Unbreakable Soldier

She is mine and I am hers.

--------------------Layla’s point of view--------------------

I wake up early the next morning feeling lighter than usual. I gently slide out of Bobo’s arms with a smile and run up stairs to shower and get ready for my run. As I make my way back to the lounge where he is sleeping I can’t help the warm feeling spreading through my heart as I watch him sleep.

I head to the kitchen trying not to wake MY Beast; I make him bacon, eggs, toast and a steaming cup of black coffee. I write a little note that simply says

*NOTE*

Gone running baby enjoy xx

I place his breakfast and coffee on the coffee table and gently kiss his forehead. I leave the house purposely slamming the front door to wake him a little giggling to myself.

I stretch a little, shake my arms and legs, take a few deep breaths and take off for my jog. I hear some footsteps coming up fast and I see Rex out of the corner of my eye. I instantly relax as he jogs in step with me.

“Hey Layla” Rex puffs out as he jogs. I acknowledge him with a simple “Rex.”

“You wouldn’t happen to know the whereabouts of my boss now would you?” he asks with a cheeky smirk.

“Now now Rex I know you jogged past my house and saw Beasts machine so why ask the obvious question?” I raise a questioning eyebrow as I continue my pace.

“Hahahaha just making conversation sugar!” he chuckles out. He winks and I roll my eyes before stepping up the pace. He accelerates back into step.

I don’t mind his company today because I don’t feel like he is trying to hit on me, so I allow him to continue jogging with me.

We are running at least 10 km when I slow to a stop in a clearing overlooking the creek. I exhale deeply checking my pulse looking at my watch.

I exhale again.

“This view is amazing “Rex interrupts. He is panting slightly with both hands on his knees bent over.

“Yeah it is” I say enjoying the view.

I breathe in through my nose deeply; arms by my side palms out raising them up till my palms join above my head. Exhaling deeply as I bring them down through the centre of my body. I feel at peace right now and almost forget Rex is here till he opens his mouth “Ahhh what are you doing Layla?” he questions.

“Finding my centre Rex so shut it!” I try to stay calm.

I continue with my breathing exercises and its not working as well as it should because I can feel Rex staring. I give him an ultimatum “Either join in or f**k off Rex you are throwing me off!” He chuckles a little and stands next to me breathing in and out.

“Hey I actually feel it calming me!” he says surprised

“Shut up Rex!” I exclaim.

“Sorry” he whispers.

“SHHHH” I hiss.

I stretch out a little more and turn to him. “Flat stick the whole way home what do you say Rex?” I raise my eyebrow challengingly.

He chuckles and sounds excited when he says “Oh your sooo on sweets!”

I smile. Then we take off. I let him get a little in front so he thinks he stands a chance. He gets cocky “Don’t make it too easy sugar I know what you’re doing!” he gives me a knowing smirk.

I take off at full speed bolting past him and all the way back to my house. I’m there for a full 3 minutes before he comes running up the path.

He is panting heavily “Jesus f*****g Christ woman are you part machine??” he manages to get out between catching his breath.

“Maybe next time slow poke” I giggle out. I laugh and pat him on the back asking “Need some water?” He just nods still out of breath as I gesture for him to come inside.

I open the door to find Beau smiling from ear to ear till he spots a very exhausted looking Rex. I walk to the fridge grabbing 2 bottles of water and throw one to Rex. “Rex Heads up” I smile. “OOOOF” he huffs and only just catches it in time.

“Tough run this morning Rex” Beaus asks with a smirk.

“Nah nah it was easy” Rex replies sarcastically.

“He did ok” I say mocking him. Rex looks up with a smile. “You do that every morning?” Res asks “Aha” I say lightly with a sweet smile.

“Jesus Christ sugar are you half bionic and not telling me” Rex chuckles at his own question. We both laugh then Beau speaks up “Sugar?? Nope I don’t like it!” I roll my eyes “Oh shush Bobo!” I tease. Rex loses it “BOBO?” he is laughing hard and I just shrug my shoulders. Beau glares at me but I ignore him. “Thanks for breakfast Layla it was amazing” Beau tries to redeem himself sweetly. “Your welcome Bo how did you sleep?” I ask gesturing to the couch which causes a confused look on Rex’s face. Beau just looks at Rex who is trying not to laugh.”WE should go right Rex?” Beau says sharply.

“No worries fellas have a great day!” I smile and turn to walk down the hall only stopping to yell out “Lock the door on your way out boys” I hear the door close as I draw myself a hot bath.

--------------------Beaus point of view--------------------

I leave Layla’s house. Jump on my bike as I side eye Rex.

