Demi Lovato - Cool For the Summer

Snuggled comfortably on Gideon's lap, Rory napped peacefully while he traced the curve of her features. Her skin sent jolts of electricity through his fingertips and where he touched her his heart squeezed.

Unable to control his urges, he planted a soft kiss to her lips, causing her to stir awake. Her emerald eyes blinked up at him and she sighed, resting her cheek on his shoulders. She was a cocoon of warmth and he basked in it.

He murmured sweet nothings against her hair. She hummed in response and threw her arms around his neck. Hugging him tightly; the action causing his heart to swell. Against him, he felt her heart bump wildly; the type of rhythm that was giddy and shy, one that no longer beat out of fear of him. It gave him hope that she felt something too.

"We'll leave for Medellín once the weather clears up." He told her. The rain hadn't stopped and he wasn't going to risk flying in the storm.

They have been away from home for over two weeks. It was time to return and hopefully with a new outlook on their relationship.

"I miss everyone." She said softly. "I'm excited to go home."

Home.

Gideon fought a smile from dancing on his lips as she uttered that sweet word. Home. Medellín had finally became her home and not some hell hole she was confined to. His intentions were never meant for it to be her prison.

For Gideon, home was wherever she was.

"I love you." He caught himself letting the declaration slip again.

Rory stiffened in his arms but, she managed to quickly relax. She didn't know if she loved him like he loved her. All she knew at that moment was that her pulse quickens, her body became flustered and skin warm when he was near. And, when she looked at him she found herself marvelling at his beauty.

Tall and muscular with an intimidating demeanour. Something that used to chill her to the bone, he still very much scared her but not as much as before despite all that he done. She had every reason to be afraid yet she wasn't - not anymore.

Rory wondered if it was because she was crazy or that something was seriously wrong with her. Or, perhaps both.

She could have killed him and ended it all. Anyone in her position would have pulled that trigger and this knowledge twisted her stomach unpleasantly. Maybe it wasn't because she had a few screws loose, she was just weak and pathetic; a disgrace.

Gideon shifted under her and she looked up puzzlingly.

"I'm sorry, I thought you went back to sleep." He murmured and settled back down, "You were so quiet."

"I'm not sleepy anymore." She yawned.

After her screaming revelation, her body succumbed to the exhaustion that she harboured for months. She slept all day yesterday and most of today. Gideon never left her side the entire time. Rory was certain she had startled him a little by turning the gun on herself.

Truthfully, it was a spur of the moment motivated by her pain and tiredness. She was so frustrated especially when she believed they were getting somewhere and he had done that.

He was careful with sharp objects and leaving guns where she could find them like on their bedside table or his office. He also informed his soldiers to keep their guns within watchful eyes; Gideon wasn't taking any chances because he was afraid she had become suicidal.

"I'm sad that I had to leave this house without getting into all the rooms." Rory huffed in annoyance.

Still straddling him, she crossed her arms over her chest as her brows pushed forward. There was nothing in the mansion except empty rooms. He had cleared practically everything out years ago apart of some sentimental his mother instructed not to. Just family photos and heirlooms he kept in a locked room.

"Why?" He found himself asking out of curiosity. What was so interesting?

She shyly met his gaze, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

"I thought, I thought this place would tell me more about you." She stammered. "You're my husband but sometimes I feel like I hardly know you."

He chuckled and flashed her his twisted grin - something that creeped her out before but now she was oddly attracted to it. Gideon pecked her shoulders and trail kisses up her neck. She squeaked as he lifted her with ease.

He trotted up the stairs and down the hall. What she wants, she'll get.

"Most of the rooms are empty." He explained. "There's really only one that has anything of value in it."

He paused in the middle of the hallway, one she had explored a dozen times before and found that most of the rooms were locked. From the pocket of his slacks, Gideon pulled out a set of keys and unlocked the door. The sudden gust of air entering the room caused the layers of dust to fly everywhere.

Rory got to her feet and coughed at the particulars entering her airway. Layers of dust thicker than a blanket of snow in the middle of winter caked where it could stick. A sign that this room definitely hadn't been used for decades.

"This was my bedroom." Gideon said, completely unfazed by the dust.

Rory scanned the room. It was spacious with arched windows overlooking the backyard with thick dark curtains hanging from the windows. The room was emptied of any life hence, did little to tell her about what he was like.

She walked over to the boxes stack atop of one another - the only thing sat in the room - and slide the lid off the one closest to her. Cufflinks, gold jewellery, diamonds and Rolexes and medallions were laid neatly in their crates.

"Family heirlooms." Gideon leaned against the doorframe and watched her. "My mother won't throw them out."

