Sol

dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence1
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Sol
dout
)
Shawna'
sPOV
Isatcuddl
edont
hefl
oor,
theroom wasabi
tdar
k
andtherewer
eot
her
steenagegir
lsli
keme.
Ther
ewasf earwr
itt
eninallourf
aces.Whocoul
dn'
t
beafr
aidi
nt hi
ssi
tuati
on?
Weal
lhavebeensol
d.Sol
dtoasexhouse.
Mencomeher eandpurchaseusl i
kei
tems,
they
buyusandtakeustotheirhousesest
owarmt hei
r
bedsf
orthem.
Icoul
dn'
thavebeenher
e.NoIshoul
dn'
tbeher
e.I
t
wasmywi ckedst
epfat
her
.Thatmansol
dmeout,
heissowi cked,
IthoughtIcoul
dbearhi
s
wickednessunti
lI'
m oldenoughtol
eavethehouse
butunexpectedl
yhesol dmeoutli
keanit
em.
Hei
sthemostwi
ckedmanonEar
th.Themost
wi
cked.
Mymotherhadmar r
iedhi
m whenmybi r
thf
ather
di
edbutunf
ortunat
elyshej
oinedhi
m andever
si
ncet
hen,themanhasbeenapai ninmybody.
Especiall
ywhenheget sbackdr unk,heusesme
l
ikeapunchi ngbagandl at
eraskesmet osleep
outside,I
'
llhavetospendmyni ghtout si
detil
lthe
nextmor ningbutasift
hatwasn' tenough,he
wickedlysoldmewhenhehear daboutt his
organizat
ionthatbuysyoungladi esforsexual
pleasure.
Idi
dn'
tevennoi
twasasexhouseunt
ilIgother
e
andsawwhatwasgoi
ngon.
Therewereal
otofol
dmenwi
thpotbel
lypl
ayi
ng
wit
hgirl
sli
keme-naked.
Igotr
eal
lyscar
edbutmyfearswereconf
ir
med
whenoneofthegi
rl
sint
hisroom nar
rat
edthe
whol
ethi
nghappeni
ngher
e.
"Ij
ustpr
ayt
hatIwon'
tbesol
doutt
oanol
dman"
shehadsai
dthen.
"
They'
renofunatal
landt
heyespeci
all
yusesyou
t
hreet
ofourti
mesaday."
Icont
inuedstar
ingar
oundt
hesemidar
kroom
wonderi
ngwhatmyownf at
ewil
lbe.Whowil
lIbe
sol
doutt o?
Iwantthatindividualtobeni
ceandgood,he
shouldn'
tbet oohar shwit
hmeforGod'ssakeI
'm
sti
ll19getti
ngt o20i ntwomont
hsti
me.AndI '
m
sti
llavir
gin.
Whoam Iki
ddi
ng?Howcanpeopl
ewhopur
chase
t
hei
rfel
lowhumansbeni
ceatal
l?
Especial
lydur
ingsex?Ishouldreal
lyst
opdr
eaming
butpraytoli
velong.Yeah,
thatshouldbemypr
ayer.
Mom, dad,
youtwoshoul
dhavet
akenmewi t
hyou.
Whydidyouleavemeheret
osuf
fer?It
hought
sadl
yandsighed.
I
t'
sbeenaweeksi
ncet
heybr
oughtmeher
e.Ican
sti
llcountt
hedays.They'
veonl
ybr
oughtmeout
twi
cef orabat
h.
Iheardt
hattodaysomei
nter
est
edbuyer
swi
llbe
comingtobuyus.
Ithi
nkit'
sisn'tmor ni
ngyet.Lemmegetsomesleep.
Idon'tnoifIshouldwi sht
or emai
nher
eortoget
soldoutlatertoday.
Idon'
tjustknow.
Iclosedmyeyesandhuggedmysel
fmoret
ight
ly,
thenslowl
yIdri
ft
edint
othewor
ldofdr
eam.
Isawmom andshewasn'tsmili
ngatall
.Shel
ooked
sadasshestar
edatme.Itri
edreachi
ngouttoher
butgott
akenbackt
othereali
ty.
"
Getherout
!!
"Waswhatwokemeup.
Iopenedmyeyesandr aisedmyheaduptoseet
wo
heavi
lyboughtguardscomingt
owar dsmeor
maybesomeoneel se,t
heywerejustcomi
ng
towardsmydirect
ion.
Myhear
tbeatincr
easedrapi
dly,
anditgotwor
st
whent
heyheldmeupf rom t
hefloor
.
Ohmygosh!I
ssomeoneal
readyher
etobuymeor
what
?
Thisisnott
hewaytheytakeusf orabath.Weallgo
toget
herandthi
sisnott
hewayweeat ,wealleatin
heresowhat?Issomeoner eal
lyher
etobuyme?I
thoughtandst
art
edsweating.
Theyt
ookmet hr
oughalongtur
n,downthest
air
s
andfi
nal
lyst
oppedatwhatseemsli
kethesi
tt
ing
room.
Isawthewomant hatboughtmef r
om mystep
fat
her,
shewasput t
ingonar edexposi
vedr
ess,I
betsheisi
nherearl
y30s.
Hershapereveal
edinherdr
ess.Herbo*
bswel
l
exposed,
soasherlaps.
Shehasasweetsmi
leonasshest
aredatt
hef
igur
e
st
andi
nginfr
ontoft
hewindow.
Ther
ewereheavi
lyboughtment
hatst
oodbesi
de
themanshestar
edat.
"
She'
sher
esi
r"t
hewomansai
dpol
it
ely.
Theguar
dst
hatbr
oughtmemademekneedowni
n
f
rontofacouch.
Thensl owlyt
hemanfaci
ngt hewindowturned,
he
tookgentleandst
eadystepstowardsmydirect
ion
thenhesatdownont hecouchandf acedme
direct
ly.
"
Idi
ot,
youdon'
tst
areathi
m di
rect
lyi
nthef
ace"t
he
womansnarl
edatmeandItookmyeyesdown.
Themansi t
ti
nginfrontofmeshoul dbetheone
purchasingme.Heisyoung, maybear oundmyage,
I'
m surehehasn'tgottent
o25.Hehast hat
dangerouslookonbutatt hesamet i
me, hi
sfaci
al
l
ooki stheonethatIhaven'tseenbefore.
Heist hemosthandsomeguyI 'veeversetmyeyes
on.Ovalface,poi
ntedsmallnoseandevensmal l
l
ips,redbloodyli
pstoo,
partofhishai
ralmost
coveredhiseyesbecauseofthewayhel efti
t,but
tocrownitall,
helooksreal
lycute.
Isawhi
mt i
lthi
sheadt
ost
areatmewi
tht
hecor
ner
ofmyeyes.
"
Rai
seyourf
ace"hecommandedhi
svoi
cel
ow.
Igul
pedhar
dandr
aisedmyf
acet
ost
areatme.
"Howmuch? "Hequest
ionedt
hewomanasher
an
hiseyesal
loverme.
"Um..si
r,sheisoneoft hevirgi
nsher e,
we
confi
rmedt hatandasyoucansee, sheisthemost
beautif
ulgirli
nthem allsothat'
swhyIpi ckedher
outforyou.She'llcostabout300,000USD"she
expl
ainedr epl
yinghim.
Hest
ooduponhi sf
eetandt
urnedt
ooneoft
he
menstandi
ngbesi
dehim.
"
Payher
"heor
der
edandst
art
edwal
kingout
.
Themenbroughtoutbri
efcasesful
lofcashabout
tenanddr
oppeditf
orher.Shegrinnedhappi
lyand
order
edherownguardstotakethem.
Thenthatguy'
smencamet omeandcar r
iedmeout
ofthehouse,t
oawait
ingcar,
theysatwi
thmeat
thebacksitt
hendr
oveoutofthatpl
ace.
Okay,
I'
vej
ustbeensol
d.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence2
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Letheri
n)
Shawna'
sPOV
Theydroveforaver
ylongti
me,aver
yver
ylong
ti
met hatmademefeeluncomf
ort
abl
eandstuf
fyi
n
betweenthetwomen.
Butfi
nall
ywearri
vedabi ggat
e,ther
ewerelot
sof
heavi
lybuil
tmenstat
ionedattheentr
ance.
Theyopenedt
hegateandgrant
edaccesstous.We
drovei
nandIdidn'
tsi
ghtanyhouseorwhatever
.
Theyconti
nueddr
ivi
ng,
ther
ewer
eonl
ytal
ltr
ees
around.
Hmm, haven'
twegott
enthere?Iwonder
edt
ryi
ngt
o
st
arearoundbutgotr
est
rict
edbythemen.
Theyconti
nueddri
vingt
urningandt
urni
ngandt
hen
fi
nall
ygottoanot
hergat
e,thegatewasalso
openedbytheguardsst
ati
onedther
e.
Wedrovei
nandshort
lyaft
ersawanot
hergi
ant
gat
e,t
hebi
ggestoft
hem al
l.
Wow,
that
'st
hreegat
es.
Thesecur
it
iesher
ewer
emuchandt
ight
.
Theydr
ovei
nagai
nandthefir
stsi
ghtmyeyes
l
andedonwast
hebigwater
fal
lupahead.
I
tlookedsobeaut
if
ulj
ustst
ari
ngati
t.
Theydrovepassitanddrovei
ntowhatseemedlike
agarage,
parkedandcamedown.Icameoutoft he
carwit
hthem andonehel dmyhandprevent
ingme
fr
om havingalookaround.
It
hinkt
hisi
sn'
tahouse.I
t'
smor
eli
keamansi
on.
Theydraggedmet
othecaroftheguyt
hathad
boughtme.Hewaswit
hastickandwassmoking.
Hegl
aredatmeandgr
oanedouta"
fol
lowme.
"
Hest
art
edwal
kingawayandIf
oll
owedhi
m,hegot
i
ntot
hehouseandIent
eredwi
thhi
m.
Thelookoftheint
eri
ordesignisgreatbut
unfor
tunat
elyIcan'
tstandandlookar oundt
heway
Iwantbecausetheguyst epswerefastandi
norder
tocatchupwithhimI'
llhadtorunwal k.
Wewalkedpassedal
otofboyswhogreet
edt
he
guyi
nfrontofmeandheonlywavedatt
hem.
Hecl i
mbedthestai
rsandstartedgoi
ngt
hrougha
corri
dor.Hecont
inuedforalongti
meandonly
stoppedwhenhegott oaroom.
"Di
ll
ion"hecal
ledoutandt
hedooropenedf
ew
secondsaft
erwards.
Theper
sonhecall
edoutwal
kedoutandr
est
edhi
s
bodyonthewal
lbesi
dehi
sdoor.
"
You'
reback?
"TheDi
ll
ionguyi
nqui
red.
Buthol
don.
..
whydot
heyl
ooksomuchal
ike?
Aretheyt wins?Iwonderedandtr
iedstr
ainingmy
necktol ookattheguy.Theonethathadbr ought
meist oot al
lsoIhadalotofdif
fi
cult
iesstari
ngat
theDil
lionguy.
"Yeah,Igotthisonef oryou.I
'l
lbeleavi
ngf or
Mexicot omor r
ow, she'
smygi f
ttoyou"t heguyt hat
broughtmer esponded.Hepattedhisshoul derand
start
edl eavi
ngwhi chmademehaveacl earviewof
theDill
ionguyandi t
'sli
keI'
vesaid.Theyar etwins
butthisonehaspi nkli
psandhishairdidn'tcover
hiseyesbutf itt
edhim perf
ectl
y,i
fIwer easked, I
'l
l
saythisonei smor ehandsomebuthel ooksmor e
dangerous.
Igul
pedhar
dastheDi
ll
ionguyst
aredatmewi
thout
anexpr
essi
on.
Shoul
dIcontinuefol
lowi
ngthef i
rstguy?ButI
hear
dhim say,she'
smygi f
ttoyour i
ght?Thatonl
y
meansI'
l
lhavet osti
ckwit
ht hi
sone.
Ohgoshorshoul
dIask?
Butwhyisn'
ttheDil
li
onguysayi
nganythi
ng?Why
i
shejuststar
ingatmeli
keam real
lyanit
em nota
human?
IguessI
'l
lhavet
ocont
inuef
oll
owi
ngt
heonet
hat
boughtme.
Imadet
omoveaf
terhi
m butt
heDi
ll
ionguy'
svoi
ce
st
oppedme.
"
Wheret
hehel
lar
eyougoi
ng?
"Hesnar
ledmaki
ng
mef
li
nch.
It
urnedt
ost
areathi
snowcol
deyes.
"
I.
..
I.
.Ij
ust
..
"Ist
oppedst
ammer
ingashi
scol
deyes
mademesoscar ed.
"
I'
m sor
ry"Iapol
ogi
zedsi
mpl
yasnott
oaf
for
d
f
urt
herquesti
oni
ng.
Herol
ledhiseyesandwenti
ntohi
sroom,
thenhe
sl
ammedt hedoorshut
.
Whydidn'thesayanyt
hing?Whydidhejustsl
am
thedoor
?Doesheexpectmet okeepstandi
nghere?
Iwonderedstar
ingatt
heshutdoor.
Ist
oodt
her
eforabout20minut
esbef
oreIsawa
woman,
someoneinherear
ly50swal
kuptome.
"
Hel
lochi
ld"shecal
ledsomewhatexci
ted.
"
H..
hima"Igr
eet
edback.
"
Fol
lowme"shesai
dandt
urnedt
oleave.
"
Ma?He.
.hedoesn'
twantmet
oleave"Ipoi
ntedat
t
heshutdoorandsai
d.
Sheonl
ysmi
ledatmeandcont
inuedgoi
ng.
Iscrat
chedmyhairandstart
edf ol
lowingher.I
fol
lowedhert
oanent i
rel
ydif
ferenttur
n.Likethe
othersi
deofwher
ewewer eori
ginall
yat.
ThenIsawaboutt
enmai
ds,
theywer
eal
lon
uni
for
ms.
Theybowedsl
ight
lyatt
hewomanasshegott
o
them.
"Sheisournewmasterproper
ty,makesur
eshe's
cleaninandout
,youknowhehat esdir
talotso
makehercleanandreal
lybeauti
ful
"thewoman
i
nst r
uctedt
hemaidsandtheybowedandcamet o
me.
Fi
veofthem tookmetoabathr
oom andt hr
ewme
i
ntothebathi
ngtubfi
ll
edwit
hdiff
erentbodythi
ngs
i
nit,
flower
sandallt
hatnotaft
erremovingmydirt
y
dr
ess.
Onetookoneofmylegsandstart
edscrubbi
ngi
t,
anot
hertookanot
herl
eg,t
heyalldi
vided
themsel
vesandal
mostscr
ubbedmyski
noutofmy
body.
Myhai
rwasn'
tlef
tout
.Ever
yofmybodypar
t.
Aft
erthatmybodywasdri
ed.Theypl acedmeonan
ar
rangedtabl
einmynakedform andst ar
ted
massagingmybodywit
hdiff
erentoilmentand
l
oti
on.
Byt
het
imet
heywer
edone,
Icompl
etel
ychanged.
Theywor
eonanexposivedr
essonme.Onethat
cover
edmyassandmyb* o*
sonly,
ever
yot
herpart
ofmybodywasexposed.
Theycombedandpar
kedmyhai
r.Spr
eaddi
ff
erent
perf
umesonme.
Gosh,whenIstar
edatmysel
fint
hemi
rr
orIdi
dn'
t
recogni
zemyself
.
I
nal
lmyl i
fe,thi
sist
hef
ir
stt
imet
hatam l
ooki
ng
r
eal
lybeauti
ful.
Withthi
sl ook,
guysaresur
elygonnatr
ipformebut
thati
sn'thappeni
ng.I
'
m soldnow,I'
mjusta
propert
ysoIbettheywon'tl
ookatmeasahuman
butasl
ave.
Thewomancamebackandsmi
ledsat
isf
iedatmy
l
ooks.
"Fol
lowmechi
ld"shebeckonedandst
art
edwal
king
out.
Ifol
lowedaft
erherf
rom behi
ndandwestart
ed
taki
ngthesameturnwhichwetookwhi
lecoming
here.
Theguysweencounteredonthewaystoppedto
star
eatme.About8oft hem,
theyal
lstoppedto
star
eatmewhichmademebl ushal
itt
lethoit
's
fool
ishofmebutt
hiskindofthi
nghaven't
happenedtomebefore.
Whent
hewomannot
icedi
t,shesmi
ledandsai
d.
"
Her
eal
lychoosedt
hebestf
orhi
sbr
other
."
Idi
dn'
trepl
ybutcont
inuedwalki
ngbehi
ndherunt
il
wegottoadoorandstopped.
*Thi
swillbeyourr
oom,you'
l
lcomebackher
eaf
ter
you'
redonewithhi
m.*
"
Lemmet
akeyout
ohi
sroom"shespokesof
tl
yand
It
ookagoodlookatthedoorandf
oll
owedher
whenshecont
inuedwalki
ng.
I
t'
sdidn'
ttakel
ongbef
orewef
inal
lygott
othat
Di
ll
iondoor.
"
Youngmast
er"t
hewomancal
ledoutpol
it
ely.
"
Whati
sit
?"Camet
hegr
umpyvoi
ce.
"
She'
sready"t
hewomanr
epl
iedhi
m.
*
*Letheri
n**camehi
svoi
ceagai
n.
Thewomanopenedt
hedoorandbeckonedonme
toent
erwhi
chIdi
d.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence3
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Str
ipcompl
etel
y)
Shawna'
sPOV
Igoti
ntother
oom andshutt
hedoorcl
ose.The
room wasabi
tdar
kandt hesmel
lofci
garet
tef
il
led
theai
r.
Isi
ghtedhi m si
tti
ngatt
hefarendofwhatseems
l
ikeanof f
ice,it
'snotar
oom,ther
ewasnobedor
whateverthere.
It
ookslowstepstowardshim,whenIgotcloserI
st
oodtherestar
ingathim ashesmokedfrom the
ci
gar
ettewit
hhim.
Therewerepaper
sli
kefi
lesont
het
abl
ether
e,t
he
tabl
eseparat
edthebot
hofus.
Hedidn'trai
sehiseyest
ostar
eatme, hi
seyeswere
fi
xedont hefil
eswit
htheci
garet
test
il
linbet
ween
hi
sfingers.
Hewhi
ff
edandf
inal
lyl
ookedupatme.
Isawhiseyesdevourmywhol ebody,hecont
inued
star
ingatmewi thoutsayi
nganyt
hingwhi
chmade
mer eal
lycur
ious.
Whati
shet
hinki
ng?Whyi
shej
ustst
ari
ngatme?
I
t'
sreal
lyuncomf
ort
abl
eli
ket
his.
Ineverthoughtthiskindoff
atewi l
lbef
oremeever.
Ionlymanagedt of i
nishhi
ghschooltwoyearsago,
stepfatherneverall
owedmeat tendcoll
ege.He
doesn'tevenall
owmeoutoft hehouse.
I'
velearnedtoalwaysber
espectf
ulandendur
ing
butthiskindofsit
uat
ioni
sjustt
ooawkwardforme
tohandle.
Idi
dn'
tevenknowwhenIst
art
edsweat
ing,
justhi
s
meregazei
sdoingt
hist
ome.
"
Sit
"hegr
owledandItookasiti
nfrontofhi
m
i
mmediat
ely,
Idon'
tneedtobetol
dt wi
ce.
"
What
'syourname?
"Heaskedsi
mpl
y.
"
I'
m..
I'
m..
Shawna"Ianswer
ed.
Herai
sedhisbr
owsandcontinuedst
ari
ngatmeas
i
fexpect
ingmetocont
inue.
Doeshewantmet oconti
nuesayingShawna,
Shawna,Shawna?Iwonderedbutfi
xedmyeyeson
mylaps.
"
Whyar
eyouher
e?"Hi
squest
ionmademer
aisemy
eyestost
areathi
simmediat
elybutIwasqui
ckto
l
ookawayf r
om hi
m bef
oreanunexpect
edthi
ng
happens.
"I
..
Iwassold"Irepl
i
ednowf
eel
ingover
uncomfor
table.
"
Why?
"Hi
svoi
cequest
ionedagai
n.
"I
...because.
.because,
Idon'
tno,
Ijustgotsol
d"I
stutter
edandsaid.
Whyisheaski
ngmet hatquest
ion?Whatishe
t
ryi
ngtodo?Ishetr
yingtomakemef eelworst
?
Doeshethi
nkIl
iket
hatIgotsold?
"Standup"hesai
dagai
naf
teral
ongsi
lenceandI
stoodup.
"
Ihaverulesandyoumustkeepthem i
fyoudon'
t
wannalossyourri
ghtasmypropert
ycausethat
's
whatyouarenow."
"Onei
s,youmustal
waysanswerever
yquest
ion,
don'
teverr
epl
ymewi t
h'Idon'
tknow'
.
"
"
Twois,
wheneverIcal
lforyou,
youmust
n'tdel
ay
mef
orevenami nut
e."
"Thr
eeis,
youdon'
thavet
her
ightt
ost
areatme
anyhowyouwant.
"
"Fouris,wheneverIaskyout
ogi
vemeyourback
you'l
ldoitregardl
essofwher
ewear
e.
Understood??"Herasped.
"
Yes..
yes,
Ido"Ianswer
edwi
thmyeyesf
ixedont
he
f
loor
.
"Andthemustimportantt
hingis,
you'
llbedoing
othert
hingsformeasidegivi
ngmepl easur
es.
You'l
ldodir
tyjobsf
ormebutt hatwil
lbesome
othert
ime,ri
ghtnowIneedyourback"hecont i
nued
andsaid.
Fearoverwhelmedmei nst
antl
ybutwaswhatI
expect
ing?Ihavenor i
ghtovermylif
eanymore,I
've
beensold,i
t'
llal
lthatman'
sfaul
t,t
hatwickedst
ep
fat
herofmine, I
'
dhavekill
edhimifIknewhewas
gonnasellmeoutt oasexhouseoneday.
Ohgosh!
Itur
nedslowlyt
obackhi m prayingthathedoesn'
t
ki
llme,Ineedmyl i
fe,wit
hli
fet her
eishopebutnot
hopeofescape,hel
l,Idon'
tthinkIcaneverescape
f
rom her
ewit
hal
lthesesecur
it
ies.No,
Iwon'
tever
t
hinkoft
hat
.
If
elthi
m standupf
rom hi
schai
randhecamet
o
st
andbehindme.
"St
ri
pcomplet
ely"hi
svoicecameagai
n,they
weren'
tcommanding,nor
malcol
dorhard,just
normal
.
Itookmyhandt otheminiwear
sandeventuall
y
pull
edthem offmybody.ThankgoodnessI
'm
backinghi
m, hewon'tbeabl
etoseemecompl etel
y
butohno!!
!
Hewal
kedoverandst
oodi
nfr
ontofme.
Ohgoodness!
!
It
ookmyeyest
othef
loori
mmedi
atel
y.
Why?Why?Can' tyouj
ustdowhatyouwannado
from behi
nd?Ialmostscreamedoutathi
m butI
knowbet t
er.Hedoesn'
tlookli
kesomeonethatcan
toler
atenonsensesoformyowngoodi t'
sbett
erI
behave.
Myeyesf
ledupt
ost
areathi
s,br
eaki
ngoneofhi
s
rul
esimmedi
atel
yIf
elthi
shandononeofmy
bre*
st.
Goodness!
!!
Ifel
tshiver
srandownmyspine.Noonehasever
touchedmybr *
astl
iket
hatbef
ore.
Iquickl
yt ookmyeyesdowntothefl
oor
,myhear
t
thr
eateningtobeatoutofmychest
.
Hi
ssecondhandt ouchedmyotherbr*
astandin
or
dernottoscr
eam outIfol
dedmyl i
psandpinned
mytoestothef
loor.
Ifel
toneofhishandsmoveslowlytomyabdomen,
thenfi
nall
ytouchedmyV.Earl
iert
oday,
those
peoplel
ikemaidshadshavedmecleandownther
e.
If
elthi
sfi
nger
str
yingtopenetr
atei
ntomyVand
mylegsst
art
edshaki
ng.Ihadtofol
dmyhandsi
n
or
dernott
opushhim awayfrom me.
Youhavet
obeobedi
entShawna.Thi
sisyourl
if
e
now,Ir
emi
ndedmysel
f.
Oneofhisfi
nger
sfor
cedit
'swayi
ntomyp**
*yand
hebegantomaybefi
ngermeorwhatdot
heycal
lit
?
Butl
ucki
lyf
ormysoul
,hi
sphonest
art
edr
ingi
ng.
Hel
eftmei
mmedi
atel
yandwentt
opi
ckhi
scal
l.
"
Yes?Okay"waswhatIhear
d.
"
Got
oyourr
oom"Ihear
dhi
m gr
oanout
.
Iquickl
yputonmycl ot
hesandr
anoutr
eli
evedt
hat
nothinghappened.
It
hinkmypar
ent
smadet
hismi
racl
ehappen.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence4
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Ma'
am Sandr
a)
Shawna'
sPOV
Igotbackt
other
oom t
hemi
ddl
eagedwoman
showedt
ome,
thenIopenedt
her
oom andgoti
n.
Awowescapedmymout
hasIwal
kedi
n.
Gosh,t
heroom looksli
keaCinder
ell
aroom,
did
t
heyreall
ypreparethi
sroom f
ormeoram Ii
nthe
wrongroom?
Ican'
tbei
nther
ightr
oom.No!
Def
ini
tel
y,It
hinkI
'
vegot
teni
ntot
hewr
ongr
oom.
MaybeIshoul
dgobackoutandr
etr
actmyst
eps.
Imadetot
urnbackandgooutwhenIhear
dthe
cr
acki
ngsoundofadooropeni
ng.
"
Dil
list
hatyou?
"Ihear
dat
inyvoi
ceask.
Iwai
tedf ort
heper
sont
ocomeoutf ul
lyfr
om t
he
i
nnerroom ther
eandwhent
hepersondid,I
di
scoveredtheper
sont
obeagir
l,aboutmyage.
Shehasatowelwrappedaroundherbodyandher
hai
rdri
ppi
ngwet,guessthat'
sthebat
hroom.
Shegawkedatmemakingmewonderwhy.Does
shehavet
ostareatmeli
kethateventhoImadea
mist
akeofent
eri
ngherroom.Imightbeoldert
han
her
.
"Whothehellar
eyoubi
t*h?
"Shecamef
orwar
dand
stoodgl
ari
ngatme.
"I
..
Ithi
nkImadeami st
akeofget
ti
ngi
ntoyourr
oom,
Iwasaboutt
oleave"Isai
dtoher
.
"
Wel
lout
"shebar
kedandIscof
fedi
nwar
dly.
Whothehelli
sshe?Shehassuchat
emperand
she'
srude.
ButI'
m aslaveandshemightbeconnect
edto
thoseguyssoIshouldbet
terr
espectmysel
f.
Iturnedandwalkedoutofthedoor
,walkedbackt
o
Dill
ionsdoorandstar
tedwalki
ngbackcaref
ull
y,
count i
ngthenumberofroomsIpassed.
ThenIf
inal
lygottot
hefour
thr
oom andst
opped,
I
thi
nki
t'
sthefourt
hone.
Yeah,
itshoul
dbe,Ithoughtandopenedt
hedoor
sl
owlyandpeepedintotheroom.
Theroom l
ooksnormal
,notst
yli
shbutst
il
lbet
ter
thanmyroom,theoneatmystepfat
her'
shouse.
Ient
eredandstoodforami
nut
etoseei
fIwi
llhear
anysoundbutdidn'
t
.
Okay,It
hinkt
hisshouldbeit
.Idon'
tthi
nkthose
maidsorworkershaveroomsaroundhere.
Isatdownont hebedandclosedmyeyesforf
ew
minutes,
Iopenedthem backandst
aredatmySimi
nakedbody.
"Thi
sisyourl
if
enowShawna, getusedt oitand
makesureyour emovethosestr
angef eeli
ngs
you'
rehavi
ngrightnow"mom hadt oldmeyear s
agowhenwemovedi nt
omyst epf at
her'shouse.
Icoul
dn'tbeart hatIwon'tbeabletoseefather
agai
n.Mom doesn' tevenwannar emarr
y,she
doesn'
thavei tinherbutbecauseofhowyoungshe
was,shewasf orcedbyherr el
ati
vestoremarry.
Andshedi dbutl aterdi
ed,shediedandleftmeall
al
onewitht hecr uelman.
Hehashisownchildrenthobutt
heyarealloutsi
de
t
hecountryst
udyi
ngordoi ngonethi
ngort heother
,
t
heyaretheonesthatusuall
ysendhim money
weekl
yforupkeeping,i
fnot,t
hebothofuscoul d
havestarvedt
odeat
hcauseal
lheknowshowt
odo
i
sdrink,dri
nkanddr
ink.
Oneofhisdaughters,mystepsi st
er,Val
enti
na.
She'satwi
ntho,valenti
neisapai nintheneckwhi
le
Valent
inai
sverynice,shetreatedmel i
keanormal
humanbeingduringthetimet heycamef or
vacati
on.
Val
enti
naistheonlyni
ceper
sonamongstallmy
st
epfather
'schi
ldr
en.Onl
yherandImissher,
she'
s
al
sosupersuperpret
tywi
thherdr
esses.
Iwonderwhatherreact
ionwi
llbewhenshel
ear
ns
thatherf
atherhassol
dmeout .
Iwassti
llrecal
li
ngpastevent
swhenIhearda
knockatthedoorandIquickl
yrant
ogetit
.
"You'
ret
henewMast
er'
sGi
rlr
ight
?"Themai
d
outsi
deasked.
"
Yes"Ianswer
edwi
thacur
iousl
ook.
"
Okay,
fol
lowmedownf
oryourbr
eakf
ast
"shesai
d.
Iwantedtof
oll
owherbutst
aredatmysel
f,she
not
icedthel
ookandsmil
ed.
"Comeon,ther
earecl
othesforyouinthewar
drobe"
shepoi
ntedoutandquickl
ycamei n.
Iwalkedbehindhertothewardr
obeandt heopened
i
tandst art
edbri
ngingoutal
lsort
sofdr ess.They
werealltooshor
t,damntooexposive.
Everydressshegaveme, Icoul
dr ejectitbutsti
llno
suit
abledressthere.Iendedupput tingonaj eans
short
sandawhi tetop.Notonlythatt hedresses
areshort,t
heyareallveryexpensivet oo,Ican'
t
wearthem justtostayinsi
dether oom.
Themai
dsi
ghedandpl
acedherhandonherchest
.
"Okayl
et'
sgonow,you'
l
lgeti
ntroducedtoother
s
l
ikeme"shesai
dandimmediatelystar
tedwalki
ng
out.
Ifol
lowedaf
terhercauseIwasal
readyf
eel
ingso
hungry.
Shetookmer oundandr oundthebui
ldi
ngbefor
e
wefinal
lyar
ri
vedt heplaceful
lofmai
dsputt
ingon
thesameuniform asher.
Thewomanf
rom bef
orewasal
sot
her
ewi
tht
hem,
shewassi
tt
ingi
nthemi
dstoft
hem.
"
Comeher
echi
ld"t
hewomanbeckoned.
Alleyesfel
lonmeasIwal kedclosert
ot hewoman,
someeyeswer eadmir
ingme, shewasj ealous,
I
noticedt
helooksi
ntheireyes.
"Ar
eyoudonewit
hhi
m?"Thewomani
nqui
redandI
noddedmyhead.
"Okaysit
,Beatr
icegi
veherasitatthedinni
ng"the
womanor deredandthemaidthatcamet ocallme
quickl
yurgedmet ocomeonandIdi d,
shebrought
outachairformefrom t
hedinni
ngt abl
esett
ingand
Isat.
"Alr
ight,l
et'
sbri
ngoutthemealsandal
leat,i
t'
slat
e
alr
eady, weshouldbeeati
ngourl
unchnot
breakfastnow"themiddl
eagedwomanur ged.
"
That'
sbecauseyoumadeusallwaitf
orthenew
l
it
tl
es*xgirl
"Iheardavoi
cemumblebutIdidn'
ttur
n
t
olookattheperson.
It
'sbet
terIdon'
tfi
ndoutt
hoset
hathat
emef
ormy
owngood.
Sever
almeal
swer
eser
vedr
oundt
hedi
nni
ng,
alot
ofmeals.
Themaidsjoi
nedandweroundedt
het
abl
e
i
ncludi
ngthemiddl
eagedwoman.
West
art
edeat
ingandnoonemumbl
edawor
dunt
il
wewer
edoneeati
ng.
"Okaypl
easei
ntr
oduceyour
sel
ftot
herestoft
he
house"t
hemiddl
eagedwomansaidref
err
ingtome.
Ist
oodupandcl
ear
edmyt
hroat
.
"Um..
hiever
yone,
Iam Shawnabynameandi
t'
s
nicet
omeetyouall"Ii
ntr
oduced.
Somecheer
edwhi
lesomedi
dn'
tut
terawor
d.
"Okay,i
t'
snicemeetingyoutoo,
I'
m Ma'am Sandr
a,
that'
swhattherestofthegi
rl
scallme,youshoul
d
callmethattoo"t
hewomani ntr
oducedherselft
oo.
Inoddedandsatdownback.
"Astimepassesby,
you'l
lgettoknowt henamesof
theremaini
nggir
lssober estassured,don'twor
ry
toomuchandyoudon' thaveanyj obwhat evert
odo
here,yourj
obisj
usttoservethemast ers,
wewi l
l
tal
kaboutthatlat
ertho,asofnow,t
ellusal
it
tl
e
aboutyour
self"ma'am Sandr
asaid.
*
*Fewmi
nut
esl
ater
**
Ma'am Sandr
aandIwal kedbacktothemain
bui
ldi
ng,Idon'tr
eal
lygettheset
ti
ngbutIthi
nki
t'
sa
di
ff
erentbuil
dingfr
om theoneI'
l
lstayin.
"SoShawna, sinceyoumetyourselfinthi
s
condit
ionsyou'llhavet
odoyourbesti nordert
o
stayal
ive,it
'sobviousyou'
l
lbeservingonlyDil
li
on
andnott heboth."
"Iwantyoutot
ryandremai
nal
ive,
somegi
rl
sli
ke
youunfort
unat
ely.
..
"
ShepausedandlookeduptoseeDil
lonormaybe
theot
hertwi
ncli
mbi ngdownthest
airs.
"
Dil
l"shecal
led.
"
Ma'
am"t
heDi
llguyanswer
ed.
"
Areyoul
eavi
ngnow?
"Sheaskedi
nawor
ri
edt
one.
"Yesma'
am"theDil
lguyanswer
edandpl
acedbot
h
handsonhershoul
der.
"Beheal
thy,
don'tfal
lil
l,
whenIcomeback,
Iwantt
o
seeyouhereagain"theDil
lguysai
d.
West
artedheari
ngfoot
stepsandIr
aisedmyhead
t
oseetheothert
win.
Cant
hisonebeDi
ll
ionor
..
..
.
Thatgi
rlwasf
oll
owi
nghi
mfr
om behi
nd.Thatr
ude
gi
rl
.
Thedressshewasput t
ingonwasextr
emelyshor
t.
Forgoodnesssake!Sheshoul
djustwal
knaked.
Guar
dsf
oll
owedaf
tert
hem wi
thl
uggages.
Irememberheari
ngtheonet hatboughtmefr
om
thes*xhousesayi
nghe'sleavi
ngt omorr
ow,
tomorrowandnottoday.
"
Youdeci
dedtol
eavet
oday?
"Ma'
am Sandr
a'svoi
ce
washear
dagai
n.
Theguyst
il
linf
rontofhersi
ghed.
"Yeah,
Naomistar
tsschoolt
omor
rowovert
her
eso
wehavetoleavet
odayma'am"t
heguyanswer
ed
andsheshr
ugged.
TheSecondtwi
nsdidn'
tut
teraword,
hej
ust
concent
rat
edonthephonewit
hhim.
"Okaydear
,saf
ejourney"ma'am Sandr
asaidand
huggedtheDil
lguybri
eflyt
henhest ar
tedl
eavi
ng.
HewalkedpassmeandIt
urnedt
olookathi
m
agai
n.
"Areyouescor
ti
ngthem?"Ma'
am Sandraaskedt
he
secondtwinandhenoddedandpassed.
Ithi
nkhei
stheoneIwenti
ntohi
sroom ear
ly.Hei
s
toocol
d.
Ther
udegi
rlal
sowal
kedt
oma'
am Sandr
a.
"
I'
llmi
ssyou"shesmi
ledandsai
d.
Wow!Shecanact
ual
lysmi
le.
"Youtoodear
,begoodoverthere"ma'
am Sandr
a
tol
dherandshekissedhercheekandwalked
passedme.Shegavemeaneyebef or
eleavi
ng.
What
'sr
eal
lywr
ongwi
tht
hebr
at?
Ma'am Sandr
aandIst
oodwat
chi
ngast
heyal
l
vani
shed.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence5
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Snot
ty)
Shawna'
sPOV
"Ma'
am Sandra,canyoupleaseexpl
aint
hist
ome, I
can'
treal
lydi
ffer
enti
atebetweenthet
wo"Iasked
herandsheturnedtomeandsi gned.
"Whoexactlyboughtmeandi fyoudon'tmind,
pleaset
ellmewhot hatgi
rli
s?"Iinqui
red.
"Ofcourseyouopttoknow.Di
ll
ioni
sthefir
stt
win,
theoneyousawmehuggi ngi
sthej
uniorone,
his
namei sactual
lyDi
ll
y."
"
Thegi
rlNaomii
sthei
rJuni
orsi
ster
,shei
str
avel
ing
withthejuniormastertoMexi
co"sheexpl
ainedand
Iopenedmymout hslight
lyt
hennoddedshowing
thatIunderstand.
"
So,
whi
choft
hem r
eal
lyownsme?
"Iaskedagai
n.
"Well,si
ncetheyoungermast erboughtyouasagi
ft
forhiselderbrother,
thatmakesyou,theolder
mast er'
sslave,sorr
ytousethatwordt ho"she
explainedandapol ogi
zed.
"I
t'
sokay,noneedtoapol
ogisema'
am,Ial
ready
accept
edmyf atel
ongbefor
eIgother
e"Ismil
ed
andsaid.
Sothatmeans,
theguyt
hatIwassenti
ntohisr
oom
i
sDi l
li
onandheownsmet hoIwasagif
tbythe
youngert
winDil
ly,
hmm t
hatmakessense.
"
Butma'am Sandr
a,whataboutt
hei
rpar
ent
s?Don'
t
t
heyhave.
..
."
Myvoi cetr
ail
edoffwhenIsawoneofthem
enter
ing,Di
ll
ion,
it'
shi
m, hi
shandswer
et uckedi
nto
histr
ouserpocketashewalkedpasst
hebot hofus
andclimbedupt hest
air
s.
Hei
ssnot
ty.
WhenIsawthathewasf
argoneImadetocont
inue
wi
thmyquesti
onbutma'
am Sandr
acutmeoff.
"
Wherear
eyourownparent
s?Youdi
dn'
tment
ion
t
hem whi
lei
ntr
oduci
ngyour
sel
f.
"
"Um..t
heyarebothdead,t
hat'
swhyIendedup
gett
ingsol
dbymyst epf
ather
"Ir
esponded,
my
headbowedi nsadness.
Herhandwentt
omybackandshepat tedme."
It
's
okaychi
ld,
you'
l
lsur
vive"shesmi
ledandsai
d.
"
Got oyourr
oom,we'l
lcont
inueourdiscussi
on
l
ater
"sheurgedandInoddedandlefther.
Idi
dn'tknowwhenadr
opoft
ear
srol
leddownmy
cheek.
Idon'
tli
ket
hinki
ngbacktothepast
.It
'shurts.Iwas
barel
y14whendaddied,t
henwhenIcl ocked16
mom joi
nedhim.Myfatei
ssosohor r
ible.
Ithi
nkI
'm bor
ntoreall
ysuf
fer
.Di
dIof
fend
someoneinmypreviousl
if
e?
Igott
omyr
oom andent
ered,
thent
hrewmysel
fon
t
hebedandcl
osedmyeyes.
Pl
easewhenIopenmyeyes,l
emmetur
n40year
s
ol
d,soI
'l
lqui
ckl
ydieandj
oinmypar
ent
s.
*
*
Di
ll
y'
sPOV
"Di
ll
,whoist
hatclumsyl
ady?Whoi sthebit
*h?
"
Naomiaskedwit
hhereyeswidlyopened,weare
bothsi
tedi
nablackli
mothatisconveyi
ngustothe
air
port
.
"
Why?Ar
eyouj
eal
ousofher
?"Iaskedherback.
Shedoesn'tl
ikeseeingsomeonethat'
smore
pret
ti
erthanher,shehatestheper
soninst
ant
ly,
that
hasalwaysbeenherdi r
tybehavi
or.
"Why?WhyonEart
hwi l
lIbej
eal
ousofamer
e
bit
*h?
'Shehal
fyel
led.
"
Thendon'
task"Isi
mpl
yrepli
edandhear
dher
mumbli
ngwordsIdon'
tcar
etohear.
*
*Nextday*
*
Di
ll
ion'
sPOV
Whereareyouguysr
ightnow?Iaskedint
othe
phonepaci
ngupanddowni nsi
demyr oom.
Wej
ustgotdownfr
om t
heplane,
we'
llsoonbeat
t
hequar
ter
s,whydoyousoundworr
ied?
Well,di
dn'
tyouhearofapl
anethatcr
ashedidi
ot?
I'
vebeencalli
ngbutmycal
ldoesn'
tgetthr
oughat
all
,Iansweredpi
ssedandr
eli
evedatthesametime.
Hel
aughedf
orawhi
leandcont
inued.
Don'
ttel
lmeyouwer eworr
ied,
whendidyoustar
t
worr
yingaboutourwel
lbei
ng?Hequesti
onedandI
gr
oaned.
F**kyou,
getoff
,Iyel
ledandcutt
hecal
lthent
hrew
thephoneonthedesk.
Myphonestart
edri
ngi
ngagainandIpi
ckedupthe
cal
landansweredi
twi
thoutl
ooki
ngatthescr
een.
Whatisit
?Doyouwannacont i
nuelaughi
ngt
hen
youbett
erdon'
ttr
yit
??Isnapped.
Um.
.boss,
it'
smeLuwi
s,l
uwi
svoi
cecameup.
Isi
ghedandr
uff
edmyhai
rinor
dert
ocal
m down.
Whati
sit
?Bef
ast
,Isai
d.
Well,t
hedealisset,
weneedsomeonet ocol
lectt
he
cokefrom hi
m, someonemani pul
ate,
wesearched
upandhear dtheoldcargoli
kessexyladi
esalot,
I
thi
nkit'
sbestweuset hattogethim.Shoul
dI
searchforaverysexyladytodothejob?He
expl
ainedandasked.
No, Igotsomeone,noneedfort
hat,I
'
llmeetyouat
Luxuryhotelat9,makesureyousetever
ythi
ng
beforethen,Ir
esponded.
Al
ri
ghtboss,
I'
llgonow.
Thent
hecal
lwentof
f.
SeemsI
'
llbeneedi
ngt
henewsl
avet
oday.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence6
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Thenewsl
ave)
Somewher
einMexi
co
Val
ent
ina'
sPOV
Ist
aredar
oundt
heschoolwonder
ingwher
e
Val
enti
ne,
mytwinsi
stercoul
dbe.
Wewer
esupposedt
omeether
e,whyi
sn'
tsheher
e
yet
?
Pleasei
t'
sget
ti
ngl
ateandam r
eal
lyhungr
y,Ihave
togohomeandeat
.
Ibr
oughtoutmyphonefeel
ingsouneasyand
di
aledherl
ine,
itr
angt
oanendbutshest i
lldi
dn'
t
pi
ckup.
Damnyouti
ne!
!Icussedandt
ossedmyphone
backi
ntomyhandbag.
Wearesupposedtotaket
hesamecarandIcan'
t
l
eavewit
houther,
andevenifIwant
edt
oleaveI
ar
en'
twit
hthecarkeys.
It
appedmyf
ootont
hef
loorf
eel
ingr
eal
lypi
ssed
wi
thmyeyesf
ixedont
hef
loor
.
"
Tina?
?"Ihear
daver
yfami
li
arvoi
ceandl
ookedup
t
oseeDill
y.
"
Dil
ly!
!"
Iexcl
aimedandst
oodst
rai
ght
.
Di
ll
y'
sPOV
Naomihadinsi
stedthatIf
oll
owhertoregi
steri
n
schoolt
oday,
sheinsist
edsoIhadtofoll
owher.
Well
,Ial
soschool
ledherebutnotanymore,
ImeanI
don'
thaveti
meforschooli
ngbecauseofthepaper
s
anddocumentswait
ingt
obesi gnedfort
he
companies.
Wewereonourwaytotheregi
str
yoff
icewhenI
sawsomeonet
hatl
ookedfamili
ar.
Isn'
tthatoneofthet
winsIknow?Iwonder
edand
gotclosertoher
.
"
Tina?
?"Ical
lednotr
eal
lysur
eifshe'
sTi
naorTi
ne.
Sheraisedhereyesupt
ostar
eatmeandshe
excl
aimedandcal l
edmyname.
"
Dil
ly!
!"Shecal
ledandIr
eal
izedshei
sreal
lyTi
na.
"HeyTina,
what
'sup?
"Icooedandshecameand
embracedme.
"HiNaomi"shewavedatNaomiwhokeptst
ari
ngat
herasifshedoesn'
tknowher
.
"
Hi"Ihear
dNaomigr
eetherback.
"How'r
eyoudoing?Andwhoar eyouwai
ti
ngf
or
underthesun?
"Iquest
ioned.
"Well
,I'
m waiti
ngfort hatsist
erofmine,
she'
sreal
ly
annoying,shedoesn'twannashowuporanswer
mycal l
sandwepl annedt omeethereaft
er
l
ectures"sheexplainedandImout hedan'oh'
.
"
So,
howi
sDi
ll
on?
"SheaskedandIsmi
led.
"Hei
sokay,j
ustgotbackfrom Par
is"Ir
epli
edand
shenoddedandtookhereyestoherfeetandI
coul
dtel
lwhy.
SheandDi l
lonusedtoli
keeachother
, Idon'treall
y
knowhowi t'
shappenedbutthenwewer eall
schooli
nghere,t
heyweresitmateandf rom there,
theyl
ikedeachotherandwentint
oar elati
onship
butDil
li
on'
sbehavioriswhatshedoesn'tli
ke,Idon't
r
eal
lyknowbutt
heyendedt
hei
rrel
ati
onshi
p.
"Um.
..Di
ll
,befast
,Ican'
tkeepst
andi
ngundert
he
sun,
it'
sburnsmyskinyunno"Naomifr
owned.
"
I'
llgetgoi
ngnowTi na,bye"Ibeddedherand
wantedtoleavebutshestoppedme.
"So,ar
eyouguysseri
ousl
ynotgonnacont
inue
schooli
ng?
"Sheinqui
red.
"No,
we'vegoti
tcover
edupokay"Ianswer
edand
sheaskedagai
n.
"So,
Dill
ioniscurr
entl
yisPar
isr
ight
?"Sheasked
almostwhisperi
ngandInoddedandshesighed
andmout hedan'okay'
.
Herbehaviour-am sureshest i
lll
ikesDi
ll
ionbutam
sureDil
li
onhasl ongforgot
tenabouther.Hewon' t
gethookedupoverasi nglelady-never,
nomat ter
howprettyshelooked.
Igottotheregi
str
yandhadherr egist
ered,
her
educati
onisveryfast,someoneNaomi 'sagei
s
supposedtobeinhi ghschoolbutbecausewereal
ly
needher,wehadt ohast enhereducati
onandnow
shehasgot
teni
ntocol
lege.
Thenwedr ovebackt
othepr
ivat
equar
ter
saf
ter
regi
ster
ingher.
Tomor
rowI
'
m gonnar
esumewor
katt
hecompany.
Somewher
einPar
is.
Shawna'
sPOV
Iwasl
yingdownpeaceful
lywhenaloudknock
cameatthedoorandi
talsoopenedatt
hesame
ti
me.
Igotdownfr
om thebedandeager
lywatcheda
maidwalki
n,shehasthi
sir
ri
tat
edlookon.
"
Heyslave,
fol
lowme"shehushedandi
mmedi
atel
y
t
urnedbackandst
art
edgoing.
"Towhere?
"Iquest
ionedequal
lyi
rr
it
atedather
behavi
our.
"Justf
**k*
ngfol
lowmeokay!!"
Shesnappedandgot
out,t
henslammedthedoorshut.
Iscof
fedandscr
atchedmyhai
r.
Whot
hehel
lisshe?Shel
ookscr
azy,
Ishoul
davoi
d
peopleli
keheri
nor dert
ohaveapeacef
ull
if
e,I
thoughtandfol
lowedher.
Shetookmet
owher
eIgott
oknowast
heser
vant
s
quar
ter.
Ma'am Sandr
awasalsotherewi
tht
hem,
she
or
deredaboutthr
eeofthem t
ogi
vemeagoodbat
h.
Butr
eal
ly,
Icanbathbymysel
f,Iwonderwhyt
hey
ar
etheonesbat
hingme.
ButIwon'
taskma'
am Sandr
anow,
Iwi
llaskher
l
ater
.
Ifol
lowedthem i
ntot
hebathroom andt
heybat
hed
andscrubbedmyskinasiftherewaspooonit
.
Aft
ert
hatmyhairwasdr
iedandcol
our
edi
ntopi
nk
andpur
plemaki
ngmewonderwhy.
Theyclothedmeinaveryexposi
veblackdr
ess,I'
ve
neverseenadecentdr
essingher
esinceIarr
ived.
Everydressisver
ysoshortandExposi
ve.
I
mmedi at
elyt
heyfi
nishedma'am Sandrat
ookmet
o
Di
ll
ion'
sdoorandknockedgentl
yoni t
.
Di
ll
ion'
sPOV
Iwasfaci
ngthemir
rorwhi
lebutt
oni
ngmyshi r
t
hopi
ngtoday'
soper
ati
onisgonnabesuccessf
ul.
Thatoldmanalwayscarr
iesthosei
temscaref
ull
y
whereverhegoesandIheardheisl
uggingatt
hat
l
uxuryhotel
.
Icoul
dhavekill
edhim st
raightandcoll
ect
edthe
i
temsbutitwon'tbereal
lyeasy,hegoes
ever
ywher
ewi thhisguar
dsandIdon' twannadraw
toomuchattent
ionbyattackinghi
m.
Ihadluwis,
oneofmyboyst r
ailhi
m andhismen.At
hisageheissti
llver
ystubborn.Hedoesn'
twanna
summi tt
hosei
temswi l
li
nglysoI '
l
lhavet
ot ake
them byfor
ce.
Ihear
daknockatt
hedoorandgr
oanedout"
come
i
n".
ThedooropenedandIsawma'
am Sandr
acomi
ng
i
nthroughthemir
ror
.
"
She'
sher
eson"shesai
d.
"
Okay,t
hanksyoumaytakeyourl
eavenow"I
r
epl
iedherandshel
eft
.
Knowi
ngfull
ywellshewasstandi
ngthere-t
henew
sl
ave,
Ibeckonedonhertocomecloserandshedi
d.
Ist
ret
chedforthmyhandtoherf
orhert
obut
tonup
myshirtbut
ton,t
heoneatmywrist
.
Shet ookmyhandandbuttoneduptheshi
rt,
Igave
hermyot herhandandshedidso.Af
tert
hatshe
steppedbackfrom meandIranmyeyesallover
herbody.
Perf
ect
,It
houghtandst
art
edwal
kingoutoft
he
room.
Shawna'
sPOV
Onourwayt oDil
li
on'
sroom,ma'
am Sandr
ahad
explainedthatam gonnabedoi
ngadirt
yjobfor
them.Shet ol
dmet oopenmyearsandobeythe
i
nstructionsgiventomeasthatwastheonl
yway
myl if
el ast
.
Iwonderwhatt
ypeofdi
rt
yjobi
tis.
Gosh,
thi
nki
ngabouti
tisr
eal
lyscar
y.
Ifol
lowedhi
m upti
llwegott
owher
enumer
ous
carswherepar
ked.
Oneofthecardoorwasopenedf
orhi
m andhegot
i
n,Igoti
nandsatbesidehi
m asi
nst
ruct
ed.
Thenhebegan.
..
.
Heexpl
ainedt
hethi
ngsIwasgonnadoandI
l
ist
enedwithr
amptatt
ent
ion.
Ma'am Sandraal
sotoldmet obeveryobedi
entso
he'
l
lgettolikemeandt hatwayhewon'tbetoo
har
donmel iket
heothers,shehadsai
d.
"
Ist
hatcl
ear
?"HehushedandInodded.
"Good"Ihear
dhim mumbl
ethenhebroughtouthi
s
i
padandst ar
teddoi
ngsomethi
ngst
herebutIdare
notlookathi
m.
"Si
r,we'
reher
e"oneoftheguar
dsthathadf
oll
owed
usinthesamecarannouncedaft
eralongl
ong
whil
eandher ai
sedhi
sheadandst ar
edout
.
"Al
ri
ght
,cal
lluwi
s,l
ethi
m comegether"heor
dered
andheansweredwit
ha'yessi
r'andl
eftt
hecar.
Thenhelat
ercamebackwit
haroughlooki
ngguy,
theguyl
ookedtoor
oughanddanger
ous.
Al
thoughhewaski
ndofhandsomebuthehast
oo
manyopeningsinhisear.Toomanytat
toos,t
here
wasacigar
etteinsi
dehismout handhi
shairst
yle,
ohgosh!Heisjustt
oor ough.
"
Boss"hecal
ledpuf
fi
ngoutsmokeandl
ooki
ngi
nto
t
hecarthr
oughthewindow.
"Takeherandmakesur
eyour
etur
nwi
thi
t"Di
ll
ion
ordered.
"
Ofcour
seboss"theguyanswer
edandIopened
t
hedoorandgotout.
Immediat
elyIdi
d,t
heguy'
seyesr
anal
lovermy
body.
Theci
gar
ett
efel
lof
fhi
smout
hashest
aredatme.
"Ohshi
t!Wheredi
dyoucomef rom Angel
?"He
askedwit
hhiseyesst
il
ldevour
ingmybody.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence7
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Seduci
nghi
m)
Shawna'
sPOV
"
Luwi
s!!
"Di
ll
ionbar
kedf
rom t
hecarandhe
r
egai
nedhi
ssenses.
"Onitboss.Comeonbabe"hewhi
sper
edthelast
partt
omeashel edmeintothef
ancyl
ookinghot
el.
Iwalkedbesidehim careful
lyi
nor dernott
ofal
l
becauseofthehighhillthatam putti
ngon.
Inoti
cedpeopl
ekeptst
ari
ngatme,
especi
all
ythe
males.
Whywon'
tthey?Wi
thmedr
essedt
hiswayi
t'
ssur
e
t
hing.
"WaitAngel
"theluwisguymademestopthenhe
branchedsomewher eandcamebackwi
thared
wineandtwogl asscups.
Hehandedt
hem overt
omeandIcol
lect
ed.
"
Room 205,
that
'syourt
argetr
oom,
ber
eal
lycar
eful
especial
lywitht
hosef
atlooki
ngguardspost
ed
outsidehisdoor
"hewarnedandInoddedandmade
toleavebutheheldmeback.
"
Whati
syournameanyways?
"Hegr
inned.
"
I'
m..
Shawna"Ianswer
edsi
mpl
y.
"
OkayShawna,you'
rer
eall
ybeaut
if
ulandIli
keyou
awhol
elot
,butlat
erwe'
llt
alkmor
e"hewinkedat
mewhichmademeal mostrol
lmyeyesathi
m.
"Goon,becaref
ul!
"HewarnedagainandIgulped
downandcont i
nuedwal
kingfur
ther,
sear
chingfor
room 205wit
hmyeyes.
Ikeptgoingandthensi
ghtedabout3guards
standingout
sideapart
icul
ardoor
,theyar
eallbi
g
andf at.
Thatmustbet
her
oom,
Ithoughtandpr
oceededt
o
them.
"Excuseme,
ist
hisr
oom 205?
"Iaskedwi
thsof
t
smiles.
Theguar
dsr anthei
reyesal
lovermybodyandI
sawthem l
ickthei
rli
pshungr
il
y.
"
Yespret
tyl
ady,
whatexactl
yar
eyoulooki
ngfor
?
Me?"Oneoft
hem answer
edandtheyal
lsni
gger
ed.
Il
aughedsof
tl
yandshookmyhead.
"
Asyoucansee,
I'
m her
eforyourboss"Il
ickedmy
l
ipsandsai
d.
"Huh.
..di
dboss.
..
"oneoft
hem t
ri
edaski
ngt
he
other
s.
"Comeon,
you'r
ekeepinghi
m wait
ing,hecal
ledme
andsai
dIshouldbefast
"Icuthi
mi nandsai
d.
"
Um.
..
okay"t
heonei
nthemi
ddl
esai
dandshi
ft
ed.
Theyopenedt hedoorandIstar
tcatwalki
ngin,I
noti
ceddiff
erenthandstouchmefrom behi
nd.Ifel
t
soir
rit
atedbutshitIgatt
omoveon.
Thi
sisonl
ythef
ir
stpar
t.
Igotinintot
hebigf ancyl
ookingr
oom anddi
dn'
t
seeanyone.Iwalkedt oatabl
ewit
hthedri
nkand
glasses,t
henkeptitdown.
Imadetol
ookfortheol
dmanbutIst
art
edhear
ing
oneoft
heinnerr
oom door
scr
acki
ngopen.
It
urnedandbehol
d-i
t'
stheol
dmanwi
thpotbul
ly.
Hewascomingoutofthebat
hroom cl
adi
njust
t
owelt
iedt
ohislowerbody.
Ohshit
!It
ri
edlookingawayfr
om hi
m butr
ecal
led
t
hatIhavetoactl
ikeaslut
.
"Hidear
"Ireleasedasoftsmi
leandwal
kedtowards
theoldconfusedlooki
ngmanbutIcanalsot
ellt
hat
heisveryexcitedseei
ngme.
"
What .
..
?"het
ri
edaski
ngbutIpl
acedmymi
ddl
e
f
ingeronhisli
ps.
"Shuuu..
.Iwasaskedt
omakeyouf eelgood"Isai
d
seducti
velypr
ayi
nghedoesn'
thearmypoundi ng
heartbeat.
Hegr
innedl
ikeaki
dandsmi
led.
"Oh,
whataperfectbeaut
yyouar
e?"Theman
smil
edandtri
edgrabbingmywai
stbutIwasqui
ck
tomoveback.
"Wehavetodri
nkfi
rsthoney,
Ibroughtonewi
thme,
sit
"Icooedandwenttograbtheredwine.
Ipoppedi
topenanddecant
edi
tint
otwodi
ff
erent
gl
asses.
It
urnedtolookathi
m wit
hsmilesandfoundouthe
wasalreadysi
tti
ngdownwhil
ehiseyeswereonme,
wait
ingeagerl
yformetocomet ohi
m.
F**k!Hehast
olookaway,It
houghtandst
art
ed
decanti
ngmoredri
nksi
ntothecup.
Justontime,
lucki
lyf
orme,
hisphonest
art
ed
ri
nging.
HelookedawayandIquickl
ybroughtoutt
he
whi
tishpowergi
vent
omebyDi l
li
on,
hesaidi
twi
ll
makehim sl
eepImmediatel
yitgetsi
ntohi
smout
h.
Ipour
edt
hewhi
ti
shpoweri
ntohi
sdr
ink.
Hedi
dn'
tevenspeakwit
hthepersoncal
li
nghim.
Hegr
owledint
othephoneandtossedi
taside.
Perf
ect!Justper
fect
!Idon'
twannawast
eti
meher
e
atal
l.
Hisgazefel
lbackonmeasIwalkedtowardshim
seduct
ivel
y.Hekeptl
icki
nghi
sli
psandrubbinghis
bigbel
ly.
"
Let
'scheer
stot
hegr
eatf
unwe'
regonnabe
exper
ienci
ng"Ir
aisedmygl
assandsai
d.
"Yescheersbaby"hecl
ickedhisglasswi
thmine
anddrankf r
om hi
scup.Idrankfrom mycuptoo,
I
gulpedthewholecont
entdownt hoIknowit
'squi
ta
l
ot.Itmightmakemet i
psy.
Hekepttheglassonthetablebesi
dethebedand
posi
ti
onedhimselfverywellonthebed.Hespr
ead
hi
slegsapartandloosenedhistowel
.
"Ohmygoodness!
!"Idi
dn'
tnowhenIexcl
aimedbut
Icover
editupwi
thasmi l
eimmedi
atel
yandtr
ied
l
ookingaway.
"Comeonbaby,cl
imbandridemet ohell
"he
hushed,
hismanhoodal
readystanding.
Ohgosh!
HolyMary!
!Whatshi
tist
his?Thi
sist
hef
ir
stti
me
thi
ski
ndofthi
ngishappeningt
ome.Whydoesn'
t
hehaveshameatall
?
"Lemmekeepmygl asseshoney"If
eignedasweet
smileandcatwal
kedbacktokeeptheglass,Iwas
doingever
ythi
ngslowl
yinhopethathe'l
lfal
lasl
eep
qui
ckl
y.
WhenIt ur
nedbackhiseyeswasn'
tshi
ning,
hewas
tr
yingtokeephi
mselfawakeandIsmil
edandgot
backtohim.
Ifocusedmyeyeselsewher
easIcl
imbedont
opof
thebedgoingtomeethim.Hehadaweaksmi
leon,
heisstil
lsmi
li
ngint
hisstat
e.
Whatanol
dfool
?
WhenIgottohi
m,hef
inal
lycl
osedhi
seyesand
dozedof
f.
Itur
nedhim overt
hebedandcoveredhim wi
ththe
duvetthenpull
edoutthebedfoam,
it'
swhereIhave
beentoldthatt
hebri
efcasei
sgonnabe.
Isi
ght
edt
hebrief
caseandtri
edt
aki
ngi
tbutnot
iced
Ist
art
edf
eel
ingsosleepy.
Irubbedmyeyesandshookmyhead.Thismustbe
asar esul
toft
aki
ngt
hatwinetoomuch.Iwasonl
y
tr
yingtobuyti
meandthat
'si
t.
Ihel
dmysel ft
oget
herandpul
ledoutt
heheavy
bri
efcase.
Ihopeluwishassucceededinget
ti
ngri
doft
he
guards.Idon'
tthi
nkIcanfaceanyoft
hem.
Irantothedoorandknockedoni
tbutt
her
ewasno
responds.
Whi
chmeanst
heguar
dsar
enol
ongert
her
e.
Iexhaledandopenedthedoor,butunexpectedl
ythe
guardsrushedi
ntotheroom butIwasqui cktohid
behindthedoor
s.
Ohgoodness!I
'
m get
ti
ngscar
edandr
eal
lyt
ipsy.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence8-
9
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Youngmast
er)
Di
ll
ion'
sPOV
Fewminut
esaf
tert
henewsl
ave.
..
what
'shername
agai
n??
?
Shawna.Yeahyeah,l
eftwi
thl
uwis,Icall
edhi
mt o
meetmeint her
ooft
opofthenexthotelwhi
chis
fewmetersaway.
Incaset
hingsgoeswr
ong,
don'
twannagetsi
ght
ed
here.
SoI'
m cur
rent
lyherewai
ti
ngf
ort
hem bot
h-
Shawnaandluwis.
I
t'
shi
ghtime,ifthi
ngswentsmoot
hly,
it'
shi
ght
ime
t
heyappearhere.
Shawna'
sPOV
Theguardsrushedtowar
dstheoldmaninbedandI
ti
ptopedoutbutfel
tmylegsbecomingweak.
Iwant
edt
ofal
lwi
tht
hebr
ief
casebutahandhel
d
me.
"Shawna,it'
sme-luwi
s.Car
eful
,youdi
dwell,
let
's
go,seemst herei
snoneedt
odistr
actt
hem si
nce
youalready..
..
"
Hewasst
il
lsayi
ngwhent
hef
atl
ooki
ngmenr
ushed
outlikeangryli
ons.Luwisbroughtoutsomet hi
ng,
I
thi
nki t
'sateargasthenhethrewitatthem and
quicklygrabbedmyhandandwer anaway.
Wegotoutsi
dethehotelandhepull
edmei nt
oa
bl
ackvanther
e,thensomeoneatthedr
iversi
t
dr
oveoff
.
"Wow!Youreal
lytr
ied,tel
lmehowyoudidit
,hope
theol
dcargodidn'
tsuspectanyt
hing?
"Thel
uwis
guyaskedbutIwasr eall
yinnomood.
Mythroatisdamndry.Il
ookedbehindmeandsaw
awhit
ebot tl
ewit
hawhi t
eli
quid,concl
udi
ngi
tis
wat
er,Igrabbedi
tandgulpeditdown.
"Whatthef**k!
!?Youdr
inkthi
smuch? "Luwi
sasked
whileIshookmyhead,tryi
ngtoshakethesl
eep
cloudi
ngmyeyes.
"
Drink?Whatdoyoumeandr
ink?I
sn'
titwat
er?
"I
t
urnedtohi
m andasked.
"Ofcour
senot,that
'svi
negar
"heanswer
edandmy
eyeswidened.
"
What
..
."
Iwant
edt
oscr
eam butt
hedr
iverpul
led
over
.
"Let
'sgo,t
hebossiswait
ingf
orus"hegrabbedme
downf r
om thevanandal
sograbbedthebri
efcase
andwewental lt
hewaytotheroof
top.
Ifeltmytummyr
umbl
ing.Myt
hroati
sinchi
ngme.I
feelwei
rd.
Thi sistheveryfi
rstti
meI'm dri
nki
nganal cohol
ic
drinkandIdr ankittoomuch, t
heredwineandt hen
this,Ithoughti
twaswat ernotknowingit
'salso
alcohol .
Isi
ghtedDi
ll
ionstandi
ngatt
hefarendofwher
ewe
wereandIt
riedcomposingmysel
f.
If
eell
ikedyi
ngbutI
'
vegatt
his.
"
Boss,
shesucceeded"l
uwi
ssai
dsmi
li
ng.
"
Opent
hebr
ief
case"Di
ll
ioncommandedandhedi
d.
Isawwr appedwhi
ti
shpower,Idon'
tjust
under
stand.Whatt
hehelli
sthis?
"
Good,
takei
ttothecar"Di
ll
iont
urnedt
oaguar
d
t
her
ewithhi
m andsaid.
Theguycol
lect
edt
hebr
ief
caseandst
art
edl
eavi
ng.
Ohgosh!Ineedt
osl
eep,
Ican'
tgetmysel
fanymor
e.
Shoul
dn'
twebeonourwayorwhatishedoi
ng?
"Boss?Shoul
dshenarr
atehowshedi
dit
?"Luwi
s
askedandtouchedmybackmaki
ngmefeelwor
st.
Ibentdownabi
twi
thmyr
ighthandpl
acedonmy
chest
.
"No,Idon'
tneeddet
ail
s"Ihear
dDi
ll
ionr
epl
yandI
didn'
tknowwhenIopenedmymout hwi
deand
puked.
"
Mot
her
f*ck*
ngsh*
t!!
!"Ihear
dLuwi
sscr
eam.
Ohmygoodness!Whatdi
dIdo?Ir
aisedmyhead
upwhi
lecl
eani
ngmymout h.
Di
dIj
ustpuke?OnDi
ll
ion?
Ist
oodtransf
ixedst
ari
ngathi
sst
ainedcl
oth.Sl
eep
i
nstant
lyranawayfr
om myeyes.
"
WHAT.DID.YOU.JUST.DO?
???
"Ihear
dhi
m snar
l
l
ikeanani
mal.
"
I'
m..
.I
'm.
.s.
..
"Iwasst
il
lst
utt
eri
ngwhenIf
eltast
ing
onmycheekt
hatmademedeafi
nst
ant
ly.
Chr
ist
!!Hej
ustsl
appedme.
Ifel
tmyheadrot
atebackwar
dst
henever
ywher
e
becamedark.
Di
ll
ion'
sPOV
Whatsor
tofamessi
sthi
sforcr
yingoutl
oud?Who
i
sthi
sgir
l?
WhyonEar
thdi
dshepukeonme?
Soi
rr
it
ati
ng.
"Um..
boss,shedrankal
otthat'
swhy.Shei
s
supposedtogohomeandsl eep"l
uwiswhohad
hel
dherfrom fal
li
ngsai
d.
"
Idon'
tgi
veadamn!Getheraway!
!"Ior
der
ed.
"Yesboss"heansweredandcarr
iedheronhi
s
shoul
derthenlef
taf
terwards.
*
*Mexi
co*
*
Val
ent
ina'
sPOV
"
Yousaywhat
?YousawDi
ll
y?"Val
ent
ineexcl
aimed
andasked.
"
Yes,hecametoschoolwi
ththei
ryoungersi
ster,I
t
hinkshe'
sget
ti
ngint
ocoll
ege"Irepl
iedgr
umpi l
y.
"Wow!IwishI
'dseenhim Ti
na,Ir
eal
lyreal
lymiss
andwanttoseehim"shesaidandInoddedsli
ghtl
y
andcont
inuedwit
hthedinnerwewereeating.
"So,whataboutDil
li
on?Di
dyougetachancet
o
hearabouthim?"Isawhersmi
rkandask.
"
Yes,
hei
sn'
tinMexi
co"Icooed.
"
Doyouperhapssti
lll
ikehi
m? "SheaskedandI
r
aisedmybrowstostareather.
*
*Par
is*
*
Nextday.
Shawna'
sPOV
If
li
cker
edmyeyesopen.
Wher eam i
?Dead?Iwonderedandsatupproper
ly
onthebedt henst
aredar
oundandreal
izedIwasin
theroom gi
ventome.
Ipal
medmyf
aceandmemor
iesofl
astni
ght
's
i
nci
dentf
lowedmymi
nd.
Ohgosh,
Ican'
tIpukedonademon?
Hopei
t'
sjustt
hesl
ap.Pl
easedon'
tlethi
m puni
sh
megosh!
Icamedownf r
om t hebedheadedforthebathr
oom
ther
einordert
ohaveabat hordoot hert
hingsbut
wasstoppedhalf
waybecauset hedoorfledopen
andoneofthemai dswalkedin.
"Youngmastersendsforyou,
hegi
vesyouonlytwo
minutest
obei nhisr
oom"shestat
ed,t
urnedback
andwalkedoutofthedoor.
Youngmast
er?Di
ll
on?
.
.
.
(
Lemmef
acei
t)
Shawna'
sPOV
Igotoutofmyroom af
terhur
ri
edl
ywashingmy
face.Igott
oDi
ll
ion'
sdoorandknockedonit
.
"
Getyourassi
n"hi
shuskyvoi
cesaidandIcr
acked
t
hedooropenandgoti
n-fear
ful
ly.
Hewasf
aci
ngt
hemi
rr
oral
readydr
essedup.
"Go.
.good.
.morni
ng"Igreet
edf
ear
ful
lyagai
nand
hedidn'
tsayanyt
hing.
Hehear
dbuthei
sjustkeepi
ngmut
e.I
sher
eal
ly
angr
ywit
hme?
Hedroppedthebr
ushwithhi
m andf
inal
lyspokeup
af
terwhatseemsli
keyearst
ome.
"Didyour
eal
izethepenal
tyofwhatyoudi
dlast
night
?"Hest
artedhi
seyesfixedonme.
"Fi
rstyoubrokemyr ulesbystari
ngatmeaft
er
l
ist
ingtherulest
oyou, r
ightaf
ter
!Thenyour
eli
eved
yoursel
fonmel astnight.Doyouknowthe
penalt
y?"Hegottomeandr ai
semychinuptostar
e
athim.
"Icoul
dbarelybel
ievei
t.Ishouldkil
lyou,yes,t
hat
shouldbet
hepuni shmentbutno, Iwon't
.You'r
e
somehowusef ult
omeandsi nceyou'reagiftf
rom
mybr ot
her
, Iwon'
tgetri
dofyoueasi ly.
"
"Butl
etmesoundyouagoodwar ni
ng,bet
terstay
outofmyway,don'
tgetmeangr
yagainorImi ght
l
ossitandr
eall
ykil
lyou.
"
"I
t'
sapity,al
thoughIwon'tki
l
lyoubutI
'l
lst
il
lmake
youregreti
t.Lat
ertoday,
you'r
egonnabeservi
ng
yourpurpose,t
hepurposeforwhi
chyouare
ori
ginal
lyhere.
"
"Don'tf
eelIwil
lletyouwakeupandsl eepeveryday
l
ikeapr i
ncess,you'l
lser
veyourpur posebutina
mor epainf
ulway, sl
ave!
!"Hedrawledthewor d
slavewithhishandsnowf ixedar
oundmyneck.
Heletgoofmyneckandwentbackt
ost
andi
nfr
ont
oft
hemi r
ror
.
"
Leave!
"HecommandedandIsni
ff
edi
nandl
eft
.
Igotoutsi
det
hedoorandcoul
dn'
tcont
rolt
het
ear
s
thatr
oll
eddownmycheek.
Ohgoodness!Pl
easedon'
tlethi
m ki
llme.
I'
veforgot
tenmyr ealpur
poseher
e-t
rut
hful
ly.My
othermindalwaystrytoremi
ndmebutIdowaveit
out.
Sincei
tdidn'
thappenonthef
irstday,
Ifel
titwon'
t
everhappenagain.Howf
ooli
shdidIget?
Heisgonnapuni
shmewi
ths*
x?Pl
easel
eti
tbe
t
hatImishear
dhim.
I
'
veheardfr
om myfr
iendsi
nhighschoolhowfi
rst
t
imes*xhurt
sandheisgonnapunishmewithit
?
Ibeti
t'
sgonnahur
tli
kehel
l.Whatshoul
dIdo?
Shoul
dIjustgoi
nbackandpl
eadwi
thhi
mtohave
mercyonme?
Yes,letmegobacki n,
Ithoughtandtur
nedbackto
opent hedoorbutt
hedooropenedf r
om thei
nsi
de
reveali
ngDil
li
on.
Hi
seyesar
esocol
d.
Hegl
aredatmel
ikeIst
olesomet
hingf
rom hi
m.
"
What
??"Hebar
kedandIj
erkedback.
"N.
.not
hing,
Iwasonmywayt omyroom"I
answer
edandimmedi
atel
yranaway.
HowdidIfor
getthatheaskedmenott
oangerhi
m?
Tost
ayoffhispart
?
Pl
easehopehetooknooff
enceagai
n,hemi
ght
i
ncreaset
hepuni
shment.
Ican'tpleadwi t
hhim.Lemmej ustpreparemyself
forwhateverpuni shment,letmejustprepar
emy
mindf orit.Lemmef acei
t,nomatterhowpainfuli
t'
ll
get.Lemmef aceit,IconsoledmyselfasIgoti
nto
myr oom.
*
*
Asof
tknockcameatt
hedoorandIl
ookedup.
"
Comei
n"Iur
gedt
heper
soni
n.
Amai
dcamei
n,shel
ookedni
ce.
Shepull
edaconf
usedl
ookonwhenshesawmei
n
tear
s.
Yes,
Icoul
dn'
treal
lycont
rolmyt
ear
s.
I
t'
sbet
terIcr
ynowt
hancr
yther
ewi
thhi
m.
"
Whyar
eyouintearsShawna?
"Shequest
ionedbut
myt
ear
sonl
yincreased.
"Ohdear
!Idon'
tknowt
hereasonbutam real
ly
sorr
yokay?Comedown,ma'
am Sandrasendsfor
you"shecooedandInoddedanddr
iedmyt
ear
s,
thenlef
twit
hheraft
erwar
ds.
*
*
"So,Iwasinf
ormedthattheyoungmast erisgonna
beneedingyoutoni
ght,j
uststaystrong,inallt
he
gir
lsthatwasboughttopleasurehim,IthinkIli
ke
youbest.You'
reofbestbehaviorandIbel i
eveyou
won'teasi
lygi
veup"ma'am Sandr asaid.
"
Whatdoyoumean?Wher
ear
etheot
hergi
rl
s?"I
i
nqui
red.
Shesi
ghedandl
ookedaway.
"Justprepareyourself
,Ican'
ttel
lyouthati
nthi
s
situat
ion.You'
llbecomi ngdownhereby7:30,si
nce
hei sgonnabeneedi ngyouthenyou'l
lhavetobe
cleaninandout .
"
"Onethi
nghehat essosomuchi sdirt.Hecaneven
kil
lfori
t,t
hat
'
st hereasonwhyt herear ealotof
maidsheresothemai dsaregonnabecl eaningyou
up.Youshouldgobackandr estt i
llt
hen,that'saf
ter
eati
ngyourbreakfast
"sheexplained.
Ihaveabadf
eel
ing.Whathappenedt
otheot
her
gi
rls?
Di
dtheyperhapsdi
e?Yeah,
thatmustbei
t.It
hink
t
heydied.
Di
dheki
llt
hem outofanger
?
Ohgoshpl ease,
justhavemercyandsoft
enhis
heartabi
t.Iseri
ouslydon'
twanttoendupli
kea
stor
y.
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence10
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Givemeyourback)
Somewher
einMexi
co.
Di
ll
y'
sPOV
Icl
imbeddownt
hest
air
ssl
owl
ywi
thmyphone
f
ixedonmyr
ighteart
alki
ngt
othecompany'
s
manager
.
So,Iexpectal
lthedocument
stober
eadybef
oreI
getther
e.
Yes,
yessi
r,ofcour
se.
Ri
ght
.
Idroppedthecallbutwasstoppedbysomeone
ri
ghtattheendingofthestai
rs.
"
Rit
a?"Ical
ledsur
pri
sed.
"
What
..
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
"
Aren'
tyousupposedt
o..
..
"
Shewasst i
llsayi
ngwhenIcover
edhermout
hwi
th
mypalm andpul l
edheri
ntot
heguestr
oom
downst
airs.
Isl
ammedt
hedoorshut
.
"Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoingher
eRita?Howdar
e
youshowupher
e?"Ir
aspedather
.
'
Youdidn'
tbot
hertocallandtel
lmethatyou'
ve
ar
ri
vedMexicohuh,youthinkIwoul
dn'tf
indout
"
sher
etor
ted.
"I
sthatwhyyoucamehere?Doyouwantmeto
rest
ri
ctyoufr
om comi
ngnearthi
smansi
on,
you
bett
erdon'
ttr
ythi
sshi
tagainor.
..
"
"Orwhat?Onceyouplayanysil
lyt
ri
ckI
'l
linf
ormt
he
wholepubl
icaboutoursecr
etandyou'
l
lbedamned"
shecutinandsai
dagain.
"Ohf**kyouRit
a.Iser
iousl
ycur
set
hedayImeet
you"Igroaned.
"
You'r
ewel
comehoney"sher
oll
edhereyesand
r
epl
iedmaki
ngmemor eangr
y.
"Heyyou!Hasmybrot
herl
eftf
orthecompany?
"I
heardNaomi'
svoi
cefr
om t
hesitt
ingroom.
Damni
t!Howcomeshe'
sback,
andnow?
"
Noma'
am"t
hemai
drepl
iedher
.
"Sowher eishe?Dill
??Dil
ly?
"SheshoutedandI
supposeshewascl i
mbingthestai
rsasshecall
ed
myname.AssoonasIcoul dnolongerhearher
footsteps,Iopenedthedoorgentl
yanddragged
Ritaout,awaytothegarageandoutofthequarter
s.
Shecan'
tbeseenher
e,nonotbyNaomi
.
*
Idr
oppedheroffatt
hef
rontofherapar
tmentaf
ter
set
tl
ingherwi
thsomecash.
Shegawkedatmeandl
eftt
hecar
.
Everyt
hinginthisdamnworldIcanhandle,butj
ust
thi
sonel ady.Ij
ustcan'
thandl
ehera*sandIcan't
kil
lhereit
her.Sheknowsandthat'
sthereasonwhy
she'sal
waysmi sbehavi
ng.
Imightreall
ylossi
tandki
llheroneofthi
sdays,I
'
m
nottoogoodathandli
ngmyt emper,It
houghtand
droveof
ft othecompanyspeedil
y.
Ri
ta'
sPOV
Ist
oodbyt
hegat
eandwat
chedashedr
oveof
f.
Ismirked,sl
ammedthegat
eshutandpr
oceeded
fur
therint
othehouse.
Hei
saf
ool
.
"
So,
didyoumeethi
m?"Mot
herasked.
"
Ofcour
semot
her
,Imethi
m andhei
sst
il
lver
y
scar
edofthesecr
et"Ianswer
edhappi
lyandsat
downonthecouchoppositet
oher.
"
Good.
"
"
How'
she?
"Iaskedaf
terashor
tsi
lence.
"
Heisokay,hei
sint
her
oom sl
eepi
ngpeacef
ull
y"
mom r
epli
ed.
"Yeah,weneedhimt obeheal t
hymom.Hei sour
onlykeytogett
ingthetwins,Iwon'
tlethi
m di
eti
ll
heservehispurpose"Isaidandshenoddedin
agreement.
Incaseyou'r
ewonderi
ngwhowe'
ret
alkingabout
thenit
'smyson.Myoneandonl
yson,thekeyto
everyt
hingneededi
nli
fe.
Somewher
einPar
is.
Shawna'
sPOV
Ni
ghti
sappr
oachi
ng.
Themor ethedayget
sdarker,t
hemor
emybody
shakes.Thefeari
nmeincreases.
Ican'
thel
pbutgetscar
edr
eal
ly.Ihaveaccept
ed
myf
atebut
..
.
I'
m st
il
lveryscar
ed.Ift
hereisser
iousl
yanyt
hingI
cantakethatwil
lmakemel ossmysenses
complet
elytoni
ghtthenIwil
l.
Idon'
twantt
ofeelorr
ememberthepai
ns.I
fther
e
i
saneasywayaboutit,I
'
llt
akei
t.
Butthatki
ndoft
hingcan'
tbegot
tenher
eeasi
ly.I
t'
ll
havetobeinahospit
alsoi
t'
shopel
ess.
Lemmesl eepfornow.AtleastI
'l
lst
opt
hinki
ng,
I
thoughtandlai
ddownt hendrif
tedt
osl
eepshort
ly
after
.
Ifel
tsomeonet
appi
ngmet
henIopenedmyeyes
andsatup.
"Ma'am Sandr
asendsf oryou,
it'
sti
mef oryour
bath"t
hemai dtappingmesai dandInoddedand
fol
lowedherouttr yi
ngtoshutthethingsthati
s
gonnahappenaf terthat.
I
t'
sjustanor
mal
bat
hShawna.Don'
tpani
c.
*
Af
terbat
hingIwasdr
essedupi
nal
ingert
hist
ime.
Aver
ysexyone.
Mybodysmel
lsr
ealni
ce.Myhai
rneat
lydr
essed.
IwaswalkedtoDi
ll
ion'
sdoorbyma'am Sandra
aft
erwar
ds.Sheknockedonthedoorandlef
tmeto
enter
.
WhenIgoti
n,Iwasmetwit
hdarkness.Nott
otal
dar
knesst
ho,ther
oom wasabi
tdark.
Iwal
kedi
nsl
owl
y,count
ingmyst
eps.
ThenIsi
ghtedhi
m.Hewasi
nfr
ontoft
hemi
rr
orbut
wasn'
tsayi
nganythi
ng.
Okay,
whydoeshelikekeepi
ngmuteever
yti
me?
Shoul
dn'
theatl
eastsaysomethi
ng?
Ist
oodbehi
ndhim,
nott
oocloseandt
houghtof
whatt
osaybutnowor
dsfor
medi t
sel
finmymouth.
15minutespassedhest
il
ldi
dn'
tsayawor
dmaki
ng
mefeelsouncomfort
abl
e.
Gosh!Whatsor
tofsnoti
sthi
s?
Icouldn'
tevenseewhathewasdoi
ngbuthewas
doingsomething.
Anot
her5mi
nut
espassedbef
orehest
oodupf
rom
t
hechair
.
"Whatar
eyoudoing?Can'
tyouatleastbehavel
ike
youwenttoschool
?Whyareyoust i
llst
andingt
here
wit
hclot
heson?"Heaskedcausi
ngast inginmy
hear
t.
Heisnotonl
yasnotbuthei
sal
soverycr
uel
.But
mystepfat
hersur
passhimt
hosoIshoul
dn'
tbe
af
fect
ed.
No,you'vegonethr
oughwor sesit
uation.Don'
tlet
hi
sharshwor dsgettoyou,IconsoledmyselfasI
gottothewellar
rangedbedandsl owlyundressed
myself
.
Hedidn'
tst
areatmetil
lIfi
nishedundr
essi
ng.Isat
onthebedthenl
aidf
latcompletel
ywit
hmyhead
facedown.
Allyouneedt odoisthi
nkaboutthebeaut i
fult
imes
withmom anddadShawna.For getaboutyour
currentstat
e,rememberwhenmom t ookyouto
school,rememberwhendadusedt ofeedyou
cerealShawna, r
ememberallt
hose, Itol
dmyself
andImmedi at
elyst
art
edrecal
li
ngt
hosepast
beautif
uldaysbutal
lIcoul
ddowascryasI
recal
ledthem.
Mymom anddadar
en'
ther
eanymor
e.Theyar
e
bot
hgone.
Idrif
tedbacktot
her
ealwor
ldwhenIf
elthi
m
standingbesi
det
hebed.
"Youshouldn'
tli
eflatdummy.Forgoodnesssake,
shouldn'
tyouhaveani deasinceyouwerebought
from as*xhouse.Youshouldhaveseenhowi t
done,dif
fer
entstyl
esofit.Yourheadisempty"he
i
nsultedandIheldmysel ff
rom scof
fi
ng.
"Si
tup"heor
deredandIdi
d."
Squat
"hei
nst
ruct
ed
agai
nandIdid.
"Gi
vemeyourback"t
hatwast
hepar
tthathur
tmost
.
Thatver
ypar
t.
Si
ncei
t'
spar
tofhi
srul
es,
it'
shur
tst
oheari
tmost
.
Iobeyedhi
m anddi
dasi
nst
ruct
ed.
If
elthi
m holdmywai
stt
henfewmi
nut
esl
ater
,If
elt
hi
sd* *
ktouchi
ngmyasshol
e.
Fearover
whel
medmebutIdon'
tunder
stand,
ishe
gonnabedoi
ngitt
her
e?
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence11
.
(
Thepast
)
Shawna'
sPOV
Myeyeswi
denedIf
eltmyasshol
etear
ingup.
Icouldn'
tbeari
t.Tear
sst
art
edst
reami
ngdownmy
cheeks.
Ohheavens!Whatsor
tofpai
nist
his?
Her
eal
lymeantwhathesai
d.
Ohgosh.
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Dil
li
onwasn'
tkindenoughtogoslowwi
thher
.He
neededt
opunishher,i
nthatway,
shecoul
dnever
doanyt
hingt
hatwi
llmakehi
m madagai
n.
Heknewshehasn' thads* xwithanyonebeforebut
hestil
lwentrough.Eveni fshewasast ightas
whatever,hedidn'
tcare.He'sthrust
swer efast
,
real
lyfastint
oher.
Shawnafoldedherl
ipsinor
dernott
ocr
yout
.But
squeakscouldbeheard.
Hersqueakstur
nedt osquealthenlat
erincr
eased.
Shecouldn'
tbearitanymore,especi
all
ywhenhe
st
art
edthemai nthing.
F**k*ngherassholewasjustli
keawar m-up.This
ti
me, hemadeherl ieont
hebedwi t
honel egup,
withoutwarni
ngs,hestar
tedthrusti
ngintoher,abi
t
slowatfir
stconsideri
ngt
hef actthatshewasalso
veryveryti
ghtthere.
Thenhefi
nal
lyf
il
ledherupwit
hhi
sd*
*kbef
orehe
st
art
edthr
ust
inginwit
hspeed.
Shawnaatapointf
eltherhymenbreakbutwasn't
soconcer
ned.Shewasmor econcernedaboutt
he
excr
uci
ati
ngpainsshewasf eel
ing.
Downt her
e, shefel
tpainsshehasneverfel
tbefor
e.
Butallt
hesameshest il
lcur
sedherstepfat
her.Her
hatreddi
dn'treal
lytar
gettowar
dsDill
ionbuttoher
stepfat
her.
Butst
il
l,
shewishedhecouldj
ustl
ethergo.Just
l
eaveherbutno,Di
ll
ionatt
hatpoi
ntwasjust
get
ti
ngstar
ted.
Fewminutesl
atersweat
scoveredt
heirwhol
ebody,
Dil
li
onseemstobeenjoyi
ngthewholethi
ng
excl
udi
nghertears.
Sheist
hesweet
estper
sonhehaseverhads*xwi
th.
Bei
ngthef
ir
stvi
rgi
ntoo,hedi
dn'
twantt
ostop.
Atapoi
ntheforgetaboutr
eal
lypuni
shi
ngherwi
th
i
tbutj
ustconcentr
atedonenj
oyinghi
msel
f.
Buthertear
s,herl
oudcr
iesdi
dn'
treal
lyl
ethi
m
enj
oyit.
Damn!Shewascr
yingt
oomuch.
Heangri
lypul
ledoutofher,
worehi
sshort
sonand
wenti
ntothebathr
oom tohaveal
onglast
ingbat
h.
Shawnabecamer
eli
eved.Hehasf
inal
lyl
efther
,her
pr
ayer
shasbeenf
inal
lyanswer
ed.
Sheturnedandcuddl
edhersel
font
hebed,t
he
duvetalr
eadyt
urnedred,
herbl
oodstai
nedi
tbut
shedidn'
tmindeit
her
.
Af
terawhi
leofst
ayi
ngcuddl
edt
her
e.
Shedr
aggedherfeetdown,pickeduptheli
nger
,
worei
tbackonanddr aggedhersel
foutofhi
sroom.
Shawna'
sPOV
Wi
thmybr
eat
hingf
ast
ert
hennor
malIl
efthi
sroom.
Gosh!Thi
sisr
eal
lymyl
if
enow.
Igott
omyr oom andi
mmediat
elywentt
oli
edown.
Idon'
thavestr
engthf
orabat
horanythi
ng.
IprayIsur
vivet
heni
ghtwit
hthewayIfeel
.If
eel
l
ikeallt
hebloodi
nmyveinhasdr
iedup.
Ihuggedt
hepil
lowt
ight
lyandbef
oreyouknowi
t
dri
ft
edtosl
eep.
Di
ll
ion'
sPOV
Icameoutofthebat
hroom af
terspendi
ngalong
whil
ether
e,t
henstar
edatthebedandcouldn'tf
ind
hert
her
e.
Iworeonanewshort
,ashi
rtt
henbroughtouta
packofci
gar
ett
esundermydrawer
.
Ili
ghtedi
tandst
ucki
tint
omymout
hbef
orel
eavi
ng
theroom.
Iwentdownst
air
sandsawamai
d.
"Heycomeher
e"Ipuf
fedoutsmokeand
commandedher.
Sher
ant
omewi
thherheadsl
ight
lybent
.
"
Gocl
eanupmyr oom"Iinst
ruct
edandlef
t
i
mmediat
elyt
henwenttothepoolsi
de.
Isatononeoft
hechai
rst
her
ethenmymi
nddr
if
ted
tothepast
.
9year
sago.
"
Comeher
esons"mom beckonedonIandDi
ll
y.
Webothwenttomeetherandshesmi
ledatus
bef
oresayi
ng.
"Takecareofyourbabysist
erf
ort
onight
,yourdad
andI..
."
shewasst i
llsayi
ngwhenagunshotwas
hear
dout
side.
Shet
urnedbackt
owar
dsusandsai
dhur
ri
edl
y.
"Bot
hofyou,
runtoyoursi
ster
'sr
oom,car
ryherout
andgohidei
ntheundergr
oundhouse.
"
"
Fast
!!
"Shescr
eamedwhenwekeptst
ari
ngather
.
"
Butmom,
wasn'
tthatagunshot
?"Di
ll
yasked.
"
Wil
lyoubot
hli
stent
ome?Got
oyoursi
ster
'sr
oom
f
ast
..
..
"
Thedoorburst
edopenandthreeheavilyloaded
menwi t
hgunsenter
edthehouse, amanwaswi th
them,amanwhowasbi gandf ast,hehassmi l
es
onhisface,
heisoneofdad'
sfriends,nottooclose
tho.
"
Run!
!Go!
!!
"Mom whi
sper
edt
henwebot
hlef
t.
Iwat
chedDil
lycar
ryNaomifrom herbed,hecame
tomeetmeandwebot hwentthr
ought hestai
rs
l
eadi
ngtotheundergr
oundhouse.
Whenwebot hgotin,weclosedt
heentrancebutI
wasn'
tjustgonnastayher
e.Mom lookedterr
if
ied,
whyaretheywithguns,It
houghtbutmycur i
osit
y
gott
hebestofme.
Ist
art
edcl
imbi
ngt
hest
air
stogooutback.
"Hey,whatar
eyoudoing?Mom i
nst
ruct
edusto
stayhere"Di
ll
ysai
dholdi
ngoneofmylegs.
"Wil
lyoul
etgoofmyl egordoyouwantmeto
knocksomesensesintoyourempt
yskul
l?
"I
snappedandhelef
tme.
"
Sui
teyour
sel
fthen"hedr
awl
edandt
urnedt
oback
me.
Isuccessful
lyl
efttheunder
groundhouseand
sneakedbacktot hesi
tt
ingroom wher
enoiseswas
comingfrom.
"Wher
eareyourkidsMark?Iwantt
oki
llt
hem fi
rst
bef
oreIki
llyou?
"Thefatbel
li
edmanquesti
oned.
Dadwassurr
oundedbytheman'
sguar
ds.Agun
waspoi
ntedatMom'sheadt
oo.
"Di
dn'
tyouhear,
theyar
en'
tint
hecount
ryokay?I
've
sentt
hem out
"mom wastheonewhoanswered.
Themanholdi
ngmom hitherwit
htheheadoft
he
gunandshecol
lapsedonthef
loor.
..
*
"
Whatareyoudoingher
e?Thi
nki
ngagai
n?"Ihear
d
Ma'
am Sandr
a'svoi
ce.
It
urnedmyheadt
oseehercomi
ngcl
osert
ome.
"
No"Ir
epl
iedsi
mpl
y.
"Iknowyouson,
it'
shi
ghti
meyoustopt
hinki
ng.By
theway,ar
eyoudonewit
hher
?"Shewenton
asking.
"Obvi
ousl
y"Ir
epl
iedandcont
inuedwi
thmy
smoking.
"Ihavenor
ightt
oaskbuthopeyouwer
en'
ttoohar
d
onher?"
Itur
nedtost
areatherf
orawhi
lebutdi
dn'
tsay
anythi
ng.
It
ookmyeyesbackt
othewat
er.
"Youshouldn'thandl
eherroughly,Di
ll
ion,
shehas
hadat oughlife,
shedoesn'
tneedmor eofit.So
nextti
mepl easeconsidert
his"shecooedbefore
l
eaving.
TBC
Whatdoyout
hinkaboutt
hischapt
er?
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence12
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Don'
that
e)
Nextday.
Shawna'
sPOV
Ifl
ushedmyeyesopen.Myeyelidwassti
llver
y
heavybutfeel
ingt
hepr
esenceofsomeoneinthe
room Ihadtoopenmyeyes.
Isawsomeonecleani
ngupt
her
oom butmyvi
sion
wasn'
treal
lycl
ear
.
Igr
oanedabi
tandsatupont
hebed.
Myheadf
eltr
eal
lyheavyandhott
oo,
maybe
becauseofal
lthecr
ies,
Ireal
lycr
iedyest
erday.
Yester
dayisnotadayIcaneasil
yfor
get.
"
Hey"Ical
ledmyvoi
cecomi
ngoutl
ow.
Themai
dtur
nedandst
aredatme.
"Goodmorni
ngShawna,
you'
reup?
"Shegr
eet
ed
andasked.
"
Yeah,
what
..
."
"I
'm cl
eani
ngupyourroom,ma'am Sandr
aalsosai
d
tocheckuponyou"themaidcutmei nbefor
eI
couldaskherwhatIwant
edtoask.
"
Okay,goon"Isai
dandbr
oughtmyl
egsdownt
o
t
hefl
oor.
Imadetostandupt ogotakemybat
handseei
fI
coul
dgetbetterbutcoul
dbarel
ywal
k.
Ial
mostf
ellbutt
hemai
dwasqui
ckt
ohol
dme.
"
Car
eful
"shehushedandhel
dmet
osi
tdown.
"
Nono.
.Iwannahaveabat
h"It
oldher
.
"
Justhel
pmeup"Iadded.
"
Oh! "Sheohedandhelpedmeup.Sheassist
edme
t
ot hebathr
oom,ther
ewasabathtubther
eandshe
l
eftmei nsi
deandwentout.
Ipr
epar
edmybathwit
houtmovingmuch,
themor
e
Imove,
themor
ethepainsIget
.
Ibr
ushedmyt
eet
hthenbat
hedaf
ter
war
ds.
It
hinkIspentabout2hour
sinsi
det
hebat
hroom.
Isawawhi t
etowelhangi
ngatt
hehandle,It
ooki
t
andwrappeditonmybodybefor
edraggingmysel
f
outt
otheroom.
Igott
other
oom andwassur
pri
sedt
oseema'
am
Sandr
a.
"
Hel
lochi
ld"shecooed.
Shewassitt
ingdownonthebed,
theduvethas
beenchangedtoanewone.
"
Ma'am Sandra,
goodmorni
ng.Wer
eyouwait
ingf
or
me?
"Igr eet
edandaskedwi
thasur
pri
sedl
ook.
"
Come,l
emmehelpyou"shepat
tedthebedf
orme
t
osi
tandIwentandsatbesi
deher
.
Whatdoesshewannahel
pmewi
th?Iwonder
ed.
Sheseemsreall
yni
ce.I
sshenatur
all
yli
ket
hisori
s
shej
usttr
eati
ngmespecial
ly?
"I
t'
shurt
sdoesn'
tit
?"Shequest
ionedst
ari
ngdown
atmylaps.
Il
ookedawayandnoddedf
eel
ingki
ndof
embarr
assed.
"
I'
m sor
ryaboutthat
"shesaidandsatup.Wentt
o
t
hetabl
ethereandopenedthedrawer.
Shebroughtoutdr
ugswi
thagl
assofwat
erand
off
eredthem t
ome.
"
Take,t
aketwopil
lseach,
thepainswil
ldecr
easei
n
f
ewhours"shesai
dandIcollect
editwit
hout
wast
ingoft
ime.
ThisiswhatIneed.Thepai
nsar
ejustt
oomuch,
I
can'tkeepupwit
hit.
"Amaidisgonnabebr ingingyourfoodher etoyou.
Youwon'tleavet
her oom atleastfortoday.You
won'tmoveabout"shest atedwatchingmet aketwo
pil
lsoutofeachdrugsshegaveme.
"
Okma'
am,
thankyou"It
hankedr
eal
lygr
atef
ul.
Exact
lywhatIneeded.Iwantt
osl
eepal
ldayl
ong.
Shesi
ghedandcamet
osi
tbackbesi
deme.
"Don'that
eorthi
nkaboutwhathedi dsobadl y.
Don'thatehi
m"ma' am Sandrasai
dafterabrief
sil
enceandIwasf orcedtolookatherstr
aighti
n
theeyes.
Why?Iment
all
yaskedher
.
"
Idon'
t"Ir
epl
iedher
.
"Iknowit'
shardbutreal
lydon'
that
ehim.Heisnot
ashardasyout hi
nkheis,sit
uat
ioncaused
everyt
hing"shewenton.
"Idon'thatehim ma' am.It'
snothisfaultIgotsol d
anyways.I t
'smypar ent
sf aul
tfordyingandl eaving
mei nt hehandsofmywi ckedstepfatherwhosol d
me.Honest l
y,Iwasr eli
evedthatIwasn' tsoldtoan
oldmanandIdon' tgettodoanyot herthi nghere,I
wor klikeaslavewhenIwasst illwi
thmyst ep
father.Thereisnor easonIshoul dhatehi m.I'
mj ust
servingmypur pose"Itol
dhersi mplytryinghard
nott
ogetemot
ional
.
Shesmi
ledandhel
dmyhands.
"Ihopeyoudon'thatehi
m andeveni
fyou'
rel
ying,
I'
m sureyouropini
onswil
lchangewi
thti
me"she
cooedthenstoodup.
"I
'
llt
akemyl eavenow.Seeyoutomor
rowthen"she
announcedandInoddedbefor
esheleft
.
Isi
ghedandt
ouchedmyhai
r.
Ther
eisser
iousl
ynor
easonIshoul
dhat
ehi
m.I
t'
ll
onl
yhurtmemorebyhat
inghi
m.
Havingami ndfreeofhatewil
lmakeli
febet
terf
or
me.It'
llreal
lymakelif
eeasysoIwil
ltr
yasmuchas
possiblenottoeverseewhathedoesas
wickedness.
Am aslavenow.Ishouldservemypur posewhole
heart
dly,
Ithoughtanddidn'
treal
izeIwasalreadyi
n
tear
suntilIf
elti
tdroppi
ngnowt omychest .
TBC
Whatdoyouguyst
hink?
I
sherdeci
sionokay?
Whydi
dma'
am Sandr
asaywhatshesai
d?
Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence13
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
I'
m sol
d)
Coupl
eofweeksl
ater
.
Somewher
einMexi
co.
Di
ll
y'
sPOV
"Haveyouprepar
edthenecessar
yfi
lesneeded?
"I
questi
onedmysecretar
y.
"
Yessi
r,t
hedocument
sar
eal
lready"sher
epl
ied.
"
So,
whendi
dDi
ll
ionsayhei
sgonnabear
ri
ving?
"I
askedagai
n.
"Um..
hemustbeintheairnow,
Ithi
nkhe'
l
lar
ri
ve
befor
e9pm"sheanswered.
"Alr
ight,
prepar
earideforhim.Ican'tgoleavethe
offi
ce,I
'
vegottonesofwor ktodo"Isai
dandshe
repl
iedwi t
ha"yessir
"beforetur
ningtoleave.
Iwat
chedasherassbounceasshewal
kedaway.
Shewasonminiski
rt
.Al
waystryi
ngt
oseduceme.
Il
etoutasmilebutthesmil
egotdissol
ved
i
mmedi at
elyacallent
eredmyphoneandIsawt
he
nameofthepersoncalli
ng.
What'
swrongwit
hhernow?It
houghtandgr
umpi
ly
answer
edthecal
l.
Naomi
'
sPOV-Di
ll
ionandDi
ll
y'
ssi
s.
Ohgosh,wher
eisthatj
erkheadofadr i
ver
?Where
onEar
thdidhegoto?Ithoughtangri
lyasIst
ood
wat
chingever
yotherst
udentsleave.
Ihavet
or et
urnhomebef or
eDill
ionarri
ves.Where
i
sthatj
erk?Icontinuedst
andi
ngt her
eundert hehot
sununt
ilaMer cedesBenzpul
ledoverinfrontofme,
butt
hatwasn'
tmyr
ide.Thati
sn'
tmycar
.
Thegl
assofthecargotr
oll
eddownandIsawt
he
twi
nst
here.
Ti
neandTi
na.
Ithr
ewmyf aceawaytopretendt
hatIdi
dn'
t'
tsee
them.Ican'
ttal
ktot
hem f
irst.
"HeyNaomi,
youwantar
ide,
comeon"Ti
ne
shri
ekedf
rom i
nsi
de.
"
Not
hanks"If
rownedmyf
aceandr
epl
ied.
"Comeon,seemsyourdri
veri
snowherearound
hereandyoualsoseemstobeinahast
e"she
shri
ekedagai
n.
Irol
ledmyeyesandtooksl
owsteadyst
eps
towardst
hei
rcar.I
twasopenedformeandIgoti
n.
Ti
nawast
heonedr
ivi
ngt
hecar
.
"
HeyNaomi
"shegr
eet
ed.
"
Hey"Ir
epl
iedsi
mpl
y.
"Um..Naomi,Iact
ual
lyhaveaf
avourt
oaskofyou"
Tinestar
ted.
"
Yeah,
whati
sit
?"Ir
oll
edmyeyesandasked.
"
Wel
l.
..
it
'saboutyourbr
other-Di
ll
y..
."
"Yeah,whatabouthi
m?"Icutheri
nandasked
again.
Isawhergul
passhecont
inued.
"Canyouhel
pinget
ti
ngthebot
hofuscl
oser
?"She
askedbl
inki
ngl
ikeaBar
bie.
Iscoffedandtur
nedtolookatherdi
rectl
yinthe
face.Eventhoshe'
saboutfi
veyearsolderbutam
sti
llpr
etti
er.
"
Ser
iousl
y?"It
it
ledmyhead.
"
Yeah,
canyou?
"Sher
epl
ied.
"Well
no,Idon'
twantyouf orhi
m.Youaren'
tgood
enough"Iansweredblur
tl
yandhereyesalmost
poppedoutofit
'ssocket.
"Hol
don;Naomiwhat'
sthatsupposedt
omean?
"
Shegavemeadisgust
edf ace.
"I
t'
ssimpl
e.Youar
en'
tgoodenoughf
orhi
m"I
stat
ed.
"Iwantsomeonet
hatdoesn'
tbehavel
ikeyou.
Someonemor ematur
ed.
"
"Tina'
srel
ati
onshipwithDil
li
ondi
dn'tworkoutwel l
,
doyout hi
nkI'l
lwannagivemyot herbrot
heraway
toyou?Yourchar act
erismuchmor eworse.Please
stopthecar,Di
ll
ioniscomingovertoMexicotoday,
Ican'twai
ttoseehi m"Ismil
edatthelastpar
t.
Tinascreenedt
hecart oahaltandt
hetwi
nskept
star
ingatmewi thwidenedeyesasIst
eppedoutof
thecarandquicklyf
labeddownacabtotakeme
home.
Thatdr
iverofmi
neshoul
dconsi
derhi
msel
ffi
red.
Val
ent
ina'
sPOV
"
What
??Thatbrat
!Howdar
eshe?
"Ti
nescr
eamed
i
mmediat
elyNaomil
eft
.
Isi
ghedandstar
teddri
vingagai
nwi
thoutsayinga
word.But
..
.di
dshejustmakementi
onofDill
ion
comingovert
oMexico?Today?
*
Insi
det
hej
et*
Shawna'
sPOV
Isatopposi
teDi
ll
ioni
nthei
rpr
ivat
ejet
.Hi
seyesar
e
fi
xedonamagazine.
Idon'
tjustknowbuthesaidIshoul
dfel
lowhi
mto
Mexico.Hesaidhewouldn'
tleavemebacki
nPar
is.
Thispastfewdaysthatpassed.Ihaven'
tbeen
seeinghim,li
keIhaven'
tevenspokentohim si
nce
thatnighthedef
loweredme.
Imist
akenl
ybombedi
ntohi
mt hr
eedaysaf
tert
hat
ni
ghtonthest
air
s.Myhear
tjumpedi
ntomy
st
omach.
Idi
dn'
tknowwhybutIf
eltwei
rdseei
nghi
m.
Hepret
endedasi
fhehadn'
tseenmeandhewal
ked
passme.
Thenaweekaft
ert
hat,atni
ght
.Isawhi
m wal
king
i
ntothesi
tt
ingr
oom downst
air
s-smoki
ng.
Hisshi
rtwer
eunbutt
oned.Heshaggedhi
str
ouser
andspokeonthephone.
Iwant
edtohideawayfrom hi
m wi
thoutreasons,
maybeIf
eltthathewasgonnaaskmet operform
mydutyi
nt hatst
atesoIdeci
dedt
ohideawayf r
om
hi
m.
Inprocessofhi
dingIf
ellaf
lowervaset
her
e.Aver
y
bigandclassyme.
Hel
l!
!Adrenali
nefi
ll
edmysystem.Ist
art
ed
sweat
ingwhenhegotat t
ract
edbythenoi
seand
st
art
edcomi ngtowardsme.
Befor
ehegott
ome,
Ifel
tIwasgonnapeeonmy
body.
Mywholebodyshook.Butwhenhegott
ome,he
st
areddownatt
hebrokenvase,t
hentomyf
ace.
Isawangerfl
ashinhi
seyesbuti
tgotdi
ssol
ved
i
mmediatel
yitcame.
Heglar
edatmewi t
hoututt
eri
ngaword,t
henturned
ar
ound,pl
acedbackthephonetohi
sri
ghtearand
st
art
edleavi
ng.
Mi
racl
es!Ibel
ievedi
nitt
hatni
ght
.
Thenjustyest
erday,hesentma'am Sandr
atome,
hetol
dhert ogetmer eadycauseIwasgonna
fol
lowhimt oMexico.
Fr
om whatma'
am Sandr
aadded,
Ithi
nkwe'
reonl
y
spendi
ngtwoweeksther
eashecan'tleavet
he
mansionandever
ythi
ngtheyhaveatPari
swithout
someoneguardi
ngitf
ort
ool ong.
Butam notj
ustt
heonl
yonegoi
ng.What
'shi
sname?
Thi
sluwisguywi
thoneot
herst
rangel
ooki
ngguyi
s
al
sowithus.
Notthatt
heguyi
sugl
yorsomethi
ng,heisal
so
ver
yhandsomebutt
hewaytheydressedi
ssoso
bad.
Pier
cinghereandthere,
tat
toocover
edhiswhol
e
bodyexcludi
nghisface,
samewi t
hluwi
s.
Andspeaki
ngaboutt
hisl
uwi
sguy.
..
Hehasj
ustbeenst
ari
ngatmeeversi
nce,
it'
sli
ke
t
her
eissomethi
ngonmyface.
From t
hesit
ti
ngroom,tothegaraget
otheair
por
t
andthenherei
nsidet
hejet.Hehasn'
tst
opped
star
ingatme.
ButIdon'
tmi
ndt
ho,
hist
hel
eastofmyt
housands
pr
oblem.
"
We'
regonnabel
andi
ngi
nanhourt
ime,
please
t
ight
enyourseat
bel
t"awar
ningcame.
Isi
ghedandt
hought
.
WhodoIknowher
einMexi
co?
Hol
don:thet
winsst
aysher
einMexi
cor
ight
?
Val
ent
ineandVal
ent
ina.
Yup!Theybot
hst
ayher
e.Myst
epsi
ster
s.
Iwonderi
fI'
l
lgetachancet
oatl
eastseeVal
ent
ina.
I'
vemissedher.She'
sreal
lyni
cetome.ButIt
hinkI
shoul
dseriousl
ystopwishi
ng,I
'm sol
dnow.
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence14
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
Shawna'
sPOV
Anhourlat
erwel andedandIsmil
edi
nwardl
y.This
i
sactual
lythesecondtimeI'
mflyi
ngonai
r,t
hefir
st
waswhenmybothpar
ent
swer
est
il
lal
ive.It
hinkI
was5thent
oo.
It
'smorebeautif
ulconsi
der
ingthefactt
hati
t'
sa
pri
vat
ejetbutitfel
tuncomfor
tabl
ebecauseIhadt
o
si
tacrossDil
li
onallthr
ough.
Weent
eredi
ntoawait
ingcar
.Ther
ewereguar
ds
t
her
ewhousheredusint
oablackJeep.
Aft
erwe'dgott
eni
n,t
hedri
vert
ookoff.Wespent
about3hoursont
heroad,
bytheneverywher
ewas
al
readydar
k.
Ismi
ledagai
nasIst
aredoutt
hrought
hewi
ndow.
Ever
ywher
elooksbeaut
if
ul.
WelcometoMexicoShawna,Itol
dmyself
.Butit
couldhavebeenwaybet
teri
f,Iwasn'
taslave.Way
bett
er.
Aft
erridi
ngforthosehours,
wef i
nall
yarri
vedand
gotdown.Ifoll
owedDill
ionslowl
yfrom behi
ndas
hewalkedintoahugehouseorper hapsit
sa
mansion.
I
t'
sser
iousl
ygoodt
obeweal
thy.
Evenifi
t'
slateal
ready,ever
ywherel
ookedbr
ight
becauseoftheli
ghtfi
xedateverycor
neroft
he
hugehouse.
"
Dil
li
on!
!!
"At
inyvoi
ceshr
ieked.
Thevoi
cesoundsl
ikeaf
emal
evoi
ce.
Thent
hef
emal
eranandcamet
ohugDi
ll
ion.
Whoi
sshe?Iwonder
edst
ari
ngf
rom behi
ndt
ryi
ng
t
oseeherf
ace.
"I
'
vemi ssedyousomuchDil
li
on"t
hegir
laf
ter
disengagi
ngfrom t
hef
ewsecondshugsai
dtohi
m.
"Yeah,i
t'
sonlybeenafewweeks"Di
ll
ionr
epl
ied
simplynotseemingl
ytomi
sshertoo.
"
Huh,whyar
eyoul i
ket
his?"Thegir
lsai
dinasad
t
oneandwatchedashestart
edleavi
ng.
Thegi
rlsawmeandIal
sosawherf
ace.
Oh!She'
sthatbr
at.Thei
rsi
ster
.
Sherol
ledhereyesatmeandwit
houtsayi
nga
wordsheranandheldDi
ll
ion.
"
Didyougetanyt
hingf
ormet
hen?Di
dyou?
"She
askedhi
minanexci
tedt
one.
"
No"Ihear
dDi
ll
ionanswerheragai
n.
Ikeptf
oll
owi
ngt
hem,
thenwegoti
ntot
hesi
tt
ing
room.
"Wherei
she?"Di
ll
ionfi
nal
lyst
oppedinf
rontoft
he
stai
rshewasabouttocl
imbandaskedt
hegirl
.
"
He'
sst
il
latt
heof
fi
ce"sher
esponded.
Hethenconti
nuedcli
mbingl
eavi
ngt
hel
it
tl
ebr
at
st
andingandstar
ingathi
m.
"
Dil
li
on,
whoi
sshe?
"Sheaskedhi
m andhest
opped.
Heturnedbacktostar
eather
,hi
shandst
uckedi
nto
hi
strouserpocket
.
"Fol
lowme"hesaidi
nacol
dtoneref
err
ingt
ome
andcont
inuedcl
imbi
ngt
hestai
rs.
Thegi
rlgl
aredatmeasIwal
kedpassher
.
Iwonderwhat
'sherdeal
?DidIdoanythi
ngt
oher?
Whydoesshekeepf r
owningandgi
vingmeglar
es?
I
'
m sur
eam oldert
hanhereveni
fit
'smi
ghtbej
ust
t
woyearsgap.
IwalkedbehindDil
li
onuntilhesuddenlystoppedin
fr
ontofadoor ."
That'
llbewhereyou'l
lstayfornow"
hestatedandconti
nuedonhi swaywi thouttur
ning
toevenstareatme.
Wel
l,
Idon'tneedhi
m st
ari
ngatmeanways.I
t'
sgi
ve
mechil
ls.
Iwat
chedhim gotothenextdoor
,heopenedi
tand
goti
n.Imadetoopenmi neandgoinbutwas
st
oppedbyDil
lion'
ssist
er.
Thebr
at-Naomi
.
"Heystopther
e,whotheheckareyou?Whydoyou
keepfoll
owingmybrotherever
ywher
e?"
Shegawked.
I
gnor
eherShawna.Justopenthedoorandgeti
n,
mymindt
oldmebutthatwillber
udeofme.
Shemightevenr
eportmet
oDi
ll
ionwhi
chi
s
somet
hingIdon'
tli
ke.
"Mynamei
sShawnaandIhear
dyour
sisNaomi
"I
sai
d.
"
Yeah,IKnowmynamedummy, Ij
ustwannaknow
whyyou'r
efol
lowi
ngmybr
other
"sherol
ledhereyes
andsai
d.
"Well,
heneedsmeandt hat
'st
hereasonI'
m
foll
owinghim"Ianswer
edandwithoutwast
ingany
second,Iunendedt
hedoorandgotin,
thenshuti
t
closeagain.
Awowescapedmyl i
psi
mmediatel
ymyeyesranal
l
overt
heroom.I
t'
sbeaut
if
ul,
morebeaut
if
ult
hanthe
oneatPari
s.
Iwentandl
iequi
ckl
yont
hebed,
enj
oyi
ngt
hesof
t
feel
ing.
Youmightbewonderi
ngwhyIdidn'tkeepthi
nki
ng
andworr
yingaboutl
osingmyvi
rginit
ythatway.
I
t'
ssi
mplybecause,
I'
veacceptedmyfate,l
earni
ng
t
oaccepti
tmakeseveryt
hingeasi
erf
ormet hoI
woul
dn'
twanthimtoaskmet odoanythingagai
n.
Nono!ThepainsIf
acedthefi
rstt
imewas
unbearabl
ebutma'
am Sandr
ajusthel
pedmewi
th
thedrugs.
S*xi
sreal
lynotsomet
hingIwantt
odoi
nal
ong
ti
me.Defi
nit
ely!
Luwi
s'
sPOV
Isatont
hebonnetofoneoft
hecar
sther
ewi
th
Sam.
I
'mfamil
iarwi
tht
hispl
ace,wel
lfamil
iar
.Ithi
nkthi
s
i
sthefourt
hti
meam cominghereagainthi
syear
wit
htheboss.
Withacigar
ett
einmyhand,Il
ight
edi
tandhel
diti
n
betweenmyf i
ngerst
hensl
owl
ysmokeditwi
thmy
mindelsewhere.
"
Guy!HeyLuwi
s"If
eltSam cal
landt
ouchme.
"
Yeah.
..
whati
sit
?"Iaskedf
aci
nghi
m.
"Inoti
cedsomethingstr
ange.Whydi dyoukeep
stari
ngatboss'sgir
l?Youkeptstar
ingather
withoutbl
inki
nganeye? "Heaskedstari
ngweir
dly
atme.
Ichuckl
edandpuf
fedoutsmoke.
"
Isn'
titobvi
ous?
"Iquest
ioned.
"
Obvi
ous?Youwanther
?"
"
Hmm.
..
Ithi
nkso,
buti
t'
snotj
ustt
hewayyouputi
t.
Idon'tjustwantherbody.I
t'ssomethi
ngmor ethan
thatandt hat'
swhatam tr
yingtofi
gureout,Isure
wantherbodybut ...
notj
ustherbody,.
.i
t'
sjust,
I
don'tevennowhatam sayi ng"It
oldhim andsaw
hisli
pscur vedint
oawi l
dsmi l
e.
"Youli
keboss'
sgirl
?Youbet
terdon'
t"hecr
ackedup
attheendandlaughed.
"Iadmitt
hatshe'sextremelybeautif
ulbutyoubet
ter
don'tdr
eam ofit,wheneveryouseeher ,l
ook
elsewhere.Thatwayyourlifeisassured"he
l
aughedr ealhardagainmaki ngmef rown.
"
Youareani
diot
"Ihi
thi
sshoul
derandcamedown
f
rom t
hecar
.
"
Mother
fuck*
ngc*nt
"Icussedagai
nasIsaunt
ered
i
ntot
hemansion.
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence15
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
Shawna'
sPOV
Isl
eptpeaceful
lyonthesof
tbedunti
lIf
eltatapon
mythighs.Iopenedmyeyesandrubbedthesleep
away.
"Mi
ss,you'
rebeencal
ledt
othedi
nni
ng"asof
tvoi
ce
sai
d.
Istar
edar oundt
her oom unt
ilmyeyesl
andedon
theprettymaidt
here.Isatupproper
lyt
o
compr ehendwhatshesaid.
"
Dinni
ng?
"Iasked.
"
Yesmi
ss,
you'
rebeencal
led"
sheconf
ir
med.
"Um..okay"Iputont
hefl
ipfl
opIsawbythebed
sideandfoll
owedhersl
owlyfr
om behi
nd.
Shetookmedownt hestair
sandt othelarge
di
nningther
e.There,IsawDi l
li
on.Histwinbrot
her
,
Dil
ly,
thei
rsi
sterandLuwi swiththeotherunknown
guy.
Iimmedi
atel
yfel
tshy.I
'venevereat
enont
hesame
tabl
ewit
hthem bef
ore.
Why?Whycan' ttheyjustservememyownmeal
separ
atel
y?IthoughtasIdr aggedmyfeett
oan
emptyseatf
arf r
om thesibli
ngsandsatdown.
Amai ddishingoutt
hemealsser
vedmemi neandI
st
artedeatingslowl
y.Myeyesdi
dn'
tleavemyplat
e,
i
tjustcouldn't
.
"
ButDi
ll
y,whymustweeatonthesametabl
ewith
t
hem?Isn'
titsupposedt
obej
ustus?
"Shequer
ied.
"Can'
tyoujustshutupandletmeeatinf*
*k*
ng
peace?Mustyoual waysgr
ouseoverever
ythi
ng?
"
Dil
lyansweredher.
Yes,Icoul
dtel
lthati
twasn'
tDill
ionbecausethei
r
voi
cesoundsdiffer
ent,
notexact
lydif
ferentt
ho.
"
Justshutupokay?
"Theguybesi
deme,
theone
wit
hLuwisadded.
"
You!
!"Naomiscr
eamed.
Ir
aisedmyeyesupt
ost
areatherr
agi
ngeyes.
"
Howdar
eyou?"Shef
ir
edt
henst
oodupandwent
t
ohi
thi
shead.
Theguyonl
ylaughedt
oget
herwi
thl
uwi
swhi
ch
obvi
ousl
ymadeNaomisoangr
y.
Shet
henr
anaway.
Si
lencewast
henextt
hingt
hathappened.
IglancedatDi
ll
ion'
sfaceandi
twaslikehewasn'
t
evenherethewholeti
me,it
'sl
ikehei
sinanot
her
wor l
d.
Itdi
dn'ttakeupto10minut
es,
hestoodupandalso
l
eftthedi nni
ngt
ablef
oll
owedbyLuwisandt
hatguy,
Isti
lldon'tnohi
sname.
Imadet
oal
sol
eavebutDi
ll
y'
svoi
cest
oppedme.
"Si
t!
"He'svoicesoundedsost
ri
ctwhi
chmademy
heartbeatf
aster
.
Isatdownbackandst
aredathi
m wonder
ingwhy
he'
dstoppedme.
"You'r
eShawnar
ight
?"Hequest
ioned,
hiseyeson
hisfood.
"
Ye.
.yes.
."
Ist
utt
ered.
"Yeswhat
?Wer en'tyout
aughthowt
orespondt
o
someoneolderthanyouare?Howol
dareyou
anyways?
"Hequest
ionedagai
n.
"
I'
m al
most20,
I'
llbe20soon"Ir
epl
ied.
"I
sthathowyouhavebeenrepl
yingDi
ll
ion?
"Hi
s
quest
ionmademedumbf ounded.
"
Yes"Ir
epl
iedst
il
l.
Hestoppedeat
ingandgl
aredatmef
orawhi
le
bef
oreheconti
nued.
"Anyways,
howmanyt i
meshashehads*xwith
you?"Theanswermademedumbfoundedagai
n.
Li
kewhyal
ltheseuncomfort
abl
equesti
onsandhe
l
ookssomuchlikeDi
ll
ion,
it'
scr
eepy.
"
On.
.once"Irespondedandhear
dhi
m scof
f
i
mmediatel
y.
"
Once?
"Heaskedsoundi
ngsupr
ised.
"
Yessi
r"Iconf
ir
med.
"
Okay,
youcanl
eave"heal
lowed.
Ist
oodandthenleftthedinning,Iturnedbackat
somepointt
ostareathi m andfoundhi m st
ari
ng
i
ntensel
yatme,Iquicklyconcentratedonwher eI
washeadi
ngt
oandhast
enedmyst
eps.
SoonIgott
omyr
oom.
Di
ll
ion'
sPOV
I'
