71-Once-2

*-* We walk into the elevator and Ryder presses Caleb's floor. "Have you thought about last night?" Ryder asks. I nod slowly and look at him. "I want to be with you and the guys but I don't think it's fair dragging you guys here and I can't ask my old members in the mafia to come with me to America. I don't want to disrupt anyone's life with my business." My mood darkens. I always end up hurting others because of my situations. Caleb is in a hospital bed because of me. "Rose, I'm not going anywhere no matter what, I've said it before and I meant it. If the boys want to leave, they can go, but I'm staying. I can't live without you, Rose. I went through it and I can't do it again." Ryder leans in and stops inches away from my face. "I need you. I'm not letting you get away." Ryder winks at me and backs up as the elevator opens, but the seriousness behind his gaze brings a smile to my face, despite my mood. Sometimes I stare at him and wonder how I got so lucky, or rather, unlucky. Someone who cared about me in my darkest times, saving me. I love him. I slip my hands into his and he intertwines our fingers, swinging our arms back and forth as we walk to Caleb's room. I let go of his hand as we enter Caleb's room. Caleb lays down on the bed, dead eyes staring a hole into the wall. He barely twitches as we come in. I come up near his bedside and wave my hands in front of his face. He flinches and snaps his head over to look at me. I try to give him a smile. He returns a sad grin and nods towards Ryder. "You don't have to come here because you feel guilty. I've done too much bad to you. Both of you." Caleb avoids our eyes. "You're right, we don't have to come here, but we're here. As much as I hated you, it was never really your fault that your father was a piece of shit. You were being used." I say, putting a hand on his shoulder. Caleb's chest takes a deeper dip as his father is mentioned. "I should've been the one to kill that man. He made me feel like I was nothing, Rose. He took away everything and promised me you." Caleb grips the sheets around him. I shake my head. "I'm not some thing to be offered, I'm a person that has to be earned and even then, I'm my own person. What your father did was wrong, and you paid the price, mentally. He fucked you up, but you're going to be ok. We'll make sure you live a great the life you deserve, with nobody telling you what to do. You'll never have to be anyone's puppet ever again." I rub his shoulder and Caleb slowly turns his head to see me. One tear starts the flood of many, as he begins crying soundlessly. His expression remains blank as tears fall down his cheeks. He simply nods, trying to wipe his face as the tears become non-stop. "My father always said a real man never cries except in front of his mother and his wife." Caleb chuckles through his sobs. "Then you should stop crying." Ryder states bluntly, giving Caleb a look of annoyance. I scoff as Caleb grins. His tears stop and he fully smirks at Ryder. "Don't think you've got her settled down just yet, I'll be waiting for my chance." Ryder laughs. "You'll die a lonely old man if you wait that long. Go find a girlfriend or something, I could introduce you to a few." Ryder says completely seriously. No grin. No smile. No bullshit. A pause sets on as Caleb and Ryder have a glare off. I burst out laughing after a minute, unable to stand the stupid ass tension that exist for no reason. Both boys look to me and grin. After another second, they're both laughing as hard as I am. "Try to get along again, ok? I don't have time for this nonsense." I wave my hand and get up. "The guys will come see you soon, you can explain your story them, personally. Like I said, I'm always willing to welcome a brother back." Ryder ensures. Caleb nods, still a bit teary eyed. "Come back soon. I'll miss you, Rose and your lips." Caleb makes a kissy face at me and I roll my eyes. His eyes still seem dull, like he has no life in them. He's so used to acting like he's fine, but he needs help, help that I hope he finds happiness in. "Wait Rose, what was he saying?" Ryder questions me as the door slams shut and we go back towards the elevator. My mind wanders back to what Caleb said. Shit. "Caleb kissed me once, that's all." I say, pushing the down button, waiting for the machine. Ryder tenses up. I chuckle. "Rose. It's not funny." "Can't we just laugh about it?" "No." The elevator opens and suddenly, Ryder's hands push against my shoulders, pressing me up against the wall. The elevator door closes and Ryder stands inches away from me. "Haven't we done this before? Last time? Aren't you bored of it?" I ask, purposely getting on his nerves. "He wasn't supposed to kiss you, he wasn't supposed to touch you." Ryder whispers in my ear, coming closer. I lean in as well. "But he did. What are you going to do about it?" I breathe into his ear. Ryder's lips are on mine instantly and I smile. He's so perfectly predictable. His tongue finds it's way into my mouth, and my fingers find their way into his hair. They both get lost. He pulls away breathing heavily and watching me with passion filled eyes. "Did he kiss you like that?" He huffs out. My only response is the growing of my smile. The elevator dings open. "We're fucking tonight." I say, going under his arms on my shoulders, and snatching his hand, leading us out. His smile is huge. I don't want to force him to leave his men, I know how much he loves them. I don't know if it should be my call or not, I need him too. I want him to stay. The drive to the hotel is relatively quiet as my thoughts consume me. We stop at the main entrance and I get out first. A small, slim body catches my eye as I near the front doors. I move to go pass the young girl, but suddenly she grabs my wrist. "Hey!" Ryder shouts. I turn and look right into the face of Lily, my old servant. "Can we talk...please?" _________________________________________