She opened the next boxes. Rory picked up a photo frame, dusting the picture with her fingers. She traced the figure of a young boy staring back. He was standing next to a man, dressed immaculately in his suit and ties, and bore resemblance to Gideon. Next to him was a young woman with long dark hair and eyes; she carried a baby while a little girl in a frilly dress stood by her side.

His family.

"That was taken a few days after Luciana was born." He strolled to her with a wistful glint in his eyes. "We should take one once our first child is born."

Rory pursed her lips and turned her attention back to the rest of the content. There were countless photo albums documenting his childhood. He looked happy smiling widely as toddler then as kindergartener but once she reached his teenage days, his face was set in a scowl.

He played basketball, knew how to ride ATVs, shot guns and wield knives the moment he could walk. And, he adored his sisters, always pictured holding them in his arms.

He was gorgeous as a teen; tall and lean, baby faced. He had yet to come into his current muscular structure and rough around the edges look. He definitely stolen and broken a few hearts along the way.

There were no more pictures of him after high school. It was as if he disappeared from the face of the earth. The last family photo was on his graduation day. There were no happy smiles on what was supposed to be a happy day. Was this when they family started breaking part?

Instead of asking, she continued rummaging through the boxes. She pulled out a dust covered rectangular frame and her eyes popped out of her skull as she read the words: Master's Degree in Engineering awarded to Gideon Torres.

Not only is his good looking with a great body and a big dick; he was smart too. He was certainly God's favourite - it wasn't fair.

"You went to the Californian Institute of Technology." She smiled, tracing the school's logo with her fingers. "That's impressive."

"I went straight back to school after serving a couple of years in the Colombian Army." He said. He cocked his head to side when her brows rose in surprised. He continued, sensing the questions bubbling under her tongue; "The Army and the degrees were my choice. It was something I wanted to do and something that deterred me off the path I was meant to be on. It was worth it even if it was just a moment." It was like a breathe of fresh air.

His whole life was set for him. From the moment he was born he was aware of who or what he was meant to be. Growing up, it ate at him knowing that his path was already set in stone. He was frustrated and ran off to join the Army - that's where his fascination with assault and military weapons stemmed from.

Getting a degree helped him built his own which led to his booming arms dealing empire - his primary focus to keeping the Colombian Mafia running. He could care less that his underboss ran drug labs, prostitution and strip clubs - as long as everything was done ethically. Only authentic drugs and willing prostitutes. Over the years he made it brutally cleared he won't tolerate anything less.

"So, your life made you feel caged?" She questioned incredulously.

He nodded, then realisation sank in when see the accusing look on her face. For the last half a year, that's what he had been doing to her, setting her whole life out for her and forcing her to live it. Guilt and regret warmed his cheeks and turned away.

"I intend to give you back your life." He promised, far more sincere this time. "I'll return your phone and laptop; and give you access to your bank accounts and of course ours too."

Rory could do whatever she wanted, even run away from him again. And, the thought killed him, flaring up blinding rage.

"Gideon," her sweet voice bringing him out of his head. She closed the distance between them, placing the frame back into its box, and reaching out for him. Rory wound her arms around his middle and rested her chin on his pectoral muscles. "I won't run from you again."

She meant it this time. Her voice lacking any deceit. All desire to flee left her body and soul; she was tired and would just rather make peace with her life. Rory didn't want to hurt anymore.

To prove it, she rose on her tip toes pressing her lips to Gideon's innocently. He blinked, surprised that she willingly initiated a kiss first, and deepened it. His hands squeezed her buttocks briefly before sliding under and lifting her. Rory wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his torso - clinging to him like a koala bear.

"I love you." He breathlessly said through the kiss. "And I don't care how long it takes me to apologise and beg for you to say it back. I'm willing to wait." Because it was going to be worth it.

Nodding teasingly, her teeth sank into his bottom lip dragging him back to her. His chest rumbled with laughter and he kissed her back as fiercely.

After a heated make out session, Rory hopped off Gideon and trudged back to the boxes while he whined. Before, she closed it, an old photo caught her eye. It was lodged on the side of the box like it had fallen out of one of the albums.

She pulled it out and her brows shot up in surprised. It was a photo of Gideon and Sebastian, staring stoically into the camera, in their military get up. They must have met in the army. But, what was shocking was who stood beside them with a small smile on his face.

Gideon came up behind her, curling his arms around her waist. His eyes zoned in on the photo in her hands causing him to inhale sharply before snatching it from her.

"Isn't that-"

"You don't need to concern yourself, it was a long time ago." He said blankly shoving the photo into his back pocket.

Rory spun in his hold and faced his unreadable expression; when he was like this he was always unpredictable. Slowly, she reached to touch his chest and instantly his face dispersed of tension and softens. He smiled at her lazily and her heart skipped a beat at his gorgeous face.

