Vendetta Love

At Age

Kara

These halls felt hallow since that day. All I can do is sense him. Like I get flashbacks of us walking the halls. It was like every memory we had here cracks in my mind.

It was prison and paradise all at once. It was drowning me.

Walking down the ramp hall, I turn a corner. Out of nowhere, a hand grabs my bag and pulls me in a room.

I grunt loud when the person shoved me in and slams the door shut. I was right about kick the s**t out of them until I saw who.

"What do you want!" I shouted while I strapped my bag back on me.

Declan just stood there and stared at my body. I felt his eyes roam me hard. I fought the warmth it gave me. So, I demanded again for him to answer.

In a hard breath he says, "stop wearing that."

"What?"

"Don't wear that top." My eyes fix at him to explain. It was just a top. "You had it on when we first met. I saw you across and you, me."

My heart clench to the memory. Gosh, these forsaken memories.

"We should have walked away, then towards another." I breathed sadly.

I tried to stay emotionless. But with the endless pit of memories, I knew my body, my voice, or my eyes betrayed me.

Declan stepped a bit too close. I was able to smell his cologne. It'll seep in my brain later. "Then what would I think of on the daily." He smirked at me.

I was trapped. I missed his smelled.

He looked down at my top and nods in some kind of approval.

Turning away from me, the flashing anger of being treasured to a man hits. "Declan." I called out. "Don't act like I'm still yours. You have no claim on me."

Lies. f*****g lies over more lies.

I just didn't feel worth it anymore. Pitiful maybe.

The look he gave me now was adoring to a way I can't explain. It was just his eyes that locked on me.

Ugh, those f*****g blue eyes.

"Ha. With the amount we f****d you have more of my DNA than yours."

You smug asshole!

Striving back to me. I couldn't stop myself from moving. I pin to a desk. And his hand fell with mine. "Don't forget you are mine. I will kill every man that touches you."

His breath over mine was tingling through me. My brows frown and I stop myself from looking at his lips. The one that curl at me. "You're f*****g mine, Kara. Get that through your thick, stubborn, skull."

I push him off just then. "No, you get it through your arrogant head. I'm not yours. It was all a lie."

His annoying chuckle curled my fist. "Keep lying to yourself."

Narrowing my eyes, I wish I had a weapon to throw at his blue eyes now. "You need to learn to keep your mouth shut, Barron."

He wiped his grin away. Only to darken his eyes with a harsh gentle voice. "Then lose your date."

My head jerked back in shock. "Who.."

"I have ears here and I don't approve."

"I'm not a puppy!" I admitted.

Declan tapped his chin. "No, baby, no. But have fun though. I'll see you soon among your special day tomorrow. I know you got last minute things to take care of. And don't forget about the cake for Saturday." He reminded me.

His claim for me after our breakup was truthfully intriguing as it was annoying. Yet, I wish he would accept our fate and just stop thinking of us.

Declan winked at me before he left. Making me throw my bag at the door and yell.

Stalker.

The eyes I feel on me at school had to him. I thought else but now I know. He was keeping taps like he's my boyfriend. Like we have plans still. Like he still looks out for me and..

"Promises."

Tomorrow

I dreaded this day for so long. There was more at stake than every before. And I can't just cut the loose emotions so easily. I wish I could. It'd make things so much better if I could.

I had a plan beside fulfilling my deal with Father. I wanted to enjoy this day but now that doesn't matter.

No one questioned when I didn't bother to get ready for school today. No one wanted to start an argument and I'm pleased by it.

"I'll just stay here and think how to start my life as-"

Knock Knock

I demanded no guest. I wanted to spend the first few hours alone. Or maybe I don't want to just jump right into this s**t show father left for me. It was hell to get things ready before today. So, a little peace to myself shouldn't be so hard to ask.

Knock knock

I tried to ignore the knocking but whoever it was must be dying for not listening to a simple order.

Heading toward the door, my fist curl ready to punch this person in the face. My grip dropped when I swung the door open and saw mom there. She was smiling like her husband hadn't die long ago.

"Happy Birthday, Kara." Her eyes watered with joy.

"Happy no. Birth, ugh." I grunt as I turn and walked back into my room.

She followed.

I sat on my bed while she walks over to my desk and a banquet of sunshine throw-up color flowers, and other things on it.

