* * *

We spent the rest of the day in the computed room under the Cobra's hideout. There were a few snacks here and there, but food was the last thing in our mind. This thing here now with our dad had us all wrapped up.

And let me not begin with that stupid little silver box!

The answer may be right there before our eyes yet it's impossible to find a way to open it. But I wasn't losing hope.

"What else did Larissa say about the key to the box?" Andrew asked from across the metal table, eyes looking down at the laptop screen before him.

"She never saw the key. She told me what it was part of the security our father wanted for the Venom." I replied, eyes engaged in the silver box, studying it for some other clue.

"Or he didn't trust her completely to see the key." Andrew spoke. "The lady was a whack job."

My eyes immediately rose to glare back at him. He caught my stare and instantly excused himself.

I rolled my eyes, turning back to the box.

"What else did she say?" He asked me.

I tried to recall the conversation. "She said it's been in my house all along, and that our father said he wanted to be an object only you I could recognize..."

"Well this is gonna be fun." He laughed to himself.

"There was something else." I paused to look up at him. "She said that he kept repeating to her that: whenever lost, family will always find their way back together—no matter the shape or form—they will be whole once again."

I repeated the same thing again.

"So?" Andrew shrugged.

"I heard that before." I nodded. "My mother told me the same thing when I came to her with my first assumptions of my dad.." I paused, chuckling to myself for a moment. "She made up a whole story that night, she had the chance and she couldn't even tell me the truth."

"Elizabeth, there's gotta be more." Andrew replied, focusing on me. "I'm sure your mother knew it wasn't the right time."

"But why?" I looked up at him again.

"Maybe because she knew you'd go looking for him?" He arched a brow. "And looking for him might've not been a good idea?"

I took a small pause, examining his features. All the pain was vivid in his looks, yet, he was very calm about it. God knows what kind of pain he's been through throughout his life.

Andrew sighed. "I know what it's like to protect someone you love from a world like this... I've lacked a mother in my life, but that doesn't mean I don't know what's the right way to parent."

"Either way, she came up with a good lie..." I looked down. "It just makes me wonder... What other things could she be lying about too?"

My hand reached over to my necklace—The necklace she gave me the night we talked at the hospital.. I held onto it... It was the only hope I had left. The only thing that made me feel really close to her, as if we shared a piece of him.

She created one heck of a story for it though...

My mind began to wander off, sighing in disbelief as I replayed the moment in my mind.

And then it hit me.

Upon giving me this locket, my mother told me the same thing my father kept telling Larissa...

Whenever lost,
family will always find their way back together—
no matter the shape or form—
they will be whole, once again.

My hands grabbed the locket, gasping as realization hit me. The locket.. it was another present from my father... Another object that didn't open...

And that's when it all clicked.

"The necklace!" I jumped out of my seat. "Oh my God! It's the necklace!"

Rushing, I undid the hook on the chain and detached the locket from my chest. My hands began to scurry for the box all while Andrew stood in confusion.

"Uh? Necklace?" He asked. "Mind telling me what you're up to?"

I paused, holding the locket up for him to see. "This was the necklace my mother gave me the night she confirmed my father was Dominic. It was what she gave me when she told me the same thing my father told Larissa!"

"Okay... So what are you trying to do with it?" I moved over to my side, watching as I searched the box for some kind of opening.

"It was a gift my father gave my mom on the day I was born—Or at least that's what she told me?" I paused. "Either way, it doesn't open. It never did.. Just like the box."

"There could be a link." Andrew was now catching up to what I was trying to do.

I liked this. He was quick to catch on.

"It'll be the perfect explanation.. A gift he gave my mother, a gift he gave my sister... My family.. When placed together, it'll be whole!" I explained.

Andrew only watched.

I turned the box over to face the bottom. My fingertips felt around the bottom, eyes began to widen as I felt a hollow circular spot—Big enough for the locket to fit in.

Feeling the adrenaline course through my veins, I began to peel back the soft layer of fuzz it had above it. A hard surface was now exposed in the bottom of the box and just as I imagined, a cut out circle was right in the middle.

Andrew and I exchanged looks before I quickly reached out to place the locket in. Without any trouble or discomfort, the locket fell right into place—Just as of it was made for it.

