50 Blacktop Obsession
"Where'd Kaidyn go?" Hector asked, looking at Han after they had come back downstairs, holding his arms out.
"I thought she was with you, Hector." Han replied, looking around.
"I literally went to the bathroom and turned my back for less than two minutes." Hector shook his head in awe.
"She could be anywhere in this house." Han muttered, looking around.
"Shit, I'll check the cameras. We gotta find her, Holmes." Hector said, looking nervous.
"She's around here, she couldn't have ran." Han shrugged, looking at Roman looking at the snack wall. "Right?" He asked, making sure but knowing she couldn't with Carter's security team outside.
"Why would you think she would run?" Tej asked, giving Brian a look.
"She's a known runner, man. She will take off. She likes to take off and disappear. She's really good at it." Han explained.
"Especially when she's in a place like this." Hector explained, meaning a place she wasn't comfortable in.
"Oh, yeah, we learned that in LA." Roman nodded, folding his arms, still taking in the house. He looked up at the sprawling ceiling and noticed another camera. He kept looking around in amazement.
"You can't take your eyes off the girl." Hector added, shaking his head.
"Kaidyn!" Han called.
"Yo, Homie! All these snacks! Yessss…" Roman's eyes widened, looking at rows of snacks as he looked at the snack wall that had tons of chips and bagged snacks.
"That side is mine, Roman." Han gave a nod. "The rest you can have." Han informed him.
"Really?" Roman asked.
"Just so we have a clear understanding." Han nodded.
"I didn't know they fed the hired help." Roman joked.
"Then you shouldn't be eatin, Roman." Han retorted, making Roman point at him and laugh.
"Fair enough." Roman laughed, giving Han a fistbump with a smile. "I think I am gonna love it here, Homie." He nodded.
"Han, we gotta find her before she finds Shayde." Hector hit Han's arm, pulling him away, his tone of voice urgent.
"Did you check the cameras yet? She may have made it over to Shay's side by now." Han rolled his eyes.
"Shayde's side?" Brian asked.
"Yes, you guys are all on the right. Do not go up the stairs on the left. That's her side and that side is off limits." Han informed the boys.
"Well we really need to find her before she goes exploring on that side if you know what I mean. He's here, guys, visiting Shay. We gotta keep her busy and keep Shayde off of her mind." Hector said, scanning the cameras quickly.
"Any luck?" Brian asked as Hector came back.
"Got her. Let's go, she's almost to Shay's room." He jumped up, heading over to Shayde's side of the house. They found Kaidyn looking around curiously.
"What are you doing over here, Princess Kadence?" Han asked.
"I need to find Shay and make sure she's okay." Kaidyn said, looking panicked as Hector and Han who had both rushed up to her.
"Shay's gonna take a shower and go to sleep." Han said, putting an arm around her and steering her away from the door she was getting close to.
"Why does Shay have a lock on her door like that? She's never had that." Kaidyn looked at Han questioningly, her eyes full of tears as she took the lock personally towards her.
"Ah, Kaidyn, it's okay. She just needs a bit of a break." Hector scrambled to find a logical reason.
"Why does she need a break from me? Am I that bad?" Kaidyn asked, stopping for a minute and looking confused. She looked at the door, then the lock with sad eyes.
"Not the right words, Hector." Han put a hand over his face and shook his head, knowing Kaidyn would take this the wrong way.
"No, you are not bad at all." Hector promised.
"I must be if she needs a lock like that." Kaidyn sighed.
"Didn't we talk about being nice to ourselves?" Han asked, lifting her chin up and looking Kaidyn in the eyes. "Quit being mean to Princess Kadence." Han said, chiding her. He had been trying to work with her for a while about how she was to herself.
"Shayde just gets run down, you know how she is." Hector said, taking out his phone and texting Shayde as he talked.
"You sure she's okay? We should really check on her." Kaidyn said with a sigh.
"She's fine. I was just in there making sure she ate before she relaxed." Hector promised.
"The designs for this house did not go as planned. The architect took liberties that Shayde did not want and changed it. She'll address it and fix it, don't worry." Han nodded.
"I hope so because this is not what Shayde would want." Kaidyn sighed. "I just need her to be okay." Kaidyn said longingly, worried about Shayde.
"She's relaxing and going to bed." Han rubbed her shoulders.
"If you are sure…" Kaidyn said, looking at the door, unsure if she should leave.
"She just texted me and told me to tell you to have fun and she was going to bed." Hector held up his phone, the screen lit up as proof.
