Red Roses and Black Dahlias

Dedication 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 Epilogue Bonus Chapter Acknowledgements About the author What’s next? Copyright © 2023 Macy T. Riosa All rights reserved. ISBN: 9798367941401 TRIGGER WARNINGS Please understand that while this book isn’t a dark romance, it still deals with dark themes. These include murder, violence, mentions of sexual abuse on minors and mentions of suicide. It's also destined to an 18+ public as there are graphic sexual scenes as well as praise kink and spankings (which both MCs find they enjoy very much). One final thing: as you read, you may notice some inconsistencies or things that you believe don't make much sense. I assure you they do. Just trust the process, everything will make sense in the end. That being said, I hope you enjoy the ride! Dedication To my sisters, know that my love for you runs deeper than water. And to all first born daughters who had to take on the role of a third parent. I see you. Don’t worry, life gets better eventually. 1 sisters SOFIA "Sisters are different flowers from the same garden.” Mama said quietly, making me shift my gaze from the little bundle carefully wrapped in pink covers, to her. She stood leaning against the door of her room, watching us with an emotion in her gaze I couldn’t quite decipher. She smiled like only she could, full of grace and softness and warmth. My lips tilted up before I even realized it. Her eyes then left mine to focus on the baby peacefully sleeping next to me on the bed. Rosa. My little sister. Mama had just come home from the hospital today, and I was so excited to meet the person who made me a big sister. Papa said being a big sister means I ’ ll have responsibilities, and that I should always protect Rosa. Mama said that once Rosa grows up, we ’ ll have each other ’ s back and she ’ ll protect me too. Seeing her now, so small and fragile, I couldn ’ t fathom how she could ever protect me. Her limbs were so frail, her little fingers possessing surprisingly sharp nails — I knew because she had scratched me when I first tried to kiss her cheek this morning. “ Is that where we got our names from? ” I tilted my head, speaking low because I didn ’ t want to wake Rosita up. She had enough trouble falling asleep as it was and nearly pierced my eardrums earlier when papa was changing her nappy. Mama didn ’ t say anything, she just smiled and pushed off the threshold, entering the room and coming to sit in front of me. Her fresh scent of jasmine drifted to my nose and I was instantly appeased. She smelled like home. I was only ten at the time but the love I had for my mother was indescribable. It ran deeper than I could comprehend. I would do anything for her, and I knew she would do anything for me. Mama lifted a tanned hand to my face and cupped my cheek while looking into my eyes. “ Sweet Dalia, ” she contemplated, her eyes moving across my face, “ you ’ ve always been such a bright child. You and your sister are gonna be the brightest flowers this world has ever seen and I cannot wait to see you blossom, baby. ” She murmured, her eyes suddenly going misty. I didn ’ t understand what made her so emotional, but I didn ’ t like seeing her cry, even if her mouth was still smiling, so I got up to my knees, wrapped my little arms around her neck and inhaled her familiar scent as she rubbed my back. “ Hermanas son flores diferentes del mismo jard í n. Never forget that, mija. ” She whispered in my ear before kissing my temple. And as I watched both my mother and father being carted out of the house in body bags, those were the words that kept replaying in my head. Different flowers from the same garden . Blue and red lights danced around us, police cars everywhere in our street and front lawn, the neighbors staring from their homes. Yellow tape was strapped to our front door as officers and people from the coroner ’ s team ducked underneath it to go on with their examination. I bit my lip to stop my chin from shaking so much, but it was no use. I knew this night would replay in my mind forever. What I had done, haunt me for life. But I didn ’ t regret it. Not for one second. Mama and papa would be proud of me, because I did what I was always supposed to do, I protected my little rose. Even if they were not here to see it anymore. My eyes drifted from the front of the house and I looked down at myself, gulping at all the blood staining my clothes and my skin. Who would ’ ve thought this was how the night would end. Both parents in body bags, me at the back of an ambulance drenched in their blood, waiting for my little sister to get checked by the paramedics. Of course, I knew she would be okay physically, it was the things she heard tonight and that were now inked into her mind forever, that worried me. Always so full of joy and innocence, and so pure— it broke my heart that my sister knew what happened earlier. It broke my heart that I couldn ’ t protect her tonight of all nights, after doing it for almost ten years now. As