I began to bite the bottom of my lip. Heart pumping faster as I brought my fingers to press down on the object. The box was felt beginning to turn from the inside.

Andrew got closer, and we both watched carefully before the box finally opened. My hands reached out to the top of the box, pulling it open to see what was inside.

Our pupils immediately dilated at the sight of the small object in the center of the box. Questions flooded through our minds... This... This couldn't be it?

"What is it?" I asked. "Looks like a ring..?"

Grabbing the small object from the box it was in, I examined it. Just like the box, the silver ring was outstanding beautiful in the work of detail put into it. But, just like everything else.. It didn't make sense?

"Lemme see that." Andrew took the ring from my fingers, holding it up closer to his eyes to see the object. He examined it.

"Great, another dead end!" I sighed. "How could that possibly be a lead to the Red Venom?"

I turned to Andrew who was still relatively, silently observing the ring. He was up to something.

"I think I know what it is.." He responded, eyes looking up at me. "I got a letter from my mom, before she passed away... It was a little hard to understand, she wrote it before she OD'ed." Andrew took a small pause, taking in a deep breath before speaking again. His eyes dropped drowsily to mine. "She told me who my real father was in that letter. It's what got me to start looking for him. In the letter, I also remember her mentioning a ring. It was the only thing that he left behind for me." His hands went over to squeeze the ring in his fist. Jaw began to clench. "I looked endlessly for this ring... It was suppose to give me all the answers I was looking for..."

"But how will a ring tell you all you need to know?" I asked coming closer to him.

"It's not complete." He looked up. "Think about it.. The necklace was your mom's... The box was given to your sister..."

I only furrowed my eyebrows, waiting for him to elaborate a little more in his theory who had left me utterly lost.

"His family, Liz... Whenever lost, family will always find their way back together—no matter the shape or form—
they will be whole, once again."

Again with the saying.

"The pieces were all spread out for his family to have. We were all holding the answer somehow. He made it spread out between his families so that the only way to get the answer was by bringing us together... No matter the shape or form.." He brought the ring neck to the box and the necklace, all with different shapes and sizes. "When brought together, they'll be whole again... We are the puzzle, Liz.." He took another pause. "All we're missing is you."

I looked at the pieces and thought to myself for a moment as he waited for a response.

"But... It still doesn't make sense? You mentioned the pieces being given to his family... But why would the box show up in my sister's room? What role would she play in this puzzle if she's most likely not even his daughter?" I asked. "It was David who gave her the box too, not Dominic?"

Andrew shrugged. "Maybe they were planning this together. David and Dominic." He suggested. "Maybe David was still in contact with him... Maybe that's what got him killed?"

The fact that Andrew could come up with such scenarios scared me a bit as to what the boy could've possibly been exposed to before to come up with these conclusions. But oddly enough, they seemed to fit the situation.

"The last piece should be something that belongs to you. Something he gave to you that would fit into this puzzle." Andrew pointed out at the three objects.

I stared at them all long and hard.

"But the box is already open?" I asked him.

"Yeah but the locket and ring still aren't?" He pointed back at them on the table. "Besides, at this point I just think the box served as I messenger or carrier of some sort for the ring that belonged to me."

"And how are you so sure the ring belongs to you?" I arched a brow.

Andre was quick to grab the ring again, point to the spot right underneath it's large circular form—The writing clear spelling out: For My Boy followed by his initials underneath it.

"Gotcha." I replied, moving back down to look at the objects.

"But I've never received anything from my dad like that?" I wondered. "Nothing that seems to fit into any of these things at least?"

I paused and thought to myself for a second. Recalling how we found the answers last time on how to open the box.

"Maybe there's something written on the ring—instructions or something to find the next clue?" I grabbed the ring, observing the detail around the rounded area from the sides. "We have to take this to Sam!" I looked up at him.

"Whoaaa there.." He calmed, taking the ring from my fingers once more. "Who says the Vipers have anything to do with this matter?"

"Sam decoded Larissa's name from the box in just hours... He's good, Andrew—And may I remind you, fast, which is exactly what we need if we want to find this stupid Venom in time!" I retorted, taking the ring back from him once more.

