Some Way

by Tiffany Jade

  "You're quick, Son," nodding in approval, Dad continues, "Bianca's blood is type O, Perio's blood, also type O. Dean was listed as AB. Now the only way that could happen was if there was a genetic mutation, which, while possible, was unlikely, so Luca's men chased the lead. They went clear back to the hospital records and found the names of every staff member who was present the night Dean was born. A few...interviews," Dad's way of saying forceful confessions, "by our boys and we learned from one of the nurses about the switch." Father sits back in his chair, a smug look on his face, even though he's not the one who made the discovery.

  "So now what is the plan?" I feel my other phone vibrate in my pocket. I pull it out slightly as my heart starts racing even more.

  Just Nate.

  He owed me a few favors and I was cashing in. If he was texting that meant he knew where Liv was.

  "Well because Dean was working with you, he knew when we were close."

  "He called to tell us how close just a few days ago," I mutter. That fucker.

  "Liam had told us that he was starting to act different. He got jumpy and wasn't sleeping much. Then he just disappeared. Pulling traffic cams the last image we have of him is him walking into LAX. With no credit card trail, we are not sure where he flew to or if he possibly went by train or rental car, but we are working on it." Father sighs. "But my son, that is not something you need to concern yourself with. We have a wedding to plan."

  Yeah, sure, fuck that.

  If Dean thought that we were close to figuring out who he really was, who knew what he would do. Who he would try to use as leverage.

  Well fuck that too, I knew exactly who he would try to use as leverage.

  "You're right Father," I smile as I stand up slowly from my chair. He stands too. "I should head back to L.A. now and begin. Serafina will probably have already scared off half of the wedding planners down there by now." A chuckle leaves Dad as he heads over to me. His hand lands on my shoulder.

  "I will meet you in a few days my boy," his hand tightens on me. "And Grayson?" I turn my head to meet his eyes. "Stay the fuck out of this one, I will not tell you again." I guess my acting skills left something to be desired.

  "Yes sir," I say the words as convincingly as I can as he lets me go and we head for the door. As he closes it behind me, I reach for the cell in my pocket. The address where Liv is at lights up the screen. I continue down the dimly lit hallway and dial Nate's number.

  "You better get your shit together soon Grayson—your sisters are going to make my ears bleed."

  "I need a plane Nate." I walk down the stairs and for the door as calmly as I can, knowing my Dad has all the compound cameras watching my every move.

  "A fucking plane?!" Nate whisper yells into the phone, I hear shuffling as he moves to get out of whatever room he is probably with Luca in.

  "Private, no major airports, straight to the Lake Havasu City Airport." I slide into the nondescript black something or other rental car I had gotten at the airport. "Oh and I need a ride."

  "You're a fucking pain in the ass brother," Nate growls into the phone as I hear typing on a computer.

  "Bro, I got shot in the neck cause of you," I resist the urge to tear out of the driveway and slowly begin to make my way to the gates, out of my peripheral vision I can see the cameras turning to follow me.

  "Grazed," Nate mumbles, "it fucking grazed you. And that was years ago, let it go!"

  "You got me or not brother?" I pause at the gate, entering my passcode into the panel, nothing happens. The gate doesn't open.

  Looking up I see the largest security cam focused on me, the HD feed leads directly to Father's phone. Staring into it, I know he is looking right back at me. Ten seconds pass by...thirty...a minute passes.

  "Dump your car as soon as you can and start walking. I'm tracking your phone, I'll grab you. Your plane will be ready within the hour." Nate's keys jingle over the phone. With a small beep the front gate slowly begins to open.

  "Thank you Nate," I continue to watch the camera as I slide through the gate.

  Father knows, of course he does, but for some reason he's letting me go anyway.

  "We are so fucking even."

  My heart is in my throat as I reach the door. Unsure of whether I should punch him in the throat or jump into his arms. I pause and take a breath as my hand lands on the door handle. Jump into his arms, for sure. This is the grand gesture right, the super cute moment in the movies when the guy figures it all out and comes to get his girl back. I can feel the cheesy smile spread across my face. I yank the door open.

