A/N: I can't update everyday. And not only that but I am doing another two stories, plus being a beta for one of my friends. I'd really appreciate it if you could all understand that I can't always update . I have a life, and so do all of you. Things aren't so great at home and it's putting me off writing.

So please just be patient.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything apart from the plot and a few characters

Chapter 8

RPOV

I tried to control my breathing as I stared into Dimitri's patronizing eyes. Sonya, Ray, Owen, Paige, Michelle and I stood in a straight line, facing the enemy. The cool night's wind caressed my face but for once I didn't find it soothing. There, behind Dimitri, was Raiden. It was clear that he'd been beaten up. His breathing was shallow, he had several cuts and bruises on his eyes and by the way he looked at Dimitri, I knew Dimitri caused all the pain. And it looked like he did it recently.

My jaw tightened. After this day, Dimitri will know never to cross the line with me again.

Carmen's idea will win us time when running through the forest and away from the enemy.

We were situated on a beach; the water's edge on one side and on the other was the vast-spreading forest. Marco, Joe and Raiden had their hands tied up behind their backs. Raiden slouched in pain and I had a feeling we'd have to carry them out of here. I looked over to Ray, whom was beside me, and he nodded. He was thinking exactly what I was thinking.

I looked back towards Dimitri. Ten Strigoi members were with him. One on each of my brothers and Raiden and the remaining stood behind Dimitri.

We were on time as he asked, but he didn't realize that we got here before he did. And that's when Carmen's idea was accomplished.

Underneath Dimitri was a bomb.

It would explode in one minute. We planted them deep enough in the sand that Dimitri wouldn't notice it and we also planted around five of them, directly under Dimitri and his men stood. The only thing is, is that Raiden and my brothers were dangerously close to two of them. I bit my lip with anticipation. Please work, please work.

Dimitri regarded me with a grin. "Well, well, well. Here we are again, Roza. Except this time, you've got a plan, yes?"

I narrowed my eyes. "No shit, just like you've got a plan."

He chuckle. "You're quite right."

20…19…18…17…16…

"I also know about your plan," he said.

I gave him a look of disbelief.

"Really?" I asked incredulously.

10…9…8…7…

"Yes. I'm standing under a bomb. How do I know? You of all people should know that when I set a place to meet someone, I get there earlier. Earlier than you did," he smirked, and then as soon as it came it vanished. "Now you pay the price."

Before my shock could settle in, Dimitri turned sharply and grabbed Raiden by the collar of his shirt and flung him forward. He landed with a loud thump where Dimitri stood before.

I gasped as the bomb decided to explode then and there.

I remembered screaming out when the sand exploded from beneath Raiden and the piercing shriek he let out. I rushed forward towards him and untied his hands. He was moaning in pain and could barely move without screaming. All that happened in a matter of ten seconds before the other bombs went off. Ray and Owen rushed over to my brother, as Sonya and Michelle helped me pull Raiden away from the bombs. He screamed and squeezed my hand. Paige was yelling on her phone, telling Aleena to bring help. After the bombs went off, our plan was to wait for Jade and Aleena to drive the two 4WD drives that we stole up the beach. The sound of a couple engine's roaring behind me grasped my attention for a millisecond before turning to Raiden.

I bit my lip, trying not to scream. He left side of his body was burnt so badly that for a second I thought he'd never recover. A few of Dimitri's men screamed from being hit by the bomb but I didn't spare them a look.

Aleena's 4WD was closest to us when they stopped. Sonya helped me carry Raiden in the backseat. He sat on the left with me in the middle and Sonya on the right. Joe jumped into the shotgun, breathing heavily. I made Raiden leaned on me on his non-burnt side and heard him release a long, shaky breath.

"God, getting burnt is a bitch," he chuckled breathlessly. I nodded and kissed his head.

"You're ok. I'm here," I said. He relaxed against my shoulder and his face in the curve of my neck.

Ray, Owen, Paige, Marco and Michelle jumped into Jade's 4WD and both drivers swerved the 4WD drives around and gassed in down the beach.

EARLY NEXT MORNING

The left side of Raiden's body was now extremely pink, but at least the burns have healed. I made a warm bath for him so he could relax. My family and I rented out an apartment for the day. Tonight we'll be heading back home.

But right now, I just wanted everything to be perfect.

As Raiden undressed, I couldn't quite nail what I was feeling. It wasn't awkward but I haven't seen him completely naked before. Not ever. It was both exciting, yet scary. I think he sensed it too, because he looked over at me. He searched my eyes to try and see what I was thinking as he was about to remove his black briefs.

