Thanks for the beautiful cover lilsblue

DAISY

My eyes blinked open the next morning, as a sleepy yawn escaped my lips. I pulled myself up into a sitting position, and cradled the blanket up to my naked chest. My brain felt hazy for a few moments before I felt the memories of last night's events dawned upon me. I gasped as my hands shot towards my slightly sore neck. My hands grazed it gently before they moved towards my lips which were swollen. I grazed my chest and neck area only to feel multiple marks there. I shut my eyes tightly as my entire body tingled, recalling the night's events.

I reached over the pedestal to grab my phone which read past ten am. I had classes two hours ago but the thought hadn't even bothered me. Jason and I fell asleep by at least twelve am and I felt physically drained. I needed more sleep.

A small smile graced my lips as I remembered how incredible Jason had been. He was truly amazing, despite what everyone else believed. Or what he believed himself. He made me see myself as beautiful, it was my turn to make him realize that he was not as bad as he thought. I turned my head to where Jason was supposed to be lying, but found the bedside empty and abandoned.

My smile vanished and when I took in the empty sight of the right side of the bed. I looked towards where Jason and my clothes were supposed to be laying but they were gone. My heart sank right to the bottom of my chest in realization that Jason left before I could wake up. I'd expected him to be around when I woke up, just to make sure that I was okay. It was wishful thinking, and suddenly I cussed at myself for expecting more than last night from Jason. He had been more than amazing, I shouldn't have expected to wake up in his arms like this was some sort of romance movie.

"You're stupid." I mumbled out to myself, before releasing a long and tired sigh.

"Who's stupid?"

My head turned so quickly to the direction of the voice, I swear I could have sprained it. My lips parted in surprise when I saw Jason standing in the doorway of the bathroom, in nothing but a white towel wrapped around his waist. My heart rate sped at the thought of being close so him after every thing that happened last night. I could feel my face heat up and I cursed my body for always betraying me like that.

Subconsciously, I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I hoped it didn't look like a bird's nest.

"I was, uh, talking to myself." I mumbled out.

His eyes were heatedly scrutinizing me, the amusement clear in them.

"Of course you were." He smirked as he moved away from the door before he began closing up on me. I watched his every step nervously and bunched my hands up in the blanket. Relief flooded me when I realized that Jason wouldn't just leave.

"Why didn't you wake me up for classes?" I questioned breathlessly when he sat down on the bed, in nothing but his towel. I tried not to look at his six pack but it was rendered really hard for me to not when they were shining so lovely from the water. He smelled like fresh soap and his amazing after shave. I wanted to inhale him but that would be weird.

"I only woke up a half hour ago. Besides, I didn't think you'd want to go given everything. . . we did last night."

I blushed and let my hair curtain my face.

"You were amazing, darling." Jason said quietly after long silence. "I'm so sorry if I hurt you in the beginning. I'm not used to. . . holding back like that."

"It was worth it." I blurted out and looked up into his eyes. "And you were amazing too. Thank you for taking care of me." I mumbled with a small smile, feeling appreciation grow in me at the thought of last night. He had been so gentle and treated me with care, like I was a fragile piece of glass that would have broken if dealt with any other way. I didn't think any guy could have that amount of patience.

"It's no problem, Angel. How are you feeling?" He asked, concern lining his tone.

"A little bit sore. But I'll be fine." I lied. I was feeling sore but not a little bit. Everytime I moved a numb ache spread through my legs. I should probably search the internet on ways to relieve the pain, as asking someone else would be totally embarrassing.

Suddenly, a thought popped up into my head.

Oh god.

"Did we. . . use protection?"

"No, you're on the pill aren't you?" Jason asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

"No, I'm actually not."

"What?" He asked slowly.

"I mean I'm not on the pill!" I exclaimed, my breathing suddenly getting heavy. "Oh god, this is not good."

"Why aren't you on the pill, Daisy? I thought every girl is on the damn pill." He suddenly stood up, looking at me in annoyance.

He was annoyed at me?

