"No, n-no....I, I can get them....AHHHH!"

I let out a scream in pain as I attempted to sit up. I was in so much agony but just knew that I couldn't let Ryan find that ring. If he did, which was a certain result if he went digging in that cupboard, he'd be furious. There was no easy way to explain why I was hiding such an item.

"STAY THE FUCK DOWN ALICE!"

I could see the rage and anger flash in Ryan's eyes at my defiance.

"God! I'm trying to help you so stop being an ungrateful bitch and stay FUCKING still!"

I could only whimper as he shouted in my face. I wanted to tell him how I wouldn't even be in this situation if it weren't for him. That it was too late to help me and he was only doing it for himself anyway. Most of all I wanted to just stand up and walk out the door, never looking back. But instead I just laid still, paralyzed in fear as the realization slowly dawned upon me that he would find the ring.

I heard his retreating footsteps go into the bathroom and couldn't hold back the strained sobs that ripped their way through my throat, each one burning like fire as I pondered my inevitable fate. This was it for me. I was going to die. Ryan would kill me.

The thing was, I was more than ready to die. It seemed as though every sign that the world gave me were all pointing me in the same direction, that direction being to my death. Hell, a huge part of me even wanted to die. Most of me in fact. I was in so much pain and I didn't know if it would ever come to an end. Antonio was gone. I didn't know why but I knew it in my bones, he wasn't coming back for me. He didn't love me anymore. No one did. There was no light at the end of the tunnel for me, only darkness. Deep, lonely, quiet darkness. However none of that would ever be enough to stop me from fearing death. I was still scared to die, petrified even.

Would it hurt? Was there anything on the other side or was it just darkness? I liked to think that there was something after death, some sort of after life. That way I could still hold on to the idea that all this life wasn't for nothing. Surely it couldn't just end. One minute there is everything and then the next nothing? No.

I just wanted the pain to go away. I needed it to stop. In that moment, I needed everything to stop. All the pain I felt in my body, all the memories flooding around in my head. Everything. I had never longed for anything more than such blissful, peaceful quiet.

Then my blood went cold as I heard the footsteps, of who I could only presume was Ryan, returning to me. I closed my eyes, inhaling a deep breath as I waited for my death sentence. I didn't want to see his face. I never wanted to see it again and I hopefully, never would.

"What the fuck is this?"

His voice was surprisingly calm. Why was he so calm? My eyes shot open as I betrayed myself and took in his form. He was standing about two feet away from me and was holding the diamond piece of jewelry in his hand. He wasn't looking at me, instead his gaze focused on the ring.

"Alice?"

Our eyes met and I stuttered as I stumbled to find any excuse that could explain this.

"I-I-"

I was completely speechless. I had absolutely nothing to say. There was nothing that I could say. I wasn't stupid and neither was Ryan. We both knew the truth as to why I'd have a ring like that, hidden away.

"What happened while I was away?"

I could only shake my head, and while my mouth was open no words came out.

"You better explain this Alice...."

He took sudden steps towards me as I tried to move back on my elbows, in attempt to delay his beatings.

"I'm s-so so-sorry I-"

Within less than a second Ryan jumped on top of my already broken body. The only thing I could focus on was the deafening clang as the ring fell out of his hands and straight onto the blood stained floor beside me. I allowed myself to keep my gaze locked on the object. I studied it's silver curves and sparkling diamond. I hated it for where it had gotten me but still was grateful that there was something to distract me during Ryan's attack.

With every brutal punch and kick I felt my body jolt and shift against the ground. I could barely make out the furious slurs and insults that came out of the beasts mouth, everything was in slow motion. The pain was so intense, blinding agony was raging through every inch of my body. Blood was spewing out of my mouth, a clear warning sign that Ryan was going way to far, it didn't stop him. The pain got worse and worse, the awful sensation took over every inch of my body until eventually I just couldn't feel anymore.

I felt weightless as my mind drifted away. Then Ryan laid one final lethal punch to my face before my vision went completely black, lulling me into a pure state of oblivion. The last thing I saw, the faint glimmer shinning out from within that God damn diamond.

It had been over a month since I left Alice at her old home. Every single day had been hell without her and I missed her terribly. The time that I'd spent away from her only highlighted to me how much I needed her and in turn made me love her even more. I didn't even know that that was possible until now.

However, I still had yet to regret my decision to send her away from the danger. The only problem was that we ended up being apart from each other for a lot longer than I had originally intented. It ended up being much harder to locate all our threats than we thought. Alex and I, along with all of our men, had been working non stop to hunt down and kill these people. My only incentive being that once they were all dead, I could get my girl back.

