Chapter 50

I never thought that sex would ever be an option for me this soon. Let alone with Luke. But there was this thriving need within me and I knew it was wrong to want to embrace it. I should stop; break our severe connection. Yet I wanted it and wanted to do this with him. It felt so right, so natural and beautiful at the same time as it was passionate and fast. I loved him more than I did yesterday and every day before. I felt so much build up within me and I wanted it out. Bound inside me, I let it go, all that pain and all that I’ve wanted. Out and to him.

I knew what I was doing and I knew how wrong this was. But I didn’t want to stop and with the sensations that traveled all over my body, his hot touch, he didn’t want to either. He was my step-father and I was kissing him. My mother’s husband, an adult, a cop that was nine years older than me. It was so wrong – more so for him than for me. But I couldn’t care at the moment. There was too much between us now to not ignore that need.

His hair was a mess in my fingers, his bangs hanging down and brushing against my cheeks as his sweet lips took me in deep. I was lost and didn't want to be found; I loved this magical land we were existing in together and completely ignoring the dark reality. And we were slipping deeper and deeper into this state of sensations; he gave me his weight over me and I gladly took it.

One of his hands slid up my bare thigh, holding my leg around him as he pushed his lips against mine harder, deeper. "Mmm," I heard him groan roughly, the vibration meeting my lips through his. He slid his tongue along my closed lips before they parted for him. His sweet breath rushed in my mouth as I did the same, obsessed with his taste.

His pace quickened and soon, we were moaning and groaning, pulling ourselves as close as we could get to each other, testing the boundaries with every second. His hands slid all over me and finally came to rest on my hips. Before I knew it though, I felt my lips part in mid-kiss and gasp when his hands moved even more back and down.

"Ohh," I moaned louder when I felt the contact of his hands, both of his palms gripping my ass through my shorts and pulled me in more, closer until I felt his groin press against me. My legs already wrapped around the man I wanted as much as air, I could feel the need.... the need I never had so much of before. The only thing between me and him now were his jeans and my shorts and we both became very aware of that.

I knew Luke well enough to be on edge at this point; he would pull back and stop at any second. He would realize what we are doing is beyond sick and wrong, he would freak out, and he would regret it for all reasons there were. I was so sure and all I could do was keep going for as long as I could, kissing him and falling under his spell I knew he would break.

But that's the thing. He didn't. He did the opposite and that became evident when his hands slid up my ass more to grab the hem of my red shorts.

We were going so fast, it took no more than a few moments before he maneuvered over me and pulled my shorts off, never breaking from my lips. And by the time I heard him throw them to the floor, our bare skin made contact quickly again, his arms winding around my back and pulling me up and against him. My breasts, bound back with nothing but a bra, pressed into his bare strong chest as I kissed him. I cupped his cheeks and moved my tongue even more in his mouth. Now, in my panties, I felt his hand reach my thigh again and wind it around his naked torso, only now snaking his hand up much higher. And oh fuck, did he feel good so close, so warm, and so mine. And all I wanted to do was make that burning go away, needing all the contact we could get with just our bare skin.

My fingers sprawled across his flushed cheeks moved down and I wrapped both of my arms around his neck, holding me tightly against his lips. I felt him grip me harder and in the next second, he sat straight up with me wrapped against him in his lap. His lips left mine in a hard grunt but only for a second because in the next, mine attacked him and bit along his upper lip, grazing my teeth and making him growl in passion when our lips connected again. To hold me against him, he wound a hand tightly in my loose hair and gripped my head to his as his other was possessively around my back.

The next thing that happened nearly put me in panic mode. Because honestly, how could something so unreal happen and leave his soft caressing lips?

"You're so beautiful," he mumbled and I honestly thought I imagined him saying that as he slowly moved down my cheek to suck at my neck. I held his head there in encouragement, arching my neck in so much want. I couldn't believe this was happening to begin with but it was doing more than that; I was beyond trying to find an explanation for this and couldn't care. I didn't, not as long as he continued to kiss me like I was his last chance for freedom. As if I was the prize after a long journey of pain. I felt beautiful and I knew he really did say it for the fact that when he continued to speak, I felt it against my neck with the hot breath brushing against me. "So beautiful..." he repeated lightly and it made my breath pick up.

I couldn't take it any longer, those teasing lips on my skin... I guided my fingers up and to his hair, gripping him. I forced his mouth away from my neck and pulled him back up to my gasping lips. We engaged in that obsessive lock of lips again and it felt like heaven. He gripped me tighter by my hair as well as along my back, and his mouth sucked hard. It was so overwhelming, so much....

