Jackson and I stopped at a strip mall where we left the truck and snuck inside. Once we opened the door a dead man charged for us and I shot him between the eyes. He crumpled to the ground. In wait Jackson and I stood back to back, our guns ready.
"How's the dogs?" He whispered.
"Good. Angela loves them."
"She's sweet. How are you two?"
"I think we're fine now. I was worried he'd split us apart."
"I'm glad he didn't."
"Me, too."
After a minute or so Jackson said, "I think we're clear."
We slinked into an African grocery store. We set our backpacks on the front counter and filled them, periodically running back to the truck to dump them into the backseat. When we were finished with the grocery store we went into the gas station. I filled my bag with snacks. I was opening a candy bar when I saw Jackson using the slushie machine.
"What are you doing?"
"You want one?"
"It hasn't been cleaned in months. We can't afford to create a new disease."
"Eh," He shrugged, finishing off his slushie and sticking a straw into the bright red drink.
"I'm disgusted."
Locking his eyes with mine he slid the straw into his mouth and I tasted vomit as he sipped. I turned away and he compensated for my lack of sight with a deep hum of pleasure.
"Ew!"
I scurried outside and my smile faded at the sight of Alex. He was with his crew and leaning against his bike, his arms crossed and a wide grin coloring his cheeks. With one gloved hand he pressed a finger to his lips. He started for me and I couldn't move. I turned my head to see if Jackson was in sight but before I could see him a strong hand gripped my jaw and forced me to look into his eyes. I could hear my heart pounding.
"What's going on?" Jackson yelled from behind me.
"You have something of mine."
"I'll give you back the bike," I said.
"That too."
"She stays with me."
"How many guns are pointed at you right now?"
"I don't care."
His eye twitched and I thought I was insane to read a tinge of hurt in his expression.
"I'll go with you."
He dropped his hand, his gentle gaze floating down to settle onto mine.
"Belle, don't!"
"Take care of her."
"Belle-"
"Do what I said!" I turned and screamed.
"We're on three-seven-two Callum St. Bring the bike there."
Taking me by the wrist he led me to his bike where I rode with him back to his home. The road was long and tiring. I could feel my family being torn from me slowly with every mile we drove.
He led me upstairs and into his penthouse where Layla was sitting on the floor before his enforcer. Layla couldn't take her wide eyes off of me. Neither could the enforcer, glowering at me as she left. I returned the expression.
I sat on the couch and Alex knelt before Layla. The child threw her arms around him. I hated how sweet it was. I couldn't stand how warm my heart grew as I watched him lovingly crush the giggling little girl.
"I missed you, daddy."
"I missed you, too, little lady," He said as he pulled away, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, "This is Belle."
"She's pretty."
"So are you," I said, leaning forward on my knees.
"I'm Layla. I'm three."
"Wow."
"That's not a lot. Daddy is way, way, way older."
"Alright, muffin, that's enough," He said, ruffling her hair and wandering into the kitchen, "I'll make you dinner."
She hopped onto the couch to sit beside me and turned on the television. She hugged her knees to her chest.
"Daddy said it's dangerous outside."
"It is, but we'll keep you safe," Why did I say that? I turned to see any sign that Alex heard me but It didn't look like it. Still, I felt he did.
"So are you like my babysitter?"
"I'm just your dad's friend."
"He doesn't have many friends."
"I know," I said loudly, turning my head to see him as he met my gaze. He wore a smirk.
Layla and I continued making small talk while Alex cooked. I couldn't lie and say I didn't like her. Alright, I adored her. After dinner Alex put her to bed. I could hear him reading her to sleep. He even made those silly voices for each character.
When he came back into the living room he sat on the opposite end of the couch to me. I'd put on a comedy movie. The air was thick with tension. Suddenly I heard a knock on the door and Alex stood to greet whoever it was. A second later I heard my sister's voice and I leapt out of the chair. I turned and looked to Angela but she was focused only on Alex, her spine straight and her eyes blazing. His enforcer stood behind her. The puppies had been placed into her handheld basket where they wriggled around, the mother ignoring them as she stood between Angela's legs.
"Let me see her. She's my sister."
"Why did you let her in?"
"She was crying and begging. I checked her for weapons."
"You're soft."
I ran to them and grabbed Angela's arm and held her behind me. I glared daggers at Alex.
"She's my sister. I'll deal with it."
He simply nodded and I led her onto the balcony. She threw her arms around me. She sobbed into my neck. I rubbed her back despite my frustration.
"You came without a weapon?"
"It's on the bike. I needed to see you."
"You can't-"
"-I had to know you're safe."
"A moment?" Alex asked.
Angela let me go and kissed my cheek before retreating into the living room. Alex shut the door. He took several steps toward me. A light trickle of rain tapped against my skin. The city below glowed in the darkness.
"Listen, I didn't just kidnap you because I'm sick. I need you. Your sister can stay here if that'd be better for you."
I glowered up at him. He held my severe gaze with his neutral one until I took in the fact that she wouldn't let this go.
"Fine."
"Choose any room you want."
I passed him and returned to Angela.
"You can stay here."
Her face shifted from shock, to confusion, to blankness, then what looked to be hope. She jumped from the couch and passed me. My body tensed when she threw her arms around Alex.
"Thank you."
"Alright, stop hugging the lunatics," I growled, grabbing her arm and taking her to the room across the hall.
"Are you mad at me?"
I sighed, "No, Angela."
"Thank you."
I smoothed her hair. We stepped into her new room and I turned on the light. The living room and kitchen were connected. It had one bedroom and a bathroom. Connected to the living room was a balcony with a pool. Angela set down the basket on the rug before the television. The mother curled herself around them. I leaned against the doorframe and watched as Angela explored.
From the corner of my eye I watched as the enforcer leaned against the wall beside me.
"Thank you for not hurting her," I said eventually.
"I'm not an animal," She snapped.
"You would have done the same thing I did."
"It's not about that."
After a long pause I surrendered with an, "I know."