The Loss

"Just one more time, baby." Adam whined and I groaned, turning my back to him and snuggling into the covers.

"I'm so tired. And sore." I whimpered as his warm hand slid down my bare back before wrapping around my waist when he pulled me back into him.

"That means I did a good job then." He stated proudly when I huffed and threw him a glare to which he only chuckled, snuggling into me.

"I need to feel you again." He mumbled onto my skin, kissing a path down my neck when I sighed heavily.

"You 'felt' me all night long." I reminded him when he smirked.

"That I did." He murmured in agreement and I closed my eyes as his lips drifted over my skin in the most gentlest of kisses.

"Once more?" He pleaded once again and I bit my lip.

"Fine, but just one—" My words drowned out when he pressed his lips to mine, my surprised gasp letting him slip his tongue into my mouth to taste me as he pulled me closer to him.

"Bathroom." He mumbled into the kiss and I frowned as he lifted me up into his arms, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carried me in and set me on the vanity.

"Adam, what are you—oh!" I gasped when he entered me without warning and I dug my nails into his shoulders as he pushed completely inside of me.

"Fuck, baby." He grunted, his head dropping onto my shoulder as I dug my nails into his back and held in a moan as he stilled inside me.

"I won't be able to walk after this." I mumbled and saw his devilish smirk as he looked at me and pulled out.

"Good." He murmured before crashing his lips onto mine and pushing in once again fully.

"Oh my god!" Taylor squealed as I flashed her the ring on my finger and we both shimmied as Aaron watched us over his mug of coffee with a heavy sigh.

"I need to get a girlfriend." He mumbled as he got up, finishing up the last of his coffee before setting the cup in the sink while Taylor and I chattered incessantly.

"What about your brothers? Do they know yet?" Aaron asked as he leaned against the kitchen island just when we heard a deep voice.

"Know what?" I heard Lance and nearly jumped out of my skin as we all turned to face the doorway where he stood, his eyes shifting between the three of us suspiciously before narrowing at my hand before widening.

"You've got to be fucking joking." He spoke in exasperation and turned around to leave only to bump into Tristan and Arthur.

"What happened?" They both asked in unison when Lance pointed his thumb at me and they looked at me confused.

"What did you do now?" Tristan asked as he walked over to Taylor and pecked her cheek before looking at the glimmering ring on my finger and choking on air.

"What the fuck." He spoke in disbelief as Arthur rushed to us and took my hand, examining the ring before putting a hand on his heart.

"Where's the fucker?" He growled just as we heard the front door open and then close and my eyes widened in alarm as they met Taylor's and Aaron's.

"Rose?" I heard Adam call out and just as he came into view, he ducked as a slipper was thrown to his head by none other than Tristan, followed by a wooden spoon by Arthur and Adam was lucky to catch it.

"What on earth?" He looked at all us confused before he understood what was happening and headed towards me, disregarding the numerus murderous glares being thrown his way.

"How dare you propose to our sister without our permission!" Arthur spoke dramatically but Adam only rolled his eyes as he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him.

"I have your father's blessing. That should be enough." He spoke confidently and my mouth fell open as I looked at him along with my brothers.

"And he agreed?" Tristan asked in barely contained shock when Adam nodded.

"Traitor." Arthur mumbled under his breath.

"I wouldn't have gone through with it otherwise." He said and everyone scoffed, including me when he threw me a look.

"Okay, maybe I still would have but I have his blessing so you all can fuck off." He said calmly and Lance was about to say something when his phone rang.

"We're not done here." He looked at both of us before excusing himself an moving to a side.

The men started to argue while I kept my eyes on Lance who frowned thoughtfully and nodded, speaking into the phone anxiously before heading back to us.

"We need to get Michael arrested today," He said and everyone turned to him, "He's leaving the country tomorrow, first thing in the morning and we don't know when we'll be able to get our hands on him again."

Adam tensed beside me because we both knew what it meant as I met Lance's eyes and nodded once.

"Okay, I'll see him today then." I said with conviction as Adam turned to me.

"It's not safe, Rose, I can't let you go there and put yourself at risk just so—"

"Adam," I stopped him from talking, covering his hand with mine, "You've arranged security to keep me safe, haven't you?"

"Yes." He mumbled, looking away as his jaw clenched but I cupped his cheek.

"Then I'll be okay, trust me." I spoke in a quiet voice as he thought for a few moments before sighing in defeat and nodding once.

"Alright, but this is the last time." He spoke firmly and I nodded, reaching up to kiss his jaw.

"I promise." I whispered and squeezed his hand before turning to face Lance.

