Marci Wellington's POV

Shane carries me into a house full of worried relatives since my legs stopped working when I launched myself into his car.

My dad reaches for me, but Shane holds me away from him. Of course, my dad blows up, saying something about him holding his little girl.

Shane says, "If you wanted to protect her, you should have been honest with her from the start. You should have told her the truth."

With his back turned, Shane went toward the stairs. My head lulls to the side, and I see Abuelo and Abuela talking harshly to my dad, who frowns as his eyes never leave mine.

Shane turns into the corridor leading to my room, which forces me to break eye contact with my dad.

Opening my room, he ignores the light switch and moves to lay me on my bed. The cool sheets wrap around my frame. They remind me of how cold Aunt Valentiá's hands were when they were around my neck. The sensation makes goose flesh pebble my skin, and an unwelcome feeling crawls up my spine.

There is no way I can call her my aunt anymore. Family isn't supposed to kill each other.

Removing my shoes and opening my window, he sits at the edge of my bed and pushes my hair away from my neck. The frown that mars his face shows how badly my bruises piss him off.

I don't know how Shane remains calm, but it makes me wonder how my dad will react to seeing them.

"I killed her Shane. I'm a murderer." The first words to leave my mouth since I left my haven.

He frowns at my words. He says, "You're not. You did what you had to do to survive. It was you or her. And if you had died- fuck, I don't even want to think about it."

I sigh and turn away from him. "Seeing someone die and killing them are two different things. She was one of my favourite aunts. What did I ever do that she'd want me dead?"

"It's not what you did, Marci. It's who you are. You're everything she wanted and more. A girl with a family that loves her with high school problems. You never had to worry about the clothes on your back or food on the table." He chuckles at the last part. "Valentiá was many things, but forgiving wasn't one of them. She's been through many things to make her want revenge, so she tried taking it the best she could."

I knew she lost her biological family to the war, but what more could she have lost?

I turn to Shane with a confused look and voice out my thoughts.

He sighs. "I didn't want to be the one to tell you this, but Valentiá was Caleb's real mom."

I could have sworn I should already know this, but it felt like fresh news to me.

I killed Caleb's mom.

It took only a second for the thought to sink in, and I shot out of bed and started pacing around my room.

"I killed Caleb's mom. What kind of crazy sister am I? Fuck siblingship! He wouldn't want anything to do with me once he realises what I've done. For all the things to happen this year, this just has to-"

I walk around my room and lament about my actions. Shane scoffs and stands from my bed and blocks my path.

Holding my shoulders and giving me a good shake, he says. "Maleficent, snap out of it! Caleb already knows who she is, but wanted nothing to do with her."

"Why? Are you sure? Cause I know my brother well and he wants a family-"

Again, he cuts me off.

"Caleb wants a family, but he got what he bargained for. He has you and Gail, the Hispanics and your parents, Peyton and the gang. He got all of you, so Caleb's feelings should be the least of your problems."

His words sink in, and I feel my heart calm down. Closing my eyes to inhale quietly, I calm my nerves. It should have been as easy as displaying sass and dancing, but the action had a different effect on me.

The sight I see shakes me to my core. It had me looking around my room, checking if she was there. If she was really in my room with me.

Her devious smile and golden eyes coated with venom greet me in my subconscious. Her cries for help ring in my head and taunt me, but the cries turn from help to mockery.

"You killed me, Marci. I was once like you and now you're living my life through yourself."

"I'm nothing like you!" I scream and place my hands in my hair and pull.

I feel hands on my shoulders, "Marci, calm down."

Shane's voice loses meaning in my head, along with moving pictures that feel real. It's like I'm reliving what just happened with a different ending. This time, she got me.

"Like father like daughter, you killed your relative just like he did."

"I didn't mean to kill you!"

Salty tears flow from my eyes to my mouth as I trash against Shane's hold and back myself against the wall and slid downwards to sit on the floor. Sobs leave my mouth as I curl into a protective ball and beg whoever is listening to make it stop. To make the memory leave my head.

But not all prayers are answered.

Aunt Valentiá punches me and slices my shirt in two. The fallen fabric is the least of my problems as she stabs my upper hand with the knife and kicks my abdomen.

I open my mouth to scream, but nothing comes out. Frustration boils in my veins as tears make an appearance. I land on my back and cry out, but still no sound. Frantic, I look around to see everybody dying.

Caleb, Giá Nate, Lucas, Jacob, Danny, everyone I love dropping dead to the floor like a pandemic.

A searing pain brings my eyes forward to golden eyes in slits. Valentiá licks my blood from the knife and winks at me. I raise my hand to my face and feel the blood dripping down the side of my head.

Straddling me, she brings the knife to my throat. She places the blade close enough to prickle me, and the moonlight reflects on it. Daring to glance at it, I see a reflection of a girl that should be dead.

The old me.

"I've dreamed of this moment since the day Marcel and Dinah brought you from the hospital room. You're a selfish brat and a stupid girl. Do you think we loved you? That I loved you?" she laughs.

