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CHAPTER 14
Tayja
"There. 45 seconds, as requested."
I'm sitting cross-legged on the bed in front of Ryan with my Glock sitting on the bedspread between us. He's been reading in the bedroom, hiding from me, I suspect, ever since we came back inside from an afternoon of target practice. A very, very quiet afternoon of target practice, save for the echoing gunshots.It seems he's given up wearing the mask, but he's still very uncomfortable with me viewing the injured side of his face. While he wore the mask, he was noticeably protective of his right side. Now that he's not wearing it, he's even more so. I'm not certain he even fully realizes he's doing it. It makes me feel sad for him, but part of me knows that he doesn't want that from me. I've decided to treat him as normally as possible. Maybe he'll subconsciously pick up on that and become more comfortable around me.I was correct lastRelated chapters
Risks Of Loving You CHAPTER 15
Ryan"Get up. We're going fishing today." I walk through the living room toward the front door."Fishing?" Ana asks, her forehead wrinkling. She makes no effort to move from her spot on the couch, curled up in a blanket reading a book."Fishing. Our rods are on the porch. Let's go.""Why?""I'm making fish for dinner. Come on." I open the door."Do I have to come?" she asks, looking longingly back at her book."Do you want to stay here alone?" I ask.She frowns. "Can I bring a book?""Fine."She hops off the couch and disappears into the bedroom. I've continued to let her sleep in my bedroom. After sleeping on the couch for a month now, I've become accustomed to it. I've even found that I prefer it. Being only a few steps away from the porch when I wake up from a nightmare feeling hot and panicked is a comfort. Even being able to stare at the auroras dancing through the stars outside the bi
Risks Of Loving You CHAPTER 16
TayjaI roll onto my back again so I can stare up at the wide-open sky. It's so beautiful out here. The air is a little chilly, but I'm warm lying in the sun wearing the jacket Ryan bought me. The sky is the purest blue I think I've ever seen. The snow-capped mountains in the distance are picturesque. Thick forest borders both sides of the river, full of black spruce trees that look like very tall, skinny Christmas trees. The sounds of rushing water and forest life drift to my ears."Giving up so soon?" Ryan asks, a rare grin tugging at the left side of his mouth."I think the fish made their preferences clear," I say, shifting my gaze to the fish Ryan has caught. When I finally managed to catch one, Ryan said it was too small and that I had to throw it back. "Besides, I don't want to clean out fish guts." I make a face."I'd do that for you if you find it so offensive."I smile at him. He looks back at the river.
Risks Of Loving You CHAPTER 17
Ryan"What's cooking, good looking?""Sounds like you were expecting someone else's call," I say flatly."You again? Didn't you just call me last week?""I need you to send some things.""I literally just got done with your last order. Aren't the days like, shorter, or something, up there? You must have gotten it like yesterday.""That's... that's not how any of this works.""Whatever. Tell me what you need so I can hang up.""Lovely speaking with you too.""Come on, man, I got numbers from like ten hot chicks last night." His voice becomes distant. "Last night? This morning? Whatever. I just texted all of them and soon they're gonna start responding so hurry it up."I begin rattling off a short list, including enough ammo to keep up with Ana's rigorous attitude toward target practice. When I reach the last item on my list, I pause."I want a dog.""A
Risks Of Loving You CHAPTER 18
Tayja"Tayja!"I'm back in that room. My living room. Julie is screaming for me as the gun is pointed at her head. I'm frozen. Julie's and my eyes meet."Tayja!"Her scream is desperate. She knows she's going to die. She knows they are going to kill her."Tay-" Her scream is cut short as the gun fires. Her body crumples to the floor."No!" I scream. I wake up, sitting bolt upright in Ryan's bed. "Julie!"I know I'm awake and I know the dream wasn't real. Julie didn't know I was there when she died. She didn't know I could have done something, anything, to save her. She doesn't know that I watched her die and did nothing. I take in a deep breath and scream.Ryan bursts into the room, but I ignore him as I keep screaming, alternating between my little sister's name and wordless cries of anguish.I watched her die. I watched those men shoot her. I did nothin
Risks Of Loving You CHAPTER 19
RyanToday I brought Ana a little farther along the river to one of the best fishing spots. I was a little surprised yesterday when she agreed to go fishing with me. I dared her to catch something large enough to cook, so it's only fair if I give her a fighting chance. The bend in the river I've brought her to today has some slower spots where large fish like to rest lazily in the weak current. It's my favorite spot for salmon fishing in the summer.Like last week, Ana doesn't seem particularly fond of fishing, but today she has a vested interest. I watch her from the corner of my eye as she stares at the water with a determined expression on her face. I can't help but smile."Fishing is supposed to be relaxing, you know," I say, watching her tense little form.She turns her head to eye me. After giving me a sideways glare for a few moments, she
Risks Of Loving You CHAPTER 20
AnaRyan doesn't seem to be in the cabin this morning as I begin to prepare breakfast. I wonder if he's out hacking down trees. He seemed really odd last night and wouldn't talk to me. I tried to figure out what I'd done to upset him, but I couldn't think of anything.I go to the window to look out at the forest. I don't see Ryan anywhere. Strange. I turn around back to the kitchen and jump. Ryan is lying on the couch, an arm and a leg hanging off. Near his hand is a bottle of amber liquid that I've never seen before.Is that alcohol? What's going on? I never knew Ryan drank. I didn't even know there was any alcohol here. I take a couple of steps closer to the couch."Ryan?" I ask, somewhat timidly. Usually, he's awake by now. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever woken up before him.Ryan doesn't stir. I edge a little closer."Ryan?" I say with more conviction. He shifts, ro
Risks Of Loving You CHAPTER 21
RyanI pull the guitar case out from under the couch and stare at it. It arrived yesterday while Ana and I were out at the river. She noticed the small crate when we got back and was curious about the contents. I didn't quite have the courage yet to tell her that I'd bought her a gift. It seemed fine when I ordered it, but I've had some time to think about it since then. Now I'm afraid it's too presumptuous of me. Is it appropriate to buy her gifts?Will she misconstrue this as a sign that I'm into her? Will she interpret this as me making a move? I shove it back under the couch. This was a terrible idea.When Ana emerges from the bedroom to make breakfast, I quickly pick up the Harry Potter book I'm currently reading. After a few minutes, she joins me on the couch with a bowl of cereal."Have you ever tried growing anything here?" Ana asks.I look up, confused. "What?""You know, like fruit or vegetables or something. I read som
Risks Of Loving You CHAPTER 22
AnaThe sound of a helicopter hovering outside wakes me up again, though fortunately it doesn't send me into a panic this time. I rub my eyes and sit up. The morning sun shines through the drawn curtains, a strong departure from the dreary, rainy weather of the past week. As I stretch and yawn, I hear the sound of the helicopter's rotors speeding up as it begins to depart.I wonder what's been delivered. Ryan hasn't ordered more groceries and supplies, that I know of. He said he'd consult me before he made his next order. I'd been hoping to get a few more books, including a cookbook with a wider selection of desserts. I climb out of bed. After getting dressed, I'm heading for the front door when Ryan walks in from the porch."What is it?" I ask.He looks at me sideways, with the right side of his face inclined away from me, as he usually does. "It's a surprise," he says.I raise my eyebrows. Is this an
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