Jake's P.O.V

(Miss me?)

{So for those of you who don't remember Jake, this is Steph's abusive ex bf}

I saw her. Still as beautiful as ever. I had been watching her. For a while now. I knew everything she had been up to these past few months. I knew about her friends and where she was staying. But what intrigued me the most, is her new boyfriend.

Carter Drew Mason.

My father didn't approve of my ways. All the drugs and shit. So he told me if I wanted back into the business, I'd have to get my act together. I guess it's safe to compare me to The Prodigal Son.

Steph didn't know who my father was, but boy was she in for a surprise today. My father however, knew who Steph was. And he has promised to help me get her back, since she could be used as leverage against Carter.

Word has it she's his new P.A. Meaning she has to be in attendance to all his meetings. Wonder how she'll react when she sees me there today.

Our driver drops my father and I off in front of Mason Enterprises and I couldn't hide the smile on my face. It's show times baby.

Carter's P.O.V

It's finally Friday. And I couldn't be happier. Steph was officially going to be living with me tomorrow, we just had to get the last of her stuff between today and tomorrow since we had been moving it little by little.

Currently she was on my lap, hands intertwined and her head resting on my shoulder while we spun around slowly in my chair. Seeing as there was nothing to do and all work was done, I couldn't think of any better way to spend my free time.

"Sir, Mr. Randazza is here and would like to meet with you as soon as possible." my secretary says over the intercom

"Send him to the conference room and tell him I will be there shortly." I reply

"Right away, sir." She says

"Well, duty calls babe. Can you be an angel and grab me a coffee please," I say as she gets off of me

"Sure thing, I'll meet you in there," she says turning to leave

"Um, are you forgetting something?" I question

She thinks for a little while. "Oh!" She says in realization as she runs over to give me a kiss

"Much better," I say "Now run along and get me my coffee Ms. Ryder," I say

"Yes sir, Mr. Mason," she says saluting me. I swear, she had the mind of a child at times.

I walk into the conference room, seeing that Mr. Randazza and his son were already there.

"Mr. Randazza, it's been a while," I say

"Yes it has been Mr. Mason," he replies. "How have you been? Rumor has it that you have a girlfriend now. I had to come here and see if the rumor was true of not." He says

"What does me having a girlfriend have to do with this meeting," I question

"Oh, Carter. Come on now, don't be cold. Ever since Anastasia, you haven't been known to settle down. I hear she's a pretty young thing. Lots of men want to get her attention," he says. Just then Steph walks in with my coffee.

"Your coffee, sir." She says

"Thank you baby," I say, pulling her onto my lap and giving her a kiss.

"So this is her? They were right, pretty little thing she is. Wouldn't want anything dangerous to happen to her. If I were you I would keep her on a tight leash," he says. Steph immediately looks up to see Mr. Randazza, but when she sees his son, her body immediately stiffens.

"Cut the bullshit, Robert. What is this meeting really about?" I say getting slightly annoyed. The only one keeping me calm was Steph.

"Carter, Carter. Relax. I have some pretty valuable information for you. And if you expect to get it, you must be patient. Isn't that so Ms. Ryder?" he says

"Patience isn't one of his best qualities, sir," Atta girl, tell em straight.

"Oh? So she speaks," he says. "Carter tell me. Do you know how much history is in this room?" He asks

"What do you mean by that?" I ask

"What? Dear Stephanie hasn't told you yet? Oh my. Ms. Ryder, how about you inform your boss here on who this young man is," he says

"Babe, do you know his son?" I ask. All she does is nod. I can see she's trying to hold back tears. Piecing two and two together, I finally figure it out.

"This is him isn't it?" I say, all she does is nod again.

"Excuse me," she says quietly, walking out of the conference room. It pained me seeing how hurt she was. But that pain, soon turned to anger as I realized that he was part of the reason she was running.

"What did you do to her?" I ask, boiling with anger

"Ah, ah, ah. Don't lay a finger on my son, or I will make sure you regret it," reluctantly I let go of his son.

"Get out," I say. "And wipe that disgusting smile off you face," With that, they leave and hurry to find Steph.

