Running With The Gang Leader

Twenty Six

"What can I do Hunter?. My world is spiralling again, and I don't think I can stop it." I stared at where he sat across from me.

It had been a week since the whole New York fiasco. Zamon had been forced to leave with Tilly day after the meeting. Jason and I had gotten home 2 days ago.

Considering Holland and Keenan were still on vacation, Hunter was the next best thing. It had been slightly awkward, but I was desperate for advice.

"I don't know if there's anything you can do. Chad's dangerous Becky. The only way to take Tilly down is to take them all down. And it's not like that's something that's doable."

"But I have to try Hunter! He doesn't want to marry her. I can't just leave him there if he doesn't want to be there. I know he'd try to get me out if I was in his position, hell you probably would too." Hunter ignored my gaze as he fiddled with the cap of his drink.
"You're right. I would try to help if it was you in that position." He finally glanced up at me." You must really love him." It wasn't a question, but I answered back anyway.

"Yes Hunter, I really do." He stared at me for a few minutes before quickly standing.

"I have some shit to do. I'll see you later." He was gone before I could respond.

***

Later that day I received a text from Zamon, asking me to dinner. I sent a vague response back as my heart beat sped up. I quickly began getting ready, before texting him asking if it was casual or fancy. I groaned as he replied a bit of both.

In my flurry of excitement I completely forgot about the fact that he was now engaged, to Tilly. So 2 hours later I sat on my bed, wearing a long sleeve flowing white shirt with high waist black jeans and black ankle boots, decked out with a full face of make, including contour and fake eyelashes, contemplating my whole relationship with him.

I was supposed to meet him at the Italian restaurant in the next town over at 6 pm, but it was currently 5:45 and the drive took 20 minutes.

I stood pacing for another 5 minutes, before grabbing my bag and racing downstairs, passed a group of men and outside to the carpark. I glanced at the row of club cars, then to my motorbike. I stood debating for a second, before groaning about my shoe choice and hurrying to the closest car. I slammed on the accelerator as soon as I was buckled in, and took off.

***

It had begun raining on my way to meet Zamon, which meant I had to stop speeding. But I managed to make it in 16 minutes, so I was only 6 minutes late.

The windows of the restaurant were quite dark, but I could see that the lights were on. I ran through the rain, cursing the weather as my hair began to frizz.

I yanked the restaurant door open and hurried inside, sighing as I got out of the rain and into the warmth. I looked up, my hair soaked and my jaw dropped.

Fairy lights hung on the walls, setting the scene in from of me. Zamon stood in the center of the room, under a crystal chandelier and next to the only table in the room. Light music drifted around the room as we stared at each other.

"What's this?" I asked with a smile as I began walking closer. He flourished his arms around the table as he grinned.

"This is a much needed date. Our last one for your birthday was cut short, and we need to talk about things, so here we are." I pulled my coat off and draped it over the chair.

I stared at him for a few minutes, deciding if I should hug him, kiss him or just sit down. Tilly filtered through my mind, causing me to sink into the chair. He looked upset as he did the same.

"You look beautiful." He said, his boyish grin back. It reminded me of when I'd first gotten to know him, properly.

"Thank you. But you shouldn't be telling anyone that but your fiancè." He scowled at my words, sending me a harsh glare.

"You told me you loved me." I raised my chin, almost defiantly.

"And I do." I heard his deep exhale of release. "But you're getting married. I know you don't want to, but I can't help but think about how Tilly would feel. Sure you don't love her, but she clearly loves you. And I don't think you can change that." A few minutes of tense silence passed as we stared at each other.

"You're right, but for tonight, I can be with the woman I want to be with." I smiled, the whole situation bringing tears to my eyes again.

"Then let's make this night unforgettable."

***

And we truly did. We talked the whole night, about our pasts and how he had loved me from the start. We laughed about corny stuff from our childhoods, we talked about what we wished our future could be, whether we were together or not. Most likely
not, at this point.

We stood slowly dancing as midnight drew closer. I laughed as he told me the story of when he was in elementary, and he was in the school musical of The Little Mermaid as seaweed.

"It's not funny! How do you even act as seaweed?. I literally just swayed as I murmured the songs." I giggled at his words.

"I wanna see pictures of that." I told him, a grin on my face as we spun in little circles.

"Oh you will, you definitely will." His tone cause me to meet his eyes. His pretty blue eyes roamed my face as he rested his forehead against mine.

"I love you Rebecca." My heart swelled with emotion. I shakily smiled, suddenly nervous.

"I love you too, Zamon." His eyes swirled as they filled with tears. I realized we'd stopped dancing, too caught up in each other. As we began to lean in, something moved in my peripheral.

I pulled away from him, my heart dropping at the group of black cloaks surrounding us. My hand gripped Zamon's as Chad pulled his hood back, glaring at us so hard it penetrated my soul. Zamon took a few steps towards him before Chad suddenly grinned. Zamon tensed and quickly looked back at me. His eyes widened with genuine fear.

"Rebecca!" I felt something hit me before I was falling onto the floor.i heard Zamon yelling my name as everything went black.