffee."

"Look here, we're trying to warn you that you're getting involved with a very dangerous man." Beth hissed before rambling on, "You don't know the vile, horrible things he's done to people. Like our friend Lucy, he seduced her with his kindness only to kill her when she was no longer of use to him. And me, he's used sex and exploration to control my every move. It took me outsmarting him many times to get out of being murdered by him."

"And he kidnapped me!" Annie was quick to mention.

Epiphany's lips stretched at the sides into a tight smile before she started to laugh. her laugh came off as a subtle and serene giggle, "Who are you even talking about? Who is he?"

"Oh for the love god, the gang leader that's going to pound town on you!!" Ruby sighed in annoyance.

"Rio."

"Gangfriend!"

Annie and Beth both said different names at once. That was when Epiphany knew it was time to go. She had heard enough. "Sounds like you ladies have got whoever's fucking me mixed up with whatever you've got going on." She said as she stood up from her seat, "If the person you know is so horrible, why not get restraining orders? and dip out? Or I don't know…get rid of the person?" Epiphany suggested as she got out of the booth. She then proceeded to turn around and start heading out of the diner.

"Girls a lost cause." Ruby sighed.

" Good riddance." Beth scoffed.

"What do you think we should do now?' Annie asked as they watched Epiphany walk down the street from the window. 

"Plan B," Beth smirked before pulling out her phone.

Their words didn't fall on deaf ears. Epiphany thought of what they had said throughout her day on campus. She sat through her lecture in airplane mode. Denting her pen with bite marks she stared aimlessly out the fourth-floor window. These claims…these accusations…they sounded familiar. Eerily familiar. 

'Watch yourself'

'Cassius did a number on his last girl, Está locõ. Un Díablo.' 

'Do you even know what his family does to people? You don't wanna marry into that.'

The images of Cassius's brown skin covered in black and blue reddened flesh from fingernails that broke his skin. The screams and cries of men being burned alive, of it replayed in her mind. Or how the boys who spared her glance and shot her a smile at The Kitty Box ended up disappearing left & right.  'Was Chris similar? Or was he worse?' Epiphany wondered to herself throughout the day.  Why was it that she attracted dangerous men? And why did she find such jovial comfort in that? A sense of security and importance. After all, it's what she always dreamed of. She dreamed of having the life of women like Elvira Hancock, Carmela Soprano, and of course, Ginger McKenna. 

The remainder of her time in lectures blew by in the blink of an eye. Since she couldn't be bothered to pay attention in class, Epiphany decided to settle herself in a cafe on campus with a series of notes that she brought from one of her classmates.

"Hmph…I always thought you only looked best on your back but this is a slightly nicer view."

Cassius. Surely, Epiphany must've been hearing things. She didn't dare peel her eyes away from the notes that laid against the table. Her mouth grew dry. Then her palms grew sweaty. The underneath of her breasts began to moisten. Only hot air escaped her lips as she breathed outwards. He wasn't here. He couldn't be here. But he was here. In Detroit. In a cafe on the campus where she attended. And he sat right across from her. His sandy-brown-tanned hand reached over and laid upon hers. Epiphany let out a choked moan of pain, of agony. It felt as though he had burned her with a hot iron. His skin was always hot. Very hot as if he had a furnace built within his body. As she snatched her hand away, Epiphany's eyes finally settled on him. He looked exactly the same as the day she left him. Shiny bald head, Smooth, poreless brown skin, and a full, thick goatee that nearly covered his lips. He was dressed like a reaper, in all black from his leather parka-jacket to his Timberland boots.

"What the fuck are you doing here." Epiphany had finally gotten the courage to say, with her shoulders back and a sharpness to her tone, "Better yet, who told you I was here? My mother?" 

To this, Cassius scoffed, "A whore like that doesn't care for her child overnight, don't flatter yourself." He then folded his large hands together on the table. The diamonds within his chunky rings reflected off of the silverware on the table, "You called me."

"And why would I do that?" She questioned with a tilt of her head slightly to the side, her eyes nor her face gave away that she was shocked. Epiphany sat there with a stoic expression. Never would she have called him. She left Las Vegas behind and everyone in it for a reason. To be normal. As normal as a girl with a not-so-stellar past could be. But, she was only twenty-three and tried to remind herself that life was only just starting. Her childhood felt like adulthood but this era of her was her freedom. 

"Because you need me. You said it over the phone. You said what I already know. You can't live without me, you and I both know you can not function in a civilized world without being taken care of. Look at your job now, A whore on a pole." He tsked and shook his head. Cassius as always thought so low of women. Especially those who worked in the sex work or entertainment industry. Yet he and his family endorsed it all. They funded all if not the majority of the clubs in Dubai and Los Vegas. Or at least that's what he and her mother told her. 

And his words angered her. It made her blood boil and her skin crawl. Her teeth dug into the meaty flesh of her bottom lip as she stared across the table at him. Her mouth was no longer dry as she collected spit from the sides of her mouth before she hawked spit in his eye, "Hijo de puta! Even with all the money in the world, you're still a useless trick with nothing to offer but your money. You're lower than a whore."

Cassius's ears grew reddened as the corners of his jaw tightened in. His bushy brows started to narrow in as he got up at the same time she had. Only, he flipped over the cafe table causing a squad of campus security to bum rush into the spot. The man began cursing in Arabic as he lunged for her but Epiphany was quicker than him. She ran behind security and they tackled him to the floor. Her day had gone from annoying to bad. How did he find her? He said he had spoken to her and that she discussed needing him. These were the questions that plagued her mind as she was placed in the counselor's office alongside the police. She filled out various forms before the restraining order was put in. 

None of the day's events made sense. Beth, Annie, and their friend had no business 'warning' her about Christopher or as they called him, Rio. Rio had no knowledge of her and Epiphany wasn't important enough for his enemies to track down her ex to 'take her back'; Somehow, she felt like Beth was involved. Why, other than petty jealousy? Epiphany had no clue. It all overwhelmed her. The web of backstabbing, sex, personal gain, and who knew what else. Everything that transpired within the last three hours had caused Epiphany to form a severe headache along with body pain. Stress started to take a toll on her body. And after questioning and fillings were done, she was driven to her apartment and taken upstairs by police.

The moment that she got inside, she flopped herself across the couch; and let her mind go numb.

The scent of sewer water, shit, along with the feeling of a warm hand against her cheek had awoken Epiphany from her deep slumber. Her groggy eyes slowly opened and as her vision became clear, Christopher stood in front of her. She was seated on a wonky metal chair in an underground area that looked like a sewer storage locker. Epiphany, winced at the sight of her new setting and instantly latched her hands onto his forearms and stood up on her feet, "Chris? Chris what's going on?" she whimpered in fear.

His usually big brown eyes were dark. And the subtle smirk on his lips made her grow weary with fear. This was the first time she felt truly intimidated by him. His stature; The way he towered over her five foot two frame with his six foot one. Tears started to form at the corners of her eyes as her chest began to rise and fall quickly, "P-please..please don't hurt me." she begged. Not him. Anyone but him. He was the only aspect of her life that made her feel alive. His gentleness, The romance he brought to her life in such a short amount of time was overwhelming and she feared that ending more than her own death.

"Shh, relax. I'm not gonna hurt you, baby," his tone was mellow as he raised his left hand and laid it against the sides of her face. Christopher dipped his head down, his narrow nose brushing along her button one. His fingers gently caressed the side of her chubby cheek and side of her jaw, "But you tryna hurt me." his once gentle tone darkened, lowering to a baritone octave that sent chills down her spin. Before Epiphany could protest, she felt the coolness of metal riding up the middle of her breasts. His signature golden Glock kissed her bare skin, firmly pressed to the side of her temple. This caused a sequel to escape her lips and before she could utter any type of rebuttal, he hushed her with his lips placed on hers. The kiss was gentle, sweet, and slow. His right arm wrapped around her waist.

Epiphany didn't know whether to grasp him closer or fight him off. But what she could feel was his heart pounding like a punch against hers.

It all felt so surreal. Like a nightmare and wet dream all at once. Gentleness mixed in with the threat of violence. All she could feel was fear and confusion. Epiphany's body trembled against his. And she knew he felt. He had to have felt her. Her fear, her anxiety, her heart.

"Why do I got the feeling that…you're gonna be the bullet that puts a hole in my head, hm?" he hummed against her mouth with the slickness of a snake. He moved the barrel of the gun from her temple to his when he mentioned 'hole in my head' before laying back to her temple. Her tears sprinkled onto his cheek, "Did you get enough info on me to run it back to those bitches?"

"Wha-? You think I'm Beth's rat?"

Her pushing up into a frowning pout as she looked directly into his eyes. Her eyes of uncertainty changed to a look of disbelief, "Why?"

"I could ask you the same thing. That little lunch date looked real interesting,". Christopher hissed and with each movement his lips made, she could feel the brush against her mouth.

"Oh, Rio it was." she rolled her r's when she seethed his name, "Annie set me up with Beth to warn me about you."

He stood still and the menacing look he once possessed of narrowed eyes, a tightly clenched jaw, and striking eye contact had slowly begun to relax. The crease between his brows slowly smoothed out. His eyes flicked back and forth between looking at her and looking above her head. Christopher was debating. Not only with her but with himself. "And what did she say?" She, Beth. He didn't care for what the other two stiffs spoke about because it usually was a rehearsal of what she said.

"The short version? You're a fucking serial killer who uses sex and manipulation to exploit and get what you want, the long version? a lot of secrets were spilled out in the open." Epiphany replied, she spoke through her nose with a slight whisper to her voice.

An ounce of a smirk peeled on the right corner of his lips as he rolled the gun along the side of her neck. He didn't confirm or deny but he coyly asked, "What you think about that mama?"

"I'm thinking what the fuck does that have to do with me and you and why you have a gun to my head?!" she cried out, anger laced in her outburst. Her hands shook at her sides as she didn't push him away due to the gun. The fear of it going off in her face or throat was far greater than her anger. "I'm not involved!" she protested.

"Oh no, see you've been involved sweetheart." Christopher argued, "It's just a matter of whose side you're on."

Fool him once, shame on them. Fool him twice, shame on him….there wouldn't be a third time. Christopher was no fool and the moment the Boland woman walked into his life was when he realized he'd gotten a big…soft. And Epiphany just seemed eerily close to business for his liking. He needed undying loyalty, control, and if she was truly for him then he needed her in line. Love could come later…after sacrifice.

"Unless…" Christopher began to chuckle but the sound wasn't from happiness, "Unless you don't wanna be involved then you can leave right now." he took a few steps away from her and aimed the gun at the dark, wet hallway to the left.

Epiphany's eyebrows knitted together as she looked up at him in confusion. His play on words and attitude switch was causing gears to twist and bend in her mind. They spent every day together. If not day then night. Leave where?

Blinking rapidly as she stood there. She didn't move. She only stared at him. "What do you mean? " she questioned before licking at her lips, "Wi-...will I see you later?" uncertainty in her voice. And his smile made her stomach twist and turn, "You do mean I don't have to be involved with the club right or with whatever shit you've got going on with those women…right?"

She needed clarification and he gave her none of that. "Nah darlin, I'm afraid this is the end of line for us. You're off the hook." He dismissed her casually. His tone is deep and delicate. It was almost like a goodbye kiss. But he never moved, his eyes still settled in on her like a lion waiting to be challenged. Which let Epiphany know he wasn't done.

"No."

"No?" He challenged with a slight head tilt as his eyes looked her over.

Despie how fearful, how anxious she felt, Epiphany still chose to stand her ground and challenge him, "The moment I turn around you'll put a bullet to my head. Because you don't believe I'm not involved con esa perra concejal" (with that bitch councilwoman)

Sassily, she crossed her arms against her chest and cocked her hip slightly to the side as she stared at him. "Even if you don't kill me-"

"How bout you kill for me?" He proposed.

Epiphany's eyes widened as Christopher stalked towards her. "Come on champ." His hand latched to the back of her neck, forcefully making her walk in front of him down the dark tunnel. She followed him with stumbling feet and squinted her eyes in an attempt to see where they were going.

And then Christopher began to whistle and a light turned on in one of the rooms. Epiphany was led into that room and came face to face with Cassius. He'd been hung upside down with his hands and feet taped up. His left eye was swollen shut, shaded in dark plum purple and blue. His right eye was completely gorged out, by the looks of it…he'd been burned. "Actually, I shouldn't have said to kill for me. It's for you, a gift." he chuckled, "I thought the unmarked SUV was the fed tailing you but turns out it's this sorry looking Hijo de puta."

Epiphany cried as she looked at her ex-lover in horror. Sure, he was fucking vile. And everyone eventually would die. But, she couldn't take a life. "Chris, no. Please no, I can't." She weeped.

Christopher tilted his head back and inhaled deeply before he slowly straightened up and eyed her, "You will." he swiveled the gun around his finger and then offered it towards her. "He's your problem and you gotta get rid of em'. "

"You think he's gonna let you go? A girl like you…" his eyes trailed her body from top to bottom in admiration with a sinister smirk, "Ain't easy to let go."

"Someone will come looking for him!" She protested, "He's well connected in Vegas, his parents own everything."

"He ain't shit but a bootleg con artist. A janky ass car salesman at best." Christopher revealed with a dismissive tone. He then grasped her jaw in his hand with a gentle touch. Once Epiphany looked in his eyes, he leaned his head down and whispered "Do it. You don't gotta worry bout nothing else, I'll handle it. I take care of what's mine." His tone was reassuring.

"And I'm yours?" She sniffled with a flustered, wet face.

