Between us

Chapter 14

"Explain yourself."

Ryder tensed up and then he simply shrugged and walked to the kitchen.
I saw red and followed him.

"What would you like to know?" He then asked and began to throw himself a glass of water.

"Why did you leave me alone for a whole month?" I asked with a cracked voice, but I wasn't going to cry.

"It's private."

"Nah, don't give that shit, tell me!"

He shrugged and looked me dead in the eyes. "I can't tell you."

"You're right, don't tell me. I don't matter to you, I mean nothing to you. I'm just a burden." I said and a tear escaped from my eye. I turned and headed to my room.

"Where are you going? I haven't finished talking to you." He said and came closer.

"Clearly you have, you ain't gonna tell me shit!" I rushed to my room and he was following me.

"Don't cut me off Charlie, what about us?" He said and I froze in front of the bed.

"What about us?" I asked him and turned around. "There is no us."

"Don't say that, you're mine." He said and came closer to me, almost touching me.

"Yours? Oh I belong to you now?" I asked sarcastically. "How can I belong to someone that I know nothing about? A person that keeps secrets from me and leaves me alone for an entire month? How can I belong to a person that made me feel loved and then he disappears for an entire fucking month? You didn't call, let alone sent messages. I was worried sick meanwhile you were in a club drinking your problems away! I don't belong to you! I never did and I never will! Never! So don't give me that shit!!"

Throughout this whole monologue I cried and I hit him on the chest, letting all my frustration out, and he just stood there, regret written all over his face. He didn't interrupt me, he didn't even try to stop the punches.

After I was done, I collapsed onto my knees and he also fell onto his knees and pulled me closer for a warm hug.
I pulled away and looked into his teary eyes.

"Why did you leave me Ryder?" I asked softly.

"I can't tell you now, Charlie." He began and I wanted to stand up but he held my hands. "I promise to tell you when the time's right, trust me." He said softly and my heart melted.

I wiped my tears and looked into those dark eyes. I nodded and he smiled. "You know I do trust you."

"Of course you do." He smirked and I playfully hit his arm.

"Of course I do." I said and we both stood up. I looked at his face. He looks so handsome and I touched his bearded cheeks. He dipped his head and kissed my forehead.

I then stood onto my toes and looped my arms around his neck. He kissed me tenderly on the lips and then I realised how much I really missed him.

He picked me up and laid me on the bed. He kissed me long before he pulled back. "Tell me about yourself." He said and I laughed.

"Unexpected question in a peculiar situation." I began and he grinned. "You probably read a lot about me in the tabloids, I was once a 'Golden-girl'." I quoted in the air and he chuckled.

"Nah, tell me about YOU. The real Charlie."

I smiled. "Well, I used to play the violin when I was younger. My mom teached me how to play when she was still alive."

"You still play?" He asked and I shook my head.

"After she died, Hawk forbade me to play, because it reminded him of her." I answered with a lump in my throat.

Ryder simply smiled and stroked my stomach. "Would you like to play again?"

I nodded. "Tell me about yourself."

"My favourite colour is green." He let out dryly and I hit his arm.

"Okay, okay," he began and I sighed. "I was born here in Rome, but I grew up in Washington. My father was a goldminer and my mother is a chef, he died when I was fifteen. He was American and my mother was Italian."

I kept quiet and nodded so that he can continue with his story.

"When I turned sixteen I got mixed up in the wrong things and the wrong people, so I had to leave my family or else they would be in danger. I somehow managed to end up here in Rome and here's where I met Jacob and Teresa." He paused uncertainly and I looked up in question. "Where I also met Dominic."

I shuddered and he gave me a hug. "He saved me from those bad guys, well, Richard Gray did. And I've been loyal to his family ever since."

I nodded in understanding. "I also should tell you that I have two younger brothers."

I looked at him in surprise. "And you're only telling me this now?"

He shrugged and kissed me again but I pushed him away slightly. "Nah, tell me everything about them and your family." I said and sat upright. He only grunted and reluctantly sat next to me.

"I should have never asked you those questions." He let out playfully and I nudged him to continue.

"Well, they are identical twins. Leonardo and Lorenzo. Real pains in the ass."

We both laughed and he really opened up to me, well, except for telling me what he does and other important stuff. But I'll get through him. Someday.

We both fell asleep in each other's arms. And I truly felt happy.
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A/n: Hey guys!👋
Welcome back to another chapter of Between us.

*I'm publishing this chapter so soon because I may not have enough time to publish one...so this is more of a peace offering.😊*

Q: What does Ryder do for a living? Will Charlie ever know? Will they be safer from Dominic now?

Stay tuned for more action...and passion. ^_^

Please forgive any typos and please comment...and don't forget to vote! ;)

Kind regards and stay safe :)

A . Freeman
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