[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]With this whole GADEM drama going on most of the club was busy for the most part. Bastina had barely left the complex because every time she did there were Fuegos men following her. Now didn't seem like the right time to bring it up to the others with club members being taken left and right. This day was no different and she found herself followed down a alley she was using to try and ditch them. One of the men grabbed her and slammed her into the wall. A hand gripped her throat as a knife was pushed towards her and traced down the skin. 'Fuego is getting impatient witchu. Best you call him soon Punta or this knife will be your last meal.'
His hand tapped her cheek and they left her crying in the alley. Making a quick retreat to the club she stopped and looked at her reflection in someones car window. Wiping away smudged make up she tried to calm herself. Luckily there weren't many people inside except Vince and Queenie. Not feeling like answering questions she grabbing a bottle of tequila off the top of the bar and moved over to a corner alone. Vince had been the nicest to her since she arrived but right now she just wanted to drown her sorrows. Maybe consider swallowing a bunch of sleeping pills to end this hell.
Turning the bottle back she drank quite a bit before setting it on a table in front of the love seat she sat on. The phone in her pocket started going of and she looked to see him on the caller id. Ripping the back off the phone she tossed the battery on the little coffee table next to the liquor bottle. Setting the phone down she grabbed the bottle and turned it back again as she sat there letting her fear over take her mind. She didn't even stop to check her neck or she would've seen faint fingerprint shaped bruises.
Vince had seen what all went through the club the last few months. With Bastina being here it was dividing the club, and now with GADEM taking people left and right it was a damn war zone. Thankfully he could find solace at the bar where Queenie just so happened to be at. There he sat with a scotch in hand having a good old laugh with her when Bastina walked in.
Ever since she first walked in, he was a neutral force on the front lines of this whole thing. Sure Johnny and Lulu are his friends and he loved them dearly like family, but Bastina is family also. That’s what most people here didn’t seem to get, or like about it. That Carson just upturned the whole seating arrangement. Honestly, he hated seeing her being cast off and singled out. It’s why he wanted to make her feel welcomed, feel like she had someone to talk to.
But something seemed off as she walked passed, grabbed the tequila and sat in the lonely couch in the corner. “‘Scuse me.” He said softly to Queenie as he got up from his seat. Normally she gave him a little hello, or a wink. Had he done something wrong, or was she just having a bad day? Seeing as she took her phone apart it was probably just a very bad day.
Taking a seat next to her he sipped his scotch and looked at her. “So, wanna talk about it?” He asked as he pointed to the phone battery and the tequila. Taking in her soft features he realized they weren’t so soft. They were almost fearful. Putting down his drink he looked her over. His eyes caught sight of something on her neck and his blood boiled. “Bastina… where’d those bruises come from?” His tone was quiet as he asked, but under it he was worried and angry he wasn’t there to stop the asshole who did it.
[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]For all this fearless teenage bullshit and bluster she was just a scared girl. One who was running out of options as far as what she could do. It was either destroy this club with a drug trade she really didn't wanna force on them or eat a bullet at the end of the night. Honestly her mind was moving so damn fast she barely noticed someone walked up or even sat beside her. She was just staring into oblivion not sure of what she was going to do. When she did hear a voice she jumped and almost flipped over the arm of the love seat.
There was no denying how freaked she was at this point but she realized it was Vince and just shifted and curled back up. This was the one person who really seemed to accept her and treat her like she belonged. Honestly she didn't wanna bring him into her bullshit drama or put his life in danger."Oh bruises? I didn't notice, Musta been in my sleep." Grabbing the bottle of tequila she just All those words were lies but she just didn't wanna get him involved.
"So how you doing to day Vincey?" Bastina spoke trying to changed the subject quickly. Turning the bottle up for a moment she quickly set it down and coughed a bit. The was a smirk on her face as she tried to forget her problems and focus on the cute guy beside her. Bastina had the biggest crush on him but she wasn't willing to tell him because honestly he seemed to look at her in a older brother way and that would've made it weird. "I bet I can out drink you."