"Only if you wanna be." He rasped as he laid the gun firmly in her hand.

Breathing in deeply, She held it with two hands. Christopher switched from being beside her to standing behind her. His hands laid over hers as he steadied her arms up. His feet nudged her legs open and pushed one of her feet forward.

"Come on mamitá, show me how much you want this." She could feel his warm breath in her ear, a gentle caress of his nose nudging at the side of her earlobe. "Make me proud."

Her head hurts so bad, her chest aches as the vile metallic taste jumbles up in the back of her mouth. Christopher, Rio was all that they said he was but worse. But, she wanted him. She wanted him to stay. She wanted him to keep making her feel seen, wanted, cared for, and maybe even loved. Cassius was right. She couldn't function in a world without being taken care of. Not because she lacked the skill set or had any type of disability holding her back. No, it was because she didn't want to. Her hands gripped the base of the gun. Its heavyweight in her small hands felt as though she was holding someone's heart in her hands. And in a way she was. She was holding someone's lifeline.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

[makeyoumine69]

1 year ago, on September 23rd, I posted my very first Patrick Bateman fic, and that day changed my life. I had no followers, no friends, and I didn't expect my fics to get any attention at all. Patrick became my biggest inspiration and the most comforting character I could have ever dreamed of.

Despite the fact that Tumblr can be very cruel and depressing at times, after a year of being here I now have almost 2.5k followers, and I've met so many amazing people.

So I just want to thank everyone who has ever read my stories. Every like, every reblog, every comment makes me happier and motivates me to keep going. I've written over 100k words for Patrick, and I hope this is just the beginning!💗

My special thanks to my mutts who have always been there for me, I love you guys!🥰💓😍 @sleeplessphantom @lissasharp @theesirenteller @moosesquirrelrb @melis-writes @melis-writes @thvshusband @ahsxual @nervousbananacupcake @r04dk1ll-w4nn4b3 @bookwormvoyageuse @whereireid @bunnylouisegrimes @thecitysgraveyard @tres-spades-hotel @bluujaiwrites @jacktorrancekinny @ladyalexandranna @jadeslashes

[bullet-prooflove]

Okay girlie I’m back again❤️I just need a story for Manny Montana Omgg you really just relit my crushes on so many characters!

So my prompt is: #5- You are my sweetest downfall

Can’t wait to see how your talented hand bring this to life ✍🏾👏🏾

References to upcoming LakeTahoe! Series

It’s at the roller rink that Manny realises how perfectly you slot into his life in Yuma. You have hold of his daughter Melina’s hand as the two of you skate around the rink to the music overhead. The brightly coloured lights sweep across the floor as Melina laughs at something you say, and he feels a sense of peace in his heart.

You won’t be here forever; he knows it’s only a matter of time before you shoot off to your next destination. You’re gradually making a home here in Yuma but it’s in your nature to be nomadic, it’s a byproduct of your upbringing.

“She’s your downfall.” Hodda had told him last night back at the clubhouse. “You need a woman whose waiting for you to come home, not the other way around.”

Hodda’s the last of a dying breed. He'd been very disappointed to discover that the Crow Eaters down had moved on to Stockton. He’d been up visiting from Tuscan, fulfilling their final obligation to the pipeline before Yuma goes legit.

It’s ruffled a few feathers, the way that Manny’s doing business these days, but he doesn’t give a shit. Canche had left a mess behind after this death and Manny has spent the best part of a year cleaning it up. He’s turning his club into something better, following in Santo Padre’s footsteps.

“No.” Manny had told the other man, setting his beer down upon the surface of the table. “She’s my balance.”

He wasn’t living before he met you, not really. He’d had to become someone else when he’d stepped up and taken the presidency. The club had been falling apart, their finances were dire, morale was low. He’d had to harden himself, make tough decisions, he’d managed to turn it round, get them on the right track but it had cost him. He didn’t recognise the man in the mirror, he remembers his ex-wife Sam sitting down one night and telling him to take sometime away because she hadn’t seen him smile in months and it was starting to effect Melina.

That’s what the trip to Lake Tahoe had been about, spending some time with his daughter away from Yuma, getting to see some snow at Christmas. Then he’d met you and those three days you’d spent together had awoken something inside of him, he remembered what it was like to be adventurous, to have fun and enjoy the moment.

It’s been a few decades since he’s skated but as soon as he steps out onto the rink, it all rushes back to him at once. He’s rusty at first, his movements stilted but then Melina appears by his side, her hand slipping into his. He looks at you over the top of Melina’s head, he can’t help but reflect on how happy he is, and he knows that’s because of you.

If you are his downfall, you are most certainly the sweetest.

@darqchilddaydreamz @theesirenteller @wnbweasley @bonni-98 @skyesthebomb @delightfulbelieverwerewolf @redpool

[chickensarentcheap]

In a Heartbeat- Chapter Five

Fandom: Extraction

PAIRING: TYLER RAKE AND ESME DRUMMOND (ESTABLISHED OFC)

SUMMARY:  Dhaka nearly ended everything before it even began.  In it’s aftermath and with Tyler’s life teetering on the threshold between life and death, Esme is about to realize just how strong she can be.  And that love happens when it happens. There’s no rules. No rhyme or reason. No timeline.  

Warnings: brief mention of sex toys and kinks (butt plugs, dildos, pegging. But not in the way you think lol)

Tagging: @tragiclyhip @youflickedtooharddamnit @secretaryunpaid @munstysmind @themaradwrites @ninjasawakenedmystar @thebejeweledwatercat @alisbackalleybbq @theesirenteller @karimac @kmc1989 @asirensrage @residentdormouse @arrthurpendragon @ocappreciation @occommunity

Link to Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/48691714/chapters/129441475

My tag list is OPEN. Please just ask to be added if you'd like :D

****

“Okay…” Slipping off his coat, Tyler surveys his surroundings, greeting a waiting and ecstatic Lucy with a vigorous rub of the head. “...now it’s all starting to make sense.”

Esme sets both the wheeled suitcase and duffle bag by the door, then drops her hobo-style handbag on the kitchen table. “What’s making sense?”

“Why none of those pictures from the ‘net showed the inside of this place.”

Shrugging out of her jacket, she removes her beanie and tosses both aside; shaking out her long, dark tresses before placing her hands on her hips and surveying their surroundings. “It’s not THAT bad. It’s quaint. Cozy. Cute.”

“You realize that’s wood panelling on the walls, yeah?”

“Okay, so it kind of reminds me of my grandparents’ basement. Which they haven’t remodelled since the early seventies. But I’ve seen worse. I’ve LIVED in worse.”

“Is this where you tell me about your time in some rat-infested dump in New York City?”

“New York isn’t as horrible as you make it out to be. I would have given up an organ, even a limb, to land something right in the city. A walk-up apartment in an old brownstone. That was always my dream. To have a cute little place like Carrie Bradshaw’s.”

“Who?”

“Carrie Bradshaw. The main character in Sex and the City? Played by Sarah Jessica Parker? She’s married to Matthew Broderick? You know, the guy who was Ferris Bueller?”

“I have no goddamn clue who any of these people are.”

“You’ve never heard of Sex and the City? Have you been living in a cave? Cooking over an open fire? Throwing random women over your shoulder and carrying them back for sexy time?”

Smirking, he removes his beanie. “That’s how I landed you, wasn’t it?”

“You landed me with your pretty blue eyes and your sexy voice and your big dick.”

“You’re nothing if not honest.”

“Carrie is a writer,” Esme continues, holding the back of a kitchen chair to keep it steady as he lowers himself into it. “She writes about relationships and sex and life in the Big Apple. And she’s got her little posse; Miranda, the fiercely independent lawyer, Charlotte the die-hard romantic, longing to find true love, Samantha the big-time slut who loves men just a little too much. She was my favourite, by the way.”

“Makes sense. What’s that saying? Something about birds of a feather flocking together?”

She scowls. “Well, that’s just plain rude.”

“If you ask me, the show sounds like it’s for girls.”

“Plenty of men loved it. Mostly gay men, but…” Retreating to the middle of the living room, she places a hand on her hip, eyes narrowing as she taps the tip of her index against her lips.. “...I see the potential here. It’s not a lost cause. And it’s definitely not hideous. It’s just…”

“It’s ugly, and you know it.”

“Dated. It’s dated.”

“It’s not a person. You can say what you really feel. You can’t hurt its feelings.”

“I thought you, of all people, would love something like this. This is a five-star resort compared to where you were living when I met you.”

“I’ll have you know that I built that place myself. By hand.”

“And I’m extremely proud of you, and I find it very sexy when a man is great with his hands. In all the best possible ways. But babe, you had no interior walls, most of your windows didn’t close properly, and you had chickens as roommates. Believe me, this is a step up.”

“So what you’re saying is that it’s a ‘no’ to chickens in the house. Kinda ruins my plans.”

“As much as I’d rather NOT be constantly picking up their shit, I’ll deal. Only because I know how much you love the mangey little bastards. But they are NOT sleeping in bed with us.”

“What about night’s you’re not here?”

“It’s unlikely we’ll encounter nights like those, but IF it happens? You better make sure you change the damn sheets before I get home. You totally slept with your chickens before you met me, didn’t you. You totally let them in the bed.”

“Once in a while.”

“So which one of you was the little spoon? Or did you alternate every second night?”

“Has anyone ever told you that you have a really smart mouth?”

“No. But I have been told how extremely talented it is.”

“That I CAN’T argue with. I definitely have no complaints.”

“Even if you did, I wouldn’t listen to them. So…” Tugging playfully on his ears, she lays a hand on the nape of his neck and steps around to the side of the chair. “...what do you think? About this place? I know it isn’t as bougie as you’re used to, but…”

Reaching under the bottom of her shirt, he hooks a finger in one of the belt loops on her jeans and pulls her down onto his left thigh. “It’s tolerable. For now.” Pressing a kiss to her shoulder, his hand moves to her stomach, calloused palm flat against warm, smooth skin. “Until we’re able to get around to doing stuff.”

“Nik says it’s all ours. We can do whatever we want with it. I know it’s not going to be a permanent place for us, but…”

“I mean, it could be. If that’s what you wanted.”

“I just assumed you’d want to go home. That we’d end up in Australia.”

“We can end up wherever you want. I have no ties to ANY place. Just say where you want to go, and that’s where we’ll head.”

“It’s definitely something we’ll have to talk about. I can’t really decide something like THAT all on my own. You need to have a say in it, too. It’s not just me that deserves to be happy.”

“I’m happy as long as you are. Just say where you want to go. We’ll go.”

“As cute and sappy as that is…”

“You did NOT just use the c and the s word to describe me. In the SAME sentence.”

“...we both know it doesn’t work that way. That if you just follow me somewhere with no say, things would not end well. So we’ll talk about it. When we’re ready to make a decision like that. Sound good?”

“Whatever you say.”

“Goddamn, you’re difficult.”

“I thought I was being pretty easy and reasonable. What more do you want from me?”

“We both need to do a lot of work when it comes to being in a relationship.”

“Please don’t suggest therapy. I’ve had enough therapy in the past two months to last me a lifetime.”

“No therapy. I might get you to read some self-help books or listen to some podcasts…”

“Get off me.”

“That’s a request you usually don’t make,” she quips, then laughs and tightens her hold on him when he attempts to push her off his lap. “Baby, you’re so cute. Even when you’re being a grumpy shit.”

He smirks. “Fuck off, Esme.”

“You need a nap.” Placing a kiss on his temple, she affectionately tousles his hair and stands. “Or something to eat. Maybe both. Are you hangry, Tyler James? Are you hangry and sweepy?”

“Yes.”

“I’m just going to take a quick look around and then make us something to eat. And you’ve got meds to take. You’re due.”

“I’m fine.”

“You know what the doctor said. About making sure you keep on schedule. If you don’t do that…”

“The pain will really set in, and it’ll be harder to get rid of it. I was there. I heard him.”

“Then quit being so difficult. You don’t need to be an insufferable asshole twenty-four-seven.”

“Yes, I do. I have a reputation to keep.”

“Believe me, your reputation isn’t going anywhere. Not everyone can survive what you did. I think you cemented your legend status.”

“By the way, how does that make you feel about things?”

She pauses in the doorway of the spare bedroom. “What things?”

“Life, in general. Knowing you’re spending your life fucking a legend.”

“Well, I wouldn’t know, would I? Considering I haven’t fucked him since he got the title.”

With a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth, he snatches the discarded beanie from the middle of the table. “You can be a real bitch, you know that?”

“Now THAT I do know.” She laughs as she effortlessly dodges the hat thrown in her direction. “Give me a few minutes, and then I’ll make something to eat. You won’t starve in the meantime.”

“You’re actually going to subject me to your cooking the first day in?”

Scowling, she disappears into the second bedroom. Several seconds passing before just her hand appears in the doorway in order to flip him the middle finger.

His fingers alternate between slipping through Lucy’s short, smooth fur and scratching her favourite spot directly under her chin. Listening as Esme’s feet -clad in thick, mismatched woollen socks move over the weathered and creaking floorboards. Hearing intermittent soft clicking and the sliding of wood against wood as she inspects dresser and nightstand drawers. And when it finally falls silent, he calls out to her. “Anything interesting?”

“Whoever lived here before us were total freaks! I just found a whole load of gigantic dildos in the bedside table! And one of those harnesses a woman wears. You know, when she does her man up the…”

“Esme…”

“I don’t see any lube though. I guess we’re not trying pegging tonight.”

“Don’t even THINK about it.”

“What would you say if I came to bed and had a butt plug in with a raccoon’s tail hanging off it?”