“What?” he asks looking at me with a what are you looking at me like that for face?

“I’m sorry brother I know you kinda like her but she is off limits!” I say sympathetically. He looks down a little defeated.

“Well technically you haven’t claimed her right?” he asks challenging me. Though he sounds uncertain and a little disappointed.

“It’s complicated. Layla and I have history Rex and as my best friend I’m asking you to please back off?” I’m sincere in my words and my facial expression. Rex sighs “If she means that much to you bro I will. BUT the second you f**k it up and lets face it we both know there’s a high possibility….” I cut him off “There is no possibility Rex she IS mine and I am hers always have been and always will be!” I say confidently. It’s like Rex just realized who she is.”Hold up a minute bro, you could have just said she was THAT one! I don’t know why I didn’t figure this out sooner” he says running as hand through his hair sighing. “It all makes sense now Beau I get it…..” he says warmly putting his hands up in mock surrender. “Thanks Rex…… besides it’s not like you stood a chance” I say smiling like a smart ass. “If you say so” he states with a cocky grin and I chuckle. I tell him to meet me at the club in 15 he nods and heads down the path. I pull up at the club house to see an awkward looking Maddy-lyn shuffling towards me. I get off my bike crossing my arms in front of me frowning.

“You lied to me Maddy-lyn” I say shaking my head from side to side.

She starts to explain “Well I didn’t lie I didn’t know it was her till I figured it out last night and I…….” I put my hand up to stop her. I say it simply “Stacey huh?” Her eyes go wide and she looks down.

“I’m sorry Beast but she is better than this life!” Maddy-lyn sounds serious. As she gestures to the club house behind her. “And you USED to be too…..” he words sting she looks down and sighs. I’m not even mad I am sad because she is right! If I had never been part of this stupid club my father used to run then Layla probably would have stayed with me and if I never……. Maddy cuts off my thoughts

“Look I quit Beast. I have a new job as a receptionist with Amy at the law firm in town and it’s time for me to move on” She sounds so sure of herself but she looks so scared right now…… what have I become??

“That’s great news! Good for you Maddy-lyn” I smile at her. She looks up shocked and relieved.

“Thank-you Beas… I mean Beau. Please don’t be offended by what I’m about to say” I look at her questioningly and nod for her to continue and she does. “Please think long and hard before your drag Layla into this s**t show!”She says once again gesturing to the club. She continues on “She is my best friend and if I lose her again I’ll never forgive you….. I feel like I’ve finally gotten my Lala back she makes me confident and I need her” she pleads with me.

“Stop Maddy I know. Trust me I want to keep her around for good. I’m working on it ok!.... Now you go get out of here and don’t look back” I smile warmly at her which clearly catches her off guard she offers a small wave and leaves.

I walk into my club house. My mind is racing a million miles a minute…… this place is dirty there are naked whores sprawled out all over the place with half naked men under them…..what am I doing I can’t give Layla this life…..Maddy is right!

What do I do?

Rex walks in after me. “Hey bro I just saw your dad and he said to call him”

My dad that fucker!!!! I start remembering the conversation from last night and I feel my anger start to surge.

“f**k him!” I bark out

Rex seems confused “Whoa man where did that come from?” he says.

I storm up to my office…..I need proof and it has to be around here somewhere in these files…… a record of transaction or something on paper. I’m furiously rummaging through old paper work when Rex enters my office. “Beast what is it?” he asks.

I am visibly stressed out and I slump into my chair with my palms on my eyes.

“f**k f**k f**k!” I shout.

“Tell me what you are looking for Beau and I’ll help” Rex says sympathetically.

I sigh as Rex comes beside me and places a hand on my shoulder giving it a squeeze. I don’t even realize I have tears streaming down my face when I tell him.

“It’s his f*****g fault Rex! He did this. He made me this. And it was all built on the biggest f*****g betrayal!” I sigh angry and frustrated.

“Slow down Beau…. Just tell me what you are looking for and I’ll find it and fix it!” he explains.

I take a deep breath and begin to tell Rex everything from the night Layla left me. Rex now looks even madder than me if that’s possible.

“That dirty f*****g Dog!” Rex says through gritted teeth.

Rex starts rifling through the files furiously and looks up at me.

“He knew Layla was your girl right?” he asks quizzically.

“Of course he f*****g did we were inseparable. That was until he asked me to join the club and even then the only time we weren’t together was when I was here training to be him!” I exclaim.

I looked down to my hands remembering how he would try to force sluts on me and it was all making sense. I look to Rex with sadness in my eyes “What do I do now Rex?” I ask. He sighs “Bro I thought you’d never ask! How do you feel about going legit?” he asks optimistically.