These banquets never get old even as I have been to more than I can count at this point. Xander has his arm firmly around my waist. Our relationship has breached that of platonic that even I had accompanied him as a date. I felt the eyes of women peering down at me in a condescending way, but none of it mattered when it came to gloating amongst Xander's peers.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Miss Donovan?"

"Not quite as much fun as you," I flirtatiously say nudging him with my hip. "Dance with me?"

Xander's smirk is a tasteful one that could make a girl quiver with delight. A sensual look without trying.

"It would be my pleasure."

I watch him hold out his right hand up in a cup position. A soft song starts to play in the background and I am easily lost in the melody.

We sway around in the crowd turning around in a circular motion fluidly. He holds onto the small of my back firmly but just enough to lead me throughout the song.

Every moment fluttering through my mind as we dance in the middle of the dance floor. He casts me out of his embrace to move outward with an outstretched arm. It's empty and I immediately miss his warmth. I wind back in his grasps wrapping my fingers in his cupped hand as if I am making a promise. This is where I want to be no matter what's happening around me.

He steps forward leading me throughout the song as if he's asserting his direction. Our movements calculated and sharp like he's steering a ship through the dark and stormy seas. We

I'm whisked into the grip of a stranger that is strong and unyielding. "Miss Donovan," a familiar voice calls my name. "What a pleasure it is that we meet again." The crowd is too thick to see Mr. Hale within reach. That and the constant motion were in dancing to the song playing makes it almost impossible to keep my focus long enough to survey the area.

"I could say the same, but I think it would be an insult rather than a genuine compliment."

Mr. Dalton chuckles to the comment. "Now, now. We might have gotten off on the wrong foot when first meeting, but you have to understand. I run a profitable business." A fickle of what I might call it.

"Try brothel."

He isn't very happy with my wittiness but this man is the Ted Bundy of prostitution amongst other things. "I can see you're not too keen about the kind of establishment I run," he sighs. "And- from a female perspective I can understand why. However, my business has made that of many thrive in situations deemed unfit. While the club does offer some rather unusual indulges it is for the private eye. Women tend to dream of affairs or being the CEO of their own company. If you wanted to run for Mayor of the city. My establishment can provide the services or connections needed to see that you succeed in any, shape, or form. To clarify. Nothing is without reach."

"So, is murder an appetizer or the main course?"

"Depends on how big your appetite is."

"You're a sick fuck."

"Enough." Mr. Dalton huffs before pushing his chest against mine so back against a wall. "That sounds a little callous of you, doesn't it? I like to believe I lookout for the best interest of others."

"Or the best interest of yourself! Let Mr. Hale leave while you still have a chance. He doesn't want to be apart of your cult."

My voice begins to sound restless. I'm tugging at the idea of his moral strings. The one where his human decency outweighs that of his pride.

"It's not that simple."

"Please. He just wants to be happy. Please."

I realized then that my love for Xander was more than just the happiness he gave me. I wanted what was best for his well being. The overwhelming affection built up causes tears to form in my eyes. I never would have thought another person could make me feel this way.

"What about his best interests? Let him leave."

Every ounce of me is screaming for his freedom. I ball my fists to continuously pound on the chest of Mr. Dalton who seems to be confused. I feel the warmth of his arms embracing me like a father would coo that of their unruly child crying helplessly. My arms may have felt weak to a man like him but coursing through my veins was a love strong enough to protect the man that meant everything to me.

"Please," I beg.

"Take your hands off of her. Now."

I felt my knees crumbling from underneath me when Mr. Hale starts to cradle me. "This has gone too far, Julian."

Xander's anger had been apparent on his face with brows scrunched inward and mouth in a thin line pressed tightly. "I've dealt with that of your and other selfish antics for far too long. If you so much as breathe my name or come near me or Ellie again. Not even God can save you for what I have in store." I could hear the hate laced in his voice which makes me scared for Mr. Dalton. Even I haven't seen what Xander is truly capable of and that should scare anyone. Mr. Dalton underestimated his capabilities and that was his fatal mistake.

"I just don't understand how could you accept an invitation to a place that steals your soul. It's as if you have been bound by blood,"

"I wish I could tell you I am a man of good faith, but even then the things I have encountered could beg to differ. I'm just as guilty for observing if not partaking into the dealings of what went about."

His presence on the bed has caused me to shiver. I knew he was cold. I just didn't know how cold. It wasn't right for me to judge someone based on their past actions but how could I just ignore the senseless matters happening within that place. The one that binds him. Mr. Dalton must be able to exploit Xander in ways that I couldn't imagine. I would even imagine Mr. Dalton going as far as you bring our families into the matter.

"Are you scared of me?"

I never known Mr. Hale to be one of vindictiveness, but the thought of him ever contributing to the monstrosities of that club didn't help his case either.

"I'm not scared of you," I sigh. "I would have just wished things were different considering the circumstances. I feel like they are chasing you out of your own home."

