Dionne’s POV:
I finish getting dressed and I step out of my room only to hear something in Xavier’s room. As I walk toward the staircase, he opens his door and walks out. He obviously doesn’t see me when he walks by, so I walk by his room door and I see one of the maids getting dressed and she can barely stay on her feet. I scoff and I go downstairs and meet him.
“Let’s go.” He says as I walk by him. He shuts the door behind us and we walk to the car.
When I get in the car, the guard holding the door open closes it. The other guard on Xavier’s side closes his door and the driver pulls off. I cross my arms and I start a conversation.
“I thought you said you didn’t have a chauffeur.” I say, trying to hide my anger.
“I do. I just don’t use him all the time.” He says, scrolling through his phone.
I stay quiet but the constant anger picking at my brain gets the best of me.
“Did you fuck her? You smell like cheap perfume and sex.” I say, already knowing the answer.
He closes the slide to the slider separating the front from the back and he sighs. “We’re not talking about this right now.” He says, tucking his phone away.
“She couldn’t stay on her feet. Must’ve been good.”
“For the most part. She wasn’t very attractive.” He responds.
What the fuck?
“You’re such an ass.” I say on the verge of tears. I slide the slider open to talk to the driver. “Let me out here.” I say, anger building inside me.
“Keep going.” Xavier says.
“Let me the hell out!” I say again, getting louder.
“Goddamnit, Dionne, get in the damn car!”
“Fuck you, Xavier!” I say, stepping out of the car.
When I step out, Xavier grabs my wrist, pulling me back. “Let me go!” I scream at him, tears flowing from my eyes.
“No, get in the car, now!” he says.
I slap him in his face and his grip loosens on my wrist. For a second, I stand there looking at him, then I snatch my wrist from his grip. I start to walk the rest of the way to the house and as I do, I call Patrick.
“Sis?”
“Is Dad home?” I say, soothing my cries.
“No, he’s out till midnight. Why?”
“I’m on the way there.”
“No shit?” he says, surprised.
“Yeah, I’m coming. Unlock the door.” I say, then I hang up. When I arrive there, I check my phone and Xavier’s been calling me.
I shake my head, ignoring it as I come into my old home. Seeing as Xavier didn’t follow me there, he’s gone back home. Not that I care. I’m good at hiding from my father.
“Dionne!” Anthony says, picking me up. I wrap my legs around him, letting him hug me tight. “God, I’ve missed you.” He says, putting me down as Patrick comes to hug me.
“Hey little sis.” He says as he hugs me tightly.
“Did someone say-“
My mother stops in her tracks and her eyes fill with tears as she runs up to me. “My baby’s home! How did you get here? Where’s Xavier?” she asks, looking me over.
“Can we talk?” I ask.
I left out the fact that he slept with a maid, but I mentioned our big argument and made up what it was about. Not too bad, just over something simple because I didn’t want them to look at him any differently. Not that they have a good opinion of him anyway, but still. And regardless of what happens … I love and care for him.
Not that I’ll let myself admit it.
“That’s horrible honey. Are you okay?’’.
“I’m okay.” I say. “How have you guys been?” I add.
“Nothing’s been the same. Dad seems to be glad you’re gone.” Anthony says, anger in his last statement.
“He’s always favored you two.” I say.
“No, not really. He wanted to make it seem that way to belittle you.” Patrick says. “He’s done worse to us than what he’s done in front of you.” He adds to his previous statement.
“Wow. I’m sorry boys.” I say, rubbing both of their heads.
Hours later we’re laughing and it’s about 10 o’clock at night. I hear the door open and my body goes cold when I hear my father’s voice.
“It’s only 10, Anthony.” I say, terror raking through me.
“Shit, he’s off early. Go this way.” He says, helping me escape.
We round the corner and I can see father coming into the living room the other way.
‘Amelia, get me a beer.” His husky voice booming.
I finally get to the door and I open it and it makes a huge creaking sound. Fuck me.
Fear consumes me as Father turns around and catches sight of me. Tears immediately start to flow down my face as he comes toward me. I manage to get outside before he grabs me,pushing me outside with his hand around my throat, choking me.