"When do I leave?"

"I can do this, definitely. I can do this." I hyped myself up as I walked towards the café where I was going to meet Michael.

My brothers and Adam were going to be nearby but not too close so Michael wouldn't suspect us.

I rubbed my hands nervously as the café came into view and I swallowed thickly, my eyes meeting my bodyguard's whom Adam had arranged for me with Eros Ricci.

"I can't do this." I squeaked to myself and turned around, starting to walk away but then groaned before turning right back and marching into the cosy-looking café with conviction.

"Now or never, babe." I told myself as I spotted Michael's familiar back and ordered a coffee to calm my nerves before walking to the table and sitting opposite him.

"Well, look who we have here," He spoke as he put down the magazine he was reading and his eyes met mine, "Never thought I'd see you again."

"Life is full of surprises." I shrugged and saw his thoughtful nod as he looked me over as a small grin pulled at his lips.

I looked around the café, noting the bodyguard now sitting on a table hat was not too close and not too far.

Other than that, the café was mostly empty other than a man working on his laptop in a corner and two young high school girls giggling at anther side.

"You wanted to meet me," He stated and I nod once as he tilted his head to study me closely, "Isn't that a first? Anyhow, you could say I wanted to meet you too."

"You did?" I asked in surprise as he played with the corner of the magazine absent minded, looking at the table thoughtfully.

"Heard you and Thorne got back together." He spoke after a few moments when the barista gave me my coffee and I thanked her, taking a sip of the warm beverage before looking back at him.

"Not true." I mumbled with an eye roll and heard his amused huff of breath.

"What about the pictures of you two together? Heading out of some club, I think." I frowned at his words and reared back.

"Have you been stalking me?" I asked accusingly but he only shrugged.

"It wouldn't be stalking if I find your face everywhere on the internet." He mentioned and I nodded, although not really believing him as I cleared my throat.

"He wanted me back but I can't forget what he did to me and put me through." I stated with a frown, making sure my lie sounded believable enough as he tapped his fingers on the table.

"Right." He spoke, pulling at his collar and clearing his throat before speaking again, which made me realise he was nervous.

"I want us to start over," He stated and I frowned, leaning back in my seat and gesturing for him to elaborate, "I miss us, Belle."

I nearly scoffed at the statement but merely raised a brow at him.

"Why?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest, "You hurt me, Michael."

"I know, and I'm sorry, really." He spoke, looking down before raising his eyes to mine and I just knew he was lying. There was no remorse in his eyes, or any regret.

"I miss all the memories we shared, all the time we spent together. Two years, Isabelle. That isn't a short time." He spoke when I nodded.

"It isn't," I agreed before looking back at him, "But your sister, she doesn't like me and she tried to hurt me. You know that, right?"

My voice took a softer tone to make it more believable and by the looks of it, it affected him just like I wanted it too.

I should become an undercover spy.

"I know, Belle, and I'm sorry for the way she acted but she's crazy in love with Thorne and would do anything, take any measures to get him back." He shook his head when my brows furrowed.

"What did she do?" I asked and saw doubt cross his features as he looked at me.

"I need to know I'm not getting into anything stupid, Michael." I clarified and saw his understanding look as he covered my hand with his and I tried very hard to conceal the disgust on my face as he looked at me.

"She's my sister but she needs help, Belle. She made all this elaborate plan to separate you and Thorne and it worked, to an extent but then Adam hurt you himself." She said.

"She worked with that father and son in Adam's company, made the son try and assault you and sent all those messages to Adam to make him hate you." He spoke uneasily as my frown deepened and I pulled my hand out of his grasp.

"And you let her?" I asked in a hurt tone when he closed his eyes in shame.

"I don't know what came over me and I realise it was wrong. But please, give me a chance and I'll make it all right, I swear to you." He spoke.

"I know I did the wrong thing by helping her do all this but I realise now that it wasn't right." He said and I looked back at him and patted his hand slowly.

Son of a bitch.

"You're leaving, aren't you?" I asked in a whisper and saw his small nod.

"Tomorrow, yes. But I'll stay for you, Isabelle. I'll do anything for you." He spoke and I sighed heavily, getting up and he followed my movements.

"You're leaving?" He asked as I met my body guard's eyes and nodded at Michael.

"Yes, I need to think things through." I said, not feeling quite good as a sudden wave of dizziness hit me but I was careful not to show it.

"I'll wait for your answer by tonight." He said but I didn't answer him as I left the café, clutching the side of my head.

