Attention. If you or anyone you know is suffering through any kind of mental illness such as anxiety or depression, it is important that you Speak Up! If it sometimes feels difficult to reach out to someone, I found a link with a list of all the hotlines you can call to get help. It REALLY helps! Message me if anything too!

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https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-referral-resources

Stay happy and healthy everyone!
Happy Reading!

_______

"I wanna kill Tristan Blade."

The words came falling out of Andrew's mouth like venom.

Everyone looked at him rather shook, including myself. I'm sure there's always been talk about replicating the action, but no one really stepped up to plate to do so. Or maybe they did, but never made it out alive because Blade is still out there, and still killing others.

But something in the way Andrew said his words, worried us because he said then serious. To him, it wasn't just talk anymore. It was an offer. And something told me he was going to do it whether the guys are in it or not.

"Whoa Colt," His teammate, Aiden stood up and walked up to him. "C'mon relax." He aided. "You're just mad... Upset." He comment.

"I feel fine." Andrew spat. Moving away from his friend, he walked closer into the middle.

"Where's Serena?" Leo asked, looking around Andrew to see there was no one else around.

"I got her a hotel room and assigned some guys to stay by and keep an eye on her." Andrew explained. "She needed some time alone."

No further questions were asked. Just stares.

"Well?" Andrew questioned. "Are we in this or what?"

Everyone looked at Andrew as if he's gone Mad. All but one person.

"I'm in." Jack nodded, standing up.

My eyes immediately went wide, causing me to stand besides him too.

"Jack." I hissed. The simple thought of Jack taking someone else's life was just terrifying. Whatever he's done in the past is not for me to judge. But I know him now, and I know the person whose life he's willing to take. You can say it was just a scary thing to think, but the fear was even worse since I knew he was also capable of doing so.

"You can't talk me out of this, Liz." He shook his head. "Look at those pictures." He pointed over to the counter top to the photographs taken of me. "Now look at the floor..." He turned to where it was still full of Grayson's blood. "That could've been you." His hands held onto mine. His eyes glanced from above my shoulder to look back into his group of friends. "That could've been any one of us."

I nervously bit my bottom lip. Everything about this situation terrified me. I guess it wasn't until now that I didn't realize just how serious this is. How precious life is and how anyone can just take it from you.

It scared me to think of Jack killing someone. But it scared me most to see that Jack was the one killed. All just for trying to protect those he loves...

"I agree with Jack." Cameron stepped in, his hand snaked around Sophia's waist as he looked down at her. She embraced him from the waist, eyes closing as the side of her cheek pressed onto his chest. "We've got too much to lose here. I really believe teaming up will take him down." He kisses the roof of her head. "Protect those we love." He looked back at the crowd. "So count me in."

The room was in a silent. We all felt the love in the room. The love we all had for each other. In this moment, we were all scared—Scared to lose one of our own.

Taking hold of Jack's hand, I gently squeezed to prove my alliance.

"I'm in too." I nodded.

"I'm down." Justin raised his hand. "If it means all of this will finally come to an end."

"Count us in." Leo and Aiden nodded. "For Grayson."

Johnson and Sam weren't far from agreeing with us too. The events of tonight had left a gradual and visual effect on the consequences we could be looking at. All to which lead us back to the root of our discussions...

Ethan.

He remained silent, still shocked about Andrew's request. He was hardheaded, that boy. Something told me this wasn't going to be easy.

"Well?" Justin asked Ethan, the whole room now turning to him.

Ethan bit his bottom lip. He was messing with the tip of his fingers as he leaned up from the wall he was up against.

"No." He shook his head as we all stared down on him.

This was going to be more difficult than I thought.

"Eth, just look at what happened to Grayson." Justin recalled.

"Exactly!" Ethan's eyes widened. "That should be the perfect example as why we shouldn't go with it. We'll end up dead."

"We can end up dead trying or not." Jack hissed back at him. "He's after us no matter what."

"I prefer not." He denied.

"Ethan, you have to see the dangers if we don't go through with this." Justin explained.

"We are going to be fine." Ethan sighed.

"Ethan. We're doing this regardless of what you what to do." Jack pointed out. "Obviously there's a bigger picture here. If we're gonna die, we're gonna die trying. Not running like cowards the way you want us to."

"Look." Ethan ser his arm straight. "I wanna kill Tristan as much as the next guy." He nodded. "It's not gonna be easy..." He paused. "There's too much to risk."

"You don't think we know that?" Jack asked. "We're all scared here."

There was more silence that followed in the room. Then, Andrew stepped forward.