I could feel my deep breaths from my nose brush over his face. His scent reached me and surrounded me again and I moaned even more. Shampoo and cologne mixed in a sweet aroma... along with his touch, his hot kiss and taste... good god, I wanted to drown in this beautiful rapture, for him to take me under and make me his. I wanted to do this, be with him in such a natural and wonderful state... the thought pushed my mind to such a level, I didn't want to stop for anything.

However, something did make us stop - and who knows how far we would have went if we weren't interrupted. I would have loved to have found out but I didn't. Because while Luke was sitting on the couch with me wrapped around him in his lap, nearly naked, the front door opened.

The sound of it nearly made us both have a heart attack. Our lips detached as fast as Luke had brought them together. It was instant, like a bell going off and waking us up from a dream we were locked under. And though our lips broke at the sound of the door, it was the sight of who interrupted us that separated our bound bodies.

The following second was a rush (hell, it all happened in a matter of seconds).

"Holy shit!" Francis yells not a second later after he shuts the door behind him to sees what's going on. I saw him stare at us, eyes just as large as ours, not able to stay still. He spun in the other direction, aware of what he just walked in on. But then, he turned back and stared, his arms raising to rest on top of his head, completely caught off guard.

"Oh my god!" I yelled on instinct at the same time, backing off from Luke as quickly as possible, backing up and away from him, to the other side of the couch. My hands were scrambling and I managed to quickly grab the blanket that was behind us on the back of the couch and shield myself. Wide eyed, I looked frantically between a shocked Luke and a stunned Francis.

The events that just played out were some of the strangest I've ever experienced. Not only did something unexplainable just happen between me and Luke. Now... oh fuck. We really fucked up if it ended with Francis walking in on us. This was not good, not at all. I had to be thankful though it was him and not Clare. That would have been so much worse.

Staring at him, I felt my heart quicken even more (if that was possible) and a thousand worries entered my head at once. If he would keep him mouth shut, if he was fine with what happened, hell, if Luke and I were fine because I had no idea. But though those were some racing thoughts that existed, it all depended on the two men present in the room. And though Luke was another worry - like how he would handle what just happened - Francis was now the center of my attention.

I saw a frozen Francis look between the both of us in the scared silence that had descended. We all stared at each other, all the while letting it register between us what had just happened. Hell, I still was figuring it out. I couldn't really understand it to begin with. Why would Luke kiss me like that? Why did he all of a sudden just blow up in anger and passion at me - in that way? It made no sense. The reasons were clear and I knew with his belief in right and wrong, he would hate himself. Looking at him now, I could see it, that disgust within himself for doing such a foul deed with me. Because of Francis walking in, Luke may recover. But if Francis wouldn't have interrupted.... oh god, we could have been having sex right now and I knew he wouldn't forgive himself for that.

The thought chilled my bones with excitement and need to share such a special moment with him. Oh how I wished we hadn't woke from our strange hazy dream that was somehow true. But really, did I want to lose my virginity minutes after our first kiss? No. Was Luke even thinking straight while we were in that hot state? No. He couldn't have been. I knew that if he was thinking straight, he never would have kissed me, never would have let out so much lust, so much feeling of want and care. Yet... it all felt so true. As if Luke wanted it more than anything, wanted me to be in his arms and in such an impossible way. Reality set in when Francis walked in though and that connection was completely broken.

Glancing back to Luke's brother in these rushed moments, I felt my heart beat even more at the sight of him. I watched as a slow smile came to Francis's lips. I didn't understand though. There was nothing at all good about this situation.

"Oh I fucking knew it! Score!" He said.

I felt my jaw drop open. My mind was whirling but I could get one thing straight in my head: he didn't have a right to be smiling, the bastard. "No! No score!" I blurted instantly to Francis, in a frenzy. "No, no, no, no...." I shook my head, still shaken up, my voice cracking. I let my hands cover my face for a moment, wanting to hide, so humiliated. Not just because he walked in on us. But because I never let myself go like that; never let emotion and my heart take me over so fully. It was very scary for me. I can't let stuff like that happen. I can't be weak like that.

Francis wouldn't give in to my distress. His deep eyes met mine when I reluctantly dropped my hands, a shine in them that showed happiness for what happened. What was more obvious was the satisfaction he was taking right now. "I knew you both lusted for each other! I knew there was something going on," Francis said, a wide smile on his lips, his teeth shining and taunting. "You guys are falling for each other and who knew it? Oh that's right, brother Frankie did!" He shouted in excitement, pointing to himself. "Give me praise!"

