“It is. I’m ready to say goodbye to the past.” I let out a breath as I pull my hand back to throw them, right as my arm is seized.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Emmet shouts, I turn around to see Craig body slamming into him from behind, as Simon does the same to Tucker.
Aeron and Thallon haven’t even made it over here yet, as they try to push their way through and Darius is shouting at me as the crowd pushes against him.
Someone seizes my wrist and spins me around. I come face to face with Tom, his eyes are wild and his hair is all over the place.
“You were going to throw those into the fire?” His breath washes over me and I bite back my gag at the pungent odor of too much alcohol lingers.
“Get off me,” I say it confidently, even though my nerves are failing, as his grip tightens to the point of being painful.
“I bought you those, and you’re just going to burn them. You spiteful little bitch.”
“You tricked me, lied to me. Everything we ever said or did was recorded so you could give it away, and for what, so you could hold more power?” I’m shouting now, as Emmet knocks Craig down, and grabs Tom by the neck.
“Let her go, you limp dick fuck.” He’s seething, shaking with rage, as Tom smiles and it sends fear coursing through me.
“Fine, but this is on you. Let’s see if you still love her after this.” He jerks me closer before pushing me towards the fire. He releases his grip as I tumble forward, and a scream breaks free.
A hand seizes my romper and pulls me back before I meet the flames, but my skin is hot and itchy as I shake uncontrollably.
“It’s okay, Luna, I’ve got you. Nothing is going to happen to you.” I spin in Thallon’s arms and bury my head in his chest. My heart is hammering away, as Tom’s actions dawn on me.
He tried to push me into the fire, he tried to kill me.
I throw the items into the flames as tears stream down my face, and I don’t look away as Emmet, Tucker, and Aeron deliver blow after blow to Tom. By the time they're pulled away, his face is unrecognizable. I’d think he was dead if it wasn’t for the rise of his chest and the wheezing sound spilling from his mouth.
“Please, get me out of here,” I beg, pleading with him, with my eyes and my words.
“Whatever you want, Koala girl.” He picks me up in his arms and carries me away. No longer caring who sees him showing me kindness.
They all stayed with me that night, and I wasn’t about to kick them out. Even Darius stayed inside my room, surprisingly at Emmet’s insistence.
I don’t think any of us can believe that Tom would actually do something like that, but he did. If Thallon hadn’t gotten through that crowd, I would have been the kindling. A shiver passes through me at the thought, I hope I never lay eyes on him again. I don’t know who that guy is, but clearly, Moonbeam never existed. I used to think that about Liam, but now I know different.
Emmet may be hard, and honestly hard to love at times, but he is my sweet cleaner who made my stay here easier. I’m just the only person who gets to see it.
My face is red from how close I got to the heat, and some of my hair has had to be cut due to being burned, but I can live with that. I’m not exactly vain, and I’d rather lose some hair than my life.
I throw on a pair of skinny jeans, an oversized sweater, and a pair of heeled boots. My hair is up in a high ponytail and my makeup is nude, other than my lipstick. I slip it into my pocket, and breathe deeply for a few moments, before joining the guys in the living room.
“I can’t believe he did that. What the fuck is wrong with him?” Sin seems to be struggling the most, even though he has the most hate for Tom. Then again, this was something none of us expected.
“He’s fucked in the head, that’s what’s wrong with him. He won’t be back though, and he’s no longer entitled to a position or his inheritance. He wanted power, and now he has nothing.” Emmet is the darkest he’s ever been. There is no light in his eyes, and a normal person would be scared, but I’m not normal.
“At least he’s gone now, and I’m fine. Stop beating yourselves up.” I grab a cup of coffee that one of them must have made for me, before blowing across it.
“It could have been a lot different though, if Thallon didn’t get to you in time. I’m going to end Craig and Simon for jumping us. He must have planned it with them, that fucking snake.” Tucker slams his fist down on my coffee table, as he leans forward from where he’s sitting on my sofa. A crack runs through it. Sometimes I forget how strong he really is.
“Come on, guys, we have finals today. Just a couple weeks left, and then we’re free.” I smile, but it only makes them scowl harder. I didn’t even know that was possible.
“Free to do what, Star? What is it you plan to do once you graduate? This?” He indicates between all of them, as Darius stands up and moves to stand behind me. “Are you planning on choosing one of us, or saying goodbye?”
“Hang on a second. Why are you taking your anger out on me? What did I do wrong? Wasn’t last night bad enough, without throwing this at me? Thanks a lot, Em. I really appreciate it.” I turn into Darius’ arms, and I don’t know what he’s doing, but I can hazard a guess. Probably glowering at the others, or at least Emmet.
The door slams, and my hands tremble. He walked out, why does he have to do this now, after everything that just happened? Why, just why?
“He doesn’t mean to take it out on you, Little Zero. He’s not very good at handling his emotions. Seeing that last night, and not being quick enough to stop it, really shook him up. We all got a taste of what it would be like to lose you, and after the past couple of months, it doesn’t feel great.” He grazes his hand over my hair, before he leaves as well.
“I better go. Stick with Darius, Koala girl. I don’t want anything else to happen,” A kiss on my cheek is the last thing he gives me before Thallon follows them out.
“Darius, can you give us a minute, please?”
“Of course. I’ll be right outside, Snowflake.” He kisses the top of my head before he steps away, and I turn around to face Tucker.
“I’m sorry I kept you from Isabelle.”
“Don’t start apologizing, Tiny One. It wasn’t your fault. No one ever considered something like that happen, especially with how easy everything has been this past month. Come here.” He crooks his fingers, and I slowly make my way to him.
He pulls me down into his lap, and shifts my position until I’m straddling him. His hands massage up my hips until they settle on my waist, and his eyes meet mine.
“Before I left, I asked you not to accept any proposals, do you remember?” I furrow my brow, his question wasn’t exactly what I was expecting him to say.
“Of course I do. Tuck, what is this about?”
“The request still stands, when you graduate, don’t say yes. Don’t get married.” He looks between my eyes as I hesitate to reply. His hands move up until they cup my face, and he brings my head closer, until he can rest his against mine. “Please, Luna.” His voice is strangled, and he isn’t even trying to cover it up. Tucker rarely shows me vulnerability, but like last night, all his walls are down.