1 Chapter 2: A New Kind of Instinct and Trust
I almost hit two cars, a truck and light post trying to get to the heart of downtown LA, the bloodlust almost painful to me. I parked my car, knowing no one would steal it if I left it running. (Too many drug lords in the area. They do it all the time) I would find my perfect victims.
Two men were trying to rape a homeless woman in an alleyway. I climbed the smooth brick wall, finding my footing in the small gaps between them. I positioned my self behind them, and jumped down, landing like a cat. When they looked towards me, I slammed them into each other. One guy fell while the other charged me. This one was larger than me, about 100 pounds more with mostly fat. I leaped up and round housed him, my heel making contact with his jaw.
The other guy grabbed me from behind. I crushed his foot before driving my elbow into his sides and turning around to jam the heel of my hand into his nose, the sound of bone and cartilage breaking music to my ears. He scrambled into a wall, holding his bleeding nose.
The larger one stood and tried to charge me yet again. I backhanded him, sending him into the wall next to his friend. As he slumped to the ground, bites of his skull and brain trailed on the dirty red bricks behind him. His entire face had been crushed to the point that no amount of clay would be able to give the man an open casket funeral.
I turned to his friend. He stared at me wildly, his eyes bulging, mouth gapped open. I ripped off my shades, my canines extending. I could feel his fear rising.
"You are afraid? You have some nerve. You wish to take away what most women lack. And you are afraid? You should be praying that the judgment will have some pity on you because I will have none for you or your kind."
He skin was calming and he cowered under my touch. I held him by the head and abdomen and tilted his head to the side. I glanced at the woman, who had fainted after my sudden arrival, to find her still passed out. I sank my teeth into him, pricing the skin and feeling his life flow into my mouth. I let his-own heart feed my hunger.
All his memories flood my mind. All were bad. His name was Jacob. His father would beat him and his mother. His mother died by his own hands as his father held a gun to his head. He had been raped when he was sent to prison for grand theft auto. Jacob had been involved in a slew of break ins around Long Beach. He had just killed a girl earlier that night for not giving him any, but that was before he took it and even more.
His mind's memories soon became colors. Bright oranges, yellows, reds, and greens flooded his mind and mines. Then came the one color, white. Then came darkness and death.
I let his body fall with a heavy thud. Pulling on my shades, I picked the woman up and placed in my car. I rushed her the hospital, checked her in and left before anyone could ask me any questions.
The drive to the hotel room was a silent one. I pulled up and got out, my skirt almost up over my ass.
I walked in and sat in a chair near the door, becoming one with the darkness.
"Emerald." A heavy voice came from my bed.
"Yes Raven?" I stood, slowly making my way towards the bed.
"I want to" He turned to look at me. "What are you wearing?"
"Clothes."
"Take them off."
"Look, Raven, you may be my sire but you are not my father."
He was up and had me pressed against the wall before I could react. "I made you what you are. I am the reason you were able to save that woman tonight―"
"You followed me?"
"Yes I did and you," He placed his knee between my legs. "You should be happy I have given you this. Now, when I say change clothes, you do it."
"And you only want me to do this because it turns you on." I moved forward, my pelvic pressing against him. "And if I were to sleep with you, you wouldn't mind what I wore."
His eyes told two stories. His was pissed off but turned on.
He took a unneeded breath. "I know if you did sleep with me, it wouldn't be because you love me."
"Of course not."
He let me go and walked to the door. "Remember the first time we discussed this?"
"Yeah."
"And you said it was too soon."
"Yeah."
"What about now?"
I thought for a moment as found my shorts and tank top. "Now, my Raven. Now it is too late."
***************
I woke up at about noon the next day. It was still dark in the room, thanks to the thick 1970 dry rot curtains that hung for life on the windows.
I went into the shower and got out refreshed. My natural hair type came back after getting wet. I hung uncontrollably wild off my shoulders. I brushed it somewhat and pulled on one of my suits. It was a black silk skirt with a matching blazer. I pulled on my black stiletto pumps and left.
I got in my car and turned up the ac. Sitting there for a moment, I tried to figure out what I should get from the mall. I came up with the perfect thing and pulled off.
The Lakewood mall was rather empty for that time of year. School was out and yet no one was there.