l
lbehandingitovert
oyout omor
rowby2:00,I
need30builtmenfrom you,
youknowthat
'sthe
deal
,Isai
dintothephone.
Ofcour
seDi
ll
ion,
Idi
dn'
tfor
get
,sot
omor
rowt
hen.
Yeah
Andt
hel
inewentdead.
Thedooropenedal
mosti
mmedi
atel
ythecal
lended
andNaomishowedup.
"
Whati
sit
?"Iquer
ied.
"
Areyougoi
ngsomewher
etomor
row?
"Sheasked
i
nst
ead.
"Idi
dn'tcomehereforj
okes,
Icameheref
or
businessNaomi.I
t'
sstupi
dofyoutoaskt
hat
"I
groaned.
"
Whyi st
odaysoannoying?It
houghti
t'
llbever
y
i
nter
esti
ng.It
houghtyouweregonnamakeme
happy.
"
"Youhaven'
tchanged, It
houghtyoumi ghthave
consi
deri
ngthef actyougotwor r
iedthatourplane
mighthavecrashed.Ithoughtyoustartedcar
ing"
shepoutedandsai d.
Itur
nawayfrom herwithoutawor
dandopenedup
mylapt
op.Needt ocheckhowDill
yisr
unni
ngthe
companyoverhere.
Shekeptr anti
ngnonsenseIdidn'
tcar
etol i
stent o
butstoppedhandlingmylaptopimmediatel
yshe
mentionedt henameValent
ina.Iwasforcedtol ook
atherandanaught ysmi
lecreptupherl
ips
i
mmedi atelysheknewshe'dgottenmyat t
ention.
Shawna'
sPOV
Isati
nmyr oom,onasmal l
couchther
eadmiri
ng
thebeaut
yoftheroom whenaknocksuddenl
y
cameatthedoor.
Iwentt
oopent
hedoorandIsawLuwi
sther
e.
Hewasn'
tput
ti
ngonashirt
,justashort
.Myeyes
r
anal
loverhi
smanlybody,t
attoocover
edi
tup.
"
HiMiss"hi
svoi
cecameoutsof
tandhewi
nkedat
me.
"
CanIcomei
n?"Heaskedsoundi
ngsopol
it
e.
"
Um. .
.I
..
um..
yeah,
yeah"Iopenedt
hedoormore
widel
ythenst
eppedoutofthewayforhi
mtocome
i
n.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence16
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Whoi
sshe?
)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Fewhour
sbackt
owhenDi
ll
ionki
ssedShawna.
LuwisandSam happenedt
obei
noneoft
hecar
s
i
nsidethegar
age.
Luwishadorigi
nal
lymadet oopenthecarand
comedownbutst oppedwhenhesawDi l
li
onpl
ace
hisl
ipsonShawna'sforehead.Hestoppedmoving
i
mmedi at
ely,
hiseyesfi
xedont hem both.
AndthenDil
li
onkissedShawnaonherlips.Hi
s
handsbehi
ndher ,
oneatthebackofherheadand
oneatherwaistsi
de.
Theincidentsur
pri
sedandatt
hesamet
ime
angeredLuwis.
"
Ohmygosh!Didyouseethat
?"Sam whi
sper
ed
t
ouchi
ngLuwi
sandpoint
ingtoDil
li
on.
"Ohmy! "Sam gaspedagai
nseei
nghowdeepand
slowt hekissi
sgoing.Hewassur
ethathe'
sboss
wasr eall
yenjoyi
nghimsel
fbutwi
thsomefeel
ings
attached.
Luwi
skeptwatching.Hef
eltsoj
eal
ousandanger
bur
ntinsi
deofhim.
Sam keptt
uggi
ngLuwi
sbutl
uwi
sdi
dn'
tmove.
Sam thent
urnedt
olookatLuwi
s.Hecoul
dsee
angerinhi
seyes,
thenheremember
edthatLuwi
s
act
uall
yhasfeel
ingsforShawna.Hehasf
orgot
ten
aboutt
hati
nawhi le.
"
Okay,
I'
llj
ustl
eaveyoube"Sam sai
dandgotof
f
t
hecar.
BythenDi
ll
ionalr
eadylef
tandShawnawasal
so
get
ti
ngint
ot hehouse.
Thethoughtremai
nedinLuwi
smi nd.Heknowshe
can'
tfi
ghtforShawnaagai
nsthi
sbossandi t
l
ookedlikether
ewassomethi
ngelseinhim when
heki
ssedShawna.
Buthecoulduseothertr
ickywaystogetherandi
f
i
tdoesn'twork.Wel
lIhavenootheropt
ion,he
thoughtoutl
oud.
"
I'
llt
akeherbyf
orce.
"
*
*
Fewmi
nut esbef
oreDi
ll
ionar
ri
vedatt
hemansi
on
wit
hVi
vian.
Shawnasathappyi
lywit
hMa' am Sandr
anar r
ating
thewhol
etal
eofheroutingwithDil
li
on.She
coul
dn'
tfi
ndothermaidsotherthanBeatr
ice,l
ikeall
t
hemai
dshasdi
sappear
ed.
Shehadaskedwher etheywereandshewast ol
d
thattheyallt
ookaleave.Ithadsurpri
sedShawna
butsher emembered,nowondert hatmaidfr
om
earl
ierwassohappy.
"
So,hereal
lyspoketohiscl
ientt
hatwaybecause
t
hemanwasact ual
l
ytryi
ngtofli
rtwit
hyou?
"
Ma'
am Sandraaskedhertobesur e.
"
Yes,hegotsoangered.Iam sur
eofit
"Shawna
r
epl
iedandthenma'am Sandranoddedindeep
t
houghts.
"That
'
sanot
herdevel
opmentt
henIguess"ma'
am
Sandramumbl
ed.
"What?Whatdidyousay?"Shawnaaskedbutt
he
soundofcarhonescouldn'
tletherwai
t.
"Itmustbehim,todayhasn'
tended,hasit?
"She
saidexci
tedlyst
andinguponherf eetandthen
rushi
ngout si
detotheentr
ance,sheremember ed
thekiss.
Hercheeksf
lushedf
orsomeunknownr
easont
o
her
.
Shestoodther
ewai
ti
ngf
orhi
mtoshowupandhe
fi
nal
lydid.
Withwidesmilesonherface,
shewant edtosay
somethingbuttheper
sonwalkingcloselybehi
nd
him madehersmi l
esdi
sappearinst
antly.
Whoi
sshe?Shewonder
ed.
Dil
li
ondidn'
tnot
iceherunti
lhegottot
heentr
ance
andwasabouttogetinbutVivi
annoti
cedthegi
rl
who'sf
acestoppedsmili
ngonseeingher
.
Vi
vianal
sowonder
ed.
Whoi
sshe?
Dil
li
ononhi
sownwashopi nghewoul
dn'tsee
Shawnaunt
ilt
henextdaybutt
her
esheis.
Hest
oppedf
aci
ngher
.
Shawna'sgazef
ellt
ot hef
loorasallthehappi
ness
shefel
tsuddenl
yvanishedfrom hersyst
em.
Shedoesn'
tknowwhybutshefeltbadaboutt
he
l
adybesideDil
li
onwhowasstar
ingather.
Thel
adyl
ookedsosobeaut
if
ulandal
socl
assy.
Thiscan'
tbehissist
er?No,
shedoesn'
tlookl
ike
one.Shethought
.
Thencanshebehi
scousi
n?Idon'
tthi
nksoei
ther
.
Thenper haps,
hisgi
rl
fri
end?Att
hethoughtshe
raisedherheadupquickl
yandstar
edpastDil
li
ont
o
vivian.
Dil
li
ononnoti
cingShawna'
seyesonVi
vian
expl
ained.
"She'saguest,shewil
lbestayi
ngher
eforafew
days"Di l
li
onsaidnotr
eal
lyknowingwhyhe
explained.
Ther
ealDi
ll
iondoesn'
toweasoulanexpl
anat
ion.
Hethoughtaboutt
hereasonheevenexpl
ainedt
o
herandthenshookhi
shead.
ThismadnessI'
m devel
opi
nghastost
op,
he
thoughtandwal
kedpassheri
nsi
de.
Vi
vianglar
edatShawna.Shewast
all
,al
most
Di
ll
ion'
sheight
.
ShawnajustlookedupatVi vi
anwi t
hoututt
eri
nga
word.Sheturnedandent er
edbacki nt
othehouse
goi
ngt omeetMa' am Sandratoaskherabout
Dil
li
on'
svisi
torbutonherwayt othekit
chenshe
bumpedintoLuwi s.
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence17-
18
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Noddl
es)
Shawna'
sPOV
Wedr oveforaverylongwhil
ebef orewearri
veda
road,i
twasr eal
lyl
onely.Nei
thercarsnorhumans
couldnbeseenbutIsi ght
edabl ackvanwit
h
anotherbl
ackJeepahead.
Sam st
oppedi
nfr
ontoft
hevehi
clest
hengotout
.
Luwi
sbr
oughtoutt
hatbr
ief
caset
hatcont
ains
whi
ti
shsubst
ance.TheoneI
'
dtakenf
rom t
hatol
d
man.
Hehandedi
ttome.
"
Thebossaskedyout
oper
sonal
lyhandi
tovert
o
t
hem"hestat
ed.
"
Justactnor
malbutwalkcl
assyandhandi
tovert
o
t
heguyinthei
rmiddl
e"heconti
nued.
Thenhebr
oughtoutablackeyeshadeandwor
eit
onmebyhimselfmaki
ngmeshi ftabit
.
Heopenedt
hecardoorformeandIsteppedout
,he
cameoutaf
terI
'
dwearinghisowneyeshade.
"
Wher
eisi
t?"Aguywhowassmoki
ngi
nbet
ween
t
woot
herguysasked.
"Go,handitovert
ohim"Luwiswhisperedt
omeand
Igulpedhardandstar
tedtoget
herthoseguys,
walkingassexyasIcould.
Ithi
nkIunder
standt
hisj
ob.Theyarei
ntoi
ll
egal
deal
ingsandyoumustactl
ikethem.
Igottot
hei
rfr
ontandst
ret
chedf
ort
hthebr
ief
case
tothem.
Theoneinthemiddl
ecol
lect
edi
tfr
om me,
heeyes
runni
ngal
lovermybody.
Hehandedi
tovert
otheguyonhi
slef
t.
Theguyopenedi
tandwhi
sper
edsomet
hingt
ohi
m.
"We'llmeetagainbeauty"hewi
nkedatmeandt
hey
allgotint
otheirvehi
cleandzoomedoff
.
Iremovedmysunshadei
mmedi
atel
yandt
urnedt
o
seeLuwisappr
oachi
ngme.
"
Youact
edwel
l"hesai
dandt
ouchedmyshoul
der
.
"Di
dyougett
hecl
ip?
"Het
urnedt
owar
dsSam and
asked.
"
Yes"Sam r
epl
iedbr
ingi
ngoutahi
ddencamer
a
wit
hhim.
"Okaygood,
nowthatit'
sdone.Lemmetakeyou
somewhereyou'
l
llove"hesai
dandgrabbedmy
hand.
Hehel
pedmeint
othecar
,goti
ntot
hedr
iver
'ssi
t
andi
gni
tedt
heengi
ne.
Sam whowasst
il
lbusywi
tht
hecamer
atur
nedt
o
st
areathi
m.
"
Hey,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Hi
seyeswi
dened.
Luwi
sdi
dn'
trepl
yhi
m butst
art
eddr
ivi
ngaway.
"
Hey!
!Hey!
!"Theguyyel
led.
Luwi
sbroughthishandoutf
rom t
hewi
ndowand
bedhi
m goodbye.
"
Sweetwal
k"headdedwi
thl
aught
er.
"Scr
ewyou!Scr
ewyouokay!
?"Sam yel
led
obvi
ousl
yannoyed.
"
Whydi
dyoudot
hat
?"Iaskedhi
m.
"Hehasdoneitt
omebef or
e,j
ustpayi
nghi
m back"
Luwisanswer
edchuckl
ing.
"Buthei
sobvi
ousl
yangry,
whatifhedoes
somethi
ngmoredanger
oustoyou?"Iaskedagai
n.
Het
urnedandst
aredatme.
"
Areyouwor
ri
edaboutme?
"Hei
nqui
red.
"Um..
it
'sj
ustthat
,itwon'
tbeokayi
fsomet
hing
happenstoyou"Icooed.
"Well
,youdon'
thavet
owor r
y.Hei
sact
uall
ymy
brot
her,hewon'
tdoanyt
hing!
"Hesmi
rked.
"Butar
eyoureal
lywor
ri
edaboutme,
huh?
"He
chuckl
edmakingmeshy.
"Wel
l.
..
sinceyou'
remyfriendnow,Iwoul
dn'twant
yout
ogeti nt
otroubl
e"Isaidundermybreathe.
"I
'
m glad,thanksforcari
ngbutIwantyoutoholdon
ti
ghtl
y"hesai dandbeforeIcoul
dprocesswhathe
saidheincreasedthespeedofthecar.
Idi
dn'tknowwhenIscreamedoutsol
oudi
nfear
butheonlylaughed.
Geez!Doeshewantmedead?
50mi
nut
esl
ater
.
Hedrovei
ntoacl
assyr
est
aur
antandpar
kedatt
he
gar
agearea.
"
Comeher
e"hecooedar
rangi
nghi
shai
r.
Icamedownandarr
angedmydressandhai
r.Then
tookal
ongst
areatt
herest
aur
ant.
"
Real
ly?ANoddl
esr
est
aur
ant
?"Iaskedr
eadi
ngt
he
i
nscr
ipt
ion.
"
Yeah,whenlastdi
dyoueatit?I
t'
sbeenreal
lyl
ong.
Wannatr
yitoutwithyouor.
..
don'
tyouli
keit
?"He
r
estedonthecarandasked.
"
OfcourseIl
ikeit,
itusedt
obemyever
ydaymeal
"I
mumbledthelastpart
.
Backt
hen,whenIwassti
llwi
thmystepfat
her.I
onl
yeatNoddl
es,mor
ningaft
ernoonandeveni
ng.
Wegoti
ntot
her
est
aur
antandheor
der
edi
tfort
wo.
Wesatdowncl
oset
othewi
ndowsi
def
aci
ngeach
ot
her
.
"Whil
ewewai tf
orthem t
oser veustheNoddl
es.
Canyout ellmemor eaboutyoursel
f?Asanew
fr
iend,Ineedtoknow"hei nquir
ed.
Igul
pedhar
dasIst
areddownatt
het
abl
e.
Idon'
twantt
ostar
tnar
rat
ingmyt
err
ibl
eli
fet
ohi
m.
Idon'
twantt
otal
kabouti
t.
"Hey,issomet
hingwr
ong?
"Hequest
ionedpr
obabl
y
noti
cingmymood.
"Um..No,whydon'
twet al
kaboutyouinstead?Have
youbeenwor ki
ngfortheyoungmasterforlong?
LikesincewhenbecauseIdoseeyouar oundthe
mansionsomet i
mes? "Ii
nqui
red.
"Um..
.wel
l,youseetheboss..
wellIstar
tedworking
forhi
m sincetheageof..
.um..It
hink9,it'
sbeenso
l
ong"Inoticedhewasn'tsoocomf or
tableashe
answeredme.
"
9?Whataboutyourpar
ent
s?Theyl
etyoudosuch
j
obs?
"Icur
iousl
yaskedagai
n.
"
Idon'thaveparent
s,ImeanIdon'
tknowthem.Was
r
aisedbymygr andmother"her
esponded.
"
Oh!
"Imout
hed.
"Let'
seat"hequickl
ysaidwhenhenot i
cedthatI
wasaboutaski nganotherquest
ion.Awai
tr
ess
alreadyarr
ivedourtabl
e.
Sheplaceddownouror der
sinfr
ontofusbut
..
.I
noti
cedLuwiseyesattheentr
ancewhenIwas
abouttostar
teat
ing.
Myeyesf
oll
owedhi
seyesandIsaw.
..
..
Thechopsti
ckI'
dtakenf
ellof
fmyhand
i
mmedi at
elyIsawhim.
Dil
li
on!Hewaswi
thNaomibuthewasn'
tlooki
ngat
ourdir
ect
ion.
Ohgoodl
ord!
Myheartst
artedbeat
ingl
oudl
yasIsuddenl
y
becamescared.
"Let
's.
..
..
"Iwasabouttosayt
oLuwi
sbutNaomi
'
s
eyesmetwi t
hmi ne.
ShequicklymadeDi l
li
onturntoourdirect
ionand
anunexplainabl
elookcrepti
ntohisface.
Oh,
don'
ttel
lmehei
sangr
y.
.
Shawna'
sPOV
Imadet
ostandupbecauseofhowscar
edIgotbut
washel
ddownbyLuwis.
It
ookmyeyest
olookathi
mimmedi
atel
y.
"
Justpr
etendyoudi
dn'
tseehi
m"hemumbl
ed.
Huh!
HowcanIpretendnottoseehi
m?Ithoughtwi
th
ot
hert
hingsrunni
nginsidemyhead.
"Justsitdown,
trustme"heconf
ir
medsoundi
ngso
convincing.
AndIdi
d,Itookmyeyesbacktotheboot
hbut
di
dn'
tseeDill
ionandNaomither
eagai
n.Dil
li
onhad
st
art
edleavi
ngwi t
hNaomirunni
ngaft
erhim.
Itmademerel
ievedabitbutst
illI
'
m ver
ymuch
scar
ed.Hemightbereal
lyangry.
Naomi
'
sPOV.
"ComeonDill
ion,yout
oldmeyouwer egonnasit
andwatchmeout .Whydidyouor deritout?Why
areyoudoi
ngt hi
smeagain?"IhalfyelledasI
fol
lowedhi
m outoftheNoddlesrestaurant.
Ihadactual
lypleadedser iousl
ywi t
hhimtot akeme
tothi
sNoddlesr estaurant.Hegrumpil
ybringsme
herewheneverhe'sar oundsoIdi dn'
twantthishi
s
visi
ttobedi
fferent.Ipleadedandevenr ef
usedt o
l
eavehisbathroom whenhewant edtot
akehi sbath.
Hehadgot t
enr
eal l
yangrythatIdi
sobeyedhim but
sti
llsawhowdeterminedIwasandt henpromised
tobringmeher
ewhenhe' sdonebathi
ng.Thatwas
howIsuccessf
ullydiditbutnow..
..
Hegoti
ntot
hecarwecamewi
th.
Iopenedtheothersi
deandgoti
nbef
orehecoul
d
dri
veoff.He'
skindofangr
ynow.
Nott
hather
eal
lyshowsi
tbutIt
hinkhe'
squi
tangr
y.
Whydidhe'smoodsuddenl
ychange?Isitbecause
oft
hatlady?Ist
il
ldon'
tnowhyshe'
sfoll
owinghim
unt
ilnow.
IknowDi l
li
onwon'
tanswermesoIdi
dn'teven
botheraski
nghi
m.Ihavetofi
ndout
.Isshewor ki
ng
forhim?
But..
.hedoesn'
thavefemaleworker
s.Sowhat sher
realbusi
nessor..
.al
adycloset
ohi m canei
therbe
Girl
fri
endorpleasur
egir
l?
Ohmy!I
t'
soneoft
het
wo.Ir
eal
lyhavet
ofi
ndout
.
Itur
nedtost
areathim ashedr
oveoutoft
he
rest
aur
antspeedi
ly.Wi
thint
enminut
eswegott
o
t
hequar
ter
s.
"Getoff
"hesnar
ledunl
ocki
ngt
hedoor
s.Hedi
dn'
t
dri
vein.
"
Um.
..
wehaven'
tgot
teni
n..
."
"Isai
dgetoffNaomi,youcanwal
kther
est
"he
groanedandIquickl
ygotoff
.
Iwat
chedhi
m asher
ever
sedandst
art
edoutagai
n.
Wher
eishegoi
ngt
o?
Shawna'
sPOV
Wefini
shedwit
htheNoddl
esandwi
thoutwast
ing
oft
imeIgotup.
Idi
dn'
twannaspendmor
eti
meout
side.
Luwi
sgazef
oll
owedme.
"Won'
tyouatl
eastlett
heNoddl
esdi
gest
?"He
askedwit
haperkedupbrow.
"No,
luwi
slet
'sj
ustgo.Let
'sl
eave"Ihur
ri
edhi
m up
andheal
sogotup.
"
Ifyousayso"Inot
icedhel
ookeddi
spl
easedatmy
actbutwhatcanIdo?
I'
m notaf
reehumananymor
e.I
'
m supposedtoonly
bewheremyownerorder
smetogobutI'
mj ust
..
..
Ohgeez!
Hepai dtothecashi
erandsoonwewereheaded
back.Hedi dn'
tsayawordti
llwear
ri
vedmakingme
feelguil
ty.
Shoul
dIjustapol
ogi
zef
orr
ushi
nghi
m?Hei
s
cl
earl
yangry.
Heopenedt
hecarandgotof
f.Idi
daf
terhi
m.
"
Luwi
s"Ical
ledbef
orehecoul
dleave.
"ThanksfortheNoddles,
i'
m sor
ryformyear l
ier
behaviourt
oo.I'
llt
ryt
omakei tuptoyou"I
mumbl edthelastpar
tnotsurei
fthatwi
llever
happen.
Wil
lIeverst
epoutwi
thouti
tbeenor
der
edbyDi
ll
ion.
OhIdoubtthat
.
Hesmi
ledt
hoIknowi
t'
saf
orcedone.
"
Ishoul
dbet
hanki
ngyou.Thanksf
orf
oll
owi
ngme
t
otheNoddl
esrest
aurant
"het
hankedandInodded
t
hensi
ghedandstar
tedup.
Mi
nut
esear
li
er.
Naomi
'
sPOV
Immediatel
yDi l
li
onlef
t,Ipassedthr
oughthefi
rst
securi
tygate.Ij
usthadt ostandinf
rontoft
hegate
andall
owt hecamerascanme.I tdi
dandthegate
automati
callygaveway.
Iwal
kedinelegant
lyandsoongott
othesecond
gat
etoseethatjer
k!
Idi
oti
cSam!Hegri
nnedandstooduponhisf
eet
becausehewasf
ormall
ysi
tt
ingdownatthefr
ont
gate.
"I
'
vebeenwai t
ingsi
nceIsawyoupasst
hef
ir
st
gate"hesai
d.
"
Whywereyouwai
ti
ngf
orme?
"Ihuf
fedandt
hrew
myf
aceaway.
"Wel
l,l
et'
ssay.
..If
eltl
ikepest
eri
ngyou"he
answeredsmil
ing.
"
Idon'
tneedj
erksl
ikeyout
owai
stt
imeon,
Igot
bet
tert
hingstodo"Iscof
fedandmadet
opasshi
m
buthedidn'
tal
lowme.
"
Areyousickupstai
rs?Stopbl
ocki
ngme.You'
re
t
otalnut
case!
"Iscreamed,pi
ssed.
"
I'
m happyt
obeoneforyouBar
bie"hewi
nked
whi
chgotmereal
lypi
ssed.
Ihi
thischestwithmyf
istsever
all
ybuti
t'
swasasi
f
hedidn'
tfeeli
t.
"Jerk!
!!
!!
!!I
'
llki
llyou!!
!"Iscr
eamedagai
nbutheonl
y
burstedint
oahi lar
iouslaught
er.
"Geez!Ihat
eyou"Igr
umpil
ysai
dthenpushedhi
m
asideandstar
tedwal
krunni
ng.
Idi
dn'
twanthi
mtocat
chupwi
thmebuthedi
d.
"Yourememberthatdayyouhuggedmebecauseof
howscaredyouwer eofbugs,youl ookedscared
seei
ngabudwi thluwisandthenextyouj umpedon
meandhel dmesot ight
.NowIlookatt hesamegir
l,
shesaidsshe'
l
lkil
lme? ?"Hepointedtohischest
andlaughedagai
nwhi chmadei tsoi r
ri
tati
ng.
"
Iwasonl
y6year
sol
dthen,
stopmaki
ngf
unof
me!"Idefendedtir
edofhi
smocker i
esbuthe
st
artedanotherroundofl
aughterwhichmadei
tso
unbearableformethatIt
ooktomyheel s.
Whichdaywil
lhest
ophi
snonsense?Whichday
wi
llhestoppi
ssi
ngmeoff
.OhgoshI'm sodead.
Hour
slat
er.
ShawnaPOV
Ist
oodoutsi
demyr
oom r
est
lessl
ywai
ti
ngf
or
Dil
li
on'
sret
urn.
Iwastol
dbyoneoft
hemai
dst
hathei
sn'
tar
ound
soIwait
edf
orhim.
Ican'
thel
p.Thatl
ook.Thatgl
are.
Ican'
tjustignor
ehi
mtotal
lyt
hengot
obed.Iwant
toknowi fhe'
smadornot.
Wi
thoutknowi
ngIwon'
tbeabl
etosl
eep.
Idon'
tnecessari
lyhavetoaskhi
m.Justhi
sact
ions
andwordswi l
lshowit.
Ist
oodwait
ing.Heisgonnapassmydoorbeforehe
get
stohi
ssot her
eisnowayt hatImi
ghthave
mi
ssedhi
m.
Damnit
'sget
ti
ngext
remel
ylat
e.Whyi
sn'
the
comi
ngback?
Icont
inuedwaiti
ngrest
lessl
yignor
ingtheti
meunt
il
Ihear
df oot
stepsandsawhim approachi
ng.
Myhear
tsankdeepi
ntomyst
omachasIwat
ched
hi
m.Inf
earandanxi
ety.
It
hinkmyadr
enal
inei
sact
ingupt
oomuch.
I
ncreasedheartbeat,
dil
ati
onofpupil
,Igett
hem al
l
t
hetime,especial
lywhenIwassti
llwit
hmyst ep
f
ather.
Wheneverhest
epsi
ntothehousedr
unkIgetso
scar
edofwhathewi
lldonext.
Isometi
mesexperi
encepai
nsinmychestal
l
becauseoff
earandnowthi
sfeari
nmeagainand
i
t'
stoomuch.
Itgotreal
lyext
remewhenhegottowher
eIwasand
stopped-hiscoldeyesf
ixedonme.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence19-
20
.
(
Notapuni
shment
)
Luwi
s'
sPOV
ThedooropenedandSam camei
nwear
ingacr
azy
smil
eon.
Whati
sit
?You'
redi
stur
bingme.Ineedt
othi
nk,
I
scowl
ed.
"Whyhastheboss'
sgi
rlbeenst
andi
ngoutsi
deher
room?"Heignor
edmyfrownsandcametosit
besi
deme.
"Shehasbeenst
andi
ngout
sideherr
oom?
"If
eebl
y
asked.
"
Yes.Butwher
edi
dyout wogot
o?Wher
edi
dyou
t
akeherto?
"Heasked.
"
Ishear
ound?Theboss?
"Iaskedi
nst
ead.
"
Nope,
haven'
tseenhi
m but
..
."
"
GetoutSam.Justgetout
,Ineedmyspace"I
i
nter
rupt
edhi
m.
Shawna'
sPOV
Itookmyeyesimmediat
elyt
othef
loor
.Iar
en'
t
supposedt
ostarebackathi
m.
Hedi
dn'
tut
terawor
d,hest
art
edl
eavi
ng.
But
..
Ithi
nkhewantsmet
ofel
lowhi
m.Hedi
dn'
tsay
i
tbutIknowofi
t.
Ohgosh!Hopehei
snottooangr
ycausenowI
knowheisangr
ybutIj
usthopei
t'
snotmuch.
Isaunt
eredbehi
ndhim wi
thmyheadlowunt i
lhe
gottohi
sdoor.Heopeneditandgoti
nleavi
ngthe
dooropened.
Iheavedasi
ghandf
oll
owedhi
min.
Hewentandstoodi
nhi
sofhi
smi
rrorworkingon
hi
sshir
tbutt
onswhi
chmademer
eallynervousand
morescar
ed.
Whyi
sn'
thesayi
nganyt
hing?Shoul
dIj
ustmaybe
apol
ogi
ze?I
tmi
ghtbebet
tert
hatway.
Wit
hmyeyesst i
llf
ixedont
hefl
oorIopenedmy
moutht
oapologisebutwasmetwit
har esoundi
ng
sl
apwhichal
mostt hrewmeonthefl
oor.
Chr
ist
!!
It
ookast
epbackwar
dsi
mmediat
elyast
ear
s
st
art
edst
reami
ngdownmyeyes.
"
Don'
tut
terawor
d!"Hesnapped.
Howdi
dheknowt
hatIwasaboutt
oapol
ogi
se?
Ohgoodness!
Ihel
dti
ght
lyunt
omybur
ningcheeksi
nsomuch
pai
n.
Hehadsl appedmeonlyoncebutIt
hinki
t'
s
af
fectedmyheadandchestcauseIimmediat
ely
st
artedfeeli
ngpai
ns.
Thenhewal
kedt
owar
dsanot
herdoori
nther
oom
andgoti
n.
Ibentmyheadandl
etoutasqueak.
Ohgosh!It
hinkam i
nrealt
roubl
e.Hel
ooksmor
e
angr
ythant
het
imeIhadunknowi
ngl
yvomi
tedon
hi
m.
Het
oldmenott
ogetonhi
sner
ves.
Geez,Ishouldn'
thavepret
endednottoseehimli
ke
Luwisadvised.No!Ishoul
dn'
thaveevenagreedf
or
hi
mt otakemet here.
Hecameoutf rom t
heroom andIperkedathi
sface
wit
honeeye.Hewashol dingawhitetowel
,he
cametomeandt hr
ewitcarel
essl
ybutthank
goodnessIcaughti
t.
"Makeuseofthebat
hroom,
fivemi
nut
es"hi
svoi
ce
cameouthard.
Ii
mmedi atel
yturnedtowardsthesupposed
bat
hroom andgoti n.If
acedthebigmirr
orther
e
andletoutthetearsIwastryi
ngtoholdback.
Themar kofthesl
api
mpr
int
edi
tsel
fcl
ear
lyonmy
facebutwait
...
.
Di
dhejustaskmet
obat
h??Doest
hat
..
.doest
hat
mean?
Ohmygoodness!Andhegavemef
ivemi
nut
es.I
'
ve
wast
edt
womi
nut
esal
ready.
Goodl
ord!
Iqui
cklytur
nedontheshowerwithmyclot
hes
al
readyoffIl
etthewaterwashme.Inj
ustt
wo
minutes,
Iturnedof
ftheshowerandmadetoputon
myclothesbackbutstopped.
Wi
llt
her
ebeneedt
oputi
ton?Ther
ewon'
t.
It
iedthetowelr
oundmybody.Thenpi
ckedupmy
cl
othesandwentoutt
otheroom.
Hewassi
tti
ngont
hebedwi
thaci
gar
ett
ewi
thhi
m,
smoki
ng.
Igul
peddownhar
danddi
dn'
tnot
henextt
hingt
o
do.
Damn!ShouldIjustkeepthecl
othesdown?I
thoughtt
hensawt hecouchthere.Ikeptthecl
othes
ontopofitpr
eparingmymi ndforwhat '
scoming.
Iwi
llt
ryasmuchaspossi
blenott
ocr
y.
Hedi dn'
tlookatmebutcont i
nuedsmokingunt i
l
about10mi nutespassed.Hefini
shedupt he
part
icularstickhewashol di
ngandt ookanother
one.
"
Gostandinf
rontoft
hemi
rr
or,yourhandshol
ding
t
het
able"her
aspedandmyheartski
pped.
Iwentanddi
dashei nst
ruct
ed.Whyi
nfrontoft
he
mir
ror?Whatexact
lyi
shet r
yingt
opr
ove?
Isawhi
m standupfrom t
hebedandI
mmedi
atel
y
shutmyeyesclose.
Okay,
it'
saboutt
ostartShawna.Youcandoi
t!It
old
mysel
ftryi
ngtogetr
idofmyf ear
s.
Myhandswer
eli
ter
all
yshaki
ngasIhel
dunt
othe
t
abl
e.
"Whyisthet
owelsti
llwr
appedar
oundyou?
"He
askedandIsnappedmyeyesopen.
Hewasst
andi
ngbehi
ndme.St
ari
ngatmet
hrough
t
hemir
ror
.
Myhandsimmediat
elywentt
ot hetowelandI
l
ossenedi
twi
thoutasecondthought.Imadet
o
cl
osemyeyesbuthestoppedme.
"Keepyoureyesopen!
"Heor
der
edandIdi
d.My
heartpoundi
ng.
It
ri
ednott
olookathi
m asheworkedonhi
str
ouser
.
Myeyeswasfi
xeddownonthetabl
e.
Thenhi
shandshel
dmywai
standmademeshot
outmya*s.
Thenextwasthat
,If
elthi
sd**ktouchi
ngmy
a*shol
e.I
tmademej erkabi
tbutIcontr
oll
ed
myself
.
"Beari
nmi ndt
hatthi
sisnotapunishment.I
'l
l
punishyouatmyownt i
me"Iheardhim say,
Irai
sed
myeyesupt ostar
eathisthr
oughthemi r
ror
wonderingwhathereal
lymeant
.
Ionlysnappedoutofmyt
houghtwhenIfel
thi
s
d**kgoingdeepint
omyasshol
e.Ofcour
se
for
ceful
ly.
.
(
Soscar
ed)
Shawna'
sPOV
IthoughtI'
dbeabl
et ohandl
eit.It
houghtI'
llbeabl
e
tofaceitwhenhestart
edbutIreal
izedasitwenton
thatImightact
ual
lypassoutifheconti
nues.
Ihelduntothetabl
emorefi
rmlyasnottofal
lashe
wentinandoutofme.Tearsstrol
leddownmyeyes
andIbitmyl i
pstoget
hert
opreventmefrom cr
ying
out.Icoul
donlywhimperandsnif
fin.
Myeyesremainedfixedont
het
able,
Idi
dn'twantt
o
l
ookatt
hemi rror
.Iknowhewant
smet oseehow
sor
rowf
ulIlook.
Hewantsmet ol
ear
nmyl essonsbutt
hisisnot
r
eall
yapuni shment
?Whatelseismorehurtf
ult
han
t
his?Isther
esomethingmorehurt
fult
hanwhathe
i
sreall
ydoingtomer i
ghtnow?Idoubtit
!
Ididn'
tnohowlonghespentbutIknowhespenta
l
otoftimebef
orehemademet ur
ntofacehi
mt hi
s
ti
me.
Ifeltembar
rassed,
ashamed,
sad,bi
tt
ered.Ifel
t
painsbecauseaguywasstari
ngandscrewingme
l
ikehewant s.
Li
keapi
eceoft
rash.
Thist
imehel i
ft
edmyonel egupandpl
acediton
topofthechai
r.Thechai
rhesit
sonwhil
efacing
themir
r or
.
Thenhecameint
omei
nthatposi
ti
on,
sof
orcef
ull
y
makingmescr
eam.
Thisisthesecondti
meyeti
thurtsl
iket
his.I
thoughtitwasgonnaendt
hatfi
rstt
ime.
Whydoesi
tst
il
lhur
tsomuch?
Hedi dn'tseem tocareaboutmypai nsashekept
dri
vingi nandout .Iconti
nuedcrying,Iconti
nued
holdi
ngmysel f.Icont i
nuedenduringthepainsunti
l
mybot hl egsstartedshakingespecial
lytheoneon
topoft hechair
.
Eventhosweatsalr
eadycover
edhiswhol
ebody,
he
doesn'tl
ookli
kehehasevenstar
tedwhi
chmade
mef eelwor
se.
Pleasej
ustl
ethi
m gett
ir
ed.Thisist
heonl
y
goddamnwayI '
l
lbefr
eefrom hi
m.
Buthedidn'
t,
hecont i
nuedandconti
nued.Ist
art
ed
get
ti
ngextremelyti
red.Mybreat
hingst
artedget
ti
ng
weaker
.Icouldn'
tbreathf
astanymoreandsweats
hasequall
ycoveredmybody.
Myl
egsf
eltl
iket
heyar
en'
tpar
tofmybody
anymore,Icoul
dn'
treal
lyf
eelt
hem.MyVhur
tsso
much,evenfrom t
heback.
Idon'tknowifhefi
nall
ynoti
cedhowweakIwasbut
hestoppedscrewingme.Hepul l
edoutofme.I
di
dn'tevenlookathi
m alt
hrough.Myeyeswere
fi
xedint hecei
li
ngstar
ti
ngfrom t
heti
mehet ur
ned
met ofacehim.
If
ellcompl
etel
yexhaust
edont
hechai
r.
Isawhi m walkawayandIcl osedmyeyest ocatch
mybr eathforabout10mi nutesbef
oreIgotup.I
madet oputonmycl othesandsawhisreleaseon
myt hi
ghs.Iignoreditandwor emyclot
hesbef or
e
staggeri
ngtomyr oom.
Icouldbarel
ywalk.Mylegscont
inuedshaki
ngti
llI
gottomyr oom andthr
ewmyselfonthebedthen
dri
ft
edintosleep.
*
Ear
lyNextday*
Ifel
tat
aponmybodyandIthr
ewmyeyesopened
toseeamai
d.Shewasput
ti
ngonasmi
le.
Ibl
inkedandsatupont
hebed.
"MrDi
ll
ionwant
syout
omeethi
min20mi
nut
es"
shest
ated.
"
Mr.
..
Dil
li
on"Iaskedwi
deeyes.
"
Yes"sheanswer
edandl
efti
mmedi
atel
y.
Ohgosh,whati
sitagai
n?Whatdoeshewants?I
wonderedandmadetorusht
othebathr
oom but
fel
text
remepai
nsaroundmylowerbody.
Iwinchedoutl
oudl
yrecal
li
ngt
her
easonwhyI
'
m
feel
ingsomuchpain.
Gosh,
wherear
et hedrugsma'
am Sandr
apacked
i
ntomybags?Ithoughtanddr
aggedmyl egsdown
t
othefloor
.
Thepai
nsseemedt
ohavet
ri
pled.
Ohgoodness!Andheaskedmet
omeethi
mi n20
minut
es.Idon'
twantt
ogetonhi
sner
vesagai
n.I
'
ll
manage.
Iquicklybr
oughtoutthedr
ugsandt ooktwopi
ll
s
from eachpacket
,drankali
tt
lequanti
tyofwat
er
thendraggedmyselfint
othebathroom.
Il
etwat
erwashme.Idi
dn'
tscr
ubwi
thspongeor
usesoap.IguessI
'
llhavet
obat
hagai
nlat
er.
Irushedoutofthebat
hroom andf
oundashortand
shir
ttowear.Iputt
hem onanddraggedmysel
fout
tohisroom.
Icoul
dn'
twal
kpr
oper
lyt
ho.Justwal
kingf
unny.
Iknockedonhisdoorbutdi
dn'
theararepl
y.I
knockedagai
n,agai
nandagainbutdi
dn'theara
movement.
Whatist
hisagain?Gosh!Whyisn'
theansweri
ng
whenhewast heonethatsentf
orme?Ithought
f
eeli
ngsoso..
..Idon'
tevenknowhowam f eel
ing.
Howam Isupposedt
ofeel
?
Ist
oodtherewaiti
ngforhi
mt oevent
ual
lyr
epl
y.He
mightbepurposel
ydoingt
his.
Ikeptstandi
ngt
her
eunt
ilamai
dwal
kedbyand
stopped.
'
MrDi l
li
oni
soutsidei
nthegar
age.Hesai
dtoget
you"shest
ated.
Ohgoodness!Sohewasn'
ther
eal
lal
ong?
"
Okay"Imout
hedandf
oll
owedheroutt
othegar
age.
Hel
ookedannoyedevenseei
ngme.
"Whenwillyoueverl
ear
nt oobey? "Hegroanedand
star
tedwalkingtoapar
ti
cularside.Iwalkedaf
ter
him andweent er
edadif
ferentbuildi
ng.
I
tlooksl
ikeacour
t.Hepi
ckedupat
enni
sbal
l.
"Goovert
her
e"hepoint
edt
otheext
remeendoft
he
cour
tandIobeyed.
Hethrewtheballupintheairandplayeditri
ghtat
me.Ikeptlooki
ngattheballcomingatme
wonderi
ngwhatIshoulddowi t
hitunti
litgottome
andhitmer i
ghtint
heforehead.
If
ellf
latont
hef
loorandmyheadspi
n.
Ohmygoodness!I
sn'
tthi
sdeat
h?Myl
egs,
wai
st
andnowmyhead?
"
Bri
ngitt
omenow!
"Her
aspedoutandImanaged
t
ostandup.
"Comeon,
fast
!"HesnappedandIr
ushedf
ast
er
andgavet
heballt
ohim.
Hedi dn'
tevenwai
tformetogett
otheend.He
playeditagai
nandit
'shi
tsmebutIdi
dn'
tfal
lthi
s
ti
me.I thi
tmenearmyspinei
ntheback.
Iwi
nchedandsquat
ted.
"Befast!Gi
vemethebal
l"hescr
eamedandIpicked
i
tupandgavei tt
ohim.Mynowt ear
sal
ready
coveredmyeyes.
Maybet
hisi
showhewant
stopuni
shme.
"Iwon'teverdi
sobeyyouagai
n,pleasest
op"I
pleadedwi t
hhim whenhehadhitmewi t
hthebal
l
forthetenthti
mes.
Mywhol
ebodyscr
eamedpai
n!
Hepr et
endednottohearmeandkeptongoi ngbut
thatwasjustminor.Ist
art
edfeeli
ngtherealpain
whenwel eftt
hereandwentt oanothercour
t.Idon'
t
real
lyknowwhati t
'susedforbutheaskedmet o
holdontoasmal lshade.
Ihel
ditandr
aiseditl
ikeheinst
ruct
ed.Het
ookout
agunandmyhear tskipped.
Agun?It
houghtandf
eltal
ightpai
ninmychest
r
egi
oni
mmedi
atel
y.
Hepoi
ntedi
tatmeandmyhandsst
art
edshaki
ngi
n
t
heair
.
Idi
dn'
tknowwhenIt hrewt
heshadehegaveme
away,butnotmi
ndi
ngwhatIdid.Heshot!Heshoti
t
di
rect
lyatmeandIfeltamychestshat
teri
ngi
nto
pi
typi
eces.
If
ellonmykneesimmedi
atel
yandcover
edmyear
s
wi
thbothhands.
If
eltscar
ed.Soscar
ed.Doeshewannaki
llmet
his
way?
"
Pleasef
orgi
veme"Icr
iedpai
nful
lyonmyknees.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence21-
22
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Andr
ew)
Shawna'
sPOV
Istayedwi
thmyhandsst
il
lcover
ingmyear
sin
tears.
Hekeptshoot
ingi
tbutnonoft
hebul
letmetme.
Icont
inuedpl
eadi
ngt
hoIar
en'
tsur
ehewaseven
l
ist
eni
ngt ome.
Ist
oppedhearingt
hegunshot
sandIl
ookedupt
o
seehi
ml eavi
ng.
Imadetoalsost
andupbutIstar
tedf
eel
ing
extr
emepainint
hechestagai
nwhichmademeto
stayput
.Ipl
acedmyhandonmychestandcri
ed
outmoreinpai
ns.
Ohgoodness!Thepai
nhookedmer
ealwel
l
.Di
dn'
t
al
lowmetomove.
Icoul
donl
ycr
yout
.
Iheardfoot
stepscomi
ngandl
if
tedmyeyest
osee
Luwis.
"
Hey,ar
eyouokay?
"Heaskedandsquat
tedbesi
de
me.
"
I'
m..
.okay"It
ri
edst
andi
ngupbutcoul
dn'
t.
Idi
dn'
tevenknowwhathappenednextbutIf
ound
mysel
finhi
sarms.
"
What
?Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Iaskedal
armed.
"
Youdon'
tlookgood"hest
ated.
"
No.
..
no.
..
"It
ri
edmaki
nghi
m st
opbuthedi
dn'
t.
Ibecamescared.Whati
fDi
ll
ionget
sangr
yagai
n?
Whatifheseesus?
Butthankful
lyIdi
dn'
tseehimt i
lll
uwi
ssuccessf
ull
y
tookmet omyr oom andkeptmeonthebed.
"Wereyout hatscared?Thatwasn'tevenar ealgun.
Itcan'
tki
llyou.Hei sonlyusingi
tfortraini
ng.You
shouldhavej ustheldtheshadeli
kehei nstr
ucted,
hewast argetingitnotyou"heaskedandsai d.
"
Thatwasn'
tar
ealgun?
"Iasked.
"
Ofcour
se.Youshouldcal
m downnowalri
ght.He
won'
tki
llyou,
youmightdi
ebecauseoff
ear,j
ust
l
iketheot
hergi
rl
shehaddonei
ttobef
ore"he
cooed.
It
urnedoveronthebedandbackedhim.Didn'
t
wannahearmorethoI'
mr el
ievedhedoesn'
thave
pl
ansonkill
ingme.
"
Thanks,
youcanl
eavenow"Isai
dsi
mpl
y.
"
Butar
eyour
eal
lyokay?Icoul
dtakeyout
othe.
..
."
"
No!
!I'
mfi
ne"Ii
nter
rupt
edhi
mfi
rml
y.
"Okay"Ihear
dhi m mumbl
ethenhear
dthedoor
closeaft
erwards.
Isighedandt ouchedmychest.Myhear
tisst
il
l
rasingfastbutnotli
kebef
ore.
Ishoul
dhavebeent ol
dearl
iert
henIcoul
dn'
thave
beenthi
sscared.It
houghthewasgonnakil
lme
thi
sway,real
ly.
Naomi
'
sPOV
Ihear
daknockonmydoor
.
"
Whati
sit
?"Ianswer
ed.
"
It
'smeSam"Sam'
svoi
cesai
d.Thedoorpushed
openandhecamei
n.
"Iaskedwhati
sit,
Ididn'
taskyout
otel
lmeyour
nameorcomei n"Ifr
owned.
"
Wel
lyeah,
butI
'
m her
enow"her
esponded.
"
Soagai
n,whatdoyouwant
?"Iquest
ioned.
"Wel
l.
..
I'
m gonnabedri
vingyout
oschoolt
oday,
just
cametoinfor
m yout
hat"herepl
ied.
"Yeah,
youcanleave.
..
.holdonSam.Iwannaask
yousomethi
ng"Isaidturni
ngful
lyt
ofacehi
m.
He'
seyesshowedexci
tement
.
"
What
?You'
ref
reet
oask.
"
"
Well
..
thatShawna,
isshemybr
other
'sgi
rl
fr
iend?
"I
i
nqui
red.
"
No,
whydoyouask?
"
"
Then,
isshehi
ss*
xsl
ave?
"If
urt
herasked.
"Youlookl
ikeyou'
reupt
osomethi
ng.Whydoyou
care?
"Itwashistur
ntof
rown.
"
Wel
lsi
mpl
ybecauseI
'
m hi
ssi
ster
"Ianswer
ed.
"Well
yeah,
I'l
lbewai
ti
ngf
oryouatt
hegar
age"he
addedandleft
.
Hmm.
..
.
Soshe'
sjusthi
spr
oper
ty?I
nter
est
ing!
Fewhour
slat
er.
Atschool
.
"Wellwel
lwell
.Whodowehavehere?
"Ihear
done
ofthesil
lys*
utyel
lli
ket
hebi
t*hshei
s.
Ir
olledmyeyesatherandherf
ri
endsandt
ri
ed
walkingawaybutshebl
ockedmyway.
"Wheredoyouthinkyou'r
egoi ngspoiltbr
at?You
tol
dyourdri
vertosplashmudwat eronme
sometimesago.ThinkIhavef or
gotten,huh?"She
pokedmychestwi t
honef inger.
"Hey!Don'
ttouchmealr
ightbi
t*h!Idon'
tknowwhat
you'r
etal
kingabout
"Ir
olledmyeyesagainather
.
Sherai
sedherhandupandtri
edslappi
ngmebut
someonehel
dherhandfrom behi
nd.
"
Idon'
tli
kebei
ngmeant
oladi
es,
don'
ttr
yme"I
hear
dhi
m say.
"
Andr
ew!
!"Il
ookedathi
m andcal
led.
Hewi
nkedatmeandf
reedt
hebi
t*h'
shand.
Ii
mmedi
atel
yrant
ohi
m andhuggedhi
m.
"
Andr
ew"Ical
ledashehuggedmeback.
"Hel
lopri
ncess,
heardyoust
art
edcoll
ege.Your
educat
ionisext
remelyf
ast
"hecooedwhilest
roki
ng
myback.
"YesIknow.IhavetohelpoutDil
lywiththe
company.Ihavetofini
shfastI
not hert
ohelp"I
answeredpull
ingoutfr
om thehug.
"
You'
reback?
"Iasked.
"
Wellyeah,
hear
dDil
li
oni
sar ound.Wasj
ustcomi
ng
f
rom t
hecompany,
metDil
ly"hesaid.
"Ohyeah.Di
ll
ionisar
oundbutnotf
orl
ongt
ho"I
smil
edandsai d.
Heistheonl yguyIrespectsomuchot hert
hanmy
twobrothers.Heisreal
lycuteandextr
emelynice
butunfort
unatelyIt
hinkhehasagi r
lf
ri
endt hoI'
m
notsur
ehehasonenowbutheusedt
ohavet
hen.
"Yourt
wobr othershadtoabandonschool
,Ialso
didbutI
'm backtofini
shup.I'
l
lprot
ectyoufrom
nowont hen,f
r om t
hosebadbi**
he'
s"hesaidandI
gri
nned.
Ismil
edandfeltl
ikehugginghi
m agai
nbutdidn't
.
Don'
twannaappeart oocheapandbesi
dehel ooks
atmelikeaki
d,al i
tt
lesi
s.Butwhathedoesn'
t
knowisthatI
'
veal waysl
ikedhi
m.
"Okay,
lemmeescortyoutoyourclass,
seems
l
essonsareabouttostar
t"hest
atedandIhel
dhi
s
handasheescortedme.
Aswewer eaboutt
oentercl
assTi
naorTi
ne,
Idon'
t
real
lyknowshowedup.
"HiTi
na"Andrewgreet
edandtheybot
hhugged
eachotherwhichmademefrown.
"
Wow!You'
rebackAndr
ew"sheexcl
aimed.
"Yeah,l
uckyhuh!Happytoseeme? "Hequest
ioned
spreadi
nghisarmsapartandtheybothl
aughed.
Hereyesdr
if
tedt
omebutshedi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing.
"I
'
llgonow,seeyoulat
ersowecancat
chup"she
saidt
ohim andstar
tedleavi
ng.
Hekeptst
ari
ngatherunt
ilshevani
shed.
"
Isn'
tshelooki
ngext
remel
ybeaut
if
ult
hanbef
ore?
"
Heturnedtomeandasked.
"She'
sthemostugl iestl
adyint
hewholeuni
ver
se"I
shoutedangri
lyandgoti nt
othecl
assobvi
ousl
y
l
eavinghim surpr
ised.
OhAndr
ew!He'
sreal
lyback.
.
(
Whoi
sshe?
)
Hour
slat
er.
Shawna'
sPOV
Irol
ledaboutonthebedhappythatnoone
dist
urbedmef orthepastf
ewhoursbutIwas
feel
ingreal
lyhungry.
Ican'
thol
ditanymor
e.
Isatuponthebedandsl
owl
ydraggedmyf oot
downtothefl
oor,
woremyfl
ipf
lopandreachedfor
t
hedoor
.
Mybodystil
laches.Thepainshaven'tdi
sappear
ed
atal
levenaft
ersoomanyhour s.Despi
temylong
hoursl
eep,I
'
m sti
llfeel
ingabitdown.Ifeelsi
ck.
Yeah,
whyshoul
dn'
tI?ButIt
ookpi
ll
sthi
smor
ning.
Yeah,pi
ll
swi t
houtf
ood.Maybei
fIeatsomet
hing,
I
'l
lstopfeel
ingsi
ck.
Imademywaydownt hestai
rsandlucki
lysawa
mai
dthati
saboutcl
imbingthest
air
s.
"Um..
sorr
ymi ss,
butcanIgetsomet
hingtoeat
?"I
askedhersoundingaspol
it
easpossi
ble.
"
Yeah,youcan, fol
lowme"sherepl
iedandtur
ned
t
owardst helef
tside.If
oll
owedherandsheenter
ed
i
ntoakitchen.
"Whatwi
llyoul
iket
oeatmi
ss?I
'
llpr
epar
eitf
or
you.
"
"Um..
youchoose,
butIwantaver
yfastf
ood"I
answered.
"Um..
IguessI
'
llhavet
ogof
orChi
ckenAl
fr
edo
past
a"shesai
d.
"Yeahthatwi
llbesoni
cemi
ss"Ibeamedandshe
nodded.
"Youcanwaitatt
hedi
nni
ngovert
her
e"shepoi
nted
outandInodded.
"
Thanks"It
hankedandl
eftf
ort
hedi
nni
ng.
Isatdowni
nsat
isfact
iont
hatI
'l
lsoonbeget
ti
ng
somethi
ngt
oeat.OhgeezI'
m ext
remel
yhungry.
Icouldn'
tcomedownear l
ier
,Iwaskindofscaredto
bombi nt
oeitherDil
l
ionorLuwi
s.Especi
all
yDill
ion,
I
didn'
twanthimt oseemesoIstayedsti
llwal
lowing
i
nhunger .
Aft
ersomemi nutesIstar
tedpercei
vingt
hearoma
ofthechickenshewasboi li
ng,i
tmademyt ummy
rumblethemor e.Itmadememor ehungr
ythatI
hadtoclunchunt omyt ummy.
"
Yeah.
..
Lol
"Ihear
dvoi
ces.
Amal
eandaf
emal
evoi
ce.
Theywer
elaughi
ngsol
oudl
y.
Ihadtost
rai
nmyneckt oseet
hem Wal
kpasst
he
di
nningwi
thoutnot
ici
ngme.
Aguywit
hNaomiandSam f
oll
owingt hem cl
osel
y.I
coul
dseeabi
gfr
ownonSam' sface.Iwonderwhy
tho.
Butwhoi
sthatguy?
Wel
lit
'snonofmybusi
ness.
Aft
er20mi
nut
es,
themai
dfi
nal
lyappear
edwi
tha
t
ray.
Gosh!Fi
nal
ly!
Ist
oodupi
mmedi
atel
yandcol
lect
edt
het
rayf
rom
her
.
"
Thanks"Icooedoverexci
ted.
Actuall
ythisshoul
dbet hesecondt
imeI'l
lbe
havingchickenAlf
redo.Andit
'ssodel
ici
ous.
Iset
tl
eddownatonceanddi
ggedi
ntomymeal
.
Gosh!Sodel
ici
ous,Il
ickedmyl
ipsasIat
ehungr
il
y
i
gnori
ngthefactt
hatthemealwassohot.
Itwaswhenthemai dst
art
edlaughi
ngt
hatIl
ooked
uptoseehersti
llst
andi
ngthere.
Okay,
whyi
sn'
tshegoi
ng?
"Takeiteasy,youmightbur
nyourt
ongue"she
teasedandl aughedagai
nbuti
twasn'
tfunny.I
'
m
getti
ngmor ehungry.
Icontinuedeat
ingi
gnor
ingherand30mi
nut
esl
ater
Ifi
nishedup.
Itookt
heusedplat
eswi
tht
het
raytot
hekit
chen
andamaidther
easkedmetol
eavei
ttoher
.
Ithent
urnedt
owardst
hedi spenserandt
ookout
enoughquant
it
yofwaterandgul pedi
tal
ldown.I
fel
tsat
isf
iedi
mmediat
elyandhappy.
Ohgoodness!I
'
mrel
ievedt
hatIdi
dn'
tdi
eofhunger
.
Ist
art
edcl
imbi
ngthestai
rst
ogobackup.Almost
get
ti
ngtomyroom,Ihear
dandsawaguy,theguy
wit
hNaomi.Hewasonacall
.
Iqui
ckl
yopenedt
hedoorandgoti
nbef
orehecoul
d
gett
omyside.
Hel
ooksf
reeher
e.I
sheper
hapst
hei
rcousi
n?
Wel
l,
it'
snonofmybusi
ness.
*
Atni
ght
.*
Di
ll
ion'
sPOV
Ist
oodclosetothewi
ndowsi
desmoki
ngand
dri
nki
ngatthesameti
mewhenthedoorsuddenl
y
openedr
eveali
ngAndrew.
It
urnedbackt
ofacet
hewi
ndowaf
terr
eal
izi
ngt
hat
hewastheone.
"Hey,you'
rej
ustget
tingback.Damn!I
'
vebeenher
e
sincenoonwait
ingforyou"hesai
dandcameto
standbesi
deme.
"
Yeah"Imout
hedandhescof
fed.
"
Yeah?I
sthatawel
come?Youhaven'
tchanged!
"
"
Iguess"Ir
esponded.
"I
'
llignor
eyourbehavi
ourli
keI'
veal
wayshad"he
saidandIsparedhi
m aglance.
"Al
wayshad?You'
reapai
nint
heass"Ir
oll
edmy
eyesandsai
d.
"Yeahwhatever
!So,howisi
tgoi
ng?Haveyou
gottenasol
idgroundyet
?"Hequest
ioned.
"
Almost
,justneedabout50mor
emen"
:Ir
epl
ied
si
mpl
y.
"Hmm. .
..
youaresti
llgoi
ngaheadwiththi
syour
revengeplan?Well
,Iwon'tt
ryt
oconvinceyou
otherwi
sesinceyourmindisal
readymadeup"he
saidandIshookmyhead.
"
Noonecanchangemymi
ndact
ual
ly"Iadded.
"So,
heardyou'
renol
ongerwi
thVal
enti
na,man.
Whydi dyoubr
eakupwit
hsuchbeaut
y?"He
queri
ed.
"
Idi
dn'
t,
shedi
d"Ir
esponded.
"Real
ly?Yousure.It
rusthermor
ethanyout
ho"he
askedpeeri
ngintomyf ace.
"Buthaveyouseenherl atel
y.Damn!Herbeauty
seemst ohaveadded..
..
butwai t
..
.Isawanot
her
pret
tyAngelenter
ingar oom fewfeetawayfr
om
yourroom.Whot hehellisshe?"Heinqui
red
soundingmorecurious.
Ikeptmut
eknowi
ngwhohewasr
efer
ri
ngt
o.
"Let
'sgodownfordi
nner"Ir
epl
iedi
nst
eadl
eavi
ng
him st
il
lst
ari
ngcuri
ousl
yatme.
He'
l
lgett
oseeheragai
nanyways.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence23-
24
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Whyar
eyouavoi
dingme?
)
Shawna'
sPOV
Ist
ayedinsi
demyr oom thi
nki
ng.Justt
hinki
ng
aboutanyt
hingunt
ilIheardaknock.
"Who..
whoisit
?"Iaskedst
ari
ngatt
hedoor
.The
dooropenedandLuwisshowedup.
"
Whatdoyouwant
?"Iaskedmyeyesgl
it
ter
ing.
"
Well,
it'
sti
mefordi
nner
.Justdeci
dedt
ogetyou
mysel
f"hesai
d.
"
Um.
.um.
.Ineedt
ouset
hebat
hroom,
youcanl
eave.
I
'
llj
oinyouandt
hanks"Isai
dst
andi
nguponmy
f
eet.
Igottot
hebathr
oom doorandt
riedgoi
nginbut
tur
nedtoseehim st
il
lst
andi
ngtherel
eani
ngonthe
door.
It
urnedt
oaskhi
m.
"Ar
en'
tyoul
eavi
ng?Youcanl
eave,
I'
llj
oinyou
guys.
"
Buti
nst
eadhestar
tedapproachi
ngme.Hegott
o
wher
eIstoodandstopped.
"WhydoIhavethi
sfeeli
ngthatyou'
react
uall
y
avoi
dingme?DidIdoanythingwrong?Di
dheget
madatyout oomuch?Ithoughtwewerefri
ends"he
cooedstar
ri
ngdir
ectl
yintomyeyes.
Ibl
inkedandt
ookmyeyesawayf
rom hi
m.
"
No..no,
ofcour
senot
,justwannawashmyf
ace
t
hencomedownafter
wards"Ianswer
ed.
"
Wel
lwashyourface,
Icanwai
t"hest
atedt
hent
ook
f
ewstepsbackwar
d.
Gosh!Idon'
tevennohowt
oavoi
dhi
m.
Inoddedandenteredi
ntot
hebat
hroom t
hen
washedmyf ace.
Ist
aredatthemi
rr
ort
her
eandsi
ghed.Idon'
twant
Dil
li
ontoseeust
oget
her
.
Whatshoul
dIdo?Helooksni
ce,
Ican'tbr
ingmyself
t
otel
lhimthet
rut
h.Andheismyf i
rstmalefr
iend.
Ibi
tmyl
owerl
ipsi
nthoughtbutdeci
dedt
oleti
tgo.
Iwal
kedoutt
omeethi
mthenwebot
hlef
tfort
he
di
nni
ng.
Iwal
kedsl
owl
ybehi
ndhi
mfi
ddl
ingwi
thmycl
oth.
Wegottothedinni
ngandlucki
ly.Justsolucki
lyf
or
me,nei
therDi
ll
ion,
Dil
lyorNaomiwaspr esent,
the
onl
ypersonsi
tedther
ewasSam.
He'slegswer
eplacedontopofanot
herdi
nni
ng
chairwhil
ehepr
essedhisphone.
Isatdownabitfarfr
om bot
hheandLuwisi
n
rel
ieveandaft
erabout10minut
esIst
art
edhear
ing
footst
epsbehi
ndme.
It
urnedtoseethatguyagai
n.Hol
don,
ishej
oini
ng
usfordi
nner?
Butwhothehelli
she?Wil
lheconti
nuestayi
ngher
e
evenaf
tert
onight
?Iwonderedandtr
iednottol
ook
athi
m.
Naomidraggedhi
mtotheothersi
deandt
heybot
h
satf
aci
ngme.Notdir
ectl
ytho.
"SoAndrew,whatexactl
ywillyouli
kef ordi
nner
?I
cantel
lthemaidstostartpr
eparingitbefor
emy
brot
hersshowup"Naomiaskedt heguy.
"Umm...
I'
m okaywit
hanythi
ng,I
'm al
waysokaywi
th
anyt
hing"t
heguy..
.wai
t.
..
Andrewrepl
iedher
.
"Comeon"Naomipout
edl
ikeababyandIhear
d
Sam scof
f.
Itur
nedtolookathim andfoundhi
m gl
ari
ngat
them bot
h.Idon'tr
eall
yunderst
andhi
seyesbutI
knowhei sdi
spleased.
"
It
'sokay,
it'
sokayNaom"t
heguyi
nsi
sted.
"No!
!"Sheshout
edli
keababyandt
ri
edst
andi
ngup
butstoppedl
ooki
ngbehi
ndme.
Myheartski
ppedasthet
houghtt
hatofwhoshe
wasst
aringathi
tatme.
MaybeIshoul
dn'thavecomedown.I
'm notreal
ly
readyt
ofacet
hisguyagain.Myhear
tstart
ed
poundi
ngagai
n.
Idi
dn'tt
urntol
ookathi
m,If
ixedmyeyesont
he
di
nningtabl
e.
"Wher
eisDil
li
on?
"Ihear
dadi
ffer
entvoi
ceaskandI
qui
ckl
yrai
sedmyheaduptoseehistwi
nbrot
her.
Eventhoit
'sharddif
ferentiat
ingbetweenthem but
i
t'
snotentir
elyimpossible.Theirvoi
cesar
e
di
ffer
ent,
thelookintheireyes.They'r
edif
ferent
.
It
hinkDill
ional
sowal
kdi
ff
erentormaybeam
mistaki
ng.
"
Butheleftbef
oreme,
Iwonderwhyhei
snother
e"
t
hatAndrewguyanswered.
"
Well,
wherearet
hemai
ds?Maybehei
sn'
tready"
Di
ll
ygroaned.
"No..
.It
hinkShawnaher eshoul
dgocallhi
m,it'
l
lbe
disr
espectfuleat
ingwi
thouthim"Naomibutt
edin
andmyhear tski
pped.
Wher
eonEar
thwi
llIf
indhi
m?Pl
easehopeam
hear
ingwr
ongl
y.
"
Shawna?
?"Ihear
dNaomi
'
svoi
ceagai
n.
"Whatar
eyoust
il
lwai
ti
ngf
or?Gocal
lhi
m"she
hushed.
AtthatmomentIj
ustwant
edtosqueezehermout
h
shut.WhyonEart
hwil
lshesuggest
sthat
?
Idi
dn'
tmove.
Ij
ustbecamemor
erest
less.
"
Sh.
..
"
"Talkt
oherwi t
hsomer espectNaomi,sheiscl
earl
y
oldert
hanyou.Youar en'
tsupposedtoorderher
around,you'
retheyoungestandheisyourbrother
.
Gocallhim"theAndrewguyi nt
err
uptedherasshe
wasaboutt osayanotherthi
ng.
Ohsweetl
ord!
Naomigr
it
tedherteet
hinangerandst
oodupbut
di
dn'
tmove.Hereyeswerefi
xedonme.
"Whatar
eyouwai t
ingf
or?
"Di
ll
ychi
ppedi
nandshe
pul
ledherchai
rasi
deandmadetol
eavebut
st
opped.
Iheardfootstepsbehindmeandf
igur
edoutt
hathe
i
sr eal
lytheonethisti
me.
ShesatdownbackandDi
ll
ionappear
edandt
ooka
si
ttoo.
Igul
pedhardast
hewai
ti
ngmai
dsst
art
eddi
shi
ng
outt
hedinner
.
"
But.
..Shawna,Idon'
tnoyou.Whoareyou?"Ihear
d
agentl
evoiceaskaswewer eaboutt
oeat.
Il
if
tedmyeyest ost
areathi
m -Andr
ew.Hewas
st
aringi
ntensel
yatme.
"
I.
.I
..
."
Gosh,
whatshoul
dIt
ellhi
m?
Healr
eadyknowsmynameIcan'
ttel
lhi
m myname
agai
n.
AndIcan'
ttel
lhi
m,I'
m Di
ll
ions*xslave.Thati
s
t
otal
lyof
fpoint
.Iwon'
teversaythat.
Wi
thever
ywher
edeadsil
entandhi
sgazeonme,
it'
s
mademewanttopee.
Mypal
msbecamesweat
y,bal
lsofsweat
sst
art
ed
f
ormi
ngonmyfor
ehead.
"
I'
mli
steni
ng"hesai
dagai
n.
"Wel
l,shewon' ttellyou.Sheactual
lycan'
t.Imean
shecan'tbringher selft
otel
lyoubecauseshe' s
act
uallyjustas* xt oy,mybrot
her'
sproperty"Naomi
but
tedinandIf elteverybl
oodinmedr yup.
Ohgoodness!
.
(
School
)
Shawna'
sPOV
I
tfel
tsoawkwar
d.If
eltl
ikedyi
ng.
"Awhat?
?"TheAndrewguygaspedoutobvi
ousl
y
sur
pri
sedtoheart
hat.
If
ixedmyeyesonmydi
nner
.
Iwi
shIcanj
ustst
andupandl
eavet
hisdi
nni
ng.I
j
ustwi
shIcan.
"Di
ll
yisthatt
rue?Who'
ssexwhat
ever
?Your
s?"I
heardAndrewask.
"
Naomigoandeati
nyourr
oom"Ihear
dDi
ll
ionsay.
Il
if
tedmyeyesabi
ttost
areathi
m.
"
DidhesayNaomiordi
dhecal
lmyownname?
"
"What
..
.what?Why?"Ihear
dNaomiprot
estandI
conf
ir
medt hather
eall
ymenti
onedhername.
"
Now!
"Di
ll
ionsnappedandshest
oodup.
"Asi
fwhatam sayi
ngisn'
ttr
ue"shemumbl
edas
shest
ormedoutobviousl
yangri
ly.
"
I'
llal
soeati
nmyr
oom"Ihear
dLuwi
ssuddenl
ysay.
"
Yeah,
sameher
e"Sam al
sosai
dandt
heybot
hlef
t.
Justdi
sappearShawna,
getupandal
sol
eave,
I
mental
lyencour
agedmysel
f.
Ifeelsosouncomf or
tabl
e.IwishIcanalsoleave
butIknowmypl acehereandinor dernott
oget
Dill
ionannoyedIhavetostaysit
ed.
Buti
nordert
of eel
lessuncomfor
tabl
eI'
l
lhavet
o
det
achmyselfawayf r
om her
e.
Ii
mmediat
elydr
if
tedmymindelsewher
eand
st
art
edeat
ingmymealsl
owly.
Fewmi
nut
esl
ater
.
Backinsi
demyr oom.Iagai
nrecall
edwhat
happenedatthedinni
ngandtear
sstar
ted
thr
eateni
ngtospil
lbutImanagedtohol
dmysel
f.
Getagri
pofyour
selfShawna,don'tleti
tbr
eakyou,
Iconsol
edmysel
fandfinal
lyf
ellasleep.
*
Nextday*
Ifl
ushedmyeyesopenasal
oudknockcamet
omy
door.
"Yes.
..
"Irubbedmyeyesandgotdownfr
om t
he
bed.IopenedthedoorandsawLuwi
s.
Okay,
whati
shedoi
ngher
e?
"We'
rel
eavingforMexi
coi
nfewhours.Justgott
he
message,somethi
ngcameup"heannounced
sur
pri
singme.
"
Youcanstar
tprepar
ing,
we'l
lleavet
oget
her
wit
houtt
heboss"heconti
nued.
"Wit
houthim?"Cameoutofmymout
h.Li
keI
'
m ki
nd
ofsurpr
ised.
"Yes,
bef ast
"hecooedandInoddedandshutt
he
doorclose.
Oht
hankgoodness!
I'
l
lgettoseema'am Sandraagai
n.She'
stheonl
y
oneIfeelver
ycomfortabl
ewith.
Maybebecauseshe'
sawomanandshe'
sol
d
enought
obemymot her
.
Irushedi
ntot
hebat
hroom andqui
ckl
yhadmy
bathe.
Fewhour
slat
er.
Sam,
luwi
sandIgoti
ntoaj
eep.
Luwissai
dthatwe'
regonnabeusi
ngapl
anet
ogo
back.
Butwhyi
sn'
tDi
ll
ioncomi
ngal
ong?
Well
,that
'sabi
grel
ievet
ho.It
'sgr
eat.Atl
eastI
won'
tgettoseehi
scoldfaceformaybethr
eedays.
Sam star
tedtheJeep,getti
ngt
othefi
rstgat
e,acar
drovepassus.Ilookedinsi
det
hecarandsaw...
Holdon,isn'
tthi
sValent
ina?It
houghtandstar
ed
keenl
yatt
hecar
.
No,
ther
eisnowayshei
stheone.
ButIkeptst
ari
ngatt
hecarunt
ilIcoul
dn'
tseei
t
anymore.
Ithi
nkImisshert
oomuch,t
hat'
swhyam i
magi
ning
thi
ngs.Butcomet
othi
nkabouti
t.
Wi
llshest
il
lli
keme?Idon'
tno.
Wegottotheai r
portaf
teraboutanhourthenwe
boar
dedapl ane.Theyalr
eadygotourvisaand
ever
ythi
ngready.Idon'
tnohowi thappenedtho.
Andaf
terabout8hour
s.Wear
ri
ved.
Ibecamereal
lyexci
ted.Oh!I
'
m gonnabeseei
ng
ma'am Sandr
aagain.
Howsweet
!
Wecamedownf rom t
hepl
aneandt
herewasacar
alr
eadywait
ingf
orus.Wegoti
nandthecart
ookus
tothemansi
on.
WillIst
il
lbeabl
etoseema'am t
oday?It
'sal
ready
l
ate.Maybeshehassleptof
falr
eady,It
houghtbut
wassurpr
isedt
oseeherwai
ti
ngatt
hef
rontoft
he
mansi
on.
Ismi
ledasIhur
ri
edl
ycamedownf
rom t
hecar
.
"Ohchil
d!Welcome"shecooedspr
eadi
ngherar
ms
apar
t.Iranandembracedher.
"Ohma'am,thanksforwel
comingme, Ir
eal
lymiss
you.Idon'
twanttoevergetsepar
atedfr
om you"I
sai
dasshepat tedmyback.
"SameheredearandIhaveaver
ygoodnewsfor
you"shest
atedasshepull
edmeint
othesi
tt
ing
room.
"
Whatnews?
"Iaskedwi
thmyhear
tsuddenl
y
r
aisi
ng.
Shest
oppedwal
kingandt
hent
urnedt
ofaceme.
"Youfi
nishedhi
ghschoolr
ight
?"SheaskedandI
noddedinconfi
rmati
on.
"Okay,doyouwannaconti
nue?Doyouwannagoto
coll
ege?"Sheaskedagai
nandmyeyeswidened.
"Ofcour
se,
ofcour
sema'
am,
Iwi
lll
ovet
oo"I
beamed.
"Andt
hat'
sthegoodnews,you'
llbest
art
ingschool
soondear
"shesaidandIgasped.
"Real
ly?
"Iaskedandsheshookherheadi
n
confi
rmati
on.
"
Ohmygoodness!
"Iexcl
aimedandhuggedher
.
That'
sal
waysbeenmynumber2dr
eam.Ican'
t
bel
ievet
his!
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence25
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Soannoyi
ng)
Ear
lyt
hatdayi
nMexi
co.
Val
ent
ina'
sPOV
Andr
ewhadaskedmet
ocomeovert
oMar
k's
quar
ter
s.Marksquar
ter
siswher
eDi
ll
ion,
myex
boyf
ri
endli
ves.
Iwon'tl
ie,
Ibecamereal
lyexci
ted.I
'
vebeenl
ooki
ng
forachancetoseeDil
li
onagainandIt
hinkt
hisi
s
thebestoppor
tuni
ty.
Valenti
nesaidshewasgonnaf ol
lowmeandIlet
her.Iknowshehasabi gcrushonDill
yandwon'
t
everhidei
t.Ithi
nkit'
ssomethi
ngbiggert
hana
crushtho,Iar
en'tr
eall
ysur
e.
Idrovepastajeeponget t
ingint
ot hemansion,t
hen
Iparkedi
nt hegarageandcamedown.Thi sisn'
tthe
fi
rstti
mecomi nghere,butIfel
treall
yner
vous.
Extremel
ynervous.
"HeyTi
na,hit
her
eTine"wehear
daf
ami
li
arvoi
ce
andtur
nedtoseeAndrew.
Hewasshi
rt
lessandwashol
dingapl
ate.
Ibeamedsmi
lesathi
m.
"Andr
ew!"Ti
nehol
ler
edobviousl
yhappyt
oseehi
m.
Thensheranandembracedhim.
"
HeyTi
ne,
betyoumi
ssedmer
ight
?"HeaskedandI
l
aughed.
"
Whowoul
dn'
t"Ir
epl
iedandhesmi
rked.
"Yeah,
I'
m cut
er i
ght.Wellt
hanks,Igett
hatal
ot"hi
s
smirkgrewwiderandIlaughed.
Al
waysboast
ing,
alwayst
alki
ngabouthi
slooks.
"
Comeoni
n"heusher
edusi
n.
"
Um.
..
isDi
ll
yar
ound?
"Ti
neaskedhi
m.
"Nope,
heleftf
orthecompanyf
ewminut
esago"he
answeredherandshemadeasadf
ace.
"
But..
.Di
ll
ioni
sinhi
sroom,
wannaseehi
m?"He
t
urnedtomeandasked.
"
Em...
"Igul
pedasthenervousf
eel
inginme
r
etur
ned.Ithadvani
shedwhenIheardhi
s'
svoi
ce.
"Ofcour
seAndrew,doyouhavet
oask?
"Ti
ne
butt
edinrol
li
nghereyes.
"
Okayj
ustgotohisroom,youst
il
lrememberhi
s
r
oom r
ight
?"HeaskedandInodded.
ThenImovedmylegsandst
artedcli
mbi
ngthe
st
air
ssuddenl
yrecal
li
ngt
helastti
meIhadseen
hi
m,t
hedayIendedt
her
elat
ionshi
p.
Nott hatIdon'tl
ovehim,Idobuthisalwayssocold,
i
ntroverted,andwon'tevermoveon.Hiscold
characterir
rit
atest
hehel loutofme.Whycan'the
belikeAndr ew?
Andrewisli
vely.Alwaystr
yingtomakeyoulaugh
wheneveryou'rewithhi
m.Di l
lyi
sal
sobett
er,not
t
oocold,farbettert
hanDill
ion.
Ihadrecei
vedacallf
rom abart
enderonthatday,
thebart
enderhadcal
ledandtol
dmet ocomeget
him.Ihadjumpedint
oacabandr ushedt
ot hebar.
Hewaswast edandIknowit'
sbecausehecouldn'
t
l
etgoofhispast.
Ifel
tsoirri
tat
ed,
ifhe'
dgot
tendr
unkbecauseof
happinessorsomethi
ngmorebet
ter
.I'
dunderst
ood.
He'salwaysli
kethat
,al
waysmessedupwithhis
past.
Butthesurprisi
ngthi
ngwast hatIhadactuall
y
askedhim outmyselfandheacceptedbutIwas
sti
llt
heonet hatendedthi
ngsbetweenus, not
becauseIhatedhim butbecauseofhiscoldness
butInoheal
wayshaveawei
rdgoodsi
dei
nhi m.
Heactsli
keanor
malhumanonceinawhi
le.
Igottohi
sdoorandknockedoni
twi
thmyhear
t
beati
ngabitf
ast
erthanusual
.
"
Geti
n"Ihear
dhi
m sayi
cil
y-Asal
ways.
Ihesi
tat
edbeforepushi
ngthedooropen,Igoti
n
andsawhim standi
nginfr
ontofhi
swi ndow.He
wasalsosmoking-Asusual.
"Hey"Itr
iedmaki
ngmyvoicesoundf
ir
m andst
rong
butitcameoutal
lcr
ackedup.
Heturnedimmedi at
elyandl
ookedatmemaki
ngmy
hear
tskip.Idon'tnowhy,maybe.
..
just
maybe...
arr
g..
.Idon'
tno.
Hedidn'
tsayanyt
hingf
orabout2mi
nut
es,
hekept
st
ari
ngatme.
"Whatareyoudoi
nghere?Didn'
texpectt
oseeyou
here?"Hetur
nedbackandfacedthewindow,
then
asked.
If
eltast
ingi
nmychest
.Hehasn'
tchanged.
"
Um.
.yeah,
Andr
ewact
ual
lysentf
orme.Sai
dto
meetupher
e"Isai
d.
"
Gladt
oseeyou"Iadded.
"Sameher e"herepl
iedobviousl
y..
.okayIdon'
tnoi
f
her eal
lymeantitbyrepl
yingsameher e.Heshoul
d
atleastlookatme.Whyi shealwaysaghost .
Hi
sphonest ar
tedri
ngi
ngimmedi at
elyandhe
i
nser
tedhishandintohist
rouserpocketand
br
oughtouthisphonethenplacedi
tonhi searaf
ter
pi
cki
ngupt hecall
.
"Toschool,
Yeah"thecal
lwasshor
tandt
henhe
droppedthecal
l.
"Gl
adtoseeyout
oobutI'
vegatt
ogo"hebr
ushed
pastmeandmadefort
hedoorannoyi
ngt
hehell
outofme.
"
Isthisawayt ot
reatsomeone,Dil
li
on?Can'
tyouat
l
eastpretendt or
eall
ymi ssme?Can'tyouj
ustdo
t
hat?"Ishriekedandfeltl
ikebi
ti
nghisheadoff
.
Soannoyi
ng.Whydidgodcr
eatehimt hisway?Why
i
shesohandsome?Ifhewasn'thandsome, I
'
m
sur
eIwouldhavegott
enhi
m completelyoutofmy
head.
TBCSol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence25
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Soannoyi
ng)
Ear
lyt
hatdayi
nMexi
co.
Val
ent
ina'
sPOV
Andrewhadaskedmet ocomeovert
oMar k'
s
quar
ters.Marksquar
ter
siswher
eDil
li
on,
myex
boyf
riendli
ves.
Iwon'tl
ie,
Ibecamereal
lyexci
ted.I
'
vebeenl
ooki
ng
forachancetoseeDil
li
onagainandIt
hinkt
hisi
s
thebestoppor
tuni
ty.
Val
enti
nesai
dshewasgonnafol
lowmeandIlet
her
.Iknowshehasabi
gcrushonDil
lyandwon'
t
everhi
dei
t.It
hinkit'
ssomethi
ngbi
ggert
hana
crusht
ho,
Iaren'tr
eall
ysur
e.
Idrovepastajeeponget t
ingint
ot hemansion,t
hen
Iparkedi
nt hegarageandcamedown.Thi sisn'
tthe
fi
rstti
mecomi nghere,butIfel
treall
yner
vous.
Extremel
ynervous.
"HeyTi
na,hit
her
eTine"wehear
daf
ami
li
arvoi
ce
andtur
nedtoseeAndrew.
Hewasshi
rt
lessandwashol
dingapl
ate.
Ibeamedsmi
lesathi
m.
"Andr
ew!"Ti
nehol
ler
edobviousl
yhappyt
oseehi
m.
Thensheranandembracedhim.
"
HeyTine,betyoumi
ssedmer
ight
?"HeaskedandI
l
aughed.
"
Whowoul
dn'
t"Ir
epl
iedandhesmi
rked.
"Yeah,
I'
m cut
er i
ght.Wellt
hanks,Igett
hatal
ot"hi
s
smirkgrewwiderandIlaughed.
Al
waysboast
ing,
alwayst
alki
ngabouthi
slooks.
"
Comeoni
n"heusher
edusi
n.
"
Um.
..
isDi
ll
yar
ound?
"Ti
neaskedhi
m.
"Nope,
heleftf
orthecompanyf
ewminut
esago"he
answeredherandshemadeasadf
ace.
"
But..
.Di
ll
ioni
sinhi
sroom,
wannaseehi
m?"He
t
urnedtomeandasked.
"
Em...
"Igul
pedasthenervousf
eel
inginme
r
etur
ned.Ithadvani
shedwhenIheardhi
s'
svoi
ce.
"Ofcour
seAndrew,doyouhavet
oask?
"Ti
ne
butt
edinrol
li
nghereyes.
"
Okayj
ustgotohisroom,youst
il
lrememberhi
s
r
oom r
ight
?"HeaskedandInodded.
ThenImovedmyl egsandstart
edcli
mbi
ngthe
st
air
ssuddenlyrecal
li
ngthel
astti
meIhadseen
hi
m,thedayIendedtherel
ati
onshi
p.
Nott hatIdon'tl
ovehim,Idobuthisalwayssocold,
i
ntroverted,andwon'tevermoveon.Hiscold
characterir
rit
atest
hehel loutofme.Whycan'the
belikeAndr ew?
Andrewisli
vel
y.Al
waystr
yingtomakeyoulaugh
wheneveryou'
rewi
thhi
m.Di l
lyi
sal
sobett
er,not
t
oocol
d,f
arbet
tert
hanDi
ll
ion.
Ihadrecei
vedacallf
rom abart
enderonthatday,
thebart
enderhadcal
ledandtol
dmet ocomeget
him.Ihadjumpedint
oacabandr ushedt
ot hebar.
Hewaswast edandIknowit'
sbecausehecouldn'
t
l
etgoofhispast.
Ifel
tsoirri
tat
ed,
ifhe'
dgot
tendr
unkbecauseof
happinessorsomethi
ngmorebet
ter
.I'
dunderst
ood.
He'salwaysli
kethat
,al
waysmessedupwithhis
past.
Butthesurprisi
ngthingwast hatIhadactuall
y
askedhim outmysel fandheaccept edbutIwas
sti
llt
heonet hatendedt hi
ngsbetweenus, not
becauseIhatedhi m butbecauseofhiscoldness
butInoheal wayshaveawei rdgoodsideinhim.
Heact sl
ikeanor malhumanoncei nawhile.
Igottohi
sdoorandknockedoni
twi
thmyhear
t
beati
ngabitf
ast
erthanusual
.
"
Geti
n"Ihear
dhi
m sayi
cil
y-Asal
ways.
Ihesi
tat
edbeforepushi
ngthedooropen,Igoti
n
andsawhim standi
nginfr
ontofhi
swi ndow.He
wasal
sosmoki
ng-Asusual
.
"Hey"Itr
iedmaki
ngmyvoicesoundf
ir
m andst
rong
butitcameoutal
lcr
ackedup.
Heturnedimmedi at
elyandl
ookedatmemaki
ngmy
hear
tskip.Idon'tnowhy,maybe.
..
just
maybe...
arr
g..
.Idon'
tno.
Hedidn'
tsayanyt
hingf
orabout2mi
nut
es,
hekept
st
ari
ngatme.
"Whatareyoudoi
nghere?Didn'
texpectt
oseeyou
here?"Hetur
nedbackandfacedthewindow,
then
asked.
If
eltast
ingi
nmychest
.Hehasn'
tchanged.
"
Um..yeah,
Andrewact
ual
lysentf
orme.Sai
dto
meetuphere"Isai
d.
"
Gladt
oseeyou"Iadded.
"Sameher e"herepl
iedobviousl
y..
.okayIdon'
tnoi
f
her eal
lymeantitbyrepl
yingsameher e.Heshoul
d
atleastlookatme.Whyi shealwaysaghost .
Hi
sphonestar
tedri
ngi
ngimmediat
elyandhe
i
nser
tedhi
shandintohi
str
ouserpocketand
br
oughtouthisphonet
henpl
acedi
tonhi
searaf
ter
pi
cki
ngupt hecal
l.
"Toschool,
Yeah"thecal
lwasshor
tandt
henhe
droppedthecal
l.
"Gl
adtoseeyout
oobutI'
vegatt
ogo"hebr
ushed
pastmeandmadefort
hedoorannoyi
ngt
hehell
outofme.
"
Isthisawayt ot
reatsomeone,Dil
li
on?Can'
tyouat
l
eastpretendt or
eall
ymi ssme?Can'tyouj
ustdo
t
hat?"Ishriekedandfeltl
ikebi
ti
nghisheadoff
.
Soannoying.Whydidgodcr
eatehimt hisway?Why
i
shesohandsome?I fhewasn'thandsome, I
'
m
sureIwouldhavegott
enhi
m completelyoutofmy
head.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence26-
28
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
AnewShawna)
Shawna'
sPOV
Iwokeupwithasmil
eonmyface.I
'
m gonnast
art
col
legepr
obabl
ytomorr
ow.
Soexci
ted,
sosoexci
ted.
Icamedownfr
om thebedandr ant
othebathroom
toweeandwashmyf ace.Af
terdoi
ngthatIl
eftin
sear
chofma'
am Sandra.
Ont
hewayIbombedi
ntoBeat
ri
ce.
RememberBeat ri
ce,oneofthemaids.Areal
lyni
ce
gi
rlandsheismysecondf avor
it
epersonhereaf
ter
ma'am Sandra.Shedoesn'
tbehavesassyli
kemost
ofthem coul
dalwaysglareatme.
"HeyShawna,Iwasonmywaytoseeyou,sor
ryI
didn'
twaitupf
oryoul
astni
ght
,Isl
eptof
f"she
apologi
zed.
"
It
'sokayBeat
ri
ce,
ma'
am expl
ainedt
hingst
ome
al
ready"Ir
epl
ied.
"
Okay,
sohowI
sMexi
co?
"SheaskedandIsmi
led.
Idon'tnowhyIsmiled,maybebecauseI'
mt oo
exci
tedaboutschooli
ng,It
hinkt
hat'
sjusti
t.Coul
d
ther
ebeot herr
easons?
"
Goodgreat,
isma'am up?"Ii
nqui
redaswest
art
ed
wal
kingdownsidebyside.
Fastf
orwar
d..
..
Twodaysl
ater
..
..
Iopenedmyeyesandj
umpedoutofbed.
Todayi
stheday,
todayIf
inal
lyst
artschool
.
Ihavebeenpr
epar
ingf
ori
tfort
hispastt
wodays.
Di
ll
ioni
sn'
tyetback.Luwi
svi
sit
edmeyest
erday.
Idon'
tnohowtopushhi
m awaysoIj
ustl
ethi
mto
stayt
il
lhewast
ir
edofst
aying.
Ir
anintot
hebathroom af
ter
wards,hadat
hree
minut
esbathe,
brushedmyt eet
handranoutback.
Thecl
othesI
'
m supposedt
oweart
oschoolt
oday
gotsel
ect
edyest
erdaybyBeat
ri
ce.
Ican'tr
eal l
ybeli
evethi
s.Ser
iouslymegoingto
school,Ilostal
lhopeshonestl
y.IwonderisDi
ll
ion
approvedt hi
s,doesheknowoft his?I
she
responsible?
Idon'
tnobutI
'
m st
il
lver
yexci
ted.
Aft
erputt
ingonthedress,Icarr
iedt
hesmal land
ver
yfancyhandbagwithaf ewbooksinitandstood
i
nfrontofthemi
rrort
ost areatmysel
f.
OhShawna!
Aknockcameatt
hedoorandbefor
eIcoul
danswer
t
hedooropenedr
eveal
ingBeat
ri
ce.
"Mor
ning,Icametocheckuponyoujusti
ncase
you'
resti
llt
urni
ngar
oundonthebed"shesai
dand
smil
ed.
"Ofcoursenot
,I'
m al
lready"Ispr
eadmyar
msapar
t
andturnedtofaceher
.
"Ummm. ..
.nope,
youar
en't
.AtyourageShawna,
youaresupposedtomakeguyst r
ipser
iousl
yfor
you.Iknowyou'rer
eal
lybeaut
if
ulbutyouneeda
l
it
tl
ebitofmakeup"shesai
dandwal
kedovert
othe
makeuptabl
e.
Shepushedmedownont
hechai
randgr
abbedt
he
makeupkit
s.
"
Staycal
m"shemout
hedandst
art
eddesi
gni
ngmy
f
ace.Lol
.
Fewmi
nut
esl
ater
.
Ist
oodatthegaragewithSam,
ma'
am Sandr
aand
Beat
ri
cereadytoleave.
Ma'am Sandr
apersonal
lyaskedSam t
obemy
dr
iverf
ortodayandheagreed.
Idi
dn'
teveneatbreakf
ast
.Li
keIdon'tevenhavean
appet
it
e,Ij
ustwannagettoschool
,that
'st
heonly
i
mportantt
hingr
ightnow.
"OkShawna,al
lthepaper
syouneedareri
ghti
nsi
de
yourbag"ma'
am Sandrasai
dandInodded.
"
Sinceyouref
usedtoeatyourbr
eakfast
,t
akeandat
l
easteatl
unch"shesai
dhandingafewdollarnot
es
t
ome.
"
No.
..
I'
m okay,
I'
m ser
iousl
ynothungr
y..
."
"
Fornow"shei
nter
rupt
edandsqueezedt
hemoney
i
ntomyhand.
"
Thanksma'
am"Icooed,
happy.
"
Yeahgoon"sheurgedandIgotint
othebackof
t
healr
eadyopenedcarandsatdown.
"
ByeBeat
ri
ce"Iwaved.
"Bye,makesur
eyoust
udyhar
d"shesmi
ledand
start
ed.
Sam st
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveout
.
Af
ter30mi
nut
eswear
ri
ved.
"Okaythi
sisi
t,I
'
llbebackhere,
3:15pm topi
ckyou
up,makesureyouwaitformerighther
e"Sam
announcedasIgotdownf r
om thecar.
Myeyesr
unni
ngr
oundt
hebi
gcol
lege.
Comeon,
li
ket
hehel
l!Won'
tIgetl
osther
e?
I
t'
stoobi
g.
It
houghtasIst
oodatapoi
nt.
Unknown'
POV
Yeahjustsi
ght
edher
,thespyi
sri
ght
,Isai
dint
othe
phone.
Sinceit'
sherfirstday,appr
oachandtakehert
ot he
regi
stryoffi
ce.From therebecomecl
osetoher,you
not hat
'stheplan,areplycame.
"
Yesyes,
under
stood.
"
.
.
(
Mar
k?)
Shawna'
sPOV
Afterstandi
ngthereforalongti
me,Ili
ft
edmylegs
togoi nsearchoftheregi
stryof
fi
cebutohgosh,I
noticedstudent
sstari
ngatme.Al otofst
udent
s
especiall
ythemales,makingitr
eall
yuncomfor
tabl
e
forme.
WhyonEart
haret
heystar
ingatmeli
ket
hat
,huh?
I
ssomet
hingonmyface?Iwonder
ed.
Okay,
nowthatt
heyarestar
ingatmewhi
choneof
t
hem shoul
dIquest
ion?
"Hi
"Ihear
dasoftvoicesaybehindmeandItur
ned
toseeaguy.Hi
sfingerst
uckedintohi
str
ouser
pocket
.Hi
slowcuthairdyed,he'
sinal
lbl
ackoutf
it
.
Okay,Idon'
tunder
standwhyam descr
ibi
ngat
otal
st
ranger?
"Hi
"Icri
ngedabi
tandhel
dmysmal
lshoul
derhand
bagproper
ly.
"Um..
.Icanseet hatyou'
renewhere,
Ial
so
regi
steredyester
day.Lemmeshowyout othe
regi
stryoffi
cebecauseit
'shardfi
ndi
ngt
heoffice
evenwi thdi
recti
ons"hecooed.
"
Um.
.r
eal
ly?Thatwi
llbeni
ce"Ist
ruggl
edandsai
d.
It
'ski
ndofwei
rdspeaki
ngtoat
otalst
ranger
.I'
m
notcommonwithi
tatall
.
"Okaylet
'sgo.
..
.butf
orgi
vemymanners,Ishoul
d
haveintr
oducedmyselffi
rst
.Mynameismat t
hias"
heintr
oducedandextendedhishandf
ora
handshake.
Ist
aredathisext
endedhandandt
henhisf
ace.I
don'
tfeelcomfor
tabl
edoi
ngthi
sbutIwon'
tact
rudel
ytohi
m andheal
sowant
stohel
pri
ght
?That
's
all
.
Iext
endedmyhandt
owar
dshi
sandshookhi
shand.
"
I'
m Shawna"Ial
soi
ntr
oducedandhesmi
led.
"
Nicename,l
et'
sgo"heurgedandInoddedand
f
oll
owedaft
erhim ashewalkedabi
taheadofme.
Ikeptst
ari
ngatthestudent
s.Thedr
essmostof
them ar
eputt
ingon,ohgosh!
Ar
etheybi
t*hes?
?It
hought
.
OhShawnapleaset
akeal
ookatyour
sel
ftoo,
my
i
nnermindt
oldme.
Weconti
nuedwalki
ngwi
thmefol
lowi
nghi mfr
om
behi
ndunti
lhest
oppedi
nfr
ontofanoff
ice.
"
Thi
sisi
t,I
'
llwai
tforyou,
goon"hepoi
nted.
"
Okayt
hanks"It
hankedwi
thasmugsmi
le.
Butdi
dhej
ustsay,
I'
llwai
tforyouher
e?
Ist
oppedandstar
edathim andj
ustasi
fheread
mymindhesaid"I'l
lal
soshowyoutoyourcl
ass,
hel
pyougetalockerandt
henshowyouaround."
Wowt hat
'sgreat
.SeemsI'
m wel
comedhere.
Someonealreadytr
eat
ingmespeci
all
yatmyfir
st
day?That
'sawesome!
Ismil
edagainandf
inal
lyknockedatwhatseems
l
ikeametalorgl
assdoor,can'
treal
lyt
ell
?
"
Comeoni
n"at
hickvoi
ceanswer
edme.
Igul
pedandt
henopenedt
hedoort
hengoti
n.
"
Goodmor
ningsi
r"Ii
mmedi
atel
ygr
eet
ed.
Themanwho'
seyesar
eonhi
slapt
opl
ookedupat
me.
"Mor
ningsitdownandpresentyourdetai
ls"hesaid
andIsatdownandopenedmybagt henbr ought
outt
hefil
egivenbyma'am Sandralastni
ght.
Iextendedt
hepaper
stowar
dshi
m andhecol
lect
ed
them..
"
So,yournameisShawnar
ight
?"Heaskedasi
fhe
wasn'
tseei
ngitt
here.
"
Yessi
r"Ir
epl
iedhappyt
ho.
"
Shawnamar
k,
"headdedsur
pri
singme.
"Um.
..nosi
r,mysur
namei
sn'
tmar
k"Isai
d,ki
ndof
conf
used.
"Buti
t'
swri
tt
enherethatyouar
enowbear
ingmar
k"
hepoint
edatthepaperandsai
d.
Okay,
what
'sr
eal
lyhappeni
ng?
.
.
(
Back!
)
Shawna'
sPOV
"
Yesmi
ss,
aren'
tyout
heonebear
ingt
henameor
..
."
"Am theonesi
r,Iam,
Iam.
.Mar
k"Ir
epl
iedhi
m and
hesighed.
"
Okay,
signt
hesepapers"heinst
ruct
edpushi
ng
f
orwar
danothersetofpaper
stome.
Icoll
ect
edem, pi
ckedupapenf r
om mybagand
start
edfi
ll
inginthenecessar
ydetai
lsnotf
orget
ti
ng
thatmysur nameisnowmar k.
Didma'am Sandr
achangei
t?Butwhothehelli
s
evenMark?Orcanitbeanerr
or?Di
ff
erentt
hought
s
keptf
lyi
ngintomyhead.
Aft
erawhil
e,If
ini
shedupandhandedt
hepaper
s
backt
ohim.
"Al
ri
ghtShawnamar k,youhavealongwayt ogo
seei
ngthatyoustoppedschooli
ngthreeyear
sago.
YouhavealotofcatchinguptodoI'
lladvi
seyouto
concent
rat
emor e"hesaidandInodded.
"
Thankyousi
r,Iwi
ll
"Iadded.
"Asksomeonetot akeyoutothecleri
calstaf
fof
fice.
You'l
lbecoll
ect
ingyourkeylockerthere.Youar
ea
speci
alstudent
,regist
rat
ionst
oppedawhi l
eago
butem youwereal l
owed.
"
Okaysi
r,t
hankyou"Ismi
ledst
andi
ngupt
oleave.
"Youcango"hedi
smi
ssedandIopenedt
hedoor
andgotoutsomuchhappy.
Fi
nal
lyast
udent
!!
I
mmediatel
yIgotout
,thef
ir
stper
sonmyeyes
l
andedonwasmat hi
as.
I
'
devenf
orgot
tenabouthi
m.
"
Soyou'
renowast
udent
?"HeaskedandInodded.
"
Thanks"Iadded.
"
Forwhat
?"Heasked.
"Um.
..
.f
orbr
ingingmehere,
I'
m gr
atef
ulforthat
,
nowcanyoupleaseshowmet ot
hecler
...
"
"YeahIknow,thi
sway"hepointedandstart
ed
l
eaving.If
oll
owedhimfrom behindexci
tedl
y.I
couldn'
thi
demyhappiness.
Ineveri
maginedt hatI'
dbeablet
ogot oschoolever
againespeci
all
yt hemomentstepfathersol
dmet o
as*xhouse.Thisi spurel
ymir
acle,
Ithinkmom and
dadarebothwat chingoverme.
Hetookmef arawayf
rom t
hatpar
ti
cul
arbui
ldi
ng,
wewal kedandwalkedbef
orewegottomy
dest
ination.
Iknockedont
heof
fi
cedoorandwenti
naf
ter
heari
ngarepl
y.
Mi
nut
esl
ater
.
Webot hwal
keddownt hehall
waysearchi
ngformy
l
ocker.TheMatt
hiasguywasst i
llwi
thme.Hehad
of
feredtodoal
ltheseearl
ierwit
hme.
Inot
icedsomest
udent
ssti
llstar
edatme,
thati
s
notmyconcer
nthobuti
sstrange.
Wesuccessf ul
lyfoundmyl ockerwi
thaS15onit.
Mat t
iasact
uallyfoundit
.Hehasshapeeyes,Idon'
t
reall
yknowhi m butIt
hinkheisreal
lyni
cetobe
helpful
.Alotofpeoplewon'tdoallt
hese.
"ThankyouMat t
ias"Ibeamedsmi l
esathim asI
unlockedt
helockerwitht hekeygi
ventome.I
openeditandfoundouti tneedsacleanup.
IguessI'
l
ldothatl
ater
,It
houghtandcl
osedi
tback.
Probabl
yduri
nglunch.
"
Nowf
inal
lyt
oyourcl
ass.
"
"
Whatcour
sear
eyoust
udyi
ng?
"Heasked.
"
Busi
nessmanagement
"Ianswer
ed.
"
Wowr
eal
ly?
"Hei
nqui
redandInodded.
"Samewithme, guesswe'r
ecoursemat
ethen"he
saidandIchuckledthennodded.
"
Let
'sgo,
I'
llshowyout
her
e,wher
eisyourt
ime
t
abl
e?"
Fewhour
slater
.Cl
assesar
efi
nal
lyover
.Isi
ncer
ely
enj
oyedt
oday.
Ican'
trememberthelastt
imeIwast
hisexci
ted.
Li
keI'
m overexci
ted.
Mattiashadevensatdownwi t
hme, he
accompani edmethr
oughouttoday.Andnowheis
walkingwithmetotheplacesam haddroppedme
earl
iertoday.
Itol
dhim nott
owor
rybutheisjustassist
ingin
ever
ythi
ng.Sosomeguysareactual
lythisnice?
That
'sawesome.
West oppedatthatpoint,hewaseventheonethat
pointedoutthepart
icularpointt
ome.Iwasabit
confusedbecauseoft hewidenessandfamil
iar
it
y
oftheschoolbuthehadhel pedout
.Heismy
saviourfort
oday.
Hestoodagainwit
hmebringi
ngupr
andom t
opics
unt
ilhesi
ghtedSam comi
ng,t
hemanneri
nwhich
hel
eftshockedme.
ButI
'm happyhedi
d,Ir
eal
lydon'
twantDi
ll
iont
o
knowaboutit.
Sam st
oppedthecarandIgoti
ntot
hebacksi
t.
Aft
ersi
tti
ng,
Ili
ft
edmyeyesandsawLuwi ssi
ti
ng
besi
deSam.
"
Luwi
s!"Ical
ledsur
pri
sed.
"
HeyShawna,
whowast
hatguy?
"Heasked.
"
Um.
.whatguy?
"Iaskedpr
etendedl
y.
Ican'
tbel
ievehesawMat
ti
asf
rom af
ardi
stance.
"
It
'syourfi
rstdayShawna, youareal
readyhavi
ng
malefr
iends"Sam chippedinwit
halightl
augh
makingmeembar rassedandashamed.
"
Well.
..
heshowedmear
ound,
that
'sal
l"Ir
epl
ied
t
rut
hfull
y.
"Becaref
ultho,thebosscamei
njustf
ewhour
s
ago"Sam chippedinagai
n.
Myeyeswi
dened.
He'
sback?
?Iwant
edt
oscr
eam buthel
dmysel
f.
"Di
dyousayheshowedyouar
ound?
"Luwi
str
ied
bri
ngi
ngbackol
dtopi
c.
"
Wel
lyeah,
that
'sj
usti
t"Ianswer
ed.
"That'
snotjusti
t,makesur
eyoudon'
ttal
ktohi
m
again"Inot
icedhesoundedabi
tangr
y.
"Youdon'
ttr
ustever
yoneyousee"headdedand
Sam l
aughedhard.
"Lookathi
sface"Sam poi
ntedatl
uwi
swhoi
ntur
n
slappedhi
shandoff.
"Don'
teverpoi
ntatmyfaceyouc*
ntsuck*
r"Luwi
s
growl
edbutSam onlyl
aughedhar
der
.
Idon'
tevenunder
standt
hebot
hoft
hem.
ButDi
ll
ion?Hei
sback?
Ohgosh,
hopeIwillnol
ongergeti
ntot
roubl
ewi
th
hi
m.Iwil
ltr
y.Iwi
lltr
y!
Hemightmakemestopschool
ing.No!Idon'twant
t
oimaginet
hepuni
shmentsoIbetterbehave.
Youhavetoreal
lybehave.Doever
ythi
ngheaskyou
todo.Makeyoursel
fstr
onger.
Butwon'
tSam andLuwi
stel
lhi
m aboutMat
thi
as?I
pr
aynot.
Af
teranhourandsomemi
nut
esl
aterwear
ri
ved.
Sam parkedintheparki
nglotandweal lcamedown.
I'
dthoughtthatI'
l
lbeabletoruni
nandexpl ainmy
daytoma' am Sandr
abutwi t
hthethoughtthat
Dil
li
onisback,Iwon'tt
rythat
.Imightrunint
ohim
andhemi ghtpunishme.
Iwal
kedslowl
yint
othesit
ti
ngr
oom,ever
ywher
e
wasdry.I
t'
susual
lydr
y.It
henwal
kedupthest
air
s
tomyroom.
Iopenedthedoorandgoti n,
Imadetoclosethe
doorbutcoul
dn'tbecauseaforcewasrestr
aini
ng
me.Ilookedouttosee..
..
.myhandsfel
lofffr
om the
doorhandlei
mmedi atel
yIsawhim -Di
ll
ion.
"
In30seconds"wasal
lhesai
dbef
orel
eavi
ng.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence29-
30
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Whyi
shesocl
ose?
)
Shawna'
sPOV
Istar
edathi
mi nfearashevani
shed.Iwal
kedto
thebedanddroppedmybaganxiouslywonder
ing
whathereal
lywanted.
Shoul
dIt
akeabathef
ir
st?Whoknows.
..
butheonl
y
gavemeseconds.
Nono, i
t'
sjustaminute.Icantriski
t,It
houghtand
ranoutoftheroom t
ohi s.Igottohi
sandmett he
doorsli
ghtl
yopened,Ipushedt hedoorasideand
walkedinful
lytot
heroom.
Hewassi tedonhi
sbedandwasdoingsomethi
ng.I
couldn'
tseewhathewasdoi
ngthobecausehewas
backingme.
Ishutthedoorcl
oseandwalkedupt
ohim.Istood
wit
hoututter
ingaword.Heshoul
dknowthatI
'
m
here.
Hedidn'
treactt
omypresenceforal
ongtimeand
nowIcanseewhatheisdoing.HeIsact
uall
y
readi
ngsomedocumentswithhim.
Ist
oodcl
oset
o5mi
nut
esbef
orehef
ini
all
yspoke
up.
"
Taket
hatandgetout
"he'
svoi
cecameouthoar
se.
Il
ookedoveratwhathewasref
erri
ngto.I
t'
sa
packagei
naboxandt heboxi
sinsideasmallwhi
te
nyl
on.
Igulpedandwal keduptothesmallpackagesi
tt
ing
onhisdr essi
ngtable,
Ipi
ckedthecontentupand
tur
nedt olookathim.
Iwonderwhat
'si
nsi
de,i
sitagoodt
hingorabad
thi
ng?Shoul
dIsayanyt
hing?
Ohgosh!I
'
m soconf
used.
"Whatar
eyouwai
ti
ngfor?"Herai
sedhi
sheadup
andstar
edatmecur
iousl
ywhichmademyheart
beatf
aster
.
"No.
..nothi
ng"Ir
epl
iedandquickl
ylefthi
sroom,on
gett
ingtomineIopenedthesmallpackageatt
he
door
.
Ididn'
tbotherreadi
ngallthat'
swrit
tenonthe
packagebeforegetti
ngthet hi
ngout.Iwashandli
ng
i
twi t
hspeedandsomet hingfel
loutofif
.Itookmy
eyestolookatt hewrappedlit
tl
ethi
ngand
discover
edittobeanearpi ece.
Myhear
tski
ppedabi
t,It
hendecidedt
oreadthe
whol
est
uffwri
tt
enonthepackageanddi
scussedi
t
t
obeaphone.
Thesmal
lpackageal
mostf
ellof
fmyhandt
oo.
What
???
?Ani
phone?
Chr
ist
!Coul
dthi
sbeami st
akeoram Ipr
obably
dr
eaming?It
houghtasmyeyesbli
nkedrepeat
edl
y.
Wit
houtthi
nki
ngmuch, Ipickedt
heear pi
eceup,
t
urnedandopenedt hedoorbackandranout,outt
o
l
ookforma'am SandraorevenBeatr
ice.
Thiscan'
tberealr
ight
?Theyhavet
ohel
pin
confi
rmingi
t.
Igott
otheot
hersideandlucki
lysawma'
am
Sandr
aandBeatr
icewalki
ngouttoget
her
.
I
mmedi
atel
yIsawt
hem,
smi
lesf
ormedonmyf
ace.
"
Ma'
am!
"Ical
ledf
eel
inghi
gh.
"Whatisit
?Didsomet
hingterr
ibl
ehappen?
"Her
eyeswidenedassheasked.EvenBeat
ri
celooked
confused.
Ishookmyheadnegat
ivi
tyandpr
esent
edt
hewhol
e
thi
ngtothem bot
h.
Beatr
icecol
lect
editandopenedi
tpr
operlyt
hen
openedanothersi
deofitpl
acedi
na..
.sl
immer
package.
"I
t'
saphoneShawna, whogavethist
oyou?
"
Beatr
iceaskedhereyesdi
lat
ing.
"
Iwantedt
oconfir
mi fi
t'
sreal
,It
houghtIwas
i
magini
ngthi
ngs"Ichuckl
edandsaid.
"Howdidt
hisgeti
ntoyourhandShawna?
"Ma'
am
Sandr
aaskedcuri
ousl
y.
Ibr
eat
hedheavi
lybef
orer
espondi
ng.
"I
t'
ssi
rDil
li
on,
hegavet
hist
omej
ustnow"I
answer
ed.
"Wow!Real
ly?
"Beatr
iceexclai
medl ooki
ng
sur
pri
sedbutma'am Sandrajustnodded.
"Justhandl
eitcar
eful
lyShawna,i
t'
syoursnowand
bytheway.Howwasschoolt oday?"Shei
nqui
red
andmyt ummyr umbled.
It
'srumbl
edinhungerandprobablyhappi
ness
causeri
ghtnowIcan'tr
eal
lyexplai
nhowIf eel
.
"
Itwasgr
eat
..
..
"
Ineedtodosomet hi
ng,Ist
oppedasIwasaboutt
o
narr
ateal otofthi
ngstothem.Isnat
chedt
hephone
fr
om Beat r
icethentur
nedbackandrantot
hemain
buil
ding.Ineededtothankhim.
Thi
sisact
ual
lyunbel
ievabl
e!
Irantohisroom breat
hlessl
yandwhenIgotthere,
I
stoodwonderingifIshouldj
ustpushthedooropen
andenterbutIdecidedtoknockinst
ead.
Iknockedonthebedandar
esponsef
oll
owed
i
mmedi atel
y.
"
Getl
ost
"waswhatIhear
dandmyhear
tfel
l.
Doesheknowt
hatam t
heone?Ionl
ywantt
othank
hi
m andnothi
ngmor
e,Ithoughtsadl
yandt
urned
backandl
eftf
ormyroom.
Onget
ti
ngt
omyr
oom Ist
art
edj
umpi
ng.
Ohmom!Ican'
tbel
ievet
his!
Thi
sreal
lyhappenedtoyourdaught
er.Shef
inal
ly
gotaphone,shegott
otouchaphone.Shegotto
ownone.
Mat
hias'
sPOV
"
Howdi
ditgot
oday?
"Thebossasked.
"I
twentwell
,perf
ectl
ywell.She'
scluel
ess.She
doesn'
tsuspectathi
ng"Ianswered.
"Real
ly?Howsur eareyou?Shemi ghtj
ustbe
playi
ngalong,t
hatli
tt
lebratcompanionarer
eal
l
y
smart.Theyhavenoseeverywhere."
"I
'
m sureboss,
100per
cent
.She'sanewbieand
doesnotknowhowthi
ngsrun"Ii
nsi
sted.
"Okayt
hen,makesureyoumakehert r
ustyoureal
well
.She'
l
lbeveryusefultous.Veryveryusef
ul,i
f
possi
blymakeherfal
linlovewithyousoeverythi
ng
wil
lbemucheasier
."
"Under
stood,I
'
lldoasyousay.Won'tl
eavehersi
ght
evenforthesl
ight
estminut
es"Iensur
edandhe
nodded.
"Yeah,It
rustyouMatt
hias.Youhavemybl oodi
n
youandIbel i
eveyoucantakeont hatt
winin
whateverplanhehaslai
dalltheseyear
s.Begui
ded
-Always."
Shawna'
sPOV
Myhear
thasbeenf
ill
edwit
hhappi
ness.Al
lthese
ar
ehappeni
ngj
ustl
ikethat
?
I
t'
sli
keaMi
racl
ebutI
'
m gr
atef
ul.
Ihaveaphone,
thenextt
hingt
odoi
stol
ear
nhow
tousei
t.
AknockcameatthedoorandIqui
ckl
yst
oodup
andwenttoopeni
t.
"
Luwis?"Ical
led,
happi
nesscoul
dn'
tbehi
ddeni
n
myvoice.
"HeyShawna,
youlookhappy.What'
sup?"He
askedashewalkedi
nuninvi
tedbutIdi
dn'
tmindas
Ishutt
hedoor.
Hewentst
rai
ghtt
omybedandt
othephoneoni
t.
"Yougotanewphone?
"Heaskedwi
thhi
sbr
ows
perkedup.
Ismi
ledasIgotcl
osert
ohi
m.
"
Hegavei
ttome,
maybeasagi
ft
"Ir
epl
ied.
"He?Whoisthehe?Thatguyatschool
?"Heasked
alr
eadyannoyed.
"
No,
it'
stheboss,
hegavei
ttome"Icor
rect
edhi
m.
"
Oh!
"Wasal
lhesai
dbef
oreput
ti
ngdownt
hephone.
"Canyouoperat
e?Thi
sisthenewestmodel
.Can
you?"HeaskedandIshookmyheadnegati
vit
y.
"Idon'
tevennohowt
otur
niton"Ir
epl
iedsadl
yand
hechuckled.
"You'
rewhat
?Akid?"Heteasedashegr
abbedt
he
phoneanddidwhat
everbeforet
urni
ngi
ton.
Ibeamedseei
ngt
hatt
hephonewascomi
ngt
oli
ve.
Myphone!Myf
ir
stphoneever
!
"
Oh!Icanseet
hatever
ythi
ngi
sal
readyputi
n
pl
ace"hemumbl
edasheoper
atedi
t.
Myeyesremai
nedf
ixedcur
iousl
yont
hephoneas
heoper
atedi
t.
"Her
e'smynumber,youcancal
lmeanyt i
meyou
want.Eveni
nthemiddl
eofthenight
,I'
m al
ways
avai
labl
eforya!
"Hesaidmaki
ngmechuckl e.
What
'shesayi
ng?Eveni
nthemi
ddl
eoft
heni
ght
?
"
Butyouknowwhat
?"HeaskedandIr
epl
iedwi
tha
"
no"
.
"
Maybeyoushouldgif
tthephonet
ome, I
'l
lgetyou
anewone"hesuggest
edhavingaser
iousfaceon.
If
rownedi
mmedi
atel
yandshookmyhead.
"No!No!Iwon'
t"Ianswer
edf i
rml
yandtri
ed
grabbi
ngthephonefrom hi
m buther
aisedi
tup.
Istooduponmyf eetandkeptont
ryi
ngt
ogethol
d
ofthephonebuthekeptmovi nghi
shandin
dif
ferentdi
rect
ion.
Ihi
thisl
egint
heprocessandalmostf
ellbuthe
caughtmeandtur
nedme,makingmelieont hebed
wit
hhimfaci
ngme.
Seei
ngthecl
osenessbet
weenusmyeyeswi
dened.
Whyishesoclose?
Iwasabouttogetupbutst
oppedmoving
i
mmediatel
yIheardthedoorf
lungopen.
.
(
Sol
dout
)
Shawna'
sPOV
Myhear tbeatr
api
dlyi
ncr
easedastheper
sont hat
pushedthedooropenwalkedi
nandthenstopped
onseeingLuwisandIint
hatposi
ti
on.
Igul
pedandsatupthenshi
ft
edawayf
rom Luwi
s
whoalsosatpr
oper
lyonthebed.
"
Shawna,
what'
sgoingonher
e?"Ma'
am Sandr
a
whoj
ustwal
kedinasked.
Shehasasur
pri
sel
ookon.
"Um..
.he..
.I
..
"Ist
ammeredt
hinki
ngofwhatt
orepl
y
butcouldn'
tfi
ndany.
"Iwast
eachingherhowtousehernewphone,
I'l
l
getgoi
ng"Luwiswastheonethatanswer
edaf
tera
l
ongsi
lence.
Iwatchedhim ashegotupandl
eftaf
ter
war
ds
shut
tingthedoorbehi
ndhim.
Ifel
twei
rd.Itf
eltweirdthatma'am Sandr
ahadt
o
fi
ndmeint hatpart
icularposi
ti
onwi t
hhim.
Ifi
ddledwit
hmyf i
nger
s,myeyesfixedonthefl
oor.
Iknowit'
swrong.If
eelgui
lt
y.WhatifDi
ll
ionf
inds
out?
OhI'
ll
besodeadi
fhefi
ndsoutbutIknowma'
am
Sandr
awon'
tsel
lmeout.
"Youcal
ledhi
mt ocomet eachyouhowt ooper
ate
yournewphone?"Ma'am Sandrasuddenl
yspoke
upwalki
ngtositonchaircloseby.
"
Yes.
..
noactual
ly,
hejustvi
sit
edandknewabout
t
hephone"Iansweredt
urni
ngt ol
ookather
.
"Don'tt
ryitagai
n,don'
ttr
yt ogetsoclosewithhi
m.
Youdon' tknowhim,evenifyoudoknowhi m as
l
ongasyou' r
ehereandyou'reDil
li
on'
s..
..
."she
sighedandcontinued.
"
Mypoi
nther
eis,
mai
ntai
nsomedi
stancewi
thhi
m.
I
twon'
tbesogoodonceDill
ionf
indsoutt
hatyou
t
wowereact
uall
ythatcl
ose.
"
"Lemmet el
lyouonethi
ng.Dil
li
onactuall
yhates
sharing.That'
swhyhehasneverbeent oahot el
j
ustt oplaywithsomerandom slutf
orthenight.He
willneverdothat,
heisreser
vedsohehat esit.
Havet hatinmind"sheconcl
uded.
"
Anywaysexpl
ainhowtoday'
scl
assesact
ual
ly
went
"shesai
dafterapause.
*
***
*
*Nextday*
*
Iwal
kedi
ntot
hecol
legegat
e.Sowi
ld.
Luwishadactual
lybroughtmet oschooltoday.
Ma'am Sandr
asaidI'
llbeassignedtomyper sonal
dri
versoonbutnotnowsoshehadper sonally
askedLuwistobri
ngmet oschoolandIi nturntol
d
himtodropmeof fattheschoolgate.
Iwannawal
kinmysel
f,Iwannat
akeagoodl
ook
ar
oundbymysel
f.
Hedr
oppedmeof
fli
keIt
oldhi
m andIst
art
ed
pr
oceedingi
nsi
de,
looki
ngf
rom l
eftt
ori
ghtf
eel
ing
soexci
ted.
Ihaven'
twal
kedf
orl
ongbef
oreaf
ami
li
arf
igur
e
showedup.
"Matt
hias"Ical
ledst
oppi
ngdeadonmyt
rack.He
stoodfaci
ngme.
"
Hey,
how'
reyou?
"Heasked.
"
I'
m good.You'
reear
ly?
"Iasked.
"Yes,
I'
m al
waysearly.Whowasthatthatbr
ought
youtoschool
?Yourboyfri
endoryourdri
ver?"He
answeredandaskedaswebothproceededahead.
"
Nope,he'
saf
ri
end.Youcancal
lhi
m af
ri
end"I
r
epl
ied.
"Wow!Hemustbeagoodonet obringyouto
schoolever
yday.Youmustbel
ucky"hecooed.
"
Um..
.yeah"Ishr
uggednotwant
ingt
oreveal
any
mor
ethingtohim.
"
So,
youmustber
ich,
huh?
"Hesai
d.
"
Huh!
"
"Yeah,l
ookatyourdressi
ng.Apoorpersonwon' t
wearthis.Evenyourdr
essingyest
erdaylooked
expensi
vet oo"hewentonandIkeptlookingathi
m
confusi
ngly.
Imeanwhyt
hisconver
sat
ion?
"I
'
m sor r
yt oaskbutwhoexactlyisyourf ather
?I'
m
nottrynainter
rogat
ebutum. .
IthinkIl
ikeyousoi n
ordertoletmyf eel
ings.
..
."
hestoppedtalkingwhenI
stoppedwal ki
ng.
"I
'
m goi
ngtoofararen'
tI?ButIseri
ousl
yli
keyou,so
Iwantt
oknowi fI
'
m goodenoughf oryou,
that
'si
t"
hesai
dlowlyhi
sgazeont hefloorl
ooki
ngsopiti
ful
.
"Um..
.Matthi
as,
I'
mr eal
lysor
ryt
oaskbuthow
comeyousuddenlyli
keme?Wej ustmetyest
erday,
didn'
twe?
"Iquesti
oned.
"Yes,butIcouldn'
tstopthinki
ngaboutyou.Your
accent ,
youraura.Thewayyoust ar
e,yourprett
y
facecoul dn'
tdi
sappearfrom myhead.Tot el
lyou
thetruth,youarethereasonIcameearly"he
explainedsurpri
singme.
"
Re.
.r
eal
ly?Youl
ikemet
hatmuch?
"Iaskedandhe
nodded.
"
Doyouhaveaboyf
ri
end?
"Hewentonandasked.
Irai
sedmyhandtot
hehai
rcover
ingmyeyesand
pushedi
tbehi
nd.
HowcomeIdon'tfeel
goodabouthi
mliki
ngmeand
all
.Ir
eal
lydon'
twantthi
sbutwhatt
hehellshoul
dI
tel
lhi
m?
"
Yes,
Ido.
..
um.
.Ido"Ist
utt
eredandhi
sgazef
ell
.
"I
shet heonethatdroveyou?"Heaskedagai
n
sadnesslacedinhisvoicemakingmefeelki
ndof
bad.
"
Um.
..nope"Ir
epl
iedandhenodded.
"Okay,Igeti
t.Butwecanbef
ri
endsr
ight
?"Hesai
d
extendi
nghishands.
"
Off
ici
alf
ri
endsorcl
osef
ri
ends"headded.
"
Uh.
.yeah"Ishookhi
shandandhesmi
led.
"
Nowlet'
sgett
ocl
ass"hecooedandIagr
eedand
f
oll
owedhim.
Shoul
dIf
astf
orwar
d??
?Ofcour
se.
..
..
Fastf
orwar
d!!
!
Twoweeksl
ater
.
Luwi
s'
sPOV
"
Sam"Ical
ledaswebot
hwal
kedi
ntot
hegar
age.
"
Yes"heanswer
ed.
"
I'
vebeenhavi
ngsuspi
cions"
Isai
d.
"
Huh!Aboutwhat
?"
"
AboutShawna'sfr
iendinschool
.Idroppedheroff
i
nschoolyest
erdayandsawhi m.Icamedownf rom
t
hecaranddecidedtofoll
owhim."
"Real
ly?Guyyou'
rejustj
eal
ous.From t
heveryst
art
,
youhavebeenjeal
ousbutdon'tf
orgetshe'
sthe
boss'
sgirl
"hechuckledandsai
d.
"Nolist
en,helooksfamil
iarSam.Ihaveseenhi
m
somewher e.Ihaveseenthebastar
dsomewhere
beforebutcan'trememberwhen,whereandthe
reasonwemet "Isai
dscrat
chingmyhead.
"Thentr
ytor
emember"hepokedmeandsai
dthen
conti
nuedwal
king.
"
I'
lltellt
hebossabouti
t"Isai
dandhest
opped
walkingthenfacedme.
"Youwanttoputheri
ntr
oubl
edon'
tyou?
"Heasked
hiseyesopened.
"I
t'
sactual
lygoodifheget
'sangr
yather.Thatwi
ll
betomyadvant age"Ir
epl
iedhi
m andhepulleda
puzzl
edlookon.
"
Meani
ng?
"Heasked.
"
Meani
ngyou'
llneverunder
stand"Iwi
nkedathi
m
t
hent
urnedt
ogot alktohi
m.
Heisdef
init
elysomeonenotgood.Ifnothewon't
l
ookfamil
iaratall
,It
houghtandhastenedmysteps
andsoonIwasst andi
nginfrontofhi
soffi
ce.
Iknockedoni tbutdi
dn'tgetar
epl
y.Ikepthear
ing
hisvoi
cewithouthearingasecondvoi
ce.Hemi ght
bespeakingintohisphone.
ThedooropenedandheshowedupandIam r
ight
.
Heistal
kingi
ntoaphone.
Hel
eftthedooropenedandwal
kedbackt
ohi
ssi
t
whi
leIclosedi
tandwalkedupt
ohim.
Heroundedupwi t
hthecal
landgavemean
expect
anteyes.
"
Whati
sitl
uwi
s?"Heasked.
"Thereissomethingsuspici
ous, Imeansomeone
suspici
ous.Iseehim around..
.aroundShawna, at
school.Shesaidhe'safri
endandt heyar
er eal
ly
real
lyclose"Inarr
atedandhe'sbr owsperkedupt o
star
eatmemor eseri
ousl
y.Af rownalsoappear ed
onhisf ace.
Il
ikei
ttho.
"
Whoi
she?
"Hehushed.
"
Idon'
tkn.
..
."
"
Thenf
indout
"hei
nter
rupt
edseemi
ngl
ymor
eangr
y.
"I
'
lldot
hat
"Irepl
iedandst
art
edl
eavi
ngwi
thasmi
le
onmyface.
Don'
thateonmewhenyoufindoutIsol
dyouout
Shawna.I'
m doi
ngt
hisf
orusboth.
TBC
Okaywhatdoyout
hinkl
uwi
sisact
ual
lydoi
ng?
Hewant
sDi
ll
iont
oact
ual
lygetmadatShawna.
Ther
eissomet
hinggoi
ngon.
..
.
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence31-
32
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.

