I do not own The Nine Lives of Chloe King.

I apologize it took me this long to update, I was really busy with school and everything and A Different Kind of Knight is easier for me to whip out, but here is the next chapter.

Don't get too attached." Alek said with a smirk on his beautiful face. I sat back and frowned, still gazing at the beautiful ring. His words rang in my ears and seemed to bounce off the different contours of the diamond as I stared at it. His words kind of hurt, just a little. I know that I am only nineteen but I've known that I've wanted to be with Alek for the rest of my life, for three years now. I've lived with him, slept in the same bed. We've made love to each other and raised Michael together. I wanted to be married to him. I wanted to be staring at the ring on my finger like it was actually mine. I wanted it to mean that we had made the promise to love and keep each other until death do us part- or final death do us part in our case. I threw my hand to the side, unable to look at the silver band around my finger anymore. It taunted me and caused the ache in my heart from his words to deepen. I saw Alek look over at me when my hand hit the chair but I just let my head roll towards the window.

San Francisco passed in a blur before my eyes, the good news was that it looked the same as it had when we left, a little less scary now that it wasn't the middle of the night. Alek turned down a road I didn't know and I sat up. "Where are we going?" I asked a little colder than I should have. I was upset and I didn't know how to not let it show. I loved Alek, and I knew he loved me but I didn't want to just be the girl he slept with. He gave me a funny look. He'd obviously picked up on the tone in my voice but was confused as to where it was coming from.

"Valentina and Jasmine moved after we left. We aren't going to the pent house." He explained. We drove for a while longer in silence. "We can go see your mother later, if you want- or Paul and Amy?" He was trying to solve the problem without even knowing what it was. I narrowed my eyes at him and then sat back in my seat and looked forward.

"I'd like to see my mother first. I didn't get to say goodbye to her when we left and we've hardly talked."

"And Paul and Amy?" he asked. I could hear the hesitation in his voice. Even after three years he was scared of her friends.

"Yes, Alek, I'd like to see Amy and Paul too. Maybe we can meet them for a coffee later."

"Alright, sure. Let's get settled in here first, though, alright, love?" he asked patting my hand. I tried not to but it was involuntary. My hand jerked away. I saw the hurt and confusion flash across his face but he didn't say anything. He pulled into a parking spot at the side of the large house and turned the engine off. As I got out of the car I looked up at the building, and up, and up. This house was incredible. It was all white and had four floors, the top being a half floor with veranda's on the top. It had a view of the bay and the bridge. There was room for six cars and the whole area was covered in plants. Alek took my hand in his lacing our fingers together. He pushed the ring against my skin and I grimaced. He didn't notice and placed a hand on my lower back and led me up the stairs to the front door. The door opened when we got there and Jasmine rushed out embracing us both in a ferocious hug that nearly crushed us. When she pulled back we both sucked in a deep breath but it was forced from our lungs as she clung to us again.

"I can't believe you two are home!" She squealed.

"Jasmine, we can't breathe?" Alek told her. She apologized and stepped back.

"How was your guys' flight, was it okay? Did you guys escape without being seen? What about here?"

"I know what I'm doing, Jasmine." Alek smirked. "You're looking at Mr. and Mrs. William Stone."

"But don't get too attached." I said dryly walking into the house. Jasmine gave Alek a look who only shook his head, just as confused as she was. The house was huge and gorgeous. I had never seen anything like it. Valentina descended the large stairs that were in front of the doors and smiled when she saw me. She embraced me pulling me tight against her.

"I never thought I'd see you again, dear girl. And my nephew!" she said opening one arm to Alek who returned the hug, just as I did. She pulled away and looked at us both. "You look well, Chloe you are as gorgeous as ever- especially with that ring on your-" I frowned.

"It's part of my protection, nothing more- apparently." I told her tightly sending small glances Alek's way. Valentina raised an eyebrow questioningly but didn't say anything.

"Well, let's get you settled it, I'm sure you are tired." She led us up the stairs and down one of the massive hallways. She opened a door on the right but barely stopped. "This is Alek's room- though we are not under any impression that he will be using it other than maybe for the closet. This is your room, Chloe, and Alek's I assume." She said opening two large French doors into a suite of rooms. "When we bought this house we designed this for you and my nephew, though it is designed more to your tastes." She explained. Alek and I both stepped inside the room and looked around. It was gorgeous; the walls were a turquoise color with fun accents. There was a living room, a closet and bathroom and the bedroom. I found that the bathroom connected to Alek's bedroom but he in turn had his own closet on the other side of that. I smiled, this was an amazing surprise and I could already feel all the stress falling away from me. "Well, I'm sure you are exhausted, we'll have dinner around 7pm, if you would like to join us but don't feel obligated. We understand international travel far more than most people."

"Valentina, we may have been gone for awhile but we are still the same people. We'll make ourselves at home. We aren't guests, we're family." Alek told her giving her a smile and a quick hug. Valentina smiled in turn and then left closing the doors behind her. I heard Alek walk towards me and then he wrapped his arms around me. "You know with all the stress lately, we haven't had any fun lately." He whispered in my ear kissing my neck. Again as if it had nothing else to do but taunt me, I felt the ring burn against my finger and I pushed Alek away from me and went to the bathroom. I turned on the shower, took off all my clothes and then took off the ring. I stared at it for a moment, wanting to throw it out a window, or flush it down the toilet- anything so that I didn't have to put it back on my finger. Like a good girl, though, I placed it on the counter and climbed into the shower letting the warm water run over me.

I have pictures of the house, please send me a message and I will send them to you if you would like to see them.

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