Page 31

THREE YEARS LATER

brOOKLYN

A lot has happened since that fateful night at the warehouse. That entire experience is such a blur to me now. My body and mind were destroyed. Eli took me to the emergency room that night.

I remember the police showing up and questioning what happened. Eli had told them about Jasper and His brothers returning. He had made it seem like they had broken into the mansion and beat me while he was away. Eli had convinced them that once he and Dane returned home that night, a scuffle had broken out and they fled the mansion.

The police believe that Jasper and his brothers are on the run again. I stayed in the hospital for two weeks while I healed up. I remember having to see a therapist for months after the trauma that I endured during my capture. I wouldn’t allow Eli to even touch me for weeks after the kidnapping. I couldn’t let him get close to me.

Every time he would try to touch me or kiss me, all I would see, and feel, were my attackers faces and their sweaty hands all over my body. I know it was hard on him...to see me in that kind of state...but he never made a fuss about any of it. He wanted me to take my time and was always trying to reassure me that when I was ready, he would be right there waiting for me.

The nightmares lasted for months as well. Everytime I would fall into a deep sleep, I would be right back there, strapped to that wooden chair. The demons surrounding me. Therapy has helped me a lot. I have gotten better with allowing myself to let go of what I could not control and the guilt I carried for what I blamed myself for and the fact I felt I put my Eli and my friends lives in danger.

I know now how silly that is. That it was out of all our control. I also know I can’t put blame on Eli and Dane’s past. We all have one. I am just upset I wasn’t the one to end that miserable piece of shits life. I know Eli would never have allowed me to bear that kind of weight on my shoulders though. He would never want to taint my hands in that kind of finality.

Eli and Dane got rid of all the bodies. To this day I still don’t know how they did or where they took them. All I know is they are gone. Eli went into his darkest places that night. I know he allowed something powerful and corrupt to take over his mind and body. He finally allowed his own devil to fully manifest.

It took a lot out of him. That shadow loomed over his head for weeks. Especially in the night when he would wake screaming my name. It's something he and I have bonded over more. Even though I did keep my space from him physically, we both helped each other heal emotionally.

I know he still carries those shadows within himself, and will for life. But I do believe that due to his love for me and the happiness we both bring to the other, it will keep them at bay until we both take our last breaths together.

My mother knew about me in the hospital and came in the same night they had called her. She was my emergency contact. I told her the entire story. I made sure Eli was not there and it was only Jenny who was in the room with me. I did not know how she would react and I just didn’t want any more tension than there already was.

She stayed away for a long time. Unable to bring herself around Eli. Her reaction was anger and pain. She believed it was all his fault for what he did in the past to the psycho who took me. I know she was livid that I did not inform her of anything going on at the time as well. It took her several months to meet Eli.

I begged and pleaded with her to at least listen to his side. Give him a chance to explain. I told her I loved him. She had severely disagreed with our relationship. But in time, she came around and decided to listen to his story.

When he told her about his broken childhood and the night he met Eve, I swear something inside her shifted. Tears poured out of her eyes as she listened to his painful memories. I remember her running up and hugging him tightly. My mother was not happy with what he did when he was in the gang, but she ended up forgiving him for something he could not control.

She also thanked him for risking his own life to save mine. She witnessed the true love he and I both had together in that meeting. She could see the difference in her daughter created by the extreme love a man had for her baby.

A year later, the FBI and the DEA, still assumed the Heathen brothers were still at large and missing, most likely in Mexico or some other country. We watched the news for any mention of the family, but it was radio silence. That whole next year and a half, I threw myself into my studies.

My racing thoughts had a hard time reaching me if I stayed busy. I would still see Eli every weekend, but it took a while for us to get back to where we left off. He ended up seeing the same therapist I had. She helped him in so many ways with how to control his episodes. How to let go of the past traumas he suffered as a little boy.

I know he had started hypnotherapy to help with healing some of those childhood traumatic events. It was difficult for him for a while, but in time, it did get easier for him. It had been the first time since I had known him, where he looked a bit relieved.

Like there was a faint spark of hope in his eyes that he finally took back which was stripped away from him as a young boy. I still don’t understand how he can process the murder. He does not open up to me about that. That is something I believe he has allowed his demons to bury deep inside himself. Compartmentalize.