"If we do this, Ethan..." He paused. "If we beat Blade... Kill him... The Cobras will leave you alone." He offered. "No more war between us. I-I'll even return your property."

Something in Andrew's tone of voice aided me to believe he was telling the truth. The way he looked at the guys after the shooting... It was a way I've never seen him look at them before. Once a look of evil and revenge was now calm and trustful. He wanted this to work.

"You?" Ethan couldn't help but laugh. "Why would you do that?"

Andrew didn't hesitate in his answer.

"Because obviously you guys aren't the enemy anymore." He explained. "Blade—He took something of mine... And he's messing with my family heirloom." He explained. "I don't care about property anymore? I care about revenge." He stood his ground, gritting his teeth as he spoke.

"Retaliation."

Ethan stared at Andrew then back at the guys. It was almost as if he knew they had a point but giving into it would make him seem rather weak. I can tell that wasn't an image he's willing to look forward too.

But Andrew's offer, and the fear Tristan laid upon us tonight was more than enough motivation to change his ways.

With Andrew's hand now raising out for Ethan to shake in front of him, the whole room watched Ethan ponder. He was going to give in.

He sighed, taking hold of Andrew's handshake.

"Let's get that sonofabitch."

* * *

T w o D a y s L a t e r

The rain hasn't stopped pouring over the cold city.

It's been dark. Gloomy. And overall, just a sad few days. Today being amongst the saddest.

Today was Grayson's funeral.

The ceremony was rather small, just his small group of friends and sister. Something told me family was something this group lacked. It was just them. And I'm all honesty, I think that's still pretty amazing.

These guys, they weren't the bad guys anymore. They were just doing their job, trying to make up for what they've lost. Being that no one else apart from the group was here to mourn the death of a person, told me that maybe they've lost it all already. They only had each other.

The guys and I were welcomed to come, as per Andrew.

We wanted to come. After all, these are our new partners and the incident did happen in the guys' warehouse.

Everything about this moment was just plain sad.

We all stood around the burial sight of Grayson Davis. The tomb stone reading beneath his name:

Beloved Son, Brother, And Friend.
1996-2019
Cobra

It all hit me suddenly. Life is precious.

Grayson was only in his twenties. And misfire cost him his life. There was still so much for him to see. So much to experience. And now, there's nothing.

I stayed close to Jack's side, my arm tangled in his as we walked out of the graveyard behind the others. There wasn't going to be a reception or gathering afterwards.

The funeral was just a small gathering of his close friends and of course his sister. Everyone said something nice about him and then it was mostly just stares given off to the tomb stone. We all stared in silence but I'm sure we all thought about the same thing... Tristan Blade.

Jack held the black umbrella over our heads as we approached the street where all our other cars were parked in a line.

My eyes turned over to look at Serena. She was under Andrew's hold. Her eyes puffy from the tears she's been shedding. I'm sure this isn't easy on her. She came back after all these years, thinking she'd have time to make it up with her brother. And now... She's lost it all.

I couldn't imagine what she's possibly going through. If God forbid that was Mandy, I'd lose my mind. Family is everything. And it wasn't his time.

"Are you okay?" Jack asked me, whispering into my ear as I stood close to him.

I looked up at him, shaking my feelings away to look back at him. "Yeah, yeah I'm okay." I nodded. Then my head instantly turned back to Serena. "I just... I feel so bad for her." My arms crossed I'm discomfort. "Should I go say something?" I asked.

Jack sighed, looking down at me before he shook his head. "I think she needs some time alone."

"She just lost her brother, Jack." I looked down, now focused on our shoes in the rain. "She's lost so much since she came back and I.. I honestly feel bad for her."

The gentle touch of his hand was felt cupping my cheek. His thumb traced over cheekbone.

"What are you thinking of telling her?" He asked me.

I only shrugged. "I don't know..." I looked back at him. "But she should know she has people to talk to if she needs."

"I doubt we'll be the first ones she'll run to." He explained.

I nodded, knowing what he meant by it. "I know, but still.. It feels like it's just something you should say."

I was surprised by the small smile Jack replicated in his lips. He nodded and before I knew it, he was escorting us over to her direction.

My heart began to beat as we approached her. I wanted to be nice, but I couldn't help but become afraid as we got closer to her. I was the other woman in her eyes. She probably hates my guts for being with Jack.

Ever since she came back, she hasn't said a word to me. Heck, we haven't even been introduced. All she does is shoot me some sort of serious stare. No words.

Jesus, maybe I didn't think this through.

We approached Andrew and Serena underneath a large oak tree. Aiden and Sam were there with them, patting Andrew on the back and giving Serena a hug before they walked away. It was just going to be the four of now...