"Well, I didn't think I was gonna be having sex anytime soon." I snapped, feeling my chest tighten.

The chances of me getting pregnant was high. Even though my biology was dusty in higschool, I of course knew most of the basics and that came with reproduction. I wasn't on the pill and Jason decided he would assume I was and not use a damn condom.

"Holy fucking shit, Daisy. What are the chances you fall pregnant?"

"They are really high." I whispered.

"So. . . are you infertile or something?" He asked hopefully.

"I don't know! I think not. You would risk the chances of me not being able to reproduce one day just because you don't want me falling pregant? That is so selfish!" I said in bewilderment.

I felt outraged.

"This is all your fault, Jason." I accused. Technically, it was his fault.

"My fault? You were practically begging me to take you. You were being so easy last night." He scoffed, before his eyes widened in realization of what he had said.

"Daisy," he began hesitantly. "I didn't mean-"

"No, shut up!" I yelled. "You're just an asshole who keep pretending to care about me!"

I felt defeated as I looked at him. My lips began wobbling as the tears threatened to shed from my eyes. I felt overwhelmed as this was the first real fight we were having since our relationship began. I lied back down on the bed and pulled the covers up until my ears, feeling embarrassed.

"Sweetheart," I felt the bed dip as Jason sat down besides me, facing my back. "I didn't mean what I said just now. Last night I didn't assume that you were on the pill, no one assumes shit like that. I was just so lost in you that I couldn't think straight. You have been so tempting since the damn moment I met you, and I couldn't think straight last night."

I stayed silent, hearing my crazy heart beat through my ears as I sniffled and waited for him to continue.

"I'm an asshole for saying that. I was just angry and you know that I can talk a lot of shit when I'm angry. Or scared. And currently I'm both. I'm so fucking scared that you might fall pregnant, Daisy. Not because another tiny you wouldn't be lovely, but because I am so not ready to be a father and you're too young to be a mother. I don't want that kind of burden for you and I don't want any child of yours to have a terrible father like me."

"You're not terrible." I mumbled out quietly into the pillows.

"I am. And until I'm a better person- if that might ever fucking happen, only god knows- I don't want you pregnant any time soon."

I turned to face him, still wrapped under the covers.

"What if I ever was pregnant? You wouldn't run for the hills would you?" I couldn't help but ask.

His eyes suddenly turned hard as he clenched his jaw.

"I couldn't promise you that, Daisy."

I frowned. "Why the hell not?"

"Because I'm a freaking gang member. I should be no where near a child. Where ever I go, trouble follows." He gritted out, his fists clenching. I didn't know why he got so worked up, this was his fault as he admitted.

"That's not a good enough excuse as to why you would abandon a child."

"Well, it's my excuse."

"God, you're such a perfect boyfriend!" I exclaimed sarcastically. He chose to ignore that.

"I'm heading out. I'll bring back those morning after pill stuff that you can take." He mumbled as he stood up and walked towards the closet before disappearing inside it.

But I wasn't done with him.

I was so not done.

I waited impatiently for Jason to return, and when he finally did fully dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, he stormed towards the door and grabbed his car keys and leather jacket. He was walking away from his problems.

Typical.

"We are not done here, Jason." I said angrily and sat up to look at him properly.

"I need to cool off. I will see you later." He mumbled.

"But-"

"I said I'll see you later." He snapped.

My eyes watered once again. "So this is what you do? Have sex with me and forget to use a condom then walk away like nothing happened? Do you do this to all the girls? Potentially let them fall pregnant then walk out and away like it's another day?"

His eyes darkened and he clenched his jaw. Not sending me another glance he opened the door and left with a bang.

I let out a frustrated scream and threw my pillow all the way across the room and against the closed door. I instantly regretted it when pain shot up my legs.

"Ugh!" I cried out before falling back onto the bed and stuffing my face into it.

Jason was insufferable.

I hoped he didn't cause trouble to where ever he left to. I knew his anger could get the better of him. I just hoped someone wasn't in his way when he wanted to let it out. And if someone was, I prayed for the poor soul.

