Protecting Her Lost Soul

Chapter 20

I wake with a start and my heart is beating out of my chest. Was that a nightmare? I don't really remember anything. I don't feel Flynn around me. "Flynn," I whisper. I use my other hand to stroke Miley's hair as she sleeps facing the wall. "Flynn." 
   I feel Flynn turn and wrap around me, "What's wrong?" he mumbles sleepily. 
   "I think I had a nightmare. But I don't remember," I turn in his arms and bury my face in his neck and he grumbles. 
   "You're safe, baby, I'm here," he hushes me. "I love you," he always knows the right things to say and do and I welcome it. He strokes my back as he holds me close. "Sleep, baby," he soothes and I rest my eyes again. My heart slowly returns to normal and I fall back asleep. 
    "Mommy," Miley says waking me. She's sat next to me watching me. 
   "You okay baby?" she lays down with me and hugs me. 
   "Yeah, I'm hungry," I smile. She actually said she was hungry and not the tiresome, I could eat. I sit up and groan in pain. I cough and I try keep a relaxed face. 
   "Let's see what Nana is up to," she nods and climbs out of bed. I look at Flynn and he's sleeping peacefully. I climb out of bed and I kiss his forehead and he grumbles but doesn't wake. He's cute. I walk out of the room and quietly close the door. 
   I hold Miley's hand and walk downstairs. We walk into the kitchen and Mom is cooking in the kitchen. I kiss her cheek and Miley runs to her. I let the dog out in the garden and wait for him to come back. 
   When he returns I shut the door and walk back into the kitchen. The house phone rings and I look at Mom, "Honey, could you grab that please?" 
    I nod and get up and walk to the living room and grab the phone, "Hello, Blake residence?" I hate answering the phone. 
    "Riley?" Mrs Webber says shocked. 
   "I'm hanging up now," I warn. 
   "Wait, I've been trying to contact you for days," I frown. Really? "Your parents keep denying me contact. I guess it was my lucky day that you answered the phone."
    "I've been ill, I've been recovering from what your son did to me," I cough and gasp. 
    "You don't know how sorry I am. I need your help." 
    "Are you crazy? Why would I help you?" 
    "Because you still care about my son, I know you do." 
    "And? Doesn't mean it's healthy." 
    "Riley, please, he needs you." I frown. When has he ever needed me? Truly needed me? "He's not cooperating with his lawyer. He's refusing the insanity plea assessment." 
    "I don't understand what that means," I growl. 
    "He's refusing to cooperate unless he sees you. He will plead guilty as long as he sees you." 
    I zone out. He wants to see me? I thought I didn't have to see him again and they pull me back. Why would seeing me make a difference? My heartbeat spikes at the thought. A chill runs down my back and I shiver. "Riley, please." 
    "I don't see how this is my problem. He nearly killed me," I whisper. 
    "I know, he wants to make amends. Please, allow him this. Five minutes of your time, that's all we are asking. I don't think he really believes you're alive." 
    "You know my family is never letting me go, right?" 
    "Sneak out, do whatever it takes. Please," she begs. 
    "Fine, I'll see what I can do. I can't promise anything though." 
   "Thank you, Riley, hope you feel better soon, try be there at 11 am." she hangs up and I put the phone back in its holder. I walk sheepishly to the kitchen and I sit down. 
    "Lee, who was that?" 
   I look up at her, "Oh, umm, cold caller," I lie and she frowns. 
   "No matter what I do, those calls keep coming in. Your Dad paid for a block on there but still they find a way through," she rants. 
    "Honey, do you need the loo?" Miley nods and I take her upstairs and she goes to the loo and I run her a bath. Once she's dressed I go to the loo myself and we walk back down the stairs. I cough and gasp. 
    "Lee, have you taken your meds?" Mom asks and I shake my head. 
    "I need a coffee," I mutter. 
    "No caffeine, Lee," I huff. I know! "Why don't you go get in the bath and get dressed. I'll watch Miley," I nod and I drag myself upstairs. 
     I walk into Flynn's room and he's still asleep. I take his hand I start pulling him. "Flynn," I try waking him up and he grumbles. 
     "Not yet," he mumbles. 
     "Flynn," I protest keep pulling him but he doesn't even move. I lean towards his ear, "I want you to accompany me in the shower," I whisper. His eyes fly open and I've got his full attention.
     His arm envelopes around me and he pulls me onto the bed and he pins me beneath him. "Hmm, what's wrong with right here?" he's still sleepy and I giggle but stop. 