Something they guard now until he can finally be at peace. I know there is still much inner work for both him and I to accomplish, but I am extremely hopeful that we will overcome it together.

I graduated this year with my AA degree and have decided to work with Eli and Dane’s company. I will be helping Dane with the social media side of business. I am an excellent photographer and a true professional when it comes to video editing. Jenny loves being at the nursery.

Eli has been teaching her everything he knows about cannabis. I believe she finds the work she does just as therapeutic as Eli. She also does not talk about the events that took place a few years ago. She, like Eli, buries it all down. I believe this is a secret she too will take to her grave.

I moved in with Eli after graduation. He and I were so happy that day. I remember showing up to the mansion and parked outside it, was a hot pink, Ninja H2 bike. I know he had planned on getting me one for Christmas, but I told him that if he wanted to spoil me with such a lavish gift, then it better be for a massive achievement I conquered.

He tried to convince me that just me being born was achievement enough, and he should be able to spend his money however he likes, but my death stare had him throwing his hands up in surrender, mumbling annoyed words under his breath.

Eli and Dane don’t throw any more parties. I believe that since everything that happened with Jasper and his men, they want nothing to do with any more criminal activity. They still are grossly rich and have millions in offshore accounts. But they have decided it was time to move on.

To live a more secure and law abiding life. It’s been really nice having our privacy and time alone in the mansion, being able to truly bond over the years. To grow with one another has been life changing for both Eli and me.

I keep pestering Eli to buy a cat, but he swears they are demons and he says he already lives with too many of those. I told him if he wants children one day, then we will have to have some kind of practice. He says the only animal he will accept in his house is a German Shepherd or rottweiler.

He went on and on about the loyalty and protection the dog will have for our, one day, growing family, and how a cat will just sit there and get fat and will most likely be planning our demise. I like dogs, they are sweet, but I will argue until I am blue in the face that if he gets his dog, Then I will get my cat!

Jenny and Dane have remained completely inseparable. He ended up moving out of the mansion and getting a condo in town by the university. Jenny just recently moved in with him. Dane struggled for a while as well after everything that happened. He talks to Jenny alot about the events of that night. What life he took in order to save another. She has been calm in the storm.

The amount of love those two share could move mountains. I know he has plans on proposing to her tonight! I helped him pick out the perfect, white gold, three carat pear-cut diamond ring that she had been eyeing for the past year. Their love story is one for the ages. I know she also has a little surprise for him as well. Jenny found out last night that she was pregnant! I was the first to know!

The tears that poured out of both her and my eyes could have filled an entire bottle of wine. I was so happy for them, for their crazy journey with babies about to start.

Glancing over at Eli, lying next to me in bed, I turned my light off and set down the dark romance book I was reading. Some hot stalker tale. Looking over at him I am hit with overwhelming emotions.

This man is still the most glorious being I have ever laid my eyes upon. He is everything to me. Everything I could have ever dreamt or hoped for. Every trial he and I have experienced on this journey has made us even stronger. If I had to relieve it all again for the mere chance of his gaze meeting mine that one fateful night, I would. In a heartbeat. I study his face in the glowing moonlight.

His dark brows, so relaxed on his pale skin. His lips parted just a hint, showing the white of his perfect teeth. The seductive tattoos that crawl up his fingers to his neck, that make me heat at the thought of them covering my body. He is a true masterpiece. From his chiseled arms and abs, to his perfectly defined legs. Everything about this man screams perfection.

As if he can feel my eyes upon his body, he opens one eye and gives me a roguish smile. “See something you like, baby girl?” He stretches and yawns as he sits up towards me.

“Always,” I say as I lick my tongue along his smooth lips.

“Mmm, fuuuuck, baby girl. You know what will happen if you start this.”

I grab the blanket and pull it off us, exposing a nude Eli under the black satin sheets. He is already erect and waiting for me. I climb on top of him in a slow, seductive movement. Grabbing my ass, he tightens his grip, letting his fingers dig slightly into my flesh.

“You want me?” he asks while gritting his teeth. “You want me to fuck you so hard I make you see the stars?” I let out a low moan as I continued to grind my sex back and forth along his waiting member. I can feel him twitch beneath my siren grip.

