He held her all night, even when she tried to pull away.

Alexander woke them up earlier than they'd wanted to rouse. They could have stayed in each other's arms all day if life would have permitted it.

Her phone went off, too, and it was Suzy telling her that Jack had been shot, but he was OK and home. It was a graze to the shoulder, but he was laying low.

Sophie stiffened, but suddenly softened when Saul leaned over and kissed her on the shoulder.

"Meeting soon so we'd better get ready."

When they entered Alexander's office, Gio and Frank were sitting on either side of their father, while Micah and Sal sat in the back of the room. Other soldiers and family members were present. Saul didn't give a fuck. He sat right next to Sophie and didn't care who saw them.

The meeting was already underway.

"Garcia tried to put a hit out on Jack, plain and simple," Eddie scoffed.

"Lies!" Harold shook his head, " You're not getting your dock back, Swann! My cousins are dead because of you!"

Sophie frowned, "Why do you believe it was us?"

Alexander winced, but he knew that Sophie deserved to be involved in this conversation.

"Signature styles, working next to the same dock as Jack was and Jack just conveniently finds them?"

"Harold, that's called coincidence!"

"No it's you trying to take back what's rightfully ours!" Garcia fumed, "You lost that dock and you've always wanted it back. "

Eddie laughed, "Back off,Garcia. You don't have the manpower or the resources to do this. I'm not retaliating over Jack because I've got better things to do and you know with that hit on Jack you've lost that damn dock and the clientele!"

Garcia looked defeated. He was surrounded by the enemy and he knew it. Even Sophie looked devastated that maybe he took the hit out on Jack, but he hadn't. At least HE hadn't made the call, unless someone was in on it in his gang.

Hal spoke, "Cops are still being vetted, Jack didn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary and two Garcia's are dead. It looks like a Swann and Garcia fight to me. What's say everyone?"

They had to agree. It looked to be that way and Garcia knew his team and his syndicate couldn't defeat the Swann family.

Harold sighed, "Karma will bite you in the ass, Eddie Swann. You killed or had my cousins killed, but on my dead mother's soul, I didn't retaliate nor will I. However, it'll still come back and bite you in the ass!"

He paused and hung his head.

Saul and Sophie glanced at each other knowing the man had to have been telling the truth.

"The dock is yours, you piece of shit."

He left the call.

"We'll agree dock 10 is back in Swann's possession then?" Alexander noted aloud. Everyone was in agreement.

"Whoever offed the Garcia's will be found out. This wasn't a random hit, people, and we all know the rules," Hal said, "I'll say this, I'm fucking bored and I'm tired so now this is a Garcia and Swann problem not ours. Don't spread this war to my turf."

Even though Garcia backed off and claimed no retaliation, the other families agreed to not interfere in the affairs of Garcia or Swann. Eddie didn't look phased in the least.

"Meeting adjourned!" Alexander announced.

Saul and Sophie walked out to the garage and hopped into a nice blue Mustang. She'd been face timing Jack who seemed to be in good spirits even though he'd been shot. He told her Eddie had given him extra security so he actually felt safe and they'd brought in a nurse and doctor to treat him at a safe house.

"DeMarco?" Jack spoke up, knowing Saul was listening.

Sophie handed him the phone and he and Jack conversed

"Take care of my cousin," Jack pleaded.

"I am," Saul was sure he'd no idea why Jack all of a sudden trusted him with Sophie's life,but he was OK with it.

They said their goodbyes and Saul and Sophie headed out.

There wasn't much chatter except for Sophie telling him that she was actually excited to be helping Georgina again

"You're excited about housework?" Saul shook his head, "I really have to get you out more!"

He glanced at Sophie who was drawn to her book again.

"Be careful today," Saul warned.

Sophie smiled, but she didn't look up from her book, "It's not Garcia."

Saul winced, "I didn't say it was. I said for you to be careful. I can't keep an eye on you now that,-"

Sophie looked at him, "You'll still watch out for me, playboy."

She was right. He couldn't stop watching her.

They arrived at the back lot of the Academy and the air was thick. Everyone was on edge and it looked like the families had cliqued themselves back up again.

Saul deliberately parked a few cars down from where Joe and the other Crane's were standing.

"Can I have my piece?"Sophie asked.

