Matthew Black's POV:
Heading away from the brunette beauty i flicked open my phone.
"Yo Ashton, we might have a situation. Its about the Rivers deal, meet me out back."
"Fuck sakes" a deep voice hissed on the other side before disconnecting his line.
Marching towards the tree line i pulled out a smoke and lit it "Rivers huh?...this could end up bad... or it could be a strange coincidence"
Snorting i shook that thought from my head knowing damn well there was no such thing as a coincidence only well planned manipulations or down right bad luck.
My mind kept going back to the little brunette with blazing blue eyes and plump lips. What kind of trouble would she stir up being here? Is she possibly related to James?
"What the fuck is it dude?" Ashtons shouts out as he storms towards me meeting under the mix of pine trees.
"Jeez who pissed in your fruit loops this morning" i asked raising an eye brow at his shitty mood.
"Some bitch mouthed me off in the hallway this morning, making me look like a fucking idiot in front of some students"
"Ashton was pissed; Kudos to whoever the chick was, i'd make sure to send flowers to her funeral."
"Worst part is she is so god damn hot, the things i would do to that girl" he groaned rubbing his face in frustration.
"What'd she look like?" I asked curiously, any girl who got Ashton this frustrated deserves a fucking gold medal. He wasn't one to get riled up so easily.
"...Or get riled up at all really, Ashton was as cold and meticulous as a robot"
"Ugh petite, toned body, brunette with these god damn tempting lips and blazing blue eyes" he described her.
My heart stopped in my chest with sudden recognition. "Rivers" i uttered under my breath.
"Did you not hear me? I was talking about the damn girl" he snapped.
"No Ashton, i met the girl, her name is Payton Rivers."
****************************
an uncomfortable moment of silence passed between us. Ashton kept pacing back and forth trying to find the words to say.
"So the hottie with the silver tongue is Payton Rivers, as in James Rivers?" Ashton asked me again.
"Could be pure coincidence.. but if I've ever learned anything it is that there is no such thing as a coincidence" i explained to him.
Honestly there was really no way of knowing anything yet, except the obvious fact her last name wasn't common in these parts of our Province and she had those exact same intense blue eyes.
"Fuck how did we not know James had a daughter, i thought all the loose end were dealt with?" Ashton snapped his temper surfacing, with everything going on i was surprised how well he was dealing with all of the stress.
Knowing Ashton he was probably coping by doing a nightly binger.
Sighing Ashton switched on his phone, dialling and muttering something before hanging up again and dialling another number.
"I got Mariah to look into her, you and i are going to get closer to her and see what she knows" his brows furrowed. "If shes his daughter we need her on our side for now and we have to keep this strictly between the inner circle, my father cannot know"
Smirking i spoke up "good thing we both share classes with her then hey?"
Ashton flicked out his smoke with a curt nod and then stomped back towards campus.And here i thought this year would be easy.
Ashtons POV *************
"Watch it asshole"
i stopped in my tracks, who the fuck thinks they can talk to me like that. Today was already a shit show and i could feel my patience wearing thin.
Stepping back i stood in front of a petite figure with long chocolate tresses kneeling down and gathering the textbooks that were strewn across the floor.
"Imma need to put this Princess back in her palace."
"Excuse me?" I snapped irritated as she kept collecting her things off the floor deliberately ignoring me.God this chick wouldnt even give me the time of day.
"Are you deaf or just stupid" i asked sneering down at the person who thought she could talk back to me. The figure stilled, visibly shaking with anger before snapping her face up to look at me.
Fuck i didn't expect that, she was gorgeous with plump rosy lips and blazing blue eyes. Swallowing i checked her out closer noting the slight crook in her nose as if it had been broken and reset -but only noticeable enough to a trained eye.
Feeling my pants tighten slightly i growled in frustration. "Are you deaf or stupid?" I snapped completely irritated at my attraction to this girl and her clear disrespect to my authority.
Anger sparked in her brilliant blue eyes before an icy mask slid onto her face. Leaving me surprised, It was an expression that i easily recognized- hell it was one i wore everyday.
Something about her was slightly familiar but i couldn't place why. The smirk tilting the corner of her lips or the glossy brown hair all screamed at me to recognize where i had seen her from.
"Are you blind or just an asshole" she snapped back and i stilled, shocked this little girl (who now stood her full height and barely reached my chest) spoke back to me.
