Bad Intentions

Chapter 11

Julian's POV

I shake sleep from my mind as my alarm clock blares. I hear my father downstairs making breakfast and relief washes over me. The smell of fresh coffee and bacon pulls me from my bed and I go downstairs to eat my share of the food.

"Good morning" my dad says, a smile on his face. He looks tired, not from lack of sleep, but from life. His salt - and-pepper hair is now more salt than pepper. How did he age so much since I last saw him? His hands are stained with dirt, pieces of the uranium that he mines still trapped in the creases of his fingers.

"How was work?" I ask, feeling my heart twist at his sad expression.

"Okay" he lies. I know the company he works for has been laying people off.

I also know that he secretly wishes he was one of them.

"Just quit, dad. I make enough money to support us until you find a better job." I tell him but he shakes his head.

"It's not that simple, sweetheart. I don't want to leave you with that burden. I'm supposed to be the adult, remember?" His eyes turn up in a smile, though years of pain still rest behind them. He caughs, then straightens up and pats my shoulder.

His company doesn't care about the well being of their workers. They get no workers compensation, no insurance, no holiday bonuses... hell, they don't even suply drinkable water.

I hate the thought of my dad spending seven days at a time in that condition. It seriously hurts my heart.

"Do you mind if I go back to bed?" He asks me. I know he drove all through the night to get here, so I tell him to go ahead and get some more sleep. He kissed my forehead before heading upstairs to his room.

I look out the kitchen window and Harry's car is gone. I shrug and get ready for work.
'~'~'
Harry's POV

"You can't back out" Dominic seethes as he crosses his arms over his chest. I drove to his hide out as soon as I woke this morning. The place is an empty warehouse that was deserted years ago after the company went out of business. Dominic discovered it our junior year of high school, the same year we came up with the game.

"I told you, I'm done." I say for the tenth time in under five minutes.

"Well I'm not" Dominic retorts. I don't care if he's my best friend, I'll gladly punch the shit out of him.

"Stay away from her" I warm him, but he just chuckles.

"You're going soft, Styles. This is, what, two in a row?" He taunts.

"It's not my fault that I feel remorse and you dont" I'm on the verge of seeing red.

"First Ashley, and now Julian. When will you learn not to fall for the prey?" His voice is like nails on a chalk board.

"They aren't prey, Dom."

"They are, Styles"

"Find someone else. Leave Julian alone. She's not like the others" I tell him.

"I bet she could be. We could break her, you know. It could be fun."

"Go to hell."

"I'll see you there" he smiles. I ball my fists.

"If I see you around her I won't hesitate to make your life hell. Starting with that precious car of yours" I threaten him and my words sink into his skin. He scowls at me.

"You wouldn't do that. Not over a girl."

"Not just any girl" I semi agree, "but for this one... I'd tear everything you love to pieces in a heartbeat." I turn on my heel and leave him standing there with his mouth open.
'~'~'
Julian's POV