5. Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Skyla

I wake up the next morning, eyes puffy, palms aching, and the sensitive flesh between my thighs is so fucking sore. Last night was what nightmares are made of. It was so much worse than I ever could have imagined for so many reasons. Even with the audience we had, it was a stark contrast to what I imagined it would be like. I didn't anticipate him taking my virginity so savagely, so mercilessly, so heartlessly. I thought maybe he'd try to make it at least a little gentle.

Obviously, I thought wrong on every count because Asher Putnam turned out to be exactly who I always knew him to be. It was my mistake for believing that people could change, that I could see some good in him. In reality, he's just a piece of shit.

"How are you?" Vincent asks from beside me.

I turn to face him, his silver eyes already trained on me.

"Good, you?" I ask with a forced smile.

His brows knit together in disbelief.

"No, I'm actually asking, Siren. Are you hurting?" he questions as his fingers reach out, tracing my palms.

I look down at the bandaged cut, before my eyes come to the branded hand. That one hurts a lot more, for sure. It's a dull, burning pain that won't subside. Honestly, I think it hurts more now than it did last night. The adrenaline and trauma of everything must have helped block some of it, but now? It's terrible.

I only nod, not sure what there is to say. Yes, like hell, but it is what it is? The ugly discolored B, now marred into my palm forever, will never cease to be a reminder of the hell I went through last night. Of the hell that is to come. For a little bit, I was fooled into thinking that Asher and I could have a good life together. Maybe even a happy one. Now I'm beginning to wonder if I would have been better off letting them kill me last night. If more nights like that are in my future…I don't know.

"Here," Ronan says as he reaches over us, handing me two white pills and a bottle of water.

I don't even ask what they are, happily taking any kind of relief that I can, before I pop them into my mouth and take a sip of water.

When I look to my right, I notice that Liam is gone.

"His dad called him this morning to meet with him," Ronan says.

"Is that bad? Is everything okay?"

Ronan scratches his hand against his jaw, where more facial hair than normal is coming in.

"I don't know, baby. I'm not sure if it was about last night or something else. If anyone should be questioned for their behavior, it would definitely be Vincent," he says, as he looks down at my surly boyfriend.

His jaw is tense; he shrugs his shoulders like he doesn't have a care in the world. It takes my eyes another moment to look around my room and notice something. All my stuff is gone. My dresser drawers are slightly ajar, all empty. I can see my walk-in closet from here, all racks looking as empty as they did the day I moved in.

"We took care of it for you while you were sleeping this morning," Ronan says. "Whenever you're ready, I'll drive you over to the house."

The house. My new house. Asher's house more like it.

A sinking feeling churns my stomach at the reminder that today is move-in day. That I'll no longer have my own space. From now on, I'll be in his space, with no way out.

"You're coming too, right?" I ask as I look to Vincent, who gives me a remorseful shake of his head.

"It's not safe right now, Siren. Especially with how I…lost control last night," he says through clenched teeth, spearing Ronan with a heated look.

I feel myself physically deflate.

"So, I'm assuming that means you won't be able to come over for a while to see me?"

"Fuck no," he spits before his hand cups my cheek. "I'll be there tonight, in your bed, waiting to hold you until morning."

"But how? If you're worried about people watching us or—"

His thumb comes to my lips, pausing my words as he pulls my lower lip down, letting it go with a bounce as he speaks.

"You let me worry about that. You just keep yourself safe for now, okay? I promise everything will be alright."

"Okay," I whisper softly, before his lips press against mine.

I'll never not get butterflies when he kisses me. Every touch is filled with so much passion, so much desire. It's as if he's not truly living until he touches me, and when he does…magic.

When he pulls away, he presses a kiss to my forehead, resting his lips for several seconds before pulling back to look me in the eye.

"I'll see you tonight."

It isn't said like a question, it's a promise. A guarantee. Out of anyone in the world, I know without a doubt Vincent is a man that would keep his word, with me at least, or die trying.

I give him a soft smile and a nod before he crawls out of bed and we both get ready for the day. He leaves while I'm in the shower, and once I'm dressed in the outfit Ronan left out for me, I throw my hair into a braid and follow him out of the dorm.

Looking over my shoulder, I cast one more look inside. I wasn't here long, but it had already begun to feel like home. It's sad, in a way, that I'm leaving it behind. Even more sad to think of what lies ahead. I guess the one plus side is that my stalker will, no doubt, have a harder time breaking into Asher's house. At least, I really hope so; I can't really take much more of anything right now.

Ronan walks me out to his car, opening the door for me as I see a black SUV begin to follow us. I give Ronan a questioning glance as he reaches over, cupping my thigh as he speaks.

"That's Wesley, your driver."

"I have a driver?"

He nods. "Now that you're off campus you'll need a ride, so you aren't stranded at the house or dependent on Asher," he says, a sour sound leaving his mouth on his nephew's name.

"He has all of your stuff in the car and will bring it inside for you when we get there. You'll like him, we've been friends for years."

I nod, looking out the window for a moment before I speak.

"Can I trust him? Like, does he know about us? Or the guys?"

I turn to see Ronan go back and forth, like he can't quite decide before he shakes his head.

"If I was going to trust anyone outside of the guys with our secrets, it would be Wesley. But no, don't trust him."

I frown at that. "Why not?"

His bright blue eyes come to me as his hand squeezes my thigh harder.