    "Because I need a shower. Maybe, if you're too tired I'll find different company," I joke and he growls glaring down at me. He climbs off the bed and he bends down and slings me over his shoulder. He swats my backside and squeal. 
    "Don't make me jealous," he growls. He walks out of the bedroom, down the hall and into the bathroom. He walks into the shower with me still on his shoulder. He turns the shower on and I squeal again. 
    "Flynn, we still have clothes on," I protest. 
    "Oh, I know, you're wearing too many clothes," he informs me. He slides me down his body and he prizes my wet top over my head and he tosses it on the floor. He kneels down and shimmies my shorts and panties down. My clothes rest on the floor in a sopping state. He slides his boxers downs and he spins me around and pushes me against the wall. 
    My cheek pushes against the wall and it's a turn on to have him pin me against the wall. I'm his to do as he pleases. He slides my legs apart with his feet as he holds my hips keeping me still. His cock presses against my entrance and I whimper. Don't tease me just fill me. Please. 
    He removes a hand from my hip and he strokes my wet hair out of my face and then he grips my hip again. He thrusts into me and I whimper. "Is this what you wanted?" he hisses. 
    "I want harder and fast, Flynn," I beg breathlessly and a growl erupts from his throat. He starts his thrusts as I commanded over and over. 
    "No matter how many times I claim you it's never enough. You feel so good," he hisses and I push back onto him. "You're mine, don't joke about finding someone else because it pisses me off." I know, that's why I do it. It's how I get my own way. 
     "I know, it works though," I bite my lip and he growls. He kisses my cheek and keeps placing kisses until he reaches my neck. 
     "Little minx," he hisses. He pulls out of me and I whimper. He spins me around and grabs my hips and lifts me up so I have to wrap my arms and legs around him. He thrusts into me and I throw my head back. I cough and gasp, he stills as I continue coughing. "Ri."
    "Don't stop," I beg as I cough. It's because my breathing has accelerated because that's what he does to me. I suck in some air but I can't stop coughing. He pulls out of me and sets me on my feet. "No," I whimper. 
    "You know I can never control myself around you. He said you needed rest," I quickly wash my body and hair and I leave the shower. I wrap myself in a towel and leave the room and I walk to his room and I lock the door behind me. I cough and then lay on his bed. The door handle wiggles. "Ri! Stop locking me out of my room!"
    "Go away!" I growl. A moment later the door slams open and the lock pings off. I roll my eyes, such a dramatic. 
    "Well, at least now you can't lock me out anymore," he says unashamed. I hear the pillbox and I groan. He sits me up and slides some meds in my mouth. He passes me some water and I knock them back painfully. He offers me a spoon and I take the mixture. I feel like a damn addict with all these pills. He offers me the spoon again and I take them. "Now, shall we finish what you started?"
    "Huh?" I snap. 
    "Well, I don't know about you but I need to get rid of this hard-on."
    "But you said. . ."
    "No, I never said I wouldn't fuck you. You left before we could compromise." I frown, "If you promise to keep still and let me do the work then we're good? Right?" 
     "No, not good, how is that fair? I can reciprocate. I don't know what it would be like. . . you know to not move again." I shut my eyes trying to block out the fear. Burning hands touch my face. 
     "Come on, girls kill to not put effort in." I glare at him, "Alright, calm down. You know you only have to say stop and I would, you can trust me. If you don't want to then that's fine. I'm not forcing you."
    "I want to but your overprotectiveness is so stupid."
    "It's not stupid. I've seen you walk into the sea, I've seen you raped, I've seen your ex hold you at gunpoint and there are still many more. I have to be protective or I could lose you."
     "You won't lose me if you let me love you. It's a chest infection, not a disease that will kill me."He sighs in frustration. 
     "Is this what you want then?" I nod. "Then you have it," he climbs over me and unhooks our towels. He gently eases into me and I moan. He holds my hips as he creates rhythm but he won't let me move. 
     "Flynn," I beg. 
     "We both know I can make us both come without your input." His lips and teeth tease my nipple and I call out. 
     "It's not the point," I whisper but he keeps his thrusting and his teasing of my nipple. 
     "I see this will have to be quick. You're so stubborn," he starts to tease my other nipple and I groan. He picks up the rhythm and I'm already lost. He removes his lips from my nipple and moves them to my lips. I pulse around him and he takes me to my colourful place. Even though he pissed me off I love him so much. He stills as he comes inside of me. 
