"I'm not but you are."
My body froze, no I was paralyzed where I stood. Did I hear him correctly? Is my mind playing tricks on me or something? Bryce and I were now in a one on one staring contest. He was staring at me with so much intensity and somewhat concern. If was like if in second now he was waiting for me to ball over snap. Was I? Right now I'm not too sure. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out I was just too...too...baffled, astounded.
Bryce edged towards me slowly, holding up his hands slightly. "Shay listen to me-"
"Stop." I ordered. I dropped my gaze from Bryce to the ground. "What the fuck is this Bryce." I pointed down at the now full suitcases before us.
Bryce looked down at the suitcases as if he didn't even notice they were there to begin with. His eyes softened then as he stopped in his tracks. He signed deeply as he dropped down to the ground running his hands through his hair repeatedly. "I didn't think it would come to this, I really didn't." he whispered ever so softly and if it wasn't for me listening in so closely I would have missed it.
I dropped down in front of him drawing in my legs up towards my chest and wrapping my arms around them. "It isn't safe here for you anymore Shay. I have no choice but to send you away somewhere safe until the air clears over here." his eyes snapped up towards mine and there was a glimpse of defeat in his eyes.
"Why do I have to leave Bryce?" I asked. "What happened to all or nothing?"
He shook his head. "All or nothing." he echoed dropping his gaze from mine and began fumbling with the straps of one of my tank tops in the suitcases. "Is not something I'm willing to risk."
"Shay I've told you time and time again how selfish I already feel for having to have you for myself. And I couldn't live with myself if something bad happened to you. Because it'll be my fault because I brought you into this mess. And this-" he gestured to the suitcases. "-is the only way I can continue protecting you."
This was a hard pill to swallow. Ever since I've known Bryce he's always been on top of things and very confident in himself. But for the first time ever, Bryce looks like he's lost all hope and it broke my heart to see it. "B-But do I really have to leave? Marcus says he just wants the family company and and-"
He scoffed. "It's so much bigger than all of that now. He wants something that's mine and will always be mine."
I frowned. "What?"
His eyes snapped up to mine and those green orbs that I've grown to much in love with looked so dull and lifeless as they stared at me through thick lashes. "You."
All the air had been knocked out of me then. "M-Me?"
"Raymond isn't going to stop he's mad that very clear Shay. Not only does he want my percentage of the family company, and numerous other bullshit. He wants you Shay. He used -using- your mother as leverage for himself."
I scoff. "I don't give a fuck what that woman does. That's her own problem not mine. I don't care."
Bryce shook his head. "You say that. But she's still your mother no matter how much you despise her." It seem as if he wasn't just trying to convince me but also himself too. He stood to his feet tossing the blouse into the suitcase beside us."Right now it's just not a good idea for you to be around here."
I stood too, tears welled up in my eyes but I refused to let them fall. "Can't you see that's what Raymond wants? He wants to separate us Bryce."
Bryce didn't have to say anything. It was painted on his face for all of me to see. I could see how it hurt - no, pained - him to send me away. It was killing him just was much as it was killing me maybe even more. Bryce walked towards the doorway but stopped just before the threshold. "I don't know what else to do Shay."
I closed my eyes and sighed deeply. What am I suppose to do? I was feeling like I didn't know which way to turn. Yet again, I was feeling completely vulnerable and useless. Yet again I was Bambi in this moment. That being said, I did the only thing I could do. Walking over towards Bryce I wrapped my arms around his back and leaned my head on his hard back. Slowly his tense back, relaxed as I held him.
This was all I could do. His mind had been made. Though, I had to let him know that I was still down for him. Even if he doubted that things would go badly. Bryce turned around in my arms and cradled me in his chest. His delicate finger grazed over my back tracing small circles into my skin. I just wanted all this pain to just go away. "I don't want to leave you." he whispered.
"Then don't let me go."
A cool finger slipped underneath my chin and I was greeted with the warm green orbs. They held so much emotion in them it was overwhelming. But in the same token, I was drawn to them like a moth to a flame. Soon enough, his lips met my own. My eyes fluttered shut as I wrapped my arms around his neck. His lips were soft and warm against mine. I felt his hands travel down my sides and rested just above my butt. Out of habit, I tangled my fingers into his soft mane. This kiss was unique, one I've only experienced once or twice with him. This kiss was saying all the words neither of us could say.
He was afraid, and I could not only see that but feel that. I was afraid too, of Raymond and the unknown. But I was mostly afraid of losing Bryce. We've invested so much into this, why stop now? I had to reassure him, that I meant every word I've said. I'm still in this, all or nothing. After all we've been through, I still believed in this. Believed in us.
