18

I tried my hardest not to stare but I couldn't help it. My own eyes were on on his red-rimmed ones, with patches of purply-green bruises around the area. Swelled and badly affected, he could barely see.
I looked away, my chest aching with guilt. Gage did not deserve it. I stood, about to leave until his voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Rose. ." He croaked, before automatically spluttering as he coughed, his whole body shaking violently a little on the bed.
I approached him again with a small smile, my eyes meeting only one of his his that managed to open. He smiled a little though it looked more like a grimace in pain. Wincing, he managed to slightly sit up, clearing his throat.
"Thank you."
I shook my head, still kindly smiling as I held his hand. "Don't thank me," I softly told him, my heart rate increasing. "I'm just glad you're okay."
He smiled, sighing gently. "R-"
The door interrupted us by opening, the sexiest man alive walking in. I was awestruck by his powerfully, alluring entrance, my heart skipping a beat as I stared at him, my mouth going dry.
Those brown eyes had a touch of green and a splash of blue. They were enchanting and I could almost see a beautiful forest in them with an autumn's touch.
They flickered over to me and my cheeks automatically went red, my breath hitching and my eyes averting elsewhere as I composed myself. Letting my fingers run through my hair, I tried to distract myself from his attractiveness. I looked down at my pyjamas, staring at the faded Spongebob on my leg.
When I met them again, they were no longer on me but on a crippled Gage who still managed to crack a playful smile.
"So. . .who's getting murdered this time?"
With a roll of his eyes, Cristiano sat down on the couch not too far away from Gage as the Jordan took a seat on the side of Gage's bed, whilst Dax leaned against the wall, a bored expression on his face.
"Gage, man, I seriously didn't mean for you to be dragged into this mess-"
"We're family," Gage disagreed, firmly looking at Cris. "We share mess. But it's been going on for ages, bro."
"Yeah, and what if they come for Rose?"
My eyebrows raised a little and all eyes were on me. I curiously looked back. "Who. . ? What's going on? What happened?"
Hesitation was written across all their faces. I folded my arms, staring at the men in irritation and sarcasm.
Gage began, wheezing a little as his strained voice spoke, "Rose, it's nothing you need to concern yourself with-"
"Yes, it is," I firmly responded, giving him an annoyed glare. "I live with four guys over a boxing ring. I do need to know - not just because I'm your roommate but because I'm your friend and I damn well care."
"She has to find out eventually," Gage muttered to Cristiano. "You didn't exactly think about what would happen when she moved in."
"Exactly," Dax added, folding his arms. "So, just tell her. You owe her that."
I looked at Cristiano who met my eyes, studying my face for a moment. He seemed to be hesitating before he gave him, clenching his jaw a little and making his posture straighter.
"Okay," he said causally, his eyes moving over to mine once more. But then he hesitated again and shook his head, "no. You don't need to know." He stood, about to walk away but I harshly grabbed his arm and pushed him onto the chair with all my strength, forcing the tall man to sit down.
"I've been through hell and back being kidnapped. There's nothing I can't handle." My eyes gave him a courageous, determined look as I folded my arms, seriously staring at him.
Cristiano stared back, rolling his alluring eyes as he sighed.
"I used to be part of the mafia - that's a long story but right now, I'm a drug lord. I have a gang - these fools are part of it and now that you know. .you're part of it too."
"But . . ." I started, my eyes staring at him in confusion. "You're a boxer. . .you can't take drugs."
"Who said I take drugs?"
Jordan snorted, sniggering a little. "Don't lie, Cris." Cristiano gave his friend a small glare, rolling his eyes irritably. I licked my lips, watching as he continued.
"Fine. Not regularly but I do. I mainly sell 'em though."
"We're not just drug dealers though," Gage added, his attractive eyes meeting mine. "We own a business. - a legal one. We're also entrepreneurs."
"So if you have all this money, why the hell do you live here? No offence - I mean, the loft is creative."
"It's cosy here," Jordan told me with a beaming smile. "I like this place."
I unfolded my arms, glancing at all the guys. "Right, so, that was it?"
"What do you mean 'that's it'?" Cristiano asked in a bewildered tone, scrunching up his face as his tone rose.
"I always suspected something. Why else do you guys have secret little gatherings at like 3am sometimes and seem to keep me away from that one cupboard in the kitchen?" I questioned, raising my eyebrow. "Plus, you're an illegal boxer. How more illegal could you get?"
Surprise covered their faces and I sighed, shaking my head at them.
"Look, you don't have to worry about me," I honestly told them, licking my lips and giving them a encouraging smile. "I can take care of myself - I'm not sick or anything. But whoever did this to Gage needs to be dealt with because no one crosses my friends."
Dax's smile widened, a large grin on his face as he looked over at me. "I underestimated you. You're a keeper." I grinned back, flicking my hair over my shoulder.
"So. .what's the plan?"
"That's the problem. .we don't have one. ."
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