Because of the amount of enemies we'd made I had also bought a new house for Alice and I. It was right on the coast of Italy. I wanted it to be close to the beach, remembering how much she'd enjoyed our holiday swims. I'd already filled the place with furniture, décor and of course everything else Alice would ever need. I wanted to get her a few days ago but figured it was easier to have everything ready for her arrival. I wanted to be prepared in order to make up for the amount of time that we'd spent apart.

Of course, I was still tracking Alice's every move. I was initially shocked to see that she hadn't left her home once, but then I suppose I was having her food delivered to her. A guy that I had working for me would drop of all the necessities that she'd need once a week. His instructions were strict and clear. He was never to go in the house, instead simply leave the food and go. I didn't want anyone else talking to my girl. I was a possessive man but had finally won Alice's affection and wanted it stay that way. I wouldn't jeopardize that. I also couldn't fully trust anyone, therefore all that man knew was that he was to deliver to that apartment. He didn't know who was inside or why he was doing it. It was best that way.

If word ever got out about how much I cared for Alice then who knows what my enemies would do to her. She was my only weakness and that meant that she was valuable, extremely valuable.

I was currently on a plane, flying back to collect her. I didn't have any service and therefore wasn't able to track her for the time being but I wasn't too worried. Considering her recent track record I doubt very much she'd choose this night to leave the house.

"Sir, we are about to land."

I took a final sip of my drink before letting out a content sigh and flashed a smile at the air stewardess.

"Perfect."

I was beyond exited to see her again after all this time. It felt like forever and I couldn't wait to make up the time. I had it all planned. I wanted to stay at Alice's for a few nights so she could show me her old life. I thought she'd like to show me around and in all honesty I was curious. I mean sure, I could just do some more digging and find out everything for myself but I knew she'd have fun too. Then once we were ready to leave, we'd get on the plane and never look back. I was aware that it was a big ask, to expect Alice to leave her old life behind but this wasn't just about me anymore. I didn't just want what was best for me, but us. We would finally be a real couple.

I had never been to Alice's place but had seen pictures. It was cute, small but cute. Unable to wait any longer, my hand reached out to knock on the door. I had a key but wanted her to answer herself. I imagined those scenarios in films where the woman leaps into the man's arms and they rejoice after having spent so much time apart. That's what I wanted. Only she didn't answer.

I frowned slightly but knocked again, harder this time. It wasn't particularly late but I supposed that she could have been asleep.

When she didn't answer after the third knock I pulled out my phone to check the tracker app. It said she was inside....

Momentarily forgetting about the keys that lay in my pocket, I slammed my hand into the wooden shield that hid my girl from me. I was hoping the noise would be loud enough to wake her and thrill swelled within my chest once it began to open.

I prepared myself to hug and kiss the love of my life but then suddenly everything stopped when a man was revealed from behind the door.

What. The. Fuck?

"What the fuck do you want man?"

The guys voice was slurred. He was drunk. I doubted myself for a moment, unsure whether or not I had the right house. But I was correct, I always was.

I shoved this intruder out of my way and went searching for Alice. God help her if I discovered that she was fucking cheating on me, I'd make her regret ever fucking looking at another man let alone-

Suddenly everything stopped. I felt as though my heart would burst out of my chest. My ears rang and my throat felt tight.

There she was, lying in a bloodied heap on the floor.

"Dude what the fuck!"

I was dragged back into reality by the man's wasted voice.

"Did you do this!"

Pure fear crossed his face. He looked shocked and nervous, that was enough of an answer.

"Who the FUCK ARE YOU?"

I screamed in his face, feeling nothing but rage and burning anger. My fists subconsciously tightened themselves into fists.

"Look dude, I think there's been a mistake....she fucking deserved it....my names Ryan and this bitch was-"

Ryan. Her ex. So this was that abusive scum bag who'd fucked her up so bad in the head that she couldn't even sleep peacefully without medication. I didn't even care about how or why he was here, all of my focus was on how badly I wanted to hurt him. All those scars had been caused by him. He hurt my girl.

Without thinking I took out my gun and swiftly smacked it across his face. The blow was enough to instantly knock him out and it took all my strength not to put a bullet between his eyes. Not yet....he would suffer before he died. As much as I wanted to start his torture now, I needed to focus on Alice.

I turned around and knelt by her on the floor, unbothered by the blood that stained my trousers and shirt. She was still breathing but barley. She was dying. I needed to save her, now. I pulled out my phone and dialed for one of my doctors. A loyal one, based here.

As I held her in my arms, my desperation evidently clear to anyone, I noticed what was lying beside us. Her wedding ring. With shaky fingers, I picked it up and slipped it onto her delicate, cold hand. I bought it to my lips and gently kissed it.

"Don't you dare fucking leave me Alice."