Peter

I glanced over at Thalia, who was sitting in the passenger's seat while I drove to the ice cream parlor. When she'd told me she was okay, I didn't believe her for a second. But, in order to keep arguing to a minimum, I didn't say anything.

She had changed clothes before we left, so she was now wearing a teal tank top with some blue jean shorts and white converse. Her hair had even been braided Dutch style. I smiled softly at her. But then I stopped and turned back towards the road. Fiona deserved a better life than anything I could offer her. She deserved peace and tranquility. The longer she spent with us, the more her life was put on the line. I allowed my thought to drift off to the Don. Imagine what he would do if he found out...

I quickly shook away the thoughts. I wouldn't let him. As long as everyone kept the secret, Thalia would be fine. She'd be safe. And that's all I wanted for her.

We pulled into the parlor parking lot and I climbed out of the car, helping Thalia out as well.

"So, princess," I began, "Got any special requests in mind?"

She stuffed her hands in her pockets and pressed her lips together in a thin line as she thought. "Orange sherbet." She stated.

"Is that you're favorite?" I asked. She nodded and I smiled softly. "Alright. One Orange sherbet. Do you want to sit down and eat here or take it to go?"

"Here is fine." I nodded and once it was our turn, I ordered a bowl of Orange sherbet for her and a bowl of Cookie dough for myself. Once we got our ice cream, we sat down in a booth by the window. It was silent between us at first before I leaned across the table and stole some of her ice cream. She looked up at me in feigned horror.

"How dare you!" She gasped. In retaliation, she stole some of mine as well.

I looked up at her with wide eyes. "You monster!"

She smiled and looked at me cheekily. "Don't take my food then."

I rolled my eyes at her playfully before shoveling another spoonful of ice cream into my mouth. We sat there for a while, making idle chit-chat and eating our desert. It was very tranquil, something both of us needed after today's events.

"It was actually pretty stupid, honestly. But Dad took FIONA'S side despite the fact that it was HER who stole mother's diamond necklace and lost it. Leo wasn't gonna rat her out because those two were inseparable growing up, but I didn't want to take the blame for her! I mean, how did he even think it could be me or Leo? What would two boys be doing with a woman's diamond necklace?" I ranted.

"I don't know, selling it on eBay or something." Thalia laughed.

"I was five! I had no clue what eBay even was back then. Leo was twelve and he knew better. Fiona was eight and literally going through her dress-up stage. She was the obvious culprit! Dad was just picking favorites." I stated with a small smile.

"Well, she is his only daughter."

"Yeah, but I'm the baby!"

"You can't keep using that excuse! Just because you're the youngest doesn't mean anything." Thalia continued with a grin.

"It literally means everything!" I hissed playfully.

"You can't just walk around and go, 'oh I'm the baby of the family. I'm superior' and expect everything to go your way!"

"That is not how I see things." I defended.

"Then explain to me what your mentality is with being the youngest in the family." Thalia raised an eyebrow at me as she ate some more of her ice cream.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "It's just that babies get everything, you know."

"No I don't. I'm an only child." Thalia replied.

I looked at her in shock. "Are you serious? Lucky!"

She shook her head with a smile. "Not really. It gets kind of lonely."

"Yeah, but you don't have to worry about arguments, or fights, or people annoying you." I reasoned.

She shrugged. "True."

I smirked. "Of course it's true. I'm full of wisdom." I allowed my eyes to gaze out the window and it was then that I noticed something. A rather familiar looking car. No...It couldn't be. I squinted my eyes out of the window and my eyes widened.

"Holy fuck..." I muttered. It was! But how?

The person in the car must have noticed me staring because they quickly put their car into gear and zoomed out of the parking lot.

The loud tire squeals and engine revving drew Thalia's attention to the window as well. "Well, someone is in a hurry." She muttered.

"We have to get out of here." I said suddenly, grabbing her arm. She looked up at me in shock. "What? But we just got here like, thirty minutes ago! I haven't even finished my ice cream yet!"

I looked at her wide eyes and sighed begrudgingly. "Fine. I'll get you some to go, but we have to move." I said.

Once we'd gotten Thalia some to-go ice cream, I quickly ushered her into the car. "What's going on, Peter?" I asked.

"It's nothing." I told her as I quickly pulled out of the parking lot.

"What do you mean it's nothing? You're literally breaking the speed limit! There's something going on, and I want you to tell me what!" She demanded.

"Not now, Thalia!" I hissed through gritted teeth as I looked at the rear-view mirror. I couldn't see anyone visibly following us. That was good.

"Yes, now! What the hell is going on?!"

"Lea," I began, but she cut me off.

"I SAID FUCKING TELL ME!" She yelled.

"I THINK I SAW ONE OF THE DON'S GOONS SPYING ON US FROM OUTSIDE OF THE ICE CREAM PARLOR!" I rushed, gripping the steering wheel harder.

Thalia's eyes widened. "W-what..."

"Yeah! So we have to get you home, now!"