Justin's Point of View:

To say I was mad would be an understatement. I was completely and utterly fuming with rage that I had about half the mind to turn back around and shoot the motherfucker point blank in the chest.

But I kept myself calm enough to drive off before I did anything I would regret. Besides, the fact that I had a bit of a talk with him before I left reassured me that the fucker would think twice before ever coming near my girl again.

Once I heard the car door close shut, I knew I was in the clear to say whatever the hell I wanted, "If I ever see you go near her again—"

"Seriously man, I was doing no harm." Tanner put his hands up once more as a sign of surrender, "I was just trying to make sure we were cool. That's it."

My eyes narrowed, "You can justify it all you want. You put your hands on her, that's a strike off your marks of survival."

Tanner blinked over at me, his lips parted in slight disbelief.

"The fact that you know shit about her that you shouldn't, only adds on to my strong disliking towards you. If you were smart, you'd just shut that mouth of yours and back off before I make you." A sneer crossed my face as I stood toe to toe with him. "Better yet? Why don't you go back to Colorado because you're not needed here in Stratford."

"How the hell do you know I'm from Colorado?" Tanner arched his eyebrows, his lips pursed.

A wicked grin pulled at the corner of my lips, "I know everything about everyone here. This is my town, if you haven't noticed. If you spent the night getting buzzed under the bridge that crossed over the river down by Southside, I would know. If you Bobby hooked up with Leanna last weekend, I would know that too because everything always comes back to me, you got that?" Stepping even closer, I locked eyes with him, "So even if you had the balls to go near Kelsey again, I'd know that too and it'd only be a short amount of time before I found your ass."

Locking his jaw tight, Tanner kept his hands curled at his sides, "You don't even know me." He snarled in irritation.

"But you know me and you know exactly of what I'm capable of. If you think for a split second that I won't kill your ass, you've got another thing coming kid."

"Whatever," Tanner spat, looking away from me as he stuffed his hands in his jeans.

"Good so now that we've got that out of the way..." I turned to walk away but turned back quickly, gripping Tanner by the shoulder as I shoved my knee into his groin.

Tumbling over in pain, a loud groan of pain escaped as he cupped his lower abdomen, cursing to himself, a string of incoherent words falling suite as he stared up at me with pure hatred.

Leaning down, I crouched down to his eye level, my hand still placed on him. Smirking, I fought the chuckle that nearly ripped from my throat, "Take that as your first warning, Evans. If I see you even within an inch of her direction..." I trailed off, shaking my head, "I might as well not finish the sentence because I'm sure you can imagine what'll happen to you next." Patting his shoulder, I backed away before revolving over towards my car.

Turning to look at Kelsey, I took notice on the way she held herself together though despite the tough exterior, I knew she was hurt inside. Leaning over, I brushed the padding of my thumb across the lining of her jaw, "Are you okay?" I murmured softly.

Pulling away from my touch, Kelsey refused to look over at me as she stared ahead, "I'm fine." She replied monotonously.

Sighing, I took the stick layers between my lips and flicked its ashes outside the open window before taking another drag and letting the smoke moist the air over in haze before it blew out with wind. "Don't be mad,"

"Mad?" Kelsey looked at me for the first time since I began driving. Shaking her head, she scoffed, "Oh, I'm not mad Justin, I'm... I don't even know what. Disappointed maybe? You completely embarrassed me out there; let's not forget to mention how you bugged out for nothing."

"Nothing? He had his hands on you and if I'm not mistaken, you were trying to fight him off."

"No," Kelsey countered sharply, "I was just trying to signify that he should let me go. I didn't nor was I meaning to fight him off, he was only apologizing."

"Apologizing?" I barked out a sharp laugh, not being able to believe what I heard, "For what?"

"For freaking me out the other time he had spoken to me." Kelsey mindlessly shrugged, "He seemed harmless."

"No guy goes out of their way to greet a girl he hardly knows just to inform them that he knows their name as well as the person they are involved with." I shook my head, letting the cigarette bud fall freely into the bustling air as I rolled the window up. "It just doesn't make any sense to me."

"Well before you came, he told me that—"

"Wait," I cut her short, my eyebrows pulled together, "The bastard actually said something to you today before I arrived?"

Hesitant at first, Kelsey sighed, knowing she wouldn't be able to lie her way out of this one which made me frown even farther. She shouldn't have to lie to me at all. "Yes." She whispered.

Locking my jaw, I gripped the steering wheel tightly, the frustration building up inside of me once more. "What did he say?" I questioned through gritted teeth.

Looking over at me, Kelsey did a double take before slumping in her seat. "Don't be mad," She encouraged softly, her brown eyes internally begging.