I looked up and over to Luke, embarrassed beyond belief and what was worse, his words. Falling for each other. I didn't like it when it was said out loud. I was fine with dealing with my internal feelings for the fact that it was invisible to everyone. This however... was very external. I gave in to Luke's warm arms and lips and that was as clear as water. I was weak, I was vulnerable, and I didn't like that it could be seen.

Glancing to Luke, who was still kneeling there, he was just as he was before. He was frozen from the second Francis walked in, still in that same spot and position. I was shocked, like he was, that this took place but I had enough in me to react properly. He however was beyond shocked, he didn't know how to respond yet. His breath was hard and he looked between us, as if still trying to process that he had me in those long minutes and could have taken me away. He knew he could have and was about to. He knew I gave every ounce of myself into what we just shared.

His tortured green eyes met mine and could only stare at me. He was looking at me with a different shade of jade, a different set of thoughts of me... I was scared. I never showed or expressed affection like I just did. I was shaking now from the delight it brought me, the love that we shared... it was so unheard of for me, so unfamiliar, that affection - given to me and what I gave to him. It was always internal. Now that it reached the surface... it became all very real for me. That I loved him. I loved a man; me, Albany Higgins, a girl that only lived and breathed misery. That's why I felt so vulnerable, so damn embarrassed, and confused at my annoying feelings.

"Get out..." I heard a voice leave from Luke's parted breathy lips, finally. Slowly, he teared his eyes from mine and to Francis. "Leave Francis," he said in a lower voice, scared and shattered yet threatening in the same manner. His eyes, I saw, were begging in his brother's as they were furious. He was going to lose it - and not in the way he just did with me. It was hard to try to understand where he was at this point. I knew he wasn't exactly thinking on the same level as Francis or even me.

Francis's smile slowly dropped and reality also seemed to come back into his mind, his eyes bringing on a more serious shade of hazel. He realized it was time to get past his personal party for himself and move onto something much more important. Because apparently, there was a better reason as to why he was here.

"Can't do that...." he breathed, looking swiftly between us. The real reason for this pleasant drop in started to come out. I watched his face fall and he sighed, seemingly more on edge now that he got past what he just witnessed. Hell, he looked as wound up as one could be now. It was such a transittion, I could tell he lost all focus before when he caught us because now, I could see the pain in Francis's eyes. I found out why. "I got here as fast as I could to warn you guys. After news got out that Albany was found, Mark's been on top of it. And now, he is on his way."

He was breathing hard and all humor was gone. His eyes turned to me directly as he continued to speak. "I was talking to Gage and some of the others that know what Mark's plans are. I know he will be here within thirty minutes at least. He wants to finish this, they said. He is going to kill Albany."

I think I started to get to where Luke was because in that second, I was just as frozen, just as lost, just as on edge and confused as Luke appeared to be. My mind drew a blank. It was too much at one time when I tried thinking about it. I just had one of the sweetest moments of my life, one so hot and so caring, so loving with Luke. Then, Francis walks in and discovers us, putting us in an even more difficult spot. And now... this.

Looking over Francis more carefully, I made more sense of his words. Clearing my head as best as I could, I started to understand. I recall that Francis was going to go back in, sneak around and act, lie for answers. It was risky since he has changed so much since he left that life behind. Taking in Francis now though more carefully, I saw the similarities to how he was before. Baggy clothes, greased hair, no glasses, a pack of cigarettesnoticeably in his shirt pocket. It was perfect with how ruined he looked like he had been before. It just reminded me more of how much he had changed. But at least this time, he was faking it. He held himself with pride and his eyes didn't show any signs of laziness - which he of course hid in the presence of our old friends. He must be a very good actor to pull it off. Hell, just looking at him I knew he was doing a good job. And thank god because his work just offered me some inside information which was a huge deal with how serious his words were.

"What?" I asked in a raspy voice, my stomach twisting more. I understood fine. The issue today was just letting everything sink in. "He's coming here...."

"Yes," Francis breathed, looking carefully between us, seeing if we got the message at how bad this could be. Was going to be. "I was able to get out of them what Mark's plans are. And I know that you have a good thirty minutes before he gets here. When he does, he will do whatever it takes to kill you. His life is ruined and he knows it. He is determined to take you down with him."

I glanced up to Luke with wide eyes, terror filling me. The green diamonds of his slowly turned to mine, that pain still fresh in his eyes. And now, with that pain, came more need to panic. I wasn't sure how much we would be able to take. But for now, me and Luke both understood that we needed to put aside the wonderful and terrible thing we just did and go into focus mode. Right now. We would deal with everything else later (which meant the long talk I knew was in store for me and Luke).

