Everyone is busy on Monday, except Blake, which is why I'm sat in the car with him, just the two of us, on the way to wherever Savannah's Restaurant is. Blake seemed confident that he knew exactly where it was, but I'm pretty sure he's made a few wrong turns already. The drive has been kind of awkward, to say the least. I seriously need to learn how to drive.

I've been too caught up in my head to start a conversation, and Blake isn't the type to bother. At first, I really didn't think I'd go to meet my father. I love him to pieces, but I thought it would be nice to start a new life, any memories of the old life left abandoned in the back of my mind. However, I wasn't stuck in that thought process for long, because as soon as I read the letter for a second time, I knew I couldn't just leave him waiting.

"Your brothers were nice," Blake comments, keeping his eyes on the road.

I stop myself from giving him a weird look. I've heard that from every person in the house now. "Yeah," I breathe.

There's a few more moments of silence. "Have you had any more nosebleeds since the other day?"

"I had one yesterday, but it was nothing," I tell him. I look over to watch him nod his head. "Thanks for helping me, by the way. And for telling me about... everything. I've been thinking about it ever since."

It's true. Occupying the thoughts of Dad's note and meeting him have been constant thoughts of that book I was shown. All those people involved in so many different groups around the world and I had no idea. It's as thrilling as it is terrifying.

I see Blake shrug. "You were going to find out eventually. And you deserve to know."

"What changed your mind about me?" I blurt out before I can stop it.

"What do you mean?" I can't tell if he's being sarcastic or if he genuinely doesn't know.

"Well," I start. "You didn't exactly give me the nicest of welcomes. I mean, yes, you did help me when I was kicked out, but after that it was like... like you hated me. But now it seems like you... don't." I cringe at how slowly I'm speaking, but I still don't know how to talk to him.

"I don't know," he mutters. He thinks for a moment. "I've always been apprehensive with bringing in new people. I guess I've warmed up to you."

I don't believe that's all there is, but before I can say anything else, Blake is turning into the car park of Savannah's Restaurant. I lift my bag up from the footwell and place it onto my lap. "Thanks for the lift," I say genuinely, looking over at Blake.

"It's fine," he says. "And if it gets weird and you want to go home, you can call me."

I nod and give him one last, lingering look. "Bye, Blake."

"Bye Aurora."

I get out of the car and hear him drive away as I walk to the restaurant; a large, modern building with the low, setting sun glinting off the many windows.

I don't see Dad straight away when I step inside. Many of the tables are full of people talking and laughing and the atmosphere lifts a bit of the heaviness from my heart. I step over to the woman who I know is looking at the faded bruises and scars on my face and arms with curiosity, just like everybody does.

"Can I help you?" she asks.

"I'm here to meet someone," I tell her, fingers clutching at my bag strap. "Should be under Redwood?"

Her eyes scan the clipboard in her arms, before she nods her head in a vague direction. "Follow me."

I do so as she leads me through the restaurant. It doesn't look that fancy or expensive but it feels warm and inviting. With the sun dipping low on the horizon, the place has a sort of golden hue and the scent of a variety of hot foods and drinks is prominent as we pass the bar.

Dad is sat at a table for two next to a window. I can tell he's been here for a long time by the emptied pint glass beside him and I'm instantly filled with guilt. He looks tired and as if he's aged five or ten years since the last time I saw him. I feel bad that, even for a second, I had contemplated not showing up today.

The waitress walks off and Dad perks up as soon as he notices me standing there. My lips twitch up into a small smile and I watch as he gets up from his chair and holds out his arms, almost as a question. I fight away the emotions as I step closer to him and hug him to me. The hug doesn't last long, but it's enough.

I take the chair opposite him, dropping my bag down beside my feet. I'm not sure what to say and start fiddling with the hoop of my earring. But, thankfully, Dad speaks first.

"I'll be honest," he starts, picking at a small dent in the table. "I wasn't sure if I'd see you here."

I nod slowly. "Neither was I. But I'm glad I came."

He smiles, reminding me so much of the twins and Connie. I was cursed with my mother's features, not blessed with my father's. "Me too," he says. A moment of silence passes by. "You look... different."

"Different?"

"Older," he says. "Like, you've gone from a teenager to a young adult in a few months. And the hair. It's very red."

I shrug. "I guess a lot has changed."

"What about the bruises?"

I suck in a breath. "Training," I lie, just as I had done with my brothers. Before I can spout a load of bullshit, the waitress comes back, asking for our drink orders.