Taking a comforting breath, I fought the itch in my palms as I kept them wrapped around the wheel, my heart beat acceleration slowing down a bit. "I'm not mad."

Giving me a desperate look, she reached over, taking my hand in hers as she rubbed the palm of it lightly with the tips of her fingers, "please."

Releasing the hard grip I kept on my jaw, I rubbed it with my other hand before masking it around to the side of my head as I scratched the back of it. "Tell me." I voiced calmly though it came out as more of a command than anything else.

Pausing, to make sure I was decent enough to take in her words, she shifted to look back in front of her. "He told me that his friends dared him to come over to me. They lived here their whole lives so they knew us. Tanner asked who I was and they told them I was your girlfriend. They dared him to come over to me, that's it. That's why he knew who I was. If it wasn't for his friends, Tanner would have had no idea."

"Bullshit." I shook my head, "I don't trust the kid and neither should you. If you think I screamed trouble the second you saw me then he must be reeking of the stench because I call him out on his lies. It just doesn't add up, none of it does."

"Justin—"

"No," I spat, breaking through her once more, "I heard what you had to say in defense of that idiot, now I don't want to hear it anymore. I don't want you talking to him and that's final. Got it?" Looking over at her, I waited for the answer I knew was coming.

"Fine," Kelsey muttered after a long string of silence.

"Good," I patted her knee gently before rolling up the car into the driveway of my house, "because we're home and I don't feel like talking about this anymore." Taking the key out, I snapped my head over at the fury that etched across Kelsey's face as she forcefully took off her seatbelt.

"Of course you don't," She muttered with a fierce shake of her head.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I barked, completely confused as to where this was all coming from. She was fine five seconds ago.

"Nothing," She spat, exiting the car, making sure to slam the car door shut.

Gritting my teeth together once more, I got out of the car as well. "What the fuck did I tell you about slamming the car door?"

"Oh, boo-hoo, are you going to cry about it too?" Kelsey shouted back, her back to me as she threw her hands up in the air in mass exaggeration.

"What the fuck has gotten into you?!" I yelled right back, bewildered as to what's got her panties in a fucking twist.

"I hate this!" She screamed, slamming her foot to the ground, "It always has to be your way! God forbid we say something that you don't agree to! I'm not saying I want to talk to Tanner but it's ridiculous how I can't even talk to one guy without you losing your freaking mind!"

"Lose my mind? Babe if you thought I lost my mind, the kid would be sitting in his own pool of blood by now! All I did was warn him away from you. I don't like him and if you're too naïve to think that he's all sunshine and rainbows and won't do any harm to you then that's on you!"

"Oh, quit the speech! I've heard it one too many times before." Kelsey growled in annoyance as she crossed her arms against her chest in aggravation with what was occurring between us both. "You want what's best for me, you want to keep me safe but at the end of the day not everybody is a freaking threat to me. Just because you've got a world set of enemies doesn't always make me the target."

My eyes widened as I stared over at her in complete disbelief, "What the fuck have you smoked?!" I threw my arms up to mimic her as I charged over to where she stood though making sure to keep a significant amount of space between us. "You're always going to be a fucking target to everybody who crosses my path!"

Letting my words sink in, Kelsey shook with violent anger as she fought to keep herself contained.

Taking this as my opportunity to keep talking, I did just that, the painful memories of the past coming back to bite me in the ass, "You also thought that Andrew wasn't a threat to you when you decided to get in his fucking car that day at the diner but he ended up kidnapping you for Luke to use as bait. Not everybody is your friend Kelsey and not everybody wants to be your friend. Open up your eyes and take in the world around you. Nobody has the right intentions for you apart from us, the people who love you. You want to believe that there's some good but truth be told, there isn't any. This world is fucked up just like the rest of the people in it!"

Looking away from me, Kelsey broke eye contact, her rapidly moving chest from just moments before slowly calming down to a natural rhythm. "I can't keep living my life in fear that the next person I talk to will be somebody that wants to take you down. It's not healthy for me and it's certainly not healthy for you to fuss over my safety every second of the day. You have other things to worry about like how the hell you're going to get yourself back together again."

"My main priority is you and making sure you're okay. I don't give a shit about myself if you haven't already noticed."

"But I care about you and the last thing I want is for you to break down again."

"I won't... not if you listen to me and take what I said into consideration." I murmured softly.

Sighing, Kelsey tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm tired of fighting..." She whispered, her sad eyes meeting mine and it was then, for the first time since I came back, that I noticed the bags under her eyes as well the tiredness that radiated off of her.