Francis continued, stating something Luke and I were both coming to realize with what we needed to do. "You need to be prepared, hide and then take him down. You can't call the rest of the police for back up; it would be obvious if Mark gets here and sees a dozen squad cars. So Luke," he said, aiming that gaze more directly to him. "You need to be ready to take him down yourself."

Francis stood before the both of us, looking down at us from where were both still stunned on the couch. His eyes, his tone, called for instant action and I knew it was time to do something. My mind hazy, I knew to follow his directions and be safe. Because Mark was on his way and we needed to be ready for him.

When I looked to Luke to see his reaction to all of this information and direction, I didn't feel any better. His eyes up in his brother's only grew to be bigger, his face going even more pale. His eyes moved down to me and he looked scared, panicked, and angry with realization.

"Oh my god," he breathed, looking down and away from us. His breath increased, he was lost in the idea Francis just gave us, to be ready to take him down without any help. I figured Luke was just scared to be doing this on his own or something. But it was a much more serious reason for that reaction.

"What?" Francis asked, looking him over, unsure what Luke was confused on or if this was just his way of reaction to Mark being on his way. "What's wrong?"

Luke spoke and when he did, I knew he wasn't scared to face Mark. He was scared he wouldn't have the chance to. Looking between us, Luke continued, as if confessing to something terrible he had done. In a small and high voice, he told us.

"I-I can't..."

Francis groaned. "Yes you can do this, it wont be that bad. Just arrest him or shoot--"

"No, no..." Luke reassured him. "I'm fine with confronting Mark on my own. It's just... I have nothing to take him down with. I don't have any weapons in the house anymore, no handcuffs. It's all at the station..."

With every second passing, everything was changing. And now, this was a huge change in everything. This was bad, very bad for obvious reasons.

"What?" I jumped in, voice high now myself. I spoke before I could help myself, joining the conversation instantly. Because honestly, how could I stay out of it when I know Mark is coming right now? And now I find out Luke didn't have shit to take him down. The thought of him in danger was enough to deal with. But now with no gun, no nothing.... Oh fuck.

My eyes fell on Luke's and I couldn't bring myself to bother with the awkwardness we would be facing if this situation wasn't occurring. It was serious and though I did look away from him in the next second, I had to speak because I didn't understand.... Luke said he had nothing in the house to use to fight back but I specifically remember that he had a safe up in his room with guns and whatever else he had.

But he set it straight a minute latter, turning hesitantly to me to speak. "I don't have my gun on me or in the house. Everything is at the station."

"But why?"

"Because after I found out about Clare...." He sighed, shaking his head. "I didn't want any weapons in the house. I started keeping everything in my locker at the station."

Francis came back into the picture with humorless laugh, filled with frustration. "Well, that's just perfect," he said to Luke. "Mark is on his way, you can't call for backup, you will be facing him alone, and you have no gun." He scoffed obnoxiously, shaking his head.

"Sorry for being paranoid because my wife is a crazy bitch who lives in a house with weapons! What did you want me to do?!" Luke shouted back to him, his eyes narrowing and his words fast, panicked as each second ticked by. And I heard those seconds start to lessen with every moment. Mark would be here soon, soon enough and I would be dead.

Luke was standing and looked just as shaken up about this matter as I was. His bare chest was moving hard, breath deep and his eyes lost in thought. Because unless we come up with some way to defend ourselves, we are fucked. We could always run, sure. But I knew how important this was to get Mark now, when we can and when we know when he will be striking. No, the time was now and Luke knew that too.

He ran a hand through his hair and I watched as he slowly started to pace back and forth across the living room, trying to think - think of something! Mark was coming and it wasn't to talk, to threaten... it was to kill me with any chance he got. I felt myself start to shake with where I was sitting, trying to come up with some way to help, to get out of this, to protect ourselves.

"How long do we have?" I asked Francis.

"Less than thirty minutes," he said, eyes glancing to the clock on the wall. I refused to look at it and make the mixed feelings in me that much worse. It had to be sometime around ten or so.

I had an idea. Luke wouldn't like it and hell, I didn't like it. But it made sense, it was possible, and it would help and matter. Looking between them, I knew they were thinking about it or at least it crossed their minds. They just wouldn't consider it because it was quite risky. But that didn't mean I couldn't bring it up.

