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jail. Mrs Drake lived for another week on life support, and then passed away. It wasn't until I was at the reading of the wills that I found out—the day before their son had come home—they'd changed their wills and left everything to me.”
    I rubbed at my chest and then my eyes.
    That had hurt.
    It wasn't like I wanted to forget them, but if I let the memories get to me, I'd be crazy. I was nearing crazy when I met Zara three years later; she’d helped me and dragged me out of my darkness.
    Julian's breath hitched, and I watched Zara wipe away her own tears while I waited for someone to say something.
    It was Griz's hard voice that supplied a question to the silence. “How old were you when it started?”
    “Sixteen.”
    “The fucker gets out soon, doesn't he?” Talon hissed through clenched teeth.
    “Yes, and this is why I’ve gone a little crazy with shopping. I was hoping that he wouldn't come and look for me if he knew I've spent all his money—or the money he thinks is still owed to him.”
    “Are you sure he'll come looking for you?” Julian asked.
    “Yeah. He sent me a letter about nine months ago.”
    “When all my stuff was happening?” Zara gasped. “Oh, God, Deanna. Why didn't you say anything? I'm such a bad friend.” Talon pulled her out of her chair and into his lap.
    “What did the letter say?” Griz asked.
    “‘Looking forward to catching up and my payment,’” I quoted. I witnessed Griz and Talon share a look. “What was that?” I asked. “What was that look about?” Because for some reason, I didn't think that look would mean good news.
    “Nothing. Let's talk about this shit another time. Right now, I gotta get my girl home.” He stood from the table and looked down at me. “I'll give you a lift.”
    I was sure I heard Zara giggle, but when I turned to her, she was straight-faced.
    “That's okay; I'm sure Julian won't mind,” I said, standing myself to stretch.
    “Not at all, she-devil.” Julian smiled, only it looked forced.
    “NO!” Zara yelled. We all turned to her. “I mean, I need Julian here. I'm reeeally tired.”
    Julian's brow furrowed; I was sure he was thinking the same thing I was—how strange that sounded.
    “Okay, weirdo.” I shrugged. “I'll just grab my bag while you get Swan,” I said to Griz, and with a chin lift, he left the room.
    I bent over the table and whispered to Zara, “I don't know what you’re playing at, but it ain't gonna work.”
    She smiled brightly and giggled. “We'll see.”

Deanna
    ––––––––
    S wan slept all the way to my house in her car-seat in the back of Griz's Jeep Cherokee. As we pulled onto my street, I noticed two Harleys and one van parked out the front of my place.
    “What's going on?” I asked, more to myself, but Griz answered with a shrug.
    Stopping the car, I grabbed my bag and hopped out, and then leaned back in and said, “Thanks for the lift.” Only Griz wasn't still in the driver’s seat. He'd also gotten out and was now opening Swan's door to—I guess, get her out as well?
    What the fuck?
    “What are you doin'?” I asked as I slung my bag over my shoulder, but before he got to answer, I heard the sound of feet stomping down my drive. I turned to find Blue.
    “What are you doin'?” I asked with my hands on my hips and a glare in my eyes.
    Blue chuckled. “Not much, Hell Mouth.” He walked right up to me and handed me my keys.
    Hell. What is going on?
    “W-what? How? Why do you have my keys?” I screeched.
    Blue looked over the car to Griz. I looked over the car to Griz too, who was now holding a tired-eyed child in his arms. The men communicated something through head nods and chin lifts, and that just pissed me off even more.
    I turned to Blue, pulled back my leg and kicked him in the shin. “Why do you have my keys?”
    “Fuck, Hell Mouth. Christ, why'd you do that?” he hissed as he bent over and rubbed his shin.
    “No one is answering me or the main question I keep