I went to Macy's. It too was empty. I searched through the clothes, trying to find the perfect suit. I found it. It was dark gray with a tailor cut. I bought some shoes to match and left.
Torretto's was quiet, except for the occasional noise from the shop. I went into the store and sat at the counter. Mia was in the back, working on the books. When she turned around and saw me, she closed them and came out.
"What can I get you?"
She obviously didn't know who I was.
"The tuna."
"You um, you do know what it taste like?" She asked.
"Oh, so it still taste like shit." I paused. "Does it still look like shit?"
Mia walked up to me and looked into my face, tilting her head.
"If you don't know who I am by now, you never did know me."
"Emerald!" She pulled me into a hug, my stomach being forced into the counter. Her squealing drew the attention of everyone in the shop.
Dominic stood in the doorway as everyone run up behind him.
"So my baby sister comes back?" His voice hinted on happiness, something I hadn't noticed before.
"I couldn't stay away from family and friends."
Leon walked past him and to me. "You okay now?"
"Oh yeah. Just needed a bite." I snickered at my sentence, knowing they would never understand why.
"So, you busy today?" I asked, looking more at Dominic than at Leon.
"Just working here."
"Well, if Dom won't mind, and I know he won't, I was wondering if you would like to come house shopping with me."
"House shopping?"
"Yeah."
Letty came up behind me. "So Street has it like that now? Damn girl, share the wealth."
"I will. When you aren't busy pleasing Dom or kicking his ass, you, Mia and I can go shopping. My treat."
Letty eyed me. "As long as I don't have to wear that." She played with my outfit.
"It helps when you shop on Rodeo Drive."
"Torture for clothes." She paused. "I can deal with it." She walked towards Mia and propped her elbows against the counter.
"So?" I turned back to Leon. "What do you say?"
"I say I might look a little funny next to you wearing cargos and a work shirt."
"I thought of that. I got you something on the way here."
He smiled. "And what if I was to say no?"
"Then it would be a next time gift."
He looked Dom and the guys who all hunched their shoulders. He turned back to me.
"Meet me at my house in an hour." He tossed Dom a rag and went outside. I followed him.
"So where are these clothes?"
I handed him the bags. "Enjoy."
"I will." He got in his car and pulled off.
I walked back inside as Jesse and Vincent walked past me and to my car.
"A Daewoo?" Jesse asked.
"Yes a Daewoo. I knew none of you pussies would have one so I got it."
"Yeah, right." Vincent snatched the keys from my pocket and opened the car to pop the hood.
"Whoa, You built this engine" He tried to see what parts I used." Looks like a Pep Boys in here. How'd you get all the parts to work?"
"Why ask how? You should be thinking 'Maybe this is why Dominic got his ass kicked last night.'" I stood in the doorway, trying to keep out of the sun.
Jesse bit his fist as Vincent laughed from under my car. I heard Dom's light foot steps behind me.
"That was just one race kid."
"One in many, Dom."
"Are these Brembo Gran Turismo brakes on here?" Vincent rolled up from under there.
"Yes they are. I have found they are better when a kid decides they need to get their ball from the middle of the street while I'm running from the cops"
Jesse closed the hood and walked to my side. "I see you still have good taste. Couldn't help but notice the VNC-2000 in there. And then the Venom 400 to boot."
"Jesse, nothing gets by you under the hood, does it?"
"The day that something does," Dam stated. "Will be the day hell freezes over."
We sat down and starting talking about the past three years. I learned about the heist. The get away to Mexico, the fact that Vincent and Jesse almost took the wrap for the crimes had it not have been for some cop named Brian.
I also learned that Letty had miscarried and that Mia finally had her FA in economics and that, after Jesse had been shot and almost killed, went on to get his GED and is taking some computer classes in a cc.
I only told them that I had been training and that now I could beat Dominic in a arm wrestling match, which I did, though I made him believe he almost won. They tried to get more form me but would be disappointed.
Soon enough, an hour had passed and I said my goodbyes and went to Leon's house.
His house was still the same. The grass perfectly cut, but still needed watering. The house needed painted. I could sense lead in the paint. I should tell him about that today.
I knocked on the door and it opened slightly. My instincts kicked in.
I walked in, looking around. Nothing seemed out of place. If anything, some of the stuff was new in his house.
I went upstairs to check it out. I could see a light on in his room. I walked in, nervous but ready for anything.
