GOSPEL OF DECIET

AUTHOR'S NOTE\DISCLAIMER

Different twist on the movie. Instead of Luke being hired by Ted, he was hired by somebody else. Gospel of Deceit belongs to Lifetime and Blueprint Entertainment; I only own the newer plot. Takes place a little bit after Luke gives the money back to Emily.

CHAPTER ONE: FALLING APART

Luke blew out a breath. He didn't know what to do. He had given the money back to Emily, and had left town as soon as he could. Maybe this way Emily and Ted could reconcile and forget all about him. Just then, he felt a slight vibration in his pocket. With a certain dread, he reached into his pocket and pressed the 'talk' button.

"Hello?" he questioned.

"What do you think you're doing, boy?" a voice demanded.

"I told you, I'm out," Luke stated.

"You're out when I say you're out," the voice responded. Then, "I see you still wear the collar up so that you can hide your scar." Fearfully, Luke looked around. The guy was on the bus?

"Don't try to pinpoint me, kid," the man warned. "You just get off at the next stop and meet me at the Starry Eve Hotel," he continued.

"Yeah, okay. Whatever you say," Luke reluctantly agreed. With a sigh, he hung up. At the next stop, Luke gathered up his belongings and disembarked. What was he going to do? He had promised Emily he'd leave. He had to leave. He couldn't bear to see her get hurt. He just wanted her safe. But this guy had him. He had to do what he said. Luke blew out a breath and headed for the hotel. Man, why didn't I just tell him no? he wondered. He didn't want to continue this anymore. He just wanted out. If he could just get out, everything would be okay. He entered the building and sat in a chair in the lobby. Nervously, he tapped his foot and looked down.

"Luke!" a hard voice barked a few minutes later. The teen looked up.

"Greg," he said in dread.

"What were you tryin' to pull, kid?" Greg demanded.

"I just want out! I won't hurt them anymore!" Luke exclaimed. He started to jump up, but was forced back down.

"You'll do what I say," he growled.

"Get off of me," the boy snapped.

"Sssssh. Luke, be quiet. You remember our rules, don't you?" the man warned meaningfully. Luke swallowed and nodded. Yeah, he remembered all right. "Just relax, Luke. It'll all be over soon. All you have to do is have Emily give you twice what you gave back. I think that'll rectify the mistake you made," he continued, fingering the back of the boy's jacket.

"Don't touch me," Luke snapped, trying to jerk away.

"Hey, be cool, boy. You just do what I say, and you won't get hurt," Greg warned him.

"They're good people, Greg. Just---just leave them alone," Luke pleaded. Greg placed a finger on Luke's lips.

"Ssssshhhhhh," he warned. Luke's eyes dropped and he pulled back. He didn't want Greg touching him. Greg smirked.

"Now, you go back to Emily and Ted and you finish your mission," he ordered.

"Okay," the boy agreed. He blew out a breath, hung his head, and nodded. "Okay," he whispered. Greg smirked again.

"Good boy," he said, ruffling the boy's hair. Then, with a chuckle, he walked off. Luke groaned and buried his head into his hands. What was he going to do? He just wanted to forget that he had ever agreed to this. He shouldn't have gotten off the bus. He should've just kept going, no matter what Greg had said. But now he was stuck here. And Greg had him. He couldn't go against him. For a moment, Luke stared at the floor. Then, he blew out a breath and walked out of the hotel. Man, what am I gonna do? I can't leave. Greg'll kill me, the boy thought to himself. His eyes clouded. What was he going to do? Could he tell Ted and Emily? No, they'd never believe him. And even if by some small chance they did, they'd never forgive him. Especially after the way he had seduced Emily. The boy continued on his way. Meanwhile, Emily sat at the table, sobbing. She couldn't believe Ted had done this to her. Sure, she had let him down, but…divorce? She had thought for sure he'd agree that they could work things out, that they could save their marriage. Just then, she heard knocking on the front door. With a gasp, she looked up. Emily wiped her eyes and walked to the front door. Her jaw dropped.

"What are you doing here, Luke?" she asked.