Chapter 77: Too much

I stood outside in the freezing cold, shivering uncontrollably because I'd

rather be out here than surrounded by the evil men in there.

I was being overwhelmed my thoughts; they weren't making my decision

any easier.

I can't hurt Haze. I don't want to hurt him like the way Ace hurt me so for

that reason I'm choosing Haze.

Ace is toxic. He's broken and damaged, impulsive and reckless, selfish and

cruel. I don't even have one bad thing to say about Haze. He is a good guy.

He's the right guy and he's the safe option.

I stared up at the stars that shined so brightly above me. The stars were so

beautiful. It was nights like these that made me want to live. I felt cold air

move in and out of my lungs, it felt almost therapeutic to appreciate for just

a moment that I was alive.

It's a lot. Everything's a lot.

Then, without warning, I felt someone grab the back of my neck roughly.

"The Vipers" someone hissed making my heart pound. I saw my father's

hand and I immediately whimpered in pain; I thought I had escaped him.

"Please father, just leave me alone" I spoke quietly, pleading with him to go

away. "Pathetic little shit, you went missing for days. You had your brothers

worried sick!" He snarled, slapping me over the back of the head.

It left a harsh sting behind. I stayed tense with his grip still on my neck.

"Ace" I whispered, wanting him to come and save me. "What did you say?"

My father growled. "Nothing" I uttered while cowering from his touch.

"Your mom is so upset about this, I guess I'll just have to set you straight"

He stated with an evil grin, he loved the power that he had over me.

"It's sad that you have to beat up a girl to feel powerful" I finally snapped; I

took so much abuse and torture from him that I've finally had enough.

"You're a fucking shit father, I've always hated you" I growled ripping

myself from his grips. "I'm done being your punching bag, do you hear me

and I'm tired of needing someone else to save me?" I raised my voice as I

stood infront of him.

"Shut up you slut" he spat as he punched me across the face, making me

stumble backwards in my heels. "You are your own downfall" I hissed at

him as I felt the blood trickle down from my nose. I swung at my father out

of anger but he caught my wrist. He did exactly as I thought he would. I

swung my opposite leg into the air, kicking him in the side of the ribs; I

knew that he had previously been sick with lung infection. He groaned

painfully, letting out a cough.

"I've had enough of you treating me like shit" I yelled while I punched him

as hard as I could. "And abusing me" I punched him again. "I'm not a shit

daughter, you're just a bad father" I punched him one last time causing him

to fall to his knees.

He groaned in pain as he knelt on the ground. I was breathing loudly, my

chest falling and rising. It felt so good to finally be able to hit him. "But I'd

like to thank you for making me strong, stronger than you anyway" I

shrugged about to walk away.

But he grabbed my leg causing me to trip and fall; He knew my heels made

me unstable. He kept his filthy hand on my leg and pulled me back to him

before grabbing my arms and forcing them together. He began repeatedly

throwing punches at me with his free hand. To be honest I couldn't really

feel anything, I was just finally able to accept all the years of torment and

abuse because I knew he was a coward.

I tried relentlessly to break free from his grip, realising he was probably

going to kill me if I didn't do something fast.

"You fucking worthless piece of shit" My father snarled angrily, taking out

a knife from his pocket. This was it. This is how I die.

He ran it along my body. I waited for it to stop. I was tired of fighting.

Yet it never happened. My father was ripped off me and thrown back onto

the concrete. It was Ace and he looked furious, I could practically see the

steam coming out of his nose. Fear filled my fathers face.

"I thought you didn't care about her?" My father tried to crawl away from

Ace. "No I care about her too much" Ace took the knife from my father and

glanced back at me for approval. I nodded exhaustedly, staring at them from

the ground before staring up at the stars. I heard my father scream until it

suddenly stopped. He had giving him a rough beating before plunging the

knife into his chest.

My eyelids became heavy. I think that's the first time I've ever heard Ace

say he cares about me. I could hear the tapping of Ace's shoes approach me

before he stood over my body, looking down at me. He picked my weak,

limp body up off the ground and into his arms.

The blood from my nose and mouth had spilled onto his suit. "Oh your suit"

my weak and fragile voice spoke. "This suit can be replaced by money, you

can't" He whispered.

I took the handkerchief from inside his suit and the blood from my face.

"I wanted to die" I said blankly as a tear slipped down the side of my cheek.

A look of fear washed over Ace's face as he listened to my words yet

watched every step he took. "I thought you didn't want me" I said with a

weak look. "No, no, of course I wanted you" Ace shook his head

vigorously, probably wondering how I could even think that. "I thought I

would break you" Ace's eyes became glossy. "You can't break what's

already broken" I responded quietly, leaning into him. He walked towards

his limo, carrying me in his arms.

"Sofia" Ace muttered, making me turn my head with the little energy I had

left.

He pressed his lips against mine and it all just made sense. His kiss was

perfect; better than I expected. I craved him. Everything about him. I keep

trying to convince myself that he's not the one because who wants to love a

ruthless killer yet he's the one. My soul knows he's the one.

Nobody can make me feel the way he does.

Ace broke the kiss to take a breath. "I wish I had done that sooner" he

spoke, trying catching his breath. "Me too" I leaned against his chest. "You

should put me down, I can walk" I muttered confidently, trying to sound as

convincing as possible. "No way" Ace stubbornly mumbled as he walked us

over to the limo.

"What about Haze" I winced trying to move in Ace's arms. "I'll let him

know, I have you now and I'll take care of you" One of Ace's drivers opened

the limo door.

Ace placed me in the limo, earning a wince from me. "Sorry" he apologised

before letting go of me cautiously like I was a baby. He climbed in and I

rested my head on his lap. It was finally warm.

"Your dress" Ace traced his finger over the stains of blood with a concerned

look on his face. "It's ok, it's only a dress" I murmured to him. "This is like

Deja vu" Ace stated, gazing down at me. "Yeah" I shut my eyes. "I

remember sitting here, trying not to let you make me happy" Ace admitted

while drawing circles on the centre of my palm.

"Don't do that, it's annoying" I put on a deep voice to mimic Ace, getting a

cheeky smile off of him in return. "I actually thought it was really cute" he

admitted with a grin, staring out of the window. "What made you change

your mind about telling me?" I blinked at him curiously. "I was miserable

without you plus seeing you with Haze, it drives me crazy" He shook his

head. "What, why?". "You know why" he glared at me. "I really don't".

"It's because he had his hands on my girl, I was supposed to be in his place.

My hands on your waist as we danced, making you smile and laugh. I was

supposed to be the one you wanted" Ace glanced out the window longingly.

"You are" I whispered softly, closing my eyes again. "But he's your

boyfriend" Ace sighed defeatedly. "I know" I kept my eyes closed, not

wanting to see Ace's expression.

"The universe keeps trying to keep us apart Ace. tell it to stop" I whispered

half asleep trying to ignore the pain. "No, it was me but no more" he

brushed my hair behind my ear.

"You want me?" I whispered softly. "Always" was the last thing I heard

before I fell asleep.