This doesn't make any sense. How are they here? I thought they were dead. I hoped they were dead. But here I was, tied up and at the mercy of the man whom I hated the most. Barry. He took my father's name and was now scarred but he's always gonna be Barry.

Barry that took us in when we weren't wanted anywhere else but made sure we remembered that. He laid his hands on me too many times to count. Locked us up in our rooms and barred us from ever truly having a life.

I looked around for any means of escape.

I was in the living room, the kitchen was behind me. I didn't know if anyone was inside.

There were two chairs in the room that weren't charred. One of which I was tied to, I dreaded who the other was for.

"I know what you're thinking," Barry, the imposter who took my father's name spoke from the other end of the room.

His voice was low, hoarse. He had been watching me as I processed all that was happening.

"Why all of this? Why take the time to kidnap Dahlia, put you through all of this?"

I kept quiet. He sighed.

"Truth be told, I never meant to keep her whole this long. I was going to collect the money. Have her watch while I kill you and your brother, then kill her."

I narrowed my eyes at him and he smirked. This was all humorous to him.

"Don't be upset. I figured if I killed her that night, it would end this fun little game." He straightened his black jacket. 

Game? Game?! My brother and I almost got murdered several times, doing his dirty work and he's talking about game? I would knock him out if I could. My face was hot with angrier. 

"Sorry, game for me, but it was your life."

I couldn't believe this was happening. I wondered where Devin was and if he was alright. I wondered if he'd gotten through with Juno. Maybe by some miracle, he was going to come with Marcus, Juno and his hounds and rescue us.

It was a long shot but it was all I had to hope for.

"You were always so quiet Darius. That's what I liked the most about you." He interrupted my thoughts. 

I snickered at that.

"You don't believe me?" He was now standing a few feet in front of me, parading his power.

I finally spoke.

"What happened to you?"

"Oh young Darius, there's a lot to tell, but we have time. I'll wait till the guest of honour arrives with my diamonds"

A few bangs came from upstairs, where Dahlia was. She was probably still trying to escape. She was probably more motivated, now that I am here.

Barry never left the room. Neither did the two men. He just stood there, waiting. He looked peaceful as if he was finally getting his revenge.

A light shined through the window from outside. Then it turned off. A few seconds later there was a knock at the door. One of the men, Tino's men, pulled out his gun before going to the window.

He then went to Barry. He seemed to be concerned. The two exchanged words before the man unbolted the door and opened it.

Tino walked in, looking a lot rougher than when I last saw him. Tino held out his hand. Barry looked apprehensive, but after a beat greeted him with a handshake. 

"Ace, my friend, fancy seeing you here," Tino greeted. Ace gruffed at him before turning his attention back to me.  

I knew I couldn't trust him! He glanced at me and winked. The scowl on my face was enough for him to turn his head.

I'm glad Devin and I didn't accept his help. However, a part of me still felt disappointed.

He used to be Devin's friend, and now he conspired to have our sister kidnapped and killed. He was instrumental in all of this. But how did Barry know, we'd turn to Tino for help? My stomach turned at the thought. I wondered where my brother was. If he saw this, he would probably lose it. I wouldn't be able to talk him down.

Barry and Tino had gone down the hall to what used to be the spare bedroom.

They were an unlikely pair. Why would Barry work with him knowing that he wanted to kill him a year ago? It didn't make any sense. Nothing made sense anymore.

Three loud gunshots erupted from outside the house, piercing the silence of the night. It could be anyone, it was Berlington. I hoped it was Devin. 

Ace and the other men rushed to the door, with their weapons drawn. One man came out from the kitchen. That was three total.

Barry and Tino came out of the room. Tino winked at me again. Is there something in this fucker's eye? The men went outside to investigate, so did Barry. Tino stayed behind. Where was Margaret?

While they were busy outside. Louder thuds came from upstairs. I heard screams. I wriggled against the ropes but it was no use. I was useless.

The commotion continued outside. There was another shot from upstairs. No! What was going on?

"Boss! Boss! I got him!" called someone from upstairs.

Barry rushed in, with two men behind him. The other didn't return.

Soon after two other men tumbled down the stairs in a tussle. One I didn't recognize but the other I knew too well. Devin was on top hammering punches to the man's jaw. He couldn't get to even block as they came one after the other.

"Where is he?" Devin didn't seem to notice that I was right here.

"Devin!" I called out. It distracted him. Ace and the other guy pulled him off of the poor man. Devin looked at me and exhaled visibly. Then his features darkened when he saw Tino and then finally Barry.

He pushed off the two men that held him and charged at Barry; arms swinging wildly. Tino moved out of the way and stood behind my chair. He placed something cold in my hands. It felt like a blade.

"Don't make a move yet." He whispered loud enough for me alone to hear.

I was surprised by this. What was his play?

The other men grabbed Devin before he could hit Barry and shoved him onto the chair. They tied his arms behind him. His jaw was swollen and a bruise was forming below his left eye.

"Things didn't work out well with Juno?" I asked. 

