Grayson's POV

"See ya, lover boy." Nova winks at me as she struts away, swaying her sexy hips.

I bite my lips shaking my head, fighting away the grin that threatens to escape. That girl will be the death of me, I'm sure of it.

"Dude! Where the hell have you been?" I turn my head to see Liam looking at me with panic.

"I was just having a steam." I rub the back of neck awkwardly.

He furrows his brows then look me up and down with scrutiny. I sigh, knowing he sees right through me when he raises a brow at me in disbelief. However, despite knowing there's no way of getting out of it, I continue to lie.

"I find that hard to believe." He mumbles. I let a smirk loose.

He clears his throat and shakes his head. "Anyway, not the problem. I just saw some dude kissing my girl!" He says through clenched teeth.

I begin to walk, Liam following close behind me. "Who cares? You ditched her right?" I ask confused.

"Doesn't mean she gets to share tongues with someone else." He argues from behind me. I walk out of the area and head back to our cabin.

"Last time I checked...it does." I shrug, rolling my eyes at my idiot of a friend.

"You're supposed to be on my side." I look back at him as I open the door, waking into our cabin.

"I am."

"I feel like there's a but." He mumbles walking into the kitchen.

"But, what did you expect her to do? Pine after you like a lost puppy? You ditched her, you only have your self to blame." I chuckle heading up the stairs to have a shower.

He grumbles under his breath, sitting himself down on a stool. I sigh and sit beside him. "If you want her go after her. Don't just sit here and complain." He sighs and runs a hand through his hair.

"It's not that simple." I look at him confused. He turns to me with a frown. "She's...damaged, man. She needs a gentle guy, a guy that will look after her." He looks down at his hands, playing with his fingers.

"Then be that guy."

"I can't. I'm not that guy, I'm the complete opposite of that guy." I stand up and grab two beers out of the fridge, opening them and sliding one to Liam.

"Look, I don't know much about the girl. Frankly, I don't care too." Liam shoots me a glare and I give him a smirk. "But...if she means a lot to you, then I'll help you." I take a sip of my beer.

"Thanks man, how's everything?" He changes the subject.

I roll my eyes and lean my arms on the island. "Fine. Everything's fine." I shrug, avoiding the curios gaze Liam sends.

"Nova?" I shoot Liam a look at he wiggles his brows up and down suggestively.

"Is fine."

"Mmm. So when are you guys going to get together?" He bellows out a laugh as I choke on my drink.

"Funny." I cough.

"What happened to 'if you want her go get her'?" He smiles at me, still chuckling at himself.

"That was advice you needed, not me." I grumble.

"Maybe you should take your own advice." I chuckle as he smacks me on the back of the head as he makes his way to the fridge. Probably rummaging through it for the cheesecake I hid.

He's never going to find it.

"Uh...how about your dad?" All traces of humour leaves, my body filled with anger towards him.

"It's not like we have father and son chats on the daily." I push my self off from the counter and collapse on the sofa.

Liam follows me, turning on the tv that I use as a distraction. "You know you can talk to me."

"There's nothing to say." I chug the last of my drink and place the empty bottle on the side.

"Grayson, that man beat you."

"You don't think I know that!" I shout, my anger getting the best of me.

"You need to do something." I scoff rolling my eyes.

"What is that? Please tell me what I should do, seeing as you're such an expert!"

"I'm just saying, you can't go on like this forever. It's eating you alive, I hear you screaming in the night." I push myself up and begin to walk away.

"Goodnight Liam." I mumble.

I shaky my head as I pace around my room. Liam doesn't understand. My father is powerful, he's Italian and moved here, to England, after meeting my mother who is from the English mafia, he became even more powerful. Not that he needed it. He rules by power and fear. People fear him so no one would even care if I spoke up.

For years I've endured his torture. I always knew he was a strict man, someone to be afraid of. I just never thought I would be the one to be terrified of him. He's called me every name in the book. I started to believe the words he said.

I hate him with every fibre of me.

***

Just as I get out of the shower my phone begins to ring. I hastily secure my towel and head to my phone that sits on my dressing table.

"Hello?" I ask.

"figlio." The deep voice of my father makes my posture straighten as if he's here.

{son.}

"più lontano." {father}

"Avrei ragione a presumere che tutto stia andando alla perfezione."

{I would be right to assume everything is going perfectly.}

"si padre." I answer immediately.

There's a slight silence on the line. It's an uncomfortable and tense silence, that has me on edge and filled with hatred. I hate my farther.

"bene. non vorremmo distrazioni." I clench my fists in anger. He always assumes I will fail, no matter how much I have proven him other wise, I'm just a failure in his eyes.