I don't look up but her stare was noticed. Mother sigh and I restrain more. With nothing more than that, she kissed my head with all her motherly love and left my room.

My eyes tighten at the thought of what she was getting at. Today isn't what it should be. There's no ounce of happiness.

With my chin down, my head tilt to see the desk fill with items. My eyes glares over. I blow air and bite the bullet to just look at them before throwing it all away.

The flowers were tasteless, clearly father picked out the most girly kind. I shook my head at the thought of him. It was ill for mother to attempt to keep his act going even now. Every year and he still doesn't realize flowers aren't my taste.

The other items were unusual. They're more of my taste and I wonder how father even thought of such a gift.

"No. It had to mom." I thought.

A smile actually pulled on my lips at the thought. It was more than I thought. It was so sweet, it was like he talked to someo..

"Wwhha.." I gasped.

I picked up the card. Opening it, loose dandelions puff flakes feel out. They're the only flowers I actually like and no one knows that. Well only one.

Reading the note, I couldn't breathe from one second. They wrote sweet words of love and passion. A promise that tugged hard at my soul and my core dropped at the knowledge that this person wasn't my father who got me these things. Yes, the ugly flowers but the others no. It wasn't him.

"You bastard."

Mother must of known and it was a very sick thing for her to do. She was obviously on his side.

As sweet and loving as it was for Declan to still send these to me. It pulled me from my isolation.

"Oh, you idiot." I chuckled.

I called Marco right away and have him come with me for a quick little stop at a special little butcher shop.

.

.

Declan

Today I planned to work the shop with father. Kara didn't show up for the first two classes, which meant she was skipping school.

I couldn't pay attention in class on such a day over other things. Today wasn't like any other. I had to keep busy, otherwise I'll just head to her and I might just get myself shot.

"Thank you, have a nice day." I tell a customer.

Father wipes his hands clean. "Have you spoken to her? Your sister told me today is-"

"Just stop. Don't act like you care." Father groan under his breath. "She's my business, so shut up."

Slamming his hand on the table my eyes sharp to his. But before he or I can even begin to argue, the bell over the door rang.

"Hello, welcom.." Father stopped.

His express wasn't friendly. Turning to see, I saw why.

"Ha, nice to you too." Kara chuckled softly. It was a sweet sound.

She was accompany by Marco who took it among themselves to close our shop and lock the door behind them.

Both Father and I froze at her sight. It wasn't the same but still. We didn't move other than our eyes watching her every move.

She window shop around. Aspecting what she wanted. Her cute little self picked at her corner lip to show herself in decision making.

Roaming closer towards us. She lit a larger smile that made father flinch. Not me though. I knew better. This wasn't a sweet friendly visit of hers. She wanted to taunt us. She wanted to get under both Father and I's skin and her just walking in here the way she did.

It was working.

"Hm, I can't pick. What does the owner suggest on a big special day?" She asked.

"Rat poison." Father suggested.

Kara didn't take his threat. Given her grin. "No, no. Takes too long."

I walked over and out from the back counter. I grab just her elbow. The lightest touch was eagerly. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, babe. I just miss you so much."

"This isn't the place." It was meant to sound like a warning but it was more concerning.

"Relax." She pats my cheek like I was little.

"Girl, you need to step away right away. This a family business and you are nothing of family." Father said to her.

Her head turn to him. Her eyes had a deep look. "Oh, but I thought you said in many moments that you thought of me as a daughter. In fact you'd already welcomed me as one."

That's was a low blow.

"You're just like your mother. You manipulative brat. You won't get your way to us."

"Oh, don't be so scared." She warns.

Father clench his jaw. I got near her to place a hand on her back. Her warmth took me off and her body against mine just stopped it all.

"Let's step aside, Kara. Away from-"

She places a finger over my lips. Stoping me. It showed clearly how weak I was for her.

"I would expect more hostile but I guess Barrons aren't what they use to be." She giggles. "I mean look at how many of your men were sent back crawling to you over just a gentle slap around. You really need some work. Maybe we can help you with that?"

I didn't believe her offer. I tried already with her. There's no way she would just now go for it. And I think father caught it too.

"You are an awful mix of both your father and mother. They should of drown you at birth." He said.

Again Kara looks around. I followed her and thought I try again to get her to leave. But nothing I say worked.