Gideon leaned forward, pressing their foreheads together. No doubt she held questions, at the tip of her tongue, that he wasn't willing to answer hence, opted to change the subjects before she could ask.

"You can contact your mother as often as you want." He stated, "You can even visit her."

Seeing her eyes light up like stars twisted the knife deeper into his chest. The fact that she was happy should've been enough, it should've made him happy too. Instead, he felt bitter that those big, bright smiles and dazzling stars in her eyes weren't for him.

Although, she promised that she no longer had the intention of running away; some parts of him found it difficult to believe it. Because, he gave her every reason to run away and whenever he turned his back she was gone.

"She's in a facility in Cartagena being well taken care of, I promise." He choked out. "It's beautiful there and according to the doctors, she's getting on quite well."

"When can we go?" She squealed delightfully.

"Once I arranged for your security and personal guard, you can go." He informed feigning a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Gideon continued to listen to her excited babbling. However, the sound of a familiar child's cry rang out through the house stealing their attention. Rory followed him through the hallway with their fingers entwined. Down on the foyer, she spotted Luci, long brown hair in a ponytail and exhausted dark eyes, with Cielo bounced on her hips.

The four year old was bawling, thick fat tears pouring down her redden cheeks as she twisted in her mother's grip. Sebastian was already there to greet them - his attention on the small child who was screaming down the house. What had made her so distressed?

Cielo pushed off her mother and grabbed for Sebastian where she clung on to him like he was her protector. When her mother tried to console her, she seemed to cry harder, screaming ear achingly. This only aggravated Luci as she stood with her hands on her hips with an annoyed glare.

The moment Gideon and Rory reached the bottom of the stairs, Luci's attention snapped to them. And, for a moment, Luci's dark eyes glowered her way, sending chills down her spine. Rory timidly stared back, standing behind Gideon's massive frame.

Luci, despite her immaculate presentation, looked worn. The dark, round bags under her eyes made it clear she hadn't slept for days. Her pale skin and chipped nails screamed she was suffering from anxiety.

Guilt risen in Rory's throat. Luci always took care of her and she hasn't exactly returned the kindness.

Before, Rory could uttered a word, Luci blatantly ignored her and headed straight for her brother - getting all in his face. Foreign words spilled from her lips in an hateful tone that made Rory take a nervous step back. She didn't even recall speaking to Gideon like that, she was sure he would've beaten her ass if she did.

The veins that protruded out his neck told her Gideon was seething with rage. When he turned to storm up the stairs, Rory remained rooted in place, fearful that one wrong move was going to garner his attention. She didn't want that, especially when he was calm and silent. It was his worst kind of angry.

Luci brushed pass her and she felt the iciness shoot off her in waves. Sebastian, stilling cradling Cielo, watched them disappear up the stairs. He spent enough time around to know that everything will escalate quickly if he left them alone. Turning to Rory, he murmured reassuring words to Cielo before handing her carefully over, who enveloped her in a warm embrace.

"Lolo," She cooed while carrying her to the sofas. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." Her small voice resonating in the room. She sniffled and wiped her cheeks with those small palms.

"What's wrong?" Rory asked softly, brushing her brown locks behind one ear. "Why these tears?"

She hiccuped and threw herself into Rory's arms, clearly not ready to talk. In her peripheral vision, she saw Azul trotting to them.

"Let me introduce you to my new friend."

For the next hour, they played with Azul. Cielo's tears were forgotten as she dangled a toy in front of the cat who played diligently. Her wide brown eyes flashing with joy.

It wasn't until heavy footsteps thundered down the stairs that their laughter quieten. Sebastian and Luci, in a midst of an argument, stepped outside into the courtyard. Cielo, dropping the toys, raced towards the windows and peered out. Rory knew better to let a child witness an adult's dispute but, in all honesty, she was curious too.

Hence, Rory peeked out the window and gasped as she witnessed Sebastian and Luci locking lips passionately.

"I think we should have them some privacy." She inhaled sharply, steering Cielo from the window.

"They do it all the time." The 4 year old stated.

Rory never knew that the two were that involved. It made sense now about how Luci always knew what went on - Sebastian was sure to tell her everything especially if they were in a relationship.

"I want Sebastian to be my papa." Cielo whispered out the blue, "Because I don't like my papa."

She watched her pick up the TV remote and switched the TV on. This was the first time Rory heard about Cielo's father. She never bothered to ask because she wasn't concerned at the time.

Cielo flicked to the gossip channel where she pointed at the screen. Rory followed her tiny finger and saw a picture of Cristian Herrera with a curly blonde headed girl on his arms. For some odd reason, as she stared at the picture, she couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity with the girl. They were quite similar and that was looking pass their features.

"That's my papa."