I Hate You...I Think Page 18

  Oliver helped me off the sand and we watched in amusement as the beach cleared in about two minutes. Laughing we turned back to each other. His hair was matted to his forehead and his shirt clung to his body tightly. But, the most beautiful part was his eyes. His deep blue pools with silver swirling in them much like the ocean. The way he looked at me made me feel weak in the knees. How could this amazing beautiful man care for me so much?

  How could he want to die for me? I knew the answer...it was the same reason I would die for him. I loved him, as he loved me. The thought of never waking up to his sweet face every single morning made my heart clinch. Yes, as reckless and as crazy as it seems I would step in front of a speeding bullet for this man and wouldn't even blink.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Oliver and I had gone back to the hotel and opened the bottles of wine he had stolen the other night. It was eight and we were already plastered. We were in the Jacuzzi bath, bubbles were everywhere. I felt sorry for housekeeping when we leave tomorrow. Giggling I took another sip of my wine and watched Oliver shaping his bubble mustache.

  "How do I look darling?" he questioned in a fake British accent pretending to twirl his bubble whiskers. Laughing I crawled across the tub and laid on his chest.

  "Very sexy," I muttered kissing him getting bubbles on my face as well. Wrapping one arm around me he grabbed the bottle of wine and took a large gulp, then rolled the empty bottle across the floor. Laying against him listening to his heart beat was very soothing. Our time together these last two days was perfect. If the rest of our lives were like this I would be content.

  Pirates of the Caribbean theme started playing suddenly. Reaching over Oliver picked up his phone looking at the screen then flipped it open.

  "Jake, I said I didn't w-"

  Oliver sat up suddenly causing me to slip down under the water. Flailing my arms he grabbed me around the waist and jerked me back up. Coughing a little I glared at him rubbing soap of my face.

  "Is she in the hospital?" Oliver asked not looking at me. I sat a little straighter the glare whipped completely off my face.

  "No, we'll be back tonight," Oliver finally turned to look at me his eyes hard and a twinge of anger adorned his face.

  "Yeah."

  Snapping the phone shut he stood up out of the water.

  "What's going on? Who's in the hospital?"

  I questioned standing as well. He didn't answer me as he wrapped a towel around his waist.

  "Oliver?" I asked again scrambling to grab a towel and follow him out of the bathroom. He rounded on me then and I slammed into his chest. Grabbing my shoulders he held me at arm’s length.

  "When exactly were you going to tell me something was going on?" he demanded.

  "What? What the hell are you talking about?"

  Snarling he spun around again grabbing his suitcase and slinging it on the bed.

  "Kimmy, is in the hospital."

  I gasp standing stock still. "Is she okay?"

  "She's the best she can be after being beaten."

  I had yet to move just staring at him. Kimmy was hurt. Eien...he had to be behind this. I told Kimmy! I told her not to be alone.

  "Alex is with her as well. Apparently they got jumped by five guys. Alex is lucky to be alive."

  As he spoke his voice rose higher and higher.

  "God dammit, Everlyn!" He yelled throwing his suitcase in the floor.

  "Why didn't you tell me about you fears?"

  "W..what?"

  "You told Kimmy to not be alone? Why?!" He was facing me now. His face torn between anger and anguish.

  "I..."

  Oliver stepped to me taking my shoulders again.

  "Dammit, Ever. Please tell me," he breathed pressing his head to mine.

  "It's Eien," I spilled. "I...he...last week when I was late for class. He pulled me into a room. He told me a lot of things. He threatened Kimmy. He told me not to tell you what we talked about or bad things would happen. I was worried for Kimmy."

  Oliver who had stood tense the entire time pulled his head back and looked down at me.

  "Ever, do you not trust me," he asked in a pained voice.

  "No! I mean no, that's not it at all, Oliver," I exclaimed grabbing his face in my hands.

  "I do trust you. I just...I don't know, okay," Sighing I turned away.

  "What did Eien tell you?" Oliver grabbed my chin forcing me to look at him. "If you say you trust me the please tell me."

