Family Matters

Chapter 7

As soon as she had snapped the picture, Rory and Eddie were quick to leave the party. Just knowing what the party was for and seeing the girls ghosting through the guests, hopeless and terrified, made Rory feel dirty.

"You going to Charming tonight to show him?" Eddie asked as he clicked his seatbelt.

Rory laughed and rolled her eyes. "No way. I need some food, a shower, and sleep." When they were their way out, Rory had caught Bastian and Ellie once again, the dreamy look in her eyes wouldn't leave Rory's mind. "Maybe I will go tonight."

"Don't get lost in that shit," Eddie warned her. "She's a grown ass woman and judging by her record she capable."

"I'm gonna go tonight anyway," she shrugged. "This whole things makes me sick. The sooner I'm done with it the sooner I can pretend it never happened."

--

After they left the party and showered, Bastian and Ellie got into bed. She didn't want to stay, she missed Poe, but if she left Bastian would undoubtedly follow her. Once he knew Poe existed she couldn't be sure of her daughter's safety. He'd never let out of his sight again and Ellie didn't want to have to kill him.

"I have some shit to do tomorrow." She said quietly.

"Like?" He looked at her, the glow from his phone the only light in the room.

"Work," she shrugged. "Got a few jobs."

"You should stop that shit," he chastised her. "Honestly, Elle, it's petty and you're bound to get caught some time."

"And do what?" She laughed. "I have no skills."

"No legal skills," he smirked. "Do what all the women do, marry up and enjoy it."

"I'm not a trophy and I'd be too bored."

"Then you'll give me a son, that'll keep you busy."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "That's not how it works, Bastian. What if we had a little girl?"

"Then we'd try again," he seemed nonplussed. "Besides, girls aren't all bad."

She huffed, annoyed by the insult and wondering exactly what he could have meant by it, and rolled over.

"That's why I won't have a child with you."

"I'm not going to hurt her," he chuckled. "These girls live shitty lives, Elle, it may not be ideal to marry men like this for the reasons they do but they're legal and willing. Who knows, maybe having a child would push me out of the business."

"You'll focus on your family's oil business then?" She turned a bit to look at him.

"And the drugs and guns," he laughed. "I'm not getting out of that anytime soon."

That wasn't really her worry but she'd be much more apt to commit to him if he was legitimate. Deep down she still knew that no matter how he made his money it didn't change the man Bastian was at his core. He had never hurt her, nor did she think he would outside of extreme circumstances, but he was capable and that was what mattered. 

"I don't think that's the life for a child," she said sadly.

"Agree to disagree," he grabbed her shoulder and tried to gently turn her toward him. "Come here."