With one quick movement, Bryce hooked his hands around my thighs hosting me up causing me to wrap my legs around his waist. One hand was wrapped around my waist, securing me and the other was reached up and ripped the hair tie out of my hair. My hair cascaded down over my shoulders while his fingers tangled themselves in it.
My back was now pressed up against the far wall. Bryce removed his lips from mine and started going to work on my neck. I couldn't help but let a moan escape from my lips as he claimed my neck. He was completely supporting me and good thing too, because my bones were turning into jelly by the moment. His teeth grazed over my bare flesh causing an ache in between my legs to spark.
******[Explicit]********
(A/N: Just pretend right now Shay is on birth control or something and she can't get knocked up lol)
Bryce pulled back and our eyes met in that instant. His eyes blazed with hunger. I guess he could see the same fire burning in my eyes because he smiled lightly before grasping my face and kissing my passionately. His fingers fumbled with the ends of my shirt, almost asking for permission. I nodded into our kiss and before I knew the shirt was up and over my head and tossed onto the floor. And soon went Bryce's shirt.
Our tongues battled with each others, the need to have each other growing by the second. His hands roughly toyed with the straps of my bra before ripping it off. He squeezed them roughly in his large hands and I had to bit down on my lip to stop the verge to moan again.
No surprise when a soft moan erupted from me when Bryce popped one of my awaiting breast into his mouth. Somehow, some way, before I knew it we were both in nothing but our underwear. Had I been completely oblivious the whole time just from his touch? Bryce's erection was pressed into my abdomen. Bryce looked up at me and smiled lightly at me. "Til this day, it amazes me how I just become putty in your fingers."
I chuckled. "The feeling is mutual."
He kissed me then. I felt Bryce struggle slightly trying to get his boxers off but once they were, he pushed my panties to the side. His dick teased my aching entrance. A whimper rippled off my lips and Bryce's eyes darkened as a devilish grin appeared on his plump swollen lips. "Always so impatient."
"You always have something to-"
My sentence was cut off by the Bryce thrusting into me deeply and roughly. He filled me so completely, so perfectly. I dug my nails into his back trying to bear the delicious pain engulfing my body. "What were you saying love?" amusement dripped from each word. He knew exactly what he was doing to me and he was loving every second of it.
I didn't have time to respond before Bryce withdrew and thrusted even deeper than the first time into me. His lips were back on my neck, attacking my hot flesh as he pumped in and out of me repeatedly. Bryce held onto my tightly has he pumped harder into my root. I screamed his name and wanted nothing more than him to never stop.
I was reaching my peak, building up inside the pit of my stomach and threatening to turn me instantly into jelly in his arms. He grasps my hips reaching new limits inside me as I was about to come undone beneath him. His bits down onto my neck and pull at my erected nipples and I come. I screamed through my orgasm, saying things probably no one could understand. Bryce was still buried inside of me, but I had a feeling he knew I was on the verge of double over any second now. And soon to follow he came- his body rocked with spasms and husky groans against my neck.
He pulled out of my slowly and I couldn't help but groan.
****************
I was exhausted and Bryce knew. He held shifted me so that I was now cradling to him like a small child in his arms. He walked out of the closet and back into the bedroom. Pulling back the sheets, he laid me down onto the sheets. He crawled in beside me wrapping his arms around me once again. He kissed my shoulder and nuzzled his head into the crock of my neck.
My eyelids were getting heavy and the urge to fall asleep was becoming more and more unbearable. "Where am I going?"
Bryce sighed. "Go to sleep baby. We'll talk about everything in the morning."
"So there's not way around it? I'm still leaving?" I muttered.
"As of now -no. There isn't. I can't risk putting you in harms way." he replied.
My eyelids fluttered shut as I sunk deeper into the pillows. "Nothing's wrong with a little danger."
Bryce chuckle. "Getting an adrenaline rush is different than having your live at risk Bambi."
"Mm," was my reply.
A pair of soft lips were at my temple then. "Sleep now Shay."
And I did. I welcomed my slumber with open arms.
* * * * *
"Shay baby wake up,"
I groaned and rolled over hoping the person would go away. "C'mon Shay wake up. It's time to go?"
"No. Sleep." I grumbled.
"You can sleep on the plane baby."
I huffed and threw the covers off of me. Which was probably a bad idea on my part because the cold crisp air engulfed my still naked body causing me to retreat back into the sheets. A low chuckle echoed from across the room. I opened my eyes in time to see Bryce standing over me, completely dressed. The room was still dark and I looked over at the digital clock on the nightstand that read: 3:00 am. 3:00 am?!
