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  So, I kept my mouth shut, but I stayed vigilant of her, and I knew that no matter what, my brothers had my back. Simon especially. I could tell after I spoke with him, that there was a change in him. He became more rebellious, more defiant, and half the time he was biting his tongue trying to keep out of La Muerte’s way. But he’d taken note of what I’d witnessed, and he kept his eye on Cecilia, just as Poe and Ash did. She didn’t deserve this life, she’d been ripped out of her own home and dragged here, the least we could do was keep her safe.

  It wasn’t long until Simon was brought down from his charge as VP and made Tail Gunner. He never said a word though, always kept his mouth shut. Never said anything when we were told lies about Nate’s death, never spoke up about being President, and he never said a word about them stripping him of his title. He told me once that he knew what he was doing. These fuckers went after your family first, and he wasn’t about to risk that.

  That’s what she was to me, my Cecilia. She was family, and I’d do anything to protect her. Unfortunately, I wasn’t always around. It wasn’t until this particular afternoon that I knew that I’d do anything in my power to strip Mario La Muerte Cepeda of everything he had.

  “Hey Ry!”

  “Hey, Firefly, how was school?”

  I was wiping down the glasses at the bar and it had been pretty quiet in the clubhouse for a few hours now. I liked this time of day. I got my daily dose of Cecilia’s day, followed by stories of her classes and friends, and every once in a while, she’d sit quietly at the corner of the bar and finish her homework. I liked her presence near me, it brought me peace and a sense of normalcy.

  “It was alright. Same old shit.”

  “What did I tell you about cursing?”

  “What? You curse all the time.”

  “Yeah, but I’m allowed.”

  “I’m fifteen Ryan, I’m not a child.” She looked around and frowned. “Where is everyone?”

  “They went out on a job, they should be back soon.”

  She hesitated for a moment. “Did my dad go with them?”

  “No. He’s in the back somewhere. Why?”

  “No reason.” The nervous tilt to her tone put me on edge.

  Had he done something to her? Had he touched her?

  I set the rag down and leaned in towards her pretty face, and my God was she pretty. Her light blue eyes, a complete contrast to my darker ones, shined back at me, perfect pink lips, a heart shaped face. She really did look like an angel with her golden hair that flowed down to her waistline. She had it in a pretty braid today which I grabbed to pull her in closer. I liked the way her eyes went wide and innocent.

  “You know you could tell me anything, right?” I whispered.

  Her eyes fell, and a blush highlighted her cheeks. Damn, was she cute.

  “I’m okay.”

  “You sure? Cause if you weren’t…” my breath caught for a second with thoughts that crossed my mind of of the vile things they could do to her. “I’d do anything for you, Firefly.”

  Her eyes met mine and I could tell she was holding something back. It was right there in her eyes, but she never had a chance. Her father’s booming voice startled us and I watched her stiffen in her seat, barely moving.

  “There’s my little girl! Come here Cecilia, I want to show you something.” He glared at me while she reluctantly approached him, her shoulders slumped forward. He placed his arm around her, and she visibly recoiled from his touch. I knew she hated him, after all the things he’s done to her. He wasn’t a father. He was a monster.

  “Finish up and go, Turner. I don’t need you around these parts. I want to spend some time with my little girl.” He wrapped her braid around his fist and I clenched the rag.

  Don’t touch her you fucking piece of shit.

  I wanted to rip her away from his hands, hide her. But I kept my mouth shut like Simon had taught me to do.

  Bide your time, Ry. Everyone falls one way or another.

  I watched as he lead her up the stairs towards his bedroom. I knew what his intentions were, so as soon as he shut the door, I ran up behind them. Pressing my back against the wall by the door, I strained to hear something, anything.

  Scream, Cecilia. Don’t stay quiet. Yell out for me.