Steph's P.O.V

I couldn't believe it. He was here. In the flesh. The same man I was running from, found me. I took a taxi to Carters house. Not wanting to be anywhere near the man who caused me so much pain in such little time.

I told you there was no escaping me. Until we meet again. ~ Jake

I keep staring at the message he sent a few minutes ago. I couldn't stop the tears. Everything he had done to me. All the abuse, verbally and physically, it was all replaying in my mind.

—— Flashback ——

"You are nothing, you hear me?" he says, kicking me in the stomach. "I said do you hear me?" Kicking me in the stomach once again.

"Yes, I hear you. P-please s-stop," I beg

"Stop, why would I stop when the fun is just getting started," he replies, grabbing a fistful of my hair and punching me in the nose

"Where's the money you whore?" He screams

It was like this every time. I would come to a place I had to call home, and he would try to take the money I worked hard to earn to buy his drugs. Whenever I refused, the beatings would happen.

"I am not giving you my money you asshole," I reply, trying to get up.

"What did you just call me?" He says, kicking me again. "Remember your place little girl. You're nothing and will always being nothing." With that he walked out the door.

—————-

"Jake, what are you doing?" I ask

"What? I can't kiss my girlfriend?" He questions, smiling at me. He kept going, I could sense the hunger in his kiss. He went from my lips, to my jaw and then to my neck, trying to take my shirt off.

"Jake, n-no. I'm not ready for that." Immediately he stops

"What do you mean you're not ready?" He asks. I can see the anger biting in his eyes.

"I'm not- I'm not ready to take it to that level yet." I say

"We've been dating for months, Steph, months! And you're still not willing to give it up to me. Do you know how many guys get laid within weeks of dating their girlfriend. And I'm here waiting for months." He says, throwing his beer bottle against the wall

"Months I've been waiting. Is there someone else?" He asks

"N-no. There isn't. I-I swear," I say, moving back on the couch

"No, I think there is someone else. That must be the only reason as to why your not giving it to me," he says approaching me quickly.

"Baby, I swear. I love you, I'm just not ready yet," I say

"Don't lie to me you fucking whore. You don't love me. You're nothing but a slut. God only knows how many men you've been with," he says slapping me. And with that he walks out the door

——Flashback Over——

I'm a crying mess when I hear a voice calling my name.

"Steph? Babe, are you here?" It's Carter, just great. Lord only knows what he thinks. I quickly try to wipe my tears away before Carter walks into the bedroom.

"Baby, talk to me. What's wrong?" He asks

"You don't know him Carter. You don't know what he did to me. All the pain he caused me." I say, more tears threatening to spill.

"Steph, talk to me," he says "I want to know the whole story," he says quietly.

"There isn't much to tell," I say

"Please, just talk to me," he pleads

I was hesitant at first, but eventually gave in.

"You already know that he was abusive. Things were fine in the beginning. We were happy. I didn't know what he was truly like until a few weeks into our relationship. He was angry, all the time. Very rarely would he be in a good mood. He-he cheated, so many times because I wouldn't fuck him. I told him repeatedly, I wasn't ready. But he never listened. He'd bring his whores over, screw them while I was there, making sure they were loud enough for me to hear them. He didn't get a job, didn't help pay any bills, didn't help do a thing. He needed money, and since I had a job, he thought I would just give him my money that I worked for. I did, a little at first. Still having some to save for myself. But he wanted more, and whenever he wouldn't get it, violence was his first answer. He'd hit me, punch me, kick me, until he finally gave up. He'd find my hiding places and take it, making sure to call me names on his way out the door. He'd make sure I knew I was nothing, that I would never be anything in life. The only reason I got away, is because Tara helped me. I didn't expect him to ever find me, I didn't even know that his father was a business man. I'm scared Carter. Terrified. I don't know what to do. And I know, you probably think I'm making it a bigger deal than it is. That I'm stupid." I say letting the tears fall.

"Baby listen to me. I am never, ever going to let him hurt you again. And you're not stupid. Far from it. So don't ever say that again. What he did to you is you forgivable. And I will make sure he pays. He won't ever hurt you again. I promise." He says pulling me close.

All I could do is hold onto him. Because in his arms, I felt safe.