(
Idon'
twannadi
e)
Luwi
s'
sPOV
"
Hey,
yout
oldhi
m?"
"Seri
ousl
y?"Sam askedasIgotoutt
omeethi
m st
il
l
atthegarage.
"Yeah,i
sn'
tittimeyet?LemmegogetShawna.I
wannauset heopportunit
ytogett
hatbast
ard"I
saidandcollectedabunchofcarkeysf
rom hi
m.
Iunl
ockedacarnear
byandgoti
n.Thendr
oveout
i
nful
lspeed.
Igott
othef
rontgateandstopped.I
t'
shighti
me
shecomesoutwit
ht hebast
ard.I
t'
shighti
me.
Il
eanedont hecarwi t
hmyeyesf ocusedi
nt he
di
recti
onshef ol
lows.Itdi
dn'tt
akeuptofi
fteen
minutes,sheshowedupwi t
hhim.Immediatel
ythe
bastardsightedme, hehurri
edl
ygaveShawna
whateverandst art
edleavingwhichmoti
vatedmea
l
ot.
Heact
swei
rd.Thebast
arddef
ini
tel
yknowsme.
Iwalkedupt
oShawnahur
ri
edl
y,handedt
hekeyst
o
her
.
"
Waitf
ormeinthecar"Isai
dandwi
thoutwai
ti
ng
f
orarepl
yranaf
tert
hebastard.
Henot
icedt
hatIwasf
oll
owinghi
m andhest
art
ed
r
unni
ngandasexpect
edIranaft
erhi
m.
Damn!Idon'
tnomywayar
oundher
eorI
'
drounded
hi
m of
f.
Iconti
nuedr
unningafterhi
m,herani
ntotheschool
hall
waymakingstudentsmoveawayinfear
.I
f
oll
owedhi
m andheent
eredi
ntot
hemal
etoi
let
.
Hewasaboutsl i
dingdownbuthel
dhimselffr
om
fal
li
ng,somet
hingf el
lof
fhi
spocketdur
ingthe
process.
Ibenttopi
ckitupanditwashi
swal
let
,Il
ookedup
anddidn'
tfi
ndhim agai
n.
"F**
k*ngbastard!
"Icussedandyankedt hewall
et
open.Iempti
edallt hecont
entandbroughtouthi
s
ID.Hiswal
letcontainedaboutthr
eecardsini
t.I
tookthet
hreecardsandl efthi
sempitedwall
eton
thefl
oorandthenl eftt
omeetupwi t
hShawna.
Shawna'
sPOV
I
'
m sur
pri
sed,
real
lyr
eal
ly.Whydi
dluwi
sleavel
ike
t
hat
?
Whowasheafter
?It
houghtst
ari
ngatt
hedi
rect
ion
hehadf
oll
owed.
Aft
eraboutt
wentyminutesofwaiti
ngforhi
m,he
fi
nal
lyshoweduplooki
ngabitpissed.
"
Luwi
s,whathappened?
"Iaskedi
mmedi
atel
y.
Hebur
iedt
hef
aci
all
ookandbr
oughtoutanewone.
"Um..
IthoughtIsawsomeoneIknew,Ifoll
owed
aft
erem anddiscover
edthathewasn'
ttheone.I
wasmi st
aken,sorr
yforkeepi
ngyouwaiti
nghere
andwhydi dn'
tyougetint
othecar?
"Heexplai
ned
andasked,coll
ecti
ngthecarkeysf
rom me.
"Um..
..
Idon'
treal
lynohowt
ousei
t"Ir
epl
iedal
so
get
ti
ngintot
hecar .
If
indhe'
sst
oryunt
ruet
ho.
Heigni
tedt
heengi
neofthecaraf
terget
ti
ngi
nand
soonwewereonourway.
"Umm..Shawna,canIaskyouaquesti
on?"He
tur
nedsli
ghtl
yandstaredatmebecauseIwas
sit
ti
ngbehindhi
m.
"
Okay,
goon"Ianswer
ed.
"Thatguy,yourf
riend.Whati
shel i
ke?Ij
ustwanna
know,it'
sokayifyoudon'tt
ellme"hesai
dandI
shrugged.
"
He'
scool
"Ir
epl
iedsi
mpl
y.
"Don'
tyouknowanythi
ngelseabouthi
m?Li
kehe'
s
backgr
ound?*Heaskedagain.
"Well
..
.um..
.It
hinkhe'
sfrom apoorfamil
y,heis
tr
yingtobeperfect
,togethi
sfamilyoutofpoverty.
That'
sallIknowabouthim"Iansweredtruthf
ull
y.
"
Okaaayyy.
..
justt
hat
?Okcool
!"
"
Yeah"Ishr
uggedagai
n.
"
Don'
tyoul
ikehi
m?"Ii
nqui
red.
"No.
..no,
Iwantyoutocont
inuebei
ngf
riendswi
th
him.Becomemor ecl
osewithhi
m"herepli
edwhi
ch
baff
ledme.
"Real
ly?Ishouldbecomecl
oset
ohim.Whyisthat
?
Youalwaystoldmenottoall
owanyguygetcl
ose
tomeespeci al
lyhi
m"Isai
d.
"That'
sbecauseguysar edanger
ousandIdi dn'
t
knowhewasf rom apoorbackground.Thedudeis
clear
lyharmlesssogetclosert
ohi m"hecooedand
Inoddedhavingal i
ttl
edoubton.Ican'tf
athom i
t
buttherei
ssomet hing.
Theconver
sati
ondi
eddownaf
teral
it
tl
ewhi
leand
boom we'
rehome.
Aboutt
hepastweeksanyway.I
'
vebeenoccupi
ed
wit
hschoolandmynewphone.Di
ll
iondoesn'
tcal
l
oraskf
orme, ever
ythi
ngi
sgoi
ngsmoothl
y.
Matt
hias?AboutMat
thi
as,
hei
smyonl
yfr
iendf
or
now.
Hehasagreedtol
etgoofwhateverf
eeli
ngshe
haveandbecomenormalf
ri
endswi t
hme.Heisa
coolguyi
fyouaskmebutheactswei r
dsome
ti
mes.
Idon'
tknowwhythobutIignor
eit
.Justl
ikeLuwi
s
sai
d,he'
spoor
,he'
sharmless.
Icamedownfrom t
hecarandheadedfort
hedoor
butwasmetwithastandi
ngDil
li
on.Hewas
blocki
ngt
hedoorentr
anceweari
nganangryf
ace
on.
Itmademyheartbeatbecomef
ast
er,
ithasnever
happenedbef
ore.
"Luwis,gi
vemet hekeys"hedemandedashe
stret
chedhishandforthtol
uwiswhocametost
and
behindme.
Luwi
shandedt
hekeyst
ohi
m andheusedi
tin
unl
ocki
nganot
hercar
.
"Comeher
e"heraspedwi
thoutlooki
ngatmebutI
knewIwastheonehewasr ef
erri
ngto.I
t'
scan'
tbe
l
uwisri
ght
.
Istar
edatLuwiswhol ookedl
ikehehadnoideaof
thesit
uat
ion.Ishoul
deredandfol
lowedhi
mi nt
othe
car.
Hehadi gnit
edit
.Isatdowninthebacksidebuthe
commandedmet ositatthef
rontbesi
dehim, I
obeyedandsatatthefrontsi
tbesidehi
mi nfear.I
don'tknowwhyhei ssuddenl
yactingli
kethi
s,I'
m
cri
pplingout.
I'
m scar
edofthisman.Especi
all
ywi
tht
hef
acehe
hasonrightnow.
Herever
sedthecaranddr oveoutoft
hebig
compound.Outoft
hef i
rstgate,
secondgat
e,and
thel
astgat
eandintotheroad.
Hedr ovenormall
yf orawhi
leunti
lhegott oa
cert
aincrosssecti
on.Hereversedthecarand
star
tedoffint
oahi ghwaythatdoesn'thavemuch
carsrunningonit
.Thatwaswhenhest art
eddri
ving
atacr
azyhi
gh-
speed.
Igotal
armedi
mmedi
atel
y.Myhear
tbeati
ncr
eased
agai
n.
Asift
hatwasn'
tenoughhei
ncr
easedt
hespeed
agai
n.
"OhmyGod!!"Idi
dn'
tknowwhenIscreamedout
.I
havebeent
ryingt
ocontrolmysel
f.
Shortl
ywegoti nt
oabridgesti
lli
nful
lspeed,
the
roofofthecaropenedandbreezespeedit
sel
fint
o
thecarandbleweveryt
hingup.Myhairwasallover
theplace.
Ihel
duntot
hecart
ight
lyst
il
ltr
yinghar
dtocont
rol
myscreami
ng.
Hei ncr
easedthespeedoft hecarwhenwest art
ed
goingdownt hebridgeandmyhear tskippedwhenI
sawacarcomi ngaheadofus.Itwasj ustli
kethe
carwewer ein,itwasalsocomingwithspeed.
Hedidn'
taver
tort
urnthesteer
ingmaki
ngme
wonderi
fheisact
uall
ybli
ndorsomethi
ng.
Wegotr
eal
lycl
oset
othei
ncomi
ngcarandIhadt
o
t
urnt
ohi
m.
Ican'
tdi
ethi
sway.
"
Sir
..
.si
rDi
ll
ion"Ical
ledal
mostt
ouchi
nghi
shand.
"
There.
.t
hereisacar.
..
ther
eisacar
"Ipoint
ed
f
orwardbuthedidn'
tpaymeanyattent
ionmaki
ng
myfearsincr
ease.
It
urnedt
oseethecarr
ighti
nfr
ontofus,
ital
most
cr
ashedbutt
hatwaswhenheavert
edthecar.
Isi
ghedandplacedmyt wohandsonmyfast
beat
ingchest
,tear
sthr
eateni
ngtospi
ll
.
Whatishedoi
ngagain?I
sthi
ssomeki
ndof
puni
shmentorwhat
?
I
tdidn'
ttakeuptof
iveminut
esagai
n,wesawa
t
ruckont heot
herl
ane.
Thensuddenl
yDi
ll
iont
urnedandf
acedt
hatl
ane
whichmademescaredagai
n.
Thet r
uckwasmovingi
nf ul
lspeed,
Dil
li
oncame
facetofacewit
hit
,wi
ththespeedofthetr
uckit
l
ookedasi fi
thasl
osti
tsbreaksbutwhatthehel
lis
Dill
iondoi
ng?
Ist
art
edf
eel
ingt
heur
get
opuke.Thespeedi
stoo
much.
Di
ll
ionkeptdr
ivi
ngf
aci
ngt
henowi
ncomi
ngt
ruck.
"SirDil
lionpl
ease,wear egonnadiei
fyoudon'
t
crosstot heotherlane"Thet
ruckoccupi
edthe
whol elane.Heturneddeafearstomeand
continuedgoing.
"Ohgosh!Please!
!Wear
ereal
lygonnadi
e"Icr
ied
andtouchedhisarm.
Heturnedtoglar
eatmemeaningIshoul
dgetaway
f
rom him buthel
lIcoul
dn'
t.
"
PleaseNo!
!!
"Icr
iedandhel
dhi
sar
m mor
efi
rml
y.
"
Areyoucr
azy?Getyourhandsof
fme?
"Heyel
led.
"Noplease,
don'
tgetuski
ll
ed.Idon'
twannadi
e"I
pleaded.
"Leavemyf**
k*nghandal
one!
'Hegr
oanedand
pull
edawayfrom me.Het
hrewmyhandsasi
deand
thenIcl
osedmyeyes.
It
hinkI
'mfi
nal
lygonnabeseei
ngmyparent
sagai
n,
It
houghtast
hetruckwasnowver
ycl
ose.Ther
e
wasnowayagai
n.
Icl
osedmyeyesandawai
tedt
hecr
ash.
.
.

(
Twof
aced)
Shawna'
sPOV
Iti
ght
enedmyeyeswait
ingforthet
imet
hatI
'
m
gonnadi
ebutnot
hinghappened.
Wit
hmyhandscover
ingmybot
heyes,
Iwonder
ed
whatwasgoi
ngon.
Ii
nst
eadhear
dthedooropen.
Iuncover
edmyeyestoseethatt
het r
uckstopped
ri
ghtinfr
ontofusandDi
ll
ioni
salreadyout
sidethe
car.
Theur getopukecameagai nandIopenedt heother
sideandimmedi atelyreleasedeveryt
hinginsi
demy
mout h.If
eelweak, scared,sick.If
eelal
ltheter
ri
ble
thingsint
hewor ld.
Thedr
iveroft
het
ruckcamedownwi
thapar
cel
.
"
Boss"Ihear
dhi
m cal
l.
"
Sor
ryf
orcomi
ngl
ate"t
hedr
iversai
dconf
usi
ngme.
Dot
heyknoweachot
herorwhat
?
Hehandedthepar
celt
oDi
ll
ionwhocol
lect
edi
tand
peepedi
ntoit
.
"Howaret
heot
her
s?"Di
ll
ionaskedhi
seyesont
he
parcel
.
"
Theyar
egoodbossbutum.
..
Ihavegotapr
obl
em"
t
heguysai
d.
"
Whati
sit
?"Di
ll
ionaskedl
ooki
ngupt
ohi
m.
"Thecops,
theyareonmyt
ailandt
hey'
l
lbeher
e
anyti
mesoon";
theguyr
epl
ied.
Ohmygosh!Thecops?It
hought
.
"Youknowhowt
oaver
tthem,
don'
tyou?
"Di
ll
ion
askedhim.
"Ofcourse,I'
mjustworryi
ng,si
ncei
t'
salreadywit
h
you.Youmi ghtwanttoleavenow.I
ftheygetme
theycan'tgetanyt
hingoutofmenow"hesai d.
"
Theycan'
tgetmeeit
herifthat'
swhatyou'
re
wor
ryi
ngabout,
goon.Becar eful
"Dil
li
onsai
dfor
t
hefi
rstt
imeinacoolconcernedtone.
"
Yessir
"theguyr
epl
iedandbowedal
it
tl
ebef
ore
t
urni
ngbacktohi
str
uck.
Hegoti
n,st
art
edt
het
ruck,
movedbackandl
eft
.
I
tdi
dn'
ttakeuptof
ivemi
nut
es,
west
art
edhear
ing
t
hecopssir
en.
Dill
ionturnedtolookatme, heprobabl
yhasn'
t
noticeduntilnowthatIam outsi
de.He'
seyeswent
downt ot hestuf
fIvomitedandhemadeani r
ri
tat
ed
facewhi chgotmeembar r
assed.
Iwipedmymout hcleanwit
hmyhandandwant
ed
toopenthedoorbuthestoppedme.
"Heywait"hehushedandwentt
otheboot
h.He
broughtoutatabl
ewaterandt
hrewi
ttome.
Icol
lect
edi
tinr
eli
ef,
Iwashedmymout
h,myhands
andevenmyface.
Bythet
imeIwasdonethecopsalr
eadyshowedup.
Aboutt
hreeoft
hecopscarst
oppedaroundus.Two
copsmencamedownf
rom t
hecarandcamet
ous.
"
Hey,di
dyouseeanytruckar
oundher
e?"Oneof
t
hem askedst
ari
ngatDil
li
on.
Dil
li
onwasn'
tlooki
ngatthem,hewasdoi
ng
somethi
ngorhidi
ngtheparceli
nsi
det
hecar
.
"
No"heanswer
edbr
ingi
nghi
sheadoutoft
hecar
.
"OhMrMar k"t
hecopexcl
aimedandhe'
seyes
diver
tedt
ome.
"I
'
m sosorr
y, Ineverknewyouwer
etheone"t
he
copapol
ogized.
"Yeah,
it'
sokay"Di
ll
ionr
epl
iedwi
thasmi
rkon.A
verydi
rtyone.
It
hinkt
hisguyi
stwof
aced.
"So,
youdidn'
tseeanyt
ruckar
oundher
e,huh?
"The
copaskedagai
n.
"
Ofcour
se"r
epl
iedDi
ll
ion.
"
Alr
ight
,we'
lll
eaveyounow.Sorr
yfordi
stur
bing"
t
hecopsaidthelastpar
tst
ari
ngatme.
"
Hey!Let
'sgo"t
hecopwavedatt
heot
her
s.
Theygotint
othecarandwasaboutgoi
ngbef
ore
Dil
li
onstoppedt
hem.
"
Youmi ghtwantt
ocheckoutthi
sside,Ithi
nkisaw
atr
uckdownt her
eonmyway.Iar en'
tsuretho"
Di
ll
ionpoint
edataver
ydif
ferentdi
rect
ion.
Goodness!Thi
sguy.Hei
ssomet
hingel
se.
"
YeahthanksMrMark,weappr
eciat
e"thecops
t
hankedhim andf
oll
owedhi
sdirect
ion.
IheardDil
li
onsighi
mmediatel
yandhegotint
othe
car,Idi
dn'
tneedhimtot
ellmebefor
eIopenedthe
othersi
deandgotin.
I
mmedi
atel
yhest
art
edanddr
oveof
f.
*
Whenhef
inal
lyar
ri
vedIcoul
dn'
tbeari
tanymor
e.
Mychestpai nshasst
art
edagai
n.Hedrovecrazi
ly
roughlyonourwayback.Al
mostcol
li
dedwiththree
dif
ferentcar
s.
Howam Isureheisnotdoingt
hist
oreal
lyscar
e
me?I
twon'tkil
lhi
mt odri
venormal
ly.
Heevengotmenow.
Hecamedownf rom t
hecarandlef
timmediatel
y
l
eavi
ngmel eani
ngont hecar
.Myhandsplacedon
myhurt
ingchestwit
hmyeyest i
ghtl
yshut
.
Ohchrist!WhenwillIst
opfeel
ingthispai
n?Thi
s
ter
ri
blepainalwayscausedbyf ear
.It'
sbecomi
ng
unbearablef
orme.
Aft
errest
ingforashortwhi l
e,Ideci
dedtogoin.
Thepaindidn'
tleaveme, i
tjusthookedmearound
mychestregionbutIsti
llmanaged.
Ibombedi
ntoma'am Sandr
aonthewaywho
l
ookedsur
pri
sedseei
ngmei nt
hatst
ate.
"Whati
sit?"Whatiswr
ongwithyouShawna?She
askedconcernedandf
earvi
sibl
einhervoi
ce.
"
I'
m...
okayma'
am,
Ijustneedacupofwat
er"I
r
epli
ed.
"
Okaysithere"sheledmetothecouchandmade
mesitwhil
esher anaroundandgotmeacupof
wat
er.
Shegavei
ttomeandIsi
ppedf
rom i
t.
"
Shawna,
areyousur
eyouareokay?
"Sheasked
t
ryi
ngtor
emovemyhandfrom mychest
.
"
No.
..
it
'sokay"Imut
ter
ed.
"Noyou'r
enotokay,youlookl
ikeaghost
,who'
s
bloodgotdr
ained"shesaidwhichmademechuckl
e.
Aghostwho'
sbl
oodgotdr
ained?Whatdoest
hat
mean?
Ist
art
edf
eel
ingdi
zzy.
"
Shawna!
!"Thecal
lwasdi
stant
.
"
Areyour
eal
lyokay?
"
"You'r
epassi
ngout!Yourtemperat
ureisr
aisi
ng!
"I
keptheari
ngma'am Sandradi
stantvoi
ceunti
lI
couldn'
tseeorhearathi
ngagain.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence33-
34
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.

(
Ifyouwanthert
odi
e)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Shawnawasi mmediatel
yrushedt ot
hehospi
talby
ma'am SandraandBeatr
icenaroundt
heti
meshe
fai
nted.Sam whowasalsoar oundwast
heonet hat
drovethem t
othehospit
al.
Ma'am Sandradidn'
tknowwhatt
othi
nkast
he
doctor
sattendedtoShawna.
Whatisreal
lywrongwi t
hher?She'snotpregnant,
I'
m sureoft
hatsowhatcouldbewr ong?She
thoughtasshesatatthehospi
talsitout
sidethe
hospit
alward.Beat
ri
cewaswi t
hher .
Aft
erabout40minut
eslat
er,theheaddoctorcame
outoft
heemergencyroom Shawnawasr ushed
i
nto.
Ma'
am Sandraknowshim ver
ywel
l
,hei
sact
ual
ly
Di
ll
ion'
sper
sonaldoct
or.
"Mat
thew,whati
swrongwit
hher?
"Ma'am Sandr
a
qui
cklyaskedst
andi
nguponhertwof
eetwith
Beat
ri
cesupporti
ngher
.
"Um...
Ma'am issheyourdaughter
?CauseI'
m
confused.Ihaveneverseenherbefor
e"Matt
hew
askedinstead.
"
Nosheisnot,butshei
sver
yimport
ant.Sotel
lme
whati
swrongwi t
hher?
"Ma'
am Sandrawentahead
t
oaskagain.
"Wellshehadananxietyatt
ack,
it'
salsocal
led
panicattack.I
t'
sduetoint
ensefearandemotional
dist
ress"Mat t
hewexpl
ained.
"
Ohgoodl
ord!
"Ma'
am Sandr
aexcl
aimed.
"
Howi
sshenow?
"Shewentaheadandasked.
"Well
,I
'lladviseanimmedi atesurgeryforherma'am.
Ithasgot t
enwor seandi tneedstobest opped.
Pleur
it
iscanbecur edwi t
hdr ugsbuthers..
..
Surgerywi l
lbebet t
er.Shehasabr ight
erfuture
ahead"Mat thewr oundedup.
Ma'
am Sandr
asi
ghed.
"
Okay,
howmuchi
sthesur
gicalbi
ll
?"Sheasked.
"
Well.
..
it'
squi
temuch, nosurger
yiseasyyouknow.
I
'
lladvi
seyoutellDi
ll
ionaboutthi
ssinceshe'
sver
y
i
mpor t
ant"Matt
hewsai dandshesighedagai
n.
"
Canweseeher
?"Beat
ri
cesuddenl
yasked.
"She'sasleepfornow.Sheneedsal lt
herestshe
canget ,
shedoesn' tneedtobedist
urbed"Matthew
repl
iedandBeat ri
cef acetur
nedsour.Shewasn't
happyatal l,
sameasma' am Sandr
a.
"
I'
llgonow"Mat
thewaddedandl
eft
.
Immediat
elyhegott
ohi
sof
fi
ce,
her
ecei
veda
cal
l.
..
..
Ma'
am Sandr
a'sPOV
Iwonderwhatmadehert
hatway.Whatcausedher
fear
?
Holdon,Dill
ionj
ustcamebackwit
hherright.Di
dhe
perhapsdoanythingtoher
?It
houghtdeeplybut
couldn'
tlandanywhere.
"
Beat
ri
ce"Ical
led.
"
Yesma'
am"Beat
ri
cer
epl
ied.
"
Wher
eisSamuel?Iwanthi
mt otakemebackt
o
t
hemansi
on.Ineedt
oseeDill
ion"Isai
d.
"Okay,
I'
llgogethi
m now"sher
epli
edthenwentout
ofthehospit
alandcamebackfewminutesl
ater
withhi
m.
"Ineedyout
otakemet
othemansi
oni
mmedi
atel
y"
Irequest
ed.
"Yesofcour
se,t
hisway"Samuelledt
hewayoutof
thehospi
tal
.Wegotint
othecarhedroveuswi
th
andinminuteswewereontheroad.
Af
terabout40mi
nut
esl
aterwear
ri
vedt
hemansi
on.
Iwentupt
oDi
ll
ion'
sper
sonalof
fi
cebutcoul
dn'
t
fi
ndhim.
Wher
edi
dhegot
o?It
houghtandwentt
ohi
sroom.
Iknockedonitbutgotnorepl
y,t
hedoorwasn'
t
proper
lycl
osedsoIdecidedtoopeni
tandenter
.
Igotint
oseehim comi
ngoutoftheshowerwi
tha
towelwr
appedaroundhi
sneck.
"Chi
ld,
I'
vebeenknocki
ngonyourdoor.Didn'tknow
youwerebathi
ng"Isai
dwal
kingtothesinglecouch
ther
etositon.
"
Yes,
asyoucansee"heanswer
ed.
"
So,
doyouhearwhathappenedear
li
er?
"Iasked.
"No,whathappened?
"Heaskedgoi
ngt
hroughhi
s
closet
.
"Shawna.Shefainted"Isai
dbuthedi
dn'
tlook
surpr
iseorreacttoit.
"
Youal
readyknewabouti
t?"Iasked.
"
Yes"heanswer
ed.
"
Butwhydi
dyour
epl
ywi
thano?
"Iquest
ioned.
"BecauseIwant
edtohearitf
rom you"heanswer
ed
andaf ewminut
esofsi
lencesteppedin.
"
Aren'
tyougonnaaskmehowshei
s?"Ii
nqui
red.
"Howshei
sisnonofmybusi
ness"hebl
urt
ed
shocki
ngmeali
tt
le.
Isi
ghedandr
ubbedmyf
orehead.
"Anyways,
Icameheretot el
lyouhowshei sso
l
emmenotpr olongt
hings.Sheneedssur geryand
themoneyrequir
edi
smuchaccor dingl
ytoMat t
hew.
Sheneedsitf
astandyou'retheonlyonethatcan
provi
desuchamountofmoney"Iexpl ai
ned.
"
Idon'
thavemoneyma'
am,
sogi
veup"hesai
d.
Ii
gnor
edwhathesai
dandst
oodup.
"Youshoul
dtalkt
oMatthew,ifyouwanthert
odie,
tel
lhi
m sohecankil
lher.St
opmakingtheinnocent
gir
lsuf
ferDi
ll
ion.
"
"
Innocent
?"hechuckl
edi
naudi
bly.
"
I'
llgetgoi
ngnowDi
ll
ion"Iaddedandl
eft
.
Goodness!Whyisthi
sboyl
iket
his?Whycan'
the
actnor
malforonce?
Ifnott hatMat t
hewhadear l
iercamebackt oinf
orm
met hatDil
li
onal r
eadycal l
edhi m, andhehas
alreadyexplainedt hingstohim, andhealr
eady
clearedupt hebi l
lsIcouldhavebeendyi ngofworry
ness.I fhealreadycl ear
edthingsupwhyi she
actingheartless?It houghtandshookmyhead
agai
nbef
orel
eavi
ng.
.
(
Youl
iar
)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Backatt
hehospi
tal
.
Thesurger
yonShawnagotcarr
iedoutt
henextday
andofcoursei
twentsmoot
hly.
Now,shehasbeent
ransf
err
edt
oapat
ientwar
dfor
f
ullr
ecover
y.
Luwiswhoheardthenewsofwhathappenedt o
Shawnaaft
erDil
li
ont ookheroutf
eltr
eall
yguil
ty.
Heknowsthati
fhehadn' tt
oldDil
li
onthenshewill
notbeint
hatcondit
ion.
Ma'am Sandr
a,Beatr
iceandoneot
hermaidbythe
nameVeesatar oundShawnaandwatchedher
sl
eep.Theyanti
cipat
edtheti
methatshewil
lfi
nal
ly
wokeup.WhileSam andLuwisst
ayedoutsi
deher
ward.
Luwi
scoul
dn'
twai
tforShawnat
owakeup.
Andlast
lyDi
ll
ion.
..
.whi
leyou'
l
lfi
ndoutl
aterasyou
readon.
Shawna'
sPOV
If
eltmysel
fcomi
ngbackt
oli
ve.
Aw..
whatthehel
lhappened?Ithoughtas
ever
ywherel
ookeddark,Ir
eali
zedthatmyeyes
werecl
osedandIslowlyopenedit
.
Thefi
rstpl
acemyeyescaughtwast
hewhi
te
cei
li
ngup.
ThenIhear
dlowwhi
sper
s,whi
sper
sofpeopl
e
cal
li
ngmyname.
"Shawna!
"Icoul
dsuddenl
yhearmynamel
oudand
clear
.
Myeyesdr
if
tedt
othedir
ecti
onthatt
hel
oudvoi
ce
camefr
om t
oseema'am Sandr
a.
"Ma'
am"Icall
edevenifi
tcameoutinawhisper
.
ThenImadetositupbutfel
tahandhol
dingme
downfr
om thelef
thandside.
Ishi
ft
edmyeyest oseeBeat
ri
ce,shepreventedme
fr
om si
tt
ingup.Sheandoneothermaidthere.
"St
aycalm, youj
usthadasurger
y.Don'tt
ryt
ofor
ce
yoursel
f,youdon'
tneedi
t"ma'am Sandr
asai
dandI
rel
axedagain.
"I
'
llgoinf
ormthedoct
ort
hatyouar
eawake"
Beatr
icesai
dandlef
t.
"Ma'am Sandra"Ical
ledagai
nstar
ingful
lyather
.I
sti
llcoul
dn'tgeti
t.Whattheheckr
eall
yhappened?
Whywasasur
ger
yper
for
medonme?
"
Yeschil
d,howar
eyoufeeli
ng?Ihopeyouar
e
f
eel
ingstr
ongnow?"Sheasked.
"Yes,
butwhathappened?"Ianswer
edandasked.
ThatiswhatIr
eal
lywantedtoknow.
"Asurgerywasperfor
medonyouShawna, that
's
whathappened"sherepl
iedmaybepurposel
y
i
gnori
ngt hefactt
hatIwantaf
ullexpl
anati
onof
ever
ything.
Whywillasurger
ybeper
for
medonme?Idon'
t
under
stand!
ThedooropenedandBeatr
iceenter
ed
accompani
edbythedoctorandtwootherpeopl
e
behi
ndhi
m.
Thedoct
orcamet
omeandst
art
edchecki
ngme.
"
Areyouokay,
Shawna?
"Hesuddenl
yasked.
Howdidhegett
oknowmyname?Iwonder
edbut
answer
edhi
squest
ionst
il
l.
"
I'
mfeel
ingokay"Ianswer
ed.
"Okaygood,adayort
womoredaysher
ewilldot
he
tri
ck.Aft
ert
hat,
youcangobackt
oyournor
mal
acti
vit
y"hesmil
edatt
heend.
"
I'
llgetgoi
ngnow"headded.
"ThankyouMat
thew"ma'
am Sandr
athankedhi
m
asheleft
.
Whenhel
eftIsuddenl
ysawt
het
wopeopl
ebehi
nd
hi
m.
"
HeyShawna!
"Sam cal
led.
"
Youmadeusal lworr
y,pr
aiset
heLor
dyouar
e
f
inal
lyback"hesai
dsoundi
nghappy.
"Ineverknewyouknowhowt oprai
sethe,Lor
d
Sam"ma' am Sandr
ateasedandwelaughed.Ial
so
l
aughed.
"Aha!Ihavegottoheadhomeandmakesomet hing
deli
ciousforyouShawna, youneedalotofheal
thy
foodsosai dthedoct
or"shequotedthelastpar
t.
"Veeyouhavegottoaccompanyme, Beat
ri
ceyou
stayher
e.Sam l
et'
sgo,you'
reourdr
iver"Ma'
am
Sandrasai
dstandi
ngupt ol
eave.
"Al
ri
ghtt
akecar
eShawna"VeewavedandIsmi
led
ather
.
"
Thankyou"It
hankedasshewal
kedoutwi
thSam.
"Takecar
eofhert
il
lam back"ma'
am Sandr
asai
dto
Beatri
ce.
"Ofcoursema'am, l
emmewalkyouout ,
Icanuse
thatopport
unit
ytogetheradri
nk"Beatri
ce
suggestedandtheywalkedoutt
ogetherleavi
ngthe
room.Nowi t'
sjustLuwi
sandIwhohassur pr
isedl
y
beenquite.
Iwonderwhat
'supwi
thhi
mtho.
"
Hey"hecal
ledhi
svoi
cehusky.
"
Hey,
areyouokay?
"Iaskedashecamet
otakeasi
t
cl
oset
ome.
"Yeah.Youaretheonel
yingher
e,Ishoul
dbe
askingyouthat
"hehushed.
"
I'
mfi
nebutyoul
ookof
f"Isai
dtr
uthf
ull
y.
"Yeah,
that
'sbecauseIdi
dsomet
hingIshoul
dn'
t
havedone"hecooedandmybrowsperkedup.
"
Real
ly?Whatdi
dyoudot hatmadeyouthi
sway?
I
'
m ki
ndofsurpr
isedyunno"Ichuckl
ed.
"
Yeah"hesai
dagai
nandhel
doneofmyhands.
"Hey,canyouf
orgivemeforsomethi
ng?
"Heasked
caressi
ngmyrighthandheheld.
"
Umm.
..
whati
sit
?"Iaskednowget
ti
ngconf
used.
"WhydoIhavet
ofor
giveyouLuwi
s?Youdi
dn'
tdo
anyt
hingwr
ongtome"Iasked.
"
WellIdi
d,Isoldyououtandam sor
ryf
ort
hat
"he
r
epl
iedwithhisvoicecr
ackedup.
"Sol
dmeout
?Ashow?
"Iquest
ionedgl
ari
nghar
dat
him.
"
Tot
heboss,
Iwast
heonewhomadehi
m getangr
y
atyou.It
oldhim aboutyourrel
ati
onshipwit
h
Matthi
as,It
oldhim youarereal
lyclosetohi
m.Now
youendedupher e"heexplai
ned.
"Wait
,youtol
dhim aboutMatt
hiasLuwis?Heisjust
afri
endtome.whydi dyoutel
lhim abouti
t?Af
ter
aski
ngmet oconti
nuebeingfr
iendswi t
hhim?You
wentandtoldhi
m?"Iaskedgetti
ngannoyed.
"No!No!Ihadal readytol
dhim ever
ythi
ngbef
oreI
advisedyoutocont inuebei
ngfri
endswithhi
m,I
mean. .
.butam sorryokay.
"
"Youar
eunbeli
evableLuwis,
howcoul dyou?Iknew
youwereonl
ypretendi
ng,youli
ar"Isnar
ledand
pull
edmyhandawayf rom hi
s.
"ComeonShawna, itwasforareasontoo,al
though
Ialsodidi
tself
ishl
ybut.
..
"hepausedwhenhe
reali
zedIwasn'
tpayingatt
ent
iontohim agai
n.
"
I'
llj
ustgetout
"hesai
dlowl
yandgotout
.
Howcoul
dhe?NowonderDi
ll
ionact
edt
hatway.
Iknewhecouldn'
tactt
hatwaywi
thoutar
eason.
Luwisact
ual
lycausedit
.
Di
ll
ion'
sPOV
Idroveatal
owspeedwonder
ingwhyIwasact
ual
ly
headedfort
hehospi
tal
.
InthenexthourIgott
herebutfoundithardget
ti
ng
downf r
om thecar.Af
tersever
alhasi
tati
onIcame
downf r
om thecarandwentstrai
ghttoMat t
hew'
s
off
ice.
Lucki
lyenough,
hewasal
one.Iwentandsatdown
faci
nghim.
"Whodowehavehere?MrMar k,
you'
resowelcome.
Wearesosohonoredtohaveaveryhonour
able
per
sonal
it
yinourmistt
odayI.
..
"
"Canyoust
opwit
hit
?Itgivesmeheadache.Ican'
t
befal
li
ngsi
cki
nahospitalMatt
"Igr
oanedandhe
smil
ed.
"I
'
m surprised,
whatareyoudoinghere?Todayi
sn'
t
yourcheckupDi l
l.I
'
mj ustsur
pri
sedtoseeyou
here"heleanedbackonhi ssi
tandsaidst
il
lsmi
li
ng.
Whil
e,thel
adyyouoper
atedon.Howi
sshe?
"I
i
nquir
ed.
Hi
sbrowsj oi
nedtoget
herandhest
aredatmewi
th
asuspi
ciouseyesforawhil
ebef
oreleani
ng
f
orwardtolookatme.
"
Whoi
sshet
oyou?
"Heaskedi
nst
ead.
"
Wil
lyouanswermeMat
t?"Igr
oanedagai
n.
"
She'sper
fect
lyf
ine,
soshei
stheoneyouar
eher
e
f
or"hegri
nned.
"
Yeah"Imumbl
edandst
oodup.Heal
sost
oodup.
"
That
'
sit
?Youar
eleavi
ng?
"Hef
rownedandasked.
"
Yes,hopeyoudi
dn'
treveal
thatIam t
heonewho
madethepayment
..
..
."
"Ohaboutthat
?Youdidn'
ttel
lmeyouwant editt
o
besecret
.Ialr
eadyt
oldma'am Sandr
a,Itol
dher
aft
eryoucall
edandmadet hepayments"herepl
ied
atonce.
"
Areyoucr
azyMat
t?"Ishr
iekedandhebl
inked.
"Idi
dn'tknowyouwant edi
ttobekeptasecretDi
ll
"
hiseyeswi denedandhest
artedmovingback.
"
Comeher
e"Ibeckonedonhi
mtocomecl
oserbut
hekeptmovi
ngback.
"
I'
mreal
lygonnaki
llyou.
"
TBC
Whati
sreal
lygoi
ngononDi
ll
ion'
shead?
Luwi
s,youthi
nkhedeser
vedt
her
eact
ionhegot
fr
om Shawna?
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence35
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.

(
F**
k*ngdubi
ous)
Hour
slat
er.
Luwi
s'
sPOV
"
Whati
sitLuwi
s?You'
remoody"Sam asked.
"
Not
hing,
I'
m cool
"Ir
epl
iedhi
m.
"You'
renot.Youaren'tal
waysl
iket
his.Lemme
guess,i
t'
sShawnar ight?Di
dsomethinghappen
betweenyout wo?
"Hewentonandaskedagai n.
Ishruggedandt
hennar
rat
edwhathadhappened
betweenthebot
hofustohi
m.
"Well
,Iwarnedyounott olett
hebossknowbutyou
didanyways.Di dn'
tyouwantthi
stohappen?You
saidyou'
lll
ikeitifhegetsmadatherri
ght
?Then
whyar eyoulikethisnow?"hescof
fedandasked.
"You'
recr
azy,Ineverwant edhertoendupher eor
evengetmadatme.Idi dn'tknowthi
swasgonna
happen.
..
ImeanIdi dn'texpecthertobeherebut
guessIshoul
dhavel istenedtoyou"Imutter
ed.
Hesi
ghedandpl
acedhi
shandonmyshoul
der
.
"You'
reabrotherluwis,getyoureyesofShawna
now.Beforeit'
stoolate,youknowyoucannever
haveher,i
tisn'
tpossible"hesaidbuti
tangeredme.
"That
'sal
ie,don'
tutt
ershi
tagai
n.Youknow
nothi
ngokay?"Isnar
ledandhefl
inched.Iguesshe
di
dn'
texpectt
hatr
eact
ionf
rom me.
Ist
ooduponmyf
eetandmadet
oleave.
"Comeon, ar
eyoumadatme?I '
m sor
ry"he
apol
ogizedasIlef
thimthere.Wassti
lli
nthe
hospi
tal.NowI'
m headedoutsi
detogosmoke.
Can'
tgethol
dofmysel
fanymor
e.
AsIst
rol
ledt
hroughthehal
lway,af
ami
li
arf
ace
wal
kedpassmei nadarkhoodi
e.
It
urnedandl
ookedatt
heper
son.
Helooksf
ami
li
ar,
Ithoughtandmadet ocont
inue
goi
ngonmywaybutsuddenl yr
ecal
ledhim.
ThatMatt
hiasguy."
Shit
!"IcussedasIf
oll
owedhi
m
buttheni
ggaispret
tysmart.
Hesensedmeoutr
ealf
astandi
ncr
easedhi
s
wal
kingpace.
Thisi
sahospi
tal,wecan'tr
unini
telseIwould
haverant
ohim anddealtwit
hhim butIj
ustwalked
aft
erhim.
Het
ookat
urnt
hatl
edt
oadi
ff
erentpat
hway,
I
fol
lowedaft
erhi
m andwhenhefinall
ygotout
side.
Hest ar
tedr
unni
ng,Idi
dn'
twast
et i
meIfoll
owed
him up.
Her
ani
ntot
hest
reet
sandIf
oll
owedaf
terhi
m.
Everyt
hingabouthim, thewayhesuspectsand
sensesoutthingsfast.Heisagoodbastard,hei
s
probabl
yborni nt
othisgame.Wel l
,Iwasn'
tborn
i
ntoitbutIgrewupi nitsoItookaquickturnand
j
umpedoutf rom thefrontsurpr
isi
nghim.
Hehal
tedandst
art
edt
aki
ngqui
ckst
epsback.
"Bastard,
doyoumi ssme?"Ibreat
hedi
nandout
sharplybecauseofthedi
stanceIhadt
orun.
Hecontinuedmovi
ngbackward,thehoodi
e
cover
ingalmostal
lpar
tofhi
sf ace.
Igott
ohi
m ashewasaboutt
orunoffandpul
led
hi
m downtot
hegr
oundandthenpunchedhi
m.
Thenpull
edt
hehoodi
eawayf
rom hi
sfaceand
gasped.
"
Damn!
"Hei
snott
heone.Thi
sisj
ustaki
d.
Il
ookedupt
oseehi
m't
hebast
ard'
.Hewasst
ari
ng
atmef
rom ami
le,
asmi
rkonhi
sface.
Iknowwhathedid,
hemanagedtotr
ickmeby
swit
chi
ngdresswit
hhi
sboyhere.
"
F**k!
"IcussedagainasIgotupf
rom t
heboywho
wasalr
eadybleedi
ng.
Hei
ssmar
t!F*
*k*
ngdubi
ous.
Shawna'
sPOV
Istayedwit
hBeatr
icef
orlong.Shetol
dmeal
otof
thi
ngsthatwasfunnyandIlaughed.
Togetherwelearnedhowt ousethephoneDi
ll
ion
gotforme.Istil
lhaven'
tlear
nthowtouseit
al
thoughI'mtryi
ng.
Wecont
inuedscr
oll
i
ngthr
ought
hephone,
butmy
mi
ndtol
dmet ostar
eup.
Il
if
tedmyeyesupandIcoul
dsweart
hatIsaw
Di
ll
ion.
Buthei
snolongert
her
e,Icr
umbl
edmyf
acei
n
conf
usi
on.
Ij
ustsawhi
m noworwasIhal
luci
nat
ing?
"Areyouokay?Whyisyourf
acel
iket
hat
?"Beat
ri
ce
asked,concer
ned.
"Theyoungmast er
,Isawhim.Hewasstandi
ng
ri
ghtoutsi
demywar dfewminut
esago"Isai
d
point
ingatthedoor.
Shest
aredatmei
ndoubt
.
"
Lemmeconf
ir
m"shebr
eat
hedoutandst
oodup.
Sheopenedthedoorthenl
ookedl
eftandr
ight
bef
orecominginback.
"
Idi
dn'
tseeanyonet
hatl
ookedl
ikehi
m"shesai
d.
"
Oh!
"Imout
hed,
mychestf
ell
.
WasIexpecti
nghi
mt ocare?WasIexpect
inghimto
evenpaymeavisi
t?That'
sprobabl
yimpossi
ble.
He'st
oocold!
Hewon'
ttr
yit
.
"
Okay,l
et'
str
ylookingatthi
sone.Whati
sitname?
I
nst
agram?"Beatr
icesaidbri
ngi
ngmeoutofmy
t
hought.
"
Um.
..
yeah"Imut
ter
edt
aki
ngmyat
tent
ionbackt
o
t
hephone.
*
*Twodaysl
ater
.**
Igotdi
schar
ged.
Ma'am SandrahadsuggestedIstayedbackand
haveaproperrestbutIcoul
dn'thearofit
.Ihaveto
att
endschooltoday,Idon'
tli
kethatImissedclass.
Ihavealotofthi
ngst ocat
chupon, missingcl
ass
i
slikeapoisontomyst udi
es.
AndDil
li
on?Ihaven'
tsetmyeyesonhi
m si
nceIgot
di
schar
ged.
That'
sit
.YouareanobodyShawna.Don'
texpect
ing
theimpossi
ble,
IthoughtasIpr
epar
edf
ortoday'
s
school
.
Andi
nfewmi
nut
esIwasdone.
Igott
ot hegarageanddi
dn'twantLuwi
stot
akeme.
I'
m st
il
lannoyedwithhi
mf orbet
rayi
ngmytr
usti
n
him.
Abodyguardt
her
ewasaskedt
otakemei
nst
ead
andhedid.
I
mmedi
atel
ywear
ri
vedSchoolandIst
eppedoutof
t
hecar
,thef
ir
stper
sonIsawwasMat
thi
as.
"Shawna?"Hecalledandmymi nddr
if
tedbackt
o
whatIhadgonet hrough.I
t'
salsobecauseofhi
m
thatIgotpuni
shed,ifIwasn'
tcloset
ohimthenthi
s
couldn'
thavehappened.
"Hey"Ical
ledsi
mplyandwalkedpassedhi
mtr
ying
sohardnottofeelat
hing.
Eveni
fheisapoorguyt hat
'scompl
etel
yinnocent
,
youst
il
lhavetoavoi
dhim becauseyounolonger
ownyoursel
f,It
oldmyself
.
"Shawna? "Ihear
dhim cal
lmynameagai
nbutI
pretendednottohear
.Ihastenedmyf
ootst
epst
o
class.
Wear
ehavi
ngani
mpor
tantcl
asst
oday.
Icont
inuedwal
kinghast
il
yti
llIgoti
ntocl
ass.
"
Shawna?
"Hecal
ledagai
nal
soget
ti
ngi
ntocl
ass.
"
WhatdidIdo?Ar
eyoumadatmeorsomet
hing?
"
Heasked.
"NoMatthi
as,Ij
ustneedspacefrom you.I
'
m sorr
y,I
nolongerwannabeyourfri
end.Forgi
vemef ort
hat"
Il
ookedathi
m andsai
d.
"What??Why?WhatdidIdoplease?Youcan' tdo
thi
stomeShawna.Youar emyonl yfri
end,ar
eyou
gonnaabandonmet oobecauseI'm notyourclass?
BecauseI'
m notf
rom awealt
hyf amilytoo?
"He
askedandIheldmyselff
rom sayinganythi
ng.
"Areyou?Youdon' tl
ikemeanymor ebecauseof
that.Youaresickofmenowt hatyouknowyou
can'tbenefi
tanythi
ngf r
om me?Iwaswor ri
edsick
aboutyoubecauseyoudi dn'
tcomet oschool,
now
you'rehereandyougi vemet hi
satti
tude?"Heasked.
"Stop!StopitMatt
hias!I
t'snotthatwayokay.Stop
maki ngmel ookl
ikeabadper son,I'
m alsot
ryi
ng
hardt osurvi
veokay.Idon'twannadiethat'
sthe
reasonIhavet ostopbeingfri
endswi t
hyou.You
havet ounderst
andt hat
"Iscreamedathi mtotal
ly
l
osi ngit
.
Doeshet
hinkIsuddenl
ywannast
opbei
ngf
ri
ends
wit
hhimfornoreason.
"Youhavetoexplai
nitt
omeShawna, Idon'
t
under
standathingyou'
resayi
ng"hescreamed
back.
"
Idon'
thaveanyt
hingt
oexpl
aint
oyou!
"Ianswer
ed.
"
ThenIrefusetounder
standyou"heconcl
udedand
l
eftt
heclass.
Ibr
eat
hedi
nheavi
lyandsatdownpr
oper
ly.
Thisshoul
dn'
tbehappeningt
ome.Ihat
ethi
s,
everyonei
ncl
assisstar
ingatme.
Idon'
twantt
his,
Ithoughtr
uff
li
ngmyhai
r.
Mat
thi
as'
sPOV
Ohshit!F*
*kyouShawna!Notnow.I
fyouar
e
gonnaactli
kethi
sthenIhavenoopt
iont
hantodo
i
ttoday.
Ihavenoopti
on.Iwasbeginni
ngtofool
ishl
yli
ke
you.Bef
oremystupi
dfeeli
ngsgetthebestofme,
I'
l
lhavetodoit
.
TBC
Whoexpect
edt
hat
?
Thegamebegi
ns.
..
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence36-
37
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.

(
Impost
er)
Di
ll
ion'
sPOV
Fl
ashbackt
othehospi
tal
.
"
ComeonDi l
l,
don'
thavemeki
ll
ed.I
nst
eadofki
ll
ing
me,whydon'
twehavefun?
"Matt
hewsaidf
rom
wher
ehewas.
"Comeon"hesai
dagainandwalkedt
othedoor
,he
openedi
tandhel
ditopenforme.
Ist
aredathi
m andwal
kedout
,hecl
osedt
hedoor
andfol
lowedme.
"
Youwannaseeherf
ir
st?
"HeaskedbutIdi
dn'
t
answerhi
m.
"I'
l
ltakethatasayes, comethisway"heur ged
takingmet owardsaVI Psecti
on."Yourequestedfor
hert obeplacedattheVIPwar d,
shewasand
thinkingaboutit
,she'
ssuchabeaut if
ulluckygirl
butunf or
tunatel
yIdon'tknowwhoshei stoyou
becauseyour efusedtell
ingmebutIt hi
nkshei sa
goodgi rl
"hekeptontalkingunti
lwegott oherwar d.
Il
ookedinsideherwardthr
oughthetranspar
ent
gl
assdoorandsawherl aughingandplayi
ngwit
h
herphone,alongsi
deoneofthewards.
Shedoesn'
tlooksickanymor
e,Ithoughtandl
eft
i
mmediatel
ywhi l
eMat t
hewfol
lowedmef rom
behi
nd.
"Ithoughtyouwer
egonnagetin,
areyouscaredof
seeingherorwhat?Huh!Huh!
"Hekeptsayi
ng,
distur
bingmypeace.
"Wil
lyoushutupMat
t?Yout
alkl
ikeawoman"I
hushed.
"
What?Howdareyoucomparemetoawoman?
Anywaysl
et'
shavef
un"heyel
ledt
hensai
d.
Iwal
kedoutt
othegar
age.
"Wait,
what?Whyarewehere?Areyoul
eavingnow?
Shouldn'
twegrabacupofcoff
eeorsomething?I
thoughtweweregonnabehavi
ngfun!
"Hekept
screamingwhi
leIgoti
ntomycar.
"Iaren'
tnokidMat t
,goplaywit
hyourpati
ent
s"I
breathedoutthenigni
tedthecarengi
neanddrove
outleavi
nghim stari
ngatthebackofthecar
.
Lat
ert
hatsameday.
"Um..
BossIsawt hatguyagain,Ididsome
i
nvesti
gati
onusi ngthecardsthatf el
loffhispocket.
Thecardsar en'
treal
, t
heyarehisfakei dent
it
ycar d.
Thebastardcamepr epar
ed,Isti
lldon'tknowwhi ch
gangheisf rom,Ithi
nkhisnameMat t
hiasisalso
for
ged,everythi
ngabouthi misfake"Luwi swho
hadcomei ntomyof f i
cenarr
ated.
"Al
ri
ght,youcangonow.Ihavemywaysincase
anyt
hinghappens"Isai
dtohi
m puf
fi
ngoutsmokes.
"
Okayboss"heconcur
redandst
oodup.
"
I'
llgonow"headdedandl
eft
.
Whoisthi
sst
rangeguy?Whyishesneaki
ngaround
Shawna?Wel
l,Iguesshei
sonl
yseeki
ngforhi
s
deat
h.
Pr
esentday.
Shawna'
sPOV
Immedi at
elycl
assesendedIstoodupfrom mysit,
throughoutmyst ayi
nclassMatthi
asdi
dn'tshow
up.Ikindoffeelsorr
y,heisj
ustapoorguybutI
alsohavetosurvive.
I'
l
lhavet oleaveal
lmylif
ewithoutf
ri
endsf
rom t
he
outsidethen,It
houghtasIcarr
iedmysmal
l
designerbag.
Alotofmal estudentssti
llst
areatmeever yday,i
t
makesmeuncomf ort
ablebutIdon'
tgivethem
mucht houghtsmai nl
ybecauseMat t
hiasisthereto
occupymewi t
hot hert
hings.Wit
hhim saying
di
ffer
entthings,Igatnotimetoworryaboutt he
other
sbutnowIf eelsonervous.
Igotoutoftheclassr
oom andwasaboutheadi
ng
tothegaragewheremynewdr iverdr
oppedmeoff
todaybutstoppedbecausesomeonecall
edmy
name.
I
tisanunf
ami
li
arvoi
ce,
Itur
nedt
oseeast
udent
l
ikeme.
"Shawna,thereisanemergency,yourf
riend
Mat t
hiaswant st
okil
lhimsel
finthemale's
restr
oom, Irantobr
ingyoubeforehedoest hat
,I
thi
nkhehasgonecr azy"t
hegir
lnarrat
ed
breathl
essly.
"
What
??"Ishr
iekedmyhear
tski
ppi
ng.
"YesShawna,wehavetogo,youhavetoseehi
m"
shesaidandstar
tedr
unningandIfol
lowedher
.
WhyonEar thwi
llMatt
hiasdeci
detokil
lhimsel
f?Is
hecrazy?Yeah,
probabl
ycrazy,
IthoughtasIran
af
terher.
Wegottothemalerestr
oom andshestoppedand
openedt
hedoor."
Hei sinsi
de.Goaheadandstop
hi
m"shesaidandInoddedandgoti n.
IsawMat t
hiast
herebuthewasn'
ttr
yingt
oki
ll
himsel
f.Hewasjustbacki
ngme.
"
Mat
thi
as?
"Ical
led,
shocked.
"
Wer eyoutr
yingt
oki
llyour
sel
f?"Iaskedandhe
t
urnedtofaceme.
"No,
wasonl
ytryi
ngt
ogetyouher
e"heanswer
ed
andtur
nedt
ofaceme.
"Tr
yingtogetmeher
ebyf
rami
ngyourowndeat
h"I
snappedathim.
"Yeah,i
tdoesn'
tmatt
erwhatIusetogetyou,t
he
thi
ngisthatI'
vefi
nal
lygot
tenyou.Youarewhere
exactl
yIwantyoutobe":
hesaidinaveryst
range
tone.
"Matt
hias,don'
ttr
ythisshi
tagai
n,I
'
llgetgoi
ngnow"
Isai
dandt urnedtowardst
hedoor,
Imadet oopeni
t
butcouldn'
t.
"Youcan'
topenthat
,ithasbeenl
ockedfr
om t
he
outsi
de"hesai
dnowst andi
ngreal
lycl
osetome.
Fear
,itst
ruckmeagai
n.
Iar
en'
tsupposedt
obescar
edagai
n,notsosoon.
It
urnedsl
owl
ytol
ookathi
m.
"
What
..
whatdoyoumeanMat
thi
as?
"Ipani
cked.
"Nothi
nglove,butyou'
rest
uckwi
thmehere"he
respondedandtookhishandtomyhai
rthen
brusheditbackward.
"
Stopi
t,Iwantt
ogoout
"Imut
ter
ed.
"
Thenopent
hedoori
fyoucan"
;hehuf
fed.
Itur
nedtowar
dst
hedoorandt
ri
edpul
li
ngi
topen
butcoul
dn'
t.
"
No!No!No!Stopthi
sMat t
hias,yout
oldthem t
o
l
ockt
hedoor,didn'
tyou?
"Iturnedtohim andasked.
"
Yes,
Itol
dthem"her
epl
ied.
"
Why?
??"Iscr
eamedget
ti
ngpi
ssed.
Hesi
ghedandbenthi
shead.
"YouwillknowwhysoonShawna,don'
tbei
na
haste,
letthest
udent
sdispat
chf
ir
st"hesai
d.
"No!Ican'
tbeher
ewit
hyou.I
'
vegatt
ogohome"I
saidandtr
iedpul
li
ngt
hedoor
.
"
Issomeonethere?
??"Iscr
eamedandhe
i
mmedi at
elyr
ushedtomeandcoveredmymout
h
wit
hhispalm.
"Youaren'
tleavi
ngher
e,Shawna,
stopscreaming.
Don'tmakemel osemycoolonyou"hesnarl
ed
shocki
ngme.
It
urnedathi
m wi
thmyeyeswi
deopen.
"You.
..
thi
sisnotyou, youaren'
ttheMatthi
asIknow,
areyou?Youwer ejustpret
endingal
lthesewhil
e,
aren'
tyou?"Iquest
ioned.
"Yes,yesShawna.Youreal
izedthatali
tt
lebi
tlat
e.I
aren'twhoItol
dyouthatIam.Ihavebeing
pretendi
ngtoyouallt
hesewhiletoaccompli
shthe
missiongiventome"heansweredandIshookmy
head.
"I
mposter
,that
'swhatyouare.It
houghtyouwer
ea
poori
nnocentguy"Imouthed.
"
No!Iar
en't
,I'
m sor
rytosaybutIar
en'
t.You'
l
lhave
t
odealwit
hthat"heresponded.
"No!You'llhavet
odealwitht hatyour
selfMatthi
as.I
don'tcare.Whoeverthef*
* kyouar ej
ustleaveme
be,Iwantt ogetoutofhere,don'tt
rytostopme"I
halfyel
led.
"Anybod.
..
.!
!!
"Iwasaboutscr
eamingagai
nbuthe
heldmeandcoveredmymout h.
Itri
edpushi
nghim of
fmeandIf
eltast
ingonmy
face,hej
ustsl
appedme.
Ist
aredathi
minanger
.
"
Youar
ecr
azy,
youbast
ard"Ihal
fyel
led.
"Yes,
Iam"herespondedandt
henbr
oughtouta
gag(apl
aincl
oth)
"Comehere,
Iwon'
tri
skget
ti
ngcaughtbecauseof
you"hesai
dandpul
ledmetowar
dshim.
Itr
iedpushi
nghim of
fmebuthewastoost
rong.He
gagedmymout handpushedt
otothefl
oor
.
Isatdownf
orcef
ull
yandhesquat
tedt
ost
areatme.
"I
'
m sorrybuti
twasallplanned.Mymeeti
ngyou
wasplannedfrom t
heverybeginni
ng,i
fyouhadn'
t
donewhatyoudi dt
odayi ncl
assIcoul
dhave
cont
inuedshif
tingt
hisday."
"Youdon'
tli
keme.Ishouldn'
tfeelathi
ngforyou
eit
her
.Youract
ionscausedyout hi
sShawna, i
tis
bondtohappenthobutitcoul
dn'thavehappened
todayifyouhadn' tbehavedl ikethat.ButI '
m gonna
dosomet hingyou' l
lreallyhatemef or
,af t
ertaking
yououtofher e.I
'
lltakeyout omyhi deout ,
I'
llmake
l
ovet oyou, youdon' tknowhowl ongI '
vebeen
supressi
ngt heur get odot hat.Iwon'ttellmyboss
thatI'
vegottenyout i
llI'
m donewi thyou, you'r
e
gonnahat ememor eaf t
erwhatI 'l
ldotoyou.I '
m
alsosorrybutnosor ry"heconcl udedhi srubbish.
Ikeptst
ari
ngathi
m.Heal
sost
aredbackatme.
"You'l
lhateme,won'tyou?Don'
twor
ryI'
l
lmakeita
bitromanticf
oryou"heaskedandsai
dthenhe
stoodstrai
ght.
"WhenIgetyout omyboss,
you'
regonnaspi
ll
everyt
hingyouknowaboutt
hetwin,
theoneyou'
re
withpresent
ly.Howyoumetandwhyyouarewit
h
him."
"Youaregonnatel
lhi
m howmuchhehascur rent
ly,
bothi
nMexi coandhere.Youaregonnatellhi
m
whatheisplanni
ng,whyhei sgat
heri
nganar my,
youaregonnaspil
leveryt
hingtohi
m, underst
ood? "
Heaskedinacoldvoice.
"Oh!Iforgett
hatyoucan'tspeak.Ibetyou
understand"hesai
dafterfewmi nutesofsi
lence.
Tear
sgat
her
edupmyeyes.
Idon'
treal
lyunder
standwhatmycri
mei
sher
e.
Whyam Ialwaysbeingpuni
shed?
OhDill
ion!Evenifyoudon'tcar
eaboutme, Ihope
youwil
lsetasidethecoldnessyoufeelandreall
y
savemebecausei tseemsyou'ret
her easonwhy
thi
sispresentl
yhappeningtome.
Buthowwil
ltheyevenknow?Theywon'
tknow.No
oneknows!
Mom anddad,
pleaseal
sohel
pyourdaught
er.Idi
d
not
hingwr
onghere.
Di
ll
ion'
sPOV
"Boss!!
!Boss!
!"Ihear
dandt
henmyof
fi
cedoor
burstedopen.
"Luwi
shaveyoulostyourgoddamnmi
nd?Whyar
e
youscreami
ng?"Isnappedathim.
"
I'
m sor
rybut
..
.t
hedri
verreturnedwi
thoutShawna.
Hewait
edforShawnaforthreehour
sbutcouldn'
t
fi
ndher.Shawna,won'
tjustdi
sappear,shehas
beenabducted-pr
obabl
y"heexplained.
"
What
??Hedi
dn'
tseeher
?"Iasked.
"
Yes"heanswer
ed.
"
Gocallspeedoforme,Iwanthi
mtot
rackher
wher
eabouts"Iorder
ed.
"
Okay"heanswer
edandl
eft
.
Thi
rt
ymi
nut
esl
aterher
etur
nedwi
thspeedo.
"Youremembert
hel
astdevi
ceIgaveyou?"Iasked
speedo.Hei
soneofmyboys,hedoesn'
tstayhere
withme.
"
Yesboss"heanswer
ed.
"
Tracki
tandf
indouti
t'
swher
eabout
s"Ii
nst
ruct
ed.
"Oni
tboss"her
epl
i
edandbr
oughtoutt
hel
apt
ophe
camewith.
I
nfewmi
nut
eshewasabl
etot
racki
t.
"
It
'sar
oundl
axi
sar
ea,
it'
sact
ual
lymovi
ng"hesai
d.
Ipul
ledoutmydr
awerandbr
oughtoutagunand
l
oadedi
twi
thbul
let
.
"
Sti
lli
nlaxi
sar
ea"speedoconf
ir
med.
"
Stayher
e,Iwannagethermysel
f"Ii
nst
ruct
ed.
"But
..
..Bosslemmecomewi t
hyou.Iknowt
he
bast
ard'sface,
itwi
llbemor
e..
..
"
"Noonef
oll
owsme,wearen'tgoi
ngt
of i
ght.I
'
mj ust
goi
ngtogether
.St
ayher
e,that'
sanorder
"Irasped.
"Okayboss,
I'
m sorry"heapol
ogi
zedasIt
uckedt
he
gunint
omyt rouserpocket
.
Now, i
t'
stimetofinal
lymeetyouMatt
hias.I
'
vebeen
curi
ousaboutwhoyouar e?Whosentyou?I '
ve
beencurious,
it'
stimetof
inal
lymeetyou.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Sequence38-
40
.
©Bl
essi
ng
(
Hel
p)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Anhourear
li
er.
Mat t
hiasknockedShawnaoutwhenhewassure
thatthestudent
shasalll
eft
.Hebrokedownthe
restr
oom doorandcarri
edheroutt
ohiscarpar
ked
atthegarage.
Thenhedr oveoutafter
war dstowardshishideout.
Heandf ewotherboysact uall
ystaystheresome
ti
mes,hewaspr ayi
ngthatbyt heti
meheget sther
e
withShawnat hatnonofthem wi l
lbethere.He
real
lyneedtodot hethi
ngshehasbeenr estrict
ing
himselft
odo.
Butunf or
tunatelyforhi
m,whenhegott othe
hideouthemett wootherboysthere.Hehadt obeg
them nottosayawor dtothei
rbosst i
llthenextday
andt heyallagreedinhopethattheywi l
lalsohavea
tasteofShawna.
Matt
hiascarr
iedherandledheronhisbedandthen
heti
edherhandstogetherandremovedthegagin
hermouth.
Hecarr
iedalit
tl
equanti
tyofwaterandpour
edi
ton
herf
ace,hereyesf
lushedopen.
"
What?Wherearewe?"Shawnaaskedhereyes
r
unni
ngroundtheroughl
ooki
ngroom.
"
Wearewher
enoonecanf i
ndus"heanswer
edher
wit
habi
gsmirkpl
ast
eredonhi
sface.
"Af
terI
'
m donewit
hyou,
I'
mtaki
ngyout
omyboss"
headdedandsatont
hebed.
Shawnai mmedi atel
yr oll
eddownf r
om thebed
hit
tinghersel
fhar dont hefl
oor.Shegotuponher
feetwhichwasn' tti
edinanat t
emptt oescapebut
mat thi
aswasf aster.Hecaughtherandt hrewher
backont hebed, shelandedroughlyont hehar
dbig
bedandgr oaned.
"Therei
snoescapingfr
om me,Shawna"mat
thi
as
groanedreal
lyangr
yshetr
iedt
oescape.
"St
opallt
hesemadness,justletmego,Iwantsaya
wordaboutyoumatt
hias.Pleasejustl
etmego"
Shawnacried.
"
I'
m sor
ryl
ove,
Ican'
tgr
antyout
hatr
equest
"
Mat
thi
asr
epl
iedher
.
Heloosent her
opesheti
edherhandswith,
hethen
ti
editaroundhewoodholdingt
hebedtogether
.
Thenfinal
lyheti
edherhandstothewood.
"St
op..
.pl
easeMatthias,Ididn'
tmeanallthose
wordsIsaidtoyou.Ididn'tmeanthem okay?"
Shawnapleadedbuthet urneddeafears.
Shawnawasput t
ingonagown,itmadeitabi
teasy
forMatt
hias.Hehel
dtheti
pofthedressfr
om her
shoul
derandpull
editdownfor
ceful
ly.
Hedidn'twantherst
ruggl
est
omakethingsdi
ffi
cul
t
sohewasqui ck.Thegownwascompletel
yof
fin
thenextsecond.
"No.
..
No..
!!Pl
easeMatt
hias"Shawnakept
apol
ogizi
ngandpleadi
ng.
Shedidn'
tknowthatMatt
hias'
smindwasnolonger
wit
hhimt hemomenthesethiseyesonhermini
nakedbody.Al
lhewantedtodoatthatmoment
wastodevourher.
Gosh!Shel
ookssosweet
,het
houghti
nhi
smi
nd.
Slowl
yhecoveredherbodywi
thhi
sandposi
tedher
headinonepl
ace.
"Itol
dyouI'
l
lmakei tali
tt
leromanti
cf oryou,
let
's
startwit
hakiss"Matt
hiassaidandplacedhisli
ps
onher s.
*
***
Meanwhi
leDil
li
onhadmanagedtol
ocatelasi
sand
wasnowaroundther
e,socl
oset
oMatthiashideout
.
Hecamedownf
rom hi
scarandlookedaround.
Ther
ewer
en'
tmuchgoodlooki
ngbuildi
ngsaround.
Wherei
sshe?Het
houghthi
shandsf
ixedonhi
s
wai
st.
Hewalkedar
oundtheareaandsuddenl
yhe'
seyes
caughtt
heweastbi
njustbyhi
sside.
HesawShawna'
sdesi
gnerbagandwenttopicki
t
up,
heopenedt
hebagandfoundhercel
lphone
i
nsi
de.
Nowondert
het
rackerst
oppedher
e,het
hought
.
Thenhiseyesagai
ncaughtabui
ldi
ng,asmal
l
bungal
owj ustf
ewmil
esawayfrom t
heweastbi
n.
I
tmightbether
e,he'
smindtol
dhim,t
henhewalked
t
othehouseandstoodri
ghtoutsi
del
ist
eni
ngt
osee
i
fhecouldgetahead.
*
***
Shawnashookherheadrepeat
edlyandtightened
hermout
h,shefel
tdisgust
edthatMatt
hiashad
pl
acedhi
slipsonhers.Shewasalsointears.
Matt
hiasbecamemoreangr
yather
,hesl
appedher
agai
nandshecriedout
.
"So,
Iam di
sgust
ingt
oyouhuh?
"Hereadherf
aci
al
expr
essi
onandunderst
oodt
hemeani
ng.
Shawnaonl
ycr i
edbecauseoft
hesl
ap,i
thur
ther
l
ikehel
l,
shethoughtherski
nwasgonnapul
laway.
"Wel
l,Iwi
llnol
ongertr
yt oberomanti
cwithyou"he
snar
ledandspreadherlegsopenangri
ly.
Shawnascreamedi mmediat
ely,
shescr
eamedwit
h
allhermi
ghtincase,j
usti
ncasesomeonecoul
d
runinandsaveher.
"
Hel
p!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
"
Herscr
eami
ngonl
yannoyedMat
thi
ast
hemor
e,he
knewhehadt
ogagheragai
nincase,
justt
obe
caref
ul.
Hebr
oughtoutt
hepl
aincl
othandgagedherwi
thi
t.
Shawnacont inuedcryi
ngandscr eami ng
nevert
heless,thel
astti
meDi l
li
ondidthistoher,she
knowshowi thadhurther,shedoesn'twantitagain,
especi
all
yf r
om another,especial
lyf
rom someone
l
ikeMat t
hias.
Matthi
ascl
imbedontot
hebedagai
nandunhooked
herbra,
agai
nhewasmesmerized,
ever
ythi
ngabout
heri
sbeauti
ful
,het
hought
.
*
***
Outsi
deDil
li
onhadmadetol
eavebuthear
davoice
scr
eam out
,hewasn'
tsosur
e,i
tsoundeddi
stant
.
Hedoesn'
twannabar
gei
ntot
hewr
onghouset
oo,
hei
sbeingcar
eful
.
"HeyMatt
hias,makeherkeephergoddamnvoi ce
downokay,donotexhausthercomplet
ely,
rememberI'
llal
sof**
kher"heheardanothervoice
speakf
rom insi
dethehousethenheconcluded.
Thi
swasi
t.I
t'
sthehouse.
Hest
aredatt
hewoodendoorf
orawhi
le.
Shoul
dIbr
eaki
tdownorknockoni
t?Het
hought
.
Knocki
ngwil
lbebett
er,
heconcl
udedandknocked
onthedoorwhi
chgotopenedbyaguywhowas
obvi
ousl
ysmoking.
"
Hey,whatdoyouwant
?"Theguyquest
ioned,
his
f
acehard.
Hegotr epli
edwi thaslapt hatmadehel eavethe
doorimmedi ately.Dil
li
onkickedthedooropent o
seeasecondguyt herebutcouldn'
tseeShawna,
butthenagainhecoul dclearl
yhearhermuf fl
es.I
t
angeredhim, i
tanger edhimt oknowt hatsomeone
el
sewast ouchingher ,i
tmadehi m sosomad.Hei s
gonnaki l
leachandever yoneoneofthem there.
.