I could sense someone behind me and I turned, grabbing them by the arm and slamming them into the wall fast enough to seem like a blur to the intruder.
"What the fuck?" Leon called out.
"Oh god." I let him go. "I am so sorry." I hugged him, not wanting to let go.
"It's um, okay. But." He took me by the shoulders. "I do have a question."
"What is it?"
"How did you get so strong?"
"Training."
"Okay. I guess." He took a step back. "What do you think?"
I noticed he wore the suit. It fit him to a t. The shoulders fell at just the right point. The pants were the right length, stopping on the shoes, which also fit.
"Damn I'm good." I smiled, walking around him.
"You are."
When I had made a full circle around him, I stood there, starring at him.
Leon moved forward, slipping his hands around my waist, and moving me close.
"I thought you wanted to friends first."
"We are friends. And saw what happened." He paused smirked, bent forward and kissed me.
I could feel the electricity between us. I melted into him, my lips parting with his. I could taste him in my mouth, feel him on my tongue. I held him close, arms around his neck.
We pulled away breathless. I waited for him to open his eyes.
"Leon?" His named rolled off my tongue with shameful ease.
"Yeah?" He answered with half opened eyes.
"Do you know what just happened?"
"No. Do you?"
"No."
Leon took my hand and led me down the stairs. "I think we should go."
"I think so too."
I stood on the porch as he locked up his house.
"Who's car should we take?" I asked.
"How about yours? Looks kind of family like except for the heaven and hell thing."
I laughed as he took my hand again. "Okay then. But you are driving."
"Why is that?"
"Well, since you're going for the family thing, I figure the man should drive."
"That's old fashioned."
"I know it is. But I also can tell that since last night you've wanted to get behind the wheel of this thing."
"True." He kissed me on the cheek. "Give me the keys."
"Is that how you ask for something?"
"No that how I say I want something now."
I gave him the keys. "Next time you're working for these keys."
"What kind of work?" Leon opened the car door for me.
We stood shoulder to shoulder. "Nothing you can't handle." I got in, Leon closing the door for me.
He got in and looked at me smiling.
A kid in a candy store. I thought as we left.
I almost hit two cars, a truck and light post trying to get to the heart of downtown LA, the bloodlust almost painful to me. I parked my car, knowing no one would steal it if I left it running. (Too many drug lords in the area. They do it all the time) I would find my perfect victims.
Two men were trying to rape a homeless woman in an alleyway. I climbed the smooth brick wall, finding my footing in the small gaps between them. I positioned my self behind them, and jumped down, landing like a cat. When they looked towards me, I slammed them into each other. One guy fell while the other charged me. This one was larger than me, about 100 pounds more with mostly fat. I leaped up and round housed him, my heel making contact with his jaw.
The other guy grabbed me from behind. I crushed his foot before driving my elbow into his sides and turning around to jam the heel of my hand into his nose, the sound of bone and cartilage breaking music to my ears. He scrambled into a wall, holding his bleeding nose.
The larger one stood and tried to charge me yet again. I backhanded him, sending him into the wall next to his friend. As he slumped to the ground, bites of his skull and brain trailed on the dirty red bricks behind him. His entire face had been crushed to the point that no amount of clay would be able to give the man an open casket funeral.
I turned to his friend. He stared at me wildly, his eyes bulging, mouth gapped open. I ripped off my shades, my canines extending. I could feel his fear rising.
"You are afraid? You have some nerve. You wish to take away what most women lack. And you are afraid? You should be praying that the judgment will have some pity on you because I will have none for you or your kind."
He skin was calming and he cowered under my touch. I held him by the head and abdomen and tilted his head to the side. I glanced at the woman, who had fainted after my sudden arrival, to find her still passed out. I sank my teeth into him, pricing the skin and feeling his life flow into my mouth. I let his-own heart feed my hunger.
All his memories flood my mind. All were bad. His name was Jacob. His father would beat him and his mother. His mother died by his own hands as his father held a gun to his head. He had been raped when he was sent to prison for grand theft auto. Jacob had been involved in a slew of break ins around Long Beach. He had just killed a girl earlier that night for not giving him any, but that was before he took it and even more.
His mind's memories soon became colors. Bright oranges, yellows, reds, and greens flooded his mind and mines. Then came the one color, white. Then came darkness and death.
