Held Captive

Impenetrable

Vixen's POV

The sand sifts between my toes as the wind whips past me at an alarming speed. Or maybe that was due to how fast I was running. I wasn't sure as I pumped my arms faster, my legs instinctively following suit. The more I ran the more the sun seemed to set on the horizon. I couldn't help but think of my plan to take her here, laid out on a blanket, a basket of food and her bright smile that seemed to light up my entire world in the matter of a few months. 

I also think about her brother and her parents accident as I rush past a loving family playing down by the beach. There were some things Jackson had found out a couple weeks ago that I knew they'd give me shit for if they knew I had yet to tell her. Everything was going so well and it never felt like the right moment to bring up the fact that Emilia Patterson, Thomas Russo's late wife, was the one driving the car that hit her parents. There were still so many unanswered questions but we definitely had a way bigger lead to finding everything out now. 

I slow my run to a jog as I start on the sidewalk towards the hotel. The worst part was through it all that was only the least of my concerns. I was now faced with the reality of having to break up with the first girl who's made me feel anything since...fuck, since Bella. After everything happened it felt like I wasn't living anymore. Sure, I went to school, did business and kept myself as level-headed as I could but it was like I was living somebody else's life. Going through the motions but not feeling present. 

I shake my head and try to focus as I try my best to come up with a way to let her down easy. But fuck if I wasn't fooling myself. There was no way in hell this was gonna be easy. As I walk past the front desk I catch a glimpse of Auburn curls and stop dead in my tracks. There was only one person with that exact head of messy curls that I'd ever seen. Part of me thinks I'm hallucinating until she turns around. Instead of the annoying little girl who used to run circles around my backyard until she was dizzy in the head was a slightly grown up version with long legs, wide eyes and the same bright smile she always wore. It was none other than my sister's childhood best friend, Izzy Coleman. 

I walk towards her and stop a few feet away. Even with her not being the small red haired devil she used to be she still had to look up to notice me and if her smile growing excessively wider was any indication I'd say she was damn happy to see me. She drops her bags and bounds up to me giving me flashbacks as she lands heavy in my arms. I lift her, spinning her around a few times before setting her back on her feet. She clings onto me a little longer and I wasn't sure if the newfound wetness I felt on my shirt was due to sweat or her tears. I'm not sure how long it is before we unwrap ourselves from each other but I don't really care as I ruffle her hair like old times. 

"Hey! I'm not a little girl anymore." She laughs, swatting at my hand. 

"Could've fooled me." I laugh, staring down at her baby face. She was still very much the little girl I remembered. 

"I'll have you know i'm in high school now. Teenage years look good on me." 

I screw up my face at her last words but can't hide the surprise on my face. "High school huh? Looks like you've barely made it out of second grade." 

That earns me a slap to the head and I laugh as I swat her hand away. She was still the feisty little daredevil I grew up with that's for sure. I still remember changing her and Bella's diapers. It felt good to see how grown up she'd become. I could feel the guilt creeping up my neck for not keeping in touch but quickly pushed it down as I walked towards her luggage and threw her duffel over my shoulder, lugging her suitcase behind me. "Where to?" 

Her smile falters as she holds up her phone, "Not really sure anymore. I was supposed to meet someone here but they flaked." 

A frown forms at the corner of my lips as I motion for her to follow me. "You're staying with me."