"Luke..." I said, shifting my eyes to avoid his. Don't look at him, don't be any more vulnerable than I already am.... I took a shaky breath and swallowed, looking more towards Francis to see his reaction instead. "You need to go to the station."

"Hell no," he said instantly, as if already knowing what I was going to say.

I groaned and couldn't help but look to Luke "It's risky yes, but you have enough time. Go to the station, get your gun, and get back here."

Francis cut in, making another reason he would need to go to the station. "Plus, if you plan on taking him down, you better do it in uniform. You will get shit if you shoot someone when not on duty. And you probably wont be shooting him anyway; you'll need to arrest him if he surrenders but you still need to be an 'officer' while doing that."

That was another good point. He needed his weapons and to be on duty if he wanted to make it easier for him. I was happy Francis was on my side; he had a clear enough mind on the matter. Luke didn't though; he was stubborn because it was just too much of a risk to leave me here when Mark was on his way. Luke might not get back in time and though he probably would, he only saw that little chance of failure and he didn't like the idea at all.

"If I go to the station, then she is going with me," Luke told Francis. "I wont leave her here and up for grabs."

Francis didn't oppose, not seeing the issue. However that didn't mean I missed something that would be very important. Looking to Luke, I forced my eyes to burn in his and was able to speak up a bit, with a stronger voice.

"If you and I wouldn't be back in time and Mark gets here, he would see that both of us would be gone. By then he will either start to catch on that Francis is working on the inside or he will run again and you will continue chasing him. He will know something is up and escape. And Luke, I know you want this to end."

Luke looked back to me from where he stood on the other side of the coffee table with Francis, his beautiful eyes burning in pain at the realization I was right. He didn't want to leave me here and chance not getting back here in time. But we didn't have much of a choice if we wanted to catch Mark now. If we let him get away, he will only try again and probably succeed later in killing me. Francis brought us this information and it was a great gift because this preparedness could save my life.

When he didn't say anything, I kept up my argument, needing him to go now while he had the time. "It will take you ten minutes at the most, there and back. You will be back before Mark gets here. Because you need to be back here, armed and ready for him by the time Mark comes."

Luke took a shaky breath, looking away quickly from me and I could tell he was breaking. He was stubborn though and with good reason. I was in a lot of danger and for some reason, I was more calm than he was at the moment. Maybe because I could accept death after living in fear my whole life. Did I want it? Hell no, I want to live. But I wasn't as panicked as Luke. Maybe that's because I just didn't accept that he was coming for me. Whatever the reason, I just knew it was best to stay calm. If I didn't, who knows what may occur.

Luke started to pace again as he spoke in a hard voice. "You want me to leave you here, alone, when Mark is on his way. And just hope I get back in time."

"You will get back in time if you leave right now," I said, urging him to go, get prepared with all he needed, and get his ass back here. "Now go," I said, pointing to the door, getting nervous. How long would he argue this?

Luke groaned and shook his head, a soft and weak moan escaping his lips. He was in so much pain and it was obvious with the amount of shit he was dealing with now. And not small shit. Big shit that counted, that mattered, that was life and death.

I watched as he bent over, picked up his shirt from the floor, put it on quickly. I knew he agreed because he continued speaking, barking orders at Francis and didn't directly say no to me. "Francis," he said. "Will you stay here with her? Just for ten minutes at the most before I get back. If I'm not back by then, just leave. We don't need Mark to see someone else is here, let alone you. Hopefully, I'll be back by then but if not, just leave. Have Albany hide and I should be home soon, and then after, you leave to go home."

"Sure," he agreed nodding and I didn't like it at all. Francis was risking enough going back in and on the inside, getting information and giving it to us. It was dangerous. Now Luke wanted him to babysit me until he gets back... hell no, especially when Mark could show up and see Francis is here. Mark would either run like a coward or tell someone Francis was a fake. But I guess him staying for ten more minutes wouldn't hurt. Mark shouldn't be here that soon.

Looking at Luke, I watched him give a nod of thanks to his brother before he made his way closer to the front door. I saw his eyes avoided mine the whole time. But they finally and hesitantly turned to me when he paused just before walking out. And his eyes... they crushed my heart with the amount of emotion was being thrown at me. He pursed his lips, clearly unstable on the whole make-out incident but he had to keep himself in check right now, no matter how hard that might be for him because this was far more important right now, which didn't help his stability.

Soon, Luke was out the door with a promise to be back as soon as he could. I figured it was quite possible Mark could get here before Luke is back with a gun and other shit to help. But I couldn't let myself worry over it; I didn't even dare look at the clock because I knew I was too on edge to handle it.