  I waited and sure enough there were shouts and then a scuffle, something was toppled over and that’s when I heard her cry, followed by the crude sound of flesh slapping flesh. I didn’t even think about it, I was always compulsive, and as I swung the door open I froze at the sight before me. The glass I’d been holding cracked and shattered in my hand, cutting it open, but I didn’t even feel the pain, let alone the blood that was dripping down my fingers.

  “Get the fuck out!”

  Mario Cepeda had his daughter over his lap, her tear-stricken face staring back at me, a plea in her eyes. Her underwear was ripped, and his hand was on her round bottom, gripping it tightly. She flinched and whimpered, and he tugged on her braid. “Sit the fuck still! You do as I say and if you disobey me again you’ll pay with your life.”

  He knocked her down to the floor and she fell on her knees with a loud thump. Her skirt was torn and it barely covered her. She sat on her knees and big drops of tears streamed down her cheeks, her eyes never meeting mine. Mario Cepeda chuckled in the distance and I my eyes landed on him as he pulled his zipper up.

  “I guess your little boyfriend here doesn’t understand the meaning of get out.”

  I heard the cock of the gun, and I waited. Maybe a bullet would help me unsee the atrocities I had just witnessed. I turned to the disgusting pig and was about to show him just how he could rot in hell when my cousin placed a hand on my shoulder.

  “You’re bleeding. What the hell?”

  He turned me around, his eyes meeting mine filled with concern and an unspoken language that only he and I understood. Keep your mouth shut, he was screaming at me as he tended to my wound.

  I heard Mario sigh as he placed the gun on the table with a heavy thump. Simon looked up, his eyes narrowing when they landed on Cecilia. “What the hell’s going on in here?”

  “None of your goddamn business!”

  Simon stood there, a stoic glare in his eye. Anyone else would fear that look, anyone but Mario. He thought he was above everyone, even my cousin. If he only knew that Simon was simmering inside, and that if he wasn’t careful, one wrong move would lead him right to his grave.

  “I need to talk to you about the deal.”

  “Fuck!” Mario stroked his long unkempt beard and looked down at Cecilia. “Get out!”

  He was now aggravated at her and grimaced as she tried to get up. Simon strolled over to her and lifted her gently. I heard her whimper and watched with a broken heart as she faltered. He guided her back to me and leaned her against me while he placed pressure on my hand with the rag and raised it up to my chest.

  “I’ll clean this shit up, go.” He grabbed me by the shoulders and looked at me. “Take her.” I turned and slowly made my way out of the room. As soon as the door slammed behind us, she slumped against me. I lifted her and carried her to the top of the steps. Sitting on the corner I cradled her.

  “I’m so sorry, Firefly. I’m so fucking sorry.”

  Her sobs echoed in the silence and I felt my heart break for her not knowing that it wouldn’t be the last time it would break for my Cecilia.

  2

  Cecilia

  Six Years ago…

  I had a thing for Ryan Turner. The Club Officer did things to my insides, made me want things, naughty things. He was so damn gorgeous with his short dark blonde hair, and those dark blue eyes of his. God, I loved his eyes. I was crushing, and I was crushing hard. It was his birthday today, he was turning twenty-one. I wanted to do something special for him, and with the money I’d saved in the last few months from bar backing I was hoping he liked his gift. Mario, my father, let me keep the tips and every penny I earned I kept hidden. You never knew with him. Any little thing would make him snap, and he would take my money away in a heartbeat. He was never kind, never affectionate, and the way he looked at me always gave me chills. I tried to stay away as much as possible and now that I was eighteen, I couldn’t wait to have enough money saved to leave.

  After the first few months, Mario had refused to keep paying for school, telling me it was a waste of money because I was worthless like my mother. Ash and Ryan were the ones who’d helped me and had offered to place me in a public school. It wasn’t the private school I was accustomed to, but at least I was going to be able to graduate this year. Ryan had been so proud of me, and to celebrate he’d taken me out for dinner and a movie, just us. He’d held my hand the entire time and I swore I’d never forget that night. But tonight, was his night, and I wanted it to be special. I was baking him a cake and I’d asked Ash and Poe for help with ordering dinner. Simon had paid for it all. We were having a small celebration in a little while but before then I needed to give him his gift.