"Daisy, get your fat ass up before I make you." Mavis ordered.

"No." I groaned, pulling the blankets over my head.

She had purposely opened the curtains and this dorm room was oh-so-conveniently in the awful direction of the sunshine. I loved the sun, but sometimes it was my greatest enemy. Like when I was depressed and laying in bed and it wanted to invade my privacy.

"Bitch, if you don't get your ass up right now I'm gonna pick that spider up that I see so pleasantly crawling up the wall and let it join you under the covers."

At the mention of a spider, I immediately kicked the blankets off and let the harsh rays of sun burn me. Well, not burn me exactly but when you were depressed and sad and cooped up in your own mysery all morning long, the mere touch of a feather could harm you.

"Sometimes I missed when you kept the Australian accent and wasn't cussing and threatening me all the time in your American one." I grumbled unhappily.

"Jaxon has been teaching me." She smirked slightly. "He has been teaching me all the American threats and phrases and I'm seriously getting a hang of it so if your ass isn't up in the next ten-"

"Alright geez," I huffed and threw my pillow in her direction. "Where could you possibly want me so badly?"

"Oh, I'm sorry but did you suddenly get amnesia? Penny tells me you haven't been in English or Chemistry today. What the hell is up? Are we suddenly skipping school now?" She asked harshly, but I could hear the concern dripping in her tone.

I felt my face drop at the thought of the recent problems in my life. Boy problems to be specific. I looked down at my hands that began to slightly tremble, my nerves on overdrive. I was being sensitive, but with Jason leaving like that this morning I didn't know why I shouldn't have been. After he left I took a long shower, and when I came back out the morning after pills were so nicely resting on my bed.

He hadn't even stayed and waited for me to come out. Jackass.

"What's wrong, love?" Mavis asked quietly, sitting down next to me. "Do I have some Jason ass to kick? Because I won't mind."

Even in a moment like this she managed to make me smile, reading what was on my mind like it was her second job or something. The fact that I'd been here for only over two months and these amazing people had managed to steal my heart said more than enough. It made me feel completely horrible. The fact that I have been lying since day one left a hollow feeling in my chest. I didn't want them to ever find out but seeing as we got closer every single day, I knew that it was inevitable.

"I have something to tell you and Penny." I admitted, realizing that lying would be pointless and they deserved the truth for a change. Besides, I needed people who could comfort me in this situation.

"Tell us what? Why do you look so hurt and guilty? Did that asshole touch you? I swear, give me his location and I will end him so bad-"

"Mavis," I said calmly. "Jason would never hurt me."

"I wouldn't put it past him." She grumbled.

I sighed, my tired eyes dropping. Even after dating Jason for three weeks, they still didn't trust him in the slightest. But I guessed it was understandable as they knew of him longer than I did. "In some sort of way he did touch me. But not the way you're thinking."

Heat crawled up my neck by the thought of confessing last night to her.

She narrowed her eyes, eyeing me up cautiously. "He gave you a massage?"

"No," I said, feeling frustrated. "I did something in the heat of the moment last night and now-"

"You had sex with Jason!" She exclaimed, her eyes widening.

"How did you know?" I asked in embarresment.

"Girl, you admitted he touched you and the marks all over your neck doesn't help your case. What the hell did he do? Your neck looks like it had been mauled by a freaking animal." She winced and reached out to touch my neck. I pushed her hand away and glared slightly.

"It kinda hurts, you know?"

"Holy crap, this is insane. Daisy McKenway is finally not a virgin anymore." She grinned, an accomplished look on her face. I hadn't expected anything less from Mavis. "So, how big was he? I bet huge. Jason doesn't have that reputation for nothing."

"Mavis!" I reached out to slap her arm in which she playfully dodged. "Can we not discuss that?"

"Admit it, Daise. It wouldn't kill you."

I couldn't help the small smile that overtook my face.

"Alright, maybe he was a bit big."

"A bit?"

"Okay, really big." I blushed.