Seeing her jump just made him worry even more. He knew she was lying about what those bruises were. They were in the form of a hand, and hers are too small to fit. His eyes wandered over her, trying to see without being overly protective if she had any more bruises, but he couldn’t see any. “One hell of a nightmare then.” He muttered picking up his scotch for another sip.
He couldn’t help the smile though hearing his nickname from her lips. It made his heart pound just a little harder. “Doing okay considering everything that’s going on.” He shrugged and leaned back with an arm going across the love seat. He wanted to ask more questions considering they were alone besides Queenie at the bar. But he could tell she didn’t want to answer any. ‘Heh, funny kid…’ “Drinking contest, huh? Think you can beat this old fart at drinking the hard stuff?” He asked and got up.
He moved over to the bar grabbing about twenty shot glasses from the shelves and bringing them over. Lining them up he poured tequila in every one. “We drinking till one of us gets the worm, or until we eventually blackout?” He asked sitting back down putting her ten in front of her. “Or, maybe we play with some stakes involved?” A playful smirk on his lips.
[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"] Even with the club basically empty she didn't wanna talk about what has happened. Bring problems to a club that barely accepted her as their leader or even a member. There were only a few of them she actually counted on and the rest were loyal to Johnny and Lulu. She wanted so badly for them to accept her that she was willing to end up being killed by the psycho who she called her ex. Well technically didn't let go of his possessions so they were still together but she would never go back. There were many days that she just wanted to just eat a bullet but she was to afraid to do it.
Just some coward of a girl who couldn't end it to make everyone's life easier. Relieved when he didn't press the matter she let her hair down to cover up the evidence. "Oh I know I can beat you." There was a smirk on her lips and a bit of a cocky attitude as she watched him fetch shot glasses. Bastina was young so there was that to her advantage but she always over estimated her ability to hold her liquor. "Hmm drink til black out..duh." Her eyes moved over the shots before he mentions something about stakes. "Well I never back down from a challenge, what kinda stakes you talkin?"
Twisting her neck from side to side she was ready to take on a early day of drinking away her damn problems. Hell maybe after this she would renounce her seat as the club leader and take a prospect jacket instead. That wasn't a likely possibility because her father wanted her at the head of the table. When she first got her she was out for Johnny and Lulu because of how much her father loved them but now she sorta looked up to them. This was a area of life they knew everything about and she was struggling to learn things.
“Oh yeah?” Vince smirked. A spark of determination in his eyes. “Well, how about… hm,” Vince had to think for a moment of the stakes for this first round. A glint of mischief shown in his green eyes. “Let’s make this interesting.” Running his fingers through his hair a thought popped into his head. “How about, first to lose gives a kiss to the winner?” He asked.
Looking at her he took his first drink without warning. He gave a smile, “Kiss can be the cheek, forehead, anywhere really.” His eyebrows raised hilariously to add some humor. “So, what do you say?” He asked. Taking another shot he turned it over and gave her a look saying she needed to catch up.
[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"] Bastina watched him intently to know what kinda stakes he had in mind. He spoke about a kiss from the loser and it was all she could not to turn fifty shades of red. "A kiss?" She spoke as she scratched her chins acting like she had to debate this. Hell if he wanted a kiss from her he could've had that any time he wanted. She already had a secret crush on him and this was just making her wanna lose on purpose . "Sounds like a interesting wager to me. I'm in. Just lemme run out to my car real fast." Making it to her feet she wanted to go get the new lip gloss she had bought earlier. Grabbing her purse she slammed the car door and after a few seconds and her being less than ten foot away.
A explosion shook the club and caused her to fall to the ground. Her ears were ringing and everything was so disorienting. Stumbling to her feet she felt her forehead and she realized there was a decent sized gash. Her fingers were covered in her own blood and she just kinda stumbled back towards the club. Right when she made it to the door a rifle shot from the roof across the street pierced her shoulder. A scream escaped her lips as she hit the ground. "Dont go outside..." Was all she got out before she passed out.
This was not exactly how she wanted the night to go but Fuego was getting tired of games. If she didn't wanna listen then he would force her back into submission. She was just some scared girl and she would go back to being his lap dog willingly or forcefully.