.
(
Inpai
ns)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Shawnakeptcr yingasMatthiastouchedher
nipples,
shefeltworm cr
awlinginsi
deherbody.She
feltsosodisgusted,
somethingsheneverfel
twith
Dilli
on.Maybebecauseheownsher .
"Oh.
..
.my..
..
youlooksososexy.
..
goshever
ythi
ng
aboutyouislovel
y"Mat
thi
asdrool
edoverShawna.
Hetookhi
smoutht
oherni
ppl
eandusedhi
s
t
onguetol
icki
t.
"Ohsaviour
"Shawnacr
iedast
ingl
ingf
eel
ings
cloudedher
.
Thenshest ar
tedhearingnoiseout
sidet her
oom,
herheartbeatincr
eased.Shedoesn'tknowifit
's
alsoanenemyoraf r
iend,shedoesn'tknowandit'
s
scaresher.
Mat t
hiasdi
dn'thearthenoisecomingoutf
rom t
he
sit
ti
ngr oom ear
lybutwhenhedi d,
hefigur
edout
thathehasbeendi scover
ed.
Immedi
atel
yhebroughtoutagunfrom underhi
s
bedandpoi
ntedi
tdir
ectl
yatthedoor.Whoever
comesinthrought
hatdoori
sgonnagodownf
ir
st,
hethought
.
*
***
Dil
li
ondi
dn'
tusehisgunaft
ersl
appi
ngtheguythat
openedt
hedoorforhi
m.Hewantedtoki
llt
hem
wit
hhisownbarehands.
Hewalkedtowardsthesecondthathadabott
leof
al
coholwit
hhim, hepul
ledhim upandwit
hout
warni
ngssnappedhisnecktotheside.
Cr
ackingsoundswashear
d,theguyopenedhi
s
mouthandshuthi
seyes-dead.
Thefi
rstguywasal
readybehi
ndhi
m byt
het
imehe
gotf
ini
shedwit
hthesecond.
Theguymadetopunchhim buthedoggedt
he
punchandhi
thi
m onhisknees.
Theguycr unchedtothefl
ooronhisknees.Dil
li
on
fi
xedhishandar oundtheguy'
sneck,hestar
edat
hi
m direct
lyintheeyesanddidthesamet hi
ngto
hi
m, hebrokehisneck.
Thatoneal
sodi
edi
nst
ant
ly.
NowtoMatthi
as,
hethoughtandwentt
othedoor
Shawnacr
ieswerecomingoutf
rom.
Hemovedbackandki ckedthedoor
,thedoordi
dn't
break.Hekickedi
tagain,agai
nandagainunti
lthe
doorfinal
lygaveway.
Itr
eveal
edMatt
hiasput
ti
ngagunathi
m and
Shawnawhowasnakedonthebedwit
hherhands
andmouthti
ed.
Di
ll
ionwal
kedi
ntother
oom hi
seyesf
ixedont
he
weepi
ngShawna.
Matt
hiasi
mmedi at
elyr
eleasedashotf
rom hi
sgun
andi
thitDi
ll
iononhisshoulder
.
Shawnagaspedi
nfear
.
Dil
li
ononl
ygotmoreangry,
asMatthi
asmadeto
shothi
m agai
nhestar
tedwalki
ngt
owardshi
m.
Matt
hiasrel
easedashotagai
nbutDi
ll
iondoggedi
t
andgrabbedhim.
"
I'
llenj
oyki
ll
ingyou"Di
ll
iongr
owl
edl
ikeabeast
.
Di
ll
ionhel
dhimti
ghtl
yonhisneckandthegun
Matthi
aswashol
dingfel
lof
fhi
shand.Dil
li
onpi
ned
Mat
thi
ast
othewal
landpr
essedhi
m har
dagai
nsti
t.
Matthi
aswasshocked, shockedathowst r
ong
Dil
li
onisbutnevert
helessher aisedhishandand
punchedhim hard,
itdidn'tr
eallyaff
ectDi
ll
ionbut
hedroppedhim downont hefloorandtur
nedtosee
abottl
e.
Hegrabbedt
hebot
tl
eandsmachedi
tonMat
thi
as
head.
"Ahshit!F*
*kyoubastar
d!"Matthi
asgr
oanedand
madet oescape,hewasalreadybl
eedi
ngfr
om hi
s
headbutescapingatt
hatmomentwasal lt
hat
cloudedhismind.
Dil
li
onlef
thim,helethi
m cr
awltothedoorbef
ore
hewenttopull
him back.Matt
hiascr
awledagai
nto
thedoorandDil
li
onpull
edhim back.
Seemslikeheisenjoyi
ngwhatheisdoing.Dil
li
on
watchedhim cr
awltothedoorfort
hethir
dtimeand
hepull
edhim backwardsagai
n.
"Ineedyout
ot el
lmewhosentyoubefor
eIfi
nal
ly
endyou"Dil
li
onsnappedathi
m andshothi
stwo
l
egs.
Matthi
asscreamedoutinpainsandShawnacr
ied
outthemore.Shecoul
dn'tbel
ievewhatwas
happeni
ng.
Matthi
as,t
heguyshet houghtwasapoorinnocent
guywhowast r
yingt
omakei ti
nlif
eisr
ightbefore
hereyescryi
ngoutinpainsaft
eratt
empti
ngtor ape
her.
Andtheper
sondealingwit
hhimisnonotherthan
Di
ll
ion,
shefel
trel
ievedbutal
sosad,
bit
tered.
"Whosentyou?
"Di
ll
ionaskedpi
cki
ngast
oolt
osi
t
downon.
Mat
thi
asdidn'
tanswer,
hekeptcryi
ngandr
oll
ingon
t
hefl
oor,
hisbl
oodallovert
heroom.
"
I'
llaskyouagai
n.Whot
hef
**ksentyou?
"Di
ll
ion
r
asped.
"Tohel
lwi
thyou,
Iwon'
trevealat
hingt
oyou,
just
kil
lme"Mat
thi
asscr
eamed.
"Okay,yourwi
shisact
ual
lymycommand"Dil
li
on
groanedoutarepl
yandstoodupf
rom t
hei
ronstool
.
Hepul
ledMat
thi
asupf
rom t
hef
loor
,posi
ti
onedhi
s
headwel
l,
andsmachedt
hest
oolonhi
shead.
"Ohchri
st!!
"Shawnacri
edagain.Shef
eltl
ike
vomit
ing,shehasneverwi
tnessedsomethingl
ike
thi
sinherenti
reli
fe.
I
tmadehershake.
Matt
hiasf
ellf
latont
hef
looraf
tert
hest
oolhi
thi
m
har
donhisheadandlai
d-li
fel
ess.
Dil
li
onknewhewasal readydeadbuthewasn'
t
gonnatakechances,
hedoesn'twanthimt
osee
anotherMat
thi
asinfuture,
whetherhi
sspi
ri
torreal
body.
Het
ookouthi
sgunandshothi
m agai
ninhi
shead.
Satisf
ied,
hefixedhi
sgunbacki
ntohi
spocketand
tur
nedt owar
dsShawnawhowascr yi
ng,
shewas
sti
llti
edandnaked.
Hewalkedt
owardst
hebedandr
emovedt
hegag
f
rom hermout
h.
Shawnabreathedouti
nrel
ief
.Hewentaheadand
unt
iedherti
edhands,i
mmediatel
yherhandswer
e
l
oss,shehuggedhim.
ThisshockedDil
li
on,
ital
soshockedhert
hatshe
coulddothat.
Thenerveofyou!
!Dil
li
onwant
edtoscream andpull
herawayfrom hi
sbodybutdi
dn'
t,
hejustcouldn'
t
dothat
.
Shawnasobbedt hemorewi t
hherhandst i
ghtl
y
fi
xedaroundhisback,herchestandbreastagai
n
hisownchest.Shedidn'
tmindt hef
actthatshewas
evendoingthi
snaked,hehasseenhernaked
befor
eafter
all
.Shesobbedandsobbed, happyhe
didn'
tpushheraway.
Sheonl
ylethi
m gowhensher
eal
izedt
hat
,hewas
al
soshot.
Damn!Hereyeswi
denedasshestar
edathi
s
woundedshoul
der
,bl
oodalr
eadycover
edhi
swhi
te
shi
rt
.
Di
ll
ionsawhereyesonhi
sshoul
derandst
oodup.
"Putonyourcl
othes"hehushedandst
art
edwal
king
outofthedoor
.
Shawnaf
oundherbr
aandwor
eiton,
thenshewor
e
hergownandrushedoutoft
her oom,notwit
hout
star
ingatMat
thi
ascoldbodyforthel
astti
me.
Sheshookherheadast
ear
sdr
oppedf
rom hereyes.
"Iwi
shitdi
dn'
tendl
ikethi
sMatt
hias,butgoodbye"
shesai
dandrushedint
othesi
tt
ingroom tosee
Dil
li
ont
here.
Hewassit
ti
ngdownwithhisshi
rtunbutt
oned,
l
ooksl
ikehewastendi
ngtohisowninjur
y.
Hetookoutapenf rom hi spocketandfixeditinto
thebull
ethole.Hedi dn'tnoticethathehaswast ed
alotofblood.Hedi dn'tnoticebecausehewasso
angryandnowt hepainsar eaboutt oki
llhi
m, he
hastostopthebl eedingf astforhimtosurvi
ve.
Shawnawalkedcl
osert
ohim andst
opped,
watchi
ngwhathewasdoing.
Hefi
xedthepi
noft
hepenonthebull
etandclosed
hi
seyes,
thenhest
art
edpul
li
ngthebull
etout
.
"Gosh!
"Shawnaexcl
aimed.Shehasneverseen
anythi
ngl
iket
hisbef
ore.
Di
ll
iongr
oanedouti
next
remepai
nwhenhef
inal
ly
pull
edthebul
letout
.Mor
ebl
oodr
ushedoutf
rom
thehol
e.
Dil
li
onbreat
hedouti
nrel
ieft
hatt
hebul
letwasout
ofhisbody.
"Gi
vemet hat
"hesai
dtoShawnapoi
nti
ngatt
he
bot
tleofal
coholt
her
e.
Shawnaquicklygr
abbedt hebott
leandgavei
tto
hi
m, shewatchedhim pouriti
ntothehol
e.
"
Shi
t!
!"Di
ll
iongr
oanedoutagai
ntr
yingt
osuppr
ess
t
hepain.
Hedroppedthebottl
eofalcoholfeel
ingsosoweak.
Shawnanoticedt
his,shedecidedtofini
shupt
he
nextt
hing.
Eveni
fshedidn'
tknowaboutt
hefi
rstandsecond
thi
nghedi
d,sheknowsthethi
rdt
hingtodo.
Shelookedf
oracl
eancl
othandwentt
ohim.Di
l
lion
knewwhatshewasaboutt
odoandall
owedher
.
Sheposit
ionedhersel
fpr
oper
lybesi
dehim andti
ed
thatar
eaupwi t
htheclot
htohel
pstopthebleedi
ng.
Shet
ri
edl
ooki
ngf
orapai
nrel
iefdr
ugt
her
ebuthe
st
oppedher
.
"Let
'sgo"hesaidandtri
edstandingup.Shawna
heldhimtomaket hi
ngseasierforhim buthetr
ied
removingherhands,shedi
dn'tl
isten,herhol
don
himtight
enedandhel at
ergaveint oher.
Sheassi
stedhi
m outt
owher
ehepar
kedhi
scar
.
Hegoti
ntot
hedr
iversi
tandi
mmedi
atel
ymadea
cal
l.
"
Mat
thew"hesai
dint
othephone.
"I
'
m comingovertoyourhouserightnow,I
'
vebeen
shot
!Bul
letout
,Ineedpropertr
eatment"hesai
d
agai
nint
othephoneandt hrewitaside.
Herestedhishandont hesteer
ingtryi
ngtoregai
n
hisst
rength.Shawnawat chedhim andfel
tsorr
yfor
him.Hegothur tsavi
ngher,shewishedthatshe
candrivebutshecan'tdr
ive.
Shelookedaroundt
hecarandsawabot
tl
eof
seal
edwat er
.
Sheoff
eredhi
mt hewaterandherai
sedhi
sheadup
andcol
lect
edthewaterwit
houtut
ter
ingawor
d,
t
heni
nonegul
p,hef
ini
shedt
hewat
er.
Seemsl
ikeheneededi
t.
Heignit
edt heengineafterdr
inki
ngt hewater.Then
hestart
eddr i
ving,notwithal
lhisenergybuthe
tr
ieddri
vingreall
yf ast
,hedrovesor oughl
y,his
eyesfel
tlikecl
osingbuthedi dn'
tgiveintoit
.
Hedr
over
oughl
yunt
ilhegott
oMat
thew'
shouse.
Immediat
elyhest
oppedinf
rontofthehouse,
wit
houtevencomingdownfr
om hiscar,
hef i
nal
ly
gavei
n.
Hepassedout
.
.
THEEND
.
TOBECONTI
NUEDFROM SEASONTWO.
.
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence1
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
.

Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Thef
eari
nShawna'
shear
tincr
eased.
What
?Whathappenedtohi
m?Hopehei snotdead?
Shet
houghtf
ear
ful
lyasshetouchedhi
m.
Shet
ri
edr
aisi
nghisheadupbutcoul
dn'
t,
hewas
wayt
ooheavyforhert
ohandl
e.
Shequickl
ygotdownf rom t
hecarandturnedto
openhisdoor,sheopenedthedoorandconti
nued
tr
yingherbesttoprobabl
ybri
nghim backtoli
fe.
Justt
henMatt
hewarr
ivedwi
thhi
scar,heparked
andcamedowntoseeShawnatr
yingherbeston
Di
ll
ion.
"Letme"hesai
dandhandedaboxwithhi
mto
Shawnaandshecoll
ect
editf
rom hi
m.
"
Whydidn'
tyoucomestrai
ghtt
othehospital
?"
Mat
thewgroanedashepull
edhim outoft
hecar.
"
Damn!!Youar
esoheavy"Matt
hewsaidt
ryi
ngto
maket
heunconsci
ousDil
li
onstandonhi
sfeetbut
i
tdi
dn'
twork.
Mat
thewbr
eat
hedoutf
eel
ingexhaust
ed.
"Goi
nandcalltheguardsforme"hesaidt
o
Shawnawhonoddedandwal kedt
othehugegate
andknockedonit
.Itgotopenedbyaveryhuge
guar
dwhohasast raightandmeanlookon.
"
Whoareyou?"Hegr
oanedoutasi
fShawnawas
t
hecauseofal
lhi
sprobl
ems.
"Um.
..
.Iam"shepoi
ntedatt
hecarf
ort
heguar
dto
seeMatthew.
"
HeycomeoverBi
ggi
e"Mat
thewshout
edf
rom
wher
ehewas.
Bi
ggi
eimmedi
atel
yrant
owar
dst
hecarandhel
ped
i
ncar
ryi
ngDi
ll
ionout
.
ItscaredShawna,thef
eel
ingthathemi
ghtbedead
start
edbringi
ngtearst
ohereyes.
No!Pl
ease,l
ethim st
ayali
ve.Idon'
twanthi
m dead,
shecri
edinwar
dlyasshefoll
owedBi ggi
eand
Matt
hewintohishouse.
Mat t
hewaskedBiggiet
otakeDil
li
ont
otheguest
room andBiggi
edid.Bi
ggi
elai
dhimther
eandlef
t
after
wards.
"
Okaylet
'ssee"Matt
hewsai
dtaki
ngasi
tbesi
de
Di
ll
iononthebed.
Shawnast
oodattheot
hersi
deofthebed,
hereyes
fi
xedonDi
ll
ion,
tear
sst
il
lpour
ingoutf
rom hereyes.
Matt
hewunt
iedt
heclot
har
oundhi
sshoul
derand
i
nspect
edt
heinj
ury.
Hebr oughtoutthenecessar yi
nstr
umentneededto
tr
eathim aft
erinspecti
ngt hewound.Hetreat
ed
him andduet othefactthatDil
li
onhadlostalotof
Dil
li
on,hecalledthehospi t
alandorder
edfor
Dil
li
on'sparti
cularbl
oodt ypebebrought.
Mat t
hewdoesn' tneedf orpaymenttobemadef ir
st,
heknowst hatnomat t
erwhathappens.Dill
ionwill
surelyrecoverandallthepayment sandmor ewil
l
bepai dsohedi deverythingthatshoul
dbedonef or
him andnowDi l
li
onislayingont hebedsl
eeping.
Matt
hewbreat
hedouti
nrel
ief
,hei
sfi
nal
lydone
wi
thDil
li
on.
Hestar
edupatShawnawhohasbeencr
yingf
or
aboutf
ourhour
s,heshookhi
shead.
I
sn'
tshet
ir
edofsheddi
ngt
ear
s?Het
hought
.
"
Hey,
Shawna"hecal
ledandshel
ookedathi
m.
"Comewi t
hme, heneedshi
sspace.Shoul
dn'
tyou
alsoberesti
ng?Youhadasurger
ydoneonyout wo
threedaysago"Matt
hewsaidwalki
ngoutoft
he
guestroom.
Shawnawi
pedthet
ear
sof
fherf
aceandf
oll
owed
Matt
hewout.
"
I'
m okay"sheanswer
edsi
mpl
yasshef
oll
owedhi
m.
"
Reall
y?Youmusthavebeenscared,
youalsoneed
t
orest.Di
ll
ionwon'
twakeupt
il
ltomorrow,
why
don'
tyoumakeuseoft
heot
herguestr
oom f
or
now?"Hei
nqui
red.
Shawnabowedherheadi
nthought
.
Shouldshestayher
e?Ofcourseshecan'tl
eave
Dil
li
onallbyhimsel
fher
e.Thatwil
lbecruelofher
.
"
Um.
.okaysi
r"Shawnast
aredupandsai
d.
"Yeah,t
heroom i
sjustbesi
detheroom Dil
li
onisi
n,
thatone"Matt
hewpointedoutt
oherandshe
noddedandmadet oleavebuthestoppedher.
"Um...
Ican'
tletyoustayl
ikethi
sei
ther,youar
e
coveredinbl
ood.Youneedashower ,
anewpai r
clot
handyoual soneedfoodbeforeagoodsleep"
Matthewsaidmaki ngherstar
eathim.
"Hmm. .
.lucki
lyf
ewofmysi ster'
sclothesarestil
l
hereandIt hi
nkitwil
lfi
xyou,notexactl
ybuti t
's
manageabl e,
fol
lowme.Let'sgetit
"Mat thew
beckonedandst ar
tedcli
mbingthestairs.
Wit
hhergazeonthefl
oor
,shef
oll
owedhimti
llhe
st
oppedataroom.Shewait
edf
orhimtogoinand
hedid,
aft
erf
ewmi nut
esofwai
ti
ng,hecameout
wi
thashi
rtandashor
t.
"
Thi
swi
lldo"hehandedi
ttoher
.
Shebowedherheadsl
ight
lyi
nthanksbef
oreshe
l
eft
.
Att
hatmoment
,tal
kingwast
hel
astt
hingshe
wannado.
Shewentbackt
othesecondguestroom andhad
herbat
h,t
hencameoutafter
wardsputt
ingonthe
dressMat
thewhandedt
oher .
Shewastakent
othedi
nni
ngt
abl
ebyoneoft
he
maidst
here.
Shesatdownandstar
tedeat
ingwhatwasof
fer
ed
toher
,shor
tl
y,Mat
thewjoi
nedheronthet
abl
e.
Hewasn'
teat
ing,hejustwat
chedhereatt
oherf
il
l.
Ther
ewerealotofquesti
onsforhi
mtoask.
Forexampl
eWHOTHEHELLSHOTDI
LLI
ON?
Hewait
edforhert
ofi
nisheat
ingandwhenshewas
donehest
art
edwithhi
squesti
ons.
"
Whatt
hehel
lhappened?WhywasDi
ll
ionshot
?"
Mat
thewaskedher
.
Shawnastar
edathim wonder
ingi
fitwasokayto
answert
hatquest
ionbutshedeci
dedtoanswerit
i
nasimpleway.
"
Hegotshott
ryi
ngt
osaveme"sheanswer
ed.
"
Youwer
eabduct
ed?
"Heaskedagai
n.
"
Yes"sheanswer
ed.
Matt
hewrel
axedbackonhi
ssi
tandwat
chedher
cl
osel
yforawhil
e.
"
Youmusthavebeenr
eal
lyscar
ed,
huh!
?"Heasked.
"
Yes,
Iwasr
eal
lyscar
ed"Shawnar
epl
iedt
rut
hful
ly.
"Whatwereyoureal
lyscaredof?Ofthefactthat
yougotabductedorofthefactDi
ll
ioni
sint hat
condi
ti
on?"Hisquest
ionmadeherdumbf ounded.
"
Bot..
bot
h"shewhi
sper
edoutar
epl
yaf
tersome
t
hinki
ng.
"Whichonewereyoumorescaredof
?Thef
ir
stof
second?"Mat
thewaskedagai
n.
"
Thesecond"Shawnar
epl
iedt
rut
hful
ly.
Mat
thewsi
ghed.
"
Whoar
eyout
ohi
m?"Hewentonandasked.
Shawnadi
dn'
trepl
ythi
sone,
shecoul
dn'
t.
"
Youhavefeel
ingsf
orhi
m,don'
tyou?"Heasked
t
hisone,
itmadehermor
econfused.
Howist
hatevenpossibl
e?Am Inotaskingfor
deat
hbypossi
blyl
iki
nghim?Shet hought.
"
No!Ther
eisnowayIl
ikehi
m"sher
epl
iedhi
m
f
ir
mly.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence2-
3
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Leavi
ng)
Shawna'
sPOV
Idon'tknowther
easonbehi
ndhi
squest
ionbutI
thoughtandanswer
edit
.
Hell
!ThereisnowayIhavef eel
ingsforhim.How
canIevendevelopi t
?Hei smorel i
kemymast er,
myowner .It
'sclear
lyimpossibl
e.Itcan'
tnever
happen,I'
l
ljustputt
ingmyownsel fatri
skby
devel
opingfeeli
ngsf orhi
m.Feelingsthatcannever
beacknowledged, f
eeli
ngsthatcanbr i
ngmecl oser
todeathbypunishment .
No!Ther
eisnowaythati
severhappeni
ng,
I
t
houghtdeepl
ytomysel
f.
"Why?Whydon' tyou?Isn'
thehandsomeenoughor
areyoujustl
ying?"Thedoctor
'svoi
cesnappedme
outofthought
.
"No.
..
no..
.i
t'
snott
hatsir
,it
'sj
ustthati
tisn'
tpossibl
e.
Thereshoul
dn'
tbesuchfeeli
ngsbetweenus, Iam
notall
owedtohavesuchfeel
ingsforhi
m"she
expl
ained.
"Thenwhy?Whoar eyoutohi
m?I'
m curi
ous,I
'
ve
knownDil
li
onf oraver
ylongt
imesoit
'sokaytot
ell
me"heinsi
sted.
"I
'
m. .
.j
ust,I
'
m anobodytohi
m si
r,j
ustli
keamere
propert
y"Imumbledthel
astpar
tgivi
ngint
ohis
questi
ons.
"
Amer
epr
oper
ty?
"Heaskedandt
hengasped.
"
Youmeanasl
ave;
as*
xsl
aver
ight
?"Heasked.
If
eltbi
tt
eredatthementi
onofas*xsl
avebuthow
di
dheknow?Ij ustment
ionedapr
opert
y,howdid
hegettoknowthatam j
ustas*xt
ohim?
"
Yes,
howdi
dyouknow?
"Ianswer
edt
henasked.
"Becausehehashadonebef
ore,ori
sitt
wo?Yeah, I
thi
nkit'
stwobutt
hebothoft
hem hasdied"he
answeredandIswal
lowedalar
gequantit
yofsal
iva.
"Di
ed?Howdi
dtheybot
hdi
e?"Iaskedf
ear
engul
fi
ngme.
"Um..
.Idon'
tno,butal
lIhear
dist
hatt
heydi
ed"he
answeredthenstoodup.
"
Goodni
ght
,got
onow"hesai
dandl
eft
.
Myhear
tst
art
edpoundi
ng.
Howdidtheydi
e?Whoki l
ledorwhatexactl
ykil
led
twoofhi
sformals*xslave?IthoughtasIstoodup
headedf
ortheguestroom.
Ohpl
easel
ord!Idon'
twantt
oimagi
nei
t.
Igoti
ntother
oom andl
iedownt
hendr
if
tedt
o
sl
eepafter
wards.
*
Thenextday.
*
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Towardsmor
ning,
Dil
li
ontur
nedrest
lessl
yonhis
bedforawhi
lebef
orehe'
seyesf
lushedopen.
Helookedar
oundt
her
oom,
ever
ywher
est
il
llooked
dar
k.
Hestr
uggledwithhi
smovementsandsatupont he
bedandthentookhi
seyestohishurt
inglef
t
shoul
der
.Thereisabandagecover
ingthewound.
Hecamedownf rom t
hebedandt ur
nedonthel
i
ght
.
Thi
sisn'
tthef
ir
stti
met hatt
hishasact
ual
ly
happenedtohim andthiswasn'tthef
ir
stti
mehei s
sleepi
nginthi
sparti
cularr
oom.I thadhappened
twice,
hehassleptheretwice.
Hewenti ntothebat
hroom af
ter
wardsandwashed
hisfacecl eanthenhi
smindrecall
edtheday'
s
acti
vity.HowhehadsavedShawnaandendedup
fai
nting.
Hast hecopsfoundt
hosedeadbodies?Orhast
he
personthatsentt
hem f
oundthei
rbodies?He
thought.
Ifnotf
orthefactthathegotshothecoul
dhave
takencareoftheplacewel
lthenrepor
ttothecops
himselfaboutthebodi
es.
Ofcoursehealreadyknowswhathe' l
ltel
lthem,it
's
anactofselfdefenceandaft
eral
ltheywer ethe
onesthatcamel ooki
ngfort
roubl
ei nthefi
rstpl
ace.
Hebr
eat
hedoutashest
aredatt
hemi
rr
or.
Shawna.Wher
eisshe?Het houghtandlef
tthe
bathr
oom,hel
ookedaroundtheroom andcouldn'
t
fi
ndanytr
aceofher.
Heopenedthedoorofhisroom andwentout
.He
openedthedoornextt
ohisandf i
nal
lyf
ound
Shawnathere,
layi
ngandsleepi
ngmaybe
peacef
ull
y.
Heturnedtogobacktohi
sroom butst
opped
becauseofthef
ootst
epshehear
d.
Hetookhiseyest
othestai
rst
oseeMat
thew
cl
imbingdownthest
air
s.
"Iknowiti
t'
shi
ghtimeyouwokeup,howdoyou
feel?
'Matt
hewaskedcomingt
ostandinf
rontof
him.
"
I'
m okay"Di
ll
ionanswer
edhi
m andhenodded.
"IthinkI'
l
lbespendi
ngthewholeoft
odayheremat
t.
I'
llleavetomor
row"Dil
li
onsai
dandMatthew
nodded.
"Youcan,youhungry?Wil
laskt
hemaidst
omake
somethi
ngf oryou"Mat
thewaskedhi
m.
"Nay,
notnow.Tooearl
ytoeat"Dil
li
onanswer
ed
andwentbackint
otheroom t
oliedown.
4hour
slat
er.
Shawnawokeupandqui ckl
ywentt owashherf ace,
shealsobrushedherteethwi t
ht hebrushshefound
i
nsidethebathroom.Afterthat,sherushedoutto
Dil
li
on'sroom.Sheopenedt hedoorandgoti nbut
couldn'
tfi
ndDill
iont
here.
Shel
eftt
her
oom i
mmedi
atel
yinf
ear
.
Didhiscondit
iongetworstthathegotmovedtot
he
hospit
al?Shethoughtfear
full
yasshewentin
searchofeit
herMattheworDi l
li
onhimsel
f.
Thenshef
oundt
hem bot
hatt
hedi
nni
ngr
oom.
Shei
mmedi
atel
yfel
trel
ieved.
Di
ll
ionwasl
ooki
ngbet
ter
.
Shewal
kedsl
owl
ytot
hem.
'
Shawna,you'
reawake?
"Mat
thewonseei
ngher
asked.
"
Yes.
.Goodmor
ning"sheanswer
edt
hengr
eet
ed.
Di
ll
ionlookedupathert
oseewhatshewas
weari
ng.
Hest
aredatherwi
thanakwar
dlook.Asi
faski
ng'
whatt
hehel
lar
eyouput
ti
ngon?
'
Shenoticedthelookandt ookagoodl ookather
ownself,shedidn'
tnoticeproperl
yyesterday.The
cl
othesMat t
hewhadgi vent oherwereover si
zed,i
t
swall
owedherupbutshedi dn'
tnoti
ce,nowt hat
sheisnotici
ngshef el
tsoashamedand
embarrassed.
Mat
thewnot
icedandl
aughed.
"Whati
sit
?Youwer
eokaywi
thi
tyest
erday?
"He
chuckl
ed.
"
Takeasi
t'headdedpul
li
ngasi
tcl
oset
ohi
m.
Shawnawal kedtowardhim andtookasi
t,t
hesit
wassocl osetoMatthewbuthermi nddi
dn'
teven
getther
euntilsheagainsawt hel
ookonDil
li
on'
s
face.
Hel ookedannoyedseei
ngthatt
hei
rsit
swere
almostjoinedtoget
hert
her
ebymakingherbody
touchMat thew.
Sheimmediat
elyst
oodupandwentt
oanothersi
t
sofarf
rom Matt
hew,i
tsur
pri
sedt
hehel
loutofhi
m.
Healsodidn'
tnot
icethecloseness,
eveni
fhe
noti
cedhewon'tbother
.Nowt hatShawnahas
suddenl
ymovedt oanothersit
,heusedhi
sheadt
o
cal
culat
eit.
ShemovedbecauseofDill
ion.Hehasprobablyt
old
herwit
hhiseyes.Hecoul
dn'thel
pbutchuckleat
thet
houghtthatDi
ll
ionwasbeingjeal
ous.
"
Idon'tdol
adi
esDil
l"hecoul
dn'
thel
pbutr
emi
nd
Di
ll
ionwhoonlyr
oll
edhiseyesathi
m.
Amai
dappear
edandser
vedShawnaherbr
eakf
ast
.
Andforthef
ir
stt
imesi
nceShawnashowedup
Di
ll
ionspokeup.
"Bequi
ckwit
hyourmeal
.Luwi
swillbeher
etotake
youbacktot
hemansi
on"Hesaidandshawna'
s
browsper
kedup.
I
sn'
theleavi
ngtoo?Whyam Itheonl
yonel
eavi
ng?
Shet
houghtandalmostsai
d.
'
I
'm notl
eavi
ngher
ewi
thoutyou'
buthel
dher
sel
f.
.
(
Tohi
m)
Shawna'
sPOV
Fewmi
nut
esl
ater
.
Ifi
nishedupwithmymealandgotup.Iam t
hel
ast
persontofi
nishevent
hoDi
ll
ionaskedmetobefast
wit
hmymeal .
Ical
ledamaidther
etocomepi
ckt
hepl
atesand
shecarr
iedi
taway.
Istar
tedt
owardstheguestr
oom thatDi
ll
ioni
s
stayi
ngat
.Li
keI'm doneandIdon'
tknowwhatel
se
todo.
Iwal
kedovert
ohi
sdoorandknockedoni
t.
Iwaitedbutdidn'
thearanyr
eply.St
il
lstandi
ng
ther
e, Ist
art
edheari
ngcarhonesoutside.
Coul
ditbeluwi
s?Heisheretotakeme?It
hought
andrushedout
sidet
oreal
lyseehim.
"Hey"hecal
ledi
mmedi
atel
ycomi
ngdownf
rom t
he
car.
"
Hi"Icoedandhesupr
isedmebypul
li
ngmei
ntoa
hugwhenhegotcl
oser
.
"
Um.
.l
uwi
s"Ical
ledandmovedawayf
rom hi
m.
"Iwaswor r
iedaboutyou,especi
all
ywhenyouguys
didn'
tret
urnlastni
ght.Ma'am Sandraissowor
ri
ed,
wellnotunti
lthebosscal
ledthismor ni
ngandhe
alsoaskedmet ocomepi ckyouup.Hopeyouaren'
t
hurt?
"Heexpl ai
nedthenstart
edexami ni
ngme.
"Am f
ineLuwis,I
'
m okay"Ist
oppedhi
mfr
om
sear
chingfur
ther.
"Thatbastar
dcal
ledMatt
hias.Howdareheabduct
you?Hopehei sdead,
huh!?"Luwi
saskedwit
h
visi
bleanger.
"
Um.
..
."
"
You'r
ehere"Di
ll
ion'
svoi
cesuddenl
yasked
i
nter
rupt
ingusfr
om behi
nd.
Iqui
ckl
ytur
nedt
ofacehi
m.
He'
shandst
uckedint
ohistr
ouserpocket
,hewas
st
andi
ngandstar
ingatusboth.
"
Yesboss"Luwi
sanswer
ed.
"
Takeherhome"heor
der
ed.
"
Yesofcour
se"Luwi
srepl
iedandst
art
edl
eavi
ng.
IguessIshoul
dfoll
owhim.It
urnedt
ofol
lowhi
m
butDil
li
on'
svoicest
oppedme.
It
urnedbackt
ost
areathi
m.
"Don'
tyoueversayanyt
hingaboutmebei
ngshott
o
anyone"hewarned.
"
Ye.
..
yes"Idr
awl
ed.
Whydoesn'thewantem t
oknow?Ithoughtand
f
inal
lywenttomeetupwithLuwi
s.
Itookafi
nall
ookatDil
li
onstandi
ngattheentr
ance,
thengoti
ntot
hecarLuwiscamewi t
h.Luwis
rever
sedandlef
tthecompound.
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Di
ll
ionkeptst
ari
ngunti
lthecarvani
shed,
hethen
t
urnedtogoinsi
debutwasstoppedbyMat t
hew
whowasaboutgoingtothehospit
al.
"YouknowIcoul
djustst
ayher
ewit
hyoutoday.
Thatwil
lbeaver
ygoodthingf
ormebutIgatt
ogo.
SinceI'
mt heheaddoctor
,al
lsur
geriesl
iesonmy
shoulder
.OntheshoulderofMatt
hew"hesaid
makingemphasi sonthewordMatthew.
"
Yeahwhat
ever
"Dil
li
onrol
ledhi
seyesathi
m and
madet
owalkpasshim.
"Youl
ikeher?
"Matthewaskedmaki
ngDi
ll
iont
urn
hisat
tent
iontohi
m.
Hewasfir
stl
yconf
usedbutl
atergott
heideaof
whatandwhoMatthewwasrefer
ri
ngto.
Hesi
ghedandmadet
oignor
ehi
m.
"
Youknowit
'l
lbereall
ygoodifyou'
reagay"
Mat
thewsai
dagainmaki ngDi
ll
ionl
ookathimt
his
t
imewit
hadisgustedface.
"
I'
m notagay"Mat
thewt
oldhi
mfi
rml
ythenst
art
ed
l
eavi
ng.
"Iknow,al
ri
ght
.I'
mjustsayi
ng"Mat
thewyel
ledat
him ashevani
shed.
Hescoff
edandwal
kedt
ohi
scart
hendr
ovet
othe
hospi
tal
.
*
***
Luwi
sandShawnaar
ri
vedshor
tl
yatt
hemansi
on
andt
heycamedown.
Shawnaimmedi at
elyrantolookforma'am Sandr
a.
Whenshef oundher,sheembr acedherrecal
li
ngal
l
thebadthi
ngsthathappenedwhenshegot
abduct
edandwasal mostrapedbutthankful
ly
Dil
li
onsavedtheday.
"
Ohchi
ld,whatr
eal
lyhappened?Ar
eyouokay?
"
Ma'
am Sandr
aaskedher.
"
I'
m okayma'am Sandr
a"Shawnapout
edl
ikeaki
d
whi
lerepl
ying.
"
Thankgoodnessyouarebutwher
eisDi
ll
ion,
wher
e
i
she?"Sheaskedalar
med.
"
Well.
..heis..
..
."
shepausedwhensherecall
edshe
i
snotsupposedt otel
lanyonehegotshot.I
fshe
t
ell
shimt hatheisatMatthew'
spl
ace,she'l
lfi
ndout
t
hathegoti nj
ured.
Whatam Igonnat
ellher
?Shewonder
ed.
"
Um.
.athei
sfr
iend'
s"shedr
awl
edherr
epl
yabi
t.
"
Whatf
ri
endi
sthat
?"Ma'
am Sandr
aaskedcur
ious.
"Idon'
tknow"sheanswer
edandl
ookedbackat
Luwisforbackup.
"Hegotsomest
ufftodoma'
am,
hei
sokay"Luwi
s
sai
dandMa'am si
ghed.
"
Okaynow,expl
aineveryt
hingthathappened"
Ma'
am Sandr
arequestedtaki
ngasi t
.
Shawnastart
edexpl
aini
ng,sheexpl
ainedand
expl
ainedr
ememberingtoomitthepartwher
e
Dil
li
ongotshot.
"
Ohgoodlord!Thankgoodnesshecameont i
me"
Ma'
am Sandraexcl
aimedaftersheexpl
ained.
"
Yes"Shawnanoddedwi
thasmi
leonherf
ace.
*
***
***
ThenextdaywhichwasSunday.Di
ll
ionar
ri
vedand
wentst
raightt
ohisr
oom.
Shawnawhohasbeenexpect
inghimtoarr
ive
becameexcit
edandner
vousatthesameti
me.She
doesn'
tknowhowhiswoundisheal
ingupandshe
wantstoknow.
Hegotshotal
lbecausehewast
rynasavemer
ight
?
Shet
houghtandgotout
.
Sher anallt
hewaytothekitchen,
whenshegot
there.Shegotatr
ayandt ookoutanapple,
a
strawberr
yandgrapesthenshecar r
iedt
hem back
tohisroom up.
Shegottohi
sdoorandknockedoni t
.Shedi
dn'
tget
arepl
yimmediat
elybutl
atergotone.
"
Comei
n"Di
ll
ion'
svoi
cesai
d.
Sheexhal
edandopenedthedoorthenst
eppedi
nto
seehi
m walki
ngoutoft
hebathroom.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence4-
6
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.

(
Locked)
Unknown'
sPOV
"Whatthehel
lhappenedher
e?"Thebossexclai
med
wideeyesashesawBobbyandzazzi l
yingdown
deadonthefl
oor.
"Whodi dt
histothem?"Heaskedouti
nangerbutI
remainedsil
ent.Hehasn'
tevenseenMat
thi
asbody
yet.
Whatishegonnadooncehefi
ndshe'
sson'
sdead
bodyonthefl
oor
?Ithought
.
"
Answerme!
!Whodi
dthi
stot
hem?
?"Her
oar
edout
.
"Um.
.boss.
..
boss,
Ialsofoundt
hem l
iket
his.Idon'
t
knowwhathappened"Ianswer
edhim abi
tshaken.
"
Wher eisMatt
hias?Whyhaven'
tIhear
dfr
om him?
Whereishe?"HeaskedandItookmygazetothe
f
loor-speechl
ess.
"
Isai
dwher
eishe?
??Doyouwantt
ojoi
nthem?
"He
t
hur
der
edangr
il
y.
"
Bo.
..boss,
heal
sodi
ed"Imumbl
edmyanswer
.
"What
?Whatdidyouj
ustsay?
"Hemat
chedf
orwar
d
ashequest
ioned.
Ibecamepet
ri
fi
edandmovedback.
"Hei
sint
heotherroom"Ipoi
ntedouttother
oom
qui
ckl
yandhestoppedmovingclosert
ome.
Hetur
nedandheadedfort
her
oom andIf
oll
owed
hi
m sl
owlyf
rom behi
nd.
"
Mat
thi
as?
"Hecal
ledvi
sibl
yshaken.
Thel
unat
icthatkil
ledhi
m hasnomi
ndatal
l.Coul
d
i
tbeanassassin?Iwondered.
"Who.
..
whodi
dthi
stoyouMat t
hias?
"Heshr i
eked
goi
ngdownonhiskneesbesi
deMat t
hiasbody.
Bl
oodf
il
ledt
hewhol
eroom.He'
swast
edbl
ood.
He'
sheadlookedl
ikei
thadbeensmachedbya
movi
ngtruck.
"Whodidthi
stoyouMat
thi
as?Who?"Theboss
askedwit
hashakedupvoi
ce.Hecoul
dnolonger
cont
rolhi
msel
f.
Ibethei
sgonnacr
yli
keababyanyt
imef
rom now.
Butweallthoughtthatheneverreal
lyli
keMat t
hias
thobecauseMat t
hiascamef r
om aoneni ghtstand
hehadwhenhewaswayyounger ,
hedoesn't
approveorpaymuchat tent
iontohim butMatthias
managedt ogainhisatt
enti
on.
Matthewshadpromisedtopr
ovehiswort
htohis
f
athersohecanalsoberecogni
zed.Pr
ovi
nghis
wort
hhasmanagedt oleadhimtoanearl
ygrave,
I
t
houghtandsighed.
"I
'
m gonnaf i
ndoutthebeastthatdidthistoyou.I'
m
gonnahavehi swhol
efami l
ykill
ed,ever
ysingle
persont hatmeanssomet hingt ohimisgonnadi e
Mat t
hi as.Heisgonnawat chthem dieoneaf t
erthe
other.Ipr omiseyouthat
,Iwilldieful
fi
ll
ingthi
s
promi set oyouson"hecriedatt heendandIsighed.
Ineverknewhelovedhim.Nooneknew,
heal
ways
actedstr
ong,
Ithoughtagai
nandsi
ghed.
Hest
oodupf
rom t
hef
looraf
ter
war
ds.
"Gett
hewhol
esquad,f
indoutwhodi
dthi
s.Wear
e
gonnagof
orwar"hecommanded.
"
YesBoss,
oni
t"Ianswer
ed.
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Di
ll
iontur
nedt
ostar
eatShawna,
he'
seyeswentt
o
whatshewascar
ryi
ngt
henbacktoherf
ace.
Af
terstar
ingatherbl ankl
y,hewalkedovert
ohis
cl
osetandt hrewitopen.Hebroughtoutsome
cl
othesafterwardsandmadet owearthem.
"I
'
lljustt
urnaround"Shawnawhohasbeenstar
ing
athim wit
houtknowingwhattotel
lhi
mthatr
eall
y
broughthersaidthenshet
urned.
Dil
li
ondidn'
trepl
yherbutkeptdoi
nghisthi
ng.
Whenshesuspect edt
hathemusthaveclothed
hi
mself,
sheturnedtostar
eathim andsawhim
goi
ngtowardsadeskatasi deofhisr
oom.
Shest
art
edwalkingtowardshim,whenshegott
o
hi
m.Shekeptthetraycontai
ningt
hefr
uit
sand
gul
pedhard.
"
Getmemi
lk,
taket
hisaway"hel
ookedupather
andsai
dthencont
inuedwi
tht
hel
apt
opheopened
up.
"
Okay"shesai
dhappi
lyandr
anoutwi
tht
het
ray.
Shewashappythathedi
dn'
tyel
latheror
commandheroutofhisr
oom.
Sheranallthewaydownandgotacup, she
broughtoutthepoweredmil
kther
eandtookwarm
waterfr
om thedespenser
.Thensheputinalar
ge
quanti
tyofmi l
kint
othecupandsti
rr
edit.
Shesmi l
edatitt
hendroppedt hepoweredmilk
back.Shetookoutanothertr
ayandpl acedt
hecup
ofmademi lkt
herethenleftf
orhisroom.
Sheknockedonthedooranddidn'
ttowai
tinot
her
tohearhi
srepl
ybefor
eopeningthedoorand
walki
ngin.
Shedr oppedthemil
kont hedesk,af
terawhil
e,he
raisedhisheadup.Grabbedthecupofmilkand
sippedfrom i
t.
Shawna'
seyeswi
dened.
Hopehewon'
trej
ecti
t?Shet
houghtandl
ucki
lyhe
di
dn'tsayawor
d.Hecont
inuedt
ypi
ngawayonhi
s
l
aptop.
Shecl
ear
edhervoi
ceaft
erawhi
le,
hereyesf
ixed
onhi
swoundedshoul
derwhi
chhadcl
othecover
ing
i
t.
"Um.
..
..
"shemumbl ednotknowinghowt
ost
arti
t.
Shehasneverdonethi
sbefore.
Shedoesn'
tknowi
fshe'
stocal
lhi
m hi
snamebut
shedeci
dedtogof
orsir
.
Eventhoughhelooksmyage, Ibethei
snott
hat
young,shet
houghtthencal
led.
"
Si.
..
sir
"shecal
ledout
.
Hestoppedandl
ookedupatherwi
thawhatdoyou
wantlook.
"Your
..
.yourshoul
der,Iwant
edt
obesur
ethatyou
areokay"shestut
ter
ed.
Hejustst
aredatherwit
houtrepl
ying,
itmadeher
ner
vous.Hetookhiseyesbacktohislapt
op.
"
Youcangonow"hest
ated.
Sheturnedfeel
ingdowncast
ed.Whyi
sn'
the
repl
yingher
?
Shet
urnedandst
art
edl
eavi
ng.
Whenshegott
othedoorhecal
ledherback.
"Youar
eforget
ti
ngsomet
hing"hesai
dandclosed
uphisl
aptopdonewit
hwhateverhewasdoi
ng.
Shewalkedbackt
othedesk,
andbentt
opi
ckup
thet
raywit
hthecupsadl
y.
Duetot hewayshecarr
iedi
t,t
hecupst
il
lcontai
ning
mil
kslippedfr
om thet
rayandfel
lont
hefloor
,the
cupbrokeint
opieces.
Herhear
tski
pped.
Shequicklybentdownandmadet
opi
ckupt
he
brokenpieces.
"Leaveitcl
umsy"Di l
li
onbentdownsl ightl
ythen
madet opullherup,sheimmedi at
elyturnedtostar
e
athim.Duringtheprocessofhert ur
ningtostareat
him andhim bendingtopullherup,t
heirface
almostmet .Thei
reyeslockedintoeachot her
'sand
theyremainedthatway.
Bot
hhear
tsr
aced.
.
.
.
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Theykeptstar
ingateachother
,shocki
ngl
ytot
hem
both.Theyweren'
tabl
etolookaway.
Shawnat
ri
edherbestt
olookel
sewher
e.
Heisgoingtopunishyouagai nShawna,you'r
e
cr
ossingyourboundaries.Youaren'
tsupposedto
l
ookhimi ntheeyes,l
ookaway!Avoi cescreamed
i
nsideherheadandshef or
cedhereyeselsewher
e.
"I
...I
'
m. .
.I
'm.
.sor
ry,
I'
ll
..
.I
'l
ljustgetamaidher
e"she
stutt
eredasherheartkeptpounding.
Dil
li
onremainedmutedst
il
lst
ari
ngatherwi
thout
anyvisi
bleexpr
essi
onon.
Shawnacoul
dn'
ttel
lifhe'sangr
yatherbutwhat
madeherhear
tracefasterwasthewordshespi
ll
ed
out
.
"
Getont
hebed"hevoi
cedout
.
Shawna'
seyeswi
dened.
Ohmygoodness!Hei
sgoi
ngt
opuni
shme,
her
mindscr
eamedather
.
Whydidn'
tyoucontr
olyourself
?Whydi dn'
tyoul ook
away?Shequesti
onedherselfgetti
ngscar ed.She
dr
eads*xalot.Si
nceithadhur therthetwot imes
hedidi
twit
hher ,
shedoesn'twannadoi tagain.
Sheturnedtowar
dsthebedwithshakylegs,she
wantedtobeghimtofor
giveherforst
aringbutshe
coul
dn'tdar
edoit.
Shestart
edundr
essingher
sel
fsl
owl
y,shecoul
d
feelhi
seyesonherever
ymove.
Hej
ustst
oodandst
ared.
Thewayhestar
edwithoutsayi
ngawordmadeher
ner
vousandanxi
ous.Nervousandanxi
ousabout
what'
scomi
ngforher.
Whenshehadcompl
etel
ynakedher
sel
fshest
art
ed
f
eel
ingsoshy.
I
tisn'
tthef
ir
stt
imebutshest
il
ldoesn'
treal
lyl
ike
goi
ngnakedi
nfr
ontofaguy.I
thasn'
treal
ly
master
edher
.
Shelai
ddownf l
atonthebedandshothereyes
cl
osewaiti
ngforhimtodowhateverf
astso
ever
ythi
ngcouldend.
Di
ll
ionwhohadbecomesur pr
isedl
ytur
nedupjust
bystar
ingatherdi
rect
lyi
ntheeyeswaskindof
al
soconfused.
WhyonEart
hwillj
ustst
ari
ngathereyesaf
fecthi
s
bodysomuch?Hewondered.
Mostt i
messeei
ngfemal
enakedbodi esdoesn't
real
lymovehimtohaves*x.Eventhetwoti
meshe
hadhads* xwi
thher,
hewasn'ttur
nedonatal lso
what'sthi
s?
Whydi
dithappenj
ustbystar
ingathereyescl
osel
y?
Hewonder
edashekeptstari
ngather.
Aftershef i
nishedundr
essinghersel
fandgot
herselfl
aidont hebed,he'
shardonbecamemor e
obvious.Itwasshocking,herbodyisaf
fect
inghi
m
toomuch.Mor ethanhecanunder st
and.
Buthecoul
dn'
tmove,hecouldn'
tgot
oher.I
t'
sli
ke
hedoesn'
twanthert
oexperi
encepai
natall
.
"
Getout"hebreat
hedoutacommandaf
ter15good
minut
esofjustst
ari
ngather
.
Shawnawhohadbeenwai
ti
ngshuthereyesopen.
Wait!Whatwasthat?Shet
houghtasshetookher
eyestostar
eatDil
li
on.Shefoundhi
m goi
nginto
thei
nnerroom t
here.
Didhejustor
derherout
?Shet
houghtandst
oodon
herfeet
.
Shepickedherclot
hesf r
om t
hefl
oorandworeiton.
Whenshewassur ethathewasn'
tcomingback,
she
walkedtothedoorandopeneditt
henleft
af
terwards.
Shegott
oherroom f
orget
ti
ngtoevencal
lamai
dto
gocl
eanDil
li
on'
sroom up.Shest
art
edthi
nki
ng.
Doesn'
thewantheranymore?Whysuddenl
ywi
llhe
askhert
oleave?Shewondered.
*
***
Di
ll
iongr
oanedangr
il
yathi
msel
fforor
der
ing
Shawnaout
.He'shar
d,ashar
dasar
ockandi
thas
st
art
edhurt
ing.
Damni
t!WhyonEar
thdi
dIdot
hat
?Hewonder
ed.
Somewher
eatMexi
co
Di
ll
y'
sPOV
"Youcan'tgoi
nmi ss,
youcan'
tgoi
n"Ihear
dmy
secret
aryshout
ing.
"Iam goingin,I
'
m gonnaseeDi l
lywhetheryouli
ke
i
tornot "avoiceshoutedback.Recogni
zingthe
voiceIstoodupandi mmediatel
yopenedt hedoor
toseeher .
"
Rit
a!"Ical
led.
"
Yes"sheanswer
edandpushedmysecr
etar
yaway.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Iquest
ioned.
"Lookit
'shight
imeDi l
ly,i
t'
shightimepeoplelear
n
thatIam t
hemot herofyourchild,doyouhearme? "
Shescreamedatmeandt hesecretar
ythrewher
mout hopen,di
sappointmentclearl
yvisi
blei
nher
eyes.
"Comein"Igr
oanedl
owly.Ididn'twantt
he
conver
sati
ontocont
inueoutside.
Shepushedmeoutofthewayandgoti
n,t
hentook
asit
.Ispar
edmysecretar
yonel
astgl
ancebef
ore
shut
ti
ngthedoor
.
Ri
ta,
thi
sbit*
hhasspoi l
edmychancesofaski
ng
mypret
tysecret
aryouttoadi
nnert
onight
.
Ihavebeenadmi r
ingherforawhil
enow,li
kef ora
week.Shesuddenl ystar
tedbecomingmorepr ett
y
andintel
li
gentandnowt hatI'
vedecidedt
oaskher
outli
kear ealgentl
eman.Thisbit
*hhasdecidedto
rui
nmychances.
Iwal
kedbackt
othedeskandsatf
aci
ngher
.
"Ordersomethi
ngformetodri
nkDil
ly,
don'
tjust
stare"sher
oll
edhereyesandsai
d.
Ispokeint
otheoff
icet
elephoneandor
der
edacup
ofcoff
eeforher
.
"So,whydidyoucomeher eaft
eral
lmywarnings
Rita?Howmanyt imeshaveIwarnedyouagainst
comi ngher
e?"Iquest
ionedt
ryi
ngtosuppr
esst he
angereat
ingmeup.
Ir
eall
ycur
sethedayIr
ani
ntoheratacl
ub.Awi
ld
bi
t*hshei
s.
"
Wel l
,I'
m si
mplyti
redofhi
dingmysel
fandourki
d
fr
om thepubli
c.Peopl
egattoknowyougatason
Dil
ly.
..
."
"
LookRit
a,wealr
eadydiscussedt
hisamill
ion
t
imes.I
t'
snott
herightt
ime"Icutherof
f.
"
Whenisitgonnabe?Ourki
dis4year
sol
dnow.4
f
**k*
ngyearsoldandyouwantt
okeephi
ding.
..
."
"Iaren'thi
dinghi mf r
om thepubl i
c.YouknowI
aren'treadyforaki d,Iaskedyout oabortt
he
pregnancy.Your efused,Igaveyoubi l
li
onstotake
careofhi m andyoucol l
ectedthemoneyandnow
you'reheredisturbingmeagai n.Whatt hehelldo
youwantf r
om meagai nRi t
a?Whydoyoukeep
breakingourf *
* k*ngagreement ?"Iaskedher
unabl etocontrolmyangeragai n.
"AllIwantisforhimtobeint
roducedhere.Af
teral
l
hei syourfi
rstson,i
tmeansthatheisgonnabe
takingoverthi
scompanyaf t
eryoumustber eti
red
i
nthef
utur
e..
."
"
Areyoucrazy?Iam notmyfather'
seldestson.My
t
winbrot
herissostopdreaming!
!"Ishutherup.
"LookIdon'tcar
eifyou'
retheeldest
,allIknowi s
that,
mysoni sgonnainheritt
hiscompanyandal l
thepropert
iesyouhave,okay?Bearthatinmi nd,I
'l
l
becomi ngbackwithhim nextti
meandyou' re
gonnabei ntr
oduci
ngusbot htothereportersas
yourwifetobeandson!!"Shestatedmaki ngevery
wordscleartome.
Thedooropenwi
thawor
kerbr
ingi
ngi
nthecof
fee.
Shest
oodupandcoll
ect
edt
hecof
fee,
sheopened
i
tandwal
kedout
side.
Thenextthi
ngIheardwerescreams,
Irushedoutt
o
seethecoff
eecontentdr
ippi
ngdownmy
secr
etar
y'shead.
Ohgoodness!
"Fi
reherbefor
eIcomeback,Idon'
tneedabi
t*hl
ike
herhere"Ri
taaddedbef
oredi
sappeari
ng.
HowonEar
th?Whydi
dIbecomeunf
ort
unat
e?I
wonder
edshockedatever
ythi
ngt
hatj
usthappened.
Val
ent
ine'
sPOV
"Holi
dayiscomingupnextmont
hsis.Yousaywe
aregoingtospendi
tinPari
swit
hdad?"Iasked
Tina.
"
Yup"sheanswer
ed.
"Why?BecauseDill
i
oniscurrentl
yatPari
s?"Iasked
againandshestoppedwhatshewasdoi ng.She
shruggedhershoul
dersbutdidn'
trepl
y.
"
Don'tworr
ysis,Ipromiseyou.I'
l
lhelpyouget
Di
ll
ionbackduri
ngt hi
sbreak,becauseiti
stheonl
y
wayIcangetclosertohistwi
nbr ot
her"Igi
ggl
edat
t
helastpar
t.
"IwishTi
ne,butDil
l
ionwon'
tevenl
ist
ent
oyou"she
shruggedandsaidagai
n.
"Remembert heunbr
eakabl
epromi
sehemadet
o
you?"Iaskedwinki
ngather.
Shelookedconf
usedatf
ir
stbutwhensher
ecal
l
ed
i
thereyesbeamed.
"
Ohmygosh!Howcoul
dIf
orgett
hat
?"She
excl
aimedandf
inal
lysmi
led.
"Yessis,you'
reget
ti
nghi
m backforsure.He
doesn'tgobackonhiswordssoyou'l
lhavehim
again"Iassur
edher.
"Andbytheway..
.Andrewcall
ed.Iseethewayhe
l
ooksatyousomet imesTina,youneedtostay
awayfrom hi
mifyou'r
esureyoul i
keDil
li
on
becausehemightendupspoilingthi
ngsforyou"I
advi
sedherbutdidn'
thearareply.
Il
if
tedmyheadupt
oseet
hatt
her
oom wasempt
y.
Ohgr
eat
!I'
vebeenspeaki
ngt
omysel
f.
*
*Par
is*
*
Unknown'
sPOV
"Haveyoufoundthepersonthatdi
dthi
syet?
"The
bossroaredoutst
il
linpainsaft
erl
osi
nghisson.
He'sfour
thson.
"Um..notcompletel
ysurewhoi
sitbossbutwegot
aclue"spenceransweredhi
m he'
sfi
ngersonthe
comput eri
nfrontofhi
m.
"
Her
eint
heCCTVf
oot
age,
amancanbeseen
st
eppingoutofhi
scarbutiar
en'
tsur
eofwhohei
s"
Spencersai
d.
Iwentcl
osertothecomputerbutcan'
trecogni
ze
hisf
ace,i
tlooksfami
li
arbutcan'tr
ecognizehi
m
evenaft
erhezoomedthepicture.
"
Keepsear
ching.Iwantr
esul
tsoutsoon!
!"Theboss
r
aspedandlef
ttheroom.
*
Adayl
ater
*
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Shawnaret
urnedbackt
othemansi
onaf
terschool
soti
red.
Schoolhasbeenunusual
.Iti
snotusualatal
l
especi
all
ywit
houtMatthi
as.
Thefir
stdayshest
eppedi
ntot
heschoolwast
he
fi
rstt
imehemether.
Shecan'
tst
il
lbel
ievehedi
ed.Di
ll
ionki
ll
edhi
m af
ter
hetr
iedt
orapeher.
Af
terabducti
ngher,aft
ersl
appi
ngandr
ippi
ngher
cl
othesoffherbody.
Butshemisseshi
m alot
.Shewishedt
hatitwasall
anightmar
e.Shecan'
tst
il
lhat
ehim af
terwhathe
di
dt oher
.
Maybebecauseshedoesn'
thaveastoneasahear
t,
aft
eral
lhehasal
readydi
ed.What'
stheuseof
hati
ngonthedead?
Butallshegatt
odonowont omoveonwithouthi
m.
Probablyfi
ndanot
herf
ri
end-af
emaleofcourse.
Sinceshestar
tedschooling,
al otofst
udentshas
wantedtobefriendswit
hher ,especi
all
ythemales
butMatthi
ascoul dn'
tal
lowit
.
Aft
eragr
eeingt
obef r
iendswiththeperson,
atthe
backMatt
hiaswil
ldowhatevertoscarethem of
f
her.
Now,i
t'
stimet
oreall
yfi
ndgoodfemal
efri
endsthat
won'
tbri
nghert
roubl
e,shehadt
houghtatschool
.
I'
m gonnast
artchangi
ngf ort
hebett
er,I
'
llbemore
focusedonmystudiestoo.Wearegonnabewr it
ing
examssoon.Ihavetomakei t
,sheencouraged
hersel
f.
Shewentupstrai
ghttoherroom andl
aiddownon
thebed.Notupto10minutespassed,
aknock
cameatthedoorfol
lowedbyamai dgett
ingi
ntoher
room.
"Shawna,
theyoungmastersendsf
oryou,sai
dyou
shouldmeethi
m downattheswimmingpoolarea"
themaidsai
dandleft
.
ImmediatelyShawnast
art
edl
ooki
ngf
oracl
otht
o
changeinto.
Theevent
sofyest
erdayf
lashedbacki
ntoherhead.
Howshehadbr okenthecupoutofcarel
essness.
Thecarelessnessthatwascausedby
di
sappointment.
Howshehadstaredint
ohi
seyesf
ormi
nut
esand
howherhear
traced.
Howshehadstr
ippedaf
terhi
sor
dersbutheended
upor
der
ingheroutagai
nevenwi
thoutt
ouchi
ngher.
Whatisitthi
sti
me?Shet
houghtassheputona
pl
aindress.
Shet
henr
anal
lthewayt
otheswi
mmi
ngpoolar
ea
tosi
ghthi
mther
e,si
tt
inganddr
inki
ngwhi
lest
ari
ng
downint
othewat
er.
Shest
oppedthenbreat
hedoutseverall
ytocal
m her
ner
vesandcontr
olherfastbeat
ingheart
.
Af
tert
hat
,shestar
tedwal
kingt
owar
dshi
mina
sl
owandsteadypace.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence7-
8
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Aki
ss)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Shawnast
oodbef
oreDi
ll
ionashedr
ankdi
rect
ly
f
rom t
hebot
tl
eofal
coholwi
thhi
m.
Heseemst obedeepi nt
hought,
Shawnathoughtas
shestaredatDi
ll
ion.Hehasn'
tacknowl
edgedher
presenceyet
.
Shekeptst
ari
ngathi
m ashedr
ank.
Whatcoul
dbegoi
ngononhi
smi
nd?Shewonder
ed.
Aft
erwait
ingf
orabout2minut
esagai
n,shemoved
for
wardandgotali
tt
lebi
tcl
osert
ohim.
Shemadet ot
aphisshoul
derbuthi
sheadsprang
up.Infearshemovedbackwithspeedf
orget
ti
ng
thatt
hepool wasr
ightbehi
ndher.
Shestoppedmovi ngwhenshenot i
cedherthather
feetweren'
tbal
anced, asshewasaboutt omove
forwar
dagain,herwei ghtdi
dn'
treall
ysupporther
andshemadet of al
lintothepool.
No!Shewasnearlyi
ntot
hepoolbef
oreahand
caughther
s.Thehandhel
dherfi
rml
yandpull
ed
herup.
Wit
hthefor
ceinwhichshewaspul
ledup,she
al
mosthuggedthehand'
sownerwhichhappened
t
obeDi
ll
ion.
Herhear
tspeedup.Shethoughtshewasgonnadi
e
j
ustnow.Shedoesn'
tevenknowhowt oswim.
Herri
ghthandrelaxedonDil
li
on'
schest.Shet
ook
hereyesuptostareathi
m doubt
ful
ly.
Shedoubt
edt
hathewast
heonet
hathel
dher
.
Hereyesmetwi
thhi
spi
erci
ngeyes.
"Whenwil
lyoueverl
earn?"Hespokeupthesmel
lof
theal
coholhewasdri
nkingwentint
oShawna'
s
noser
il
y.
I
tisast
rongone!
Sheopenedhermout
htot
alkbutdi
dn'
tevenknow
whatt
osay.
Shekeptst
ari
ngathi
m andsuddenl
yshef
elther
hear
tbeatf
aster
.
Shewassoclosetohim again.Shedoesn'
t
under
standhowshefeltexactl
y.
Dil
li
onkeptwat
chingforexpr
essi
onlikeamovie
andslowl
yhiseyesfl
icker
edtoherl
ipsthenbackt
o
hereyes.
Shawnafel
tbut
ter
fl
iesi
nsi
deherwhenshenoti
ced
hi
seyesmovement.Shest
art
edfeel
ingwei
rd,
more
weir
dthanever
.
Itbecameworstwhenshenoticedhewasr
eall
y
abouttoki
ssher.Thei
rfacesaremuchmorecl
oser
now.
Shecouldn'
tbel
ievei
twhenshef
inal
lyf
elthi
sli
ps
onhers.
Hereyesgr
ewmor
ebi
gger
.Herl
ipscoul
dn'
tdar
e
move.
Shegulpeddownwhenshenoti
cedhisli
psreal
ly
danci
ngonhers.Hewant
edentrancesoshepatt
ed
herl
ipsgivi
nghi
mtheentr
ancehewanted.
Hi
sli
pscover
edhersandheki
ssedherdeepl
yfor
t
hefi
rstt
imeever
.
*
Ma'am Sandrawhowasbri
ngingacupofmil
kand
caketohim st
oppedwhenshesawtheawkward
si
tuat
iontheywerein.
Shebecamesurpri
sedseei
ngDil
li
onreal
lyholdi
ng
andst
aringatherl
ikeshewashi
slif
e.Thentothe
ki
ss.
Shet
urnedbackqui
etl
y,t
henl
eftnotwant
ingt
o
st
opthemoment.
*
Theki
ssbearl
ylast
edbecauseDi
ll
iongotagr
ipof
hi
mselfandst
opped.
Whatt
hehel
l?Hehadquest
ionedhi
sownsel
f.
WhydidIdothat
?Hef r
ownedwhenhehad
di
sengaged.Hewentandsatbackonhi
ssi
t.
"
Takethi
sandleave"hetookupasmal
lpackage
t
hatl
ookedl
ikethefir
stonehehadgi
venherbefor
e.
Shawnabr
eat
hedoutandcol
lect
edthepackage
fr
om hi
mthanwal
kedoutqui
cklyfr
om t
here.
Herheartkeptbeat
ingmor ef ast
er.Duetoher
cur
rentstat
e,shedidn'tevennoticema'am Sandr
a
whowasst andingaroundt here.
Sheranpastheruptoherroom.Shesl
ammedthe
doorcl
oseandlockedi
t,t
henwentint
otheshower
.
Herbodyhasal
readyr
eddened,
ithasbecomehot
.
Shetur
nedontheshowerandst
oodascol
dwat
er
rant
hroughherbody.
Whatwast
hat
?Shewonder
ed.
*
**
Di
ll
ionr
uff
ledhi
shai
rst
il
lthi
nki
ngaboutt
heki
ss.
Ionlyki
ssladi
esIl
ike.Whydi
dIsuddenlyhavet
he
urgetoki
ssher?WhydidIendupkissi
ngher?Why
di
dn'tIst
opmyselfearl
ier
?Hewondered.
Hekeptthi
nki
ngabouti
tunt
ilacal
lcamei
ntohi
s
phone.
Wit
houtlooki
ngatt
hecal
ler
,hepi
ckedt
hecal
land
pl
acedthephoneonhi
sear.
"
Yeah?
"Hesai
dint
othephone.
"Hell
ooo,Dil
li
ondoyoust
il
lrecal
lme?
"Af
emal
e
voiceasked.
Hebr oughtthephonedownandstar
edatt
he
number ,hestar
edatitf
orl
ongbutcoul
dn'
t
recognizeit
.Thenumberwasn'
tsaved.
"
Idon'
trememberyou.Speak!
"Heor
der
ed.
Hedoesn'
treal
lyi
nter
actwi
thalotofl
adies.He
wonder
edhowt hi
sonegothisnumber.
"
It
'smeVi
v"t
hecal
l
ersai
d.
"
Viv?
"Di
ll
ionasked.
"
OhVi
vian?
"Hef
inal
lyr
emember
edandr
ubbedhi
s
t
empl
e.
"Yesss,Di
ll
ioni
t'
sme.Ihavebusi nessoverther
e.
LikeI'
m comingovertoParisanddon'thavewhere
tostayandIdon'twannastayatahot elDi
ll
on.Can
Istayatyourmansionti
ll
..
.youknow...
"She
explai
ned.
"
Whycan'tyoustayatahotel?
"Dil
li
onaskednot
r
eal
lyconcernedaboutheratthemoment.
"BecauseIdon'
tknowwhenI'
l
lfi
nishwi
thmywork
overther
e.Ican'
tstayi
nahot
el,
i
t'
sdanger
ous.
..
I'
m
aladyy..
..
"
"Youcancomeifthat
'swhatyouwant.Youwon'
t
stayl
ongtoo"Di
ll
onInter
rupt
edherspeecht
hencut
thecal
l.
*
*Somewher
eatAngol
a**
Vi
viant
heladythatj
ustf
ini
shedcall
ingDi
ll
ion
smil
edandstar
edathertwofri
ends.
"
Whatdi
dhesaybabe?
"Oneoft
hem i
nqui
red.
Vi
viangr
inned.
"Hesai
dIcancomeover
"shesqueakedand
answer
ed.
"
Yes!
!That
'showi
tgoes"hert
wof
ri
endsr
ejoi
ced.
"So,howexactl
ydoyoupl
anonexecut
ingyour
plans?"Oneasked.
"Well
,I
'l
ljusthavetoseducehim abit
.Onet hingI
l
earntaboutDi l
li
onisthathepr
efer
sstrongpeopl e
toweakpeopl e.I'
l
lshowhim myquali
ties,
I'
llgive
him ahel
pinghand.Hewon' tknowwhenhe' llfal
l
forme"shesmi l
edandsaid.
"Al
ri
ghtbabe,
youhavet
ost
artpacki
ngnow"one
sai
d.
"
Yes!Wi
shmel
uck"Vi
viansai
d.
"
Goodl
uck!
!"Theybot
hwi
shed.
.
.

