Vendetta Love

Wounded

Declan

"You can't betrayed your family for some girl! Think outside of lust and p***y, son!"

"She's not just some girl. I love her."

He chuckles out a huff. "Oh, Declan, my boy. There’s others out there. I can find you a far better one tomorrow." He takes out his phone as if he has thought this out before. "You'll see past this. She’s nobody but a Monroe."

I grab the phone from his hands. Receiving a deadly look. Yet mine was harsher. "This isn't like you and mother. I actually found love rather force into to just gain some kind of power."

"Watch your mouth, Declan. I'm warning you."

I step closer to my father's warning glare. "You think too little. You don't care for anything unless it suites you a purpose. But what purpose is life if I throw away what Kara and I have. You may not know it but love is power and you have-"

"Declan, stop it!" My dear mother yelled as she enters the room.

Father and I have been at each others throats since the start of it all. I haven't spoke up until recent. And I won't let him trick me into giving up Kara for any reason.

"You both are out of line." She tells us.

"Don't take his side. You'll just feed his ego. Aren't you tired of it already. Clearly Mrs. Monroe did too. You all were too close too soon and it shows you knew one another before."

Father’s eyes slice through me when mother stepped between us. Knowing at any seconds we'll attack.

"Who the hell have you been speaking to? Have you went behind your own family already?" I shut my mouth. Not saying a words. He quickly caught on. "You need to step away from that family. They've been a problem enough. Daughter just like mother." Father wags a judgy finger at me.

"What kind of past did you had with them?"

"None of your dam-"

"Relax. Yelling won't help." Mother does what she can to ease her husband.

Once she feed his ego more like the silly wife she is. She plays her motherly card and turns to me. No anger or any emotion. Just a blank face.

She always showed little of no emotions. Mainly when her husband is around.

"Son." She said very softly. "What your act did was just bringing back lost times. Old friendships really."

"Friendsh-" she held her hand to keep me talking. So as the son she raised. I don't interrupt until she finish.

"We were best-friends. We were raised in the same organization. The three of us were close yes and then they parted. At our time arrange marriages for many reason took part. Mine was to close an agreement with my best-friends ex boyfriend. Your father at the time. In that same week she was brought an offer very different. Yet, she took hers willingly. I truly thought he killed her since not long her family name was ceased." Which means he or someone had killed them off. "The last time we saw another was when she told me about marrying this guy her family can not stand but still allowed it. She never said another word, the next day she was gone and your father and I married a few weeks later. That is the past you so call talk of. Friendship, arrangement, lost, and old love. That is all."

It took me bit to understand. Figuring out all the hidden lines between her words. They never hide their story but they always never told me about their relation with Mrs. Monroe before.

"I love your mother. Only her. We were young then it wasn't true." My father’s words broke through.

l can see clearly how they both remorse the past. He cups his wife's hand. Owing him a gentle smile. I see it in their eyes. It wasn't the arrangement anymore. They love each other. Little words from their eyes said it all. It erased whatever past it was.

But that's not a road I' m gonna take. Not when I found Kara. The woman I breathe for.

"Well, that’s you guys. With Kara and I it's-"

"We're not questioning it. We know, son." Mother said like they had spoken about it.

Mm. Ok, I’m sure that was an argument for the books.

"Think, son. That girl isn't who she said she is though.” His voice was an odd concern. And I don't buy it.

"She's my Kara. You even accepted her in the family."

"Well, things change now, didn't it! Forget the love that will get you kill."

"Leave Kara alone!" I demanded.

"Don't speak to me-"

"Leave her! She hasn't retaliated!"

I was sick of him telling me what to do about my relationship. Like it was good advice yet his marriage isn't even close to what Kara and I has.

His is a lie for moral power and more. Mine was built in love.

He was clearly jealous of his own son. More now that he knows who she reminds him of.

