Bulletproof

I couldn’t bring myself to speak to Jared as I helped him clean up his back, as we listened to Missy chew out Novak in the next room.

"What the Hell were you thinking?!" she screamed furiously demanding an answer.
"I don't fucking know Missy! Jared started_"
"I don't want to hear about Jared!" she interrupted.
"Well that's who you should be yelling at! Jared did it!" he shouted back.
"Evil! It's Evil Jared!" he stressed as I handed him his shirt, growing even angrier as the moments went by.
"Thanks," he said pulling his shirt back on quickly.
I was too pissed off to speak so I just nodded and left the bathroom and walked up to my room but not before Novak tried to apologize.
"Wyn_"

This time it was my turn to interrupt him.

"Do NOT say my name. If you care about my sanity at all and you have even an ounce of decency in you, you will not say my name."

He bowed his head and I didn't stick around to hear if he would try again as I walked up the stairs and with as much restraint as possible, I shut the door trying not to slam it as I sat down on the bed. I was so over being fought for and having my feelings disregarded.
"Wynter can I come in?" Jared asked, knocking softly.
"Yeah," I sighed trying my hardest to calm down.
He did and stood in the open doorway cautiously.
"You might as well spit out whatever it is you came to say," I said curtly.
"Umm...I'm sorry for starting that fight with Novak. It was really immature, and I don't want you to think I'm a huge dick or anything," he explained, rubbing the back of his head with one hand.
"It's just a bit late for that one," I returned.
"Well I hope that you do better than a junkie. You seem like a good kid. Don’t get mixed up in his bullshit. Take it from somebody who knows,” he warned with a glare.
"Excuse me?" I asked sharply, giving him my full attention.
“I don’t mean any harm by it, just sayin’ it’d be a shame if- “he started but I quickly cut him off.
“What do you mean he’s a junkie?” I questioned. Bam never mentioned anything about drugs. It clicked in my head that was probably why he was calling Novak all those strange names when he was trying to provoke him.
“You wonder why he won’t leave you alone? Fuckwad’s a dillusional dope fiend. He’s a fucking leach. He’s used since their Jackass days and he’ll cling to anybody he can and suck them dry. Bam says he’s been clean, but I used to sell, I won’t lie. I know a fiend when I see one,” he said nodding towards downstairs.
"I think you should go,” I answered. I hated hearing him talk that way about my friend regardless of where we stood, and my mind was reeling. I’d been in a shit situation before coming here but I didn’t know much about drugs, especially the heavy stuff. It made me worry about Novak.
“I understand. Keep your nose clean kiddo,” he smiled curtly and left.

I couldn’t help but feel dismayed. Was he telling the truth? I needed to find out.

*Later that evening*

I stood hesitantly outside of Bam’s office. He was making final preparations for the party and I hated to interrupt him, but I needed to talk.

“Bam, can I bother you for a moment?” I asked with a few small raps on the heavy oak door.
“Yo Wyn, what’s up?” he answered, and I peeked my head in. Thankfully he was alone.

The office was painted much like the rest of the house except with trophies and such decorating the walls instead of old Victorian style paintings and heartagrams. The heavy mahogany desk Bam sat at must’ve cost a small fortune.

“I’m sure you heard about what happened today with Jared,” I began sheepishly, rubbing my hands together. Bam motioned to the empty leather chair on the opposite side of him and I took a seat, grateful he was allowing me to interrupt his evening.
“Evil Jared, Wyn. It’s Evil Jared. And yeah, I heard. What’s this about?” he asked as he propped his feet up on the edge of the desk and poured himself a glass of whiskey.
“Evil Jared sorry,” I corrected myself before continuing,” I wanted to apologize for that firstly. I feel like my presence here is causing a lot of strife.”
“Is that why you’re really here? To tell me you feel bad about my friends drooling over you?” he inquired as he took a sip from his glass, never taking his eyes off me. I had to admit, my cousin didn’t miss much.
“Well part of it is yes,” I looked down at my feet, unable to continue meeting his gaze.
“Wynter, I don’t know much about you. Hell, until the courts sent Mom that letter in the mail offering you to her, I didn’t know you existed. But what I do know is you’re only seventeen and you are family now. Hell, you’ve barely made it past puberty and you’ve been thrown into a world that is completely different than the one you’re used to. I know that’s frustrating. Especially in a house like this one. What are you really thinking?” he questioned, giving me a serious look. Bam clearly didn’t enjoy beating around the bush.
“You’re right. I feel out of place here. Not because of anything you guys have done because you’ve given me the world, I just, I don’t know… I feel like I don’t know how to interact almost. And Novak-“
“Does he make you uncomfortable?” He interjected suddenly, placing his glass on the table.
“I know he means no harm, but that brings me to my next thing,” I began hesitantly. I hated to pry but I needed to know. “Is Novak… addicted to heroin?”