With a surge of confidence, I nodded.

And then they were gone. I sucked in a shocked gasp, but didn't' dare look at his member. I stared at his eyes until he looked up at me and grinned. That grin was full of mischief and I caught a bit of sheepishness in it too.

When I thought I couldn't hold it in any more, I looked at him. My first reaction was my eyes widening. They almost exploded out of my head when I saw how big he was. I never actually thought about how big Raiden's was…but it was huge. Butterflies were in my stomach now. I took a few steps forward until I was standing right in front of him. Our eyes met and I saw that his had narrowed slightly in hunger. Hunger for me.

I bit my lip before I spoke. "We can't. Our family…" I trailed off.

He sighed. "Yeah I know," and then he turned for the bath. I caught his upper arm, making him look back at me.

"We will soon. I promise."

He kissed my temple and then dipped his toe in the water. When he retreated his foot, I watched him pull his lower lip slightly over his top lip and made it quiver. It was the most hilarious sight I've ever seen. I burst out laughing, then I reached down and touched the water. It was cold.

I sighed in annoyance and pulled the plug.

"What a waste of water," I muttered. Once the tub was drained, I turned on the tap and sent warm water into the tub.

After the water was filled three-quarters of the tub, I turned the water off.

I looked up at Raiden and gestured to the bath.

He stepped in and then lowered himself heavily in the water, splashing water all over me.

I stood there with my mouth hanging open.

He looked up and smiled. "Sorry," he said, not meaning it.

I narrowed my eyes playfully. "You're dead."

Raiden's eyes widened. "Oh shit," he said a second before a threw the shampoo bottle at him. He laughed and caught it just in time.

What I didn't expect was what he did next. He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me in the bathtub backwards. I fell against him, totally soaked.

I turned to him with exaggerated slowness.

"Now you're really in trouble."

Raiden bit his lip, trying his hardest not to laugh.

Raiden and I were wrapped up together in our bed when Michelle walked in.

"Whoa!" she yelled and quickly covered her eyes. "Is it safe to look?" she said with a teasing tone.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes."

At the same time Raiden said, "No."

She laughed and removed her hands. "Ok, so Sonya said that she's had it with Belikov and there's only one way to keep Hope safe," she said.

"And what would that be?" Raiden asked.

"To kill Dimitri," Michelle said. Behind Michelle Ray, Owen and the others came in.

"Uh, guys, we're a bit busy here," Raiden groaned.

"Oh shut up," Owen said, playfully punching Raiden. He gave Owen the finger and gave a yell of protest when Owen lounged at across the end of our bed.

Owen stuck his tongue out at Raiden.

"Men," Jade said and joined me on my side. She wrapped an arm around my neck and leaned her head against my shoulder. I leaned my head against hers in return.

Sonya pulled up a chair and sat in front of Owen.

She looked at me. "Rose, I know it's a hard decision, but it's for the best."

"I can kill him if you want," Raiden suggested.

Ray chuckled. "Yeah, that would be the best idea," he said sarcastically.

Sonya never looked away from me. I sighed and spoke. "If anyone could kill him, it'd be me. But I can't. If I do succeed, then how am I going to tell Hope when she's older that I killed her father?"

"She doesn't know him though," Jade said. "She's never seen them...but I guess you're right."

"Unless we just don't tell her. We'll just say that her parents died when she was a kid and Rose and Raiden took her in," Aleena offered.

"That's a possibility," Sonya agreed.

"Regardless, I couldn't live with the thought that I did it when I'm raising his-"

"Then I'll do it," Raiden interrupted.

"Raiden-"

"Rose, just listen. This isn't true, but how would you feel if my ex-girlfriend said that I belong to her, when I'm married to you? That's exactly what he said, Rose. I won't hesitate in killing him, but baby, don't take this the wrong way, but I think you will hesitate. And then it'll be too late," he said gently.

I sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "First, I'd kill the imaginary girlfriend," I said, making everyone laugh. "Secondly, I guess you're right."

He nodded and kissed my cheek.

"That's my girl," he said and pulled me closer.

"Hey! She's mine," Jade playfully pulled me closer to her. Raiden shot her daggers and then lunged forward and started to tickle her.

"Raiden!" she yelled. She bounced off the bed and hurled Raiden off the bed. They started play fighting when Sonya turned towards me.

"Good times, good times," she chuckled. I nodded in agreement, then laughed at Raiden when he fell over his own feet and Jade yelling 'I won, I won.'

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Littlewerepire7 xoxox