      He leans his weight on my good side and rests his head in the crook of my neck. We hold each other for a while until he moves and I grumble. "As much as I'd love to stay here all day with you, we need to get up."
    "No," I grumble. 
    He kisses my forehead and gets out of bed. He helps me dress after he's dressed. "Am I to carry you or?" I groan and climb out of bed holding my ribs. He puts his arm around me as we walk down the stairs. I cough when we reach the bottom. Flynn walks towards the kitchen and I head to the living room. Tyler, Ruby and Ricardo are sat on the couch. 
     I walk to Tyler and I flop onto his lap and he groans. "Flippin heck, Sis. There is a free couch over there. You're so bloody heavy," I place a sloppy kiss on his cheek and he wipes his cheek. "So the kid wants to go to the zoo." Okay, this is good. 
    "Ty. . ."
    "Don't say it like that, it means you want something. What is it?"
    "Well, I don't feel up to going to the zoo and well, Flynn won't go without me. Miley will need him to go if I can't manage it. I want her to go so you'll need to persuade him to go."
     "Fuck sake, sis," he huffs. 
     "Please, I don't feel good," he touches my forehead and frowns. "But don't tell him that because he will never go otherwise."
     "Are you cold?" I nod. I am cold but I don't normally complain about being sick or in pain. "Babe, could you pass me her blanket please?" I shut my eyes and the blanket is soon placed around me. "You'll be okay?"
    "Course, I'm used to looking after myself these days." 
    "Fine, I'll make him go." I smile and start snoozing. 
    "No, bro, I'm not going. If she's not going then I'm not," I grumble as I wake to Flynn shouting. I clutch tighter to Tyler. 
    "Everyone off the couch," Tyler orders. I'm lowered onto the couch and I grumble. He was warm and comfy. "Outside now," Tyler growls. The room goes quiet and I end up sleeping again. 
    Burning hands cup my face and burning lips touch my forehead, "Baby?" I don't open my eyes. 
    "Shh, tired," I whisper. 
    "I don't want to leave you."
    "I only trust you with my daughter, please," I beg. "I don't feel up to going and she needs to go Flynn. She needs this."
    "I know, doesn't make it right that I have to leave you," he nuzzles his nose on my cheek. I wonder what Tyler said to make him go. 
    "I'm just going to be here watching TV, or most likely snoozing. I'll be here waiting when you get home," I promise. I open my eyes and he kisses my lips. 
     "Good, I love you," I smile and he stands up and he walks away. Moments later Miley comes running in. She climbs on me and hugs me. 
     "We are going to the zoo, Mommy!"
     "I know baby, you are going to have so much fun."
     "But you aren't coming?" 
     "No baby, I still feel a bit poorly but you'll have Nana, Flynn, Uncle Tyler," I reassure her. 
     "And my new friend Ruby," she smiles. 
     "Absolutely. See, you won't even miss me," I smile. 
     "Yes I will," she cries. Oh, hell. "I don't want to go without you," Man, I'd go I would but I am never walking around there with my ribs and chest infection. I'd call off this meeting for her but I'm never going to be able to do it. 
     "Honey, I'm not always going to be with you and that's okay. I'll always be with you here," I put my hand over her heart. "I will always be thinking of you and it will be like I'm there with you. I'm never leaving you baby. You will always come home to me wherever you go. I will be here waiting. You are never going back to that home. You'll always be with your family if you aren't with me. But know at the end of the day, you'll always be returned home, to me where you belong."
    "Home is with you Mommy," she sniffs.
    "Yes, baby and it always will be. It's okay to go out and have fun with friends and family. No one will take you from me. You are safe with them and you're safe with me. Besides," I whisper. "Your brother can't stay away from me for too long," I smirk and she laughs loudly. 
     "Breakfast everyone," Mom calls.
     "Go on Honey, go get breakfast," she nods and climbs off me and runs out of the room. I shut my eyes and snooze. 
    "Ri, I'm not going to let you skip a meal so I don't know why you even try," I grumble. I'm lifted into sitting and he climbs in behind me. I turn my body so I'm laying on my stomach, leaning mostly on my good side. "Just don't move if you're going to lay like that," I roll my eyes. He holds food to my mouth but I groan. "Ri, come on. You need to eat more. You're wasting away."
   I sigh and open my mouth and he shoves something in my mouth. I chew it and it tastes like pancakes. I nuzzle my nose in his chest and a grumble escapes his throat. Once I've eaten enough he lets me snooze again. 
    "Ri, we are going," he strokes my hair. 
