Ryder

I sit in silence, across from Rose, feeling my fingers tremble slightly.

Her words process slowly and my anger mutliples by the second.

Caleb. My third in command. A man I considered my brother...threatened Rose.

Rose.

"You said he knows you from your past but you don't recognize him?" I ask, trying to control my breathing. She nods.

My heart beats quickly in my chest and my head swims in a fog I can't seem to shake off.

"Fuck... Fuck!" I get up from the bed and begin to pace around the room, pulling at my hair.

"Ryder, it's my fault. I shouldn't even be in your life or here. That's why I have to leave. You're in danger if I stay, yo--"

I crouch down in front of her, and grab tightly on to her arms.

"Rose, I'm in danger every second of my life. I have people always trying to kill me. Your father being added to that list doesn't affect me, I don't care. He can show up right now and I'd handle him like I handle every single one of them. Trust me. I don't want to lose you. That would kill me, before your father, before my enemies, before anything else." I look deeply into her eyes and see the conflicting emotions churn inside her.

Rose gets up, pushing me back a bit, and moves to the middle of the room. I follow.

"You don't get it, still. You can't just handle him like you handle these kiddie gangsters. I've already told you. They kill in cold blood. They're ruthless, merciless, and extremely violent. They'll rip up and laugh." She wraps her hands around her shoulders and shudders, looking at a point on the ground, reliving a memory.

I walk up to her and hug her close, hoping to bring her back to me, with me forever.

She sighs on my chest and her arms come around my neck.

"I need you, Rose. You're not allowed to leave without me. I'm yours."

"But the gang needs you and I won't let my dad hurt you. Never. I'll do whatever I have to." Her voice goes dark and I hold her tighter.

"And I can't imagine my life without you anymore. So if you go, I go and if you stay, we fight."

I stand my ground as her gaze meets mine and we stare at each other for what seems like eternity.

She scoffs, breaking the contest.

"Ryder, you're such a dumbass. Don't blame me when half your men are dead." She says this with a slight smirk, but the serious undertone is evident.

"Course. You're their Queen and my girl. You just need to connect with them and they'll be bowing at your feet."

She nods.

"So what do we do with Caleb?" She asks.

"I'll have him locked up, where we usually keep those we kidnap."

She nods again.

"I'm gonna go call up a few of our boys to get him. Take a nap, you look tired as fuck and, don't disappear on me. I'll spend the rest of my life trying to find you. This is it, you're stuck with me." I pull her head in closer and run my fingers through her hair.

She chuckles.

"I'll take that nap, you go." She pats my chest and we separate.

I smile and kiss her lips really quick, turning to exit, while she gets in bed.

"Ryder..." I stop and look back to see her snug in the covers.

"Thank you."

I nod.

"I'd do anything for you, Rose." With this, I close the door and head downstairs.

Anything.

I lie in bed with my thoughts racing as usual.

Ryder isn't thinking logically because of his emotions. As a King, he needs to realize the men who fight for him have lives and families.

Dying for something as stupid as a runaway daughter's daddy issues is tragic. I wouldn't do it. So why should I make his gang do it?

I sigh.

I've gone soft as hell.

I grab my laptop and open it for some peace of mind. I can't sleep, too many thoughts.

Starting a random movie from my downloads, I lie down and watch.

Slowly my sleepiness increases as the movie progresses. My eyelids shut again and again as I force them open over and over.

The Lion king is my shit and I can't even finish it, my boy Mufasa hasn't even died.

The door creaks open and my eyes move to it, seeing Caleb come inside.

What the fuck?

I jump up, a little dizzy, and hop off the bed, standing a bit away from him.

"Ryder said he was going to have you locked up... What happened?" I remain calm, staying expressionless.

"I got up before they got to me and hid. I have to talk to you."

"Talk."

He chuckles.

"You're just like how I imagined you. My teachers always told me you were stubborn. It's nice finally meeting you." He rubs the back of his neck, seeming nervous.

I look at him with confusion.

"Finally...? Teachers? What the fuck are you talking about?" My mind almost clears and my eyes widen as I remember a detail I had written off for years.

"I was raised for you. Everything I did, all that I am, is to suit you." He takes a couple steps forward and I stand my ground.

Shit. Fuck. Why him?

He stops right in front of me.

"I'm your fiance, princess and I'm here to bring you back to your castle."

______________________________________

405k

12/30/18

It's 12 am but i havent uploaded all week and I'm sure some of yall are awake. This is wattpad.

Thank you alll sooo much for 400k it's crazy honestly to me how fast this book is climbing and I'm sooo grateful I cant even express it I love yall.

I'll try to get a couple more chapters out before the new yr.

Love you guysssssdsssss

Ciao.