“I’d call you a freak and kick you out onto the couch.”

She gives a disgruntled, dramatic huff, then appears in the doorway. “You’re boring.”

“You certainly weren’t saying that two nights ago when we almost got caught by the night nurse. While you were giving me…”

“Like, no pegging with giant dildos and no raccoon tail butt plugs? I swear, a girl can’t have ANY fun.”

“If that’s your idea of fun, you’ve got the wrong guy.”

“Don’t worry, big boy.” She shoots him a wink as she pads through the small, open-concept living room and kitchen. “There’s nothing to be scared of. I’ll be gentle with you.”

“You even come near me with one of those things…”

“I was joking. I didn’t find a damn thing. Which is incredibly disappointing. I was hoping some eccentric weirdo lived here before and left some wild shit behind.”

“Have you looked around this place? The panelling? Fucking knick-knacks all over the place? A goddamn deer head on the wall? Does any of that scream eccentric weirdo do you?”

“It could have been to throw off visitors. Convince innocent, unsuspecting people that they were completely normal. You know, so they could drug their coffee and tea in order to knock them out and hide them in their sex dungeon!”

“I think it’s safe to say that no one normal lives here NOW. Well, one of us might be considered somewhat sane.”

“Don’t worry. Your secret's safe with me. I won’t tell anyone you’re a psycho.”

She opens the door to the main bathroom and pokes her head inside. Fingernails tapping against the wall as she makes approving noises and comments about the brand new shower, tub, sink, and toilet. Then proceeds to curse and grumble about having to DEFINITELY change the flooring and the colour of the walls.

“I think we both know I’m the only somewhat normal one around here.”

“You keep telling yourself that.” She moves to the master bedroom, mere seconds passing before she gives a loud gasp. “Oh my god….TYLER!”

“Let me guess, you found the sex dungeon.”

“Even better!” She appears in the doorway, eyes sparkling and dancing as she gives an excited squeal and bounces up and down on her heels. “It’s bigger than I expected!”

“Didn’t you say those exact words in Dhaka? The first time I dropped my pants?”

“I was pleasantly surprised. That you exceeded even MY lofty expectations.”

“What did you find? I swear if it’s anything remotely related to me taking something up the ass…”

“Nothing like that! You need to see it! It’s enormous!”

“You don’t have another guy stashed in there, do you?”

“I can barely handle the one I already have. Why would I want the extra stress? Seriously, come and see this.”

“I know what a bedroom looks like.”

“It’s not just the room that’s bigger and better than I thought it would be! It’s the bed! It takes up so much space, and there’s still lots of room to spare. Please just come and take a look? Because I asked so nicely? Pretty please? I know how much you love to make me happy.”

“For someone so tiny, you’re an enormous pain in my ass,” he grumbles, yet shoots her a wink. A hand on the table top as he slowly pushes himself up onto his feet; fighting back a wince as even the most careful of movements bring almost unbearable agony. Too much time spent on his ass during the flight and the long drive from Vienna to the cabin; his knee feeling tight and swollen and in desperate need of relief.

“As soon as we eat, you put your leg up,” Esme informs him, as he joins her in the doorway. “It’s not good to go this long without elevating it. And you WILL take your meds.”

“While I’d normally argue with you and tell you I’m fine…”

“That’s how I know it’s bad. You’re NOT giving me a hard time.”

“I’ll be okay. Just he assures her, and places a hand on the back of her neck, his lips meeting her temple as his fingers massage the stiff, tight muscles. “Just need to rest it.”

For months she’s held onto an enormous amount of stress and tension; those long, trying days and nights spent at his bedside, fighting back against the doctors who had already declared him a lost cause and wanted to just pull the plug. But she’d held on there despite the pressure dumped upon her, digging her heels in even further and refusing to break to their demands. They weren’t using him as a sacrifice to the healthcare system Gods; they’d have to find another way to ‘free up a bed’.

“She’s going to break sooner or later,” Nik had warned him just days before his release. “She’s been shouldering all of this for three quarters of a year. I’ve been around some very tough people, but none as tough as THAT. She can’t keep it up, Tyler. She just can’t. We all break at one point or another. And when her time comes, you’re going to have to be there for her. Because she’ll need you. So you better be sure that you’ll step up.”

One of her tiny hands falls on the small of his back as he sticks his head into the master. “What do you think? It’s huge, right?”

“Definitely bigger than I expected. The room AND the bed.”

She playfully smacks his ass, grinning up at him as she tightly squeezes a cheek through the fabric of his pants. “You know how much I love a large playground.”

“Speaking of playtime, when do I get my surprise?”

“Patience is a virtue, old fella.”

“For who?”

“The virtuous, I guess. Besides, I thought you were hungry. And tired. And sore.”

“I am. I’m all three of those. But…” He hastily removes the sling from his left arm, tearing open the velcro fasteners and tossing the object onto the dresser. Not giving her a chance to respond, he grabs hold of her hips and uses his much larger, heavier frame to propel her backwards into the room.

“We’re really going to give it a go, are we? Right this second?”

“No time like the present. I’ve been wanting to give it a go since we left the hospital. Even BEFORE that. I was going to say something on the plane; about joining the mile-high club, but…”

“Been there, done that.”

He frowns, pausing as he leans in to kiss her, their lips a hair’s width apart.

“You’re not the only one with a past, Tyler Rake.”

“Did he teach you anything good?”

“He taught me a few things.” Her hands slide up the front of his henley shirt, chestnut eyes locked on brilliant blue as she softly drags the nails of her index across his stomach. Beginning their lazy journey at his belt buckle and finally finishing at each of his hips. “Who do you think is responsible for this mouth being so talented?”

“As much as I hate even thinking about you with other guys, I want his name and address. So I can send him a thank you card. And a case of beer. You know, just a small token of gratitude.”

“And seeing as he didn’t give a shit about what I needed to feel good, I figured I’d let you teach me the rest.”

“I’m honoured.”

“You should be. I’ve already let you go where no man has ever dared to go before.”

“Only because you asked me if I would. Can’t believe it only took two days.”

“What can I say…” She catches him off guard by pushing him backwards, pinning him between her body and the dresser as she aggressively yanks open his belt. “...you have that effect on me.”

“I realize I’m still hurting, and I got a long way to go, but don’t think for a second you get to be the boss. It doesn’t work that way.”

“Who are you kidding?” She pops open the button on his pants. “I’m always the boss.”

Smirking, he snatches her by the throat, fingers lightly pressing into the soft, delicate flesh as he pushes her towards the bed. And she gives a gasp of surprise when the back of her knees hit the edge of the mattress, giggling when she loses her balance and topples backwards.

She pushes herself up onto her elbows. a slow grin spreading from ear to ear as she watches him quickly dispose of both knee brace and pants and hastily toss them into the nearest corner. “No underwear, huh? You WERE hopeful.”

“Easy access. For both of us.”

“Even in this weather. I’m surprised your balls didn’t freeze off. That would have been a goddamn Greek tragedy.”

“They’re still a little. If you can warm them up. It’ll keep you quiet for a while.”

“Kinky.” She laughs when he grabs hold of the bottom of her jeans; falling backward when he aggressively pulls her towards him. “You ARE eager.”

“Things are working. You said yourself, it’s been hit or miss. Well, right now it's a hit, so…” He yanks both the denim and her skimpy lace underwear over her hips and ass and down her legs. “...let’s not waste time. Just in case.”

“Aren’t you even going to wait? For me to get your surprise on?”

“Nope.” He shoves her thighs open. “Right now, I don’t care. We’ll do that later.”

“Two times in one day? Someone is feeling awful cocky.”

“It’s my cock that’s feeling something. Don’t worry, you’ll be feeling it soon too.”

She opens her mouth to respond but quickly bites down on the bottom lip as he makes his way up her body; a mixture of calloused palms, the roughness of his beard, and the press of warm, soft lips. Thick fingers -with their various scars and misshapen knuckles- digging into the back of her thighs as he licks, sucks, and nibbles his way along the insides of her legs. And though disappointed when he ignores the most desperate and aching of parts, she still manages a giggle when he pulls her surgical steel navel ring into his mouth and lightly yanks at it with his teeth.

No one has ever worshipped her the way he does. The attention and focus he displays while paying homage to her body; the fire in her very bones and nerves growing in intensity with every swipe of his tongue and suckle of his lips and every caress and group of her hands. Selfless and never selfish, even when his own wants and needs are profound and overwhelming. Forever paying keen attention to the way she responds to him. Learning through every sigh and moan, every flinch and shiver, the differences in tone and pitch when she says his name. And somehow always knowing exactly what she needs.

By the time he reaches her lips, she’s desperate for so much more, nails raking across his shoulders and down his back, hips continuously rising to meet his in an unspoken request. When he finally kisses her, she moans into his mouth, and her hands find his hair; her fingers immediately tunnelling through the longer strands as she responds eagerly and hungrily. But when he pulls away to look down at her, there’s a tenderness in his eyes that she isn’t prepared for. An affection and adoration that softens his features and enables her to truly ‘see’ him for the first time. And suddenly, he seems far removed from the hardened and highly skilled mercenary that she had initially fallen in love with. Instead replaced by a previously broken and haunted man who’s in the midst of the most important transformation of his entire life.

The healing of both body AND mind.

“I love you.”

It brings tears to her eyes. The sincerity in those three simple, yet powerful words.

“More than you’ll ever know.”

The sob escapes her before she has the chance to bite it back, and she quickly finds herself gathered into strong arms and a broad chest. His body is warm and hard against hers, and his hands are steady yet comforting as they lovingly stroke her hair and repeatedly caress her back.

It’s all so foreign and overwhelming. Completely unlike anything she’s ever known or experienced. He’s reliable. Protective. Making her feel safe and secure in ways no one else ever has.

And in that moment, she’s sure of one thing. She’s never been loved like this, either.

*****

He feels sleepy and content as he lounges on the couch; his bad leg -once more sporting the knee brace- stretched out, foot resting on the coffee table. Both body and mind sated by a successful -if not disappointingly short- love making session that ended up more slow and tender than he’d originally anticipated. It had been followed by a hot shower and a surprisingly good meal that Esme had been incredibly proud of; a simple pasta and meat sauce dish paired with salad and garlic toast. Now he alternates between watching football and listening to his girlfriend as she busies herself in the kitchen. Lucy refusing to leave her side; more than pleased with the morsels of food she’d been slipped under the table. And with the seemingly endless amount of ear rubs and hair ruffles and chin scratches that are passed her way.

It’s the most relaxed he’s been in years. The warmth of the fire as snow trickles down outside, the rattling of dishes and silverware, and the way Esme alternates between humming as she works and talking to Lucy in a quiet, motherly way. The fear is starting to fade; the realization setting in that not only this is his life now, but he’s good with it. Not entirely accepting of the fact he’s retired; remaining somewhat concerned about where he goes -professional speaking- from here. But he feels safe and secure in the knowledge that knowing that Esme is under the same roof. Wanting and needing him. Loving him.

“I don’t have anything else, my love,” Esme addresses the dog sprawled out at her feet. “At least none of what you really want. Do you want a cookie? Auntie Nik got them just for you. I bet they’re delicious. Let’s get you a cookie.”

Out of the corner of his eyes, he sees her move across the room, her hair still loose and flowing and nearly reaching the middle of her back. Her tiny frame clad in a pair of simple black leggings and one of the plaid shirts she’d poached from his side of the closet. And he finds himself amused by the way she has to stand on her tiptoes to get the container of dog biscuits off the second shelf in the cupboard.

“Tyler…”

“Yeah?”

“This d…o…g won’t stop eating.”

“Why did you spell that out?”

“Because I don’t want her to know I’m talking about her. It might give her a complex.”

“Your logic is…astounding.”

“Even animals have feelings. I mean, you’re the biggest one of all, and you’ve been all up in your feels lately.”

“Esme?”

She glances towards him.

Without looking away from the television, he holds up his right hand and flips her the middle finger.

“Well, that’s just rude, isn’t it Lucy? Just plain rude.”

“She’s a traitor. That’s your dog now. She’s made that perfectly clear. Hasn’t left your side since before dinner.”

“Well, if we want to get technical, she’s OUR dog now. But I’m sure she still loves you best. Daddy’s still your favourite, isn’t he? You could never love anyone the way you love him. I’ll let you in on a little secret; I feel the exact same way about him.”

He smiles. “You BOTH have horrible taste in men.”

“Excuse you? I’ll have you know that my taste in me is impeccable. Well, at least NOW it is. I didn’t have to kiss too many frogs before I got to my prince, but the ones I DID have to kiss? Ewwww.” Giving Lucy a final pet, she fills the kettle and plugs in it, completing her tidying of the kitchen and then making a coffee for him, a tea for herself. Starting her journey into the living room, she pauses by the front door; spotting the small cardboard box he’d set down earlier. “What’s this?”

He casts a glance in her direction. “Just some stuff from my old place. That Nik and Yaz packed up.”

“That’s all they brought?”

“That and some clothes.”

“Where’s the rest?”

“What rest? You saw my old place. What more was there for them to bring?”

“What’s in it?”

“Just some personal shit. From back in the day. Nothing you need to worry yourself with.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s really none of my business. I shouldn’t have even asked. It’s really none of my business.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Fuck. He really needs to pay more attention to the tone of his voice when speaking to her. He’s always been straight to the point; never dragging things out or sugar coating them. While it had suited him well in both military and mercenary life and had, it had unfortunately been one of the many issues that eventually sunk his marriage. Esme deserves better; she’s sensitive and feels and loves so deeply and profoundly. And, like her need to give and want affection, it’s yet another thing he needs to get used to. “I just meant that it’s nothing serious. I’d tell you if it was.”