I felt so out of place in doing this.

"Hey." Jack started the conversation once we approached them. One hand was placed over my lower back while the other held the umbrella over our heads.

I replicated the small smiles exchanged in the group we joined. My hands holding each other as I nervously fiddled with my fingers.

Serena only looked at me. Her eyes wandering off to Jack's hands on my back. She looked away quickly once she noticed I caught her staring.

This was going to be awkward.

"Hey." Andrew replied. Both his voice and features rather tired.

"How are you guys holding up?" Jack asked, looking at both Serena and Andrew.

"What do you think, G?" Andrew replied a bit sarcastically.

I sensed Jack begin to build up with tension. Obviously this wasn't something easy on him either, judging from everything Colt's done to him in the past. My hand reached out to grip his own, softly giving him a slight squeeze before my attention darted back to Andrew. My eyes went wide.

I understand he went through a trauma too. This was his teammate. And if they were as close as Jack and the other guys are, I'm sure it's affected him too. But that doesn't give him the right to be rude.

He noticed my stare but only rolled his eyes.

I decided it was time to change the conversation.

"It was a lovely ceremony." I replied, my voice soft. Then, I decided to face my fears... Serena. "Serena, if there's anything you need.. Or even someone to talk to... If not us but someone. We're all here to help."

I could sense the hatred in her look. Serena was nothing like Sophia, another racer. She was much darker. More conservative. I had no idea if she'll thank me for my offer or shout at me for being with Jack.

Much to my surprise, she did none.

"I got my guys." She responded. "But thanks."

I was shocked. Surprised. Astonished.

This was nothing like what I was expecting from her.

Giving her a small nod and smile to agree, Jack came back in the conversation.

"Well, we're gonna start heading out now." Jack spoke. "Again, I'm sorry for your loss."

Afraid for Andrew's reaction, I made sure he noticed my serious stare. He couldn't keep beating Jack down. Especially not after they've joined forces.

Luckily enough, my stare from before made Andrew realize that and closing his eyes he softly nodded.

"Thank you." He responded. "And thank you guys for coming."

We nodded back at Andrew. Saying our goodbyes, Jack and I walked away.

Wow. That was something alright.

Even as we walked hand and hand away from Andre and Serena, I felt their eyes on us. Serena's especially.

This was going to be an interesting time...

* * *

We had decided to all go back to Justin's house after he offered it as a place for us all to crash in. It wasn't far from the cemetery and with all the rain going on, we figured it was best. We were also still scared after everything that has happened lately. We believed it was better for us to stick together.

After the funeral, Andrew and his friends went back to their warehouse. They needed time to mourn their friend from which we didn't deny them from. They'll meet back with us again in the morning to talk business.

This week... It's been a long one. And after everything, all I wanted to do was finally get some rest.

"Are you sure you're okay?" James asked me through the phone.

I nodded my head reassuringly, wrapping my hands around my own waist as I paced outside the large backyard. Phone calls have been the most form of communication I've received from him since we last saw each other the night of the shooting.

James got called in to work and has been working at the station since. He's been so busy but still made time to give me a call during the day to see how I was doing.

"Yeah, I'll be okay." I replied. "Are you?"

I felt terrible. Putting James through that is something I never envisioned. I didn't want him to see such horror that night, not after the MET. He's been silent for a majority of the time after the shooting. I can tell he was still in shock and I worried I had broken my best friend.

"It's not me I'm worried about." He denied. "Liz, there were shots all around."

"Nothing I haven't experience before." I looked to my side.

I looked into the living room from the huge glass windows outside. The guys were now all in their pajamas, preparing the living room of Justin's mansion with air mattresses all around. Others were coming down the stairs with pillows, sheets and blankets to prepare the mattresses with.

It wasn't that there weren't many rooms in the house to spread out through. With all the events from the week, we just all wanted to be close and I couldn't be more pleased.

"It's not fair." James sighed. "Y-You didn't choose this life."

"James, it was bound to come sometime." I turned around, facing the massive pool on Justin's backyard. "My father... This was what he was trying to protect me from... Why he changed his identity. Why he faked his death."

"Still..." James denied. "I don't like seeing you go through all this... H-How are you so calm?"

I only shrugged. Even I was surprised but I guess that's what happens when you get used to something.

"Liz..." He spoke through the phone again.

I turned my head to the sound of my name as well as a hand coming to meet my lower back. I softly smiled, noticing it was only Jack.

Returned back to the call with Jamie, I placed the phone back in my ear to say my goodbyes. "Hey, I gotta go. Call you tomorrow?"