Vince couldn’t keep the chuckle from his throat as he nodded and watched her almost skip away. He had a feeling she wasn’t really going to take it seriously, but then again he could be very dense in some moments. Only because he didn’t want to become that clingy guy that he had been when he was younger. Always under someone’s thumb and in his case it had been a woman he thought had loved him. But she didn’t, she just wanted him for the cars he dressed up and the money he got from making them.
Vince was about to just take a swig from the bottle itself when he heard the explosion and felt the vibration through the floor. “What the hell?” He got up from his seat and ran to the door. The only thing on his mind was if Bastina was okay. Sadly, when he reached the door she was just about to walk in when the bullet went through her shoulder.
“Damn it… Bastina!” Vince’s power sparked and his skin turned hard like rock. The Dermal armor being triggered by the danger surrounding them. Pulling her in with him his green eyes looked her over he slammed the door to the clubhouse shut. Looking at her shoulder the bullet seemed to make a clean through and through. Whoever thought this was a good idea, they would find it to be very wrong. Vince gently placed his arms under Bastina’s shoulders and legs lifting her into his arms.
Moving down the hall he ended up bringing her to his apartment. Laying her on his bed he went and grabbed his first aid kit and came back. He wasn’t always the best with stitching people back up, but it was a skill he had learned well enough. Even then his power could help out with the basics. He cleaned her wounds, stitched up her shoulder and did his best to cover the gash on her forehead. He didn’t want to chance taking her to the hospital in fear that she’d just be as dead there as she almost was here.
[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]Bastina had long passed out before Vince had even gotten to her. Even with the bullet passing through her shoulder she was bleeding pretty good. Mostly because of a flesh wound but she was lost in the darkness for a while. When she did wake up her vision was blurry and the lights where dim. Blinking several times she could feel the dry feeling in her mouth and her head turned to look at her clock. 1:36 AM. That was what the clock read and she tried to shift but stopped feeling the sharp pain in her shoulder.
There was a weight on her stomach and she leaned her head up to see a arm on her waist. For a moment she panicked thinking she was back at Fuegos. It was dark and the skin was tan on the arm but when she looked over Vince was peacefully asleep. Automatically her heart started to race and her skin started to warm to the blush on her cheeks. Any time she would've gladly had him in her bed and closely sleeping next to her. All it took was almost dying to make it happen..Who knew?
Looking at the night stand there were pills and a cup of water she hadn't noticed and knew weren't there before the injury. Her fingers swiped the pills and tossed them back and chased them by much needed water. She was careful to not move and wake him not wanting this moment to be over. Laying her head back on the pillow she watched him sleeping carefully. This was a dangerous game she played getting him involved but damn if she didn't feel something for him. Real feelings other than just pure substance induced lust with fuego.
Now she really felt something and it was almost to hard to ignore. Though him being her first good friend right before mouse why would she mess that up. Alot of the others followed orders but they made it clear they didnt care for her. Her fingers extended and she gently traced through his hair but quickly she jerked away when he started to move.
Vince couldn’t remember when he had fallen asleep, but he wanted to make sure he had things ready for Bastina. He had moved her to her apartment. Some place that wouldn’t be too unfamiliar for her. He found some pain pills and made sure to grab a glass of water for her to drink them down with. His heart was racing like a horse on the tracks. He needed answers though. He had inspected her car and with all the pieces, he had found the mechanism that didn’t belong.
It wasn’t something he was familiar with, but he knew basics of what you needed for explosives. Most of it you could just buy at a hardware store. But he didn’t want her waking up alone so he had decided to lay in the bed next to her and drifted off to sleep. He had no dreams as he laid there next to her, without realizing his body had shifted and pulled Bastina closer.
Sleep was still heavy in his brain as Bastina had shifted and moved. Bits and pieces of a dream just starting. Or at least it felt like a dream as his hair was being played with. He gave a soft groan, enjoying the feeling and he adjusted as his eyes opened up for a moment before closing again. His face leaned closer to Bastina’s as he pulled her closer. He loved feeling the warmth of another body next to him. He missed having someone so close.