"I have an idea. Tell you what, let's call a truce tonight. You let Shayde rest tonight and we don't start on homework until tomorrow night." Han bargained, his arm still loosely draped around Kaidyn's shoulders.
"What are we gonna do in the meantime?" Kaidyn asked, looking at the staircase, not liking it for some reason. Hector saw how unsure she still looked. He picked her up and put her over his shoulder and carried her off to her room.
"Come on, let's go make sure Sprinkles gets his treat and you can change out of those clothes into something more comfy." He coaxed, making her giggle. "Why do you still seem sad, Rapunzel?" He asked, sitting her on her bed.
"I just feel like there's a big piece of my life missing, Hector. I just want to know what I am missing." She said as she fed and pet Sprinkles.
"Well, as Han says when your brain feels like you are ready, it will let you know. In the meantime, let's not be too hard on ourselves for being human and feeling emotions, eh?" He asked, opening the room to her door.
"I really don't like it when you are around Han too much. It's not like he is some doctor or all knowing wise person." Kaidyn rolled her eyes. She walked outside to the screened in porch.
"Actually, Han went to medical school. He's a Nurse practitioner." Hector said, making Kaidyn look shocked.
"Really!?" She asked.
"Yes, really. He didn't want to be a doctor but he coulda been but ever since you two got hurt, it inspired him to learn more to help you guys." Hector explained as he got some clothes out for Kaidyn, frowning at the clothes Carter had gotten her.
"He did that for us?" Kaidyn asked.
"His love for you guys is immeasurable. He wanted to help as best as he could. You two are our family so we will learn and do anything we can to help." Hector nodded.
"Wow, is that why he went to bartending school too?" Kaidyn asked, wide eyed as Hector kept looking through clothes at learning this about Han.
"He likes to learn new things and it helps because he can make different drinks for you guys." Hector shrugged. "Go change in your safe room." He gave her some shorts and a shirt he finally approved of.
"So are you a nurse too?" Kaidyn asked after changing and looking a bit more at ease.
"Nope, I was an EMT before I started racing. So I know basic stuff. Why, you interested in the medical field, Chica?" Hector asked.
"No, I still gotta finish high school. My brain is not smart enough anymore." Kaidyn said so curtly Hector did a doubletake.
"You're very smart. You can do anything you choose to do, Kaidyn. Your high school is only because you keep fighting Han. You're so smart." Hector hugged Kaidyn.
"Thanks. I don't know what I want to do. Maybe be like Shayde. She seems to love what she does." Kaidyn nodded, pulling her hair up in a ponytail.
"I'm sure Shayde wouldn't want that for you." Hector laughed, knowing very well everything Shayde was doing was to give her a better life and avoid Kaidyn being like her.
"I'll just be a professional tree climber. What do they call them, parkour? I love being in high places and small places." Kaidyn mused.
"Notice there is no tree to climb down, Rapunzel." Hector joked, switching the subject.
"Not funny, Hector." She rolled her eyes.
"Wasn't funny when you disappeared either, Kaidyn." He shook his head.
"I needed time to clear my head." She shrugged.
"Well, let's not disappear like that again and scare me like that, please." Hector requested.
"We'll see how it goes. I can't promise." Kaidyn giggled. "Since when are you ever scared? Not you." She laughed.
"Yeah, yeah, you had me pretty worried." Hector ruffled her hair.
"What are you talking about?" Kaidyn asked, batting her eyes innocently.
"Girl, you know I worry when you suddenly disappear. Last time you ended up in juvie." He shook his head. He watched her smile disappear again. "Tell me what's wrong?" he asked, petting Sprinkles.
"I'm worried about Shayde because she's always sad and tired." Kaidyn answered, looking lost in thought.
"Well, I have a feeling since she's home tonight and she's getting some good peaceful rest she might be back to herself." Hector said, folding his arms.
"You think so?" Kaidyn asked, looking hopeful.
"I think so. I think she's been so worried about you that she's more tired than what she wants to admit and once she gets some rest in her own bed, she'll be back to the old Shayde in no time." Hector said matter of factly.
"That would really make me happy. She worries me." Kaidyn frowned.
"She's good, girl. She loves you and wants to make sure you are okay. As long as you are okay, I am sure she's good." Hector promised. "So, I got drinks, snacks and all the latest games, you want to have a party tonight?" he asked, glad Kaidyn was so easily distracted.
"I don't feel much like partying." Kaidyn shrugged, looking almost sad.
"What? I am giving you a free night and a drinking pass and you are not feeling up to drinking? Who stole my Kaidyn?" Hector asked, looking concerned.