"Here go put these on." he said handing me some clothes.
I glared at him and took the clothes from him. I clasped my bra on and pulled the hoodie over my head. As I stood up to put my panties and pants on, I noticed Bryce staring at me. "What?" I asked.
He shook his head. "Nothing."
I rolled my eyes and slipped on my pants. "Are you going to tell me why you woke me up this damn early?"
He nodded towards the door causing me turn around and see the same two suitcases from yesterday by the door. I felt my face drop just by seeing them. In the end, nothing had changed. I understand his concern but is this right thing to do? "Oh." was all I said as I slipped into some shoes.
"Don't be like that Shay. You know that I don't want you to go but-"
"I got it Bryce." I interrupted as I pulled my hair into a bun. I wasn't in the mood for talking anymore. I just wanted to get this shit over with now.
He signed. "Are you going to start being difficult?"
I glared at him. "Depends. Are you going to continue to be a dick?"
Bryce shook his head. "I'm not going to fight with you Shay."
"Good."
Bryce looked like he wanted to say more but instead he let it go altogether. "C'mon we gotta flight to catch."
Airport
My leg bounced up and down as I tried to remain calm in this uncomfortable airport seat. It was now 4:00 am and the airport was still packed with people. I couldn't help but feel like I had to contentiously look over my shoulder. My paranoia was getting so bad that I was now wearing a pair of sunglasses I purchased from the gift shop. I still can't believe I had to go through with this. Bryce sighed and placed a hand on my knee forcing it to stop.
"You'll be fine. Stop worrying." he said.
I slapped away his hand. "I can't how I feel."
Bryce's gaze from from me to behind me. I snapped my head over to see Jay dressed down in a pale grey sweatshirt with a white scoop neck shirt underneath. Purple bags were underneath his eyes and he looked as tried and exhausted as I was, but instead more relaxed. A warm signature Jay smile appeared on his face when he saw us.
"Hey baby momma." his voice groggy and rash. "Wassup B,"
"Thanks for going along with her Jay." Bryce replied as they draped each other up.
Jay shook his head. "Nah it's all good. Just had to listen to countless yapping coming from Chanel all day." he laughed nervously. "She wasn't all too happy with me just up and leaving to Rio in the middle of the night-"
Rio? As in Rio De Janeiro?!
"-but she was okay when I explained it was for her newest best friend she was a little more lenient about the situation."
Jay frowned down at me. "Princess, why are you wearing sunglasses when it's still dark outside."
I readjusted my glasses and pouted. "No reason."
"She's being paranoid." Bryce chimed in.
Jay yawned as he stretched his arms out and resting them behind his head. He draped his long legs over the seat beside him. "Guess that's reasonable given her situation."
"Thank you!" I exclaimed.
"Flight 372A to Rio De Janeiro is now boarding." the computer automated voice boomed from the intercom.
"Welp," Jay said clasping his hands down on his legs and standing. "We better get going."
A wave of sadness flooded over me then. Everything was becoming surreal in that moment. I was actually leaving. "I'll give you two a minute. I'm gonna be over there by the gate when you're ready Princess." Jay said.
"Alright thanks again Jay for doing this for me." Bryce said as they man hugged.
"Don't worry about man. That's what friends do." and with that Jay grabbed his suitcases and headed off towards the gate.
I stood and as soon as my feet touched the ground, I was quickly scooped me up in his arms. He crashed me to his chest nearly knocking off my glasses. I melted into his embrace and allowed myself and wrap my arms around his neck. He pulled back slightly so that he could look at me. "I'm going to miss you so much baby."
"Me too. How long do I have to stay hidden?"
"I'm hoping for only a couple of weeks. Three weeks maximum." he reassured but didn't really make me feel any better at all.
"Okay," I answered.
Bryce crashed his lips to mine. Our lips moved in harmony and it was over before I knew it. Bryce set me back on my feet and I readjusted myself. "Here," he said handing me black backpack. I frowned up at him. "Everything you will need is in that bag. If anything do not lose that bag, okay?"
I nodded. "Alright."
His eyes softened then. "I love you."
I smiled weakly. "I love you more."
Leaning forwards he placed a soft tender kiss on my forehead. "Call me as soon as you land."
"Will do, masta."
He rolled his eyes and laughed. "Alright you better go."
I threw the backpack over my shoulder and grasped my two suitcases. "See you soon?"
He nodded. "See you soon." he concluded.
I spun on my heels and nearly dashed over towards Jay. I'm grateful for having sunglasses because the tears were now welling up in my eyes and threatening to spill over. I didn't want Bryce to see me like this, falling apart at the seams. I was welcomed with a hug coming from my best friend. That was all it took for the water works to start. Jay didn't say a word, he just rubbed my back.