"Call me at any time." He replied. "Take care, Liz. Love you."

"Love you too, James." I smiled.

Hanging up the call, I turned back to Jack with a small smile spread on my lips. Talking to James always makes me smile.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt..." Jack apologized.

"No, no." I softly denied, walking up to place my hands on his hips. He moved his from the pockets of his joggers over to my arms. He gently moved his touch up at down.

"How are you feeling?" Jack asked, knitting his eyebrows together.

"Why is everyone asking me that?" I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Because, Liz.." Jack paused, his tone serious. "It's a lot to go through... You've had a rough week."

"We all had a rough week." I added.

Jack nodded, looking down afterwards.

I gave him a small smile as I urged him to look back at me, my signal that everything was okay.

Truthfully, I don't know how to deal with people caring for me. All I do is care for others, myself included from time to time. But when it comes to someone asking if I'm okay, to see someone actually worried about my wellbeing... Let's just say the roles are reversed and I don't do well with that. I hate seeing others worry about me. Including Jack.

"I'm okay." I nodded, answering the same question twice now. "We're okay." I paused. "And we're gonna get through this."

Jack looked at me. He didn't want to believe me when I said I was okay. But I could see it in his eyes he was so tired. I was tired. Maybe what we all needed here was some rest.

"I finished our mattress." He pointed out behind me. "I-If you wanna sleep with me. If not, I could—"

My soft giggles caused him to pause and turn to look at me for a moment.  "What's so funny?"

"Of course I want to be with you." I smiled.

My hands grabbed onto the front of his shirt, slightly pulling him closer to me. Our lips pressed together and I felt Jack smile upon it. His fingertips lacing with mine.

"C'mon."

Swiftly turning on my heels, I followed behind Jack as he escorted us back into the home. Everyone flashed us a smile as we came over to the bed. There were still a few other ones to be finished so they all got back to work.

Jack tucked us into a small full sized air mattress that laid in the center of Justin's living room. Cam and Sophia were already cuddled up in theirs. Ethan sound asleep on the one next to them.

I liked this. All of us under one roof. After the events of this week, you can say we all felt much safer this way.

Let's just hope it stays that way...

* * *

I continually felt myself running out of breath in the middle of the night.

The crashing of the windows.

The shots of the gun.

Grayson.

It was now my worst nightmare.

———

I was back at the warehouse.. All alone.

The place was just as I remembered it last... Destroyed. Shards of glass everywhere.

I called out for someone. Anyone.

But there was no answer.

That's when  I looked down at my hands and saw his blood on them. Grayson.

I felt the wet sticky substance I rubbed my fingertips together.

My heart began to race.

A strange laughter now echoed in the room.

When I turned to look down again, I noticed more bodies.

Everyone's body. Massacred and dead on the ground below me.

I jumped and gasped into my hands. Watching as every single person I knew and cared about was now dead at my feet.

James. Zach. Justin. My mom. Mandy. Cam and Sophia.. The guys. Even Ethan laid with his throat split in two.

The sight. It was horrifying.

And just behind me was the worst sight of all. Jack...

The tears rushed down my face and I began to allow my painful cries to reach out of me.

The laughter continued. It felt like it was enjoying this.

I had now fallen to the ground. But just like that, the bodies had disappeared. A new scenery had appeared.

I looked around the dark room and saw the pictures Jack brought over from his house. The ones Tristan Blade had taken of me... Of my friends. Of my family.

It was just me now.

Alone.

Surround by those photographs and the blood of Grayson on my hands.

I began to panic. Not knowing a way out.

Was this a dream?

It had to be?

The laughter only grew louder. I had no idea where it was coming from.

I remember Serena... And how she's back.

I remembered my father... And how my mother has been keeping him from me...

I was alone. And I was lost.

Suddenly, all the events from the past month replayed in my mind.

And the laughter continued.

Finally, I am able to spot a figure. It's dark and difficult to make out. But I can defiantly tell it's a person. He had broad shoulders and long legs.

It was beginning to walk towards me.

I remembered calling out to it, asking who it was.

The figure just kept laughing. Laughing at me.

Before I could think of anything else to say, the figure stopped.

The room was silent.

I asked him now what he wanted...

Without saying a word, the dark figure pointed his hand over to me. The long shadow of his finger aiming at me.

And the laughter began again.

———

My eyes went with the sound of the horrible laughter. Chest quickly rising and falling as I laid there...

I was back where I last recalled... The mattress on Justin's living room. The mattress where I laid besides Jack.

I was terrified, though I pretended I wasn't earlier.

