Galaxy Of Hope

I woke up early, around six AM. The pending meeting really getting in my head and Ash’ as well. Oak had spent the night next to me in bed. Ash was not seen again. He went to his room after that tense dinner and hasn’t been anywhere else in the mansion since.

I had sneaked out from underneath Oak’s arm, kissed his cheek and I felt him smile softly.

I put on my red running gear. Hair in a ponytail, headphones on. Went to the private forest for a quick run to clear my mind. Music blasting loudly.

I was running fast, after about ten minutes into my workout I cut a corner and saw Ash jogging ahead of me. I grunted. Off course he was here. I nearly turned back. I saw his face turn slightly. He knew I was here so it had no use for me to pretend otherwise. He realized this too and slowed down a little and I ran faster to catch up to him. We were level with each other for the entire rest of the way. Didn’t speak a single word. It was the most cordial we had been in days, weeks actually.

Out of breath, we were in the kitchen a while later. I fetched him a water bottle from the fridge and he caught it mid-air. Still not said a single word to each other. Sweat was dripping down my forehead, my chest. It had been a hard run. He was in the same state I was. Cheeks flushed, hair matted to his neck, a little undone from the manbun. His wife beater clung to his muscles, his dark chest hair, wet and peaking above his neckline. He looked delicious and I had to look away.

He stepped closer and closer and boxed me in against the fridge. My chest rose quicker. He was intoxicating. His smell, bottle that for me please. I loved the way he smelled after a workout. Did that make me a freak for thinking that? My belly did a low flip at him being this close. I almost betrayed myself and had to stop myself from jumping his bones right here right now.

He grabbed my chin in the way he always did. He pecked my lips softly. ‘Please, don’t go to the meeting.’ He softly whispered against my closed mouth. He was really going for the begging now. He is seriously worried. I opened my eyes wide, shocked. He never asked anything like that and Asher defiantly never ever begged, unless if it was in my bed.

His eyes softened as he glanced at my mouth. His thumb tracing my lips tenderly. His chest was now flush against mine. His forehead too. ‘Please sweet cheeks.’ He said again and I was even more stunned than the first time. My chest rose and fell with his, touching his with every swell of my breasts. ‘Ash…’ I started but he shook his head. ‘No Lux…’ he kissed me quickly, one more time. He softly bit down on my lower lip before he uttered. ‘No.’

I let my hands wander over his abs thoughtlessly. ‘I have to Ash.’ I pleaded. Feeling sorry for the deep pain that radiated out of him with me not listening to his pleas. He closed his eyes as if I had just stabbed him. ‘I don’t understand you.’ He admitted, lips still close to my own, each syllable caressing mine. His tone hurt me and I cringed back.

He stepped back from me as if I had burnt him and immediately I missed his warmth. He turned his back on me and wordlessly walked back to his room. I heard the shower running a few moments after.

I showered and got dressed. I had chosen my black dress pants and a soft silk black blouse. Gold chain necklace, bracelets and small earrings. My hair in soft loose waves, falling down my back and minimal make-up on. I was also wearing heeled boots, adding a few inches to my height. I was in all black. Dosch and Ash signature styles. I’m sure there was no reason I was honouring them right now, right?

I heard Sebastian’s accent all the way from the hall and my heart jumped. I had not seen him yesterday because I had taken to bed early. Oak and I had read a little bit and fooled around a lot of bit.

I walked in the foyer and all heads turned my way. I did not go unnoticed how everyone of my mates couldn’t help but stare at me with lust in their eyes. My heart clenched at seeing them all in their business attire. They looked good. Ash in a suit just always took my breath away.

‘Little bird.’ Sebastian smiled ear to ear. Again in an eccentric dark brown suit, open bohemian shirt underneath. He was such a goofball. He ran for me and I couldn’t help but giggle as he held me in the air and kissed me vividly.

I ruffled through his brown shaggy hair. ‘You need a haircut.’

Jax sniggered at that and Seb just smirked as if that had been a compliment. ‘I’m thinking about a mullet.’ He said and he was being dead serious. ‘Well, don’t think about that.’ I added dryly. He snorted.

‘Incoming!’ Jax declared. A Helicar was landing. He was here. I turned around. Sebastian protectively pulling me against his jacket. Oak was also moving towards the door. Unconsciously shielding me from the left.

Vincent was also in all black. Something he shared with me and Ash today.

His suit probably cost as much as his Helicar.

His dark hair slicked back. His dark beard stark against his pale skin. As Dosch was golden, Vincent was silvery. Like he never saw the sun at all. Dark sunglasses on his face. Three bodyguards at his side. Still I’m sure none of those could help him at all, if he blinked at me wrong he was a goner.

