What Lies Beneath

Chapter: 55 Two Against The World

Bonnie had reached a point in her life where not much scared her anymore if it didn't deal with someone she cared about in danger. Case in point; the gun pointed at her head by the burly man dragging her through the hallway to the underground car garage. Granted having a weapon trained on you wasn't easy but she wasn't scared at all because Damon was right behind her. He was in the same situation but she knew the plan—it had been her idea—and she'd whispered it under her breath while they were still in their hotel room.

Three minutes. Three minutes after Damon basically proposed the door was kicked open and Mr. Blake appeared, telling them to get dressed and come quietly or he would shoot her in the leg. For starters. Naturally Damon could have taken them all out in a second but then they would have had bodies in their room and how did you explain something like that to the police? It would have caused un-needed attention to them when they were just trying to lay low and have some fun.

So they'd went with Mr. Blake and his men listening as he demanded all of his money back or else.

She knew she should have been focusing on their circumstances but she let his threats become white noise so that she could instead think about Damon's insane proposal. Seriously was there something wrong with him? On what planet was getting engaged a good idea? And why did it fill her with an odd sense of accomplishment?

Their relationship had not started out normal by any means but surprisingly everything following that night in the news had been wonderful. Almost dying and being stalked by several crazy fiends aside of course. But marriage was a huge deal. Marriage meant moving in together and sharing a mortgage and committing your life to someone until you died. Sure there was divorce or whatever but she didn't want to think about that. She'd been young but she could remember how it'd affected her father and she did not want to go through it.

Damon was different however. Forever honestly meant forever and maybe she was stupid, but she believed him when he said he'd never want anyone else.

Still there were like a million reasons to say no. To hand back the ring and suggest they just keep going like they were going. But—god—for the life of her she didn't give a shit about any of them. Besides it wasn't like they were going to a chapel anytime soon and getting hitched. It was just—it was a gesture to prove how much he loved her. A crazy, heart exploding gesture that would kill her friends when they found out and that of course would be half of the fun, seeing the look on everyone's faces—especially Elena.

Could I even wear the ring around my father? Would he totally freak out? Would I have to put it on a chain when I was around him or would he not notice at all?

The only problem was that nothing was set in stone and she had no idea what the future held beyond spending as much time with Damon as she possibly could. It didn't make much sense to throw her eggs all into one basket, especially at such a young age but she didn't exactly feel seventeen. And she honestly doubted anyone would care about her the way Damon did. Their connection was in the blood and it was extremely powerful, too powerful to be overlooked or ruined by something like logic.

Snapping back to attention as Mr. Blake pushed them into a secluded area of the car garage where cameras didn't reach; she rubbed her bare upper arms and wished she'd been able to grab a sweater from the room. Focus Bonnie there are more important things happening than chilly night air.

"I don't have your money." Damon said leisurely. "Well I don't have all of it. The whole point of playing and winning was so that I could buy something sparkly with it. Besides, why should I have to give it back anyway?"

Mr. Blake raised his gun. "Perhaps because I have this pointed in your face? I do not know how things are done where you are from Mr. Salvatore, but strangers do not come into my house and take what's mine. You were supposed to give me a chance to win my money back."