He spared a glance before turning his attention to Barry who was straightening his stupid jacket again. 

"Isn't this a family reunion?" he said after wiping his glasses clean and replacing it.

"Go get Margaret and the girl. I want everyone here for this part."

The man that Devin was fighting spoke as he slowly got up from the floor. 

"I-I'm sorry boss..." 

Barry's head snapped up. The man hesitated before continuing to stutter.

"...Sh she's gone..."

Barry walked up to the man and stood so close that their noses almost touched.

"What do you mean gone? Who's gone?" Barry's tone darkened.

"Margaret, she's d-dead sir." He sucked in a sharp breath before stepping back.

"And the girl?" Barry questioned. 

" She's gone." He hung his head low.

"Dead too?" There was disgusting hope in his voice.
I held my breath, fearful that the shot I'd heard earlier was one that killed my sister.

"No, she's not in her room. This fucker snuck her out through the window in one of the bedrooms."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Devin was able to rescue Dahlia. She was free.

"What happened?" 

"I saw Margaret on the floor, shot. And then, him." He pointed at Devin who sat there emotionless. "He was helping the girl through the window of the bedroom at the end of the hall. I was gonna stop them, but he charged at me. That's when I said I got him and he attacked and-"

Without warning, Barry raised his gun and shot the man in his chest. I jumped at the deafening sound. The man didn't get to finish his statement. 

I looked at Devin. His face was still emotionless and cold; his eyes darker than the midnight sky. His breathing was even, while mine was all over the place. Tino was still behind us.

Barry took three deep breaths.

"You know that's not how I pictured our family reunion."

"What family?" Devin questioned. His voice sounded hoarse as if he'd either been shouting or hasn't spoken in weeks.

"It's Bick!" He yelled.

"You're not our father! You treated us like shit! You burned and beat my brother! You raped my sister! You beat me up! You son of a bitch!" Devin yelled back.

"You ungrateful little shit!" he slapped Devin.

"I took you in when no one else wanted you! And for what? Just to get burned!" he pointed at the scars on his face.

Everyone was quiet as Barry spoke.

"I gotta admit. The real reason I took you in. Your father, your real father was a business partner of mine, a friend even. We used to run the drug trade back in the day before you were born."

"You're lying! Our father was a businessman," I protested. He'd owned his own pharmacy in town and a few other small businesses. He would never be involved in that crap. Not my father. 

"Oh yes, he was Darius! Long story short, he sold me and Margaret out, we went to jail and he continued on with his life, pretending to be an A-class citizen. When I learned of his and beautiful Paula's death, I saw it as an opportunity." Barry gazed out above our heads as if seeing his future unravel. This man was crazy.

"An opportunity?" Devin asked through clenched teeth. 

"To get everything Maggie and I missed out on. A family life you know. But when you guys came along, you reminded me too much of your father Devin." He spoke a few inches from Devin's face.

"And you Darius, you looked a lot like Bick. Dahlia was the spitting image of Paula. Beautiful Paula."

He took a few steps back. " I loved that woman so much, I couldn't stand having her look-alike just walking around like.."

"You're a sick bastard! And a liar!" Devin accused.

"You know, I have been told that a few times." He took a flair from one of the two men that were left standing. He then struck it. It's red luminance reflected off his face and crackled brilliantly.

He brought it close to Devin's face. Devin didn't even shift.

"Scared of a little fire Devin? I know it's not the same as when you tried to kill us, but I'm improvising."

Devin didn't respond.

"Oh yes, this how you tried to kill us right? Burn us alive?" he menacingly waved it in front of Devin's face.

"I should have pulled that trigger," Devin said through clenched teeth. 

"Too bad you didn't. You and you're buddy here didn't finish the job". He directed his attention to Tino, who quickly stepped from behind us.

"I must admit I was sceptical of working with him. But he proved his worth. If it weren't for him and his team, none of this would have worked out, right?"

"Right." Tino agreed.

"Do you want the honours?" He held out the flair to Tino but he declined stating that this was his revenge to have.

Barry seemed to be grateful and I was confused as to which side Tino was on.

"Don't worry I won't fail. You took everything from me, Devin and now you get to watch your brother burn."

He was about to place the flare at the leg of my wooden chair but paused when Tino interjected. He whispered to Barry.

"Oh, I almost forgot, where are my diamonds, Devin?" His eyes wide with hope. 

"Fuck you!" Devin spat. 

"Huh, too bad, that could have saved your life," Barry said. "Or not."

From behind Barry, Tino shook his head in disappointment. I guess he was hoping to get his cut of it tonight.

"Wait, I have one more question," I said. Devin turned to stare at me. 

"Why did you make us steal from Fitz and why kill Juno?" I asked. If he really just wanted to kill us, why'd he put us through so much crap? 

"Well good question. I knew you were the smart one." Barry responded. "But, all I'll say is, your father wasn't the only one involved in my downfall. And that motherfucker named Fitz owed me money. Thanks for getting that back by the way." He winked at Devin. 

Barry backed away before giving his orders to his men. He handed Ace the flair.

"Burn them."