Temperance I sigh and begin. "My mom died in a wreck when I was little. Since I was in the car, I was always blamed. The emotional abuse turned physical. I was always in the hospital because of this. There's nowhere for me to run, I have no family I can trust. Not only are my father's eyes watching me, but Erin's too. It wasn't so out of the blue for them to suddenly want to get rid of me." As I was speaking, tears fell down my cheeks. I haven't been able to speak freely about anything. I avoid the heady eye contact from my friends, keeping my hand wrapped around Alec's. "That's why you're staying here," Alec speaks after a few minutes of silence. I lay my head on his shoulder after he squeezes my hand to reassure me. "We need to go to the police about it," Emaline pushes a strand of her hair behind her ear. "No, we can't!" I almost stand to my feet as I plead with her, looking straight into her empty eyes. "We have to. They need to be put into jail." She doesn't dare look at m
Alec I park in the driveway and jump out of the car. I don't know what's gotten into me. I only go back to the mansion for emergencies. Temperance needing me shouldn't be an emergency. If only I could help it when it comes to her. I wouldn't be running away from my duties to tend to her. This girl, she just sets a fire off in me. When I'm around her I get nervous and my heart beats faster. I have this deep urge to protect her. If my father heard about me abandoning my duties tonight, he would be furious. I would no doubt be screamed at for hours. He isn't abusive or purposely mean to me, he just has a reputation to hold. Growing up me and my siblings were under extremely strict rules. We couldn't do anything to disgrace our family name. Ace and I had to be the best of the best to inherit the gang. My father never had any intentions of Arella maintaining his work so she didn't get the harsh rules. Once Vanessa came into Ace's life he decided he didn't want to be the next leader. T
Temperance I look at my reflection in the mirror. My grey shirt is almost too big for me, covering the black leggings that cling to my legs. I tie my dark hair into a messy ponytail. My body is littered with fading bruises and healing cuts. There's is going to be a fine scar where I was bashed on my forehead. I turn my head, gazing at the door as I hear a light knock. I open the door, looking up at Alec. I give him a small smile, stepping out of the room. "Ready to go?" I ask. I'm excited to go on this adventure. I've never been to a trampoline park. The only concern I have is the wounds on my stomach. I'll have to take it easy today. "We've been ready. You take forever." I shoot him a glare as he laughs. Why does my heart hurt when I look at him? We stop in front of the car, standing with all the guys. "We have a problem. There's not enough room in the car." Damien sighed, "Someone will have to sit on a lap." I know what they think when they all look at me. They want me
Temperance I sit in the living room with pillows and blankets littering the floor below me. We are all cuddled up on the couch, shoulder to shoulder. A movie plays on the flat screen tv in front of us. We all have pajamas on, including Connor who doesn't live here. I have no idea where he acquired them from. Emaline and I cuddle with our backs against the couch behind us. "Go get Ella to turn down the temperature," Emaline demands Zander. He nods and stands up, patting her leg. I don't miss the blush that forms on Emaline's face. "Do you guys do this often?" I ask them, grabbing a handful of kettle popcorn and piling it into my mouth. "No. This is the first time." Alec replies. I expected that—kind of. I lay my head back and smile. I've never had a fun day like this. Not ever since my mom died. God, I miss her. So much. "It always feels like something bad is happening. One thing after another." Ethan blurts. "Well, for Temperance at least," Connor adds, his voice low. It see
Younger EmalineApril 22nd"TJ!" I happily call out to my new boyfriend. My heart flutters as he greets me with a smile, "Hey babe." He leans down, kissing my head softly. My heart can't help but flutter.He grabs my arm, leading me inside the restaurant.I sit down at the dinner table, gazing at the scenery around us."We've been together for a month. I can hardly believe it." I grab my menu, skimming the food items. I thin my lips, glancing at him as he continues his silence.My mind wonders if he heard me or not. "TJ?" I say lightly, trying to get his attention. He is often cold to me. I know he doesn't mean it, It's just his personality. I know he loves me, he tells me every day."I want you to move in with me." His brown eyes pour into mine with intensity.My breath catches in my throat as I stare at him with shock. "My parents?" I bring up my family, they would surely miss me. I'm only fourteen, they mostly give me everything I want. But I don't think they will be too fond of t
Temperance I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling. I woke up hours ago but haven't had the strength to move. Alec explained to me that when the police find me I'm going to have to go back. Of course, I won't have to go back to my own home, I would be leaving for my Aunt and Uncles. That is exactly the thing that causes me to be nervous. I haven't seen their family in years. The only place I know is my own home and then Alec's home. Going to this new place fills me with uncertainty. But alas, there's only a matter of time before they house me somewhere else. I have all of my friends here. Alec's people are my friends, and I would be leaving them. Not only them but Nicole and Ryan as well. I've been distant from them since I met Alec but that doesn't mean that I want to completely leave their side. There's this feeling inside of me that causes me to be sick with anxiety. I can't help but feel like something bad is going to happen. Something bad always happens. This time, It's cau
Temperance My body crashes into the cement, my hands covering my ringing ears. I open my eyes, feeling my heart drop as I'm covered in blood. "Emaline!" I shriek once I locate the source of the blood. I jump towards her putting her limp body on my lap. Then there is another loud gunshot. And Tj is on the ground bleeding. He shot himself. I don't know where. Nor do I care. I only care about the girl that's bleeding out in front of me. "Is she alive?" Zander screams at me. With shaky hands, I reach toward her neck. My hand slips from the blood before I'm able to press my fingers around her neck. I find the spot where I'm supposed to feel her pulse. "N... no." The sound of the rain drowns my voice out. I press harder on her neck before having my hand retreat. I place my hand on her chest, where she was shot. Her face continues to lose its color as I press down on her wound, the blood seeping through my fingers. Her blond hair is already soaked with her dark blood. Tears stream
Temperance After we leave her grave we end up at the warehouse per my request. I walk past everyone who had just come from the funeral. Instead of mourning at home, they hide the pain by continuing their work. I stand in front of Rea and Justin who guard the heavy metal door. I know Tj is behind this door, and you bet your ass I'll get in. "Let me in," I grit my teeth. They glance at each other, then back at me. "We can't let you do that." Rea looks at me sadly. They know who I'm going for. They know my reason. And they continue to stand in my way. I turn around and eye Alec and Zander. They speak up. "You can let her in. There's no stopping her today.." Alec replies, watching my every move. They open the door, revealing a set of stairs leading down into a dimly lit hall. I go down the stairs. "I'll take watch. Rea, you can go down there instead." Zanders's voice almost cracks in that sentence. He's too heartbroken to look at the man who murdered the woman he loved in cold