I began to turn around, as if there was any question about this. Sam could help, and he'd be down to help too if we only ask. It's his life too hanging by this prophecy Ethan agreed for them to do.

Andrew's hand was immediately felt gripping my shoulder. He spun me around and with his other hand caught the ring from my hand—again!

He reached his hand out in front of him before I could reach for the ring. His eyebrow arched.

"Look, I agreed to work with you, not the Vipers." He mentioned.

"Are you serious?" I arched a brow, arms crossing over my chest. "Andrew, you know we'll get the information sooner if we all work together here."

"The Cobras and Vipers don't get along, Elizabeth. It's just the way things are around here. I can't trust them and they won't trust me. It won't work." He denied.

"I trust you." I stepped closer. My words surprising him a little as they came out. "I haven't know the guys for long, and I know I'm not part of the team, but I can tell you my word has an effect over there. They listen and my words are always taken into consideration. They trust me. And if I trust you, then I'm sure they'd be willing to put their part in too."

Andrew only shook his head. "There's a reason why you're not officially part of their group—You can't handle it." He scoffed. "Just hearing you say that is painful.."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean... Guys don't think like you Elizabeth. And that leader of theirs is the biggest hot head of them all."

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, I agree on Ethan but that still doesn't apply to the rest. Please, Andrew.. We're all on the same boat here.." I paused. "And now, Tristan is back.."

"Wait, What?" He immediately stopped me. "Tristan? How do you know about Tristan?"

"He highjacked Jack's car. We nearly exploded the other night." I paused, sighing to myself as I thought about that night again... As I thought about Jack.. "That's why I went to find the Red Venom." I looked down. "Because ever since Tristan came back, Jack has been hunting him down, making sure he wants nothing from me."

Andrew thought to himself for a second, biting his bottom lip as he studied me a little bit longer.

"So that's why he wasn't with you at Larissa's?" He paused. "I knew something was up, Jack wouldn't just leave you go out on an expedition on your own.."

"I had to try something." I got closer. "You and the Lord were threatening him to find the Red Venom.. But what Tristan did to him before... Blowing up the warehouse and killing Serena, it terrified him more that it could happen to me so he put everything else on hold." I looked down, all the pain from this separation that I've been building up inside me was finally about to come out...

Hearing myself say everything he's done, everything he's doing—For me—It was heroic. And I didn't deserve any of it. I didn't deserve him..

"He's risking his life for me.. And I'm here.. looking for evidence that only brings me back to a dead end." My tears slowly began to rise. "God, I'm worthless!"

Turning around, I closed my eyes fighting back the tears in my eyes. I wasn't going to break down. Not here. And especially not in front of Andrew.

I took a breather and I was fine again. I turned around and noticed Andrew closer to me.

His eyes starting down at me. "Okay, you are a lot of things, Elizabeth but I can assure you, you're not worthless." He shook his head. "At least to me your not." He shrugged. "I've gotten more information out of you in just a few hours than any of my guys in months."

"So that's all I am to you? Information?" I arched a brow.

Andrew only tilted his head. "C'mon, Liz—You and I are completely different. We hate each other, remember? This is strictly business. The most you're gonna get from me when all this is over may just be my mercy." He answered. Just like that. Wow.

"Could you be anymore honest?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes towards his affections.

Andrew shook his head, sarcastically relaxing his eyes closed as he spoke his next words.

"I'm sorry, were you expecting us to be all lovey-dubby after this?" His eyes opened again. "To be the perfect siblings? For things to run smoothly between us?" He took a pause, "Oh course you did because you're YOU!"

"What is that suppose to mean?" I crossed my arms, awaiting his response.

"It means that you are Elizabeth Viera. Middle class, white girl—Raised in a neighborhood where all the homes look alike... Under the same roof of two loving parents—Or whatever you were raised by— You have a dorky best friend who lives next door and work in a coffee shop in the center of New York City. You see that good in people because that's all you've ever been exposed to. You're unfitted for what's really out there, so it's obvious you'd try and see the good in people... That's why you started going out with Jack in the first place!"