His eyes slowly opened once more as his eyes adjusted to the dark. With the light from the alarm clock on her nightstand, his eyes would reflect a yellowish glow as his power changed them for better night visibility. “Mm, don’t stop on my account darlin’.” He said, his voice deep and groggy. The hand on her waist slowly started to slide up her side, lightly over her arm to cup her cheek. “I’m glad you woke up. I was gettin’ real worried.” His southern drawl heavy as he was still waking up, a sleepy smile turning the corner of his lips.
[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]Really she didn't think that he would wake feeling her fingers in his hair because it was so gentle. Plus that had been drinking so maybe he would've been heavily passed out. Nope he shifted and moved as his eyes opened. There was a glow to them that contradicted the red light off the alarm. No his eyes looked more yellow and when he shifted and pulled her close. After a few moments he spoke and she was glad that it was dark because her tan face was red as a lobster on the dinner plate. "I didn't mean to wake you.."
Her voice was soft and she felt a hand move from her waist and up her side. It touched the bare skin of her arm so lightly and little bumps started to form. "Of course I woke up. I wasn't done with our contest. You dont get to win that easy buddy." Bastina joked and felt his hand cup her cheek. This was a moment she had wanted to happen so many times but apparently it took getting shot to get this treatment. Maybe she should've gotten hurt sooner.
Biting her bottom lips as her had turned to the side on the pillow to look a him. "Thanks for taking care of me and sorry for ruining your night." Her voice was soft as her hand gently took his for a moment before she sat up. Her fingers caught the switch on the bedside lamp and she flicked it on. Her shoulder stung a bit but she wanted to get outta the now shredded and blood stained shirt. "Close your eyes. No peeking." Bastina spoke in a joking tone but really she didn't mean it.
Moving over to her dresser she grabbed a old faded band t shirt. Slipping out of the old stained tank top she carefully pulled the old shirt over her head. The collar had been cut so now the shirt draped slanted over her and left exposed skin on a bit of her chest and most of her non injured shoulder. Moving over to the edge of the bed she sat on the edge. Her back turned to Vince as her fingers unbuttoned the jeans and she slipped them off kicking her feet a few times. Even more skin exposed now she looked at the clock and wondered if asking him to stay would be over the line.
Vince couldn’t help the chuckle that left his lips as she joked about their contest. “Well, I’m thinkin’ we put that on hold for a bit. Besides, it ain’t a win until I get you black out wasted remember? Oh, heh and that kiss.” He smirked. His smirk turned to a tender smile as she apologized for something she had no control over and he shook his head. “Nah, apologizing for something not in your control ain’t really necessary.”
Vince found himself involuntarily reaching out to keep her near him. His heart ached with his eyes as the lamp was turned on. He didn’t understand why he did it, but he pouted as she got up and walked towards her dresser. ‘The hell is wrong with me? She’s…’ He watched as her top dropped to the floor and his cheeks burned something fierce. ‘Not like a little sister… Jesus Christ above…’
He didn’t realize he was staring until she came closer and his eyes roamed over her. He should’ve been the usual gentleman, but he just couldn’t tear his eyes away from the sun kissed beauty. His green eyes wandered over the exposed skin and watched as she kicked off her pants. He averted his eyes some before they turned back. He just couldn’t keep his eyes off her. “Um… I don’t wanna assume anything, but would you like me to stay?” He asked and sat up against the headboard. “I uh…” He could feel his cheeks heating even more that the tips of his ears were even feeling it.
Clearing his throat he looked down at his shirt and noticed the smudges of oil. “Ah damn…” He scolded himself mentally and took off his shirt to reveal more of his tattooed torso. Most of his tattoos were filled in except his most recent one spanning his abdomen of a tigers head, mouth open ready to roar. He quickly looked thankful that none of the oil had made any marks on her bed sheets. He looked back at her watching her as she turned to him with an answer.
