Someone stole my sister. My father allowed a man to walk into my house and steal my sister. It was wrong. Everything about this felt wrong. I felt wrong.

I didn't know how long I sat there, rocking myself on my carpet.

Ander didn't say a word. He simply kneeled a few feet away, glancing at me, then away, as if he wasn't sure which was a better option.

Eventually, my crying reached another lull. The tears that beer had replenished dried away. I sat there, sniveling pathetically.

"Jeanie?" Ander whispered, eyeing me as if worried I'd run away. "Did your dad do something, or..."

"He did nothing," I spat. I hated him. I hated him almost as much as I hated Patri Christian. "Nothing. And Elaine... Elaine... She's gone." The words came up from my throat like acid, burning and sputtering.

Ander's face slackened. He didn't respond for several minutes, before nodding slowly. "I can get her back."

I rubbed at my nose like a toddler. "Don't lie to me." Elaine was gone. Even Ander's heroics couldn't bring her back to me.

"Well, I can try," he corrected. "And I've got a better chance than anyone else."

His delusions weren't worth a response. If Ander thought he could singlehandedly take on the Patri, he was a bigger fool than I thought. By now, Elaine probably wasn't even in the Midlands anymore.

"I'm serious, Jeanie." He scooted closer. "Look, I didn't tell you this yesterday, 'cause I was still processing everything and I wanted you to forgive me without anything else influencing you one way or the other. Then after you did forgive me... well, I didn't want to ruin it with my news, and I wasn't even as excited about it as I should be. I told you I didn't meet my friends the night we graduated, right? 'Cause Ervin called me in."

What's he blabbering about? I didn't have it in me to follow his round about stories. If anyone liked to talk, it was Ander. Maybe he just likes to hear himself carry on.

"It turns out filing all those papers actually did earn me some brownie points." Despite my tear-streaked face, Ander couldn't keep a tiny smile off his face. "I've been selected Jeanie. They picked me."

For what? I was about to ask, but then I saw the pride simmering in Ander's eyes. He'd done it. He'd accomplish that which he'd always dreamed of. He'd broken free. He was going to Eastland. I ought to congratulate him, but my already fragmented heart cracked further. I'm losing Ander too now?

How dare he make you forgive him just to leave you, Ross grumbled.

"How does that help anything?" This news was nothing compared to losing Elaine, but I didn't want to see him leave. Not when I was so close to just maybe loving him.

"Everyone knows that all criminals are brought to Eastland. My jet leaves tonight so I'll be there by tomorrow. And I'll do everything I can to bring her back," he promised. "I can at least try."

It wouldn't work. Whether he was in the Midlands, in Eastland, or in the Tower House talking to the Father himself, he wouldn't be able to save Elaine. "That will mean risking your life. You'll die trying."

"Maybe. But I'll be careful. It's worth a risk. She's your sister, and I really like her. She's a good kid. She doesn't deserve this." Ander shrugged, still watching me lest I snap. "I risk my life every day just for the way I think. At least this way I could actually make a difference in someone's life."

He's just going to get himself killed, Ross stated. He's running around, meddling in places he shouldn't. If he's that stupid, maybe he deserves to get killed.

He doesn't, Andi protested, voice timid. And, sure, it's a long shot. But if there's any chance of getting Elaine back it's worth any risk. It's better than nothing, right?

I sighed. There was no way in hell Ander could save my sister, but he'd certainly try. Perhaps I should have squelched the first sign of vitality, but a minuscule ember of hope was birthed in my heart.

Ander scooted closer, putting his hand hesitantly on my shoulder. "I'm gonna miss you like hell, Jeaniboo. But I'll do everything I can to find your sister. Don't give up."

With a rattling breath I tucked my head into his shoulder. This was a different level of intimacy than we'd experienced, but I needed it. If anyone could save Elaine, it would be Ander.

He held me close to his chest, but loose enough that I could easily escape his embrace if I chose to.

I'd need to let him go to save Elaine. If he managed to rescue her, I'd still never see him again. And even if Elaine wasn't in jeopardy, I'd need to let him go. He wouldn't give up his dream and I wouldn't trap him here. All I could do was enjoy the last few moments of his company.

But the door swung open, shattering our tender farewell. The footsteps had been so slow I hadn't noticed them.

