#@sfb123

After the painful sight of Alina’s death, Sam went on a downward spiral. His actions from that point forward led to excessive alcohol abuse. He wasn't even aware of the amount that he would consume daily.

He had come to rely on his meetings with Dahlia more often than she’d expected. So much so, that he was beginning to suck her into his depression. She was losing sight of herself trying to help him escape this loop that he’d become enslaved in.

She never imagined that her revenge would push him to this level. She was so consumed with a hatred for him, that she didn’t even think of the collateral damage her actions would cause. Being in Sam’s presence was forcing her reality to take hold of her sanity.

She’d been the cause of this… and indirectly the cause of Alina’s death. She’d recently sent a picture to Alina. The sight had Alina questioning how well she even knew her husband. 

Sam had been so loving and, although Dalton Enterprises was monopolizing his life, he was always trying to be the man she’d fallen so deeply in love with.

But Alina was gone now, and after having been forced into rehab as her condition for taking him back, along with a serious commitment, he had to pull his life together. He wouldn’t lose her, too.

--------------------------------

Sam hired Tyrese to perform “Sweet Lady”  for his proposal … Down on his own persuasive measures since she’d left when he was most vulnerable, he figured that added touch would give him time to work his courage up to take on her denial, should this strong minded woman actually allow his entertainment.

He knew that she’d mentioned loving Tyrese’s sensual voice… She’d at least focus on the words of his song… Knowing her wit, she’d pick up quite quickly on the words meaning on this night.

She’d warned Sam that if he wasn’t contacting her with a marriage proposal, she couldn’t entertain their former patterns. He’d driven her to lust and he knew it. But she’d been able to resist his charms in the end. Whiskey and bourbon were his “new orgy” as Dahlia had put it.

He’d express that underneath the pain, he’d actually fallen in love with her. Heartbroken at the words, knowing that she’d expected a totally different conversation to result from the photo she’d sent to Alina just before her demise. She becomes enraged and her persona immediately shifts to borderline girl interrupted behavior …

“You’re professing love for ME, Sam… While GRIEVING over your TRUE LOVE ??? DO YOU FUCKING EVEN HEAR YOUR WORDS RIGHT NOW ??”

Sam flinches back in absolute confusion… “You’re telling me that I CAN’T love you, too? After every time you came to my rescue … you were ALWAYS there, Lia!! How can you expect me not to grieve? But I have to move on, and I NEED YOU to do that, Lia!” But Dahlia isn’t prepared for this turn of events.

“Sam, I ..,” tears flowing heavily, “I can’t. There are things I have d- …” Sam interrupts here with a heated kiss that draws her from the ground resting only on her tiptoes … a kiss that draws every ounce of desire … that forces her to acknowledge … her love …

When he releases her, she whispers, “Love you, too…” Momentarily stunned, she allows him to kiss her more fervently, backing her against the wall … His hand groping her meaty core, his tongue racing against her neck, against her shoulder, until he swiftly drops to her center to kiss what has drawn him to her fully.

The inhale at his touch floods her with an adrenaline that she can’t resist. She wants him … She needs him … She craves him … “Yesss, Sam,” is the delicate whisper that escapes her lips as she bites down, letting the rush consume her…

“NO!”

She pushes Sam away, but he is not giving in… He holds her firmly, pulling her into his tongue thrusts … into his finger strokes … into his teething graze of her core … He growls his hunger loudly, letting her know he has seized his prey and won’t give without her trembling release …

His animalistic nature returns… his former self coming along with it … She has become his tether to reality… Her reluctance only fuels him more. 

He pulls her to the floor, laying his weight upon her as he grinds against her, “Tell me you DON’T want me Lia… TELL ME !!!,” he demands with firmness… “You CAN’T !!,” are the last words spoken as he tears away her clothing … tears away her control … devouring her moans with his aggressive kisses, sliding her thong to the side and thrusting his hardened length into her … loving her with a roughness as if punishing her for ever thinking of walking away from him …

Tonight, he will stake his claim on her heart … he will offer all of himself with each thrust, building into a powerful hammering that leaves them both convulsing with release …

As Sam lays atop her frame, she lays silently tears flowing uncontrollably … How can she love this man … after the things he’d caused her to endure … the personality changes, the … the … all thoughts end as he lifts to kiss her again … Oh damn, I can’t resist … round two is always better than the first … and with that, she is sucked in again … this time, she gives her all … because this time … this time has to be her last … but how?