{Good. We wouldn't want any distractions.}

"questo è tutto. non fare casino, come fai sempre." Before I can even utter another word to him, the line is dead.

{That is all. Don't fuck up, like you always do.}

I throw my phone across the room, it landing on the wall and falling to the floor. The words of my father rings through my head over and over. In a fit of rage, i Chuck the lamp that was sitting on the side, across the room where it smashes on the wall. I flip the bed, the mattress and covers flying across the room. I throw anything and everything that is near, my anger and hatred taking over completely.

My fists hits the wall, a cry of anger leaving my throat. I continue to hit at the wall relentlessly, the wall dented and cracked along with my knuckles which have turned red and raw, blood dripping through the cuts I've created. "Fuck!" I scream. Turning around, ready to break another item, my eyes connect with Nova.

She stands there, her hand on the door handle as if she's ready to run out of here. I wouldn't blame her. My chest heaves up and down, my breaths short. I look down at my bloodied knuckle, a feeling of satisfaction filling me. "Grayson?" I lift my head, Nova's face stares back at me. A tear falls out of her eye, my heart crushing at the sight.

Exhaustion taking over me, I let my back slide down the wall and sit on the floor. I hear the door close softly and shortly her intoxicating scent calming me down. Her warm embrace wraps around me as my head rests in the crook of her neck. I don't cry. But, being in her arms as her hands run down my back and through my hair, its comforting.

"I hate him." I whisper, my voice broken.

He would punish me for being this weak.

"I know." I don't think she does though.

"I hate him so much."

"I know." She continues to comfort me, her soft hands soothing me.

"I could kill him." I breathe. She freezes momentarily, but soon continues her soft actions.

She doesn't answer. She pulls me closer to her, her nails lightly scratching the skin on my back. "Come on." She whispers softly.

I stand up, reluctant. I sigh as I look over at all the mess I have made, I'm sure my farther will hear of the damage I've made. That is if anyone notifies staff. "Fucking hell." I mumble.

"Hey, it's okay. Forget about it for now." Nova takes my hand into hers, giving it a comforting squeeze.

I nod my head, letting out a sigh. "Go get dressed." She commands. I smirk lightly, my thoughts filling with desirable ones.

I quickly get changed in a pair of shorts and throwing on a random white T-shirt. I come back out to see nova looking around the room with a frown. The look she holds makes me feel ashamed of my behaviour, the thought of disappointing her has my stomach in knots.

"Ready?" She asks, a small smile lighting up her face.

I nod my head and follow her out of the chaotic room. I'm confused as she walks me to her cabin, but nonetheless, I follow her without a word. All the lights are off, assuming her friend is asleep. Being aware of the thought, we walk quietly up the stairs and into her room, where she softly shuts and locks the door behind her.

I sit on her bed, letting my head fall in exhaustion I feel the bed dip beside me. "You okay?" She whispers softly.

"Yeah."

We sit in silence for a while. Just letting ourselves be in the moment. The moon shining thorough her window, casting a silver glow to the room. It's almost comforting. Nova's head falls onto my shoulder, a sigh leaving her soft lips.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asks breaking the silence.

"No." I say immediately.

The thought is suffocating.

"Okay." She whispers.

I close my eyes, letting my head fall on to her head. I want to open up to her sometimes, to let the weight off of my shoulders. To be free from this prison. But other times, I feel like if I let her into my darkness, I'll just take away her light. And that light, I can't live without. I can't bear the thought of taking it away and infecting it with my darkness.

"You should sleep it off." She suggest, standing herself up.

"Yeah, I better go." I stand up.

"No. Stay, sort it out tomorrow." She smiles at me softly, pulling the covers over and wiggling her eyebrows.

I shake my head laughing at her. Taking off my T-shirt and throwing it randomly on the floor, I climb in the bed joining nova.

"Hey." She smiles.

"Hey." I whisper, taking in her stunning features.

"I'm always here to talk. Or to not." She shrugs with a smile.

I tuck a stand of her beside behind her ear, caressing her soft cheek. Leaning in softly, watching her lips part and her eye lashes flutter closer as our noses brush together. I bring my lips to hers, kissing them delicately. Her hands run through my hair as she moves her self closer to me. My hand wraps around her waist, pulling her flushed against me. She pulls away, the need to catch her breath, and rests her forehead against mine.

I close my eyes, letting out a relaxed sigh.

"Goodnight, Grayson." She whispers.

I open my eyes to look into those mesmerising aqua blue eyes. "Goodnight, angel."

I watch her eyes flutter closed and soon her breathing turns even as she falls into a peaceful slumber.

I plant a small soft kiss onto her forehead, grateful for her comforting company. Nova truly is my rock. I couldn't be anymore then thankful.

***