“I’m sorry, Father! I’m sorry!” I plead as I struggle to breathe, clawing at his hands.
“Stupid girl, breaking into my home!” he yells, the smell of alcohol on his breath.
The motion detected lights come on, lighting up the whole driveway, bringing his horrifying face to light.
“Let her go, Dad!” Anthony says, running up to him.
Quickly, Father pulls out a knife on him. It doesn’t phase him as he gets closer to the dagger. He is the heir to the throne anyway. Seeing the way Anthony reacts, he pulls back and stabs him in his chest.
“Benjamin!” Mom screams as he holds Anthony in her arms, putting pressure on his wound.
My vision starts to blur as I come close to passing out. Father brings the dagger to my thigh and he slashes it, blood leaking down my thigh, immediately.
This is it. My father’s gonna be the reason I leave this world. Suddenly I hear a car brake loudly and I hear a door open and close violently.
“Benjamin, get the fuck off her!” I hear Xavier yelling at the top of his lungs. Blinded by his own want to now kill me, he continues to strangle me.
Xavier runs up to my father and whirls him around, making him lose his grip and balance, due to his drunken state, causing him to fall, hitting his head on the concrete below him.
I hear the impact and I flinch away, not wanting to watch as the very life leaves him.
I sit against the house, blood pouring from my leg as Anthony writhes in pain in mom’s arm. Xavier hangs up the phone and runs over to me and takes his tuxedo off and rips his blouse underneath off, then rips the sleeve off to tie it around my thigh where the blood is seeping out. He ties a knot tightly around my thigh, making me grunt in pain. He stands up and puts his hands out to me. I look up at him and I take his hands as he lifts me up. “Are you okay? Well no shit, but … “ he cuts himself off looking at me with worried eyes. “I’m fine.” I say back, limping over to Anthony. “I just got off the phone with some people who’re gonna get your father. We can discuss funeral arrangements later if that’s okay with you.” He says, helping me over to Anthony. “That’s fine.” I reply, paying more attention to Anthony. “I don’t have everything I need here.” Mom says. “Could they come home with us? Please?” I ask Xavier. “That’s a risk. You should know that better than anyone. My family
It’s been about 2 weeks since me and Xavier finally admitted to ourselves that we’re ready for one another and it’s honestly been good. I’ve been going to school everyday, he’s been picking me up and finally, he’s let his guard down for me. But he can switch it up, quick. One moment he’s in the car, telling me how much he loves me, then the next, he’s arguing and cursing with someone for something they said to me, then he’s cold. But that’s only out in public. When he’s alone with me, he’s vulnerable and open, and he keeps his walls down. In front of his parents, he shows them that he loves me, he’s just not as vulnerable. Still has to put on a strong, hard face for his father. Speaking of fathers, mine’s funeral is this week. I’m honestly glad he’s gone, then again, he’s my father, so there’s a sliver of me that still wants someone to call a father. That’s another time though. As me and Xavier pull up to the entrance of the university, my hand in his, he lifts my hand to his lips an
That night at dinner, Xavier sits in his spot next to me, and as we eat. Suddenly, Daxine speaks. “So you two, when’s the wedding?” she says excitedly. “About a year or two from now.” Xavier says. We agreed that we wanted a big wedding. Xavier says he wants it to be black and red themed but I want something light. We’re nothing the same which makes it all a bit more interesting. “Or two?” she says, surprised. “Yeah. We want it to be big.” Xavier says. “You always were extravagant.” Daxine says. “Dad in his office?” he asks. “Yeah. Hasn’t come out all day.” Xavier’s father has shown himself less and less every day. I think it’s because he wants to avoid Xavier in case he says something he doesn’t like. I don’t really know why, so I’m not gonna assume. It’s not really like him to hide. That’s where Xavier gets it from. After dinner, Xavier goes upstairs and gets in the shower, and I help Daxine with the dishes. When I go upstairs to Xavier’s room, I can’t find him. ‘Baby, wher