    "Okay, have fun," I whisper. He lifts me up so he can get off the couch. Miley jumps on me again and clings to me. "Bye Honey, have fun and I can't wait until you're back. 
     "Bye Mommy," she climbs off my lap again. I watch as they all leave although Ricardo seems to be staying. Once the front door closes I get off the couch. Ricardo raises his eyebrow as he watches me. I walk upstairs to our room and I put on some makeup and I brush my hair. Once I'm done I grab my phone and walk downstairs. I let out the dog in the back garden. 
    I feed the dog when he's back in and then walk back to the living room. "You have a car, right?" I ask. 
     "Course Darlin', where we going?"
     "That all depends. Can you keep a secret?"
     "What you hiding from your brother and boyfriend? Sure I can."
     "I need you to drive me to the prison no questions asked."
     "I can do that," he grins. I walk to the front door and slide on my shoes. I grab a set of keys from the rack and leave the house. I lock it behind us and he walks to the black golf car. It's not new, yet it's been customised to make it look half decent. Not that I know anything about cars. 
     He unlocks the door and I climb in. I do up my seatbelt and hold my ribs. "What's the address?" he says as he places a fag in his mouth. I get my phone out and google it and then I tell him the address and he types it in on his portable sat-nav. "I need petrol," he announces. 
    "K, there's a petrol station before the highway." He nods and sets off. He grabs a lighter and goes to light up. I grab the fag out of his mouth, "Can you not? I have trouble breathing as it is," I protest and put the fag back into the packet that's in the cupholder. 
     "Oh, so, I do you a favour and you tell me I can't smoke in my car?"
     "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying." He laughs loudly.
     "You're something else, Darlin'. Fine, no smoking in my car. What are you, anti-smoking? Anti booze and drugs?"
     "I'm not anti, it wasn't long ago that I did all those things."
     His mouth falls open and glances at me before he looks back at the road. "So what, you wanted to get clean?"
     "I didn't want to get clean. I was happy being intoxicated all the time. Mostly Flynn got me sober but I stay sober for my family. If I drink or anything I could die. I have heart disease."
    "Oh shit, Darlin', you should have said, I could have killed you."
    "Pfft, only I could kill me, I think my own stubbornness will kill me one day," he laughs again and I slap his arm. 
    "Ow," he groans. "I think your boyfriend may kill you if he realises you're not home and going to a prison. He seems a bit. . ."
    "Overprotective? Ridiculously angry? Uptight? Umm, jealous?"
    He laughs again, "Protective was what I was going for."
    "You're right, if he does find out it won't just be me who's dead, you will be worse off than me. I have an advantage, he loves me. Sucks to be you."
     "Oh, so not only can I not smoke in my car, you've signed a death sentence for me. And you'll what? Throw me to the sharks?"
     I shrug, "Pretty much," I smile and he shakes his head. He pulls up at the garage and I grab my phone. I grab my card and pass it to him, "Fill up," he nods and takes my offered card and slides out. Hmm, is he another James? Happy to accept cash when it's offered. I know he's doing me a favour but Flynn would ever accept my card and if he did he would probably just fill up the cost of petrol. Once he's finished I lean over and knock the window. He opens the door and pops his head in. "Can you get me a chocolate milkshake pwease?"
    "Sure, Darlin', anything else?" I shake my head. He nods and makes his way inside. I wait as he pays in the store. I shut my eyes, is this such a good idea? I owe him nothing. Is a guilty plea worth it? Why would he need to speak to me? Why do I make any difference in all of this? The car door opens and my eyes fly open. "You okay Darlin'?" I nod as I gasp for much needed air. 
    He passes me a f'real milkshake and I grin, "Hmm, this one earns you brownie points, thank you."
     "Yes!" he cheers and I laugh at his enthusiasm. "Got myself a drink to keep me awake." He passes me my card back and I return it to my phone case. He doesn't even seem bothered, I mean, it doesn't bother me. I wouldn't have given him my card otherwise but it's as though we've known each other awhile. I sip on my milkshake and it soothes my throat. He sets off again and I focus on the road. 
    "So, how did you get out of going? I find it hard to believe that Flynn left with you there."
    "Tyler asked me to watch you. Gave me a hundred dollars. No leaving the house, no heavy lifting, no funny business, don't leave her side, to call if you get out of hand."
    I laugh loudly, "Well, you failed but don't worry, not many people can handle me."
    "Hey, who am I to control the beautiful girl? The only one I was interested in listening to is don't leave your side." I shake my head. 
     "You're annoying," I joke and my phone vibrates. 