I half expected it to be Elaine again, grinning like an imp outside my door. But that was impossible.

Dad loomed in the doorway. His face was limp and red. His eyebrows furrowed then relaxed, then furrowed again as his expression shifted from shocked, to furious, to defeated.

"Jean." Dad's voice was heavy. "You-"

Neither Ander or I gave him the chance to finish.

"Mister Bennett, I can explain." Ander raised his hands, gently prying himself away from me.

"Dad, just listen." I jumped to my feet. Shit. We'd both risk arrest. If anything else that ensued was discovered, Ander wouldn't be able to go to Eastland. He couldn't try to save Elaine.

Dad shook his head, silencing our desperate pleas. "I don't want to hear it. Don't bother lying to my face. Again. How long has this been going on?"

"About two years," I mumbled, clasping my hands in front of me. Studying the floor, I couldn't see Dad's expression, but I could imagine it well enough. Shame, fury, disappointment.

"Two years you've been disregarding this family, disgracing our very name." His voice didn't sound angry. It was soft and almost tired.

"I'm sorry, Sir," I managed, shame coloring my cheeks.

"He will be gone in fifteen minutes," Dad stated. "I don't want to deal with the Patri again today, but I will if he isn't out of my house by the time I come back. I don't need to see two Bennetts taken away in handcuffs today." With that, Dad stalked away towards his bedroom.

I lifted my head upon hearing his retreating footsteps. He didn't report me? Why not? There was no time to wonder. After his footsteps vanished behind the slam of his bedroom door, I whirled around to see Ander, face contorted in a grimace.

"No one was supposed to find out." His hand was clenched in a fist. "I didn't want to put you in danger."

Chewing my lip, I took Ander's hand. "It's hardly your fault. Now move it. I don't think Dad will report me now, but let's not push it."

"I won't be able to instatext you much. Maybe every now and then, but things are monitored even more in Eastland." Ander squeezed my hand, looking up at me through his messy bangs. He brushed my hair out of my face. "I'll miss you, Jeanie. But, Father, don't let them get to you. You're smart, Jeanie. That's what they can't stand, but don't you dare apologize for it. You notice things. You don't forget. Your memory... use that."

His soft hand on my cheek, he guided my chin upwards as he brought his lips to mine. Soft, gentle, tender and final. Our kiss was salty, bittersweet. We both knew with painful certainty that it would be our last kiss.

Ander broke away slowly, reluctant. His hand remained upon my cheek, his thumb tracing slow circles on my skin. "Great Father, I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too." I blinked up at the handsome face smiling down at me.

Inch by inch Ander stepped back. Our hands remained clasped until finally he slipped through my fingers.

He neared the door. Once he passed through it, I'd never see his face again. Ander paused, a hand on the doorframe. "I love you, Jeanie."

I needed to say it. I needed to. If I'd never see him again he needed to know I loved him. He was risking his life for my sister, he deserved to know I loved him.

Just say it! Andi pleaded.

My throat closed up, filled with an ever growing lump. I needed to force my tongue to move. "I love..."

But he was gone. He didn't wait for me to say it. Maybe he didn't want to be disappointed again. Maybe he'd just given up all hope that I would say it.

I stepped backward until I bumped into my bed. Hugging my middle tightly, I slumped back onto the mattress. I was alone. Elaine was gone. Ander was gone, and I'd be lucky to hear from him again. Dad would never forgive me, not that I could forgive him. What else did I have? Where could I go from here?

It was only a matter of time before Dad would come  to insure Ander had left, though I was unsure why he bothered to wait. Guilt? That seemed unlikely. I brought my knees to my chest to await the verbal lashing I would endure should Dad be feeling particularly merciful. If he wasn't... well, didn't want to guess where I'd be in a day. My fate was in the hands of the man who'd let his youngest daughter be taken away.

((Ander's on a mission. Albeit more of a fool's errand than a mission.

The affair's been discovered. But for some reason Jeanie's dad didn't instantly report her.

Two more chapters before things drastically change for Jeanie.
One more chapter before we take a look at Donald's "girlfriend", Niki.

Happy holidays everyone!

Dedications

DanGarrett : Thank you so much! You're such a huge help when it comes to world building a character development. A lot has been influenced by you.