All my mates were so tense right now, Vincent should fear for his life in here. I was as safe as could be.

He entered, walked straight passed Oak and made a beeline for me.

‘Beautiful.’ He greeted me, grabbed my hand and kissed it. His lips a little bit wet and I had to hold back a little bit of vomit going up my throat. The room seemed to burst. Ash was at my side in a second. Dragging him by the collar towards the door. ‘You touch her again Orion, I dare you.’

Jax pulled Ash back by his jacket, but didn’t look at Orion with anything other than pure loathing.

‘You come into my house, Orion. Show some respect for your Paramore’s.’ Jax might be the typical surfer dude, but right now he was the leader he always had been. His words did something to Vincent though.

‘I was just about to get to that, Jaxson. If this oaf would have given me a chance I would have greeted all of you. Of course the kisses are only available for the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.’ He winked at me. Ash swung his arm back, but Oak had stopped it mid-air. Giving him a hard stare only he could do. But the look he gave Vincent was even worse. If he could have frozen a person on the spot Vincent would have been a stone statue right now.

‘So violent.’ Vincent said dryly. Amused even.

This was starting out great.

His bodyguards had already drowned their guns. One of them had not taken his eyes of me since the moment he had stepped through the door. He was a very tall guy, slight Asian tilt to his eyes and a black head of hair. Lean muscle was clearly visible through his all black suit.

Sebastian had grabbed my waist so hard, I would be bruised tomorrow. He had practically swallowed me whole with his body at the moment.

‘Let’s calm down.’ I chirped. All faces turned my way, including the bodyguards with the guns raised.

‘Point that thing at her again and this conversation ends immediately.’ Oak gave Vincent another stone cold stare, with his alpha voice. The bodyguard lowered his gun immediately, even though he didn’t take orders from Oak, but at that very moment the whole planet would take orders from Oak.

It was so hot.

I wriggled out of Sebastian’s grip and stared at Vincent. Not wanting to let my gaze wander to the guys. I needed to bring my A game right now and all of those emotions running high were messing with my mood. ‘Let’s just get on with our conversation shall we.’ I turned on my heel and walked towards the conference room. I heard the others follow suit which I knew they would.

Sebastian right behind me.

Jax sat down at the end of the table again, as was protocol in his own house.

I sat down next to him, on his right, Sebastian next to me.

Vincent sat down in front of me. Oak next to him and Ash beside him. It was probably a good thing Oak was in between those two. The bodyguards surrounded all of us. I glanced at them nervously but didn’t want to show any of it. Ash has seen it though. Don’t ask me how. I was quite the good actress.

‘I don’t feel comfortable with these guns in the room.’ I added dryly as if I was just asking about the weather. Jax raised his eyebrows at me but I continued with a flat voice, as if I was bored with the entire thing. ‘Please leave them be in the room next door.’ I casually waved towards the pantry, looking back at Vincent. He curiously glanced at me.

‘Fair enough. Andrew, leave them next door.’ The tall guy with the Asian slanted eyes nodded and the others followed suit.

‘Well, miss Elmrose.’ Vincent cheerily stated as if all of the previous minutes didn’t happen and we were the best of friends. ‘Congratulations on your mating bond. That’s quiet the revelation.’ For the added affect he waved his hand towards all my mates as if I didn’t know who he was referencing.

I nodded. Not sure what I was about to say to that. Oak took over.

’We are not here to exchange pleasantries. Why don’t you get on with business now Vincent. Why do you want us here?’

‘Well… my nephew is causing me quite some issues after Elia…’ he glanced at me. Her name made my stomach knot. ‘…met her inevitable end.’

Dosch had taken over all accounts and was now running the gun mob. Vincent had the drugs. It was quite the gang war over there. ‘I just lost all my assets in the gun business. I need a new partner.’

‘If you think we, the Paramore’s, want anything to do with gun business you are sorely mistaken.’ Oak said.

‘I’m sure you’ll change your mind, if I can give you what you seek.’ His calculating eyes went my way.

‘I have the information you seek, miss Elmrose.’ He clarified.

My heart jumped. He knew about me. He knew everything.

‘Who you are, where you are from, what you will be able to do… all of it.’

‘Bullshit.’ Grounded Ash. ‘Utter bullshit.’

‘I need us to have a business understanding.’ He still only addressed me.

‘Andrew here will be your shadow. I would not want anything to happen to my biggest asset.’

If I died, the Paramore’s would forget the deal. I was the key to this entire thing. Yet, I needed the knowledge. My guys knew. So they agreed. For me. Vincent other must was he wanted to do all negotiations with me. I was to be the Paramore’s liaison.