Chapter 8: Concern (Leo's POV)

I'm stuck at the house alone with Claire. There was no way I would get out of this alive. "Now, you're stuck with me," she said, standing beside where I sat. I glared at her before standing up and going up to my room. "Wait, wait, wait!" I didn't stop. "Or I'll run out!" 

I halted, cursing under my breath while turning to her. "What?" I asked. 

"Please come back down here, I won't be annoying. Promise," she said. I begrudgingly went back downstairs and walked over to her. She had her pinky held out. 

"What is it?" I asked, feeling agitated. 

She rolled her eyes before grabbing my hand and locking her pinky with mine. "There we go, anyway. Can we do something? In the backyard maybe?" I stared at her. "Look, I will die of boredom. And you still have my phone, I'm not even allowed to talk to anyone except Aesha and my dad. Please?" She did that thing again. The stupid puppy-doe, baby eyes thing. 

"I have somewhere to be in about an hour. That's all the time you get," I huffed. 

"That's more than enough time to be with you. What can we do?" she asked. I stared at her blankly. "Mario kart?" Her nose scrunched up. 

"I really couldn't care less," I answered. 

"Yay, Mario kart it is," she said with no enthusiasm. We walked over to the couch and started playing. "Yes! I won! Woo-hoo!" she screamed, jumping up on the couch. 

I looked up at her, deciding not to tell her that I let her win. At least she'll stop being annoying now. 

I glanced at my phone. "I have to go," I said while turning the TV off. 

I noticed her frowning before she concealed it. "Flynn isn't back yet though," she said. 

"Can I trust you?" I asked. 

"What?" she asked. 

"To stay here by yourself. To stay safe?" She hesitated. "It's better than taking you where I'm going," I said. 

"Uh- I guess," she shrugged. 

"Lock all the doors, don't answer the door for anyone, Flynn and I know the code, we'll come in on our own. And try staying up in your room." She pouted. "Just try," I huffed. 

"Fine," she rolled her eyes. 

I headed to the front door with her following me. I opened it and stepped out, hesitating. 

Maybe she could just wait in my car. 

I'm feeling concerned. I never feel concern for anyone, yet I'm feeling it for her. "Lock it." 

"In your face?" she asked. 

"Just lock it." 

"Bye," she said before closing the door and locking it. 

I hesitated. I don't know why, but I hesitated. I ignored the doubt and climbed into my car, starting it and driving where I was supposed to. I got there within thirty minutes and climbed, locking the car behind me and going inside. Two buff bodyguards opened the doors and let me in. 

"I'm here for Ron," I said. 

The woman let me into his office where he sat, spinning a paperweight. "I was expecting you, have a seat," he offered. I sat down in front of him, waiting for him to tell me whatever business he had with my dad so I could get out of here. "Your father is sending you to his meetings now?" he croaked. 

How the fuck is this old hag still alive? 

"He's at work. What do you want from him?" 

"Information." 

I was confused but I didn't let my features give it away. 

"I hear Jack Brookes messed with the wrong ones. He owes the market some money." 

I nodded, "I've heard what you have." 

"I hear he has a daughter." I stared at him, waiting for him to cut to the chase. "Do you know anything about her?" 

"She went to the same school as me. Haven't seen her since graduation," I lied bluntly. 

"You haven't seen her anywhere, Leo?" he asked. 

"No, Ron. Nowhere," I answered. 

"Then I'm sure you wouldn't mind my men checking out your lovely mansion," he smiled. 

I clenched my fists but kept a blank look. "If Flynn's home, he'll answer. Otherwise, you won't get in," I answered. 

"That's all I need to know." 

"Why would you think Jack's daughter is with me?" 

"I know how far your father and he go. They help each other in tough times. Jack has done a lot for your father, it only makes sense Nathan does the same," he coughed out the smoke from his cigarette. 

"My father may owe Jack, but I don't." 

"No, you're correct. You do listen to your father though. You're a good son. You try to be at least," he scoffed. 

"Are we done here? This is what I came here for?" 

He tossed an envelope in front of me. "That's the money I owed your father. Fair and square. Done deal." 

I grabbed his pen and ripped the envelope, counting the money. "This is five-hundred dollars less. Pay up, Ron. Or you'll be paying in other ways." He looked at me, amused. "You know how this works. You don't pay, other people make you. Five-hundred bucks. Pay up," I said, leaning back in my seat. 

He slid the money over to me and I put it in the envelope. "Pleasure doing business with you," he grinned. 

"Can't say the same," I said before standing up and leaving. 

As soon as I climbed into my car, locking the money in the glove compartment, I sped off back home. If she answers that door, even though I told her not to, which she probably will. She's dead. Not literally, but they might use her against her father. She's his weakness. Everyone has one. 

When I got back there, I saw a car parked in my driveway. I entered the code and opened the door, walking in. I was shocked, to say the least when I saw her feeding them cookies and milk. 

"Oh, we should get going," they stood up, "Goodbye Heather," they smiled. 

"Come again," she smiled while they walked past me. 

I locked the door behind them and stared at her. "What the fuck was that?" I asked. 

"I'm sorry, I don't know any Claire Brookes. I'm Heather, Flynn's cousin from New York. Can I help you gentlemen with anything?" she recited, "They're really stupid." She picked up the empty plates and began heading to the kitchen. 

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer to me. "What part of 'do not open that door for anyone' did you not get?" I asked through gritted teeth, fuming at her stupidity. 

"The part where you didn't warn me about people pretending to be working for your dad," she replied, pulling her wrist out of my grip. "They came in here saying Mr. Jackson sent them looking for you. When I let them in, they asked if I knew Claire Brookes, then they asked me my name. I figured honesty isn't always the best policy," she said while placing everything in the dishwasher. 

"What else did you tell them?" 

"I said I was Heather Gray from New York, I was visiting Flynn on holiday, his mother was my mother's sister, I've lived in New York my whole life, and this was my first time staying with Flynn and meeting his friends, hence, I never knew Claire. Is that everything or are you going to interrogate me more?" she turned to face me, shooting daggers. 

"I told you not to open that door," I huffed. 

"You didn't tell me I was dealing with people trying to kidnap me and lie about who they were," she snapped back. 

"I didn't know that was what you were dealing with," I replied. 

"Then you should have taken me with you." She marched up to me. "You're the one who's supposed to keep me safe. If I have to lie my way out, I might as well go back home," she said before turning around to go upstairs. 

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, sighing in frustration. "You handled it," I stated. 

"You didn't. That's the point." 

"I'm not always going to be there!" I snapped. I yelled and she flinched. "I'm supposed to keep you safe, not babysit you. Learn to save yourself. You don't always get a savior." 

"That is what you signed up to do," she said calmly, "Be my savior." 

"I thought you said you don't like being saved," I reasoned. 

"I'd rather be saved than dead." She pulled her wrist out of my hand and ran upstairs, slamming her door shut. 

I leaned against the wall, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Shit," I whispered to myself. Her phone rang in my pocket and I answered it. "Hello?" 

"Where is Claire? I need to speak to her." It was Aesha. 

"She can't talk right now," I huffed. 

"But-" 

I hung up. Her door opened and she came marching back down. I stared down at her and couldn't even react when she snatched her phone out of my hands, her eyes remaining locked with mine before running back up. 

I might have fucked up. Shit.

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Chapter eight

Homeboy fucked up. They were getting better. I mean, at least she was trying. Now he's gotta be the one trying and making an effort.

next chapter: shield