This Cruel Love (A Dark Hearts Stand-Alone Novel Book 2) Read online

  This Cruel Love

  Nikki J Summers

  Contents

  Other books by Nikki J Summers

  A message from the author

  Preface

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Epilogue

  Hurt to Love

  Luca

  Copyrighted Material

  THIS CRUEL LOVE

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual events or persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Any trademarks, product names or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are used for reference only.

  Copyright 2019 by Nikki J Summers

  All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned or distribute in any printed or electronic form without the express, written consent of the author.

  A CIP record of this book is available from the British Library.

  Cover Design: Sarah Paige at Opium House Creatives Editing: Karen Sanders Editing & Lindsey Powell

  Interior designed and formatted by: Irish Ink Publishing

  Stand-alone:

  Luca

  Hurt to Love

  (Cillian’s Story)

  Joe and Ella series:

  Obsessively Yours

  Forever Mine

  All available on Amazon Kindle Unlimited.

  Only suitable for 18+ due to adult content.

  * Trigger warnings *

  This story is for readers 18 years and upwards due to sexually explicit content. It also deals with issues that some may find difficult to read and may cause distress.

  This includes drug abuse, overdose, suicide, sexual violence, kidnap and murder.

  That being said, I hope you enjoy this story of enemies to lovers, second chance romance.

  Three – Ways that I will have my revenge. It’s been a long time coming. Too long.

  Two – People you have wronged and you will pay.

  One – Way this is going to end, and that will be in my favour.

  Zero – Fucks will be given when you finally crash and burn.

  I woke up with a startled jolt to hear the crashing and banging of something breaking downstairs. Faint, muffled cries and hushed but angry voices sounded in the distance. I shouldn’t leave my bed. I knew Mum would be angry if I did. Six-year-old little girls weren’t supposed to be up and lurking about in the middle of the night. But another smash made me jump up and spring out of my bed. I darted towards my door and creaked it open, holding my breath in case I’d alerted any of the monsters to my being awake. I didn’t want them coming upstairs to get me. Moving my head from side to side, I peered down the hallway, not sure what I expected to find. Maybe robbers charging up the stairs? Or wild animals prowling, ready to kill us all?

  Mummy and Daddy’s room was the farthest away from mine. Luckily, my grumpy big brother Travis’s bedroom was next door. I ran out into the hallway and flung his door open. Travis shot upright in his bed when he heard me and used the cuss word I knew Mum would ground him for if she’d heard it.

  “Fuck, Ryley! What’re you doing in my room? Get out! Now!”

  I just stood staring at him, fixed to the spot. Hadn’t he heard the noises too? Wasn’t he at least a little bit worried about our safety? I knew my fourteen-year-old brother hated me. I was a tittle-tattle, a baby. I messed up his fun and annoyed the hell out of him. But surely, in some way, he actually cared about me? He couldn’t be all bad, could he?

  Another crash from downstairs followed by a pained cry made me fling the door shut and run over to Travis’s bed.

  “What part of get out don’t you understand, brat?”

  Travis pulled his covers up tight around his bare chest. Was he embarrassed about me seeing him? I couldn’t care less what pyjama bottoms he chose to wear in bed. He was my brother, and usually I only wanted to fling rocks at his head. But right then, I needed to be close to him to feel safe.

  “Can I sleep in here with you?” I asked boldly. It was really more of a statement than a request.

  I went to climb onto the bed and snuggle under the covers with him. He wasn’t Mum and Dad, but he was the next best thing. Maybe he would go and find them and they could check out what was going on downstairs. Or maybe Travis would protect me himself. He had started to lift weights after school, and his bony arms had gotten more muscle on them this summer. I think he was trying to impress a girl, or that’s what Mum said when I teased him about it.

  “What the hell, Ryley? No, you can’t. Get out!”

  He pushed me down off his bed and gave me his, ‘Don’t mess with me’ stare. I’d usually argue, but I knew I wasn’t gonna win this time.

  “There’s someone downstairs. I’m scared.” I tried to let him see how vulnerable I felt in that moment. Appeal to his inner protectiveness, but it wasn’t working.

  “There’s no one downstairs. You probably just had a bad dream,” he snapped back in irritation.

  “But I heard things, smashing and crying and stuff. I’m scared, Travis. Please let me stay with you.”

  He threw his covers off and walked over to his bedroom door, holding it open for me to leave.

  “See? Quiet. No one is downstairs, Ryley. The alarms would’ve gone off if there was. Go back to your room. Put on one of your night lights and play one of your music boxes to help you go back to sleep. You’ve just had a bad dream.”

