We have always been in debt to some mafia family, or so I've been told. Mother has never really told me why, but father always reminds me and my siblings of it. He warns us to stick together whenever we go out and make sure we're not being followed.
"Rosa, there's another order. Four different sets, random flowers that go well together." My older brother, Adrien said as he checked an order off of his clip board. "They need to be done by tomorrow morning at three. The lady will come get them."
I smiled excitedly. I've always loved dealing with the flowers. Mother taught me which flowers go together, what ribbon should be around which flowers, and how to wrap them well enough.
The shop bell rang as Adrien's girlfriend, Lavinia, walked in. I've never liked her. She always found a way to wedge herself between us—smiling sweetly while nudging me inch, by inch, out of the frame. She knew Adrien's my brother. She knew he's leaving soon, off to college with her glued to his side. I just wanted a few minutes to bond with my brother before he left.
She was always nice to me around him, but as soon as he looked away, she showed her true nature. She was really pretty with strawberry blond hair and gray-green eyes. But she's even uglier on the inside.
"Hi Rosa!" She waved kindly at me but I saw the cruel, mischievous glint in her eyes. She turned to Adrien and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Hi babe." She said, her voice taking on a hint of sultry and possessiveness. Disgusting.
I looked away before the half of me that I hate, comes out. Adrien hadn't even left yet, but it felt as if he's too far gone.
"I'll get that order done." I said kindly, smiling the brightest I could. I walked past them and stepped over Lavinia's leg as she tried to trip me. I smiled back at her, playing her game. "Hi Lavinia. It's so good to see you again."
I made it to the flower room and let out a deep, shaky breath. I leaned against the wall and ran my fingers through my hair. The soft, silky strands brought a bit of comfort as I tried to ground myself.
"Four sets right? I can get that done by," I looked at the clock that said four-thirtyseven. "I can get that done by five-thirty." I said, smiling as I grabbed my rose pink apron. I tied the straps around my neck and collected my flowers. I cut the thorns off the roses and wrapped them up with their partnering flower. I wrapped the bouquets up with ribbons that matched the colors of the flowers. Red roses and white ribbons.
The door opened as father walked in. "Rosaline, go line up in the main shop with Adrien and Flora." His voice carried a hint of urgency. I walked out into the main shop with my father. My brother and sister stood with a space for me, between them. Mother paced, hitting an envelope on her open palm. She handed the letter to father. He opened it and started reading out loud.
"Dear Mr and Mrs. Vale, you have failed to pay our debts. We are well aware that you and your family are struggling to pay rent alone for that little flower shop, but a price is something you have to pay. And since you won't pay it in cash… My family and I have decided to take things into our own hands. We will start cutting down your family line, starting with the youngest. Little Ms. Fleur Vale. I hope this letter finds you all in good health. -Alric Thorn"
I took Fleur's hand and squeezed it tightly. She was only twelve. She had too much to live for. I couldn't let her die. Not yet, not ever. She was my little sister, I had to protect her.
I looked up at Adrien, who was glaring at the letter, as if it was the thing that was threatening our little sister and not Alric. "Is he really the one who we're in debt to?" He ran his hand over his face. "How? What did you guys do?"
"Adrien, please calm down before you say something you regret. Your father and I-" Mother started but Adrien cut her off with a sharp wave of his hand.
"I don't want to hear your sob story! I'm taking Rosa and Fleur."
"Talk to your mother like that again." Father threatened, taking a step forward.
Adrien didn't even flinch. "You're putting us all in danger. Fleur is only twelve and Rosa is eighteen! If I leave them here, the Thorns will come after them-and you know it."
I turned to Fleur and gestured silently to the shop door. She nodded and I dragged her out of the shop. No-one looked at us when the little bell above the door rang. "Are you okay? I can take you to that one bookstore if you want."
She nodded and I led her across town. We passed laughing kids, and talking adults. Ice-cream parlors, and music stores.
I would have offered ice-cream if Fleur wasn't lactose intolerant. She tried it once when we were younger, but she ended up in the hospital. I slept in her bed that night, holding her pillow against my chest. Adrien slept with one of her teddy bears. Mother and father stayed by her side the whole night.
If one night without my little sister felt like a knife in my chest, then what would a lifetime feel like?
My heart hurt as I looked down at my little sister. Who has her life on the line if my parents can't pay the debt that is needed from them. "I can't lose you." I mumble. The words struggled to make it past the tight ball in my throat.
I looked up at the store as we came to a stop. I haven't been to the Royal Pages Book Shop with Fleur since her ninth birthday. I've been too busy with school and the flower shop that I barely had time for her.
We walked into the store. I made my way over to the eighteen plus section while Fleur ran to find books for her age. I reached up for a book when a larger hand covered mine.
I turned around to see a tall young man, somewhere around his early twenties. His wavy black hair was messy. His cold gray eyes met mine. The silver flecks in his eyes made his cold eyes kind of attractive. His jawline was sharp enough to cut glass, but not break it. His light gray suit matched his eyes, and he looked like he was ready for a meeting. He sort of smelled like cedar wood. I did my best not to lean in closer just to see what else he smells like.
"If you take a picture it will last longer." He said harshly, almost sneering. His deep raspy voice jerked me back into reality.
"I- I'm so sorry sir. I didn't mean to. I mean I did. But I-I…" I stuttered. I felt heat race up my neck and stained my cheeks and ears red. "M-may I have the book please?" I asked quietly, trying to change the subject.
"Why should I let you have it? It's the last one and I want it." He said, his voice taking on a harder edge.
"Y-you go ahead and take it. I'll get something else." I stuttered, ducking my head. I quickly headed down another aisle, but not quick enough. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught it- a triumphant smirk. It sat on his beautifully sculpted lips like it was meant to be there. My heart skipped a beat but I turned away as fast as I caught sight of it.
I grabbed a book-any book- and found Fleur near the front. We went to check out and of course… We ended up behind him. The man from earlier. The one with the proud smirk that made my heart skip a beat. The silver and gray eyes that made mine as plane as dirt. And the voice that made my chest tighten like a warning. A warning that I wanted to ignore. My stomach did the thing again. It tightened and fluttered, like butterflies caught in my lower stomach. I wished they would just go away. I looked around, trying to avoid looking at the broad, infuriatingly sexy person in front of me. But I felt his presence. I felt his narrowed eyes. He was enjoying watching me squirm.
"Next-Oh… Hi Lucian~ What are you doing tonight?" The check out girl asked. Her voice was nothing but sultry desperation. I tried hard not to gag. I covered Fleur's ears. She didn't need to hear this. She was too young for that.
"Nothing much. Father is having me take care of mother while he's away." He said coldly as he placed his book on the counter.
"Well then, tell Mrs. Thorn I said hi." The girl said.
THORN!? N-no. This had to have been a mistake. I backed away, dragging Fleur with me. The blood rushed from my face to my toes. I let a Thorn fluster me!? His family wanted mine dead. I couldn't have been flustered by this monster. This-this… I struggled to think of another awful word about this excruciatingly attractive man. Yes, he did want my blood line to run dry, but he was too sexy to hate.
"Fleur, put your book back, we're going somewhere else." I said, snatching the book from her hands. I quickly put the books on a shelf and dragged her out of the shop.
"But I wanted it." She whined. "Why did we have to leave?"
"Because that was Alric Thorn's son. And you are never going near one, ever again." I say.