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It didn’t matter that she was at a prestigious country club, will some of the most well-known families in New York City and it didn’t matter that she was supposed to be a happy celebrating her wedding. None of that matter because none of it was real it was all a fucking illusion and if it hadn’t been for Mark, she’d be happy, it’d still be an illusion, but it least back before she’d met Mark she could lie to herself and everyone else around her. The bathroom door opened, but she didn’t look up, she was too scared it’d be Max again.

“Frankie.” The voice was soft causing her to look up and see a girl she vaguely remembered, Frankie watched as her eyes danced over her for a second before finally locking eyes with her. “The phones for you.” She said, but Frankie didn’t have the strength to grab it and hold it to her ear and when she didn’t take it, Winni put it to her ear gently as if she was scared to touch Frankie, because she might just disintegrate.

"Franks." she let out a shuttering breath when he whispered her name and she wanted to tell Winni to take the phone away, but she couldn’t "I love you too and I'm in New York." he breathed and she was trying to hold herself together "I need you baby, I miss you." there was silence for a long moment, before he spoke again. "Can you get away? Can you meet me somewhere? That beach." she closed her eyes, if she ran again Max would literally kill her "Where we went the first night together. Can you meet me there? I need to talk to you."

It was silent for a long time and she thought about just not answering at all, because this was honestly her last chance. Then Max’s words were on repeat in her mind and she wasn’t sure if Mark really loved her, how could he after what she’d done to him. She was frozen. She knew what she wanted to say. She wanted to say yes, she’d meet him, but she couldn’t get the words to come out. Instead of answering him, she hung up and handed the phone back to Winni, she held Winni’s eyes and opened her mouth to speak, but the door opened again only this time it was Benji.

“Frankie, baby, what the hell happened to you.” Benji whispered, finally seeing her for the first time. “I’m gonna kill him.” Ben hissed clenching his fists and that only pissed Frankie off, she walked up to him slapping him in the face, completely shocking both him and Winni.

“Don’t bother.” Frankie spat. “You weren’t there when I needed you.” She whispered “That’s what happened.” She could see him visibly wince. “So you’re going to make up for it now.” Benji knit his brows. “I’m leaving and you’re going to cover for me.” She smirked, walking past him, but Benji grabbed her arm.

“Frankie, he’s not going to believe anything I tell him, he’ll kill you.” He said, but Frankie only ripped her arm away and stuck her hand into his pocket pulling out his keys.

“I’ll take my chances then.” She said holding his eyes. “Cover for me or don’t, I really don’t give a shit anymore.” She said honestly before slipping out of the bathroom and heading out to Beni’s car.

She knew that it was near impossible for her and Mark to be together again, but she hated that they’d left things on really bad terms and even if it was the last time she saw him, she could at least tell him she loved him. Because she couldn’t run from her problems, not again.

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Waiting to see her again was completely nerve wracking. He’d convinced himself for the past month or so that there was no way he was ever seeing her again and he’d started to believe himself, Now though, he wanted to get out of the car and run, because that’s all he knew how to do and that’s what he was best at.

The door opened and the two men, lifted her into the car and seeing her again after so long was like seeing her for the first time again, it made his heart race and all he wanted to do was pull her in and kiss her. That’s exactly how he knew he was in love with her, because every time with her felt like the first time and he’d never missed anyone as much as he’d just realized he missed her.

"What the fuck is this?" She breathed, but neither him nor Chris answered her. "Did you kill him?" He rolled his eyes, but from behind the mask she couldn’t see that, if she could, she’d know it was him right away.

His eyes caught a large diamond ring on her ring finger and that completely killed him, if he wanted to run before, now he wanted to take two planes and a boat just to get away. Not only was she back with Jason, but now by the looks of it she was engaged to him. It was like a slap in the face and he honestly would have rather heard her scream that she hated him. He hadn’t exactly been expecting her to sit around and wait for him to come back, but getting married wasn’t exactly what he’d expect either especially from Ryan.

He stayed silent the entire rid back to Chris’s new house, despite Ryan’s constant demanding question, he wanted to ask her why and scream at her, but Chris had told him to keep his mouth shut and now that she was back with Jason and seeing that ring on her finger, he wasn’t sure he wanted her to even know it was him, because what the hell would that change, it was pretty obvious, by the diamond on her finger that she hadn’t missed him too much.

