"I'm not seventy yet," Dad remarks as I snatch the plate from his hand and start towards the kitchen. "You don't have to coddle me."

Ignoring him I continue my cleaning spree of the house which is need of tidying. I haven't really done the dishes or cleaned up after myself since dad's been home. But I need to keep him off his feet and preferably in bed rather than the couch.

I'm just thankful he's home now, even if he can barely walk.

I let the plates and cups soak in soapy water while putting gloves on my hands with a plastic bag. To make the situation worse he's caught a cold on top of the stitches and pain from the stab wound. I've had to confiscate his phone and laptop so he won't work and relax.

That was part of the conditions of being released prematurely from hospital. They wanted to keep him for an extra two days but he didn't want to stay, once he was checked to be well enough to leave he was ready to go in an hour. Despite the doctor being less than willing to discharge him.

Walking into the living room dad does a double take when I start to pick up the tissues scattered on the coffee table and floor. He stands up with a groan, holding over the top of his stomach which makes me stop.

"Are you okay? What's wrong?"

He exhales and clenches his teeth. "I'm just a little sore, my medication is up in my room and I need to-"

"Sit down and I'll go get it."

I start the stairs before he can protest and take a deep breathe myself. I know he's getting annoyed with me but I can helicopter him whereas I can't with my best friend. She's still in hospital under the hawk like supervision of her parents who don't seem to be letting visitors in.

Hence the smothering of my father because that I am capable of doing. It's one thing that is within my control opposed to my relationship with Rhys. I haven't replied to his text messages because they all say the same thing just worded differently.

He's trying to see if I'm okay.

While that would normally be perfectly fine I don't know how I am. My emotions are all over the place ranging from sadness, anger, confusion, anxiety and hurt all rolled into one from different things. As far as he's concerned I'm more hurt than anything that he didn't tell me sooner.

There's a knock on the door as I find his pills once I've cleaned up his room a bit. I walk quickly down the stairs to see Dad open the door. He stops midway and I clear my throat which makes him look back at me.

"It's for you anyway. " He leaves the door and I extend his pills for him before glancing out the door.

Rhys looks wide eyed and I notice the bulge hidden underneath his tee shirt. Glancing at Dad as he walks back to the living room, I resist running over to help him sit down and force my attention back to Rhys. I dump the bag and step outside while pulling the door shut behind me.

"What's up?"

I pull the gloves from my hands and he shows me the stuffed animal underneath his shirt. He holds the torso of it in both hands, extending it to me while watching me intently. Instead of taking it I raise an eyebrow at him.

"I figured you were pissed at me so I bought you this as an apology," He wriggles it slightly with a soft smile. "There's a reason I didn't tell you about her-"

"Because I used to be friends with her?" I shake my head slowly at it before continuing. "What did you think I would do? I'm not the kind of girl to threaten another, I won't even blackmail someone because it makes me feel sick."

"I didn't want you to compare yourself to her."

He raises his voice over mine slightly and I reel back at the admission. I don't know whether to be creeped out or not that he knew that's what I was doing. To begin with I was comparing myself to her because she was his first everything and felt insecure because I wasn't her.

My biggest fear is that I'm going to lose Rhys because I'm not the average caucasian girl. It's stupid and irrational but how many books and movies revolve around the girl with darker skin than fair ending up in a happy ever after? None, at least those that I've ever seen.

The first guy I dated tossed me away for the same reason which I assume is a valid explanation for this fear. But how do I tell Rhys that? I don't know how to without seeming more pathetic than I feel now.

"I was always going to compare myself to this girl because you always mention how special firsts should be. My first kiss took so long because you wanted it to be perfect for me," I explain, avoiding eye contact as the guilt nips away at me. "Obviously she was perfect for you so I don't see how I can-"

"If she was so perfect then wouldn't I still be with her?" He raises an eyebrow as if daring me to argue back. "My firsts weren't perfect which is why I want that for you, I don't want a single regret to ever overcome you. Understand me?"

Frowning I poke him in the stomach to get him to drop the authoritative tone. "You're so confident that your going to be all my firsts aren't you?"