Kara huffed in a pout. "Boo. Too hard to pick and you Barrons are useless." Removing her hands from her hips she turns to me. "I guess my usual will do. Can you do that please." She leans in to kiss me. I fight every inch of me to not go on more.

Returning back I prep her usual and wrap it. Meeting her face again. I took her hands into mine. The tips of our fingers locked. "Go." I whispered.

"Oh, but you can come to my domain and I can't yours. But, baby." She pouts.

Kara ask how much. Father argues with me. And this i***t shouts. "The bond."

Kara's face looked at me in question. I hadn't told my father she already took it off. And his ego head doesn't check updates.

Kara played along though. "Wow, that's an expensive price now. Don't you think, Marco?"

He chuckles. He whispers something in her ear. And she says nothing as she jokes.

This couldn't keep going. She had her fun already. "Kara, come on now-"

"Don't, Declan." She glares hard. Her sweet displayed fades quick. She pulls away from the counter and steps back to leave.

"Oh, Kara before you go. Happy birthday." Father said before she can fully turn her back. "I'm sure we are still invited over for-"

"There's no party. If your son hasn't mention before I'm quite busy with work."

"Mm. Indeed."

She hands Marco the wrap while she digs in her wallet to toss money on the counter in exchange. Heading half way out, Marco smug at us and opens the wrap to drop the meat on the floor. Both stepping on it as they head out in full joy of their amusing show.

After Kara's little visit. Father closed the shop for today.

I met with Messi and looked over the new list of Monroes. "It's here. And it's big."

I take my seat next to hers and read the file of Marco and Kara. It was large. It had great description of their skills. It was deadly and their titles match. The files go on and on and it wasn't lean. I felt blinded at what I read. I had no clue Kara was capable of these things. I didn't even know she was that deep in it. She made the ground thicken for the Monroes.

Just then father walks in with our men, he seems to had read it too. He was feral right now. Like a toddler kind of way.

Father went on and on about tactics for her. Ways to bring her down, saying it should be easier if we hit harder. He wanted to run her out if he can't kill her. He made it clear he wanted her gone.

Fuck him.

"No!" I shouted into the room. "Not a single one of you will get to her. She off limits."

"You're delayed son. Don't tell me you'd betrayed your own family for her? Because you know what happens when someone betrays us?"

He was jealous I get it. More than that. Kara hit his ego and as amusing as it was, I won't allow him to do this.

"I make the calls when it comes to Kara Monroe. Not you. Me. It's my vendetta."

Father shook his head. The disappointment look was classic. "She's not who she said she was. She fooled you." No, we fooled each other. "Thank god you never got her pregnant. Our blood mix with hers, disgusting." He spited on the floor to show his dramatic hatred.

I stood up and fought the urge to choke him for that comment.

"Hey, if we're stepping back and she's up for keeps. A few of us will love to have some fun." Someone said.

"Ah, I saw she got a nice ass. I'll love to see that s**t bend over."

"Better yet, let's catch the b***h and we make her regret it. Burn her empire, Boss."

"Lock her up and have fun down in the cells will-"

My blood boiled over at each word every male made. It was sick and if I wasn't empty handed right now I'll shot each one of them. But instead, I grabbed the nearest guy commenting and bashed his face into the wall until he stopped fighting me.

"Watch your mouth. That's my girl!"

I saw red everywhere. Everyone’s eyes had feared as they stepped back and kept their assault to theirselves.

"Oh, son." Father sighed while texting on his phone. Motherfucker had no care. He just wanted to make himself seem good.

He's a s**t Head Boss, a s**t father, and a shitter husband. If Kara has the chance, I'll watch as she slice his throat. Better thought, I'll do it and let her watch. Proving more my desire for her.

"What!"

"We can finish this easier. Get you off this Kara pony ride."

"What the hell do you mean?"

He looked up from his phone. "I'm adding her to your cousin Felix's calendar. He'll get it done for us. And you can move on to som-"

"Felix is not going near my Kara! "

"Listen to yours! She's not yours! She a Monroe and you're a Barron. Act like it."

"I f*****g said no! Don't make me make another widow right now!" I warned.

The silence hit hard. Father took my words and nod. Closing out his phone he steps close to me. "I won't sob at your funeral, son."

"And you won't be at our wedding neither." I shoved pass him. Leaving that to him and everyone else to get the point across.