"Of course." She grinned. "I can't wait to tell the guys and Penny."

"Mavis!" I slapped her again but this time caught her. She winced and glared at me. "I'll tell Penny myself but please don't tell my brother, Grayson or Jaxon."

"Your brother? Who the hell is your brother?" Suddenly, her eyes lit up in curiosity.

I shut my eyes tightly when I realized my mistake. I couldn't keep the fact that Michael was my brother forever. And I have lied enough already.

So I decided that he potential pregnancy story would have to wait for another day.

"Michael." I answered quietly, waiting for her reaction.

"Michael is your brother? Do you mean step brother? Or best friend that you decided to call brother?" She demanded, sitting down on the bed.

"I mean actual brother, Mavis." I said, my voice small.

"For how long?"

"What do you mean how long? Since I was born, duh? You don't just have a real brother for a short while-"

"No, I meant long has it been since you decided to tell us."

I looked down in shame.

"About two months."

"Two months and you or Michael didn't bother to mention that you are siblings. That's fucking rich." She grumbled.

"I'm so sorry, Mavis. But if I told you I would have to explain why he had been here in Essex Rd the whole time and why I wasn't. I don't like to revisit that memories." I explained, feeling miserable by the fact that Mavis might not want to be friends with me anymore. Michael lied too but she had known him longer than she'd known me. Dropping me was easier than dropping him.

When she stayed silent, my throat clogged up.

"If you hate me and don't wanna see me anymore I completely understand-"

"Hate you? Daisy, are you on drugs? I don't hate you and it's okay, I understand." She said assuringly, smiling at me.

"Really? Oh." I sighed in relief and the weight on my shoulders suddenly lifted. I couldn't explain how grateful I was towards her for being so understanding.

My eyes watered for the second time in one day.

"Aww, babe. I know that you were probably expecting me to hate you for keeping something so big from me but I'm way more understanding than that. Don't cry." She chuckled and scooted over, placing a hand on my back.

I leaped out and hugged her.

"You have no idea how relieved I am." I whispered.

"I'm glad to hear that, hon. I'm not just your best friend because I listen to you ramble and because I buy you gummy bears all the time and give you lifts. I'm your best friend because I understand you and will always be there. Take all the time you need to tell me everything. I can wait forever."

I smiled into her shoulder with teary eyes.

My friends truly was amazing.

The idea of being pregnant was terrifying, but slightly less when I realized that Jason or not, I had people who cared about me and would be there for me. My fears were lifted as I hugged Mavis.

For the first time, I truly felt home.

After Mavis dragged me to my last lecture which was environmental science, I found myself enjoying the rest of the day despite being sore. My last class was over and after the gang and I met up at Sweet Kisses I explained everything to them. Both Michael and I explained to them about our old life. How our parents gambled for money and got into trouble, to how my sister and I were thrown into an orphanage at a young age.

It took me a hour to explain to them my life after foster homes and the orphanage. I told them how I made new friends there that never really cared for me, and how I was grateful to Cassandra who took me in at my lowest and gave me shelter and food even when she wasn't the best friend. How she warned me about Lucien one day and the petrol incident at the party and how it was all Lucien's doing to get back at Jason for apparently stealing his drugs.

I told them how I lied about coming from England because I was scared they would judge me from where I was originally from.

After that I received a hug from each of them. Even my brother. He hugged me and whispered in my ear that everything would be fine and that he was planning a trip to visit my sister. I smiled at him in absolute appreciation.

They were all understanding and I grew to love them more every single second of the day.

For the first time, I felt like I was truly their best friend.

I was walking with Penny and Mavis towards the residence campus, laughing at something Mavis had said. We entered the building and headed towards the lounging area where people stayed to chill and play pool, cards or just keep conversation. There were mini fridges with sodas inside, something the students had personally installed, two pool tables, two hand tennis tables and a fifty inch plasma tv with a Xbox, sitting areas that consisted of couches and bean bags and a bar in the corner. Only eighteen and older could get drinks, where they had to show off there ID. Unfortunately, I had a few months to go before I turned eighteen.