The instant Luke was out the door, it triggered something within me.... I was out of his sight, he was out of mine. And I realized I could have a true reaction even if Francis was in the room.

My breath picked up and I raised my hand to cover my mouth in shock and panic. Luke just nearly took me - and I mean in the way I was never taken before. And with that thought came another one instantly: Mark was coming right now. To kill me. That occupied most of my mind and I wasn't sure what to do. What do I do if Luke's not back in time with help?

It was a headache-worth of shit that was racing over my mind. I didn't realize I was holding everything in from the moment Francis walked in and we broke our incredible embrace. I wanted to know how I could be so stupid and let him devour me as if I were his. I wanted to know why Mark was so determined to kill me still? I didn't pay the money and I knew I would get punished for it; he didn't know I was the one that ratted him out so why kill me? I wanted to know what would happen between Luke and I when this was all over. And that wasn't counting the overwhelming subject of Clare. Apparently, Francis knew the truth; Luke said it in front of him that he had removed every weapon of his from the house because of Clare. What did Francis think about all this? What was Luke actually going to do now that I'm back? I still might get killed by Clare if Luke reveals to her he knows....

Oh god! So much!

"Francis," I said, looking over to him. I could feel myself start to get this sick feeling in me. "You need to distract me," I said. "I don't want to think about anything. I can't right now."

He was standing before me as I was still seated on the couch, shaken and scared and humiliated at the time. His eyes softened and he spoke while he walked around the coffee table and picked up something off the floor. "Well first of all, we should find a good hiding place. Just to be safe if he's not back in time." To my embarrassment, he picked up my shirt and threw it in my direction, landing next to me. He glanced up to me as he walked to the other side of the room for something. "So do you know anywhere in this house that would be a good enough spot?" He bent over and picked up my red shorts, throwing those at me too, a clear sign that I needed to put my clothes back on. Blushing even more, I grabbed my shirt and started to put it on while I spoke.

"Um.... upstairs. Clare's closet in their bathroom."

After I put my pajama shirt back on and the shorts from when Luke greedily took them off me, me and Francis headed upstairs. I was still in a daze, kind of confused on whether I should be freaking out more than I was. I didn't think too long on that; I was fine with being somewhat calm.

I guided Francis into her bedroom and I shut the door. Leaving the lights off, I headed into the big bathroom, walking all the way back until I knew where the closet door was. Opening it, I headed in, feeling my way through the darkness and Francis followed. It wasn't long until we were both sitting against the back wall of the closet, clothes hanging in our faces and all around us.

Now, we waited.

I couldn't see him at all in the darkness so that kind of helped because I didn't need to see his knowing eyes after he just walked in on us. Damn, different thoughts... don't think about it....

When everything went silent in the small space, I reminded him. "Okay, you need to start talking about something. I don't want to think about this; I want to stay as calm as I can because I know I will be freaking the fuck out until Luke gets back."

His shoulder pressed against mine, his voice became very clear and close in such a dark and quiet place. I felt safe in here. But then he spoke. "Alright. Tell me what I just walked in on. I want to see what the hell kind of excuse you are going to try to make," he said, a sign of amusement in his voice. It was kind of a relief to see he was at least trying to hide his true fear.

I sighed and closed my eyes, wanted to be in an even darker place, away from everything that was following me. And that included the wonderful moment Luke and I had together no less than a half hour ago.

"We are not talking about it," I said as sternly as I could. "I want distraction from my issues, not to be reminded of them," I mumbled, opening my eyes to more darkness.

"Oh but we are talking," he chuckled. "First, congratulations. I mean, my god. I knew you guys liked each other but I mean man, you must have really broke him if he was going at it like that. So... tell me what happened!"

I groaned and sat there silently, not wanting to say anything until I realized it was best to tell him. Francis needs to understand that he can't tell anybody, that it was a huge mistake, and that it wont happen again.

"He just..." I struggled, the images playing over in my head and I held back a sigh at just the thought, the mental picture of him pinning me against the wall like he did and kissing me. I ran a hand through my hair and swallowed hard. "Kissed me."

"So he initiated it?" he asked, a surprised tone to his voice.

I sighed. "Yeah but he didn't mean it. He couldn't have. Do you understand how crazy that is? He was just under so much stress and...." I trailed off, thinking that through my head. It wasn't something I concluded, it just came to my head as an excuse. Because I mean, honestly, I didn't have much of an explanation for why he did what he did. I just knew he lost it and couldn't have meant it.

