Page 23 of Hold On

A bit of both, I’m sure.

Bash leads me down the two separate flights of stairs and out to his car. The lights are on within the other side of the house. I try not to shudder as I watch his mom looming from the lit window overlooking the driveway. “Don’t fucking worry about her, baby,” he says with a reassuring squeeze to my waist before opening the car door and seating me inside. He helps me buckle my seatbelt before rising and closing the door, flipping his mom off as he rounds the front of the Audi and gets in himself. She’s glaring at me now and I can’t help but laugh at the hilarity of this ridiculous situation.

“She has no idea the way you feel about her, does she?” I ask incredulously as Bash answers with a scoff.

“She absolutely knows. She chooses to act as though the past didn’t happen, and I refuse to allow that to be my fucking story,” he admits darkly.

“Good. Itdidhappen. Your dad was a fucking prick,” I mutter under my breath. I feel Bash’s large hand grip my thigh like he used to do to me while we drove around in high school.

“And that’s why you’ll always be the number one girl in my life, Alina.” I nod my head silently, feeling too much to say much of anything. I wish that could be true forever; that I wasBash’sgirl. But I don’t even belong to myself. IbelongtoLuke. I allow the warmth of Sebastian’s hand to anchor me in the present though. I can’t fix anything, yet I can enjoy what time I have with him. Even if it’s limited. “Get out of your head, Lina Girl. You’re worried about what’s going wrong, while I’m thinking of every way we can get you out of this.”

“That’s a little easier for you to do,” I say defensively. “Luke’s been brainwashing me since I became his property. I struggle with what’s real and what isn’t. And my reality is totally distorted after all this time.”

“It’s ok, Alina. I know that. Just try and trust me. I’m forming a plan, alright?” I furrow my brow and wince, my nose still sore.

“You are?” I can’t help but feel hopeful, even if it’s stupid.

“You’re never fucking anyone you don’t explicitly want to ever again. You’re not obligated to stay with me either. I’m getting you out and you’re moving on. Whatever that looks like for you, Lina Girl.” His eyes are filled with tears as he looks me over. My hand moves to his cheek as I lean into his forehead with my own.

“Oh, Bash. I’veonlyever wanted you,” I whisper as I kiss him gently. He leans into it slightly, trying his best to be soft. He moves his mouth to my neck and uses the force he can’t exert upon my lips there. He bites and sucks at the thin flesh alongmy pulse and I’m seeing stars as he deliciously devours me. Sebastian Cox is absolutely everything and then some. “I’ve been dying slowly since I had to leave you. I missed you every fucking day, Sebastian!” My voice rises as my emotions flare. He nods quickly in agreement.

“You’re always the one to bring me back to life, Lina Girl. You’ve saved me so many times,” he says quietly as his fingers pluck invisible strings against my neck. I close my eyes and allow him to play me like one of his prized guitars. I am so in love with this imperfect man. “Why don’t we re-enact your eighteenth birthday and roll ourselves a blunt tonight?” he suggests with a smile.

My eyes widen before I smile back, nodding yes. “I’d like that so fucking much.”

“Anything for you, Lina Girl.” I notice his raw, swollen knuckles as he grabs the steering wheel. I hope he hasn’t hurt himself too badly. I’d be devastated if he couldn’t play the guitar, and I know he’d feel that way times a million in his own body if that were the case.

He turns the Audi on, waiting for it to warm up a little before flicking the headlights on fully. His mom finally moves her nosey ass from the window. “It’s honestly fucking weird having a parent watching over us,” I say with a small smile.

“How do you think I feel?” he responds with a snort. “Fucking boner killer for sure.” We share a genuine laugh before he peels out of the driveway.

*****

“Get whatever you want, baby.” I evilly rub my hands together at his command, looking excitedly at all the THC before me. Bash and I stand together at the counter, the smell of the dispensary making my mouth water in anticipation. And appreciation.

“Get ready to lighten your wallet,” I warn as he levels me with a stare.

“Go for it, Lina Girl. I dare you.”

Sebastian:

Her face may be bruised, but she is no less beautiful as she grins up at me. I’ll do anything for this girl. She can have whatever she fucking wants.Anything, not just weed. Soon, she’ll be free to live as she chooses and do whatever the fuck she needs to. No one else is fucking touching her body without her consent.

I can’t wait to murder Luke. I’ve decided there’s no other way to end this. I knew when I saw her destroyed on the floor in a mess of her own puke that I wanted to kill him. After hearing her entire backstory involving him, negotiating with that fucker went right out the window in my mind. It’s just a matter of getting Alina to believe that she’s safe enough to help me set things up properly. I need her help to execute everything. But I know telling her my plan will send her into a panic. In her mind, she’s lost forever and can’t fathom any sort of freedom from that dickhead.

But it’s gonna happen or I’ll fucking die trying.

Someone paying their entire staff for loyalty and protection while offering none in return isn’t a respected boss. He may be feared, but there’s a difference. I’m willing to bet more people have stories just like Lina and those same people he fucked up and forced to work for him will turn on him easily. When I get the payroll information, I’m going to start shelling out ten grand each to every person who chooses to lay down their arms against him and allow us to have our way with him without interfering.

That’s the part I need Alina’s help with. Getting that information and then spreading the news about my offer. She’sbeen working for Luke long enough to have gained the trust of her co-workers. I know my Lina Girl has to have friends around that shit hole.

It's got to be her. They need to know one of their own is willing to risk it all on their behalf. I have no standing with any of these people. Ithasto be her.

Alina’s talking to the bud tender, asking about gummies and a pen cartridge. The woman smiles and walks away to grab her some things to look at. Despite what she’s threatened, she’s barely stocking up on anything. I smile softly to myself. Alina always was the girl to give more than she took. “Do you have any Skyewalker OG or Girl Scout Cookies?” I ask and the woman smiles, grabbing some jars for me to take a look at. Alina’s eyes widen as she grabs them, examining the nugs within.

“Please tell me there’s some GDP too,” she whines adorably, and the woman laughs. “Oh, and Headband!”

“I got you,” she assures her and grabs another couple jars. “Is that all?” she asks, returning to the counter.

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