Pool Party

RYAN••••••••It's silly returning her here, but it's the only option there is.She walks in front of me, her steps slow but certain. She doesn't sway on her feet, doesn't stop to consider anything. Just moves down the stairs, through the doors, past the hallways."You may leave."I don't stop. Just keep walking behind her, maintaining her pace."¿Eres sordo?" She tilts her neck just a little. "I said you may leave."A slow exhale leaves my mouth. "I'm not here for you"—lies.She stops. Turns so I have a better view of her side profile. "Am I not supposed to be alone? Won't you be interfering in another man's 'controlled space'? Or does that phrase only apply where you want it to?"My chest deflates again, and I close my eyes.She never listens. Never even tries to.All she does is shut me out. Too uncomfortable to have this conversation."I will stay, Purity.""Oh." She turns. "This is you lessening my sentence."After a short while walking in silence, we arrive at the room that use

Gold Bars

RYAN••••••••"What the fuck, brother?" He lifts his hands, the right one weighed down by a black suitcase. "This bitch's supposed to be alone."I straighten, fixing my watch. "This bitch almost drowned.""Excuse me?"He follows. "Almost? Why almost?""We don't want her dead," I remind him again, throwing myself on the deck chair."Ow!" He does the same. "I'm guessing you came just in time.""Hm.""Lucky her." He turns to a dumbstruck Purity. "Looks like Jesus really loves you." His gaze line dips, running over her body. "Don't you think that's a little inappropriate?"She scoffs. "I can wear whatever I want."She flips her finger and lets loose, falling back-first into the pool.Ryat shakes his head.Splash!"She's wearing something comfortable for swimming."His eyes find me. A small smile tugs at the sides of his lips. "I might not trust her, but I trust you."My heart tightens.I try to speak through the lump, but end up barely capable. "Do you really not care what happened? Ahem!

Loyalty Over Desire

PURITY••••••••••There are perks to being a mafia wife; one such advantage is money.I'm not a money-hungry bitch. I've never been. My parents made sure we had everything we ever needed. I've never had the need to do anything solely for money. So no, I'm not a money-oriented person.But when you find yourself in a loveless marriage with little to no actual gains, you might have to savor all you can get, and that includes the gold bars weighing on my hand currently.Ryat was going to take it from me, but when I asked Ryan, he said I could keep it. Then he added a second one.Gently, I place them on my dressing table.Ryat showing up here all of a sudden was absolutely unexpected. I was getting to Ryan. I know I was. He was sucking up to me, but then Ryat happened. Like he always does.Knock.I answer the door."Ryan?""May I?"I step out of the way.He walks in, his eyes wandering the walls like he's on some treasure hunt. "You've made the room into your space."I roll my eyes. "Pleas

Orange Dress

RYAN •••••••• "¡Mamá!" He jumps in my arms, kicking at the sight of the roof. I look down at the dark shingled roof tucked into the thicket, the wood dulled from years of sun and ocean wind. "Yes." I nod. "Mama." Then, looking back at his excited little face, a smile warms mine. "We might need to fix that accent, though"—not that I'm a bigot—"can't have a Spanish don, sì?" "¡Sí!" I frown. "Sì." The jaw-separating grin returns. "Bravo, piccolo mio." He smiles up at me, his amber eyes made several shades lighter by the amount of light entering them—or by the one radiating through. He looks down again and almost jumps out of my arms. "Whoa! Easy, buddy." "¡Mamá!" he goes again, pointing. I tilt my head, and sure enough, Purity's standing on the roof, right next to the 'H,' and she's dressed to kill... me. "Bienvenidos!" she shouts over the mechanical whirr of the chopper's blades. "Es un placer tenerte aquí." Saint wriggles out of my hands and charges at his mom, wading th

Almost

PURITY••••••••••Human skulls. This motherfucker has human skulls decorating his shelf—but what business is that of mine?I slide my hand to the side and let the strap of my body-hugging dress slip over my shoulder. I do the same with the second strap.I found this room during one of my aimless ventures around the house. I know prosthetic skulls with realistic detailing exist, but I knew at once these weren't those.Sometimes I wonder what happens to the children of the families they obliterate. Maybe the same thing that would happen to Angelo if the Reigns ever fall. Maybe I should stop thinking about it.I climb onto his table—uncomfortable, considering I have to maneuver around all the junk, but I manage.I lie facing him, legs spread wide."None of that matters." Because nothing does, really. What was he saying before? "Only this does."He tenses.Good.Then he turns.His eyes widen. He wasn't expecting me to be this bold. Slowly, he exhales, probably gathering his thoughts."Wha

Doodles

RYAN••••••••The tip of the pen skids over the flat surface of the sheet, drawing aimless, swirly lines that mean nothing.It's difficult to pay attention when the mind is being corrupted by the image of a naked woman leisurely sprawled in front of you. The image of you taking her invitation and shoving your cock inside her wet pussy, fucking her raw against the hard desk, paying no attention to the consequences."Argh!" The pen clatters on the table as I recline into the chair, a hand brushing through my wet hair.I poured water over my head in the hopes of washing those nasty thoughts away. It didn't work.It's difficult to tell if Purity actually understands the gravity of her actions. Trying to pin brother against brother, family against family.She didn't try after that day when I arrived. She didn't get close after she left the room. She didn't even utter a word or try to get my attention after. It's almost as if she's given up.I should be happy, I know, but the dark part of m