It had been forecasted to rain on Lila's seventeenth birthday, but much to her delight the warmth of sunbeams skittered across her face as her eyelashes parted to greet the morning. She could hear her fathers heavy footsteps trekking across wooden floorboards, he undoubtedly was becoming increasingly frustrated with the cake he was making as each second passed. It had become their tradition, since her mother had been taken a decade prior in the midst of a gang war.

Hank Priest was not a cook, much less a baker, but for his little girl he swore he'd give her the same cake Lola had given their daughter since she was one. He appreciated the way his daughter would overlook the forgotten egg shells or burned edges. One year he'd completely miss judged the sugar quantity, but Lila had taken the biggest slice and downed the entire thing with a broad smile on her lips... even Hank had felt nauseous eating the one grossly sweet bite. Cringing slightly he prayed todays cake would be edible. Taking a deep breath he crouched down and pulled the small pan from the oven rack, he placed it on the counter to cool before making his way to her bedroom.

Lila sat up as the knock on her door was followed by it being pushed open, "happy birthday, sweetheart."

"Thanks, old man," she grinned and Hank rolled his eyes.

He was not old, they'd had Lila young. Though he sported a few grey hairs he was just shy off forty. "I swear it's you who is turning me grey," he teased while holding up a small box.

"Pretty sure it's all those fishing documentaries you watch doing you that kind favour..." But the smile on her features was infectious, Hank entered the room and took a seat on the edge of the daisy quilt.

He placed the present on her lap and watched as she unwrapped the box and looked inside, "say something," he nudged her shoulder after minutes had passed in silence.

Lila's mouth dropped open and she practically threw herself at her father, his deep chuckle shook them, "you be careful kid, pretty sure it's going to be you one the back of that damn bike that gives me the greys." She practically beamed and Hank saw a glimpse of Lola in the grin she wore, the sadness in his heart rippled. "Cake should be cool enough now," he cleared his throat and stood up.

Lila bounced behind him, eager to have her birthday cake more than anything because it reminded her of Lola... Felt like her mother's arms wrapped around her as they had in the past when she'd try to sneak a piece of it before it was cut. She placed the box with the key on the marble island before rounding and grabbing the ingredients to make lemon icing. "Looks good, dad," she complimented.

The sadness in his chest evaporated just as quickly as it had came, because Hank knew his daughter genuinely meant it. He could've placed a bowl of batter in front of her and she'd have looked at it like it was the next best thing since sliced cheese. "Hopefully not too sweet," he commented as she lathered the top of the cake with the icing. As always she cut herself a big slice before giving him a more normal ratio, then without waiting Lila shovelled it into her impatient mouth.

"Best cake ever!" She danced her shoulders while finishing off the plate.

Hank simply laughed at her antics, he took a spoonful of his own piece and balked, "Lila, I've had water more flavoursome than this." His deadpanned expression was met with pure disbelief.

Lila shook her head, licked her plate before responding, "must be your taste buds ageing too."

"You're crazy, girl." Hank eyed the box, he loved that his little girl was more interested in that cake than the shiny red metallic beast sitting in their driveway, but he also wanted her to enjoy his gift with him before he had to head out of town and handle the mess Major had gotten himself into. Damn man was out of his fucking mind, though when had that been anything new. "Come, give your old man a heart attack, lets go for a ride."

Lila nodded, excitement filling her bones, "five minutes!" She rushed back to her room and changed into black jeans, boots and a long sleeved leather jacket atop her flower print shirt. Running a brush through her hair, she pulled it into a braid that hit her lower back. After she'd brushed her teeth and washed her face, Lila made her way back down the hall and to the front door. Her father was already outside, perched against the porch railing waiting for her. Her attention narrowed in on the fire hydrant chrome sitting next to a slightly larger black version. "Honestly, I think I'm drooling."

"Going to regret this, aren't I." Hank muttered, before he gave his daughter her final gift. He held out the leather jacket he'd had custom made for her and a red helmet. Flowers wrapped a design on the back of the jacket mimicking the blood hounds cut.

Lila felt like the luckiest girl alive, "okay, now I'm definitely drooling." She shrugged out of her jacket, placed it on the wooden three seater beside the door and slipped into the fresh leather. "Smells like heaven."

"Better be no smells of heaven when you ride, Lila. You be careful." Hank pressed firmly before helping her into the helmet. Then he descended towards the beasts. He swung his leg over the bike and waited for her to do the same. "Bo and Grace are dying to see you on this," Hank commented.

Grinning behind the helmet she nodded, "don't have to tell me twice." Lila keyed the ignition before kick starting the bike, she revved it, enjoying the rumble beneath her, then she took off. Hank had taught her how to ride, she'd been on a bike since she was old enough to hang onto his cut or her mothers. The road focused and the rest of the world became a blur as she made her way to the flower shop.

Bo and Grace were already standing out the back of the store, they'd heard the motorbike from miles away. Parking she stepped up to them and instantly was engulfed in a warm embrace. "Happy Birthday, honey," Grace cooed. She'd taken to becoming the mother figure in Lila's life, the older couple had been unable to have children of their own, but that never phased them especially not after taking to the small blonde bundle of joy that danced around their store most days.

