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All That You Can't Leave Behind


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Awww, you guys are so nice! I've missed this forum!

ChapterOneHundredEight: (Part B)

Rocco lay in the darkness, clutching the bruises on his abs, trying to wish the pain away. It was useless though. The more he kept thinking about it, the more it seemed to affect him. His phone beeped and he tried to reach over to the bedside table to grab it, but a sudden jerk of pain shot through his stomach, and he winced as if he were trying to absorb it before it flowed any further.

There was a soft knock at the door before it slowly opened and a stream of warm and homely light flowed into the bedroom.

“Rocco?” Martha said creeping in.

He sat up, pulling the covers over his stomach to shield her from the bruised and bloody wreck that he was.

“Hey,” he said quietly.

“How are you feeling?” she said sitting down on the edge of the bed.

“I’m okay,” he nodded.

Martha felt sorry for him. She could tell by the look on his face that he’d probably had worse beatings. This kind of thing was part of his day to day life and that angered her. People, especially kids shouldn’t have to live like that.

“If your brother did this to you, we should go to the police…”

“It wasn’t Johnny, that’s the truth,” he said shaking his head. “Really. Going to the cops would just make things worse anyway.”

“I was talking to Sally before,” Martha said quietly. “She’s really worried about you. She noticed the new bruises on your face. Matilda’s really worried too.”

“You guys don’t have to worry about me…”

She reached over and gently held his hand. “You’re not alone anymore Rocco. If you need our help, all you have to do is ask. We’re all here for you…”

He took a deep breath, realising that he had found a group of people who would care about him and help him unconditionally. For the first time in his life he didn’t have to lie or steal to get their approval. He didn’t say anything… he couldn’t. He didn’t want to ruin the one good thing that he had going.

“I’m staying here tonight, so I’ll be in the next room if you need anything,” Martha told him.

“You don’t have to stay to keep an eye on me,”

“Don’t worry,’ she laughed trying to hide the sadness she felt about her argument with Jack. “Something happened at home and I don’t feel like staying there tonight. But I do want to make sure that you’re okay. If anything is wrong…”

“Yeah, you’ll be the first person to know,” he smiled. “Promise.”

She stood up and smiled at him, gently stroking her stomach.

“Good. I’ll see you in the morning then.” She gave him a comforting smile before she left and quietly shut the door behind her.

He reached over for his phone again. This time he managed to get hold of it with minimal pain. He clicked to his inbox, almost tranced by the glow of the screen.

“I hv the $$,” it read. “Meet u b4 sch.”

He rolled over and sunk his face into the pillow before sobbing himself to sleep.

“How’s he doing?” Sally asked as Martha walked down the stairs.

“He’s okay. I think he just needs some rest,” Martha said sitting down on the couch next to Sally.

“I just wish that he’d talk to us,” Sally said sadly.

“I think he’ll come round soon enough love,” Alf said reassuringly.

“Grandad’s right Sal,” Martha told her. “He’s always had to deal with this kind of stuff on his own. Just give him some time…”

Sally wasn’t convinced. She frowned, trying to make sense of everything; trying to figure out a way that she could get through to this boy who was so closed off from everyone.

“Maybe Matilda might be able to talk to him?” she sighed. “Get him to open up to us a bit more.”

“He’s doing a lot better than he was,” Alf told her. “That’s progress isn’t it?”

“You’re right Mr Stewart,” Sally said smiling a wry smile. “I just wish there was something I could do to get Rocco away from Johnny for good. I can’t even bear to think what he’s put Rocco through all these years.”

“Johnny Cooper is the kind of flaming mongrel that only looks out for number one,” said Alf. “He doesn’t have a good thought in his head. The coppers will be on to him soon and he’ll be locked up for good. So it’s only a matter of time Sal. I’m sure Johnny won’t be causing trouble around here for too much longer.”

“I hope so,” Sally sighed. “For all of our sakes, I really hope so…”

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^ Thankies! :)

ChapterOneHundredNine:

“You sure that you can’t stay Johnny?” Jake moaned as opened the front door. “Krista and Kristie are really hot for you… You’re not seriously going to turn them down are ya? I’m quite willing to give you dibs on one of them…”

Johnny smiled. There was only one girl on his mind and he secretly hoped the twins would be a useful distraction for Jake. Especially given what he had planned for the rest of the night.