Mother took my shoulder. A nail dig in. "If she is like her mother then she’ll still hold a grudge. Her mother was very good at making people pay for that."

"Mm, yes. She was fond to that skill. Even though she hated the violence it may take. She will make anyone pay for doing her any wrong." He scoffed in a way he knew too much of her ways.

"I'm sure you seen her eyes. Not the violence."

I knew what she meant. That's why we're in this mess.

"I can handle it. Kara has her ways but it's been still. I'm not ending that."

"Open your eyes, boy. She's not worth going behind your every morals. She's just a girl. Plenty more around." He offers once more.

"Kara is not just some girl and you f*****g know what."

"Mm. Foolish. I'll end her for you." In a second I see a knife at the stand near and bash my hand over it. Bring it up and throwing it towards him.

Yanking back in a widen eyes. A crack laugh breaks in. Dear sister walks to save her idiotic father who displayed hatred for her. "You're the fool, Father." He growls at her. "Declan achieve more than you. You should just be worry he doesn't take your throne because ha we all know he can." She laughed.

And as he tries to bark out his claim of throwing her under his arms. I spoke up.

"After all you have done in the force of your hand. You can't never achieve the highest. Be glad I would."

"Fun family time, guys. Time we split now." Messi clap.

"Where the hell are you going?" He demanded.

His wife wrapped herself over his tense arm. "You know she has study hall."

"For what? She’s not-"

"Let them be young, you know how quick it flies by.

Leaving, father deepen a stare that only said it all from my old man. He truly hopes for the worse for me. He believes that a Monroe has just manipulated my mind. That I'm not skilled into my family anymore.

It's the opposite mindset really.

In truth he's afraid I'll take him down and he knows I can do it. Even if I did go behind the Borrons I'll still beat him to his knees.

Messi goes to her every week study hall to meet friends. And I. I answer to a quick work call. Anything to drown myself in the sorrow of losing my all. Yet, at the same time I'll do it to also gain it all.

Her.

Finishing a quick work call and cleaning my bloody hands. My mind fills with Father's nonsense and I can't shut them out.

At this time of day there was one place for me to go. Only one thing for me to do in my purge of isolation.

Drink.

I drank and drank in the pace of purge. I fought inside my mind. I fought the truth and I fought for my prayer of it all.

"I just want you back, baby." I sip the last bit of my drink.

*Gun cocksback*

Lost in my thoughts I didn't pay attention to the ins and outs of this place. I only focus in the dread as the liquor swims down my throat to help. Yet, in what amount can help. Hell it's a safe heaven here and the last place I would think I'll get a gun to my head.

I turn my head to see my prayer has been answered. Even with a sorrow of hate displayed and a gun in her hand. All I can think of is her eyes on me.

Fuck. I miss those eyes.

"Well, hi, to you too, baby."

"Shut up!"

One side of my lips curl. I took her figure to my eyes and I see how bothered she was by it.

"Woah, woah! No weapons, guys."

"I'm disarmed." I admitted.

"He has a bounty." She scolded the guy.

The guy wasn't having it though. Whether she wanted me died or not. She can't by law kill me on this ground. She'll only sent trouble for herself if she does. In law the bond plus vendetta meant I was to be brought to her for the killing.

Kara was hell bended though. The few men who took guard stood around the place. Truly believing Kara will break the rules for just me.

Aren't I lucky.

"It's one rule, Kara."

You see her struggling to obey. Her will to listen to another man but me was thin.

"We all know your orders, Kara. But not here, okay." He warns her once more.

The second she heard footsteps closing in she met my eyes in question. I take a nod to signal to her submit.

Oh, how she huffed in annoyance.

"Join me, baby." I requested as I move from the bar to a booth. Kara's stubborn ass only submits to me and it proves it when she takes the booth with my presence.

I flick my wrist to order rounds. I'm sure the bartender can guess. And as he makes his way, Kara heavily frowns at me. Her arms cross. While I just lean back mesmerizing her beauty like always.