  He folded his arms stubbornly; he wasn’t budging. Even I knew not to press him further, and I always pushed too far.

  “Fine,” I bit back, stomping towards him. “If I get stolen away in the night then it’s your fault, Travis. You’re a horrible brother!”

  I stamped my feet on purpose as I left his room, and he slammed his door behind me. I huffed in annoyance as I glanced back at the closed door. I wished I had an older sister. Why did I get stuck with Travis, the mardy bum, as Mum called him when he went into one of his notorious moods. A big sister would’ve cuddled me back to sleep, played with my hair, and sang songs to make me feel safe. Not him. He was all shouty, stubborn moodiness. I hated boys, especially grumpy fourteen-year-olds.
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  I turned to walk back to my room, but I heard another loud crash and then a low, painful cry.

  “Why? Why?”

  I’d recognise that voice anywhere; it was Mummy.

  I crept over to the top of the staircase. Through the gaps in the rails, I could see one of our vases smashed on the tiled floor. Picture frames that’d stood on the side table were broken and littered across the floor. Mummy was curled up like a baby, holding her tummy as she cried. Was she hurt? I went to run down the stairs to see if she was okay, but was stopped by the sound of my Daddy’s voice.

  “There was never going to be a happy ending, Nina. What did you expect?”

  He sounded angry and tired. I peered around the staircase to see where he was. I was surprised to see my strong, unshakeable Daddy slumped against the wall. His knees were bent and his arms rested on top of them. He was wringing his hands together as if he wanted to break something. Had he smashed our things?

  Mummy hiccupped and then dragged herself into a sitting position, lashing out her arms in anger as she did. Not Daddy’s smash up party then. Hers, maybe?

  She scratched at her legs, making a weird animal sound like she was hurt or wounded. I didn’t know what to do. I could go back to fetch Travis, but then I couldn’t seem to tear myself away.

  “I don’t know what I expected, but it sure as fuck wasn’t this.”

  My eyes bugged out of my head. I’d never heard Mummy use that cuss word before. That was a bad word. I waited for Daddy to tell her off, but he didn’t.

  “He was ill, Nina. This is just-”

  “Just what? Just fucked up and wrong, that’s what. I need to leave. Tomorrow, I’m taking Ryley and we’re leaving.”

  I covered my mouth to stop my own cry escaping. What was she saying? Why did we have to leave? Were we all leaving? What was wrong with the house?

  “Please, Nina… please. I’m begging you… don’t leave. Don’t take Ryley away from me.”

  Daddy sounded so sad. I couldn’t stop a stray tear from trickling down my cheek as I listened to him. I wanted to go to him. Hug him and tell him I’d never leave him. He was my Daddy. I loved him the most of all.

  “I can’t stay here, Harry. Not after all this.”

  Daddy’s face screwed up, like someone had stuck a needle into his arm. I knew that look, because it’s the look I’d made after having my injections a few months ago. He was hurting.

  “I’m not asking for anything from you, Nina. I know things between us are… well, they’re broken. But maybe in time we can fix this? Just please don’t leave. I’ll move into the spare room. I’ll let you live your own life, but please let the children stay here together… with us. Don’t destroy the family over this.”

  “Family?” she barked back at him. “What family? We haven’t been a real family for years now.”

  Hadn’t we? What were we then, if we weren’t a real family? Mummy was confusing me. I was surprised Daddy was being so calm. I’d have told her off or grounded her if I was him. She was acting really weird.

  “We are family, we always will be. You’re all I’ve got. You, Travis, and Ryley. You’re my world.”

  Mummy laughed. Why was that funny?

  “The kids are your world. Me? I left your world a long time ago. I’m not yours anymore, Harry.”

  Daddy started to cry silent, heart-breaking tears, as Mummy just sat there looking at him. Why wasn’t she comforting him? Daddy was sad. It was her job to hold him and make it all better. Why wasn’t she his? I was frowning so deeply my forehead hurt.

  “You’re not his now either though, are you?” Daddy sniffed quietly and ran his hands over his face. “We can find peace here, with the children. We can make this work. We have to. Something good has to come out of this sad, sorry, fucked up mess.”

  “But I’m pregnant, Harry.” Mummy started sobbing again, big, fat tears and noisy grunts.

  I gasped. Pregnant? As in having a baby pregnant? Was I going to be a big sister? This was awesome news! Why were they both so miserable?

  My gasp must’ve broken through their little bubble, as Daddy began to climb the stairs to where I was crouching down. He looked wary, as if he was afraid to find out what I’d heard.