“Dammit, Sam…,” is the last of her thoughts as his sex takes hold of her soul.

 After he had fully put his mark of ownership on Dahlia’s body, after she’d clawed her last orgasm on his back … he lifted her like a weightless doll, and carried her to the bed, so spoon the night away with her in his loving hold… 

Morning comes, and Sam kisses her, “Good morning, Lia. Do you forgive me for last night??” She stares into his eyes, the biggest smile of pleasure shown on her face, “Mmmhmm, forgiven.”

“Good, cause you know I never miss breakfast.”

“But, I’m sore, Sam …”

He places a finger over her lips … “I’ve got you, Lia.”

And with that, she convinces herself that this will be the final time…

“Damn, girl … I love you! You’re so damned sexy,” he growls, before giving her the most sensual and gentle love making she’s ever experienced … She now knew that he’d truly committed himself to her.

------------------------

Freddy Jackson’s “Tasty Love” is the song he belts from the shower … Dahlia can’t help but smile … “Damn, I LOVE HIM…” But the smile quickly fades as she sees the notification on Sam’s phone over on the nightstand.

“Sam, we need to talk, NOW !!!” {sender T.B.O.P .eggplant kitty emojis…}

She gets a clench in her chest … TBOP, TBOP … until she understands the acronym to be The Boys of Princeton… And just like that, her horrors flood back to mind, reaching an anxiety level beyond control. She can’t keep hold of her sanity … 

She looks towards the direction of the shower, but Sam is still in his feelings, now belting lyrics to “Just a Touch Away” by Freddie Jackson. Water drops in heavy sounds, signifying that he is still mid cleanse … “LOVE IS JUST, JUST A SIMPLE TOUCH …,” are the words he’s crooning out.

She darts for her outer clothing strewn near the door … not taking the time to fully dress … noting that Sam had literally torn her clothes off of her, she looks around frantically … As she spots his suit shirt, she hurriedly takes, grabbing her clutch and shoes…

Rushing as fast as she can, buttoning the last button, she reaches for the door handle … “I owe him a goodbye at least …” 

Knowing that she can’t leave if he is face to face, she scribbles a quick note …  “I love you, but I can’t do this Sam.” Sealed with a lip imprint, a final kiss of crimson, she drops the note near his phone, and slips out of his life …  Her plan… never look back …

Sam emerges into the bedroom, backside winding in a nasty grind … his playful side of love … only to spin around to an empty room… “Lia?”

“Hmm, morning game play, huh? Okay, okay… Let me just check the time, see if I can make this happen for her…,” his happy thoughts searching for today’s game … until he reaches for his phone, hearing the notification … “What’s this, she’s such a tease … OH !?!”

Disappointment immediately settles in, but the notification comes again … 

Vivian arrives on scene, and immediately falls into despair. Robin appears beside her, bracing her before she fully collapses. The amount of damage before her eyes causes her desperate search for anyone that would be in high enough rank to give her the immediate condition of her son.

Being in a much calmer state, not really sure of why she has had him meet her at this location, Robin asks the necessary questions that Vivian is unable to due to her frantic state. When he learns that it is Alina’s body that they are trying to retrieve from the wreckage, he almost loses his own composure.

The Coroner approaches them, seeing that the officer is failing to properly assist with their questioning. She explains that Sam is in an ambulance for observation. Vivian asks if she can see him, and is led over by nervous Robin.

“Where is dad, mom?” She ignores his question, as the answer is the same as it always is, and she knows that Robin is already aware that he couldn’t pull himself from the office. Understanding the severity of the situation as they reach the back of the ambulance.

Sam had gone into shock and they were attempting to calm him down when he collapsed. The paramedic constantly calls Sam’s name, in hopes of arousing him, and checks his vitals. Sam manages to come to consciousness before Vivian is allowed access to the ambulance.

He requested to leave the ambulance, which they were reluctant to allow, but it was his right. When they hear banging on the doors, the EMT opens it thinking maybe the police have more questions for Sam.

To his surprise, Robin appears. “What’s going on ... Robin..? Why am I in this ambulance?” Robin asks the paramedic if it is safe for them to take Sam with them, and he agrees, but strongly suggests follow up care.