"Okay... STOP IT!" I exclaimed. "Stop making up stories—Claiming you know me and that you know my life—All from assumptions! Because you DON'T know my life!" My voice raised in anger. "You don't know it, and you don't know me! Because beyond your Perfect Family Portrait, there was much more that meets the eye, Andrew!" I only kept yelling. "Just because I had to parents who worked hard doesn't mean there weren't problems." I got closer to him, bring my time down as I pinned my eyes into his own. "You know, just because someone else didn't have the same problems as you, doesn't mean their life was perfect! Just look at me! My father—Who I thought I knew, turned out to my my uncle! And oh, he's still alive! I have a sister who was abused by a boyfriend, and a mother who told me an entire lie about my life..Who knows if she's doing it out of love or not? I don't? All I know is that this so called perfect life has all been a lie. It's been a lie Andrew, and neither my family, my friends, or even Jack have tried to comfort me about it. Instead.. Everyone just worries about protecting me.." I took a paused, heart beginning to race. "Well you know what I say?" My eyes pinned. "To Hell with all this protecting.. I can protect myself. And I was willing to work with you, Andrew, but not if you're going to treat me like everyone else... Like I don't matter. Like I'm still the oblivious girl from a few months back... Because I'm not her—Not anymore."

Nobody, and no man was going to keep making assumptions what they think I'm like. I'm tired of hearing it and letting it go. I've always known the kind of person I was before any of this. Sure, there's been a few inner discoveries every now and then, but I've always known. I've just always let it go because inside me, I knew the kind of person I was. But slowly it wasn't growing as important anymore, because everything remained the same. People kept telling me what to do and they kept telling me who I was and was suppose to be.

I was over it.

Catching my breath, I turned away from Andrew. I didn't want to be here any longer. Grabbing my bag, I recollected my stuff, the box and necklace included, and placed my bag over my shoulder. I sighed, walking towards the exit.

"ELIZABETH!"

I heard him call out but I only continued walking.

I ignored Andrew, and the following shouts and slams that continued on in the room behind me.

It was a mistake trying to work with him. The boy has already undergone so much emotional damage. He will always see me as part of the chosen family.. Ridiculous, I know.. But even more ridiculous, that I was actually beginning to believe he was going to accept me. That things were going to be okay.

How stupid of me...

* * *

I felt emotionally drained after my little speech of anger towards Andrew.

Once again in my neighborhood, with all the houses that looked the same, I came in and locked myself in my lonesome house. I haven't shed a tear yet—A new record for me.

Even when I spoke to my mother who called me on my Uber drive home. She and Mandy sounded really happy, as if they were really bonding for the first time in a long time. They were in my Aunt's house in Hoboken, getting ready to go to bed when they called. They told me they'll be back tomorrow by noon. I thought for sure hearing their voices would make me cry.. But I had to hold myself together. I wasn't giving up now.

I kicked my shoes off and set them aside by the entrance of the house. I felt exhausted, tired. All I wanted was my bed now. If there is any cure or coping method I've learned to have during all this madness, is rest. Rest, rest and more rest.

Locking all my doors and closing all my window blinds, I secured the bottom floor before trudging up in my socks to the second. I closed Mandy's and Mom's bedroom. It made it feel as if they were here with me.

I entered my bedroom and turned on the fairy lights. The room dimly glowed. It was freezing in here...

The first thing I noticed was my window and how it looked straight into James'. The Strider house was empty... James' parents are off on meetings, as usual, and Zach was picked up earlier by a friend's mom as she took them both to some trampoline place or something?

It was silent.

I was quick to strip off of my clothes and enter the restroom where I brushed my teeth and applied some lotion to my tense skin.

A long sigh escaped my lips as I walked over to my bed. My eyes almost closed as I began to undo my bed covers, but they immediately shot wide open as soon as I noticed a few objects placed right under my pillow and duvet.

I furrowed my eyebrows, looking around my room before looking back at my mattress.

My cautiousness heightened upon staring at the two rather peculiar objects resting before me. One, a note—The second a black flip phone. What?

A hundred questions began to flood through my head. I began to fear the simple objects, after all, there is a man out there who puts bombs in people's car as a threat.

After plentifully debating the action in my mind, I finally decided to reach down and grab the note first.

Upon opening the folded paper, the clearly recognizable handwriting made a huge breath of relief flow out of my body.

It was a note from Alex..

E.