Rhys rubs the stuffed animal in my face until I eventually snatch it away. He bites the corner of his lip with a nod at my question. My stomach knots at the bold confidence and cheeks flush at the image that flashes across my mind. Not okay to have that kind of thought about him at the moment.

"I don't see you going anywhere any time soon so I would think that it would be a possibility."

"I didn't realize you were psychic," I joke and fiddle with the fluffy dragon with a smile. "Was what Julia said true, about the art lessons?"

Because that would mean you quit in order to chase me down. The irony of it all.

"I'll show you someday when I'm not dying of embarrassment over it."

I smile softly. "So that's a yes?"

In my peripheral vision I notice a car pull up out the front. When I look at it I do a double take, seeing Blair gesturing me over to her. I glance at Rhys before jogging over and opening the passenger door.

"Get in - both of you."

"Why, what's going on?" I slip inside anyways and Rhys hesitates in getting in the back. "Have you been crying?"

Blair's eyes are swollen and she reaches back swatting at Rhys. He leans away but she stills manages to repeatedly strike his arm. "This your fault you bastard!"

"Hey!" I raise my voice trying to grab her hand as she fights back the sobs. "What's going on?"

Lacing our fingers together she crumbles completely into a sobbing mess. I pull her closer and stroke her head while shooting Rhys a look. He looks just as confused as I do. Mainly because Blair never cries - she doesn't unless she's at breaking point.

"Taylor was attacked because he thought she was you," My heart stops and she snifles. "She recognized him because he's been following you for a week but didn't think anything of it."

I tense up as chills run down my spine. I had no idea, zero that someone had been following me. Was this the same guy that stabbed my dad? I glance to Rhys who is now sitting back in the seat with shock and fear which is something I've never seen.

"Did she see any recognizing features?"

Pulling back Blair sends a glare Rhys' way with a nod. "He had dark hair and eyes, a tattoo on his neck. Tall but lanky."

"Dominic," I whisper instantly and see Rhys clench his jaw. "How many have you taken care of?"

"Five. Then there's the guy you struck which leaves two - not including Derek who would be lucky not to have his head caved in."

"Derek?" Blair's confusion is obvious and immediately I try to speak over my boyfriend who has no problem clueing her in.

"Rh-"

"Your boyfriend alerted my enemies that I had a love interest so they would have me at their beck and call by hurting her," He explains and I close my eyes, knowing he just dropped a massive bombshell on her. "Oh. He also bugged your car for some reason so I would check your bedroom or house in general."

There's silence and I wish I didn't exist at the moment. "Kira, is that true?"

I reluctantly open my eyes noticing the heartbreaking expression on her face. Nodding stiffly her eyes fall down to her lap as she squeezes them shut tightly. I glance back at Rhys who is already on his phone which I snatch quickly to read his text.

To Lachlan
Find Dominic. He's after Kira and is the reason Tay-

"Kira what the hell?" I lock his phone and shove it down my bra with a scowl. His eyes flicker down as if debating whether he should or not.

"Did she tell anyone else?" I ask, getting a head shake in response. "Why are you so upset?"

She scoffs in response finally looking up. "Because I had to destroy Taylor's innocence by telling her about Rhys, Derek - all of them and what they're involved in. Her first instinct was to get him away from you which I have to say is a brilliant idea. He's trouble, toxic but I know he's made you happier which sucks."

"I guess you know how I felt when you dated Derek."

Nodding she glances back at Rhys. "You protect her - no matter what. I'm not afraid to break a nail and I don't care that you're bigger than me. When I'm pissed, nothing can stop me."

I know this chapter seemed to cut off abruptly but that's because some is missing from it. I don't know/can't remember what else was meant to be in the ending. But I should be able to extend the next chapter.

GUYS I hate to nag you and writing this makes me nervous, because it's just not something I do often. But I would like you to vote and comment on chapters - it doesn't have to be an essay length comment (although I'm not opposed) but just something simple. I'd like to know your reactions - especially with the next few chapters coming up. So if you can do this for me it would be greatly appreciated.

Question; did you suspect Dominic to be responsible for what happened to Taylor?

Thoughts? Feelings? Predictions?

-inspiredrlh 💕