I let his body fall with a heavy thud. Pulling on my shades, I picked the woman up and placed in my car. I rushed her the hospital, checked her in and left before anyone could ask me any questions.
The drive to the hotel room was a silent one. I pulled up and got out, my skirt almost up over my ass.
I walked in and sat in a chair near the door, becoming one with the darkness.
"Emerald." A heavy voice came from my bed.
"Yes Raven?" I stood, slowly making my way towards the bed.
"I want to" He turned to look at me. "What are you wearing?"
"Clothes."
"Take them off."
"Look, Raven, you may be my sire but you are not my father."
He was up and had me pressed against the wall before I could react. "I made you what you are. I am the reason you were able to save that woman tonight―"
"You followed me?"
"Yes I did and you," He placed his knee between my legs. "You should be happy I have given you this. Now, when I say change clothes, you do it."
"And you only want me to do this because it turns you on." I moved forward, my pelvic pressing against him. "And if I were to sleep with you, you wouldn't mind what I wore."
His eyes told two stories. His was pissed off but turned on.
He took a unneeded breath. "I know if you did sleep with me, it wouldn't be because you love me."
"Of course not."
He let me go and walked to the door. "Remember the first time we discussed this?"
"Yeah."
"And you said it was too soon."
"Yeah."
"What about now?"
I thought for a moment as found my shorts and tank top. "Now, my Raven. Now it is too late."
***************
I woke up at about noon the next day. It was still dark in the room, thanks to the thick 1970 dry rot curtains that hung for life on the windows.
I went into the shower and got out refreshed. My natural hair type came back after getting wet. I hung uncontrollably wild off my shoulders. I brushed it somewhat and pulled on one of my suits. It was a black silk skirt with a matching blazer. I pulled on my black stiletto pumps and left.
I got in my car and turned up the ac. Sitting there for a moment, I tried to figure out what I should get from the mall. I came up with the perfect thing and pulled off.
The Lakewood mall was rather empty for that time of year. School was out and yet no one was there.
I went to Macy's. It too was empty. I searched through the clothes, trying to find the perfect suit. I found it. It was dark gray with a tailor cut. I bought some shoes to match and left.
Torretto's was quiet, except for the occasional noise from the shop. I went into the store and sat at the counter. Mia was in the back, working on the books. When she turned around and saw me, she closed them and came out.
"What can I get you?"
She obviously didn't know who I was.
"The tuna."
"You um, you do know what it taste like?" She asked.
"Oh, so it still taste like shit." I paused. "Does it still look like shit?"
Mia walked up to me and looked into my face, tilting her head.
"If you don't know who I am by now, you never did know me."
"Emerald!" She pulled me into a hug, my stomach being forced into the counter. Her squealing drew the attention of everyone in the shop.
Dominic stood in the doorway as everyone run up behind him.
"So my baby sister comes back?" His voice hinted on happiness, something I hadn't noticed before.
"I couldn't stay away from family and friends."
Leon walked past him and to me. "You okay now?"
"Oh yeah. Just needed a bite." I snickered at my sentence, knowing they would never understand why.
"So, you busy today?" I asked, looking more at Dominic than at Leon.
"Just working here."
"Well, if Dom won't mind, and I know he won't, I was wondering if you would like to come house shopping with me."
"House shopping?"
"Yeah."
Letty came up behind me. "So Street has it like that now? Damn girl, share the wealth."
"I will. When you aren't busy pleasing Dom or kicking his ass, you, Mia and I can go shopping. My treat."
Letty eyed me. "As long as I don't have to wear that." She played with my outfit.
"It helps when you shop on Rodeo Drive."
"Torture for clothes." She paused. "I can deal with it." She walked towards Mia and propped her elbows against the counter.
"So?" I turned back to Leon. "What do you say?"
"I say I might look a little funny next to you wearing cargos and a work shirt."
"I thought of that. I got you something on the way here."
He smiled. "And what if I was to say no?"
"Then it would be a next time gift."
He looked Dom and the guys who all hunched their shoulders. He turned back to me.
"Meet me at my house in an hour." He tossed Dom a rag and went outside. I followed him.
"So where are these clothes?"
I handed him the bags. "Enjoy."
"I will." He got in his car and pulled off.