Once they got to the house, Spencer and Chris got out first, while Chris’s guys brought in Ryan and took her up to a room, locking her inside so she couldn’t escape. Chris looked him over as he took off his mask and there was obviously something wrong, you could see it written all over him.

“Spence, this is your last chance.” Chris sighed. “It’s a piece of jewelry, it doesn’t mean shit, trust me.” He said like he could read Spencer’s mind, but before Spencer could tell him to fuck off like he wanted to Chris left the room, leaving Spencer torn.

Spencer knew that if he left, Chris wouldn’t touch Ryan he’d let her go and tell her what Jason had done. So, he was honestly debating whether or not to leave. Because he’d saved her for some lowlife dealer who was going to kill her, but did she honestly need him. But, then there was the other part of him that already knew he couldn’t live without her and if he left again, he’d end up in prison or dead. Eventually he’d decided he wanted to at least see her before he left.

He headed up stairs, excusing both the guys, before opening the door to the room. He smirked seeing her siting on the bed. Before she had a chance to do anything, he moved quickly, grabbing her wrist pulling her to his chest and wrapping and arm around her waist so she couldn’t move, before pressing his lips to hers and kissing her. His whole body was on fire for the first time since he’d left her and all of his senses were hyper active. He kept his hand on the back of her neck so she couldn’t pull away, Eventually though he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers and holding her eyes.

“Tell me you don’t love me and I’ll leave.” He whispered.

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Frankie was stupid for leaving, she was going to get the shit beat out of her, hell she’d be lucky if he didn’t literally murder her. Max wasn’t going to let her go, even if he didn’t love her, that didn’t matter, because she was a possession to him and she looked good on his arm. That alone was enough to keep him from letting her go.

She wasn’t driving to see Mark and get back with him, she was driving to finally end things. To tell him that they had to stop seeing each other, no matter how bad it killed them. She was going to have to pretend to be happy with Max, because In their world they didn’t marry for love and Mark was going to have to move on, because in his world he could do whatever he wanted.

It had taken her quite some time, but she finally got there and when she did, his car was there. Her stomach twisted, because it was going to break her heart to have to do what she was about to do, she was glad though it was dark and he wouldn’t be able to see how sick she was.

She cut the engine and somehow she already knew he’d be down at the beach waiting for her, so she got out of Benji’s car and heading down to the beach. It was dark and she paused on the path able to make out his silhouette sitting in the sand, near the shoreline. She debated on turning around and walking away and he’d never even know she was there. But, she didn’t, because she at least wanted to see him and leave him on a better not this time. So she continued until she finally got to where he was and she silently sat down next to him, suddenly glad the moon wasn’t bright enough for him to see her.

She kept her eyes on the black waves as they hit the shore, before they were pulled back in and oddly enough for long time it was silent between them and she’d convinced herself it was because neither of them were sure what to say. A lot had happened and they hadn’t exactly liked each other the last time they’d seen each other.

“I’m pretty sure it was yours.” she finally whispered, referring to the baby. “But, Max made me get rid of him.” She said fighting back tears. “You should have come after me that night Mark.” Her voice trembled. She was having a hard time keeping it together. “And I shouldn’t have walked away.” She sighed. “But, you know…” she trailed off, not wanting to finish. “We can’t be together.” She whispered so quietly, she wasn’t sure he’d heard her over the waves.

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He felt her body tense and he knew then she was going to fight him and she had every right to, he was just scared if she pushed him to far he’d walk away again and this time, he’d do something purposely to get himself killed because he needed her and if she didn’t want him, he’d be fucked and he wasn’t sure he could hear her say she didn’t want to be with him.


"Fuck you." She spat and he rolled his eyes as she shoved him away but he barely moved, he kept his eyes on her as she created distance, like she was scared he’d hurt her. “You left me and you'll do it again." She continued and he just listened keeping his eyes on her. "I don't trust you and nothing you can say or do will change that."

He took a step forward, but he continued to keep their distance, he wasn’t sure why the hell he was trying to get her back. The ring on her finger was enough proof for him, that she didn’t need him the way he need her. He glanced down to the ring on her finger, before glancing back to her and locking eyes with her.