She doesn’t pursue it. Either not as hurt at his reaction as he had thought she would be, or just deciding to pick her battles. But she greets him with a smile when she joins him, setting their mugs down on the coffee table and then accepting the hand he offers her and dropping down beside her.

Releasing her hand, he wraps his arm around her, he pulls her tightly against him, his hand resting on her hip as he presses a kiss to her temple. She smells so damn good; that mixture of coconut, honey, and milk that he’d first discovered in Dhaka and had been so enthralled. It’s simple and unassuming; a cheap shampoo that she’d found in a corner store in Prague just hours before Nik had brought her to Australia. And she’d been so taken aback by his genuine compliments about the scent, that she’d decided never to use anything else.

“I’m sorry.”

She reaches for the coffee and hands it to them, then picks up her tea. “For what?”

“I honestly didn’t mean it the way it sounded. When you asked about the box. It’s not it’s not your business. It’s just…” Shrugging, he sips at his drink. “...nothing you’d be interested in. Or at least, I don’t think you’d be.”

“I’m interested in YOU. In your life. Especially the one that came before me. I know it wasn’t a utopia by any stretch of the imagination, and you’ve been through some shit, but if you ever WANT to share, I’m good with it.”

“Same goes for you, yeah? If you ever just want to tell me about things? I don’t want you holding back because you think it’s going to piss me off. Even if hearing about your ex and the shit he did might make me feel homicidal.”

“And he’d deserve it. If you got a hold of him and broke every bone in his body.”

“I wouldn’t just stop there. I wouldn’t be able to. And a lot of places to stash him afterwards. Where no one would ever find him.”

“As much as I appreciate and love you for wanting to avenge me, I also don’t want to bring him into this. Into our life together. I don’t want him tarnishing things. Ruining them.”

“He could never do that.”

“Just some things really are better left in the past. Some of the things he did…” She chews on her bottom lip, choosing her words carefully. “...I just can’t talk about those. And that’s not a personal slight against you. It’s not because I feel like I CAN’T you. It has nothing to do with you.”

“I know. But if you ever DO want to talk about things…”

“Believe, you’d be the first person…the ONLY person…I’d ever go to. I trust Nik and Yaz, but not in the same way I trust you. Does that make sense?”

“It does. I feel the same way about you.”

“You’re my person, Tyler. You’re the one I want to tell things to. Good AND bad. You’re the one I want to share things with. Whether it’s horror stories about my ex or stupid jokes that I’ve gathered up over the years, or things I hear or see when I’m out. I don’t feel that comfortable with anyone else. Not like I do with you.”

“Do you think maybe it has something to do with the fact I’m the one you get naked and do filthy fucking things with?”

“That could play a role,” she laughs, and presses a lingering kiss to his cheek.

They settle into a comfortable, companionable silence, Lucy joining them and lying on the floor in front of the couch; watching the football game as they nurse their drinks, enjoying the warmth from the fire. He realizes that they’re in the midst of the ‘honeymoon phase’; everything seems to flow and co-exist so easily. Able to shut themselves away from the outside world; refusing to allow intrusive thoughts to penetrate the bubble they’ve built around themselves. They’re happy and comfortable; immersed in the ‘getting to know you stage’ outside of the intimate moments. Learning about each other’s likes and dislikes, their respective quirks and habits. It won’t always be this way. The charm will wear off; they’ll become easily annoyed and agitated as they both attempt to get used to sharing not only their space but their life, with another person.

When their mugs are empty, she places them on the coffee table and then stretches out on the couch. On her side with both arms wrapped around his thigh and her head in his lap.

“Is your team playing?”

His hand settles on her hip. “Yeah. The Western Bulldogs. They’re the ones with the red and blue shirts.”

“Are they winning?”

“By a pretty big margin, actually.”

“This doesn’t look like regular football. It’s nothing like the NFL. These guys are out there just killing each other. And as much as enjoy senseless violence from time to time…”

“This is Australian rules. Nothing like what you’re used to. This is the real deal. Not that wimpy crap they play where you’re from.”

“If we’re able to get sports from Australia, we might be able to get some hockey games. That would be nice. We could watch them together.”

“I don’t like hockey.”

“Have you ever seen a hockey game?”

“Once. That was enough.”

“Tell you what…” She rolls over onto her back “...if you’ll watch some hockey games and learn a bit about it, I’ll do the same with you and your football. Deal?”

“I suppose I could agree to that.”

“You’re going to have to teach me the rules, though. I know nothing about football. ANY kind of football.”

“Shouldn’t be hard. You’ve already proven to be a pretty fast learner in other areas. I’m impressed with you.”

“Well, you happen to be an excellent teacher. Although I do have one complaint.”

Tyler frowns.

“Things worked so well, I am aching. I don’t think I’m going to be able to walk properly for a couple of days.”

“Just a couple? I’m insulted.”

“Next time, the number will be higher, I promise.”

“I may have been a little….hasty…when it came to going from start to finish.”

“It lasted longer than I thought it would, to be honest.”

“Excuse you?”

“I didn’t mean that as a cheap shot. And I’m already very familiar with your skills and your staying power. But think of everything you just went through; you were clinically dead nine months ago, AND you just spent three quarters of a year in the hospital. I know we’ve gotten up to other things, but we haven’t actually done THAT. Given the circumstances, you not lasting that long is to be expected.”

“I don’t know if any of your little speech made me feel any better. It’s embarrassing. I’m thirty-five years old and…”

“You’re thirty-six now. You had a birthday in the midst of everything.”

“That’s it, just go and make things worse. Add another year onto my life.”

“Listen…” Reaching up, she takes hold of his chin. “...there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Do you realize how close you were? To being six feet under? You shouldn’t even be here. A weaker man? They would have given up. They wouldn’t have fought their way back. And if one of the setbacks to surviving all that is to not last as long as you usually do, I’d say that’s pretty damn good.”

“I’ve lasted longer than since I was fifteen years old.”

“And you’ll go back lasting longer again. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Did I have a problem with it?”

“Not that I could tell. Or that you’re admitting.”

“I have absolutely zero complaints. Except for the whole not being able to walk or sit properly thing. You need to realize that things aren’t going to be like they were. Not for a while, anyway. You’ve come a long way and there’s an even longer way to go. Can’t you just be proud of yourself? For even getting out of that hospital?”

“I only did it for you. You’re the only reason I fought my way back. Why I busted my ass to get back on my feet. If you hadn’t been around…”

“But I WAS. I was there because I wanted to be. Because I knew you had a lot of fight left in you. And I know you’re tired and frustrated, and you think you should be further ahead, but you’re doing way better than anyone ever expected.”

“You expected it. You didn’t give up.”

“I know how strong you are. And I know you in ways all those other people don’t. Even Nik. I wasn’t abandoning you, Tyler. And I would have fought to the bitter end. Until there was some proof you weren’t going to come out of it. So THIS? This whole not lasting as long as normal? It’s actually a huge accomplishment, considering. Think of it that way.”

“Why are you like this?”

“Like what?”

“How do you always find the silver lining in everything? The glass is always half full to you. How…?”

“Because I know what I’ve survived. Not even my worst days come close to what Mark put me through. So guess I’ve just tried to turn my suffering into something positive. I’ve learned to look at the world in a different way.”

“Personally, I think you’re just some kind of freak.”

Scowling, she flicks the tip of his nose with her thumb and forefinger.

“I love you, though. As weird as you are.”

“Admit it, my weirdness was one of the things you found adorable and appealing.”

“No, actually. It wasn’t. I’ve just learned to accept it and live with it.”

“Well, for what it’s worth? I love YOU. You enormously stubborn pain in my ass.”

“I don’t know what I ever did to deserve it, but…”

“Did I say it was up for debate? Did I say you could question things? No. So just…” She places a hand over his mouth. “...shhhh. Stop asking why and stop doubting what you’re worthy of, and just go with it. Can you do that? Just accept it and go with it?”

“I can try.”

“You better,” she warns and then turns her face towards him, her nose pressing into his stomach and her eyes closing. The events of the morning and afternoon quickly catching up to her: the relief that came with finally leaving the hospital, the long flight that had followed, and the drive to the cabin that represented the last leg of their trip to freedom. And then the sex; that effortless transition from hungry, desperate, and impatient to something much more tender and attentive.

Now she’s finally able to relish in the aftermath. Enjoying the hardness of his body and that warmth that radiates from it, his familiar smell and the beat of his heart deep within. Issuing a long, content sigh when one of those enormous, calloused hands is placed upon her cheek; his fingertips softly stroking her forehead while his thumb makes continuous sweeps across her cheek. And just as she begins to feel herself teetering on the edge of sleep, she feels him move against her; the slight shift of his body and the couch cushions as he reaches for the throw on the back of the couch and proceeds to drape it over her. What follows is such a simple, sweet display of care and adoration. A smile playing on her lips as this man -so big and so strong and capable of inflicting so much harm- ever so tenderly tucks and secures the fabric under and around her.

From that moment, she loses all track of time. The stroking of her cheek eventually ceases; his arm becomes limp, and his hand comes to rest upon her hip as sleep finally claims him. His soft snoring and deep rhythmic breathing joining the rattling of the windows as the wind and the snow continue to rage beyond the cabin’s four walls.

*****

When she wakes, it’s to the crackle of the fire and Lucy’s loud snoring, the cattle dog somehow managing to find enough space on the sofa. Rolling onto her back, she gives a loud yawn and a long, languorous stretch. Rapidly blinking her eyes when she’s greeted by the unexpected glow of the couch side lamp.

She watches Tyler in silence. Still in the same spot as when she’d fallen asleep, his eyes narrowed, and his brow furrowed as he devotes his focus and attention to a game on his cell phone. And it isn’t until she lightly tickles his stomach that he acknowledges her, greeting her with a soft smile as he uses gentle fingertips to clear strands away off her forehead and out of her eyes.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

“Sleep alright?”

Esme nods. “Guess I was just way too warm and cozy. Did you?”

“It was an okay nap. I kinda freaked out a bit, though. When I woke up. I didn’t even remember coming here. I thought I was still in the hospital. So when I didn’t recognize anything…”

“You spent three-quarters of a year there. I’d be surprised if you didn’t have moments like that. Eventually, they’ll go away. Once you get used to being here.”

“Once I realized that you, were YOU, I was alright. I knew I was in a safe place. That everything was going to be okay.”

It’s so sincere and genuine….so unexpected… that it causes a lump of emotion to sit square in her throat. She’s never known anyone quite like him, the strong, silent type that usually doesn’t have much to say, but makes an enormous impact when he does speak. He hides nothing from her. Open and transparent from the beginning of those five days in Dhaka, not just with words, but with facial expressions and body language. Both of them -despite their painful pasts and respective, albeit different, losses- somehow finding a level of trust in one another that neither had experienced before.

“Are you alright?”

Nodding, he tosses his phone onto the coffee table. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You’re feeling okay? You’ve had enough to eat? You don’t have too much pain? You…”

“Are you really going to do this as soon as you get up? Start worrying?”

“I can’t help it. I’m a worrier. It’s who I am. You should be used to it by now.”

“There’s nothing for you to worry about. I’m fine. I’d tell you if I wasn’t.”

Her eyes narrow. “Would you?”

“I’ve already promised I would. About a million times already. I’m fine, Esme. I mean, other than the fact my left leg and my ass are completely asleep.”

“You could have gotten up, you know.” She attempts to sit up, laughing when a broad, strong forearm prevents her. “You didn’t have to stay here. You could have moved me.”

“I didn’t have the heart to do it. You looked way too cute, lying there like that. You snore, by the way.”

“I most certainly do not.”

“You do. You snore AND talk in your sleep.”

“Did I say anything interesting?”

“You didn’t incriminate yourself in any crimes if that’s what you mean. You did make a grocery list, though. Toilet paper, milk, ketchup, and cat litter.”

“Bullshit. You’re making that up.”

“I’m telling the truth. Scouts honour.”

“You were NEVER a scout. Who are you kidding?”

“But you did make a grocery list. And those are the things you mentioned. I have no idea where the cat litter comes into play, but…”

“Maybe that was a hint. That we should get a cat.”

“I don’t like cats.”

“How can you not like cats? They’re cute, and they’re furry, and they purr and make biscuits on you. How can you not be into that sort of thing?”

“They smell funny.”

“This coming from a guy that lets chickens freely roam the house. And sleep in the bed!”

“We are NOT getting a cat.”

“Just one?”

“No.”

“Please? You won’t even know it’s here. I’ll do all the feeding and the cleaning up and…”

“I don’t want a cat. I’m not a cat guy. Do I look like one to you?”

“Please, you like pussy more than anyone I know.”

“Not that kind, I don’t.”

“I’ll break you. I’ll wear you down. I will get my cat.”

“Over my dead body.”

“That can be arranged.”

“You’d never go through with. You’d miss me too much.”

“Like a hemorrhoid.” She squeals when he slides a hand between her and the couch and aggressively pinches her ass, then playfully shoves him away and sits up; hands smoothing over her hair and fixing her ponytail. “I have some bad news, by the way.”

“Color me surprised.”

“We have to leave the house sooner than I thought. We need to go into town. Grab a few things.”

“Ketchup, ass tissue, and cat litter?”

“Ice cream. And chocolate. My period is coming soon.”

“I didn’t need to know that.”

“I mean, you wouldn’t wonder why I’m suddenly bitchy and bleeding out of my vagina?”

