The Ocean’s City

I woke from a deep and happy sleep. The light was coming through the window and I could hear a bird chirping its heart out. My eyes watered a bit when I look to the window. With my head hurting, I rolled over to go back to sleep.

I rolled right into two very large and possessive arms. Dalton groaned with pleasure as I woke him. I snapped out of my haze with fear. I remembered what I did last night and my gut filled with regret.

“Good morning,” he smiled through his sleep and kissed my cheek.

I quickly unraveled our arms, let out a curse, and ran out of the room. Horrifically enough, when I reached down stairs I remembered his family was here and wide awake.

“There she is!” Mom called out, full of sunshine. “Good morning dear!”

“Well look who it is. It’s the girl who turned out not to be as tired as we all thought last night.” Demetri spoke from the corner of the living with a cup of coffee already in his hand. I reddened at his comment.

“Demetri!” Mom scolded.

“What? We all heard it,” Calista piped in.

“Yeah,” Phoenix, the youngest in the family, added.

I turned to go back up the stairs but saw Dalton was already headed down them, so I turned and rushed to the coffeepot. I ignored them as Dalton kissed his mom and then came up behind me.

“Will you make me one too, babe?” He asked, his hand firmly on my hips, pulling me to his groin. He peppered my cheek with kisses and it made me see red.

I shoved his hands away. “Get it yourself,” I said, louder than I had intended. His hands went to the sides of my arms and he growled in my ear. So low no one else could hear.

“I will not have last night be another reason I am a monster in your eyes. You came to me. Own up to your mistakes. Now be a good girl and go sit at the table and wait for breakfast.” His grip was digging into my arms. As he spoke, I noticed everyone’s eyes on me. Tears pooled in my eyes.

He released me with haste and I slowly walked to the dining table with my head down. Embarrassed that they may see me cry.

The door swung open, and the room went back to happy as they all greeted Dannie and Hutson. Jake, Ian, and Teresa followed behind them.

Dannie hurried to me and gave me a hug from behind as I stared at my coffee cup, trying to regain myself.

“How was last night?” She squealed in my ear. “I’m so happy you finally loosened up.”

I shrugged her off of me and didn’t speak, too scared my voice with betray me.

“What’s wrong?” Still, I said nothing. She patted my arm and kissed my head before turning to go to who I assumed would be Dalton. I could tell she only made it halfway before Hutson caught her. “Not this time, babe. Leave it between them.”

The family bustled around the house pretending like everything was normal. A chair screeched beside me and I watched as Connor sat beside me.

“Are you not happy here with my brother?” He asked in a soft tone. I looked up at his young disappointed face and wasn’t sure what I could say.

“I’m,” I started to say. “I’m not-”

“Connor, go wash your hands,” Dalton commanded as he stood over us with a platter of bacon.

Connor scrambled to his feet and to wash his hands. Dalton was fuming as he set the platter down and gave me one warning look as he sat next to me. His hand came across the table and he squeezed mine.

I ate in silence as the family enjoyed their meal and conversation.

The day was miserable as we walked the pier with the family, went shopping, returned for a nap, and now we were all dressed for dinner at a restaurant in town.

My mood didn't shake all day, and neither did he. I spoke as little as possible and did what I could to avoid confrontation. Dannie didn't dare leave my side. She was willing to listen to my feelings, but I bottled it all up.

Everyone happily found their places at the table and started shouting to the server what they would like to eat and drink.

Danny leaned over and touched my shoulder. "Ease up on him. You are being harsh."

"Easy for you to say," I whispered back. "You have found all of this as one big fairy tale. We shouldn't be here. We should escape." I snapped but ensured it was quiet enough so only she could hear.

Still, Dalton made his way to the chair next to mine, giving me a glare like he knew exactly what I was saying.

"For fuck's sake, Silvie, there is no escaping." I didn't speak. "Could he really be all that bad?"

I looked Dalton straight in the eyes and spoke with pure venom, "He really can be all that bad and then something even worse."

My vile words darkened his expression. "That's enough, Silvestia. We came to enjoy a meal with the family."

Feeling rage, I ripped the ring off my finger with conviction and threw it at him. "I hope you enjoyed the one and only time fucking me!" I screamed at him.

The whole dinner table was silent, and so was Dalton.

The chandelier light flickered, and I looked at every face full of fear. My eyes landed on Dalton's last, and he seemed to barely keep himself together.

His hands clenched in tight fists. The harder he squeezed, the more the lights flickered. The walls trembled so slightly that we probably wouldn't have noticed if we weren't entirely still.

He slowly stood, his chair screeching against the floor. He cleared his throat, and I stood frozen with fear. "Excuse us," he said as he took my arm harshly and walked me out of the room.

I could hear another screech off a chair, and I knew it had to be Dannie, but I didn't have time to turn around and see.

The bathroom door swung open with a loud bang, and he tossed me inside. I prepared myself for him to push me up against the wall and scream at me like the first time he dragged me into a bathroom.

Instead, he slammed the door shut and took his fists out on the brick wall.

He repeatedly slammed his fists until blood was visibly flying from his knuckles. I pushed myself far against the opposite wall, too scared to do anything. He finally stopped and gripped the counter's edge, taking long, staggered breaths.

Our eyes met in the mirror; like an animal, he turned and hunted towards me. He put both hands on either side of my face to cage me in. I looked like a lost soul as he spoke. "I did nothing wrong to you last night!"

I didn't dare speak. "I. Am. Not. A. Monster." He hit his fist near my head, and I trembled in fear. "You will go back out there, put the ring fucking back on, and behave yourself. We will discuss your punishment later." He barked. "Are we clear?" I nodded my head.

Then, as if he was enjoying me cringing under his fury, he added, "And if you ever think to take the ring off ever again, I will cut Dannie from your life for good."

He straightened and turned to the sink to clean himself. I just stayed against the wall, trying to hold the tears in. Our eyes met in the mirror again, and he gave me a nod. "Ready?"

I timidly followed him back to the table. Everyone was quiet. I wasn't sure to what extent his dangerous abilities roamed, but they all feared what he could do. I found the ring at the end of the room, silently picked it up, put it on, and went to my seat.

My heart dropped when I turned and noticed that Dannie and Huston were no longer there. I turned to Dalton, scared he had done something to them. He just stared back at me, seething.

"They went home, dear," Mom answered with disapproval in her voice. "Now, everyone, let's enjoy a nice meal." She scolded as she picked up her glass to cheer with everyone.

I stayed quiet throughout the meal, trying my best not to let the tears slip through my eyes. Dalton only joined in the conversation when necessary.

I didn't bother to make eye contact with any of them, even when it was time to go, and we all piled in the vehicles and drove home. When Dalton parked his car, I was out of the car instantly and headed inside.

I ran to the bedroom, closed the door, flung myself on the bed, and cried myself to sleep.

Thanks for reading the fifteenth chapter of The Ocean’s City. Let me know what you think! Grammar Nazis are welcome!