I walked briskly to my car with the body guard hot on my heels and my heels clicking on the ground when a soft click made me freeze in place.

"Not another step." A feminine voice made me stop in my tracks as my blood chilled and I waited with heavy breaths as she walked in front of me, making my eyes widen.

"Milani." I breathed out in alarm, noting the gun in her hand which kept shaking, telling me this was her first time holding one.

"You ruined my life." She sneered as my eyes watched her haggard form, her sunken eyes and dark circles, the dry lips and the crazed look in her eyes.

Michael was right, she needed help.

"I didn't do anything, you did everything yourself." I spoke and she grunted in anger, pushing the cold metal even more onto my forehead as my heart beat fast while I wondered where the hell the bodyguard went when I needed him most.

"You took my boyfriend away from me, you bitch!" She shrieked as people looked at us.

I caught someone dialling a number quickly and gesturing at me not to worry as I breathed a sigh of relief inwardly that the police would be here soon.

Until then, I had to stall for time.

"You cheated on him." I snapped back but the remembered she was the one in power right now and bit my tongue.

Better not risk it.

"I love him more than you, and I'll always be the only woman he wants. You don't deserve him, I do." She spoke confidently and I nearly cried as her finger touched the trigger.

"Step away from her." I heard Adam's strong and furious voice from behind me as Milan's eyes shifted to him for a brief second, her grip on the gin tightening.

"Adam, this bitch took you away from me, you have to see the truth! She's a clever woman and only wants your money. We both know who clearly loves you more." She spoke and I rolled my eyes at that.

Clearly.

"Let her go, and we'll talk about this somewhere else." He spoke confidently from behind me but I could still hint the slight waver of his voice which showed that he was scared for me and one wrong move could end up with me being dead.

"No, I need to get rid of her so you can realise I'm the right woman for you, no one else." She spoke quickly, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Milani, you're not in the right state of mind right now so I'd suggest you drop the gun and come with me so we can talk without any disturbance." Adam tried to convince her.

I thought it was working with how she looked at me and then behind at him again, her grip loosening.

"You mean it? We can be together again?" She asked hopefully and I wanted to smack her for even thinking about my man but then decided I could do that much, much later when my life wasn't on the line.

"I mean it." Adam said and for a moment, he had gotten through to her but when we heard the sound of police sirens, she tensed and clicked off the safety of the gun, her finger on the trigger.

Someone instantly pulled her back from behind and tried to grab the gun from her hands and I recognised the man as the bodyguard.

An arm wrapped around me, turning me around so Adam could shield me with his body just as a loud bang was heard and I closed my eyes tightly in fear before everything went quiet.

"Are you okay? You're fine?" Adam asked me, his eyes raking over my body in concern to see if I was injured as he hugged me tightly and I choked on a sob, the realisation dawning on me that I could have been killed a moment ago.

That thought alone was enough to jolt me back to reality as I crushed Adam in a tight hug, feeling him kiss my forehead, my cheeks, my hair multiple times as I held him, frowning when I felt something warm on my hand.

Pulling away, I nearly cried out when I saw the blood on my hand, raising my eyes to meet Adam's pained ones as he clutched his side, my eyes widening a large fraction.

He staggered back a step but I was quick to steady him, holding him to me.

"No, no, no, this can't be happening." I cried, sinking down on the ground with him and keeping his arm around my shoulder so he could lean onto me.

"Hey, it's okay. You're alright." He spoke breathlessly, his face clouded with pain when I quickly took off my blazer and pressed it to his wound to stop the bleeding.

"But you're not!" I choked on a sob and wiped my tears furiously with the back of my hand as he cupped my cheek, wiping under my eyes.

"I'll be fine, it's not too bad." He spoke and took one of my hands, kissing it just as Arthur came rushing to us.

"Fuck, this can't be happening," He quickly dialled for an ambulance while I kept Adam's head on my shoulder, making sure he stayed awake as I held him to me as if he was my lifeline.

And in way, he was.

"Just keep pressure on that, help is on the way." Arthur assured us and I nodded frantically when sirens sounded and I breathed in relief as the ambulance came into view.

"Please stay awake, Adam, I can't lose you," I spoke through the tears and heard his chuckle, "Stop fucking laughing, this isn't funny you asshole!"

"If you think I'm leaving you anytime soon, you're mistaken, sweetheart. You're stuck with me for eternity, I'll make sure of it." He rasped and then winced, clutching his side as the paramedics rushed to help us.

They took Adam from me and I watched as he was taken to the ambulance.

Just as I was about to get in with him, Arthur put a hand on my shoulder and pulled me back, pushing me towards Lance who watched us in worry.

