Dangerous Love: Love Conquers All

This book contains MAJOR Triggers! Do Not READ if RAPE, INCEST, TORTURE, SEXUAL TORTURE, DEATH, or PREGNANCY LOSS bothers you. EACH PART GETS MORE INTENSE AS YOU READ!

“I can’t believe you’re getting married,” I said, clapping my little brother Jason on the back.

He grinned, giving me a quick hug as we got on the elevator. "You know, Brian, you will find someone when you do, you'll know it. I remember the first time I met Emily, I knew I didn't want to spend a day without her."

"I know, I just can't help but feel like I'm running out of time." 

As we rode down to the lobby, the elevator stopped on the eighteenth floor, and a nice-looking brunette girl got in. She wore a red V-neck top that accentuated her dark hair. Her legs looked perfect in her skinny jeans. She was beautiful in a way that made the air feel thin.

"Hello.", I said, intrigued by her. 

She looked at me and smiled, and then quietly stayed to herself until the doors opened onto the lobby. This made her more interesting to me, and I had to talk to her.

As she moved to leave, I reached out. “Hey. My name is...”

“Faith!”

The roar cut across the marble hall. A thick-necked man stood by the fountain, face flushed. “What the hell do you think you're doing! Get over here! Now!”

She flinched. Her eyes went wide, deer-in-headlights. "I..I'm sorry I can't. Maybe later,” she whispered to me, and hurried toward that stocky-built man whom I assumed was her father.

“What the hell was that about?” Jason muttered as we walked towards the exit.

“I don’t know,” I said, my fists clenched at my sides. “But I’d like to.”

I could hear her father yelling across the lobby. He looked like a big buff man that wouldn't take shit from anyone, including his kids. He had his chest puffed out for intimidation, and it was working. I could see Faith's eyes were wide with terror, and her hands were trembling as she tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. 

"Faith, are you this late for your college classes? When I say five o'clock sharp, I mean five o'clock. Not five before five or five after,” he snapped. 

"Sorry daddy, it won't happen again.” she mumbled, looking down at her shoes. My fists had been clenched as I hadn't realized how much the situation enraged me. She looked innocent and he had berated her in front of the entire lobby. I felt a tap on my shoulder bringing me back. 

"Are you coming bro?” Jason said with an irritated look. 

I brushed his hand away and felt annoyed because he knew why I was in a trance. He just didn’t want to get into it right now because Emily would kick his ass if he was late. He was just as equally as bothered by this entire thing as I was. 

"Yeah, let's go." 

As I drove us I sat and thought about Faith. Something about her made me want to protect her. She was an adult, but still was treated like a child by her father as her mother and siblings stood by and watched the abuse. I'm sure the younger siblings had no choice, but the older ones did. They couldn't all still live under his roof and could do something about it. 

Brian!” I heard Jason yelling."The restaurant is right here you are going to miss it." 

He gave me an annoyed look as I made a quick turn into the parking lot. I pulled up to the valet and we got out in front of the restaurant. It was some fancy gourmet place I wouldn’t have ever chosen in my life, but Jason wanted everything to be perfect for Emily which I understood. Before walking through the doors Jason put his hand on my shoulder stopping me from opening the doors. 

"Tell me.", he said, his attitude turning from annoyed to concerned," are you okay?"

"I'm fine.” I lied because I was not fine. I couldn't get Faith and her situation out of my mind. 

"No you're not. You're thinking of that girl." 

“Yes maybe, but mostly I'm just trying to prepare my best man speech for tomorrow." 

Jason chuckled, “I’m sure it will be great whatever you come up with." 

"Thanks bro.", I said as we headed inside. 

Dinner went off without a hitch and everyone decided to go back to their hotel rooms for sleep. No time for a bachelor party because the wedding began at ten the next day and everyone needed their beauty sleep.

Once back at the hotel I decided to go to the bar for a drink and try to get Faith out of my head so I could actually prepare my best man speech. As I sat at the bar mentally trying to remember every word I was going to say I felt someone sit next to me.

A scent of night-blooming jasmine, sharp and sweet, cut through the bar’s haze. A voice ordered, “Jack. Neat.”