  Biting my lip I looked up at him then exhaled slowly. "Eien said six years ago Jason was in the same gang as you. You're second in command."

  Pausing I looked at Oliver for confirmation. He nodded.

  "One night at a party Jason brought a girl and you didn't like it. You ordered Jason to take her home he didn't and they slept together and the next day her brother showed up," I paused. I wasn't sure how to go on.

  "Let me guess. Eien said I killed him?" Oliver growled removing his hands from me and clinching them. I nodded slowly.

  "No, I'll tell you who I almost killed," Oliver snarled. "Jason raped that girl. She was fifteen years old. We were seventeen at the time. The girl went home and told her brother what Jason did and when he showed up Jason and the boy got into a fight. Jason is the one who killed that boy. Murdered him with his own two hands."

  I was shaking and I didn't even realize it till Oliver wrapped his arms around me and lifted me into his lap while sitting on the bed.

  "I had to rip Jason off the boy and I beat the living hell out of him," Oliver held my gaze as he told me this. "I was so mad at what he done I planned on killing him."

  "It took a lot of the guys to pull me off him. After that I turned Jason in as well as myself. That is why I was in jail for a few months. And, why Jason hates me. He went to prison for two years. That is how he met Aaron and Sam."

  "What? But...how could he have only spent two years in there? He murdered that guy and raped the girl!"

  "The girl changed her story, and he got off on parole. He had the judge and lawyer in his back pocket."

  "But that's not right," I shook my head. I blinked back tears. I can't believe I had listened to Eien, believed that Oliver could have killed someone. It hasn't stopped how I fell toward Oliver but still.

  "Hey," Oliver whispered lifting my chin. "I love you, okay?"

  "I love you too."

  "I'm sorry I snapped at you."

  Nodding I leaned into him. "We need to get home. I want to see Kimmy. I need to apologize."

  "You don't need to apologize. You thought you were protecting her," he said soothingly. It made me smile. Oliver has changed a lot. The Oliver of a few weeks ago would have still been angry and raving about me not telling him about Eien. I could tell he was still angry, just not with me. I can only imagine what Eien will look like when Oliver got down with him. And, I couldn't care less what happened to Eien either. He hurt Kimmy and Alex, or he had something to do with it.

  "Since I'm telling you what all happened. You should know that at the party the other night. When you found me outside..."

  "Yeah?" Oliver asked pulling his eyebrows together in confusion. I knew I was about to add fuel to the fire but a part of me wanted Eien to be hurt.

  "Eien was the reason I was lying on the ground. He wanted to threaten me one more time before we came one this trip. He didn't want me to tell you what he told me. He slammed my head into the ground."

  Oliver clenched his fist again.

  "When we get back. Will you bounce his face off the floor for me?"

  "That I will do," he muttered pressing his lips into my hair. "I'll do a lot more than that."

  The hospital smelled of medicine, sweat, and sickness. Scrunching up my nose I pulled Oliver forward. His hand intertwined tight in mine. His usual mask for the public secure on his face. Anyone that looked at him didn't look long.

  The scowl was deeper set on his face than usual today. The woman at the nurse’s desk didn't argue with Oliver when he demanded Kimmy and
Alex's room number. His posture screamed that he was in charge and no one better get in his way.

  Turning down another hall I knew their room instantly. Two large rough looking guys were guarding the door.

  "Boys," Oliver nodded stiffly as the one on the left opened the door for us. Stepping into the room my eyes watered. Kimmy and Alex were in two different beds. Alex closest to the door, both his eyes almost swelled shut. His right arm was in a cast and the rest of his body had deep blue and purple bruises all over.

  He looked worse than Logan had the night he got attacked. Kimmy looked a little better. One of her cheeks was swollen and she had large hand shaped bruises on her throat.

  I broke away from Oliver and ran over to Kimmy hugging her first.

  "Ever," she croaked, her voice was raw.

  "Oh Kimmy, I'm so sorry. I should have said something. I should have told Oliver about Eien's threats. I'm so very sorry."

  "Threat's?" Alex questioned. His voice was soft.