  "Hey Livi."

  Chapter 21

  My heart skips a beat as my name leaves his lips.

  But out of shock, not happiness. Not the eyes I had wanted to be staring back at me. A shy grin turns up his lips as he shoves his hands into his front pockets.

  "Dean?" A million thoughts begin to flash through my head, leading with one main question, "Um, how did you find where I was at?" Dean steps forward and I instinctively step back. Noticing my reaction he backs away with his hands up in a surrender pose.

  "I just happened to get here faster than Jenna and Dax, I guess I got a rental car before them," he shrugs. "I hear you're starting to learn about who Gray, Dax, Liam and I really are." I shake my head a bit at his words.

  "All of you?" The question leaves me on a whisper, but then the lightbulb clicks.

  The way all the boys had seemed like they really didn't belong, the smirks they all shared at the thought of getting a hold of Aaron in that room, the speed at which Gray's obvious distaste for Dean had turned into seeing Dean's name light up his phone occasionally.

  "Wow." I mutter the word as I step out of the house, shutting the door behind me and sitting on the top step. I motion for Dean to join me and he seats himself two steps below me.

  "Surprise!" He chuckles softly as he gently pushes at my knee.

  "Yaaay, all my friends are criminals," I wiggle my fingers with a small giggle. Because if I don't start finding the humor, I might cry from the overwhelming emotions. “Where is my reality show deal?” Dean looks at me with a smile, but when his eyes meet mine his expression quickly sobers.

  "You're missing class Livi," he leans back against the step between us and looks out towards the road, watching the cars go by instead of looking at me. I sigh, then nudge him.

  "Uh so are you," his shoulders shake a bit with a quiet laugh.

  "Oooh my innocent Livi, I'm not in that school to get an academic education."

  A shiver runs through me at his words, a feeling of mistrust creeping up. He turns to look at me with a soft expression. Oh shut up Liv, you love a guy in this life it's not like one can't be your friend too.

  "What are you there for?" I ask. "Are you the one selling that terrible weed I keep smelling at all these frat parties?" I wrinkle my nose as he busts up laughing.

  "Oh girl, I'd be embarrassed to sell that kind of quality." He shakes his head, "Na, you can't blame that one on me."

  "Then what?"

  He motions for me to get closer, so I scoot down to his step. He reaches over, brushing the hair off my shoulder and away from my ear before leaning in and whispering.

  "Now if I told you that..." he pauses, glances around and leans back in, "I'd have to kill you Livi." His tone is dead serious and my blood turns cold. I quickly turn my head with eyes wide open.

  A few seconds pass before he cracks up into laughter again. "Holy shit Livi, I'm kidding! Are you really scared of me now?"

  He wraps an arm around me as I take a deep breath. "I'm still me crazy girl. Poor ol' Dean with the giant crush on the prettiest girl in school." He bats his eye lashes and pulls a sad face. "I just also happen to own a few guns, have an insane amount of money and well, technically I'm a bad boy."

  "Shut up!" I shout as I shove him away playfully. He laughs as he stands up, then reaches out to grab my hands and pull me up too.

  "It's true! Now I know you've got, well whatever you've
got going on with Gray now, but can a friend get a hug at least? I did come all this way to get your ass back to school." I smile as I give him a hug and he squeezes tight. "That's better! Okay, now how 'bout you show me the way to some good food, ya boy is staaaaarving!" He keeps one arm on my shoulder and rubs his stomach with his other hand.

  "What about Jenna and Dax?" I ask as he begins to lead me towards his rental, a black on black Camaro beeps as he hits the button on his key fob. Nice.

  "I'll text them to meet us wherever you take me." Dean tells me as he opens the passenger door and dramatically waves me in. "Come on woman! I'm hungry, and you deserve some answers."

  A weird feeling comes over me, unease? I glance up and down the road, checking for any other familiar faces in the windshields of cars but not spotting Jenna, I shake my head once more and settle down into the soft leather of the sport seat. The door gently clicks behind me and Dean jogs to the driver's side.