(
Happy)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Shawnacameoutfr
om t
hebathr
oom andthrew
her
sel
fonthebedaft
erwear
ingonhercl
othes.
Shekeptthi
nking,shekeptt
hinki
ngaboutt
heki
ss.
Shecouldn'
tforgeti
t.
Thewayandmannerhehadki ssedher
,itdidn'
t
l
ookl i
kehewasj ustt
ryi
ngtotakepleasurefrom
her.I
tlookedl
ikehewasr eal
lyhungryforit
,he
real
lywantedi
twi t
hthewayheact ed.
Whi
chi
swhyi
t'
sver
yawkwar
d.Ver
yst
range.
Herminddr i
ft
edtothereasonhehadcall
edherand
sheturnedherheadandgotholdofthesmal
l
packagealsolyi
ngther
eont hebed.
Oh!I
t'
sanotherphone.Hegotanotheroneforme,
shet
houghthappyil
yassheunwr appedit
.
I
t'
sthesamebr
and.
Sincetheinci
dentwit
hMat t
hiasshehasn'tbeen
abletotouchaphonebecauseMat thi
asactuall
y
coll
ectedthephoneanddoomedi toutsi
deinthe
wastebinincl
udingherdesi
gnerbag.
Shegotanot
herdesi
gnerbagt
wodayslat
erbut
di
dn'
tgetbackherphoneoranewone.
Thenshet
houghtt
hatshewon'
tbeget
ti
nganyone
agai
n.
Shehasaccept
edthatshewon'
tbegett
inganot
her
buther
eisanot
heronestar
ingather
.
Shesmi
ledandkepti
tasi
def
eel
ingsl
eepy.
"I
'
llcomeforyoul
ater
"sheyawnedandsai
dthen
sl
eptoff
.
4hour
slat
er.
Shawnacli
mbeddownthestai
rst
ogomeetma' am
Sandr
a.Shefel
tsohungr
y,shedi
dn'
teatbef
ore
sl
eepi
ngoff.
Shet
urnedr
oundthemansi
ontotheki
tchenside
andmetma'
am Sandr
a.Shei
salwaysatthatendof
t
hemansi
on.
"
Ma'
am"shecal
led.
"Heychil
d,comeoverhere.Youhaven'
teaten.I
sentasomeonet oyoubutgottherepl
ythatyou'
ve
sleptof
f.Youarehungrynowright
?"Ma'am Sandr
a
didthewholetal
kingf
orher.
Shesmi
ledhappi
lyandnoddedherhead.
"
Wel l
,gotel
lmar i
natoheatupthatfoodinsi
dethe
f
ri
dge"shei nst
ructedandshawnanoddedt henl
eft
t
odowhatshewasasked.Shecamebackf ew
minutesl
aterandsatwi t
hMa'am sandra.
"So,howwast oday?Didanythingexcit
ingor
surpri
singhappen?"Ma'am sandraaskedwanting
tohearhernarrat
etheinci
dentt hatl
edtoDil
li
onto
kissi
ngher.
"Um..i
nci
dent?
"Shawnaaskedthenthought
.Her
mindfl
ashedtotheki
ssbutshedidn'
tknowhowto
evenstar
texpl
aini
ngi
ttoma'am sandr
asoshe
deci
dedtoli
e.
"
No.
.not
hingatal
l"sher
epl
iedt
ouchi
nghercheek
whi
chhasst
art
edr
eddeni
ng.
Ma'am sandr
aofcour
senot
icedt
hisbutdi
dn'
t
wannaexposeher.
"
Shawna,comeupt
ot hedi
nning.Yourmeali
s
t
her
e"shehear
dMarinasaytoher.
Shest
oodupi
mmedi
atel
y.
"I
'
llgoformymealnow"shesai
dtoma'
am Sandr
a
andlef
t.
Shemethermealther
eandbouncedoni
t,eat
ing
hungr
il
ynotunt
ill
uwisshowedup.
Shesloweddownherpace, eat
ingwit
hhereyes
fi
xedonhim.Shehasn'tbeenseeinghi
m around,
neit
herhasshebeenseeingSam.Seemsl i
kethey
areback.
"
HiShawna,
doyoumi
ssme?
"Heaskedandwi
nked.
"No,wher
ehaveyoubeen?
"Shawnar
epl
iedhi
m not
enti
rel
yhonest
.
"Hmm. .
.soyoudon'tmissme,huh!
?WellImissed
you,beenwiththeboysanyways"heanswer
ed
col
lecti
ngherforkfrom her
.
Shelethi
m haveit
.Heusedthef
orkt
ocutthebeef
i
nsideherpl
ate,t
henhetookabi
tbef
orehandi
ng
thefor
kbacktoher.
Shecol
lect
edi
tandcont
inuedeat
ingsl
owl
y.
"
So,
howhaveyoubeen?
"Heasked.
"
Good.Whatdoyoumean'beenwiththeboys'
?
Whatboysareyout
alki
ngabout
?"Shawnaasked
r
eal
lycuri
ous.
"Don'
tworr
y,I
'm sureyou'l
lgett
oseet
hem oneday"
Luwisanswer
edsi mply.
Acoolsi
lenceensuredasShawnat
ookhi
sanswer
s
andcont
inuedeati
ng.
Aft
erawhil
eofst
ari
ngathereat
.Luwi
sspokeup
andasked.
"
Doyoumi
ndwal
kingar
oundt
hemansi
onwi
thme
t
omorr
ow?
"Hei
nquir
ed.
Shet
ookhereyest
ost
areathi
m.
Shehasbeenwanti
ngtoknoweverynookand
crannyoft
hebi
gmansionforl
ongbutsheknows
thatLuwi
scan'
tal
sobeseenwalki
ngaroundwit
h
her
.
Shecoughedsl
ight
lybef
orer
epl
yinghi
m.
"Maybesomeot
hert
ime,
nott
omor
row"she
answeredhi
m.
Luwi
swhowasexpectingacompl
etenobecamea
bi
tsur
pri
sedbuthappyatt
hesametime.
"
Okay,maybeduringweekdays.I
'l
lleaveyout
o
f
ini
shyourfood"hesai
dstandingup.
Shawnanoddedherhead.Het ouchedherhair
befor
edisappeari
nggi
vingShawnaspacet o
breat
heproperl
y.
Theyal
lmakeherner
vous.
Nextday.
Shawnawentt
oschoolasusualandr
etur
nedbut
wasmetwit
hsurpr
ises.
ShemetDi
ll
ionwait
ingforheratherf
rontdoor
.
Li
kehewaswaiti
ngforher.
Itdi
dn'
tonlysurpri
seher
,ital
soshockedherbut
shetri
edtohideitwhenshestoodfaci
nghim.
"Bequi
ck,Idon'
thaveti
me,godr
essup"hesai
dto
herst
ari
ngathiswristwat
ch.
Shewentintoherroom af
ternoddi
ng,shest
art
ed
searchi
ngforwhattowearbutwasaidedbyamaid
thatwasprobabl
ysenttohelpherout
.
"Whati
sgoingon?
"Shawnacoul
dn'
thel
pbutask
themaidwhohadsmil
esonherf
ace.Her
happi
nesscoul
dn'
tbehi
dden.
"Well,
todayisthedayt heyoungmast ergr
antsus
anything.I
thappensoncei nawhi l
e, heevendoes
thi
ngsf oruswithoutasking.Ever
yoneofusal ways
l
ookf orwardtothisday"sheexplainedsmi l
ingli
ke
shewasseei ngheaven.
"
Okay,
li
kei
thasapar
ti
cul
ardayor
..
."
"No!I
t'
sj usthappens.Wheneversomet
hinggood,I
meanr eall
ygoodhappenst ohim.Hebecomeslike
thi
s"sheexpl ai
nedagainandShawnanoddedher
head.
"So,
whathappenedt
ohi
m?"Shecoul
dn'
thel
pbut
askagai
n.
"Idon'
tknow.Wedon'taskbutyoucanaski fyou
want.Hewon'tpenal
izeyousi ncesomet hi
nggood
mighthavehappenedt ohim -j
ustfortoday.You
canbehaveabnormally"shegiggledatthelastpart
.
Itwasn'tr
eall
ygoingdownwellwithShawna.Shei
s
confusedevenaftert
heexpl
ainat
ionbutshe
deci
dedt oleti
tgo.
Shewenti nt
otheshowerandhadatwominutes
bathe.Shecameoutandputonthecl
othsel
ected
forherbythemaid.
Themaidhelpedi
ncombingherhai
r,shekept
smil
ingal
lthewayti
llt
heywer
edone.
Isshethathappy?Shawnawonder edandwentt
o
openthedoorinordertogotoDil
li
onbut
shocki
nglymethim sti
llst
andi
ngthere.
Hereyeswi
dened.
Hehasbeenher
ethewhol
eti
me?Shet
hought
.
Okay,
todayi
sreal
lyadayt
obehappyabout
?
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence9-
11
.
©Bl
essi
ng
.
(
Comecl
oser
)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
*
*Somewher
einMexi
co*
*
Dil
lygotacal
lfr
om oneofhi
ssecur
it
ies,hehadto
rushhomeimmediatel
yonhear
ingt
her eason.
Li
ke,whatthef **k!
?Whydoest hi
sbit*
hkeep
behavi
ngabnor mal ?Hehadthoughtashedr
ove
homeangr i
ly.It
'salmostt
imeforNaomitogetback
atthehousef r
om school.
Hedoesn'twanthert
omeetRit
awhowascurrent
ly
att
hefrontofthemansi
oncausi
ngt
roubl
es.
Inl
esst
hanthi
rt
yminut
eshear
ri
vedandcame
downfr
om t
hecar.
HesawRi t
ather
ewithhercarfi
ght
ingwi
tht
he
secur
it
ieswhodidn'
tletheri
n.
"Heyst
op"heor
deredst
oppi
ngt
hesecur
it
iesf
rom
pushi
ngheraway.
"
Ri.
..
"hemadetocal
lbutwasmetwi
thaheavysl
ap.
I
tshockedhi
mtothebones.
Inangerhemadetoslapherbackbuthel
dhimsel
f,
hehasseenhissonlooki
ngathimfrom Ri
ta'
scar
.
Rit
a'smotherwasal
soinsi
dethecar.
Hegul
peddownt
heangerandbr
eat
hedout
.
"
I'
llpret
endthatyouneversl
appedme"hegr
oaned
l
owl yather
.
"Tel
lthem t
oopenthisgat
es,t
heyar
eallget
ti
ng
fi
redtoday"Ri
tashr
iekedi
nrageofwhatwas
happening.
"Youaren'
tgoi
ngin,you'
regoi
ngbackt
oyour
house"Dil
lygr
oanedatheragain.
"
Wel
l,
thatwon'
teverhappen.LookI
'
m gonnast
ay
herewithourson...
."shestoppedt
alki
ngthenwent
tohercar.Sheopenedt hecarandbroughtoutfour
yearsol
dBr yanwhodoesn' tevenunderst
andwhat
washappeni ng.Hedoesn'tevenknowthatDil
lyis
hissupposedf at
her.
Ri
tat
ookBr
yananddr
oppedhi
m ont
hef
loort
her
e.
"
Areyoucrazy?Whatsor
tofamotherar
eyou?"
Di
ll
yraspedandwenttol
iftt
heboyfr
om t
hefl
oor.
Ri
taseemstocarel
ess.
"Thisi
swher ewe'
regoingtobeli
vingf
rom nowon
sinceyoudon'twantusin.Hecanstar
tgett
ing
adaptedearl
y"Rit
aroll
edhereyesandsaidless
concerned.
Dil
lystaredatheri
nsomuchr egret
.Justaone
ni
ghtst andcausedhi
mt hi
s,heregr
ett
edthatnight
attheclub.Andtotopi
tall
,hewasevendr unkbut
heknewhehads* xwit
hsomeonet hefol
lowing
mor ni
ngwhenhewokeup.
AndRitaappear
edaf
tert
woweekst
otel
lhi
m about
herpr
egnancy.Hewassosomadather
.
Asabi
t*hshei
s,shedoesn'
tevenknowhowt
o
preventher
selff
rom get
ti
ngpregnant.Hehad
rej
ectedthebabyandhadpaidhertheexact
amountsheaskedf r
om him.Sheleft
,onl
yforhert
o
comebackt woyearslat
erwit
hhissupposedson.
Hegottheshockofhi sli
fethatday.Hedidn'teven
knowwhatt odo.Fir
st,aft
erallt
hemoneyshe
col
lect
ed,shedidn'
tabortorevenleavehim al one.
Shewasl i
keascammerandhehadsomuch
wantedtokil
lherbutcouldn't
.Hejustcouldn'tand
hegaveheranotherlargeamountofmoneyonl yfor
hertocomebackf ewmont hsago.
Hewassodamnf rustr
ated!Andnowshei
smaki
ng
demandshecan'
tfulf
il
l.
Acarstoppedbehi
ndDi
ll
y'
scarandhi
shear
t
ski
pped.
Hehasbeenkeepingthesecr
etforl
ong.Hehasn't
t
oldanyoneaboutitandhedoesn'
twantthem t
o
f
indout,atl
eastnotnow.
CoulditbeNaomi?Hewonder edhe'
seyesfi
xedon
thecarbutshoul
dIsaylucki
lyforhi
m Andr
ew
camedownf rom t
hecarinst
ead.
Dil
lyheavedal i
tt
lesighofr
elief,
atleasti
t'
snothi
s
l
it
tl
esisterwhowi lli
mmediatelytel
lDil
li
onabouti
t.
Hedoesn'tevenknowhowDi ll
ionwillr
eacttot
he
newsofhi m havi
ngason.
Andrewl
ookedconf
usedatt
hewhol
escenehewas
wit
nessi
ng.
"
Hey,
who'
skidi
sthat
?"Andr
ewquest
ionedcomi
ng
t
owar
dsDi
ll
y.
*
*Backt
oPar
is*
*
Dil
li
onstar
edatShawnaf r
om headtohert
oe.He
noti
cedhowbeauti
fulshelooked.
Shehasalwaysl
ookedbeauti
fulanyways,
hej
ust
behavesasi
fhedoesn'
tnoti
ce.
"
Let
'sgo"hesai
dhi
seyesst
il
lonher
.
Shawnagulpeddownnervousl
y.Whyishest
ari
ng
atherl
ikeever
yotherguyst
aresather
?She
wondered.
Somehow,
sheprefer
redhiscol
dgl
are.Thi
sonei
s
maki
nghersouncomfort
able.
Shest
art
edwal
kingaheadofhi
m wi
thherbody
cli
ngydress.Everydressint
hathouseisei
thert
oo
shortort
oot i
ght.Thereisnol
ongfreegownexcept
hernight
ie,i
ftherewas,shecoul
dhavegoneback
tochangeintoit.
Dil
li
onwal kedbehindhersl
owlyunti
ltheygottothe
garage.Theyenteredali
mowhi chhadalreadybeen
openedf orthem byhi
sguards.
"
Goodness!
"Shawnaexcl
aimedsi
lent
ly.
Thel
imoi
ssooomad.
ShesatfacingDil
li
onwhosatacrossherand
broughtouthisphone.Thef
il
ehewasholding
di
dn'tescapehereyesbutshedeci
dedtoignor
eit
.
Theli
most ar
tedandl ef
tthemansion,f
ewminutes
i
ntotheroadShawnahear dDi
ll
ion'
svoi
ce.He'
s
cool
,cal
m voice.Sheneverexpectedt
hequest
ion
butt
odayisadi f
ferentday.
Heaskedher
.
"
So,
howwasschoolt
oday?Anynewf
ri
ends?
"
Shawnabl
inkedhereyest
hri
cebef
oresheknew
whatt
oanswerhim.
"Schooli
sokay.I
..
Ihaven'
treal
lygot
tenaclose
one"sheansweredhi
m hereyesonherfingers.
"
Hm.
..
"Shehear
dDi
ll
ionr
espondt
oheranswer
.
"Thanks..
forthephone"shesuddenlyremembered
thesecondphoneheboughtf orher.Shehasnever
real
lythankedhimf oranyt
hingtho.Probabl
y
becauseoff earbuttodayi
sadi f
ferentday.
"Yeah.
..
haveyoulear
nthowt
ousei
t?"Di
ll
ionasked
hiseyesonhisphone.
"
N..
o..
"shest
utt
eredabi
tbr
ingi
ngoutt
hephone.
Hebeckonedonhertocomesitbesidehi
m wi
thhis
f
inger
s.Shehasi
tat
ednotreal
lysurehemeantit
.
I
twaswhenhebr oughtdownhisphoneandfi
xedi
t
i
ntohispocketandthenfocusedonhert
hatshe
r
eali
zedher eal
lymeantit
.
Sheswall
owedreall
yner vous.Thi
ssideofhimis
somehow,shethought.Probablybecauseshehas
neverr
eal
lyseenhim behavingnormal.
Shestoodupandwenttosi
tbesidehi
m withher
phone,shedi
dn'
tfor
gett
omaintainadi
stancefr
om
hi
m.
Dill
ioncoll
ect
edthephoneandunlockedi
t,he
startedset
ti
ngthephoneforherwhi
leshepeeped
fr
om wher eshesat
.
"Comecloser"hemumbl edhi
seyesont
hephone.
Shawnapretendednottohearhi
m.MaybeIam
hall
uci
nati
ng, shet
hought.
Herai
sedhi
sheadupabitt
ostar
eather
wonder
ingwhyshei
snotmovi
ngclosert
ohi
m.
"
Comecl
oser
"hesai
dagai
n.
.
.
(
Angr
y)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
*
*Mexi
co*
*
Dil
lythoughtofwhatt
odof
orawhi
lebef
ore
decidi
ng.
He'
staki
ngt
heboywi
thouthi
smot
her
.
"
Don'
tletheri
n"hesai
dtot
hesecur
it
ies.
"I
t'
salongstor
y"her
epl
iedAndr
ewwhowas
star
ingathi
m.
"
MaybeI'
l
lexplai
nfull
ylat
erbuthei
smyson"he
r
eveal
edwhichshockedAndrew.
"
Yourson?
"Andr
ewquest
ionedwi
deeyes.
Br
yan-theboyhear
dthi
sandl
if
tedhi
sheadupt
o
st
areatDi
ll
y.
"
Real
ly?
"Heasked.
"Yeahandyou'
l
lcomingwi
thme"Di
ll
yshookhi
s
headandsaidt
akinghi
mtohi
scar.
"Hey!Hey!!Di
ll
ywhatdoyouthinkyou'
redoing?"
Rit
ashriekedshockedatwhatDil
lywasactuall
y
doing.
"Don'teverall
owherin.Shecanlivet
herei
fshe
wants"Di l
lysai
dtothesecuri
ti
esagainbef
ore
gett
ingintohiscar.HekeptBryanatt
hebacksit
andignitedthecarengine.
"
Hey!Di
ll
ytel
lmeyouaren'
tser
ious,
tel
lmeyou'
re
j
oki
ng"Ri
tayell
edr
unni
ngtohiscar.
Hedrovebackwardsthenr
eversedbef
orel
eavi
ng
Ri
tawhowasst i
llrunni
ngaft
erhiscar
.
"Ar
en'
tyoustoppi
ngf
orher
?She'
smymom!
"Br
yan
sai
dfr
om thebacksi
t.
"I
'
m sorrybutIaren'
tst
oppi
ng"her
epl
iedBr
yan
dri
vingbacktotheCompany.
"
Butwhy?Whyareyout
wof
ight
ing?
"Br
yanasked
r
eal
lyconcer
ned.
"Don'
tworr
yki
ddo.I
'
llmakeyouf
orgether
"Di
ll
y
saidt
ohim.
"
ButIdon'
twanttof
orgether
,shemightnotreal
ly
l
ikemebutshe'
ssti
llmymom"Br yancooedsadly.
"Hasshebeentreat
ingyoubadl
y?"Di
ll
ylookedat
him andasked.
"Forgeti
t"Br
yanmumbledsadnesswrit
tenoverhi
s
facewhichmadeDil
lyr
eall
yreal
lyconcernedand
alsocuri
ous.
So,Rit
athatbi
t*hhasn'
tbeengoodt
ohi
m?He
thought
.
Wel
l,
I'
llmakesur
eyouf
orgethersoon.
Andrewstar
edattheragingRit
aforawhi
le.The
i
ncidentt
hatjustt
ookplaceseemsli
keadream t
o
hi
m.
Hewentbacki
ntohi
scaranddeci
dedt
odr
ivet
o
hi
spl
ace.
Ri
tast
oodt
her
ecussi
ngatDi
ll
yangr
il
y.
Howcoul dhedot histome?Wel l
,I'
mthebeginning
ofhi
sni ghtmare,i
fhethinkshecanplaythi
sgame
well
.I'
l
lshowhi m Istart
edplayi
ngthegamebef ore
hegotintroducedtoit,
shethoughtangr
il
ybefore
matchingbackt ohercar.Hermotherst
il
lsatthere
qui
etl
y.
"
Nowwhat?Itol
dyout
hiswasbondt
ohappen"her
mot
hersai
d.
"Well
,hejustmademeangr i
er.I
'm goi
ngtothe
mediahouset omorr
owandI '
m gonnaannounce
thenewst othewholewor
ld.Heisgonnaregrethi
s
acti
ons"Ritasneer
ed.
*
*Par
is*
*
Shawnashi
ft
edcl
osert
oDi
ll
i
onasr
equest
edbut
shemadesuret
hatt
her
ewasnobodycont
act
bet
weenthem.
"
Looki
ntot
hephone"Di
ll
ioni
nst
ruct
edandshedi
d.
"I
'
m gonnaexplai
nhowsomeofthi
sappswork.
Fir
stl
yI'
m gonnabesavi
ngmynumberher
e"he
saidt
henstoredhi
snumber
.
Savi
ngi twi
thchapt
erl
aterDbefor
ehewentonand
expl
ainedhowsomeoft heappsworked.
Shawnat r
iedherbestt
oconcentr
atebutshedi
dn'
t
real
lyconcent
rat
e.Itwasakward-soweird.
Shedi
dn'tunderst
andwhathewassayi
ng,
hereyes
movedtostareathisf
acemostoft
heti
mesand
backt
othephone.
Shedoesn'tunderst
andhowhe'l
ljusttr
ansfor
m,
howhe'sbehaviorchangedandi
twi l
lonlybeli
ke
thi
sjustf
ortoday.
"Doyouunderst
and?"Sheheardsuddenl
yhear
das
hefi
nall
ytookhiseyestost
areather.
"Um.
..
yes.
.yes,
Iunderst
and,t
hanks"shest
utt
ered
herr
epl
ybuthellshebearl
yunder
stoodawordhe
sai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Heaskedasi
findoubt
.
"
Ye.
.yes,
Ido"Shawnar
epl
ied.
"Okay,whatdi
dIsaythi
sappisusedf
or?
"Heasked
point
ingtoapart
icul
arappt
here.
Shawna'
shear
tski
pped.
I
nstant
lysweat
sst
art
edformi
ngonherf
orehead.
Shedoesn'
tknowt
hathe'
sgonnabedoi
ngthis.
He'sfi
xedeyesdidn'tl
eaveherface,hestaredat
herkeenlywai
ti
ngf orarepl
ywhi chhewasn' t
gett
ing.Shawnathoughthard,whatisthatappused
for
?
Goodness!Shelookedattheappagai
n,more
cl
osel
ytoseei nst
agram wri
tt
enbeneat
hit
.
"
It
'si
nstagr
am an..
.an.
..
"hermindfl
ashedbackt
o
whensheandBeat r
icewerechecki
ngoutt
heapps
i
nherformalphone.
Thensher
emember
ed.
"
It
'sasoci
almedi
aapp,
youusei
ttoconnectwi
th
peopl
e"shesai
dandhear
dhi
m chuckl
e-l
ikehe
l
aughed.
Shawna'
seyeswi
dened.Di
dhej
ustl
aughather
?
Shest
aredathiminsur
pri
se.Hej
ustl
aughed-a
whol
eDill
ionl
aughi
ngather.
I
tmadeherhappy.Thet
houghtdi
lat
edher
.
"
Youtookmi
nutesthinki
ngaboutit
.Youdidn'
t
l
ist
entome,
didyou?"Heaskedjoki
ngly.
Sheimmediat
elyf
eltembarr
assed,
shebowedher
headsl
ight
lyandnodded.
Hechuckledagainandsheraisedhereyesupto
star
eathisface.Heal
sostaredatherandduet o
thewaytheyaresit
ed,t
hei
rfacesalmosttouched.
Recall
ingwhathadhappenedthelastt
imethi
s
happenedShawnaimmedi at
elyremovedherf
ace
andmovedawayf rom hi
m again.
"
Thanks,
I
'l
l.
..
Iwi
lll
ear
nther
estonmyown"shesai
d.
Herheadagai
nsl i
ght
lybent,
shenotedthathe
st
aredatheri
nanusualway.Thewayhehasbeen
st
ari
ngathersinceyest
erdayandtoday.
Hedi
dn'
tevenr
epl
yher
.
"
Whydidyoumove?
"Hesuddenl
yaskedaf
tera
l
ongsi
lence.
Sheshotherheadupt
orepl
yhi
m butdi
dn'
teven
knowwhattosay.
Li
kehei
saski
ngherwhyshehadmovedawayfr
om
hi
m.Ist
hisDi
ll
ionorani
mpost
er,
shewonder
ed.
Lucki
lyforhert
heguar
dsatt
hest
eer
ing
announcedthei
rar
ri
val
.
"
Sir
,wear
eher
e"t
heyannounced.
Thedoorgotopenedafter
wardsandDil
li
oncame
downfi
rst
,whenShawnawascomi ngdown,he
ai
dedherbyholdingherhand.
Itshockedheragai
n.Li
keshei
sjustget
ti
ng
shockedtoday.
Todayi
sreal
lydi
ff
erent
,shet
hought
.
"
Let
'sgo"Dil
li
onsaidtoherwalki
ngi
ntoavery
f
ancyrest
aurant
.Shawnawalkedbyhissi
deunti
l
t
heygotinandsurpri
sedl
yforShawnaagai
n,t
he
r
est
aurantwasempt y.
Onl
ywai
tr
esscoul
dbesi
ght
ed,
nocust
omeratal
l.
Howst
range,
shet
hought
.
Shefoll
owedDill
iontoaveryfancyr
oundtabl
eat
themiddleoft
her est
aur
antandtheysat
.
Thr
eewai
tr
esscameupt
othem i
mmedi
atel
y.
"Si
r,whatwil
lyouliket
oorder?
"Onewi
thbl
ondhai
r
askedreal
lydrool
ingoverhi
m.
Thewealthythatr
eser
vedt
hewholerest
auranthas
fi
nall
yarr
ivedandheissoyoung,
shethought
i
nsideherhead.
"Um..
.I
'l
lgetbackt
oyou"Dill
ionrepli
edherwi
thout
evenspari
ngheraglance.Hedidn'tseet
heway
shehaddrooledbutShawnanoticed.
Itdidn'
tpasthernot
iceatal
l.I
tmadeherf eel
somehow-somehowst range.Thefeeli
ngis
strangebecauseshehasneverf el
tthatwaybef
ore
butshealsodidn'tl
iket
hefeeli
ng.
Di
ll
ionbr
oughtouthi
sphoneandcal
ledsomeone.
"I
'
m almostther
eMrMark,sor
ryfort
hedel
ays"t
he
personhecall
edsai
dint
othephone.
Dil
li
oncutt
hecallandkepthi
sphoneasi
de
wonderi
ngifhewastoordersomet
hingbef
oret
he
personhei
sexpecti
ngcomes.
Maybeachampagne,
heconcl
udedandsnappedhi
s
f
inger
sfort
hewait
resst
ocome.
Thet
hreewai
tr
essf
rom bef
orer
ushedt
othei
rtabl
e.
"Justgetusabott
leofchampagne"Dil
li
onsaidand
sparedthem agl
ancebutsti
lldi
dn'
tnoti
ceanythi
ng.
Shawnaofcoursenot
icedhowtheybehaved
especi
all
ythebl
ondehairgi
rl
.
Shedidn'
tknowwhenshescof
fedandf
oldedher
handsangri
ly.
Di
ll
ionhear
dherandt
urnedt
olookather
.
Whati
swr ongwit
hher
?Hewonder
edbutdi
dn'
tpay
muchatt
entiont
oherf
rowns.
"Okaysir
,wewi l
lbebackwi thabot t
leof
champagnef oryousir.I
ttastessosogr eat,Ibet
youwilll
oveit.I
tcouldbegr eat.
..
."thebl
ondhai r
gir
lkeptsingi
ngtryi
ngt oreall
yattractDi
ll
ion'
s
att
enti
onandshedi d.
Di
lli
onturnedagain,t
heothertwowaitr
esshas
al
readyleftbutshecont
inuedstandi
ngcloset
ohi
m
wi
thwidesmi l
es-bi
gseductivesmil
es.
"
Youcango"Di
ll
ionsi
mpl
ydi
smi
ssedher
.
Thi
st i
mehedi dn'
tfailt
onoticeherseductivet
alks
andsmi l
es.Somethinghehasal readybeenusedto
soitdi
dn'tevenbotherhim well
notuntilhecaught
Shawnagl ar
ingatherli
ketherewasnot omorr
ow.
Thatwaswhenithi
thi
m,t
hewai
tr
essi
sther
eason
forherf
rowns.
Hedi dn'
tknowwhenhechuckl
edatt
het hought
thatShawnaisjeal
oust
hatamerewait
resswas
seducinghim.
Well
,hedidn'
tthi
nkabouti
tmuchbecausethedoor
openedandthepersonhewaswai
ti
ngf orent
ered.
Amanwhowasi
nhi
slat
ethi
rt
ies.
Di
ll
ionst
ooduptoexchangegreet
ingswithhim,
t
heyexchangedgr
eet
ings.Shawnaalsogreet
edthe
manandthatwaswhenthemannot icedher.
"
Wow!Whoi
sthi
sbeaut
yyoubr
oughtwi
thyou?
"
Themanaskedsi
tt
ingdownnott
oof
arf
rom
Shawna.
Shawnabl
ushedbecauseoft
hecompl
iment
.
Dil
li
ondidn'
tanswerhim,hej
ustt
ookhi
ssi
tand
cal
ledbackthewait
ress.
Heorder
edsomedessertf
orhi
msel
fandShawna
whi
lethemanor
deredforabot
tl
eofcockt
aildr
ink.
Whenthewai
tr
esslef
tandr
eturnedwi
thal
lthat
t
heyhaveor
dered,
themanaskedagai
n.
"MrMar k,
Ineverknewyouhadsuchabeaut
if
ul
sist
er.Herbeaut
yissoravi
shi
ng"t
hemansaid.
Shawnafoundhersel
fbl
ushi
ngf
ort
hesecondtime,
Dil
li
onnoti
cedanditmadememad.Li
kereal
ly
angry.
"
Shei
snotmys.
..
."hest
oppedhi
msel
f.
"
Sheismycousinandshei
sNOTAVAI
LABLE"he
madeemphasi
sonnotavai
labl
e.
Themansmi
led.
"
That
'
snotf
oryout
odeci
de.I
sitt
ruebeaut
y?"The
manrepli
edlessconcer
nedoft
hetoneDil
li
onused
i
nrepl
yinghim.Itwasanangr
ytoneofcoursebut
hedi
dn'tmind.
Dil
li
onwhoalr
eadyknowsthemanr ealwel
l
fr
owned.ThemanisaCEOofaver ybigcompany-
aknownwomanizer
.Thethoughtaddedmoretohi
s
anger.
I
shet
ryi
ngt
ogetatShawna?
"
Um...
"Shawnast
utter
edandlookedatDi
ll
ion
who'
seyesweref
ixedonhisdesser
t.
"Yessir
,it
'st
rue"Shawnarepl
iedi
naver
ycool
voice.I
tangeredDil
l
ionagai
n.
WhyI
ssher
epl
yinghi
m sosweet
ly?
"Oops,mybadbutafterget
ti
ngtoknowmor e,
I
promiset
hatyou'
l
lleavethatyourboyf
ri
endand
comet ome.YouseeIcangi veyouanamountof
moneyyou..
..
"
"MrJohnson,wecamehereforbusi
nessokay?
Stoptr
yingtofl
ir
twi
thher
.IsaidsheisNOT
AVAILABLEokay?Ordon'
tyouunderstandt
hewor
d
avail
able?ShouldIspel
litf
oryou?
"Dil
li
oncoul
dn'
t
holdhisangerinagain,
hesnappedattheman.
I
tlef
tShawna'
smout
hopen.
.
Tobecont
inuedaf
tercomment
s..
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence12
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
(
Dresses)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
*
*Mexi
co*
*
Di
ll
yar
ri
vedt
hecompanyandpar
kedhi
scari
nthe
par
kingl
ot.
Hecarr
iedl
it
tl
eBryanoutandst ar
tedheadi
ngint
o
t
hecompany.Whenthesecur i
ti
essawhi m,t
hey
l
ookedateachot
herinsurpr
ise.
Theyallknowthei
rbossandwhatheli
kes.Whati
s
hedoingwi t
haboy?Whoi st
heboy?They
wondered.
Theyglassdooratt
heentrancewasopenedforhi
m
andhewal kedi
nsti
llcar
ryi
ngBryan.Br
yankept
l
ookingaroundthecompanyinawe.
Eventheworker
sstoppedt
olookathim,oncehe
passesthem,t
heystar
tmumblingandgossipi
ng.
Dil
lyexpect
edther eact
ionbuthedoesn'
treal
lycar
e
anymore.Rit
apushedhi mtoomuch, i
t'
shightime
hemakesherr eal
izethathecanaswellabandon
hertot
all
yifhewant s.Hecangetri
dofher.
Dil
lygott ot
heelevat
orandpressedthenumberof
thelastfl
oor,t
hat'
swherethevicepr
esidentandt
he
presidentof
fi
ceisbuil
t.
Theel
evat
ort
ookt
hem up,
immedi
atel
yhegotof
f
t
heel
evat
orhi
seyesmetwi
thSuzan.
Shehadbeenwor ri
edbecauseoft hewayhehad
l
eftafterthephonecall.Shewasactuall
yinhis
offi
cetalkingaboutworkwi thhi
m whenhisphone
rangandhel ef
thurr
iedly.Shehasbeenexpect
ing
himt oshowupandnowhei sher
ebutwithakid?
??
Shestar
edathi
m ashewalkeduptoher
,hemade
Bryansi
tonherr
ecept
ioni
stdesk.
"
S..
.si
r?"Shecal
led.
"
Canyoulookaf
terhi
mforme?Fort
wohour
s"Di
ll
y
r
equest
ed.
"Of.
..
ofcourse"sher
epl
iedhim bef
oret
aki
ngher
eyestoBryanwhowasst ar
ingaround.
"Yeahthanks"Di
ll
ysai
dbef
oret
urni
ngt
ogoi
ntohi
s
offi
ce.
He'srepl
yactual
lysur
prisedher,
heisnott
het
ype
tothanksomeonesoeasi l
yalt
houghhehas
changedalotthi
srecenttime.
Di
ll
yopenedhi
sof
fi
cedoorandmadetogoinbut
st
oppedknowi
ngt
hatSuzanwi
llwantt
oknow
who'
ski
dhei
s.
"
Hei
smyson"hesai
dtoher
.
"
Bryan,
staywit
hhert
il
lI'
m done.I
'
llt
ryt
ofi
nish
wit
hworkfast
"hesai
dtoBryanbefor
egett
ingi
n.
"Oh.
..
oh..
.!
"onl
ycameoutf
rom suzan'
smouthas
shestar
edatBryanwhoal
sostaredather
.
Shef
orcedasmil
eathim bef
orecar
ryi
nghi
m and
maki
nghim si
tonherchai
r.
Shestaredathi
mforlongwonder
inghowandwhen
Dil
lygotason,t
hensheremembered-thel
adyt
hat
hadbeenheretheot
herday.Shemustbehis
mother.
MaybeDil
lyhasf
inal
lyaccept
edthemotherand
chi
ldt
obewi t
hhim,shethought
.Itmadehersad
andangr
y.
I
ttor
eherhear
tthi
nki
ngabouti
t,t
her
eisnochance
f
orhernow.
Shesi
ghedandsquat
teddownt
ohi
m.
"
Hey!Whati
syourname?"Sheaskedignor
ingt
he
f
actDi
ll
yhadal
readycal
ledhi
m Bryan.
Br
yanhasi
tat
edf
orawhi
lebef
oresayi
ngawor
d.
"Ar
eyouangr
yatmydad?
"Thequest
ionshocked
her
.
"
Huh!
"
"Youlooksomehow,yourf
aciall
ook.I
t'
sasifyour
angryandsadatthesametime"Bryansai
dagain.
Wow!Hehasbeenobservi
ngme?Suzi
ethoughtnot
knowi
ngwhattoevensaytot
hel
it
tl
esmartboy.
Herboss'
sson.
*
Backt
oPar
is*
Shawna'seyesremai
nedwi
dened,shedoesn'
t
real
lyunder
standwhyhei
sangry.
Whywillheshoutatsomeoneclearl
yoldert
hanhim?
Andi
tsobviousthatheishereforbusi
ness,
sothey
ar
eprobablybusi
nesspartner
s.
Abusinesspartnershoul
dn'
tbecl
ear
lyt
reat
edt
his
way,
shet hought.
Mrjohnsonr
emainedmutedforawhil
eclearl
y
angryt
hatDi
ll
ionhadr
eactedthatwayt
ohi m.
Hedecidedtoleti
tgoi
mmedi
atel
y,hecangether
wi
thouthim knowi
ngsomeot
herti
me.
Thi
sisbusi
ness,af
terbusi
ness,
hehadconcl
uded
i
nhismindandthenhedecidedtoapol
ogi
se.
Di
ll
iononhi
sownreal
izedwhathedi
d,heshoul
dn'
t
beyel
li
ngathi
mthatway.
Thisparti
cul
arbusi
nessiswhathehasbeentrying
togetforalongl
ongt i
me.Theactualr
easonforhis
happinesswasbecausejohnsonhasfi
nall
yagreed
tohandovertheequipmentshehasbeenaski
ngf or.
Heshoul
dn'
thavebehavedt
hatway!
Hesi
ghedandmadet oapologi
se,j
ustfortoday.Let
t
odayconti
nuebeingahappyday,hethoughtand
madetoapologi
sebutJohnsonapol
ogizedfir
st.
"I
'
m sorryfort
hat
.You'recl
ear
lyri
ght
,Ishoul
dn'
tbe
doingt
his"heapol
ogizedtoDi
ll
ionwho
i
mmedi atel
ynodded.
"I
'
m al
sosorr
ysweet
hear
t"hecoul
dn'
thel
pbutst
il
l
admir
eShawna.
Shawnanoddedherheadwi
thhereyesf
ixedon
Di
ll
ion.
"
So,
thepaper
s?"Johnsondemanded.
Dil
li
onhandedoverthenecessar
ypaper stohi
m
andhesignedthem.Dil
li
onalsosignedtheone
Dil
li
onbroughtbef
orestandi
ngupt oleave.
"Youcansendyourworker
stocomegett
hem f
rom
Monday"Johnsonsai
dextendi
nghi
shandfora
handshake.
Di
ll
ional
sost
oodupandshookhi
shand.
"
Sur
e"Di
ll
ionr
epl
ied.
"
I'
llt
akemyl eavenow"Johnsonsaidt
hent
ooka
l
astlookatShawnabeforeleavi
ng.
Dil
li
onsatdownsat
isf
iedt
hathedidn'
trui
nthe
busi
nesswithhi
sat
tit
udeaft
eral
l.
Di
ll
ionr
elaxedandt
heyat
ethei
rdesser
tsi
lent
ly.
Dil
li
oncall
edawai t
erandhecame,hehandedhi
s
cardtot
hewaiterandheleft
.Hecamebackand
handedthecar
dbackt ohim.
"
Let
'sgo"Di
ll
ionsai
dst
andi
ngup.
Shawnast
oodupandf
oll
owedhi
m out
.
Theygotint
otheli
moandDi l
li
ont
oldt
heguar
dst
o
dri
vetothenear
estshoppi
ngmall
.
Shawnawonder
ed.
Shoppingmal
l?Butdi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing.The
i
ncidentwi
thj
ohnsonhasn'
twashedawayfrom her
brai
n.
Whydi
dhegetsoangr
ythatt
hatmani
sfl
ir
ti
ngwi
th
me?
Washeevenf
li
rt
ing?Shewonder
edagai
n.
Theyarrivedt hemallanhourl
ater
.Thr
oughoutt
he
ri
deDill
iondi dn'tsayawordtoher
.Hejust
concent
r atedonhi sphone.
Dil
li
onagai
nhelpedShawnaincomingdownfr
om
thel
imoandint
ot hemal
l.Theywentt
othecl
oth
sect
ionandShawnawondered.
Hewant
stobuycl
othesf
orhi
msel
f?
I
twaswhent heygottothel
adiessidet
hatshe
r
eal
ized,
it'
snotforhi
m -Defi
nit
ely.Hewon'
twear
f
emaleclot
hes,hermindtol
dher.
Dil
li
onst
aredatt
herol
lsofclot
hesf
orawhi
le
befor
eor
deringf
ort
hem all
.
Okay,
whati
shedoi
ng?Shawnawonder
edst
il
llost
.
Thewait
ersdidn'
twasteti
me, theystar
tedpacki
ng
upal
ltheclot
hesinthatpart
icularr
ow.
Theyst
olegl
ancesatDi
ll
ionast
heydi
dthat
.
"Gosh,
sheisreal
lyl
ucky"onewhi
speredtoher
part
nerandShawnahappenedtohearit
.
Anditdawnonher.Heisgett
ingthoseclot
hesfor
her
?Onlyher?Hereyeswidenedatthethought
.
Thedressesareal
lhersi
ze,
shei
ssur
eal
otof
them wi
llf
ither
.
Shekeptl
ooki
ngatDi
ll
ionunt
ilhespokeup.
"
What
?"Heasked.
Shawnaswal
lowed.
"
Ar ethosedressesf orme?"Sheinqui
redbut
wishedshehasn' taskedwhenhedi dn'
trepl
yher
f
or2st rai
ghtmi nutes.I
twaslikehewasgoingback
t
ohi susualself
.
"
Ist
hataquest
ion?
"Hescof
fedandt
urnedt
oful
ly
f
aceher
.
"I
ftheyaren'
tforyout
henwhoelse?
Whocould
possibl
yownt hem?"Heaskedt
hentur
nedaway
fr
om her.
"
Per
hapsma'
am Sandr
a?"Hescof
fedagai
n.
Shawnal
oweredherheadandfoundher
selfsmi
li
ng.
Hemadeitl
ookli
keitwasastupi
dquesti
on.
Butcometothi
nkofit
,hei
sreal
lyget
ti
ngal
lthose
dr
essjustf
orher?
..
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence13-
15
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
(AKi
ss)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
*
Mexi
co*
Backi
nsi
dehisoff
ice,
Dil
lysatdownthenbr
ought
outhi
sphoneanddial
edsomeone'sl
ine.
"Hel
lo"avoi
cecameoutf
rom t
heot
herendoft
he
phone.
"YeahLuke, Ineedyout odoal otofthingsforme
realquick.Fi
rstl
y,searchforananny, secondlyyou
totell
themai dst oarrangethatroom opposit
emi ne
thanthirdl
ysearchupf oranelementaryschool
aroundt hequarters"Dil
lysaidint
othephone.
"
Ananny,t
her
oom andaschool
?"Thevoi
ceasked
t
obesure.
"Yeah,dot
hatfast.Aboutpayment ,
thenannywi
ll
bepaidhandsomel y.Justbefastwit
hthi
s,make
sureyoufi
nishthet aski
nlessthan3hours"Di
ll
y
said.
"
Okay,
buthowshoul
dther
oom be?
"Thevoi
ce
asked.
"Well
,j
usthavethem arr
angeitfornow.Lat
er,
I'
ll
havetogetsomeonet oreal
lydesignt
heroom
proper
ly"Di
ll
ionanswered.
"
Okaysi
r,I
'
llgonow"t
hevoi
cesai
d.
Thent
hel
inewentdead.
Di
ll
ydroppedhisphoneontopofhi
stabl
ethen
st
art
edsearchi
ngforhist
ablet
.
Hi
smindi
stel
li
nghi
mthati
tmi
ghtbeusef
ult
o
Br
yan.
Heopenedupt hedrawersattachedtohisdeski
n
hopetoseethet abl
et,hekeptsearchingand
sear
chinguntilhefoundit.Thenhestoodup
hurr
iedl
yandwal kedtothedoori nordertohand
thetabl
etovertoBryan.
Out
sidet
heof
fi
ce.
Br
yankeptstar
ingatVenessaf
oranswer
swhi
ch
weren'
tgoi
ngtocome.
"
Let
'sj
ustf
orgetitokay?
"Venessat
houghtf
ora
whi
let
hendecidedtowaveitasi
de.
Br
yanbei ngthekindofki dhei sdi
dn'tdist
urbagai
n.
Hejusttookhisattenti
onel sewhere,hestart
ed
st
ari
ngar ound.Thenhest oodupf rom t
hesitand
st
artedheadingtot heelevatorsi
de.
Venessakeptst
ari
ngathi
m ashewal
ked.
"Wher
edoyouwannagoBr yan?
"Shewhi
sper
edso
asnottodi
stur
bherboss.
Bryantur
nt ol
ookather
,thenhel
ookedawayand
concentr
atedhi
satt
enti
onontheelevat
or.
"
Wher
e?"Venessaaskedgoi
ngt
omeethi
m.
Bryankeptquit
e,hejustst
aredatt
heelevat
or.Hei
s
nottal
lenough,hecouldheopenedit
.
Venessaopeneduptheel
evat
orandBr
yanwast
ed
noti
mei nrunni
ngi
n.
"
Wher e?"Venessaaskedf
orthethi
rdt
imeki
ndof
wor
ried.Dil
lyhadaskedhertol
ookaft
erhi
m whi
ch
meantthathetrust
edherenough.
Shedoesn'twannadi
sappointhi
m atallbyt
aking
Bryananywhereandsomethinghappenstohim.
"
Let
'sj
ustheaddown,
Iwannal
ookar
ound"Br
yan
f
inal
lyanswer
edher
.
Venessasi
ghedandst
eppedi
ntot
heel
evat
or.
"Wear en'
tsteppingoutoft hecompany, okay?We
willj
ustlookaroundf orfewmi nutes"Venessa
l
ookeddownatBr yanwhowast r
yingtopressone
ofthebot t
lesthatwil
lleadt hem t
oanyf l
oorif
pressedbuthishandcoul dn'tr
eachit.
Venessasawthisandhel
pedBr
yani
npr
essi
ngt
he
bot
tleoft
helastfl
oor
.
Theelevat
orcl
osedupj
ustwhenDi
ll
ywascomi
ng
outf
rom hisof
fi
ce.
Hemetanempt
yroom.
Wher
ear
ethey?Hewonder
ed.
*
*Par
is*
*
Aft
ergett
ingheralotofcl
othes,t
heylef
ttoget
her
.
Theygotoutsi
deandenteredtheopenedli
mo.
Shawnacouldn'
thideherhappiness,shekepton
smil
ingandsmili
nglikeacrazedperson.
Di
ll
ionnot
icedt
hisbutpr
etendednott
onot
icei
t.
Ther
ewassti
llt
ime,
hedoesn'
tjustwannahead
homenow.
He'
skindofsi
ckofthehousetoday,
thewor
ld
r
evol
vesaroundhi
mt her
eafter
all
.
Buthethoughtaboutit
,hecanalwaysgooutnext
ti
meandsecondl yheisexpect
ingavisi
torwhi
ch
happenstobevivian.
"Justheadbackhome"hesai
dtohisguar
dsand
driver
.Theyst
art
edtheengi
nethenl
eftf
orthe
mansi on.
Thef ewhourstheyspentwasspenti
nsi
lence,
it
wasasi ftheybothdidn'
tknowwhatt
osaytoeach
othersotheydecidedtobequit
.
Beingqui thasal
waysbeenDi
ll
ion'
schar act
erbut
hereallywantedtost
artupaconversat
ion,eveni
f
i
t'
sl astfor10minut
esbuthedidn'
tknowwhatt o
say.
Andbei ngwhohei sagai
n, hehat
esmi stake.Sohe
alsodoesn'twannastar
tupameani ngless
conversati
onsoher emainedmutedti
lltheygotto
themansi on.
AndalsoShawna,shereal
lywantedtot
hankhi
m
fort
heclot
hesbutstr
anglydi
dn'tknowhowtost
art
.
Todayisdif
ferentShawna,shehadr eminded
hersel
fbutthenagainremindedhersel
fofthe
charact
ersheshowedt hatareawkwar dsoshekept
mut eunt
ilt
heygottothemansi on.
Theygotdownf
rom t
hel
imowhi
chwaspar
kedi
n
thegar
age.
Dil
li
oncamedownf i
rstandwantedtoleavebut
Shawnafoundher
selfholdi
nguntohim.
Hestoppedandhel
pedherdown,whenhewant
ed
t
oleaveagai
n.Shesti
llhel
dunt
ohim.
Hethentur
nedtofaceherknowingful
lywel
lshe
wantedsomet
hing,neededsomethi
ng.
"
Whati
sit
?"Heaskedhi
seyesf
ixedonher
.
"
Um.
..
."Shawnast
art
edhergazeont
hef
loor
.
"Ijustwannathankyouforthemealandt he
clothes"shet
hankedthenfoldedherl
ips.Shewas
j
ustt ooshyeventolookhimi nt
heeyes.
Hol
don,
shei
sn'
tsupposedt
oor
igi
nal
lyl
ookhi
min
t
heeyes.
"
Lookatme"Di
ll
ionhushed.
Shesl
owl
ylookedupathi
m.
"Whenyou' r
et hanki
ngsomeone, youshoul
datleast
l
ookt hepersoni ntheeyes.Ineedtoseeyour
sinceri
ty"Di
ll
ionsaid.
Shawnacoul
dn'
thel
pbutf
eelheat
edast
hei
reyes
st
ayedgl
uedtoeachot
her
.
"You'r
ewel come"hesai daft
eralongtime.Het hen
tookhishandsupt oherheadandbr oughtitcloser,
heplantedaki ssonherf or
eheadthenlookeddown
athereyes, herl i
ps.Theur getokissherhithim and
hedidn'tresistit,hebentdownsl owlyandpl aced
hisli
psonher s.He'sli
pscaresshershutlipsfora
whilebeforehef inall
ygainedentr
ancet ohermout h,
hekissedhersl owl y,
slowlyasift
hatwaswher ehe
wasgonnadi e.
Shawnawhoreal
lywasn'texpect
ingt
heki
sst
ri
edt
o
behaveher
sel
fashekissedherslowl
y.
Herhear
tbeatkepti
ncr
easi
ng.Thet
ast
eofhi
sli
ps,
theytast
edl
iket
hechampagnehef
ini
sheddr
inki
ng
hoursago.
Butt
hesl
owki
sswascutshor
tbyacal
l.
Hestopped,
broughtouthi
sphonet
oseet
hecal
ler-
Vi
vian.
.
.
(
Whoi
she?
)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
*
Mexi
co*
Di
ll
ywalkedupt
othet
abl
eandt
henhedr
oppedt
he
t
ablett
here.
Iwonderwheretheywentto,het
houghtoutagai
n
bef
oregoingbackintofi
nishuptheof
ficework
wai
tingforhi
m.
*
Twohour
slat
er*
Hefi
nishedwi t
hallt
heworkshehadthenarranged
hi
swor ksproperl
ybefor
eleavi
nghi
soffi
ce.Hegot
outt
oseet hatSuzanhasretur
nedt
ogetherwit
h
Bryan.Br
yanwassit
ti
ngbesi
deherwi
tht
het
abl
et
hedroppedof
fforhi
m wi
thhi
m.
Suzanl
if
tedherheadupt
olookatDi
ll
y,shest
ood
upimmediat
ely.
"
Youcangohomenow"Di
ll
ysai
dtoSuzan.
"
Yessi
r"Suzanr
epl
iedhergazef
ixedonhi
m.
"Let
'sgo,
Bryan"hesai
dtoBr
yanavoi
dingSuzan'
s
eyes.
Br
yanstoodupfrom wherehewassit
edthen
wal
keduptoDil
ly.Di
ll
yheldhishandandstar
ted
l
eadi
nghimtotheelevat
or.
"
ByeSuzan"Bryant
urnedandwavedatSuzanwho
wavedbackathim.
Di
ll
ygotintotheel
evat
orandpressedt
hebut
tonof
t
helastfl
oor.Theel
evat
orcl
osedupandstar
ted
movingdown.
Suzan'
smoodchangedi
nst
ant
ly.Shehasr
eal
lyl
ost
hi
m.
Bef
orehedoesn'
treal
lyavoi
dhergaze.Maybehei
s
goi
ngtogetmarr
iedtoBryan'
smothernow,she
t
houghtt
henst
art
edpar
kingup.
Dil
lygotoutt othegarage,hegotint
othecarhe
camewi thtogetherwithBryanthenhedrovetoa
nearbyshoppi ngmalltogetBryansomeclothes.
Afterbuyi
nghi m cl
othes,heputacallt
oAndr ew
askinghimt ocomeover .
Anhourl
ater
.
Dil
lyarr
ivedhomeandasaccepted,Ri
tawasgone.
Hesmi r
kedatthethoughtbef
oredr
ivi
nginand
parki
ngintheparki
nglot.
Hecamedownwi thBryanandwal
kedint
othe
house.Naomiwasstandi
ngatt
heentr
ancewit
hher
armsatakimbo.
ShehasseenRi
tabeforeRi
tal
eftandshecoul
dn'
t
waitt
oknowthereasonwhyawomanwasl ooki
ng
forDi
ll
y.
ButshegotashockwhenshesawDi
ll
ywi
thBr
yan.
Shebentdownal
it
tl
etol
ookatBr
yan.
"
Hmm.Whoi
she?
"Sheaskedwi
thacr
umbl
edl
ook.
"
Getoutofmyway"Di
ll
yhushedi
nst
eadand
wal
kedi
nwi
thBr
yan.
Bryanongetti
nginwasfasci
natedbythebeaut
yof
thesi
tti
ngroom.Hekepthiseyesupandcould
havefall
enifnotf
ort
hefactthatDi
ll
ywasholdi
ng
himtight
.
Dil
lycli
mbedthest
air
swithBryanandgott
othe
room heaskedt
obearranged.
Heopenedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
nwi
thBr
yan.
"Thi
sisgonnabeyourroom f
ornowkiddo"he
squatt
edtoBryan'
shei
ghtandsaid.
"
SoIaren'tgonnabeleavi
ngwit
hmom f
rom nowon?
I
sthati
t?"Bryanaskedtobesur
e.
"Yes"Di
ll
yanswer
edhim andhenoddedt
hen
cli
mbedontopofthebi
gbedt her
e.
"So,t
hisi
sgonnabemybedtoo?
"Br
yanaskedand
Dil
lysmil
ed.Hewasst
art
ingt
oli
ket
heboymorebit
bybit.
Nott
hathehat
edhi
mt oobuthej
ustwasn'
tready
f
orachil
d.No,
hewasn't
.
"
Yes,
ever
ythi
ngher
eandmor
eisgonnabeyour
s.
Theroom faci
ngyoursi
smyr oom, soi
fyouneed
anyt
hing,
comeover ,
okay?I
'
llleaveyounow"Dil
ly
sai
dthenturnedt
oleave.
"
Thanks"hehear
dBr
yansayf
rom behi
nd.
Het
urnedandl
ookedathi
m.
"
Whydoyousayt
hat
?"Di
ll
yasked.
"Foraccepti
ngme"Bryanrepl
ied.Dil
lyf
eltasti
ngi
n
hisheartwhenheheardthatbuthejustnodded
thenlef
tclosi
ngt
hedoorbehi ndhim.
I
mmediatel
yhegotout
,hesawNaomit
her
elooki
ng
l
ikeaghost
.
"Whoishe?Iaskagai
nDi
ll
y"Naomiaskedt
ryi
ngt
o
soundashardandcol
dasshecan.
Di
ll
ytookhishandt
oherhai
r,hehel
dherheadand
t
urnedherover
.
"Whydon'
tyougomindyourst
udiesf
ornow?
"He
sai
dsimpl
ybefor
eenter
inghi
sroom.
Aknockcameathisdoorandheopenedt
hedoor
,a
mai
dwasst andi
ngther
e.
"
SirAndr
ewi
sher
e"t
hemai
dannounced.
"Tel
lhi
mtocomeupt omyr oom and..
.t
hecarI
camebackwit
h,t
akeallthest uf
finitt
ot her
oom
opposi
temi
ne"heinst
ructed.
"
Yessi
r"t
hemai
drepl
iedbef
orel
eavi
ng.
Naomionherownkeptst andingout
sideunt
ilshe
couldn'
t.SheopenedupBryan'sr
oom andentered,
determi
nedt of
indoutwhohei s.
*
Par
is*
Vivi
anhadt oldDi
ll
iontocomepi ckherupatthe
ai
rportbecauseshejustarr
ived.Heagreedto
personal
lypickherupbecauseheneededt oget
awayf r
om Shawna.
Whathejustdid,hewasn'tr
eall
yunderstandi
ngit.
Hewasn'tunderstandi
ngthereasonforhisact
ions.
So,
hejustneededadi str
act
ionfrom her
.
Hemovedawayf
rom her
,fi
xedhi
sphonei
ntohi
s
pocket
.
"
Youshoul
dgoi
n"hesai
dsi
mpl
ybef
orel
eavi
ngher
.
Shawnast
oodatt
hesamepoi
ntsomehow
conf
used.Whyi
shi
sreact
ionst
range?She
wonder
ed.
Per
hapsheki
ssedmemistakenl
yandwas
di
sgust
edbyt
hat?Shewondered.
No!Thatcan'
tbethecase,hei
sprobabl
y
embarr
assedorshy,shawnaconcl
udedinhermi
nd
bef
orejoggi
ngint
othesitt
ingr
oom happi
ly.
It
'sal
readyget
ti
ngdar
ktho,Iwonderwher
ehei
s
offt
oo,shewonder
edagain.
Hecantakecareofhi
mself
,shet
houghtpushi
ng
t
hethoughtof
fhismindbefor
ecl
imbi
ngthestair
s
t
oherroom.
Later,
she'scomingdownt ot
ellma'
am sandr
a
everyt
hingthathappened.
Unknown'
sPOV
"Wehavef inall
yf oundoutthebeastthatdidthi
sto
matthiasandt heot her
s,wearen'
tgonnaspar ehim.
Ican'tevenbelieveIneversuspecteditt
obehi m.
Tomor rowwe' l
lsetat r
apforhim andhewi l
lsurel
y
fal
lintothetrap"thebosssaidandt herestofus
noddedi
nagr
eement
.
TBC.
..
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence16-
17
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
(
Whoi
sshe?
)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Fewhour
sbackt
owhenDi
ll
ionki
ssedShawna.
LuwisandSam happenedt
obei
noneoft
hecar
s
i
nsidethegar
age.
Luwishadori
ginal
lymadet oopenthecarand
comedownbutst oppedwhenhesawDi ll
ionpl
ace
hisl
ipsonShawna'sforehead.Hestoppedmoving
i
mmedi
atel
y,hi
seyesf
ixedont
hem bot
h.
AndthenDil
li
onkissedShawnaonherlips.Hi
s
handsbehi
ndher ,
oneatthebackofherheadand
oneatherwaistsi
de.
Theincidentsur
pri
sedandatt
hesamet
ime
angeredLuwis.
"
Ohmygosh!Didyouseethat
?"Sam whi
sper
ed
t
ouchi
ngLuwi
sandpoint
ingtoDil
li
on.
"Ohmy! "Sam gaspedagai
nseei
nghowdeepand
slowt hekissi
sgoing.Hewassur
ethathe'
sboss
wasr eall
yenjoyi
nghimsel
fbutwi
thsomefeel
ings
attached.
Luwi
skeptwatching.Hef
eltsoj
eal
ousandanger
bur
ntinsi
deofhim.
Sam keptt
uggi
ngLuwi
sbutl
uwi
sdi
dn'
tmove.
Sam thenturnedtolookatLuwi
s.Hecoul
dsee
angerinhiseyes,thenheremember
edthatLuwi
s
act
uallyhasfeeli
ngsforShawna.Hehasfor
gott
en
aboutthati
nawhi le.
"
Okay,
I'
llj
ustl
eaveyoube"Sam sai
dandgotof
f
t
hecar
.
BythenDi
ll
ionalr
eadylef
tandShawnawasal
so
get
ti
ngint
ot hehouse.
Thethoughtremai
nedinLuwi
smi nd.Heknowshe
can'
tfi
ghtforShawnaagai
nsthi
sbossandi t
l
ookedlikether
ewassomethi
ngelseinhim when
heki
ssedShawna.
Buthecoulduseothertr
ickywaystogetherandi
f
i
tdoesn'twork.Wel
lIhavenootheropt
ion,he
thoughtoutl
oud.
"
I'
llt
akeherbyf
orce.
"
*
*
Fewmi
nut esbef
oreDi
ll
ionar
ri
vedatt
hemansi
on
wit
hVi
vian.
Shawnasathappyilywit
hMa' am Sandr
anar r
ating
thewholetal
eofheroutingwithDil
li
on.She
coul
dn'
tfindothermaidsotherthanBeatr
ice,l
ikeall
themaidshasdisappeared.
Shehadaskedwheretheywereandshewastold
thatt
heyal
ltookal
eave.Ithadsur
pri
sedShawna
butsheremembered,
nowondert
hatmai
dfr
om
earl
ierwassohappy.
"
So,hereal
lyspoketohiscl
ientt
hatwaybecause
t
hemanwasact ual
l
ytryi
ngtofli
rtwit
hyou?
"
Ma'
am Sandraaskedhertobesur e.
"
Yes,hegotsoangered.Iam sur
eofit
"Shawna
r
epl
iedandthenma'am Sandranoddedindeep
t
houghts.
"That
'
sanot
herdevel
opmentt
henIguess"ma'
am
Sandramumbl
ed.
"What?Whatdidyousay?"Shawnaaskedbutt
he
soundofcarhonescouldn'
tletherwai
t.
"Itmustbehim,todayhasn'
tended,hasit?
"She
saidexci
tedlyst
andinguponherf eetandthen
rushi
ngout si
detotheentr
ance,sheremember ed
thekiss.
Hercheeksf
lushedf
orsomeunknownr
easont
o
her
.
Shestoodther
ewai
ti
ngf
orhi
mtoshowupandhe
fi
nal
lydid.
Withwidesmilesonherface,
shewant edtosay
somethingbuttheper
sonwalkingcloselybehi
nd
him madehersmi l
esdi
sappearinst
antly.
Whoi
sshe?Shewonder
ed.
Dil
li
ondidn'
tnot
iceherunti
lhegottot
heentr
ance
andwasabouttogetinbutVivi
annoti
cedthegi
rl
who'sf
acestoppedsmili
ngonseeingher
.
Vi
vianal
sowonder
ed.
Whoi
sshe?
Dil
li
ononhi
sownwashopi nghewoul
dn'tsee
Shawnaunt
ilt
henextdaybutt
her
esheis.
Hest
oppedf
aci
ngher
.
Shawna'sgazef
ellt
ot hef
loorasallthehappi
ness
shefel
tsuddenl
yvanishedfrom hersyst
em.
Shedoesn'
tknowwhybutshefeltbadaboutt
he
l
adybesideDil
li
onwhowasstar
ingather.
Thel
adyl
ookedsosobeaut
if
ulandal
socl
assy.
Thiscan'
tbehissist
er?No,
shedoesn'
tlookl
ike
one.Shethought
.
Thencanshebehi
scousi
n?Idon'
tthi
nksoei
ther
.
Thenper haps,
hisgi
rl
fri
end?Att
hethoughtshe
raisedherheadupquickl
yandstar
edpastDil
li
ont
o
vivian.
Dil
li
ononnoti
cingShawna'
seyesonVi
vian
expl
ained.
"She'saguest,shewil
lbestayi
ngher
eforafew
days"Di l
li
onsaidnotr
eal
lyknowingwhyhe
explained.
Ther
ealDi
ll
iondoesn'
toweasoulanexpl
anat
ion.
Hethoughtaboutt
hereasonheevenexpl
ainedt
o
herandthenshookhi
shead.
ThismadnessI'
m devel
opi
nghastost
op,
he
thoughtandwal
kedpassheri
nsi
de.
Vi
vianglar
edatShawna.Shewast
all
,al
most
Di
ll
ion'
sheight
.
ShawnajustlookedupatVi vi
anwi t
hoututt
eri
nga
word.Sheturnedandent er
edbacki nt
othehouse
goi
ngt omeetMa' am Sandratoaskherabout
Dil
li
on'
svisi
torbutonherwayt othekit
chenshe
bumpedi
ntoLuwi
s.
.
.
(
Fight
ingcl
ub)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
"
Hey"sai
dluwi
sashest
oodf
aci
ngShawna.
"
Hey"Shawnar
epl
iedhi
m.
"Wherehaveyoubeen?
"AskedLuwiswant
ingt
o
hearwhatShawnawasgonnarepl
yhim.
"I
'vebeenoutwi
ththeyoungmaster
,hetookme
out"Shawnaanswerednotseei
nganyreasont
oli
e
tohim.
Thenanideacamei nt
oherhead.Luwi
smi
ghtknow
thi
sguestthatj
ustarr
ived.
"
Um.
..
Luwi
s?"Shei
nchedhernapeandcal
led.
"
Yeah,
whati
sit
?"Her
epl
ied.
"
Doyou.
..
."shepaused.
"
Doyouknowt
hatl
adywi
thyourboss?
"Sheasked
notwant
inghi
mtosuspectanyt
hing.
"
Whi
chl
ady?
"Luwi
saskednotsur
ehesawanyl
ady.
"Wi
thlongdarkhair,
she'
salsotal
l.Theyoung
masteract
uallysai
dsshe'
sgonnabest ayi
ngwit
h
usforawhile"Shawnaexpl
ained.
"Ohreal
ly?
"Luwi
sbr
owsj
oinedt
oget
herashe
asked.
"
Yeah"Shawnar
epl
i
ed.
"Thenlet
'sgotot
hedi nni
ng,
aft
erseei
ngher.I
mightbeabletot
ellyouwhosheisthat
'si
fIknow
her"Luwissai
dholdi
ngShawna'sarm.
Shawnabi
teherlowerl
ipi
nandf
oll
owedhi
m not
knowi
ngwhatelsetodo.
Theygottot
hedi nni
ngandsatdownwai t
ingf
ort
he
ti
meDi l
li
oni
sprobablygonnaaskvivi
andownto
dinner
.Asavisi
tor,i
t'
sexpect
edanyways.
Theydi dn'
thavetowai tf
orl
ongbeforeDill
ion
showedupwi t
hVi vi
an.Theywereobviousl
y
discussingandlaughingonthei
rwaytot hedinni
ng.
Shawnabi
teherl
ipi
nandf
oldedherhands.She
l
ookedawayf r
om theirdi
recti
on,theyt
ookasi tand
Luwisst
oodupt henleft
.Leavingheralonewith
Vivi
anwhosparedheraf ewgl ancesandDill
ion
wholookedl
ikehewasnevergonnal ookherway.
Hejustf
ocusedhiseyesel sewheretot
all
yignori
ng
her.
"
Um.
..
Dil
li
on?
"Vi
viancal
ledl
eani
ngcl
osert
ohi
m.
"
Yes?
"Di
ll
ionanswer
edhi
seyesnotonherei
ther
.
"Whoisshe?Iknowshe'
snotyoursi
sterbutI
've
beencuri
ous.Whoisshe?
"Vivi
anaskedtrul
y
curi
ous.
Di
ll
ionf
inal
lylookedatShawnafort
hefi
rstt
ime
si
ncehearr
ivedbutitwasforonl
yfewseconds.
"She.
..
she'
ssomeone..
."hepausednotr
eal
ly
knowinghowtoi
ntroduceher.
"Sheli
vesher,
that'
sallyouneedtoknow"the
thoughtcameintohi
smi ndandhequickl
ysaidit
l
ikethatandwhenshewant edtospeakaboutit
againhedismissedi
twi t
hthewaveofhishand.
Di
ll
ionknowshecan'
ttel
lvi
vian.Ohshe'
sagi
ftt
o
mebymybr
other
,inot
herwor
ds.She'
smypr
oper
ty.
Dil
li
onknowst
hisaboutvivi
an,
heknowsshe's
choosyandwi
llt
endtopickonwhoevershedoesn'
t
l
ike.
He'
smi
ndf
lashedbackt
othet
imehegott
oknow
her
.
Itwasaclub,afi
ghti
ngclubheusual
lygoestotr
ain.
Hemethert her
e,shecouldal
waysbeghimt ot
rai
n
withherandhehadhadf ewroundst
ogetherwi
th
her.
He'smindcamebacktothepr
esentwor
ldwhenhe
heardsoundsofpl
ate.
Theonlymaidt
her
ewhi
chwasBeat
ri
cewasset
ti
ng
thei
rfood.
Shawnaonherownwat
chedDil
li
onandhi
svi
sit
or
cl
osel
ywit
houtmaki
ngi
tobvi
ous.
Luwisr
eturnedandf
ewmi nuteslaterDil
li
onlef
tfor
hi
sroom foll
owedbytheguestleavingheragai
n
wit
hLuwisagain.
"
So,
whoi
sshe?
"Shecoul
dn'
thel
pbutaskagai
n.
"Well,
hernamei svi
vian.Thebossmetherin.
..
one
ofthefighti
ngclubshegoest otrai
nbackin
highschool.I'
m notcl
osewi t
hher,Idon'
tli
keher
"
l
uwi sexplainedtoShawna.
"
Fight
ingcl
ub?
"Shawnaaskedherf
acesqueezed.
"Yeah,Ibetshe'
sfrom ar
ichhomef r
om allher
dressesandall.Wehaveneverspokenproperl
y
before"Luwisexpl
ainedf
urt
her.
"
Isshecl
osewi
thhi
m?"Shawnaaskedt
obesur
e.
"Idon'tknow,whydoyouask? "Luwisaskednot
wantingt obeli
evethereasonshe'
saski
ngallt
hisi
s
becauseshe' sjeal
ous.
"
Justwannaknow,
soI
'
llknowi
fIshoul
dgetal
ong
wit
h..
."
"Don'
tgetal
ongwithher
"luwisint
errupt
edherand
shenoddedandthenmout hedan"okay"
.
Shedoesn'
treal
lyl
iket
heguestanyways.
*
*Fastf
orwar
d**
Nextday.
Shawnagotprepar
edt ogotoschool
, shewalked
downthestair
sandgotclosetotheentrancetosee
Dil
li
onandvivi
anstandingatt
heentrancetogether
wit
hsportclot
heson.
*
*
Fewmi
nut
esear
li
eronDi
ll
ion'
ssi
de.
Hegotupear l
y,putonhistraini
ngclothes.He
decidedtotrai
nt odaybecauseoft hethoughtst
hat
fi
ll
edhismi nd,most l
ythoughtofShawna.Hewas
gonnaf i
ndawayt ogetwhat everheisdevelopi
ng
i
nhi sheartforhertomel t
.
Hedoesn'
twantt
hef
eel
ingatal
l.
Allsetreadytogo, heopenedthedoortoseeVi
vian
standingtherewithtwobottl
esofwateral
soinher
tr
ainingclothes.
"Mor
ning,
figur
edoutI
'
djoi
nyouf
ort
rai
ning"Vi
vian
smil
edandsaid.
"
No!No!Ir
eall
ywannabealone"Di
ll
ionr
epl
iednot
r
eal
lywant
inganyonewi
thhim.
"
Nopl
ease,
it'
sbet
teri
fyouhaveapar
tner
"vi
vian
i
nsist
edhandi
ngoveroneoft
hebot
tl
edwat
ert
o
hi
m.
Hecol
lect
edt
hewaterandwalkedpasshergoi
ng
down,
shesmil
edandfoll
owed.
Theygott
otheent
ranceandDill
ionst
opped,
thi
nki
ngaboutt
herealt
rai
ningheneedsri
ghtnow.
Thenhe'
smindanswer
edhim.SincehehasVi
vian
asapart
nerhecoul
dgoforboxi
ng.
HeturnedandlookedatVi
vianwhowaswai
ti
ng
pat
ientl
yforhi
m andsaid.
"Boxi
ng,Ithi
nkwe'llstar
tfrom t
here"Dil
li
onsaid
andstart
edheadingt owardsthetr
ainingroom he
buil
tforhi
mselfaroundt hemansion.
*
*
Shawnawat
chedasDi l
li
onandVivianheadtothe
si
deshehasneverbeentobefor
e.Whyishet aki
ng
her
?Shewonderedandstart
edfoll
owingthem.
Dil
li
onandVivi
angott
ooneoft
het
rai
ningr
ooms
andthenst
opped.
Vi
vianwasover
whel
medt
hatshei
sgoi
ngt
obe
tr
aini
ngwi
thDi
ll
ionagai
n.Sher
eal
lymi
ssedt
hose
days.
Shedroppedherwater
,al
ongsi
deDi
ll
ion'
sata
cor
nerandtheybothgotset
.
Shawnast
oodoutsidet
her
oom watchi
ngt
hem,
for
get
ti
ngthatshehast
ogotoschool.
Thent
heyst
art
edt
rai
ning-f
ight
ing.
Vivi
anwastheonefaci
ngtheent
ranceandhereyes
caughtShawnaout
sidewi
thalookthatr
esembles
anger.
Hmm,lemmef i
ndoutwhoshereall
yis.Shemight
beanopponent
,vi
viant
houghtandthenpurposel
y
l
etDi
ll
ionhi
ther.
Shef
elldownonthefl
oorandDil
li
onthi
nki
nghe
wasr
eallyatf
aul
tbentdowntohelpher
.
"
I'
m sorr
y,Ishoul
dn'thavebr
oughtyouwi
thme"
Di
ll
ionapologi
zed.I
tshockedVi
vian.
Heapol ogi
zed?Shet houghtandi
mmediat
elyused
thatopportunit
ytohughim.Itwasaneasythi
ng
consideri
ngt hei
rposi
ti
on.
Shawnaonseeingthi
sdidn'
tevenunder
standher
shefel
t,shej
ustt
urnedandlef
tther
ehurri
edl
y.
Onseeingherreact
ion,
asmi
lecr
eptupVi
vian'
s
face.Gatya!
.
Tobecont
inued.
.
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence18-
20
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
(
Setup)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
*
Mexi
co*
"Bryanyou'llhavetostayathomet odayandl ucki
ly
foryou, I
'
llbetakingtodayofft
oo.Byt omorrowyou
willresumeschool "Dil
lysai
dtoBryanast heyboth
stayedsitedinthedinningroom.
"So,Ievenhavetochangeschool
?"Br
yanaskednot
soundingtoohappy.
"Yeah,youhaveto.Idon'twantyourmom tal
kingt
o
youoverthere"Di
ll
yr epl
iedandBryannodded
forci
ngasliceofbreadintohismouth.
Meanwhil
eNaomidr essedupf orschoolandcame
downtothesi
tt
ingroom aboutt ogothedinni
ngto
haveherbr
eakf
astbutst oppedwhenshesawt he
news.
Shewentcl
osert
othet
elevi
sionandi
ncr
easedt
he
vol
ume.
Aladywast her
etalki
ng,tal
kingaboutherfamil
y's
company, shelist
enedandcont i
nuedli
steningunti
l
shetalkedabouthavingasonwi ththevice
presi
dentwhi chisDil
ly.
Huh,whati
sshesayi
ng?Naomiwonder
ednot
r
eall
yunderst
andi
ngwher
etheladywasact
ual
ly
headi
ngt
o.
Backtothedinni
ngroom,Di
ll
ygotaphonecal
l
fr
om Andrew.Hestoodupandlef
tleavi
ngonl
y
Bryant
here.
Afterli
steningandwat
chi
ngthet el
evi
sionf
ora
whileshedeci dedt
ogoaskDill
ywhatthatl
adywas
reall
ysaying.Shegott
othedinningtoseej
ust
Bryanther e.
"
Hey!Wher
eismybr
other
?"Naomiaskedr
udel
y.
Br
yandi
dasi fhedidn'
thearher
,hej
ustcont
inued
wi
thhi
sbreakfast
.
"
Wait
,whyar
eyouignor
ingme?Doyour
eal
izet
hat
I
'
m ol
dert
hanyou?
"Naomifrowned.
Bryanlookedatheranddidasifhewantedt
or epl
y
herbutheonl yrol
ledhi
seyesandgotdownfrom
hi
ssit.ItangeredNaomimore.
"Heyyoubrat"Naomist
oodupf rom hi
ssi tand
madetoat t
ackBryanbutBryanstar
tedrunning.
Naomikeptchasinghi
m aroundthedinningbut
coul
dn'tgethi
m.
"I
'
m goingtoreal
lyki
llyouonceIgetyou"Naomi
screamed,
almostscreamingoutherlungs.
"Hey,wi
llyoustopshouti
ng?
"Di
ll
ycamebackt
othe
dinni
ngandt ookhi
ssit.
Naomist
oppedchasingBryanandal
sotookhersit,
r
ecal
li
ngthatshehastoaskhim ani
mportantt
hing.
Br
yanal
sosatbackbesi
deDi
ll
y.
"Di
ll
y,di
dyouseethenews?Therewasalady
sayi
ngsomethingsabouthavi
ngaki
dforyou.
..
."
Dil
lyknowi
ngwher
eshewasheadi
ngt
ost
opped
her.
"
Yes"heanswer
ed.
Andrewhadcalledt
ot el
lheraboutt
henews.Ri t
a
real
lywenttot
hemedi ahousetobroadcast
nonsenseandnowr eport
ersmusthavef l
oodedthe
company.Thenewsi sgonnabeonever yone'
sli
ps
soon,heissur
eofthat.
"
Yes?
"Naomiasked.
"Yes,Idon'
tknowwhatthatl
adyreal
lysai
dbut
um..wehaveakidtoget
her"Dil
lyr
epl
iedandNaomi
gasped.Hereyesf
ellonBr
yan.
"
Ishe.
..
ishet
heone?
"Sheaskedi
nshock.
"
Yes"Di
ll
yrepl
ied.
Naomitookherfullgazet
oBryan,
shekeptstar
ing
athimforaver
yl ongtimewhi
chactual
lydi
stur
bed
Bryan.
"Youcanstopst
ari
ngatme.Iknowam handsome
okay?"Br
yansai
dwi t
houtl
ooki
ngather
.
Naomigasped.
Di
ll
ychuckl
ed.
"
You..
.!
"Shepoi
ntedathi
m agai
nandswal
lowed
whatshewant
edtosaydownherthr
oat
.
Shei sreal
lygonnateachhim al
otoflessonssi
nce
theyaresur el
ygonnabeleavi
ngundert hesame
roof.Butnowshehast oinfor
m Dil
li
on,sheisso
surethathedoesn'tknow.
Anot
hercal
lcamei
ntoDi
ll
y'
sphoneandhegotup.
"
Naomiyouar en'
tgoi
nganywhereunt
ilt
hisi
ssue
mighthavegonedown,Iwantyout
ostaywit
h
Br
yan.Ihavetogooutnowandwi
llbebacksoon"
Di
ll
ysaidleavi
ngt
heDinni
ng.
Naomismi
ledevi
lel
y,shei
sgonnadealwi
thBr
yan
t
oday.
Bryannoticedhersmileandquicklygotoffthechair,
hemadet orunawaybutthisti
me, Naomiwas
fast
er,shegothim andstar
tedtickl
inghim allover
.
Notgivinghim aspace.
*
*Par
is*
*
Shawnaleftforschooli
mmedi at
elyshegotaway
from t
hetr
ainingroom.Shedidn'
tevenunderst
and
howshefeltseeingthem l
iket
hatbutsheknows
thatshei
sn'tsupposedtoreal
lyfeelt
hatway.
Hour
slat
er.
Di
ll
iongotacal
lfr
om Naomi
.
"Yeah"hepi
ckedt
hecal
landpl
acedt
hephoneon
hislef
tear
.
"Di
ll
ionyoudon' tevenr emembert hatIexitanymor
e,
youdon'tcal
l.Am al wayst heonecal l
ing,
that'
snot
howbr ot
herstreattheirsister
,youtreatmel i
keam
j
ust
..
..
"
"
Justheadtothepoi
ntNaomi,I
'vegatnot
imet
o
l
ist
entotant
rums"Di
ll
ioncutheroffr
ubbi
nghi
s
f
orehead.
"
Wel
l.
.okay"Naomi
repl
ied.
"
Dil
lyhasason,
justwant
edt
oinf
orm youoft
hat
"
Naomisai
d.
"
WhatdoyoumeanbyDi l
lyhasason?I sthatan
i
nfor
mat
ionorwhatexact
ly?"Di
ll
ionhushed.
"Well
,Iguesshe'l
lexplai
nittoyouhimselfbutt
he
boyiscurrent
lyhereinthequarter
s,thenewsisal
l
overmexico.Theboyi shandsomet oobutheis
veryarr
ogant,ver
yrudeandmost l
ysnobbish"
Naomicompl ementedandt hencompl ai
ned.
Di
ll
ionsi
ghedget
ti
ngt
ir
edofwhat
evernonsense
Naomiwassayi
ng.
"
Look,I
'l
lcal
lyoubackwhenI'mr
eadyt
oli
sten"
Di
ll
ionsai
dthencutthecal
l.
Hedroppedthephoneandpull
edoutadr
awerf
rom
hi
stable.Hetookoutakeyf
rom t
her
eandcl
osedi
t
back.
Hehadgot t
enacall20mi nutesagoprobablyf
rom
oneofhisboys,hewasn'treall
ysure.Hehasalot
oft
hem anddoesn'tthem allbynamet hoheknows
al
lthei
rfaces.
Hegotoutofhi
sroom andonhi
swaydown,
hemet
vi
vianont
hestai
rcase.
"
Oh,wher
eareyouheadi
ngt
o?"Vi
vianasked
want
ingt
ofol
lowhi
m.
"Justsomewhere"heanswer edandwalkedpass
hertothegarage.Openedal uxuscarandgotin,
Vivi
anwhohedi dn'tknowf ol
lowedhim outopened
theothersi
deoft hecarandgotinashewasabout
toigni
tetheengine.Heturnedtolookather.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Hequest
ioned.
"Well.
..
Ihaven'
treal
lybeenouti nawhi l
eand..
..
"she
wasst i
llsayi
ngwhent hegat eopenedandacar
drovein.Shawnacamedownf rom t
hecarand
seeingtheposit
ionoftheluxuscar ,
shelookedint
o
thecar,shewasn'texpect
ingt oseeanyone
parti
cularl
ybutshesawDi ll
ionandt henVi
vian.
"Hey,wi
llyougetthatcaroutoftheway?"She
heardDi
lli
onyellatthedri
verthatdr
oveherin.
Di
ll
ionwasn'
treal
lyl
ooki
ngather
.
Shethensummonedupcour ageanddidthe
unthi
nkable.ShewenttothecarDi
ll
ionwastryi
ng
todri
veoutwi t
h,sheopenedthebackdoorand
thengotin.
Di
ll
ioni
mmedi
atel
ylookedather
.
Vi
vianal
sol
ookedather
.
"
What-ar
e-you-doi
ng?
"Di
ll
ionaskedcount
inghi
s
wor
ds.
Shawnawhodidn'treal
lyhaveanexpl anati
onto
whyshegotint
ot hecarremainedquite.Maybeshe
doesn'
twannaleavethetwooft hem alone.Maybe
shewantstofi
ndoutwher etheyaregoi ng.
"Maybeshealsowannatagal
ong"Vi
vianwast
he
onewhorepli
edforher
.
Di
ll
ionthoughtt
ohi
msel
f.Hehaschangedandi
t'
s
af
fect
inghim.
Hesi
ghedanddr
oveoutoft
hemansi
ont
othe
l
ocat
ionhewasgi
venwhenhegotacal
l.
Thohewasn'
talsoreal
lysure.Hehadcal
ledoneof
hi
sboys-Jaytoconfir
mt helocat
iont
heotherboy
hasgi
ventohi
m.
Hegottot helocationaf
terabout1hourand
st
opped.Thr oughouttheridehejustconcentr
ated
ontheroadsi gnori
ngthetwopeopl ewithhim,hel
l
hedoesn'twantt hem wi
thhim.Especiall
ynot
Shawna.
Hecamedownfrom t
hecarandl
ookedaroundt
he
pl
acet
hatseemsdesert
edandst
range.
Hisphonestart
edr i
ngi
ngandhet ur
nedt otakehis
phonebackfrom thecarbecausehel eftiti
nside,
vivi
anwasalsotryingt
ogett hephonef orhi m soi
t
madet hei
rhandstouched,Dill
ionwi
thdr ewhi s
handwi t
hspeed,thespeedshockedVi vian.Itwas
asifherhandwasanel ect
ricandcoul dn'tbe
touched.
"
Igati
t"Di
ll
ionsai
dwi
thast
rai
ghtf
ace.
Vi
vianl
eftt
hephonei
nsomewhatangerofwhathe
di
d.
Di
ll
iontookthephoneandt
henturnedbackt
opick
t
hecallbutwasmetwithaguystandi
ngther
e.
I
twasaguyhehasn'
tseenbef
ore.
Dil
li
ondroppedthecallandmadet oaskhim who
hewasbutt heguywhoknewwhathewasdoi ng
broughtoutahankyandr el
easedthecontentoft
he
hankyintheair
,thecontentspr
eadfastl
ikeagas.
"Whatt
he.
..
.!
?Whothef*
*kareyou?"Di
ll
ionasked
ashemist
akenl
ysni
ff
edinthegasl
ycontent
.
Itst
art
edmaki
nghiseyel
idheavybutthatdi
dn'
t
stophi
mf r
om gr
abbi
ngholdoftheguywhowas
abouttor
unaway.
Het urnedhimt owardsthecarandpunchedhi m
realwellthathe'snosestartedbleedi
ng.Theboy
refusedtalkingbutonlystayedtherelet
ti
ngDil
li
on
dealwi t
hhi m.Dill
ionangri
lypunchedhim unt
ilhe
passedout .
WhenhepassedoutthatwaswhenDill
ionr
eal
ized
i
t,heshoul
dn'
thavel
eftthatpl
acesohewil
lst
op
snif
fi
ngint
hegas.
Hecoughedandonl
ycoughedoutbl
ood.
Ahf
**k!I
t'
sasetup,
he'
smi
ndt
oldhi
m.
Thenhetur
nedandl ookedintot
hecartoseethat
Vivi
anandShawnahasal readypassedout
.They
musthavealsosni
ff
edi nthepoweredcont
ent.
Hetookouthi
sphoneagai
nandj
ustdi
aledany
number.
Thepersonwhohehappenedt
odai
lhi
snumber
happenedtobeLuwi
s
"
Hel
lo?Boss?
"Di
ll
ionhear
dbutcoul
dn'
tevenspeak.
Itfel
tli
kehewasgett
ingchokedever
yti
mehe
openedhismouthtotal
k,t
hephonedroppedf
rom
hisshakyhands.
Hemanagedtokeephiseyesopenbutcoul
dn'
t
keept
hem openanyl
onger.Healsof
aint
ed.
Somewher
efarf
rom t
her
einanunder
groundhouse.
Luwi
skeptst
ari
ngathi
sphone.
Whyi
sn'
thesayi
nganyt
hing?Hewonder
ed.
"
Hel
lo?Icanhearyou"Luwi
ssai
dint
othephonef
or
t
hehundr
edt
hti
mes.
'
Hey,canyoustopshouti
ng?
"JayoneofDill
ion'
s
boyssnappedatLuwiswhokeptshout
ing.
ThemannerinwhichJayhadaskedhi
mtost
op
shout
ingannoyedhi
m alot
.
Hedr
oppedt
hecal
landst
oodup.
"Hey,
youdon'tt
ellmet
owhattodonextt
ime
okay?"Luwi
ssnappedback.
"
Woah,
lookathi
mtr
ynabi
teback?
"Jaymocked.
Thepl
acetheywer
eisaver
yhi
ddenpl
ace,
they
weremuchther
e.
"Wil
lyouguysst
opthisnonsense?Ithoughtt
he
bossaskedyoutocheckoutalocat
ionforhim?"
Sam tr
iedmaki
ngthem st
op.
"Yeah,hedidbutIdidn'
tshouttoleteveryoneknow
thatthebossisgivi
ngmeanassi gnment .Just
becausethebosscal l
edyou,youar etr
yingtolet
everyoneknowt hat
"Jayrespondedr ef
erri
ngto
Luwisinthelastpart
.
"
Youc*
cksuck*
r"Luwi
scussedget
ti
ngmor
eangr
y
athi
m.
"Yeahit
'strue.Thebossonlyfavor
syoubecause
you'r
epiti
ful"onesit
ti
ngbesideJayhal
fyel
ledand
someoft hem agreed.
Jayl
aughed.
"I
t'
strue,he'
sli
fei
sr eal
lypit
if
ul.Anor phanwho'
s
grannyalso.
..
"Jaywasst i
llmocki ngLuwiswhen
l
uwi spunchedhim hardonhisf ace.
"
Youdon'
tinsul
tme,
okay?
"Luwi
sgr
owl
ed.
Jayt
ouchedhi
shur t
ingcheekandt
urnedt
olookat
Luwi
swhowasr eadyforafight
.
"Ihaveaj obtodofornow, Ihavetocheckoutt
he
l
ocationthebossaskedmet ocheckoutorIswear
youcoul dhavebeenlyingdeadbynow.But
notwithst
anding,I
'
llst
il
ldeal wi
thyouwhenIget
back*Jayt hunder
edandl eft
.
"Well
,I
'l
lbewai
ti
ngf
oryouaswel
l
"Luwi
sshout
ed
aft
erhim.
.
.
(
Probl
ems)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
"Guys!!Ther
eisaproblem"Jayaft
erchecki
ngout
thelocati
onranbacktotheother
stoinf
ormt hem
ofwhathef oundout.
"
Whati
sit
?"Onebyt
henameRocki
easked.
"Well
,If
oundboss'sphoneont hefl
oor.Theexact
placeIf
oundit
,thereweref
ootstepsthere,andit
l
ookedlikeem.
.acaralsoparkedther
e"hesai d.
"
What
??"Someshr
iekedbecomi
ngatal
ert
.
"Youweresupposedt
ocheckoutt
hatl
ocat
ionf
ir
st"
Sam sai
dgetti
nguponhisfeet
.
"Yeah,
buthewasher
epi
cki
ngupaf
ightwi
thme"
Luwisgroaned.
Jayi
gnor
edt
hei
rcomment
sandcont
inued.
"ButIcheckaroundandonlysight
ed...
isi
tan
abandonedwar ehouseorwhatwasthatbuil
ding?
WellIthi
nkiftheyarehol
dinghimthenitmustbe
ther
ecauset hat'
stheonl
ybuil
dingaround.
"
"
Weneedtomovenowt
hen"Sam sai
dmovi
ngt
o
t
hedoor
.
Luwi
sremai
nedsi
tedt
her
ewhi
lesomewer
etr
ying
tomove.
"HeyLuwis,
aren'
tyoucomi
ngorwhat
?"Sam
stoppedt
ocallhi
m.
"Wel
l,
noteveryonecango.Peopl egoi
ngshouldnot
bemorethanfour ,
I'
m surethebossishandl
ing
what
eversit
uation,heisnotweak"Luwissai
d.
"Wel
lyeah,
notever
yonecango.Butyouhavet
ogo,
comeongetup"Sam sai
dgoingbacktopul
lhi
m up.
Farf
rom t
hatl
ocat
ion.
I
nakindofdar
kroom t
woboyswerei
nsi
dethe
r
oom l
ooki
ngatVivi
anwhowasti
edtoanir
onchai
r.
Sheopenedhereyesandwi
nchedal
it
tl
e.
"Whathappened?"Shemumbl edthenrecal
ledthe
guythathadspreadsomewhi ti
shsubstanceinto
theai
r,t
henDi l
li
onhadgrabbedhim butshehas
alr
eadysnif
fedinthesubst
ancewhi chmadeher
l
osscontrolofhersel
fandshesleptoff
.
"Hey,
she'
swaki
ngup"sheheardthenl
if
tedher
headuptoseet
het
woguyst here.
"Canyouseeus?
"Oneoft
heboysaskedgoi
ng
closert
oher
.
"
Whoar
eyou?
"Vi
vianaskedhi
m.
"
I'
mjustyourcapt
or"her
epl
iedandchuckl
ed.
"
Wher
eisDi
ll
ion?
"Sheasked.
"Um.
..
heisi
namuchwor stsi
tuat
ionthanyou"t
he
guyr
epli
edandl
aughedwitht
heot herone.
"
Losst
her
opes,
myhandsar
ehur
ti
ng"Vi
viansai
d.
Theybot
hlaughed.
"
Real
ly?Andwhyshoul
dwedot
hat
?"Oneasked.
"BecauseI'
mjustal
ady,
areyouaf
rai
dofal
ady?
"
Shescoffed.
"
Don'
ttel
lmeyouar
e."
Theybot
hlookedateachot
her
.
"
Wear
en'
tbutwear
ejustbei
ngcar
eful
"oner
epl
i
ed.
"
Bei
ngcar
efult
hatal
adymi
ghtendupki
ll
ingyou
bot
h?"Shescof
fedagai
n.
"Ther
eareot
her
sout
side,
wear
en'
taf
rai
dofyou"
onesaid.
"
Thenl
ossme"Vi
viani
nsi
sted.
Thebothofthem l
ookedateachot
herandt
hen
deci
dedtolossher.
Onewentbehi
ndherandl
oosenherr
opes.
"I
fyoutrytomove, I
'
llpul
lthetr
iggerandyourbr
ain
wil
lscatt
eralloverthi
splace"t
heot hersai
d
point
inghisgunather .
"Nope,youwon'
tbedoi
ngt
hat
"Vi
viansai
d
str
etchi
ngherbody.
I
nanot
herr
oom.
Di
ll
ionopenedhi
seyes,
sni
ff
edandt
hencoughed.
"Hei
swakingup"t
heboysi
ntheroom wi
thhi
m
sai
dstandi
ngupfr
om wher
etheysat
.
Di
ll
iontr
iedt
omovebuther
eal
izedt
hathewast
ied
t
oani r
onchair
.
"
Hey,
pourabucketofwat
eronhi
m"hehear
done
voi
cesay.
I
nmi
nut
eshef
elthi
swhol
ebodywet
.
"Areyousoberyet
?"Oneaskedmovi
ngcl
osert
o
him.
"
NoI'm not
,Ineedanot
herbucketofwater
"Dil
lon
r
epl
iedandtheypouredanot
herbucketonhim.
"
Ohf
**kyoual
l_hecussedsi
lent
ly.
"
Ist
hatenough?
"Theyt
eased.
"No,
it'
snotenough"Di
ll
ionr
epl
iedandt
heypour
ed
anot
herbucketonhim.
Itconti
nuedt
hatwayunt i
lthebi
gdrum t
heywer
e
getti
ngthewaterf
rom becamealsodr
iedup.
"
Ineedt
helastone"Di
ll
ionsai
dknowi
ngwhathe
wasdoi
ng.
Theylaughedamongestthemselvesandstoodhi
m
upfrom their
onchai
rthenwalkedhimtothedrum
andfixedhisheadi
nsi
det hedrum.
"I
'
m sobernow"Di
ll
ionsai
dandf
orcef
ull
ypul
ledhi
s
headoutfr
om t
hedr um.
Hegothol
dofoneoftheguysholdi
nghi
mfr
om
behi
ndandpur
posel
ybenthisarms.
Theguygotangerasexpect
edandkickedhi
m so
har
d,hest
aggeredbackbutdidn'
tfal
l.
"Yeah?You'
rest
ronghuh!?
"Theguyaskedmovi
ng
closert
ohimtokickhi
m agai
n.
Dil
li
onusedthatoppor
tuni
tytost
artl
ooseni
ngt
he
ropesusedt
ot i
ehishandsbehi
nd.
Theguycameathi m andkickedhim hardont he
tummyagain.Di
lli
onfellonthefl
oorandgr abbed
thekni
fehehadsightedearli
eronthefloor
,itwas
amongothertor
turet
ool st
here.
Hecuttheropesbutsti
llpret
endedthathishands
werest
il
lti
ed.Thatpart
icularguycameathi m
agai
nandlift
edhim upforceful
lyf
rom thefl
oor,he
madetopunchhim butf el
tsomethi
ngpi er
cingi
nto
hi
stummy.
Theguylookeddownathi
sst
omacht
ofi
ndakni
fe
i
nside.
"
Goodbye"Di
ll
ionwhi
sper
edt
ohi
m andt
henpul
led
outt
hegunt
uckedi
nsi
det
heguy'
spocket
.
Heshotataguyatoneendoft
her
oom t
hen
anot
her.
Onemadet oshothim butt
heusedt
heguyt
hathe
hasal
readystabbedtoguardhi
msel
f.
Theguydr
oppeddowndeadont
hef
loorandDi
l
lion
hi
dhimsel
fbehi
ndthebi
gdrum.
Theyweresti
llf
ivemor
eguysi
nther
oom t
hat
aren'
tdownyet.
Hewaitedbehi
ndthedr
um f
orl
ongbef
orecomi
ng
outagai
nandshooti
ngdownone.
Twol
eft
,hesai
dtohi
msel
f.
Oneshotatt
hedrum hewashi
dingatmaki
ng
Di
ll
ionst
andup.
Hedoggedani
ncomi
ngbul
letagai
nandshotdown
t
heremaini
ngt
wo.
Hegottothedoorandopenedittof
indtwoother
guysout
sidether
epoint
ingthei
rgunstowar
dshim.
Farawayf
rom t
her
e.
Shawnafel
tsomeonelooki
ngather
,shef
orcedher
eyesopenandsatuponabed.
Ther
ewasamant herest
ari
ngather
,themanhada
l
otofboyswit
hhim.Uptotwent
yandtheywer
eall
i
ntheroom wi
thhi
m.
Shawnashift
edbackwardsont
hebedfearf
ull
y.She
doesn'
tevenunder
standhowshegott
here.
"
Who.
..
whoar
eyou?
"Sheaskedwi
thashakyvoi
ce.
"
Iam Matt
hiasf
ather,
theguyt
hatusedtobeyour
f
ri
end"t
hemanr epl
iedandShawnagasped.
"
Ohgoodness!
"
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence21-
23
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
(
Escapi
ng1)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
"Solookhere,I
'
m gonnabeaskingyoualotofeasy
questi
onsandIneedyout orepl
ythem asquickas
theycome"Mat t
hiasf
athersai
dhiseyessett
ledon
theterr
if
iedShawna.
"Fi
rst
,MarkDi
ll
ioni
stheonet
hatki
ll
edMat
thi
as,
I
am ri
ght
?"Heasked.
Shawnagulpeddownhar dwhenshehear
dthi
s
quest
ion,
shetookhereyesdownunabl
etoanswer
i
t.
'
Lookhereyoungl ady.Iknowyourhi st
orywithhim.
Iknowthatyou'
rej ustamer eproper
tytohim,so
ther
eshouldbenor easonforyoutoprotecthi
m
whatsoever
"Matthiasf at
hersai
di naveryhardtone.
"
Idon'
t.
..
Idon'
tremember
"Shawnar
epl
iedhi
m.
"
Matthiasdruggedme,whenIwokeupIf
ound
myselfal
readyoutoft
heplacehet
ookmeto.I
don'
tknowanyt
hing"shel
ied.
Matthi
asfat
hershookhi
sheadandShawnal
if
ted
hereyest
ostareathi
m.
Ihopehebel
ievesme,
shet
hought
.
"Okay,I'
l
ltakei
tthatyou'
ret
ell
ingt
het r
uth.That
aside,whatbusi
nessdoesthatboyreall
ydo?"He
repli
edthenasked.
Whatshoul
dIt
ellhi
m?Shawnawonder
ed.
"
Um.
..
he.
.her
unsacompany"Shawnar
epl
ied.
"
Whatsor
tofcompany?Whatdot heypr
oduce
t
her
e?"Matt
hiasf
atheraskedon.
"Ithi
nk.
..
it
'sacommuni cati
oncompany, Idon't
knowI '
mjustassuming"Shawnar epl
iedreal
ly
tryi
ngherbesttohi
deal it
tl
ebitofherfears.
"Okay,let
'sl
eavet
hataside.Ihear
dhejustsi
gneda
contractwit
haweaponrycompany, whati
she
planningtodoaft
erget
tingtheweaponshe
purchased?"Heasked.
"
Idon'
tknow"Shawnar
epl
ied.
"Lookyoungl
ady,Idon'
tneedthatanswerr
ightnow.
WhatIneedisyourful
lcooperat
ion,
Ineedyouto
cooperat
ebefor
eheget sher
ecauseIknowhewi ll
soonbehere"hesaid.
"Hewil
lsoonbeher
e?Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
?"
Shawnaaskedconf
used.
Shethoughtt
heywereal
lint
hist
ogether
,doesi
t
meanthatshewastheonl
yonetakenorwhat?She
wondered.
"
Bri
ngt
hati
ron"Mat
thi
asf
atherdemanded.
Aguyappear
edwi
thonepr
essi
ngi
ront
hati
sver
y
hot
.
"
Iknowyouhavebeenl yi
ng,onemor eli
eI'm gonna
i
nstructt
hem toburnyourskin.St
arti
ngfrom your
f
ace"Mat t
hiasfat
hersaidandshawna'seyes
widenedasshestaredatthehotiron.
Farf
rom t
her
e.
Vi
viangotoutoft
her
oom shewaskepti
naf
ter
ki
ll
ingt
hetwoguyswit
hher.
Theyar
ereal
lyf
ool
isht
ohavel
oosenedmyr
opes.
Whatdotheyact
ual
lyt
akemefor?Shet
houghtas
shewal
kedoutbutbumpedi
ntooneoft
heguys.
Theguymadet oshotatherbutshewasquickto
j
umpathi m maki
nghisgunfalldown,t
heyboth
star
tedst
ruggl
ingonthefl
oortogetholdoft
hegun
fi
rst
.
Dill
ionwhowentoutaf t
ersuccessf
ull
ygett
ingr
idof
thet woguyshemetear l
ycamebacki nwhenhe
startedhear
ingsomestruggl
ingsoundsatoneend
ofthehouset hatl
ookeduncomplet
ed.
Hefoll
owedthesoundandmetvi
vianandtheguy,
theguyhadalmostgot
tent
hegunbutDil
li
onshot
him onhi
sleg.
Theguywi
nchedandgr
abbedhi
sleg.
"
Ohmygoodness!
"Vi
vianexcl
aimedi
nrel
ief
.
"Ar
eyouokay?
"Di
ll
ionaskedeveni
fitwasast
upi
d
quest
ion.
"Yeah,Iam now.Thanksforcomingfast
er,
the
bastar
dcoul dhaveki
ll
edme"Vi vi
ansaidcl
eani
ng
hersel
fasshest oodonherfeet
.
Dil
li
onl
ookedar
oundwonder
ingwher
etheykept
Shawna.
"Hey"hecal
ledoutt
otheguyst
il
lcr
yinghi
seyes
outonthefl
oor.
"Whereist
hel
adywi
tht
hegol
denbr
ownhai
r?"He
asked.
Theguyi
gnor
edhi
m,hekeptcr
ying.
"Look,Idon'
tneedyourt
ears,
Ineedanswers"Di
ll
on
groanedandsteppedonthatfeetheshot
.Theguy
cri
edhar der
.
"
I'
llcooper
ate,
I'
llcooper
ate"hecr
iedoutt
hemor
e.
"Good,
nowtel
lmewher
eyouguyskepther
"he
demanded.
"
She'
snotanywherearoundher
e,she'
sbei
ngt
aken
f
arawayfr
om here"t
heguyrepl
ied.
"
Whatdoyoumeanbythat
?Wherewasshetaken
t
oandwhywasshetakent
her
e?"Heasked.
"Wel
l,she'
sabaitt
olureyou.I
sn'
titobvi
ous?
"The
guyyell
ed.Di
ll
ionsl
appedhim.
"Youdon'
trepl
ymeliket
hati
diot
.I'
m notyour
f**k*
ngmate,nowgetuponyourf*
*k*dupf eet
"he
commanded.
"Ican'
tst
and,
youshotmer
ight
?Ican'
tst
and"t
he
guysaid.
"Look,Idon'tcareifyoustandwit
hyourf**k*ng
tongue,it
'stheleastofmypr obl
emsactuall
ysoi f
youdon'twantmet oshotyourot
herl
eg,youwi l
l
standthisinstant"herasped.
Theguynoddedandmanagedt
ost
andwi
thone
feet
.
"Nowleadt
othef
**k*
ngpl
aceyout
ookhert
oo"he
demanded.
Theguystart
edtowar dsthedoor
,makingsurehis
otherl
egdoesn'
ttoucht hegr
oundunti
ltheygot
outsi
detowhereDill
ion'
scarwasactuall
ybrought
to.
"Di
ll
ion"Vi
viancal
ledandDi
ll
iont
urnedt
olookat
her
.
"
Hesai
dit
'sat
rapandyou'
rest
il
lgoi
ng?
"Vi
vian
asked.
"
Whyshouldn'
tI?Am t
heonet
heyneedandnother
"
Di
ll
ionsai
d.
"Well
,don'
tyout
hinkyoushoul
dassembleyour
boys?Itwon'
tbegoodwalki
ngint
oatrapalone"
vi
vianstat
ed.
"ThenshouldIwalkintoat r
apwithalloft
hem?I
don'tneedbl
oodshed, notnowsoI '
vegatthi
s
myself,wai
there.Idon'twantyoufoll
owingme
thereeit
her
"Dil
lionrepli
ed.
"
No,therei
snowayI '
mlett
ingyougothereyour
self
,
i
fyou'r
egoing.I
'
m comingwithyou"vi
viani
nsi
sted.
"
I'
m notchangingmymi nd,
Ialr
eadyhaveherto
worr
yabout,Idon'
tneedanotherpersonaddedt
o
t
heli
st"Dil
li
onsaidthr
oughgrit
tedteeth.
Hewasget
ti
ngangr
yatherf
oract
ual
lyar
gui
ng
wi
thhi
m.
"ThismesshappenedbecauseIactual
lybecame
stupid,i
fIhadn'
tal
lowedyoutwotofol
lowmet hen
I'
llbetheonlyper
sonfindi
ngmywayout .It
hinkI
wil
lstopbei
ngstupidf
rom nowonandthatst
art
s
wit
hyouactual
lyleavi
ng"hest
atedagai
nfi
rmly
angercussi
ngt
hroughhissystem.
Actual
lyblaminghi
mselft
hatShawnai
s
somewher eandhedoesn'
tevenknowwhat
's
happeningtoheratt
hemoment .
.
.
(
Escapi
ng2)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
"Oh..
.pl
easedon'thurtmewi t
htheiron"Shawna
pleadedastheguywi ththehoti
ronbr oughtitreal
ly
closetoherface.Eventhotheir
onhasn' tbeen
placedonherskin,shecouldsti
llf
eelthehot ness
burningherskin.
"
Holdon"Mat
thi
asfat
hersai
dtot
heguywit
hthe
i
ronandhest
oppedwhathewastr
yingt
odo.
Shawnasi
ghedi
ngr
eatr
eli
ef.
"Now,t
hisi
syourl
astchance"theti
meisfarspent
.
Tellmeal
lIneedt
oknow,Mat t
hiasfat
her
demanded.
Farf
rom t
her
e.
AsDil
li
onpushedtheguyhehadshotonhisl
eg
i
ntohiscar
,acardrovei
nther
eandstoppedr
ighti
n
fr
ontofDil
li
on'
scar.
Thepeopl
einsi
decameandher
ecogni
zedt
hem.
Heclosedhiscardoorandwaitedforthem tocome
cl
oser.Jaywastheonei nf
ront,ashecamecl oser
andwasaboutapologizedfornotcheckingoutthe
l
ocati
oninti
mebef oreanyt
hingelseDill
ionstopped
hi
m.
"Idon'
tneedyourapologyri
ghtnow.Whathaveyou
guysgot?"Dil
li
onaskedlooki
ngbehindhi
mt osee
Sam, Rocki
eandLuwi s.
"Well
,webroughtexpl
osive,asi
lencer
,abul
let
proofi
ncaseandat earg.
...
"
"That
'senough,
bringthem overtomycar .LuwisI
needyout ot
akeVivianback..
..
totheunderground
housefornow,Ihavetodealwi t
hthisguysfirst
,
unti
lI'
m donewit
ht hem goi
ngbackt othemansi on
i
sn'
tsaf
e.Alsomakesurether
estar
eokayt
her
e"
Di
ll
ioni
nst
ructedget
ti
ngint
ohiscar
.
"
Okay"Jayr
epl
iedandl
eft
.
"
Okay"Luwi
sal
sor
epl
iedbutpausedt
othi
nk.
I
sn'
tShawnawi
tht
hem?Het
urnedbackt
oDi
ll
ion.
"Um...
Boss,
didShawnacomeoutwi
thyou?
"He
asked.
"
Whydoyouask?
"Di
ll
ionaskedback.
"
Ijust
..
."
"
Shedi dandam t
ryi
ngtogogetherfrom wher
ever
t
heyt ookhert
o"Dil
li
onexpl
ained,
Luwis'
seyes
widened.
"
Gobackwithher"Di
ll
ionaddedrefer
ri
ngt
oVi
vian
whohasbeenstandi
ngtherefuming.
"
But.
..
but.
.can'
tRocki
etakeherback?Pl
easeIal
so
wannajoi
nyou"Luwisasked.
"
No"Di
ll
ionr
epl
iedbl
unt
ly.
"
Okay"Luwi
sanswer
edandst
eppedback.
Sam,JayandRockiefini
shedtr
ansfer
r i
ng
ever
ythi
ngtheybroughtwit
hthem toDill
onLuxus'
s
carandthentheygoti
nwi t
hhim andleft
.
Luwisthoughtonwhattodo.Shawnaisal
sothere,
I
havetobethereincase,
heconcludedi
nhismind.
Iknowhei sgonnagetmad,butI
'
llexplai
nlat
er,he
thoughtt
ohimselfagai
nandgotintothecarthey
camewi t
h.
"
Heygeti
n,I
'
m goingaft
erthem"hesai
dtovi
vian
whor
oll
edhereyesathi
m andgotinwi
thhi
m.
Her
ever
sedt
hecarandst
art
edf
oll
owi
ngt
hem.
Farf
rom t
her
e
"Lookyoungladyyou' r
ewast ingmyt i
me.Idon't
real
lyneedyourtears.Thedeat hofmysoni sstil
l
angeri
ngme, Imightusei ttokillyousinceyougot
him ki
ll
ed"Matthi
asf athergrowledlikeawounded
animalangrythatShawnawast eari
ngupi nst
eadof
answeringhisquesti
ons.
"
Ididn'
tgethi
m ki
ll
ed,
hegothi
msel
fki
ll
ed"Shawna
f
ir
edback.
Oneoftheboysstandi
ngclosetoShawnasl
apped
herimmedi
atel
yforrepl
yingbackathi
sbossl
ike
that
.
Shawnaheldhercheeki
npai
nasmor
etear
srol
led
downhereyes.
"Idon'thavet
imetoplaywithyou.OnceIleavethi
s
room doyouknowwhatwi l
lhappentoyou?My
boysar en'
taspati
entasIam asyoucanseesoyou
bettercooper
ate"Matt
hiasfat
hersai
dtryi
ngt o
real
lyscareanswersoutofher.
"ButIdon'
treal
lyknowat hing.Youhavesai
dit,
howcanamer eproper
tyknowat hi
ngabouther
master,Ij
ustservemydut yandthat'
sit
"Shawna
snif
fedintear
sassher epli
ed.
"
No!Thereismoretoit
.Iwanttoknowhowmuch
t
hatbastar
disworth,
thatbeast
.Icantakeyou
f
rom hi
mi fIwantt
o"Matthi
asfathersai
d.
"Heisnotabeast,
yoursoni
s.Fort
ryingt
oforce
himselfonmeheisthebast
ardandthebeasther
e"
Shawnasnarl
ed,hervoi
cecomingl
owanddeadl y
butthemansti
llhear
dher.
"
What?
?"Mat
thi
asf
athersnappedandst
oodonhi
s
f
eet
.
"Youknowwhat?Deal wi
thherthewayyouwantto
alit
tl
e.Maybeshethi
nksthatI
'm ki
ddi
ngwit
hher"
Matthi
asfat
herorder
edthenstoodupandbacked
her.
Morefeargri
ppedshawnaastheymadeherl
ie
f
orcef
ullyonthebedandti
edherther
e.
"Letmefir
stl
ydesi
gnyourf
acepr
operl
y,maybe
you'l
lst
opbeingsost
ubbor
n"aguyther
epickedup
their
onandmovedclosert
oShawna.
Het
ookt
hehoti
ronr
eal
lycl
oset
oherf
ace.
"Noplease,don'
tdothat
"Shawnapleaded.She
doesn'tevenknowhowtohelpher
self.
Ont
heway.
Di
ll
ionhadorder
edtheguytocal
lhi
sbossandt
ell
hi
mt hatt
heyshoul
dn'
ttouchShawna.
Theboydidashewastol
d,hebr
oughtouthi
s
phoneanddial
edt
henumberofoneoftheboys
ther
ewit
htheman.
Theguypickedupandt
hei
njur
edguypassedon
thei
nfor
mat i
ontohi
m.
Backt
ower
etheyar
ehol
dingShawna.
Tearswerealr
eadyrunningdownhereyesasshe
thoughtherf
acewi l
lbegoneoncetheir
ontouches
her.Theywil
lreal
lyburnherski
nforher
.
Theguythatwascalledcamei nandpassedonthe
i
nfor
mat i
ontotheMat t
hiasfat
herandthen
Matt
hiasfat
herinst
ructedthem t
oleaveShawna.
"You'
rel
ucky"t
heguywi
tht
hei
ronwhi
sper
edi
nto
Shawna'
sears.
"Thatmeanshei sonhi swayher e,youallshould
getready,
Iwanthi m broughtt
omeher ealive"
Mat t
hiasf
atherinst
ructedhisboysandt heyall
noddedandwentout si
de.Onlythreestayedbehind
i
nt heroom wit
hShawnaandt heman.
I
tdi
dn'tt
aketoolongforDi
ll
iont
oar
ri
veatanother
i
sol
atedhouse,butt
hisonewaswel
lfur
nished.
Thegat
eswer
eopenasi
ftheyknewt
hathewas
cl
oseby.
Hedroveint
othecompoundbecausehedr ovet
he
carhi
mself,
hecouldn'
taff
ordlet
ti
ngoneofthe
boyswit
hhim dr
ivethecar.Hedoesn'
twantem t
o
sl
owhim downatall.
Dill
ionopenedthecarandcamedown,helookedup
andsawal otofboysupwit
hgunspoi
nti
ngdownat
them.
"Youknowthepl
an,br
inghi
m out
"hesai
dloud
enoughfort
hem t
ohear.
Jayopenedthedoorofthecarfr
om t
heotherside
anddraggedthegunthatwaswoundeddownwi t
h
hi
m.Hest ar
teddraggi
nghim outoft
hegatewitha
gunpoint
edathisheadincasetheguywil
lscream
outt
heirpl
anstohisfri
ends.
Theguysupwonder
edwher
eJaywasdr
aggi
ng
thei
rfr
iendt
oo.
Jaygotout
sideandmadehi
m si
tont
hef
loor
.
"I
t'sgameover,
it'
sei
theryoudi
eorletyourfr
iends
die.Whichonedoyouchoose?"Jayaskedtheguy
ont hef
loor
.
Theguycont
inuedbreathi
ngver
yfastnotwi
ll
ingt
o
di
eandlethi
sfri
endslive.
"Nowdoit"Jaycommandedknowi
nghet
hathe'
l
l
chooset
ol i
ve.
Theguyst
art
edscr
eami
ng.
"
Comeonguys,youhavet
ohel
pme,
pleasehel
p
me"t
heguypl
eaded.
Mostoft
heguysupcamedownandwentoutoft
he
gat
etoseet
heguyonthef
loor
.
Theywer
e8oft
hem act
ual
ly.
Jayshift
edawayf rom t
hem,hebroughtoutthe
explosi
vewithhim andthr
ewitinthemistofthe
guyscomi ngouttosavethei
rfr
iendthenstar
ted
runningawayfrom ther
e.
Thegunonthef
looral
soknowingt
heplansf
orgot
hi
shurt
ingl
egandstar
tedrunni
ngaway.
Beforethose8guyscouldfi
gur
eoutthatwhatwas
thr
ownont hefl
oorwasexpl
osi
ve,
itexpl
odedand
kil
ledthem al
l.
.
.
(
Escapi
ng3)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
"Boss,
heisher
e"oneofMat
thi
as'
sfat
herboys
announcedt
ohim.
"
Unti
eher"hecommandedoneandhedi
dashe
wastol
d.
Shawna'
shear
tst
art
edbeat
ingf
ast
er.
Di
ll
ioni
sher
e?Shet
houghti
nherhead.
Theguythatunti
edherst
oodherupandheldher
aroundherneckwit
haknifepl
aceddi
rect
lyonher
throat
.
Shawna'
sfear
sincr
eased.Anysmal
lmi
stake,
she
mightdi
e.
Shewatchedtheshapelookingknif
ethatwas
pl
acedonhert hr
oatkeenlyprayi
ngthatt
heguy'
s
handdoesn'
tmoveorel se..
.
Matthi
as'
sfat
hersatdownonhischai
rwait
ingf
or
Di
ll
ionwhil
ethetwootherguyswi
thhi
m asi
dethe
oneholdi
ngShawnapull
edoutt
hei
rgunand
poi
nteditt
othedoorr
eadyt
oshot.
Dil
li
onwhowasstill
outsi
delookedi
ntot
hecart
o
si
gnalSam andRockieonwhattodobef
orehel
eft
,
fi
ndinghi
swayintothehouse.
Theboyst hatsawhi m movingintothehousedidn'
t
shothim,theykeptpointi
ngt hei
rgunsathim but
didn'
tshothim.Dill
ionjustwalkedpassthem fr
eely
becauseheknowst heywon'ttrytoshothim
becausetheirbosshaspr obablyinst
ruct
edthem
thatt
heyshoul dn'
tkil
lhim.Atleastnotyet.
Heal
soknowsthatSam andRocki
ewi
llki
llt
hem
f
orhi
m oncehemovedpassthem.
Thenhegottot
heplacet
hatlookedli
keabigsit
ti
ng
room.Hesawtwoguysguardingadooraheadof
him,hefi
gur
edoutt
hatShawnami ghtbether
eso
hepull
edouthi
spoi
sonedpinsandshotatthem.
Oncethepi
nent
eredt
hei
rbodyt
heydr
oppeddown
dead.
Oneofthemostr
areweaponyouwi
lleversee.Ver
y
deadl
yandef
fect
ive.
Hegott
othedoorandopenedi
tbutf
oundt
her
oom
empt
y.
"Shi
t!
!"Hecussedandki
ckedt
hedeadbodi
esl
ying
onthefloor
.
"
Youidi
otsmademewast ethi
s"hegr
oaned
r
efer
ri
ngtothepoi
sonedpins.
Thenhi seyescaughtanelevatort
her
e.Hemat ched
totheelevatorandent
ered,i
mmedi at
elyheentered,
theelevat
orst ar
tedmovi
nghi m upul
ti
matical
ly
I
tgottoi
t'
sdest
inat
ionandst
oppedt
henopened.
Di
ll
ionst
eppedout.
Fewmetersawayfr
om t
hegat
e,Luwisparkedt
he
carandwantedt
ocomedown.Vivi
anstoppedhi
m.
"It
houghtheor
deredyoutotakemet othe
undergr
oundhouseorwhatever!Youbr
oughtme
hereandyouwanttogoin?"Vivi
anasked.
"Justst
ayhere,
I'
llbeback"Luwi
ssai
dthengot
downf r
om t
hecar .
Immedi
atelyhesawJayonthef
loorcoughi
ng,
he
coul
dn'
treall
yescapet
hesmokethatcover
edt
her
e
asar
esul
toft
heexpl
osi
veheexpl
oded.
"
Hey,
areyouokay?
"Hesquat
teddownt
oli
fthi
m up.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Jaycoughedt
henasked.
"If
oll
owedyouguys"Luwi
srepl
iedt
henpul
ledhi
m
uptohisf
eetandtookhi
mt ot
hecar.
"
Stayhere.Don'
tleavehi
m"Luwi
ssai
dtovi
vian
t
henlef
tagain.
Vi
viant
urnedt
olookatJayt
henf
rownedagai
n.
"Whyshoul
dIbetheonebabysi
tt
inghi
m?I'
m outof
her
e"shesai
dthenopenedt
hecarandgotdown.
Vivi
anhasn'
tgonefarbef
oreshesawthatguyshe
foughtwi
thl
ast,t
heoneDill
ionhadshothi
sleg.
Shewal
kedtowar
dshi
m andki
ckedhi
m buthe
di
dn'
tmove.
"Hey!Ar
eyoudead?
"Vi
vianki
ckedhi
m agai
nbuthe
didn'
tmove.
"
Well
,Iguessyouar
e"vi
vianconcl
udedandl
efthi
m
t
her
e.
Luwi
srani
ntot
hecompoundt
ofi
ndSam and
Rocki
eexchangi
ngbul
let
swi
tht
heopponent
.
Hedi dn'
tcomet her
et oexchangebul l
etsohe
movedi ntothehouseandgott othesit
tingroom,he
sawt hetwodeadbodi esDill
ionhadki l
ledthen
l
ookedi ntotheopeneddoort here.Hedidn'tfi
nd
anyone,het ur
nedandsawt heelevator
.Hewentt o
theelevatorandgotin,t
heel evat
ortookhim up
str
aightthenopened.
Hecameoutoft
heel
evat
or.
Dil
li
onaft
ercomingoutoft
heel
evatorsawfour
doors,
twoontheri
ghtandtwoontheleft
.
Heki
ckedopent
hef
ouroft
hem butf
oundt
her
oom
empt
y.
Whatthef**
k!?Aretheykiddi
ngme?Hethought
angr
il
ystandingi
n-betweenthef
ourdoor
s.
Hewentbackint
otheelevat
orandcameoutagai
n
tr
yingt
ofi
gureoutift
hismanwasactual
lyt
ryi
ngto
seehowsmartheis.
Thenhel
ookedi
ntot
hef
ir
str
oom andsi
ghed.
Ir
eal
lyhavenot
imef
orgames,
het
houghtt
hen
wenti
ntother
oom concl
udi
ngt
hatt
hemanwasi
n
t
herewit
hShawna.
Theroom lookedempty,
nobed,not
hingi
nsi
de.
Justpai
ntedwi t
hwhit
epaint
,samewitht
heother
rooms.
Buttherewasonethi
ng,acot
toncoveredthewal
ls,
hewalkedtoacorneroft
hewallandli
ftedthe
cot
ton'sopen.
Hetouchedthewalltoseethatiti
sreall
yawal l
.He
l
eftther
eandwentt otheotherend,heli
ftedt
he
cott
onupandt ouchedthewall.I
tlookedhardbut
notashardastheotherside.
Heknockedont
hewal
lbutf
oundouti
twasj
usta
door
.
"
Bast
ard!
!"Hecussedandki
ckedt
hedooropen.
Hewalkedi
nt oseeshawna,
shewast
hef
ir
st
per
sonhiseyesmet.
Tear
sal
readycover
edherwhol
eface,
shewas
scar
edf
orherli
fe.
Thehol
doft
heguywi
thakni
fepl
acedonhert
hroat
ti
ght
enedi
nst
antl
y.Thekni
fewasnowt
ouchi
ngher
ski
n.Aver
yshapeknif
e.
Thetwoguyswi
thgunstherereadi
edthemsel
ves
i
ncaseDil
li
onst
art
storebeli
mmedi at
ely.
Matt
hias'
sfat
herj
ustr
emai
nedsi
tedonhi
ssi
t,so
cal
m.
Di
ll
ionwasn'tcal
m atal
l.Hewaspissedoff
,thathe
wantedtoimmediat
elygoandstrangl
etheguy
who'skni
feisonShawna'sneck.
Buthedeci
dedt
obehave.
She'
sabai
ttogetyouDi
ll
ion,
behave!Her
emi
nded
hi
mself
.
Therewasanext
rasi
tther
esohepul
ledi
toutand
satdown.
"I
'
vebeenwait
ingforyouMrMar
k"Mat
thi
asf
ather
saidsmi
li
ng.Afakesmil
e.
"I
'vebeenheari
ngalotaboutyoutool
atel
y"Di
ll
ion
repli
edbackthr
oughgrit
tedteet
h.Hehadnoti
meat
allt
osmile.
"
So,
whatdoyour
eal
lywantf
rom me?
"Di
ll
ion
askedt
ryi
ngt
ogett
other
ootofal
lthet
roubl
e.
"Ther
eisnoneedt
orushthingsMrMark.Doyou
recal
laguynamedMatt
hias?"Mat
thi
asfather
asked.
Di
ll
ionr
ecal
led.
"Ofcour
se,t
hebast
ardthatwast
ryi
ngt
oreapwhat
hedidnotsow"Di
ll
ionanswer
ed.
Mat
thi
asf
atherl
aughed.
Shawnakeptst
ari
ngatt
hem i
nfear
,whyi
sthi
s
mansocalm?Shewondered.
"
Um...
justareminder
,Iwantyout
olookup"
Mat
thi
asf at
hersaid.
Di
ll
ionl
ookedupt
oseeabombpl
acedup.
"
Onceyoutr
ytopullt
het
ri
ggerI'
l
lpresst
his"
Mat
thi
asfat
hershowedDi
ll
ionaremote.
"Wealldi
e"Di
ll
ioncompl
etedther
emai
ning
sent
enceforMatthi
asf
ather
.
"
Yes,
you'
resmar
t!Il
ovet
hat
"Mat
thi
asf
athersai
d.
"
So,
backt
oourdi
scussi
on.Ihear
dyoucameover
andki
ll
edMat
thi
as"Mat
thi
asf
athersai
d.
"Well
,hewasnol ongerneeded.Ihadtotake
him..
..
..
"Dil
li
onwasst i
llsayi
ngbeforeLuwis
suddenlyshowedupf r
om behindandshotdown
thetwoguyswithagun.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence24-
25
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
(
Escapi
ng4&5)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Ast
het
womenLuwi sjustshotdroppeddowndead
ont
hef
loor
.Di
ll
ionhadnoot heropti
on,hehadt
o
t
ryandgett
her
emot
efort
hebombpl
ant
edup.
Heact
edr
ealfastbutt
her
emotef
elldownfr
om
Mat
thi
asf
ather'
shandashet
ri
edtosnatchi
t.
Theremot
emovedt
oShawna'
ssi
de,
besi
deher
feet
.
Therewastensi
onint her
oom astheguyholdi
ng
Shawnadidn'
tknowi fhewastoleaveShawnaand
grabthecont
rol
lerorkeeponholdi
nguntoShawna.
Matt
hiasf
athert
ri
edgoi
ngt ogr
abt
her
emot
ebutof
cour
seDil
li
onheldhi
m back.
Luwisgotinful
lytotheroom andjustastheguy
thatwasholdi
ngShawnadeci dedthattheremot
eis
thebestopti
on,hemadet osquatdownabi tand
grabtheremotesti
llhol
dinguntoShawna.
Luwi
sseei
ngt
his,
tar
get
edhi
m andshott
hegun.
Shawna'
sheartski
ppedbecausethebull
etwas
l
ikel
ytogether
,shewasstandinginf
rontoft
he
gun.
Li
kewhatt
hehel
lisl
uwi
sthi
nki
ng?Shewonder
ed.
Andl
ucki
lyt
hebul
letmett
heguyonhi
shandhe
want
edt
ouseandpi
ckupt
her
emot
e.
Theguywasfor
cedtoleaveShawnaalone.The
kni
fehewashol
dingfel
ldownfrom hi
shand.
Nowt
her
emot
ewasl
eftont
hef
loor
.
Dil
li
oncoul
dn'
tmove,theMatthi
asfat
herwastoo
str
ongandtheguybehindhasn'
tdi
ed,heonl
ygot
shotonhi
shand.
Shawna'seyeswenttotheremoteandshestart
ed
squatti
ngdowntopicki
tup, herwhol
ebodywas
shaking.Shei
scloset
ot hestat
eofbreaki
ngdown
i
nf earbutshest
il
lhadtopickuptheremote.
Herhandmetwi
tht
her
emot
eont
hef
loorandshe
pi
ckeditup.
Theguybehi ndhermanagedtopulloutagunwi
th
hi
sot herhandandheshotitatShawna
unexpectedl
y.
Di
ll
iononseei
ngthi
slef
tMatt
hiasf
atherandthen
hepushedShawnaoutoft
hewayofthebull
et.
Thebull
etgrazedherwai
stasi
tmovedpasther-
unknowi
nglytoher.
Dil
li
onusedt hatopport
uni
tytoki
cktheguyonthe
fl
oormult
ipletimes,hecol
lect
edtheremot
efr
om
Shawnaafterwards.
Thenheturnedt
owar
dsMat
thi
asf
atherwhowas
onthef
loorbehi
ndhi
m.
"Youlost
"hesai
dthenl
ookedupatLuwi
satt
he
door.
"Gethi
mtohi
sfeet"Di
ll
ionor
derednotwant
ingt
o
questi
ont
hef
actthathewasthere.
Matthi
asfatherturnedt
oLuwi sonthedoor,
hehad
ashockedexpr essi
onononseei ngLuwiscl
ear
ly
butitl
ookedlikeLuwistr
iedavoi
dingtheman's
gaze.
Di
ll
ionnot
icedt
hisbutdi
dn'
tshowi
t.
Hewenttot
heguywhowasfor
mallyhol
ding
Shawnaandcol
lect
edhi
sgunf
rom hi
m.
"Whatdoyout
hinkyouwer
etr
yingt
odo?
"Di
ll
ion
groaned.
"
Please.
..
pleasedon'
tki
llme"t
heguypl
eaded.
"
Youar
eadeadmanal
ready.Cant
hedeadcome
backt
oli
fe?
"Dill
ionaskedsar
cast
ical
lyt
henshot
hi
m onhi
sforehead.
Shawnawhowassi t
ti
ngonthef
loort
rembl
ingi
n
fearandr
eli
efatt
hesameti
megasped.
Hetur
nedbacktoseeShawnastar
ingathi
m,t
he
wayshest
aredathi
m seemsstr
ange.
Whati
sgoi
ngononhermi
nd?
"
Getup"hest
ret
chedhi
shandt
owar
dsher
.
Shawnahasi
tat
edbef
oreshegr
abbedhi
shand.
You'r
ewonderi
ngwhatisgoi
ngononhermi
nd?
Wellsheact
ual
lyt
hinki
ng.
Whywil
laguyli
kehim ki
llwi
thoutshowi
ngmer
cy
mostt
imes?Hekil
lsasifhei
sanassassin.
Butheatthesametimehasal otofgoodsideand
hecoul
dn'tbeki
ll
ingthem i
ftheydi
dn'tcomefor
tr
oubl
efir
st.
"Getagr
ipofyour
sel
f"Di
ll
ionsai
dtot
heshaki
ng
Shawna.
"
Boss!
!!Thecops"t
hecopsar
ecomi
ng,
Sam r
ushed
i
ntot
her
oom andi
nfor
medDi
ll
ion.
"Let
'sgo"heor
deredandimmediat
elypul
led
Shawnawi t
hhim outoft
hebui
ldi
ng.
Hesawvi
vianl
eani
ngonhi
scarout
side.
Itdi
dn'
tsur
prisehi
mthatsheisal
sot
here,
since
Luwisi
sthere.I
tmeantt
hatshemustal
sobehere.
Theygoti
nhurr
iedl
yint
othet
wocar
stheycame
wit
handdroveoff
.
Shawna, Dil
li
onandVi
vianwer
einsideacarwhi
le
Jay,Sam, Rocki
e,
Luwi
sandMat t
hiasfat
herwer
ein
theothercar.
2hour
slatert
heywereabl
etoescapet
hecopsand
ar
ri
veattheunder
groundhouse.
I
mmediatel
yDil
li
oncal
ledma'
am Sandr
atoaski
f
t
heywereokay.
Ma'am r
epl
iedt
hatal
lwaswel
l,
thenhe
di
sconnect
edthecal
l.
Theundergr
oundhousewasbuil
tfarawayfr
om
wherehouseswere,
andther
eistr
ulyan
under
groundther
ewhereweaponswerestor
ed.A
l
otofweapons.
Butanor
malpersonwouldn'
tknowthatt
hehouse
hasanunder
groundunt
ilyou'
reshown.
Therei
sasitt
ingroom upanddown.Sam escorted
ShawnaandVi vi
antothesi
tt
ingroom upbecause
boysmostl
yfil
ledthedownsitt
ingroom.
Shawnasatdownsti
llunabl
etocont
rolher
sel
f.She
st
il
lfel
tscar
edbutnotthatmuch.
Vivi
ansatopposi
teherwi
thherhandsfol
ded,she
occasi
onal
lyglar
esaShawnawhodi dn'
teven
noti
ceherglar
e.
Shawna'
smi
ndwasf
arawayf
rom t
her
e.
Di
ll
ionstoodoutsi
deinthecompoundwithDil
li
on.
Hecoll
ectedacigaret
tepackf
rom oneofhi
sboys
t
hereandliti
tup.
Matt
hiasf
atherwasalsoout
sidebutt
her
ewasno
wayhecouldescape.
"Whichwaydoyouwannadi
esi
r?"Di
ll
ionasked
soundingsopol
it
e.
Mat
thi
asf
atherf
rowned.
"
Ireal
l
yunderesti
matedyouandyoursmallboys,
I
t
houghtyouweren'tmat
uredenought
oreall
yface
mebutIwaswr ong"hesaid.
"
Iaskedyouwhatwayyouwannadi
e.I'
m doi
ngyou
afavor
"Dil
li
onr
epl
iedhi
m puf
fi
ngoutsmoke.
"Justki
llmeinwhateverwayyouwant
"theman
saidandlookedatLuwisagai
n.
Luwi
slookedaway.Di
ll
ionnot
icedbutst
il
ldi
dn'
t
showit
.
"
Luwi
s,Iwantyout
oki
llhi
m"Di
ll
ionsai
daf
tera
l
ongwhil
e.
Luwisbr
oughtoutt
hegunwi
thhi
m andpoi
ntedi
tto
theman.
"
Areyoujustgonnaki
llhi
mthatway?Sosi
mpl
e?"
Di
ll
ionasked.
Luwi
sdidn'
trepl
y,hei
mmediat
elyshott
hemanon
hi
sfor
eheadandt hemandi
ed.
"
Everyt
hingi
sgoingwrongandwhyisthat?I
wonderhowtheygott
oknowmyper sonalnumber
"
Di
ll
ionsaidt
hentur
nedtolookatLuwi
s.
Luwi
slookedawayt
henkeptmut
e.
"
Luwi
s"Di
ll
oncal
led.
"
Boss"Luwi
srepl
iedandl
ookedathi
m.
"Doyouknowt hi
sman?Haveyouseenhi
m
befor
e?"Di
ll
ionquest
ioned.
"
N..
..
"
"Don'tl
ie.I
'
llki
llyoui
fyoul
iet
omeLuwisandI
'm
notjoki
ng.Didyouhelpthi
sman?
"Di
ll
onsnapped.
Luwi
sremai
nedmut
eagai
n.
Dil
li
onwantedtospeakagai
nwhenSam r
ushedout
ofthehouse.
"
Boss?
"Sam cal
led.
Di
ll
iont
urnedt
ohi
m.
"I
t'sShawna,she..
.shejustcol
lapsedandsheis
bleedi
ngfrom thesideofherstomach,Idon'
tknow
i
fshegotshotorwhat "Sam announced.
"What?
?Shecoll
apsed?
"Di
ll
i
onaskedasi
fhedi
dn'
t
hearhi
mthefi
rstti
me.
"
Yesboss,
and.
..
"
"
CallMat
thewri
ghtawayandsendhi
m her
e"he
I
nterr
upt
edhim.
"ButBoss,
thatdoct
orcan'tcomehere.Ifalotof
peopleget
stoknowt hi
splacethen..
."Sam t
ried
remindi
nghim asherushedint
ot hehousetowhere
Shawnawas.
"Justf
**k*
ngcallhi
m her
e.Tel
lhi
mit
'sme"Di
ll
ion
hushedgoinguptoShawna.
HegottowhereShawnal
aidont
hecouchand
st
oppedwalki
ng.
Hest
areddownatherandf
eltacuti
nsi
dehi
m.
Whydidn'
tInoti
cethisear
li
er?Shewaswi t
hmebut
Idi
dn'
tnoti
ce,hethoughtt
henlif
tedhert
opup.
Nobul
leti
nherbutshewasst
il
lwounded.
Hesi
ghedandr
uff
ledhi
shai
r.
"
She'
l
lbef
ine"Vi
viansai
dfr
om behi
ndhi
m.
"Imeannobull
etgother
,Iwonderwhyshedi
dn'
t
speakoutear
li
ert
..
..
"
"Wil
lyoushutup!
!?Idon'
twantt
ohearawor
dfr
om
you"Dil
li
onsnappedather.
Thewayandmannerhehadshutherupt
err
if
ied
her
.
Hermout
hdr
oppedcl
ose.
"Someoneshouldsendhertomypent house,Idon'
t
wantherhere"Di
ll
onsighedthensai
d, buthe'
s
voicedi
dn'
tcomeouthar dandloud.
"
Yesboss"hehear
dsomeoner
epl
yhi
m.
"
You'
rer
eall
ysendi
ngmeaway?
"Vi
vianf
oundher
mout
hthenasked.
"Thepenthouseisthesafestpl
aceforyou.Idon'
t
wantyougethur thonestl
y,soyoustayther
eunti
l
you'
redonewi t
hwhat everyoucameher etodo"
Dil
li
onrepli
edher .
Hewasn'tf
aci
ngher.Hebackedherashespoke,
he'
seyescoul
dn'
tleaveShawna'
sclosedeyes.
"
Goodbye"headdeddi
smi
ssi
ngher
.
Oneofhi
sboyst
her
est
art
edt
aki
ngheraway.
Sheboi
ledi
nangerashet
ookher
.
Howcoul dthi
shappen?Ihaven'
tevenstar
ted
accompli
shinganyofmyplans,shethoughtwit
h
fi
stedhands.
"I
shecomi ng?"Di
ll
ionaskedaf t
erawhi
le.Heasked
anyonebehindhim,justanyone.
Sam whowasst
andi
ngf
ewf
eetf
rom hi
m answer
ed.
"Ialr
eadycal
ledhi
m butsi
ncehedoesn'tknowt
his
place.Ci
scohasgonetobri
nghim her
e"Sam
repli
ed.
Luwiswasal
sost
andi
ngbehi
ndhi
m butaf
ewf
eet
away.
Hedoesn'
twannagetcl
oseri
not
hernott
opr
ovoke
Di
ll
iont
hemore.
Hej
ustwat
chedasDi
ll
ionwat
chedoverShawna.
Di
ll
ion,heagreedhaschangedal
ot.Hei
smaki
ng
mi
st akes.Al
otofmist
akes.
Normall
ynooutsi
decouldcomet othe
under
groundhousebuthebrought,
Shawna,
vivi
an
andnowadoctoriscomingthere.
Hehasalsobecomealit
tl
eweak,i
sthist
omy
advant
age?Luwist
houghtashewatchedthem.
"Luwi
sweneedt
ot alk"Sam whi
sper
edi
ntohi
sear
s
butLuwi
sdi
dn'
treply.
Sam st
artedpul
li
ngluwistoaroom t
her
e.Hegot
i
ntotheroom wi
thluwisandshutt
hedoor.
"
Whatiswrongwithyouman?Don'tt
ellmeyou
r
eal
lygaveouti
nformati
ont
othatoldman?"Sam
whi
spered.
Luwi
signor
edhim andwentt
osi
tdownont
hebed.
He'
shandruff
ledhi
shair
.
"Hey!Youwouldn'
teverbet
rayhi
m woul
dyou?
"
Sam askedagain.
Luwi
skeptmut
e.
"I
'
llt
akeyoursil
encef
oranocauseIcan'
tbel
ieve
youwil
leverbetr
ayhi
m"Sam whisper
edagai
nand
satdownonthebedbesi
dehim.
"Look,i
ftherei
sanyt
hingt
hati
sbot
heri
ngyou,you
cant al
ktome.That'
swhywearebr
other
s.Ican
help"sam cooed.
"No!Youcan'
thelpme, Ican'
thelpmyselfei
therso
l
et'sj
ustf
orgetaboutit
"Luwisfinal
lysai
dand
stooduponhisfeet.
"
Idi
d"headdedbef
orel
eavi
ngt
her
oom.
"Shi
t!
"Sam gr
oanedknowi
ngwhathemeantby"
I
did"
.
ThatmeansLuwi
shadact
ual
lybet
rayedt
heboss.
Di
ll
ionaf
terawhi
let
ookShawnat
ookar
oom and
l
aidhert
here.
He'
smi ndnotatrest.Hehadever
yter
ri
blef
eel
ings
oneshouldn'
tfeeli
nt hewor
ld.
Sad,scar
ed,
disappoi
nted,
bad.Hef
eltwor
stashe
st
aredather
.
Al
lthi
shappenedbecauseofhi
m.Hehasgr
own
t
ooweak.
Heactswit
houtreal
lyt
hinki
ngtoo.I
t'
sstart
ingt
o
makepeoplear
oundhim misbehavetoo.I
t'
s
af
fect
inghi
m.
Ifhehasn'
tletVi
vianandShawnaf ol
lowhi
mtheni
t
couldhavebeenadi f
fer
entst
ory.
Theycoul
dn'
thavegott
enhim becausehecoul
dn'
t
havest
eppeddownfrom t
hecar.
Becauseofhi
sweakness.Hegi
vescommandt
hey
don'
tfol
lowit
.
Hecan'tbel
ieveluwisact
uall
ysoldsome
i
nformati
ont othatmanandhest i
lll
ivesunderhi
m
pret
ent
iousl
ybutt heworstt
hingisthat,hecan'
t
evenki
lll
uwiseveni fhewantsto.
Hecan'tbecausehehadact
ual
lygrownupwithhi
m.
Eventhoheistheboss,l
uwi
sissti
llt
hecl
osest
persontohimintheworl
d.
Whydidhedoi
t?Whydi
dhebet
rayme?Di
ll
ion
wonder
ed.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader

Season2
.