Xander doesn't speak instead he decides silence is his best option. I know that his silence means he's either thinking or actually taking the time to listen to me expressing my feelings towards the situation. The only problem is that if I gave him any sign of doubt I feared that I will somehow lose him again.

"If you had the opportunity to relocate without me, would you?"

The bile rising in my throat as if my thought was coming true.

"No. I know you probably don't want marriage, but for me this is for better or for worse. The attachment and commitment I feel towards you is irreplaceable. I haven't been able to feel my heart stop yearning from you even the first time you left. I hated you, but I hated me more because I loved you. I do love you. Heartbreak is an actual sense of pain. I couldn't grip it. I couldn't stop it. I could only move on. I don't want to ever feel like that again. I need you."

Xander has now limited the distance between us. I can feel his body shift to the side where I am but were adjacent to one another. He runs his fingers up the side of my jaw pulling me closer. I felt the warmth of his lips upon mine and all my thoughts melt away. When I climb on top of him it's as if he's still not close enough to me.

"I don't think there are enough words to describe what you mean to me and how delighted I am that you have came into my life. A man like me could never deserve a woman like you. I don't know how I ever did."

I struggle to find my breath with him on top of me. Every touch lingers longer when he's touching me in a different spot. When I close my eyes it sends me into on the spot convulsions. The tongue slithering over my thighs when he's filled his mouth with my juices. My lips quiver as he focuses his attention to my clitoris.

When he grazes his teeth over it ticking and tugging. I gasp tugging at his shoulders wanting him to engulf me whole. The way he makes sex feel is more like a fantasy then a reality. When his hands glide over my skin causing goosebumps to form I find his fingers entangling with mine. The way he slips inside unobtrusive makes me moan softly.

My hands are pinned beneath him as he slowly thrusts into me over and over again. I am reminded that his love can be torturous as well as pleasurable. His eyes are a greyish emerald green with the darkness of his iris's peering into my eyes. He leans his head downward to rest his forehead on top of mine.

I arch into his thrusts trying to match his movements before he starts to speed up and then I'm unable to keep up it makes me pant from the amount of energy is taking to keep up with that of his assault. He makes me restless but keeps me wanting more. I feel like his mind has taken him places because his eyes are closed.

"Come back to me," I whisper faintly. "Look at how you make me feel."

Xander's eyes flutter open when his face scrunches up as he releases inside of me. "Oh fuck," he moans thrusting harder while his head tilts back. "You feel so good." A reward from his lips.

"Open your mouth," he demands. "Taste this."

I watch him take his index and forefinger rubbing the juices all over and then sliding them over my lips. Once I open my mouth I taste the mixture of salty and sweetness of his cum over my taste buds. Those fruits are really paying off. I hold onto his hand sucking on his fingers slowly and watching him gape at me. I am glad that I can please him this way.

There's a moment where we are gazing at one another, but in a swift moment I am flipped over on all fours. I take this opportunity to try to suede him inside once more arching my back as far down to the bed as possible. I feel the grip of his fingers along my hips applying minimal amounts of pressure once thrusting in completely.

I grip the sheets beneath me crying out before losing myself completely to the moment.

"Do you think you're going to like Washington?" He asks.

His fingertips caress my shoulder as we lounge on the bed. "I don't see how I could not. It's a new place and a new beginning. I have always been anxious to travel as I have said before. I am just a small town girl after all. Canada was amazing to me." I replied.

"I do enjoy traveling as well. The company is always expanding so with that I am able to connect with different people that have benefited my ability to travel," he sighs. "I apologize that the circumstances have caused us to uproot from New York. I know this isn't ideal for you. I realize because of my actions it has lead me into this...... association. Every decision has consequences though. I have subjected myself to that. So now I must deal with whatever comes my way."

I can hear the resentment flowing from the tone of his voice.

"Anything that you would have changed if you could would deter me away from you. You're right this isn't ideal, but that doesn't mean it never will be."

I had hope that the reassurance will let him see that even though he feels as if he should be punished that even penitence coming from him in this very moment is enough. We all have our own cross to bare.

"This is your time to fix any mistakes from the past. Even if we are moving to a new state it still follows behind you closely. That's why you feel this regret. But everything is okay and it will be. This move to Washington will be what you need to fix or diminish the things plaguing you. The association is just that... an association. You aren't bound to your past. I am proud of you either way."

I wrap my loose arm around his waist to hug him closely. This man wanted to be scolded for his actions and that isn't the type of person I am. I accept all the flaws associated with him. That's what you do when you're in love or want to connect with the person of interests. A flutter of flashbacks over the last year flood my mind.

The first time actually conversing with him and how nervous I was. Encountering Glen and Dwight at the same time I had been overwhelmed by the company of gentlemen more powerful than I was aware. The events that lead me getting close to Xander. Love isn't as easy as people make it out to be. It's rough, it's strenuous, and it's sometimes painful.

"Thank you, Ellie."