Dark Hearts.

n Mono

mother's jade green eyes. "It's just not possible. I

have worked so hard to accomplish in this family. And that is exactly what is going to happen if you don't step in

. You are my first son. I love you and I have let you run wild for far too long. We cannot d

sake of tradition and wealth." I retorted, my v

at it wit

ther's voice rose, the control she usuall

u laugh with people you can't even call friends. I know happiness and you, my boy, are

s. You will do as I say, Bastain. You will marry the woman

ouldn't actually disown me and even if she

t being able to see my mother o

nd her face softened. She walked up to me, placing a hand on

succeed. He wants you to be happy. But he also wants what's best for the company. P

my responsibilities se

m her. "I'll do it.

ined in her eyes w

choose for me.

Her surprise quickly melted into confusion but before she cou

think. Or go

d my tie and p

n my car and drove off to the

olution, if not for

**

Rixe

lipstick, stepping back to appraise my looks. I couldn't remember the last tim

ll smile at my sur

y apartment. Beatrix was out doing God knows what with Pete, or was that S

a life. Dad was dead and gone. Leaving me with an abusive, drug addict

clouding my senses. It wasn't l

s away, continuing my walk

ize this opportunity to experience New Yorks' nightlife ev

ut at the moment, I couldn't care less about the

elt nice against my skin as

een so d

o feel the win

ps ticking u

have so much

e hole at the side of my worn-out jacket letting in the

nce wavered. It had been such a long time since I'd been to a b

her eyes widening in surprise, "Melia

reach over and hug me but th

g has it

whi

at can I

la, pl

cal. She moved in the direction of the fridge that I

hifts at this bar but stopp

y, hipster scene with indigo lights and rustic wood accents. The cozy space

la. I took it, shooting her a grateful smile as I tossed it

'd had this drink, my body had

rimaced, looking at my su

ad, you hav

e glass, thro

ened with ever

shot, I felt a presence

rked, eyes darkening as he raked his gaze over my features in a way that ma

r, sipping it as his eyes pierced mine. "Y

epped closer to me,

t night flashed

young to have a

my stress and I'

iver

lieve that tension

were colliding and my vis

my throat. I didn't want to come off as rude but I also didn't

moving into my personal space so much tha

urled into a smile so creepy that

ouldn't be

barely a whisper as I stared at his h

his grip tightened further making me wi

om her, or I'll remo

ke a blade. The voice sounded unfa

s. The tequila was sure

gripping my w

e middle of

And suddenly, his face pales. The sneer drops from his

sinc

apologies. I want

vigorously it almo

curries away in shame. I look down at my wris

tice the bruising. After all, she'd giv

melling the woodsy scent coming from my stranger. I stiffened my b

ly trimmed beard on his well-defi

dangerously

lored suit that fit him like

g, fiercely penet

ns were e

ude to

re that I'd taken so lon

for resc

taking the seat beside her

ooked like you

ttered, beyon

returned with another bottle of tequila. I narrowed my eyes at her,

ir

eeling, I poured myself a gl

nk you should

m, only to find him a

's attr

smiled sadly at the drink in my hand,

know

ha

et our problems? J

I'm doing." I frown

ve ordered some

e fully and his attrac

a? Because this guy had it. It wasn't even right to call him a guy

u're thinking...

ad, "I can literally se

smile out o

me what to do. But for some reason I wan

ection of forgetting my problems and havi

etermined t