The Hard Way Novels & Stories

Something wide and crude owns the hood in letters big enough to read from where I’m standing. **NOT A KNIGHT — JUST A DICK WITH A TRUST FUND AND A BITE.** What the fuck. I walk forward slowly. Not careful. Just catching up with the fact that someone put their hands on something of mine and marked it like a message. Like a dare. Up close it’s worse.

she asked, her voice above a whisper. Victor’s expression hardened. "If you refuse, then you can walk out that door and never look back. But you and I both know that you’ll regret it. Your father’s situation isn’t going to improve without proper treatment, and we both know you can’t afford that on your own."

My obsession with family - I had to let it go, too. Why was it so hard for me to have a stable life when I tried so hard? Maybe it was wrong from the start. I shouldn't have met Levi. I shouldn't have agreed to give it a try with Mr. Aiden Morgan when someone else already lived in Levi's heart. I shouldn't have believed the myth that a man would settle down once there's a child. Crash! The glass shattered on the floor. I froze, my arm suspended in mid-air, as if such crude behavior was something I'd never do. That feeling of trying to please others, wanting them to understand me, swept through my entire body.

This young woman was way too bold! She reached out and fondled gently. I clamped my thighs tightly around her, fighting against the natural urges rising within me. Shanine was truly good at this. Each time she touched me, I would feel a wave of pleasure running through my body like numbing electricity. I did my best to stop my body from reacting. Carl put down his fork and asked, "What's wrong, Dad? Are you unwell?" I put on a calm face and answered, "Oh, it's nothing. I'm just..."

OLIVIA This is the first time ever that I’m seeing twinkling stars. I hate it but it does not look nor feel pretty. My head hurts like I’ve been crushed by a giant truck and left on the floor to die for good. It makes me remember when Jake had hit me with his car, which led to the beginning of our contract. I lay on the cold hard ground and let the exhaustion I feel weigh my bones further down. I was at a big disadvantage. It was one weak female against four boys that are mostly likely not sober.

A few rotten apples, Rhychard thought as he leaned into a tight right turn. That part of his learning to be a Warrior of the Way had been easy to comprehend. Even when he had joined Renny at Harvest Fellowship, he had a hard time swallowing the details of what they preached. However, he had always possessed a strong sense of right and wrong. That mindset caused him to leave his moving truck that night when he heard Jamairlo's scream. Someone was in trouble, and Rhychard had to help. Walking away just wouldn't have been…right. Still, if he knew helping would change his life, he may have forced himself to keep driving.

I stammered bashfully, "Dad, Mom, I have something to discuss with you. I know it is your wish to have a grandchild, but I miscarried too many times before this. The doctor said I would struggle to get pregnant again…" I teared up while speaking. Jack and his parents frowned at me as they waited for me to continue. I kept up with the act and innocently stated, "But the family lineage cannot stop here. I have an idea. Since modern technology is advanced, Jack and I could go abroad and get some IVF treatments. Dad, Mom, what do you think?" It took Jean a while to wrap her head around my suggestion. She was the first to slam her fist on the table. "I object! How can you compare the babies from