"You ready?"
I nodded and wiped away a few stray tears. "I'm ready to get this over with."
"It's not going to be all bad Princess. You have me! You know your extremely attractive, charming, all-around perfect best friend by your side!" I rolled my eyes. "Besides, Rio is a beautiful place and we might as well live it up while we have the opportunity, right?"
I sighed. "I guess you're right."
"Let's go!" Jay exclaimed and tugged me forward. At this point I didn't know what I would do without my best friend. We put our suitcases at their designated locations and I held the black backpack close to my body, not taking chances. I handed my ticket to the lady who was smiling a little too hard. I took a deep breath and headed down the gate towards the plane.
Here goes nothing.
Third Person POV
"Flight 372A to Rio De Janeiro is now boarding."
Terrell stood to his feet making sure this target didn't notice him. How could they? They were too wrapped up in themselves to notice a familiar stranger sitting two rows over from them. He face turned up in disgust when he witnessed Shay and Bryce kissing the mess out of each other. He didn't understand this infatuation everybody had with this chick. She was still a hoe in his mind and this was all business at the end of the day.
He handed his ticket to the flirty airport worker and headed towards the plane. The boss made sure to give him a seat furthest away from Jay and Shay. He reached up and placed his small bag in the on carry section above him. He slide into his seat and felt his phone vibrate in his back pocket.
Terrell looked down at his phone and it was a text from the boss himself. It read: Everything going according to plan?
On cue, Jay and Shay entered the plan and was in search of their seat. Terrell sank in his seat and made sure they didn't notice him. Shay removed her sunglasses and he noticed then her glassy red eyes and he knew she was still the weak little bitch he saw at the garage at that. A smirk appeared on his lips as he replied back to Raymond.
Everything's going exactly as planned.
Rio ain't ready for the shit that's about to start.
Bryce's POV
"Bryce," Marcus sighed as he leaned back into his chair. "We've been over every aspect, every resource that we could possibly fine and we still got nothing."
I ran my hands over my face. "We have to have something."
"Every man has a weakness and Raymond may claim that he doesn't but I have a strong feeling that he does. He's just better at hiding his weakness." Tyke said as he shifted through the papers scattered along the table.
"I think I've got something." my head snapped up. Ant handed me a piece of paper that was worn down and older looking.
I frowned when I looked at the picture. "That's nothing man," I tossed the picture onto the table. "It's just my mom when she was pregnant with me."
Marcus didn't seem too pleased. He took the picture and studied it intensely, occasionally looking up at me. "I think you need to look at this picture again Bryce."
"Why?" I asked taking the picture back from him and looking for anything that I didn't already see before hand. My mother was smiling weakly as she held her very pregnant belly in her hands. It looked like the original picture had been torn because know I realized that my mother was being held by someone. Their arm was securely wrapped around her torso. But all I could see what the arms of the person. "I'm not seeing anything Marcus."
"Look at the tattoo." was all he said.
I had to squint just to see the damn thing. Then I saw it. Right there, on the bicep was a black and grey tattoo. It was a simple tattoo really, just a knife with some ribbon wrapped around it with some small writing on it. My father had the same exact tattoo but this one had two small skulls on the bottom of it. My eyes darted to the date on the right hand corner of the paper. It was dated an hour before I was born. I knew only one more person that had that tattoo, identical to my fathers.
"No." I shook my head. "It can't be."
Everyone in the room remained silent as I pieced together everything little detail in my mind. My mother wasn't ever faithful to my father if I remember correctly. I also remember my dad telling me that he wasn't there for my birth because he was away on travel. So if this guy in the picture isn't my father then...
"Shit!" I exclaimed throwing the paper across the room. This couldn't be happening. No, no no no.
Raymond cannot be my father.
A/N:
TADA! Okay I'm a little tried/sick so I'm not going to be full of excitement like I usually am when I write these things. I know you guys probably are going to hate me for yet another cliffhanger but hey! I'm the Queen of cliffhangers! Somebody's gotta do it right? Well I couldn't decide if I wanted to add that last part in there because I kinda hit you all with a double cliffhanger. With Shay and with Bryce! Ugh I'm horrible, I know I know lol.
Lol anyways there's only a few more chapters left of TBWTBL! I don't know exactly how many but I do know that it's going to get wrapped up pretty soon. But don't be so sad! I'm still going to do the sequel and everything. I have a surprise for you guys too so keep on the look out for that! Alright I love you guys and I'm going to crawl back into my bed and be knocked out some meds!
x Maia