"Got you something," Bo said as Hank pulled up next to her ride. He passed the young woman a large worn floral arrangement book, it had been hand made by the two of them. Memories coated in cursive writing, drawings and dried petals.

Lila blinked up at him, "I can't take this, Bo..."

They nodded, "yeah, sunshine, you can." Grace smiled stroking the side of her face. "Want to open shop for me?" She requested, knowing Bo needed to tell Hank the updated news they'd found out this morning. Lila nodded happily, the feelings of warmth and love disappeared inside the store with her.

The older man waited a moment, until he was sure Lila was out of hearing range, then he spilled the disaster to his vice. "Major's been charged, Hank... You need to find Kai or step up." Bo sighed, the age crinkling the corners of his eyes well and truly. "They're charging him with life, no parol."

"Fucksake. Not going to deal with that on my baby girls day," Hank muttered, though relief coursed through him... He'd lay down his life for Major Carson, but it was no fucking secret, the man was insanity wrapped in a whole lot of sadistic. He followed the actions of his President but he did not always agree with them. Instead of letting the stress eat at him, Hank forced his mind to wonder back to the only joy left in his life, knowing she was currently beaming around the damn floral shop.

Lila inhaled, the flowers sending her head into the blissful spin she loved more than anything. Trailing her hands through the bundles of petals, she walked through the lush shop towards the front door. Flipping the sign to open, she pushed the door out wide and hooked it into place. Stepping out into the day, Lila found herself frowning, clouds seemed to have made an appearance... the overcast causing the town to dull in response. Not caring to be bothered by the rain, Lila turned with the knowledge of the pretty joy inside, only to halt in her step. Her gaze caught sight of an individual she had no idea would one day be the wicked holy water she wanted to bath in.

He stood tall, hunched over as he spoke to a smaller skittish looking woman... even from across the road it was clear that the realestate agent was uncomfortable and on edge. She felt like she was perving into a interaction that was not meant for her eyes... But, she couldn't look away because it was his eyes that held her in place. They were cold, void of any warmth or light. Unlike the woman opposite him, the chill they sent down Lila's spine was intriguing. She'd never seen such dead, soulless, blue depths but fuck they were beautiful. She felt her breath catch and a flutter erupt in her abdomen. He was beautiful, dressed in black, dark hair cutting into his hooded gaze, plush pink lips that curled slightly as he spoke... He stole the oxygen that begged to fill her lungs.

The heavens opened up in that moment as if sensing the stormy turmoil within her, but then she realised it was not for her. It was for him, the man seemed to find comfort in the downpour. He stood still as it stormed around him, the agent flurried with her hands, lifting the folder she held above her head. Lila watched as the other woman nodded hurriedly, before dropping a set of keys into the tall man's expecting hand.

The scent of the damp rain against the garden beds and dirt would forever be locked in as a core memory... Because, every time it rained, it reminded Lila of the sweet trepidation that flood her system as she watched him look up and close those stunning cold irises. Drops of rain kissed his sharp features, his lips parted and they fell into his awaiting mouth. She wanted to be the sweet rain that wrapped around his tongue.

Since that day, the rain forever took preference in her heart, because as much as she loved the sun... She craved the rain, as long as somewhere out there, it fell around the tall shadow of a man with cold icy blue eyes that brought her soul alight. Her eyelashes fluttered shut as she remember how it stormed around them and how she knew then, even at that ripe age, she'd never be the same. Lila was always too passionate, fascinated and curious for her own damn good. It was innocent curiosity at first, no man had ever caught her attention the way he had... it was the first time she'd felt her panties dampen with desire unfamiliar to her youthful self.

Then came the fascination. She found herself opening and closing the store, spending all her spare time wrapped in the flowers just to see the man. Days turned into weeks and soon months had passed as she stalked the man. Lila knew he always looked out into the street below as he ate dinner before closing the curtains to his apartment at a quarter to seven. She knew he'd leave in the quiet of the night every Thursday and Saturday at nine on the dot, without fail, because those had become her favourite episodes to watch...

One night she'd stayed and waited for him to return. He did, it was early morning, dawn was sounded by the sound of birds awakening along with the rest of the world. But all Lila remembered was the way she licked her lips when she saw the splatter of blood that sat innocently on his chin. She should've been repulsed, she should've ran away and never returned... but instead she had gone home in those soft hours of the morning and slipped her hand into her panties.

That erotic sensation however was a dim flicker of candlelight against the ambers of euphoria she had felt the night Isaac had became the desires of her first real orgasm and off all the ones that came following. Lila had always been a good girl, stayed away from boys, studied hard... And despite her upbringing and family she was pure. But that night, that sweet fucking night she'd wanted nothing more than to be tainted, corrupted and ruined by her dark soulless Isaac.

That fateful night fell on her eighteenth birthday. She'd worn black, for him... And, he knew it was just for him. It had been several month's since her graduation and Isaac had found out his little flower was just as aware of their game as he was. He was obsessed and beyond any form of redemption... not that he'd change it for the world. But it wasn't until that night, when he'd skinned a man in cold blood for touching his sweet Lila, that he knew deep in his lifeless core that she was his. His, alone...