"I can't believe you when you don't even believe your own words. We both know that's bullshit. Albany," his voice lowered, as if telling me something very important. "It's crazy, yes. The thought is ridiculous and you were right, Luke's not the type to fall for a girl like you and especially when already married. But what other explanation is there? If he started it, he knew for damn sure what he was doing. He knew he shouldn't kiss you, but he still did. It didn't come out of nowhere either. You have been driving him mad for a while now. Learning the truth about Clare didn't help him any. And when you ran away, he couldn't handle it. That's very clear now how much he cares for you and can't stand to lose you."

I felt a thick feeling build up in my throat. I didn't know where it was coming from. When he was finished speaking, I bit my lip and stayed silent. I refused to let the thought enter my head, the possibility... but that was because it was so impossible and honestly, I was so scared at the idea of someone caring for me in that way. But... could he? I've been watching for signs of it but I think I just refused to acknowledge them. Does Luke care for me that way? With what Francis said, it was looking as if it could actually be true. I didn't know how to take that and apparently neither did my emotions.

When I couldn't speak and didn't, Francis continued. "What I saw... that wasn't just a kiss either. You two were going at it like it was the last day on Earth. I saw in that second how right I was - which I expect full praise for later for calling it. I saw the connection and it wasn't some in-the-heat-of-the-moment shit; he had rational thoughts after he kissed you. If I didn't walk through the door, you probably would have had sex - which I'm sure, with any Prenta man, would have been great."

I ignored his attempt to lighten the mood but I ignored it. "It doesn't matter. I can't accept that he might feel that way for me. It's just too impossible. I'm nine years younger, a kid and he's an adult, he's a damn cop, he's still married, I am his step-daughter, and it's against the law in more ways than one; I'm a screw up even if he knows I am sane, he's too mature to like someone with my personality, and he knows how wrong it is."

Francis scoffed, shaking his head. "Ignore it all you want. Someday, you will see."

"And another thing," I continued, trying to show him that there was nothing good that came out of what we did. "It can't go back to normal between us. I know he regrets it. No matter the reason, it shouldn't have happened and Luke will be carrying that guilt on his back for a long time. We can't look at each other the same. Things between us will be so awkward... I wouldn't be shocked if, after the whole thing with Clare gets resolved somehow, he would just try to avoid me as much as possible."

"You know what you need?" he asked, immediately after I stopped speaking.

"What?" I hissed and right then, I became more conscious of my surroundings. I was breathing much harder than I was before, I was shaking, and I was as tense as one could be.

"Beer. That or sex. Maybe that would clear your mind because you know how stubborn you are being. What you just said is absolutely wrong and you know it."

I rolled my eyes. "Can we drop this then?!" I asked, getting impatient and refusing to believe him. If I got my hopes up from the possibilities, they would be crushed. Yet, though I said I didn't believe he had feelings too, it left me wondering.... Was it possible? Could Luke have feelings for me?

"Fine, I'm sorry," he said, sounding a little sympathetic and slowly, I let that hard lump in my throat finally go away. I needed to think of something else.

My mind was all over the place. Our shattered moment between Luke and I. Then, there was the fear that entered me every time I thought of Mark. He was coming here and to kill me. No mercy. Kill. I could die. If Mark is here before Luke, he would find me no matter how well I am hidden. Hopefully this was a good enough spot to stay hidden long enough for Luke to get back and discover Mark was here... oh dear god.

"Francis," I said, voice shaking now. "Distract me."

I felt him sigh again and in the next moment of silence, his shoulder pressed into me even more. In the darkness, I felt his hand move up and found my arm, running his fingers down to find my hand where he grasped it in support. I happily squeezed his hand back, trying to keep my breath even.

"It's okay, I'm here. I'm here then Luke will be here. We are safe."

I nodded, trying to get that through my head. And when I finally started to calm down - when my breath slowed more, when I felt my mental health less in danger, and when I wasn't shaking, Francis knew what to do.

Seeing I was calming down, he took that chance to make it even better: distraction like I wanted. Francis started to speak once more and it helped, proabably because of the the topic.

"Hey, did you know that a few days ago, they were giving away free pizza around the corner at that restaurant?"

I give him credit. He could distract me. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah I know. It was incredible. Dinner for a week at my house. Of course, it was when you were gone."

"Damn it."

We talked for a few minutes - all irrelevant shit that had nothing to do with our problems, thank god. All the while though, I knew time was ticking down. I didn't hear the front door open yet so I knew he wasn't home yet. I figured it's been long enough but I knew it wasn't. I kind of wished now that I had a clock to be sure; I was getting paranoid despite his distractions. My brain was split and I tried to keep my mind away from what was about to happen but I couldn't. That confrontation was happening tonight and it was dangerous.