"Then stop giving me a reason to fight with you," I exhaled sharply, stuffing my hands in my pants, "because I'm tired of fighting too." Swallowing deeply, I took a hesitant step towards her, making sure she was okay enough to let me come near her. When she didn't move, I walked even closer until our noses were an inch apart. Running my fingers against the side of her head, I placed a selection of her hair away from her face as I cupped her jaw in between my two fingers. "I love you, you know that..."

"Of course I do," Kelsey murmured gently, adoration finding itself in the gloom of her irises.

"And you know all I want is what's best for you."

Nodding her head, Kelsey rested the side of her cheek against my palm as I cupped her into its hold, her eyes falling closed in comfort.

Resting my forehead against hers, I sighed sweetly, "We'll talk more about this later, come on." Leaning down, I grasped the back of her knees, pulling her up in a cradle as I walked the remainder of the way up the steps and into the house where all four guys turned to look over at me.

Shaking my head once they opened their mouths to say something, I made my way up the stairs of the house before kicking the door that led to my room open, careful not to make any noise. Shutting it with my hip, I settled Kelsey down on the bed, my body slightly hovering over hers. Pulling the blanket over her once I pulled off her shoes, I gave her a sweet kiss on the nose. Moving back, I was ready to leave when Kelsey gripped my upper arm, stopping me short.

"Don't go," She whispered lightly, her voice sending shivers down my spine.

Licking my lips, I turned to her, confusion tinted in my expression. "You need rest." I mumbled, staring down at her with a series of emotions that I couldn't decipher.

"No," Kelsey shook her head, "What I need is you." She whispered, her hand finding its way in my hair as she pulled me down on her.

"Kelsey..." I whispered, trying hard not to let myself cave. Grasping her hands, I pulled them away from me, "sleep."

A silence overcame us as Kelsey parted her lips several times to say something until finally, she managed to speak. "I need you to love me." She whispered.

My body fell limp though I fought to keep myself contained, "I already love you."

Shaking her head again, Kelsey strained her face as she tried to decipher what exactly what she wanted to say next. "I need you to show me."

Staring into her eyes to make sure she was in her right mind and not at all high as I expected her to be just moments ago, I bit the inside of my cheek. "Kelsey..."

"Please," She whispered, almost in a whimper as she held my upper arms, her fingers deep in my skin. "I need this."

Staring into the haze in her eyes, I didn't see what I expected to be lust but instead, I saw desperation, the want of reassurance that everything was going to be okay between us. Not wasting any more time, I sighed gently, my lips capturing hers in a sweet kiss.

Gasping against my lips from the bolt of electricity that we never felt before shot through us, Kelsey gripped the back of my head, arching her body into mine as she deepened the kiss even further.

Kicking off my shoes, I lowered the blanket slowly off of her body, resting in between her legs as my hands ran up and down her sides, claiming her lips as my own.

Letting out a soft moan of appreciation the second she felt my lips travel down to her neck, Kelsey gripped around my neck as I began sucking on her flesh, careful enough to pleasure her but not too rough to mark her.

Sliding my hands up under her shirt, I slowly pulled it up inch by inch meanwhile kissing every section of her body that revealed itself to me, starting from her lower stomach, up and across it and over each of her breasts before finally pulling away enough to drag her shirt off and onto the floor.

Looking down at her, I stifled a sharp breath, my eyes taking in what was mine. Flicking my eyes to look up at her, I took hold of the base of her neck before grazing my teeth against the side of her jaw and up to her ear where bit down on her lobe earning a small groan.

Chuckling lightly to myself, I pulled away, grasping the ends of my t-shirt as I drew it off of my body and off to the side, meeting Kelsey's on the floor.

Instantly, like a magnet, Kelsey's hands found the pack on my stomach as she began tracing each indent before she leaned up, pressing a chaste kiss to my chest, her tongue swirling around along with it.

In-taking sharply, I grasped the back of Kelsey's head, pulling her up to look at me as I leaned down, pressing my lips feverishly to hers as I laid her back down. Turning my head to get her at a better angle, I grasped her hips, sliding her up a bit before skimming my fingers against the top rim of her jeans.

Bucking her hips in indication that she wanted them off, I smirked against her lips, taking my sweet time to unbutton them and slowly run them down her legs that seemed to go on for miles.

Sliding down to the heels of her feet, I discarded her jeans before taking her left leg and trailing kisses from her ankle, across her thigh, making sure to nip the inner side all the way until I met her lips once more.

"Stop teasing..." Kelsey muttered breathlessly, "Please."