Sequence26-
28

©Bl
essi
ng.

(
Proposal
)

Wr
it
er'
sPOV

Fewhour
slat
er.
Matthewtr
eat
edShawnaandstit
chedupher
woundthanhelat
erassur
edDil
li
onthatShawna
wi
llbeokayaf
terenoughsl
eep.

Di
ll
ionlateronwalkedouttothelargesi
tt
ingroom
i
nothertoaddresshisboysont heeventthatt
ook
pl
ace.Itwasalreadyl
ateinthenightbutt
heywere
al
lsti
llf
ullyawake.

Hewal
keddownt
othem andbegan.

"I'
l
ltaketoday'sinci
dentasifitneverhappened.But
thisshowst hatyoushouldalwaysbepr epared
becausedangerdoesn' tnoti
fyyoubef or
eitcomes.
Iwasn'tpreparedandIr egr
etit.I
twon'tever
happenagai ntho."

"Youal
lshoul
dal
sot
akei
tasi
fnot
hinghappened
andmoveon."
"Butnextti
me,wheneverIgi vecommandandi ts
disobeyed,
thatindi
vidual-Idon'tcarewhohei s
willbedeal
twith.Youcangobackt owhatyouare
doing"heconcludednotr eallyi
nthemoodt otal
k
butit'
sanecessarythingf orhimtodo.

Het
ookthest
air
sbackup,l
eavi
ngt
heboys
mumbl
ingwordstot
hemsel
ves.

Hel
atersentf
orl
uwi
s,whoappear
edbef
ore.

Hebr
eat
hedi
n,t
henbr
eat
hedout
.

"Idon'tknowwhyyoudidwhatyoudi dbutIhopeit
doesn'thappenagai
n.LikeIsai
dearl
ier
,I'
llpr
etend
thatwhathappenedtodayneverhappened.I'
l
l
pretendnottoknowwhatyoudi d.
"

"
Youcanl
eave"heconcl
udedandspar
edhi
ma
gl
ance.

Luwi
snoddedwi
thoutut
ter
ingawor
d,t
henhel
eft
.

Thenhesentf
orSam.

Sam onget
ti
ngt
ohi
m wonder
edwhyhewasbei
ng
cal
led.

"
Boss"hecal
ledst
andi
ngbef
orehi
m.

"Keepaneyeonl
uwi
s"Di
ll
ionsai
d.Sam gul
ped
downwonderi
ngwhyhewasgivensuchadiff
icul
t
task.

"Canyoudothat
?"Di
ll
ionaskedwhenSam di
dn'
t
sayanyt
hing.
"
Ye.
..
yes,
Ican"r
epl
iedsam.

"
Youcanl
eave"hedi
smi
ssedsam andhel
eft
.

Whenhegotoutt
othedoorhest
oodt
her
e.

Whatishetryi
ngtodo?Whatisgoingononhis
mind?Sam wonderedbutst
il
lgr
atefult
hatDi
ll
ion
di
dn'tpuni
shluwi
sinanyway.

Twodayspassed.Di
ll
ionr
etur
nedt
othemansi
on
wit
hShawna.

Shawnaongett
ingtothemansionbecamerel
ieved.
Stayi
ngi
naroom alldaywasti
ringbutt
her
ewas
al
sosomethi
ngelsebother
ingher.

Shehasbeenwant
ingt
oapol
ogi
set
oDi
ll
ionf
oral
l
thetroubl
esshecausedhim buthehasn'
tbeen
givi
ngherthechanceto.

Evenwhent heywereheadingbacktothemansi
on
together
.Hehadkepthisfacestr
aightandsomean
thatshedidn'
tknowhowt obri
ngupt he
conversati
onbutwhenshef i
nal
lysummonedup
courage,heaskedhert
okeepqui t
e.

Shawnanar rat
edtheeverythi
ngthathappenedt o
ma'am SandraandBeat r
ice.Theykeptlist
ening
wit
htheirmout hsopenedbutwer erel
ievedthat
not
hingwor sthappenedtoher.

Fourdayspassed.

Shawnaresumedschool.Butduri
ngt
hosefour
days,
Dil
li
onseemstobepur posel
ydi
stanci
ng
hi
mselff
arawayfrom her.
Sheonl
ysawhim oncei
nt hosefourdaysandthat
waswhenhewasonacal lwalki
ngdownt othe
gar
agetogoout
.

Shefel
tsobad.Sowor
set
hatDi
ll
ionwasact
ual
ly
behavi
ngthatway.

Hemustbeangryatmeforcausi
ngmor
etr
oubl
es
f
orhi
m,sheblamedhersel
f.

IfIhadn'
tfoll
owedhim out,
outofstubbornness
thenthi
ngscoul dhavebeendi
ffer
ent,shekept
blamingherself
.

Andnowhedoesn'
tevenwantt
oseemeatall
.It
's
l
ikeImakehi
m si
ck,
sheconcl
udedi
nherhead.

IguessIshouldj
ustconcent
rat
eful
lyonmy
studi
esthen.
Adaypassed.

Vivi
anafterspendingdaysinDil
li
on'
spent
house
gotreal
lysick."Li
keshi
t!Idon'
twannabeher
e"she
saidtoherself
.

Ihavet
oseeDi ll
ionatl
eastonceandt
henlookfora
waytorevi
sitandprobabl
ygetdowntobusiness
wit
hhim.

"Myclot
hesarest
il
linhi
smansi
onr
ight
?"She
askedhersel
f.

Yeah,Ishoul
dgobackwit
ht hi
sexcuse.She
concl
udedinhermindandthenlef
t.

Shegottothehousej
ustwhenl
uwisal
soarri
vedat
themansion.Luwi
shadbeeni
ntheunder
ground
housebutcoul
dn'
tst
ayther
eanymor
e,hedeci
ded
toatl
eastcomeandseehowShawnaisdoi
ng.

Theybumpedintoeachot
herbutLuwi
signor
edher
andwantedtocont
inueonherwaywhenVivi
an
stoppedhi
m.

"
Hey!Ihaveapr
oposalf
oryou"shesai
dtohi
m.

Luwi
sst
oppedandl
ookedbackather
.

"Idon'
twantanyt
hingtodowi
thyou"l
uwi
srepl
ied
blunt
lyandmadetoleave.

"
Shawna.Youarei
nlovewit
hher,ar
en'
tyou?"
Vi
vianaskedmaki
ngluwi
sturnt
olookatheragai
n.

"
Howi
sthatyourbusi
ness?
"Luwi
squest
ionedwi
th
af
rown.

"
Icanhelpyoumakeheryour
sbecauseIal
sowant
Di
ll
ionf
ormyself
"shewhi
sper
edtohim.

"
So?
"Luwi
sasked.

"Weworkt
ogetherandsepar
atethem.Youget
Shawnawhil
eIgetDil
li
on"Vi
vianansweredwi
tha
smir
k.

Luwi
schuckl
ed.

"Youar eonehellofabit*h.Icoul
dhavel ovet
o
workwi thyoubutum. ..
.Idon'
tfancybi
t*hes.AndI
don'
tlikeyouinpar ti
cul
ar.Youshouldfi
nd
someoneel se.Isolvemypr oblemsmysel f
"Luwi
s
repl
ieddismissingher.
Vi
vianf
rowneddeepl
yathi
sresponset
oher
.

"
F**
kyou!
"Shecussedr
eal
lypi
ssed.

"Iwasjustt
ryi
ngtohelpyourgoddamned
moth*rf
*cki
ngc*ck"shehissedbef
orel
eavi
ngi
n
searchofDil
li
on.

(
Vivi
an)

Wr
it
er'
sPOV

Vivi
ancl
imbedupthestair
stoDi
ll
ion'
sroom,she
gottohi
sroom andknockedoni
tbutdidn'
theara
r
esponsef
rom t
hei
nsi
de.

Shetur
nedthedoorknobandt
hedooropened,
she
ent
eredandlookedi
nsi
de.

Oh!He'
snothere,
hermi
ndt
oldherandshecl
osed
backt
hedoor.

Shewal keddowntothekitchensidetol
ookfora
maid,shesawBeat r
iceandaskedaboutthe
whereaboutsofDil
li
on.Beatri
ceinfor
medherthat
Dil
li
onjustgotbackfrom wherehewenttoandhe
i
scur r
entlyi
nthestudy.

Vi
viansmi
ledhappyt
hathei
sar
ound.

"Canyougetmeagl assofwi
neandt
wogl
ass
cups?"Vi
viani
nqui
red.
"Ye.
..
yes"Beat
ri
cer
epl
iedl
ooki
ngather
suspi
ciousl
y.

Shelef
tandretur
nedwit
hwhatBeatr
iceaskedfor
.
Vi
viancol
lect
editandwentst
rai
ghtt
othestudy.

Dil
li
ononhissi
dehasbeensobusy,t
hedayhehas
beenwait
ingf
or,f
oryear
s,i
sfi
nall
ygett
ingcl
ose.
Thedaythemanhewantstoavengewil
lgetback
toPari
s.

Heplansonatt
ackingthatsameday,t
aki
nghim
unawareandheisnotgonnaspareanyofhi
s
famil
ymemberseither
,justl
iket
hemanwantedto
kil
lheandhi
ssibl
ingstoo.

Di
ll
yhadcall
edhim daysagototel
lhi
mt hathehas
ason.Hedoesn'
tquitunder
standi
tbutheleftt
he
matt
erasi
detofocusonwhathewant s.
Hesatdownint
hest
udystudyi
ngsomedocument s
whi
chneededhi
ssi
gnat
urebeforet
hedooropened.

Hewasbacki
ngt
hedooranddi
dn'
tknowwhoi
t
was.

"Whatdoyouwant
?"Hesi
mpl
yaskedwhoeverwas
att
hedoor.

"
It
'smeDi
ll
ion"Vi
vian'
svoi
ceanswer
edhi
m.

Hepausedonwhathewasdoi
ngbutdi
dn'
ttur
nto
l
ookather.

"
Iaskedwhatyouwant
ed"Di
ll
ionr
epeat
edhuski
ly.

"Icametotakemyclot
hesandI
..
..
"vi
vianst
art
ed
undressi
nghersel
f.
"Wantedustoenj
oy"shecomplet
edherwordsnow
l
eftinapushupbraandpanti
eswhichbar
ely
coveredherl
owerbody.

Vi
viant
ookt
hewineupandopeneditmaki
ng
Di
ll
iont
urnt
oseewhatshewasdoing.

Hehuf
fedandt
urnedbackt
ohi
swor
k.

"I
'
m notint
hemood, youcanl
eave"hest
atednot
soundi
ngharshorcalm.

"
ThisisthelastdayDil
li
on.Please,enj
oywithme"
Vi
vianpleadedinaseductivetone.Shecatwal
ked
t
owardshi m anddecantedalit
tl
equantit
yofwine
i
ntoanotherglasscup.Shekeptthecupont he
t
ablebesidethedocument s.
Shepour
edher
sel
fagl
asst
oo.

"
Don'tyouunder
standsi
mplei
nstr
uct
ionvi
vian?
"
Heaskedhisvoi
cebecominghar
danddari
ng.

Vi
vianwasst
art
ledbutdeci
dednott
oshowi
t.

"
Comeon"sheplacedherhandonhi
sshoul
der
f
orci
ngDi
ll
ionuptohisfeet
.

Vi
vianshi
ft
edbackwar
dsi
nfeari
mmedi
atel
y.

Di
ll
iont
urnedf
ull
ytof
aceher
.

Anothert
hingheknowsaboutviviani
sthatshehas
al
wayshadeyesf orhi
m.Butitdidn'
tbot
herhim,he
doesn'
tevencareatal
l.
Butsi
nceshehaspushedthi
ngst
hisf
art
henhei
s
goi
ngtomakeherregr
etit
.

Hestar
tedwal kingt
owardsher,t
akingdeadl
ysteps.
He'
sfacialexpressi
onl
ikethatofanangrybeast
.

Vivi
ancont
inuedshi
ft
ingbackwar
ds.Shedoesn'
t
knowwhatisgoingononhismind.

OhIwi
shIhadj
ustl
eaf
,shebl
amedher
sel
f.

Shegott
othedoorandst
oppedbecauseshe
coul
dn'
tcont
inuemovi
ng.

Dill
ionalsogott
oherandstood,ver
ycl
osetoher-
veryverycloset
oher.Thei
rbodywerel
it
eral
ly
touching.
Vi
vianwassupposedt
obeenj
oyi
ngt
hisbutshe
wasn'
tenj
oyi
ngitatal
l.

"Don'
tyouunderst
andsimpl
einst
ruct
ion?
"He
askedheragai
n.He'svoi
cel
essharsh.

Sheshudder
ed.

Dil
li
ondi
dasifhewant
edtoki
ssher,
het
ookhi
s
handuptoherchi
nanddr
ewitup.

Vi
vianeyesst
ayedwi
deopen.Wi
deopeni
nfear
.

ThenDi
ll
iont
ookhi
shanddownt
oherabdomen
andtot
henherpu*
sy.

Vivi
anshudderedagai
n,f
earinst
ant
lyvani
shing
fr
om her.Herf
earswererepl
acedwit
hpleasures.
Shef
elti
nbet
weenherl
egst
hrobbi
ng.

Di
ll
ionrubbedhercl
itt
hroughherpant
ieshi
seyes
onhers.

Vivi
ancl
ampedhermouthshutinot
hernott
o
rel
easet
hemoansthatf
il
ledhermouth.

Herlegsst
art
edshaki
ngvigor
ousl
y.Herpus*
y
soakedwetatwhatDi
ll
ionwasdoi
ngtoher.

Herni
*pl
eshar
dened.

"
Please.
..
."vi
vianmoanedout
.

"
What
?"Di
ll
onasked.
"
Please"shesai
doutcl
ear
lyt
hist
ime.

"Youwantmet
ocont
inue?
_Di
ll
ionaskedandshe
nodded.

"
Good"Dil
li
onl
eanedcl
osert
oherearand
whi
sper
ed.

"Getout
"hestoppedt
ouchi
ngherandt
hent
ook
stepsbackwar
ds.

Thegl
asscupshewassti
llhol
dingf
ellof
fherhand
asheorder
edhert
ogetout.

Hecan'
tbeser
ious,
canhe?Shet
hought
.

Af
termaki
nghert
hisway,
hewant
shert
oleave?
"
Now!!
"Headdedf
ir
mly.Hepickedupherdr
ess
whi
chwasonthef
loorandt
hrewitather
.

"
Iwon'
trepeatmysel
f"Di
ll
iongr
oaned.

Vi
vianwi
thshakyl
egswentoutoft
hest
udy.

Sheleanedherbackonthedoorwi
thwi
deeyes.Di
d
Dil
li
onjustl
eaveherthi
sway?

Hel
eftherwetandhur
ti
ng!

"
F**
k!"Shecussedsomad.Sosomad!

"Bi
t*h!
"Dill
ionmumbledaft
ershefel
t.Hewentt
o
thetoi
letbuil
tinsi
det
heroom andwashedhi
s
hands.
Thengotbacktohistable,
hetookthewineshe
pour
edforhim andgulpeditdownbutunknowingl
y
tohi
m.Vivi
anhadaddedsomet hi
ngtothedri
nk-
somethi
ngtoturnhim up.

Vivi
anstar
tedput
ti
ngonhercl
othes,
ignor
ingher
body.Shewasdamnhornybutwhattodo?

Shest
art
edwalkingawaybutbumpedi
ntoShawna
whowasjustr
eturni
ngfr
om school
.

Vi
vianst
oppedi
nfr
ontofShawnanotwant
ingher
t
opass.

"
Guesswhat?Ij
ustmadeoutwi
thDi
ll
ionj
ustnow"
Vi
viansai
dtoShawna.

Shawnalookedatt
hedir
ecti
onofwhereshewas
comingoutfr
om andi
gnoredher
,shestar
ted
l
eavi
ng.

Vivi
anwasshockedatShawna'
sreact
ion.Shawna
hadlit
eral
lysnubbedher
.

Shawnawalkedaf ewdi
stancebutstopped,
she
st
art
edmovi ngbackwar
dst oseeifVi
vianwassti
ll
i
nsightbutsawthatshewasnol ongerinsi
ght
.

Shedoesn' tknowwhybutshewant edt

oconf ir
mif
whatVi vi
ansai dwast rue.Shestar
tedt
iptopingto
theroom Vi vi
ancameoutf rom.Whenshegott her
e
shest oppedandt urnedthedoorknobopen
carefull
y,shepeepedi ntothestudytot
rul
yfind
Dil
li
ont here.He'shandonhi st
empleasifhewas
thi
nking.

Shawnabreat
hedoutsadlythenquiet
lycl
osedthe
doorinhopeDi
ll
iondoesn'
thearthesoundofthe
door.
"Who'
sthere?
"ShawnaheardDill
ion'
sthi
ckvoi
ce
andtooktoherhi
ll
s.Sheranal
lthewaytoherroom
tof
indLuwisther
e-waiti
ngforher.

(
S*xi
ng)

Wr
it
er'
sPOV

"Luwis,
whatareyoudoinghere.I
t'
sbeenlongIsaw
youlast"Shawnaaskedwal
kinginful
lyt
oherroom.

"Hey,
justwant
edtoseehowyou'r
edoing"Luwi
s
answeredst
andingupandwal
kingtoher.
"
Wher
ehaveyoubeen?
"Shawnaasked.

"
Beeni
ntheunder
groundhouse.Doyouwanna
t
akeawalkwi
thmear ound?
"Luwisof
fer
ed.

"Um...
okay,
letmejustdr
opmybag"Shawnar
epl
ied
droppi
ngoffherbag.

Afterdroppi
ngherbagthetwooft
hem walkedout
explori
ngmostplacesShawnahasneverbeento
aroundt hebi
gmansion.

"Woah!Thispl
acei
ssobi
g"Shawnaexcl
aimed
happyi
ly.

"Yeahright
?Dill
ion'
sparent
sact
ual
lyownst
his
place"Luwissai
dt oher
.
"
Real
ly?
"Shawnast
oppedandl
ookedathi
m.

Shedoesn'
treal
lyknowmuchaboutDi
ll
ion.

"
Yeah,
butt
heyar
ebot
hdeadnow"Luwi
sanswer
ed.

"Um..
.howoldishe?Doyouknowhi
sage?
"Shawna
askedandthencri
ngedali
tt
le.

"
Theboss?
"Luwi
saskedf
orconf
ir
mat
ion.

"
Yes"Shawnaconf
ir
med.

"
He'
s27year
sol
d"Luwi
ssuppl
ied.

"
What
?Hei
sthatol
d?"Shawnaexcl
aimed.
"Whatdoyoumeanol
d?He'
syoung"Luwi
s
chuckl
ed.

"Ijustt
hought
..
Ithoughthewasayearort woyears
olderthanme,Inevert
houghthe'
llbe7yearsolder
thanme"Shawnaanswer edr
eal
lysurpr
ised.

"
Theyal
llookyoungert
hanthei
rage,i
t'
skindofa
f
amil
ytr
aitbutwait
,soyou'
re20?"Luwi
sinqui
red.

"
Yeah-r
ecent
lyt
urned20"Shawnar
epl
ied.

"
Whenwast
hat
?Youdi
dn'
ttel
lme"Luwi
sasked.

"Justaf ewdaysago.Thedayt hatincidenthappen,

Idon'tusuallycel
ebrat
ebirt
hdayssoi tdoesn't
botherme"Shawnar espondedremovi ngpartofher
hairthatblockedhereyesfrom herface.
Di
ll
ion,
whowasst i
llst
uckinsi
dethest
udy
wonderedwhatwashappeningtohi
m.

Heli
ftedt
hewi necupandfi
nishedthewi
neinsi
dei
t
andthenstoodup.Hefel
tsohot,soheat
ed.

Heunbuckl edhisshir
tandpull
editof
finhopehe
stopsfeel
ingthatwaybutitdi
dn'twor
ksohe
decidedtogoout si
deandrecei
vesomenat ur
alai
r
toseeifthatcouldhelp.

Hewal kedoutoft hestudytoasidet

hatlookedlike
alobbyandst oodther
e.Becauseofhowt hat
part
icularplaceisbuil
tout,
youcanalwaysr ecei
ve
fr
eshai rfr
om t her
e.

He'seyesstart
edsurveyi
ngt
hemansi
onandi
t
mistakenl
ylandedonShawnaandLuwi
s.
Yeah.I
twasabi
gmi
stake.

ShawnaandLuwisdidn'
tnot
icehim st
ari
ngatt
hem.
Theycont
inuedt
alki
ngabsentmindedl
y.

"Woah,nextti
meyoushoul
dinfor
m meShawna.
Don'tf
orget"Luwi
sfr
ownedatherasi
fhewas
annoyed.

Shawnasmil
ed."
OkayI
'm sor
ry,
sowheni
syour
s?
Howoldareyou?
"Sheasked.

"Ial
readyhadmineearl
y,bef
oreyoucameher
e.I
'
m
23"Luwisansweredher
.

"Wow!You'
reyoung"Shawnaexcl
aimedandt
hey
bot
hlaughed.
Heavybreezeblewandherhai
rcoveredhereyes
agai
n,beforeshawnacoul
dli
ftherhandtoherhair
Luwisal
readydiditf
orher
.

I
tlef
tShawnaspeechl
ess.

Dil
li
ononseeingwhathappenedlef
tther
eandwent
down,hecall
edamaidandi nst
ruct
edhertogocal
l
Shawnaoutside.

"
Tel
lhertomeetmei
nmyr
oom now"Di
ll
ion
i
nst
ruct
ed.

"
Ye.
.yessi
r"t
hatmai
drepl
iedandr
anof
f.

Di
ll
ionranhi
sf i
ngert
hroughhi
shair,f
oramoment.
Heactual
lyf
orgetwhatwasori
ginal
lyhappeni
ngt
o
hi
m andthethoughtofShawnafi
ll
edhishead.
Hecl
imbedupthest
air
stohisroom andwenti
nto
t
hebathr
oom t
owashhisfaceandhands.

Heclosedhiseyesandopenedi
tagai
n,he
i
maginedseeingLuwisandShawnatoget
hert
hen
shookhishead.

Hecameoutofthebathr
oom af
tersomemi
nut
esto
seeShawnaopeni
ngthedoorandpeepi
ngi
nsi
de
hisr
oom.

"Comein"heor
dered.Theurgedr
ivi
nghi
m ear
ly
comingbackwit
hfullf
orce.

Hethoughthecouldputt
heurgeandfeeli
ngs
behi
ndhim butseei
nghercur
iouseyes,hebecame
real
lyhor
ny.
Hewasf
orcedt
ost
opl
ooki
ngatherf
oramoment
.

Whati
swrongwi thyou?You'
reangr
yather,
okay,
het
ri
edremindinghimsel
fbuttheur
gebecame
muchmorestronger.

Shawnastar
edathimfrom behi
ndf
orar
epl
y.She
i
sactual
lyhappyhesentf
orher.

Shei
sreal
lyr
eal
lyhappy.

Whyishefaci
ngel
sewher
e?Shewonderedand
movedcl
osertohi
m.Shetouchedhi
sshoul
derand
hesnapather
.

"
Don'
ttouchme"hesnapped.Hert
ouchdi
dal
ot
mor
etohim.
Hef
elthe'
smanhoodr
eal
lyhar
deni
ng.

"
But
..
.why?
"Shawnaaskedf
ool
ishl
y.

"Areyoustil
langr
yatme?Iwant edt
oapol
ogisefor
allt
hetroubl
esIcaused"shespokeupwal
kingto
facehim.

"
I'
mreal
lysor
ry"Shawnaapol
ogi
zed.

Di
ll
ionsawthewayherl
ipsmovedsexi
lyandt he
t
houghtofki
ssi
ngherbecamehisf
ir
stobject
ive.

Hestar
tedmovingclosert
oher
,Shawnamoved
backabitbef
orest
opping.

Dil
li
on'
seyeswer
est
il
lfi
xedonherl
ipsandt
hisshe
noti
ced.
Ifheisgoi
ngtokissmet henI'
m moret
hanr
eady,
shethoughtandstoodherground.

Dil
li
onongett
ingtoher,
rai
sedherchi
nupabi
t
befor
epl
acinghisl
ipsandhers.

Thekisswasn'
tsl
ow.Hewasli
teral
lyoutofhi
s
mind.Heki
ssedhersof
astandroughly.

He'
shandswrappedaroundherwai
st,
herbo*
bs
wer
epressi
nghardagainsthi
sshi
t.

Hetriedsomuchtocontr
olhi
mselfandhest opped
foramomentbutdidn'
tmoveawayf r
om her.It
gaveShawnaspacetobreat
h.Shealr
eadyranout
ofbreathe.

Hedi
dn'
twai
tforl
ongbef
oreheki
ssedheragai
n,
savouri
ngt hetast
eofherli
ps,hert
ongue.Shawna
didn'
thavet ofi
ght,
shejustl
ethimtaket
hekissto
thenextlevel.

Soon,Di
ll
ionl
if
tedherupandtookhert
othebed
notbr
eakingt
hekissonebit
.

Hestayedontopofherandki
ssedherneck,
her
chest
,ear
lobe,
hercheeks.

Shawnawasr eal
lyshockedthathewasdoing
thosewit
hherbutshedidn'tt
hinkmuchaboutit
becausehehasalreadystr
angelygot
tenherwet
.

Somethingshehasn'
tfel
tbefor
e.Shewant
edhi
m-
sobadly.Shedoesn'
tunder
standher
sel
f.

Herni
*pl
eswer
eal
readyhar
dandherVwasheat
ed
up.
AsDilli
onkissedherneckandchestregi
onshe
recal
ledthatshehasn'
teventakenherbath.

Shemadet otel
lhim butheshutherupwit
hakiss,
heresumedkissingheronherli
psandwas
unbuckli
nghistr
ouseratthesametime.Hecoul
dn'
t
waitanymore.

Aft
erawhi l
e,hest
oppedki
ssi
nghert
opr
oper
lypul
l
t
hetrouseroff.

Hepulleditoffbutwasstil
lonhisshort
s.Shawna
di
dn'tknowwher eshegotthecr
azyideafrom t
o
hel
phi m wit
ht heshort
shersel
f.

Shewasn'
tevenher
sel
fatt
hemomentsoi
t'
sfi
ne.

Shet
ookherhandt
ohi
sshor
tsandhel
dit
.It
surpri
sedDi
ll
ioneveninthatst
ate,
hewasn'
t
planni
ngonpulli
ngtheshortof
fnowbutheall
owed
herdowhatevershewanted.

Shawnafeltcrazydoi
ngwhatshewasdoingbut
shedidi
tanyways.Shepull
eddownhisshort
sand
fort
hefi
rstti
mesawhi sd**
k.Hismanhoodwasn't
solong,
let
'sjustsayi
t'
snor
mal.

ShawnaswallowedasshefeltherVget t
ingmor e
heat
ed.Shefeltt
hingssheneverfel
tjuststar
ingat
hi
m downthere.

ThenDil
li
ondidt
heunexpected,
heal
sohel
pedher
i
ngetti
ngstar
kednaked.Andnowbothwer
enaked
andverymuchheat
ed.

Aft
eraf ewminutesofr
omance.Dill
ionfinal
lydi
dit
,
hespreadherlegsapar
tandpositi
onedhi msel
f
welli
nbetweenherbeforepushi
nghi mselfi
ntoher
.
Shawna'
seyesclosed,
shefel
tpai
nandpl
easur
e
swimmingt
hroughhersyst
em.

Shedidn'
tknowwhensher el
easedalongmoan.
Aft
erpushinghisal
lintoher,
makingsurehiswhol
e
l
engthwasi nsi
deher.Hestart
edthr
ustingi
nand
outandwaski ndofslowatthebegi
nning.

Heslownesswasbecausehewast ryi
ngt ocont
rol
hi
mselfbuthelosti
taft
ersomethrust.He'
surgent
needscl
oudedhismindandhi st
hrustbecamefast,
i
tbecamef ast
er,
andthenverymuchf ast
.

Shawnahelduntot
hebedcoverashemovedreal
fasti
ntoher
.Hermout
hcouldn'
tcl
oseanymor
e.

Thepainandpleasureshefel
tbecametoomuch,
shemoanedloudly.Butshewantedhi
mt osl
ow
down,shedoesn'tknowhowtoask.
Sher emainedl i
kethatforawhil
ebeforer
eachi
ng
outf orhi
sli
psagai n.Shedoesn'
tknowwhyshef el
t
thatitwil
lallbebetteri
fhewaski ssi
ngherand
s*xingheratt hesamet ime.

Shereachedforhisl
ipsandstar
tedki
ssi
nghim and
tr
ulyt
hatdist
ractedhim,hesl
oweddownjustabit
ashekissedherback.

Theski
nsl
appi
ngnbet
weent
hem r
educedt
oo.

LuwiswonderedwhyShawnahasn'
tret
urnedaf
ter
alongtimeanddeci
dedtogofi
ndoutwhatshewas
actual
lydoi
nginhi
sroom cl
oset
oanhour .

Hegott
othedoorandstoodt
oseewhetherhewas
puni
shi
ngherbuthear
dthesoundofski
nslappi
ng
andmoans.
Thesoundsdidn'
tregi
sterinhi
sheadimmediat
ely
buti
tlat
erdi
dandhef iguredoutt
hatDil
li
onwas
act
uall
yhavi
ngs* xwit
h.

I
tmadehi
mr eal
lyj
eal
ousbuthelef
t,hel
eftt
he
mansi
ont
othinkofwhatnextt
odo.

Hei
sst
il
lusi
ngherashi
ss*
xtoy,
hehadconcl
uded
i
nhi
smind.

Thekissingands* xi
ngwentonf oralongtime.
Dil
li
onliter
all
ymadeShawnawor noutandstil
l
wasn'tsati
sfi
ed.Thedr ugvivi
anhadputinwasst il
l
workingsohej ustgaveShawnat i
met orestbefor
e
hestartedwithheralloveragai
n.

TBCDi
ll
ion
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence29-
30
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
(
Suzan)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Af
terlonghoursofs*x.Shawnacoul
dbarel
y
br
eathe.Shejustf
elli
ntodeepsl
eepbesi
deDil
li
on.
Theef fectofthesubstancevivi
anhadputinsi
de
thewinest il
ldidn'
twashoff,evenaf
terShawna
sleptofftir
edlybutDil
li
onwasabl etohol
dhimself
andal sofelli
ntodeepsleep.
Thenextday,
almostnoont
ime.
Shawna'seyesopenedandherst
omachgr
umbl
ed
outofhunger.
Shesatupfrom thebedandlookedbesidehert
o
seeDil
li
onstil
lsl
eeping.Sherecal
ledwhat
happenedbetweenthem theprevi
ousdayandher
facefl
ushedred.
Shecamedownf rom t
hebedslowlyandworeher
cl
othes.Thenwal
kedtothedoorandopenedit
,she
wentstrai
ghtt
oherroom andt
ookherbath.
Aft
erbat
hingsher
ushedouttogolookforwhatto
eat
.Shehasn'
teat
enanyt
hingsinceyest
erday.
Shemetma'am Sandradownstai
rsandbef
oreshe
coul
dopenhermout htospeak.
"
Gowai
tatt
hedi
nni
ng"ma'
am Sandr
asai
d.
Shawnagulpedandthennodded.Sheheldunt
oher
stomachandrushedtothedi
nningignor
ingt
he
painsi
nbetweenherlegs.
Amai dcameupwithat r
ayoffoodf
ewmi nut
es
l
aterandsheat
eitallupwit
hinfewminut
es.
Sheonlyreal
izedhowfastsheeatwhenshehad
fi
nishedeat
ingthenshetookthet
raytot
hekit
chen.
Nextshewentt oma'
am Sandrawhowasheading
upst
air
s.
"
Isheawake?
"Ma'
am Sandr
aaskedher
.
Doessheknowwespentt
henightt
ogether
?She
wonder
edastoma'
am Sandr
a'squest
ion.
"
Umm.
..
who?
"Shawnaf
eignedi
gnor
ance.
"
Dil
li
on,Iaskifhei
sawake.Di
dn'
tyoutwospend
t
henighttoget
her?
"Ma'
am Sandr
aasked.
Shawna'
scheekst
urnedr
edagai
n.
"
No,
hei
snot
"Shawnaanswer
ed.
"Okay,butIt
hinkIneedt
owakehim up.Hehasn'
t
sleptl
ikethi
sbefor
e"Ma'
am sai
dsti
llcl
imbi
ngup
thestair
s.
Shawnahel
dherar
m maki
ngherst
op.
"
Ma'am Sandr
a,canIgetthosepi
ll
sIusual
lytake
when.
..
"shepausednotreall
yknowinghowtoputit
t
othewoman.
"
When.
..
you.
..
"shest
utt
ered.
"
It
'sokay,I'
l
lhaveasomeonebr
ingt
hem t
oyou"
ma'am Sandrahel
pedknowi
ngwhatshewas
aski
ngf
or.
Yesterday,shehadseenLuwi sleani
ngonDi l
li
on's
doorandt henhelaterst
ormedoutoft hemansion
i
nanger .Shebecamecur i
ousast owhyhereacted
thatway.Shealsowentandl eanedherear
sont he
doortoknowwhat 'shappening, t
henshe
understoodwhyher eactedthatway.
Ma'am Sandrahadal sonot i
cedt
hewayl uwi
s
l
ookedatShawna, t
hewayheusual l
yaskofher
from othermai
ds.Ma' am knowsalmostever
ythi
ng
thathappensinthatmansi onandthatwashowshe
knewt hatLuwi
shadeyesf orShawna.
Andt hatwasal
sowhyshehadwar nedShawnato
stayawayf r
om hi
m becausesheknowsthatDi
ll
ion
hatesshari
ngverymuch.
SheleftShawnaont hest
air
caseandwentt o
Dil
li
on'sroom.Sheknockedbef or
epushingt he
dooropen, notcar
ingifhewasdressedornot .Af
ter
al
l,shehadbat hedhim whenhewasst i
llyounger
sothereisnothingtheret
ohidefr
om her.
Hewal
kedi
ntot
her
oom andwentcl
oset
ohi
sbed,
shet appedhim gent
lybuthedidn'
tmove.She
tappedhi m agai
nbuthedidn'
tmove.Sheconti
nued
tappinghim wonderi
ngwhyever yt
hingwas
diff
erentabouthimtoday.
Heisnotadeepsl
eepersowhyi
shenotwaki
ngup,
shewonder
ed.
Shet
ookherhandt
ohi
searandpul
ledi
t.
Di
ll
ionwokeupduet
ohi
shur
ti
ngear
.
"I
t'
safter
noon.Youar
est
il
lsl
eepi
ng"Ma'
am Sandr
a
said.
Dil
li
onlookedar
oundwonder
ingwhathad
happened.
"Aft
ernoon?
"Hefi
nal
lyl
ookedatma'
am'
sfacet
hen
askedtobesur
e.
"Yes,l
ookatt
het
ime.Ij
ustthoughtIshoul
dwake
youupbecausei
t'
sunusualofyou"ma'am Sandr
a
repl
iedhi
m.
Dil
li
onrubbedhistemplei
nthought,
then
yest
erday'
sinci
dentfl
ashedi
ntohishead.
Hesawhi
msel
fki
ssi
ngsomeonebuthewasn'
tsur
e,
andthenthes*xpart.Hejumpeddownf r
om the
bed,
hisshort
sonandt henlefthi
sroom hur
ri
edly
tohi
soffi
cethere.Hesatont hechairandopened
oneofthecomput er
s.
"Don'
ttel
lmei
t'
svivi
anplease"hewhi
speredt
o
himsel
fashesear
chedforyester
dayf
ootageofhi
s
room.
Itcameoutandthenst art
edpl aying,
hefast
forwar
deditunti
litgottothepar tShawnacame
i
nt ohi
sroom.Thepar theturnedawayf rom her
,the
parthestar
tedki
ssinghert hentakinghertothe
bed,al
ltheromanceandt her epeateds*x.
Di
ll
ion'
smout
hwi
dened.
Thatreall
yhappened?Hewonderedandfound
himselfpl
ayingt
hescenebacktotheext
enthe
coul
dn'tstop.
Hecont i
nuedwat chingwhathedidwit
hShawna
withanunknownsmi l
eonhisf
ace.Hefel
trel
ieved
thati
twasn'tvi
vianbecauseher emember
edshe
camet othemansi on.
Butwhatr
eal
lyhappened?Het
hought
.
Ievenfor
gotmostofthemoment s.Whathappened
tome?Hewonder edthenwentbacktohisroom
aft
ersometime.Hetookouthi
sphoneanddi aled
Matthew'
sli
ne.
*
Mexi
co*
"ComeonBr yan,pleaseescor tmepl
ease?"Naomi
pleadedwi t
hBr yantoescor thert
otheshopping
mal l
.Shepl ansonshoppi ngbecause, schoolwil
lbe
vacatingsoonandshewi llbegoingtoparistost
ay
untilschoolr esumesagain.
Thi
spastfewdays,
thei
rfi
ghthasreducedandshe
hasfal
leni
nlovewi
thhi
mt aki
ngthatBryani
sso
smart.
Hedoesn'
treal
lysnubheranymor
ebuthe'
s
char
act
ersaren'
tchangi
ng.
"No,Ihavet
odomyhomewor
kokay"Br
yanr
epl
ied
her.
"Please,I
'
llbuyyoudr
essest
oo"Naomikept
pleading.
"
Idon'
tneedem.Dadal
readyboughtal
otf
orme,
I'
m notaladythatchangesherwardr
obeevery
week"Bryanrepli
edherblunt
lyandhermouthfel
l
droppedopen.
"Whatdoyoumean?Ar
eyoudi
rectl
yinsul
ti
ngme
orwhat?
"Naomifr
ownedt
henasked.
"Areyougetti
ngmadatme?Wel lit
'sapit
y,Iwas
alreadychangi
ngmymi ndonf ol
lowingyoubut
sinceyou'r
eangry,
I'
llj
ustwatchmyf avori
te
car t
oonaft
ermyassignment"Bryanrepli
edher
standingup.
"No!!I
'm notangry,it
'st
heopposi
te.Fol
lowme
please"Naomif orcedasmil
ebackonherf ace.
"Okay.Iknowyoursmi lesarefakeanywaysbut
you'l
lsti
llhavetowaitformetof i
nishupmy
homewor k.Dadi
sgonnabechecki ngi twhenhe
ret
urns,Idon'twanthim get
ti
ngmadatme"Br yan
cooedthensatdownbackt ocompl etehis
assignment .
*
Dil
lysatdowninhisof
fi
cesi
ttypi
ngawayi
nhis
system whenaknockcameandthent
hedoor
opened.
Suzancamei
nlooki
ngashotasal
ways.
Asmil
etouchedDil
ly'
sli
psbuthewasqui
ckt
oput
hi
msel
ftogether
.
"
Um. .
sir,
Ineedtogohomenow.It
oldyoumymom
wil
lbecomingandIhavetogohomeearl
yinot
her
t
owel comeher"Suzansai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Di
ll
yfei
gnedi
gnor
ance.
"
Yessi
r"Suzanr
epl
ied.
"
Um.
..
okayt
hen"Di
ll
yrepl
iedhersi
mpl
y.
"
I'
llgetgoi
ngnow"Suzansai
dthent
urnedt
oleave.
Dil
ly'
smi ndkeptt
ell
inghimtodriveherhomebut
hekeptpushingthethoughtasi
de.Heknowsshe
doesn'thaveacarandmi ghtpr
obablytakeacab
homebuthest il
lwantedtotakeher.
Suzangott
othedoorbutwasst
oppedbyDi
ll
y'
s
voi
ce.
"
Wai
t"he'
svoi
cecameouthusky.
Suzant
urnedt
olookathi
m.
Heshutdownhi
ssystem t
henst
oodup.Hewal
ked
upt
oherandstopped.
"Doyoumi ndi
fIgi
veyouar
idehome?
"Di
ll
y
quest
ioned.
Suzan'sexpr
essi
onshowedt
hatofshockand
surpr
ise.
"
Sir
!"Shecal
led.
"
Ifyoudon'
twanti
tIcan.
..
"
"No!Iwanti
t,pl
easehel
pme"Suzani
nter
rupt
ed
him wi
thsmil
es.
"Okay,youfi
rst
"Dill
ybeckonedonherandt
hen
smiledinhugerel
ief.
.
.
(
Bet
ray)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
*
Mexi
co*
Di
ll
yar
ri
vedwi
thSuzani
nherapar
tmentand
par
kedhi
scar
.
"Comeinandhavesomethi
ngsir,
maybeaglassof
j
uice"Suzanof
fer
edasshesteppeddownf
rom his
car.
"
Sur
e"Di
ll
yrepl
iedal
readypl
anni
ngonf
oll
owi
ngher
.
Dil
lyt
urnedtheengi
neofhiscarof
fandgotdown
fr
om thecar
.Theybothwalkedtot
heelevatorand
Suzanimputedthenumberofthef
loorher
apart
mentisbuil
ton.
Theelevat
ortookthem upandopenedwhenthey
hadgottentoherf
loor.Theybot
hsteppedoutof
theel
evatorandSuzanwal kedt
oherapart
ment
door,
Dill
yfoll
owed.
Shei
mputedherpasswordandthedooropened.
Shewal
kedinandturnedt
olookatDil
ly,
gestur
ing
hi
mtoalsocomein.
Dil
lynoddedonceandfol
lowedheri
nhi
seyes
runni
ngroundthesi
tt
ingroom.
"
Youcant
akeasi
ther
e"Suzanof
fer
edhi
m asi
t.
Henoddedagai
nandsatdownononeoft
he
beaut
if
ull
ydecor
atedcouches.
"
Lemmegetyoua.
..
"
"
No,
it'
sokay"Di
ll
ycutheri
n.
"Noplease,i
t'
smypl easur
e"Suzaninsi
stedandlef
t
fort
hekitchen.Shecamebackwi t
hagl assofj
uice
andofferedhim.
Hecoll
ectedi
tandgulpedi
tdowni
noneshott
hen
gaveherbackthecup.
Suzansmi
ledwhi
lecol
lect
ingt
hecup.
Shecan'
tbel
ieveherbossi
sinherapartment
.
Si
tt
ingdownwi t
hhiseyesr
unninground.Shefel
t
pl
easedandhappy.Extr
emelyhappy.
"Soyouwon'tl
ikemetobri
ngyouadessertora
snack?
"Suzanaskedaft
erret
urni
ngf
rom droppi
ng
thecupof
f.
"No!Yourapar
tmenti
sgreatf
oral
adyt
hatl
ives
alone"Di
ll
ysai
dstandi
ngup.
Suzanbi
teherl
ipst
oget
her
.
Howdoesheknowshel
ivesal
one?Shet
hought
.
"
Youareal
readyleavi
ng?
"Suzanaskedawor
ri
ed
l
ookonherface.
"Yes,Ihaveto.Ist
il
lhavesomeworkatt
heoff
ice
andIal sohavetoret
urnhomefastf
ormyson"Dil
ly
remindedher.
Thi
spastf
ewdays, hehasbeenleavi
ngt
heof
fi
ce
ear
li
ert
hanusualbecauseofBryan.
Suzanbi
teherl
owerl
ipsagai
n.
"
Okay,I'
l
lescor
tyoutothedoor
"sheof
fer
edal
so
f
iddl
ingwit
hhernail
s.
ShewalkedDill
ytot
hedoorandhestopped,
she
wait
edforDil
lytost
epoutbuthedi
dn't
.Heturned
backtoher.
"
CanI
..
."hepaused.
"CanIki
ssyou?"Di
ll
yaskedshocki
ngt
hel
ivi
nghel
l
outofSuzan.
Hereyeswi
dened.
"
Sir
!"Shegasped.
Di
ll
ygul
ped.
"I
'
m bei
ngstupi
dri
ght
?"Heaskedinamut t
erbut
Suzanst
il
lhear
dhi
m duet
otheircl
oseness.
"
No, youar
en't
.Andyoucan,i
t'
llbeadream come
t
rue"Suzanrepl
iedhi
m mutt
eri
ngherlastwords.
Withoutwast ingoft i
me, Di
ll
yloweredhi sli
pst o
hersandki ssedher ,
heki ssedhersof astli
kehe
hasbeenhungr yforaki ssfordaysandt ruly.Dil
ly
doesn'thavet imef orladiesanymor e,especi al
ly
whenBr yan'si ssuecameup.Hest artedr educing
thewayhesl eepswi t
hdi ff
erentgi
rlsandsi nce
Bryanstartedst ayingwi thhim hetotallygaveupon
othergir
lsasideSuzan.
Hesti
llwant
ssomet
hingwi
thher
.He'snotreal
ly
sur
ebutheknowshewantssomethi
ngwithher.
*
Par
is*
Fastf
orwar
d.
Daysl
ater
.
Dil
li
onhadl at
erfoundoutt
hatvivi
anhadaddedan
aphrodi
siacdrugint
othewinesheoffer
edhi
m.He
hadbeenal it
tl
emadandcoul dhavebeenmore
angr
yifi
thadn'tbeenShawnathathehadendedup
havi
ngs*xwith.Hewenttohi
spenthouseandwas
i
nfor
medt hatshealr
eadyl
eft
.
Thedayt ohisrevengeisdrawingnearandhe
needstobemor econcent
rated.Shawnaalways
madehi mlossconcentrat
ionsohedeci dedt
ostay
athispenthouseforawhil
e.
Asidethat
,hedoesn'tevenknowwhatorhowt o
reactwhenheseesher .Forsomeoneascol
das
him heisshockedathimself
,heisner
vousbecause
ofalady.
Hedoesn'twannareal
lythinkaboutthepossibi
li
ti
es
thathemighthavefal
leninlovewithherbecause
themissi
onaheadofhi m mightcosthi
m hislif
e.So
hestayedaway.
Shawnaonherownwasdonewi t
hherexams.They
fi
nishedupadaybef oreyesterdayandsi ncethen
shehasalwaysbeenl ookingforDill
ion.Been
prayi
ngtoatleastr
uni nt
ohi m butshehasnoi dea
thathewasn'
treall
ystayingint hemansionwi th
them.Alt
houghhecomes, alt
houghhesecr et
ly
wat
chesher
.Shedoesn'
tknow.
*
*
"
Sam,Ineedyourhel
p?"Luwi
swal
kedupt
osam i
n
t
hegym room.
"
Yeah,
whati
sit
?"Sam asked.
"Wil
lyouhel
pme? "Luwi
saskedmaki
ngsam
concent
rat
eful
lyonhim.
Hedr
iedhi
ssweat
sandasked.
"Wit
hwhatexact
ly?"Sam sawt
heser
iousl
ookon
hisf
aceandworried.
"Icandoanyt
hingwit
hinmypowerf
oryou,
you
knowthat
"Sam added.
"Yes,Iknow.Sowi
llyouhel
p?"Luwi
swenton
asking.
"
Iwi
ll
.Ifi
t'
swi
thi
nmypower
,namei
t"Sam r
epl
ied.
Luwi
ssi
ghed.
"Canyouwat
chovert
hebossf
orme?Justf
ora
day"Luwi
sasked.
Sam'
sbr
owskni
tt
edt
oget
heri
nconf
usi
on.
"
Why?Whyi
sthat
?"Sam asked.
"Ineedtogosomewher
ewi
thShawna"Luwi
s
answeredhim.
"Thengo,
asf
arasyou'
llr
eturn.Whyshoul
dthere
beaneedwat
chinghi
mf oryou?"Sam i
nqui
red
furt
her
.
"BecauseIwon'
teverber
etur
ningwi
thher
"Luwi
s
suppli
ed.
"What?Youwantt
orunawaywi thher?Ar
eyouout
ofyourmind,
Luwi
s?"Sam shr
iekedinshock.
"Youcancal
litwhat
everyouwantt
ocal
lit
.I'
mjust
helpi
ngher
,that
'sal
l"Luwi
sshr
uggedhi
sshoulder
s.
"No!Don'tevert
ryt
hat.Oncethebossgetsyout
hen
am afrai
d,hemightnotspar
eyouthisti
me"Sam
advised.
"That
'swhyIneedyout
owat
chhi
mforme"Luwi
s
said.
"No!Youdoknowheaskedmet
owat
chyou.Ican'
t
betr
ayhim"Sam r
epl
ied.
"I
'
m notaski
ngyoutobetr
ayhim.I'
mjustaski
ng
himtowatchoverhi
m"luwissai
d.
"No,
that
'smor
eli
kebet
rayi
ngf
orme"Sam r
epl
ied
him.
"I'
mj usthel
pingShawna.He'llj
ustfi
ndanothers*x
slavewhenhedoesn' tf
indShawnaanymor e.That
's
i
t.Ijustdon'
twantShawnat okeepbeingused,even
thoshedoesn' tl
ikeme,i
thurtslessthanseeingher
beingused"Luwi sexpl
ained.
Sam wantedtotellhi
mthatDill
ionact
uallycared
forShawnamor ethanhethinksbuthel
dhi mself.
Luwiswon'tchangehismind,he'sj
ustl
ikeDi l
li
on.
Theyarestubbornwhenitcomest odecisionthat
theyhavemade.
"
Luwispl
ease.Pleasebr
other.Ar
eyougonnal
eave
me?"Sam askedinasadtone.
"I
'
m sorry.Icancomebackeveni
fIgetcruci
fi
ed,
j
ustforyoubutrightnowIneedt
ohelpher"Luwi
s
heldhi
m andsaid.
Sam shookhi
shead.
"
He'
sgoi
ngtofindyounomat
terwhat
.He'
sgoi
ng
t
ofi
ndyou"Sam sai
d.
"Youknowthecavehouseatthesambiafor
est
,
ther
eisnowayhecanf i
ndmethere.Onl
yyouandI
knowaboutthatcave"Luwi
srepl
iedhim.
"No..
pleaseluwispl
ease.Youhavetoret
hinkthis.
Don'tletyourl
oveforherbl
indyou,
stopthis"sam
pleaded.
"WhatifShawnawasNaomi ,
Sam?Wi
llyousayt
hat
shi
t?"Luwisaskedcol
dly.
Sam remainedmut
ednotknowi
ngwhattoreply
him butheknowst
hatLuwi
smightendupdying
soonerandhedoesn'
twantt
hatatal
l.
Howwillhesett
hingsr
ight
?It
'sei
therhebet
ray
Di
ll
ionorbet
rayLuwis.
Luwisismor
elikehi
sbloodbrot
herwhi
leDil
li
onis
l
ikehismast
er.He'
slef
tinthemiddl
eofal
ltheshi
t!
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence31-
33
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
.
(
Luwi
s)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Sam si
ghedreal
lyconf
usedashewatchedLuwis
wal
koutofthegym.Hesatdownont hefl
oorand
bur
iedhisheadonhispal
mindeepthought.
*
Thenextday*
Shawnasatattheki
t chenareawatchi
ngthemaids
cleanup.Thi
spastfewdayshasbeenext remel
y
boringf
orherwit
hthef actt
hatshenolongergoes
toschool.
Herphonesomet
imeskeepsherbusybutmostof
t
hetime.Al
lshet
hinksabouti
tseei
ngDil
li
on.
I
shehidi
nghimsel
ffr
om meori
sn'
thej
ustar
ound?
Shawnawonder
ed.
"Heygi
rl
,whatar
eyouthinki
ngabout
?"Beat
ri
ce
askedt
akingasi
tinf
rontofShawna.
Shawnasi
ghedwonderingi
ssheshoul
dask
Beat
ri
ceaboutDi
ll
ion'
swhereabout
.
Hopesheisn'
tgonnat
hinknegat
ivi
tyt
ho,she
t
houghtandthendeci
dedthatt
herewasonharmi
n
t
ryi
ng.
"
Beat
ri
ce"shecal
led.
"
Yes"Beat
ri
ceanswer
ed.
"
Theyoungmaster,I
'venotbeenseei
nghi
m.Di
dhe
t
ravel
?"Shawnaquesti
oned.
"Wel
l.
..
notexactl
y,butheisnotalwaysar
ound.I
don'
tknowwher ehegoest ho,
itsnonofour
busi
ness"Beatr
icerepl
iedher.
"
Anypr
obl
em"shet
henasked.
"No,I
'
mj ustcuri
ous.Ther
eisnoprobl
em"Shawna
answeredforci
ngasmi l
etoherf
ace.
"Canyouhelpmetellma'
am Sandr
athatI
'
llgoup
andcomeback?Iwannagot akemyphone"
shawnasaidst
andingup.
"
Yeah-sur
e"Beat
ri
cer
epl
ied.
Shawnanoddedbef
orel
eavi
ngf
orherr
oom.
Shegott
oherr oom andenter
ed,shewenttothe
makeuptabl
e,shepickedupherphonethenturned
backt
owardsthedoort oseeLuwiscomingin.
*
Sam af
terdi
scussi
ngwiththeguardsatDi
ll
ion'
s
pent
housefi
nall
ygainedaccesstohim.
HemetDi
ll
ionwr
it
ingwhat
everonapi
eceofpaper
.
Dil
li
onli
ft
edhi
seyesandt
henl
ookedatSam ashe
camein.
"
Boss"Sam gr
eet
ed.
"Yeah,whatareyoudoi
ngher
e?"Di
ll
ionaskedhi
s
eyesretur
ningbacktohi
snot
e.
"
Well.
..
I.
.Ij
ustcametokeepyoucompany"Sam
r
epl
iedstil
lonhisf
eet.
"
Keepmecompany?
"Di
ll
ionaskedsur
pri
sedt
ohear
t
hat
.
"
Yes"sam answer
edhi
m st
il
lst
andi
ng.
"
Okay,
sitdown"Di
ll
ionbeckonedonhi
mtosi
t.
"
No,
I'
m okay.Iwantt
ost
and"Sam r
epl
iedhi
m.
Dil
li
onst
oppedwhathewaswr
it
ingandl
ookedat
Sam.
"Areyouokay?Doyouneedsomet
hing?
"Di
ll
ion
askedinaconcer
nedtone.
"
No,
I'
mfi
ne"Sam r
epl
iedhi
seyesf
ixedont
hef
loor
.
Di
ll
onwat
chedSam ashebehavedunusual
ly.
"
Sit
"Di
ll
ionsai
dinacommandi
ngt
one.
Sam wentandsat
.Heknowsthedi
ff
erence
bet
weenacommandandar equest
.Hecan't
di
sobeyacommand.
"Whataboutl
uwi
s?"Di
ll
iont
ookhi
stohi
mthen
asked.
Sam'
shear
tski
ppedi
mmedi
atel
y.
Ishesuspect
inganyt
hing?Sam t
houghtbecomi
ng
nervousandscar
ed,scaredf
orl
uwis.
"
Luwi
s?"Sam askedasi
fhehadn'
thear
dhi
m.
"
Yes"Di
ll
ionconf
ir
med.
"Heisokay.Imeanhedoesn'
tactunusual
"Sam
answeredhim.
Dil
li
onfinal
lytookhi
seyesbackt
ohisbookand
conti
nuedwr i
tingwhathewaswr
it
ing.
"
Youcanhel
pyour
sel
fint
heki
tchen"hemumbl
ed
wor
dstosam.
*
"Luwi
s?Whatareyoudoi
ngher
e.Iwasn'
texpect
ing
you"Shawnaaskedsmi
li
ng.
"Yeah"Luwi
sdr
ewhi
srepl
yhi
seyesonShawna'
s
phone.
"Anypr
oblem?"Shawnaaskednoti
cingt
heway
Luwiswasstar
ingatherphone.
"
No,
that
'sanewphone?
"Luwi
sasked.
"
Yeah,
it'
sanewphone"Shawnar
epl
iedt
urni
ngt
he
phonesi
deways.
"Lemmeseei
t"l
uwi
srequest
ed.Shawnagavei
tto
him.
Hel
ookedati
tthengavei
tbackt
oher
.
"Thebosssentmetoactual
lygetyou"l
uwi
scooed.
Shawna'seyesbeamed.
"
Real
ly?
"Sheaskedsmi
li
ng.
"
Yes,
comeon.Let
'sgo"Luwi
ssai
d.
"No,no.Ihavetodressup,Ihavetodressup"
Shawnar espondedtur
ningtolookforadif
fer
ent
dresstowear.
"Leavethedresses,youdon'tneedtochange.I
t'
s
urgentactual
ly"Luwispulledhertowar
dshim.The
phonefelldownf rom herhand,shemadetopickit
upbuthedi dn'tl
ether.
"
Let'
sjustgo"Luwi
sur
gedwal
kingi
ntot
hecor
ri
dor
wit
hher.
"Hol
don,sl
owdown"Shawnakeptaski nghimt o
buti
twasasi fhewasn'
tli
steningt
oher.Heheld
herhandt
il
ltheygottot
hegar age,
theyent
ereda
vehi
clet
her
eandl
eftt
hemansi
on.
Luwisdr
oveforalongt
imeinaver
ydesert
edroad,
ther
ewereonlyf
ewcarspassi
ngal
ongthatway.
Shawnawasabi tworr
iedcauseofLuwisstr
ange
behavi
orbutwasalsohappythatshecangettosee
Dil
li
onagai
n.Shehasbeendyi ngtoseehi
m..
About40mi
nut
esl
ater
.
Shawnabecamemor ewor r
ied.WhywillDi
ll
ionbe
i
nsuchapl ace?Shewonderedstari
ngaroundand
Luwishasn'
tevensai
dawor dtohersi
ncethey
bot
henteredthevehi
cle.
"
Luwi
s?"Shawnacal
led.
"
What
?"Heaskedher
.
"
Arewegett
ingther
eyet?I
tlooksl
ikewe'
reheadi
ng
t
oafor
est"Shawnaaskedthensai
d.
Luwisaft
eralongsil
encesuddenl
yst
oppedt
hecar
.
HeturnedandlookedatShawna.
"
Ili
ed"l
uwi
ssai
d.
"
Lied?Idon'
tunder
stand.Whatar
eyout
alki
ng
about
?"Shawnai
nqui
redt
rul
yconf
used.
"
Thebossdidn'
tsendforyou.Ijustwantedyouout
f
rom t
hemansion.Iwantedtotakeyououtf rom
t
here,
you'
l
lneverret
urnthere"Luwisexplai
ned.
Shawna'
sfacedchangedwi
thaf
rown.
"
Youarejoki
ng,
aren'
tyou?Takemeback!
"she
r
equest
ed.
"
I'
m sor
ry.Ican'
t"Luwi
sanswer
edher
.
Shetur
nedt
othedoorandmadet
oopeni
tbut
coul
dn'
t.
"
Letmeout
.Iwannagoback"Shawnasai
d.
"Youwannagobackt obeingused?No,Iwon'tl
et
you"Luwisrepl
iedher
.Whenshemadet ostr
uggle,
hehitherhardontheneck,knocki
ngheroutint
he
process.
Luwisconti
nueddri
vingaf
tert
hattryi
nghar dto
stophear
ingthevoi
cesinhisheadthatistel
li
ng
hi
mt ogoback.Tostopwhathei sdoing.
*
"
Sam"Di
ll
ioncal
led.
Sam r
aisedhi
sheadupt
olookatDi
ll
ion.
"Doyouhaveanythingtosaytome?Youhavebeen
heref
orl
ong.Didsomet hinghappen?Areyoui
n
somesortoft
rouble?"Dil
li
onquesti
oned.
"Ofcour
senot
"sam f
orcedasmi
let
ohi
sfacebuti
t
didn'
thi
det
hefeari
nhim.
Dil
li
on'
sphonest
art
edr
ingi
ngandhepi
ckedt
he
phone.
"Ma'
am Sandrainfor
medhimthatShawnawasn't
anywherearoundthemansi
on.Shehasn'
tbeen
seenforthepast1hour
"sheinf
ormed.
"Okay,
tel
ltheguardstokeepsear
chi
ngforher
"
Dil
li
onrepl
iedtoma'am Sandr
awonderi
ngwhere
Shawnami ghthavegoneto.
Hestoodupandpi
ckeduphi
sshi
rthangi
ngont
he
couch.
HewalkedpassSam t
henhe'
smi
ndf
lashedt
o
Luwi
s.
Wher
eisl
uwi
s?Di
ll
iont
houghtt
henl
ookedatSam.
Sam throughDi l
li
on'
sreplytoma'am sandr
aknew
i
nstantlythattheyweretal
kingaboutshawna.He'
s
feargrewbi gger.
Di
ll
ionsawt
his.
Sam knowssomet hingaboutt
his,
Dill
ionconcl
uded
i
nhismi ndbutsti
llwalkedt
othedoorandopenedit.
Hemadet oleavebef or
eSam'svoicestoppedhi
m.
"Ihavesomet
hingt
otel
lyou.I
tsi
mpor
tant
"Sam
said.
Di
ll
ionl
ookedbackt
ohi
m.
"
Wher
eisshe?
"Di
ll
ionsi
mpl
yaskedhi
m.
Thequesti
ondidn'
texactl
yshockSam.Di
ll
ionwas
toosmartandhekindofexpect
edhimtohave
fi
guredoutthewholet
hing.
"Luwi
stookher
,pleasedon'
tdoanyt
hingt
ohi
m"
Sam pl
eadedwalkingcl
osert
oDil
li
on.
"
Wher
edi
dhet
akehert
o?"Di
ll
ionasked.
Sam bi
tehi
slowerl
i
pal
mostatt
heedgeoft
ear
s.
"
Please.
..
hei
sjustbl
inded.Het
ookhert
oacaveat
sambi afor
est.It
'sdeepintothefor
est,af
teryouget
ariverther
e,atyourleft
..
.you'l
lseethecave,i
t'
s
coveredinleavesso...
"hebit
ehi sl
ipagainatear
droppingfrom hi
seyes.
"
Stayher
e"Di
ll
ionrepl
iedhi
m si
mpl
ybef
orel
eavi
ng.
Hehidhi
sanger.
*
Shawnaopenedhereyesanhourlat
ertof
ind
her
sel
fsomewherethatl
ookedli
keacave.Infear
shest
ooduponlyforhert
oseeLuwi s.
"Luwi
s"shecal
ledr
ecalli
nghowhehadknockedher
outaf
terref
usi
ngtoletherdownt
hecar
.
"Whyareyoudoingt
his?Takemebackpl
ease"she
askedt
henpleaded.
Luwi
slookedathert
hent
ookhi
seyesel
sewher
e.
"
No!
"Her
epl
iedf
ir
mly.
"
Why?
"Sheasked.
"Idon'
twantyoutogetusedagai
n.I
'
llj
usthideus
hereinthemeanti
me,aft
ersomedayswe'l
l
l
eave...
youdon'
thavetoworryt
oomuch,I'
vegot
ever
ythi
ngal
lpl
annedout
"luwi
srepl
iedher
.
Tear
sstr
eamedoutofShawna'
seyes.Shesat
downbackont
hefloor
.
"Ididn'
taskfort
hisluwis.Idi
dn'
t,
butwhyar
eyou
doingthis?
"shecried.
"I
'
mr eal
lysor
ryfornotl
yingi
nthefi
rstpl
ace.Ij
ust
wantyououtof..
..
"luwi
spausedonheari
ngsounds
outsi
dethecave.
"Luwi
s,comeoutnow!
"Anangr
yvoi
ceofDi
ll
ion
soundedout
side.
Shawnastooduponherf
eetandl
ookedatLuwi
s
wholookedsopai
ned.
Hedi
dn'
treact
,hej
ustst
oodwher
ehest
ood.
"
Luwis"Shawnacal
ledexpect
ingluwi
stoatl
east
r
eactsincehehadbeencaught.
ButLuwisknewthi
s.It
'snotpossi
blef
orhimtoget
her
ethisfasti
fsam di
dn'
ttel
lonhim.Itki
ll
edhi
s
spi
ri
t.
Torunwasnowthel
eastofhi
sproblems,wi
th
Di
ll
ionandSam.Hecan'
trunanywheresohejust
gaveupknowi
ngl
y.
Dil
li
onsoonappear
edi
nsi
det
hecavet
oseeLuwi
s
andShawna.
Shawnal
ookedatLuwi
sbef
orer
unni
ngt
ost
and
behi
ndDi
ll
ion.
Dil
li
onsawthetear
sininShawna'
seyes,i
tgothi
m
moreangr
y.Itmadehimthi
nkthatLuwi
shadhurt
her.
"Whatdoyouthi
nkyou'
redoi
ng?
"Di
ll
iongr
oaned
outsoangry.
"Youcangoaheadandki l
lme"Luwisjustrepl
ied
him simply.Di
ll
ionbecamemuchmor eangryathis
arrogantrepl
y.Thatminut
e,hefor
gotwhol uwis
wasact uall
ytohim andshothi
m becausehecame
withagun.Heal waysgotomostplaceswithagun.
Heshotluwi
sbutonhisleg.Nomat terhowangr
y
hewas,hesti
llcoul
dn'
tangri
lyki
llhi
m.
Luwi
swi
nchedast
hebul
letbur
nti
ntohi
sleg.
Hegr
abbedhol
dofhi
slegandshuthi
seyesi
npai
n.
Shawnagaspedf
rom behi
ndDi
ll
ion.Nomat
ter
whathedi
d,shest
il
lli
kesl
uwi
sasaf
ri
end.
Luwisfinal
lysatdownont hefl
oortryi
ngt otakein
thepainsbutitwaskil
li
nghim.Butt hemostpai nf
ul
partofital
listhathel
ostevenwithoutreall
ytryi
ng.
Dil
li
ondr
oppedt
hegunt
othef
loorandr
uff
edhi
s
hai
r.
"
Luwis,stopmaki
ngmegetangr
yatyou.St
opal
l
t
his"Di
ll
ionsai
dinapai
nedvoi
ce.
Luwi
skeptmut
e.
"Why?Whydidyoutakeher
?Whatdoyoui
ntendt
o
do?"Di
ll
onasked.
"
Iint
endedtosaveherf
rom youbutseemsi
t'
sal
l
wentwrong"l
uwisr
epli
ed.
"Why?Whatisyourmai
nreason?Why?
"Di
ll
ion
demanded.
BecauseI'
mi nlovewit
hherandIdon'twanther.
..
I
don'
twanthert obeusedanymore"Luwisrepl
ied
mutter
ingthelastpar
t.
Di
ll
ionhuf
fed.
"
Butyoushouldn'
thavetakenher
?Di dshetel
lyou
t
hatshewantstoleave,
huh!?"Di
ll
ionasked.
"Sheli
kedandf ear
edyoutoomuch.Iknowshe
wasn'tgonnaagree,t
hat
'sther
easonIdidn'
task
her"Luwisrepl
iedi
napainedvoice.
"Getup,l
et'
sgetyout
reat
ed"Di
ll
ionsai
daf
teral
ong
sil
ence.
Shawnaconti
nuedcr
yingbehi
ndDi
ll
ionasshe
watchedLuwi
sinpai
ns.
Shedi
dn'
tevenknowhel
ovesher
.Someonel
ike
her
.
"No,don'
tbother
.I'
m gonnadi
eanyways"Luwi
s
answeredhim.
"
Whatdoyoumean?
"Di
ll
onquest
ioned.
"Thebul
letyouusedi
spoi
soned,
Iwon'
tsur
vivei
t"
Luwissaid.
Di
ll
ionl
ookeddownatthegun.Hepi
ckedi
tand
br
oughtoutt
hebul
let
s.
"What
?Howcome?"Di
ll
ionaskedshockedt
hatt
he
bul
let
sar
en'
tnor
malones.
"Ialr
eadypredict
edthi
ngs,
Idon'
twannal i
veaft
er
getti
ngcaughtbyyousoIf i
xedi
npoisonedbull
ets
i
nt oyourgun.Iknowyouweregonnabringital
ong
i
fatal lsam t
ell
sonme"Luwisansweredthen
coughed.
"
OhHel
l!
"Di
ll
iondi
dn'
tnowhenheexcl
aimed.
Luwiscoughedagai
nandcoughedoutbl
ackbl
ood
thi
sti
me.
Di
ll
ionwentcl
oset
ohi
m andsquat
ted.
"
Youcan'
tst
il
lbesaved"Di
ll
ionsai
d.
"Thepoi
sondoesn'
thaveanant
idot
e"Luwi
s
coughedagai
nandinfor
med.
"
Goodness!Whydi
dyoumakemedot
hist
oyou?
"
Di
ll
onaskedatt
hevengeoft
ear
s.
"Justpr
omiseme,you'
l
lstopusi
ngher.That
'swhat
Ineedri
ghtnow,j
ustpromisemepl
ease"Luwis
demanded.
Shawnacr i
edhereyesoutcr
yinghear
ingt
hose
words.Evenint
hisstat
ehestil
lcar
edabouther
.
"
Luwi
s..
.no!
"Shecr
iedunabl
etogocl
oset
ohi
m.
Shecoul
dn'
tli
ftherl
egs.
"
Ipr
omise,justst
ayali
veali
ttl
emore"Di
ll
ion
r
epl
iedatearescapi
ngfrom hi
seyes.
Luwi
sfor
cedasmi
l
eonbef
oref
inal
lybr
eat
hinghi
s
l
ast.
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence34-
35
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
.
(
Sadness)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Sam gott
otheunder
groundhousequi
ckl
ybecause
hedroveatacr
azyhighspeed.
Heparkedi
nfr
ontoft
hegat
et henbangedonthe
gat
e,someoft
heboysguar
dingthegateopenedi
t
andsawhim.
Befor
et heycoul
dsayanyt
hingheraninspeedil
y.
Theyallknewwhyhewasr eact
ingthatwaytoo.
TheyallhadseenLuwi
sdeadbodyt oo.Sotheylet
hi
m.
Hegottotheentr
anceandent er
edf reel
ybecause
thedoorwaslef
topen.Andt her
e,theylai
dluwis
downonabedandcover edhim upbutleavi
ngonly
hisf
ace.Dil
li
onhasn'
tinstr
uctedthem onwhatt o
donextbecausehewantedsam t oseeLuwisdead
bodyfi
rst
.
Sam f
eltahugecutinhishear
tashestaredat
Luwi
sfrom t
heentrance.Someoftheboyscloset
o
Luwi
sbodymoved, movingfarawayfr
om him.
Sam draggedhi
mselft
owhereluwi
sdeadbodyl
aid.
Hishandfoundhismouthandhecover
edi
t.
Tear
sst
reakeddownhi
scheeksuncont
rol
labl
y.
"
Hey"hecal
ledwhenhehadgot
tencl
ose.
"Whatareyoudoinglyi
ngther
e? "Heaskedasifhe
wasaboutgoingcrazy.Hesti
lldoesn'
twannagetit
.
Hedoesn'twannaunderst
andt hatLuwisi
str
ulythe
onelyi
ngthere.
"Hey,
getup!
"He'
svoi
cecameoutal
it
tl
eloudasi
f
hewastryi
ngtocommandadeadmanonwhatto
do.
"Getupbastar
d.Thi
swasn'
tthepl
an,
wasi
t?"Sam
askeduncoveri
nghi
m.
"Whyareyousosti
ll
?Yourbodyiscoldtoo.You
don'
tevenwannaopenyoureyes"hespokeso
soft
lyst
ari
ngatLuwisf
rom headtotoe.
"Thi
swasn'ttheplan.Areyoufakingthingsorwhat
?
Youwer eokayearli
er,howcomeyou' relyi
ngher
e
socoldandpale.You'renolongerashandsomeas
youusedtobe, yourskini
ssopal e,
justgetupand
takealookatyourself
"saidsam.
Het
ookhi
shandt
ohi
scheekandt
ouchedhi
m.
Thenhebur
stedoutcr
ying.Hesquat
tedt
othef
loor
wi
thLuwi
shandi
nhi
s.
"Pl
easedon' tdothis,weareinthi
stogether.Who
gaveyout hepermi ssi
ontoleave?Whogaveyou
thepermission?Wehaveal otofpl
ans,wemadea
l
otoft hem askids.WhyonEar thwil
lyouj ustl
eave
withoutafinalword?Whatam Isupposedt odo
withoutyoubr ot
her?"Hecriedoutpai
nfull
y.
Mostoft heboystherehadtoleavethesitt
ingroom
i
not hernottoj
oinhimi ncr
ying.Mostjustbowed
thei
rheadsandhel dthemselves-mostthatcould
controlt
hemselves.
"Nooooo..
..
please,
yousai
dIwasyourl
it
tl
ebrot
her
,
didn'
tyou?Howdar eyou?Howdar
eyou..
..
..
?"
*
Di
ll
ionhador
der
edaf
ewbot
tl
esofver
ti
go.
That
'sthebestwaytodealwit
hthi
s,j
ustdr
own
myselfi
nalcohol
,hethought
.
Heopenedaboutsi
xbot t
lesofal
coholanddrankit
al
lbef
oreyouknowit,vert
igobei
ngabastarditwas
di
dalotofhar
mt ohim.
Fir
sthepassedoutt
her
e,wi
thoutanyone'
s
knowledge.
Theguar
dswi l
lal
lthi
nkheisfineinsi
de,
not
knowi
ngthathehasalreadypassedout.
*
Shawnaonherownwasi
nconsol
abl
e.
Shecouldn'
tbel
ievethatshewon'tbeseeingLuwis
agai
n.Heronlymal efr
iend,
eveniftheyarenott
hat
ti
ghtbutshesti
llconsi
dershim herbestf
ri
end.
"Ishoul
dhaveknown.Ishoul
dhaveseeni
t.How
stupi
dwasI?"
"Youhaveal
waysbeenst
upi
dShawna.Youcoul
dn'
t
seeit
."
"Hefellforsomeonelikeyouandyousti
llt
reat
ed
him badlyeveninhislastminut
e.Howcouldyoube
sowi cked?Howcoul dyouhavekill
edhi
m?You
didn'
tevendoanyt hi
ngf orhi
m evenasafri
end."
"You'
rejustusel
ess.Youshoul
dhavedi
edwi
thyour
parent
s."
"
Ever
yonel
eaves.
..
theyal
lleaves.
..maybei
t'
sjust
myf
ate.MaybeIcanneverbehappy"shesobbed.
Beatr
iceandoneot hermaidj
ustst
oodwatching
herasshecried.Theyhadtri
edconsol
ingherbuti
t
wasn'tget
ti
nganywher e.
Nowma'am hadj
ustsentsomeonetogetherdr
ugs
t
hatwi
lli
nduceherandmakehersleepforl
ong.
Shejustcan'
tcont
inuecr
yingt
hatway,shemight
cr
yher sel
ftodeat
h-whoknows?Soshewi l
ljust
dothebestshecanandleavet
herest
.
Poorgi
rl
,ma'
am Sandr
ahadthoughtwhenshewas
for
mall
yther
ewit
hherinherr
oom.
Whenwi
llsuf
fer
ingl
eaveher
?
.
.
(
Movi
ngon)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Somanydayspassed, Luwi
sgotburi
ed.Ever
ythi
ng
star
tedret
urningbacktonormalbutt
hepainsti
ll
remainedi
nt hei
rheart
.
Dill
ionoftenr
egr
ett
edhisacti
ons.Heregr
ett
edt
he
factthathecoul
dn'
tcont
rolhi
sangersandwastoo
fasttoshotLuwi
s.
Afterlearningabouttheful
ldetai
lsofhowLuwis
died,Sam coul dn'
thelpbutal
sogetangryatLuwis
forpur poselysett
inguphisowndeat h.
Forpurposel
yleavinghim evenaf
terallt
heplans
theymade.Dil
li
onaskedSam t ostayintheroom he
usesatthemansi oninothernott
omi sbehave
outsi
deoutofgrief-heobeyedandst ayed.
AndNaomiwascur r
entl
yonherwaybackt oPar
is.
Shehadal sohear
daboutLuwi sdeat
h,shewasnot
onl
ycloset oSam whentheyweresti
llver
yyoung.
She,sam andLuwiswer ebestf
ri
endsthenunti
lshe
st
art
eddr i
fti
ngawayf r
om them.
Luwisalsoavoi
dedherbecauseofhersudden
changeinatt
it
ude.I
twasonlySam thatcont
inued
dist
urbi
ngher.
Shefel
tbadthatshewasn'tt
otal
lyonluwi
sgood
si
de,sheneverexpect
edhimtodie.Sheal
so
worr
iedaboutSam.Howi shecoping?She
wonder
ed.
Shehadalsowantedtocomedowntopari
swith
BryanbutDil
lydi
dn'
thearofi
tsoshej
ustl
eft
withoutBr
yan.
Anot
herpersonwhowasalsocomingdowntopari
s
i
sAndrew.Hehasmissedpari
salot,j
ustwant
edto
uset
hebreaktowanderar
oundandalsoseeDil
li
on.
Asi
defrom t
hem,Valent
inaandhertwinhasalso
ar
ri
vedthei
rfat
her'
shouseandwi l
lsoonbevisit
ing
Di
ll
ionatt
hemansion.
Wel
lDil
li
onhasn'tbeenhimsel
f.Dr
owni
nghi
msel
f
wi
thver
tigoaf
fectedhim al
ot.
Somet i
meshest artsfeel
ingt hatthingsaroundhim
arerotat
ing,whenitstart
si tlast
supt oanhourand
Matthewhadf ormallywar nedhim nevert otake
vert
igoagainbutseemshef orgotthatandtooki t
again.Matthewtoldhimt hathemi ghtstopfeel
ing
l
ikethatafteramont hpasses.Hehasal somoved
backtothemansi on.
Aft
erl
uwi
sburi
al,
hecouldn'
tcont
inuel
ivi
ngoutsi
de
t
hemansi
on.HewantstobearoundShawnaincase
shet
ri
esbehavi
ngst
upi
dlyl
ikehebehaved.
Shawnahasalsobeeninsideherroom,rar
ely
comesoutbuttoday.
..
Dil
li
onhadpr oposedtotake
heroutevenf
orawalkbecausema' am Sandra
al
wayscomplainedaboutherstayi
nglockedupi n
herroom.
Shawnaf el
thappythoitdi
dn'
tmaket hesadfeel
ing
i
nsidehertowashaway.Shechangedi ntoawhite
tanktopandapairblacktr
ouserbef
orechecking
hersel
foutinthemirr
or.
Sheopenedthedoort
hencameouttoseet
he
corr
idorl
ooki
ngdeser
ted.Shewal
kedt
oDil
li
on'
s
doorandknockedsof
tl
yoni t
.
"
Comei
n"shehear
dhi
m say.
Sheopenedt
hedoorsl
ight
lyt
henpoppedherhead
i
nsidet
oseeDil
li
onbacki
ngher.
Shet
ookonel
egi
nthenhet
urnedt
olookather
.
Shefol
dedherli
psoutofshynesst
henf
ixedher
eyesonthef
loor
.
Di
ll
ionwhowashol
dingast
ickofci
gar
ett
edr
opped
t
heci
gar
ett
eont
het
abl
ethenwal
kedupt
oher
.
"
Hey"hecooed.
Sherai
sedhereyesupt
ost
areathi
m butwas
qui
cktotakei
tbacktot
hef
loor
.
"
Isi
tti
meyet
?"Heaskedcal
mly.Shenodded.
"
Okay,
youf
ir
st"hebeckonedonher
.
Shawnalookedathim wonderingi
fhe'
llgoout
weari
ngjustasi
ngletwithoutanaddi
ti
onaltop.Tho
thet
rouserhewasputtingonwasokay.
Di
ll
ioni
gnor
edherl
ooksandf
oll
owedherout
.
Theybot
hgotdownt
othegarageandt
hatwas
whenDil
li
onr
ememberedcarkeys.
Hei
sn'
tjustgoi
ngforanywal
kwi
thher
,hei
sgoi
ng
t
oal
soreli
evehisst
ress.
"Hey,comeher
e"hecal
ledoutt
oaguar
dbyt
he
gate.
Theguar
drushedt
ohi
m.
"Goi
ntomyroom andgetoneoft
hecarkeyst
her
e"
hesai
dtot
heguar d.
"Si
r.
..
Ihavenevergonei
ntoyourr
oom bef
ore,
I
don'
t.
..
."
"
I'
llgo"Shawnai
nter
rupt
edt
heguar
d.
"I
'
llgetone"Shawnaof
fer
edl
ooki
ngatDi
ll
ion.He
nodded.
Shet urnedthenleft
,wentupstraighttohisroom.
Openedt hedoorandwalkedtot heplaceshesaw
hi
m st anding,shesawtheli
tcigarett
ehehad
dropped, hehaddroppeditbesideapi ct
ureanda
whitepaper .Shedoesn'
tknowwhyhermi ndtol
d
hertor eadthroughit
,shedid.
Agrantoff
reedom waswr
it
teni
nbol
dlet
ter
sther
e
t
henalsoshesawhername.
Shedroppedt
hepaper,shesawdif
ferentcarkeys
ther
ebyaside,shepi
ckedonethenlefthi
sroom.
Fr
eedom?Whyismynameonthatpaper
?She
wonder
edasshewal
keddown.
Shegott
ohi
mthenhandedt
hekeyt
ohi
m.
Heusedt
hekeyt ol
ocat
eit'
scar.Thent
heyboth
goti
nandlef
t,i
twasalr
eadylat
eintheeveni
ngand
t
her
ewasal
otoft
raf
fi
c.
Di
ll
iondidn'
twannarusht
hingsatal
lsoheobeyed
al
lthetr
affi
crul
esandbytheti
mehear r
ivedt
he
pl
acehehadi nmindever
ywherewasalr
eady
l
ookingdark.
Heparkedthecarthencamedown, Shawnacame
downthroughtheothersi
detoreal
izethatt
hey
werebothatthebankofariver
.
Shesmi
ledf
ort
hef
ir
stt
imei
ndays.
"
Comeher
e"Di
ll
ionbeckonedonherandshewent
t
ohi
m.
Hehel
dherbythewai
stt
henlif
tedherupt
osi
ton
t
hebonnetoft
hecar
,hesatbesi
deher.
Everywher
ewascal
m andcool
.Onlyt
hewindand
thesoundoft
heri
vermovementcoul
dbehear
d.
Theybot
hrel
axedt
hei
rmi
nds,
theyneededi
t.
ButShawnadi
dn'tenj
oythesi
lenceforl
ong.She
wantedt
otal
ktohim butshedoesn'
tknowwhatt o
sayandshedoesn'
tknowhowt oindi
cateherneeds.
Shet
ookoccasi
onalgl
anceathi
m.Henot
iced.
"
Whati
sit
?"Heaskedher
.
Shef
oldedherl
ips,
star
tedfi
ddli
ngwit
hherf
inger
s
asawaveofshynessblewoverher
.
"
I.
..
"shest
utt
erednotevenknowi
ngwhatt
oask.
"
I.
..
"shest
utt
eredagai
nthenpaused.
"
I.
..
"shest
utt
eredfort
het
hir
dti
met
hensuddenl
y
r
ecall
edwhattosay.
"
I'
m sor
ry"shemout
hed.
Di
ll
ionl
ookedather
.
"
Forwhat
?"Heasked.
"Foreveryt
hing.Foral
lthetr
oubl
esIcausedyou.
I'
vebeenwant ingtoapologi
sebutnevergott
he
opportunit
y"shemouthedagain.
"
It
'sokay"cameDi
ll
ion'
srepl
y.
Shebl
inkedhereyesassi
lencet
ookoveragai
n.
Thenhermi
ndwentbackt
othepaper
.
Agr
antoff
reedom wi
thhernameoni
t.
Doeshewantt
ogr
antmemyf
reedom?Shet
hought
.
Thent hatmeanswewon'tbeabl
etoseeeachot
her
againanditmeansthatI
'
llhavet
ogobacktomy
stepfather
.
I
sheperhapst
ir
edofme?I
sthi
sawayofget
ti
ng
r
idofme?
OnceIgobackt
omyst
epf
ather
,he'
l
lsel
lmet
o
anot
herS*
xhouse.
Ishereal
lyget
ti
ngr
idofme?Shecoul
dn'
thel
pbut
getworri
ed.
Thi
nki
ngaboutitnormall
y,i
t'
sagoodt hi
ngbut
whenitcomest
oShawna.I t'
snotgoodbecause
per
hapsshedoesn'twannaleaveDi
ll
ion.
Per
hapsshecan'
tbearl
ivi
ngwi
thoutseei
nghi
m.
Shel
ookedupathi
m wi
tht
ear
yeyes.
"Ar
eyougetti
ngr i
dofme?"Sheasked.The
quest
ionsur
prisedDi
ll
ion.
Hetookhisfullat
tent
iont
ohert
oseet
ear
sinher
eyeseveninthedark.
"
Whyar
eyout
ear
ingup?
"Hecoul
dn'
thel
pbutask.
"You'
regett
ingri
dofme, you'l
lret
urnmebackt
o
him.He'
llsellmeoutagain"shesaid.
Di
ll
ionwasn'
tunder
standi
ngheratal
l.
"Hi
m?Whathim?Getti
ngri
dofyou?Comeon
Shawna,
expl
ainbet
ter
"herequest
ed.
Shawnasni
ff
ed.
"
Hey,
don'
tcr
y.Idon'
tli
kei
t"Di
ll
ioncooed.
Shest
aredi
ntohi
seyesashesai
dthosewor
ds.
"
Youdon'
tli
kei
t?"Shef
oundher
sel
faski
ng.
"Yes,
becauseyoul
ookugl
ywhencr
ying"he
answeredher
.
Shef
oundher
sel
fchuckl
ing.
Heal
sochuckl
ed.
"
Iwon'
tcr
yagai
nthen"shemout
hedt
humbi
ngher
t
ear
s.
Heal
sohel
pedheri
ndr
yinghert
ear
s.
"
Iaren'
tgett
ingri
dofyouinanywaysodon'
tever
t
hinkli
kethatokay?
"IHecooed.
Shenoddedl
ikeal
it
tl
eki
d.
Hepul
ledhercl
oset
henembr
acedhert
ight
ly.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence36-
37
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
.
(
Mor
eki
sses)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Aft
erminut
esofwar
m embrace,Di
ll
iondi
sengaged
fr
om t
hehugbutpl
acedhi
sf or
eheadonherswith
hi
seyesshut.
Shawnaal
soshuthereyesenj
oyi
ngt
hecoolf
eel
ing
ofhi
m bei
ngsocloset
oher.
Afterfewminutesofdoingt hat,
Dil
li
onfel
tasi fhe
shouldkissher,i
t'
soneoft hewaysofr el
ivingthe
stressinhi
m, st
ressthathasbeeni nhimf orsome
daysnow.So, heleanedmor ecl
osertoherand
theirl
ipsgazedeachother.
Shawnacouldfeelherbr
eat
hinghi
tch.Adiff
erent
feel
ingover
whelmedherasshefel
tDill
ion'
ssoft
warml i
psonhers.
Shestart
edant
ici
pat
ingf
ort
herealkiss,forhimto
ki
ssherandmakeherfor
gether
selfatleastfort
he
ear
lynight.
ButasDi l
li
onwasabouttodeepentheki
sshe
start
edfeeli
ngdi
zzy.Ever
ythi
ngaroundhi
m st
art
ed
rotat
ing.
Hegroanedandmovedawayfr
om Shawna,
his
handsholdi
nghi
sfor
ehead.
Heshuthe'
seyes,inwardl
ybeggingforthe
di
zzi
nesstostopinmi nut
es,
heknowsi tmi ghteven
l
astupto1hourandhedoesn' twantthat.Notwhen
Shawnaisri
ghttherebesi
dehim.Allthi
saret he
si
deeff
ectofverti
go-heknows.
ShawnalookedatDi
ll
ionworr
iedathi
ssudden
behavi
or,
shedoesn'
tknowifshe'
stohol
dhim.
"Ar
eyou..
areyouokay?
"Sheaskedaf
terst
ari
ngat
himforl
ong.
"I
'
mf ine"cameDi
ll
ion'
shuskyr
epl
ybutshewasn'
t
sati
sfi
edatall
.
Somethi
ngi
sdef
ini
tel
ywr
ongwi
thhi
m,hermi
nd
tol
dher.
Shedoesn'
tknowwheret
hesuddengutscame
fr
om.Shedoesn'
tknowhowandwhenherhand
wentt
ohisheadandshestar
tedpat
ti
nghishai
r
downwards.
"
Real
ly?
"Cameoutofherl
ips.
Dil
li
onremovedhishandsf r
om hisfor
eheadt hen
openedhiseyestolookather.Shequickl
ybr ought
herhanddownt hentookhereyestotheriverahead
ofthem.
"
I'
m okay,j
ustheadachebuti
t'
sokay"Di
ll
ionr
epl
ied
i
nassurance.
Shet
ookhereyesbackt
ohi
mthennodded.
Thewindbl
ewmor eheavi
lymaki
ngeverywhere
col
d.Shawnaf
oldedherhandsasthecoldai
rhit
her
.
"You'
recol
d?Let
'sgoint
othecar"Dil
li
onsai
d
gett
ingdownfr
om thebonnetofhi
scar.
Hehel
pedShawnadownfr
om thecart
henr
ever
sed
i
tmaki
ngthecarf
acether
iver
.
Theybothgoti
nthenDi
ll
iont
urnedont
hecar
's
heat
er.
"Weshoul
dgetgoing.Ial
mostf
orgetaboutNaomi"
Dil
li
onsai
drecal
li
ngthatNaomiwasonherwayt o
pari
s.
"No!Let
'sst
ayher
ealit
tl
elonger
"Shawnadi
dn'
t
knowwhensheblurt
edoutthosewords.
Shefearedthatshewon'tbeabletohavethe
opport
unit
yt obealonewithhi
mi nawhile.Al
one
wit
hhim outsidethemansion.
Shestar
edatDil
li
onwiththecor
nerofhereyes
scar
edthathemightsnubheranddri
vehome.
"
Oh.
..
okay"camehi
srepl
y.
Shawnarel
easedt
hesi
ghshedi
dn'
tknowshewas
hol
ding.
Thebothofthem keptst
ari
ngatther
iverunt
il
ShawnafeltDi
ll
ion'
shandwr apar
oundher
shoul
der.
Shawnatur
nedtolookatDil
li
oni
nsur
pri
se,
but
Dil
li
ondi
dn'
tlookbackather.
Shesmil
edt
hengent
lypl
acedherheadonhi
s
shoul
der
.
Herstomachdancedinhappiness,
shef
oldedher
l
ipstoget
heri
nothernottoscream.
Theystayedi
nsi
lenceagai
nunt
ilDi
ll
iondeci
dedt
o
breaki
t.
"
Thatday"hest
art
ed.
"
Thelastt
imeIsentf
oryou,
doyoust
il
lremember
?"
,
Dil
li
onasked.
Shawna'
seyeswidenedonrecall
ingitandknowing
wherehewasheading.Shesuddenlystar
tedfeel
ing
ext
remel
yshy.
Sher
aisedherheadf
rom Di
ll
ion'
sshoul
der
.She
pal
medherf
ace.
"
Idon'
tremember
"shemumbl
edt
ohi
m.
Dill
iont
urnedtol
ookatherandsawherpal
med
face.Hechuckl
ed.
"
Seemsl
ikeyoudo"hesai
d.
Shawnat
urnedawayfr
om hi
m,shepl
acedherhead
onthewi
ndowofthecar.
"Whyar eyouact
ingshy?Wer
en'tyout
hesame
personthatt
ookoffmyshort
?"Dil
li
onaskedt
hen
chuckled.
Shawnafel
tmoreembar
rassed.Shef
eltl
ike
di
sappear
ingf
rom hi
ssi
ghtbutshedi
dn'tknow
how.
"Pl
easej
ustf
orgetabouti
t,pl
ease"shemumbl
edt
o
him.
"
Why?"Heaskedthenmadehert ur
ntohi
m.He
r
emovedherhandsfrom herf
ace.
"
Whyshoul dIforgetsuchsweetmomentwi
thyou?
"
Di
ll
ionasked,hisvoicecomi
ngoutcal
m.
Shawnafel
thercheekst
urnr
edi
nembar
rassment
themor
e.
Shet
ookherf
acedown.
"St
opfeeli
ngshyar oundme.Iwantyoutoactthe
wayyouact edthatday.That'
stheShawnaIwant.I
needthatyou"Dil
lioncooedthentouchherchi
n.
Herrai
sedherchi nupabi t
.
Shawnafol
dedherl
i
pst
oget
hernotknowi
ngwhat
tosayt
ohim.
Thi
ssuddenDill
ioni
ssosweet
,thi
snewDi
ll
ion.
Shedoesn'
tknowwhattosayt
ohim.
"
Lookatme"Di
ll
iondemandedcal
mly.
Shel
ookedathi
mint
heeyesasdemanded.
"
Repeataf
terme.
"
"
IShawna"hesai
d.
Shawnadi
dn'
tknowwhenshesmi
led.
"
Comeon,
doi
t"heal
sochuckl
ed.
"I
'
llst
opbei
ngshy,I
'
lltr
ymybest"Shawnasaid
concl
udi
nginhermindthathewant
shertosaythat
shewi
llst
opbei
ngshy.
"
Okaythen.Then.
..
provesomethingt
ome, pr
ove
t
hatyou'
llst
opfeel
ingshy.Ineedyoutopeckmy
t
wocheeks"hesaid.
Shawnastar
tedfeel
ingheat
edinbet
weenherl
egs,
downther
estart
edactingweir
dashesai
dthat
.
Shedoesn'tunder
standwhyherbodyi sreacti
ng
thatwaybecauseheaskedherf orapeck,thoa
peckisnotsomethingt oonor
malforherespecial
ly
whenitcomest oDill
ion.
"
I'
m wai
ti
ng"sai
dDi
ll
ionagai
n.
Shawnasummonedupal lthecourageshecould
getthenpeckedhim onhi
sl ef
tcheek,asshemade
topeckhim onhisri
ghtcheekrealfasthet
urned
hisheadpurposel
yandmadeherki sshim.
Shawnamovedawayf
rom hi
mthengasped.
Didourlipsj
ustmeet
?Shethoughtast
hestrange
feel
ingsinbet
weenherl
egsbecamemor eseri
ous.
Shef el
therVget
ti
ngwet.
Shebecamemor
eembar
rassed,
shebowedher
headsl
ight
lyandonlyl
if
tedherheadwhenshef
elt
hi
m movingclosert
oher.
Shet
urnedtolookathi
m ashewrappedhi
shands
ar
oundherneckthenpl
acedhisl
ipsonher
s.
"Ir
eall
ywantt ogobacktot hemansionri
ghtnow
butmybodydoesn' twantthat.Mybodywant sa
dif
fer
entthingandthat
'syou"Dill
ionmouthedin
betweenthekissthenhedeepenedi twi
thhisot
her
handslidi
ngdownherwai st.
.
.
(
Naomi
)
*
Mexi
co*
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
"
Whenismydadfini
shi
ngwi
thwor
k?"Br
yant
urned
t
oSuzant
henasked.
"
Um.
..
inawhi
ledear
,Ibel
ieve"Suzananswer
edhi
m.
Br
yansi
ghedreal
lyt
iredofsi
tt
ing,
hest
art
ed
wi
shi
ngthathehadfoll
owedNaomitowherever
pl
aceshewast
ravel
ingt
oo.
Justwaiti
ngforDi
ll
youtsi
detheof f
icei
ssobor
ing.
Thohehasavi deogamehei splayi
ngonatabDil
ly
gotforhim,hehasbeenplayi
ngthegameforhours
andhei sfedupwit
hital
ready.
"Why?Youwannagosomewher
eel
se?
"Suzan
asked.
"
Yes,
I'
mti
red"Di
ll
yrepl
iedwi
thasl
ightf
rown.
Suzant
houghtf
orawhil
ethendeci
dedt
owal
khi
m
ar
oundthecompany.
Shest
oodup.
"OkayBryan,
putdownyourt
ab.Letmej
usttake
youroundthecompanyandper
hapswealsograba
cupoftea"Suzansai
d.
"
Okaycool"Br
yanr
epl
ieddr
oppi
ngt
het
ab
i
mmediatel
y.
"
Okayl
et'
sgo"Suzanbeckonedonhi
mtomovef
ir
st.
Hegotoutbehindthebigsecret
arydeskt henwent
strai
ghttot
heelevat
or.Hewentonhist oesand
tr
iedpressi
ngt
heopenbut tonoftheelevatorbut
wasn'
ttal
lenoughf
orhi
shandt
ogett
her
e.
Suzanchuckl edatli
tt
leBryant
ryi
ngallhi
spossibl
y
bestt ogettothebutt
on.Healwaysdoesthesame
thingeverythi
nghestepsintot
hecompany,always
tryingtoreachthebutt
ons.
Shepr
essedt
hebut
tonsopen.
Theelevat
oropenedandtheybothsteppedi
n,i
t
cl
osed.Suzanpressedt
hebuttonfl
oornumber.
Thentheelevat
ortookt
hem down.
Itopenedthentheycameout .Suzanhel
dBryan'
s
handt hoBryandidn'
tli
ketheideaofSuzanhol
ding
himlikeali
ttl
ekidwhomi ghtgetlost
.
Shetookhi
mtother
ecepti
onsideoft
hecompany,
thenfi
ll
edt
wocupsupfr
om theteamachi
net
here.
Shehandedonet
oBr
yan,
thent
ookonef
orher
sel
f.
Shebr eat
hedi
nandoutasshet ookasi
pf r
om her
tea.Sheimmediat
elyl
ookeddownatBryan.
"Br
yan,
don'
tdr
inki
t.I
t'
shot
,leti
tcooldownabit
"
shesai
dbutBr
yanshowedheranempt ycup.
"
Huh,
wher
edi
dthet
eagot
o?"Suzanasked
sur
pri
sedt
hathi
scupi
sempt
y.
"Idranki
tall
.Il
ovehotmeal
sbest
"Br
yanr
epl
ied
disposi
ngthecup.
Suzannoddedi
nshockt
hist
ime,
thet
eawassohot
.
ButDil
lydoesn'
tli
kehotmeals?Wher
edi
dheget
thatf
rom?Suziewondered.
Sheal
sodi
sposedhercupaft
erawhileandt
hey
bot
hwentuptother
ooftopofthecompany.
"Wow!Thi
splaceiscool,neverknewsuchplaces
exi
tedar
oundhere"Bryansaidthensmi l
edatSuzan
i
nappreci
ati
onforbri
nginghi m upt
here.
"I
t'
sokay.Justbecarefulpl
ease,
Iwouldn'
twant
youfal
li
ngdownpl ease"Suzansaidt
ohim.
Shecan'ti
magi newhatwillhappenifevent
uall
y
Bryanfal
lsdownf r
om there.Asidef
rom probabl
y
gett
ingarr
ested,Di
ll
ymi ghtalsohat
eher .
Damn!Thatpar
thur
tthemost
.Shecan'
timagi
ne
hi
m get
ti
ngsomadather.
Thi
spartfewdays,t
hingshasbeengoingreal
ly
wel
lfort
hem.Dill
yhadt akenheroutont
heirf
ir
st
off
ici
aldat
e.Outsidethecompanytheycanact
normaltoeachotherbutbehavepr
ofessi
onal
lyi
n
thecompany.
"
Suzie,
canIaskyousomethi
ng?
"Br
yansuddenl
y
t
urnedtoSuzant
henasked.
"
Yeahshot
"Suzanr
epl
ied.
"
Mydad.Doyoul
ikehi
m?"Br
yanasked.
Suzanfel
therhear
tbeatmor
eloudl
ythr
eet
imes.
Hereyeswidened.
"
What??
"Shewant
edt
oyel
lbuti
tonl
ycameoutas
awhi
sper.
*
Par
is*
Dil
li
onkeptkissi
ngShawnaonherli
ps,herneck,
herearl
obe.Heactedasi
fhehasbeenhungr yfor
al
lthisfort
oolongandhecannolongerholdback
hi
msel f
.
Shawnawasexci
tedbutwasn'
tcomf
ort
abl
eatt
he
sameti
me.
Weareint
hecar
,ar
en'
twe?Keptr
ingi
ngi
nsi
deher
head.
Shetr
iedt
elli
nghi
m buti
tdi
dn'
tlookl
ikehewas
goi
ngtoli
sten.
Shet i
tl
edherheadbackwardsashebur iedhi
s
teet
honhershoulder,grazi
ngandsmoochi ngon
her.Theuncomfort
ablefeel
ingsstar
tedwashingof
f,
i
tstartedget
ti
ngreplacedbyextr
emepl easur
e.
Shedidn'
tevenknowwhenshet ookherl
efthandt
o
hisbar
echestthenst
artedcar
essinghi
mthere
taki
ngthathewassti
llonsi
nglet
.
Befor
eyouknowi t,
Shawnawasalmostlyi
ngdown
fl
atl
yonthecarsitandt
hei
rromancewasgoi ngt
o
thenextl
evel
.Butthemomentsgotcutshor
tbya
phonecall
.
Dil
li
oni
gnor
edthecal
landleti
tri
ngtot
heend.The
cal
lcameagai
nandhisphonestar
tedr
ingi
ng,
helet
i
tri
ngtoanend.
Butwhenthecallcamef
ort
het
hir
dti
me,
hewas
for
cedtostop.
Het ookouthisphonet
oseethatitwasNaomi
call
inghim.Itanger
edhi
m ali
ttl
ebuthealsoknows
thatheissupposedtobether
eforher.
Hepi
ckedt
hecal
lupr
eluct
ant
ly.
"Hell
oDil
li
on.Wherehaveyoubeen?I'
vebeen
call
ingbutyoukeepignor
ingmycal
ls,why?
"Naomi
yel
ledequall
yfr
ustrat
edfrom t
heot
herend.
"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"Di
ll
ionaskedi
gnor
ingheryel
li
ng.
"I
'
m attheai
rpor
tandIneedyouorsomeoneel
se
heref
orme.WhyonEar t
h..
..
"
"
Naomi.I'
llsendsomeonetoyou"heI
nter
rupt
edher
,
r
epl
iedthenendedthecall
.
Hedoesn'
thaveenoughpat
iencet
oli
stent
o
t
ant
rums.
Nexthecal
ledsomeoneandsentthepersont
ogo
pi
ckherupf r
om t
heair
portbef
oretur
ningtol
ookat
Shawna.
"Seemsi
tal
lendshere.We'
l
lleavenow"Di
ll
ionsai
d.
Shawnanoddedunablet
osayawor dagai
n.
Shef
eltdi
sappoi
nted.Theheati
nbetweenherlegs
i
ssti
llt
her
ebutsheadj ust
edher
sel
fverywell
.
Theybothdrovehomei nsil
ence.Or
igi
nall
yDi
ll
ion
wasn'
tthetypethatt
alkstoomuchsoi twasa
nor
malt
hingt
ohi
m butnott
oShawna.
Shawnaexpectedthedrivet
obelivel
y.Sheopened
hermouthtostar
tupaconver sat
ionmostti
mesbut
l
atercl
osedhermout h.Seemstheshynessi
nher
hasn'
tlef
ther
.
TheygothomebutDill
ionwassurpri
sedtosee
Naomistandi
ngattheentr
ancewithherhandsat
aki
mbo.Shelookedli
keshejustcamebackfrom a
fi
ght.
Howdi
dshegether
eont
ime?Di
ll
ionwonder
ed.
Hepar
kedi
nthegar
aget
hent
heybot
hcamedown.
Naomialreadyprepar
edwor dsinhermout
hfor
Dil
li
on,
wel lexpectDi
ll
ionshut
sherupagaint
hen
she'
sgoingt osayhermind.
Naomikeptl
ooki
ng,
wai
ti
ngf
orDi
ll
iont
oappr
oach
her
.
Butshegotsur pr
isedt
oseeDil
li
oncomingoutfrom
theparki
nglotsidewit
hShawnabyhisside.Li
ke
thei
rbodiestouchedati
nter
val
s.
Naomipoppedherheadf
orwar
dtobesur
ethatshe
i
sseei
ngcorrect
ly.Di
ll
ionsocl
oseandr
elaxedwi
th
hi
ss*xsl
ave.Howpossi bl
eist
hat
?
Di
dsomet
hinghappenbetweent
hem?Howcome
t
heyar
esuddenl
ysoclose?Shethought
.
Dill
onnoticedthewayshestar
edatt
hem bot
h-in
disbel
ief
.Dill
ionthenwant
edtopr
ovetohert
hati
t'
s
actual
lyreal.
Hewr appedoneofhishandsar
oundShawna'
s
shoul
dertherebypul
li
nghercl
osert
ohim.I
t
surpr
isedShawnabutshockedNaomi.
Okay.It
hinkmybrot
herisdr
unk, sheconcl
udedi
n
hermindsti
llwat
chi
ngthem getcloser
.
.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence38-
39
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
.
(
Oldt
imes)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
*
Mexi
co*
Suzanaf
terst
ari
ngatBryanforawhilemoved
cl
osert
ohim andsquat
tedeyelevel
wi t
hhi
m.
"Br
yan,
you'
ret
ooyoungf
oral
lthi
s"sai
dSuzan
cal
mly.
Br
yanremai
nedquite,hest
aredathi
m keenl
y
wai
ti
ngtohearheranswer.
"But.
.yeah,
Iloveyourdadt hewayawomanl ovesa
manbutunf ortunatel
y..
.Idon'
tthinkhefeel
sthat
wayaboutme, Ithi
nkhei sjustbeingni
cetome
becauseyoupr obablyli
keme"Suzananswer ed
trut
hfull
y.
Bryan'sbr
owsper
kedt
oget
herashehear
dthatl
ast
part.
"
What
?Whyar
eyouf
rowni
ng?
"Suzanasked.
"I
t'
snotr
ightformet oadmi tbutyou'
rebetterthan
mymom.So, I'm onyourteam"Br yanrevealed
earni
ngasurpri
sedsmi l
ef r
om Suzan.
"
Y..
."Suzanwasaboutt
osaybutgoti
nter
rupt
ed.
"
Bryan!
!"Theybot
hheardDi
ll
y'
svoi
ceandt
urned
t
owardstheentr
ancet
oseehim.
Suzanst
oodst
rai
ghtasshewat
chedDi
ll
yappr
oach
them.
"Comeherebuddy.I t
'sti
met ogohome,IknowI
wastedalotoftime.I'
m sosorryaboutt
hat.I
'm
doingthi
sagainsttomorrowbecauseIwon'tbe
comingtowor ktomorrow"Dill
ysai
dtoBryanashe
carri
edhim upinanembr ace.
"I
t'
sokay,you'
reforgiven"Bryanrepl
iedear
ninga
si
desmi l
efrom Dil
ly.Het hentookhi
seyesto
Suzanwhost oodstaringatthem both.
"
Um.
..
Suzan?
"Hecal
led.
Suzansmi
led,
inwardl
yhopi
ngthatBryandoesn't
tel
lhi
sdadwhatevert
heydi
scussed.Shewon'tbe
abl
etor
eal
lyf
acehi
mifhef
indsoutt
hatsher
eal
ly
l
oveshi
m.
"
Wil
lyoubechancedt
ogooutwithBr
yanandI
t
omorrow?
"Heasked,
Suzan'
smouthdroppedopen
i
nbothsur
pri
seandhappi
ness.
*
*Par
is*
*
"Naomi"Dil
li
oncal
ledcal
mlywhent
heyhadgot
ten
closeenoughtoher.
Naomibl
inkedhereyesandt
ri
edi
gnor
ingShawna.
ShemovedtowardsDi
ll
onandhuggedhi
mti
ght
ly,
l
ight
lypushi
ngShawnaaway.
Shawnaonherowndoesn'twantNaomi
'smout
h,
shewentintothemansi
onleavi
ngt
hem bot
h
i
mmediately.
Naomiusedtheoppor
tuni
tyt
osnif
fint
hescentof
hi
sbody,shewantedt
oconfi
rmifhewasreal
ly
dr
unk.
Butshedi
dn'
tper
cei
vet
hescentofanal
coholt
o
hersur
pri
se.
"
Naomi
,you'
rechoki
ngme.Getyourhandsof
fme"
Di
ll
onhushedather
.
Shedi sengagedfrom hi
m andst
rai
ght
enedher
dress,temporari
lyfor
gett
ingt
hatshei
ssupposed
toyellathimforignori
nghercal
ls.
"
HaveyouseenSam?"Dil
lonaskedknowi
ngt
hat
t
heyhaveagoodrel
ati
onshi
ptogether
.
"
No,Ij
ustarr
ived.Haven'
tgoneinsi
de,deci
dedto
wai
theref
oryou"Naomir epl
iedthet
houghtofsam
f
il
li
ngherhead.
"Good.Youshoul
dseehim"Di
ll
onsai
dwal
king
passherashestrodei
ntot
hesi
tti
ngr
oom.
"
Iknow,I
'
llgoseehi
m nowbutDi
ll
on.
..
."Naomi
r
epli
edwalki
ngri
ghtbehi
ndhi
m.
"howdi
dluwisendupdying,
I'
m cur
ious?
"Naomi
askedmaki
nghim pause.
Thememoriesoft
hatdayf
il
ledhi
sheadagai
nbut
hecoul
dn'
ttel
lNaomi.
"GoseeSam.Heneedssomeonetheref
orme"
camehisrepl
yaf
tert
helongpause.
Naomisi
ghedal
readyusedt
oherbr
other
sact
ing
l
iket
hat
.Itmadeherr
ecal
lBr
yanagai
n.
Shesmi
led.
ThemenofMark'
sfami
lyareallal
ike,
shethought
asshewal
kedt
osam'spersonalroom int
he
mansi
on.
Shegott othedoorandknockedoni t
.Shedidn'
t
waitforananswertocomebef orefi
xingherhand
aroundthedoorknobandunl ockingit.Shepushed
thedooropent oseeSam t
her elyingdownont he
bedshirtl
ess.
Sheclosedthedoorbehi
ndherandwalkedupto
hi
mr eali
zingt
hatshehadwokenhim upfr
om hi
s
sl
eep.
Sam t
urnedt
oseeNaomiappr
oachi
ngt
hebed.
"
Naomi
?"Hecal
led.
"
Ist
hatyou?
"
Naomismi l
edathim asshecl i
mbedt hebedandlie
nexttohim onthebed,sheadjustedproper
lyand
placedonehandacrosshi schestjustl
iket
heold
ti
meswhent heyweresti
llver
ylit
tle.
"
Yes,
it'
smeSam"answer
edNaomi
.Shewashappy
t
oseehim.
"When..
.whendi
dyougetback?"Sam askedt
it
li
ng
hisheadtohaveacl
ear
erlookather.
"
Minut
esago.
"
"
I'
vemissedyou"sheaddedsi
ncer
elyi
gnor
ingt
he
f
actt
hatshehasalwayspushedhi
m away.
Sam chuckl
edal
it
tl
eandi
t'
sthef
ir
stsi
nceLuwi
s
di
ed.
"
Reall
y?Ineverexpect
edyout
obesobl
untabout
i
t"sai
dsam.
Hepul
ledhercl
oseri
ntohi
sar
ms,
sher
elaxed.
"
Yeah"shemout
hedandal
it
tl
esi
lencest
eppedi
n.
"
Sam,I'
m sosor
ryaboutLuwis.Ineverexpect
ed
t
hatsuchthi
ngwil
leverhappentohim"shecooed.
"I
t'
sokay.Whyareyouapol
ogi
zingt
ome?Hewas
al
soyourfri
end"sai
dsam.
"
Was.Hewas.IfIhadknown,
Icouldhavebeen
mor
eclosert
ohim -t
oyouguysli
kebefore.Inever
shouldhavedr
if
tedaway"sai
dNaomii
nat
oneof
regr
et.
"Yeah.I
fIhadalsoknown,Icoul
dhaveti
edhim up
i
nar oom,evenifheendsuphatingme.Atl
eastit
s
bett
erthanhavi
nghim di
ed"sam sai
d.
"
Howdi
dhedi
e?"Naomiasked.
"Heplannedhi
sdeat
h, t
hat'
stheworstofit
"repl
ied
sam notwanti
ngt
otellhert
hefulldet
ail
s.
"
That'shor
ri
ble,
whywi l
lhepl
anhi
sowndeat
h?He
l
eftyousoempty"support
edNaomi
.
"Well.
..
yeah,
butIthi
nkI'
l
lbeokaynowthatyou'
re
backtoyourrealsel
fandyou'
real
soherewit
hme"
repl
iedsam.
Het
il
tedhi
sheadt
owat
chNaomi
'
sreact
ion.
Shehadanunreadableexpr
essi
onf
orawhi
le
bef
oreshef
inal
lysighed.
"
Yeah"shemumbl
ed.
"
Doyoust
il
lli
kehi
m?"Sam coul
dn'
thel
pbutask.
"
Who?
"Naomiasked.
"
Yourbr
other
sfr
iend"suppl
iedsam.
"
Yeah,Idobutthatdoesn'
tmatt
ernow,doesi
t?"
Naomirepl
iedcli
mbingcomplet
elyont
opofSam.
Shehuggedhi
m.Hehuggedherback.
Justl
ikeol
dti
mes.
..
.
.
(
Arr
ival
)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
*
Thenextday.
*
"Dad,wheredidyousayShawnawentto?
"
Valent
inawalkedint
oherdad'
sroom t
oaskaf
ter
Shawnaf ort
hetenthti
mes.
"It
oldyousher anaway,sheranaway.Idi
dn'
tsend
heranywhere"herfat
herrespondedt
oherharshl
y.
Valent
inacoul
dn'
tbeli
evewhatherdadresponded
herwit
h,shecoul
dn'tbel
ieveShawnacoul
djustrun
away.
"Di
dyoudosomethingt
oher ?Puni
shherin
anyway?
"Sheaskedaccept
ingthefactt
hati
f
anyt
hingatal
l,
herf
atherwasatf
aul
t.
Herdadf
rowneddeepl
yather
.
"Whydoyouconcernyoursel
fwi
thsomegirl
?Let'
s
goplease"hert
winsi
sterTi
newal
kedint
otheroom
andchippedin.
"
But
..
..
"
"Val
ent
inayoudon'tquesti
onmeagain.Leavewi
th
yoursi
sterri
ghtaway"herfat
heri
nter
rupt
edher
wordsyell
ing.
"
Ok"shet
urnedandf
oll
owedTi
neout
.
Theyboardedacabwhichtookt
hem tot
heestat
e
theywereheadi
ngto.Act
uall
yheadi
ngtoDi
ll
on's
parentmansi
on.
*
"
Woahwoah!Theoldbui
ldingst
il
llooksbeauti
ful
"
Andr
ewsaidwal
kingi
ntothesit
ti
ngr oom oft
he
mansi
on.
Dil
lonj
uststoodatthemiddl
eofthest
air
swithhi
s
handsataki
mbost ari
ngatAndr
ewashet al
kedand
l
ookedaround.
Aft
ermi nut
esofl
ookingar
ound,
Andr
ewf
inal
lygot
t
oDi l
lononthest
air
s.
"Wel
comeAndrew"Andrewsai
dtohi
msel
fina
sar
cast
ict
one.Dil
longoti
t.
"Yeah,
welcomeAndrew.Sowhatareyoudoi
ng
here?Howlongareyougonnaspendher
etoo?"
Dil
lonaskedhi
m si
mply.
"Woahman!Ijustgothere,won'
tyouatleastgi
ve
meawel comehugorsaywel come?Whenar eyou
gonnachangethi
syourgr umpyatti
tude?
"Andrew
mockedDill
onandjustthenhiseyesmetShawna's
whowascl i
mbingdownt hestai
rstoo.
Shawnapausedonseeinghi m withDil
lon,
she
neverexpect
edt
obumpi nt
oDi l
lon.Theyhaven'
t
evenseeneachotheraf
tershelefthim wit
hNaomi.
Shesuddenl
yfel
tshyrecal
li
ngthepr
evi
ousday
i
ncident
.Shefol
dedherli
psin.
Dil
lonnot
icedAndr
ew'
seyes,
het
racedi
ttowher
e
Shawnastoodbehi
ndt
hem.
"
She'
sst
il
lal
ive?
"Andr
ewaskedDi
ll
oni
naqui
te
t
onebef
oresmi
li
ngatShawna.
Shawnast
art
edmovi
ngt
owar
dst
hem af
termi
nut
es
ofst
oppi
ng.
Shegotclosert
othem thenpausedagai
n,Di
ll
on
eyeswereonherallt
hrough.
"Um..
.Shawna.
..
Shawna?I
'
m Icor
rect
?"Andr
ew
askedtaki
ngherhand.
"Yes,
you'
recorr
ect"Shawnarepl
iedali
tt
lebit
bashedbecauseofDil
lon'
sconti
nuousstar
es.
AndrewtookShawna'shanduptohisl
ipsand
ki
ssedherther
e,not
ici
ngthat
,itt
ri
gger
edDill
ont
o
l
ookatAndrew.
Hest
aredatwhatAndr
ewwasdoi
ng.
"
Hey!Whatar eyoudoing?Youshouldgoupt o
f
ourt
hr oom onyourl
eft,Ihadthemaidscleani
tup
f
oryou"Dil
lonhushedatAndr ew,pushi
nghim away
f
rom Shawnaaltoget
her,Itsur
pri
sedAndrew.
"Hol
don,wer
en'
tyout heonedelayi
ngmeal lt
hese
whil
e?Whyareyouget t
ingangr
y?Ishouldbethe
oneget
ti
ngangry"Andrewfrownedattheway
Di
ll
onsuddenl
yreact
edbef
orel
eavi
ng.
"
Seeyoushawna"hedi
dn'
tfor
gett
owavebef
ore
l
eavi
ng.
Shawnafoldedherl
i
psi
nagai
nget
tingmor
eshy
becauseshewaslef
tal
onewi
thDi
ll
on.
Dil
londidn'
tsayawordtoher,hej
ustkeptstar
ing
athershyexpressi
on.Hest
aredatherli
keitwas
thefi
rstti
meforhimtoseeher.
Shawnabecamesouncomf or
tableatt
hesilence
thendecidedtogreethi
m andwal kaway.Shemi ght
endupf aint
ingduetoherfastbeati
ngchestifhe
conti
nuesst ar
ingathert
hatway.
"Goodmor ning"shegreetedandcont i
nuedwalki
ng
downt hestair
sbutdidn'tgof arbef
oreDil
lon
grabbedherandpul l
edherbackt ohim wi
tha
strongfor
ce.Shealmostmi ssedhersteponthe
stair
s.
"Nextti
me,youdon'
tacknowl
edgeot
herguys
beforeme"hesai
d.
Shest
aredathi
m wi
thhermout
hsl
ight
lyopened.
Hewrappedhi
shandsaroundherwaistandpull
ed
hermuchmorecloser
,cl
oseenoughthatherbr
east
waspressi
nghar
dagainsthi
schest.
Shecontinuedst
ari
ngathimli
keshehasn'
tseen
him bef
oreeit
her
.Bli
nkedati
nter
val
sduetohis
acti
ons.
"Andyourlipsl
ooksmor esexi
erthismorni
ng"he
addedleaningcl
oserforakissbutshawnamoved
herheadbackwar dsbecauseshesawNaomiwi t
h
thecornerofhereyesstar
ingatthem.
"
What
?Youdon'
twantmet
oki
ssyou?
"Di
ll
onasked.
Shawnatr
iedt
ell
inghim aboutNaomiwit
hhereyes
buti
tseemsli
kehedoesn'twannaunderstandt
he
si
gnorheprobablychoosenottounder
stand.
Di
ll
onremovedoneofhishandsf
rom herwaistand
t
ookitt
othebackofhernecksoshewon'tbeable
t
omoveherheadbackagain.
Thenhemovedcl
oserandki
ssedher
.
Naomiwhowascomingoutf
rom sam'
sroom and
goi
ngtot
heki
tchent
ogethim somemil
khadt o
st
opattheendoft
hest
air
caset
ostareatwhat
Di
ll
onandShawnawasdoingi
ndisbel
ief
.
He'
snotdr
unkt
hismor
ningagai
nishe?
No,mybrot
herdoesn'tseemslikeheenj
oysstrong
dr
inksi
nthemor ni
ng.Thenisheactingromanti
c
wit
hherbecausehepr obabl
yli
kesher?She
wonder
edwat chi
ngDillonsmoochShawna'sl
ips.
Shawnafinal
lyr
egai
nedherfreedom f
rom Di
ll
on'
s
grabsaf
terhewasdonekissi
ngher.
Shewantedtofr
ownathim becausehewentahead
toki
ssherwit
houtherf
ullappr
ovalbutsheended
upblushi
ng.
Sheturnedfull
ytothedi
recti
onofthestai
rswher
e
Naomist ood.WhenNaomiknewt hatshehas
al
readycaughtstar
ingatthem,shestart
ed
descendingdownthestai
rs.
Whenshegott
othem shest
opped.
"Iwasn'
twat
chi
ng"shesai
dthencont
inuedgoi
ng
down.
Whenshef
inal
lygott
othebegi
nni
ngoft
hest
air
s,
t
hef
rontdooropenedr
eveal
ingt
het
wins.
Theyhadalsobeentherebef
oresot
heywer
e
fami
li
arwit
ht hemansion.
Naomisawt
hem f
ir
st.
"
Huh,whatar
eyoutwogr ownupbi t*
hesdoi
nghere?
I
'
m sureyoubothweren'
tinvi
ted"Naomif
rownedat
t
hem bot
hfol
dingherarms.
"Youli
tt
ler
at!Stopcal
lingusbi
t*hes,
wear enot
yourmateok?"Valent
inefi
redatherreal
lypi
ssed
offbyNaomi'satt
it
ude.
Tinajustignor
edthebot
hofthem t
ofi
ndthestai
rs
thatwil
lleadheruptoDi
ll
on'
sroom.Shehasreal
ly
missedhi m.
Shegott owhereNaomistoodandhereyesmet
withthatofDil
lon'
s.Asmil
ecreptupherfacebut
quickl
ydieddownwhenshesawt heotherfami
li
ar
eyeslookingdownather.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence40-
42
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
.
(
Sur
pri
sed)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Shawnaaf
terheari
ngsomevoicesf
rom t
hedoor
wonder
edwhot heowner
softhevoi
cemi ghtbe.
Whenafamil
iarsmil
ingfaceappear
ed,
hereyes
wi
denedinshockanddisbeli
ef.
Isn'
tthatValenti
na?Oram Imist
aken?She
wonder edsti
llst
ari
ngattheoncesmil
ingf
ace.She
alsostaredbackatherinshock.
Valent
inatol
dhersel
fthatt
hel
adyst
andi
ngbesi
de
Dil
lonmightnotbeShawna.
Howwi
llShawnaendupher
eofal
lpl
aces?She
wonder
ed.
Maybei
t'
sjustherl
ookal
ike.
Shestar
tedcli
mbi
ngthestair
signori
ngNaomiand
hert
winsist
erast
heybickerbetweenthemsel
ves.
ShegottoDi
ll
onwhowasobviousl
ystari
ngather
i
nsurpri
seandsmi
ledagai
nathim sof
tl
y.
Shequicklyembracedhimtoobutwasquickt
o
di
sengagef r
om thehugtoavoi
dembarrassment
fr
om Dill
onside.Shehasn'
tfor
gott
enhowhe
behaves.
"
HiDi
ll
on"shewavedherhandathi
m.
"Whatareyoudoi
ngher
e?"Di
ll
onaskedwi
tha
str
aightf
ace.
Shesmi l
ednotbotheredbyhi
sunwelcomi
ng
at
ti
tudethentookhereyestothel
adywholooksso
muchlikeherstepsister
.
"Hi"shealsowavedathi
m concludi
ngthatshe
mightbehi scousi
noranyone.Becauseshealso
knowsal adyofnostat
ueandmeani ngcan'tst
and
thatclosetohim.
Shawnadidn'
trepl
yher.Shejustkeptst
ari
ngather
whichmadeValtoalsostar
ebackather .
"Valent
ina?"Fi
nall
ycameoutfrom Shawna'
smout
h.
Dil
lonturnedtolookatShawnawonderinghow
Shawnaknewher .
Tina'
seyeswidenedonreal
izi
ngt
hatshewas
actual
lyShawna.Shewasn'
tShawna'
slookal
ike
butwast her
ealShawna.
"
Shawna?
"Ti
naalsocall
edwi
thacr
ingel
eavi
ng
Di
ll
oni
naconfusedst
ate.
Bot
hShawnaandTi
nast
aredatt
hemsel
vesf
ora
l
ongti
me.
"Wow!Whatareyoudoi
ngher
e?I
t'
sbeensol
ong"
Tinaasked.
"
Yeah,
it'
sbeen"Shawnaanswer
ed.
"Idi
dn'texpecttoseeyouher
e.Howcomeyou'
re
here?"Tinaaskedagain.
ItmadeShawnarecallhowherdadactual
lysol
d
herouttoas*xhouse.Hermooddarkenedonthe
recal
li
ngthehur
tfulmemory.
"Ij
usthappent
obeher
e"Shawnaanswer
ed,
her
headdown.
Dil
lontur
nedf
ull
ytoShawna.Sheisgonnahavet
o
explai
nhowsheknewValent
inal
ater
.
"
Shaw"hecal
led.
Sher
aisedherheadupabi
ttost
areathi
m.
"
Wil
lseeyoul
ater
"hesai
dinor
derf
orhert
oleave.
ShawnaturnedtolookatTi
nawhocouldn'
tstop
star
ingatherfort
helastt
imebef
oreshewalkedup
backtoherroom.
"
Now,whatar
eyoureal
lydoi
ngher
e?"Di
ll
ont
urned
t
oTi
nathenaskedagai
n.
"
I.
..
."
"Youhavebrokenupwi
thme,
haven'
tyou?
"Di
ll
on
quickl
yadded.
Ti
naheldhersel
ffr
om get
ti
ngaf
fect
edbyhi
shar
sh
words.I
nst
ead,shesmil
ed.
"
Itdoesn'tmeanwecan'
tconti
nuebeingfr
iends.
Westartedfr
om bei
ngfr
iends,
didn'
twe?"She
answer
edhi
m.
"Youdon'
thavet
obeher
eTi
na.Youwer
en'
tinvi
ted"
stat
edDil
lon.
"Wel
lthensendmebackthen,
I'
llwal
koutofthat
dooronceyouper
sonal
lyaskmet ogoback"sai
d
ti
na.
Di
ll
onjustst
aredatherf
orawhi
lewi
thoutut
ter
ing
aword.
"
Okt
hen,
I'
llt
aket
hatasawel
come"sai
dti
na.
"What
ever,j
ustsui
teyour
selfbutmakesureyou
don'
tdi
sturbme"Dill
onst
atedcoldl
ybefor
eleavi
ng
hert
here.
Hert
winaftermi
nutesofbi
cker
ingwi
thNaomi
f
inal
lycl
imbedupthestai
rst
omeether.
"Thatbratisreall
ygetti
ngonmyner ves.Ifnotf
or
thefactthatDill
yisherelderbrot
herswear sIcoul
d
havetaughtherat er
ri
blelessonshe'l
lneverfor
get
totel
lhergr andki
ds"fumedVal ent
ine.
Val
ent
inawhohasn'
tbeenl
ist
eni
ngt
ohersi
ghed.
"
Shawnai
sher
e"shesai
d.
Ti
ne'
sfaceshowedt hatshedoesn'
tunder
stand
whathersi
sterj
ustsaid.
"Shawna,
ourst
epsi
steri
sher
e"Ti
naexpl
ained
again.
"Whi
chShawna?Idon'
tst
il
lget
"askedTi
ner
eal
ly
conf
used.
"I
'
vetoldyou.Ourstepsist
erdummy, ourstep
si
ster
"Tinahalfyel
ledatherannoyedthatTine
wasn'
tunderstandi
ng.
Justwhensheconti
nuedherexplai
nat
iont
oTine
waswhenMa'am Sandrashowedupandhappened
tohearTi
nasaythatShawnaisthei
rst
epsist
er.
Itsur
pri
sedma'am Sandr
abutsheal
soknows
aboutShawna'
sstory.
Shecli
mbedthest
air
sandwalkedpassthem bot
h
toDi
ll
on'sr
oom.Shegott
othedoorthenknocked
onit
.
"
Youcancomei
n"Di
ll
onr
epl
ycame.
Sheopenedt
hedoort
henwalkedupt
ohi
m.Hewas
st
andi
nginfr
ontofhi
scl
osetsear
chi
ngf
ort
he
cl
otheshewasgonnachangei
ntoaf
tershower
ing.
"Chil
d?"Shecal
led.Di
ll
ont
urnedt
ospar
ehera
glancebefor
eheconti
nuedwhathewasdoi
ng.
"
Whoaret
hosegir
lsonthest
air
case?Seemsasif
I
'
veseent
hem bef
ore"Ma'
am Sandr
ainqui
red.
"Yeah,youhave.Val
ent
ineandVal
enti
na.Val
ent
ina
i
smyex, shecamehereoncebef
ore"Di
ll
on
explai
ned.
"
Oh!Thatexpl
ainedwhyt
heylookedabitfami
li
ar"
ma'
am Sandranoddedi
nunderstandi
ng.
"But,wherear
eyougoing?Aren'
tyougonnahave
breakfastwi
thyourf
ri
endsthen?"Askedma'
am
Sandra.
"Ihavesomewheretobe,butI'
l
lretur
nrealquick"
answeredDil
lonst
il
lsear
chingthroughhiscloset
andcheckingoutt
heperfectwearstogooutwi th.
"It
hinkI'
l
lhavetoshopfornewdress"hemumbl ed
notlooki
ngsati
sfi
edbywhathehas.Hepi ckedout
theonceheconsidersokayaf
tersometi
met hen
walkedtothebedthere.
Hekepthisclot
hestherethenpull
edoffhisshi
rti
n
othertot
akehisbath.Healsopull
edoffhis
tr
ousersthenmadef ort
hebathroom butwas
stoppedbyma'am Sandra'
svoice.
"Doyoual soknowthatt
hosegi
rl
sareShawna'
s
stepsi
ster?"Sheaskedmaki
ngDil
lont
urntol
ookat
herinsurpri
se.
"St
epsist
ers?
"Hef oundhimsel
faski
ngfor
confi
rmat
ionthatheheardhercl
earl
y.
.
.
(
Past
)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Fewmi nuteslat
er,af
terbathi
ng.Dil
londressedup
quickl
yinordertogoout ,
butbeforealsostepping
out.Hewant stomeetwi t
hShawnaandconf ir
m
whatma' am Sandrahadtoldhim.Throughoutthe
ti
mei nthebathroom,hekeptthinki
ngaboutwhat
ma'am Sandratoldhim.
Af
terdr
essi
ngup,
hewentoutf
rom hi
sroom and
st
art
edheadi
ngt
owar
dsShawna'
sroom.
Shawnasatdownontopofherbedin
remembr
ance.Shehasbeenremindedofherpast
.
Andshedoesn'
tli
keherpast
.
Sherecalledt hewayherst epfathercouldalsoend
uptakinghi sfr ustr
ationonherwher everhel osses
abetbecausehei sgoodatbet t
ingthanact uall
y
working.Shawnaatsomepoi ntstart
edpr ayingfor
himtost artwi nninghi sbetandal sostopdr inki
ng.
Becauset hoset wooccasi onmost lywar r
ant
seri
ousbeat ing.Al thoughshedoesn' thavebr ui
ses,
shealwaysgetser iousheavy, shehasal ways
tr
eatedherwoundsneat ly.Shehat edseeingmar ks
onherski n.
Shawnasi
ghedbi
tt
erl
yatt
het
hought
.
Shehadneverimaginedtoseeherst
epsi
ster
sher
e.
Sheneverexpectedthem t
oevenbecl
osewit
h
someoneli
keDi l
lon.
Toher,al
thoughDill
ondidn'
treal
lywelcomeher
wel
l,
butforthefactTinaactual
lybehavedl
ikethey
ar
eclose.Thatreasonburnedherandherthoughts.
Iaren'tsupposedtofeelt
hiswell
butIcan'thelpit
.I
don'tknowwhy, butIfeelt
hingsmightnotremain
thesamef ormeagain,Shawnathoughtseriousl
y.
Shewasst i
lldeepi
nthoughtwhenDil
longottoher
room t
henopenedit,hegoti
ntoreadherfaci
al
expr
ession.
Whati sshethi
nki
ng?Dil
lonwonderedwal
king
closetoheronthebed.I
twasunt i
lDi
ll
onst
ood
facinghert
hatshenoti
cedthatsomeonewas
actuall
yinther
oom wit
hher.
Onseei
ngDi
ll
on,
shef
li
nchedal
it
tl
eoutoff
ear
.
OneofDi
ll
on'
shandswasonhi
swai
standhekept
st
ari
ngather
.
Shest
ooduponherf
eeti
mmedi
atel
y.
"I
..
um..
.I
..di
dn'
tnoti
ceyou.I
'
m sor
ryf
ort
hat
"
Shawnaapologi
zed.
"
Whati
sit
?"Di
ll
onaskedher
.
Shawnabecameconfused.Shewonder
edwhyhe
wasaski
ngherthatsor
tofquest
ion.
"
Whati
sit
?"Heaskedherf
ort
hesecondt
ime.
"
No.
..not
hing"Shawnaanswer
edt
aki
nghereyest
o
t
hef
loor.
"Comehere"hecoedwantingtohugher
.That
suddenacti
onsurpri
sedShawnabutshewentint
o
hisar
msi mmediatel
ytosnif
finhi
sheavycol
ogne.
Hesmell
ssoni
ceandl
ooksdr
essedt
ogoout
.She
wonder
edwher
ehewasheadi
ngoutt
o.
*
Valent
inaandhertwi
nafterexplor
ingthemansion.
Valent
inadeci
dedtogoinquirethereasonwhy
Shawnar anawayli
keherfatherhadtoldher
.She
al
sowant edtoknowhowShawnaendedupwi t
h
Dil
lon,
howsheendedupi nthemansi on.
Coul
dsheseri
ousl
ybeworki
nghereasamaid?
Maybeso,Di
ll
onempl
oyedalotofmai
dsbecause
themansi
onisabi
gone.
Theydon'
tact
ual
lyvent
urei
ntomostpartofthe
mansion,
themansi
onhasdozenofroomst oo.
Well
..
..
Ithi
nkshei
soneoft
hemai
dsher
e,Ti
na
concl
udedinhermi
nd.
Whenshehadexpl ainedwelltoTi
neandTi nehad
understoodher.Tinehadt ol
dherthatShawna
mightbecl osetooneoft hemaidshereandhad
probablyfoll
owedt hemaidstocomewor ki
nthe
mansi on.ThethoughtthatShawnami ghtevenbe
workingtheredidn'tcr
osshermind.
Val
enti
nagotst
randedasshedoesnotknowwher
e
Shawnast
ayed.
Probablytheservantsquart
er,shet
houghtt
hen
wentt omeetamai dt her
e.Themaidinf
ormedher
thatShawnaact ual
lystaysinthemainmansi
on,
shehadt oldherhowmanyr oomstopassbefor
e
getti
ngtoherroom.
Ti
nat
hankedt
hemai
dthent
ookt
hest
air
stogo
l
ookf
orShawnai
nherr
oom.
Shecount
edasshewastol
dtocountandf
inal
ly
gott
othedooront
heri
ght.
Tinacoul
dhearvoi
cescomingoutf
rom t
heroom
andthedoorwasn'
tevenpr
operl
ycl
osed.Itwasa
bi
topen.
Shawnar
ecogni
zedt
het
wovoi
cest
hatspokeat
onceasDill
on'sandShawna's.Shethenl
ookedi
nto
theroom t
hroughtheopeni
ngont hedoort
osee
Dil
lonact
uallyhuggi
ngShawna.
Itmadeherexpr essionchangetothatofashocked
person.Sheleanedinagain,sli
ght
lypushedthe
dooropent obesur eandreall
yconfir
medthatshe
wasn'thal
lucinati
ngorhearingwrongly.
Thatmadehermindflashbacktot
hemomenton
thest
air
case.Shehadactual
lymett
hem st
andi
ng
ataverycl
oserange.
Dil
lonbei
ngthi
scl
osewi t
haladyl
ikeShawna?She
gaspedasther
eal
izat
iondawnedonher.
Aladyli
keShawnacan' tbeclosetohim wit
hout
Dil
lonprobablyliki
ngherorshemi ghtbethereas
hiss*xslave.Shehadhear drumoursthatDil
lon
mightactuall
yhaveone, bothinvol
veshaving
sexuali
ntercourse.
Shedidn'tknowwhenshescof fedthenleanedon
thedoorabi tmore,bydoi
ngsot hedooropened
for
ceful
ly.Shereali
zedhersel
fandbeforeDill
on
andShawnacoul dnot i
cehersheleftt
hedoor,
st
art
edwal
kingawayhast
il
y.
Sheprayednonofthem comesaft
erherbecause
shei
sn'tint
hemoodt oexplai
nher
selft
oanyone.
Theshockhassinkint
oherwholebody.
Andluckil
yforher,
oneofthedoor
sbythelef
t
openedreveal
ingAndrew.Andr
ewhadtol
dherhe
wascomi ngdownt opari
ssoshewasn'
tthat
surpr
isedonseeinghimther
e.
Withoutt
hinki
ngtwice,
shewenti
ntohi
sroom and
shuttheroom af
terpul
li
nghi
minaswell.
Heract
ionssur
pri
sedbutaswel
lexci
tedAndr
ew.
Buthisexcitementdi
eddownwhenhesawher
acti
nglikeshecouldn'
tcont
rolheremoti
ons.Like
she'
ssomeoneont heedgeofcryingorbr
eaking
downt otal
ly.
"Hey,whatisit
?"Andrewaskedbutwhenhedi dn'
t
getareplyfrom her
,hismindremindedhi
mt hat
theywereinDill
yandDi l
lon'
sparentmansion.The
onlypossibl
ereasonshecouldbel i
kethi
sisDi ll
on.
"
ComeonTi
na,
youst
il
lhaven'
tgot
tencompl
etel
y
overDillontil
lnow.You'llj
ustconti
nuehurti
ng
yourselfifyoucont i
nuehavingfeeli
ngsforhi
m.
Stoplovinghi m,thereareotherguysther
eforyou.
Youar er eal
lybeautif
ul,
othersguyscanactuall
ydo
anythi
ngf oryoutolooktheirsi
de."
"
..
.Andam oneoft
hem"hecooed.
Ti
nalookedupathimthenconcl
udedthatAndr
ew
wasn'
thelpi
ngbutaddi
ngmor epr
obl
emst oher.
Shemadetowalkoutfr
om ther
oom butAndr
ew
hel
dherback,
heleanedcl
osert
oher.
"I
'
llpr
oveitt
oyouinanyway,thatevenifDi
ll
on
doesn'
twantyou,
thei
rareotherguysthatwants
you"headdedbef
oreplaci
nghisli
psonher s.
.
.
.
(
Glar
es)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
"So,whatreal
lyhappened?Howdidyouendup
beingthei
rstepsist
ers?"Di
ll
onaskedashesather
down.
Shawnasniff
edinthendri
edthefr
eshtear
scoming
downf r
om hereyesasshesett
onarrat
ethingst
o
Dil
lon.
"I
...
Mymom gotmar r
iedtoherdadaftert
he
dismissofmydad.ThatwashowIendedup
becomingthei
rst
epsister
s"expl
ainedShawna.
"
Likewhendidt
hathappenexactl
y?"Di
ll
onasked
t
ryingt
oknowifi
t'
salreadyhappenedbef
orehe
metbothTi
neandTine.
"Well
..
.i
t'
sbeenl
ong,
whenIwasst
il
laki
d"Shawna
suppl
ied.
So,it
shappenedbef
oreImetthet
winsandI'
ve
neverhear
dofsuchfrom t
hem,Di
ll
onwondered.
"Theirfather.
..
.?NowthatIthi
nkofi t
, It
hinkthei
r
fathertreatedmesowel lbysell
ingmeoutt othe
sexhouse.Ineverknewhewast rynaendmy
sufferi
ngsf orme,becauseImetyou.It hinkit'
sa
greatthing"shesniff
edinagainr eal
lytr
yingtohold
backt het ear
stryi
ngtopourfrom hereyes.
Shelaughedwi
tht
earsagai
nthenmadetoclean
hert
ears.Shet
ookhert
humbt oherf
acebutDil
lon
hel
dherback.
Hebr
oughtherhanddownf
rom hereyes.
"Therearesometi
meswhenyouj ustneedt
ocry,
stoptryi
ngtoholdthem back.Youcangoahead"
Dill
onsaidtothesurpr
iseofShawna.
Shewast ryi
ngtoholdher sel
fsoshewoul dn'
tcryin
fr
ontofhim.Thoi t
'snotthefir
stbutshewoul dn'
t
wanthimt otakeherasasof tpersonthatcr
ies
everyt
ime.Shehasr eal
izedDill
onactuall
yneedsa
str
ongpersonbutoops. ..
.
..
shecoul
dn'
thi
det
hef
actt
hatshei
swhoshei
s.
Shelethert
ear
sspi
llf
rom hereyesi
mmedi
atel
y
Dil
lonsai
dthat
.
Hehel
dhercl
osei
nanembr
aceandsher
eleased
moret
ear
s.
"
Asyouhavesai d,t
hatmanactual
lydi
dagood
t
hing.Di
ll
yalsodidagoodthi
ngbyget t
ingyouout
f
rom sexhouse.Butyoudi
dthebestthi
ngbynot
l
ett
ingwhathappenedconsumeyou."
"
I'
veal
sohur
tyou.
..
..
"
Asi
lencest
eppedi
n.
"Idon'ti
ntendonapologi
zingbecausethegravi
tyof
whatIdi ddeservesmorethananapologysoIwon't
apologize.I
'l
ljustdot
heri
ghtthi
ngattheright
ti
me. .
."
"Becauseyoudon' tdeservet
hosepeoplethathave
causedyoupai ninonewayort heothertobeclose
toyou,they'
llonl
yr emindyouaboutthehurtf
ul
thi
ngsthey'vedonet oyou"hesaidthelastpar
t
sil
entl
y.
Shawnadidn'tqui
tunderst
andwhathewassaying
buthiswarm embracewasconsol
ing.She
ti
ghtenedhergri
ponhim wett
ingt
heshirthewas
putt
ingonwithhertear
s.
*
Minut
esl
ater
*
Aft
ersuccessf
ullyputt
ingShawnatobed,Dill
on
wasfi
nall
yablet ol
eaveherroom butdamn,the
t
imeisfarspent.Therewasnowayt hepersonhe
wasmeetingupwi thcouldst
il
lbewaiti
ngforhim
t
il
lnow.
Hecheckedhi
sphone,
heunl
ockedi
ttosee21
mi
ssedcal
ls.
I
'
llj
ustreschedul
e,hethoughtt
henst
artedwal
king
t
ohisroom inordert
ochangehiscl
othes.
Hegottot
hef
rontofhi
sdoort
oseet
heot
hert
win
Val
ent
ine.
Hesloweddownhispaceonseeingherl
inger
ing
ar
ound.Itmadehimrecal
ltheti
mehewashuggi ng
Shawna,someonehadactual
lybeenwat
chingthem.
"
Dil
lon"Ti
necal
led.
Dil
lonkeptst
ari
ngather
,givi
ngheragoaheadwi
th
whatevershi
tshewannasaybutmakeitqui
ck
causeI'
vegatnoti
me.
"Hi"shewaved.Forthefactt
hatDil
lonandhis
brotherDi
ll
ylookli
keonepersonwasnotf unatal
l
toher.Thei
rresemblanceisj
usttoomuch.
"Um...
Ijustcametogreetyou.Andasi
det hat,I
heardDillyhasason.Idon'
tknowifit
'strue,
you'r
e
theonlyoneIcanconf i
rmthenewswi th"sai
dTine
nervously.
"
You'
rest
ayi
ngwi
thhi
m overt
her
e.Whyaskme?I
f
youdon'tknowthenhowam Isupposedtoknow?"
Dil
lonaskedwit
hahintofsar
casmism inhi
svoice.
Wit
houtfurt
herquest
ions,
heopenedt
hedoort
hen
wal
kedintohisroom.
*
4hour
slat
er*
Di
ll
ongoti
nter
rupt
edfrom hi
sthinki
ng.He'spl
an,
hi
smuchawaitedr
evengeisjustnextweek.
Thebastardhehasbeenwait
ingfori
sgonnabe
cominginnextweekandwit
ht henewshe'shear
d
fr
om hisspies.Theol
dmanisalwaysheavil
y
guar
ded.
Oldcar
go,
you'
llbeshockedtobegr
eet
edwithyour
deat
honyourhomecomi ng,
Dill
ont
hought
.
Thisactualrevengehasbeenhol dinghim back
from alotofthings.Hehasal otofthi
ngshehasto
wor koutbutther evengeplanhasbeentheonly
thingholdi
nghi m backsincehewasl i
tt
le.
Heonlygotf
reefr
om hi
sownt
hought
swhen
Andr
ewappeared.
"
Youknowt
hatl
it
tl
eki
dreal
lybehavesl
ikeyouguys,
mostl
yyou.Thohedoesn' tent
ir
elyr
esemblance
youguysbuthe'sreal
lyhandsome.Dill
yiskept
l
ucky,heisgotsuchasmar tki
dforason"Andrew
sai
dsitt
ingfewmet er
sawayf r
om Dil
lononhisbed.
"
Kid?
"Di
ll
onwasf
orcedt
othi
nk.
Herecal
ledthattrulyDi
ll
yhadtol
dhimt hathehave
asonandhadevensentt heboy'
spict
urestohim.
Hejustdidn'
trecallt
ocheckthel
it
tl
eguyout .
"Yupkid.Iwasr eal
lyshockedt owit
nessthedrama
Iwit
nessedont hedayDi l
lygothi
m awayf rom his
oppressi
ngmom.Thatl adyisawildbit
*h.You
won'tbeli
eveDillyactuall
yhadherlockedupaf ter
sherevealedalotofliesabouthim andthe
company.Hegotr eal
lyangrythen,helockedherup
butnotforlong.Iguessbecauseshe' shisson'
s
mother"Andrewexpl ainedfurt
her.
"
Whoi
sshe?Howdi
dtheymeet
?"Di
ll
onasked.
"Wel
l,It
hinki
t'
sbett
erDill
yhimsel
fexpl
aint
hingst
o
you,
I'
m surethatgi
rl
..
.what'
shernameagai
n?"
"
Shaw.
.Shawnari
ght
?"Andr
ewaskedt
ryi
ngt
o
r
ememberhername.
Dil
longl
aredhar
dathi
m ashet
ri
edt
orecal
l
Shawna'
sname.
"
Ithi
nkshe'
sbet
ter
..
."
"Don'
tcompareherwit
hanylady,Andr
ew.Don't
!"
Dil
loncutAndr
ewupshar pl
ymakingAndrew
swall
owdownhi sremai
ningwordsdownhisthr
oat.
"I
t'sconfi
rmedt hen.Youhavef eelingsf orthat
Shawnagi rlr
ight?Iwasj usttr
yingt ofindout .
ThankgoodnessIf oundoutont i
met oavoi dmor e
glari
ngf r
om you,I'
llal
soinform allthesecur i
ti
es
youhavenott ospeaktoherorgetcl oset oher,I
'
ll
i
nf orm Di
ll
yrightawayt oo.Inf
actI'm post i
ngthis
ont heint
ernet"Andrewsai dquicklybringingouthis
phone.
Di
ll
on'
sgl
aresonhi
m onl
ygotmor
eint
ense.
TBC.
Sol
dToAGangLeader