  "So what do you want to know?" He asks as he slides into his seat and starts up the powerful car. The growl of the engine makes me grin.

  "I guess just start from the beginning," I suggest as I motion for him to turn right.

  "Yes ma'am."

  "I'm sorry, you just missed her," the attractive, petite, brunette at the door who shared Liv's eyes and smile pointed to the right. "She went that way, with her man."

  "Her man?" Jenna's eyes open wide as she looks towards me.

  "Um, any chance that her man looked like me?" Liv's sister's head tips as she takes in my features. "Like, exactly like me?" Jenna's grip on my arm tightens as the head shake begins.

  "Wait..." a pause and a confused look paint her face. "Are you?" She points at me. Now it's my turn to shake my head. "Then why would he look like—?" her voice drops off as she connects the dots, "Twins." Sending her a weak smile to let her know she is correct, she opens the door the rest of the way. "My name is Sofia, please come in and tell me what the hell is going on with my sister."

  Jenna begins to walk towards the door but stops as she notices me not following.

  "D?"

  "You go in and talk to her, I'm going to see if I can find them." Jenna quickly shakes her head no.

  "Hell no, we are doing this together." Jenna begins to head back for me as Sofia's head pops around a corner.

  "Is my sister in danger?" she asks, worry clear in her voice. A man who is clearly her husband appears behind her.

  "Please?" I ask, nodding towards Sofia and her concerned husband. "They need to know what is going on, and I need to get to him before he gets too far with her." I grab her hand and pull her in for a hug. "And I need to know you are safe while I get her okay?" Jenna's arms wrap around me and she gives me a tight squeeze.

  She places a gentle kiss on my cheek and gives me a sweet smile before letting go and heading towards the house. I had expected an argument, but in her simple act of doing what I had asked I knew that she was fully placing her trust in me. And I'd be damned if I was going to let her down.

  "I'll be here waiting," she says, confidence clear in her voice as she enters the house and shuts the door behind her.

  Rushing towards the car I quickly pull out my phone and pull up my contacts, hitting talk as I slide into the rental car and begin to pull away.

  "Let me guess, you want me to put a track on Liv's phone and you want me to do it now." Luca's voice comes over the line and tells me exactly what I had wanted.

  "How the fuck—"

  "Look behind you brother," I flip around and sure as shit through my back window I see the nondescript black SUV that I know is hiding my smart ass cousin.

  "Why are you—"

  "No time," his voice comes over the line as he quickly pulls out of his parking spot and speeds ahead of me. "Let's go, I've already got a trace going through." I quickly put the car into gear and begin following after Luca. "And I'm disappointed in you brother, not very aware of your surroundings huh? What is it with you and Gray when it comes to your women."

  "Like you're one to talk bitch," he scoffs at my retort, which is basically a chuckle for his ass.

  "Yeah yeah, look around brother, you missed more than just me." As we stop at the four way intersection, I glance around again. Another black SUV, staying back.

  "That's not one of ours I take it?"

  "Not unless you called in some Russian help I don't know about." Luca's voice gets serious, but I can still imagine the tight smirk on his face, he lives for this shit.

  "Grayson so fucking owes me."

  “What in the actual fuck Dean?”

  The words sounded so faint as they flew across the room.

  So faint, and definitely pissed.

  I tried to open my eyes but the grogginess kept me still and sightless. Forcing my mind to stay awake I began to take account of the things I could with my sleepy body. Something warm and fluffy covered my body, a blanket, which still smelled of fabric softener. Clothes still on, a slight wiggle of my toes let me know my shoes were gone but my socks were still there. My head rested on a firm yet slightly squishy surface… a surface that felt like denim and smelled like…

  “Shhhh,” the familiar hands ran a soothing path over my hair. Yep I was passed out in Dean’s lap. “Let her rest.” His voice took on a commanding tone that I had not heard from him.

  “Rest?!” The unfamiliar voice whispers angrily. “You drugged her, drove her all the way here for info and now you want to let her rest?!”

  Drugged me? All the way where? My thoughts fly as what had transpired after I got in the car with Dean begins to come back to me.