“I’m not asking you to trust me.” He spat, irritated. “I’m asking you if you fucking love me!” He yelled and the pain was clear in his voice. “You know what, never mind.” He said dropping his gaze and shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter right? Because your marrying that ass hole who doesn’t give a shit about you.” He said glancing back up to her and there was so much pain and hurt in his eyes, he knew she’d be able to see it but he didn’t care at this point. “Because your marrying him whether you love me or not.” He said honestly.

He felt so stupid for falling in love with her, because he knew it would in this way. He’d tried to pretend it wouldn’t, he’d tried to convince himself that he’d be the one to break her heart and she was just another girl. But, she was the one breaking his heart, she was killing him with a simple piece of jewelry. He had to swallow his pride and let her go, because she wasn’t coming back to him.

“Congratulations, you’re just like your sister.” He spat harshly. “I told you then it wasn’t over, you should have known I’d come back, I told you I’d always come back to you.” He whispered.

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It was quite for a moment after she spoke, before he finally reached out placing a hand on the back of her neck and pressing his lips to hers. She tried to convince herself she didn’t love him, but it was no use and she ended up kissing him back, despite herself.

"I love you." he whispered against her lips causing her to shiver, before he finally released her. "And I know you love me. You don't love that asshole. I made a mistake. You're right, I should have gone after you." she had to look away from him, because she could feel herself wanting to give in and she just couldn’t not this time. "But I didn't and, as much as I wish I could change that, I can't. I treated you like shit and took you for granted." she couldn’t fight them anymore and she finally let her tears fall "I don't deserve you or your forgiveness, but I'm sorry. For everything."

She hated that he thought it was all his fault. Because it wasn’t, she blamed herself more than blamed him. There were a million things she could have done, starting by not sleeping with his friend or keeping the fact that she was pregnant from him. She loved him more then she’d ever loved anyone, but everything about them was complicated, because now she wasn’t just engaged she was married and if Max hadn’t told her what he’d told her about their family being in debt, she probably would have had no problem leaving Max for Mark again. But, now she felt obligated to stay with him, to keep her family out of debt.

“Your right, I do love you.” She sighed. “We knew what we were getting ourselves into.” She said finally looking to him. “I knew you’d break my heart and you knew you’d never really have me.” She whispered. “I can’t keep running from my life.” She said turning her eyes back to the ocean. “Everything’s changed. But, for what it’s worth, I didn’t want to marry him. I’ll always love you Marky.” She smiled as she lend over and kissed his cheek, gently and it made her stomach twist because she was telling him goodbye.

She stood up then and started back towards her car because if she stayed any longer, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to go back to the party and pretend like nothing had happened. The longer she avoided Max and her stupid dinner party, the worse it would be on her. There was a small part of that hoped he wouldn’t let her walk away again, that he’d stop her and he’d make her stay. But, she had a feeling he’d let her go, because he’d never been the type to make her do something that she didn’t want to.

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"How fucking long did you expect me to wait?!" She screamed and he rolled his eyes. "I can't wait forever Spence. It's been three months. I didn't think I'd ever see you again." he hated that he’d hurt her and he could tell he had, just by her voice. "How am I supposed to believe you come back for me when you break your promises all the time?" She whispered and he kept his eyes on her "You said you wouldn't leave and you did. You say all the time that you're not going to cheat again and you do." he winced, because he knew what she was saying was true. "I said yes to Jace because he's not going to leave me and, even if he does, it won't kill me."

He let silence fall between them for a long time. He wasn’t losing her, he’d already lost her and it was all his fault. He’d lost the only good thing he’d ever had, not that he was all that surprised, because no one ever stuck around and when they did he used them and then hurt them and it had been no different with Ryan. He could beg her to stay and he could apologize all he wanted but what would that do. She might forgive him, they might get back together, and things would be good again, until he got scared and started fucking up again.

“You shouldn’t believe me.” He finally said. “Because no matter what I say, it’s a lie. It’s always going to be a lie.” He said honestly, glancing to her. “Except when I tell you I love you, that’s has never been a lie and it never will be.” He said holding her eyes for a moment, before having to look away. “I didn’t kill him.” He said calmly, referring to her question about Jason in the car. “I’ll have Chris take you back.” he said looking back to her.

