TIGERLILLY- THE BRAVO BOYS [book two]

Chapter TWENTY ONE

Frankie Xiao

I have always been persuasive and that has served me well in this dictated life.. I can't be sure how the ability came about or when I began using it.. The first time I distinctly remember doing so was when I was younger and I convinced father Xiao to buy me a pony.. One that I would never learn to ride.. I didn't even want to..

I just didn't want to be so different to all the other girls at my school..

With their blonde hair, big blue eyes and sun tanned skin.. They had so many things that I didn't.. I felt like an alien who didn't really belong, even then..

I used that same power of persuasion as frequently as possible on Master Li.. After he first brought me to his house of hell, I was never allowed to leave the basement, he would visit me down there once or twice a day and that was all.. After months of cold, lonely darkness, I would finally convince him to allow me out for a few hours and after a few years, I was able to roam certain rooms and even stand in the sunlight by the back window.. Sometimes I could see a bird, or a butterfly.. Those were my favourite days..

Sure I paid for those privileges, I had to become all the things the Master wanted me to be.. He changed my hair, my clothes and the way I spoke.. But for those few precious seconds of free will, standing in the sunlight, I would've done anything..

I earned Master Li's trust through compliance, and survived through determination, all so I could take that knife.. That butter knife, the silver key that had set me free..

But in all those ten years.. I've missed so much.. I know I have.. I want to make up for it, to be something different and forget about where I had been..

The only thing is, outside these walls.. By myself-- I am terrified and useless.. The city overwhelms me and everything becomes flat and fuzzy.. I find it almost impossible to breathe, or think.. Or move..
But not when River is with me.. With him, I feel strong.. I feel safe.. I feel like maybe I can recover some of that lost time or those pieces of myself that were torn from me along the way to this very moment..

My second chance..

A rebirth.. A new life.. One that I actually get to choose..

"Lilly, we should really talk about this some m--mmuhh.." I steal the speech from his tongue with mine, licking the velvety warmth of his mouth, just like he had done to me.. He tastes a little like spiced whiskey and creamy caramel..

Heavens..
He's so yummy..

"I don't want to talk.." I press my heart to his hoping that he can feel the fire in my chest.. "I want to feel like you say.. Good.. Powerful.."

"O'kay-- but if you don't like it-- if you want to stop, you just gotta say so, alrite'?" He holds me close and speaks in a low husky huff, his breathing heavy.. "I don't want ye' to be quiet.."

I nod.. "Yes."

"Promise me--" He pleads, sucking at my bottom lip.. "I only want to make you happy, Baby.."

A small whimper escapes me when I feel a pulsing pull between my legs.. "I promise.. Please.. Make me happy, River.."

"Mmmh goddamn, you're more than lovely.. The way ye' say my name, Mmmh baby.. It feeds a fire in me.." He lifts me up, turning me over to sit me in the place where he had just been, sinking to his knees in front of the sofa.. Lifting my left foot in his warm, enveloping hands, he begins to squeeze and press the tender muscles of my arch.. "I'm gonna worship you, Lilly, like a goddess.. You deserve that.."

"A goddess.." I sigh, losing myself to dreaming thoughts of heaven above..

His returning promise to me is the most liberating breath of air I've ever breathed..