"It's in the glove compartment,"Saul told her as she reached for her weapon, checking to make sure it was still loaded, safety on. Sophie holstered it and sighed.

"Saul?"

He cut off the car and gazed at her, "Yeah?"

She leaned in quickly and kissed him. She kissed him long and she kissed him hard. Before he could even react, Sophie scrambled out of the car and rushed over to where Joe was.

Saul licked his lips, savoring her sweet flavor. He didn't know why she kissed him, but it was a nice surprise.

Stepping out of the car, he had to stop himself from busting a window when he looked over and saw Joe with his arms wrapped around her. Thank God Saul's cousin, Rory, pulled up beside him in the empty spot.

"Hey, man! Heard about Jack Swann?" Rory lit up his own smoke and gravitated towards Saul.

"Yep, they think it's Garcia retaliating."

Rory inhaled deeply, "I don't. I think it's the O'Grady's and Swann working together."

"Well, it might be, but I know it isn't Reynolds and Hamilton."

"They're too neutral,"Rory agreed, "People change though. The Swann's have been trying to up their game for years."

"Did you tell your dad?"

"It's speculation so I didn't. He's not one for maybes,"Rory followed his cousin's gaze as Saul watched Sophie and Joe walk hand in hand into the nearest building. Sophie turned her head slightly and caught sight of Saul's gaze. They locked eyes momentarily until she was pulled away again by Crane.

"Let her go, Romeo,"Rory hummed.

"What the fuck did you say?"Saul asked him, narrowing his eyes.

"What? It's a generic term,"Rory shrugged.

"I can't let something go that's never been mine anyway."

Entering the building, Principal Lyons practically pounced on Saul.

"My office, DeMarco."

Saul sighed, but he followed begrudgingly. Lyons was in this world and not just as their principal, but he was owner of the security systems the families used for their businesses and private residences.

"What's up?" Saul leaned against the closed door.

"Change in schedule,"Lyons shoved a paper across his desk. Saul skimmed it.

"What the fuck is this?"

"You're no longer in Holmes class for literature."

"Fucking seriously? This is bullshit."

"You're not her warden at school now. I got the memo, too."

"Can I go, Brett?" Saul just about had enough of people telling him what to do. He could only imagine how Sophie felt the last decade.

"Saul, you're good at what you do and you make your family proud. Stop thinking with your dick."

Saul balled up the new schedule and tossed it in the trash.

"You're a poetic man, Brett,"Saul huffed before walking out and slamming the door behind him.

Saul was so livid that he couldn't even process his anger. His long strides and heavy footing could be heard throughout the quiet halls. The tardy bell had already rang and he deliberately took the long way to his first class. He was still muttering to himself and looking at the ground when he rounded the last corner and ran right into her.

"Oof!"Sophie tumbled back, the wind practically knocked out of her. Saul grabbed her by the waist before she was tossed to the floor. The impact caused her to slap against him, "What the fuck? Saul?!"

"I'm so sorry,"Saul said, holding her close to him.

Sophie couldn't help but place her hands on his shoulders, "What are you doing?"

"Walking..."Saul laughed.

Sophie raised her eyebrows, pulling herself away, "Oh! You're late for class!"

"What are you doing out of class?"Saul asked her.

"Forgot a book,"Sophie looked around, "I heard they switched your schedule."

She'd made him forget why he was mad, but it came back.

"Yeah,"Saul pretended like he didn't care, "It's life."

"Yeah...life,"Sophie sighed, "Well, I gotta go. See ya around, playboy."

Saul reached out to her, but Sophie had sprinted off before he could get a chance.

His new literature class was boring even though they were doing virtually the same damn thing. He had a few friends in there so that was nice, but when he caught sight of Suzy roaming the halls, Saul waved to the teacher as he rushed from the classroom.

"Suzy?!"

"Saul?! Hi!" Suzy looked him up and down, "What's up?"

"What are you doing?"Saul looked down the hall and spotted John Crane coming towards them.

"Sneaking out,"Suzy put a finger to her lips.

"Do you have a burner phone?"

"Maybe. It'll cost ya,"Suzy smiled.

"Name it."

"Don't tell anyone about me and John."

"You have my word."

Suzy grabbed the phone from her pocket, "Lucky for you it's brand new."

John nodded as he got closer which meant Suzy had to get further away and into the back lot before John did so it didn't look obvious.