I wanted to cry. That's all I wanted to do.

As I felt my heart begin to race, a pressure in my chest began to set. It was hot in here... And every breath I took felt like I was inhaling bit of fire into my lungs.

A drop of water fell onto the pillow in which I had my cheek pressed to. I was crying in my sleep.

The nightmare had me on an edge. Even though seeing all these people still breathing as they slept besides me relieved some of the anticipating anxiety, it still wasn't enough.

I was scared.

No.

I was terrified.

Everything I've been holding in was about to come out and something told me I wasn't going to be able to control it this time.

I had to get out of here...

Quietly sniffing my tears back, I turned to look over my shoulder.

Jack was sound asleep. His hand thrown over my waist as he held me close to him.

I closed my eyes, trying to control the panicking breaths that now escaped my mouth.

Carefully, I drew his arm away, making sure he didn't wake up with the accommodation.

I looked around and noticed no one else had moved either.

There were dim lights all around the house that Justin decided to keep on just in case. I was glad he thought of it because it made my quiet walk towards the nearest bathroom a lot easier.

I recalled the downstairs bathroom was just down the hall between the kitchen and living room. It was a long ball, and for that I was thankful too.

The tears were rushing down my face. But I still made no sound.

I found the restroom to my right. Quietly moving, I turned on the lights and closed the door.

Once safely inside the restroom, I took a look at myself in the mirror.

I was a mess.

I had bags under my eyes like I've never had them before. My hair, curly and everywhere.

The life seemed like it's been drained out my face. I didn't like myself. I didn't like me at all.

This girl in the mirror... It's not me.

And that scared me.

Without realizing it, I began to cry.

I was letting it all out in quiet sobs. I didn't want to wake anyone up. Nor did I want to be heard. Like I said, I don't do well with being cared for.

I tried to not think about all the deaths I've witnessed. I've seen two so far in two days.

Tristan Blade, He's no Andrew Colt. He's deadlier.

I was scared for my mom. I was scared for my sister.

I was scared for James. And I was scared for Jack and the guys.

I was scared.

The quiet sobs filled the wide space of the guest bathroom. Legs fell heavy as I crashed onto the floor. Back now pressed to the wall between the shower and the toilet.

I sat hugging my legs, forehead dropping to crash onto my knees.

I felt my face flush with heat as I tried to contain my cries from coming out too strong. Breathing was becoming a lot harder.

I forced myself to suck up my cries as I suddenly heard the bathroom door slightly open. My head darted up, heart skipping it's rapid beat at the sight of the familiar dark hair and brown eyes at the door.

"Liz.." Jack rushed up to me, shutting the door behind him again.

I tired to hide my face as I looked away. I was ashamed.

Strands of my hair stuck onto the surface of my wet cheek from all the tears I've cried. My heart was pounding, head felt like it was about to explode.

Once his hand met mine, I couldn't help it. I cried out.

Jack brought me closer to him. My head now meeting his board pecks and he held me close. I continued to cry as he held me. Strong and protectively.

His chin met with the top of my head. I felt his grip on me only grow stronger.

"Liz." He spoke concerned, hands grabbing onto my cheeks as he looked me in the eyes. Fingertips drawing at some of the hair pressed on my face. I urged myself to calm down.

"Liz... What's wrong?" His words sent me spinning. I had no response for him. Everything was wrong.

I continued to cry. And cry and then cry some more.

I couldn't hold it in. Once I started, there was no way of ending it soon enough.

My mouth fell agape, and the tears came rushing down.

Jack kept holding me. I felt his pain as he held onto me.

"It's okay." Jack whispered, "Let it all out, its good for you." He continued. "You're safe."

His warm lips placed a long kiss to my forehead. My body easing into his. I found myself gently squeezing his forearm, letting him know I was thankful.

Jack's hands continued to stroke my long hair behind my back. This was the most anyone has ever been with me before. I didn't want to speak, I just wanted to cry. And like Jack mentioned... Let it all out.

For the next few minutes we just sat there, on the cold floor of the bathroom in Justin's house. Jack remained quiet, holding me as I cried.

Once the moments died down, he began to speak again.

"Liz.. Talk to me." He quietly spoke. "What's going on?"

My eyes shut closed to the question. I hated exploiting my feelings out like this. I only sniffed, closing my puffy eyes against his shirt.

His small kisses helped me ease down the anxiety I felt. I was safe, I reminded myself.

With Jack, I was safe.

I sniffed once more, pulling back from his chest to dry my tears. I looked at him and saw the heartbreak. This was exactly what I was trying to avoid.

