DAMIEN: Book 2 of The De Luca Brothers Series [COMPLETED]

30:

It's been another week since my meltdown and I'm nearly fourteen weeks pregnant. The cabin has been tense, especially with the brothers trying to get in contact with other members to relocate to a new base. The more emotional side of things was that they found out the death count: thirteen dead, four missing (probably kidnapped) and majorities injured. Toro was to go out to each individual safe house since Gufo was worried that the radio frequency he used would be compromised.

"What's it like to be pregnant?" Vipera asks me as she shoves a marshmallow in her mouth. "Are you always conscious that there's a little human inside you?"

I shrug, "You never forget it, but it's not like 'I'm pregnant' in the back of your mind all the time. It's more of a feeling of maternal responsibility."

She purses her lips then shrugs, "I've always wondered. I want to have a family of my own, but I don't think any person can handle my mischievousness."

"So you're bisexual?" Asks Zac From next to me.

"Pansexual," she corrects. "I'll fuck anyone who breathes."

I laugh and shake my head just as Ashley wonders out of her sanctuary. I found out that Vipera and her had to share a room, hence why V is always in the kitchen, practically despising her presence. Ashley has been particularly hostile to everyone, either saying something smart in a harsh attitude or just blatantly ignoring us.

I feel somewhat bad though; she's living with the people who not only humiliated her, but stole her fuck buddy- even though I really like Gufo, I can't help but sympathise with her, despite her being a bitch.

"You want to watch the film Ashley?" I ask before I realise it. "I stole Gufo's laptop and he had downloaded a tonne of films for us to watch."

She snaps her icy attention to me and scoffs, "As if I'd spend time with a whore like you."

To say I'm shocked is an understatement. I thought we had somewhat connected during our escape from the mansion, I guess not. For some reason I actually feel hurt from her words; whether that's the hormones increasing me sensitivity to the max, or just me being an emotional wreck all the time.

"No need to be a bitch about it," V spits. "She was only trying to be nice."

Ashley huffs and pours herself a glass of water, "I don't have time for simple pleasantries. It's not like you guys actually give a shit about me, so don't pretend like you do." With that, she storms off back into her room, hair bouncing with every step.

Well damn.

"Don't pay her any mind Chlo. She's just grumpy that she's not with her girlfriends gossiping and painting each other's nails," V grumbles.

Despite me currently loathing the hoe, I can't help but feel compelled to talk to her. She's out of her comfort zone, surrounded by people who supposedly hate her- a fish out of water. She doesn't know where her place lies so she retaliates, it doesn't take a genius to figure that out.

"I'll be back in a minute," I mumble and get up, walking towards V's room in trepidation. Is it bad that I feel anxious? Given that Ashley and I have never really gotten along before, now could be a revolutionary moment in our relationship. Or the downfall.

I knock twice and awkwardly wait behind the door, waiting for a response. I don't get one, instead I'm just sort of left here. I knock again, then three more times, then I just do I continuous thudding against tar wood.

The door aggressively opens with a livid Ashley on the other side, her face red and her eyes sparking with anger, "What?"

"I just wanted to have a chat," I confirm. "Mind if I come in?"

"Here is just fine."

"I think I'm going to come in," I say, pushing past her. I find she doesn't hold any resistance and lets me inside. Now, I've been knocked down twice by Ashley's solid frame; a chance perhaps?

"Okay, I'm going to make this short and simple," I confirm. "I know we haven't gone off on the right foot, especially due to our histories with Gufo and how that sort of..."

"Collides," she mutters more to herself, folding her arms.

"Yup. Collides. I'm fed up of our constant bickering and I'm not saying we have to be friends or anything to drastic- god forbid you'd actually want to be my friend- but at least positive acquaintances or something."

She takes a deep breath and nods.

"If you ever need to talk, I'm always here," I smile at her. "Just so you know, nobody hates you here. V may come off as quite offensive, but she's only defending me and retaliating against you."

Her brows knit together and she purses her lips as I walk past her. Before I leave, I reach out and squeeze her upper arm, "The offer for the film is still open."

I walk out of the room and shortly after, Ashley makes the conscious decision to join us, not saying a word and simply sitting down on s different settee from us.