"Didn't I tell you he's bad news?" Dex asked as he lead Jessica to the party he had been visiting with old friend at.

"I know." she sighed. "I just, I never saw that side of him 'till tonight."

"Of course you didn't. The Glosslin men are masters at hiding how truly sick and twisted they honestly are." he scowled and Jessica looked down. "Look at me Jess," she looked at him. "Did he hurt you?"

"He grabbed me pretty hard." she admitted and slipped off her sweater to show him where.

"You're gonna have some pretty bruises." he said as he lightly ran his thumb along her arms. "That fucker."

"Dex, Jesus." she muttered softly and he smiled.

"You can listen to Aldo talking about scalping nazis all afternoon and the moment I swear profously in front of you, you turn into a little kid again." he teased and she smiled. "Come on, have a beer." he said as she slipped her sweater back on.

"Okay." she sighed and nodded. "But don't tell my parents."

"Why the fuck would I tell them?" he asked as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and lead her over to the bonfire. "Guys, this is Jessica. She's a good kid." he nodded and people waved to her, the girl who had spoken up for her, Sadie she learned her name was, handed Jessica a beer and Dex opened it for her.

"So, that' your boyfriend huh?" Sadie asked as she wrinkled her nose.

"No, Luke isn't my boyfriend." Jessica shook her head.

"Good." Dex scoffed as he took another drink of his beer. "He's no good for you Jess. 'S not good for anyone." she nodded and looked down at her beer before taking a drink of it. By the time Dex drove her home the inital swelling of her arm had gone down some but it was starting to bruise, she was wearing Dex's jacket as it was freezing up at the lake and he was gentlemanly enough to let her have it when he saw her pulling her thin sweater around her tighter. "Let me walk you to the house." he said as he helped her out of his truck.

"Thanks." she said as they both walked together. "So, Dex..." she said slowly. "Do you think you could... Not tell Aldo about this?"

"I wasn't planning on telling him." he said and she nodded with a small sigh. "But it doesn't mean you shouldn't tell your parents." he continued and she shook her head.

"Not yet." she said. "I'll tell them after the party."

"Party?" he asked and she looked at him like he was crazy.

"Yeah, my parents fall dinner party. We invited your dad, and well, since you're here, the invitation of course extends to you." she said and he shook his head as they reached the gate.

"My dad doesn't tell me shit." he said with a small sigh. "I guess we'll see you tomorrow then."

"I guess so." she said then started to take off his jacket, but he held up his hand.

"Give it to me when I need it." he said and she frowned.

"And when might that be?" she asked and he shrugged.

"Who knows?" he asked with a shrug and a smile. She smiled lightly and then hugged him tightly burrying her face in his chest he wrapped his arms around her and just held her close, resting his head on the top of her's she could feel his rough unshaven face on her forehead making her smile.

"I'll see you tomorrow." she said softly and he nodded as they both pulled away, her walking towards her house and him walking scross the street to his. When she walked inside she turned to see her dad sitting in the living room reading Utivitch's book. He looked up and out the window as Jessica walked in then at the jacket she was wearing.

"Is that Dex Raine?" he asked nodding to the figure lightly illuminated under the street lamp.

"Yes." she said simply.

"What happened to Luke Glosslin?"

"I don't think I'll be seeing him again." she said as she thought about him, glad she had on Dex's jacket it covered the blood from when she had bit Luke earlier.

"Did he touch you?" he asked angrily and Jessica sighed.

"He's just... No good for me daddy." she said and he chuckled lightly as he stood up and walked over to her. He put his hand on her shoulder and kissed the top of her head.

"Of corse he isn't sweetheart. It's because he's a boy, and no boy will ever be good enough for my little girl." she smiled and he looked over the jacket again. "So, how did you end up with Dex Raine?" he asked and she rolled her eyes.

"Good night daddy." she said as she hugged him then ran upstairs, stopping about halfway up she turned and walked back down and he handed her Utivitch's book with a smile, kissed her forehead and let her go upstairs where she changed and went to bed.