Francis noticed me struggling again as well and I felt him squeeze my hand tighter again. "I know you're scared. But I'm right here, alright?"

I groaned, looking up to where I knew his face was in the darkness, unable to see him though. "But you need to leave soon, whether he is back in time or not. Mark can't see your car here. He will figure out we know he's coming and he'll tell the others that you are a traitor."

He was silent for a moment. I could feel he was scared as well; scared for me. He didn't want to leave me here while he knew we would be facing Mark. Because when Luke gets back, we will have to wait for him. Luke will either arrest him or shoot him if he resists. He was scared for Luke as well and he wanted to be here. He knew he couldn't be though.

"I... can stay a little longer."

Oh I wanted him to. But I knew he needed to go just to be safe. We were still positive Luke would be back in time. I mean, it couldn't take that long to get what he needed and get back, right? No, Luke would be back in time. But it was still for the best if Francis leaves.

I sighed. "No. You need to leave. I know it's had to have been over ten minutes by now. I'll be okay. Luke will be okay. I promise," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Will you call after everything is over?"

I nodded but knew he couldn't see my silent gesture. "Yes," I spoke. "We'll call after we take care of Mark."

After a few more seconds of silence and sitting, I finally felt him slip his hand from mine and start to sit up and forward. I heard him make his way towards the closet door and when he opened it, I could slightly see his figure in the small door pause. He had stopped and looked back to where I was.

"Just... be careful," he said in a small voice.

"I will."

Then, he shut the door behind him and I was alone. Waiting.

***

I swear, it was a hundred years until I heard the front door open faintly. Then, I felt such relief from a horrible place my mind was entering. I sat there forever with no way to distract my issues from flooding my head. All I could do was hope Luke gets here. I wanted to hear that front door open and when it did from downstairs, I sighed in ultimate relief.

Thank god. Luke was home. He was back and prepared for him. This would all end tonight and Mark would no longer be a problem.

I felt a smile spread over me and I didn't realize how sweaty and hot I was at this point. Being in a closet alone makes it harder to breath - something I learned when younger thanks to my wonderful mother. With me going into near panic attack, it didn't help. Surrounded in tons of clothes, I could only be thrilled he was back; I heard it from downstairs. I wanted to breath again.

I had no worry over who it was; it was obviously Luke. So I got up and made my way to the small door in the darkness and opened it. The air hit my face and I took relieving breaths in the darkness. It was so nice to be out of such a suffocating place. Now in the bathroom, I made my way back through their room and towards the stairs.

What I didn't know was that my life would be changing and very soon.

I never realized how much I loved my fucked-up life until I stepped down those stairs. Because with every careless and sure step I took, my fate was nearing that much closer. I didn't know it then but my fate was coming and fast. I remember how hard it use to be for me to live. I thought many times of ending it, killing myself. But that was all before Luke came into my life. He changed me, the way I appreciated my life. I respected myself, had more dignity than I did before. And that was because I was slowly starting to love myself even if I didn't have the greatest life. It improved so much, I had someone who cared, and I had a chance. I had a chance at a normal life that I was looking forward to - more so now with Luke discovering the truth of Clare. Every step... every sure step that Luke was home... was changing that. Because I soon found out my time was done and over.

When I reached the bottom of the steps, I looked around the living room for Luke. Nobody. "Luke?" I called, moving into the living room more and towards the kitchen. When I stepped onto the tile floor though and took in the darkness of the kitchen, with nothing but light from the moon coming from the windows, there was nobody there. I felt my heart sped up a little and I didn't like the feeling that was coming over me. I felt my body tense and knew something was wrong. But at this point, I still knew Luke was home. He had to be, I heard the front door open and close just as naturally as every other time it was used. Turning around, I headed down the hall and towards where the garage was. Nobody there. I quickly checked in the bathroom and started calling his name. Nobody.

I was walking back towards the living room. Then.... somebody.

Mark.

"Hello," he said and I froze, seeing him from across the room. My eyes were wide, my skin turning cold from the inside out. Goosebumps ran over my body and I felt my chest jump up and down in pure fear. "My oh so loyal bitch," he whispered, eyes on me. Then....

I knew I loved my life.

He raised the gun he held in his hand and aimed it straight at me.

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Big chapter guys! The last few have been busy, actually. This one took so long to upload because I have had no time so I'm excited right now. I'm proud of this chapter and hope you are too. What do you think is going to happen?