Did she not know who i was?
Before i could chew her out she opened her smart ass mouth again.
"Thought so, fucking prick" she retorted before swinging her bag over her shoulder and walking away rudely.
Stunned i felt anger flood my veins, realizing a crowd had formed i snapped at all of them to mind their own business before sauntering off to the back of campus for a smoke. I needed the hit of nicotine like i needed a chill pill.
Standing out back with a smoke between my lips i felt my phone vibrate. Of course it was Matthew, he would be the only person to call me this early, everyone else knew better then to call me before 10 am.
"What do you want" i snapped answering my phone.
"Yo boss there may be a situation about the Rivers Deal, meet me out back" then he hung up.
I stilled, Rivers? What now? I thought we had dealt with that situation and buried it to rest. Anything regarding James Rivers only brought more trouble.
Cursing out my life i headed towards the tree line knowing thats where Matthew would be waiting.
"What the fuck is it now" i snapped as Matthew came into view, leaning against the trunk of the tree a smoke burning from his lips.
"Jeeze who pissed in your fruit loops" he muttered before stomping out his smoke.
Leaning against another tree across from him i took a long drag of my smoke. Letting the tobacco and nicotine fill my lungs.
"God damn problem after problem. Question after question."
"Some bitch mouthed me off in the hallways and worst part is shes hot as hell like, the things i would do to that girl" i groaned feeling irritated and hot all over again, making Matthew smile.
He's always had a thing for girls with smart mouths.
"What she look like?" He asked, i smirked. How did i know he would ask? Its Matthew fucking Black thats how.
"Petite, toned body, long curly brown hair, god damn tantalizing lips and these blazing blue eyes" I described thinking back to the feisty woman. She definitely was a bred and born beauty.
"Rivers"
I barely heard him mumble it but i heard, annoyance simmering beneath the surface of my skin.
"Did you not hear me? I was talking about the girl" i snapped she was clearly gonna be a problem and it wasn't like him to lose his track of thought, especially on particular women of interest.
"No dude, i've met her... her name is Payton Rivers.."
My face dropped, grinding my teeth together. i felt like punching something. Who was this girl? And why is she here?"So the hottie with the silver tongue is Payton Rivers? As in James Rivers?" I couldn't wrap my head around it, although if it were true thats one thing they would have in common they both had smart mouths and intense blue eyes.
Matthew rubbed his scruff before nodding "from what I've gathered she could be, but it could be pure coincidence except the fact that the james rivers house- you asked to keep an eye on, has been occupied recently by a supposed family member"
I could feel anger flood my veins, i was already saddled with the HD6 gang Issue and now a ghost from my past pops up like some April fools joke. I couldn't catch a fucking break.
I looked at Matthew "how did we not know James Rivers had a daughter?" The seriousness of this was insurmountable we needed to find out what this girl knows. Shrugging Matthew put out his smoke deep in thought.
Opening up my phone i dialled my sister Mariah.
"Hey i need you to look into a girl named Payton Rivers"
"Rivers? Like James Rivers?" Her soft voice spoke through the phone.
"Mariah just do it, and keep it quiet" i snapped before hanging up. I loved my sister but the less she knew the better, for now at least.
Looking at Matthews smirk i rubbed my jaw stressed to say the least.
"I got Mariah to look into her, you and i are going to get close to her and see if she knows anything" his smirk grew wider. "If shes his daughter we need her on our side and we cannot let my father find out."
"good thing she shares classes with both of us then hey?" Matthew snickered.
I flicked out my second smoke, nodding swiftly and then stomped back to campus.
Shit was gonna get real.