"I am so ready to just relax." I sighed. I still felt sore and had to walk slightly funny, kind of like a penguin while Penny and Mavis laughed at me. I had filled Penny in on everything, and just like Mavis she asked me about Jason's size. I couldn't help but laugh when she did.

"Yeah, I-"

Penny was interrupted by a loud banging noise sounding from the hallways. We stopped mid-step and turned around to see the commotion. Just a few feat away, a large crowd had gathered around what seemed to be two people fighting. I frowned deeply and turned back around to walk inside the game room. People were rushing out to see the fight which I found opportunity in since I could find myself the best seat and maybe even play a game or two of Xbox.

"Oh my god look, it's Jason." Penny gushed, gripping my arm to pull me back.

"Penny, I don't need your dramatics right now. I'm really sore and I just wanna relax."

"I'm not freaking lying, it's really Jason getting beaten up by that guy. Oh no, wait. It's the other way around!" She exclaimed as she stood on her absolute tippy toes to get a good look.

"What?"

Oh, god. I hoped my theory of this morning wasn't right.

Was Jason seriously beating someone up because he was angry of this morning?

To make things worst, an innocent college student that probably did nothing wrong.

"Guys, I'll be right back." I sighed in frustration.

"Daisy, rule number one. Don't get between a fight. You could get hurt." Mavis stated.

"For the last time, Jason would not hurt-"

"You don't know that, Daise. He's angry right now and might not even know that it's you." Penny said gently.

"He won't." Was the last thing I said before I turned around and began manuevering my way through the crowd.

Since I was small and could dodge everyone, I managed to make it to the centre easily. What I saw caused bile to rise in my throat. The fact that everyone was encouraging the fight made it worst. The guy, slightly smaller than Jason looked unrecognizable. His face was completely bloody and his clothes torn to shreds. He looked like he had been mauled by an animal, a wild one. I suddenly couldn't stand the blood and so badly wanted to puke. Blood was everywhere. It looked like a murder scene.

While the guy was being physically mauled to death, Jason only had a scratch or two and looked murderous. Deathly even. It almost scared me when I realized that this was Jason. Driven by his anger and hatred for everyone and everything and not being able to see clearly for what he was doing. There was no excuse for this mess, but knowing Jason he was probably just letting off steam.

Which made his defenses worst.

I kicked into action and immedietly began calling his name over the loud chants and cheers. I couldn't stand watching this.

"Jason! Stop!" I yelled. However, it was absolutely useless. Either he heard it or chose to ignore me.

"Jason!" I yelled helplessly.

He was suddenly hauled off of the poor guy by non other than his brother. I have never felt so relieved to see Ace as I did then. Jason was about to head straight back to the bloodied guy on the floor when Ace roughly pushed him back, looking ready to strangle Jason for causing a fight. I could faintly hear them yelling at eachother over the sudden 'boo's' from the crowd.

"What the fuck is your problem, man?" Ace asked, his tone aggravated.

"Stay the hell out of this. If you had known what he did you would beat the shit out of him too." Jason hissed out angrily.

"This isn't fighting anymore," Ace snapped. "This is you trying to fucking kill the dude."

"I will fucking murder him!"

"Relax, calm down." Ace placed his hands on Jason's shoulders, pushing him away from the guy.

"Do you wanna know what the fucktard did?"

I wasn't able to hear anymore but the visble clenching of Ace's fists and jaw told me it was bad. He suddenly turned around and threw a hard punch to the bloody face of the guy, sending his head the other way, I thought he might have broken the guys neck.

I winced and felt tears form in my eyes at the beaten up guys physical state. I speed walked towards him and fell to my knees, trying to assess his wounds when almost immedietly I felt familiar hands grip my under arms and roughly pulling me away.

"The fuck you doing here, Daisy?" Jason asked angrily in my ear, but I could hear the surprise.

"Trying to fix what you did." I sobbed helplessly and stared at the badly injured guy.