"Please don't do this." My voice box finally works.

I search her eyes for the woman who was a second mother to me. The warmth and mother care that was there is nowhere to be found. In its place was malice and hatred so passionate that it could rival Hitler's.

She grins and presses the knife deeper. The pain is instant. I trash against her hold, but I remain stuck. The woman is stronger than me and locks my hands in one of hers. Her legs keep mine in place as she continues to drag the knife across my throat.

When the knife nips at my jugular vein, she offers me some parting words, "Greet the rest of the Wellington clan for me, hmm."

I never got the chance to respond, that's if I could.

She flicks her wrist and ends my life.

-

The conversations with Peyton and Danny come back to me, and I remember what they told me. It has me thinking back to my actions.

Valentiá's death is on my hands, and I wanted to blame another person.

I wanted to blame my dad for associating himself with such a person, but he's a victim, just as she is. Not everyone can watch their family die right before their eyes.

I dreamed it, and it's not a pretty sight.

I wanted to blame my mom for hiring her as an assistant if she was out to kill my dad and me. But Mom is also a victim and was doing her best to protect Dad and me. As much as I'd want to hate my mom these days, I just couldn't. Instead, respect for her in my heart, as she did all she could to protect her family.

I wanted to blame Caleb, but how do I blame the guy? He's been the best older brother I could ask for, and it's not his fault that he has an evil mom.

Had.

But who's his dad?

Then there's Danny.

He could saddle up for the blame, but his job was to protect me. Given that he wouldn't have mucked it up if I kept myself out of harm's way, it was too much.

I just wanted a simple year, but I got more than what I bargained for.

The opening and closing of my door have me turning my head to the side. I make out their dishevelled appearances.

The duo looked malnourished and more stressed than normal. Seeing them like this gets me mad every damn time. After all, I'd protect them because I love them.

Yes, they split up, but they did it to keep me safe. That alone dissolves the hatred that I once had for them.

I sit up and open my arms for them. My mom raises her hand to cover her mouth as she sobs. She rushes towards me and hugs me tightly. My dad wipes his right eye and joins us. He wraps his hands around the two important women in his life and kisses our foreheads.

This is what I've wanted since the year began.

To feel my parent's love.

We separate and don't bother wiping our tears as we sit next to each other on my bed. Vulnerability isn't a common Wellington family trait, but today has to be one of those days.

My dad kisses my forehead and speaks. "Marcella, I didn't want any of this to happen. If I could take it back, I would, but I can't. I'm sorry for everything that has happened. I want you to know that you are not like me. You're a better person than who I was when I was your age. You're brave and strong, kind and caring, and you'd go up against anyone who'd stand in your way in protecting your family. Admirable qualities of a dealer and I'm proud to call you my daughter."

"Thanks, Dad," I mumble.

I frown at him and begin to interrogate him. "Are there any more family members that I should be wary of?" I ask.

He sighs and shares eye contact with my mom. She nods at him and he sighs again.

"Yes, there are. But they don't live on this continent. They live in the United Kingdom under Sam's rule. They want to get to me, and the best way to do it is through you."

I hum, "How many are there?"

"Marci, you're not thinking of fighting them off?"

"No, I don't."

Yes, I do.

I never want to be as useless as I felt last night, and if I can help it, then so be it.

He releases a relieved breath. "I'm not sure who's still alive or not, but as long as you stay under our protective watch, then everything should be alright."

I cock a brow. "What protective watch?"

My question goes on unanswered as my mom pulls me into her bosom, and I hug her back just as tightly, following her lead to distract me.

It takes two to tango.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you. I'm sorry I made you unaccepted sometimes. Just so we're clear, you are more than enough for me, the best daughter in the world, and one of the best things that's happened to me since I migrated here."

Their words warm my heart. I test the waters and ruin the moment.

"Does that mean you guys are getting back together?" I ask hopefully.

My parents share a look, a kind of look I haven't seen for a long time. It holds admiration, love, and longing. A look that star-crossed lovers have every time they see their other half.

"Yes, we are." They say at the same time.

The words bring more tears to my eyes, and we hug each other again.

So, this is what it feels like to have a happy biological family.

The moment was almost perfect. They've seen how keeping me out of the loop has dangerous consequences, yet my dad does it again. I make a mental note to confront him later.

As we separate, Abuela walks in with Danny, and the atmosphere changes. How I got to this point dawns on all of us, but I put on a brave façade. I wipe my tears away and face the man. His soulful green eyes sweep across us as he says. "Sorry to interrupt, but I need to speak to Marci."

The girl everyone knew me to died last night, and I celebrated her funeral as Valentiá killed me in my nightmare.

I am my father's daughter.

My parents look at me for my reply, and I nod. One after the other, the adults in the room leave; offering gratitude and threats to Danny.

He takes in the décor in my room, and an impressed look rests on his impassive face.

"If you're done checking out my room, I believe you have something to say." I sass him.

He says, "I see your sassiness is still working properly."