I walked back inside as Jesse and Vincent walked past me and to my car.
"A Daewoo?" Jesse asked.
"Yes a Daewoo. I knew none of you pussies would have one so I got it."
"Yeah, right." Vincent snatched the keys from my pocket and opened the car to pop the hood.
"Whoa, You built this engine" He tried to see what parts I used." Looks like a Pep Boys in here. How'd you get all the parts to work?"
"Why ask how? You should be thinking 'Maybe this is why Dominic got his ass kicked last night.'" I stood in the doorway, trying to keep out of the sun.
Jesse bit his fist as Vincent laughed from under my car. I heard Dom's light foot steps behind me.
"That was just one race kid."
"One in many, Dom."
"Are these Brembo Gran Turismo brakes on here?" Vincent rolled up from under there.
"Yes they are. I have found they are better when a kid decides they need to get their ball from the middle of the street while I'm running from the cops"
Jesse closed the hood and walked to my side. "I see you still have good taste. Couldn't help but notice the VNC-2000 in there. And then the Venom 400 to boot."
"Jesse, nothing gets by you under the hood, does it?"
"The day that something does," Dam stated. "Will be the day hell freezes over."
We sat down and starting talking about the past three years. I learned about the heist. The get away to Mexico, the fact that Vincent and Jesse almost took the wrap for the crimes had it not have been for some cop named Brian.
I also learned that Letty had miscarried and that Mia finally had her FA in economics and that, after Jesse had been shot and almost killed, went on to get his GED and is taking some computer classes in a cc.
I only told them that I had been training and that now I could beat Dominic in a arm wrestling match, which I did, though I made him believe he almost won. They tried to get more form me but would be disappointed.
Soon enough, an hour had passed and I said my goodbyes and went to Leon's house.
His house was still the same. The grass perfectly cut, but still needed watering. The house needed painted. I could sense lead in the paint. I should tell him about that today.
I knocked on the door and it opened slightly. My instincts kicked in.
I walked in, looking around. Nothing seemed out of place. If anything, some of the stuff was new in his house.
I went upstairs to check it out. I could see a light on in his room. I walked in, nervous but ready for anything.
I could sense someone behind me and I turned, grabbing them by the arm and slamming them into the wall fast enough to seem like a blur to the intruder.
"What the fuck?" Leon called out.
"Oh god." I let him go. "I am so sorry." I hugged him, not wanting to let go.
"It's um, okay. But." He took me by the shoulders. "I do have a question."
"What is it?"
"How did you get so strong?"
"Training."
"Okay. I guess." He took a step back. "What do you think?"
I noticed he wore the suit. It fit him to a t. The shoulders fell at just the right point. The pants were the right length, stopping on the shoes, which also fit.
"Damn I'm good." I smiled, walking around him.
"You are."
When I had made a full circle around him, I stood there, starring at him.
Leon moved forward, slipping his hands around my waist, and moving me close.
"I thought you wanted to friends first."
"We are friends. And saw what happened." He paused smirked, bent forward and kissed me.
I could feel the electricity between us. I melted into him, my lips parting with his. I could taste him in my mouth, feel him on my tongue. I held him close, arms around his neck.
We pulled away breathless. I waited for him to open his eyes.
"Leon?" His named rolled off my tongue with shameful ease.
"Yeah?" He answered with half opened eyes.
"Do you know what just happened?"
"No. Do you?"
"No."
Leon took my hand and led me down the stairs. "I think we should go."
"I think so too."
I stood on the porch as he locked up his house.
"Who's car should we take?" I asked.
"How about yours? Looks kind of family like except for the heaven and hell thing."
I laughed as he took my hand again. "Okay then. But you are driving."
"Why is that?"
"Well, since you're going for the family thing, I figure the man should drive."
"That's old fashioned."
"I know it is. But I also can tell that since last night you've wanted to get behind the wheel of this thing."
"True." He kissed me on the cheek. "Give me the keys."
"Is that how you ask for something?"
"No that how I say I want something now."
I gave him the keys. "Next time you're working for these keys."
"What kind of work?" Leon opened the car door for me.
We stood shoulder to shoulder. "Nothing you can't handle." I got in, Leon closing the door for me.
He got in and looked at me smiling.
A kid in a candy store. I thought as we left.