  "What threats?" Jake asked from behind me. Turning around I seen Jake, Logan, Tyler and Jet sitting around a table. I smiled at the sight of them. I didn't realize how much I missed the guys and Kimmy so much while we were gone.

  "Eien threatened Ever last week. Told her I killed that Trevor boy and that if she mentioned anything to any of us he'd come after Kimmy."

  "Oh, Ever," Kimmy muttered sitting up and hugging me. I squeezed her gently not wanting to let go. I should have said something. I was so stupid to listen to Eien's threats.

  "I'm sorry Alex," I told him looking up at him through tears.

  "It's okay," he waved it off. "You did what you thought was right."

  "It's not alright. You look like hell."

  He laughed. "You should see the other guy."

  "Guys," Jake corrected. "He stabbed the hell outta a few of them."

  Kimmy sat back on the bed as I stared wide eyed at Alex.

  "I didn't kill any of them," he told me.

  "Should have," Jet frowned. He was glaring out the window. Tyler was looking on at Kimmy sadly.

  "It's my fault," I whispered looking at Kimmy again.

  She shook her head. "No it's not. Not like you telling us would have changed it. We thought we were okay. I haven't gone anywhere without Alex like you told me, and we were in our territory. We should have been safe."

  "Where were you when it happened?" Oliver asked from his spot near the door.

  "On the beach. Had a picnic down there. It was romantic," Kimmy grinned looking at Alex. Alex's ears turned pink.

  Jake made a gagging noise while Logan was turned around pretending to make out with the wall.

  "I'd say you've been around Jake to long," I laughed watching Logan amused.

  "I taught him well," Jake clapped Logan on the back.

  "This is getting annoying," Oliver growled through clinched teeth. He stood up.

  "Ever stay here. You guys come on," Oliver said opening the door.

  "What?! No, Oliver," I jumped up going after him. Grabbing his arm I stopped him.

  "What are you going to do?" I questioned in fear. Beating Eien was one thing. I didn't want him going after Jason. Would this start a gang war now? That thought clinched my stomach.

  "I'm going to go have a word with Eien and maybe make an example of him."

  "I want to go," I told him.

  "No, you're staying here with Kimmy and Alex."

  I turned to look at Kimmy to see if she would be okay without me.

  "Someone has to video tape it," Alex grinned.

  "And, be the voice of reason," she said. We shared a look and she glanced at Jet and Tyler. I knew I needed to go or all the boys especially her brothers would possible kill Eien.

  "I'm going," I said looking at Oliver.

  He was silent a moment. "Fine. But, do not get in the way. I know if that little bastard is anything like Jason will probably play dirty."

  Chapter Nineteen

  Oliver sped to the warehouse with Jet and Tyler right on our tail in the car behind. Barely stopping the car he jammed it into park jerking me forward. We came in through the garage doors, it was silent.

  You could hear a pin drop as everyone stared at Oliver with absolute respect. Some even looked as though they were holding their breath hoping they weren't the ones he was pissed at. Oliver still had the air of dominance he showed at the hospital.

  Staying close to his side we came to a stop in the middle of the room.

  "Where is Eien?" Oliver demanded.

  Every single finger in the building jerked up pointing to Oliver's office. Without paused Oliver stormed in that direction, taking the stairs two at a time I could hardly keep up. Slinging his office door open it crashed against the wall so hard one of the hinges broke. Eien who had his feet on the top of the desk jumped, setting his feet down.

  "Out!" Oliver barked to the other men in the office. They scattered.

  I stood close to Oliver. I knew he had a temper that could possibly rival Poseidon himself if given the chance. I wanted to be near to stop him from murdering Eien.

  "You," Oliver growled dangerously.

  Eien stood slowly but stayed on the opposite side of the desk.

  "I invite you into my home. I gave you anything you needed. Treated you like a brother!" Oliver roared starting around the desk.

  "You betrayed me and I even let it go. But, not any longer. You threaten my girl, you tell her bull shit lies. And THEN!"

  Oliver clinches his fists. "You go after Alex and Kimmy. You've known Alex for years! And, Kimmy isn't even apart of this."