“I want every part of you, Eli,” I moan through parted lips, my back starting to arch from the sensations. I continue to move back and forth, letting myself soak his cock in my cum.

“Look how wet you already are for me, baby girl. I haven’t even touched that pretty little pussy yet.” I can feel his body start to tighten under me. Muscles restricting. His breathing kicked up. Before I realize it, he flips me onto my back, my legs still straddling the sides of him.

“I am going to claim every inch of your perfect body, and once I am done filling you with my cum, I will make sure to fully make you mine.” I glance at him in confusion as he rams his cock into me so hard that I do in fact, see the stars. The mere pleasure that radiates through my aching body has me screaming out in sweet relief.

“Eli!” I yell to the gods above. “Oh my god!” I curse as he pounds deeper and faster into my swollen heat.

“That’s right, I am your fucking God, and you will pray only to me!” He groans as a feral moan escapes his bobbing throat. The explosions make my body feel like it’s on fire. The intensity of the waves has my eyes rolling into the back of my head as he continues to drive hard and deep into me.

“I can feel you about to cum again for me, baby girl. You want to cum again?” Teasing me with a dark gleam in his eyes as he peers down into mine.

“Fuck! Yes! Eli!” I stutter out. I feel his hand wrap around my throat. The pressure is perfect. Just enough to restrain me from moving but enough where I could still breathe.

His other hand pinches my nipple as the stinging sensations have me bucking under him. I feel the next wave rumbling up from my core, I release it as I scream out his name to the heavens above.

“Eli!” He roars into me; I feel his hot cum explode in violent streams deep inside of me. He continues to pound inside me as cum starts to seep out to the bed below. Then, we both collapse, motionless, our breathing erratic. Our sweaty bodies mixing their juices on each other’s flesh. Completely becoming one.

Looking up to me he smiles and kisses my swollen lips. “You want to know my surprise?” He gets up and slides out of me, instantly making me feel less full. Throwing on his black tank top and gray sweatpants, he heads over to his top dresser drawer.

I try to peek around but it’s worthless. Walking back over to me, he sits down on the bed as I pull myself up and hold the satin sheets over my chest.

“What is it, Eli?” A small, black box with a red bow tied around it lies in his large hand.

“Open it and see.” He gives me a sly wink. I met his gaze with a puzzling look. “I’ve been waiting a long time for you,” he says as he kisses the side of my temple.

I grab the box with shaky hands and untie the ribbon, letting it fall to the bed. Opening the box, I see a silver key sitting inside. “Eli, what is this?” I pick up the key and twirl it around my finger. “What is this for?”

“That is the key to my heart, which you now own. What you have always owned. From the very first moment I ever laid my eyes on those mesmerizing onyx eyes, I have been yours. That key represents my life being yours. That you own every single part of my broken soul.”

I feel my eyes starting to blur at his sweet words. “That key also represents our home that is now built and waiting for you and me to move into by our little lake.” I gasp in excitement.

“Eli! It’s done? I had no idea!” I squeal as I press my lips to his. He pulls away quickly and then moves off the bed.

“The key isn’t all.” He reaches into his nightstand and pulls out a small, maroon, velvety box, then kneels on one knee. My eyes widen in shock as he looks back up to me. Opening it, a stunning platinum, three carat round, black diamond ring with ruby clusters sits inside it. I gasp, bringing my hands to my mouth. My eyes widened with surprise.

“Brook, please let me have you for the rest of my life. Please let me make you the happiest woman on this earth. Without you, there is no me. You have made me into the man I had always wished I could become. Your love has taught me goodness and safety do truly exist. You are the only woman who would ever truly own my soul, own every breath that I will ever take. I promise to always be your protector and our future children’s, until we both meet in the next life and do it all over again. Say yes to me. Choose me.” His eyes filled with unshed tears as gazed deeply into mine.

“Yes!” I screamed at the top of my lungs and lunged myself towards him. He catches me as we both fall onto the carpet. We kiss frantically and laugh as he places the ring on left finger. I will soon be Mrs.Brooklyn Eve Masters. I can say without a doubt, that this man, this perfectly broken and beautiful soul, will have and own my heart in every lifetime I am born into. He is my leather...

... And I am his lace ...