"I don't know. I just don't know if I feel up to partying, Holmes." Kaidyn said playfully mocking him, jabbing him in the ribs
"Funny girl, you are." He said, ruffling her hair.
"I'm glad you are here, Hector." She sighed, grateful he could make her laugh.
"Besides, I was hoping you could party with me tonight and give Han lots of shit." He said, matter of factly.
"Oh, you know I am always up to give Jeeves lots of shit." Kaidyn laughed, high fiving Hector.
"He's gonna be grilling. Let's go downstairs and find the boys. We can show them the game room, which you are all going to love." Hector suggested.
"Nope, only if you carry me." Kaidyn playfully demanded.
"I'm only agreeing so we can get there faster because I am starving." Hector admitted, picking her up like a bag of potatoes over his shoulder.
"Whatcha got there?" Tej grinned at Hector.
"A Kaidyn. Should I let her down so we can look at the game room?" Hector asked playfully in the kitchen where Roman, Han, Tej and Brian were.
"I think you should because she's gonna want some grilled pineapple." Han nodded as he worked on gathering food Hector put Kaidyn down and she looked at the boys.
"I'm starving." Roman admitted.
"Me too, ese." Hector nodded.
"I need some help carrying the food to grill. You guys want to help?" Han asked, gathering up the meats and vegetables in his arms.
"Where's the grill?" Kaidyn asked.
"It's in the pool room. Past the game room." Hector replied as they all walked down the hall with the skylights.
"The game room has a pool table, foosball, ping pong, air hockey and some arcade games. And a skee ball." Han noted.
"I love skee ball. That's my jam." Kaidyn looked excited. "Did you say pool room?" Kaidyn asked, it just dawning on her.
"Yes, Chica, to the left. It's all glass on the roof so it's like you're outside but it's all enclosed." Hector promised.
"Oh, I will be able to swim and storm watch." Kaidyn sounded excited.
"Or cloud watch." Roman added.
"Yes, Rome and I love watching clouds." Kaidyn nodded.
"Wow, this is a nice pool room." Tej said appreciatively, looking around at the grill and chairs and then the pool a distance away. It was long and very shimmery. Kaidyn's eyes lit up at how beautiful it looked with the glass rooftop. Kaidyn sat the vegetables she had in her arms down and jumped in the pool, no words or warning.
"Wow, she had no bathing suit on." Roman shook his head, shocked she didn't even wait to get in.
"She wouldn't wear it anyways." Hector replied.
"What?" Roman asked.
"She refused to wear them because of pageants she used to be forced to do. Carter wanted her to go to Nationals before everything happened. She was doing good in them. But it was always a struggle to get her to behave like he wanted." Hector sighed, not fond of those memories.
"Need some help, Han?" Brian asked.
"Sure, grab a Corona and come help me." Han nodded.
"Rome! Tej! Come join me!" Kaidyn yelled excitedly as she swam back and forth. She swam to the edge, treading water. Roman started to take off his shirt to get in.
"I wouldn't do that." Han advised under his breath.
"Huh? Whatchu mean?" Roman asked, looking confused. Han walked over to where Roman was and turned on his scrambler.
"I'm sure you realize who she is by now, right? Like who she's related to. Taking off your shirt with him being able to watch, just not a good idea." Han advised.
"What do you mean watch?" Roman asked as Tej shook his head.
"Come on, Dawg, you can't tell me you didn't notice all these cameras pointed at us in here." Tej said.
"I noticed them but who swims with a shirt on?" Roman asked, shaking his head.
"Easy. Anyone who wants to live. You're in Verone's world now." Han said, turning away from the camera.
"But he's not here right now, watching us, right?" Roman asked.
"He's not watching us but I didn't say anything about him not being here." Han advised.
"He can rewind and watch anytime, from anywhere. You wanna take that chance?" Hector asked as he watched Kaidyn.
"No, I'm good." Roman nodded.
"Come on, Roman! Tej, come swim!" Kaidyn called.
"I can't get my braids wet but if you promise not to splash me I'll come sit at the edge." Tej promised her.
"Deal. Come on, Rome. Jump in! It's not cold at all." Kaidyn beckoned.
"You guys go ahead. We can cook the food." Hector nodded. He was glad to have some time to talk to Han.
"Brian, wanna go swim?" Han offered.
"I'm good, thanks. I'll just hang out here. Would like to catch up with you guys." Brian admitted.
"Yeah, it's been a while for sure." Han nodded as he put some pineapple on the grill beside the meat.
"Let me guess, that's for Kaidyn." Brian grinned.
"Yeah, she loves fruit. Mainly pineapple and strawberry. So I started grilling pineapple because she loves it when we grill." Han explained.