.
Season2

Sequence43-
45

©Bl
essi
ng.
.

(
Red)

Wr
it
er'
sPOV

*
Mexi
co*
Dillyopenedthedoorofhi
scarandhelditsothat
BryanandSuzancoul dgetit
,theygoti
ntothecar
thenhecl osedthedoor
.Heturnedthengotint
othe
driver'
sside.

Hedoesn'
twantadri
verdr
ivi
ngt
hem,
hewant
edi
t
t
ojustbeonl
ythethr
eeofthem.

Hestartedthevehicl
eanddroveallt
hewayt oa
veryexpensiverest
aurant
.Hecouldoccasi
onal
ly
star
ethrought hemirr
ortoseeSuzanandBryanat
thebacksitchatti
ng.

Eachti
mehedoest hatandseesthem chat
ti
ng
seri
ousl
ywit
houtevenrecal
li
ngthathewasal soi
n
thesamecarwit
hthem, i
tmadehim smile.

Forsomeoneli
keBr
yantoreal
lyl
ikeSuzanis
somethi
ng.Hecoul
drememberthathedidn'
tqui
t
l
ikeNaomiatthebegi
nni
ngbutever
ythi
ngt
urned
coolaf
tersomet
imes.

Aft
erdri
vingf
orwhatseemsli
keanhour
,hepul
led
upinsi
detherest
aur
antgar
age.

Hethencamedown,befor
ehecouldevenmakean
ef
fortt
oopenthedoorf
orBryanandSuzan,
they
al
readygotoutt
hemsel
ves.

"Woah!Thisrestaur
antissobig!Il
oveithere"
Bryansaidsmili
ngatSuzanwhohel dhe'stinyhand
verywell
.Shehel dhimli
kesomeonewhoi safr
aid
thathecoulddisappearfr
om hersi
deifcareisnot
taken.

"
I'
m gl
adyoulovei
ther
eBr
yan,
comeon,
let
'sgoi
n"
Di
ll
ybeckoned.
Br
yangaveDi
ll
yhi
shandtoholdandheheldit
.
Br
yanl
ookedupatSuzanandsmil
edatheragai
n.

Suzandidn'
treal
lyunder
standthereasonbehind
thesmi
leuntilt
heywalkedinsi
dethef ancy
rest
aur
ant.I
tlookedsocoolandrichlyorgani
zed.

Awai
tr
essr
ant
othem i
mmedi
atel
y.

"Goodmorni
ngsir
.Goodmor ningma'
am.Hither
e
cuti
e"t
hewait
ressgreet
edwi t
hahugesmil
eonher
faceassher
ecognizedDil
ly.

"Please,al
lowmet otakeyouoneoftheVI
Psecton,
i
t'sdesignedespecial
lyforf
amil
ysuchasyour
s,
sir
"shesai dsof
tl
y.

Onhearingthat
,Suzantookhereyest
othef
loor
si
lent
lyprayi
ngshe'snotal
lred.
Geez!Howcoul
dshemi
stakemet
obehi
swi
fe?
Shewonder
ed.

"
Thanksfort
heof f
er,
butIal
readyr
eser
vedat
abl
e"
Di
ll
ytol
dherfrankl
y.

"
Oksi
r"t
hewai
tr
esssmi
ledagai
nbef
orel
eavi
ng.

Anot
herwaiterwhoknewaboutDi
ll
y'
scomi
ngand
hasbeenexpecti
ngthem r
ant
othem i
mmedi
atel
y.

"
Sir
,thi
swaypl ease"t
hewaitersai
dthentookthem
t
oanotherVIProom ther
ethatDill
yhadreser
ved
t
hepreviousday.

Itwaswhentheysatdownt hatBr
yanlookedat
Suzantonot
iceherredface.Hedidn'
tquit
underst
andwhyherfaceisredsohedecidedtoask
outofconcer
n.

"Suzi
e,yourf
acei
sred.Whyisthat
?"Br
yanasked
point
ingtoherbl
ushedcheeks.

Suzanopenedhermoutht
otalkbutendedup
recal
li
ngt
hewaitr
essagai
n,sheblushedevenmor
e
whichmadeherfeel
soembarrassed.

"I
..
.um. .
.I
..
"sheglancedatDi
ll
yinhopehei
sn'
t
l
isteningtothem butwassur
prisedt
oseeasmir
k
onhi sface.

Ohgoodness!Shement
all
ysl
appedher
sel
f.

Howst
upi
d?Howst
upi
d?Shescol
dedher
sel
f.

"
LetherbeBr
yan.I
t'
scanhappen"Di
ll
yanswer
ed
thequesti
onforher.Itdidn'
tpassSuzan'
snotice
thatwhenhesaidthat ,
he'ssmirkgr
ewwi derandit
wasasi fhewasenj oyi
ngwhatwashappeni ngto
her.

Shethankedthel
ordwhent hedoortot
heVIProom
openedandawaitressaccompaniedbyanot
her
pushedinthei
rst
arter
.

*
*Par
is*
*

"So,
howdidyouendupher
e?"Val
ent
inaasked
Shawna.

Theyhadbumpedint
oeachotheronthehal
lway,
val
ent
inat
ooktheoppor
tuni
tytoaskher.

"Whatdi
dyourfat
hersaytoyouwhenyouasked
aboutmywhereabout
s?"Shawnar
epli
edherwit
h
anot
herquest
ion.

Shawna'
sat
ti
tudesur
pri
sedTi
naabi
tbutshedi
dn'
t
showit
.

"
Hesaidyouranoutfr
om t
hehouseandnever
r
etur
ned.Iwannaknowwhy"Ti
naanswered.

"Si
ncehealr
eadysai
dthat
,willyoubel
ievemei
fI
saythathel
ied?
"Shawnaasked.

Valent
inapausedforaf
ewsecondsbef
oret
urni
ng
ful
lytofaceShawna.

"
I'
mli
steni
ng"shesai
d.

Shawnaalsopausedf
oraf
ewsecondsbef
ore
answer
ingher.
"
Yourfat
her
,hesoldmetoasexhouseaft
erl
osi
ng
ahugeamountofbet
.Hedeci
dedtorepl
acet
he
moneybysel
li
ngme"Shawnaanswered.

"
What
??"Ti
naf
oundher
sel
fshr
ieki
ng.

"
Fat
herdi
dthat
??"Sheasked.

"Yes.Yourfatherdidthat.Whyar eyousur pri

sed?
Hecouldsendyouguysof ftocol l
egebutwon' t
all
owmest epoutfrom thehouse.Hecoul dbeat
measi fI'
m notahumaneacht i
meheget sdrunkor
l
ossesabet .Myonlymeal becameNoddl es,scars
onmybody.Whyar eyousur pr
ised?"Shawna
askedherhear trai
sing.Shef el
tsopai nedrecal
li
ng
thepast.

Tinadi
dn'
trepl
y.Shet
ookhereyest
othef
loori
n
shame.
"
I'
m sor
ry"sheapol
ogi
zed.

"I
fyournextquesti
onisperhapshowIendedup
here.Isupposeyoushouldknowbynowt hatgi
rl
s
soldintothehousedon'
tremaint
here.Theyget
soldout,t
hatishowIendedupher e.
"

"Butdoyouknowt hatI
'
m gl
adhesoldmeout ?I'
m
sohappy,whenyougoback.Don'
tforgett
ot hank
himformebecauseselli
ngmeoutwasact ually
changi
ngmyl i
fe.Hechangedmyli
febygivingmea
newhome."

"
Yes,Ir
esent
edhim whenhedi
dthatbut
..
..
I'
ve
f
orgi
venhim.Tel
lthatt
ohi
m."

"Youshouldn'tf
eelsorr
yyour sel
f,youdidn'
tdo
anythi
ngwr ong.I'
m happytoseet hatyou'r
edoi
ng
quitwel
l,
youandyoursi st
er.Sendmyr egardsto
yourel
derbrot
hert
oo"Shawnaconcl
udedt
hen
stoodupfr
om whereshesatandl
eft
.

Shewal
kedout
sidet
oexhal
edeepl
y.

Thatwastough, especi
all
yact
ingthatway.She
cal
medher sel
fdownbef oregoingtolookf
orei
ther
ma'am orBeat
rice.

NaomiwhohadalwaysbeeninSam'sr
oom wal
ked
outt
ogotakeashowerinherroom.

Shewalkedst
eadi
lyt
hroughthecor
ri
dor,sher
an
i
ntoAndrewwhowasj ustcomi
ngoutfr
om Dil
lon'
s
room.Hehadafunnylookon.
Naomi
'
seyeswi
denedandsher
anandhuggedhi
m.

"
Hey,
babygi
rl
.How'
reyoudoi
ng?
"Andr
ewasked.

"
I'
m doi
nggood.You'
rehere?Whendi
dyouar
ri
ve?I
wantustogooutt
ogether
"Naomisai
d.

"
Veryear
lyt
hismor
ning.Maybet
omor
row"r
epl
ied
Andr
ew.

Naominoddedherheadf
reei
nghi
mfr
om herhol
d.

"You'
rejustcomingoutf
rom mybr
other
'sr
oom.I
s
hein?"Naomiinquir
ed.

"
Um.
..
yeah,
hei
s"Andr
ewdr
ewhi
srepl
ies.

Naomihear
dfoot
stepsbehi
ndher
,theysounded
di
stantt
ho.

Shetur
nedtoseesomeonethatlookedl
ikeSam at
thef
arendofthecor
ri
dorwalki
ngaway.

Wr
it
er'
sPOV

*
Mexi
co*

Fewminut
esint
otheircour
semeal.Awai
tr
ess
wal
kedint
otheVIProom ofDi
ll
y.

"Si
r,woul
dyouall
owmetotakeyoursonf
orafew
seconds?ForaVI
Pper
sonnell
ikeyour
sel
fsi
r,we
aregi
vingoutfreegi
fts,
butinst
eadofhandingyou
whatwepr epar
edforpeopleli
keyou.We'
llhand
overt
hegifttoyourson,si
r.Whatdoyouthink?
"
Thewaitr
essspokepol i
tel
y.

Di
ll
ylookedatBryanwhowasalsost
ari
ngatt
he
wai
tress.Hehasanexci
tedl
ookon.

"
Whatgif
tist
hat
?At
oymachi
ne?
"Br
yanaskedt
he
wai
tr
ess.

Thewai
tr
esssmi
ledathi
m.

"
It
'sasur
pri
se"sheanswer
ed.

'
YouwannagoBr
yan?
"Di
ll
yasked.

"
Yes,
itwon'
thur
t.I
t'
sagi
ft
,Idon'
tusual
lyr
ecei
ve
gi
ft
s"Br
yansaidtr
yingtogetdownf
rom hi
ssi
tbut
i
twasdif
fi
cul
tforhim get
ti
ngdown.

Dil
lypul
ledBryan'
ssi
tcl
osert
ohi
ssi
de,
then
hel
pedhim down.

"Al
ri
ght,
goonbutdon'
twaisttimeoryourmealwil
l
getcol
d.Youknowyoudon'tl
ikecol
dmeals"Dil
ly
sai
dtohim.

"
YeahI'
ll
"Br
yanr
epl
iedbackwal
kingt
owar
dst
he
wai
tr
ess.

"
Bri
nghi
m back"Di
ll
ysai
dtot
hewai
tr
ess.

"Ofcoursesi
r"t
hewait
resssmil
edandtri
edhol
ding
Bryan'
shandbutBryanfol
dedhishandst
oget
her.
"
I'
m sorry,
let
'sj
ustgo.Don'
tli
kestr
anger
s
t
ouching"hesai
dthenstart
edwalki
ngoutfr
om t
he
r
oom.

Thewaitr
esschuckl
edsupr
isedatBr
yan'
sact
.She
fol
lowedhim out
.

Shewalkedbehi
ndhim asshekeptdi
rect
inghi
mto
theel
evatort
heywer
eheadingto.

Justwhent heywhereaboutgett
ingint
othe
el
evatorthatwil
ltaket
hem up.Rita,
Bryan'
smother
appearedfrom nowher
eandgr abbedholdofBr
yan.

Br
yanwasstar
tledatfi
rst
,hepull
edawayf
rom
Ri
ta'
sgr
ips,
beforetur
ningtoseeher
.

"
Whoareyouma'am?Pl
easedon'
ttouchhim"t
he
wai
tr
esssai
dtoRit
abl
ocki
ngherfr
om reachi
ng
Br
yan.

"
I'
m hi
smot
her"Rit
ahi
ssedt
henhi
therheadwi
th
t
hebagwi
thher.

Shehitheragainandagain,
thewai
tr
esstr
ied
ret
urningthebeat
ingbutRit
awasfast
erand
smarter.

Sheki
ckedherdownthenpull
edherintothe
el
evat
or.Shecl
osedt
heelevatorandtheelevat
or
st
art
edtakingt
hewai
tressaway.

Sheturnedbackt
oBryanwhowasr
eal
lyscar
ed.He
hasalwaysbeenscar
edofher
.

"Pl
easemom...
I'
m sor
ry,
pleasedon'thur
tme"
Bryanpl
eadedmovingawayfrom her.
"Youaresuchanungr atefulchi
ld.Ar
en'tyou
supposedt obegratef
ulthatIdidn'
tabortyouwhen
youwerest il
linmydamnedwomb.Butbecause
yourmetDi l
lyyounowf orgotaboutme, huh!
?Huh!
"
SheshriekedatBryan.

"I
'm sorr
y"Bryancoul
donl yapol
ogi
ze.Hedoesn't
real
lyunderstandal
lthewordsshespil
ledf
rom her
mout h.Shewenttohim andtri
edcar
ryi
nghim but
heresisted.

"No,l
eaveme.Idon'
twannal
ivewi
thyouanymore.
Idon'
twannagowi t
hyou"Br
yancr
iedoutbutRi
ta
waswayt oost
rongert
hanhi
m.

"Shutup!Youaremyson!I'm yourmother
,you
shouldbewi t
hme.Youf u*
kedupal lmyplansyou
damnki d.Yourf
atheri
sworthlesst
oo"Rit
ahushed.

"
Dad!Suzan,
pleasehel
pme!
!"Br
yanonl
yscr
eamed
t
hemor
eashest
ruggl
edwi
thheri
nherar
ms.

Shewant edtoleavethefl
oorsoDil
lywon'
tfi
ndher
there.Shehascomeupwi t
hanotherpl
anandin
orderforthepl
ant oworkout,
Bryanmustbewith
her.

"Hel
pmeDad! !She'
staki
ngmeaway!
"Br
yan
cont
inuedcr
yingout.

Insi
detheVI
Proom,Suzanwast
hef
ir
stt
oheara
kidvoi
cescr
eamingf
orhelp.

Shel
ookedatDi
ll
y.

"
Ihearaki
dvoi
ceout
side"Suzansai
d.

I
mmedi
atel
y,t
het
houghtt
hatBr
yanmi
ghtbei
n
t
roubl
efl
ashedi
ntoDi
ll
y'
shead.

Heimmediat
elyst
oodupandr
ushedoutf
oll
owed
bySuzan.

Theybothrushedouttothecor
ri
dor
,theyconti
nued
hear
ingBryan'
svoice.Theyst
art
edtr
acingthe
voi
ce,t
heytracedi
ttoar oom.

Whentheygoti
ntother
oom,securi
ti
esalready
f
il
ledt
heroom.Rit
awassti
llhol
dingBryan.

Di
ll
ysawRi
tahol
dingBr
yanwi
thdeadl
ygl
ares.

"Youbit
*h!Whatdoyouwantagai
n?"Di
ll
ygr
oaned
gett
ingsoangry.

'
Sir
,isheyourson?Wet
hinkt
hatl
adyi
spossessed"
thesecur
it
iesl
eaderwhowaspoi
nti
ngagunatRi
ta
said.

"
Putyourgunsdown, I
'l
lki
llhermyself
"Di
ll
yrepl
ied
t
hroughgri
tt
edteeth.Hewal kedpasst
hem t
o
whereRi
tastood.

HetookBr yanawayfrom hert

henhandedBryanto
Suzanwhowasr i
ghtbehi
ndhim.He'shandfound
Rit
a'sneck,theur
getoendherlif
ewast oomuch
andthatwaswhathewant edt
odowithoutt
hinki
ng
twi
ceabouti t.

Hest
art
edchoki
ngl
if
eoutofher
.

"Si
r,st
op!We'
vecal
ledt
hepoliceal
ready,
lett
he
pol
icehandl
eher"t
hesecur
it
ieskeptsayi
ng.

Suzanhi
deBr
yan'
sfaceonherchestsot
hatBr
yan
won'
twat
chwhatDi
ll
ywasdoi
ngt
oRi
ta.

Dil
lywasn'thear
ingatal
l,
he'
shol
donherneckonl
y
t
ightened.

"I
'
mfedupwithyou,
wit
hyourat
ti
tudet
owar
dsyour
ownson"Di
ll
yhi
ssedoutt
oRit
a.

"
You.
..
bastard.
..
how.
..
..
"Ri
ta'
swor
dschokedasshe
t
ri
edspeaking.

"
Stop!
"Suzansai
dfr
om behi
nd.

"You'
l
lkil
lher
.Stop!"Suzant
ouchedDil
ly'
sshoulder
andtri
edpull
inghim awayfr
om Suzanbuthedidn't
l
etbulge.

"
Iwanthert
odi
e.That
'swhatam t
ryi
ngt
odo"Di
ll
y
hushed.

"Thecopsarear
oundsi r
.Leavehernow"t
he
secur
it
iessai
dfrom behi
nd.

"Dad.
..
.pl
easest
op,don'
thur
ther"Bryanwhowas
ablet
ostealagl
anceatthem sai
d.

"Di
ll
yyouhavetostop!
!"Suzanyel
ledathi
m wi
thal
l
hermightandf
orthefi
rstti
mecall
edhim byhi
s
name.

BynowRi ta'
seyeswer
eclosi
ngandshewasn'
t
real
lyst
ruggli
ngmuch,l
if
ewasleavi
ngher
.

Di
ll
yfi
nal
lyl
etgoofRit
aimmediat
elyaf
terBr
yan'
s
pl
eadi
ngandSuzan'
sscreami
ngint
ohishead.
"I
'
m sorry.I
..
I.j
ustlostcontrolofmysel
ffew
secondsago"Dill
yapologizedt obot
hBryanand
Suzan.Theywer ebothcryingbynow.

Rit
acoughedseri
ouslyonthef
loort
ryi
ngtocat
ch
herbreat
h.Thepol
icecameint
otheroom andwent
topickherupatt
hesecuri
ti
esdir
ect
ion.

Di
ll
ycar
ri
edBr
yanf
rom Suzanaf
tercal
mingdowna
bi
t.

Heapol
ogi
zedagai
n.

"
I'
m sor
ry"
.

*
Par
is*

"
Val
ent
inel
et'
sgohome,
it'
sofnouse.Di
dn'
tyou
l
istent
omeatal l
?Dadactual
lysol
dShawnalikea
proper
ty?Iwantt
oconfr
onthim.Stayi
ngher
ewon't
helpusatall
,wehavet
ogo"Tinasaid.

"
No!Howcanyoubeli
evet
hatbi
tchoveryourown
f
atherTi
na?
"Val
ent
inescr
eamedatTina.

"Iwantt oconfi
rmit.Let
'sgohomenow.Even
Dill
ion'sdoesn'
twantme.Wear en'
tneededher
e"
Tinar epl
iedhersi
s.

"Whataboutthepl
ans?Wepl annedt
hatwewer e
goingtogetyoubacktoDil
lon.Heal
ready
promisednottol
eaveyou.I
t'sanunbreakabl
e
promise,l
et'
sdoit
"Tinei
nsisted.

"Idon'twanttodoitanymor e.Dil
londoesn'tl
ove
me, hedoesn'tevenli
kemeatal l
.Theunbreakabl
e
promisecan'tholdhim ei
therbecausewhatyou
don'tknowist hepromisealreadygotbrokenthe
momentIendedt hi
ngswi thhi
m.Thatdayatt he
cl
ub,thedayIl
efthim atthecl
ub,thatwasthetime
ever
ythi
ngreal
lyended.Itwon'tworkonhim Tine,
l
et'
sjustgo"Ti
naexplained.

"
Well
,youcango.I'
l
lcomelater
,Ist
il
lneedt
osee
t
hatbi
tch"Ti
nerepl
iedf
oldi
ngherarms.

BeforeTi
nacouldutteranyotherword,
Tinel
eftt
he
room andi
tjusthappenedthatAndrewwas
standi
ngoutsi
dethedoor .

Hegoti
nthencl
osedt
hedoori
mmedi
atel
yTi
nel
eft
.

"You'
releaving?"Andrewaskedignor
ingallt
he
otherconfusingpartheheardt
hem talkabout.

Ti
nar
uff
ledherhai
randt
hensatdown.
"
Yes"sher
epl
ied.

"Thatmeansyourgivi
nguponDi
ll
onr
ight
?"Andr
ew
askedsi
tti
ngbesideher.

"LookAndrew.I'
m soconfusedr
ightnow,
please
don'tst
art
"Tinaresponded.

"YoucanleanonmeTina.I
'
llal
waysbeher eforyou
nomat t
erwhat,
asf
ri
endsorasl over
s"Andrew
coed.

Ti
nasi
ghedt
henpl
acedherheadonhi
sshoul
der
.

"
She'
sst
ubbor
n"Ti
namut
ter
ed.

Andr
ewchuckl
ed,
hishandgoi
ngoverherneck.
"
Shehasal
waysbeen"Andr
ewmumbl
edi
nrepl
y.

Naomiwalkedinsi
deSam'sroom af
terbat
hingt
o
seehi
m putti
ngonhiscl
othes.

"Thereissomet hi
ngfi
shygoi ngoni nthi
smansi on
l
ately.AndIthinkit
'st
hoseevi lsbit
*hes,whil
e
headinghere.Iheardthem screamingateachot her
,
i
tcoul dbesomuchni ceandf unifthey'
reboth
away.Idon'tli
kethem"Naomisai d.

Sam f
ini
shedbutt
oni
nguphisl
astbut
tont
hen
pi
ckeduphisphonefr
om t
hebed.

"Wher
eareyougoi
ng?
"Sheaskedherhandsat
aki
mbo.
"
I'
m goingt
otheunder
groundhouse.Ouroper
ati
on
i
snextweek,Ineedal
otoftr
aini
ng"Sam r
epli
ed
wal
kingpassher.

Naomihel
dhi
m back.

"Why?Sosuddenly?Ithoughtweweregoingto
spendti
metogetherti
llIgoback"Naomiasked.

"
Ineedtot
rai
nNaomi
.It
'sver
yimpor
tant
"sam
r
epli
ed.

"ButbeforeIlef
ttobath,
youdi
dn'tshowsighsof
goingsomewher e.Whysuddenl
y?Why. .
..
."shewas
sti
llaskingwhensherememberedseeingsomeone
thatlookedli
kehimleavi
ngwhenshewaswi th
Andr ew.

"
Oh!Iknowwhy.Youwantt
orunawayf
rom me
ri
ght?Doyouevenremembert
hatI'
l
lbeturni
ng18
soon,youwantt
oleave?Ar
en'
tyousupposedtobe
wit
hme? "Shefr
owned.

Sam exhal
ed.

"You'r
eahardnuttocrack,Naomi.Don'
tfor
ceme.I
dor ememberyourbir
thdayok?"Sam r
epli
edthen
tri
edleavi
ngagain.

"Andrew,hedoesn'tli
keme.Hej ustt
akesmeasa
kidsister
,Sam,butthatdoesn' tmakemest op
crushingonhim.I'
m sorryifthathurtsyou.I.
.Ij
ust
seeyouasabestf riend,nothingmoret hanthat
"
saidNaomi .

Sam si
ghedagai
nonhear
ingt
hat
.

"
Iknow,
youdon'
thavet
oexpl
ain"hemout
hedt
hen
l
eft
.

*
*Fewhour
slat
er*
*

Valenti
net r
acedShawnatoherroom.Sheknocked
aggressivel
yonherdoor.Angerf
il
ledherwhol
e
system.

Firstshedoesn'tbeli
eveherfat
hersoldher.She
feelsthatShawnagotherwayi ntothemansi on
throughbeingbit*hy.Secondshe'
sangrythatTina
i
sgi vingupwithouttryi
ng.

Howam Isupposedt ogetthroughtoDil

lyi
fthi
s
planfail
s?Shethoughtangr
il
yasshebangedon
Shawna'sdoorforget
ti
ngthat,shewasn'
tinher
father
'shouse.

ThedooropenedandShawnaappear
ed.Shehas
j
ustgot
tenbackinsidet
oweeandt hengoback
downst
air
stocontinueherchatwi
thfewoft
he
maidswhoaren'
taggressi
vetoher
.

Shawnawasstil
lint
hetoi
letwhenshehear
dloud
bangsonthedoorsheshehurr
iedoutt
oopenthe
door.ShesawTi
nethenfr
owned.

"Thi
sisn'
tyourfat
her
'shouseVal
enti
na.Youhave
norightt
ohitonthedoort
hatway"Shawnasaidt
o
her

Val
ent
inepushedthedoorthengoti
nfull
y.She
st
oodatthecent
eroftheroom i
nrage.

"Iseethatyou'
ver
eall
ygrownwings.You'
vel
ear
nt
howt ouseyourpussywell
,huh!
?"

"
Butl
etmet
ellyou.Ti
nawasl
it
eral
lyDi
ll
on'
sfi
rst
l
ove.TinaopenedupDi ll
on'scoldheartandasyou
haveheard,f
ir
stloveneverdi es.EventhoDil
longot
usedtoyourpussy,itdoesn'tmeant hathe'
l
lkeep
enj
oyingitf
orever.
"

"
Heisonlyatt
ract
edtoyourwi
ldpussy.Gett
hat
i
ntoyourdamnedskul
l"Ti
nesnappedather.

"
Areyoudone?"Shawnaaskedholdingbackthe
t
earst
hatwereabouttospi
llf
rom hereyes.

Val
enti
negotshockedbyShawna'
ssi
mplerepl
y.
Sheexpect
edherwordstoi
nfur
iat
eher
,shewanted
Shawnatotryat
tacki
ngher
.

"
Areyoudone?
"Shawnaaskedagai
n.

"
You..
..
!Bi
tch,howdar
eyou?
"Ti
necussedt
hen
wal
kedtoclosert
oher
.
"Hasheeverconf essedhisundyi
ngl
oveforyou?
Don'tgetaheadofyourselfsoyouwon'
tendupli
ke
yourdeadpar ent
s.They..
..
"

"Out
!Now!!Andneverr
etur
n"Ti
nagoti
nter
rupt
ed
byaharshvoiceatt
hedoor.

SheturnedtoseeDi
ll
onandhewasl
ooki
ngmor
e
thanangry.

Sheclampedhermout
hshut
,gl
aredatShawna
agai
nbeforest
ormi
ngout
.

Di
ll
onwal
kedupt
oShawna.Het
ookherhands.

"Youcouldhavej
ustsl
appedher.Don'
tletpeopl
e
temperoveryouagai
n,she'
syouragemat e.You
couldhavedonesomethi
ngtomakeshuther
suckermout
h"Di
ll
onsai
d.

Shawnadi
dn'tr
epl
yhim.I
twasasi
fshewas
thi
nki
ngaboutTi
ne'
swords.

Slowl
y,shepul
ledherhandsawayfrom Di
ll
on'
s
thenwentandsatdownont hebed.

Dil
lonwhowasabitconfusedbyherr
eact
ion
decidedt
ost
il
lcal
m herdown.

Hewentandsatdownbesi
deheront
hebed.

"
Whati
sit
?"Di
ll
onasked.

Shawnadidn'
trepl
y.Shekeptst
ari
ngatt
hef
looras
tear
sfi
ll
edhertearduct
.
"Shaw?Whatisi
t?"Di
ll
onaskedagai
ntr
yingt
o
soundascoolaspossi
ble.

Hetookhi
shandtoherf
aceandthenr
aisedher
chi
nupabit,
int
hatway,t
hei
reyesmet.

"Doyou.
..
.Doyouhavefeel
ingsf
orme?Iwanna
knowcauseIreal
lyl
oveyou"Shawnafi
nall
ybl
urt
ed
outt
hequesti
onshewast r
yingtoswal
lowdown
hert
hroat
.

TBC.
.
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence46-
47
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
.
(
Dil
lon)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Sil
encetookoverforal ongperi
odoft i
meast he
questi
onsinkint
oDi ll
on'shead.Heneverexpect ed
suchquestionfr
om Shawna.Hel l
!Henevereven
expectedhertorevealthatsheloveshi
m.Asf aras
he'sconcer
nedrightnow, Shawnashoul dn'
tlove
him.
Hedi
dn'
tevenwantt
oheari
t.Atl
eastnotnow.
Hekeptst
ari
ngatherbl
ankl
y,hi
seyesbecomi
ng
col
d.
Shawnasawt
hisandst
art
edr
egr
ett
ingheract
ions.
"Iam sorr
yforaski
ngyou.Youdon'
thaveto
answer"Shawnaquickl
yapologi
zedt
akingherf
ace
awayf r
om him.
Ithi
nkI'
ver
eall
ycrossedmyboundaries.Whydidn'
t
youkeepholdi
ngthequest
ionf
rom spil
li
ngfrom
youmouth,Shawna?Shawnascol
dedher sel
f.
"
Shawna"Di
ll
oncal
l
edaf
teral
ongwhi
le.
"I
'
m sorr
y"shemumbl edagainaf
rai
dtolookathi
m.
Sheisscar
edthatwit
ht hatl
ookonhisf
ace,he
mightr
etur
ntobeinghar donher
.
"
Lookatme"Di
ll
ondemanded.Shel
ookedathi
m.
"I
'
m notmadatyou.I'mj
ustt
akenbysur
pri
seat
yourquest
ionand.
..
..
"
"Ther
eyouarechi l
d,theirar
esomeofyourboys
outsi
dethebuil
ding,Idon'tknowwhattheywant"
ma'am Sandr
abur stedintotheopenr
oom toreveal
.
"
Boys?
"Di
ll
onaskedst
andi
ngup.
"Yes,
theyareheret
oseeyouasI
'
vehear
d"ma'
am
Sandrarepl
ied.
"Ok,thanks"Di
ll
onsaidt
hensparedShawnaa
glancebeforewalki
ngoutf
rom herr
oom.
Shawnaexhal
ed,
butsadandr
eli
ved.
*
**
Dayspassed.
Af
terDi
ll
onl
eftShawna'
sroom,
Shawnadi
dn'
tget
seehim agai
nt hatdayandthefol
lowi
ngday.She
hadgonei nsearchofhim buthewasn'
tal
ways
around.
Shawnabecamewor r
iedbutal
waysbecame
rel
ievedbecausesheknowsDill
oncan'
tjustget
i
ntot r
oubleandremai
nt her
e.Heal
waysf i
ndshis
wayout .
ButwhatishedoingthatIcan'
tevenseehi
m even
foraf
ewmi nutes?Shawnawonder edast
hethi
rd
daypassed.Thefour
thdaypassedandbeforeyou
knowit
,theweekisgone.
*
Shawna'
seyesopenedwhenshefeltsomeone'
s
eyesonher
s.Shestar
edwi t
hherhalfcl
osedsl
eepy
eyeatt
hemalefi
gurestar
ingdownatheronthe
bed.
Sher
ubbedhereyest
henf
inal
lysatupt
osee.
..
.
..
.t
oseeDil
lon,
sit
edbesi
deherbedandpat
ient
ly
wait
ingf
orhert
owakeup.
"
Dil
lon?
?"Shawnawasf
orcedt
ocal
landi
twast
he
f
ir
stt
imecal
li
nghi
m byhi
sname.
"Imean.
..
I'
m sor
ry"shei
mmediatel
yapol
ogi
zednot
surehel
ikeswhatshecall
edhi
m.
"Hipr
incess.You'r
efinal
lyawake"Di
ll
onshocked
herwithhisrespondsashestooduponhisfeet.
Hereyeswi
denedasshest
aredupathi
m.
".
..
.Andi
tsokay,youcancallmebymyname"he
addedpull
ingt
hechairback.
Shawna'
seyesr
emai
nedwi
dei
nshock.
Whati
swi t
ht hi
snewsuddenDil
lon?Didhejustcal
l
meaprincess?Shawnathought
,hercheeks
r
eddeni
ng.
"Comeon,getup.I
'
vebeenwai
ti
ngforyou"Di
ll
on
cooedpul
li
ngShawnaupf r
om t
hebed.
"I
'
m gonnabespendi ngthewhol
eoft
odaywi t
hyou,
sober eadyforme"Dil
lonsai
dashecont
inued
pull
inghertothebat
hroom si
de.
Shawnakeptfol
lowi
nghi
m,shedoesn'
tunder
stand
howDil
lonchanges.
Fordaysshehasn'
tbeenseei
nghi
m,nowher
ehei
s,
tr
yingtoactal
ldi
ff
erent
.
Theygoti
ntot
hebat
hroom t
here,
Dill
ontookouther
past
eandtoot
hbr
ush,hehandeditovert
oher.
"
Brush,
bequi
ck"hesai
d.
Shawnacoul
donl
ynodded.Shestar
tedbr
ushi
ng
andfewminut
esl
atershewasdone.
Shetur
nedtolookt
oaskaquest
ionbuthedi
dn'
tlet
herwordscomeout.
Hecoll
ect
edthebrushf
rom her
,hekepti
tthen
st
art
edtaki
ngoffherni
ghtgown.
Shawnafl
inchedabi
t,f
orget
ti
ngthathewas
act
ual
lyDil
lonwhohadseenhernakedalr
eady.She
movedbackabi t
.
Di
ll
onsni
cker
ed.
"
Itol
dyout
ogetr
eadyf
orme,
didn'
tI?
"Heasked.
"
Takeof
fyourcl
othes,
haveyourbat
h"hesai
d.
Shawnanoddedatt
helastmi
nut
e.Shestar
ted
doi
ngastol
dandbefor
eyouknowit,shewas
st
andi
ngst
arkednakedbef
orehi
m.
"Theshower,youshouldknowt henextt
hingtodo
ri
ght?OrshouldIhel
pyou? "Dil
lonaskedas
Shawnast ar
edathim asifexpecti
nghimtotellher
howt oshower.
Suddenexci t
ementf
il
ledShawna'
ssystem.She
didn'tevenknowwhenshenoddedwithherl
ips
folded.
"
Alr
ightt
hen"Di
ll
onsai
dwal
kingpassher
.
"Youarebathi
ngwit
htheshower "hetur
nediton
thenpull
edhertost
andbeneaththeshower.Water
drenchedShawna'
sbody,wateralsogoti
nto
Shawna'seyes.
Sheshookherheadt r
yingtowipehereyeswit
hher
pal
mi nordertoseewell.Di
ll
ononnoti
cingwhat
happened,t
ookhisthumbst oherf
ace,hethen
pal
medherf aceforher.
Heremovedhishand,sheopenedhereyesand
bot
hofthei
reyeslocked.
Shawnast
art
edf
eel
ingheati
nbet
weenherl
egs.
Shehascomet oknowthemeaningofthatheatshe
oft
enfeel
sf orhim.I
tmeantthatshewasgetti
ng
tur
nedon,itmeantthatshewantedhi
shandson
her.
Shawnaunconsci
ousl
ytookherhandt
ohis,she
pull
edhi
m cl
osertohermaki
ngthewaterf
rom t
he
showeral
sowethim.
"
Shawna,whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Thequest
ionspi
ll
ed
f
rom Di
ll
on'
sli
ps.
Shawnajustkeptstari
ngathi
m asshetookhi
s
handst
ohi sshoulderandl
efti
tther
e.Di
ll
on
i
mmediatelygothermessage.
"
No, Idi
dn'tpl
anf ori
tsoearly,
Ipl
annedf
ort
his
l
atertoni
ght"Dil
lonrefused.
"
Wecanal waysdoi
tmanytimes"wordscameout
f
rom Shawna'
sli
psbef
oreshecouldcont
rolher
sel
f.
Di
ll
onsawthedesi
reinhereyes,
shewasonf
or
hi
m.Thatmadehim happy.
"Ok,
butitwon'
ttaket
ime"hecooedthenbrushed
herl
ipswit
hhisforafewseconds.Hedidn'
twanna
wastemuchtimebuthecouldn'
thelpbutwantt
o
suckfr
om herwetmiddl
esizedbreast
.
Witht
heurgeki
ckingi
n,hetookhi
sli
psdownsto
herni
ppl
esthentookoneofem i
ntohi
smouth.
Theeffectofhismout hmeet i
ngwi t
hhernipple
sendwaveofpl easurethroughherwhol ebody.Her
l
egsshookont hef l
oor,shewasf orcedtomove
backabi torshemi ghtfall.Herbacklandedonthe
bathr
oom wal lasDi l
lontookpleasurefrom her
boobs.
Ashedidthat,oneofhi
shandwentdownsteadil
y
toherpussy.He'
shandconti
nuousl
yrubbedhercl
it
addi
ngmor epleasur
etoShawna.
Shawnacouldn'
thel
pthel
ouddeepmoant
hat
escapedherthr
oat
.
.
.
(
Badbi
*ch)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Shawnaf
eltuni
ntensegazeonher
,eveni
nher
sl
eepshecoul
dfeel
that
.
Shest
art
edopeninghereyesslowl
y,t
heevent
sof
l
astni
ghtfl
ashi
ngbackintohermemory.
Hercheeksheatedupimmediat
elyattheremi
nder
.
Shehads*xwithDill
onandshecan'tremember
howmanyr oundstheywent
.Wasi tfour
?Wasit
fi
ve?
Shefinal
lyopenedhereyest
oseeaf
ami
li
arl
ovi
ng
face.
Shelookedathim wit
hsomuchlove.Hewassit
ed
besi
deherbedandwasj ustst
ari
ngatherasshe
sl
ept,j
ustli
keyester
day.
"
Goodmor
ning"shegr
eet
edsi
tt
ingup.
"
Hey,
howwasyourni
ght
?"Di
ll
onasked.
"I
t'
swas. .
."Shawnafeltpai
nsalloverherbody,
especi
all
yi nbetweenherlegs.Shefel
tsosorebut
shecan'ttel
lhimthat.
"
..
.sweet
"shesai
dwi
thabl
ush.
"
I'
m gl
adyou'
refi
nall
yup, beenwai
ti
ngforyouto
wakeup"Di
ll
onsaidstandingupandwalki
ngover
t
othetr
ayoffoodonthetabl
e.Heret
urnedwi
ththe
t
rayoff
oodandthenplacedi
tbesi
deheronthebed.
"Her
eisbreakf
ast,hur
ryup.Br
ushyourt
eetht
hen
comeandeat ,
youmustbehungry"hesai
dwithan
unusual
lycal
mt one.
Shawnaonlynodded.Shedi
dasi
nst
ruct
edand
soonshewasback.Whenshecameback,she
didn'
tfi
ndDi
ll
onthere.
I
twor
ri
edherabi
tbutshel
ett
hef
eel
ingwashof
f.
Shesett
leddowntohermealofbacon,
cheeseand
mil
k.Shehasn'
tgonefari
ntothemealwhenDil
lon
showedupagain.
Hesatdownbesideheront
hebedmaki
ngher
pausehermeal
.
"Um..
.I'
m gonnabegoingsomewher eaft
erdropping
youoffand...
youprobably.
..
yeahpr obably,
won'tbe
abletoseemear oundforawhi le,maybeoneweek
atmost.Afteroneweeki fIdon'tr
eturn
then.
..
ma'am Sandraisgonnabehandi ng
somethingovertoyou,justtakeitandyou'l
lbefine
ok?"Dil
lonsaidsoft
ly.
Shawnanodded.Al
thoughshedoesn'
tquit
under
standhi
m butshesti
llhast
oagree.
Hepeckedheront
hef
oreheadbef
orest
andi
ngup.
"Bequick,
sowecanleave"headdedbef
ore
steppi
ngoutagai
n.
*
Theri
debackt othemansi
onwasquit.Shawna
coul
dfeelthatsomet
hingwaswrong.Shedoesn'
t
knowitbutDil
lon'
sact
ionspr
ovedit
.
Shedecidedtoaskbutthenswal
lowedbackthe
quest
ionwhenacal lcameint
ohisphone.I
tseems
tobehistwinbr
otherontheli
ne.
Theytal
kedaboutthi
ngs,shedidn'
tpayat
tent
iont
o
thei
rconver
sat
ion.Shedoesn'
twannado
somethi
ngthatmightannoyhim atal
l.
Theygottothemansi onwithoutexchangi
ngmuch
words.Themai dshelpedcarr
yeverythi
ngDil
lon
hadboughtforherintoherroom whileshest
ood
wait
ingforDil
lontoleave.
Af
terunpacki
ngever
ythi
ngf
rom hi
sboot
h.Di
ll
on
walkedupt
ohert henkissedhersl i
ghtlyontheli
ps.
Shawnadoesn'tunder
standwhyshewassuddenl y
scared,
whyshef el
tsouncomf ortable.Eventhe
ki
ssdoesn'
ttasteassweetasi tshoul dtast
e.She
wasquickt
opul loutf
rom thekiss.
"Wher
ear
eyougoing?I
'
mjustconcerned,
youdon'
t
havet
opi
ckof
fensewit
hmywor ds"sheasked.
"I'
mjustgoingtot
heundergr
oundhouse.Have
somethingtodother
e,seeyou"Di
ll
onrepl
iedashe
tookstepsback.
Hepausedafteropeninghi
scarthenadded"I'
ll
missyou"bef
oreget t
ingi
n.Hethendroveoutfr
om
t
hecompoundl eavingShawnamor eworri
ed.
Shedoesn'tunderst
andwhyherhear
tkept
misbehavi
ng,itkeptbeat
ingf
astasi
fsomethi
ng
wrongwasabouthappeni ng.
Thereisnobi
gdealr
ight
?Whyi
smybodyr eact
ing
thi
sway?Sheworri
edasshest
rodei
ntot
he
mansion.
Thefi
rstper
sonshewentt
omeetwasma'
am
Sandr
a.
Thepill
s,especi
all
ytheoneofpainrel
ievei
salmost
fi
nished.Sheneededanotheronefr
om ma'am
Sandrasoshecoul dtakei
t.
*
Mexi
co*
"Di
ll
on,can'tyouforgethim?I tsbeenmorethan15
yearsnow.I'm sur
eyou' l
lbeki l
li
nganoldmannow,
l
eavehim, heisclosetohi sdeathanyways.Idon'
t
knowwhyyouwannar iskal otofthi
ngsforhi
m"
Dil
lyspokeintothephonet ohisbrot
herashe
watchedSuzansett hebr eakfast.
"Iar
en'
ttel
li
ngyousoyou' l
ladvi
semeagainstit
.I'
m
j
usttel
li
ngyouf orfami
lysake.Keepyourf
**kedup
advi
setoself"Dil
longr
oanedathim.
"
Okcool.Seeyouinheavenincaseyoudon'tmake
i
t"Di
ll
yansweredbackalit
tl
ebitannoyed.
Dil
lonj
ustdoesn'
tli
sten.Whateverhesetshe'
s
mindon,he'
lldoi
t.Onecharacterhetookfr
om thei
r
deadfat
her.
"Anyt
hingt
hemat
ter
?"Di
ll
yhear
dasweetvoi
ceask
him.
Hel
if
tedhi
sheadt
oseeSuzan.
"
No,nothi
ng.Ever
yti
mei
scool
"heanswer
ed
wal
kinguptoheratt
het
abl
e.
Hekissedhersl
ight
lyont
hel
ipsbef
oresi
tt
ing
down.
Now, Suzanisn'
tjustasecret
aryt
ohim.Hehas
real
izedhowmuchheneededher ,heneededheri
n
ever
yar eaofhisli
fe.Heli
kesheralot
,thatonehe
i
ssur eofit
.
AndBr yanalsor
eall
ylikesher,hethendecidedt
o
askheroutanddat eforsomesomeweeks.He' l
l
gettoknowhermor ef ort
hoseweeksbef orehe
proceedstothenextoffi
cialt
hing.Andthatis
askinghertobehiswife.
Bryanr
andownt
hest
air
s,hel
if
tedhi
sphonet
o
them.
Heshowedt hephonet
oDil
lywi
thawor r
iedl
ookon
hi
sface.Therewassomeoneonthel
ine.
"Hel
lo?Br
yanI'mtal
kingt
oyou.Br
yan??Bryanhel
l
answerme!"Thevoi
ceofRit
akeptboomingout
f
rom t
hespeaker
.
Br
yancol
lect
edt
hephonet
henpl
acedi
tonhi
sear
s.
"
Rita,I'
l
lseeyoulat
ertoday.I'
m gonnapayyouof
f
f
ort helastt
imeandyou'l
lleaveBryanal
one
f
orever"Dill
ysai
dthroughgrit
tedteet
h.
"
Okf
ine.Comewi
thal
otofmoneyand.
..
"
Dil
lydi
sconnectedthecal
lwi
thhisteetht
ightl
y
j
oinedtoget
her.Bryanhadpl
eadedwi t
hhim notto
al
lowherremainwi t
hthepol
iceandhehadbai led
herout
.
"
Badbi
t*h!
!"Di
ll
ygr
it
tedout
*
Par
is*
Dil
lonarr
ivedtheunder groundhouse.Heent er
edto
seesomeofhi sboys, botht heoneswhopersonal
ly
workforhim andtheoneswhohej ustpai
dforthe
j
obt omorrow,packingalltheequipmenttheywere
gonnausei nt
odifferentt
r ucks.
Aft
ertomor r
ow,they'
l
lbenomor eboyswhatsoever
.
He'
llhavetodismisstheonest
hatcomesoutalive
andli
velikehealwayswanted,
that'
sifhecomes
outal
ivet
oo.
"Cont
inuewi t
hthet r
aini
ng,l
eavetheweapons.
Timeisnol ongeronourside.Ourtar
getwillbe
comingintothecount yi
nmat t
erofhours"Dil
lon
saidwalki
ngt owardsthem.
.
TBC.
.
Sol
dToAGangLeader

Season2

Sequence48-
50

.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.

(
Badbi
*ch)

Wr
it
er'
sPOV

Shawnafel
tunintensegazeonher
,eveni
nher
sl
eepshecoul
df eelthat
.

Shest
art
edopeninghereyesslowl
y,t
heevent
sof
l
astni
ghtfl
ashi
ngbackintohermemory.

Hercheeksheatedupimmediat
elyattheremi
nder
.
Shehads*xwithDill
onandshecan'tremember
howmanyr oundstheywent
.Wasi tfour
?Wasit
f
ive?

Shefinal
lyopenedhereyest
oseeaf
ami
li
arl
ovi
ng
face.

Shelookedathim wit
hsomuchlove.Hewassit
ed
besi
deherbedandwasj ustst
ari
ngatherasshe
sl
ept,j
ustli
keyester
day.

"
Goodmor
ning"shegr
eet
edsi
tt
ingup.

"
Hey,
howwasyourni
ght
?"Di
ll
onasked.

"I
t'
swas. .
."Shawnafeltpai
nsalloverherbody,
especi
all
yi nbetweenherlegs.Shefel
tsosorebut
shecan'ttel
lhimthat.

"
..
.sweet
"shesai
dwi
thabl
ush.
"
I'
m gl
adyou'refi
nall
yup, beenwaitingforyouto
wakeup"Dil
lonsaidstandingupandwal ki
ngover
t
othetrayoffoodonthet able.Heretur
nedwi t
hthe
t
rayoffoodandthenpl aceditbesi
deheront hebed.

"Her
eisbreakf
ast,hur
ryup.Br
ushyourt
eetht
hen
comeandeat ,
youmustbehungry"hesai
dwithan
unusual
lycal
mt one.

Shawnaonlynodded.Shedi
dasi
nst
ruct
edand
soonshewasback.Whenshecameback,she
didn'
tfi
ndDi
ll
onthere.

I
twor
ri
edherabi
tbutshel
ett
hef
eel
ingwashof
f.

Shesett
leddowntohermealofbacon,
cheeseand
mil
k.Shehasn'
tgonefari
ntothemealwhenDil
lon
showedupagain.
Hesatdownbesideheront
hebedmaki
ngher
pausehermeal
.

"Um..
.I'
m gonnabegoingsomewher eaft
erdropping
youoffand...
youprobably.
..
yeahpr obably,
won'tbe
abletoseemear oundforawhi le,maybeoneweek
atmost.Afteroneweeki fIdon'tr
eturn
then.
..
ma'am Sandraisgonnabehandi ng
somethingovertoyou,justtakeitandyou'l
lbefine
ok?"Dil
lonsaidsoft
ly.

Shawnanodded.Al
thoughshedoesn'
tquit
under
standhi
m butshesti
llhast
oagree.

Hepeckedheront
hef
oreheadbef
orest
andi
ngup.

"Bequick,
sowecanleave"headdedbef
ore
steppi
ngoutagai
n.
*

Theri
debackt othemansi
onwasquit.Shawna
coul
dfeelthatsomet
hingwaswrong.Shedoesn'
t
knowitbutDil
lon'
sact
ionspr
ovedit
.

Shedecidedtoaskbutthenswal
lowedbackthe
quest
ionwhenacal lcameint
ohisphone.I
tseems
tobehistwinbr
otherontheli
ne.

Theytal
kedaboutthi
ngs,shedidn'
tpayat
tent
iont
o
thei
rconver
sat
ion.Shedoesn'
twannado
somethi
ngthatmightannoyhim atal
l.