Bam gave a short chuckle and looked up at the ceiling for a moment before returning his attention
to me.

“In lamest terms, yes. Novak got hooked on pills back when we were doing Jackass and it went downhill from there. He’s gone through the programs though and as his friend, I can put my word on it that he’s sober. If I didn’t believe he was, I wouldn’t allow him here,” He responded with confidence.
“I’m sorry, it’s just Evil Jared-“ I began.
“Evil Jared looks down on people like Novak. He’s a good man and a great friend but he doesn’t understand addiction. He’s only ever catered to it by selling the shit. I’d take everything he says with a grain of salt,” Bam took another sip of whiskey and ran a hand absently through his hair.
“I figured as much,” I replied with a half-smile and began to stand. A lump was forming in my throat.
“Was that all you wanted to talk about?” he asked inquisitively, looking at me with a cocked eyebrow.
“Yeah, thanks cus. It’s late, I’m gonna hit the sheets,” I said, turning towards the door.
“Anytime dude, and hey Wynter?” he called after me and I turned to meet his gaze again.
“Yes?”
“Don’t be a stranger man. This is your home too,” he commented before answering his ringing cell phone. I gave him a smile and closed the door behind me. I had to ponder the information I’d received today.
As I lay in my bed, Bam and I’s conversation replayed in my head. I had concluded though that I should put my foot down about Novak. He clearly had some issues he needed to work out and I didn’t want to be a band aid for those issues. I wondered how he was going to take it.

A few days later I was relaxing by the pool enjoying the sun on my skin with Missy and Raab’s wife when Raab approached us. I hadn’t seen Novak since his fight with Evil Jared and couldn’t help but wonder if he was avoiding me.

“Yes my darling?” Alina questioned, her Russian accent heavy.

I peeked up through my sunglasses to watch their interaction.

“Hey babe, looking fine as ever,” he complimented, stealing the sunhat off her head to plant a kiss on her forehead.
“Ah, milaya, you are too kind. What brings you here to interrupt our, how you say… Girl time?” she asked giving him a knowing look.
“Well actually I was sent here to fetch Wynter,” he replied, looking towards me.
I sat up on my elbows.
“What do you want me for?” I questioned. I wasn’t really in the mood for shenanigans, I was enjoying my tan.
“Sorry Wyn, Bam’s orders,” he answered, and I rolled my eyes. He took a step towards me, and I slipped my shirt on before scrambling to get on my own feet thinking I could out run him possibly.
“Not a chance little cousin,” Raab was on me in seconds, grabbing me around the waist and throwing me over his shoulder before beginning his walk up to the house.
“What’s this about?!” I cried as he carried me effortlessly, but he made no reply.
What the Hell?!" I exclaimed as he made his way into the main living room and threw me on top of someone who was sitting on the black leather couch.
"Why hello there," said a heavily accented male voice and I looked up shocked to see the one and only Ville Valo smiling down at me as I held onto him for dear life to keep myself from slipping off.
"Holy Hell..." I whispered in awe and my jaw hit the ground as the room was filled with wave after wave of laughter from everyone else.
"You must be Wynter I presume?" he asked with a smirk. I found myself getting lost in the green of his eyes.
I just nodded slightly because I was still in shock. I was lying in the lap of Ville Valo.
Oh shit I was lying in his lap. In nothing but a tee shirt and a bikini.
“I am so sorry!” I apologized profusely while jumping up to stand in front of him.
"It's fine rakkanni," he chuckled with a wink. I had no idea what he had called me, but I wanted to be called it for the rest of my life, I was fan girling so hard.
"Winny will you do your favorite cousin a huge favor?" Bam asked giving me the puppy dog look as I turned around to look at him.
"Depends," I watched him suspiciously.
"Just watch Valo and the boys while we finish up for tonight please?" he explained. Tonight, was the party for Phil and April’s anniversary.
"Why do they need watching?" I asked confused, looking around. They seemed coy enough to me.
Bam just grinned, "Just keep them out of trouble," before turning on his heel and leaving with everyone else.
I sighed and sat down next to Ville.
"Hi I’m Mige!” one of the other men introduced himself from the pool table with a wave. He was a burly man with a long beard and no hair. I waved back with a grin. The others just nodded their heads with a courteous smile. These guys seemed a lot politer than some of Bam’s other friends I’d met.
"Let's play Twister! You know how much I love the American games," exclaimed who I could only assume was Burton, while coming out of the closet with the game excitedly.
"You guys have fun." I said heading for my room.
“Bam Bam said you were supposed to be watching us,” Ville called out with a laugh.
“Maybe just one game," I said with a shy grin before turning on my heel and heading to where Burton was setting it up.
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"What are you doing?!" Bam said entering the room a few hours later, causing Ville to fall and take me and Burton with him.
"Playing Twister," Mige said with a roll of his eyes. He was sitting on the couch nursing a mixed drink with Mika and Linde.
"Well I'm glad you managed to keep them occupied," Bam said rolling his eyes but smiling in return.
"It wasn't too hard," I replied, untangling myself from the sea of bodies.
"Yeah yeah. We’re leaving in 15 minutes bitches so be ready!” he shouted before walking back outside.
“Oh shit,” I cursed, sprinting for my bedroom.

