Chapter 24

Ella's POV:

Another day another nightmare. Lately, sleep has been hard, it's like I'm trying to hold on, to grasp something that's not there. I'm drowning and can't catch my breath. My dreams are nightmares dragging me down so deep that I don't have the power to open my eyes.

When I finally fall asleep my eyes become sealed shut so when the nightmares come, I have to suffer through them. Declan's fast asleep next to me but he's restless. At times I can feel his arm around me squeeze tight like he's reassuring himself I'm still there. All I can think about is my mom and Julian.

How can you straight up lie to someone and mess with there life? That's exactly what Julian's doing, he doesn't love my mom he can't. He puts on a fake smile and pretends. He's a drug lord and nothing but cruel.

My mom doesn't deserve it, she's been through enough. I bet she doesn't know about Declan being his son and his abusive nature. I mean that's not something you tell someone to fake a relationship.

How did everything get so complicated? But something feels off. Why would Julian date my mom when there are so many other people out there? It's kinda weird that all this stuff that's going on relates to me.

Declan is Julian's son who is dating me but, his dad is dating my mom. For some reason it's doesn't seem likes it's just a coincidence. I got kidnapped by Declan's brother. Everything's that's is going on relates to me and Declan's family, not including him.

I gently pick up Declan's arm from around me and unwrap it from around my waist. He stirs in his sleep but and I wait until he stops moving, then place his arm on my pillow.

Rolling over I slide off the bed and walk to the kitchen. Declan's apartment is dark from the night but, I can see from the dull light of the moon shining through the window.

Making my way to the kitchen I take out a glass and fill it with the sink tap water. Bringing it to my lips I swallow the cold liquid, feeling the water slide down my throat relieving the dryness.

Goosebumps arise on my skin from the slight chill in the air. Declan's shirt only reaches mid-thigh. Since I can't sleep I open the balcony doors and slide out. The cold air slices through my skin causing me to shiver. I cross my arms look at the sky.

I love the night, it's so quiet and peaceful. The crickets chirp and you feel at ease.

I feel strong arms wrap around my waist. Declan rests his head in my shoulder and holds me against his chest.

"Hey," I whisper.

Declan's lips brush my ear, "Hey you." His voice is raspy from just waking up.

From all the moving he was doing he was bound to wake up. I hope I didn't wake him, I wanted him to sleep. I feel like he hasn't rested properly in a long time.

"Can't sleep?" He asks bringing a hand up to my hair and twirling it. I lean my head against him and shake my head telling him no.

He stays silent for a second and then speaks, "I love when you wear my shirts, they make you look hot." He runs his hand down my body.

I step away from him looking down so my hair covers my hot skin. I cross my arms and Declan chuckles.

"So cute."

My skin becomes even hotter. "W-whatever," I mutter.

He puts his hands on my hips and pulls me back against him. I keep my head down but he moves my hair and kisses my neck. Then he turns me around and kisses my lips. A stupid smile curves up on my lips.

"Did I wake you?" I ask finally looking at him. He's not wearing a shirt just sweats that hang low on his hips. I can feel the heat crawling to my cheeks tingling my skin.

"Mhm." He mumbles into my neck. "I heard the balcony doors open."

"S-sorry." I feel nervous. Not that I haven't seen Declan with his shirt off before but because I'm still not used to being kissed or people touching me. Also, I can feel his body heat close to mine, I like it. It's just a new feeling.

He grins down at me. "I love how I make you nervous, I love knowing how attracted you are to me." Knowing that I look like a tomato I don't look at him. He knows the effect he has on me and he's enjoying it.

The sky is gradually becoming lighter as the morning sets in.

"It makes you even more attractive." Declan takes my hand and we walk back inside. My palm is sweaty in his and by the way, Declan is smirking he's loving it. He knows everything he said is right and he loves that I'm not denying it.

