Chapter 5: Brothers

Livia

Incoming group call

Nina answered the call, "Hello, darling."

"Where are y'all?" Percy asked. We could hear music blaring in the background.

"Being fashionably late. Relax." Nina responded.

Percy sneered. "It's fashionable if you look good. Otherwise, you're late and don't respect others' time."

Nina rolled her eyes. "Rude."

"No, what's rude are those busted stripper heels you're probably wearing."

She gasped, "Never disrespected my Christian Louboutin stilettos. They make my calves pop, and this ass voluptuous."

This time Percy was the one to gasp, "Ass? Since when?"

These two are constantly at each other's throats. "My gosh, Percy. We just pulled up. Where do you want to meet?"

It went silent. Livia thought the call had dropped. "You did not just call me by my name."

"I'm sorry, but can you tell me where to go."

"Come to the back. We reserved a spot for you." He hung up the phone before I could say anything.

"Somebody's in trouble." Sandra razzed.

I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. Percy is the type to hold grudges and likes to plan out his revenge no matter how long it takes. So the moment you let your guard down, he attacks.

I jumped at the sudden knock on my window. "Dammit, Percy, you scared the hell out of me." See, like that.

He laughed, bringing me into a hug. "Sorry, Liv Liv, but I had to get you back for calling me by my name."

"Your real name is shorter than your pet name," I argued.

"Doesn't matter, I am your Little Prince, and you shall call me as such."

"Alright, fine, but you must stop seeking revenge for everything, my Little Prince." I scolded.

"Well, if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black."

I sighed, seeing the person I both love and hate. "Alaric."

"Livia."

He outstretched his arms. "Are you going to give me a hug, or do I have to tackle you for it?"

I smiled, running into his arms. "I missed you, bro."

"I guessed I missed you too, my girl. Just a little bit." he teased.

Before meeting my sisters, I crossed paths with some compelling people. However, nothing short of fate guided me down that dark alley.

It was March 20th, 2013, three days into spring break. I could never forget it. I was fifteen then and had just returned home from tutoring at the local orphanage. I only wanted to dive into bed, but panic arose once I saw my room ransacked. It looked like someone was searching for something important, and I saw the shoebox. I knelt. A single dollar was left. All the money I had saved from tutoring and doing odd jobs. Gone. My escape deposit from this prison of a home was gone. Two years of saving are gone. I was walking rather than paying bus fare. Sacrificing meals and sleep was all for nothing.

I was livid!

There is only one person I know who would do something so vile—my father. And knowing where he possibly could be at this time of the night with my money poured fuel on the flame. I put on some sneakers and clipped my pocket knife on my pants.

"How could he do this to me?" I ran down the stairs through the backdoor of our alley house.

Down the street was a sketchy pub called Foxies. A place where gamblers, druggies, alcoholics, and gang affiliates mingle in one place. There he was, surrounded by trashy women gambling my money away.

"DAD!" I yelled, gaining the attention of everyone there.

"Who let a kid in here?"

My father angrily walked up to me. "Livia, what the hell are you doing here?" I shoved him.

"You are a fucking low-life jerk."

He gripped me by the arm. "Have you lost your mind disrespecting me like that?"

"Oh, is the disrespect not adequate for you? Perhaps I should ransack your room and take the money you busted your ass to save."

He laughed. "So that's what this is about. As a responsible parent, I checked your room, and to my surprise, I found a shoebox filled with cash. I thought you had no reason to hide all that money from me. So, I took it, and now I'm using it properly. It would be best if you were thanking me for taking such responsibility off your hands. I did leave you a dollar after all."

He can't be serious. "Cut the crap, Dad. You are only feeding your addictions and gambling my money away."

"Your money? Nothing belongs to you as long as you are under my roof."

A guy appeared from behind my father. "Ray, is this your kid?"

"Sadly, Sir."

"How old is she?" he weirdly looked me up and down.

"15."

"Hmm, fresh. How about we make a deal?"

"What kind of deal?" Dad asked, intrigued.

The man smirked. "Give me your daughter for a night, and I will forgive all your debts."

"Deal." my father agreed without thinking twice.

Before he could touch me, I took out my pocket, aiming at him, "DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ME WITH YOUR FILTHY HANDS."

"Livia, put the knife down."

"Ray, it's okay." He held up his hands, sauntering closer to me.

I swung the knife, making him pause his steps. "STAY BACK."

"Feisty, I like that." he quickly knocked the knife out of my hand and pulled me closer.

I tried to break free from his embrace. "Get off of me."

"Shh, little one." he cooed. "How about after our night, you work for me?"

I nearly gagged from the alcohol on his breath. "You can't be serious. Do you not hear how wrong this is?"

Gently stroking my cheek, "Become my muse, and we can rule the world together."

I kicked him between the legs as hard as I could. "Run." I thought, darting to the door.

Ray knelt before the man. "I'm sorry, Mr. Myers. Would you like me to go after her?"

He laughed. "No, let her be. She is quite the fighter. Her father would be so proud."

"How is he?" Ray asked. His stomach churned, remembering the night he helped destroy a family.

Myers glimmered in victory. "Bonded."

∞∞∞

I took big gasps of air. I can't believe that just happened.

"What's a little girl like you doing on this side of town?" I flinched at the sudden voice. Eight masked boys were standing in front of me. There is no way I will be able to fight all of them.

"Livia?"

I know that voice. Two boys came forward, taking off their masks. I was stunned at who I saw. "Blake? Percy?"

"You guys know her?" one of the taller boys asked.

"Yeah, we sometimes see her tutoring at Sunrise Orphanage. So we became pretty acquainted." Blake explained.

Percy stepped up to me. "Now, Livia, tell me why you aren't home at this time of night."

I sighed. "My father just tried to trick me out."

"WHAT?" Percy yelled, checking her body. "I knew the guy was an asshole, but that's just, wow." Percy looked at Blake pleadingly.

"Malakai, can I talk to you for a second? Livia is the prospect I have been talking about. She's smart and a victim of child abuse. I think we should take her with us,"

"What makes you think I would go anywhere with strangers? Besides Blake and Percy, I know none of you."

A boy came up to me, reaching for a handshake. "I am Heath, the youngest of the group. Luca, Asa, Jonah, and Alaric. But, of course, you already know Blake and Percy."

"What about him?" I asked, referring to the guy that was talking to Blake.

"Oh him? He's-"

"Malakai, the leader of the Night Walkers." he exuded confidence and didn't seem to be too much older than me.

"So what? You guys are like some type of gang?"

He chuckled. "Something like that."

Great. "Thanks for introducing yourselves, but this still doesn't change anything."

Malakai tucked his hands in his pockets. "I have a few reasons why it should. One is the safety of a young girl walking the streets this late. You will be the perfect target for sick people who prey on fragile girls like yourself. If you decide to go home, who's to say that guy isn't waiting for you? What would you do? Do you think you will be able to fight him off again? What other option do you have but to come with us where you would be safe and cared for?"

He's right; there's no way I am going back to that house to risk my father being in a drunken rage or that sicko waiting for me. "If anything happens to me, I will ensure my spirit haunts you for the rest of your lives."

He chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. "We wouldn't want that now, Ms. Livia?" Malakai gave me a warm brotherly smile that made me feel safe.

Maybe following them is the right decision.