Six: let's make a deal

Temperance

I sit in the car with the five boys, the bulletproof vest Alec made me wear is making me feel claustrophobic.

While Connor drives, Alec is in the passenger seat. Zander and Ethan are sitting on either side of me with Damien in the back.

Alec and Connor are having their own conversation in the front while me and the boys have ours in the back. Although it’s mostly just them talking and me listening I still find it comforting.

After about thirty minutes of driving in the dark Connor stops the car. Everyone gets out of the car with their guns and I follow blindly like a lamb to its slaughter. If I am being fully honest I would tell you I'm scared. But I'm a liar so I'll say I'm brave.

"If anything goes south shoot to kill. And Flower. Remember what I told you."

He refers to me staying beside him or Zander. I nod, the nickname of flower still irking me. Alec leans closer to me and whispers in my ear, "Stop trembling. I won't let anything happen to you." I didn't even realize that I’m trembling. I nod as he takes a piece of my wavy hair and tucks it behind my ear.

"Come on guys. We need to go." Connor motions us to come.

We are at an abandoned house I don't recognize. I guess this is where deals happen. I walk beside Alec as everyone keeps their guns trained at the darkness.

They must be used to this stuff.

I know they would all immediately shoot at immediate sign of danger. I can’t help but feel unsafe without a gun in my hand. I don't know how to shoot but maybe the heavy weapon would be a reminder that I can kill whoever comes after me.

I spot people, people from the trade. Six people on either side facing off.

"Oh I see you have someone new." A guy on the opposite side of us glances at me.

"Don't focus on her." Alec steps in front of me, anger radiating off of him. I don't know why he is so angry. He doesn't know me. The most I am to him is a girl from his class that he's taken in for a short amount of time.

Similar to a hurt animal that you’re housing until it’s ready to be let out into the open.

"Ah easy bud. Didn't know she was your girlfriend. Maybe she will still come to me." The man smirks. I'm so tired of people smirking.

Alec glares and stays silent, watching the man with intensity.

"Okok" the man starts, "I have a deal. You will get the weapons and I will get the girl for a session." He winks at me, he must think I'm a prostitute and that's why they brought me.

 But they aren't planning on prostituting me right?

Alec does act as he cares but you can never judge a person on what they show you. When it comes down to it, he could give me to this disgusting man for his deal to go right. After all, I am just the girl from his class that he's taken in.

I feel disgusted at the thought of Alec selling me to this man. I contemplate whether I should run or stay. My hands are covered in sweat as I squeeze my nails into my palms.

I've been sold to someone before. I don't know what Alec will do. He is just a stranger that calls me an annoying nickname.

"Hell no Jared," Alec growls, turning the suggestion down immediately. I sigh with relief and cross my arms in front of my chest.

Jared laughs. He takes out a cigarette and I look away. Every time I see a cigarette I think of my father. That stupid abuser I live with. That monster.

I feel tears weld up in my eyes.

"She looks kinda emotional." He taunts me as he blows smoke out of his mouth. I bring my eyes to the ground. I can feel Alec's eyes on me but I don't look up.

Jared holds his gun up and cocks it. Causing his other members to do the same. All of the guys on our side do the same thing.

"If you leave now we won't kill all of you." Jared states. "Not without guns from our deal," Alec replies.

"Listen do you really wanna get into a gun fight with your girl here?"

Alec takes a minute. "Emaline." He calls over a blond girl. "Take her to my car. If anything happens to her I'll put a bullet through your head."

"Yes boss." She seems unfazed by his threat, her eyes dull, the same as mine.

She smiles at me and holds out her arm for me to take. My mind flashes to the thought of her actions being a little odd but I wrap my arm through hers anyways.

We sit in the front seat of Alec's car. 

As we l joke around and talk I realize I might have a shot at being friends with her. She tells me about how she just got out of an abusive situation with her ex-boyfriend. I keep silent about my situation but I continue to let her vent about her problems.

"Give me your phone." She extends her hand for me, her palm upward and flat for me to place my phone. "I left mine back at my house," I tell her, remember it being back under my pillow before I jumped out the window.

It was too risky to take it with me. It could be tracked. 

"I'll just ask Alec to give me it later." She leans her head back in the seat. "You ok?" I ask.

"My squad can never get it right. Lidia kinda sucks at seducing people, sometimes I'm too high to even come, Rea is just a mess sometimes..." she pauses, thinking about what else to say.

"Then we have the others. Bee, she used to have a crush on Jared. Don't ask me about it. She doesn't talk about it. Drake is a fucking crackhead who always gets on Alec's nerves. And Justin... well there's nothing really wrong with Justin. Aside from him being too laid back."

I smile at my new friend. "Are those your friends?" I ask genuinely. "They are my family. Everyone in a gang is like a family. We have each other's backs." She grabs my hand. A tinge of jealousy stings me, wanting something as close as family. I do have Nicole and Ryan but I can't see it the same as Emaline's situation.

"I know you aren't in this gang. But I do feel a connection with you." She gave my hand a little squeeze. Maybe it's because I am also abused. 

"Now tell me about your friends."

"I have two aside from Alec… if we are even friends. Ryan and Nicole. Ryan is like our big brother. He's overprotective and super sweet. And Nicole has been with me since day one. I can tell her anything." Aside from what happens to me. I didn't even call her or anything after kicking her out like that.

Why am I opening up to a complete stranger?

All of the sudden faint sounds of gunshots ring through the air. Emaline and I tense up.

"They are ok... trust me." She reassures me. It sounds more like she is trying to reassure herself. We don’t know what is happening, it's not hard to let your fears run wild in what could happen with a gunfight. Anyone can get shot and killed.

All of Alec's men run out of the building, still shooting behind them. Some getting in separate cars.

"It's my time to dash. I'll see you at Alec's mansion tonight!" With that, she flings the door open and runs to a different car, hopping in.

I crawl over the console into the back of the car, patiently waiting for the guys to return, unhurt.

All of the guys basically throw themselves in the car. Damien getting in the back with a bag I've never seen before. Probably the guns.

"Move out!" Damien yells at Connor.

I close my eyes as we zoomed down the room at what seems like 100 miles per hour.

"What happened?" I ask, finally opening my eyes as we zoom around cars on the highway.

"We shot them and took the guns," Ethan explains. I nod and stay quiet, wondering if the people inside are dead or not.


11:25 pm**

I sit in a room full of several people. Most I've never met before. I feel incredibly awkward until I have Alec and Emaline sitting on either side of me.

"Who's she?" A girl with black hair scoffs. I look down at my thighs feeling an overwhelming wave of insecurity.

"This is Temperance. You will treat her with the same respect you give me." Alec glares. The girl rolls her eyes, her eyes sending me endless daggers.

He turns to me "We should get you to bed. You look exhausted."

And with him telling me that I walk up the stairs, leaving the unfamiliar room with the unfamiliar people.