“Sorry mate, but it’s late and I’ve had waaaay too much to drink,” he said slapping Jake on his arm. “I would just ruin the fun anyway. Besides, all the more girly action for you eh?”

Jake battered his eyelids drunkenly. “You don’t know what you’re missing out on Johnny boy…”

“Just don’t over do it mate,” Johnny grinned walking down the path. “You can fill me in tomorrow…”

Nina tucked her phone into her bag and rummaged through it again to make sure all the money was there. She’d taken a huge risk getting it from the bank in the first place. There was no doubt that the activity on her account would draw some attention. It didn’t matter to her though. She’d cross that bridge when she came to it. Right now all she could think about was helping Rocco. As she rubbed her forehead, the window on the other side of the room suddenly came to life and quietly slid open. She quickly stashed the bag into her wardrobe before going over to help Johnny.

She was surprised at the way he managed to climb through the window so swiftly and quietly. He stepped in and brushed himself off and as she went to reach for the latch, he grabbed her from behind, lovingly kissing her neck and shoulders. He twirled her around and pushed her against the ledge, before he reached behind her and carefully shut the window.

“Hey beautiful,” he whispered breathing her in.

She pulled him closer to her, biting her bottom lip with anticipation.

“Hey you,” she whispered back.

He smiled, and as their eyes met, he slowly leaned in and kissed her.

There was something about the way he did it; something powerful and yet so gentle that completely mesmerised her. As if every time they kissed he breathed a part of his soul into her, soemthing that would connect them forever.

Johnny grinned slyly, raising his eyebrows as she slowly pushed him towards the bed.

He watched every breath that she inhaled and exhaled, as if there was something so very precious about the way that she slept. He ran his finger lightly up and down her arm, barely touching her, but enough to still feel the warmth between them.

“Don’t do that,” she whispered, suddenly stirring from her sleep.

“Do what?” he grinned placing his hands on the side of her face.

“Stare at me like that…” She opened her eyes and blinked a few times to adjust to the dim light that filled the room. “It’s kinda creepy…”

He laughed and gazed at her intently, trying to memorise every curve and line on her face and the deep and blazing emotion that swirled in her dark eyes. He didn’t know why, but he wanted that image of her burned into his memory forever.

“So, do you think he heard us?” he whispered wrapping his arms around her waist.

She snuggled into his chest as he rested his chin on the top of her head.

“You know…” she smiled, “I think if he did, you wouldn’t be breathing right now…”

Johnny grinned, realising what a risk he had taken sneaking back into the house to be with her. Any punishment that he got from anyone would be completely worth it.

“What’s his problem anyway?” he said curious.

She sighed, holding him tightly and burying herself deeper into his arms.

“You know what big brothers are like…” she told him. “He’s just a little over protective that’s all. I am his sweet, innocent little sister… and you’re not exactly Prince Charming…”

“I must’ve done something right,” he teased. “You can’t get enough of me…”

“In your dreams Johnny boy,” she laughed.

“You know how much I love it when you say my name?” he smiled.

A dark silence fell between them as they lay there in each other’s arms.

“You don’t ever say my name…” she whispered.

Johnny looked at her gravely. “I never noticed that I didn’t…” he said brushing it off. “Besides, gorgeous suits you much better…”

He grinned and kissed her quickly; trying to distract her and get off the subject.

“I want to, I really do,” he frowned. “But… I’m kinda scared…”

“You’re scared?” she said breaking away from him.

“Hey, hey, hey,” he said trying to salvage the situation. “It doesn’t mean that what we have isn’t special to me, because it is. You know that… I’ve never felt like this about anyone and that’s what scares me. If anything ever happened to you because of who I am or what I do, I don’t think I could handle it… don't hate me because I'm trying to keep you safe...”

She gulped, realising how deep she’d gotten with him. He was a man made out of violence and anger, and yet with her all of that seemed to fade away. Saying her name was the equivalent of saying that he loved her. That she wasn’t just a dream… that she was real and that everything he felt for her was too…

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