I know things haven't been going easy for you lately. After everything that I've witnessed today—Seeing how calm you were made me feel scared most of all because it made me realize that this is the kind of stuff you are probably used to seeing. I know you need to talk to someone—Even though you'll put up a fight to tell me otherwise. For a person who is always taking care of others, it's only natural for me to try and do the same to you. I'm worried for you... But I don't think I'm the best person to talk to given the circumstances, so I found someone who might help...

Don't hate me for this...

Love,
A.

I furrowed my eyebrows as I began to take a seat on my bed. Taking the flip phone on my hand, I examined the front of it before the tiny screen in the front of it began to blink. The phone rang.

My heart began to beat out of my chest as I slowly opened the top half of phone. It was placed right my ear moments after.

"Hey, Baby." A deep voice sounded.

My heart dropped to my stomach.

"Jack.." I breathed out. Immediately, all the emotions I was holding in these past few days came rushing out. Just like that. All from hearing the sound of his voice.

No words were spoken in that short period as I tried to sit quiet and hold my cries in. The tears slowly came down my cheek, but I held in my breath so that he didn't hear my cry.

"Liz..." His voice sounded seconds later. This time more concerned.

I still didn't say anything. My eyes only shut as my hand covered over my mouth. After a few moments, I managed. But he noticed my sniffing and he wasn't okay.

"Liz.. Are you okay?" He asked me.

I couldn't help it. My head rested over the palm of my hand. I closed my watery eyes, and the tears were felt falling over my leg.

"Jack, where are you?" I asked.

"I'm right here, Liz..." His voice replied. "I'm right here."

I looked around my room, quickly running over to my window to see if he was standing outside. Nothing.

"I don't see you." I sniffed, back resting over the wall besides my window.

"That's okay... It's safer that way.." He replied. "But I can see you, Liz..."

My cautiousness heightened again, eyes looking around my bedroom in search for some kind of camera or something..

"Come to the window.." His voice whispered.

I immediately pulled myself off from the wall, body walking back to my window to look outside. There was no sign of him, until I noticed a certain very dark car with over the top dark tinted windows. It was a black Cadillac Escalade—It had to be him.

A small smile curved upon my lips, forehead gently pressing to the window as I heard him softly speak again.

"There's that beautiful smile." He spoke.

"I thought you couldn't be seen around me?" I asked, remembering why this moment was happening in the first place. "Why are you risking us with this phone call?"

"It's a cheap minute phone, too outdated to track. I had Sam fix it for us once Alex came to me." He replied. "She told me you needed to talk to someone."

"It's you I need, Jack." I shook my head. Hand pressing onto the window towards his direction. "When is this going to end?"

I heard his breath slowly being released in a sigh before his voice sounded again. My eyes shut closed, trying to imagine him here with me now.

"This is never the way I wanted things to go, Liz." He replied. "I never planned for things to get this out of hand.."

"Please tell me you found something on Tristan." I dried my tears, sniffing before looking out towards the Cadillac.

No response.

"Jack, how much longer is this going to be?" I sighed, fingertips rubbing at my temples.

"Just know I'm looking out for you." He replied.

"But Jack..."

"Liz—" His voice cut me off again. "I miss you too."

And just like that, the tears came rushing down my face again.

"It's not fair." My back turned to the window as I quietly began to sob.

"Liz.." He began to speak. "Liz please.."

The cries kept coming out in soft sobs. This wasn't easy on either one of us.

"Liz... Don't cry.. Please." He paused. "It's killing me hearing you like this—Knowing that I'm only a few steps away and yet—Can't come to you." He paused again. "Can't touch you—Can't comfort you—Can't kiss you." He breathed. "Because that's exactly what I'd be doing right now."

"I hate this." I cried. "As if I haven't had a crappy day already.."

"Alex told me she went with you to see Larissa.." He spoke.

"Please—Don't lecture me." I shook my head, turning back to the window.

"No." He softly chuckled. "I was going to say—I thought you were very brave."

I stood shocked with his words. This was something he never said to me before—

"Y-You think I'm brave?" I asked.

"Every single day I look at you, Liz, I see the bravest woman in the world. And that's not just now, it's been since the day I first laid eyes on you. It's in everything you do." He paused. "Liz, it's who you are.."

