(Underground rewritten) After five years and seeing death's door for the first time, Riley is back, better and stronger than ever with Cameron by her side. They are back where everything started. Back where they first met. History is about to repeat itself.
~Riley~
I don't know how many times I've replayed the scenario in my head. I don't understand the reason I'm still alive. I have a family sure, but there's an annoying feeling that will never leave me.
Doubt.
I can't move past it knowing that I've killed people, what Rodney made me into or even the fact Derek saw first hand, partially what I'm capable of. I disfigured his little girlfriend's face and he left me with a gun shot wound.
With my family now, things will be a lot harder. I have to protect them. I have to be ready for anything. My sweet bundle of joy can't know what her mommy did for a living. She can't get involved into things like that and I'll make sure of it.
I felt a hand snake around my waist. I looked only to find Cameron smiling at me.
"Good morning, beautiful, " he planted a kiss on my forehead. "Something's on your mind. What is it?" His eyebrow furrowed in suspicion.
I sighed, "I'm worried. I have a gut feeling something may happen today but I have no idea what it could be. I'm also worried what might happen if-, " tears began their quest to push through my eyes. He hugged tightly.
"Babe, listen to me, nothing is going to happen to our family. We may have done unthinkable things in the past but it's what made us who we are. We're Slash and Rogue for a reason. We have that reputation for a reason. We know damn well what to do if something happens. I love you no matter what and I'll do whatever it takes because no one is going to touch my family, " he vowed, letting his soft lips meet mine. "Don't start doubting yourself, okay? You're the strongest person I know. I know you'll pull through because you always do."
He wiped my tears away just as a small knock filled the room. He got up and opened the door. Our little one jumped into his arms with a big smile on her face.
"Good morning, dada and mama!" He gave her a kiss on her cheek. "Hey! That's mama's spot." She pouted at him only making him smile even wider. Can't blame him. It was really cute.
"Aww, no fair. Why does mommy get to kiss you and not daddy?" He said playfully. She giggled.
"Dada, I save this cheek just for you, " she explained in a duh tone pointing to her right cheek. He chuckled and kissed her there.
They joined me on the bed and I was tackled by them both with kisses. I laughed.
"A-alright, alright. That's enough guys, " I stated breathlessly after being attacked with tickles from Cameron.
To ruin the moment, the viberation of my phone filled the room. I picked up and answered without looking at the ID.
"What is it, Nathan?" I asked harshly.
"A hello would be nice, but how's Russia treating you?"
"It's nice. It feels safe, " I answered honestly.
"That's good, " he replied genuinely. "Anyway, there's been a little mishap in California. It may involve someone you might be close with."
"And who would that be?" I pressed.
"I think her name is Carmen. I don't know."
Damn it. Let me guess, it could be the Serpents or Derek and Alexa.
"One more thing, you may not like the sound of this but I sent Derek and Alexa to come get you. I'm sorry, " he revealed hesistantly.
"When I find you, nathan, you are going to be in pain for an year, " I gritted my teeth.
"Dada, can we go sleigh?" Our little one asked him making me smile.
Cameron gave me a look, mixed with concern and some anger, "Let me guess, that was nathan wasn't it."
I sighed, "Sadly, it was."
"Ugh, what is it now?" He asked annoyed.
"Something happened to Carmen. So, it's one of those rescue missions, " I answered.
He gave our little one a small smile, "Sure, princess. Let's go sleigh."
She jumped in joy, "Yay!"
I giggled at her excitement and she ran to her room. We followed her and I helped her get into her clothes.
***
The mountain was beautiful. It was a calming scenery to take in. Peaceful enough to make me forget the person I've become over the years though it was all to perfect my family.
"So nice to see you two again, " a voice spoke close by. I turned and it seemed my eyes were deceiving me.
Alexa and Derek.
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.