"Your wish is my command baby," Unbuckling my belt, I slid it off before undoing my jeans and taking them off as well. Leveling against her, I placed each hand of mine on hers, interlocking our fingers as I held them up above her head. "Ready?"

Nodding, Kelsey bit her lip, her eyes closed as she tried to relax herself for what's to come.

"Look at me," I nudged my nose against hers, my breath clashing simultaneously with hers.

Peeling her eyes open, Kelsey nearly gasped at the intensity that flew from my gaze to hers.

With one peck on the lips, I swiftly entered her, careful not to go in all the way so that she felt me inch by inch, a sensation that no girl could deny.

Rolling her eyes back in pure bliss, a moan flew from her lips as Kelsey whispered my name endlessly in a wanting manner. "Oh my God..." She gasped as I managed to fill her completely.

Pressing my lips against hers, I sucked her bottom lip between mine, nibbling before slipping my tongue in and against hers.

Digging her fingernails into my hand, I groaned once I felt her tongue begin playing with mine.

Drawing myself back, I thrusted back into her slowly once more deciding to take my time with her. "I love you," I murmured against her lips as I pulled away.

"I love you too," She looked up at me with nothing but admiration.

Releasing the hold on her hands, I took her hips into my palms, fastening my pace a bit but enough to still have the thriving perception driving her crazy.

Taking this as her opportunity to run her fingers through my hair, Kelsey did just that as she pulled at the ends, her hips bucking to meet mine. "Justin," She panted, her head tilting back, revealing the arching of her neck.

Dipping my head down, I began sucking on the sweetest spot she contained that I knew drove her mad. Tracing the bite mark with my tongue, I smoothed it over with a kiss.

Wrapping her legs around me, Kelsey drew me even closer as she held my face in her hands, her lips on mine instantly.

Pulling away, Kelsey tucked her head back against the pillow as she let out a shallow breath, her nails on my shoulders once more. "Justin..." She whispered, her thighs tightening against my sides as she let out a shaky breath.

Knowing she was near the edge, I leaned down, giving her a sweet kiss as I hastened my movements inside of her and within just three more thrusts, Kelsey caved against me, her body going rigid before falling limp, my body crashing down against hers.

Pressing my forehead against her damp shoulder, I circled my arms around her waist as we both fought to bring ourselves down from our high. Taking in a deep breath as Kelsey's fingers raked through my hair, I placed several comforting kisses on her burning skin.

After a hush escaladed throughout the room, I looked up at the beauty I claimed as my own. "I'm sorry." I whispered.

Furrowing her eyebrows, her fingers stopping playing with my hair for a split second before she began again, "For what?"

"Being overprotective..." I muttered in defeat. "I knew I crossed the line today and I was the one at fault. You didn't do anything wrong today... you had every right to be angry with me."

"I wasn't angry, I was just frustrated. I understand you worry about me but I was with Carly and you were right there. I knew he wasn't going to hurt me."

"And if I wasn't there?" I looked up at her.

"I would have dropped kicked him," She giggled softly, "I learned a few moves here and there courtesy to Bruce. He thought it'd be best while you were away that I knew some self-defense techniques."

Chuckling, I clung onto her tighter, afraid that if I let her go, everything would crumble down around me.

"You worry too much," She whispered, "and it's not healthy for you. You overwork yourself to the point where you're about to lose control."

"I can't help it."

"But you can try to control it. I know it's hard... I know you're in a place where you don't know what's going on but that's why you have me... us, the guys. We're here to make sure you're back on your feet without a problem."

"I already told you... the only one who can help me is you."

"Then let me. Let me take care of you and stop fussing over me." She emphasized each key word, her eyes finding mind from below.

"You can't fix what's already been broken..." I murmured, staring off to the side of me.

Grasping my head, Kelsey made me look up at her as her thumbs caressed my cheeks, "You're not broken Justin... you're lost. You may not be able to fix all the wrong that's been done but you sure as hell can make sure it never happens again." Sighing, she pressed her soft lips to my forehead, leaving them to linger longer than expected, "You're in a good place now; you are surrounded by people that care about you. Stop worrying about what's been done in the past. It's over with and we're here to help you open up to the future,"

"I've been screwed over so many times... I know you'd never intentionally do something but I can't help the voice in the back of my head that warns me to keep my guard up." I confessed.

"You've let that guard down so long ago... you know I would never do anything to hurt you just like you'd never do anything to hurt me." Letting her hands fall to her sides, Kelsey bit the corner of her lip, looking deep in thought about something. "I'm not Jen, Justin." She finally managed to say.

Snapping my head up in alarm, I looked at her in bewilderment. "Of course you're not."