I admitted. The burning in my chest continued. Nothing seemed to ease the pain.

My body began to shiver... It was my anxiety.

I had it all throughout High School. It grew worse after my father, or my uncle, passed away. I had worked on concealing it, but it was back again. And I hated it.

Jack brought me closer to him. Hands rubbing down my back.

"I'm so sorry, Liz." He shook his head, holding my own in his hand. "For all of it.." He sighed. "I should've never let it get this out of hand." He looked down, his hand still in my back. "I-I should've never approached you."

My head instantly darted upon hearing his obnoxious words. How could he even dare...

"Don't talk like that." I shook my head, sniffing in some more tears.

"It's my fault, Liz." He looked back at me. "I am the reason why—"

"I'll be okay." I interrupted him.

"Stop saying that." He urged. "Please, Liz. I'm here for you. Tell me what's bothering you." His brown eyes filled with pain from looking at me like this. Is was a state no one, except only my mom in rare occasions saw me in.

Jack's hand gripped my own. Fingertips tracing over my knuckles.

I slowly inhaled, nodding my head before speaking.

"I-I'm scared, Jack." I softly let out.

It was hard to look at him. I feared I'll burst out crying again once I saw the look on his face. It was weird... Like the pain I felt has been portrayed to him. It'll kill me if I saw him worried about me.

"I'm scared too." He nodded.

The sound of his voice aided me to look back at him. He seemed more honest than ever. This remark came with somewhat of a surprise to me. I'm so used to serving Jack as this invincible, tough guy. He's never afraid of anything. And always remained so calm.

Hearing him say that... He was scared. It made him seem, more human.

"You are?" I asked him.

Jack nodded his head. Fingertips drawing back a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'm scared of what can happen." He explained. "Losing control... Losing You."

That didn't make things any better on my end. Just made me feel guilty for having to put him through all of this to begin with. I was a load.

"I hate having to put you all through this.." I looked down, fiddling with hi fingers on my lap. "Putting you in a scary place." I looked down. "It's all my fault."

"Don't say that, Liz." Jack denied.

"I'm the one they want." I argued. "I'm the one they're looking for... And it's putting so much lives at risk.." I paused, gulping down the lump on my throat before speaking again. "Yours included."

"Hey." He silently whispered. Hands coming to bring my face to look back at him. He softly chuckled. "My life was already at risk, Liz."

Our foreheads gently met as our eyes fluttered closed. Jack's large hand made continuous trips down my arm as he aided in comfort. But I couldn't calm down.

I recalled my nightmare... The blood.

"Grayson... His blood was on my hands." I squinted my eyes in pain. The memories all came flooding back. It was too much to handle.

"No, Liz." He denied, drawing back. "He was at the wrong place, at the wrong time. You had nothing to do with it."

"I just... I" I couldn't find the right words to say.

I was scared and nervous. I haven't slept in days and I think that with along my emotions, it was all acting up on me. I couldn't think straight.. I was tired of feeling so scared.

Before I could find myself crying again, Jack has me back in his embrace. I was able to let myself out against him. So I did. He made it so simple to just release everything that's been clogging me up inside.

"I'm tired of being scared." I cried. "And I'm tired of pretending everything is okay."

"So don't." Jack leaned back to take a look at me. His thumb gently drew the tears in my eyes away. "From now on, any time you feel mad, or upset, or just need to cry... Come to me. Don't pretend.." He spoke. "Please. Promise me that you will."

Looking down, I nodded my head.

Jack took me by surprise as he placed a small kiss to my cheek moments after. He whispered the words, I love you, against my ear and I recalled saying them back.

After that we laid in the bathroom floor for the remainder of the time. Nuzzles up against each other, Jack laid besides me as I tired to calm down.

The crying had stopped but I still felt the pressure and burning sensation on my chest. That was when Jack got up over to the medicine cabinet in the bathroom and pulled out an orange bottle.

He told me this wasn't the first time an anxiety attack had happened to them. Everyone in the group has gone through it at least one or twice. Some more than others. Justin just so happens to be one of the ones in which this sort of stuff happens a lot to. So Jack gave me some of the medication from the bottle.

"No, this is Justin's.." I denied.

"Justin has bottles of this everywhere." Jack explained. "Please Liz, it'll help you. Take it." He handed it to me.

Taking the small pill from the palm of his hand, Jack also grabbed a glass from the kitchen filled with water.

He urged me to drink it so that I could sleep calmly. Right now that seemed like all I needed.

Nodding my head, I popped the Xanax pill and drank my water.

Jack sat back by my side afterwards and sat with me in his arms until I drifted away sound asleep.