I smiled in admiration of his words. God I wanted that boy's touch more than anything right now.. To be able to kiss his plump pink lips... I had to draw my attention away from him.. It'll only make me crave him deeper and right now I'm not stable enough for that. I miss him dearly. So I jumped subjects—Business subjects. He might've not been getting anywhere with Blade, but I sure as Hell got somewhere with the Venom.

"Jack... There's something you should know.." I continued."I got the box to open..."

"What?" He asked me. "The box your father gave your sister?"

"The one and only." I replied.

"How?" He asked.

I thought about it for a moment before deciding to speak again. Telling my boyfriend that I teamed up with his enemy/my evil half brother would've been an instant trigger for his madness. Who knows what kind of stuff he's been dealing with these past few days. It'll be like throwing gasoline into the fire. Besides, my work with Colt was finished. He obviously had some unresolved issues and working together wouldn't end so go from the way things were going back in his warehouse. It wasn't worth the mention. At least not now.

"Just putting the pieces together." I replied. "My mom's locket was the key to opening it."

"So... What did you find inside?" He asked me.

"Another dead end clue. But I can solve it.." A long sigh fell from my mouth again. "And Jack—There's something else... Dominic is still alive.. I'm under the impression that the man who raised me was his identical twin brother."

"But... Your mom?" He paused. "That night at the hospital—"

"I know." I cut him off, knowing exactly what he was going to say. "I know... She lied. Jack... The only person I trust right now is you..."

"I can see why Alex came to me." Jack added. "So much is being dumped on you right now.."

"I can handle it." I nodded, maybe telling it to myself would help me feel reassured. "But please, please tell me you're getting somewhere with Tristan..."

"I have a good lead, Liz—I have spies all over the city." He explained. "But he's.."

"Dangerous." I finished for him, knowing his exact words. My eyes closed, exhaling at the word. "I know.."

There was a moment of silence. I probably wasn't making this any easier because for the first time in my life I was being selfish. I wanted Jack.

"Liz I never really thanked you.." He paused.

"For what?" I asked him.

"For just.. Being you." He replied. "For being so patient and understanding with me."

"You make it easy to trust you, Gilinsky." I chuckled, turning my look out towards the window. My shoulder rested on the glass. "Anyways, it should be me who needs to thank you."

I felt Jack breathe again. A break coming in before he spoke again. "You see now why I'm doing everything I'm doing.. There's no future for us if I stay in this business. These phone calls—These mass murderers.. They're not worth it."

"And you see a future?" I asked with a foolish little smile on my face. It's one thing to think about it, imagine a future in your head with someone. But for them to say it too, to say that they also see a future with you—It's an indescribable feeling. 

"Of course." I heard him chuckle. "I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing if I didn't. I want you Liz... For as long as I possibly can."

My eyes closed with his words. Imagining for just a split second what a future with Jack would look like in a perfect world. It's what kept pushing me forward..

"We'll get through this.." I smiled, giving us the motivation we both needed right now. 

There was another moment of silence as I felt him softly smile against his phone. The moment wasn't ideal, but it was just right. It was just what I needed... To hear his voice. It was like a new home to me.

"The minutes on this phone are just about to end." He finally spoke. "I wouldn't want to risk too much time around you.."

And just like that, my mood died down. Everything was hitting reality again... The reality that a murderer was chasing us... The reality that a massive Lord has my boyfriend on a ticking time bomb for his life... This was our ugly truth.

"I was afraid you'd be saying that.." I sighed, forcing a smile across my lips. Seeing me this sad shouldn't be a reason to deviate his concentration. He needs to be really focused so that he could be done with Tristan sooner.

"It won't be long before we're together again." His voice softly spoke. "And remember, Liz, although I may seem far--I'll always be closer than you think. This phone won't work again once I end the call, but do know that I'm always looking out for you."

"I know.."

"Get some rest now.." His voice went soft and quiet. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Okay.." I nodded.

With my hand on the windowsill, and forehead pressed to the glass--The call ended. I stared at the small flip phone before noticing the blue light turn off. The top half was closed again and I held it close to my chest as I noticed the lights on the Cadillac turn on. The steam from the engine ejected from the back and a small smile formed in my lips as I watched Jack drive away.