Just then, our food arrives. A bright joy sparked inside at her widen eyes. Which quicken turn a fury to me.

"Really?"

"What? I know you haven't eaten yet and I won't ever let my girl go hungry."

Oh yes, her true annoyance was clear as day. It was stars in the sky for me.

"Am I that pathetic in the years we known each other that you can just guess when and where I'll be? Even with a bond on your head that I placed." Her eyes locked hard.

I take a bite of my delicious pickle. "I've been hoping, Kara. You're drawn to me just like I am to you. Everything else is just, ugh." I wink at her as I take another bite.

Truth be told. Every day I'm out is like a lost of air. The hours we would normally spend together has me feeling stood up on the first date. But I won't quit. I would never quit. I'll keep ordering for two. I'll keep hoping no matter what. I don't care how others think how it may look. So long as she comes back. Even if it's short. It counts.

Like right now. It counts that she's here with me. And if not. Well, Messi gets the left overs.

She gets that hungry look as she glances at the food. Her tongue slides through her lips. Yet, her hand moves to her glass. Lifting it up. "This will fill me."

"Among others, baby." I winked once more and how heavenly it felt to get one of her classic eyes rolls. Not just any one. That slow tense of an eye roll where she knows I would demand her to stop. But all I thought was how to punish her for it. Because every time she has done it to me. I repay her by fixing those rounded eyes to slide back to her head as her mouth drys from the screams she plead for me only.

"What the hell are doing, Declan?" She asked me. Her eyes falls while her lips tuck in. She wanted me to hear her concern but displace a Don expression for the others around.

"I'm on break. From the life we hide from each other. I can't just stay home. All I get is unfinished demands that I won't do. And you know how that goes."

"It was like that before, wasn’t it?"

"He cares for one thing. And me not being his perfect son is it. But hey." I take my drink to chug. "He can plan whatever from his fear as much as he can. I'll still rank higher. I took him down to his knees many times. Everyone is just sitting around waiting for the call."

"Really? Your father." She chuckle. What a beautiful sound it was.

"He's losing his hair along with his mind. You got everyone guessing. Yet, me." I push her plate of food towards her. "I know where I stand. Steady and hard."

She hesitated on her food. Only to sip her drink more. "You think I'm incapable to handle myself in this s**t. I dealt with worse."

"Oh, baby, I know. You handle big things with no trouble."

"Don't think I need a man."

"I don't. But I need a woman and not just anyone. You." I needed her. She was meant just for me. She holds my soul inside her purest core she hides from this dark bloody world.

"I don’t count. Not anymore." Her eyes shifted down. She starts to pick at her food like a toddler.

"That’s you are wrong. You are everything. When there’s nothing." My fist ball over the table. Catching her eyes she reaches for my hand. Covering it with hers. I didn't move or try to hold it. I was too afraid I'll spook her.

"You shouldn't hold on so tight. Go find some-"

I pull her arm close. Deepening my frustration. "No! You and my father over traditional offers are not what we planned. You and I had one. And I'm sticking to it." I push her back and looked away a bit. I couldn't see her face when shoved her affection.

"Our names sets a hold, Declan. Things were always gonna happen. We're lucky we got the years we did without the violence." I heard crunch noise and my head turn to her. She took a bite of her food.

"We were raised in this violence. I may not know it all but there's always been blood on both our hands. A little more is fine."

"So, when was your first time?" She quickly asked as if this was normal.

I adjusted myself to see her close wall. "11."

She laughed as I assumed hers were later.

"Cute. By then I was out running my forces of adult men."

So early, wow. "I'm sure you had widows hating you in middle too then?"

"It's best to not think of it. You know how it goes." Of course. She takes one more bite and moves her plate to the side. I see her thinking hard.

"Things will just keep getting bad. I'm prepare for all you got. I'll hold on even if I have to crawl with bloody knees and hands to you. Taking mine and your men to the grave."