  We had stopped at my favorite little restaurant, just a few blocks from my sister’s house. I ordered the same bacon cheeseburger I always got, extra fries, ranch on the side. My stomach twisted in hunger as I thought of the food.

  Focus woman!

  Dean had started telling me a story from his childhood, about when he first found out that he was adopted. When he first learned who his biological father was just a few years later. His face had begun to lose its quirky cute smile the more he delved into his own history.

  “Ol’ man is gonna have something to say about this Dean-o.” Another voice interrupts my memory, this one actually whispering.

  Dean chuckles, the action makes his legs vibrate, making me realize I have one hell of a headache. “He ain’t gonna do shit to me and we all know that. I’m the golden child.” I can almost picture the cocky smirk on his face.

  Footsteps come closer to where I am now fully trying to hide the fact that I am awake. Focusing on keeping my breathing even, I try to stay limp.

  “You were the golden child,” the footsteps belonged to the first voice. “Until you brought that Demonte boy’s bitch into our home…alive.” If the words weren’t enough to detect the disgust in his voice directed at me, the sound of him spitting sealed the deal.

  Dean chuckles again, more darkly this time. I feel his arms gently lift me a bit before laying me back down on what must be a couch of some sort. He tucks the blanket around me. Taking his time, he fluffs a small pillow under my head. I can feel the breeze as he flips around. Then the sound of a man gasping for air as he is slammed against something hard. Unable to control myself, I peek out from under the blanket. Dean has his hand around the throat of an overweight older man, what little is left of his hair is graying, and when Dean isn’t shoving him up against a wall, I’d say he’s a pretty short man too. His face quickly reddens as his eyes begin to pop out of his skull.

  “Now look what you’ve done Uncle,” Dean’s eyes meet what I thought was my sneaky gaze. “You’ve woken Livi and she’s having to see the uncivilized side of me.”

  A chill runs through me as I give up and open my eyes. I slowly sit up, uncomfortable under the gaze of the three men in the room. Dean gives me a smile that does not ease anything. As he winks the rest of my memories hit me in a flash.

  “So your family and Gray and Dax’s family are enemies?” I ask, slowly reaching for my soda and t
aking a small drink. My eyes glance towards the door as I try to figure out the easiest way to get away. Dean’s gaze follows mine.

  “Our families are Livi,” he places a hand over mine on the table. “That doesn’t mean we have to be.” He takes a deep breath before sitting back in the booth a bit.

  “Look Liv, I’ll be totally honest with you. When we first became friends, it truly was an innocent thing, I was drawn to you, just like about every other man who comes across your path,” he shoots a silly grin at me. “I knew what I was here to do, my biological father had a plan, and my adopted parents are in no position to go against what he wants. When Grayson and Daxon showed up, we knew it was coming, knew they were going to get a lock on ‘The Heir’ at some point, but when Grayson fell for you, it put you in a dangerous place.”

  Dean glances around as if looking to make sure his father or one of his cronies isn’t in the restaurant eavesdropping. Apparently feeling like it’s all clear, his eyes meet mine again.

  “My father will use you to get to Demonte. He will hurt you, he will kill you. Whatever it takes to get what he wants. Grayson’s father knows this too, and trust me, he’d rather kill you himself than let his son be blackmailed. You are between a rock and a hard place.”

  I can feel the panic rising in my chest. I don’t know if it’s because I know that what he is saying is true, or because I don’t feel any safer with him even if he is trying to play some ‘Here to save the day,’ shit.

  “So where do you fit in in all of this?” I ask, I’m pretty sure I could get to the door in under five seconds, one thrown drink to distract and I could be there. But where would I go?

  “Well, at the end of the day, I need to use you too Liv.” As the words left his mouth I started to notice how slow it felt like he was speaking. His image in front of me starts swimming. My eyes start watering and getting heavy. He slips over to my side of the booth in time to catch me as I slump over.

  "What did you mean when you said you needed me? Kill me first and get the brownie points?" Dean's eyes widen in shock at my words. His hand drops from his Uncle's throat.