I've never felt so empty before than in that moment.

The neighborhood was dark again.. Cold.

The last bit of tears escaped my weary eyes. I allowed myself to shed those last tears because tomorrow was going to be a new day. I was going to continue with my expedition on the Red Venom. Now, without Jack or Andrew by my side, I was going to do it on my own.

It was going to be okay.. It was all going to be over soon, and everything will be okay...

* * *

N e x t M o r n i n g

I woke up to a phone call on from my mom and sister saying they were just leaving my aunt's house in Hoboken. They should be here soon which is why I decided to wake up and get some things started and ready before their arrival.

I needed to ask my mom, but as upset as I was towards her about the lie she pulled that day in the hospital, I had to believe she was doing it for the best--Like Andrew mentioned. Cleaning the house and getting breakfast started was just the way to get her attention. It was the only way I could think about starting a conversation. As scary as it sounds--I feel like I don't know my mom. And if this is all true, if David, the man who raised me is indeed my uncle--Who knows if she is also my real mother? It's scary.. And I'm terrified--But I have to pull the bandaid and ask. It's the only way I'll be able to get another lead.

The coffee began to steam up and I was quick to grab my small expresso cup, hastily reaching over to make the hot foam on the side. I was fresh out of the shower in a pair of my favorite skinny jeans and cozy sweater with socks.

The house was silent... Still cold. I hated winter in the city. It always looked so gray... So sad.

And sad was the last thing I needed to feel right now.

All I could think about was Jack and our conversation last night. I missed him dearly but found myself cutting off the thought of him in order to get through my day. Instead, I unlocked my phone and opened up my messages with Alex. I sent her a quick thank you text before I heard a knock on my front door.

My heart skipped a few beats.

The door was still closed, as well as all the blinds and windows for I had just woken up. Fear grew inside me towards the strange visit so early in the morning. At first I thought it was my sleepless mind playing tricks on me.. But then it sounded again. This time the knock was louder.

Becoming aware of my surroundings, I set my coffee cup down on the countertop and slowly began to walk over to the front door. 911 was already dialed in my phone. With one push of a button, I'll be able to call.

I quietly came up the peephole, gently sliding it open for me to look out at the porch.

A wave of relief suddenly hit me as I noticed it was no stranger. It wasn't the best stranger.. But no mass murderer.. Well, at least to me...

I unlocked the door and swung it open to see Andrew holding up a hand to the outdoor door frame of the entrance of my home.

Before I could say anything, he allowed himself in.

"Okay--First of all, no one walks out of my warehouse without my permission." He stopped, Turning towards me as he held a hand up in emphasis. "And second.. NO ONE walks away from me--And I mean no one!"

I only rolled my eyes, crossing my arms as I allowed him to carry on with his nonsense.

"Do you realize the disrespect Elizabeth, especially after everything I've done to help you?" He arched his brow. "Because may I remind you, I saved your life yesterday.. Larissa had you at gunpoint.."

I only sighed, closing the door behind me.

"Andrew, what are you doing here?" I asked him. "And I know it wasn't for your--very thought out complaints?" I arched a brow.

Andrew stood impatiently. What happened last night really ticked him off.

"No one has ever walked out on be before." He hissed. "And the truth is.. It sucks.."

I remained with my eyebrows furrowed. He wasn't making any sense.. None of this was..

"Well, thats kinda what you get when you treat people the way you do..." I replied. "Is that all you came here for?"

Andrew shook his head no. "I want to help you." He stepped closer. "With the Red Venom.. With Dominic."

"I told you I didn't want to work with you, Andrew.. You're not a team player." I shook my head.

"What do you want me to do?" He sighed, arms raising besides him. "You want me to apologize?" He asked. "Well, I'm sorry, okay. I'm sorry for making assumptions on your life. It wasn't my place to do so.."

"It'll take more than a meaningless apology." I replied.

"UGH!" He let out. "What is it with you WOMEN!" He exclaimed in frustration.

"You see, THAT is exactly why I don't want to work with you!" I raised my arms back at him. "You position yourself above anyone else--Disregard others like they're worthless. You are not the kind of person I can work with and that's final!" I exclaimed. "Shall I show you the door?"