Paytons POVWho ever came up with my schedule was going to hell... who schedules someone kick boxing first thing in the morning? and a Co-ed Kick boxing training class at that!I wasn't scared of sweating in front of some guys, hell i'd dare them to say something to me especially before I've had a coffee. I hated mornings and i knew after my run in earlier this morning with that asshole, i was gonna be the new topic on campus.So much for laying lowPushing open the door to the girls locker room, a clusters of girls giggled and gossiped about anything and everything, evening mentioning me once or twice under their breath before my glare shut them up. Rolling my eyes i moved to the back of the room, flinging my duffle bag onto a bench and quickly stripping out of my clothes. "If there was anything i hated more than being the new kid it was a bunch of gossiping barbies.""Hey your the new girl who stood up to Ashton Whyte right?" A curious voice questioned behind me.Rolling my eyes
Paytons POVi didn't even bother changing out of my gym clothes, I grabbed my duffle bag from the locker room and high tailed it out of there. I could care less if i got in trouble for skipping the rest of my classes, i lived on my own anyways, nobody would even notice.As i wandered down the hall to the parking lot. I was scared of the look Ashton gave me, the intense suspicion in his brown eyes. He was observant and calculating, He knew something was up and he would be relentless until he figured it out. I couldn't let anyone figure out my secret. I almost let out a breath of relief once i stepped outside into the sunlight until i seen Ashtons Broad form inspecting my bike.God he was sexy as hell.I walked up to him, my heart rate rising realizing that i had left the gym before him. How did he make it outside before me?"This is a Nice bike, although i doubt its yours, there is no way you can ride this thing" he commented his back still to me as i neared. I froze unsure of what
Ashtons POVA smug grin creeped across my face as i raced down the freeway, Payton close behind me. The blaring music drowning out the sound of passing traffic. I merged lanes between cars recklessly trying to keep ahead of the black bike and its attractive rider. Eventually i was forced to slow down, reaching the end of my stunt driving rope, two cab drivers going the same speed in both lanes were currently refraining me from staying ahead of my little game. Looking out my rear view mirror, my smirk dropped into astonishment at what i was seeing. Payton lifted her bike up onto a wheelie, down the freeway, giving me the finger before zooming between the two cabs down the dotted yellow line and pulling out ahead of me... my triumphant grin was wiped right off my face leaving me dumbfounded. This girl didn't cease to amaze me.Finally the yellow cab in front of me pulled away. Taking my chance i slammed my car into second gear gaining ground on Payton. I was enthralled with the way
Ashtons POVPayton flung herself at me in anger, the need to hit something.. or someone had clearly been building up all morning. I knew the exact feeling hence why i opened the gym while my father had gone ghost. Payton and i rollicked back and forth, kicking, punching and dodging. we danced a vicious cycle, aiming to hit every inch of unprotected skin she could get at while i stayed in the defense. Panting in exhaustion, I reached out to tap her open jaw side earning me a swift kick the the ribs. Doubling over in exasperation i reached out catching her small fists and pulled towards me firmly. A shiver of anticipation rolled down my spine in pleasure, her tiny frame fitting perfectly against my body, our heavy breathing ringing through the silent room. The mood shifting from frustration to something remotely sexual. What was this girl doing to me?"See princess i knew you were a fighter" i whispered teasingly in my ear. Feeling her shiver against me. Shaking off the thick sensual
Payton POVTo say i was upset wasn't exactly the right choice of words.. i was sick of Ashton acting all high and mighty. Someone had to knock him off his high horse.And it was going to be me. I was currently back at the underground, getting into the ring for my next fight. After i left the gym angrily, my underground scheduler called up asking if i wanted to make some extra cash tonight. Still feeling itchy with the need to draw blood i quickly agreed.What is wrong with me. I shook my head in disgust i was becoming no better then an addict when it came to fighting.I turned my attention back to my opponent who was new to this ring, so lets give him a warm welcoming and see how well he handles getting his ass handed to him tonight.I put in my coloured contracts and threw my straightened hair into tight braids. I wasn't stupid, i knew how dangerous fighting in an illegal ring could be, but this was the only way i could make quick easy money.. without selling drugs or my body at l
Ashtons POVAfter Payton stormed out i headed back out to the public arena."Hey Ashy" a small voice screeched.Cringing i turned to face the small blonde from this morning."Ashley" i nodded"Oh um my names actually.." she went to explain but honestly i didn't care, this chick was annoying me and the only girl infiltrating my mind was Payton.Why did i even care?"Look I honestly don't care what your name is" I interrupted her before turning away and heading into my office. I didn't make it a habit to sleep with the same girl twice. I was a rich and dangerous man, I couldn't allow someone to be a target because of me again.I picked up my phone and dialled Matthew.The phone rang twice before Matthew picked it up "Hey i need you to find out what time the fights are at the underground tonight." "Okay sounds good boss, did you find out anything on Rivers?" He asked."Yea shes a fighter at the underground, which means if there's a fight tonight she will most likely be there" i explai
