The judge bangs the gavel again.
“I would never rape her!” My voice breaks, raw, cracked open like glass. “I loved her. I’ve loved her since I was fourteen! I would’ve died for her!”
The courtroom explodes in noise, my dad shouting, the bailiff shouting, someone grabbing me by the arm, my lawyer begging me to stop. But it’s too late. Everything is too late.
I shout again, louder this time. “I LOVED HER! I DIDN’T TOUCH HER! I SWEAR TO GOD?—”
They drag me back down into the chair. I feel the cold press of steel against my wrists.
And for the first time in my life, I’m not angry.
I’m nothing, because the girl I loved more than my own name just let the world believe I’m a monster, and I don’t think I’ll ever breathe right again.
Present Day
I want to be down there and punch the fucker in the face. Why is he here? Why is he looking at her? Cain called us to his office to talk, and from the moment I walked in, I’ve been standing here watching her. Should I be watching her? No, but I can’t take my eyes off her.
She smiles at the customers; the same smile she used to give me when I used to say something which made her blush. I’ve been watching her every movement, the way she tilts her head slightly because she’s nervous when one of the men starts talking to her. The way her hand reaches for her necklace to calm her when someone touches her hand as she places the drink on the bar for them.
And then you have him, Leo. Every time he looks at her I want to kill him. She’s avoiding him as much as she can,asking one of the other staff members to serve him, but he’s still walking around to be closer to her.
A bouncer has his eyes on him, so I know if he makes the wrong move, he'll step in, but he shouldn’t be there in the first place.
“I thought I said if she’s working, then don’t call me.” I need to stay away from her. The more I see her the more I want to be around her. I want to kiss her again. I want to fuck her so fucking bad. God I want to do so many things to her it’s starting to become painful.
“I needed to talk, and she works most days.” I hear Cain behind me.
“And him?” Cain doesn’t even walk to the window to see who I’m talking about. He knows the story between the three of us.
“I have two men watching him, and Lincoln is watching Oliv?—”
“Why?”
I know I told Cain I don’t care and not to tell me anything, but something is happening for him to have men on Leo.
“He’s just been a little too close to her, I’m watching it,” Cain tells me.
Not replying to him, I continue to watch her. She should have been mine, she should have been standing next to me, ready to have everything. The wedding, the babies, I wanted it all with her.
“So why have you summoned us?” Miles jokes, and I listen to the conversation behind me, as I continue to watch Olivia working behind the bar. She’s moving around the bar as if she’s been working here for years, and I smile. She was always good at becoming the best at what she put her mind to.
“Hayden, how is the target?” Cain asks.
“Good, I’m going to watch him for two more days, then I’ll take the shot.” Keeping my eyes on Olivia, glancing at Leo who is staring at Olivia while laughing with his friends.
“Good, there will be another hit ready?—”
“When do I get to have fun?” Mason snaps, and I laugh.
“You had someone in the basement four days ago, and he lost a few teeth, and a fucking eye.” I finally turn around to look at him, and Mason has the craziest smile on his face. Crazy fucker.
“And I think I did a good job and should get to play again.” Mason looks at Cain who shakes his head at him.
“I’ve created a monster.” He walks behind his table laughing to himself.
“You’re calling me a monster, look in the mirror first,” Mason jokes which does make me laugh, walking over to the desk I sit down, and watch Cain for a moment.
“You okay?” I ask him.
