Tainted

22

~Poppy~

My mum takes a breath when she sees me walking over with Bash. Grinning massively that she then has to loose when my dad notices and taps her side, turning to glare at me. Bash squeezes my hand, a reminder he's stood right there. Dorian's on the other side of me, Nicky on the other side of Bash. Stephen's probably over with the girls and Bash assured me he's got someone stood on each exit watching for me too but I don't think anyone would get me 5 feet away from Bash before he put a bullet in their spine.

Cian glares at me as I step into their little circle, Bash pulling me in front of him with an arm protective wrapped around me. I'd be in more danger at home in our safe room.

"Poppy my sweet girl!" Dad opened his arms, stepped forward to hug me but I didn't move from Bash's grasp. His eyes flashed with anger as he stepped back. "You look well daughter."

"I am thank you. Hi mum." She offers me a smile, steps forward and I move to hug her. He's mad. Furious. It's kind of funny.

"Di Leo." My dad snarls up at Bash who pulls me back under his arm. "Nice of your men to return Cian to me."

"Yeah well, he got a little lost coming back from the bar. Isn't that right Cian? Had a little to drink tonight? How are your family?" Cian stares at him, brow lowering slightly and I can feel my pulse heighten. Bash is provoking them. I really hope he knows what he's doing.

"They're fine recently moved."

"Yeah. I noticed. Nice place they've got now though. Big garden for your kids to run around." I didn't know Cian had kids. "2 girls right?" My heart lurches up my throat. "Pretty little things. Shame they're so accident prone." Bash swirled his drink before taking another small sip. "So many bruises. And your wife. She's very jumpy isn't she? Frail too. It's a shame she's almost always home alone." The air in the room drops to stone cold. I can see my dad and Cian's heartbeat through the veins on their foreheads. Bash though? He's completely calm. Presses a gently kiss into my hair as if he can feel me beginning to freak out.

"Yeah. She's on some medication that does that. Girls are being looked at." Cian's voice triggers something in me. It's rage and terror and I drink from my glass in the hopes of the alcohol settling me slightly. "How's Poppy keeping you?" He nods in my direction, speaking as though I'm completely inanimate.

"Ah! Yes! My beautiful wife! My favourite topic. How are you Poppy?"

"I'm good."

"Wedding plans?" My father looks at Sebastian.

"Those are all with my wife. I believe you said you were having sunflowers everywhere right Princess? Because Rowan can't be there?" Air. Gone. Breathing. Stopped. Silence. No one speaks. Dad stares at Bash. Mum stares at me. Cian stares at me. I squeeze Bash's hand. It's going to get bad. It's going to be a nightmare. There's about to be a gun pointed at both of our heads and we're about to be shot dead just like him.

"Maybe. I haven't decided yet."

"Horrible weeds sunflowers. Sprout up out of nowhere." Cian speaks this time and I could stand up and snap his neck.

"Doesn't matter what anyone else's opinion on them is. If Poppy wants a million of them at our wedding, that's what she'll have. It's her say. She gets to choose. That's her right after all. As a human. To decide what she wants and doesn't want."

"Are you accusing me of something Di Leo?!"

"Not an accusation if I know it's true. Pip, why don't you go catch up with your mum and the girls? I could do with having a quick word with your father." He's got something planned and it's not going to end well. I've never had him use this tone with me but I have with Dorian and Nicky. I just wish he'd told me whatever it is.

I nod hold my hand out for my mum who looks at dad. He gives a small nod and she grabs my hand, letting me pull her away.

"What's going on?"

"Not a damn clue but I don't think it's good." She pulls me to a stop, grabs my face in her hands. "I'm okay mum. He's great."

"But-" I shook my head, grabbing her hand and continuing over to Stephan and the girls who immediately put their drinks down.

"Ms O'Neill." Stephen smiles. "Poppy. The girls were just staying they needed to use the ladies. Why don't you all go together?" That's the next instruction then? The girls turn, starting to move through the crowd and I look at Stephen.

"Stephen."

"You sure do look like you need that fresh air Poppy."

"I do not." I look around quickly and take a step closer. "What is going on?"

"Have you seen Chris or Hawke about? Bash said they had to be here tonight." Why the fuck would Chris and Hawke be here? Stephen smiled, taking my glass from me, and setting it on the bar. "Happy New Year Mrs Di Leo. Don't miss the fireworks. I heard they're what's the word-- explosive- this year." I swallowed. "I won't keep you from your mum." He nodded backwards and I looked over my shoulder Dorian and Nicky now stood a hell of a lot closer to Bash. Their hands crossed at their back, inches from the guns I know they have hidden under their jacket.

I turned, swallowing my nerves as I rejoined the girls, now surrounded with 4 men, Chris, and Hawke.

"Mrs Di Leo." Hawke blinks. "Hope you had a lovely evening."

"It'd be a hell of a lot better if someone told me what the fuck is going on." I cross my arms.

"Sebastian's just following through on your full marriage contract Poppy." Christopher steps to one side. "Let's get you home."

"I'm not-" 2-gun shots pull through the air and Chris grabs my arm. Guess I am.