Page 16

Alina:

Bash isn’t doing well.

He’s pacing back and forth for long periods of time before he collapses crying or destroys something else. His room is littered with broken guitars and clothing ripped from his opened dressers. The drawers lay haphazardly around the carpet, one completely lopsided from him kicking it aggressively in a fit of rage. He hasn’t figured out how to reason the things he’s accused me of with the truth of the situation. I don’t really have anything to say to him about it all. He was a fucking dick to me. This is what happens when you assume the worst of people. You end up looking like a giant, fucking asshole.

I feel so tired. At least everything is out in the open though. I’m not holding this stupid shit in anymore and I feel like I can actually breathe without being weighed down by my secret. I sit in silence for another hour before Bash quiets down long enough for me to feel comfortable asking him to drive me somewhere.

“I know it isn’t ideal for your recovery, but I could really use some fucking weed right now,” I say softly as Bash nods in agreement.

“That’s actually a better idea than what I’ve been longing to do all day,” he admits. I nod back, knowing he’s really struggling. This is also why I wasn’t trying to dump my load of happy trauma on him. He’s barely got a month sober and Bash’s drug of choice once he made it big became heroin. He was known to drink excessively too. But the former was his go-to and he had a hell of a time getting this far. It took quite a few stints in rehab for anything to stick. The tabloids love exploiting his sobriety or lack thereof when he’s using. “Let me grab my wallet and then we can run to the dispensary.” I nod and remain in my spot on the floor. I feel so dull and hopeless and yet, I’m also free of at least hiding that all from Bash.

He grabs his wallet and pockets his car keys. Walking back to me, he helps me rise slowly. He finds my sweats I wore here earlier, helping me to get them on. He hands me a shirt of his to wear and my jacket next. He sits me on the bed, snatching up my shoes, matte black Converse high tops. He proceeds to lace them up for me on my feet.

I still don’t know what to say to him. I love him with everything I’ve got, yet I’m terrified it won’t matter in the long run. I don’t want to disappoint him again, for him to think I’m someone better than who I truly am despite my father’s mistakes or to think that there’s a future with me. I can’t tell if that’s Luke talking in my head or the honest reality of it all at this point.

A bit of both, I’m sure.

Bash leads me down the two separate flights of stairs and out to his car. The lights are on within the other side of the house. I try not to shudder as I watch his mom looming from the lit window overlooking the driveway. “Don’t fucking worry about her, baby,” he says with a reassuring squeeze to my waist before opening the car door and seating me inside. He helps me buckle my seatbelt before rising and closing the door, flipping his mom off as he rounds the front of the Audi and gets in himself. She’s glaring at me now and I can’t help but laugh at the hilarity of this ridiculous situation.

“She has no idea the way you feel about her, does she?” I ask incredulously as Bash answers with a scoff.

“She absolutely knows. She chooses to act as though the past didn’t happen, and I refuse to allow that to be my fucking story,” he admits darkly.

“Good. It did happen. Your dad was a fucking prick,” I mutter under my breath. I feel Bash’s large hand grip my thigh like he used to do to me while we drove around in high school.

“And that’s why you’ll always be the number one girl in my life, Alina.” I nod my head silently, feeling too much to say much of anything. I wish that could be true forever; that I was Bash’s girl. But I don’t even belong to myself. I belong to Luke . I allow the warmth of Sebastian’s hand to anchor me in the present though. I can’t fix anything, yet I can enjoy what time I have with him. Even if it’s limited. “Get out of your head, Lina Girl. You’re worried about what’s going wrong, while I’m thinking of every way we can get you out of this.”

“That’s a little easier for you to do,” I say defensively. “Luke’s been brainwashing me since I became his property. I struggle with what’s real and what isn’t. And my reality is totally distorted after all this time.”

“It’s ok, Alina. I know that. Just try and trust me. I’m forming a plan, alright?” I furrow my brow and wince, my nose still sore.

“You are?” I can’t help but feel hopeful, even if it’s stupid.

“You’re never fucking anyone you don’t explicitly want to ever again. You’re not obligated to stay with me either. I’m getting you out and you’re moving on. Whatever that looks like for you, Lina Girl.” His eyes are filled with tears as he looks me over. My hand moves to his cheek as I lean into his forehead with my own.

“Oh, Bash. I’ve only ever wanted you,” I whisper as I kiss him gently. He leans into it slightly, trying his best to be soft. He moves his mouth to my neck and uses the force he can’t exert upon my lips there. He bites and sucks at the thin flesh along my pulse and I’m seeing stars as he deliciously devours me. Sebastian Cox is absolutely everything and then some. “I’ve been dying slowly since I had to leave you. I missed you every fucking day, Sebastian!” My voice rises as my emotions flare. He nods quickly in agreement.

“You’re always the one to bring me back to life, Lina Girl. You’ve saved me so many times,” he says quietly as his fingers pluck invisible strings against my neck. I close my eyes and allow him to play me like one of his prized guitars. I am so in love with this imperfect man. “Why don’t we re-enact your eighteenth birthday and roll ourselves a blunt tonight?” he suggests with a smile.