"Thanks, Suzy."

"Anytime, Saul!"

He dragged himself back into the class and pulled out his other phone to get Sophie's number.

Putting it into the burner, Saul typed a message:

It's Joe. Meet me in the gym at noon.

Sophie wouldn't question the use of a burner phone so he wasn't surprised at her reply.

Sure.

Saul smiled to himself and waited patiently for the class to be through so he could rush to the gym and see her.

Sophie walked into the boy's locker room slowly, peering in and looking around. Seemed to be clear and she wondered where Joe was.

"Joe?"She whispered into the room, "It's me..."

Sophie walked in a bit further, praying no one else would walk in. She didn't want to be here, but it was better than the alternative. Eddie would be pissed if she didn't cater to Joe.

"Joe? Hello?"Sophie pulled out her phone and began to text Joe when someone came up behind her, grabbing her by the waist and covering her mouth. She screamed into their palm, kicking and screaming as her assailant pushed her up against the wall.

"Sophie! It's me.."Saul's eyes met hers before he took away his hand. Her heart was racing and she began pummeling his chest.

"What the fuck, Saul?!"Sophie stopped and placed a hand on her chest to compose herself, leaning her head against the cold wall behind her.

"I need to feel you...."Saul told her, leaning in and kissing her lips, "We don't have a lot of time..if you want me."

Sophie put her phone in her pocket and grabbed him by the shoulders, pulling him into to her so their bodies were flush and he was holding her up with his large stature. They kissed passionately, their tongues dancing together, tasting each other like they hadn't done it before—or like it would be the last time.

He unbuttoned his pants and tugged his hard cock out as Sophie dropped her sweats and panties, letting them fall around her ankles. She was already so wet for him that when Saul kicked her legs apart and lined up with her entrance, it didn't take but one thrust to plunge all the way in, filling her to the hilt.

"Oh my God!"Sophie wailed as Saul plowed into her over and over again.

Saul grunted in her ear in between strokes, long hard strokes that hit the back of her tight channel each and every time, "I just can't stay away from you, Sophie."

She closed her eyes, allowing him to continue his quest.

"Just like that, Saul,"Sophie moaned, "Right there..."

Saul already knew. He knew what she wanted—what she needed. And Sophie knew. She knew how to please him.

Their moans echoed throughout the locker room as did the sound of their bodies slapping against each other as they indulged their temptations.

Saul's cock hit the back of Sophie's channel with such force, she yelped in pain and ecstasy.

"I'm sorry,"Saul grunted, "I can't help it. I just want to keep my entire dick inside of you the whole time."

His words alone made Sophie cum before she wanted to. She bit down on him, grabbing his shoulders and digging her nails into his jacket.

"Saul..."She rolled her eyes, groaning out every last bit of her release.

Sweat threatened to rush down Saul's cheeks, but he kept going until his cock swelled inside of her and his hot cum shot out, filling her. There was so much that they both felt his gel seep out and down her thighs.

"Don't pull out of me,"She pleaded, still holding onto him.

Saul caught his breath and granted her wish. He held her up, kissing her cheeks and lips until he was soft and his dick slipped out on it's own. He pulled a doo-rag out of his back pocket and wiped off his package.

Saul pushed himself back into his pants and watched as Sophie stayed up against the wall.

"Do you need some tissue?"Saul smiled, watching their juices slip down her thighs.

Sophie giggled, "Yes, please,"She watched him enter a stall and bring out some tissue, "Thank you."

She wiped and pulled up her panties and sweats, tossing the tissue in a trash can.

"We keep this up and I won't be able to walk for a week, Saul,"She mused, "I'm going to have to feign illness just so I don't have to meet Joe."

Saul winced and brushed himself against her again, "You just don't want to meet him. Admit it."

Sophie grabbed her bags, "You're right. I don't."

Saul knew he'd hit a nerve so he pulled her close to him again, "We don't have much time together, do we?"

Sophie turned away, "I have to learn to live this life, Saul. You said so yourself."

She kissed him on the cheek and headed towards the door, peeking out before disappearing from his sight.

Her scent lingered in the room and he closed his eyes, trying to take it all in.

Changes were coming, but letting Sophie go was going to be harder than Saul anticipated.

"Suck it up, DeMarco,"A voice was heard entering the room. Joe. How did he even...?

"She doesn't belong to you."