  I paced the back alleyway where I’d texted him to meet me. It was slightly cool out, and the wind had picked up sending goosebumps up along my bare legs. I hated the outfits my father made me wear. The shortest miniskirts and the tightest tank tops. I wasn’t allowed to change it either. The last and only time I’d gone against him, he’d dumped beer all over me and made fun of me in front of the whole bar. I was ridiculed and embarrassed as he continued to yell how it was a wet titty contest. He was so fucking crude. Shocked, I just stood there, while another one of the members, Morgue, that’s what they called him, had dumped more beer on me. I held back tears, gasping as it drenched me head to toe.

  When he reached out to touch my breasts, Simon had gripped him by the wrist and told him that if he dared to come near me again, he’d cut off his balls. He put his a
rm around me and walked me away as everyone heckled and laughed at me. When Ryan found out, he’d been livid, and kicked the living shit out of Morgue that same night. It wasn’t a fair fight, but he got the point across when he sent him to the hospital.

  Ryan had always been there for me, and tonight, I wanted to show him just how much I loved having him in my life. How much I loved him. I wasn’t sure how he was going to take it, he was always so quiet, so serious, and he hated surprises. But this feeling between us deserved more, it deserved to be fought for.

  “Hey!”

  I twirled around to find him running down the alley towards me. He wasn’t wearing his jacket and his black t-shirt molded to his cut broad chest. Tattoos ran up the length of one arm and I knew they ran across his shoulder blades. He was working on his chest piece and I couldn’t wait to see it. I just wanted to run my fingers across his body, tracing each and every single piece of art.

  I smiled at him as he got closer feeling that thrill that gave me butterflies when he was near. He ran his hand across his locks and gave me a sexy lopsided smile back. “You wanted to see me, Firefly.”

  I swallowed hard at the nickname. If he only knew just how much I loved hearing it. “Umm...I got you something. I just didn’t want to give it to you inside.”

  “Oh. You didn’t have to do that, babe.”

  I met his eyes and frowned. “Yes I do.”

  He smirked. “Okay. Whatever my sweet girl says.”

  Going over to my bag, I took out the small black box. I held it tightly in my hands for a few seconds before whirling around. His nearness made me gasp as the back of my fingers grazed his taut stomach. I blushed as he stared down at me, those eyes of his always so damn intense.

  “Whatcha got there, Cecilia?”

  “Y-your gift.” I raised it up so he could see it. He arched a brow as he took it from my hands. His eyes never left mine while he slid open the black satin ribbon. Lifting the lid he finally glanced down at the item. I was nervous, waiting to see what he’d say.

  Inside of the box was a black leather bracelet with a silver clasp. On the front of the clasp was the Death Row Shooters logo, and along the inside of the leather band was a silver plate that I had engraved.

  To my Savior, Your Firefly, Forever.

  I waited, but when he didn’t say a word, I started to get anxious. He simply stared down at the item in his hand, biting down on his lip in silence. I wrung my fingers and finally, not able to take the suspense any longer, I broke the silence.

  “Do you like it?”

  He looked at me then and the look in his eyes startled me. His glare seared me, and I felt it go straight to my core. There were no words for what he did next, just a wave of fervor that emanated from him and assaulted my senses. Lifting me into his arms he slammed us against the side of the building. He paused for a second and then his lips were finally touching mine, teasing them open until I had the taste of his tongue on my own. A delicious warmth spread through me as he tugged me closer, my breasts tingling against his chest, my lips trembling. His kiss was firm yet sweet, tasting and teasing me. I gasped as he tangled his tongue with mine. His hand cupping the back of my head, holding it in place as he molded my inexperienced lips to his. There was a wordless need in the sighs we breathed.

  I fisted his shirt as he pressed his hips to mine, a seductive union that made my toes curl. He was gentle yet firm, letting me know that this was a long time coming. With a low groan he broke the kiss, still lingering as he swept his lips lightly against my mouth.