They make their way over to Vivian’s car, Sam and Robin taking the back seat. As Robin explains the parts that he knows, Sam slowly comes to full realization, still unable to believe what has happened. His mind chooses denial as its self protective mechanism. His mom sits in the front seat, silently grieving for their loss and her son’s mentality, tears flowing uncontrollably. She realizes that not only have the twins lost their mother, but their father to some extent. He won’t be in any condition to care for them now for certain.

 It is clear that Sam has been drinking, and should never be behind the wheel. Robin exits the vehicle to ask the investigating officer if it is safe to leave the scene with Sam, explaining his devastation and need to leave this area for his sanity. Taking contact information, he returns to the car.

“I need your keys, mom will drive you and I will follow close behind in your car. You’re in no condition to drive, Sammy. The officer has cleared us to leave, but mom, are you sure you are okay to drive. I think it’s best if we go to your place mom. He can’t be alone.”

Vivian composes herself, but constantly checks her rear view mirror, taking in her son’s broken state, her heart crumbling more with each look. She also sees the headlights of Sam’s vehicle, assuring her that Robin is close behind.

Now having images of the night’s events flash through his mind, he slowly begins to unravel. His torment taking hold of his every fiber of being, he folds to a fetal position, crying out for Alina as it he can stop time in his vision, reversing the permanent damage of his every action, his every failure, his every moment spent apart from the only person who had seen him fully and reciprocated his love in a way he thought would never be possible.

Vivian accelerates to an almost unsafe speed, hazards flashing. She can’t bear the thought of not being able to console her broken son. She needs to get him into the safety of her home. She places a call for the doctor to meet her with a sedative, knowing he won’t survive the night without it...

    ---------------- Looking past the Damage -----------------------

Madeline knocks insistently on the doors to King Liam’s private study, where he has asked to be left undisturbed. Ignoring the lack of acknowledgement to her apparent “urgent need”, she enters with a light whisper, “Liam...,  I have something here that commands that I disregard your request to be left to your solace.”

Growling with profuse anger, he half turns in address to her presence, “WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE SO URGENT AS TO DISREGARD MY REQUEST ?!!!!?”

Trembling, Madeline moves forward to greet this sorrowful King. “Humbly speaking, you have received a correspondence that requires your immediate action...” Liam turns fully to allow Madeline to feel the searing anger he is currently feeling, having absolutely nothing to do with this disturbance. 

Uncrossing his legs and leaning forward on the edge of his desk from the massive chair that once belonged to King Father Constantine Rhys, his muscular frame holding the most intimidating posture, he pounds his fist hard on the top of the oak desk from the Louis XV period, not having any respect for its historic value. His mind wracked with pressing matters of the Crown, second to that of his fraught Queen.

“Madeline, if this is not as important as you say, on my mother’s honor, I will bring wrath upon you so fier…”

“HIS MAJESTY !!!,” she impresses, and then quickly composes for a more respectful tone. “Please… I would not impose otherwise,” she states with a stern look of sincerity prior to dropping her head, unable to endure the brokenness of the once solemn monarch. She offers the correspondence, which he snatches from her delicate hands with haste.

“This could be the solution to what we all have been praying for…” she timidly offers.

“FETCH BERTRAM AND BASTIEN IMMEDIATELY !!!!”

As Madeline scurries from the room, Liam places a call… “Brother, I need you. How soon can you arrive?”

---------------- Urgent Official Correspondence --------------

From the U.S. Embassy: (official seal)

Cordonian Courier Express

From the Offices of 

BerkmanBottger Newman & Schein, LLP

521 5TH Ave, New York, NY 10175

King Rhys, His Majesty,

On Behalf of our client, Mrs. Alina Russo-Dalton, we regretfully write to you as part of the finalization of the Estate & Property of said client. 

Please accept our humblest apologies if this correspondence has reached you prior to being informed of her demise. Our office sends its warmest condolences and empathy to the family and friends of our client. It was her wish that this be executed immediately without fail.

Your attention is promptly required as a named benefactor in her petition for the probate of her Last Will and Testament. Please contact our offices at your earliest convenience @ (212) 867-9123.

His Majesty, this is a highly time sensitive matter. We cannot stress its importance enough. 

Please see the enclosed letter and sealed artifact and official amended documents requested to be presented to you along with the correspondence for your prompt handling.

We look forward to hearing from your court, or His Majesty,  at your urgency for immediate response.

Sincerest Regards,