"Because you're too important, baby. It's not worth the risk. Under normal circumstances, he'd take anything we needed to the grave, but we are all human. We all have our breaking points, our exceptions. I don't want to risk him knowing anything."

"Do you think it would really come to that? That Christopher or my father would find out and…"

"Kill us all?" Ronan cuts me off. "Absolutely. Without hesitation."

I wince, looking back out the window. He couldn't have lied to me or something?

When we get to the house, Asher's cars are all there, and that heavy feeling of dread is alive and well, sinking lower and lower into my stomach. I hear Ronan mutter under his breath as he parks before releasing my leg.

"C'mon, I'll introduce you to Wesley and take care of…that," he says, as he gestures to one of Asher's cars.

I'm not sure what he means by take care of it. He obviously doesn't mean, kill his nephew so that I don't have to look at his disgusting vile face ever again.

Too bad.

Unbuckling my seatbelt, I go to grab my door when it's pulled open for me. A guy dressed in all black is there, his hand outstretched and offering to help me out of the car. I hesitate for a moment before I accept, looking up at the tall blond man with dark blue eyes. Where Ronan's are bright and light like a pool, this man's are deep like the ocean.

His eyes stay on me for a few seconds longer than probably appropriate before he seems to shake himself, giving me a kind smile and a head nod.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Parris."

I nod in return, giving him a polite smile as Ronan rounds the car. He closes the distance between him and Wesley with a handshake that looks more friendly than formal, before they pull each other in for a hug.

"It's been a while," he smiles.

Ronan nods.

"That's what happens when you go off to fight for our country, I guess."

Ronan turns to me.

"Skyla, this is Wesley. We grew up together and he just got out of the Seals."

"Navy, right?" I clarify.

Wesley nods. "Yes, ma'am. I appreciate the job. God knows what I would have been assigned to do, now that my contract was up."

"What? Is it worse than driving a nineteen-year-old girl around?"

His smile stays in place, but a look flashes behind his eyes as he nods.

"Much."

My smile slowly falls, and I nod my understanding as Ronan speaks.

"I'm gonna run inside for a moment. Why don't you grab some of her stuff?"

Wesley nods as I step away from the car, he shuts my door before turning back to his SUV. I follow him, wanting to delay any interaction with Asher that I can. He pops the trunk and begins grabbing bags with hangers sticking out the top, my clothes, I assume. He's able to get almost all of them except for one. I reach for it, resting it in my arms before he tries to swipe it from me.

"I've got it," he says easily.

I raise a disbelieving brow at him, which causes him to shrug.

"I need to make another trip anyways. It's not a problem."

"I'm capable , honestly, you're the one that is helping. You're just supposed to be my driver, not my butler."

Wesley shrugs again as we begin walking to the front door.

"I'm whatever they say I need to be for you."

I don't clarify on the ‘they' part, that is a no-brainer. Though, I am curious who put him in charge of me. Was it Ronan's decision? Or is this my father or Christopher planting a spy? He seems nice, but I'm not dumb enough to drop my guard just like that. Especially with someone who is very clearly under the Brethren's thumb.

When we step inside, I hear a door slam from upstairs before Ronan appears at the top, a thunderous look on his face that softens when he sees me. He hurries down the stairs, attempting to take the clothes out of my hand when I turn away.

"I've got it. There is a little more in the trunk if you could, please?"

He nods and takes a step closer, as if he were going to kiss me. I send him a panicked look, and he quickly checks himself like he didn't realize he was doing it.

"Of course."

I start up the stairs before I look back casually to see Wesley giving Ronan a curious look before looking back to me. I shrug him off and lead him to the large master bedroom, Asher told me that it could be mine. When I push open the door, I see that it's as undisturbed as it was the other day. Dibs, I guess.

Wesley steps into the room, moving to the closet before hanging up the clothes and undoing the bags protecting them. Ronan follows us, carrying up a few suitcases of my shoes and makeup. It only takes us ten minutes before I'm officially moved in. It's easy to do when I just moved across the world a few months ago. I haven't really had time to collect all that much.

"Thanks, Wes. I'll give Skyla your number if she needs you," Ronan says with a nod.

"I'll probably just hang out here for the day. Maybe if you wouldn't mind giving me a ride to school tomorrow? My first class is at—"

"Seven, I know. I'll be here at six forty, sharp," Wesley says with a polite smile.

"Oh, yeah. Perfect. Thank you."

"My pleasure," he nods before facing Ronan. "What are you up to? Want to go grab a beer and catch up?"

Ronan shoots a quick glance at me out of the corner of his eye like he wants to refuse and stay here. I can already tell that would be a mistake, though. That is, if he really thinks Wesley isn't trustworthy.

"Gosh, I'm kind of jealous. Sounds better than this stuffy place," I tease, subtly pushing him to go.

"You're more than welcome to join us, Miss Parris," Wesley offers.

I smile and shake my head. "It's just Skyla, please, and thank you, but I wouldn't want to intrude. You guys have a good time. Thank you both again."

Welsey nods, turning to head out the door while Ronan hesitates, a frown marring his face before he nods.

"Of course. Call or text if you need anything."

I nod my understanding, and Ronan follows Wesley. I hear the moment they are gone, the large front door closing with a solid thunk. It echoes through the empty home in a final sort of way. Sure, Asher is here, off in one of the bedrooms doing god knows what, but an empty feeling takes up residence inside me and I freaking hate it.