Paytons POV I felt weighed down, like my body was made of of lead, but why was this damn light shining so brightly in my eyes? Groaning with exhaustion, i just laid there conscious with my eyes closed listening to the sounds around me. Besides the occasional beeping of a heart monitor, Soft murmurs came from across the room. The frantic muttering sounded worrisome only aiding to my never ending curiosity.Prying my burning eyes open I blinked the eye sand away and slowly regained focus as the bright sun continued to skew my vision. Once i could see clearly i slowly shifted my stiff body to sit up right against the pillows, inhaling as a sharp pain shot up from my waist. Oh Right i got stabbed. I recalled the vivid memory right up to the moment i blacked out from the blood loss; everything after that was lost to me. Lifting the cozy black duvet up i sighed in relief. i was still wearing my black sports bra but a pair of baggy grey sweatpants now replaced the leggings i was w
Ashtons POVTo say I was furious was an understatement, after risking my men and even my own life to save hers that was the thanks I get? What an ungrateful little brat.I threw the nearest lamp at the wall feeling the anger slightly ebb away as the ceramic shattered against the wall in a million tiny pieces. I tossed a few other miscellaneous items around as I seethed in anger. My mind dipping into the dark cesspool of my inner thoughts.How dare she get angry with me! God only knows the price on her head now and she has the audacity to blame me, i was doing her a favour. She should be thanking me for saving her sorry ass but instead I'm getting a temper tantrum from her. Payton couldn't possibly understand the dangers she would now face because of that night. She would be hunted until someone finally tracked her down and killed her. She thought i was keeping her captive when i was only trying to do whats right and keep her alive. Its what her father would have wanted. Either way t
Paytons POV There was a clash of lips and teeth, Hands wildly groping skin and heavy panting as Ashton and I sunk into our wild frenzy. In this moment of gratification, I felt on top of the world like all the previous stress and trauma had been building up for this rewarding moment. I shifted my hips to comfortably sit on Ashtons lap as he sat us down in the leather computer chair. Groaning with impatience I shifted my hips purposly grinding my core on the stiffness in his grey sweatpants, earning a low growl from Ashton who was nipping at my swollen lips. Smirking softly I shifted and pressed even harder on the ridged length earning a streak of pleasure to zip through me. This time I was a groaning mess as Ashton licked and nibbled my neck while holding my hips firmly down on him and rocking me back and forth. “Ashton” I whined softly unsure if I was ready for the building climax that came and left like a tide. “Kitten, if you say my name again you will end up against this desk”
(Paytons POV) 1,2,3,4 Punch, jab, duck repeat. I followed the same methodical pattern given out by Ashton as I took out my escalating frustration on the punching bag in front of me. I had only been out of commission for a couple of weeks and already I could tell the difference in my strength. Stupid hitman in the ring, stupid shitty deck of cards life had handed me, stupid gangs, stupid mother. The list of people to blame went on and on in my head right down the guy selling greasy hotdogs on the street corner. I wanted my strength back, I wanted that feeling of power when you see defeat in your opponents' eyes as you take them down. I wanted an outlet for the raging wildfire my anger ignited. The thoughts rolled around in my head, blurring my vision, making me beat the punching bag faster and harder until Ashtons voice yelled at me to calm down. A simple command that cut clear through the red haze in my mind. I looked up at Ashton with wide red rimmed eyes, could he tell I was
(PAYTONS POV)I knew she was my mother the moment i followed Ashton down the hall, i could tell from our similar features and stature that our similarities were too uncanny for her to be a distant relative. Now however i wished she were, the pain in my heart would be a lot more bearable then watching my mothers face twist with confusion and then eyes fill with dread as she realized exactly who i was. My mothers eyes shifted to Aiden with growing panic, pleading for him to understand why she did what she did. She looked over to me unsure of the right words to say"Payton, your father and i.. I grew up in a very small town, where i met a man who would beat me until i was inches from dying. I Ran away, and ended up meeting your father at a local pub one night. We fell in love over the next few months and rather quickly i became pregnant with your brother, at the time it was wonderful and life was looking up for the both of us, now I realize though were were kids just playing pretend.A