*

As it becomes late morning I make pancakes for Declan and I. He always makes me breakfast so I decided to return the favor. Declan's been hovering over me watching. I'm not really good at cooking, my pancakes always either come out gooey or burned.

As I prepare pancakes I think of my mom and Thomas. I know Declan is lost in his thoughts to. He's quieter than usual and I'm worried about what he's thinking. He told me he would find some other way to confront his dad and I hope he doesn't do anything dangerous.

He hasn't spoken to me about it since the incident in the bathroom which makes me nervous.

I pour batter onto the griddle and as I do knocks sound in the door. I look at Declan confused he gives me a small smile.

"I'll get it." He says and I nod my head. I watch the pancakes bubble and remember I forgot to butter the pan. Of course, I forgot I almost never make pancakes because I ruin them every time. Now it's going to be hard to flip.

"Hey man." I hear a deep voice say. Footsteps make their way into the kitchen and I turn my head to them away from the pancakes. It's Wes, everything comes crashing back. The darkroom I was in, the footsteps that picked me up and carried me out. Wes saved me.

I turn away from the griddle and run and hug him as tears fall from my eyes. "Thank you," I say to him holding him tight. I don't usually hug people but he saved me and I'm so thankful that he did.

He hugs me back. "Your welcome Ella."

A tight grip on my arm pulls me away but not enough to hurt me. I turn and see Declan holding me close to him glaring at Wes.

"Don't touch her." Declan's voice comes out angry and I look at him confused.

Wes puts his hands up in surrender. "Hey, she hugged me, man."

I watch as Declan still glares at Wes and Wes seems amused.

"I don't care, don't touch her." I'm about to giggle but then it smells like something's burning.

"Crap," I mutter running to the griddle.

My pancake is smoking and is all black and burnt. I quickly shut it off and send Declan a sheepish smile. When he sees it his glare turns into a laugh. Wes laughs too.

"Oh Ellie, what am I going to do with you." Declan teases while laughing.

Declan rushes over, scrapes the burnt pancake into the trash, and then throws the griddle into the sink. He grabs out a container of Febreze and sprays it around the kitchen so it doesn't smell like burnt pancakes.

"Sorry," I mumble feeling dumb. Once again I ruin pancakes, I don't even know why I still try.

After Declan's done taking care of my mess he comes over to me, tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, and whispers, "Next time I will cook." I can hear the teasing in tone.

A small smile makes its way to my lips, "That would probably be best if you want your food to be edible." I joke. His smile grows even wider and I can't help but stare. I know I said this before but his smile, that smile makes my heart stop. It was magical.

Then Wes buts in, "I feel like I'm intruding." Wes smirks breaking mine and Declan's eye contact. "But I don't care." I giggle, I forgot how funny Wes is and his childlike nature.

Declan doesn't laugh though he shoots Wes a look and Wes just smiles widely back like nothing will ruin his mood.

After they stare at each other for a couple of minutes Wes speaks. "So uhh Declan you wanted to talk." Wes glances at me and then back at Declan.

Declan speaks up, "Yeah since Ellie's breakfast didn't really turn out we can go grab breakfast and bring it back here." They stare at each other in the eyes like there trying to communicate.

"Sounds good to me, I'm starving," Wes says.

Declan looks to me, "Is that okay with you Ellie?"

I shake my head yes to Declan and send him a small smile. He smiles back and grabs his keys. I feel like there hiding something, it's obvious they don't want me to go. But I don't want to be annoying and ask questions.

Declan comes over to me and asks me what I want, I tell him pancakes and he kisses me on the head and tells me he'll be back soon.

When they walk out the door that's when the nerves set in. I haven't been alone since I was kidnapped. But I know Declan and Wes want to speak privately so I wasn't going to tell them I was a scaredy-cat.

To keep my mind of things I go back to the kitchen and do the dishes. I scrub the griddle because the burnt pancake mix is caked on it. The water burns my skin but I still scrub the dishes clean.

What would Declan and Wes want to talk about alone? Why don't they want me to know?