Running

**Daisy**

I woke up early, I say woke but I didn’t exactly sleep. The longer I considered the words of Calix the more I felt like it was a mistake to stay. He’s right, but he’s only right because he clearly doesn’t want me. I can’t and would never want a child when he is so cold and constantly pushing me away.

Demitri and Marcello are amazing, but there is no way I can be with them and see Calix, it’s all or nothing. I came to that conclusion sometime during the night. I can’t have just D and Marc, I need them all. I can’t face seeing Calix every day and him not want me.

So my only choice is to walk away. I debated staying and saying goodbye but I know if I did that it would be harder to walk away. I couldn’t look D and Marc in the face and walk out of the door. So my only choice is to leave before they wake.

Packing a small bag I grab some things, put the jewellery in boxes and then I place them on the bed. I say goodbye to this life, goodbye to being their family. I fight back the tears as I walk out, his guard trying to stop me and I show him my contract. He doesn’t even try to fight me on it, which makes me think Calix has told them to let me leave.

No way would their guards just let me walk out without his approval. I walk for two hours before I end up outside the club. I'm not sure why I have come to it, but I walk in and ask for Rose. She is surprised to see me but calls me through.

So here I am sitting and considering everything as she looks at me waiting.

“Not a business visit I am guessing considering you have a bag.” Rose looks at me and I nod.

“Calix gave me my freedom, he signed the contract to free me.” Even saying it out loud it sounds wrong.

“And you took your chance to run.” She laughs and I shake my head.

“No, I stayed knowing I had it. Calix didn’t want me, so I walked. I don’t know why I came here, so I’m sorry.” I don’t know why I did.

“Look, I heard you were taken, word travels fast about what they did. If you want to leave just leave Daisy.” She smiles at me and I nod. “I thought they loved you.” Her words are quiet and she looks at me confused.

“Marcello and Demitri do, but Calix? I don’t even know.” I don’t, he isn’t ready to figure it out.

“Because he slept with Rosalie right?” She laughs and I look at her shocked. “You’re forgetting a guard was there spying, everyone knows he slept with her.”

“It’s not just that. Before Rosalie, he pushed me away. Said I had Stockholm syndrome, and everything else. He had finally given in pushing me away, then he went distant again and I know it was to make people think I was nothing, but he slept with Rosalie, I was there months and he hadn’t touched me. He then told me not to push away Demitri and Marcello, and he admitted he loved me, things finally felt like they were going well.”

“I can tell you now, any woman Calix had ever seen he had no issues fucking them the first night they met.”

“Which I know, but then he gave me the contract and said it was to keep me safe in case someone hurt me until he signed me over. He was looking at me weird though, then I was taken and when I said it was like he realised he didn’t want me, he didn’t even argue.”

“Maybe that is it? Maybe he liked you Daisy but then after sleeping together and everything he realised it was just he craved you because Marcello and Demitri had you?”

That makes sense, I nod. Maybe that is what it was, he saw me with Marc and D and wanted me but then realised I was nothing.

“Look, Marc sent out a message to the business owners asking for updates if anyone sees you.”

“I will go.” I move to stand and she stops me.

“No, you will stay.” She walks to the door calling out to Trevor, explaining to him he stays at the door and blocks the Devil’s from coming in and why. She shuts the door and sits back down.

"You can stay here if needed Daisy, we have spare rooms."

“You shouldn’t do this for me, not when they will blame you.” I know they will.

“They gave you freedom, they can’t demand you go with them. It’s wrong. Do you know what you plan to do?”

Sitting I think about it and talk to her, an hour passing and I realise I need to leave this city. I can’t go to the Wolversons either, they have a pact, and no doubt the Wolversons would tell them everything.

“Look, I can get you fake documents, then no matter where you go if less someone knows your face no one will tell them anything.” Maybe that is the way forward? I hear shouting and we turn to the door, her eyes rolling.

“I should just go.” I should before Calix really kills everyone.

“No, stay here.” She walks to the door and closes it and I can hear them arguing, rolling my eyes I stand and grab my things deciding just to leave. I hear Rose scream and open the door. Calix has Trevor pinned down.

“Enough!” I shout and they all look at me. “What the fuck is wrong with you Calix? You gave me freedom and pretty much told me to fuck off and that you didn’t want me, now you’re beating a guy for protecting me from you?”

“I wanted to talk.” He looks up at me.

“Talk? You did enough of that last night. Let him go, you can’t give me freedom and then hurt people for helping me. Why won’t you just leave me alone?” I look at him, fighting back the tears.

“I…” He looks around and I wait. “Just come back and talk, please.”

“No, why do you want me to Calix? To tell me not to leave D and Marc? Because I won’t stay anywhere near you, I made my choice, so respect it.”

“NO!” I turn and see D., I didn’t know they were here. “He might be a dick, but we deserve answers. We deserve to know everything. You just left without even saying goodbye!” He looks at me crying, I want to tell him it doesn’t matter but this is why I left without saying goodbye because now I want to sit and talk to him.

“Ten minutes, after those ten minutes you leave me alone.” I see hurt on his face but he nods agreeing and walks into the office.

“I will ensure no one comes in.” Rose smiles at me. Moving, I reach down and help Trevor up.

“I’m sorry.” He shouldn’t have been hurt for me.

“It’s fine Daisy, if a woman needs protecting I am happy to give my life to the cause.” He smiles and kisses my cheek walking off, I see Calix glaring at him.

“If you want to sit and listen, then fine. I don’t want to hear you though.” I walk in and sit down. I can’t even look at them. This is hurting, why couldn’t they have just let me leave?