"Please." His hands clapped in a prayer as he got closer to me. "Please, Elizabeth--I can only do this with you and you only. You hold the key remember?"

"Which is exactly why I don't need you.. It's you who needs me." I pointed out.

"Fine, yes! I need you!" His eyes widened. "I'll work on my attitude, and I'll see about filtering some things out... But please.. Say we'll work together again."

He wasn't getting off so easy...

"I understand why people want the Red Venom.." I paused. "It's powerful. I understand why Jack needs the Red Venom.. He has a prophecy to fill.. But why do you need it? You already have so much.. You've beaten Jack, now you're basically street race king.. Money isn't an issue.. So why? Why is this so important to you?" I asked.

"Please Elizabeth... I'll respect your opinions from now on but please don't expect me to change everything I am for you.."

"I don't—"

He interrupted me before I could finish my sentence.

"You have to understand that this is new to me too... I don't usually go around begging people for help nor do I bring the girlfriend of my biggest enemy into my warehouse." He explained. "Finding this Venom is important to me, though—and if there's one thing I can tell you is that it won't be used to harm anyone.."

"Andrew I don't want you to change who you are..." Could we alter his actions a little... Yes... But I couldn't say that. "Trusting you isn't exactly easy too. You've killed."

"So has Jack?" He arched a brow. "And so has every single person in this business.. His little friends included. It's what we do."

"He's been forced to do this." I defended.

"And you think I do it out of fun?" Andrew asked me.

"You killed Larissa like she was nothing!" I recalled.

"Larissa was on the wrong team, Elizabeth. You heard her yourself, she was getting back at your parents for a chemical accident that happened ages ago." He explained in defense. "I've seen mentally ill people before... She wasn't stable... If anything I put her out of her misery."

"You are sickening, Andrew.." I shook my head.

"Yet you don't want me to change.." His head tilted.

There was a moment of silence before he looked back at me and spoke.

"If there's a few things you should know about me, Elizabeth, it's that I'm selfish. Sorry if that's what you didn't want to hear, but over the years I've learned that I can only depend on myself for anything... Including survival. So yes, I will kill if it means I get to live because, Darling, there are still a few things I want to do before I die."

His honesty was so brutal.. But then again, it's all I ever ask from people. I ask for them to open up to me. I ask them to be sincere.. To be honest. Andrew has delivered just that and I am no one to judge because he's the only one who sincerely sent his message across. No filter. No feeling. It was delivered just the way I've been asking for.

"Fine." I sighed.

A sigh immediately fell from his mouth, eyes closed on relief.

"But I do still have one more question." I paused, watching him open his eyes once more. I thought about it for a moment myself. A question I've been asking myself numerous amount of times but failed to bring to view.

"Why did you come in?" I asked him. "To Larissa's?"

Something in me hoped he'd say something like: because we're family. Or something corny like that. But my expectations were too high for someone who always thought so low.

"Easy. You are the only other person I have that can lead me to what I need to find. I wasn't going to let Larissa or anyone else take that away from me." He retorted. "And I don't regret my decision."

"So you've been following me this whole time? Making sure I was getting your formula?" I arched a brow.

Andrew smiled. "That.. And that no one else knew about my little prized possession."

My reaction brought him back to retrace his words.

"Sorry, I meant you." He corrected. "I had to make sure no one else knew about you and the connection you hold in all this."

"And that was you? The figure I saw before I went into the house?" I paused. I recalled seeing something before.. Multiple times. "And again at the grocery store and parked outside my home?"

Andrew's eyes immediately furrowed. "Larissa's house.. Yes, I was there.." He shook his head. "But not the rest?"

I stood silently thinking to myself.. Fearful for what else it could be? Who it could be?

I even managed to get a reaction out of Andrew. He leaned in closer to me, looking around before speaking.

"Elizabeth, how long have you felt like you're being followed?" He paused.

A hard lump was swallowed down my throat as my eyes carefully met back with Andrew's.. I was unable to say any further words for a was frozen in shock...

If it wasn't Andrew... Than that means it had to be Tristan Blade... He's known about me all along, even before Andrew... And before we knew about the Red Venom...

He's known.

"You have to come with me." Andrew grabbed my hand. "I think we may have a problem.."