Strange Love

Russ buried his face into the last of the shirts from the small white dresser. He couldn't move himself to place it inside the already overfilled bag. {This is the end... of this place... of us being together... of all that was us...}

"What are you doing in here, pup?" Orion leaned his large shoulder into the frame of the door. He looked around for a minute before walking in and picking up a shell from the dresser. He smiled down at the small shell. "You know, I remember giving this to her." He sat it back on the nightstand before turning his attention back to Russ. "Ya know, I give you a lot of shit, boy, but overall... I like you..." He walked over and clapped a large hand over Russ's shoulder. "Let her go..."

Russ retracted his shoulder out of the other man's grip and growled, "Is this more of your training? I'm not a cold-hearted bastard like you, I can't turn my back on the ones I care about so easily."

Orion arched his brow, "Turn my back?" He let out a cocky laugh before rolling his eyes and heading toward the door. As he began to walk through the opening he paused and turned back, staring Russ dead in the eyes a stoic expression masking his ruggedly handsome face. "You know nothing, child." He curled up his lips in a dark smile. "You think by packing her bags and dragging her baggage with you where ever you may go will me she, in turn, will willingly be there? By your side?" He huffed out a cruel laugh, "Thank again kid." He turned but Russ's response stopped him in his tracks.

"You're right, I am still a child especially compared to you. But at least I'll be able to say, in the end, that I tried... that I did all I could do... That I wasn't a coward. I did everything in my power to keep the person I love most and believe me I will. I will, beg and barter, move mountains, burn countries, I will cut down anyone in my way if I must, but I will not give up." Russ paused to give emphasis to his words, "Can you say the same? At the end of your long, long-ass life will you be able to say you gave your all?" He curled his nose in disgust of the man before him. "Have you ever given your all? To anything? Anyone?"

Orion didn't turn around. "As I said before, you know nothing." He walked farther into the hall as Russ shouted after him. He flinched in pain as the words cut the very depths of his nerves.

"If I know nothing then why can't you face me, I wonder?" Russ crammed the shirt into the bag then zipped it. He slung the bag over his shoulder as he pushed himself up from the floor. He paused only for a moment, running his hand over the soft fabric of the bedding. The memories of having her here, in this bed seemed so far in the past now. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly waiting for the pain to pass before making his way back out into the living room of what was once their apartment.

Raven paced the room her phone tucked under one arm as she bit the nails of the other hand. When Russ came into view, she stopped her pacing sending him a worried glance. "The cleaners will be here in an hour. You and Orion will leave for India tonight, and Naru and I will stay behind and take care of everything here."

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Russ walked up to her, cupping her tiny shoulder in his large grip before pulling her in for a hug. He whispered as he held her tight, "I'll see you again, right? This isn't goodbye?"

Raven nodded against his large chest. "It's not goodbye, I promise."

A tear ran down his cheek, "Then why does it feel like goodbye?"

Raven pushed away from him not lifting her head. "You better get going." She sniffled as she pointed toward the door. "Shelly's bag is over by the door. You can leave that one with me if you want."

Russ gave a half-hearted smile. "Nah, I'll take it. I figured I could leave it in the trunk of my car... just in case."

Raven nodded but didn't say anything else about it. As Russ was about to shut the front door behind him she called out. "Be safe! Don't do anything I wouldn't." His light chuckle at her goodbye brought more tears to her eyes. "Come on ol' girl pull yourself together. You got shit to handle." She said aloud to herself giving herself a good physical shake as well.

***

The sun slowly made it's elegant descent down into the watery depth of the Gulf, leaving glistening streeks of bright oranges, pinks, and purples to color the sky and water alike. Joslyn sat on the extended balcony of the beautiful vila Xavier had brought her to shortly after they had landed. He had rushed off on what he said was business leaving behind his laptop and tablet, but as soon as she tried to open them she was met with a passcode lock. Not giving up on her quest for information, she had spent the past hour trolling the internet to find what little information she could about the De'Marco family... especially Xavier and Dante.

Jos gave out a heavy sigh. Xavier himself was more forthcoming with personal details than anything she was yet to find. She hadn't even so much as found a picture outside of surf and business-related articles and social media postings. Wasn't this odd in and of its self? {The man was how old? surely there's bound to be something?!} Jos let out another heavy sigh as she finally gave up and placed her phone on the small table to her side. She had no more than picked up her glass of water when she heard a key turn in the door of the room.

"Honey I'm home!" Xavier called out as he sat several bags on the floor. He unbuttoned his jacket and tossed it on the bed as he walked through the small cozy room. By the time he had made it to the open patio doors, he had already loosened his tie, removed his belt, and was currently working on undoing several buttons at his neck. He grinned down at her when their eyes finally met. "I've always wanted to say that." His smile widened, "Did you miss me?" He held out his hand to her. "I brought you a surprise."

Jos let her curiosity make the best of her as she extended her hand to him. The watched as the setting sun's last rays played across his perfect features. She couldn't help staring in fascination as he guided her toward the room.

He caught one of her sneaked glances and smiled. "What?"

Jos shook her head, looking away in embarrassment. "Sorry, I just... well... your features... you must be a heart-stopper where ever you go."

He chuckled, "What do you mean?"

Her blush deepened, "Well I couldn't help but notice you're somewhat of a local celebrity back home. There are tons of pictures of you but... I don't know... They all seemed more like work or fans..." She shook her head. "That probably sounds crazy right?"

He arched his brow, "Was I worth the google?"

She laughed nervously, "Well it struck me... when you left earlier... I'm on a trip with a man I barely know, and well..." She shrugged, "With the internet and social media being what it is in today's society I figured it would be the quickest way to know a person."

He laughed, "Well ya know what they say, can't always believe what you read."

She sighed, "True..."

He paused, "But you would have still liked to have found something... MORE. Is that it?"

She shrugged, blushing again as she looked away. "I guess..."

He cupped her cheek and brought her face up to meet his, "All you ever have to do is ask, love. I'll tell you all there is to know." His serious expression faded quickly as a smile lit up his face, "But first you have to do something with me!" He nearly pulled her along, as he went back to the abandoned bags by the door. He bent down her hand still in his grip as he rummaged through the bags. "Ah! Here it is." He handed her the bag. "Put these on and meet me out out front!" He ushered her into the bathroom a playful smile wide on his handsome face. "Hurry now, don't leave me waiting!" He winked then quickly shut the door behind her.

Joslyn glanced in confusion at the shut door then down to the bag in her hand. She held it open and glanced inside. "What in the..." She reached down inside and pulled out the contents. Her eyes bugged as she quickly figured out what she was looking at. It was a leather catsuit. {What in the world does he have planned that involved her dressed like THAT!}

A rapid knock sounded on the door breaking her thoughts, "Come now! Don't overthink it, just put it on! I promise this will be fun!"

Joslyn shook her head as she looked back and forth from the door to the outfit. "What the hell?!" She said out loud, shrugging. She quickly disrobed and began wiggling her way into the tight leather jumper. When she had finally gotten it on and stepped in front of the mirror, she could only stare in shock. {What Russ wouldn't give to see her in something like this!"

She shook her head harder this time, trying to rid herself of thoughts of him. Set in her resolve, she quickly headed out to the parking lot.

As soon as she stepped out of the main doors she saw Xavier leaned up against a motorcycle a wide, admiring grin spread across his face. She held up her hands indicating the outfit. "Let me guess, your secretary again?"

His grin widened to a full, breathtaking smile. "Oh no, baby! This was all me!"