“You’re always bitchy. And you like things rough. Anything can go wrong when you’re…”

“And firewood. We need firewood. Track down some of the pre-cut, bagged stuff. There’s not enough on the porch to even last even a couple of days. It’s how we heat this place, so…”

“Have you taken a look outside? We are surrounded by trees. Which is where firewood comes from. And I already saw an axe out on the front porch.”

“You have one good arm.”

“Which is more than enough to chop firewood. I mean, it’ll take a lot longer than if I had TWO good arms, but…”

“And you have one good leg. You’re going to hurt yourself. Chop your foot off or something. I could always do it. I know how to use an axe.”

“You can lift an axe?”

“Well, maybe not a normal-size one. But a little one.”

“You mean a hatchet?”

“It’s technically a little axe, right? I mean, it’ll take me a couple of days to make any sort of headway, but…”

“And you worry about me hurting myself? I’m just supposed to be okay with you wielding a hatchet? I mean, if you want to do it that badly, you can just come out and help me. Make sure I don’t fuck things up.”

“Oh, right. And then when I annoy you, you’ll chop me into a million pieces and throw me in the woods!”

“I would never chop you up and throw you in the woods.”

“Aww, you big softy. You wouldn’t know what to do with yourself; if I wasn’t around anymore. You’d…”

“I’d chop you up and feed you to the dog.”

At the end of the couch, Lucy briefly raises her head, tilting it from side to side before issuing a heavy sigh and returning to her original position.

“You’re an asshole,” Esme grumbles, laughing when she tries to stand but quickly finds two powerful arms wrapping around her waist and yanking her back down.

“I'll tell you what, because I don’t want you worrying so much, we will go into town and find bagged firewood.”

“Thank you.”

“We’ll get enough to last at least a couple of weeks. But once it runs out, you gotta give me a chance, yeah? To try and do things? Because I’m going to go completely fucking nuts doing nothing but sitting on my ass all day.”

“There’s lots of things for you to do. You can go on walks, you can ice fish, you can learn to knit, like Yaz said.”

“Just let me try. That’s all I’m asking. I’m not going to get any better by not testing the limits. You need to trust me.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that I worry about you. I’ve spent nine months taking care of you. In some way or another. And it makes me really nervous; when I think about all the things that could go wrong.”

“Don’t think about those things, then,”

“Believe me, it’s easier said than done. But I WILL try. To not worry so much.”

“Thank you.”

Slipping out of his embrace, she climbs into his lap, wrapping both arms around his neck and placing her head on his shoulder. And her eyes close as she enjoys both his scent and touch, large hands slipping up the back of her shirt, calloused fingertips repeatedly travelling up and down her spine.

“By the way…” His voice rumbles deep within his chest. “...I’d never do anything horrible to you. Not even remotely.”

Smiling, she presses a kiss to the sensitive spot just below his left ear. “I know.”

“Also, I’m ready for my surprise.”

“Jesus…”

“Listen, you said the ‘p word’. That was the trigger.”

Laughing, she pulls back to look at him, fingertips tracing the scar that curves over the bridge of her nose. “You’re like a horny fifteen-year-old stuck in a grown man’s body.”

“I’ve got a lot to make up for. Nine months. That’s…”

“A long ass time.”

“I don’t know old timer,” she teases, and playfully ruffles his hair. “Think you can keep up with a youngin’ like me.”

“I don’t know.” One hand slips between them to gently cup her breast, and he feels her shiver against him when his thumb brushes over her nipple. “But I can’t try.”

[theesirenteller]

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐨: 𝔮𝔲𝔦𝔢𝔯𝔬 𝔰𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔯𝔪𝔢 𝔟𝔦𝔢𝔫 | Masterlist

Epiphany wondered if other women ever experienced the heartbeat-like throbbing against their pearl and the quivering, almost pins and needles feeling down the slit of the lips whenever a (painfully) alluring man was around. She couldn't help but feel so…slutty. Her shimmery g-string clung to her dripping wet cunt as she squeezed her thighs together. Rio's voice was the liquidation of sex. No doubt she could get off on solely his voice, "What's a girl like you doin' with a trainwreck like ole girl?" the words poured from his lips like smooth whiskey,

"What are you doing with Booby-Betty Crocker? " She challenged him with a sultry grin, "Is that some type of humiliation, corruption kink?" His robust laughter was contagious. It caused giggles to escape her lips as she grinned. The midnight wind blew through her hair as he drove down the streets of Chicago.

"Yeah, something like that," Rio smirked as his dark eyes glanced her way. Ranking across her face and down to her breast.

"Well…" Her shea-butter brown eyes trailed from his neck tattoo to his lips, "I don't let me get in trouble with the boss."

"You already are, Honey"

Epiphany was no stranger to the Marriott hotel. It always was a cushiony place that worked for when she needed to service some middle-aged sap for some quick cash. This time was slightly different. She wasn't meeting some John but hooking up for the sole purpose of fulfilling lust. The pair stood beside one another in the hotel's crowded elevator. Rio slightly angled a few inches behind her. His hand laid against the middle of her lower back, causing a tingly sensation to slither down her spine to between her legs. Inhaling his cologne, a slight smile fell on her lips. His scent was comforting in the most fascinating way. Epiphany anticipated how his skin would feel against hers. The transition from the elevator to the hotel room felt like a blur. Honestly, it was.

Everything felt so miniscule when her lips hungrily indulged in his. His lips moved deeply against hers. Rio's large yet steady hands grasped firmly to the back of her neck and head. He didn't do 'kissing' but she was far too pretty not to kiss. His large hands embraced her full breasts with a firm squeeze that caused her nipples to harden.

His cool, calm, and calculated demeanor made her feel so frantic and feral; so much so that she could barely hold herself back from yanking the black button-down shirt off his almond-shaded skin. Epiphany felt like a lion's prey the moment his arms clasped around her body, One arm wrapped around her shoulders; which he used to push her closer to his body until they were chest to breast. His opposite arm wrapped around her waist with a hand laid across her ass. His lips pressed against hers firmly as they ravished each other's mouths. Tongued plunging further into one another's mouths, colliding and licking against each other wildly. The silky fabric she wore around her hips to cover her soaked mound was ripped from her and his long, lanky fingers plunged into her. Shallow moans escaped her mouth that grew into whiny whimpers between her shaky breaths. The warmth of his mouth rose pebble-like goosebumps to her skin as he kissed and licked against her neck, all the way down to her collarbone. Epiphany could hear him inhale her pheromones as she felt his nose pressed against the corner of her throat. He drummed his fingers into her pussy. Deep, slow, scissoring motions with the pads of his fingers rubbing against her soaked lining caused Epiphany's hips to buckle against his hand, "o-ooh1 uuhh" Her hands grasped at his shoulders as their tongues met.

She could taste the burn of bourbon off of his mouth as the saliva from his tongue dripped into her mouth. Ravenously, his lips overlapped hers as his large hands grasped hold of the back of her thighs. His arms cradled her closer tugging her lower half off the bed as his tongue plunged down her throat, Rio abruptly rammed into her with one plunging thrust. With such force that Epiphany's whole body trembled. Her thighs latched against his waist with a 'slap'. The tips of her nails dug into the blades of her shoulders as a muffled moan escaped her mouth. whew, His long length was as thick and quite fat. He wasn't anything like Epiphany expected. No, he was so much better than that. Stuffing her fully with thunderous thrusts that were anything but sweet. Deep and rapid she felt the force of them in the small creases of her hips and the bottom pit of her stomach.

" Ahh! O.. Oh!! ¡Dios mío!" she cried out against Rio's mouth. Their saliva slipped off the side of her now pouty lips. The fatty curved tip of his dick stroked against her g spot deep in the odyssey of her pool of moisture. Hot tears started to trickle down her face as her mind grew fuzzy. She couldn't think, only feel. She only sank further into the addictive pleasure that burned within their bodies.

The heavy weight of his bulge pressed heavily against her core as their bodies sank into the depth of the mattress. His hand grasped at the base of her throat as he darkly chuckled against the side of her mouth, leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses behind his shallow breaths. "aw mamacita lo estás haciendo muy bien por mí" He praised into her ear like a secret only they shared. Her legs trembled violently as she grew sweaty, and flushed with desire. Feeling fully exposed. There was no prep for being this close. Like exposure therapy, she was thrown into this and desperately wanted more. He paid attention to every detail of her body. Biting at her nipples, licking and sucking along both her breast and neck. Squeezing at the sides of her ass as he pierced ravenously into her soaked, slippery center.

Rio was swallowed by her warmth and she was stuffed with his girth. Her hands clasped to the back of his shoulders with an iron grip as her meaty thighs were spread wide. His palms laid flat against her inner thighs as he mounted her. His pulsating cock stroked tenderly within her at an animalistic pace that caused heat to pool within the pit of her stomach. Hunger, Lust, and her arousal coated his length like strawberries dipped in chocolate. The painful pleasure he brought onto her was addictive. Like a hot blade running along bare skin. Epiphany came so hard that her nude, sweat-glistened body jolted up against his. The mouth of her arousal ached as his thrusts only increased in intensity. Bruises formed against her hips as his nails and fingertips dug into her soft flesh.

With one swift and sharp plunge, Rio rammed every inch of his thick-cut right-inch cock inside her. Filling her up whole. Epiphany let out a thunderous wail. " ℱ𝓊𝒸𝓀! "

She felt as though the wind had been knocked out of her. Her body felt electrified with pins and needles as if she'd been thrown into ice-cold water. his hips began to speed up in movement and force. Ravishing her dripping wet punani viciously with a ball's deep thrust. That caused tears to spill from her eyes as her hips snapped upwards and her back bent. " Mmff! Unnf." she cried out. Her hands smacked against the tatted sides of his forearms as her nails clawed against them.

He grabbed her left leg lifting it so her foot was by his head. A tight grip to her neck as he leaned against her thigh making it so she was stretching out as he pressed weight against her. His pelvis crashed forward at a Vicious pace as the curved tip of cock drilled into her sweet spot. Jackhammering into her pussy caused sweat droplets to form against his skin. His dark eyes drank in the way her large breasts bounced wildly. her thighs and curves jiggled due to the harsh impact.

Epiphany's lips trembled as her whole body shook. An out-of-body experience had taken over her and it became overwhelming. Her words are incoherent and nothing but gibberish. The tight knots that were deep in her womb were broken. her core feeling shattered as she came messily. Spilling down his balls and inner thighs like a leaky faucet. Her whole face turned hot. Her hair stuck to her neck and back. The pressure applied to her neck was added and as soon as her lips parted, his long digits were stuffed into her mouth. His right hand grasped a fistful of her hair as he tugged at it. Her head snapped back as her teary eyes looked into his obsidian ones.

Rio viciously bottomed out every time before he’d pull back. “coño.” he cursed, his grunts were low and came up from his throat. they sounded animalistic yet hot. She felt so good if made him feel possessive. Her moans and muffled whines grew louder the moment his hand moved from her neck to her clit. Pinching and smacking at the bundle of nerves that made her squirt against his palm.

Epiphany began to convulse with overstimulation as both of her legs were lifted and pinned against the headboard, "Please!" she begged. It all felt like too much. Too good. Her heartbeat pounded against her chest almost matching his animalistic thrusts. She swore she was being fucked to death. If she died this way…then well..she'd die happily. But he never did. His pelvis rotated up as he mounted her. Violently rutting into her continuously. His balls bounced off the thickness of her plump ass. His hands slipped down her legs before greedily groping onto her ass.

The gangster's eyes nearly rolled back as he hollowed out groans of pleasure. Truly in a state of pussy drunken bliss. His fingers tugged her pussy lips apart enough to fondle and rub his thumbs along them as he pulled out of her warm center. Shamelessly painting thighs with his cum as he sucked harder against her breast.

It was safe to say that Epiphany thought about him and night of sinful pleasure for the next two weeks. She still could smell his cologne. His touch was embedded into her skin. The ticklish pecks of his facial hair she could still feel against her neck. Not just the night but the following mid-morning. He was very smooth, sweet, and polite. They had spent an hour together after their separate showers. Eggs, bacon, pancakes, and coffee were what they both ordered. The meal they shared was accompanied by casual conversation with light flirting and silly jokes. Everything was light-hearted and he was sweet enough to book her an Uber with a kiss on the cheek before their farewell. Time moved fast after that. She didn't see him at the strip club which was a bummer and the university was kicking her ass. Epiphany didn't forget him but life just moved on.

On a Wednesday afternoon, The dancer sighs to herself in aggravation as she reads over her manipulation and persuasion textbook. She was drowning in notes and her eyes were dry with soreness from overanalyzing everything. Her phone dinged at the perfect time causing her to pipe up and check her texts. "Hey chica, we need some sugar for Topper's rager.' that one had been from one of her dance class friends and another message came from Annie asking to meet up at Regina's diner. 'Got u' she texted first before agreeing to meet up with Annie.

Epiphany then proceeded to change out of her fluffy cheetah print pjs and put on the quickest fashion ensemble she could find. Which was a green-apple-colored Juicy Couture tracksuit and black fur-trimmed kitten heel sandals. She only had the strength to pull her messy curls into a sleek high ponytail. Oversized Chanel shades covered her tired eyes as Epiphany left her apartment. During the Uber ride to the diner, she popped three edible gummies into her mouth. Her phone buzzed as she chewed slowly.

'Rainforest Cafe. Friday midnight, u down?'

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Or in this case, think of him. The back of her neck grew hot just like the sides of her face. 'See you there.' she texted in response just as she reached her destination. Epiphany skipped happily into the diner with a smile across her face. Her smile began to dim down as she noticed at the booth with her head down.