He wanted to sell out Jason and tell Ryan why she was really there. He wanted to tell her that he’d actually saved her and the Jason had used her as collateral for his drugs, and he’d have probably one her back that way. He’d have talked himself up and thrown Jason under the bus, but what for so he could hurt her. It looked like she already had Jason too that for her. So for the first time in his life, he let it go, he didn’t use his charm or his silver tongue, he just kept his mouth shut. He crossed the room and pressed his lip to her forehead, before turning around and making his way towards the door.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered as he hesitated to open the door. "Not for what happened between us. But, because he won."

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By the time she’d reached the car she was convinced he wasn’t coming for her and that they were finally over. He was tired of fighting for her and she couldn’t leave her life behind. That was the way it was supposed to be right?

She felt him reach out and grab her wrist spinning her to face him as he backed her up against the car. Her heart raced and her breathing picked up. He wasn’t done fighting for her and that scared her, because Max wasn’t done fighting for her either and a part of her wasn’t going back to him, for the simple fact she was scared Max would really kill him, because the difference between Mark and Max was, Mark was dangerous; the kind of dangerous that you knew you shouldn’t get involved with, but you couldn’t help yourself. Max on the other hand was just completely insane, mixed with his money and power, he could easily get rid of Mark, no questions asked.

As soon as Mark’s lips came down on hers, she’d forgotten all of the worry and paranoia. All that matter was them in that moment. He held her in the kiss, like he was scared she’d pull away but she couldn’t, because she just couldn’t fight him. She could literally taste the desperation, the apologies, and how much he really needed her in that kiss and it made her moan against his lips despite herself and kissed him back just as desperately, as she melted into him.

"Don't go." he whispered, pressing his body tighter against hers and she couldn’t help but let herself cry in front of him. But the tears weren’t sad, she was overwhelmed.

After everything that had happened over the past three months without him. She’d convinced herself that no one really loved her. That she was alone, Mark had moved on and he didn’t need her. She’d never really had someone loved her as completely as she felt in just his kiss just a moment again and she’d never loved anyone as unconditionally as she loved him.

"Please, I need you Frankie." He begged and everything they’d been through came back to her like scenes from a movie and she was scared that if she gave into him again he’d only break her heart again, at least with Max, he couldn’t leave her. But, then she wasn’t sure she could live the rest of her life the way she’d been living for the past few months. "I can't let you just walk away again knowing you love me and I love you."

She squeezed her eyes shut, because she couldn’t look at him. She continued to let her tears fall. It was so easy for her to just give into him and leave again. The first time they’d done it no one had found them, they were good at disappearing, because all they really needed was each other. She just didn’t understand what it was that was holding her back from him, what was keeping her from saying yes, because she didn’t love Max and her mother had pretty much sold her off, like she was nothing more than a bargaining chip. Her and her step father had never really gotten along and her real father lived in a completely different country. So in all honesty she wasn’t sure what was keeping her from letting go completely.

“How can I trust you.” She finally breathed, forcing herself to hold his eyes. “When you realize you’re too scared to try and love me again, how do I know you’re not going to cheat on me again.” she questioned. “We don’t know how to do anything but destroy each other.” She said looking back to him. “We love each other too damn much and that’s what kills us.” Her voice was weak. “Sometimes love isn’t enough. It’s never mattered what I wanted, I can fight my mother and Max, but there always going to win. I know you don’t understand.” She said looking away. “I gave up everything for us, but look where we ended up.” she said taking a shuttering breath.

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"I'm sorry too." she whispered and his whole body tensed "I just can't go through this again."

He had to leave the room then and he slipped out quickly. He had no one to blame but himself and that was the worst part. He was living with his own guilt. He headed down the stairs, quickly headed for the front door, because he was on the verge of crying for the first time in his life over a girl and he didn’t want to chance falling apart in front of his brother or worse in front of Ryan. He just couldn’t understand why it was so easy for him to let her go if he loved her so much, he just wanted her to be happy. He thought she was happy with him and it killed him that she wasn’t, he couldn’t give her what she needed and what she need was security.

Once he was outside the cold night air hit him, like a thousand needles pricking his skin and it brought him back to reality. What the hell was he doing? Why wasn’t he fighting for her? Spencer never let things go, yet he was just letting the girl he willingly admitted to being in love with walk out of his life for good. He wasn’t exactly the best boyfriend in the world, but he loved her, she wasn’t just a piece or arm candy or credit card to him. She was his everything, she made him a better person, and she knew him better than anyone else, even better than his own brother knew him. He headed back inside quickly running up the stairs and opening the door to her room.