  “What’re you doing awake this late, baby girl? You need to be in bed getting your beauty sleep.”

  “But I can’t sleep, and I heard you and Mummy fighting.”

  He smiled, but his eyes told me he wanted to cry, like he was dying inside.

  “I’m scared, Daddy. Why are you fighting?”

  “Don’t be scared, sweet pea. It’s going to be all right.”

  He lifted me up into his arms, and I saw Mummy coming up the stairs behind him, guilt washing over her tear-stained face.

  She reached us and rubbed my back soothingly, then kissed the top of my head.

  “Daddy and I, we’re fine, little one. We just heard some sad news, that’s all. It’s really upset us, but it’s nothing for you or your brother to worry about. Just boring adult stuff.”

  She looked past me to Daddy, but she didn’t smile at him or soothe him like she was doing to me.

  “Are we leaving? Is that why you’re both sad? I don’t want to leave.”

  Daddy sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth, and Mummy’s eyes grew wide with horror.

  “No! This is our home, Ryley. We aren’t leaving.”

  Mummy looked at Daddy and gestured for him to take me back to my bedroom. She followed us as Daddy cradled me in his arms. He was so tall that whenever he held me, I always worried that he’d drop me. The fall would be so far; it terrified me. Ever since I’d fallen out of our tree house when I was three, I’d been scared of heights. I held onto him extra tightly, with my hands wrapped around his thick, warm neck.

  He lay me down on my bed, and Mummy sat on the mattress next to me.

  “Ryley, I don’t know what you heard tonight. All you need to know is that Daddy and I love you and Travis very much. We aren’t going anywhere. Now, go to sleep, little one. You’ll be a grumpy girl tomorrow if you don’t.”

  “Will the shouting and smashing stop?” I asked, as I crossed my fingers under the duvet and prayed she’d say yes.

  She took a deep breath and looked over at Daddy.

  “Yes. It’ll stop now. You won’t hear that again, Ri Ri,” Dad said, rubbing the back of his hand over my cheek.

  “Okay, Daddy. I love you.” I gave a weak smile as they both kissed me goodnight for the second time that day and left me to my thoughts.

  I never heard a cross word exchanged between my parents ever again after that day.

  Present Day

  Justin: Tell the train driver to hurry up. I can’t wait to get my hands on you.

  I glanced down at my phone to see the message that’d just pinged up on the screen. I couldn’t hold back my grin as I speed typed a response.

  I hope you’re well-rested, stud. I plan on keeping you up all night.

  I pressed the send button and watched as the three little dots danced about, telling me he was writing back.

  Justin: I swear to God, Ryley, my balls are so blue they’ve named a new shade of the colour after them. I’ve missed you, baby.

  I’d missed him too, and I told him in my messages exactly what I’d be doing in the next few days to show him how much. I knew he loved all that dirty shit, and I loved being his naughty girl. Lady in the streets, freak in the sheets, isn’t that how it goes? Oh boy, did this guy consume my every thought. He was my whole life, and I couldn’t wait to start our new chapter together. Being apart from him had been pure hell.

  ‘Ryley, when you meet ‘the one’ you’ll know. You’ll know because nothing and no one will ever stop you loving them, or wanting to spend every minute of every day with them. You’ll wish nights were longer, that days could be spent lost in them and nothing else. They’ll consume your whole body, mind and soul. Your tummy will ache with excitement at the thought of seeing them, being with them.’
/>   Well, that’s what my grandma always told me anyway. She loved to recount the story of her epic wedding day every time I saw her. How she couldn’t wait to get down that aisle to marry my grandfather. She’d always laugh like a mad woman recalling how she would’ve run if she could have, she was so desperate to finally pin him down. I always cringed when she told me about it. I mean, that was my gramps she was talking about. But now that I’m older and a hell of a lot wiser, I get it, I do. I get it, because that’s exactly how I feel about Justin, my high school sweetheart.

  We’ve been together since we were sixteen years old, and every year we just keep getting stronger. It hasn’t been easy being away from him these past few years whilst I’ve been at university studying. But that doesn’t matter anymore, we’ve made it. Now I’m on my way home to pin down my happily ever after, literally.

  Sitting on the train, counting down the minutes until it was my stop was all I’d been capable of for well over an hour. That and sexting the man of my dreams. I couldn’t wait to see his gorgeous face, wrap my arms around him and breathe him in. The fact that I could do that every day now, and for the rest of our lives, made me smile one of those crazy insane-looking grins. People on this train are gonna think I’m a nutter, I’m sure of it.