A/N: I can only apologise for not uploading anything on this for so long, but fear not I haven't given up and partly the reason its taken so long is that I am working on a little treat for you all so look out for that soon. If I have any followers left I dont deserve you, thank you.

EvilSis X

Chapter 13 – Dragon's Den

I was nervous, even verging on the petrified at what was going to happen this evening. Tonight was the fateful meeting of my friends and my boss. I still couldn't work out why they had even suggested this in the first place. When I returned home from work the previous night I tried to talk Kori out of the idea, thinking that if she abolished the idea then so would Richard and then the rest. But that turned out to be a futile attempt as she was very excited about the whole thing. She spent the rest of the night talking about all the lovely 'bosses of work' that she had in the past and would want me to meet.

The only thing I did manage was that I was to meet Malcolm by myself first and take him to the bar where everyone will be waiting. I also managed to pick out the destination of a small bar just down the street from Kori and I's apartment, all preparation for a quick and easy escape.

I saw Malcolm already at the corner I had directed him too and I quickened my pace. He wore faded black jeans with a white t-shirt and a stylish cut jacket that looked straight off a model. He saw me as I walked up and smiled, I almost faltered a step at the smile but I managed to keep steady.

"You look amazing Raven" Malcolm complemented.

I looked down at myself slightly bewildered taking in the straight legged jeans that I had forgotten that I even owned and the plain black tank top that I had doubts was even mine. In my nervous state I had paid very little attention to my appearance wearing the first things that fell out of my wardrobe, not even paying attention to my hair which fell in tumbling waves about my shoulders.

Still a compliment is a compliment and I returned his smile nonetheless, "Thank you."

"We better get going everyone will be waiting." I said starting off down the road.

We walked in silence but it was a comfortable silence and I was glad. My nerves had started to fray at the edges again and I didn't think I could keep up small talk. It didn't take us long to get to the bar 'Dragon's Den'. Despite the name it was a cosy little place, the blend of rich chocolate brown walls and flashes of dark purple interjected gave it warmth that had a very relaxed, chilled out feel to it. I was desperate to keep this as light and casual as possible.

I led the way in and instantly spotted Richard, Kori, Garfield and Victor all in a huddle just to the side of the bar. I briskly walked up to them and instantly started a tirade of introductions.

"Everyone this is Malcolm. Malcolm this is Victor, Kori, Richard and Garfield you met before."

Malcolm shook hands with Victor and Richard but when he turned to Garfield, Garfield kept his hands firmly by his sides. Not perturbed by his behaviour, Malcolm soon turned the full power of his smile on Kori.

"A pleasure to meet you again Kori, you are Raven's housemate correct?"

"Yes" Kori answered giving her own dazzling smile, thrilled to be remembered.

"What drink can I get you Malcolm?" Richard asked.

"I'll get myself a drink and allow me to get you all a drink as well" Malcolm offered.

"I'll help" Richard said and the two of them went to order at the bar.

I breathed a sigh of relief and finally felt my nerves calm down. This was going to be fine. Whatever their reasons for suggesting this, it didn't seem to be an interrogation on Malcolm, just a casual drink among people.

Malcolm and Richard returned with the drinks and were soon carrying on with their conversation with each other. Everyone fell into comfortable chat with each other, Garfield and Victor having the usual debate (more like argument) with each other over something and nothing while Kori and I refereed.

Another round of drinks was ordered and Victor challenged everyone to a game of pool.

"Malcolm, fancy a game man?"

"Alright you're on" Malcolm said accepting the challenge.

The two of them went to the far side to the pool table, a large grin on Victor's face thinking he was in for an easy win. Kori went over with them to watch and cheer them on. Richard came over to our little huddle having been talking to Malcolm all this time.

"Well?" Garfield instantly questioned Richard as soon as he came to stand next to us.

Richard shook his head in answer to Garfield unasked question, "something doesn't add up."

"What doesn't? What are you two talking about?" I asked.

"We don't trust him Raven there's something fishy about this Malcolm guy" Garfield said frowning.

"What?" I asked my voice cold.

"Tell her Dick" Garfield protested looking at Richard.

"I may have done some research on Malcolm" Richard started not looking like he really wanted to admit this to me.

"You. Did. What?" I said through gritted teeth. I couldn't believe I was actually hearing this.

"What I found out and what he's just been telling me don't match up to each other," Richard continued his blue eyes hard and serious; "he's been dealing in some very serious stuff. Very illegal stuff."

"What kind of stuff?" I asked, my voice small, not being able to stop myself from asking.

"Drugs for one thing," Garfield interjected, "and who knows what else. He's a thug Raven."

"Is this even true?" I asked, anger beginning to boil up inside of me.

Richard didn't answer me.

"So you don't even know if this is all true!" I said outrage clear in my voice.

"Raven you shouldn't trust him he's-"

"No" I said cutting Richard off. "I don't care what he might have done in the past or hell even the future. What right do you have in looking into someone's' personal life?" I was shaking I was so angry, my voice low and stiff so that the entire bar wouldn't hear us.

"We're looking out for you Raven" Garfield interjected seeming to be shocked that I wouldn't have realised that myself.

"Well you don't have to do that anymore" I said to him, my voice steely. Garfield's forest green eyes looked back at me in surprise as I glared back at him. Richard stood silent watching me as I turned my back on them and walked straight out of the bar.