(PAYTONS POV)My heart pounded painfully in my chest as i slowly recognized the Dainty woman sitting across the room. My hands started to shake and my lungs felt heavy as my breath came out quick and shallow with panic.How could this even be possible? My mother was sitting live and well not even five feet away from me. After all this time, after my fathers death and living on my own for so long.. my mother was here.My shock and momentary happiness morphed into a boiling rage. My own mother was here alive and well while the only parent i had who loved and raised me was six feet under. How dare she, where was she my whole life? was i not good enough for her?Pain, that's all i felt as i watched her face pale through my blurry eyes. Fury crushing my heart with its iron grip. Wiping away my tears furiously i began to laugh, not the cute and happy kind of laugh, a laugh that said "screw you world" and let insanity slowly sink in. Everyone around the room watched my reactions carefully ga
(ASHTONS POV) I glanced around the office at the men and women sitting like soldiers wherever they could fit. This was my inner circle, the only six people I could trust to do their job and get it done right. Between you and me i would only trust half of them with my own life though. We started off with the weekly reports, updates on how sales were going, recent influxes on the black market and what was popular for stock and demand with our alliances. Once all that was dealt with i headed into the more explicit part of gang dealings- who's been killed, regathering information from informants and last but not least the news I had uncovered while at Payton's house."Alright men, I'm about to tell you guys something that is absolutely classified and I won't be repeating it a second time, I need to know that whatever I am going to say will not leave this room and will be treated with complete discretion.. especially from my father" I ordered not allowing my strong exterior to slip fro
(Paytons POV)I drove 80 kilometres over the legal speed limit in a rush to get Ashton back to the apartment so he could get stitched up. My mind was a cluster of thoughts, I was angry and hopeful all at once. I couldn't seem to find the words to say after Ashton had shared his suspicions with me, not entirely sure if I wanted to meet someone who could potentially be my blood relative, after all where were they after my father had been killed?I pulled off the freeway and neared the heart of downtown, feeling the familiar shake of anxiety rattle my nerves. With every passing minute we were coming up closer and closer to the apartment, I glanced over at Ashton who was too half out of it to notice the blood starting to stain his Italian leather seats.I peeled towards the elevator door once we had entered the parkade, not caring about the shoddy parking job. I hopped out of the drivers seat and ran to the passenger side, helping Ashton out of the car as he kept pressure on his wound. S
Paytons POV "ASHTON" his name ripped from my throat as I watched the guy behind him get up from the pavement and slowly raised a gun to the back of Ashtons head.Before I even knew what was happening my body moved on its own accord, I remember reaching for the gun tucked under my sweater but pulling the trigger and shooting the threat square in the left eye seemed like a faint memory, the only indication I had actually done it was the loud bang that reverberated up my arm leaving me blinking in shock.Had I actually just killed someone?Bile rose in my throat, but I quickly shoved it down. This Is what my life has become or rather what it was always about, I was just to blind to see it. It started with my father and now with me, an endless cycle with no reprieve in sight.Tucking the gun back under my sweater I just stared at Ashton. If he was surprised or impressed, he didn't show it, in fact his face tensed up as though he were in were secretly in pain. Looking down at Ashtons side
(Ashtons pov)After finding the pictures hidden in the drawer, and finding nothing in the dresser or en suite I scavenged the closet. So far, I hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary apart from a few questionably funky dress shirts some worn loafers and a pair of edible underwear pushed to the back of the drawers.I moved around and investigated a few boxes on the top shelf of the closet and checked all the jacket pockets and soles of his shoes but nothing i found was of was of any use to us.We were so close! Were would James hide something he didn't want to be found?Frustrated i sat down at the edge of the bed, my mind wandering to the photo of James and Aiden's mom. They looked like long lost friends or lovers.Did they date previously or was there something more between the two of them? Rubbing my eyes in frustration I let out huff, letting my eyes wander my gaze settled at the custom Harley David mirror hanging across the room from me. The sun shone off of it but didn't
Ashtons POVWe cleaned in silence, allowing Payton some space to collect herself. My eyes kept wandering to the random photos scattered of Payton and her dad. How could we know this man for years and never know he had a daughter this whole time?I took to putting the shelves back in their upright position and threw some miscellaneous trash into the large garbage bag we had set out."Hey Payton is there anything they could of been looking for specifically?" I questioned, as i pulled the couch back over onto its legs and the recliners back into their upright position.I want to know why they thought destroying her home would of been a good idea."Not that I can think of" she mumbled, pulling the dustpan out of a closet and began sweeping up the broken glass littering the floor.We tidied the rest of the main floor in silence. I knew her mind was somewhere far away as i watch her face contort with anger and resentment then sadness and resign."You look a lot like your dad you know" i