"He's bad scum don't you dare go near him." He hissed.

"You asshole you nearly killed him!"

He suddenly turned me around and pulled me flush against him. I stumbled in shock when he rested my head against his chest. "Don't look then." He whispered gently, rubbing my hair.

"Alright, everyone clear out the show is fucking over!" I heard Ace's booming voice and slowly, the noise of the crowd began to lessen. Even my friends had left.

"Your turn?" I heard Jason ask, malice lining his voice.

Ace's wicked chuckle came afterwards, causing fear to roll down my spine. I stayed put against Jasons chest, not wanting to see what happened next. My breathing stilled, all I could hear for a minute was the loud and anxious beat of my heart. Then, a series of punching and cracking of bone sounded when Ace took his turn.

"Jason, please stop this." I pleaded, looking up into his eyes.

"Not now, baby."

"Please stop this." I said a little louder. His eyes snapped down towards mine, where my chin lied against his chest and my head looking up at him. He tightened his arms around me.

"I said, not now." He said sternly.

"But he will kill that guy." I cried out.

"Ace knows his limits. And I'm really not known for stopping someone else from killing another. Unless they are innocent, which this fucker is definitely not."

I shut my eyes tightly and rested my head back onto his chest, letting my ear listen to his steady heartbeat. He seemed to have calmed down after his rage fest, but how could someone be calm watching someone else beat up an already bloody and half unconscious person?

I waited on the edge for the vile sound to stop, my heart beating wildly.

"Is he dead?" Jason asked casually.

"I wouldn't murder someone in school." Ace scoffed.

"Perfect. Now do me a favour and go threaten every single person that is a witness to this. Make sure no one will say shit." Jason ordered.

"With pleasure."

When Ace passed me, he rubbed my back soothingly before leaving to do as asked.

I felt repelled by their behaviour.

That's when Jason finally let go.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I asked in exasperation, pushing against his chest.

"Sweetheart, look at me." I looked into his eyes. "This is exactly the kind of thing I do for a living. Do not act surprised."

"But he is a college student! And this is the residence campus! You don't almost kill people here." I yelled at him through teary eyes.

"Keep it down," he growled out.

"Tell me what he did to deserve this?" I asked.

"Do you wanna know exactly what this scumbag did?" He asked rhetorically, his eyes darkening dangerously. "He has been abusing my sister for a month now. That's why she has been missing lately and didn't wanna talk to me about anything. My strong willed sister has been abused and taking orders from him for a fucking month. She told me earlier today that he nearly raped her because she wasn't ready to have sex with him."

My eyes widened in disbelief.

Oh my god.

Alexis of all people has been abused?

She looked like she could punch this guy herself if she wanted.

"He's lucky I didn't tortue him and then feed him to my fucking dog. I swear to God if Ace hadn't shown up I could have killed him right then."

"So he deserved it." I whispered.

"Of course," he scoffed. "Did you seriously think I go around beating up random people? That's not how this works."

My heart softened when I realized that this wasn't for nothing. He in fact didn't beat random people up for fun or to let off steam, but only because he always have a pretty valid reason. Maybe his techniques were wrong, maybe he should have reported this guy to the police instead. But this was Jason. He handled things on his own, just because he could. Whether it was legal or not.

"How is Alexis?" I asked quietly.

He clenched his jaw tightly at the mention of his sister. "She's acting strong like I knew she would act. Denying that she's hurt but the tears told a different story."

"Where is she now?"

"Cooped up in her room. Fucking depressed." He grumbled.

I didn't know Alexis well. But she was Jason's sister, so being concerned of her was the least I could do. I felt my heart go out for her, and for Jason and Ace. She clearly meant a lot to them for them to react the way they did.

"I wanna see her." I suggested. Maybe having girl company wouldn't be bad for her.

"I don't think she would want another witness to see her acting weak. She hates weakness. It was how we grew up." He explained.

"And I'm just so fucking glad that you covered up the marks on your neck." He grumbled out, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"I had to. It was embarrassing."