I marched myself back down the street, blindly heading towards the apartment. I tried to release my anger through the stomping of my feet. My anger was too blinding at that moment for me to even consider what Garfield and Richard were thinking from their side. As far as I was concerned they had no right in looking at someone's past when it had nothing to do with them, or me for that matter. I was his employee, he was my employer. Nothing more, nothing less, at least that was how I felt.

Such was my anger that I didn't even realise Malcolm had followed me out until he was right up next to me and had grabbed my arm to stop me.

"Raven what's wrong?" he asked, concern in his silver eyes.

"I..." I hesitated, I couldn't tell him what had happened, "I just wanted to go home, I'm sorry I should have told you."

"Are you not feeling well?" Malcolm asked thinking that to be the reason I had rushed out.

I shook my head in answer keeping my head bowed. I didn't think he had seen my argument back at the bar and thought I could get away with pretending to be unwell.

"Let me walk you back to your apartment then" Malcolm said as he began to guide me up the road all the while his hand still holding my arm. Normally I wouldn't have appreciated the physical contact but something made me just let him move me up the road. The only thing that was spoken between us was the occasional direction in where we need to go from me.

I led us up to the apartment floor once we had reached the building complex and allowed ourselves in. Even then I still couldn't quite get used to how quite the apartment could be without Kori and I suddenly became all too aware of the silence and Malcolm being in here with me.

"I'm sorry I cut the night short" I offered as an apology to Malcolm.

"Not at all as long as you're feeling better" Malcolm reassured.

I gave a non committable murmur in response. I couldn't understand why I had started to suddenly feel uncomfortable. What Garfield and Richard had said must have started to get to me and I grew angry all over again in myself for believing in their speculation.

"You are feeling better aren't you?" he questioned me again as he rubbed his hands up and down my arms for comfort.

"Yes" I said more firmly looking directly into his eyes.

"I'm glad" he smiled and then did something that I didn't expect.

He moved closer and wrapped his arms firmly around me so that my arms were trapped against me. My face was now pressed against his firm chest and I felt him rest his own head on top of mine. I could feel my body stiffen at the contact but whether Malcolm realised this and just chose to ignore it I was unsure. We seemed to stand there for ages until he spoke again, breaking the silence.

"You know you really are my favourite employee."

I could feel the vibrations as he spoke through his chest and I could smell the deep scent of his cologne.

"I'm your only employee" I answered, beginning to think that this was turning into my catchphrase with him.

A deep rumbling laugh vibrated through his chest this time and I could feel myself beginning to relax. He moved a fraction away from me so that he could look at my face, but I hesitated keeping my head down against his chest.

"Raven?"

I knew I would have to look at him when his soft voice spoke and slowly I raised my eyes to look at his. There was a look that I had never seen before, definitely not directed at me that was for sure. And yet I felt my heart just stop for one split second though I couldn't think why.

"You are a beautiful unique woman Raven." Malcolm said softly while still looking at me with those eyes.

I was taken aback by his words and I am unsure of how my face looked but I could only think it looked dumbfounded. Whether I looked shocked or stoic, I could feel the betrayal of heat rising to my face and try as I might I still couldn't look away from those eyes. I can only describe this as staring, I realised that Malcolm's face was inching closer and closer to mine, till I could feel his warm breath on my face.

I moved my face away from his, my hands now braced against him to stop his movement.

"Malcolm what..." I couldn't get the words out and I let clear signs of confusion to cross my features.

"Just making us both feel better." Malcolm said moving closer again, his hold on me becoming more firm.

"No!" I pushed him away from me with all my strength and he did stumble away from me. A look of surprise was on his face which quickly changed.

He grabbed hold of my left wrist and tried to pull me back towards him, his grip like steel. I struggled against his grip but his hold just grew tighter the imprints of his fingers marking my flesh.

"Come on Raven I'm not doing anything wrong. I know you want this." He said, his voice thick and meaningful, continuing to pull at me.

I slapped my hand across his left cheek with all my strength. The shock of the impact caused him to let go of my wrist so that I could move away from him. A red mark was now glowing upon his skin. A menacing look came into his eyes as he looked at me then and his whole body seemed to grow in size with his anger.

"You stupid bitch, what did you think this all was?" he spat at me, "you can't get anywhere in this city without a little give and take. I gave you a job now I expect to take my perks."

He moved forward as I stepped back away from him, gradually moving me so that my back was pressed up against the wall. I was horrified and underneath I could feel my anger smouldering. I held onto my anger not wishing to acknowledge my hurt. I fuelled my anger giving myself strength to keep my voice steady and my gaze cold.

"Get out" I said in a low threatening voice.

A laugh burst forth from Malcolm at my words and it was like thunder to my ears. He was turning into a monster of a man before my very eyes and it took every last bit of me to keep myself from turning and running. I could feel myself begin to shake as the monster of my Father blended with the monster in front of me.

"Oh sweet pet, run and hide behind your pathetic friends," Malcolm said a demonic grin upon his face as his hand held onto my chin. I whipped my head away from his grasp and watched as he slowly made his way around me towards the door. Still that smile upon his face.

"But you will give me what I want my love. One way or another I always get what I want." Malcolm drawled his voice low and his eyes menacing and cold before he stepped out of the apartment.

At the bang of the door closing, my knees instantly gave way under me and I crumpled to the floor. I sat on the cold tiled floor of the kitchen numb and unthinking, staring straight ahead of me.