  Eien was backing up as Oliver advanced. He didn't say a word, just had his eyes glued to Oliver. For a moment he took his eyes from Oliver to look at the others in the room. His eyes landed on me and he smirked.

  That's when two things happened. First Oliver lunged grabbing the front of Eien's shirt; second Jet suddenly leaped over the desk slamming into Eien and Oliver both. If Oliver hadn't of grabbing Eien, Jet would have only taken Eien to the ground. But, the way they were positioned suddenly was all wrong and all three went flying toward the glass windows.

  "NO!" I screamed jumping forward to grab for both Jet and Oliver. Jake snatched my waist jerking me back as the three crashed through the window. The most awful noise followed as they landed on a car below. Shoving Jake off I ran to the freshly made opening to look down at them. Oliver was through the windshield and Jet had rolled into the floor his legs halfway up on the car. Eien was lying next to Oliver.

  Turning around I bolted from the room. It took no time to be next to Oliver. I shoved a few men out of the way to Oliver's side. Eien wasn't there.

  I rounded looking for him.

  "WHERE IS EIEN!" I screamed. The men just looked at me. "FIND HIM NOW DAMMIT!"

  Their eyes widened and they sprinted off in different directions. Turning back Jake and Logan where getting Oliver off the car. Breathing out I was relieved to see him cursing and jerking his arms out of theirs. Jet stood up as well.

  "What the fuck, Jet!" Oliver looked up at him.

  "You should have never let him come back to begin with!" Jet yelled. We all looked at him shocked. Jet was such a carefree sweet person I would have never believed such anger could come from him.

  "Jet," Tyler muttered grabbing Jet's arm. Jet jerked away from him roughly leaving Tyler upset.

  "No, this is bull shit. If you hadn't allowed him back then this wouldn't have happened," he was glaring at Oliver. Oliver kept his defensive stance but said nothing.

  "Jet," I spoke stepping around the car toward him.

  "No, Ever, I'm sorry but I can't stay here anymore. I need...I need space."

  With that Jet spun on his heels and exited the building without looking back. Tyler just stood there staring after him looking about ready to cry. The look on his face almost broke my heart. Grabbing Tyler's shoulders I pulled him into a hug.

  "He'll be back," I told him. Tyler nodded hugging me back. Tyler and I had never really talk
ed but at this moment it wasn't needed.

  The next few days were hard to deal with for everyone. Oliver had been in a bitter mood since Sunday night and it showed even in class. We had barely spoke to each other, after classes he'd take me to his house then go to the warehouse and not come home till two or three in the morning.

  Jake and Logan were out on "patrol" Oliver's new orders; anyone from Jason's gang caught on his territory were to be brought to Oliver immediately. Alex and Kimmy were not getting out of the hospital till Friday.

  That left me with Tyler, who moped around the house with no purpose. Jet had yet to even message anyone or call since he left Sunday night. Tyler and Logan had searched all day for him when he didn't come home, but no luck.

  "Hey," I said coming into the living room where Tyler sat staring out the window. He glanced up nodded then went to staring back out the window. I walked over and sat with him.

  "He'll be back, Tyler," I told him rubbing his arm.

  "It's just...we're twins," he said softly. "Since birth we haven't really been apart. He's my best friend."

  "I know," I muttered looking out at the dead grass in the front yard. The wind was blowing the leaves off the trees. Winter was upon us, wouldn't be that long till Christmas now.

  "You hungry? I'll make you something."

  He shook his head again.

  "At least let me make you some cookies," I pouted.

  He laughed softly and looked at me. "You only want to make them because you want some," he grinned.

  Smiling I pinched his cheek. "There's my, Tyler."

  His face settled into a sweet smile.

  "Come help me?" I told him standing holding out my hand to him. He took it and followed me to the kitchen.

  We spent some time making cookies and talking. It was easy talking with Tyler. He was very shy but sweet. I had never really seen him fight but talking to him you would never think he was capable of hurting anyone.

  "You can't tell Oliver I been eating all the cookies though," I warned. "He'll get cranky cause he wanted some."

  Chuckling Tyler nodded licking the spoon with cookie dough on it.