"Being mine is embarrassing?" He asked in bewilderment, gripping my jaw and forcing me to look at him.

"No," I rushed out quickly. "That's not what I mean. It's embarrasing because when people see it on me they don't know about us or what we have. They immediately think the worst of me. Or judge me."

"Daisy," A long sigh came from Jason. "How can you be this perfect and still care what others think? The whole idea of someone like you giving a crap about other's opinions is stupid."

"It's easier said than done." I mumbled out. I felt his lips softly meet mine in a lingering kiss, his hands stroking my jaw softly, almost feather like.

"I'm sorry for storming out on you like that earlier on. It was wrong of me especially given that it's my fault. I won't do that again." He promised.

"It's okay now." I said assuringly, reaching up on my tippy toes to kiss his cheek. "Now are we gonna pay Alexis a visit or not?"

"We'll see if she decides to open the door." He said in frustration. "I know that she's hurt and everything but I'm her brother. She was supposed to cry on my shoulder not alone in her room."

"She needs time and a girl to cry to. Sometimes us girls just wants a sister." I offered. It was true. Most of the time girls would prefer to confide in their girl best friends or their mother. It was just more comfortable.

"Well, Ally was basically the only sister she had."

"Ally?" I asked in confusion.

"Yeah, she's my step sister. When my mother died when I was fourteen my father was consumed with loneliness and married another woman. She had a daughter named Ally." He explained. "Both Alexis and Ally were about eleven at the time and they became best friends."

"Where is she now?" I asked slowly.

"She didn't wanna be trapped in this shitty town so she went to study at a college in Chicago. She still lives with my father and her mother and studies at this rich ass school that my father pays for since he's literally and fucking millionaire. I didn't want to leave my hometown and neither did Ace or Alexis."

I nodded and slowly tried to adjust to his words. His father was a millionaire? But I thought he retired as a gang leader and how could he possibly have became rich with his last reputation?

"Do you visit them?"

"On Thanksgiving and Christmas, yeah."

"Christmas is soon." I said excitedly, forgetting the fact that I was about to ask him why he visited them so little. "Are you gonna visit them then?"

"Of course." He smiled, as if the thought of his family made him happy. I felt my heart ache by the small fact that I would have to spend Christmas alone. Like I did every other Christmas. I still loved the holiday, because it reminded me of what I used to have and I loved the memory of opening gifts with my family under the Christmas tree while my mom prepared the cherry and cream pie. It was Christmas tradition.

"Why do you look so sad? Family issues?" Jason asked, his eyes looking at me curiously. I faltered under his gaze and thought about what lie I could come up with next.

"They all the way back in London and really busy. They didn't call about Thanksgiving once yet." I lied.

His eyes narrowed and he was about to ask me something when I cut him off.

"We should probably leave before a senior or council member walk pass." I said.

"I would just beat them into oblivion and make them forget what they saw?" He suggested.

I smiled, even though the thought was completely vile. That was just the way Jason was. I turned around to look at the bloodied mess of the guy only to see him gone. The floors completely clean. Like what just happened ten minutes ago didn't happen at all.

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. I looked back at Jason and then back to the empty spot with wide eyes. "But- you-I. . . how?"

He smirked suddenly. "That's how me and my gang work. We clean up after eachother. Well, they clean up after me."

"Are you serious? What are they gonna do with him?" I asked, fear lining my voice.

"Leave him outside the local hospital for someone to find him or something. I don't intend for him to die. If I wanted that I could've killed him but I didn't. Because as hard as it is for people to believe, deep down I have a heart."

I nodded fast. "You do. You so do."

He smiled, looking complete. "And Daisy,"

"Yeah?"

"Don't ever cover up your marks again. Do you understand?"

I nodded.

Jason was just Jason. A moody, angry and sometimes rude person that wouldn't give the person he pushed out of the way a second glance. But deep down, he was sweet, caring and a fierce protector of the people he cared about.

And that's what I loved most about him.

I paused for a second.

Love?