  “You taste like vanilla,” he murmured.

  I gasped as his hand on my waist tightened, pressing me flush to his body. I wrapped my arms around his neck, his forehead pressed to mine.

  “Thank you,” his response was earnest and genuine.

  I looked down and he had the bracelet in his hand. I took it from him, and with shaky fingers, I wrapped it around his wrist securing the clasp. He stared down at it and a small smile appeared on his lips. He looked like a child receiving a new toy. Looking up at me he gently leaned in and kissed my forehead.

  “Best gift ever.”

  I laughed and before I could help myself, the words spilled out. “Which one? Me or the bracelet.” My eyes went wide, and I covered my mouth in shock.

  “The bracelet, of course.” He laughed as I playfully swatted at his ribs. He grunted and took a step away from me, instantly making me regret playing around with him. I wanted him close.

  He grabbed my hand and squeezed it, tugging me towards him. His hands came around me and his lips grazed mine softly, featherlike.

  “I’ve been wanting to kiss you for years, Firefly.” He traced my lips with the pad of his thumb, and I shivered.

  “You had to have known.”

  I smiled and blushed. “I wasn’t sure. I mean-I know I wanted to. I just didn’t think you saw me in that way.”

  He frowned and I swept my fingers along his furrowed brow, running my fingertips along the contours of his cheeks and chiseled jawline, tracing the outline of his handsome face.

  “I want to do a lot more than kiss you, baby. I want to run my tongue along every inch of you and hear you moan my name.”

  I gasped as he dragged his tongue along my upper lip. “I want to taste you in ways no man will ever get a chance to. Cause you’re mine, Firefly.”

  I raised an eyebrow, placing my hands on my hips. “Oh, is that so?”

  He shrugged. His eyes playful. “You really don’t have a say in this. I claimed your pretty little ass a long time ago.” He lifted his wrist and grinned, his smile making my heart melt. “Besides, you engraved it, right here.” He tapped the leather and I blushed.

  “Dammit.” I sighed. “And here I thought I was just claiming my portion of you.”

  He growled and pushed me up against the wall, caging me in. His lips hovering over mine while I gripped his belt and tugged him closer.

  “Careful, little girl. You’re asking for a lot more than I’m willing to resist right now.”

  I leaned into him and smiled against his lips. “I want it all.”

  Just as his lips came down on mine the side door slammed open against the brick wall. I screamed and jumped away while my father stood seething in the doorway.

  “What the fuck are you doing to my daughter?”

  Ryan didn’t budge as he leaned on the wall beside me. I turned towards his arm, hiding myself against it. “We were just talking.”

  I looked at Ryan and I could tell he was pissed. His jaw kept ticking as he spoke to the man who claimed to be my father. “Cecilia, get the fuck inside and get to work!”

  “She ain’t working tonight,” Ryan responded, and I covered my mouth as I watched them interact. It was like watching oil and water mix and I was just waiting to see what would happen when they were both at that boiling point.

  “Get inside!” Mario shouted and usually I’d run in, but this time I aimed to be rebellious.

  “I said she’s staying right here. With me,” he whispered to me.

  “You will be severely punished for this,” he seethed and I knew he was staring right at me. His punishments entailed his leather belt lately, and he’d smack it against my ass whenever he deemed it necessary. If I was lucky I’d be wearing jeans, but he seemed to grab me when I was working so he could raise my skirt and fondle me. I knew it was wrong. I almost threw up that first time. After that it just got worse and worse. He told me he’d kill Ryan if I ever said a word, and I would rather take it to my grave than lose the man I loved.

  Ryan gave him a murderous side glance. “We’ll see about that.”

  The tension in the air rose and Ryan pushed off the wall and faced my father while I hid like a coward behind his broad back.

  “You challenging me, pendejo?”

  Ryan tensed and I placed my hand on the middle of his back. “No,” I whispered, and he instantly relaxed against me.