Finally.

* * *

The next morning I found myself waking up covered in a bunch of sheets and pillows.

Something felt weird? The mattress... It wasn't airy. It was firm?

I sat up and noticed my suspicions concluded right. I wasn't in the air mattress from last night. I was in a bed, inside a bedroom.

I looked around and noticed no one else was here with me. Except, the small spot besides me in the bed seemed like someone was before.

I squinted my eyes, confused.

Before I could think of any other question to ask, a door in the bedroom swung open. I suspected it was the bathroom because Jack walked out still wet from his shower. A white towel hanging perfectly beneath his waist. Another over his shoulder as he dried his wet hair with it.

His eyes fell upon my sitting state on the bed.

"Morning, Beautiful." His smile went wide.

"Morning." I smiled, watching him approach me on the opposite side of the bed.

His soft smile remained and I found my eyes falling over to the length of his torso. It was toned, prominent. God it was too early to be feeling so attracted to him.

"I can see you're doing a lot better." He joked and snapped out of it. My mouth quickly closed up again for I didn't realize it had fallen agape. I felt so embarrassed. Instantly, I felt my body heat up and my hands fell over my face to hide the reaction.

"Oh Gosh." I shook my head, cheeks flushing with heat.

I heard Jack chuckle and the bed sink with his weight seconds later. I laid besides me on my side as he rested on his back. Our eyes meeting in the dim lighting of the room. He brought me closer to him, his lips pressing a kiss to the exposed skin of my shoulder.

"How are feeling?" He asked me. Eyes looking down to mine.

I smiled and nodded back at him. "Much better."

Jack nodded, this time believing me. "Good."

He kissed me again, this time leaning closer to me. I couldn't help but giggle a little as he mocked some kisses down my neck. My back pressed gently against the pillows. It was as if I was in a cloud and Jack was right there with me.

His front pressed gently to my front. I was taken a bliss with his soft actions. His small kisses pecking at my lips as he stared down at me in awe.

I found myself bringing my hands up to his waist, gently feeling the smooth touch of his skin. Wet hairs tickled at my cheek. I found myself smiling more and more with his company.

"Hey, where are we?" I asked him, taken by the sudden change of location. I looked around the room. It was simple room, lots of black and white furniture with some strange, yet perfectly fitting, works of art spread around.

"Oh, Justin's room." Jack explained. "Once you fell asleep, I went and asked him if we could have a guest room so you could have some privacy but he just gave us his."

"That was nice of him." I replied, eyes still looking around the room. It fitted with personality. I could see it being his room.

Jack nodded his head. "They're out there making breakfast. Are you hungry?"

I nodded my head. "Starving."

Placing one more kiss to my lips, he began to move away, but it wasn't until I felt him drawing away that I didn't want him close to me again. He smiled as I called back for him.

With Jack's body gently covering mine beneath him, I brought my hands to meet the stubbles surface of his jaw. I took in his every feature.

His warm yet tired eyes examined my features as well. His stare mostly concentrated on my lips.

I brushed away at his soft curls. He had more curls that meets the eye.

The tip of my fingers traced his lips. They were so soft.

I found myself looking back into his eyes. The utter feeling of love was quick to rise up.

"Thank you." I smiled. "For taking care of me."

The soft vibrations of his left were felt running down my front as he smiled.

"I'll always take care of you, Baby." He smiled, lips meeting my own once more.

I enjoyed the touch of his lips on mine for the time being before we had decided to get up and out of bed.

Jack changed into some clothes while I brushed my teeth and washed my face in the restroom. We were ready and out of room in minutes.

My senses became undertaken as we walked right into the kitchen.

The smell of breakfast filled the air.

"Morning!" Justin smiled over his shoulders before flipping the pancake in his pan.

I forced myself to smile back, replaying the morning statement as Jack and I took a seat on the countertop by Sam who had already started his most important meal of the day.

"How's it going?" Sam asked me as he took a strip of bacon into his mouth.

I nodded my head. "Good, thanks for asking."

My focus was now on the table and all the goodies that laid out before us.

"What's all this?" I asked, admiring the food.

Berries. All the kind you could think of, were cut up and placed in a huge bowl. Bacon followed in the next along with trays stacked of breakfast sausages. Eggs filled the places, made in all the ways you could possibly think off. Hash browns and biscuits... Basically anything you could think of for breakfast... It was there.

The refrigerator door closed and from behind it walk Johnson. He was topless and in a pair of lose joggers holding up a gallon of orange juice to place on the table.

"As you can see, Justin likes his breakfast." Johnson joked, pouring the gallon onto a glass for him to drink out of.