I shrug, "What can I say? It's my superpower."

With a small laugh, he asks, "How are you, Marci?"

Not the question I was hoping for, but I can play it well.

"What do you think?" I tilt my head to the side, thinking I can get under his skin and find out why he was here.

Danny has proven to be a friend, but I can't help but scrutinise him.

"I'm not sure my thoughts are your biggest worries right now. I'm here to ensure your safety."

"How's that working out for you?"

I'm on a roll with the sass today.

Ignoring my question, he tells me. "I did not mean for last night to happen the way it did. Compromising your safety is the price of having your father's blood run through your veins. That is why you will be under protection, but not the kind that'll suffocate you."

Hurray for strangers following me around as if it will make a difference.

"Is this supposed to make me feel better?" I voice out my opinion.

"Depends on how you take it. I can't lie to you because that's happened already and you already know how it ended."

"So, what happens now?"

"Since Valentiá is dead, no one I know of wants your head. To be on the safe side, I told Terry to watch after you and you have to promise me not to go anywhere alone."

"Even the bathroom?" I ask.

He rolls his eyes. "Even there."

Unexpectedly, Danny walks up to me, pulls me up from the bed and hugs me.

"I want you to know that we're friends and no matter what happens, you can always meet me for help. If it were up to me, I didn't want this to happen because I didn't want you to be tainted. The fear I felt when I saw your eyes closed is not one I want to experience ever again." He says.

His words melt my heart just a fraction, but not everything. I can't be weak and I can't be the girl everyone knew me as. They don't need to know that, but everything I do from now on entails becoming a version of myself that's as tough as nails.

But I do hug him back, "Neither do I, Danny. Thank you for saving me. I appreciate it. I have a message for you from a blonde woman. She talked to me before you showed up. Said that she and the French Dynasty are coming for Kasie. Mind telling me what that's about?"

The blonde woman was ready to kill me and her reason still sounds sketchy to me.

"The woman that spoke to you is Lola, and she is a friend and a foe. Telling you a story to give you more trauma isn't my plan, but I want you to promise to never stay on your own. I know you can handle yourself, but I'm not risking it."

And handle myself, I can.

"Promise."

"We're worlds apart, moving with the same aim; to protect the ones we love while we fight demons. These demons we didn't know were out to get us."

His words resonate something within me and the calm I felt last night washes over and I continue the promise as if it's been in my heart since the day I was born.

Truth be told, it always had, and I never realised it.

"Having to make deals like our daily bread. Not knowing when to stop bloodshed when it has started, and no matter what happens, we won't leave any man behind."

He continues, "Originated from a line of criminals who are bloodthirsty for justice that never came. Breaking what is to what should be."

"Becoming like our forefathers in a new light."

Together we say, "We came as Dealers, and we die as Dealers."

Danny inhales and rubs his hands together. "It's about damn time you learnt how to be a Dealer. Don't you think?"

I nod wordlessly and walk to my desk. Straddling the back of my chair, I hold a notepad and pen in my hands.

"First rule as a dealer. You must be selfish and selfless."

I cock a brow. "Explain please."

"You being selfish means that whoever you make a deal with should always be on the losing end of the stick. Being selfless means you're making the deal for the greater good."

"So, I should have a degree in mind fuckery."

It was a question, but a statement that earned a nod from him.

"Second rule is never to take foes and friends for granted. A person can easily change places, but they can move the chips where you want."

I tap the pen on my chin. "Am I supposed to tattoo my new role on my forehead?"

Danny walks to my window and looks outside. With his back to me, he responds, "The only people allowed to know of your change are Marcel and Dinah. I knew the coldness you radiated last night is the dormant Dedler in you rising from slumber."

He turns and moves to me, "Remember Marci, you make deals for the greater good. Excellent skills in the wrong hands always lead to chaos."

I nod.

He lists the remaining commandments. I jot everything down and commit it to memory.

When he finishes, he walks to me and brings out a pocket knife. Its blade is dark ash, and its handle is black leather. Engraved on it are my initials.

MFW.

"That's your first weapon. Either it guards you, or you guard it. Your choice."

I say no words after that as we observe each other. And it was at that moment I knew that I had made my first friend as a Dealer.

A day that I would never forget.

-

I dump my bag on the floor and approach my little family. Nate opens his hands for me, and I crouch down for him to hug me.

Lucas nods at me, and Giá smiles as I stand beside her. I grip her hand in silent support as the news we've all been waiting for walks through the door. We turn towards the door as a doctor enters with a clipboard in one hand and a pen in another.

The woman in her white lab coat looks at Nate's X-rays and hums in approval.

"You can put weight on your legs, but you can't stand too long. The meds will have to be taken at regular intervals and loose clothing is advised to make sure that the bones don't move on their own accord."

She nods at Lucas. The naysayer helps Nate up from the wheelchair, and my boyfriend walks towards me to plant a solid kiss on my lips.

"I'm back baby." He whispers onto my lips.

And so am I.