[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]At this point she was trying to be as subtle as possible how she felt. Sitting there in nothing but a old t shirt and a Victoria secret thong. Most guys should've and would've gotten the hint but still here she was staring at her knees. He asked if she wanted him to stay and it was like a lump in her throat caused by nerves. Millions of thoughts rushed through her head but every time she tried to open her lips nothing came out. All her ballsy attitude was no where to be found when she needed it.
Looking over her shoulder a bit she smirked a bit. "Are the monsters under your bed back? I told you to sleep with a night light." The tone from her mouth was joking but anything was better than admitting feelings. Feelings and rejection would be heart breaking. For once she was to much of a coward to actually share anything real. In her frustration she flopped onto the bed and rolled onto her stomach. Her face buried into the pillow and she just laid there.
The fabric of the shirt she wore now rode up so there was a mice view of the round curves of her rear. The Lacy thong hugged tight to the curves and she just laid still. Why couldn't she just someone the courage to say what she wanted to him. No she was resorting to stupid jokes and being shy about it. Then again him getting involved in her life would surely lead to drama and possibly him being hurt more that emotionally.
After a few moments she turned her head from the pillow and looked at Vince who had apparently taken his shirt off. So much skin and her eyes were glued to the lines of muscle on him. 'Oh my...' She thought and put her face back into the pillow wanting to scream.
His throat felt dry as he stared at her exposed rounded curves. It took so much to keep his hands to himself. ‘Dear God… this girl is gonna kill me.’ He thought feeling a stirring deep inside of him. His pants feeling just that much tighter. Taking a deep breath he ran his fingers through his hair. He tried swallowing around the lump of nerves in his esophagus.
He didn’t want to just assume things, or make something out of nothing. He was trying to think of the times she ever looked at him with something more than just a friend, but he was distracted with every in take she took. His heart was pounding in his ears as she joked again. His lips turned down in a small frown. “More like the demons in my head.”
It wasn’t completely a lie. Especially in this moment, wanting him to just let loose and take advantage. But he never took without permission. It was just difficult to ask now since he didn’t want to hurt her, or hurt his own heart. “You know, I ain’t had the best of time with women.” He started. “Last girl I had… let’s just leave it too differences in level of commitment. I was too committed when hers had dwindled.”
Moving over her his fingers lightly traced her exposed shoulder, digging in a little deeper to massage the muscles. Slowly he settled at straddling her legs, letting her know exactly how she was making him feel with the tent in his pants. “It’s sometimes hard,” He said and adjusted as he worked his fingers down her back careful of her injured shoulder, “to know when a girl likes me for me, or just the title on my jacket.” He leaned down his hot breath grazing against her ear before he nipped at the lobe. “You say the word… and I’m yours. I’m not going to take, unless you want me to.”
[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]Her body shifted a bit causing more fabric to rise up and reveal the skin of her curved hips. Here she was with the guy she wanted in her bed and she was being such a shy virgin basically. Which wasn't even right because she hadn't been one since she was like sixteen. Hooking up with a bad boy at a club and she was just his type. Underage school girl that he could control and keep under his thumb. In many ways she was and it was part of the reason she was so anxious and hesistant now.
When he started to speak she listened to his words and there was a stab in her heart. How did she tell him that her psycho ex tried to blow her up. That technically he wasn't her ex and she had just hoped he would just leave her alone when she didn't answer his calls. Now hearing him talk about his luck with women she kinda felt even worse. The weight on the bed shifted and she felt him move over her.
Fingers traced the skin of her shoulder and it caused her to shiver. On her back end she could feel that certain sign of how much he enjoyed the view. His fingers massaged the muscles of her back and she moaned a bit as stress started to melt away. She was listening to what he said carefully until she felt his body closer to hers. The warmth that radiated off him made her heart race. Hot breath fell on her skin and his teeth for the lobe of her ear.
Her skin was starting to raise its temperature and her heart was about to beat out of her chest. All she had to do was say the word and her would be hers. Her brain was trying to think logical but her need for him over ruled it. Shifted her head up and off the pillow she tiled her head to the side to give him access to the soft skin there. "Dont stop...Please.." The words came out of a voice that gave away her need.