     FLYNN- Please keep me updated. I hate leaving you. X
     ME- I'm fine, stop fussing. Is Miley okay? X
     FLYNN- She's so excited but she wishes you were here as I do. X
     ME- Me too but I couldn't have done it. I know my limitations. X
     FLYNN- Hardly, you normally do them anyway. X
     ME- Then it must mean I am really sick and in a lot of pain. X
     FLYNN- What? Then I'm coming home. X
     ME- Calm down. I'm fine. Miss you already. Have fun. X
     FLYNN- Miss you :( X 
     I smile at his sulking text. He's cute. It doesn't take too long until Ricardo pulls up at the prison and my heart accelerates. Calm down you stupid diseased useless thing. "You want me to come with you Darlin'?"
     "No, you stay here. The least you no the less likely he will be to kill you later." He nods and I take a breath before I leave the comfort of his car. I close the door and shakily walk to the front doors. Hands jump out at me when I walk in. 
     Fuck, "Riley, thank you, thank you," Mrs Webber says and I push her off me. She scared the shit out of me. "Your Dad has put a denied access for you to see him. I have a plan though, you'll pretend to be my daughter."
   "You don't have a daughter," I remind her. 
   "They don't know that come on," she leads the way. Was she waiting for me to arrive? What if I didn't show today? Would she have waited the next day? As we approach the main desk the man looks up at us. "My daughter and I are here to see my son, James Webber."
    "Do you have an appointment?"
    "Yes, for 11 am."
    "Yes, I see. I need to see ID for you both." I look to Mrs Webber. What is her plan now? She takes her purse out of her bag. She produces one driver's license and one bank card. 
     "She's under eighteen so she doesn't have any other ID," she explains. 
     "That will do, sign your names," he points to the sheet. She signs her name and passes me the pen. She drops the card on the counter and I glance at it quickly, I sign Lilly Webber on the sheet. Wait, isn't that James's auntie's name? She must have thought about this. I put the pen down and follow her. 
     We are stopped and have to do a fingerprint scan. I feel like a bloody criminal walking in here. Once that's all done she leads me into a locker room. "All personal items in here," she says and I take my phone and keys out. "No hoodies either," I sigh. I carefully lift the hoodie up and I feel a cold hand on my ribs and I gasp. I quickly yank the hoodie off and step back away from her. "Sorry, your top rode up, I can't. . ."
     I shove the hoodie in the locker and I pull my top down even though it is down. How do I cover the bruising on my neck? I should have worn a more concealing top. How was I supposed to know you weren't allowed a hoodie? She closes the locker and leads me to the next section. I freeze at the pat down area. "I don't think I can do this."
    "You promised," she insists. 
    "No, I said I'd see what I could do. I hate people touching me except family."
    "Please, it takes two seconds by the same sex, please just try," I close my eyes and try to control my fear. I can do this, right? I've dealt with worse. I open my eyes and she leads me to the officers. "My daughter is nervous about the pat-down, please go easy on her."
     They look at each other the male and female officer and nod. "Nothing to be worried about doll as long as you aren't hiding anything."
     "I'm hiding nothing, I just don't like people touching me," I inform them. 
     "Okay, pat-downs are done by same-sex but who'd you prefer? Male or female?"
     I look at them both and strangely the male seems more comforting. "You do it, please, just gently," he nods and I hold my arms out and close my eyes. He starts at my shoulders and works his way down and I groan and screw my face up as he gets to my ribs. 
     "You okay? I hardly touched you."
     "Yep," I grit my teeth. "Bruising," I explain. He continues down my body and I continue to screw my face up. I sigh when he gets to my legs. Two seconds? Feels like hours. 
      "What bruising?"
      "My ex hurt me," I admit. Once his hands are off my body I open my eyes. 
      "All clear, is he here?"
      "Nope, he's dead," I lie. He's dead to me. 
      "Is the bruising bad?" I pull my top up and they all gasp. "Bloody hell," I pull the top further down revealing the neck. "Christ, are you happy to be here with these people?"
      "My brother won't hurt me. He would protect me," I assure them. They nod and Mrs Webber pulls me with her. 
      "Why did you say that? They could put two and two together?"
      "How will they? Just calm down. I'm here aren't I?" We walk into the visitor hall and I stop as she keeps walking. All the prisoners in their orange jumpsuits are sat on a table each. My heart is thumping. I watch as Mrs Webber walks to James and he stands up and hugs her. She must have said something because his eyes flash to me. Hell is it too late to back out now?