"Another water, please," Dad smiles politely. He looks at me. "What about you? It's on me."

"I can pay." I look up at the waitress. "Coke, please."

Dad's dark green eyes narrow at me as my fingers continue to pull at my earring. "How could you pay?"

I take a fraction of a second to think. "I have a job. To earn my keep with the people I'm with."

"What kind of job?"

"It doesn't matter," I say.

My eyes travel to look outside the window. The sun has almost disappeared over the horizon and I watch as a single magpie hops cross the car park before flying out of view. Our drinks are placed in front of us and I'm quickly tuned back into my surroundings.

"The twins told me you divorced Mum," I say cautiously, watching him to gage his reaction. His face falls slightly. "And that you haven't seen her since."

"I haven't," he mutters, looking uncomfortable. "I finally had enough with her. She's been away a lot. She's been refusing me and the twins from contacting you. She's been breaking Connie. It was something I knew I had to do."

I sigh gently. "I'm proud of you. It couldn't have been easy."

"Actually, it was easier than I thought," he says, taking a sip of his water. His hand tremors the slightest bit as he lifts the glass to his mouth. "I was trapped in that marriage for far too long. I told her I'd had enough and the next morning she was gone. With Connie."

My eyes widen. "She's taken Connie?"

Dad nods. "Poor thing has gone through hell and back and now she's stuck with the woman who controls her life. I couldn't do anything to protect her. Now I've lost both of my daughters."

"You haven't lost either of us," I tell him. "We're still your daughters. And I'm sure you'll see Connie again."

"I'm not sure."

I stare at the table and bite down on my lip, not sure what to say next.

"I wasn't lying in that letter, you know," he sighs. "I really do miss you. I'd do anything to get you back."

I struggle. If I told him I wanted to stay with the thieves then he'd be heartbroken. But I can't get his hopes up and make him think that everything will go back to how it used to be- minus my controlling mother.

"I don't... I don't think I could come back," I say slowly. "I'd love to see you and stay in touch, but I have a new life now. I'm with people who care about me and I've found where I belong. I don't think I could go back to doing nothing with my life."

Dad runs a hand down his face and my heart seizes. I feel so bad.

But, then again, I worry about what might happen if I was to go back to him. What would I do? Would I go back to school, never see Danielle or Maeve or Blake ever again? What if something happened to Chelsea? I had always promised I would take care of Posie, and I want to be a part of watching her grow up. I would just be like every teenager, working my ass off only to get a job I don't really want. Then what? Get married to a guy who doesn't care? Let him pressure me into having kids? Grow old and know I gave up such a huge part of my life to keep other people happy and regret that decision until the day I die?

Being a thief is where I belong. I love my father, but this is where my heart is.

"I'm sorry," is all I say.

Dad shakes his head, breathing in and out. Then he sighs. "It would be unfair of me to take you away from something you're obviously very passionate about. And I want what's best for you. If you're happy with the life you have now, then so be it."

I really don't deserve him. I've always known that.

"Thanks for understanding," I say. My eyes twinge with the threat of tears but I push them down.

"Anyway," Dad says. "We should order some food. Are you hungry?"

"Yeah, starving."

Dad chuckles slightly. "I'll get you burger and chips? That's all you ever ordered."

I smile, a proper smile this time, and nod my head. "Sounds good."

He gets up to go and order the food. I take a small sip of coke, watching the people sat around with their friends and families. My phone starts to ring in my bag, and I get it out to see that Chelsea is calling.

"Aurora?" she asks as soon as I pick up. I'm suddenly on high alert, registering the panic in her voice.

"What is it?" I ask, keeping my voice down. "Are you okay?"

"No," she says. Then I hear it.

Gunshots.

"Chelsea? What's going on?" My pulse jumps all over the place.

"You need to come home, now," she says fiercely. "There are people here. They're shooting up the place. You need to go round the back and help us. We're so outnumbered."

The call is cut as soon as she finishes speaking.

With trembling hands, I lift up my bag, throwing my phone into it. I rush over to where Dad is ordering the food.

"I'm so sorry," I tell him, taking his hand and squeezing. "I have to go."

The dejection in his face pains me. "Is everything okay?"

"No. I- I have to go."

I leave him behind and run out of the door, looping my bag onto both shoulders. I'm sprinting down the street when I find a bike chained to a pole-- the only hope I have of getting there in time. I easily pick the lock, climb on, and cycle as fast as I can.