“I can’t let you go.” He said closing the door. “Not again, not back to him.” He said holding her eyes. “You mean to damn much to me and I don’t care what I have to do or who I have to fight, I can’t live without you.” He said honestly, fighting back tears and desperately hoping she couldn’t see how torn up he actually was. “You’re here because of that Jack ass Rianne. He sold you out for his drugs and if it wasn’t for Chris and I, you’d be in the hands of some lowlife dealer.” He spat, but he wasn’t mad at her, he was pissed at Jason for putting her in that position. “You’d be dead.” He whispered painfully. “I couldn’t let that happen to you, I know you hate me for leaving you.” He said closing the distance between them.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her tightly to against his body, but not tight enough that she couldn’t get away if she wanted to. He wrapped an arm around her waist and fisted his other hand in her dark hair, pulling her lips to his and kissing her deeply, tilting her head and slipping his tongue past her lips, making sure she could feel his guilt and how sorry he was in the kiss.

“But, you were the only thing I thought about.” He whispered against her lips “And, I’d die for you in a heartbeat if that’s what it took to get you to realize how much I love you.” he continued as his lips moved along her jawline.

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She closed her eyes as he kissed along her neck, leaving a fiery trail on her skin where ever his lips touched. She could feel herself slipping back into him with every kiss. She hated it for the simple fact that she’d known coming to meet him here would only end in her going back to him.

"I didn't know just how much I loved you until I lost you." He whispered against her skin and she forced herself to focus on his words. "I couldn't do anything without thinking if you and it was killing me." he said leaning his forehead against hers and she kept her eyes closed. "Being away from you destroys me even more than being with you does, and at least when I'm with you, I'm not totally miserable." She finally opened her eyes holding his. "When I'm with you, it might be hard, but that's okay because I'm happy. I'm only happy when I'm with you and I'm willing to deal with all the other shit for that." she hated that he was right. "Being together isn't easy, and it's never going to be, but not being together is pretty much impossible."

He kissed her lips again and she kissed him back, but the quick ended just as quickly as it had started and he released her. She sighed, there was no way she could go back and face Max after Mark was giving her, her freedom back. He was standing right there in front of her, begging for her to come back and telling her he couldn’t live without her. It was everything she’d been waiting for, for the past few months, it almost felt like Max would wake her up any minuet and it would all be taken away from her. She’d be stupid not to leave with him and if anything her mother deserved to lose everything.

"I can't lose you again, Frankie. I don't think I'll survive it this time if I do." he breathed and she let silence fall between them again as she let her eyes fall to the ground, wiping away her tears, before glancing back to him.

“Alright.” She whispered. “Let’s go.” She said it so simply, that she almost made herself believe that there was nothing to fear and nothing was keeping them apart. “But you better be ready for the hell that follows.” She said honestly. “Because know I’m his wife and you can bet he’s not going to let me get away with humiliating him a second time.” She explained, letting him know what he was getting himself into. “He’s going to have a hit out for you and were constantly going to be running.” She sighed running her hands through her hair. “He’s going to kill you.” She finally breathed.

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"I couldn't stop thinking about you either." She admitted and he sighed in relief "I love you so much. I didn't think you'd come back, and it was killing me. I didn't know what to do." he nodded understanding her, grateful he was sober "I didn't even kiss him for a month, but it got hard. I only said yes because I thought it'd make me stop loving you. It hurt too much to love you." he smirked as she took the ring off and tossed it on the nightstand, before kissing him and he moan into the kiss able to feel she was as sorry as him. "I didn't want to hurt you." she breathed against his lips.

Her lips traced his jaw and down his neck and it felt incredible, even sober, her kiss made him feel high. They had to get out of there, before Jason came after him, not that he was scared of him, but Spencer already had a million strikes on his record all Jason had to do was call the cops and tell him what happened and Spencer would be thrown behind bars again and this time, Chris might not be able to bail him out.

He used his grip in her hair to bring her lips back to his and he kissed her hard, deepening the kiss as he slipped his tongue past her lips. His lips left hers as they traced along her jaw and down her neck, before he picked her up wrapping her legs around her waist and laying her down on the bed, climbing over her. He pressed his lips to her again.

“Ryan, we have to leave, tonight.” He whispered against her lips. “If you don’t come with me, I have to leave alone.” He sighed pulling away, but holding her eyes.

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