"What's up with you?" Epiphany immediately questioned with a raised brow as she slipped into the seat across from the younger Boland sister. A frown slowly formed across her face as she watched Annie wipe her tears away.

"Oh, you know just, baby whales dying." Annie joked before shaking her head, "It's just…Sadie's mostly at his father's house again and Beth well…she's been busy since she became councilwoman between that and gang friend. It's been rough since I got out of jail. Lonely, mostly."

Before Epiphany could utter a word the waitress had come and asked for their orders. Both women decided on curly-fried and sunny-side eggs. Epiphany then turned back to her friend. "That sucks. I'm sorry about that. What happened to your EMT job offer?" Based on the look of dread on Annie's face; the question was answered without words. "Well fuck that do something else. You're funny, do some comedy shit at nightclubs. Maybe do something working with old people. I don't know, use your weird ass wits to bring someone some joy." Epiphany suggested.

"Gee, thanks." Annie smiled before excitement flashed across her eyes, "I used to have this friend named Marion. She was the sweetest old lady and I considered her to be my nana. We were close up until she passed. Maybe I could get into that again."

"Yeah. Honestly just live your life doing whatever the fuck you want. And when you get lonely, put on some skin-tight jeans and find un papi chulo para besar. " Epiphany's dialectic switch made Annie laugh and high-five her.

The women spend their afternoon eating and cracking jokes and midway into their meal, Rio came up in the conversation. "Opening night…did you and your gang friend hook up?" Annie asked.

Epiphany chewed on her eggs with a closed mouth and a smirk swept across her lips. Annie gasped dramatically with wide eyes. "Holy fucking shit. I thought you were bluffing."

The Latina snorted and shook her head, "Not even in my wildest dreams would I bluff about wanting to get railed by a man like that." Epiphany then snapped her manicured nails and pointed at Annie, "And don't go spreading it to your sister, yeah? Whatever she and he got going on isn't any of my business and whatever I do with him isn't her business."

Annie sighed but nodded "I get it. I had an affair once too…It's just that they're together and work together. We all kinda work together but I think they're like officials this time." Annie personally didn't get or understand the full extent of her sister and gang friend's relationship. Beth never gossiped about it now that the kids and dean were gone. Also, sometimes there was beef and then there wasn't. and Annie ended up being caught in the middle every time.

The thought of the rotted mayo-looking councilwoman and Rio just left a bad aftertaste in Epiphany's mouth. "Apples to Oranges babes. Don't think too much into it or get too caught up in it." she shrugged. And with that, she paid half of their tab before heading to do some shopping. Epiphany most definitely needed new outfit choices for Friday.

[theesirenteller]

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫

Chapter Six ; 𝕱𝖆𝖒𝖆𝖎𝖑𝖎𝖆 | Masterlist

Epiphany could feel her heart beating rapidly against the base of her eardrums. She almost felt deaf. Her stomach rattled as the bullets shot through Cassius's head. The bullets scattered into his skull and split his flesh open. His blood splattered onto the floor as if he were a pig that had freshly been slaughtered. And when the unpleasant linger of ammonia swept away from her nostrils…she felt nothing. The anxiousness she once felt not even seconds ago had disappeared.

Everyone had to die at some point. Cassius surely had it coming given the amount of times he knocked on death's door with his actions. Epiphany never expected she'd be the one to deliver. The blood he spilled throughout the streets of Los Vegas for fun or for collecting his debts. Or the times when the slaps she laid across his face were met with brutal punches to her face and kicks to her side. But did that dignify his death? Epiphany couldn't be sure. Whatever they had gone through she had chucked it up to 'relationship ups and downs'.

And she had been too into her head to notice Rio visibly relax his tense shoulders. She had chosen him. She had initiated her loyalty and devotion to him. He placed his hand on top of hers and took the gun. "I hurt him…that must've hurt a lot," Rio heard her whisper as he drew himself closer to her body. "He didn't feel anything, mama," Rio assured her. His tall figure crouched down as he wrapped his long around her waist, butt, and legs to lift her into a cradle position in his arms. Epiphany wrapped her arms around his neck, her nose brushed against the edge of his eagle tattoo as she found comfort in his scent. Rio held her tightly in his arms, against his chest. The smoothness of his lips slid across her forehead a moment before he carried her out of the 'room',

The events of being taken out of the tunnels, And then when she was put into Rio's car, and going to his apartment were a blur. It moved just as fast as the blink of Epiphany's eyes. But the moment she had been set down on her feet in his living room, Epiphany looked up into his dark eyes, meeting his piercing yet unreadable gaze with a look of desperation before ravenously kissing his lips. Their bodies began to say what their mouths couldn't. Clothes turned into obstacles and were ripped from one another's bodies. Their tongues plunged deep into the depths of each other's mouths as Epiphany was pinned to the couch. A muffled moan echoed off of Epiphany's lips into Rio's mouth as he thrust inside her. Her hands clung to the back of his toned thighs as he rutted into her over and over again. ❛𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓮 𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓮 𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓮 𝓭-𝓭𝓸𝓷'𝓽 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓹❜ Epiphany cried and whimpered against his lips with tears prickling down the sides of her face. The warmth of his hands cupping the sides of her face brought on the feeling of safety and comfort.

That night solidified their relationship and Christopher didn't realize how 'rusty' (for lack of a better word) he was when it came to that dynamic. In terms of consistency; He had been doing his own thing for a long time. Came and went when he pleased. He could go off-grid for weeks at a time and then pop back around to whatever woman's home or apartment he was seeing. But being in an exclusive, committed relationship came with responsibilities and Christopher was no stranger to that. He didn't mind when it came to Epiphany, either. He was gentle with her. He was also patient. Christopher took notice of the trauma Epiphany experienced from the initiation of their relationship. The signs would've been inconspicuous to the average male but not to Christopher.

Epiphany had slept over at his apartment for a week straight and every night she would awake beside him in a cold sweat and sit on the floor gazing out the bedroom windows. She slept best cuddled on top of him with him nuzzled inside her. Their shared mornings were quiet unless he'd crack a joke first or hold her hand in his own. The bubbly personality she once possessed was amplified at other times. He often came home to her drenched in sweat dancing in his living room with her headphones on. Her lips painted in a scowl and her eyebrows knitted together. She mounted him like a squirrel climbing a tree, smothering him in affection. Which to Christopher was a double-sided coin of appreciation, something that made him feel like her protector, her world. A sisterly-sweet feeling over the fact that she depended on him emotionally and physically. He couldn't help but smile during the times she would send him text messages throughout the day, checking in on him.

"I think you should meet my kid soon." He announced randomly over lunch at his favorite sushi spot. A slight smirk settled across his lips when Epiphany's big brown eyes widened. "Maybe…my family in general."

"Really?" A beaming-bright smile swept across her lips, "I mean I'd love to, but…are you sure?" A brief look of worry swept across her face. A few thoughts of insecurity swept across her mind. Family was a big deal and Epiphany wasn't certain his family would warm up to her.

"Of Course," Christopher reassured her as he reached his hand across the table and took her hand in his own. Carefully, he raised her hand and placed a kiss against the corner of her hand. He then placed soft kisses against the pads of her fingertips. "It'll be cool, don't sweat it, mama."

His reassurance made her whole face brighten. Epiphany had quickly leaned over the table and placed kisses against the side of his cheek. To which he basked in her affection by cradling the back of her neck with his hand and kissing her lips. The pair settled on the following Saturday, a week before Thanksgiving.

After lunch, Epiphany returned to her apartment and immersed herself in a week's worth of schoolwork which allowed Christopher to tap into the mindset of Rio fully and get back to business. One matter of business in particular he was going to straighten. Beth and the two spinless mice that followed her. Speaking of…The three women were seated in the strip club counting and splitting their weekly profits when Rio and Mick arrived. The men couldn't help but overhear that Epiphany was the subject of conversation. "She hasn't been back and I haven't seen her at our usual Boba spot," Rio and Mick overheard Annie say.

"Good riddance. At Least she was smart enough to do that." Beth added on.

"Ole girl is probably off humping some other thug in magic city," Ruby grunted. 

“Damn, what happened to bitches uplifting one another.” Mick commented casually as he and Rio strolled into the back room. He didn't bother holding back his chuckle when the women visibly jumped out of startelement. They didn't utter a reply. 

"What's up ladies, you got my cut?" Rio greeted with a chastising smile as he stepped forward.

"Yes, it's all here." Beth was first to speak up as she moved around the table and grabbed one of the duffle bags from one of the lockers. As she made her way over towards him, her blue eyes pierced into his dark brown ones with a wide-eyed gaze. She drank him in with a gaze that read-over as yearning, and burned with desire.

Rio on the other hand looked at her blankly in return as he took the duffle bag from her. His mind and attention elsewhere despite his eyes fixed on her.

"It's light. Real light," Mick said as soon as the bag of money was passed over to him.

Rio's left brow slowly rose up as his head slowly tilted to the side, "And why's that?" 

"Business hasn't exactly picked up over the last few friday nights. One of our dancers, Jannie just started doing solos and they haven-"

"Nah, that ain't the truth and we both know that," Rio quickly butted in and cut Beth off. "Every friday night the club was bringing in over 150 gs. Epiphany's solo night and you bitches fucked that up over…"His attention fell back on Beth, only this time with a menacing gaze, "Insignifigance."

Something told Beth that he was talking about her rather than the situation.  And if looks could kill…she would be eight feet under in a cold and shallow grave. 

"But since my money is something you like to play with…"he trailed off before his lips broke out in a wide smile, "You've got forty-eight hours to make it back." And with that he turned around and started walking towards the exit door."Oh, and double it. For the late fees." Rio called over his shoulder which caused Mick to snicker as both men left.

While Rio had been dealing with the peaky housewives, Epiphany was on the other side of town located in her apartment on facetime with an old friend. More like her second-mother than an old friend, Galinda Torress. A Colombian immigrant who not only was the house mother in the previous club she worked at; The Starlight but also someone who saw Epiphany as just a girl and instantly treated her like a daughter. After all, Epiphany was one thirteen when she started dancing. 

"Miera nena, por favor stop checking the fish! Let it cook!" The woman scowled with her broken-bilingual dialect.

Epiphany was no chef. The most she could do was saute black beans, make sunny-side up eggs. Cook rice both steamed and stir fried, and make chicken wings. Enough to feed herself whenever she remembered to within the chaos of studying and working. Taking her free time to perfect a batch of cookies was more of her thing.

"Okay, Sorry!" she quickly apologized with a reddened face.

Per Galinda's advice, she made something that was less intimidating for dinner. Which was; oven grilled red snapper, black bean rice, and salsa. All of it was homemade, salsa included. The whole fish was seasoned with various peppers, lemons, and smoked herbs. Epiphany had soaked her black beans overnight so cooking them in the afternoon took little time and made the broth thicker, richer, and the beans soaked in all of the glorious flavors of the herbs easier. All she did was combine it into the boiled rice that had been set aside and awaiting to be pan-seared. 

The honduran dancer's body was drenched in sweat. Her sports bra and bike shorts clung to her like a second skin by the time she was done cooking everything. She couldn't help but let out a sigh in relief when things were done and all she had left to do was get pretty. A loud knock against her metal door echoed throughout her apartment causing Epiphany to rush down the stairs. When she opened it, she was met with a woman and child. Both had bright smiles on their faces but the child held a particular resemblance to somebody Epiphany  knew.

“Hi, sorry to impose like this. I'm Rhea and this is Marcus, we thought we'd introduce ourselves and maybe lend you a helping hand before the rest of Chris's family comes over.” The woman introduced with an upbeat tone.

And in that moment Epiphany was shitting bricks. His child, His baby's mother. Two very important people were face to face with her. And although she had been expecting them, she couldn't help but be nervous. 

“Chris is my dad!” Marcus said proudly.

“Oh! Hi, yes. Come on in.” She quickly moved aside for them to come in and gestured inside with her waving hand.

The mother and son duo stepped inside with large smiles across their smiles. “I'm Epiphany, but you can call me whatever nickname you can think of though. I don't mind.” 

“Epiphany, huh? That’s a nice name.” Rhea complimented.

“Thank you.” Epiphany smiled bashfully, “Would you like something to drink? I’ve got a ton of different juices.” Epiphany's hospitality had been an ice breaker for Rio’s family. She and Rhea had engaged in conversation amongst themselves as Marcus had a blast icing Churro cupcakes. He may have added too many white chocolate chips on top but his mother didn’t notice.

“Yeah, it’s pretty!” Marcus added on.

“Essentially Chris and I broke up because of his lack of compassion. It’s his world and you’re just living in it for the sake of being provided for. He’ll leave for however long and pop back up again with a gift and a smile…for Marcus that’s okay. For me, it wasn’t.” Rhea explained.

“Do you miss him?”Epiphany asked after taking in the information. She had no opinion of what Rhea had told her. If anything, she took note of what the ex-wife had said. Like a warning.

“God no” Rhea laughed with a shake of her head, “The intensity of it all isn’t for me. He takes care of us financially and that’s all I can ask for or want.” She sighs to herself before turning to Epiphany and laying a hand on her shoulder, “Enjoy this, whatever you two have going on. Enjoy it for however long things last.”

Epiphany couldn’t be sure if there was a slight bit of shade thrown in her warning or if it was Rhea’s blessing and a warning wrapped in one package. Either way, the dancer took heed to it. She had only gotten a glimpse of Rio’s intensive nature. More like a front row seat than a glimpse and oddly enough she liked. Liked was a word that dulled down how he made her feel. Captivated was a better word. As time passed on, Epiphany had gotten a chance into more appropriate clothing. Which consisted of a turquoise blue button-down top; that she tucked into a high waisted black mini skirt. Baby blue fur-trimmed kitten heels adorned her feet. 