"Do you? Do you really know that?" Kelsey whispered a twinge of sadness in her words.

Keeping silent, I let my eyes dawdle on hers, not sure what to say.

"That's what I thought," She whispered sadly, looking away. "I'm not going to hurt you like she did. I have no intentions on being with somebody else. You have to realize that just because Jen screwed you over; it doesn't mean I will too."

Squeezing her tighter against me, I dug my face into her chest. "I know." I mumbled.

"She's hurt you more than anybody else in your life... I know that but you have to let it go if you want to move on. You can't dwell on the past every time something bad happens or we get into an argument..."

Not being able to say anything because she had a point, I laid limp in her arms. "I don't want anybody to take you away from me." I muttered against her bare skin, anxiety mixed within my words.

Resuming her fingers in my hair once more, Kelsey ironed it over with the palm of her hand before repeating the process. "I don't want anybody else," She murmured, "I just want you."

Looking up at her, I leaned up to place a passionate kiss on her lips, one she quickly returned. Brushing her hair away from her face, I gave her a peck on the cheek before brushing my thumbs against the skin under her eyes, "You're exhausted," I murmured a matter-of-factly, my heart pulling at the fatigue that showed on her face. Rolling myself so that I laid next to her, I brought Kelsey into my side as she laid her head down against my chest.

Drawing imaginary figures with her finger, Kelsey uttered out a soft yawn before pressing her palm flat down, her tired eyes finding mine, "You make me happy." She whispered and with that, her eyes fell closed, a deep slumber taking over her.

A light tap at the door was sounded before a head popped in. "You guys okay?" John whispered, hesitant at first before he stepped in all the way.

"Yeah, we're fine," I whispered, "I just put Kelsey to sleep."

John's eyes found Kelsey's sleeping figure and immediately he grimaced, "She's tired, isn't she?"

I sighed, "You have no idea."

"I don't blame her. She's been through a lot these past couple of days..." Licking his lips, John beckoned behind him with his head, "the guys wanted to have a meeting and due to what happened the last time we did something without you, we don't want it to happen again so they sent me up here to get you. Are you up for it?"

Frowning, I looked down at Kelsey before finding John once more, "Yeah, I'll be right down. Just give me a minute to get dressed."

Nodding, John left without another sound.

Leaning down, I flattened the worry wrinkles that surrounded Kelsey's eyes before giving her a light kiss. "I'll be back in a few minutes baby," I murmured.

Moaning in response, she snuggled up closer into her pillow, a satisfied sigh of contentment escaping through her parted lips.

Chuckling, I maneuvered my way from under Kelsey's arm, tucking the blanket under her chin before pulling on a pair of pants and quietly leaving the room.

"What is it that you guys want to discuss?" I entered the sitting area, scratching my chest as I plopped down on the couch besides Marcus.

"Rumor has it, the Snipers left town just last night. According to Vinny near the coast, he saw all of them drive off. Apparently they're going back to the states." Bruce informed as he sat perched in the arm chair, a look of pure satisfactory on his face though intensity embellished throughout his expression.

"They finally came to their senses then?" I shook my head, "it's such a shame they left. I wanted to do a number on them before they did." I snarled in anger, thinking back to all the bullshit they've caused.

"Do you honestly believe that they're gone?" Marco spoke up, earning all our gazes to fall on him simultaneously.

"What do you mean?" I narrowed my eyes, leaning forwards so that my elbows were placed on my knees.

"It all seems too sketchy for me. We warn them off and they leave without any sort of commotion in their wake? It just doesn't make any sense."

"Maybe they're tired of putting up a front and finally came with terms that they wouldn't be able to survive here." Marcus shrugged, "Or maybe they're too pussy to take us on."

Bruce shook his head, "No, it's more in depth than that. A gang like that doesn't just leave without a fight." Licking his lips, Bruce's posture stiffened. "They're going to handle other business before coming back here."

"Why didn't they just do that before arriving in Stratford?"

"To throw us off our game; we think they leave meanwhile they're going into hiding, handling other business matters while figuring out how to deal with our own."

I shuffled in my seat, all senses on alert as I took all that's been said, in. "What are you trying to say?"

"They're planning something... something big and they're going to hit us when we least expect it." Bruce stared off at the four of us, "Which means we're going to have to keep our guards up."

"And the girls?" John questioned, a strain in his voice.

"Under wraps," Bruce confirmed, "We can't have them stuck in the middle of his war."

A sudden thought struck me, "What if they already are?" I murmured, distantly.

A heavy silence fell over us as we stared solemnly at one another, "We're going to kill any bastard that gets in our way."