Ours: Book 2 In The Winterburg Series Read online

  My heart swelled with love for him, the fact he was driving to me anyway made me feel weak with adoration.

  “Not really. He’s like, in front of the door.”

  Cal growled as I heard him curse.

  “I will be there as soon as I can,” he ended the call and I noticed Josh was now arguing with the guy, seemingly about Nancy.

  “Red lips, dark hair, great dancer. She’s hot as fuck in the sack. Think I wore her out though, so you may need to wait a while if you are wanting some,” he winked at Josh.

  “What the fuck? You slept with Nancy?”

  The man frowned then, squaring his shoulders as he glared at Josh.

  “Nancy, that’s her. Saucy little bitch. We didn’t do no sleeping. Did everything else though. What’s it to do with you? She your little sister or something?” he shifted his gaze to me, leering as he spoke. “Are you her little sister? I’ve got more ammo in the bank if you are wanting to play baby.”

  I saw headlights in the distance, becoming clearer as they sped up the road, screeching to a stop outside of our house. Cal stepped out, surprisingly in a suit, his beautiful face flawed with anger. He looked at me quickly assessing that I was ok before storming over to the two men.

  “You, whoever the fuck you are, leave now,” he spoke quietly, his voice laced with venom as the man shrunk back slightly, taking in the crazed look in Cal’s eyes as his eyes fell to Cal’s waist.

  “Fuck, she has some crazy ass family,” he stammered, suddenly sober.

  He pushed past Josh before making his way down the street, without looking back. I felt the familiar anxiety in my stomach as I knew Cal was about to lose his mind.

  “Where is she?” he snarled angrily at Josh who held his hands up.

  “I don’t fucking know. I went for a jog. I was gone about an hour, max,” he stared down at the floor as I put my hand on Cal, his arms taut through the suit as he breathed heavily. The problem with being with Cal was that he was damaged by experience, which made him react badly sometimes.

  “He could have been here when you arrived back, alone,” He shot at me, without turning around.

  “Cal, I’m fine,” I reassured him as he shook his head.

  “You can’t live with her anymore. She’s a fucking nightmare,” he pulled my hand into his as he walked towards his car.

  “Cal, what are you doing?!” I hissed as he swung open the door, indicating for me to get in. It was then that I saw a glint of silver in the moonlight, and I saw what was tucked in his waistband.

  Was that a gun?

  Chapter 6- My Flaw.

  Gretchen.

  We drove in silence- mine stunned- his wary.

  He wouldn’t look at me as he drove through the city streets, navigating like the native New Yorker he was. I stared ahead as thoughts ran through my mind, wondering how much I really knew about the man I loved. What was classed as enough? Was it the way he made me feel? Did it matter about his life choices, did I sign up to whatever it was that he chose to be simply because I loved him? I watched as the streets whizzed by, my eyes aching with tiredness, my body alert with suspicion. I had to know but I wasn’t sure he would tell me. His jaw was set angrily as he drove, moving through lanes without indicating, taking sharp turns abruptly, causing me to grip onto the side of the car, biting my lip with annoyance. He pulled into a dirt track I wasn’t even sure they had in New York, which led to a small house hidden from the view of the street. He cut the engine and sighed, glancing at me briefly as he got out, slamming his door behind him. He walked around to my side, opening the door and gazing at me, those fucking eyes commanding that I left the truck.

  “Are you going to explain to me, what the fuck you are doing with a gun?” my voice shook with anger as he lifted his eyebrows, his face otherwise unreadable.

  “Come on, Gretchen. You know I’m not a fucking shopkeeper.”

  His eyes blazed as he watched me climb out of the car, closing it firmly behind me. I shivered in the night air, and he moved his hand to the small of my back, pushing me softly in the direction of the house. I climbed the steps, as he unlocked the door before me, his broad shoulders hunched as he tugged the door open, stepping back so I could walk in before him. I stood at the bottom of the stairs, smiling softly as I saw the resemblance between the house in Winterburg and this one. He tossed his keys on the side, walking to the kitchen to grab a beer.

  How could he be so composed?

  “Cal. Why do you have a gun?”

  His green eyes burned into mine as he bit the bottle top from the beer, before tilting it to his delicious mouth that I tried so hard to avoid staring at.

  “Yes Gretchen, I have a gun,” he sighed as he leaned against the doorway, his hair falling into his eyes. “It’s not something you need to be concerned about, really,” he shrugged simply as his eyes travelled up and down my body, causing goose bumps to raise on my arms involuntarily.

  “What did he say to you?” his voice was irritated, and I stared at the ground.

  “I don’t remember. He was drunk. Cal, you could’ve lost your temper tonight, with a gun tucked into your belt,” I folded my arms and glared at him then as he smiled crookedly.

  “So? If he would have touched you in any way you didn’t want, I wouldn’t have hesitated in blowing his fucking head off.”