Theygottothemansi onwithoutexchangi
ngmuch
words.Themai dshelpedcarr
yeverythi
ngDil
lon
hadboughtforherintoherroom whileshest
ood
wait
ingforDil
lontoleave.
Afterunpacki
ngever yt
hingfr
om hi sboot h.Dil
lon
walkedupt oherthenkissedhersl i
ghtlyont heli
ps.
Shawnadoesn' tunderst
andwhyshewassuddenl y
scared,whyshef el
tsouncomf ortable.Event he
ki
ssdoesn' tt
asteassweetasi tshoul dtaste.She
wasqui cktopulloutfr
om thekiss.

"Wher
ear
eyougoing?I
'
mjustconcerned,
youdon'
t
havet
opi
ckof
fensewit
hmywor ds"sheasked.

"I'
mjustgoingtot
heundergr
oundhouse.Have
somethingtodother
e,seeyou"Di
ll
onrepl
iedashe
tookstepsback.

Hepausedafteropeninghi
scarthenadded"I'
ll
missyou"bef
oreget t
ingi
n.Hethendroveoutfr
om
t
hecompoundl eavingShawnamor eworri
ed.

Shedoesn'
tunder
standwhyherhear
tkept
mi
sbehavi
ng,
itkeptbeat
ingf
astasi
fsomet
hing
wr
ongwasabouthappening.

Thereisnobi
gdealr
ight
?Whyi
smybodyr eact
ing
thi
sway?Sheworri
edasshest
rodei
ntot
he
mansion.

Thefi
rstper
sonshewentt
omeetwasma'
am
Sandr
a.

Thepill
s,especi
all
ytheoneofpainrel
ievei
salmost
fi
nished.Sheneededanotheronefr
om ma'am
Sandrasoshecoul dtakei
t.

*
Mexi
co*

"Di
ll
on,
can'tyouforgethim?It
sbeenmor ethan15
year
snow.I'm sur
eyou'llbeki
ll
inganol
dmannow,
l
eavehim,heisclosetohisdeathanyways.Idon'
t
knowwhyyouwannar i
skal otofthi
ngsforhi
m"
Dil
lyspokei
ntothephonetohi sbrot
herashe
watchedSuzansetthebreakfast
.

"Iar
en'
ttel
li
ngyousoyou' l
ladvi
semeagainstit
.I'
m
j
usttel
li
ngyouf orfami
lysake.Keepyourf
**kedup
advi
setoself"Dil
longr
oanedathim.

"
Okcool.Seeyouinheavenincaseyoudon'tmake
i
t"Di
ll
yansweredbackalit
tl
ebitannoyed.

Dil
lonj
ustdoesn'
tli
sten.Whateverhesetshe'
s
mindon,he'
lldoi
t.Onecharacterhetookfr
om thei
r
deadfat
her.

"Anyt
hingt
hemat
ter
?"Di
ll
yhear
dasweetvoi
ceask
him.

Hel
if
tedhi
sheadt
oseeSuzan.
"
No,nothi
ng.Ever
yti
mei
scool
"heanswer
ed
wal
kinguptoheratt
het
abl
e.

Hekissedhersl
ight
lyont
hel
ipsbef
oresi
tt
ing
down.

Now, Suzanisn'
tjustasecret
aryt
ohim.Hehas
real
izedhowmuchheneededher ,heneededheri
n
ever
yar eaofhisli
fe.Heli
kesheralot
,thatonehe
i
ssur eofit
.

AndBr yanalsor
eall
ylikesher,hethendecidedt
o
askheroutanddat eforsomesomeweeks.He' l
l
gettoknowhermor ef ort
hoseweeksbef orehe
proceedstothenextoffi
cialt
hing.Andthatis
askinghertobehiswife.

Bryanr
andownt
hest
air
s,hel
if
tedhi
sphonet
o
them.
Heshowedt hephonet
oDil
lywi
thawor r
iedl
ookon
hi
sface.Therewassomeoneonthel
ine.

"Hell
o?BryanI'mtal
kingt
oyou.Br
yan??Bryanhel
l
answerme! "Thevoi
ceofRit
akeptboomingout
from t
hespeaker.

Br
yancol
lect
edt
hephonet
henpl
acedi
tonhi
sear
s.

"
Rita,I'
l
lseeyoulat
ertoday.I'
m gonnapayyouof
f
f
ort helastt
imeandyou'l
lleaveBryanal
one
f
orever"Dill
ysai
dthroughgrit
tedteet
h.

"
Okf
ine.Comewi
thal
otofmoneyand.
..
"

Di
llydi
sconnectedthecal
lwi
thhisteetht
ightl
y
j
oinedtoget
her.Bryanhadpl
eadedwi t
hhim notto
al
lowherremainwi t
hthepol
iceandhehadbai led
herout
.

"
Badbi
t*h!
!"Di
ll
ygr
it
tedout

*
Par
is*

Dil
lonarr
ivedtheunder groundhouse.Heent er
edto
seesomeofhi sboys, botht heoneswhopersonal
ly
workforhim andtheoneswhohej ustpai
dforthe
j
obt omorrow,packingalltheequipmenttheywere
gonnausei nt
odifferentt
r ucks.

Aft
ert omorr
ow,they'
l
lbenomor eboyswhatsoever
.
He'l
lhavetodismisstheonest
hatcomesoutalive
andliveli
kehealwayswanted,
that'
sifhecomes
outalivet
oo.

"Cont
inuewit
hthetrai
ning,l
eavetheweapons.
Timeisnolongeronourside.Ourtar
getwil
lbe
comingi
ntot
hecount
yinmatt
erofhour
s"Di
ll
on
sai
dwalki
ngtowar
dsthem.

(
Theexecut
ion)

Wr
it
er'
sPOV

*
Mexi
co*

Dil
lyparkedi
nfrontofRi
ta'
sapar
tment.Hegotint
o
thegate,hewal
kedstrai
ghtt
oherdoor,hel
if
tedhis
handtoknockonherdoorsoshecouldopenup.He
doesn'
twannaspendmor ethan5minutest
here.
"Thepoorguydoesn'
tevenknowt hatheisn'
thi
s
son"heheardsomeonevoicethatsoundedli
kethat
ofRit
a'smom say.

"Well,al
lmypl angotr uined,
I'l
lleavehi m wit
hBr yan
fornow.Af t
erBr yanmi ghthavet urnedi nt
oaman
andi sprobablycontroll
ingpartoft heirfamil
y's
company, I'
llshowupt ohim again.Thi nki
ngabout
i
t,that'
sagoodpl an"hehear dRi t
ar eply.

"I
'm sur
prisedthatassmartasthatguyis,
hehasn't
runaDNAt estonBryan.That
'sevenshocking"he
heardRita'
smom say.

"That
'
sforthebestmother
.Isn'
thehereyet?He
shoul
dbringussomemoney, Iwannaflytopar
is
ri
ghtaway"Rit
asaidwalki
ngtothedoor.

Sheopenedthedoortocheckar
oundforDil
lybut
wasshockedtothebonestoseehi
m standi
ngright
out
sidet
hedoor
.

Shegaspedandst
art
edt
aki
ngst
epsback.

"Whatdidyoujustsay?"Di
ll
yaskeddoubt
ingt
hat
hereal
lyheardthem ri
ght.

"
No.
..not
hing,
co.
..
comei
n..
.andbe.
..
"

"
Iwon'
taskyouagai
nbi
*ch!
!"Di
ll
yrasped.

Rit
aturnedt
ost
areathermom whowasal
so
shocked.

"You.
.hear
duswr ong.Br
yanisyoursonok?HeIs
yourson"Rit
agaspedoutherrepl
y.Herhandon
herneckprot
ect
ively.
"Di
dyoujustsaythatBr
yani
sn'
tmyson?
"Di
ll
y
askedwal
kingin.

"
Hei
s,hei
syourson.Ipr
omi
set
hathei
syour
..
..
."

Shest
oppedt
alki
ngwhenDi
l
lygotcl
oset
oher
.

"I
'
llki
llyouandt
henI '
l
lkil
lyourstupi
dmot
hert
ooi
f
youli
et omeagain"Dil
lyt
hreatened.

"Um..
ok.Heisnotyourson,butsi
nceyoul
ovehim.
Youcantakehim,Idon'
tevenknowhisfat
heratal
l.
Heisaresultofaonenightst
andIhadatabar"
Rit
areveal
ed.

"
No,i
t'
snotpossi
ble"Di
ll
yaf
terhear
ingher
r
evel
ati
onsai
d.
Hest
art
edmovi
ngback.

"Stayheret
hebothofyou.Youarereal
lygoi
ngto
rotinj
aili
fwhatyousaidist
rue.I
'
mr eal
lygoi
ngto
endyout wo"Di
ll
ysaidrushi
ngoutofthe
compoundi nahaste.

He'
smi
ndwasever
ywher
e.

HowcanaDNAl i
e?DNAi nthr
eedif
fer
enthospi
tal
s
showedthatBryanhashisDNA.Sohowcome?
WhatisRit
asaying?Het houghtashedroveal
lthe
waytothefi
rsthospi
talheperfor
medtheDNAt est.

*
Par
is*

Dil
lonsati
napri
vateroom wi
thSam.Aci gar
ett
e
fi
xedinbet
weenhisli
ps.Hepuffedoutsmokethen
l
ookedupatSam whowasst ari
ngdownathi m.
"
Sam,nothingmusthappent
oyounomat
terwhat
.
Under
stood?"Hesai
d.

"
Ofcour
se"Sam r
epl
ied.Het
henadded.

"
Andyoutooboss,youhavet
ocomeoutal
iveno
mat
terwhat
"sam said.

"
I'
llt
ry"Di
ll
onrepl
iedhi
mfi
xingi
ntheci
gar
ett
eback
i
ntohismouth.

Naomihadear l
iercal
ledSam.Sheshout edonhim
atfi
rstf
ornotcalli
ngher,butattheendoft hecal
l
shecalmeddownandexpl ai
nedt hatshereal
ly
real
lymissedhi
m.Evenmor ethanbef or
eandshe
can'
twaittoseehim.

Thatal
onehadbr
oughtsmi
lest
oSam'
sface.He
thenpromi
sedhert hathewasgonnameether
soonbutnottoday.Sincethent
hedet
ermi
nati
ont
o
survi
veatal
lcostkickedintohi
m.

Andnow,heissosurethatheisgonnasur
viveno
matt
erwhat.Becauseevendeathi
tsel
fwon'
tstop
hi
mf r
om seei
ngNaomi .

*
*Amont
hlat
er*
*

"
Shawna,
whatisi
t?"Ma'
am Sandr
aranaf
terher
i
ntot
hebathr
oom t
oask.

Shawnar el
easedal
lthecont
entinhermouthint
o
thetoi
let.Shewashedhermout hcl
eanaft
erthat
thenturnedtolookatMa'am Sandr
a.

"Idon'tknow.I
'm scar
ed"sheansweredt
hen
embr acedma'am Sandrather
einthebat
hroom.
"Whenishecomi ngback?I
t'
sbeenamonthnow?
Whenishecomi ngback?"Sheaskedma'
am
Sandr
at ear
ful
ly.

"Um. .
.Idon'
tknow.Butlet
'st
alkaboutyounow.
Howar eyoufeel
ing?Youhavevomitedthri
cet
his
mor ni
ng"sheaskedl eadi
ngShawnaoutf r
om t
he
bathroom.

"
Yes,Ij
ustfeelf
ever
ishandreal
lysi
ck.It
hinkI'
m
l
iket
hisbecauseImisshim"shawnarepl
ied.

"Ohfever
ish?Andyoual
waysbeenfeel
ingsi
ck
ever
ymor ningr
ight
?"Ma'
am Sandr
aasked.

"
Yes"shawnaconf
ir
med.

Ma'
am Sandr
apl
acedherhandsonherwai
st.
"Af
termeeti
ngwit
hhim,didyout
akeal
lthepi
ll
sI
gaveyou?"Ma'
am Sandr
aasked.

"
Um. .
.yesor.
..
.Idon'tr
emember .ButIcan
r
emembert hatIwassowor r
iedthen,maybeI
f
orgetormaybeIt ookthem"Shawnar epl
iednot
r
eall
ysur ewhyma' am Sandr
aisaskingheral l
t
hosequestions.

"Showmewher
eyouputt
hem"ma'
am Sandr
a
demanded.

Shawnawalkedupt othesmalll
ockertabl
ethere,
shepull
edoutthelockerthenpr
esent
edallthe
medici
neinsi
det oma'am Sandr
a.Ma'am Sandra
l
ookedatthem thensighed.

"Youreal
lyf
orgottotakei
t.Well
,thenyoumi
ghtbe
pregnant
"ma'am announced.
Shawna'
seyeswi
dened.

"
Pregnant
??"Sher
epeat
edaf
terma'
am Sandr
a.

"YesShawna.Butwe'l
lrunatestonyouf
ir
stt
o
confi
rmit
"ma'am Sandrarepl
ied.

"Ohgoodness!Howdi dthi
shappen?So,Imi
ghtbe
pregnantf
orDil
lon?OMG!WhatshouldIdo?"
Shawnaaskedscar edandshockedatt
hesame
ti
me.

"
Ifyou'
retrul
ypregnantt
henyou'
l
lhavet
okeepi
t"
ma'am Sandrar
epli
ed.

"But
..
.but..
I'
m st
il
lgoi
ngtoschool
,I
'm st
il
lgoi
ngt
o
school"Shawnastut
ter
ed.
"Thenyoushouldn'
thavefor
gottenyourpil
ls.You'
ll
havetopushyourschooli
ngiftheresul
tcomesout
posit
ive.Goandhaveyourbathnow, I
'l
lescortyou
tothehospit
al"ma'
am Sandr
at oldher
.

Shawnanoddedwithherbodyshaki
ngasshe
walkedbacki
ntot
hebathroom.

*
*Mexi
co*
*

Dil
lywait
edforSuzanpati
entl
yatt
her est
auranthe
hadbooked.Today,hei
sgoingtoproposetoher,
he'
llaskhert
obehiswife.

AbouttheDNAr esult
,theonesheiscurrent
ly
runni
ngisgonnabecomi ngoutanyti
mesoonbut
hedoesn'twantthatt
ochangeat hing.Hesti
ll
wantstogetmar r
iedtoSuzanandhei sproposi
ng
toni
ght.
Hisphonestart
edrunni
ngbuthecutthecal
land
kepthisphoneasi
deearnest
lywai
ti
ngforSuzan,
nervousl
y.

JustasSuzansteppedint
other
est
aur
ant
,hi
s
phonestar
tedr
ingingagai
n.

Hei
gnor
edthecal
l,
hestooduponhi
sfeett
o
wel
comethesmi
li
ngSuzan.

Thecal
lendedandjustasSuzansatdown.Thecall
cameagain,
hehadnochoicebutthepickit
.Even
Suzanwasexpect
inghimtopickt
hecall.

"
Hel
lo"hesai
dhuski
lyi
ntot
hephone.

"I
'
m speaki
ngtoDi
ll
yMark,I
'
m Ir
ight
?"Thevoi
ce
camefrom t
heot
herend.
"Yeah,st
rai
ghtt
othepoi
ntpl
ease"Di
ll
yfumedr
eal
ly
annoyed.

"
Ok,
thi
sisdoct
orMat
thew"t
hecal
lerr
eveal
ed.

"
OhMat
t,whati
sit
?"Di
ll
yasked.

"
It
'saboutyourt
winbr
other
"Mat
thewr
eveal
ed.

"Whati
sitabouthi
m?Hashewokenupyet
?"Di
ll
y
asked.

"
No,
awor
sesi
tuat
ionhappened"Mat
thewr
epl
ied.

"
Whatworsesi
tuat
ion.Gost
rai
ghtt
othepoi
ntDoc"
Di
ll
ydemanded.
"
Ok,hewentint
oacomaaf
terhavi
ngasei
zur
e"
Mat
thewreveal
ed.

"Awhat?"Di
ll
yaskedstandi
nguponhi
sfeet.Suzan
alsost
oodupsuprisedbyhi
ssuddenr
eact
ion.

"
Yeah,we'
vetr
iedever
ythi
ngwecoul
dbutst
il
l,
he
wenti
ntoacoma"Matthewconf
ir
med.

"Whenishegonnawakeupt
hen?
"Di
ll
yaskedhi
s
hear
trai
sing.

"
Wel l,
wedon'
tknow.Hemi ghtdieanyday, he
mightwakeanyday.I'
veseenalotofpatientswho
wakeupfrom t
heircomaafter10years.I
tdepends,
Di
lly"Mat
thewanswered.

"
Chri
st"Di
ll
ygasped,
feardevel
opi
ngi
nsidehi
m.He
wasexpect
ingDi
ll
ontowakeupnotgointoacoma.
"Ok,
I'
m comi
ngovert
oPari
snow.I
'
llcomet
ake
him"Di
ll
ysai
dendi
ngthecal
l.

TBC.
.
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence51-
53
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
.
(
Fourl
ongyear
s)
*
***
Fouryear
slat
er*
***
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Di
ll
on'
seyel
idst
art
edsl
idi
ngbackopen,
hest
art
ed
ret
urni
ngbackt
otherealworl
d.Hehasbeen
betweenl
if
eanddeat
hf orf
ouryear
sandsome
monthsnow.
Thenursewhowascleani
nghi
m upsawhishand
move.Hereyeswi
denedandsheranoutf
rom t
he
room Di
ll
onwaskepti
n.
Lucki
ly,itwasst
il
lveryear
lyandhi
stwi
nbr
other
wasst i
llget
ti
ngreadyforwork.
"
Sir
!"t
hepr i
vatenursekeptknocki
ngandcal
li
ngout
t
oDill
y,herbreat
hingerrat
ic.
"
Whati
sit
?"Dil
lywhowasknot
ti
nghi
sti
etur
ned
t
owar
dsthedoor.
Thenursepushedt
hedooropen,
sher
ani
nthen
swal
loweddownhersal
iva.
"
It
'smypatient
,hei
swakingup.Ij
ustwantedto
i
nfor
m you"thenur
sesaidandwit
houtwasti
ng
muchti
mer anoutback.
"What
??"Suzanwast
heonet
hatyel
ledf
rom behi
nd
him.
"
Youbr
otheri
sawake?
"Sheaskedst
eppi
ngout
f
rom thebat
hroom wi
thwat
erdr
ippi
ngdownher
wethair
.
Di
ll
yst
oodst
unnedst
il
ltr
yingt
opr
ocesst
henews.
"
Yourbr
otheri
swaki
nguphoney,di
dyouhear
t
hat
?"SuzancameandshookDi
ll
y.
"
Yesyes"Dill
yansweredcomingoutfr
om hi
s
t
rance.Hetookt
othedoorandstart
edgoingtothe
l
astroom al
ongthecorr
idorwher
epeoplehar
dly
r
each.
Hegott otheroom toseethenursesl
owl
yhelping
Dill
onsitup.Dil
lonfeltpai
nal
loverhi
sbody,hi
s
bodyf el
tsosoreandhewaswonder i
ngi
fthatwas
reall
yhisbodyrefusinghim.
"Di
ll
on"Di
ll
ycal
ledi
nagasped.Hewentandsat
besi
dehim ont
hebed.
"
Isthatyou?Ar
eyouokay?Doyour
ecogni
zeme?
"
Di
ll
onasked.
"Whathappened?
"Di
ll
onaskedpl
aci
nghi
shandon
he'
shurti
nghead.
"
Alothappened!Awhol
elothappened!
"Di
ll
y
br
eat
hedouti
nrepl
y.
Thedooropenedwi
thSuzanal
sor
ushi
ngi
n.
"Honey"shecal
ledgoi
ngbehindDill
yandtaki
nga
goodlookatherhusband'
sident
icalt
win.
Di
ll
on'
sst
aredaSuzanabi
tconf
used.
"
Whoi
sshe?
"Di
ll
onasked.
"
She?She'smywi
fe,
wegotmar
ri
edt
woyear
sago"
Di
ll
yrepl
ied.
"
Twowhat
??"Di
ll
onasked,
alar
med.
"
Howl
onghaveIbeenl
iket
his?
"Di
ll
onasked.
"
Well,
fouryearsandsi
xmont
hsappr
oxi
mat
ely"
Di
ll
yresponded.
"What??Howisthatpossi
ble?Wasi
tnotj
ust
yest
erdaythat
..
..
"Dil
li
onpausedinr
emembranceof
hisl
astmemor y.
Heandhi sboyshadat
tackedthemanr esponsibl
e
formurderi
nghismom anddad.Itwasasneak
att
ackanditwasalsoanunexpectedonesot hey
wereabletokil
lal
otoftheopponentmen.But
knowinghowthatmani s,heisneveralone,al
ways
wit
hanar mybecauseoft henumber ousenemies
hehasmade, mostoft hisboyssti
llgotseri
ously
i
njured.Onl
yafewdi edandhewashappyf orthat
.
Buthegotshotwithapoi sonedbulletandit
's
anti
dotewasreal
lyrare.Ar ar
epoisonmadei n
chi
na.Veryrar
etocomeby.
Hesucceededinkil
l
ingt
hatman,hisonlyson,hi
s
son'
swife,heal
mostevenki
ll
edhisgrandkidsbut
wit
hdrewhimself
.Hekil
ledt
hem al
linthemost
pai
nfulway.
Butdur i
ngalltheseti
me, t
hepoi sonkeptspr
eading
throughhisbodybecauseher eceivedt
hebull
et
from thedoor.Ithadhitf
rom behind-expect
edly.
Hecoul drecountthatSam wasal sosaved,he
substainedonl yli
ghtinj ury,hehel pedtaket
hose
deadbodi estothemor t uary.Dil
lonwentt othe
hospitaltogethi mselftreatedaf terhewassure
thatther estweregettingt reatment .Thepoi
son
beingr eall
yslowatspr eadingstar tedweaki
nghim
ashegotcl osetothehospi tal
.
Hegotoperat
edon,
mostofthepoi
sonwere
ext
ract
edfr
om hi
ssyst
em andhewasgivenan
ant
ibi
oti
c.
Butbecauseoft henumerouswoundshehas
for
mal lysust
ained,
hisbodywenti
ntoshockand
thelastthi
nghecanr ememberi
sdoctorsrushi
ng
i
ntohi sward.
"Dil
lon,t
herei
snot hi
ngli
keyesterday.I
t'
sbeenfour
years,It
hinkIshouldcal
lMatthewandhavehi mf l
y
overtocomehel pyou"Dil
lysaidgoingoutf
rom the
room totakehisphone.
Dil
lonsighednotreal
lybel
ievi
ngthathehasbeeni
n
comaf or4str
aightyear
s,almostfi
ve.
..
.
Thenur
set
ri
edmassagi
nghi
m buthepushedher
off
.
"
Leaveme"hewavedherof
f.
"Shei
sanur seandispr
obablyhel
pingtostraight
en
yourweakbones,yourj
oint
sand..
..
"Suzantried
sayi
ngbutkeptshutimmediat
elyDil
longavehera
hardgl
are.
*
Thenextday*
Di
ll
onl eanedsoweakl
yonthewallbesi
dehi
sbed.
Andrew, Mat
thew,
Dil
lyandevenBryanwer
ether
e
wit
hhim.
Mat
thewkeptexami
ninghi
sbody.
"
Canyoumoveyourleg?Trymovingi
t"Mat
thew
r
equest
ed.Dil
lont
ri
editbuti
twasver
ydif
fi
cult
movi
nghisleg.
"Youar
egonnahavetostartmovingaboutfrom
nowon.Youaregonnagethim somecr ut
chesto
aidi
nhismovement,Di
ll
y"hereferr
edthelast
wordst
oDil
ly.
"Don'toverst
ressyoursel
f,I
'
llbeherewithyoufora
mont htho.It
hinkinamont htimeyou'l
lbeableto
getbackyourwhol ebody"Mat thewsai
dclosi
ngup
hisboxwhi chcontai
nedalltypesofmedical
equipment.
"I
t'
sgoodtohaveyoubackDil
lon.I
t'
sreal
lygood,
youfoughthar
d"Matt
hewtouchedhim onhis
shoul
der.
"
I'
llgetgoi
ngnow"Mat
thewaddedbef
orel
eavi
ng.
Suzancamei
nafterMat
thewhadl
eftwi
thasi
x
monthsol
dbaby.
Di
ll
onkeptst
ari
ngatSuzanandt
hebaby.
"
Who'
ski
dist
hat
?"Di
ll
onasked.
"Ohshe?She'
smine.YoushouldknowDil
lon,
Itol
d
youthatI
'
m marr
ied"Di
ll
yrespondedtohi
m.
Dil
lonsi
ghedi
nti
redness,
het
hencl
osedhi
seyes
andremember
edShawna.
Hehadalsoremember
edhertheprevi
ousdaybut
doesn'
tevenknowwhotoaskabouther.
"Guy,areyoualri
ghtnow?Hopeyour
ecogni
zeme
tho.Youhaven'tevenspar
edmeaglancesi
nceI
gothere"Andrewsaid.
Dil
lonspar
edhi
m agl
ancebutt
henr
oll
edhi
seyes
athim.
"Canyouconnectmetoma'am Sandr
a?Ineedt
o
speakwit
hher"herequest
ed.
"
Bryan,
gogett
het
elephone"Di
ll
ytur
nedt
oBr
yan
andi
nst
ruct
ed.
Br
yannoddedt
henl
eftt
ogett
het
elephone.
"
Wher
eisNaomi
?"Di
ll
onasked.
"She?Sheiscurr
entl
yonherwayherewithher
fi
nance,shehasbeeninMexicoandisonl
ycoming
backherebecauseofyou"Andrewr
epli
edhim.
"Fi
nance?Whatf
inancear
eyouspeaki
ngof
?"Di
ll
on
asked.
"
You'
llseet
hem bothwhentheygethere.Thewor
ld
won'
twaitf
oryou,woul
dit
?"Dill
yresponded.
Thest
atementannoyedDi
ll
onbuthel
eti
tsl
ide.
Bryanret
urnedbackwi
tht
hephoneandhandedi
t
overtohi
m.
"Andwhoishe?I
sheyoursontoo?
"Di
ll
onasked
coll
ect
ingt
hephonef
rom Br
yan.
Di
ll
ydidn'
trepl
yhi
m,hejustkeptqui
teatt
hatand
pr
etendednott
ohearhi
m.
"
What
'st
helandl
ineagain?GoodnessIcan'
teven
r
emembersomethings"Dil
longr
ossedout.
"
Youhavebeenasl
eepf
orl
ong.Whywon'
tyou
f
orgetal
ot?
"
"
Lookatyourhai
r,i
t'
ssol
ongnow"Andr
ew
r
espondedhim.
Di
ll
ycoll
ectedt
het
elephonefr
om hi
m.Hedial
edin
t
helandl
inetot
hei
rfamil
y'smansi
onatMexi
co.
Someonepi
ckedt
hecal
lthenconnect
edma'
am
Sandr
a.
Di
ll
ythenhandt
hephonebackt
oDi
ll
on.
"
Hel
lo"Di
ll
onbr
eat
hedouti
ntot
hephone.
"
Hell
o?Holdon,who'
svoi
ceam Ihear
ing?I
sthi
s
Di
ll
on?"Ma'
am Sandr
aasked.
"
Yeah.Hasi tt
rulybeenfouryearssi
nceyouhear
d
myvoicelast?
"Di l
lonaskedforconf
ir
mati
on.He
wasn'
treall
ytrusti
nghisbrot
her.
Hi
sbr
othermi
ghtbepl
ayi
ngapr
ankonhi
m.
"Yeschil
d.Goodness!Wehaveal
lbeenwaiti
ngfor
you.Evenyoursonhasbeenwait
ingforyouback
here"ma'am Sandr
asaid.
"
Whatson?
?"Di
ll
onaskedi
ntot
alconf
usi
on.
.
.
(
Lewi
ston)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
"Whatson?Idon'
tunderstand"Dil
lonsai
dint
othe
phoneagain,
hiseyesrunningfrom Di
ll
ytoAndrew.
"You'
l
lfindoutonceyougetherechil
d.Bequi
ck
aboutit
"camema' am Sandr
a'sr
eply.
Theli
newentof
fbef
oreDi
ll
oncoul
daskanyot
her
quest
ion.
Hedr
oppedthetel
ephoneandt
ri
edst
andi
ngupbut
hi
sbodyref
used.
"Fu*
k!"Hegr
oanedr
est
inghi
sbackont
hewal
l
agai
n.
"Whatsonisshet
alki
ngabout
?"Di
ll
onasked
star
ingatDi
ll
y.
"
Well
,It
hinkt
hatgirl
,what'
shernameagai
n?"
Andr
ewtri
edresponding.
"
Shawna"Di
ll
ongavet
heanswer
.
"Ihear
dyouf
reedher
,It
hinkshegotpr
egnantf
or
you."
"Yeah"Di
ll
yrepl
ied,
thenadded"
whenyou'
rebet
ter
,
youshouldfi
ndoutyoursel
f"
.
"Br
yan,takeyoursist
ert
oherroom.Gopl
aywi
th
herther
e"Dil
lysaidtoBr
yan.
"
Ok,comeher
eEll
ie"Br
yansai
dgent
lyt
aki
ngEl
l
ie-
Di
ll
y'
sbabygi
rl
.Thenhelef
twit
hher
.
Dil
lywentandthensatdownbesi
deDi
ll
onont
he
bedaft
erwards.
"
Dill
on,
I'
vebeenwait
ingf
oryear
snowt
otel
lyou
t
his"Di
ll
yst
arted.
"
Um...
Bryan,
isnotact
ual
lymyownsonbutyour
s"
Di
ll
ysaid.
"NowIhavetwogrownupsons.Wow!That
'sr
eal
ly
shocki
ng"Di
ll
onsaidsar
cast
ical
ly.
Di
ll
yignor
edhi
mthencont
inued.
"
Ifoundoutt
hatI
'
m nott
heonewhoact
ual
ly
i
mpr egnatedhismot herbut .
..
Ihavet hesameDNA
withhim.Wel l
,afteral
ltheinvesti
gation.Ital
l
resul
tedthatyouar eactuallyhisrealfather
,my
DNAwi thhim cameout98%whi l
eyour scameout
99%.Idon'treallyunderstandhowal lthis
misunderstandingcameon, buthaveyouknown
anyladybyt henameRi ta?"Dil
lyexplained.
"No,
Idon'tknowanybi t
*hbythatnameandIaren'
t
thef
atherofthatboy.Si
nceyourDNAmat cheswit
h
himthenhisyourson"Dill
onargued.
"Fu*k!Doyout hi
nkI'
m happythatI
'
m nothisreal
fatherorwhat?Youhavet orememberthatRi
ta.
Youhavet orememberi fyouhadanyt
hingwit
hher
atsomepoi nt
"Dill
yhalfyell
ed.
"Hey,
youdon'
tyel
latmeok?Idon'tknowanybi
tch
bythenameRit
a"Dil
longr
oaned.
"
AndIar
en'
tthef
atheroft
hatboyt
oo.
"
"Ok,Ritaactuall
ysaidshedoesn' tknowhisreal
fathereit
her,fur
therquest
ioning.Igottoknowthat
sheact ual
lymett hesupposedguyshegot
pregnantforatDul l
exbar,doesthatnamer i
nga
bel
lnow.Youof
tengot
her
eyear
sago"Di
ll
yrepl
ied
hi
m.
"Well
..
..
Idon'tknowandi fal
lthesewer
etobetrue
thenI'
m afr
aidIcan'taccepthim.Ni
ggaisyourson,
heremainsyour s"Di
ll
onstated.
"
Itdoesn'
twor
kthatwayDi
ll
on.I
tdoesn'
t"Di
ll
y
i
nsist
ed.
"LookDill
y,Idon'
twanthim okay?He' syourson
andwi l
lalsoremainyours.Don'tevertel
lhi
m any
shitaboutwhatthef**k*
ngr esult
ssays."
"Ibethedoesn'tevenli
kemeasmuchashel oves
you.Justforgetaboutt
heresult
s.YourDNA
mat cheswit
hhi m andt
hat
'sallt
hatmatter
s"Dil
li
on
repli
edhim.
"
Ican'tseemst ogetmymi ndoffitDill
on, nomat t
er
what,Ican'thel
pbutimaginewhatwi llhappen
whenBr yaneventual
lyfi
ndsoutthat..
..event hoour
DNAmat chesthatI
'm st
il
lnothi
sr ealfather"Dil
ly
respondedhistonegoingcold.
"
What??Whatdi
dyouj
ustsaydad?You'r
enotmy
f
ather
?"Br
yanwhowassecret
lyl
ist
eni
ngtothei
r
conver
sat
ioncoul
dn'
thel
pbutspeakup.
Andr
ewandsuzanwhohasbeenther
ethewhol
e
t
imetur
nedt
owardst
hedoortoseeBryant
her
e.
Di
ll
ylookedathi
m aswel
l.Hest
ooduponhi
sfeet
sl
owly.
"
Bryan,
isnotwhatyout
hinkok?
"Di
ll
ytr
ieddenyi
ng.
"Butt
hat'
swhatyoujustsaid.Yousai
dourDNA
matchesbutI'
m st
il
lnotyourson.Thenthat
eventual
lymeanst
hat..
.youarenotmyfather
"
Bryansaidget
ti
ngtear
y.
"
Ohgosh!Br
yanpl
ease,l
etmeexpl
aini
ttoyou"
Di
ll
ypl
eadedwal
kingt
owardshi
m.
"
Iwannabeal
onef
ornow,
Dad.Anddon'
tlookf
or
me"Br
yansni
ff
edi
nthenr
anoutt
hrought
hedoor.
Di
ll
onshr
uggedhi
sshoul
der
.
'
Youshoul dn'
thaveevensaidanythingaboutit
.It
sti
llwon'
tchangeathing.He'syoursandI'
ll
appreci
ateifyoual
lwilll
eaveri
ghtnow"Di l
lon
cooedslowlylyi
ngdown.
*
ThreeweekspassedandDi
ll
onwasbackonhi
s
feet
.
Hewassocur
iousaboutShawnaandhi
smyst
ery
son.
Hewasdyingtoseet
hem sohet
ookhistr
aini
ng
ser
iousl
yandnowheisbackonhi
sfeet
.
Hetookt
hei
rfami
ly'
sper
sonalpr
ivat
ejetbackt
o
par
is.
Hephonedma' am Sandraongett
ingt
oparis.
Ma'am sandrai
nformedhimthatShawnaandhis
supposedsonwer ebothst
ayi
nginhisfor
mal
penthouse.
Befor
eDil
lonlef
tforhisrevenge,hewil
ledalotof
moneytoShawna.Hegaveal lhi
ssharesatthe
hot
eltohertoosoheisn'tsoshockedtolearnthat
Shawnawasact ual
lystayi
ngatthatpenthouse.
Hetookof
ftothepenthouseatonce.Immediat
ely
hegottot
hepenthouseheunlockedthedoorwith
hi
scardandthecardsurpri
sedl
yopenedthedoor.
Ther
ewer
enoguar
dsst
andi
ngar
oundt
hedoor
what
soeverandever
ythi
ngseemst
ohavechanged.
Hepushedt
hedooropenedandt
hengoti
n.
"
Mom, i
sthatyou?"Hehear
dat
inyboyi
shvoi
ceask
f
rom t
heinnerroom.
Hest
art
edgoi
ngt
raci
ngt
hevoi
cesl
owl
y.
"
Mom"hehear
dagai
nbutdi
dn'
tbot
herr
espondi
ng.
Hegottothepl
acetoseetwoboysofdi
ff
erentage
si
tedonthefl
oorpl
ayi
ngtoygame.
"
Whoar
eyoumi
ster
?"Thebi
ggerboyt
her
eask.
Dil
lont
ookacloselookathimtoseethatt
heboy
hasnoresemblancetoeit
herheorShawna.He
tur
nedtotheot
herboyt oseealotofr
esemblance.
Thi
smustbehi
m.
"Whyareyoustari
ngatmemister
?Didyoulost
yourwayorsomething?
"Theboywho'svoi
cehe
hadheardfr
om thedoorandwhoalsol
ookedalot
l
ikehi
m asked.
"
No,Idi
dn'
tlostmyway,
kid.I
'
mint
her
ightpl
ace"
Di
ll
onanswered.
"Look,mymom i sn'
tinter
estedinmenok?That '
s
whatsheal waystell
sallthement hatcomestoher.
Somi ster
,ifyou'
reheretot r
yyourluckonherthen
I'
m afrai
dyou'rej
ustwast ingyourti
me"theboy
saidsoundingreall
yrudeandpr oud.
Hi
sat
ti
tudeonl
ymadeDi
ll
onsmi
le.
"Don'
tworr
y,Iar
en'theretot
rymyluckonyour
mom.She'salr
eadymi ne"Di
ll
onr
epli
edwit
ht he
sameproudlooktheboyhason.
Theboysmi
rkedt
henl
ookedatt
hesecondboy.
"
What
'syourname?
"Di
ll
onf
inal
lyask.
"Lewi
ston"t
heboyshr
uggedhi
sti
nyshoul
der
sthen
answered.
"
Hm.
..
nicename.Wher
eisyourmom?
"Heasked.
"She?She'samanagerher
e,gocheckherouti
nher
offi
ce"Lewisr
epl
ied.
Di
ll
onsmi
led.
"
Cool
."
"
I'
llber
ightbackki
ddo,
cont
inueyourgame"Di
ll
on
sai
dwal
kingback.
Hegott
othedoort
oheart
heot
herboyask.
"
Youl
ookal
otl
ikehi
m,Lewi
ston.I
sheyourf
ather
?"
Hehear
dLewi
ston'
srepl
y.
"Idon'
tknow.Buti
t'
llbei
nter
est
ingt
oknow.Let
'
s
conti
nue."
Di
ll
onlef
tthepenthousewi t
hasmil
eonhi sf
ace.
Ner
vousnessstar
tedkickingint
ohi
m atthet
hought
t
hatheisgonnabeseei ngShawnaagain.
Whati
sgonnabeherr
eact
ion?Whoknows?
TBC.
.
Sol
dToAGangLeader

Season2

.
Sequence54-
55

©Bl
essi
ng.
.

(
Doyoul
ikehi
m?)

Wr
it
er'
sPOV

"I
..
Ididn'
tevenimaginet
hatI'
l
lbeseei
ngyout oday.
Il
ostallhopes"Shawnacooedli
ft
ingherheadfrom
Dil
lon'
s.
Shest
oodup.Di
ll
onst
oodupwi
thher
.

"It
hinkI'
m donewi
thwor
kfort
oday"Shawna
smiled.

"Reall
y?Sowher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
o?Huh!
"Di
ll
on
smirked.

"I
'm gonnastaywit
hyou,t
oget
herwi
thlewis.Iwant
yout wotogettoknoweachot
hermore"Shawna
repl
ied.

"
Waitformehere,
I'
m comi
ng"Shawnasai
dthen
l
eftt
heoffi
ce.

Di
ll
onkeptl
ooki
ngar
oundt
heof
fi
ce.

"
Themanagerhuh!
?Goodposi
ti
onbutyou'
l
lbe
changingyourwor
kingpl
ace"Di
ll
onsai
dtonoone
i
npar t
icul
ar.

Soon,
thedooropenedandShawnapoppedher
headi
n.

"Let
'sgo"shestr
etchedherhandoutt
ohi
m wi
th
beauti
fulsmi
lesonherface.

Het
ooki
t.

Theybothwentuptot
hepenthouse,
Shawna
openedthedoor
.Shecal
ledoutt
olewis
i
mmedi atel
y.

Lewi
sandhi
sfr
iendcamer
unni
ngt
othedoor
.

Shawnapi
ckedl
ewi
supf
rom t
hef
loor
,she
embr
acedandki
ssedhi
m.

"
HiBobby"shepat
tedhi
sfr
iend'
shai
r.

"
Bobby.
..
doyoumindgi
vingmesomehour
swi
th
l
ewi
splease?
"Shesmil
edattheboy.

"
Ofcourse.ByeLewi
"theBobbyboywavedatLewi
s
t
henranout.

"Mom"lewi
ssai
drubbi
nghi
sfaceonShawna'
s
chest
.

"Iwasplayingagamewi t
hhim.Youaskedhim out
,
I'
m sad"lewissai
dnotnoti
cingDi
ll
onbecausehe
hasbeent oofocusedonShawna.

Di
ll
ononhi
sownj
ustst
oodwat
chi
nghowcl
oset
he
t
wower
e,t
hesi
ghthesawwasahappyone.

Hecoul
dn'
thel
pbutsmi
le.

"
Lewi
s,Ihear
dyou'
vemethi
m"Shawnasai
dtr
ying
t
omakelewisseeDi
ll
on.

"Who?"Hef
inal
lyli
ft
edhi
sheadf
rom Shawna'
s
chestt
oseeDil
lon.

"
Thi
sguy?
"Hepoi
ntedatDi
ll
on.Di
ll
onchuckl
ed.

"Hei
snotj
ustthi
sguy,
lewi
ston.Hei
syourf
ather
"
Shawnai
ntr
oduced.

"Woah!Real
ly?BobbyhasagoodeyeIguess.Hi
buddy"Lewi
sstuckouthi
shandforahandshake.
Shawnaf el
tembarrassedatwhatLewi
sdi
dbut
Dil
loncouldn'
thel
pbutl augh.

"
Ohgoodness!I
sthathowheis?It
'scute,gi
veem
t
ome"Dil
lonsai
dthentookLewisfrom her.

Shawnacoul dn'thi
deherembar r
assment.Shehas
alwaystaughtlewistoberespectf
ulbuthe'
salways
thiski
ndofboyevenathi sage.Hecoul dl
it
eral
ly
pickupf i
ghtswithkidst
hatarewayolderthanheis,
kidsthatcouldbeathim.

Hedi dn'tevengot oschoolbecausehewas

expelledforplaci
ngagum onhi sclassmatessi
t.
Theboysatonhi schairandwhenhemadet o
standup, hecouldn'tst
and,whent heteacher
helpedi npull
ingtheboyup, hechairbeingli
ght
weight edfoll
owedt heboyup.

Theboyhadbur
stedoutcr
yingi
nschoolt
hinki
ng
t
hathe'
l
lli
vet
her
estofhi
sli
fewi
tht
hechai
rst
uck
t
ohisbutt
.

Lewistonhadlaughedreal
lyhardattheboy'
sstat
e.
Theschoolauthori
tyfoundoutlewiswastheone
responsi
bleandhegotexpelledfortwodays.

Hei
sjustsost
ubbor
n,st
ubbor
nlysmar
t.

Shawnasi
ghedwal
kingi
nful
lyt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom.

"Woah,
yourhairissolong.Iloveit
,itgivesyouthat
badguylook"LewissaidtouchingDill
on'shair
.

"
Real
ly?Iwast hi
nki
ngofcut
ti
ngitbutsi
nceyou
l
ovei
t,I
'l
lleaveit
"Di
ll
onsmil
edathim.

"
Yooo!
!Anot
hert
hingi
s,I
'
m gonnashowyout
oal
l
myclassmatet
omor
row.Ihavef
inal
lygotadaddy!
"
Lewi
sholler
ed.

Di
ll
onl
aughedagai
n,t
aki
nghi
mtogosi
tdown.

"
Butwher ewereyouallthesewhi
le?Whyar eyou
j
ustcomingnow?Wher eyouworkingal
lthese
whi
le?"Lewisaskedatonce.

"Um..yeah,Iwaswor
king.ButnowI'
m backf
oryou
kid"Dil
lonanswer
edsitt
inghi
m downonhislaps.

"
Andyou'
rereall
yhandsomet
oodad.It
hinkIgot
myl
ooksfrom you,
I'
m socut
e"Lewi
ssai
dproudly.

Di
ll
onl
aughedhar
dagai
n.

"
Goodness,
whot
aughtyoual
ltheseatt
hisage?
Yourmom di
d?"Di
ll
onasked.

"No,Il
ear
ntitmyself
.I'
m happyyou'r
efi
nall
yhere.
Mom alwaysassuredmeyou'llcom"Lewissai
d
buryi
nghisheadonDi l
lon'
schest.

Di
ll
onhuggedhi
m back.

Shawnast oodbyacornerwat
chingl
ewisand
Dil
lon.Shefel
tgl
adthatatl
eastLewi
slovedDi
ll
on.

Thatboyi
sreall
ypi
ckyonwhot
opl
aywi
th.Hel
i
kes
afewanddisl
ikeawhol
elot
.

*
Atni
ght
*

"
Cough.
..
"Di
ll
oncoughedsli
ghtl
ywalki
ngi
ntot
he
r
oom,Shawnawasarrangi
ngthebed.
"
Isheasl
eep?
"Shawnat
urnedt
ohi
mthenasked.

"Yeah,hefi
nal
lyf
ellasl
eep.Heissoener
geti
c,i
t
wasdiffi
cul
tputt
inghimtosleep"Di
ll
onanswer
ed
standi
ngbehindShawna.

"Maybebecauseyou'
ret
heonewi t
hhi
m,heisnot
sohard.Hefal
lsasl
eepeasil
ywit
hmetho"Shawna
repl
iedput
ti
ngbackthepil
low.

"
Real
ly?
"Di
ll
onaskedmovi
ngcl
osert
oher
.

Themannerinwhi
chhespokesoundedsoer
oti
cto
theear
.Shawnahadt
otur
nandl ookathi
m.

Agr
inwaspl
ast
eredonhi
sface.
"
What
?"Shawnacoul
dn'
thel
pbutask.

"Haveyouvisi
tedthemansi
on?
"Sheaskedt
urni
ng
backtothebed,asift
ryi
ngt
oavoi
dwhatshethi
nks
i
sonDi l
lon'
smi nd.

"
Haveyou?
"Sheaskedagai
nbutdi
dn'
tgetar
epl
y.

Sheturnedt
oseeDi
ll
onst
andi
ngdanger
ousl
ycl
ose
toher.

Di
ll
onheldherbythewai
stthenpull
edhermuch
morecl
oserthatt
hei
rbodi
estouched.

Shawnagasped.

"
Whatar
eyou.
..
."
"YouknowI'
vereal
lymi
ssedyou"Di
ll
oncooed.Hi
s
hotbreat
hefel
tonShawna'
sneck.

"St
op.Idon'tunderst
andyou"shesai
dtr
yingt
opull
awayfrom him butheonl
yendedupmakingherf
all
tothebedwi t
hhim ontopofher.

"
Geez.
.you.
..
!"

Shawnawasshutupbyawar
m ki
ss.

Theki
sslastedf
orsomemi
nut
esbef
oreshepul
led
awayfr
om theki
ss.

"St
op,
lookI'
m notready.I
'
m notreadyforal
lthese"
shewantedt
oscream athim buthervoi
ceonly
cameoutasawhi sper.
"Reall
y?"Dil
lonaskedhist
ongueslidi
ngdownher
necktoherchest.Shestart
edfeel
ingtingl
ing
feel
ingsbetweenherlegsbutshewasst il
l
determinedtopushhim away.

Shesti
llneededt
opunishhimforgoi
ngintoacoma
andl
eavingherallal
one.Sheknowsshecan't
puni
shhi minmanywaysbutshecandef i
nit
ely
puni
shhi minthi
sway.

"
Isai
dI'
m notr
eady.I
..
.Ihavesomeone.
..
."

Shehasn'tevenfi
nishedspi
ll
ingt
hosewordswhen
Dil
lonsuddenlyj
erkedawayf r
om herasi
fshewas
somekindofunwant edspir
it
.

"What.
.?Whatdi
dyoujustsay?
"Heaskedt
aki
ng
stepsawayfr
om her
.
Shawnasatup,
sheadj
ust
edherni
ghtgown.

"Yout hi
nkI'
l
ljustsi
tar
oundandcont
inuewait
ing.I
alreadyhavesomeoneelse,
I'
mfreet
ohave,aren'
t
I?"Shawnareplied.

"
Youdo?
"Di
ll
onaskedf
eel
ingr
eal
lyhur
t.

'
Yes,Ihaveandhe'snameisDaniel
.Tomorrow
morningyou'
l
lseehim her
e"Shawnarepl
ied,her
gazeholdi
nghis.

Andt r
ulyt
hereisaguynamedDanielreal
lyl
ikes
her.Hehasbeenaroundherforayearnowandshe
al
readythoughtonaccept
inghim.

Di
ll
onl
etoutasi
gh.
"
Doyoul
ikehi
m?"Heaskedher
.

(
Hei
sback)

Wr
it
er'
sPOV

"
Doyoul
ikehi
m?"Heaskedher
.

Shawnast
aredathi
mforawhi
lebef
orer
epl
ying.

"Heisfri
endly,butt
heonlymanIthinkofwhenI
havethechancet oisyou.Theonl
ythingIaskofi
s
whydidhel eaveme?Di dIannoyhi
m?Whatdi dI
real
lydo?"
"Mymi ndalwaysfl
ashesbackt othelastday,the
dayyoudr ovemebackt othemansi onfrom t
he
pent
house.Ialwaysthinkofthatdayparticul
arly.I
tr
ytorememberwhatIdi dwr ongthatdaybut
coul
dn'tremember.Youaretheonl ymanoccupyi ng
mymi nd,butsadl
y..
..
"shetookhereyesdownand
cont
inued.

".
..
.Idon'
tevenknowifthatmaneverlovedme
becausehehasneversaidso,I'
veneverhear
dhim
l
ookmei nt heeyesandsayit
"shetookhereyes
backup.

"Haveyoueverf
eltsomet
hingf
ormebef
ore?
"She
asked.

Di
ll
oncont
inuedst
ari
ngather
,hi
smout
hseal
edas
i
fther
ewasaglueusedonit
.
"
Haveyou?
"Sheaskedagai
n.

"
Ineedsometimealone"wast
heonl
yrepl
ythat
Di
ll
ongaveherbef
oreleavi
ng.

Shawnasi ghedsadly,
shel ookedatthet
imeont he
wallclock.Shedeci
dedt oli
edownandwai tforhim
toreturnwheneverhef eel
sli
kebutunfor
tunatel
yhe
didn'
treturnti
llt
hefol
lowingmor ni
ng.

Atinyhandpul
ledherownhand,
shesl
idhereyes
open.

"Someoneisatthedoormom, whyaren'
tyou
wakingup?"Lewishandskeptr
oamingherbody
sti
llshesatuponthebed.

"
Ouch,
isi
tmor
ningal
ready?
"Shewonder
ed.
"
Wher
eisyournanny?
"SheaskedLewi
s.

"
Int
heki
tchen"l
ewi
srepl
ycame.

"Hasshepr
epar
edyouf
orschool
?"Shawnaasked
agai
n.

"
Yes,
asyoucansee, but
,wher
eisdad?Iwanthim
t
obetheonetaki
ngmet oschool
.Iwanthi
mt o
t
akemetoschool"l
ewissai
dcli
mbingthebed.

Heremovedherhandf
rom herheadt
ost
arei
nto
herf
ace.

"
Wher
eishe?
"Heaskedpeer
ingi
ntohereyes.

"Idon'tknow.Helef
tlastni
ght"Shawnaanswered
getti
ngdownf rom t
hebedwi t
hlewisinherar
ms.
"Justal
lowyournannytakeyoutoschoolt
oday"
shesaidtohim asshedroppedhi
mi nthedi
nning
area.

"
Mor
ningVenessa"shegr
eet
edl
ewi
snanny.

"Ohmorningmiss,
howareyoudoi
ng?Hopeyou
aren'
tsi
ck?"Thewomanasked.

"Noma'
am, I
'm good.Whoi
satt
hedoorpl
ease?
"
Shawnaasked.

"
Oh,it
'
sayoungman.Hei
sobvi
ousl
yher
eforyou"
r
epl
iedVenessa.

"Okt
hanks"shethankedthenwenti
nsi
de.She
washedherface,
driedi
tthenl
eftt
oopenthedoor
.
SheopenedthedoortoseeDaniel
.
Ofcour
se,
hehadt
oldherhe'
l
lbecomi
ngt
oday.

Sheclosedthedoorbehi
ndherandt
ookt
wost
eps
outt
ot al
ktohim.

"
HiDani
el"shegr
eet
edt
heal
readysmi
li
ngdani
el.

"
Hibeauty,youl
ookbeaut
if
uleveni
nthemor
ning"
Dani
elsaid.

Shawnal
aughed.

"
Thanks"Apausest
eppedi
n.

"So.
..
.Dani
el,t
her
eisact
uall
yanimport
antt
hingI
needtodiscusswit
hyou"Shawnast
art
ed.
"
Goon,
that
'swhyI
'
m her
eremember
"Dani
elsai
d.

"Ok.
.wewer
esupposedtohangoutyest
erday,
asi
n
goonadatebutyougothookedup.
"

"I
..
I'
m sor
rytosaythi
sbutIdon'
tthi
nkitcanwork
because.
..
.Lewi
sdad,he'
sback,
I'
mr eal
lysor
ry.
"

Daniel
'
sf acefellatt
heunexpect
ednews.Shawna
keptapol
ogizinguntilhel
eftf
eel
ingsohear
tbroken
anddisappointed.

Shawnastoodoutsidef
oralongt
imestari
ngat
Dani
el'
sfadedshadow.Sheopenedthedoorand
madetogoi nbutsawDill
oncomingback.

Shepaused,
shecl
osedbackt
hedoort
ofacehi
m.
"
Mor
ning"shegr
eet
edf
oldi
ngherar
ms.

Di
ll
ondidn'trepl
yhergr
eet
ings.Hej
ustdeci
dedt
o
gostr
aighttothepoi
nt.

"OklistenShawna.I t'
sr eal
lyhardforme, it
'sbeen
sohar df ormet oexpr essmyf eel
ingst osomeone.I
can'tdoi t,Idon'
tknowhowt oexpr essverbally.But
thatdoesn' tmeant hatIdon'tl
oveyou, well..
things
didn'tstartwellbutalongtheli
neIst arted
developingf eeli
ngsforyoubutIwasn' tsti
llsureof
mysel f.
"

"Itr
iedhol di
ngmysel fbackt
oo,Itr
iedconvinci
ng
mysel fthatIdon'tloveyoubutthepleasureIderi
ve
from you, wellnowt hatever
ythi
ngisover.I
underst andifyou'vemovedont oobutcanIj ust
stayar ound?Atl eastbearoundmyson"heasked.

"
Yout
rul
ysuckatconf
essi
on.I
fIwer
etoheart
his
from someoneel se,I
'dlaughatthepersonandt hen
pushhi m awaybut .
..
Ijustendedeveryrelat
ionshi
ps
thatwasaboutt odevel opbetweendanielandI.I
stil
lloveyou,st
upidme.Ist il
lcan'
tfor
getyou
maybebecauseyouar emyf i
rst.
"

"
I'
llbeyourf
ir
standlastt
hen,
agr
eed?
"Di
ll
onasked
t
akingherhandsi
ntohis.

"Hm..
.t
hatdependsonhowyoutreatmefr
om now
on.Wheredidyougoto?Iwai
tedforyoul
astni
ght
"
Shawnaasked.

"
Wel
l.
..
Iwasar
ound"Di
ll
onr
epl
iedpul
li
nghercl
oser
t
ohi
mself
.

"Wher
eisl
ewi
ston?
"Heaskedhi
smout
har
oundher
neckar
ea.
"Well
,hei
swith.
..
."Shawnastoppedt
alki
ng
becauseoft
hewayDi ll
onki
ssedherontheneck.

"
Wit
hhi
snanny"shecompl
eted.

Dil
lonkeptkissi
ngandlicki
ngherneckt
oherchest
.
Hepi nchedhernippl
essli
ghtl
ythr
ought
hesoft
fi
bric.

"
Tel
lme"hehushedi
ntoherear
s.

"Haveyouhads*xwit
hanot
herman?Iwon'tbe
angryt
ho,youar
ealsoahuman"hehushed.

"Whydon'
tyoufi
ndoutbyyoursel
flat
er,huh!
?"
Shawnarepl
iedr
eleasi
nghotbr
eathesintotheai
r.

"
Mom?
"Thedooropened.ShawnapushedDi
ll
on
awayf
rom her
.

"Dad!Youareher
e?Final
ly,
youaretheonetaking
met oschool
"Lewist
onholl
eredandrantoDil
lon'
s
side.

Dil
loncar
ri
edhimfrom t
hef
loor
.Heki
ssedhi
s
cheekandhisf
orehead.

"
Yourwishismycommandmypr i
nce.So,
wher
eis
t
hisyourschooll
ocat
ed?
"Di
ll
onasked.

Lewi
stononl
ylaughedouti
nrepl
ybecauseDi
ll
on
ti
ckl
edhim.

"Comeon,you'
l
lbelat
e.Playonyourwayt
oschool
"
Shawnapushedthebothofthem.
Shet urnedt
othenannybesi
deher,
shecoll
ected
Bryan'sbagandlunchboxt
henshehandedthem t
o
Dil
lon.

"
Goonnow"shepushedDi
ll
on.

"Tel
lyoursonnottomisbehaveinschoolt
oday,I
'l
l
spankhisassifhemisbehaves"Shawnasaidto
Dil
lonwhocontinuedpl
ayingwithlewi
sasheleft.

"
Ist
hatl
ewi
stonf
ather
?"Venessaasked.

"
Yes,
hei
s"r
epl
iedShawna.

"Woah!NowIknowwherel
it
tl
elewi
stongothi
s
goodlooksf
rom,her
esembl
ancehi
sf at
heral
ot"
Venessasai
d.
Shawnasmi
led.Shepl
acedherhandonVenessa
shoul
der
.

"Thanksf
orsayi
ngt
hat,
Ihavetogot
akemybat
h
now"Shawnasaidr
unni
ngint
othehouse.

*
Mexi
co*

Di
ll
y'
sphoner
ang,
hepi
ckedi
tup.

"
Dad!
"Hehear
dfr
om t
heot
herend.

"
Bryan,
haveyougot
tent
opar
is?
"Di
ll
yasked.

"
Yes,
justgotdownf
rom t
hepl
ane"Br
yanr
epl
ied.

"
Whatofyourbodyguar
d?Ishether
ewit
hyou?"
Di
ll
yaskedpaci
ngaboutinther
oom.Suzankept
st
ari
ngathi
m ashewor
ri
edhi
msel
fwhi
let
alki
ngt
o
Br
yan.

"
Yeah,
hei sri
ghtbehindme.Thanksf
oral
lowi
ng
medad,Iappreci
ate.
"

Thel
inewentof
f.

*
Par
is*

Br
yant
urnedt
olookatt
heper
sonalguar
dbehi
nd
hi
m.

Helookedatt
hephonenumberDi
ll
ytol
dhi
m was
Di
ll
on'snumber,
theonehei
stocal
l.

Buthehavegotdi
ff
erenti
deasonhi
shead.
Hetr
ulywant
stoknowifDi
ll
onwi
llcomer
unni
ngt
o
hi
m oncehei
sintr
oubl
e.

Helookedaroundthebusyair
portthenhe
pur
poselybumpedi nt
oalady,herbagfel
landhe
st
artedapol
ogizi
ng.

"
You.
..
!Payf
ort
hedamagesnow"t
hel
adyshr
ieked.

Theguardst
art
edbringi
ngoutmoneyf
rom hi
s
wall
ett
opaythelady.

Seei
ngthathisguar
dwasdi
str
acted.Hef
oll
oweda
rout
eandmi ssedhi
msel
fwi
ththecrowd.

Thenhesi
ght
edacopmovi
ngar
oundwi
thhi
s
pi
stol
.
Nextpl
an.

Herantothecopandbecauset
hecopwasan
aver
ageheight
,hest
oodalmostt
hecop'
shei
ght
.

AcloserlookatBr yanshowedthathewasst i
llaki
d
butlooki
ngathimf rom af
arwit
ht hewayheis
dressed,
you'l
lthinkhei soneofthispopul
ar
dancersormusi ci
an.

"
Hisi
r,doyouknowme?
"Br
yanasked.

Thecopf
rowned.

"
Idon'
tknowyouki
d"t
hecopr
epl
ied.

"
Well
,nowyou'
llknowme"Bryansai
dthent
apped
t
hecoponhisheadver
yhard.Hetooktohi
sheel
s.
.

Tobecont
inued.
.
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence56-
57
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
.
(
Bryan)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Dill
ongottoLewist
onschool,
tookhimtohisclass
becauselewi
swant edit
.Ongetti
ngtotheclass,a
teacherwasalr
eadyteachi
ngtherestoft
he
students.
WhenDi ll
onshowedup, shehadtopauseher
teachi
ng.Lewiswalkedintot
heclasspr
oudlywi
th
allhi
sclassmatesstar
ingathim.
Hepurposel
ywalkedtowardstheboyhepl
aced
gum onhissi
tandtouchedhishead.
"
Youlookugl
ytoday"lewi
ssaidtohi
m,ear
ning
l
aught
erfr
om theotherst
udent
s.
Theteacherthatwassupposedt ocontrolt
he
st
udentscouldn'tevenhelpbutdroolatDil
lonwho
wasn'tpayi
ngheronebi tofanattenti
on.
Lewisgottothefrontsitbutal
lthesit
sontherow
werealreadyoccupied.Theteachertr
yingt
ogain
Dil
lontolookathertoldoneoft heboy'
soccupyi
ng
thesit
st ost
andupf orlewisandtheboydid.
Lewissatdownconf
ident
lyt
hent
urnedt
owar
ds
Dil
lon.
"
Byedad"l
ewi
stonwavedathi
m.
Di
ll
onwavedbackathi
m bef
oredi
sappear
ingf
rom
t
here.
Onhi
swayback,
almostatt
hehot
elwher
ethe
pent
housei
slocat
ed.Hi
sphoner
angandhepi
cked
i
t.
"
Hel
lo"heanswer
ed.
"Um...
Dil
lon,haveyouseenBryanyet?Shi
t!He'
s
personalguardlosthimtoacrowdattheair
por
t"
Dil
lysaidwor r
iedl
yfrom t
heotherend.
"Br
yan?Hol
don,
isn'
thet
her
ewi
thyou?
"Di
ll
on
asked.
"No,he.
..
hesai
dhewant edtocomedownsi nceyou
havebeenavoi
dinghim butthat
'snott
hepr obl
em
now.Youhavetolookforhim"Dill
yexpl
ained.
"But
,thef
uck!Whydidn'
thet
akethefamil
y'
sjet
back?Whyputhiminapubli
cai
rplane?
"
"
Look,hewant
edi
tok?Thati
swhathewant
s,j
ust
l
ookforhi
m."
"F*ckyou!Youcan'thandleaki
d!Asshole!
"Di
ll
on
annoyinglygroanedi
ntothephone.Thenhe
disconnectedthecal
l.
Hegotbackintohi
scar
,rever
sedt
henl
eftf
ort
he
near
estai
rportt
her
e.
Hegotther
ewi t
hinminut
es,hewant
edt
ogetdown
bef
orehisphonestar
tedri
nging.
Consi
deri
ngitt
ober easonabl
ecal
l,
hepi
ckedt
he
cal
lwit
houtchecki
ngthenumber.
"
Hel
lo?
"Hehushedi
ntot
hephone.
"Pl
easewegott
hisnumberf
rom aboyknownas
Bryanmar
k.We..
."
"Wher
eishe?"Onhear
ingBr
yan'
snamehecal
med
downandasked.
Hewasinst
ruct
edtocomet
othest
ati
onbesi
det
he
ai
rpor
twher
ehei s.
I
nminuteshear
ri
vedt hepol
icestat
ionwentinand
t
hef
irstper
sonhiseyesmetwi t
hwast hatofBr
yan.
Dil
lonsloweredhisst
epsforawhil
e,hetookhi
s
eyesoffBryan,hewentaheadandinqui
redwhat
Bryandidfrom oneofthecops.
Hewastakentothecopwho'
sheadBr
yanhadhi
t.
Thecopexpl
ainedthi
ngst
oDil
lon.
Di
ll
ont
urnedt
ogl
areathi
m af
tert
heexpl
ainat
ion.
"Heisjustakid,
youcan'tpossi
blyarr
esthim?He'
ll
apologi
zetoyouf orhi
sacti
ons"Dil
lonsaidtot
he
man.Het urnedtoBryanandmadehi m apol
ogi
zeto
thecop.
Dil
lontookhim outf
r om t
hepoli
cestat
ionand
str
aighttot
heai r
port.Hewantedtosendhi m back
toMexicoimmedi at
ely.Butwhenhearrivedthe
air
portandaskedBr yantocomedownf r om t
hecar,
Bryanactedli
kehewasdeaf .
Inst
ead,hetookoutt
heheadphonef r
om the
desi
gnerbaghewascar ryi
ngandpluggediton.Hi
s
actannoyedDil
lonalotbutheswal
loweddownhi s
anger.
Hewenttot
heot
hersi
deandf
orcedhi
m downf
rom
t
hecar.
"
Youwon' tt
roubl
eme, Bryan.Idon'
tneedpr
obl
ems
f
rom you"Dil
longroaned.
Br
yankepthol
dingunt
othecarr
efusi
ngt
ofol
low
hi
m.
"Whatthefuckdoyouwant
?"Di
ll
onf
inal
lyr
eleased
hisangeronhim.
"Iwantyout
olookatmef
oronce.Lookatmel
ike
am notamist
ake"Br
yanr
epl
iedback.
"
Youar
egoi
ngbackt
oMexi
conow!
"Di
ll
onsai
d.
"
No,
Iwon'
t.Youwon'
tfor
ceme"Br
yanst
ated.
"
Whatiswrongwi
thyouBryan?Whyar
eyoudoi
ng
t
hese?F*
ck!!
"Di
ll
onsnappedathi
m.
"
Lookatmel ikeI'
m notamistake.Stopavoi
dingme,
I
'm notpoi
sonous.Whydoyoukeepi gnori
ngme?
Whatismyof fense?
"Bryanrepli
edbackathim
makingpasserbypeoplel
ookatt hem.
"
You'
rest
ubbor
n"Di
ll
onr
esi
gned.
"
Iwast
oldIgott
hatf
rom you"Bryanrepl
iedhi
m.
Hi
swor
dssuddenlymel
tedDill
on'sheart
.
Her
ubbedhi
sfor
eheadt
hensi
ghed.
Hesquat
teddownt
oBr
yan'
shei
ght
.
"Youarenotami st
akeok?AndI '
m notignori
ngyou.
Ijustdon'twanttogettooclosetoyou.Iwantyou
toremainwi thwhoyoual r
eadythinkofandrespect
asyourf ather
,Idon'
twannahur tmybrother'
s
feeli
ngs"Dill
onsaidsoundingmor ecal
mt hanever.
"
Butyoudi
dn'
tthi
nkaboutmyownf
eel
ings"Br
yan
mout
hed.
"I
'm sorry,
butIdon'twannahaveanycl ose
rel
ationshipwithyou.Idon'twantyouclosetome
ordoyouwannahur thi
m?Lethi m cont
inuebeing
yourdadbecauseI '
m surehelovesyou,heloves
yout oomuch, Ican'
ttakeyouf r
om him.Just
under st
andit,
ignori
ngyoui sn'
twhatIwantbuti t
's
fort
hebest "explai
nedDillon.
Br
yansi
ghedi
nunder
standi
ng.
"Youdon'thavetotot
all
yignor
eme,t
akemeas
yournephewt hen.Awayanunclewoul
d,I
'
llf
eel
bett
erthatway"Bryansaid.
"
Okcool
.Agr
eed"Di
ll
onagr
eed.
Br
yansmi
led."
CanIhugyout
hen?
"Br
yanasked.
"
Ofcour
se,
you'
ref
ree"Di
ll
oncooed.
Bryanhuggedhi
m butwasqui
ckt
opul
loutoft
he
hug,hi
sfacetur
ningi
ntoaf
rown.
Di
ll
onl
ookedt
oseeBr
yanst
ari
ngatal
adybehi
nd
hi
m.
Whoi
sshe?Di
ll
onwonder
ed.
"
Whoi
sshe?
"Di
ll
onasked.
Br
yanr
emai
nedmut
edf
orawhi
lebef
orer
epl
ying.
"
Mymom"r
epl
iedBr
yan.
Dil
lonhadtoturnandlookatthel
adyverywell
.He
canseetheresemblancebetweensheandBryan.
Het
ooksl
owst
eadyst
epst
oher
.
"
Dil
lonr
ight
?"Ri
taasked.
"
So,youknowmyname?I
sitt
ruet
hatam hi
s
f
ather
?"Di
ll
onasked.
"EvenIam supr i
sedyouturnedouttobet hedrunk
guyatthebar .Iwasalsoreall
ydrunk,Ifoundthat
drunkguysohandsome, Idecidedtof*ckhim and
f*ckme, itr
esult
edtoapregnancybutsur pri
sedlyI
sleptwiththeguy'stwi
nbrotherandforcedthekid
onhi m.Whati sfat
ereal
lydoing?Idon't
understand"Ritasai
ddumbf ounded.
Dil
lonsi
ghed,hel
eanedcl
oserandwhi
sper
edt
oher
heari
ngalone.
"Youar eluckywear einacr owdedplaceandBr yan
i
sal sowat chingus.IswearIcouldhavedr ainedli
fe
outofyouf orwhatyoudi d.Whenyougethome,
l
ockyourdoor sandstayhiddenfortherestofyour
l
ife.Don'teverappeart oBryanorevenDi l
lyor
wor stme, I
'l
lskinyoualiveoncethathappensand
that'
sapr omi sebït
ch.
"
"Anyways,t
hanksforgi
vingbi
rthtohim"Dil
lonsai
d
outloudl
y.HewalkedbacktoBryanthentookhim
awayf r
om theai
rpor
theadedforthemansion.
.
.
(
Hei
smyson)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Di
ll
onarri
vedt
hemansi
onwi t
hBr yan.Hegotdown,
hestoodf
orawhi
leout
sidestar
ingatthemansion.
Nothi
ng'schange.Ofcoursenot
hingcanchange.
Theyint
endkeepingthemansionthewayitis
becauseit
'sthei
rfami
ly'
smansionwhichthei
rlat
e
mom anddadbui lt
.
Di
ll
ononl
ymovedwhenhefel
tsomeonet
ouchi
ng
hi
m.Helookeddownt
oseeBr
yan.
"Youaren'
tmovi
ng,
wher
ear
eweexact
ly?
"Br
yan
asked.
"Well
,thi
sist
hef
ami
ly'
smansi
on.Let
'sgoi
n"he
urgedhim.
Thesecuri
ti
eskeptgreet
ingDi
ll
onbutitseemed
l
ikehedidn'
tevenhearanyoft
heirgr
eetings.
Theygottothedoor,
bef
oreDi
lloncoul
dpushit
open.Thedooropenedr
eveal
ingma'am Sandr
a.
"Ohmygoodness,
chi
ld.It
'sbeensol
ong"ma'
am
Sandr
aexcl
aimedhuggingDil
lon.
Di
ll
onsmi
ledl
ight
ly.
Thiswomanhasalwaysbeent here,
nevergot
marri
edagai
n,neverl
eftthei
rsideandsheisnow
l
ikeasecondmothertothem al
l.
Ma'
am Sandr
alookeddownatBr
yan.Hereyes
wi
dened.
"
Whoar
eyouki
d?"Shesquat
teddownabi
ttoask.
"
It
'salongst
oryma'
am,expl
ainati
onbett
erl
eftf
or
l
ater
"Dil
lonr
epli
edwal
kingi
ntothehouse.
Themaidsli
nedupandkeptget
tinghim ashe
walkedi
nbutDil
lonwasnevert
het ypetoassoci
ate
hi
mselfwit
halotofpeopl
e.Hejustignor
edthem as
al
waystaki
ngthestepsup.
"Wow!Thisplacei
sbig,j
ustl
iket
heonei
nmexi
co"
Bryanexcl
aimedlooki
ngaround.
"
Iti
s?"Di
ll
onasked.
"
Yes,
it'
sbeaut
if
ult
oo"Br
yanconf
ir
med.
Ma'
am sandr
akeptf
oll
owi
ngt
hem unt
ilDi
ll
ongot
t
ohisr
oom.
Neat
.
Hewal
kedinandsatdowni
nfr
ontoft
hechai
r
t
her
ethatf
acedamirror
.
Hi
smindsuddenlyf
lashedbacktotheti
mehe
r
ecent
lygotShawnaasagiftfr
om hisbr
other
.
HehadsèxedShawnar
ightatt
hatposi
ti
on,
maki
ng
herf
acet
hemi r
ror
.
"
Chi
ld?
"Hehear
dma'am Sandr
a'svoi
ce.Heki
cked
t
hememoryasi
de.
"
Wherei
sShawna?Wher eisl
ewi
ston?Youhave
mett
hem r
ight
?"Sheasked.
"Yeah.Canyouhel
pmecal lher?Sheisprobably
waiti
ngformetogetback.Callher
,tel
lherthatI
'l
l
behereforthemai
ntimeplease?"Dill
onasked.
"Okthen.I'
l
ldothat
,butf
irstyouneedtotel
lme
whohei s?"Ma'
am sandr
apoi nt
edatBryanwho
hasn'tst
oppedl
ookingaroundsincehewalkedi
nto
theroom.
"He?Hei
sDil
ly'
s.Hemusthavet
oldyouabouthi
m
atsomepoi
ntri
ght?
"Di
ll
onanswered.
"Oh!I
shetheBryan?Ididn'tevenknow.I'
m sosor
ry
son"Ma'
am sandrasaidreferr
ingtoBryanatt
he
l
astpart
.Sheembr acedBryan.
"
Weshoul
dhavemetsooner
?"Ma'
am Sandr
asai
d
t
oBr
yansti
llhuggi
nghi
m.
"
Oh!Ma'am,I
'
m suf
focat
ingher
e"Br yansai
d
t
hroughhi
snosemakingma'am sandratomove
awayf
rom hi
m.
"I
'
m sosorry,whatcoul
dyoul
iket
oeat?"Sheasked
smil
ingatBryanwhohadagrumpylookon.
"Youcangetmesomebeefandcof
fee.Thatwi
lldo"
Bryansai
d.
"
And.
..
itshoul
dbeahotone,Idon'
tli
kecoldmeal
s,
t
heymakemewannat hrowup"Bryanaddedas
ma'
am sandrawasaboutt
oleave.
Ma'
am sandr
alookedatDi
ll
on.
"Thatsoundsalotli
keayoungeryouDi
ll
on"she
saidbefor
edisappeari
ng
"
Youdon'
tli
kecol
dmeal
s?"Di
ll
onaskedhi
m.
"Yup!St
art
edfr
om aal
lergy,
mom al
waysf
orces
coldmealsonmeand.
...
"
"Don'
tevert
alkaboutherifshemakesyoufeel
uncomfort
able.Gott
hat?"Dil
loncuthi
min.
"Yeahpup,
ist
hatyourbed?
"Br
yanpoi
ntedatt
he
bed.
"
Obvi
ousl
y"Di
ll
onr
epl
ied.
Bryanrant
othebed,het
hrewhi
sdesi
gnerbag
asideandl
iedown.
*
Aft
ersomemi nutesma'
am sandracamebackwit
h
aplat
efullofgril
ledmeatandbeef,
alsowi
thacup
ofhotchocolatecoff
ee.
SheopenedthedoortoDil
lon'
sroom t
oseeBryan
andDil
lonl
yingt
ogetheronhisbedandprobabl
y
asl
eep.
Ma'
am sandr
asni
cker
ed.
Ofcourseyourt
winbrotheral
readyopenedupto
meabouteveryt
hing.Heisnotsosecreti
veli
keyou,
Ma'am sai
dinhermindbeforeleavi
ngthetwoto
conti
nuethei
rsl
eep.
*
4hour
slat
er*
"Gr
anny!Gr
anny!
!"Ma'
am Sandr
ahear
dthevoi
ceof
Lewist
oncal
li
ngtoher
.
Lewist
onhascometotakeherasagrandmot
her.
Shetookcar
eofhi
m, bat
hedhim dur
inghi
searl
y
dayssoshewasobvi
ouslyl
ikehi
sgrandma.
Ma'am Sandrast
artedwal
kingdownthest
air
s
gentl
yknowingthatShawnahasarr
ivedwi
th
Lewist
on.
Shehadcall
edandinf
ormedShawnat hatDi
ll
on
cameover
,shetol
dhert hatshewil
lbecomi
nglat
er
whenlewi
stoncl
osesfrom school
.
Theyar
eher
e.
Shemetl ewistonatt
hemiddleofthestai
rcase.
Lewi
sj umpedonher ,shecar
riedhim upi
ntoa
warm embr ace.
Shawnawasr
ightbehi
ndhi
m,asmi
leofherf
ace.
"
Hima'
am"Shawnasmi
led.
"Ohdear,youaref
inal
lyhere.Heisinhi
sr oom"
ma'am Sandrasai
dknowi ngthatt
hepersonshe
badlywantstoseeisDil
lon.
Shawnasmi
ledatherwi
thl
it
tl
epinkblush.Ma'
am
Sandr
anowknowsinandoutofher.
Shawnawal
kedpasst
hem goi
ngt
oDi
ll
on'
sroom.
Sheopenedt
heroom butdi
dn'
tfi
ndDi
ll
ont
her
e,
i
nsteadshef
oundBryan.
Huh!Wherei
she?Shawnawonderedasshewal
ked
i
ntother
oom.Shut
ti
ngthedoorbehi
ndher.
Shewal
keduptoBryanwhowassi
tt
ingont
hebed
wit
hhi
sheadphoneon.
"
Hey"shet
appedBr
yanat
tr
act
inghi
sat
tent
ion.
Br
yanr
emovedt
heheadphonef
rom hi
sear
s.
"
Hey"her
epl
iedher
.
"
Wher
eisDi
ll
on?
"Shawnaasked.
"
Int
hebat
hroom"Br
yanpoi
nted.
"Butwhoar
eyou?I
'
veneverseenyoubef
ore"
Shawnaasked.
"
Yeah,
sameher
e"Br
yanr
epl
iedher
.
Thedoort
othebat
hroom openedandDi
ll
onwal
ked
out
.
Shawnat
urnedt
olookathi
m.
"
You'
reher
e,beenwai
ti
ngf
oryou"Di
ll
onsai
d.
"Bryan,
coul
dyouexcuseuspl
ease?
"Di
ll
onasked
Bryan.
"
Yeah,
ofcour
se"Br
yanr
epl
iedt
henl
eft
.
"Whoishe?"Shawnaasked.Inst
eadofrepl
yingher,
hegrabbedherbythewaistandslammedhislips
onhers.
"Geez!Youdon'
tknowmuchI'
vemi
ssedt
his"he
groanedinbet
weentheki
ss.
Thekissl
ast
edforf
ewminut
esbefor
eshawna
pushedhi
m awayandwal
kedtot
hedoor.
"
Getyourcl
otheson,
Icanfeelyourbul
get
hrough
t
hatt
owel"Shawnasaid.
Di
ll
onchuckl
ed.
"
Mybodywantsonl
yyou"hesai
dashewal
kedt
o
t
hecl
osett
her
etopickoutadr
ess.
"
So,
whoi
she?
"Shawnaaskedagai
n.
"He?Hei sBryan.Wi
llyoubeli
evei
tifIsaythatI
actuall
yfat
herhim?"Dil
lonaskedwalki
ngthrough
hiscloset
.
"
Youar
en'
tser
ious,
areyou?
"Shawnaaskedback.
"
I'
m ser
ious.Hei
smyson,
areyouangr
y?"Di
ll
on
r
epl
iedher
.
"
Yourson?
"Di
ll
onhear
dShawna'
svoi
cebehi
ndher
.
Heturnedt
olookather
.Shewasnowst
andi
ng
behi
ndhim.
"Howdidyougether
esof
ast
?"Di
ll
onasked,
supr
ised.
"Comeontellme,
isher
eal
lyyourson?
"Shawna
askedcur
iousl
y.
"Yeah,
Ifat
herhi
ml i
keIsai
dbut
..
.hei
snowDi
ll
y'
s
son.Youdon'
thavetoworr
ymuch."
Dil
lonexpl
ainedt
hewhol
ethi
ngt
oShawnat
ocool
hercuri
ousi
ty.
"Woah!Hei
sreal
lyyourson?Soi
t'
str
ue?
"Shawna
asked.
"
Youknew?
"Di
ll
ont
urnedt
oaskher
.
"Naomi,Imistakenl
yover
headherconver
sati
on
withSam yearsago.Youreal
lyhaveason.Whatof
hismother?"Shawnaspokesof ast
.
"
Ohhi
smom?I
fIeverseeher
,I'
m ki
ll
inghermysel
f,
youdon'
thavet
ogetj
eal
ous"Di
ll
onr
epl
iedher
.
Shawnaexhal
eddeepl
y.
"
Ohthankgoodness!Iwasscaredyouwer
egonna
mar
ryanotherwoman"saidShawna.
Di
ll
onchuckl
ed.
"Icanonlygetmarri
edtotheset
hreewomeni nthi
s
wor l
d.Thei
rnamesar eShawnaMarcus,Shawna
Mar cusandShawnaMar cus"Di
ll
onsaidearni
nga
blushfrom Shawna.
TBC
Sol
dToAGangLeader
.
Season2
.
Sequence58-
60
.
Fi
nal
e..
.
©Bl
essi
ng.
.
.
.
(
Ineedyou)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
"Reall
y?Youar
egonnamarr
yonl
yme?Wel
l,
Iwas
scaredyouwer
egonna.
..
"
"Nothi
ngl
ikethatwil
lhappen.Iwon'
tbemarryi
ng
Bryan'
smother,I
'l
lbekil
li
ngher"Di
ll
onint
err
upted
Shawna.
Shawnacont
inuedbl
ushing,
happyt
hatshewast
he
onl
yonepref
erabl
etohim.
"So,whenar
eyougonnamar
rymet
hen?
"She
asked.
"Huh!Ishoul
dbeaskingyouthat.Maybeyou
shouldmarrymeinst
ead,I'
l
lbearyoursurname,
huh?Itsoundscool
,ri
ght
?"Dil
lonteased.
Shawnar
eleasedasl
ightf
rown.
"
I'
llbegoi
ng"shet
urnedandi
mmedi
atel
ywal
ked
outf
rom t
her
oom,
sucki
ng.
"HowcanIbetheonemarryi
ngyou?"Shesucked
asshewentdownthehal
lway-ali
tt
lebithungr
y.
Shegott
othest
air
stohearma'
am Sandr
a'svoi
ce.
"Youguysshoul
dst oppl
ayi
ngthebal
lher
eok?
Yourfat
herwon'tbehappywit
hyou.Yout
wo
shoul
dstop"sheheardtheel
derl
ywoman'svoi
ce.
Shesight
edBryanandLewi
stonpl
ayi
ngabal
l
i
nsidethesi
tt
ingroom.
"
Grandma,youreall
yneedt
oletmewi
nhi
m.Ihave
t
o"Lewist
onrepli
edher.
Gett
ingr
eall
ycuri
ous,shehur
ri
eddownt
hest
air
sto
seeever
ythi
ngforher
self
.
"Whyareyout woplayi
ngballi
nsidet
hesit
ti
ng
room?Can'tyoujustgooutsi
de?"Shawnafi
xedher
handsonherwai stassheasked.
'
Hesaidhewant
edtopl
aywi
thme"Br
yanr
epl
ied
pi
cki
ngupthebal
l.
"
Ohmom!Pl
easel
eaveus"l
ewi
stoncr
iedout
.
"No!Thi
sisasit
ti
ngroom.I
t'
snotapl
ayinggr
ound.
Youcangooutsidei
fyouwannacont
inuepl
ayi
ng"
Shawnapoint
edout.
"Butit
'sal
readydar
kout
side"l
ewi
stoncr
iedout
again.
"Whatareyoushout
ingatt
hem?
"Di
ll
on'
svoi
ce
askedfr
om behi
nd.
Shawnat
urnedt
olookatDi
ll
on.
"Well
,yoursonsar
eplayi
ngabal li
nsidethesit
ti
ng
room.Isupposeyouwon'tsupportt
hat,wil
lyou?"
Shawnaasked.
Di
ll
onl
ookedatBr
yan,
andt
henLewi
ston.
"
Youcanl eavethem.It
'sal
readyl
ate.I
t'
sonl
yfor
t
onightaf
terall
.Let'
sgo"hepull
edShawnaalong
wit
hhim goingoutsi
de.
Ma'am Sandr
aonheari
ngDill
on'sr
esponsecalmed
down.Shecan'tDi
ll
onwil
lactsocutewhenit
comest ohi
ssons.
Heasakidalwayspi
ckf
ightwi
thDi
ll
y.I
tscut
e
seei
nghi
mt hi
sway.
*
Anhourl
ater
*
Amai
dwal
kedupt
oBr
yanandLewi
ston.
"
Youboysshouldheadtot
hesi
tt
ingr
oom now,
the
f
oodi
sready"themaidsai
d.
Thet
wooft
hem st
oppedpl
ayi
ngal
readyt
ir
ed.
"Idon'
tknowwhoyouar ebutIkindofli
keyou,you
saidyouaren'
tgonnabeli
vinghere.Di
dyoucome
backwithmydad? "Lewi
stonaskedBryanholdi
ng
untotheball
.
"Ki
ndof,Ithi
nkI'
l
lbegoingbacktomorrow.Il
ike
youtoo.So,what
'syourname?"Bryanasked.
"I
'
m Lewist
onbutyoucancal
lmeLewi
forshor
t"
Lewi
stonrepl
ied.
"
So,
hei
sreal
lyyourdad?
"Br
yanasked,
cur
ious.
"
Yeah,
heis.Isheyourdadt
oo?
"Lewi
stonr
epl
ied,
t
henasked.
"
Um...
bybir
th,
yeahbutmyrealfat
her,
theonewho
l
ooksaft
ermeisinMexi
co"Bryanrepl
ied.
"
Hel
ooksal
otl
ikehi
m.Ihear
dthey'
ret
wins"Br
yan
expl
ainedf
oll
owi
ngLewi
stonasheheadt
othe
si
tti
ngroom.
"Woah!That
'scool
.Somydadi satwinwi
thyour
dad?That'
sawesome.Buti
t'
sapi t
yIwon'
tgetto
seeyoueverydayt
ho"Lewi
stonsaid.
"Yeahri
ght.Thatwoman,
shei
syourmom t
oo?
"
Bryanaskedagain.
"Yes,she'ssobeaut
if
ulri
ght?Sheisthemost
beautifulwomanonplanetear
th"Lewisr
epl
ied
proudly.
Br
yanchuckl
ed.
"
Iguessyou'
reluckythen.Tohavesuchabeaut
if
ul
l
adywhoobviouslylovesyou'
Bryansai
d.
Lewist
onst
oppedwal
king,
het
urnedt
ost
areupat
Bryan
"Whydidyousaythat
?Doesn'
tyourmom l
oveyou
asmuch?Youcanshar emi
newithmethen,Iwon'
t
mind"Lewi
stonsai
d.
Br
yanchuckl
edagai
n.
Het
ookhi
shandt
oLewi
stonhai
randscat
ter
edhi
s
hai
r.
"You'
recute.Ial
readygotabett
ermom anda
beaut
ifulbabysi
ster,El
li
e,t
hankyou"Br
yansai
d.
"
You'rewelcomebuddy"Lewist
onrepl
ied,
they
f
inal
lygottothedi
nningtoseeShawnaandDi l
lon
wait
ingforthem.
Lewi
stonwenttosi
tbesi
deShawnawhi
leBr
yansat
besi
deDil
lon.
Theystar
tedeat
ingandt
hroughoutt
hedinner,
Shawnakeptwatchi
ngLewisspeakf
reel
ywi t
h
Bryan.
Thatmadeherr el
ieved.Atl
easttheyarefri
ends.
DuetoLewi spi
ckynat ur
e,Shawnawasabi t
worri
edthatBryanandLewi st
onr el
ati
onshi
pmay
gobadly,butt
hankgoodness.
"Sopup,
whenIam l
eavi
ngf
orMexi
co?
"Br
yan
askedDi
ll
on.
"Tomor r
owmorning.Itshouldhavebeentodaybut
um...t
hefami
ly'
sjetissti
llgett
ingpr
epared"Di
ll
on
repl
ied.
*
Thi
rt
ymi
nut
esaf
terdi
nner
*
BothBr
yanandLewist
onwer
etakent
oar oom t
o
sl
eepsi
nceLewi
stoncoul
dn'
tst
optal
kingtohi
m.
Onehabitl
ewi
stoninheri
tedthati
sn'
tfr
om Di
ll
on'
s,
mightbefr
om Shawna'sside.
*
Dill
onsatonherbedstari
ngasShawnaundr essed
herselft
otakeabat
h.Theycan'tgobacktothe
penthouseandsheisn'
tbother
ed.Themansionis
themai nhomefort
hem allandshehasgott
en
reall
ycomfort
ablet
here.
Andoh...Beat
ri
ce,shewat chedBeat
ri
ceget
engagedsomet i
mesl astyear,
shemarri
edandl
eft
themansiontoli
vewithherhusband.
I
twassuchabeaut
if
ulsi
ght
.
Aft
erundr
essing,
Shawnawenti
ntot
hebat
hroom
andhadaquickbath.
"
Inoti
cedyoust
ari
ngatBr
yanear
li
eratt
hedi
nni
ng'
Di
ll
onsaid.
"
Yeah,
Idi
d"Shawnar
epl
ied.
"
Youl
ikehi
m?"Di
ll
onasked.
"Ofcourse,thereshouldn'tbeanyr easonformeto
hatehim.Wel l,except.
..
ifyouhadbr oughthismom
here,Iwouldn'tbesosur eofthat
"Shawnar epl
ied
trut
hful
ly,wearingt henightgownthere.
Di
ll
onchuckl
ed.
"So,
youdon'
twantanyotherwomanaroundme
huh!
?Areyouthatst
ingy?
"Dil
lont
eased.
Shawnat
urnedt
olookathi
m.
"
Sti
ngy?Youcal
lthatst
ingy?
"Shef
rowned.
"Wel
l,i
fyouwannamar ryher,youcangoahead.
Theonlythi
ngIwantfrom youarekids,
Iwantli
ke
twomor eki
dsfr
om youandt henyouarefreet
o
marrysomeoneelse,
Iwon'tgetjeal
ous"Shawna
sai
d.
"Onlyki
ds?Youdon'
twantme?
"Di
ll
onasked,
standi
ngup.
"
Ofcour senot
.WhyshouldIwantyouwhenyou
wantanotherwoman?"Shawnacouldn'
thel
pbut
r
ollhereyesathi
m.
Dil
loncameupbehindher
.Het
urnedherandmade
herbackhi
tthecl
oset.
"
Reall
y?Youdon'
twantme?"Heasked,
hishand
t
rai
li
ngdowntoherVi
rgi
nã.
"
Ye.
.yeah"Shawnar
epl
ied.
"
Areyour eal
lyr
eall
ysureboutt
hat
?"Di
ll
onaskedi
n
awhisperashishandli
ft
edShawnasof
tfibr
ic.
Hisf
inger
stouchedandr
ubbedhercl
it
,maki
ng
Shawnagasp.
"You.
..
!"Shewasaboutsayi ngwhenDi l
lon
suddenlypushedoneofhi sfinger
sint
ohervir
ginã.
Itwassof astandunexpected.ItmadeShawna
gaspagain.
Hepi
nnedhert
othecl
osetandst
art
edf
inger
f
uckï
ñgher
.
I
tdi
dn'
ttaket
imef
orhert
ogetwetatal
l.
"
Yousayyoudon'
twantme?
"Di
ll
onaskedagai
n.
"No!I
twasami st
ake.Iwantyou,
I..
I.
.Ineedyou"
Shawnarepl
iedasthepleasur
ehegaveherbecame
moreint
enseandsweet.
.
.
(
Endi
ng)
Wr
it
er'
sPOV
Al
otofweekspassed.
Everyt
hingwasgoi
nggr
eat,l
ewiswasaboutt
urni
ng
fourandhewassoexci
tedabouti
t.
Someofhisschoolf
ri
ends, t
heoneshelikeswer
e
i
nvi
ted.HewashappierthatevenBryanwasgonna
becomingdowntoparisforhisbi
rt
hday.
NaomiandSam whower ehookedupi nSan
Franci
scodeci dedtor eturnforl
ewiston'sbirt
hday
sinceDil
lonwant editbig.Itwasthef i
rsttime
celebr
ati
ngnewagewi t
hhi m,hewant edittobeon
thenews, car
ri
edbyr eportersandallsocialmedia.
Shawnawassoexci ted,t
honotalwaystooexci
ted.
Itlooksl
ikeDil
lonreall
ymeantwhathesaidbynot
beingreadytogetmar ri
ed,hewasnotshowing
signsofamant hatwantstogetmarri
edatall
.
Hei
snowal
waysbusywi
thDi
ll
y,andasi
det
hat
,he
i
splanni
ngonhowtopossi
blymovet
oMexi
cot
o
hel
pDill
youtwi
tht
hecompany.
Shawnadoesn'tr
eall
yknowshisplansbecausehe
doesn'tdi
scl
osehi
splanstohert
hatmuch, i
tmade
herfeelof
fmostti
mes.
Butt
hankgoodnessf
ort
hegr
eatdi
str
act
ion.
Amont hbeforeDil
lonreappeared,
shawnahad
bumpedintovalenti
ne,hertwinandthentheirbi
g
brot
heratthemal l
.Shewasgoi ngshoppi
ngf or
Lewist
on'
scl ot
hingwhenshebumpedi nt
ot hem.
TinahadaskedherifshewasLewi st
onmotherand
shehadsai dyes,
shealsoaddedthatDi
ll
onwashis
fatherandhewasalreadymarri
edtoher
.
Shedi
dn'twannalookli
kesomeonethatgotused,
someonethatgotdumped,t
hatwasthereasonshe
want
edDi l
lont
omar r
yherquickl
y.
Herst
atementhadmadethetwinsmout
hhang
openf
ormor et
hat3minutes.
Shedoesn'
twantt
obeal
aughi
ngst
ocki
nthe
fut
ure.
Ma'am wasover
joyed,
shehascomet otake
Shawnaasherrealchi
ldandLewist
onwhoi s
al
waysoverherwhenevertheymeetasher
grandchi
ld.
Ma'am Sandr
alostherf
amilyyearsback,ayoung
marri
edwifewit
htwokidsandacar inghusband.
Shelef
tthem t
othemarketbutwhenshegotback,
thei
rapart
mentwasonf i
re,
itburnedandkil
ledher
wholefamil
y.
Dill
on'spar entemployedherasDill
onandDill
y's
nannyaf terthatinci
dentandthatwashowshe
start
edanewl i
fe.Cari
ngfort
het wi
ns,shecared
forthem liketheywereherownchi l
drenandthat
wasi tti
lltoday.
Thewholemansi onwasdecoratedwit
hLewis'
s
favor
it
ecolour.Hisbestmusi
cwasboomi ngoutof
themansionandhewasbusyr unni
ngaroundwit
h
fewofhisfri
ends.
Di
ll
onstoodi
nsi
dehisroom st
aringatSam who
j
ustcamebackwit
hNaomif orLewist
on'sbir
thday.
Si
ncehewokeupfrom coma,itwasthefir
stti
me
seei
nghi
m agai
n.
"So,you'
reengagedtoNaomi
?'Di
ll
onasked,
his
bossytonesti
llt
here.
"
Ye..yesboss,
Iam"sam r
epl
iedknowingthataday
wil
lcomewhenhewi l
lbeint
err
ogatedli
kethisf
rom
Di
ll
on.
Thenextt
hing,
Dil
lonbr
oughtoutagunandpoi
nted
i
tathi
m.
"Doyoulikeheroryouwannauseher
?'Heasked
ster
nly.
"
I.
.boss,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng"
"
Iaskedyouaquest
ion"Di
ll
onsnapped.
"
Iloveher
"Sam r
epl
ied.
"
Reall
y?Okt hen.I
'
llgi
veyouachance,I'
llmakeyou
r
eal
lyrich,l
eaveNaomialone.Idon'
twantyoutwo
t
ogether"Di
ll
onsaidshocki
ngandscaringSam.
"
Butifyouwantitthehardway,
I'
llhavet
opul
lthe
t
ri
gger":
Dil
lonsai
d,hisvoi
cehar
d.
"
Bo.
."
"
Don'tbossme.Ourmasterandser
vant
r
elat
ionshi
phaslongended"Di
ll
onhushed.
"
Whatdoyouchoose?
"
"I
..Il
oveherregardl
ess.Youshouldnomyf eel
ings
forherdi
dn'tjustdevel
op,Ist
art
edli
kingherever
sincewewer ekids"sam sai
d.
Di
ll
onr
etr
eat
edhi
sgun.
"
Good,
youcanl
eave"
;hesai
dsur
pri
singSam.
"Than..
thankyou"Sam t
hankedandi
mmediat
ely
l
efthisroom,notglanci
ngbackorwai
ti
ngf
or
anothersec.
Dil
lont
uggedasmallri
ngboxintohi
str
ouser
pocket
,laughi
ngatt
hereact
ionhegotf
rom Sam.
Hel
eftt
her
oom i
nsear
chofShawna.
Hegotdi
rect
edtothekit
chenatt
heothersi
deof
t
hemansion.Hegotther
etoseeherwit
hthecooks.
"
Shaw"hesi
gnal
ledhert
ocome.
Shawnawalkedupt
ohim wear
ingasi
mpl el
ookon.
Shehasn'
tbeensmi
li
ngmuchwi t
hhim andhe
knowswhy.
"What?"Sheaskedcleani
ngherhandsontheapr
on
sheisputti
ngon.Dil
lonpull
edhercl
oseandti
red
ki
ssingherbutsheresist
ed.
"St
op,can'
tyouseeam busy?Thatcanwait"she
snappedathim andmadetoleavebutDi
ll
onpulled
herback.
Shawnasi
ghed,
shet
urnedt
olookathi
m.
"
Wil
lyoustopbeingangr
y?Iar
en'
tdoi
ngal
lthese
f
ornot
hing"Di
ll
onsaid.
"Wel
l,
whati
sityour
eal
lywant
?"Shawnagr
oused
out
.
"Oh!Iwasabouttoproposetoyoutodaybutseems
you'r
enotinthemoodt obeproposedto.IguessI'
l
l
havetoretur
ntheri
ngtot hej
ewelryshop"Dil
lon
saidhishandgoi
ngintohispocketwherehekept
thesmallboxcont
aini
ngt her
ing.
Hedidn'twantt
oexposeitunt
ili
twasti
mebut
guessShawna'sat
ti
tudehavechangedthat
.Nowi
t
won'tbeasromant
icasitshouldbe.
Shawna'
seyeswi
denedatt
hesmal
lbox.
"
I'
m..
ready,
wecant
alk"shesai
dbl
inki
ng.
Shei
mmedi
atel
ypul
ledherapr
onandt
hrewi
tof
f.
"Um. .
let
'sgot
othebackwhere.
."Shawnawas
suggestingwhenDi
ll
ontookherbysurpr
iseand
kissedher.
"Wecandoi tanywher
enow.Thesurpr
isehasbeen
ruined,
butl
et'
sjust
"Dil
lonsai
dtaki
ngherhandint
o
his.
Het
ookherupt
ohi
sroom.
"Well
,youalreadyknowwhatIwannado.IguessI
shoul
dj ustbequickabouti
t"Di
ll
onsaidopeni
ng
theboxandbr ingi
ngoutthesmallr
ing.
Shawnagaveherhandt
ohi
mimmedi
atel
y.
"Ihaven'
tevenaskedi
fyou'
l
lmarryme.Wil
lyou
calm downandhearmeoutfir
st?
"AskedDil
lon
feel
ingti
red.
"
Ok,
Iwi
ll
"Shawnacooed.
"
Ok,
Shawnawi
llyoubewi
thmet
il
lEnt
erni
ty?
"Wi
ll
you.
.conti
nueendur
ingmychar
act
ers?Mydi
rt
y
behavi
ors?"
"Wi
llyoucont i
nuewi
thmeevenifI.
.getarrest
ed?
Wit
hamanl ikeman,youcan'
tbesure,I
'vekil
led
Shawna..
I.
.I
'vedonealotofbadthi
ngs"
"NowadaysI.
.Ir
emembert heolddays,whenI
usuall
yinf
li
ctpai
nonyou.Imadeyoucr yalotI.
.I
am l
ikeademonbutgott amedbyyou.YouknowI
hadpromisedmyselfbef
orethatI'
l
lneverhave
anythi
ngtodowi t
hsuchpure,harmlessl
adylike
you.
"
"WhenIgotsoangr y,
whenIwaskil
li
ngMat t
hias,
youstil
lcri
edforsomeoneli
kehi
m,yousti
llfelt
guil
tforsomeonethatabduct
edandtr
iedr
api ng
you."
Apausest
eppedi
nasever
ywher
ebecamesi
lent
.
"Youknowt woofusar eli
ketwoopposi t
ewor l
d,we
werenevermeantt ocrosspath.Youaretoogood
forme,I.
.Ishoul
dn'thaveanyt
hingwi t
hyou
becauseIdon'tdeserveyouonebit,Imightpul
lyou
i
ntodarkness.YouknowIusual lyfi
ndithardto
f
orgi
veandmyanger
..
"
Hesi
ghs.
"Myangeri sn'
tgoodatall.LikeIsaidIhad
promisedmysel fnottohaveanyt hi
ngwi thyou
beforegoingint
oacoma, butwhenIcameback
andheardIal r
eadyhaveason, withyou?Ihadt o
l
etgooft hatpromise,
Icouldn'tstopmysel ffr
om
getti
ngbackwi thsomeonesogoodandni ce,
I
couldn'
tdenymysel fhappiness,Iguessam al so
self
ishnottoletyougobuti f..
.i
fatallyoudecideto
l
eavemeonedayorevendeci denott oacceptmy
proposalthenit
'sfi
ne,Idon'tdeservehalfofyou
anywaysI .
."
"
It
'sokay.
..
Iwantyou"Shawnacuti
n.
"Youhavesaidsomuch.Youdi dn'
tinf
lictpainon
met hen,youchangedme.Wi thoutmeet i
ngyou,I
couldhavestil
lbeeninsquar ebynow, Icouldn't
haveknownsomuchhappi ness,Icouldn'thave
knownwhatt rueloveis,
lewistoncouldn'tbehere
bynowi fIhadn'tmetyou.Becauseofyou, I
att
endedcollege,Igotajob,anapartmentt o
mysel
f.
"
"Ihaveyoutot
hank,I'
m gl
adImetyou.You'
ve
savedmecountlessti
mestoo,event
hoIknowhow
angryyoucanget,butnomatt
erhowangryyouar
e,
youstil
lwoul
dn'
thurtme."
"Nomat terhow!Andi ft
hecopsshowupher eone
ofthi
sdayst oar r
estyou,Iwon'tletthem takeyou,
becauseI '
llsimplycommi tmur derifitmeans
keepi
ngyoubymysel f
.Noonei sperfect
,Dill
on
you..
withoutyouIam not hi
ng, t
hereisnowayI '
m
rej
ecti
ngt hatr i
ng..
Ireal
lyloveyou..andyes, I
..
.I
'l
lbe
yourli
fepar tner,we'
llbetogetherforever
"Shawna
saidsniffi
ngi n.
"
Yousureyou'
llbeabl
etohandl
emybehavi
ors"
Di
ll
onasked.
"
Ofcour
se.Ipr
omi
se"Shawnasmi
led.
Di
ll
onsl
idi
nther
ingi
ntooneofherf
inger
s.
Hemadet
oki
ssherbutshest
oppedhi
m.
"
Iwantt
osaysomet
hingact
ual
ly"shesai
d.
"
Whati
sit
?"Di
ll
onasked.
Shawnat
ookDi
ll
on'
shand,
shepl
acedi
tonher
bel
ly.
"I
'
m pregnantagai
n.I
'
m prayi
ngit
'sagi
rl
.You'
l
lbea
greatf
ather
"shawnareveal
ed.
Di
ll
ongaspedashet
ouchedherbel
ly.
"Ser
iousl
y?"Heaskedsquat
ti
ngdownabi
ttopl
ace
hisearonherbel
ly.
"
Ser
iousl
y"Shawnar
espondedst
ari
ngdownathi
m.
"Thanks,I
..
.Ihaven'
tsai
dthisbefor
ebutIreal
lylove
youmor ethanIcanexplainandIswearthat
nothi
ng,nothingwil
leverbreakourfami
lyapart
"
Dil
lonsaid.Shawnasmi l
edinagreement.
.
THEEND.
.