Taryn
As Stuart enters the room, I stiffen my spine. His face is a mask of delight as he comes closer. His eyes slither back and forth between us as if he’s savoring our fear. “Hello, Ava.” He mutters slyly.
Keeping her behind me, I tighten my hand around her arm in warning. “Don’t talk to her,” I warn.
Stuart’s eyes snap back to mine, his smile slipping from his lips. “And what are you going to do about it?”
I don’t answer as I tighten my hand around the broken shard of glass.
Ava sobs silently behind
Ewan The first shot lands near my foot, only managing to make me angrier. Logan, Phoenix and I, rush into the house and aim as men try to surround us. A grunt escapes my lips as one of the men kicks out and hits me in the kidney. Turning sideways, I grip his foot and twist it. The sound of snapping bone makes satisfaction course through me. Crying out in pain, the man falls to one knee, which allows me to shoot him in the head. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as my brother and Phoenix take down their opponents. However, I don’t give it another thought because I know they can take care of themselves. As another man approaches, I remove my knife and stab it into his thigh. This man is impressively muscled, with the body of a linebacker and the face of a pit bull. He barely feels my knife slice through his
Taryn Things have changed so much in the past year. As I watch Ava and Ewan splash around the beach, I smile. After she attempted to kill us, Tamsyn was convicted to thirty years for attempted murder. Ava cried for days. It was hard to watch, but Ewan and I did everything we could to console her. We even put her in counseling. After months of therapy, she understood that Tamsyn was disturbed and had nothing to do with her mother’s psychotic behavior. I mean, even I knew that Tamsyn was messed up way before then. Once Stuart was buried and everything was settled for Tamsyn’s hearing, we asked Ava if she’d move in with us. At first, she couldn’t believe that we’d take her in after everything her mother
Ewan I watch as my beautiful bride walks down the aisle. Her long crimson hair swirls wildly around her, and her simple mermaid dress flutters in the wind. Ava walks beside her, her blue dress a beautiful contrast with her scarlet tresses. It has been a year since we became engaged and officially adopted Ava. At first, it was odd to hear her call me dad, but I quickly adjusted. I never thought I’d want children, but I found myself enjoying it since becoming Ava’s dad. We’ve become very close since she moved in with us. Thankfully, she has not dated anyone yet. She told me that it’s because boys are immature, and I didn’t argue.
Ewan There’s nothing like bringing justice to those who cannot do it for themselves that makes satisfaction course through my veins. Dalton Corleone and Bonnie Corleone are going to receive a bit of that justice tonight, and I cannot be any more delighted. I watch as the couple sits comfortably in their large mansion, feasting and rebelling while their victims fester in the bowels of their underground torture chamber. Dalton and Bonnie are sociopaths. As a couple, they work with charities under the guise of humanitarianism, but in real life, they’re monsters. They own several homeless shelters and food pantries around the country, which they use for the sole purpose of choosing a victim. They are most assuredly candidates for ironic justice. Once they choose their prey, they offer the victim an opportu
Taryn It’s my twenty-sixth birthday today, and I’m taking the day off from both my jobs to celebrate. I even called my father’s nurse, Willa, to come over and watch him for the day. This is the first time in years that I’ve decided to do something for myself, and I’m determined to enjoy it. After my father’s stroke ten years ago, I devoted my time and worked hard to take care of him. My mother abandoned us when I was a baby. For years, I live with my dad and my sister, Tamsyn, until she left too. My father began experiencing health problems years ago. I was eleven when we found out he had to have brain surgery, and my sister Tamsyn was sixteen. I used to worship my sister, Tamsyn. Even though s
Ewan Bollocks, I’m such a git. I can’t believe I kissed and touched Taryn, then insulted her. I try not to think about the fact that she felt incredible in my arms. Or that I was taken the moment I saw her. Who knew that little Taryn turned out to be quite the beauty? I guess I never considered it. After I left her near the beach, I thought about how lonely she seemed, and my heart thawed. It was only on impulse that I stopped at the coffee shop near the pier to buy her the cupcake. I didn’t like the idea that she was spending her birthday on her own. Something about her response made something inside of me ache. She seemed resigned, and it broke my heart. I remember all of the birthdays I spent alone, and it re
Taryn I head back to the dressing room as soon as my dance number is over. Sweat glides down my body, and glitter sticks to my skin, making me feel a little itchy. Before I make it to the room, I’m stopped by one of the club’s customers. The guy has been coming around for a couple of weeks, drinking and watching the girls obsessively. At first, I didn’t really pay him much attention because he looks like any other rich asshole who frequents the club, but recently he’s been persistent in getting my attention. He’s one of those men that looks too slick with his perfectly coiffed hair, thousand-dollar suits, and phony smile. I make every effort to avoid his presence when he comes around. It’s not just me, either. A few of the girls have noticed his creepiness. The first time he noticed me, he tried to buy a lap dance, but I refused. I’m not big on lapdances, a
Ewan The shop that Taryn works in is not far from my home. I swallow my surprise at the thought that she was always so close, and I didn't have a clue. But I’m here now, and I’m ready to help her. It’s past noon, and the parking lot is riddled with vehicles. Carrying a small bag around her shoulder, Taryn walks out of the shop a moment later. She’s wearing a short jean skirt that emphasizes her long legs and a midriff Beatles t-shirt that makes her breasts look like firm, bouncy apples. By the jiggle of her breasts, I wonder if she’s wearing a brassiere. She wasn’t wearing one when I kissed her yesterday. I didn’t feel any straps constricting her silken skin. This time she’s wearing