"Such a nice gift, I really appreciated it." Phoenix said slyly as we drove to wherever Ryder was.

"Great." I replied sarcastically, rolling my eyes at him. He smiled at me devilishly and winked.

I looked out the window as we pulled up to an old motel. It reminded me of the one I had met Ryder in just a few months before this.

We pulled up into the drive way and Phoenix parked his car hastily. He rummaged around in his pocket for something as we stood in front of the closed hotel room door. He pulled out a single key and unlocked the door slowly.

"Home sweet home." He laughed.

I entered hesitantly. The room was dark, and the sheets were all over the floor. There were broken flower vases and broken coffee mugs. Ryder's temper had gotten the best of him.

"Ryder?" I squeaked softly.

I heard something shuffle from under the pile of sheets that remained on the bed. I rushed over and lifted the sheets to find Ryder sound asleep. His face was completely beat up, purple bruises decorating his face as if they were meant to be there. A bloodied gash adorned his forehead. I looked back at Phoenix, anger and confusion in my eyes.

"What the fuck did you do to him?" I yelled. "Phoenix what the fuck!" I tried in vain to punch his chest as hard as I could, but it was no use. He didn't care. Phoenix didn't care for other people. He didn't care for anyone but himself.

"Bella?"

I whipped around to find a tired and beaten Ryder looking back at me. I kneeled down at the side of the bed and cupped his face in my hands. His eyes had bags under them, purple, just like the bruises.

"What the fuck happened Ryder?" I asked him impatiently, even though my voice sounded desperate. I felt my cheeks get hot and my eyes water. God, I absolutely hated Phoenix.

Ryder stared at me with confused eyes as I stroked his face gently.

"Well, you got what you wanted, and I got what I wanted." Phoenix rolled his eyes. "I'm out."

"What do you mean, you're out? How the hell are we supposed to get back?" I yelled, as I realized we were stuck here.

"Not my problem. Wasn't part of the deal babe." He shrugged without a care in the world.

"Deal?" Ryder asked as I shushed him.

"Oh, and Ryder, she's a keeper. Better thank her, she worked real hard to find your sorry ass." Phoenix smiled slyly, knowing he was tormenting Ryder. "But no hard feelings right?"

"What does he mean by that Bella?"

"Shh, ok lets just go home." I scowled at Phoenix as he closed the door behind him.

"Maybe we can do it again, I know I enjoyed it." Phoenix continued, having way too much fun.

"Get out." I spat, my eyes full of fury.

He winked and slammed the door, causing the weak motel walls to shake. A moment later I heard his car drive away.

"You found me." A weak Ryder looked up at me.

"Yeah." I smiled. I got up and used the phone in the room to call the only person I knew who would do anything for Ryder. Jax.

"Hey, it's Bella. Yeah, yeah. I know I left last night, but I had shit to do alright?" I rolled my eyes. He was pissed off. I knew he didn't like me from the start.

"Ok, well I think you'll wanna hear this. Ryder, I found him. I'm with him right now. I don't know, we're in some motel. I'm guessing there's only one motel in this town." I continued, explaining to Jax where we were.

"How did you know where he was?" Jax's voice sounded accusing, even through the phone.

"I just- I just found him here alone, ok?" I lied. "No, it doesn't fucking matter, at least he's alive!"

Jax seemed incredibly suspicious of me, but I didn't blame him, most people were. I didn't look like a nice girl, and I sure as hell wasn't one.

"Ok thanks."

"Who's that?" Ryder asked blankly, sitting up in bed.

"Jax. He's gonna pick us up." I sat down next to him, and ran my hand through his hair.

He pulled away, and I looked at him, slightly hurt.

"Why were you with Phoenix?" He asked.

"He's the only one who knew where you were obviously." I explained.

"And you couldn't bring Jax?" Ryder went on.

"Phoenix, he wouldn't tell anyone but me."

"And why is that? What did you do Bella?"

Ryder looked at me hard, his eyes already starting to fill with fury. I knew his moods like these were rare, but they always seemed to be caused by me.

"I-" I began to say, before he interrupted me.

"Tell me the truth."

"I can't."

"You can't? You can't Bella?" He scoffed. "I've been in here for days, and all I want is the truth."

"You'll get it. I just can't right now." I replied, no longer stuttering.

"Great, I look foward to it." He replied sarcastically.

He laid back down and rubbed his eyes. I sat there awkwardly as we waited for Jax to arrive.

It was quiet for a while, until I felt his hand touch my arm softly. I reached back and connected his hand with mine. I held it, as I gently stroked his fingers with mine. We were quiet again, but it was a sign that we weren't broken.

"I knew you would come back." He whispered.

"How so?" I teased, raising my brows.

"Oh please, who can resist Ryder Williams?" He teased, raising his own eyebrows.

I laughed softly. For now, we'd be ok. We were happy. I just feared what would happen next.