I had to thank Missy later for taking me shopping as I pulled out a simple black skater dress to change into. It fell just above my knees. Pulling on my combat boots and grabbing my leather jacket off the bed, I took one glance in the full-length mirror to double check my outfit. Thankfully I’d already done my makeup a dark, smokey look and settled for a half up hair style. I grinned toothily. I looked hot.

Once outside, I hopped in the nearest vehicle which happened to Bam’s Hummer. I sat in the back with everyone else while Ville and Bam sat up front. Somehow, I ended up squished between Dico and Mige but thankfully the ride only took us twenty minutes. We arrived at an enormous field that had a makeshift stage set up.
As we all began to part ways, I noticed Ville giving me a look.
“Um, good luck out there,” I managed awkwardly, biting my lip as I looked up at him. Those warm forest green eyes were melting right into my soul.
“Thank you kulta,” he murmured as he slid easily in front of me. How did he move so fast? He smelled like sandalwood and musk I noticed as he leaned closer and before I could even react, he placed the gentlest of kisses on my cheek before whirling around and catching up with his bandmates. My heart was in my throat and I felt like I was going to pass out. Had that really just happened?
"You're welcome," I said aloud although it sounded more like a question than anything else as he barked out a laugh and walked out on stage as Bam introduced the band quickly.
"Dudes and chicks...HIM!" he shouted giving them the devil's horns and walked briskly offstage to join Missy and I as they began playing The Kiss of Dawn.
Bam eventually wandered off and left Missy and I to I to watch the performance from the side stage intently. HIM live was everything and more. Ville’s baritone voice floated across the area and flowed so heavenly, it was intoxicating to listen to.
The closing song was my personal favorite, Killing Loneliness and I could only watch as Ville began to sing the chorus directly at me.

"With the venomous kiss you gave me,
I'm killing loneliness,
With the warmth of your arms you saved me…
I'm killing loneliness with you.
I'm killing loneliness that turned my heart into a tomb,
I'm killing loneliness..." he sang to me and winked.

I looked away blushing only to see Novak slither out of the shadows and appear next to me.
He took one look at Ville who was still singing in my direction and glared venomously at him before grabbing my hand and literally dragging me offstage and towards the surrounding woods and away from all of the noise.
"What do you want?" I demanded angrily. I wasn’t sure what Ville was getting at but boy I was enjoying it.
"I need to talk to you!" he said with a snarl.
"Well start talking because I'd like to get back to the show," I informed him, crossing my arms. He gave me a disgusted look.
"I love you Wynter, I needed to tell you that," he said with a sigh, reaching one hand out to me.
"What?" I asked confused. Had he really just said that?
"I know you might not feel the same way, but I honestly believe that I'm in love with you," he confessed looking skyward. Evil Jared’s words were floating fresh in my mind.
"Novak..I.." I stuttered.
"Just tell me this one thing; do you have any type of similar feelings for me?" he asked, pleading with his eyes.
"Wynter! There you are!" interrupted Ville and Missy coming out of nowhere. "Hello Novak! Long time no see eh?"
"Yeah..." he muttered letting his head fall.
"I'm not interrupting anything am I?" he asked innocently, looking at Novak and then me.
"No," the other man answered and began to stalk off. Maybe Evil Jared was righter than I originally thought. It made my heart ache to think about.
"What's with him?" Ville watched the other man walk away.
"No idea," I lied as we watched Novak disappear.
“Well would you like to return to the festivities? I believe our party is being moved to Castle Bam,” he said, wagging his eyebrows.
“Sure thing,” I answered delighted.
"Oh whoa hoa!" Raab laughed as we approached the group, standing in a loose circle by the cars.
"He was nothing but a gentleman I’ll have you know,” I said dignified, raising my chin. Ville chuckled beside me and ducked to playfully bite at my ear. I swatted him away with a grin and a squeal. Now this attention I could get used to!
“Alright you sluts let’s get back to the castle,” Bam yelled, eager as everyone else I’m sure to continue the party.
I was beyond ready.