"Go with Lance, I'll go with them." He told me, not hearing anything as Lance took my arm and practically dragged me towards his car before making his way to the hospital as my head spun and my vision became blurry for a few seconds.

"Are you hurt?" He asked in a quiet voice when I shook my head, glancing down at my bloody hands as tears clouded my vision.

"No." I whispered, holding back a sob when he parked and we both rushed inside, thankful to see Arthur standing close.

"He'll be fine, Belle. They took him to the OR." He hugged me tightly and I nodded numbly as he pulled me to sit down with him on the couch.

"Isabelle." I heard Taylor's voice and turned my head to see her rushing in with Aaron and Tristan behind her as she pulled me into her arms.

I held tightly onto her, crying softly into her shoulder as she patted my back and hushed me, telling me everything was going to be alright.

"Come with me, let's get you cleaned up." She pulled me into a spare room where she handed me a bag with a spare change of clothes.

I went to the bathroom to take a shower to clean the blood off me and threw the dirty clothes away, not even being able to look at them as I wore the fresh set and walked out where Taylor sat waiting for me

I sat down next to her as she handed me a steaming mug of tea and put her arm around my shoulder.

"He's going to be alright. I know it." She whispered when I nodded, drinking the arm beverage quietly which calmed down my nerves before putting the cup aside and laying my head on her shoulder.

"I'm scared, Tay. What if something worse happened to him? What then?" I whispered, looking at my hands which still seemed to be stained with his blood even though they were clean, I just couldn't shake the image out of my head.

"But it didn't, Belle, and he's going to be just fine." She reassured me constantly when Lance came in and we both stood up but I staggered back as a wave of dizziness hit me.

"Isabelle." Lance held onto me in alarm as my head pounded and I cried, clutching onto it before my vision went black.

I woke up to low and deep voices around me as if someone was speaking in hushed tones. My eyes burned as I tried to open them, finding myself lying on a bed and slowly getting up.

"Isa." Aaron spoke as soon as he saw me as I sat up and rushed to me, taking my hand.

"How are you feeling now?" He asked when I shrugged, looking down at my lap before shaking my head to get rid of the woozy feeling.

"I think I'm okay." I spoke and saw his sympathetic nod as Lance came forward, taking his place and kissing my forehead.

"How are you feeling now?" He asked and I shrugged.

"What happened to me?" I asked as he shared a look with Tristan and Arthur before squeezing my hand.

"You were drugged. Did you eat or drink anything?" He asked as I racked my brain and my eyes widened when I remembered.

"I drank coffee when I met Michael and I've been feeling unwell since but thought it wasn't that important." I spoke and saw Lance tense as his jaw clenched.

"He must have paid the worker there." Tristan concluded as Arthur took out his phone and dialled a number.

"I'll have someon look into it." He said and left the room when I searched for my bag.

"Where's my bag?" I asked Taylor who hurriedly passed it to me and I took out my phone, showing it to Lance.

"I recorded everything he said." I said and he smirked.

"Good job, sweetheart." He took the phone from me just when I glanced into the bag and my eyes caught on to the glimmering diamond ring and I took it out, putting it on my ring finger.

My action was closely watched by Tristan and Lance who looked at me sympathetically before patting my shoulder.

"He's okay, love." Lance spoke quietly and I closed my eyes, releasing a slow and shaky breath as a few tears fell from my eyes.

"He's okay?" My voice cracked and I saw my brother nod as he wiped away my tears.

"He's okay, but he's resting right now. You can see him if you want." He said and I nodded, not waiting for anything else as I swung my feet off the bed and put on my shoes.

"I want to see him, please." I said and he shared a look with the Arthur and Tristan before nodding at me.

"Alright, I'll take you." He took my hand and led me towards another room, opening the door to let me in.

"Call me if you need anything." He said and I nodded as I went inside, my heart hammering inside my chest as I walked forward and when my eyes fell on Adam, my chest constricted painfully as I looked at him.

I slowly walked to him and sat down on the chair next to his bed, my eyes roaming over the various machines set up and the tubes around him as I took his cold hand, squeezing it and brining it to my lips.

"Please be okay, Adam. I need you with me." I whispered, closing my eyes as I kissed his hand and then leaned forward to press my lips to his forehead, pushing his hair back and watching his beautiful face.

I sat down on the seat and kept his hand between both of mine, resting my head on the bed.

"I love you, so much that I can't breathe." I whispered, my throat clogging up with emotion when I felt his hand tighten around mine.

"My Rose."