Brian sat at his desk finishing some financial papers for one of the clubs they owned. Avenged not only got their money from loan sharking, the group owned two nightclubs and a strip club. Of course there was also a bit of under the table business ventures as well.

The door to his office was thrown open, revealing a very panicked Johnny.

“Gates,” he gasped. “Reagan-“

Brian didn’t need to hear anymore, he threw back his chair and ran out of his office.

Jimmy had remained totally calm once his niece had called. He told Christ to get her father first, and then spoke into his headset. Hitting his keyboard, he pulled up a gps tracking on Reagan’s car.

“Ray, I need details. What’s going on?” He asked. Just then, Brian shoved his way through. Jimmy pushed the volume on the computer up more so he could hear.

“I’m taking the back roads from Blair’s,” she began “at first I thought that the person behind me was someone from school, but it’s an SUV and the turns they’re making are really sharp. I didn’t want to call at first, I thought it was nothing.” She confessed.

“You did the right thing kiddo,” he assured her. “It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially with this lifestyle.” He looked at Brian who then turned to Matt “Shads, call the Berrys get them behind her.” Matt nodded and ducked out of the room.

“Ray? You said an SUV can you tell me what kind?”

Reagan glanced in her rearview, squinting. “Umm, it looks like GMC.”

“A suburban?”

“No,” she said shaking her head, “smaller.”

“Reagan.” Pure relief surged through her body at the sound of her father’s voice. “The Berry’s are on their way. You’ll be home in fifteen minutes. Watch for them and just keep hitting the gas for me ok?” “Yes Daddy,” she responded, her voice cracking slightly.

“You’ve got this Princess.” He assured her, “I love you.” As she responded his heart broke, he hated this. Turning out into the hall, he opened one of the various closets with a key. He loaded his Glock and grabbed the others’ guns.

“Open the gate.” He commanded, tossing the guys their weapons. The group headed out to the hall, Brian yelled to Kappie to stay inside. Almost automatically, she ran upstairs to one of the front rooms and watched from the window, her heart in her mouth.

Things began to look familiar again to Reagan as she pressed the accelerator, the needle now close to 80 mph. Her heart was thrumming in her chest as she looked back and saw the car was still on her tail. She saw a stop sign up ahead and then got an idea.

To get home, she had to go straight after the sign then make a left, which would lead to her street. After she stopped she swung to the right, switching her lights off as she did so. Immediately after this right was a small side street with no lights that led to a cul-de-sac. Reagan slammed the gas until she was at a spot she was certain would be out of sight, but could still see everything.

She hurriedly explained to Jimmy what she was doing, who would relay it to the Berry twins. Her heart was in her mouth as she watched the SUV swerve to the right, then go down the street she had turned off of. Soon, she saw the Berry’s truck drive past and honk twice before following the other vehicle. Taking a deep breath, she turned her lights back on and headed back home.

Brian’s heart was hammering as he stood at the front of the house, his gun on his hip. Where was his daughter? Zacky and Johnny stood by the gate, their guns in their hands. The sound of tires on the driveway made their heads shoot up. “It’s the Audi.” Matt confirmed, looking through his binoculars.

Brian let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding when his daughter threw her small car into park and jumped out of it. She sprinted to him in her heels. She threw her arms around his neck and he picked her up, squeezing her to him. He put her down and put his hands around her face, looking into the electric blue eyes she had inherited from her mother.

“You’re alright?” he asked, his chocolate eyes full of emotions. Reagan nodded and he kissed her forehead. Kappie ran out of the house, crushing Reagan to her chest. “Shower and bed,” her father ordered, “we’ll talk more in the morning.” Kappie nodded at her employer’s orders and ushered her charge into the house.

The Berry twins tore into the driveway about fifteen minutes later. “We got a plate.” Jason said, pulling a paper out of his pocket. Jimmy quickly took it into the house to plug into his system.

“They were definitely trailing her.” Matt said, standing next to his brother. “It was good she called, I don’t know if she would have made it home.” Brian shuddered inwardly and thanked his friends. The twins were happy to help and ordered Brian keep them updated.

Walking into his office, Matt’s haunting words echoed through his mind. He sat at his large desk, his head in his hands.

Reagan couldn’t sleep. She tossed and turned for almost an hour. She could already hear the birds starting their 4 am chirp fest. She slid out of bed and walked down the hall.

Jimmy sat up, still asleep as she opened the door. “Can’t sleep?” he mumbled. “Uh huh.” He waved a hand, “you know the routine.” He said before falling back asleep. When Reagan was five she had really bed nightmares. Jimmy had gotten bunk beds for nights that Brian wasn’t home so she could sleep in the same room as someone should she have any. Now, she needed to feel safe. Within a few minutes the familiar bottom bunk and her uncle’s soft snores lulled her into a deep sleep.

Brian couldn’t sleep. Scenarios flashed through his mind for two hours while he lay in his bed staring at the white ceiling. In an hour the sun would be up, but he got up to go to the kitchen. He needed a beer.

Walking into the kitchen, he was surprised to find Kappie sitting at the breakfast bar. She turned and looked surprised as well. “Can I get you anything Master Gates?” she asked, standing hurriedly. “A beer would be great Kappie.” He said softly, sitting down.

“Couldn’t sleep?” she asked, opening the bottle and passing it to him. Brian took a long pull and looked at her “What makes you think that?” he asked smirking. Kappie smiled and reached across the bar to pick up the glass she had left and place it in the sink. “I had to take Tylenol,” she confessed, “I felt like every time I closed my eyes-“ she trailed of, shuddering.

Brian finished his beer, but sat passing the beer bottle between his hands. “She means the world to me Kappie.” He said looking up “I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure those fuckers don’t get a single strand of her hair.”

She reached over and placed a hand on his muscular arm. “We all are. “ she whispered softly, “No one is going to lay a hand on her while we’re alive.”

She placed another beer in front of him and bid him goodnight. Picking up his bottle, he climbed the stairs. Reagan’s door was wide open, her bed empty. Brian knew the only place she would be.

He smiled when he pushed Jimmy’s door open. Jimmy was sound asleep on the top bunk, Reagan passed out on the bottom. He slowly walked over and kneeled by her face.

“I love you Princess,” he murmured, kissing her forehead. She mumbled something incoherent in her sleep and rolled over. Brian smiled and headed towards his own room. Sleep was needed, it was going to be a very busy day.