Bitter Virtue||Book Two

We Stay Together

WARNING!!
If you feel the need to try and edit this content instead of just reading it, I will mute you without warning. I'm aware of the typos and inconsistencies within my work. Anything I post on Wattpad is a ROUGH DRAFT! If I ever want to sell the books, I hire a real editor! I'm not trying to be mean but it's ridiculous when I ask the same people to STOP and they continue to do so against my wishes.

Thanks! Enjoy 💫

Reece

I sigh as I stalk behind a fuming Oisin. His lean back is rippling with tension as he makes his way down three flights of stairs, through the foyer and out the main door of the house. He's barefoot, it's freezing, and I haven't the slightest idea what he is doing.

"Oisin!" I snap jogging to close the distance between us. The chilling early morning air has me shivering, but Oisin seems to be fine.

"Stop following me!" He turns and shouts before gripping at his hair. The panic in his eyes has my heart cracking as I reach out. My hand wraps around his forearm, but he immediately pulls away.

"Oisin, lets talk inside, it's cold. I'm cold. Please." I sigh as I turn to walk back to the open door. When I turn around, I see that Oisin hasn't moved, and his sad eyes are on me. "Please." He relents with a shaky sigh. Once we are in the house, I lead him into the heated sunroom. We take a seat on the lounge chairs and I wait. After a few minutes of silence, Oisin finally begins to speak.

"I am always left behind. I'm never included. It's like everyone around me thinks that I'm some fragile child. I can take care of myself, I am not weak."

"But what good would it do any of us if you are dead Oisin?" I say with a heavy sigh. "We just want you to continue to be in the land of the living."

"As do I, Reece, but hoarding me away isn't going to stop death. I've got ideas that could solve our problems, and keep us all together. Like, why do we always have to go separate ways? I think we would be stronger together...right? Or am I wrong?"

"We are always stronger together, Oisin, but the truth of the matter is—"

"I know them more than any of you!" Oisin shouts as he lunges from his seat and begins to pace. "I know every little detail about that family, yet I'm the one left behind. His wife, Isabella, she is smarter than she looks. She's been married to a monster for years, you think she doesn't know how to protect herself against abductions? And his mistress. That bitch doesn't fear death, she is it. They call Mona the Black Widow. She can poison you with a scrap of her nails. Going for either of them is a death wish. All of you will die and I will be left here to what? Live out my days as maid or whatever Papa decides he wants to do with me?" I stand and stop Oisin in the middle of his pacing. With my index finger, I lift his eyes to meet mine.

"You are giving a lot of interesting information. Stop talking, and we will go speak with Madison. Maybe your plan is better than hers. Lets go see."

"Wait!" Oisin resists me as I try to pull him from the sunroom. "I don't want her to be angry with me."

"Madison does not get angry with reason. If it makes sense, then she will listen. Trust me."

Madison

I run my fingers through my hair before burying my face in my hands.

"So, I cannot take either woman. Is that what you are saying, Oisin?" My gaze snaps up to my young lover who looks terrified right now. He should be, he hasn't earned the right to challenge me.

"I-I just d-don't—" he cuts himself off as he looks to Reece. My husband gives him a reassuring nod, and Oisin exhales heavily. "I don't think it's the right thing to do."

"Okay, and what do you suggest?" I ask coolly as I lean back in my desk chair.

"I think you should let me go back."

"Huh?"

"What?"

"Stupid."

Reece, Kylen, and Jameson all snap at the same time as they look at him. My face splits into a menacing grin before I bark out a cold laugh. Everyones eyes turn to me, as I lose my shit. Reece moves to touch me, knowing what I'm like when I have a manic episode. I hiss as I pull away from him and stand.

"Madison, baby, please breathe." Reece murmurs.

"Breathe? You think I should breathe?" I retort as I circle around him and my desk, going straight to Oisin. "What do you think I should do, oh wise Oisin?" Another cold laugh escapes me as I watch his tremble. "You know what I think I should do?"

"Madison," Reece says in a wary tone. "Don't. Don't be that woman anymore. We left her years ago. Please my love."

"I think I should.." I stop speaking as I reach out and wrap my hands around Oisin throat. He doesn't fight me as I push my thumbs against his windpipe. "I think I should just go ahead and fucking kill you since your hellbent on dying, Oisin."

"Madison." Jameson speaks this time as he grips one of my wrist. "Watch yourself. Calm down. I know what you are feeling. I know the darkness, do not let it win." My hands continue to tighten as my fear rises. Why doesn't Oisin want to be here? Why does he want to die? I just want him to live. The only person who can kill Oisin is...

"I am the only one who can take your life!" I shout in Oisins face as I release his throat. He immediately begins to gasp for breath and I pull out of Jameson's grip. "You are mine. You belong to me. Everything including your soul! Your fucking blood! Fuck!" My arm swipe across my desk as I lose it. All I see is darkness.

I pick up glass items and throw them into the wall. I rip open shit, papers, my fucking shirt. I'm not sure why I'm responding this way. It's something I haven't done in so long, and I'm afraid of it. I'm afraid of myself.

"Madison! Listen!" Reece says as he wraps me up in his arms. I thrash and scream and beg. "Come back to us. Please, quiet your mind. Please." And like a popped balloon I deflate. I sob as I allow my knees to buckle. Reece drops with me and I cling to him while I release all of my fear, my frustrations, my sadness. Soon I feel a large chest on my back before Jameson starts to speak to me softly.

He tells me how much he loves me. How beautiful I am and I inhale it all. Kylen comes next, telling me that he will never forgive himself for not fucking me the day he met me. How he will never love another woman, and he can't wait to give me multiple babies. I laugh as I slowly turn my face out of Reece's chest.

"I'm not having fifteen kids. One each, maybe two. But eight is the limit." All three men smile before my eyes flutter up to meet Oisins. He standing behind Jameson, his hand wrapped around his throat. I groan at my lapse in judgement as I extend my hand to him.

"Come to me." I say as stare into Oisin's eyes. He is hesitant. His hands twitch. "Please."

With slow steps, he comes, and kneels in front of me. I cup his cheek, then pull his head towards me by the back of his neck. Our foreheads gently met as I screw my eyes shut trying to stop the tears.

"I adore you, Oisin. And I am so very sorry. It's been so long since...since I reacted that way. I can't explain why I'm like this."

"And you don't have to." Oisin cuts in. "J-Just be kind to me. I...I want to be a part of your peace. Please. My life has been nothing but pain, please don't do that to me anymore. Please don't."

"Never again. I promise." I solidify my promise with a soft kiss. When we pull away, Oisin gives me a sharp look that has me letting out a startled laugh. But his serious face causes my face to fall flat.

"I have to say this Madison, and I need you to listen. If you care anything about me, you will listen to me and my plan, no matter what you fear." My eyes glance at Reece who looks just as surprised as I feel.

"Okay. I will listen, but I will not blindly follow. I'll have opinions but...we will make a plan, and execute that plan...together."