  “Exactly.”

  We stared at each other then, his eyes telling me this was a battle I was not going to win.

  “Live here.”

  His words fell between us and I felt myself inhale sharply. He gazed at the floor, a soft smile on his face. He knew how much I wanted this, yet he had insisted I had tried to live a “normal” life, with us both knowing that was not something I could live whilst living with him.

  “You said-”

  “I know what I said, Gretchen, because I fucking said it,” he laughed then and I felt myself begin to melt, suddenly wanting his arms around me. “But you aren’t safe there, and I’m tired of sleeping without you every night,” he walked towards me then, placing his beer beside his keys, pulling me close to him as his eyes examined every inch of my face, his breath hot on my cheek.

  “I can’t risk anything ever happening to you Gretchen,” his voice was full of emotion and I frowned.

  Where had this come from so suddenly?

  “Cal. Nothing will happen to me. I’m just me, a student living in New York with my incredibly protective boyfriend ready to come and save me with his fucking gun.”

  He unhooked it from his belt then, dropping it onto the side with a loud clatter. He pushed me against the wall, his hands beside my face as he stared at me intently.

  “First of all, you aren’t just you. I’ve never met anyone like you in my life. You are the air I breathe. I couldn’t live without you,” his finger trailed down my face, resting on my chin as he tilted my head up to look at him, my heart swelling with pure love for this man, whatever he was. “Second of all,” he continued, his voice gruff, “believe it or not, this gun could actually save our lives one day. Do you think a lion would fight another lion without his teeth or his claws? Of course not. You match the danger with danger. Do you understand?”

  I nodded meekly, aware he was right. I didn’t know who he dealt with. I didn’t know anything. I dropped my head down as he tilted it back up to meet his eyes.

  “Thirdly, I don’t want you to need saving. I want you to live your life. But you look like you do,” his eyes flickered down as he stepped back slowly, admiring me, “and you are stupidly fucking interesting, not to mention addictive. Who wouldn’t want that? I am territorial, and I am aware it’s my flaw.”

  I grabbed the back of his head then, kissing him roughly as lifted my legs around his waist, returning the kiss deeply.

  “Baby. I mean it. Live with me,” he rested his forehead against mine, the intimate gesture making me smile, biting my lip as I pretended to give it some thought. He slowly tugged my hair as his lips met my throat, as he murmured into my ear, �
��Will you say yes already so I can show you my bedroom?”

  I didn’t need convincing anymore.

  I nodded as he held his hand out to the stairs.

  “Straight up and any fucking room you want.”

  Yes sir.

  Chapter 7- Involuntarily.

  Gretchen.

  It was surprisingly an uneventful couple of months.

  I settled into living with Cal as easily as I had anticipated I would, and we became even closer. He did little things like cooking my favourite meal when I had been at college late, he sat reading whilst I worked, distracting me as the pages moved between his fingers, causing me to glance over and see him laying on our bed, his eyes showing the concentration I adored, his bare torso demanding my attention as I groaned he needed to throw a top on. We showered together, we slept in each other’s arms night after night. I knew little about relationships, this being my second one ever- but I did know that it shouldn’t feel this good for so long. College was ok, I was keeping up with the demand so far, but I must admit I wasn’t seeing my friends as much. I just didn’t feel we were on the same page anymore. It wasn’t like I didn’t have time either- Cal was out of the house most evenings, and all he asked was that I didn’t ask any questions.

  So, this particular evening was no different. After binging on my favourite shows, I rinsed my coffee mug in the sink, turning it upside down onto the draining board as I made my way upstairs, tired from the day. Cal had texted me goodnight, telling me he wouldn’t be long, so I was surprised to hear a soft knock at the front door. I frowned, wondering who would be knocking on the door at this hour. I stood stupidly on the stairs as I tried not to breathe. Cal had told me no one ever came to the house, and if they did to call him immediately. I lifted my phone from my robe pocket and dialled his number. He answered instantly.

  “Someone is at the door,” I whispered, my voice low.

  I heard him curse as he told me not to answer it.

  “Ask who it is,” he barked as I heard the worry in his voice. I hated that this was how we had to live, as I leaned against the solid door.

  “Who is it?”

  I croaked out, my heart pounding so loud in my ears I didn’t think I could hear a response if there was any, which there wasn’t.

  “Gretchen? What’s happening?” I heard someone from the phone call the name Leo and I bristled as Cal snapped back in in an angry voice to give him a minute.

  The door handle turned, and I clasped my hand over my mouth, terrified.

  “They are trying the door, Cal,”

  I felt tears in my eyes as he swore again, telling me to stay calm. I felt my body begin to shake as I tried to desperately do as he said. Every fibre of my instinct was telling me to get as far away from whoever was on the other side of that door.