This was a f*****g promise.

"Why can't you move on. You can have anyone. Your father wouldn't approve of me anyways."

"Wrong again." My eyes widen. "There’s never been anyone but you. It will always be you. Only you. And every member of Barron knows that."

"God, that is stupid. Don't display me! It lowers me down."

"You're mine regardless of your words and claims."

Kara does what Kara does best. She’s too stubborn to keep it all. And her tantrum out of Space says it all.

I count in my head. Listening to her feet walk away. I heard her open that door and I felt my body lifted up. By the time that door closed, I was half way to her.

I follow her not knowing if she'll even be close by still. I didn't think. When it comes to Kara I don't think at all. It's an instinct.

It was pouring outside. The smell of the rain set things back and pause time that waved out.

I didn't say anything when I saw her still there. Just a few doors down, her chest rattle in mess of uncertainty.

She turn hard once I made my presence known. Covering her up with my jacket that she didn't fight off.

"Do you truly believe you can surpass the consequences of your actions?"

I smirk, knowing her capability. "Oh, baby, we both know you won't truly kill me. Come on."

She gave me a look I never seen. It hurt when it felt like she thought I'll easily give up. Yet, in the same way I saw her eyes. It was what my parents spoke of. It was showing more. That prey of violence linger in pain.

"Wow. You Barrons think you're untouchable. But remember I have seen more of your men buried than mine!"

"Ugh, Kara. You must know something by now. No matter what. Nothing changes among us. You and I are still-"

"No!" She snapped. She throw my jacket off her. Throwing it at me. I looked down at the soaked jacket and don't bother to pick it up. I just focus on her. "We are not. My..Declan Bloom wasn't this kind of man and in some way maybe..But Declan Barron. The true you is un..you are unknowing."

She was falling and it pains me. It wasn't easy, she wants a title without the sexist crap.

I sigh knowing she won't slip. Wiping that smirk took the fun away. She has to know and believe the truth. A painful truth I knew we may have to do to just find ourselves again.

I felt myself shiver. But not to the cold. I prey to her mislead eyes. "I'll do what you want, Kara Cast, Kara Monroe. Love me and I'll love you. Hate me and I'll hate you."

There. When I said it I saw a shift. I breathe out and saw the hurt of betrayal. It doesn't make sense but I hurt her saying those words.

I would never truly betray her and she knew that. I will alway support her in this.

I step closer to remove the one tear she shred away. My thumb kept moving and dropped to her chin. She follow until I held it. Right then the second it slip she pushed back and slaps me.

Every push was a lost. Every hit should hurt but no. Having her touch me in anyway was good. I'll take every slap and punch. f**k, I'll take a bullet.

"You ruined everything. Every God damn thing. You took our love and..it all perish in seconds. You hold that f*****g killing. Do you not care! Barron!" She shouted. I heard a creak even through the loud raindrops.

Beyond the pain. I felt a slit. My tongue reach out and licked the blood from the corner of my lip.

I hover over her. As much as my heart aches for her. I won't be the murder to our love. No. That's is all her.

"You are the one who holds the knife. So, you tell me how it taste."

Her eyes lighten such from my words. They turn white.

It was harsh but I never lie to her. Especially when she is wrong. I'll tell her every time. She’s wrong here.

Her lips part but she couldn't make a sound. All the love and butterflies didn't exist at this moment. They flutter away and filled the void with parasites for now. We both can feel that pain. It was eatting us.

Nothing more to say. She turn and begins walking away from me.

As much as the silence is needed. I couldn't break old habits. I had to say it. Even now that's she physical here.

"Don't forget to tell me when you're home safe." She paused her movement. "You know how I get when I-"

"Good night and don't die tonight." She responded and continue to leave.

I chuckle as I breathe a soft goodnight. I wasn't sure if my words were threatening or concerning. I guess it was both.

It was soft whispered, but I know she heard me.