Xavier’s POV: I stand in the mirror fixing my tie while Dionne fixes her dress and checks her makeup and hair. “You ready?” I ask, watching as she takes a final look at herself in the mirror. “Yeah.” She says, turning around to walk up to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “How you feeling?” I ask. “Don’t know. This feels weird. Going to my dad’s funeral is something I never thought would happen. I knew he’d leave one day, I mean he had it coming .. but not this soon. I mean I know it sounds heartless, but in a way I’m glad he’s gone. That fear of running into him is gone and I’m happy to have that kind of relief.” “That’s not heartless. Him abusing you and your brothers, that’s heartless. He deserved what he got. I’m sorry if that makes me a monster but other people seem to already think that’s what I am.” She looks down in thought, pausing. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” I say. “No. I have to be there for my mom. She hated him for the fact that he abused her ki
Xavier’s POV: “Xavier, what’s going on?” Dionne asks as I hurry to the car, her hand in mine. “You remember that old enemy I told you about? His name is Malcom and I think one of his goons just called with a threat. We need to get to the house before anything happens.” I say, helping her into the car. I run over to the driver’s seat and I start the car and I speed off, racing to the house. But when we get there, it’s too late. The windows are shot out and it looks like a tornado went through the house. I quickly get out, Dionne opening her door to rush to the house with me. In the darkness, only lit by the lights on inside and outside the house, I see mom and dad standing outside, looking at the damage. “What the fuck happened in five fucking minutes?!’’ I yell, looking at the house. “As soon as you hung up the phone, guns went off, shot up everything. Some things inside are broken from the bullets that entered the house, but this came out of nowhere.” Mom says, shaking her head i
I stare at my brother, anger written all over my face. Why in the hell did he come back? “Why are you here? Why’d you come back?” I ask, my blood boiling. “I missed my brother, that’s all.” Leo says. “Stop fucking with me.” I spit back. “Still got Dad’s anger I see. That’s one thing that hasn’t changed. Which begs the question of who that beautiful woman is. God, she’s a real gem-“ “And she’s my fiancé. Fuck off.” I say, defensively. “Wait. Wait she’s your fiancé?” he says, trying to hold back his laughter. “That has to be arranged because the world would have to be-nope. Even the world ending wouldn’t push you to love someone, let alone marry them.” He says, laughing. “Why the fuck are you here, Liam? You haven’t been around since you were seventeen, it’s been five years.” I say, annoyed. “Okay, fine. I got word that Malcom had come back and I just wanted to check on my brother and mother. And dad. I guess.” He says. Liam’s never tried to hide his hatred for our father. His h
Dionne’s POV: In the morning, I wake up and Xavier’s chest is pressed against my back, his face is in my hair, and his arm is wrapped around my stomach, holding me in place. I feel the sudden urge to get up and go to the bathroom, so I wiggle out of his arms and I get up and I use the bathroom, then I come back to the bed and Xavier lies awake, turning his head to look at me when I come back. “Did I wake you?” I ask, walking over to the bed. “I couldn’t smell you or feel you anymore so I woke up. So to answer your question, yes. Yes you did.” He says, yawning. “I’m sorry.” I say, kissing him good morning. Suddenly I hear Liam downstairs, laughing. “Ugh. I forgot about Liam.” I say, getting up and finding some of Xavier’s clothes to wear. “I can’t forget. The thought comes back to me every second of every hour.” He says, groaning as he gets up. He walks up to the sink where I am and he wraps his arms around me, resting his head on my shoulder. “You still tired?” I say, messing w
Xavier’s POV: I race downstairs, fuming at what I just heard. I knew Liam would try and make a move on her. God, I should’ve went with my gut and kicked him out sooner. I wanted to trust him. But trust doesn’t go far with him, obviously. “Liam!” I scream, reaching the living room where he is now. He stands up as I approach him and I grab his shirt and I throw him against the wall. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? You’re lucky I don’t break your fucking nose any further.” I say, rage taking me over. “What is the meaning of this?” my mother yells. “Why don’t you tell them, Liam. Hm? Tell them!” I scream at him. “I was only telling her the truth. Xavier’s never gonna settle, even he knows it.” Liam says with a scoff. “That’s my fucking wife you’re talking to, you bastard! And her name is Mrs. fucking Foster when you address her, and you’d better fucking remember that shit because it won’t go any further than that, do you fucking hear me? I dare you to step out of line aga