"Why do I feel like you've known them longer than you've known me?" Brian asked, fiddling with his Corona bottle.
"Your feelings true. I've known Shayde since I was a little boy and her a little girl." Han admitted.
"Man, no way." Brian laughed, then became serious.
"Yes way." Han nodded. "I grew up with her." Han promised.
"You should brace yourself for this story, Holmes." Hector nodded, folding his arms. "I bet white boy won't believe it." He laughed.
"Try me." Brian challenged.
"My family worked for her dad. They got stupid and tried to over throw him. He killed them all. Well, he ordered his little killer he was training to kill them. She had no choice and did. But she refused to kill me and let me escape instead." Han said quietly.
"That's messed up. He made her kill them?" Brian asked, his mouth dropping.
"It was nothing to him. He made her get close to people just to make her kill them. She was brought up to kill and to be sold as a killer." Han explained.
"Why'd she let you go?" Brian asked.
"She only had two friends. I was one of them. She refused and he beat her within an inch of her life. I thought she died for the longest time." Han shook his head.
"Damn." Brian sighed.
"She's had a tough life." Hector injected.
"Yeah, very tough life. Her father has the most power in Argentina currently. Carter is a big threat to him. She let me go and ever since then, we've become family." Han explained.
"You don't resent her for killing your family?" Brian asked.
"She had no choice. I knew how he treated her. I saw all he did to her. He tortured her if she didn't do as he thought. He shot her to teach her how long it would take to bleed out. He had her injure people and when they didn't heal in a certain amount of time, she had to kill them. She suffered every time he made her do things until he taught her not to feel. She still feels bad about my family to this day." Han explained.
"When her and Kaidyn got shot, I knew she needed help." Han explained, staring off as if he was reliving those moments.
"So you felt like you had to repay her?" Brian asked.
"Didn't have to but wanted to. I saved her that day they got shot. I don't know where Carter was but I barely got help there in time and after that I went to med school so I could help her with Kaidyn." Han explained, putting chicken on the grill.
"Wow, so you are Doctor Han?" Brian asked, looking impressed.
"Nurse practitioner. Right under a doctor. I didn't need all that residency crap and to be a doctor." Han shook his head.
"So why come here if she has you and Hector to help with Kaidyn?" Brian asked.
"It's either she stays here or goes back to her father. She's property, Brian." Hector said, trying to not scowl in anger.
"Property?" Brian asked, taking a drink.
"Her dad only used her to train and saw her as an asset. He sold her to Carter's family at 14 to protect Carter." Han said.
"But why if Carter's family was a threat?" Brian asked, rubbing his chin.
"So she could eventually take him down. Come on, Detective." Han rolled his eyes.
"She's working on it. But that wrench was them getting shot. If she doesn't go back to Carter, Dante is going to have his property brought back home." Hector said.
"Why can't she go back home and take him out?" Brian asked.
"She has Kaidyn. And if Dante gets a hold of her, he will make her kill all of us. Her and Kaidyn will be the only ones going back home." Han explained as he flipped the chicken.
"Dante sees Kaidyn as broken. What happens to broken things, Brian?" Hector asked, raising an eyebrow.
"He wouldn't hurt her, would he? It's not her fault." Brian sat up, alarmed.
"Of course not." Han shook his head. "He'd have Shayde do it. And if she refused, she'd be forced to watch and then pay the price." Han added.
"Damn." Brian said and was quiet for a minute, lost in thought. "Wait, you said Dante. Argentina. Dante Vega!?" Brian asked, sitting up.
"Yes, Vega. Guess that you maybe do know of him huh?" Han asked, putting the meat on a plate.
"That's her father?" Brian shook his head.
"Yes, she's got six months before he comes to collect her. We gotta get a way for these two to take each other out before then." Hector sighed.
"Shayde Vega. Oh my damn, I feel so bad for her. I've read his file. He's ...there's no words. Top of the most wanted list and always untouchable." Brian shook his head.
"You know why that is, Brian? Han asked, watching Roman throw Kaidyn in the water and loving hearing her laugh. He checked to make sure the scrambler was still on.
"Because his assassin daughter committed all the crime and is untouchable. I'll be damned. She's good at what she does." Brian nodded.
"She's good. Not by choice but because it was life or death for her. She just wants to be free from being property and to keep Kaidyn safe." Hector sighed.
"I'm going to give you a piece of advice. You were a cop, not everything is as it seems. Learn to read the room and be observant." Han advised.
"It's gonna be an interesting ride, O'Connor." Hector nodded.