"Most important meal of the day." Justin joked, dropping the pancake into a plate to then walk over to the other side of the countertop.

The plate was prepared, indulged in syrup with a square of butter before he placed it in front of me.

"This one's for you." He smiled.

Before I could say anything, Sam called out to me.

"Wait." Sam paused, reaching his arm out to grab the can of whipped cream. He laughed as he drew a smiley face on my pancakes. "That's better."

I couldn't help but giggle. That was really sweet of him. I thanked him with an awe and kiss to the cheek. He felt really proud for doing so now.

"Justin here can't have company over." Jack began to joke around with Justin as he walked back over to the stove. "He'll turn into some host-zilla, if that's even a thing?"

"Ha-ha. Very funny." Justin replied. "Keep talking and you won't get to eat." He pointed back to Jack with his spatula. "And that goes for all of you..." He playfully warned, landing on me. "Especially you, Elizabeth."

My arms raised in surrender. "Not complaining here." I joked, grabbing a piece of my stacked pancakes to then put into my mouth.

I savored the taste. Wow these good.

"Justin, these are amazing!" I called out.

"Learned everything I know from Jack." He shrugged, walking back to the countertop with the pan still in his hand. He dropped some more pancakes into another plate. The guys began digging around to grab them.

I smiled, looking back at to Jack as he served himself. He smiled back with the comment. I knew Jack was a good cook. The meal he made for my family was amazing. He has a talent.

"Everyone else still sleeping?" Jack asked, taking a bite of a piece of bacon.

Justin and the guys nodded there heads.

"Ethan has been out on his morning jog since 7." Johnson replied, spreading peanut butter on his piece of bread.

"Well, they'll be joining us shortly." Justin replied. "Let's not let the food get cold so Eat Up!"

"Don't mind if I do." Sam joked, grabbing the tray of bacon to then pour onto his plate.

We all laughed at him. This was nice. For a moment there it felt normal. Like if there wasn't a mass murder coming after us.

I looked around and only smiled. With Jack by my side, good company around us, and a killer breakfast on the table before us.. You could say I was happy.

I only hoped it would last.

* * *

The loud slam of the front door of Justin's house made all of us jolt in our seats. We were all finishing up our breakfast. Cam and Sophia has woken up and joined in on our conversation. Johnson and Sam helped out with cleaning the dishes.

You could say that slam had us all on our edge. With everything we've been through, it wasn't the best way to come in.

Our attention was draw back over to the entrance.

Ethan came rushing in.

"Hey, Man—What's with the slamming?" Justin argued.

Ethan ignored him, trying to catch his breath as he stood in front of all of us.

Something didn't seem right.

"Eth, are you okay?" Jack asked him, furrowing his eyebrows.

Ethan shook his head no. Hand bring his phone to view.

"I just got a call.. You won't believe from who." He spoke in between breaths.

I got up from my stool as well as everyone else to get closer to him. We were all worried now.

"Who called?" Cam asked, scared of the answer himself.

"It was her..." Ethan gulped. "The Lord.."

The whole room fell in gasps.

"Wait, what?" Justin asked.

"What did she want?" Jack asked him.

"Was it about the Venom?" Sam asked, gusting his hands on his hair. "Shoot... Is she cutting us out?"

Ethan shook head no, much to our relief.

"So what was it for?" Sophia asked.

Ethan's eyes looked over to us. He was nervous himself.

That was a first.

But it only made us worry more.

"She wants to meet with us. All of us. She knows about the Vipers and Cobras teaming up." He paused. "She said it was important we see her." He explained.

"Meet with us?" They all asked.

"How did she even find out?" Justin asked.

"Damn, now we gotta fly all the way back to Barcelona?" Johnson complained.

Ethan shook his head again. "No, no... She's at a new location. She told me she'll set the whole thing up, get her people to take us and meet her there personally."

"Where's that?" Jack asked.

"Dominican Republic." He replied.

The whole room remained with questioning looks on their face. I turned to look back at Jack for a quick moment. He was already looking down at me. No. Not another business trip! Not now! They-They can't leave. Especially all of them.

Dominican Republic?

"There was something else." Ethan added before any of us could speak out any further questions on the sudden rendezvous.

We waited for him to finish his sentence before his eyes dropped dead on me.

"The Lord asked we specifically take you, Elizabeth." Ethan spoke.

Everyone's eyes were now focused on me. I could sense the confusion all around.

"Me?" I questioned. "What on Earth would The Lord what with Me?"

Ethan only shrugged his shoulder. This wasn't a good sign.

"I guess we're about to find out."