Continuous knocks soon started to beat on the door. Various members of Rio’s family started to show from his female cousins and their children and few male cousins. As her apartment started to fill up, Epiphany  grew impatient. Most of the people there engaged with Rhea and Marcus despite their curiosity toward Epiphany. In all actuality they were waiting for Christopher to arrive. A large brute with a full beard and frumpy build had joined Epiphany by the door. 

“He loves to em’ waiting.” The man commented.

“Hm?” Epiphany raised her left eyebrow.

“Oh sorry,” He smiled while extending his hand out,”I’m Nick. His brother.”

‘He has a brother? Huh, Rio definitely doesn’t give off younger brother vibes’ Epiphany thought to herself as she shook Nick’s hand.

“I’m Epiphany, nice to meet you Nick.” 

“You’re his girlfriend?” Nick asked just as a knock was placed on the front door. But it came off as more-so condescending.

“We’ll see.” Epiphany smirked as she proceeded to open the door. 

The smirk was soon wiped off her face and her breath was taken away the moment she came face to face with Christopher. The effect he had on her was juvenile at this point. She left like person who had seen the sun set for the first time.

“Sorry I’m late, had to-” Chirstopher started but was cut off by the older woman beside him.

“He ran late to pick me up which resulted in both of us missing out on all the fun.” The older woman commented, “I’m his grandma, Rosa.”

“When isn’t he late.” Nick laughed.

“Oh um it’s okay, you didn’t miss anything.” Epiphany replied as she stepped aside. She didn’t miss the icy glare that Christopher sent Nick’s way. “I’m Epiphany by the way.”

Luckily for Nick, he was called by his wife which caused him to leave the group. 

“You're very pretty Epiphany, you have a lovely home as well.” Rosa commented, “If you don’t mind asking how old are you? You’ve clearly accomplished a lot.” Once everyone had been seated at the dinner table. Their plates filled with savory food.

“Thank you, I’m twenty-two. I have my dance career to thank for all this.” Epiphany replied.

“Dance career? Is that what they call stripping nowadays?” Nick obnoxiously asked.

“What’s stripping, dad?” One of Nick’s sons asked. 

“I think you’ve had too much to drink bro, You ain’t as young as you used to be.”  Rio’s arm draped across the back of Epiphany’s chair as he chastised Nick.

For a brief moment Epiphany wondered how Nick knew of her occupation. But then possibilities were honestly endless. He could’ve been at the club a few times. But she felt like she would’ve recognized him. Or maybe it was the way she carried herself. Or how she dressed. She honestly couldn’t be too sure. But she began to feel insecure.

“Enough.” The men’s grandmother ordered which had shut them up. Her attention then turned towards Epiphany and she offered her a warm smile, “Dancing is such a beautiful art. You clearly must be great at it girl given how well you’re doing for yourself and…” her eyes drifted over to Christopher, “My boy here does love beauty.”

“Me too grandma!” Marcus butted in gleefully. Everyone around the table had shared a laugh.

Epiphany hadn’t experienced the feeling of maternal love; but it radiated off of Christopher’s grandmother. Giving her a sense of comfort that calmed her budding nerves. That, and Christopher’s arm warmly draped around her neck; his lips pressed firmly to cheek. An act of affection and reassurance.

Thanks to Christopher and his grandmother, the dinner went smoothly. Surprisingly filled with relaxed conversation with topics ranging from politics, family values, and food. It wasn’t until dinner had ended and the women had been sharing wine in the kitchen, that the real conversation was had.

“You worked for the gringa?!” One of Christopher’s female cousins, Lana said. Absolutely flabbergasted. 

“The soccer mom?” Rhea cringed.

“Is she even a mother anymore?” Rosa muttered.

Epiphany laughed after sipping her wine”The thing is I had been working for her as a favor to her little sister Annie. Annie and I had been friends for about three months prior. I was looking for a part-time job and Annie said her sister’s club could use what I had to offer to bring in more profits. and they were offering 30% ownership which had appealed to me.” Epiphany explained.

“The soccer mom owns a strip club with her group of friends? The council woman? Tuh, crazy times we live in,” Christopher’s grandmother, Rosa scoffed. 

“That nutcase doesn’t know who she wants to be; I call it the menopause identity crisis.” Rhea said, whilst rolling her eyes.

“I knew the minute my boy brought her over that she wasn’t what she made herself out to be. I won’t say I thought she was bad or indecent, but Beth was something she wasn’t happy with. A married housewife who wanted independence. Maybe a sense of power and someone who had more…’seasoning’ for lack of a better word,” Grandmother Rosa stated.

 Both Rhea and cousin Lana agreed with a nod of their heads.

“How did you feel about She and Christopher being an Item?” Epiphany asked after taking the information in.

“A work fling at best,” Grandmother Rosa commented.

She knew that Annie said Beth and Rio hadn’t been exclusive, ever. But, she wanted to hear information from the otherside. The laughter shared between the women in Christopher’s family was nothing less than shady. 

Despite what Rosa said Epiphany couldn’t shake the feeling that lingered in the back of her mind. The feeling that maybe she wasn’t as special to Christopher as she thought she was. The fact that Beth had met his family made her feel some discomfort. Even if Christopher hadn’t been in a relationship with the councilwoman. 

“You’re bringing us the content; who needs a TV?” Lana replied.

Unbeknownst to the group, Christopher had been lingering in the shadows outside of the kitchen. He remained quiet for a few moments longer before walking inside. His hand laid on Epiphany’s shoulder with a firm squeeze. “I’m gonna steal her away for a minute. You ladies can get back to your telenovela later.”

“I’ll take a refill in the meantime.” Grandmother Rosa commented.

“Same here.” Rhea agreed.

Christopher smirked and shook his head in response.

Epiphany had stood up and excused herself before walking alongside Christopher to the hall.  He had grasped her hand within his and began leading Epiphany upstairs to her bedroom. He had waited until the door was closed and they were standing in the middle of the bedroom. His hand never moved from the lower half of her back.

“You were eavesdropping.” Epiphany commented.

“You weren’t being quiet.” Christopher replied.

She proceeded to look up at him with her big brown eyes and her arms crossed against her waist. Her hands are hugging at her sides. “If it was just business between you and Beth then why did you let her meet your family? I don't wanna be some chest piece in whatever game the both of you have going on.”

Epiphany felt naked at this moment. Vulnerable. She felt so many emotions.  And instead of wearing her heart on her sleeve. She wore it on her body entirely. Her eyes held every emotion she was feeling. Raw with the surface layers of skin scraped away.

Christopher on the other hand was calm. Cool, Calm, and Collected. His neck craned down as he towered over her. His thick-bushy eyebrows slightly cocked with the center of his forehead creased. “You’re mine and I’m yours. No Games, not this time. Not with you.” 

He hadn’t touched her but Epiphany felt his comfort.

Her bottom lip slightly quivered as she looked into his eyes. Searching for any trace of a lie; she found none. Epiphany didn’t know what it was exactly about Rio that made her feel both nervous yet protected. She knew there were many layers to him that she had yet to uncover. And each time he let her in a little closer, it made her feel reassured that he wanted her entirely. 

Maybe he would be the person to want her without malice. To see her. 

The way Epiphany had looked at him made Christopher feel wanted. Wanted in way that wasn’t malicious or superficial. Unbeknownst to her and he would keep it that way.

[theesirenteller]

𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝟒𝐌𝐞

🩸Let's grab a gold switch blade

And make us a blood pact, babe

To love and to fuck and to only see ourselves

And remember this 🩸

𝘿𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙛𝙚𝙢𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙬, 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙨 ' 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙍𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣 ' . 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙮𝙥𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙡𝙪𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙖 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙙𝙙𝙮. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙪𝙥 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙬 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣. 𝙎𝙤𝙛𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣. 𝙈𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙'𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙆𝙚𝙮𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙖 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙛 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙝 𝘽𝙤𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙...𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙄𝙏'𝙎 𝙃𝙀𝙇𝙇 𝙊𝙉 𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙃.

𝙆𝙚𝙮𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙖 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙛

One

Two

Three

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Five

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Eight

Nine

Ten

"𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝙵𝚒𝚌 𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚎𝚜𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚖; 𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚍. 𝙲𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚊𝚍𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚃 𝙰 𝙶 𝙻 𝙸 𝚂 𝚃"

[theesirenteller]

Beacon Of Light

A Rio Good Girls Fanfictional Mini Series.

“Coño!” Lupita cursed as the wind had been knocked out of her.

“I’m so sorry! I’m such a clutz at times.” Beth quickly apologized as she began helping the woman up.

The ditzy floral dress that had once been spotless had now been stained with muddy-brown coffee stains and dirt residue. Lupita’s plump lips were now shaped into a permanent pout as she narrowed her eyebrows while looking down. Beth watched the woman closely. Deep down, in the back of her mind Beth could superficially see why a man like Rio had chosen Lupita to be his wife.

The beauty of the curvy woman before her was undeniable. Her ample, full breasts, pudgy stomach, chubby cheeks with her baby-ish face, widened hips, and outward curved rear oozes sensuality. Her curves accentuate the natural form of femininity and exude a sense of softness and allure that could catch the attention of anyone and make them stare. She has a unique and captivating beauty that reminds Beth of the freshness and vibrancy of the season of spring.

Beth had been staring so long that she hadn’t noticed the switch between Lupita’s angered expression to bright and bubbly. “It’s fine. Happens to me all the time.” her chrippy tone had taken Beth by surprise. It was juvenile. It made the Boland woman want to laugh.

But instead of laughing, she smiled and offered” Well let me treat you to a coffee then. Make up for the one I ruined.”

Beth watched like a hawk as Lupita curled her bottom lip inward. Staying quiet for a moment, Lupita thought of what she would do. After a few seconds of silence, she replied ”What cafe? I can meet you there after I change?”

Lupita’s eyebrow slightly arched as she watched Beth’s blue eyes begin to widen. She found that action odd.

“It’s my treat to you so you should pick the place.” Beth insisted. Despite her smiling face, she was freaking out frantically on the inside. She hadn’t been to this area before. She knew nothing.

“Moe’s is fine. Right around that corner there.” Lupita replied with a raise of her hand and a point of her finger in that direction. Beth’s eyes followed the finger before she nodded her head.

“Okay, I’m Brenda by the way.” Beth lied as she extended her hand out.

“Lupita, Nice to meet you Brenda. I’ll see you soon.” Despite Lupita’s upbeat tone, her words were sharp and short. She hadn’t even awaited a response when she turned on her heel and strutted off in the opposite direction.

“That was weird. What a weirdo.” Beth quietly whispered to herself.

Lupita on the other hand had begun rushing home. Her face grew hot, her cheeks began to redden, and her hands balled into fists. ‘Messy, messy, messy, stupid, stupid, stupid’ she mumbled under her breath as she walked down the streets and soon entered her neighborhood, Rodger’s ridge. Located on the nicer part of Chicago,

The upscale neighborhood was a picture of elegance. The houses were big, with elegant mansions lined up along the streets and the lawns were manicured. Amidst the blooming flower gardens that perfumed the air, the sound of dogs barking harmoniously added a touch of homeliness to the otherwise stately atmosphere. The residents, dressed in designer attire, strolled with their leashed companions, adding a touch of elegance to the scene. The neighborhood was a tapestry woven with sophistication and the finer things in life.

Lupita worked quickly to enter the home that she shared with her husband, Christopher. Their home was an old Victorian style one but they’d had it modernized with a slick, black minimalistic aesthetic. As soon as the front doors closed, She let out a scream. Her purse fell to the floor with a ‘thud’ and her shoes flew across the floor as she kicked them off.

Lupita then went rushing into the downstairs bathroom as her long-nailed fingers clawed at her dirty attire. She tore holes into it as she ripped it off her body in disgust. Her narrowed eyes stared down at the filth covered clothing is disdain but soon the look dwindled when she inhaled the relaxing aroma of lavender and spearmint.

Their bathroom was a symphony of natural elegance. The rose quartz shower had a warm, inviting glow, promising an invigorating and ethereal experience. The botanical shower is a sanctuary of freshness, where lush greenery and refreshing scents create a spa-like oasis. Underfoot, the marble floors gleam, reflecting the soft glow of the overhead lighting. Every element in this bathroom is designed to create a serene and indulgent atmosphere, where Lupita, Christopher, or a guest could relax, rejuvenate, and escape the stresses of everyday life.

And that was what Lupita did. Despite being militant with getting her body cleaned properly, she mentally and physically relaxed. ‘Cleanliness is next to godliness.’ she thought to herself as she washed off. It didn’t take much longer for her to finish up her shower and get ready to get coffee.

This time around, she chose to wear a velour baby-blue tracksuit. Her bouncy coils glistened with gel as she made her way into the coffee shop. “My apologies, getting ready does take time.” Lupita said to Beth as she sat across from her.

“It’s fine. I know all too well.” Beth assured her, despite her annoyance.

Lupita’s eyes skimmed the Boland woman from top to Bossom. A meek smile chiseled her lips, “Do you really?” she questioned. Her eyes looked downward towards the menu that laid up on the table.

Beth felt uneasy and sat speechless. She didn’t know what to make of Lupita. So, instead of saying something that could compromise her position; Beth sat quietly.

“So, did you just move to the neighborhood, Brenda? I can’t say I’ve seen you around the neighborhood before.” Lupita asked as she turned the menu over.