  “Baby listen, I’m too far away to get there before the police could. Hang up now and call the police, do it loudly, you hear me? Do it loudly. I’m coming, but you do that, right now,” his voice interrupted my thoughts as I nodded. He demanded confirmation that I had heard him.

  “Ok,” I managed as he hung up.

  I dialled the digits for the police as the door creaked opened behind me, as I nearly fell over in shock. It wasn’t possible- the door was locked. I heard a voice on the end of the line asking what my emergency was as I stood completely still, afraid to breathe. I cut the call as I slunk backwards, my foot catching the table by the door, causing a loud rattle, exposing my location to the intruder.

  Fuck!

  The door opened slowly, and I saw a man enter, his bulky frame almost as wide as the door, his face menacing as he scanned the room, clearly looking for me. He was bald with scars over his face as he grinned with satisfaction when his eyes fell on me.

  I heard a voice in my head telling me to run with every ounce of my being, my feet feeling like rubber as I tried to dash for the kitchen, which was merely strides away. My heart was in my throat as I saw the knife stand, lunging for it desperately as I felt a hand clamp around my face, a rag pressed into my mouth as a voice whispered in my ear.

  “Sssh Bella.”

  I clawed at the hands desperately, fighting with every ounce of strength I had, the Italian accent pouring fear into my veins.

  This couldn’t be happening.

  Where was Cal?

  The world began to spin as I fell into the arms of the enemy, my body suddenly being lifted into the air with ease.

  Cal, I need you.

  Chapter 8- Rage

  Cal

  I couldn’t hear anything but the roaring in my ears as I jumped out of the truck, my eyes taking in the wide open door.

  No, no, no.

  Where were the sirens? The police? I screamed her name, the panic evident in my voice. I ran from room to room, my heart sinking with the realisation that she wasn’t there.

  No.

  I roared her name again, before catching sight of her phone on the floor near the table by the door. I felt like a knife had been stuck in my gut as I saw the crack on the screen. It had been dropped. My hands were shaking as I unlocked the screen, her favourite photo of the two of us her screen saver. The last number she dialled was nine-one-one. I closed my eyes as I slumped on the stairs.

  Who the fuck had my girl? Who the fuck wanted to die that badly?

  The endless images of the possibilities swam through my head as gritted my teeth in anger.

  I hadn’t protected her. She had called me, and I hadn’t got here in time. I ripped my phone from my pocket and began dialling every contact I had.

  Someone had to know something.

  Eleven hours later…

  “You have an appalling track record with caring for the girls you love, Leonardo.”

  I gritted my teeth as I swallowed down my anger, refusing to lose control. I needed their help.

  “Michael. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t need your help.”

  He studied me, his dark eyes verging on black as he glanced around his study.

  “I will consider your request. Now go.”

  I stood suddenly, fire burning through my veins.

  “Michael, with all due respect, you know as well as I do the chances of her surviving the first twenty four hours are-”

  “Leonardo. Cal. Whoever you are. Do not stand in front of me repeating pointless statistics from the law,” he interrupted sharply, his dark eyes meeting my green ones angrily. I clenched my fists at my sides as he waved his hand away dismissively.

  Frustrated, I turned and left, slamming the door behind me, knowing he would see it as a lack of respect. Where was fucking Verno? Why did I have to deal with this egotistical prick? I climbed into my car and slammed my hands on the wheel in frustration. She had been missing for eleven hours now, and I was beyond rationality. I had contacted everyone I knew in New York, sending them photos of her with a warning to call me if anything came up, and I knew that most of them would have their ears to the ground. Unfortunately, The Salvatore Family ruled the criminal underground, so I had finally brought myself to ask for their help. Michael had all but laughed in my face, knowing he would rather let her die than help me. The police were fucking useless, telling me that she had probably just left me, and to come back to them after twenty-four hours. I didn’t have twenty four fucking hours.

  I had nothing.

  My phone rang and I answered it immediately, my voice gruff with hope.

  “I’m sorry man, I’m getting fuck all,” the voice apologised as I breathed out, trying not to let my fear consume me. “Have you spoke with the po po?”

  “Of course, I have,” I snapped, aware I was being a prick, and not caring anyway. The voice hesitated as it spoke again.

  “Are you fucking sure it’s not Michael?”

  It was the obvious choice wasn’t it? I immediately thought that cunt had took her. He had shown such interest in wanting to meet her the other night, I remembered the disappointment on his face at not seeing her by my side. He fucking detested me fo
r what happened to Lucia too, so I know if he wasn’t responsible for this, he would be damn wishing he was.

  “No. I don’t know that. But I am sat outside his house right now and I am going to watch his every fucking move,” I growled as I stared up at the large windows, the interior of the house hidden by thick drapes. If she was in there, I would kill him with my bare hands, and fuck the consequences.

  “Ring Drake,” he advised, before hanging up.

  I groaned, leaning back in my seat. Of course, my brother, Drake. He answered on the first ring, his voice full of concern.