My eyes widen before I smile back, nodding yes. “I’d like that so fucking much.”

“Anything for you, Lina Girl.” I notice his raw, swollen knuckles as he grabs the steering wheel. I hope he hasn’t hurt himself too badly. I’d be devastated if he couldn’t play the guitar, and I know he’d feel that way times a million in his own body if that were the case.

He turns the Audi on, waiting for it to warm up a little before flicking the headlights on fully. His mom finally moves her nosey ass from the window. “It’s honestly fucking weird having a parent watching over us,” I say with a small smile.

“How do you think I feel?” he responds with a snort. “Fucking boner killer for sure.” We share a genuine laugh before he peels out of the driveway.

*****

“Get whatever you want, baby.” I evilly rub my hands together at his command, looking excitedly at all the THC before me. Bash and I stand together at the counter, the smell of the dispensary making my mouth water in anticipation. And appreciation.

“Get ready to lighten your wallet,” I warn as he levels me with a stare.

“Go for it, Lina Girl. I dare you.”

Sebastian:

Her face may be bruised, but she is no less beautiful as she grins up at me. I’ll do anything for this girl. She can have whatever she fucking wants. Anything , not just weed. Soon, she’ll be free to live as she chooses and do whatever the fuck she needs to. No one else is fucking touching her body without her consent.

I can’t wait to murder Luke. I’ve decided there’s no other way to end this. I knew when I saw her destroyed on the floor in a mess of her own puke that I wanted to kill him. After hearing her entire backstory involving him, negotiating with that fucker went right out the window in my mind. It’s just a matter of getting Alina to believe that she’s safe enough to help me set things up properly. I need her help to execute everything. But I know telling her my plan will send her into a panic. In her mind, she’s lost forever and can’t fathom any sort of freedom from that dickhead.

But it’s gonna happen or I’ll fucking die trying.

Someone paying their entire staff for loyalty and protection while offering none in return isn’t a respected boss. He may be feared, but there’s a difference. I’m willing to bet more people have stories just like Lina and those same people he fucked up and forced to work for him will turn on him easily. When I get the payroll information, I’m going to start shelling out ten grand each to every person who chooses to lay down their arms against him and allow us to have our way with him without interfering.

That’s the part I need Alina’s help with. Getting that information and then spreading the news about my offer. She’s been working for Luke long enough to have gained the trust of her co-workers. I know my Lina Girl has to have friends around that shit hole.

It's got to be her. They need to know one of their own is willing to risk it all on their behalf. I have no standing with any of these people. It has to be her.

Alina’s talking to the bud tender, asking about gummies and a pen cartridge. The woman smiles and walks away to grab her some things to look at. Despite what she’s threatened, she’s barely stocking up on anything. I smile softly to myself. Alina always was the girl to give more than she took. “Do you have any Skyewalker OG or Girl Scout Cookies?” I ask and the woman smiles, grabbing some jars for me to take a look at. Alina’s eyes widen as she grabs them, examining the nugs within.

“Please tell me there’s some GDP too,” she whines adorably, and the woman laughs. “Oh, and Headband!”

“I got you,” she assures her and grabs another couple jars. “Is that all?” she asks, returning to the counter.

“No. Please quadruple everything you have in front of us and throw in staff picks from whoever’s working today. Whatever the fuck you want me to buy, consider it sold. I also want some extra batteries and a couple edibles. Then we’ll be out of here,” I say, laying a stack of hundreds upon the glass counter.

“I was wondering if you were going to use your fame to my sale’s advantage,” she says with a smirk as Alina laughs, looking up at me. Her face is so relaxed that I start to breathe a little easier. We watch as the woman stacks up everything before us, other staff members throwing their picks on the glass counter too. “Rockstar rules,” she says to everyone behind us wondering how the hell we’re able to leave with so much. They groan as I smile. I throw another stack of hundreds upon the counter, turning to the line behind me.

“All your orders are on me,” I say quietly as they erupt in a mix of cheers and applause. Alina turns to the group, trying to hold in her grin. Her face is still tender, yet she can’t help it. Her beautiful teeth are gleaming beneath the lights of the club.

“Thanks so much, Mr. Cox!” The bud tender delights as I separate a lone hundred for her tip, shaking my head.

“Just Bash, thanks.” She nods once before bagging up our giant order, then pushes it towards me.

“What a keeper,” she says with a wink to Alina, who narrows her eyes back at the bud tender.

“He’s taken ,” she growls grabbing the giant bag, before flipping her purple hair over her shoulder and turning on her heel quickly. Her hips sway dangerously as she stomps out of the dispensary. I bite my bottom lip as the woman’s brows shoot toward her hairline in disgust.

“Well, ok then,” she says with a flippant attitude. I knock once on the glass countertop with my knuckle.

“ That’s my girl ,” I warn before winking back at her, not even trying to hide my full erection at the words Alina used as I walk away from the saleswoman. I nod to the rest of the line as I exit.

I am taken. By the most dangerously gorgeous, grungy girl I could ever ask for, in her matte black high tops and self-colored hair.

I’m a fucking lucky bastard.