“No. I actually wanted to venture outside the inner city more often and needed up here. I am beginning to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the neighborhood.” Beth replied. Her lies come out smoother than the truth. “I take it you live around here?”

“I do.” A genuine smile spread across Lupita, “My beloved and I have lived here for a while now. Are you married?”

A look of disdain had flashed across Beth’s face as she thought of her ex-husband, Dean. No longer being a wife was both rejuvenating and sorrowful at the same time. And the notion boggled her mind. “No, not anymore.”

Beth had expected Lupita to pry but she didn’t. Not even once. Instead, she brushed over the topic all together and segwayed into fashion. The latest styles she’d seen in Elle magazine. Beth easily became indulged in the conversation. Almost hanging onto every word that Luputa uttered. That was until they were interrupted by the sound of Lupita’s phone going off.

“Excuse me for a moment.” Lupita said with a smile. She then proceeded to turn to the side as she held the phone to her ear,”Hello my love, how are you?” Her voice rose a few octaves with a squeal chasing behind her words.

Beth watched closely, never veering her eyes away. Not even for a moment.

“Where are you?” His voice was smooth as aged whiskey. It tickled Lupita’s ears and made her heart flutter. But his words were sharp and straight to the point. As he always was.

Lupita briefly glanced at Beth before looking down into her lap, “I’m shopping for new cookware but stopped to grab a latte.”

“Alone?”

Lupita paused. Unsure if she should tell the truth or not. But, as both she and Christopher knew, telling the truth didn’t always lead to good things. And oftentimes led to fights or unwanted deaths.

“Yes. It’s just a little busy here. Lunchtime or whatever.” She replied dismissively.

Beth raised her left eyebrow. She felt the need to almost speak up to see what would happen next. She couldn’t hear the voice on the other end of the line but given how Lupita brightened up, She assumed it was Rio.

“I’ll call you at 3:30. You’ll be home, yea?” Despite it coming off as a question, Lupita had known it wasn’t one.

“Yes. Te Amo Para Sempre .“

“Te Amo Para Sempre Mi Princesa.” Even behind his cold exterior and militant personality, Christopher could never deny telling Lupita he loved her. It made his heart warm and the edges of his lips curved into a smile.

When they both ended the call, Lupita’s lips were still placed in a smiling position. Beth clearing her throat caused Lupita to snap out of her daydreaming state. “Sorry, did you say something?”

Beth’s lips quivered. Fighting back the urge to ask the question that burned the tip of her tongue. But, she knew she had to be patient and proceeded with caution. So instead of saying something ill-willed, she said “I asked if you have to go now.”

“Unfortunately I do.” Luputa smiled meekly. She then rolled her phone across the table,”Put your number in and we can do this again sometime.”

“Sure “ Beth smiled as she took the phone. As she began punching her digits into the device, she asked”How about we get tacos next time? A woman named Rhea told me about one called El Pico right on the harbor. I think it's a mom and pop shop.” Beth watched Luputa closely.

The name Rhea made Lupuita halt from packing away the items she carried in her purse. Her left eye began to twitch and her eyelashes fluttered. It was as if she were beginning to malfunction. She took a deep, dry gulp and licked over her pink-lipstick painted lips.

“Never heard of it.” She extended her arm outward and opened her hand.

“Oh. Well maybe we can experience it together.” Beth replied as she laid the cellular device into Luputa 's hand.

“Sorry. I'm not a fan of Mexican food. But, maybe something else. I'll text you.” Lupuita swiftly placed her phone into her purse. She then gave a tight-lipped smile as she stood up. Shortly leaving after.

Once the woman had been out of sight, Beth pulled out her phone and sent a text message to Agent Turner.

📲 The 'wife' knows about Rhea. I mentioned it and she looked disturbed. No doubt now that Rio killed her and perhaps Lupuita is covering it up

[theesirenteller]

Reaper's Crow.

🅦🅐🅡🅝🅘🅝🅖 Kidnapping, Gore, Abuse, Violence, Profanity, OCC, glorification of serial killings, mentions of sexual violence, smut, mentions of PTSD, Sociopathisim, graphic violence, torture, blood, gore, deaths, dark undertones, angst, slow-burn romance

▌This fictional piece is AU with very little amounts of canon. I understand if this fic isn't your cup of tea. Please do not leave hate comments. The story is set some years after season seven. ▌

"This is just in another series of bodies that have been reported to have been found butchered and dismembered. Two of the six bodies were confirmed to be Sergeant Robert Combs and Officer Micheal Llyod. Both were suspected to be in business with the Aryan Warriors. Police have put out a curfew for all Mottenhill residents to be inside their homes by seven p.m. We ask all residents to lock their doors and remain safe."

An ear-piercing scream echoed throughout the four-bedroom-two-story home. Drowning out the downstairs news report from the Tv. The sound of glass shattering followed by choked-up sobs and high-pitched squeals of agony bounced off the walls of the home. The commotion let death himself slip in through the backdoor like a dark shadow in the night. The rubber soles of his steel-toned leather boots pressed soundlessly across the wooden floor. The glimmer of his silver c-shaped daggers reflected across the floorboards as the six-foot-seven male crept up the staircase. 

"You stupid fucking bitch! I love you! Why do you have to make me so angry?!"

The reaper tightened his grip on the daggers within his hands as he edged closer to the master bedroom door. His target, the unfortunate son of a bitch stood with his back turned away from the door. Hovering over a blood-covered, badly beaten woman. Who looked more like a girl based on her size. She spat blood across the floor, and a few of her teeth followed. Tapping against the wood as they spilled. The man raised his foot up, no doubt getting ready to aim a kick towards the back of her head. Just as his foot started to lower…

The dagger shot right through his skull with a loud crunch. The leather whip attached to the handle of the blade tugged back. The man's neck yanked backwards as his large body fell onto the floor. The layers of rolls on his stomach jiggled due to the harsh thud. The blade roughly snapped open the bridge of his nose and dug upwards splitting the middle bridge of his eyes open wide. Blood splattering across the man's wrinkled face as his body jolted back and forth out of shock.The Reaper lowly whistled to himself as he walked further into the bedroom. His once bright eyes turned midnight blue as he looked down at his victim coldly. His breathing shallow as rolled the wire around his leather glover covered hand but ultimately yanking the blade from the man's head. Warm blood splattered across his shoes and pants. Something that felt as simple as rain falling on a gloomy day. Crouching down like a panther getting ready to indulge in its prey, he soon hovered over the dwindling body. First came snapping a photo on his mobile then he plunged the dagger violently into the man's jugular and rapidly yanked it across his throat. Viciously causing the mangled bones to disconnect from the spine and shoulders. With little regard to the blood painting his face crimson, The Reaper proceeded to take a plastic black bag from his pocket and toss the head inside. As he stood back up the sound of wheezing caught his attention. 

The woman weakly slithered herself as far away from him as she could. "P-ppp-ple" she attempted to beg as blood steeped from the sides of her mouth. Her sepia-brown skin is stained with crimson so much that he wasn't sure how many places she was bleeding from. She was tired of begging. Tired of pleading. And if this was her end, she wanted to plead for her life rather than plead for the pain to stop. It never did stop when she pleaded anyway. The reaper's left eye began to twitch as flashes of blood, stab wounds, and his cries of agony replayed in his mind. Tara. He dared not utter her name. His eyes closed for a moment. Wincing. WIncing away the painful memory. When he opened them again he looked around before making his way over to the bed. After snatching off the duvet cover he then B-lined towards her again. Now crouching down beside her he proceeded to turn her on her back. Which caused a sudden yelp of pain to escape her lips. Shoe parks embedded across her breasts and her collarbone stuck out of place. One of her eyes was closed shut and swollen with the size of a lemon. A large gash in the middle of her forehead.She had eyes the same color as the grease that used to coat his calloused hands. Eyes that held pain. A pain he was familiar with. A pain he wished to undone.

"Sorry" his voice was gruff. Husky with grief.

Snapping her collarbone back into place only caused a mouse-like squeak to leave her lips. She had no more fight left in her. Her eyes rolled back before they shut. Her breathing was shallow as he leaned in closer to her face. Not wasting a moment longer he draped the duvet across her body and cocooned her into it. Carefully picking her up, The Reaper cradled her in his arms. Swiftly turning on his heel, he retrieved the bagged head from the floor on his way out the room.

Disappearing like an Incubus in the night, The Reaper drove his GMC truck out of Las Vegas. He drove for miles until reaching his destination. Parking his truck out in front of the gated mansion, he grew comfortable in his seat and wrote on the plastic bag in red marker 'Stolbatch' before tossing it out the window. 

It wasn't long before he was back on the road. The road that once was his friend, his freedom, his sense of invincibility and thrill…until it wasn't. It'd become an escape route and pathway to the neck job. His attention turned to his mirror. He watched the battered woman lay unconsciously across his backseat. It's been a longtime since he acted on impulse. And now he debated on what he'd do with her. Where he'd leave her. 

'Christ Jackie…what'd ya gotten into now' an old friend's words played back in his head causing a grimace to flash across his lips.

Pushing those thoughts aside, the only thing now on his mind was to get the nameless woman taken care of and patched up.

Chapter Two.

[theesirenteller]

Beacon Of Light

❝Good Girls AU, Inspired by the Netflix series Behind her eyes! This mini series takes place in Season 2 of good girls. Beth Boland catches the treacherous disease of curiosity after a failed affair with her ‘partner’ in crime, Rio. Restlessly following him, wanting to know every aspect of his life. But, the deeper she searches, the closer to danger she gets and unfortunately for her; he isn’t her biggest threat.❞

【𝘓𝘶𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢 𝘈𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘻 ➸ OC】

【Christopher 'Rio' Alverez】

【Beth Boland and the rest of the GG cast will be mentioned but in a noncanon way】

The Beginning Of It All

Nice to meet you, I'm Brenda

Are you sure?

[theesirenteller]

🇧‌🇷‌🇪‌🇦‌🇰‌ 🇵‌🇴‌🇮‌🇳‌🇹‌

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 : 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 : 𝙅𝙤𝙝𝙣𝙣𝙮 𝙏𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙤 𝙭 𝙊𝙁𝘾

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 : Golden boy Johnny was no stranger to going undercover as someone's boyfriend, seducing both women and men, or playing up some stereotypical roles in order to take down bad men. After his first heartbreak with Lucinda ; He's sworn off love and fell face first back into his lover boy ways. Well...that is until he meets, Apollo. A mysterious drifter who lives right next door to graceland. She's everything he never knew he desired, wanted, and maybe even needed. It's love at first sight for him...but she dislikes him.

❛I’ve never met anyone more annoying than you and damnit I love you.❜ Apollo confessed.

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔏𝔦𝔰𝔱

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

𝔖𝔲𝔭𝔭𝔬𝔯𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔰.

Firefox Brentwood.

Ruins Brentwood.

[theesirenteller]

Mama you know I am gonna need Rio’s ig account too cmon now!

To Be CLEAR his account is definitely private and he's the type to post throwbacks of his Abuelita, and his childhood with her, random photos of Marcus, the boxing gym, Epiphany & Marcus, and Epiphany

[theesirenteller]

❛𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙮❜

She was a bitch to all. Just like her mother. She knew early on the effects an attractive girl had on men. Drugs became vitamins. Sex became part-time employment when she realized how bad they were at it and how quickly it ended. Elvira Handcock was her idol.

He was different though...he didn't care to change her. Didn't care to save her. He was the most mysterious man she'd ever met. The sweetest as well. He stood on his actions versus his word in a world of broken promises and dreams for sale. "Word was bond," he said. His word was everything because he had to back those words with actions. So, he never made her promise he didn't intend to keep.

And in the end, she hoped he'd say he loved her so...that he could love her.

[theesirenteller]

Epiphany's Instagram Account.

[theesirenteller]

Elite Fanfiction Series

Description: ℑ𝔫 𝔚𝔥𝔦𝔠𝔥 𝔊𝔲𝔷𝔪𝔞𝔫 𝔦𝔰 𝔫𝔬𝔴 𝔯𝔲𝔫𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔣𝔞𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯'𝔰 𝔪𝔲𝔩𝔱𝔦-𝔪𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔡𝔬𝔩𝔩𝔞𝔯 𝔟𝔲𝔰𝔦𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔦𝔰 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔞 𝔞𝔣𝔣𝔞𝔦𝔯 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥 𝔞𝔫 𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔫𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔞𝔩 𝔢𝔰𝔠𝔬𝔯𝔱. 𝔊𝔲𝔷𝔪𝔞𝔫 𝔦𝔰 𝔫𝔬 𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔤𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔬 𝔨𝔢𝔢𝔭𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔰𝔢𝔠𝔯𝔢𝔱𝔰. 𝔅𝔲𝔱 𝔰𝔢𝔠𝔯𝔢𝔱𝔰 𝔡𝔬𝔫'𝔱 𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔶 𝔰𝔢𝔠𝔯𝔢𝔱𝔰 𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔰𝔬𝔬𝔫 𝔥𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔣𝔞𝔠𝔢𝔡 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔡𝔢𝔠𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔬𝔣 𝔠𝔥𝔬𝔬𝔰𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔣𝔞𝔪𝔦𝔩𝔶 𝔥𝔢 𝔴𝔞𝔰 𝔟𝔬𝔯𝔫 𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔬 𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔣𝔞𝔪𝔦𝔩𝔶 𝔥𝔢 𝔥𝔞𝔰 𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔯𝔱𝔢𝔡.

Rating: 𝙈𝘼𝙏𝙐𝙍𝙀

OFC: 𝐁𝐢𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐚.

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩.

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Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

[theesirenteller]

Epiphany Martinez Core