Page 3 of Always Yours

“Not yet, but three years and you are mine,” he says to me, and gestures for his friends to leave with him. Before he is out of sight, he turns his head and winks at me. He licks his lips before turning his head back around.

“Fuck, that guy is creepy,” Nikolai says before throwing an arm over my shoulders and leading me down the hall.

Creepy is an understatement.

Derek – 18 years old-

Today was my first day prospecting for the Vicious Snakes. My family is all about the club, and that was all I knew growing up.

My father and grandfather were brothers, and I knew I wanted to be one too. Heck, one day if I have a son or grandson, maybe he will also want to be a brother.

Being part of the Vicious Snakes is something to be proud of.

One of my best friends prospecting with me, Arthur; or Art as he likes to be called, is grinning at me even though we are on clean up duty after last night’s party.

“Why the fuck are you smiling right now? We are literally cleaning up used condoms off the ground,” I say before picking another one up with the gloves I’m wearing and throwing it in the trash beside me.

“We are finally fucking doing it. I knew I wanted to be part of this club when you guys first entered my life, and I’m glad to finally do it. To have that family I always wanted.

I let out a sigh, but I completely understand where my friend is coming from. He had been disowned by his family years ago, and it was only luck that we ended up in the same neighbourhood. He was living with someone he claimed was a great aunt, but they looked nothing alike. I never really felt like they were blood related, but they cared about each other all the same. She had only passed away a year ago and left everything to him, so maybe they were. Who knows?

We had become friends quickly. Art lived across the street from me, and it was a no brainer to decide to prospect together.

“Hey Art?” I ask as we clean up bottles, cigarette butts, and whatever else is all over the floor.

“Yeah?” he responds without looking at me.

“Do you ever think about going back home and contacting your family?” I ask.

I see him still from the corner of my eye.

“No, I wouldn’t ever go back. It wasn’t a good place to grow up,” he mutters lowly.

“If you ever want to, I’ll be here for you,” I say to make sure that he knows that.

“Thanks, I know. I don’t see that ever happening though. Even if there are people that I wish I could see again,” he says.

“Maybe one day, you will,” I say, trying to sound upbeat and reassuring.

“You never know,” he says softly.

The way he looks pissed off but dejected makes me even more curious about his life. What is he hiding?

Hopefully one day he will open up to me.

Chapter Two

Liliana – 17 Years Old-

The day of my wedding seems to get closer and closer. I feel the dread in me that I might have to actually do it, if we don’t pull this off.

We had been taking any money that we could. Whenever I bought something, I always asked for cash back. I never went to an ATM or my dad might be suspicious upon looking at the bank statements. I don’t know if he looks at those things, but he could; especially if he expects me to run.

I told my parents that I didn’t want any part of the wedding planning, so my mother has been planning it with Matteo’s mother.

The only thing I helped participate in was getting someone to take my measurements.

I didn’t care. I wasn’t planning on being there anyways.

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