Karl and Trish had opted for the quickie Vegas wedding. Showing up the next day after graduation, married.
"I can't believe they just went and did it", Casey said, as she set down a box in their new home.
"Karl never was one for waiting", AJ replied.
"I want a wedding, so don't go getting any ideas", she said.
He leaned over and kissed her.
"How much more stuff do you have?", AJ asked.
"Not much, I sold some things I didn't need anymore.", she replied.
He nodded.
"You know, that apartment your grandparents live in is kinda small", he said.
She raised a brow.
"My grandpa already said no to moving in", she said.
"I remember, but I was going to suggest something else", he said.
"What?", she asked.
"So, I sort of bought their house. You know, the one they use to live in before your dad gambled it away", he said.
"AJ", she couldn't believe he would do that.
"They shouldn't have to pay for your dad's mistakes, just like you shouldn't have.", he said.
"How did you pay for that? I thought you said the club was struggling", she said.
He sighed and shrugged.
"AJ", she said.
He met her eyes.
"Don't worry where the money is coming from. Just focus on our wedding and your grandparents. Okay", he said, before walking out of the room.
That worried her. He usually talked about work with her.
Her grandparents home sold right away. They knew it would, it was in a good neighborhood, near a school, and park.
"How do you feel about this?", she asked her grandma.
Her grandma smiled, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Bittersweet, but I'm okay.", she replied.
Casey nodded and drove away.
"Your grandpa and I were always grateful to AJ for what he did for us. We always imagined growing old in that house, and we did", her grandma laughed softly.
Casey smiled.
"We were cautious at first, you know, because of what he did for a living", her grandma said.
"You knew?", Casey asked softly.
Her grandma chuckled.
"Of course we did Casey. He was making so much in such a short time, there was only one way", her grandma said.
Her grandma took her hand.
"Your grandpa surprisingly was okay with it. AJ was different from DX, he cared about people", her grandma continued.
Casey nodded.
"There is something I have to tell you", Casey said softly.
Her grandma looked at her. Casey pulled over, taking a deep breath. She told her grandma about getting kidnapped by DX and how they thought Trish was dead after AJ and the guys rescued her.
Telling her that she lied about a job offer out of town, far enough away from this life because of what happened. That's why she never wanted to come home.
Then about DX telling them that Trish was still alive and where. That AJ was planning to go rescue her and kill the man who took them.
How scared she was about having kids and it happening to them.
"I'm sorry I never told you and grandpa, but I was afraid. Not of AJ, I knew he would never hurt you. Afraid you would be disappointed in me.", Casey said.
Her grandma nodded.
"There is something I have to tell you too", her grandma said.
"What?", she asked.
Casey had left on the first flight out. Not accepting her grandparents offer to drive her to the airport. They wondered why AJ wasn't going with her. Why Casey was in such a rush to leave.
AJ showed up at their house.
"Is Casey here?", he asked, out of breath.
Her grandparents looked confused.
"I woke up this morning and went to work, she was still in bed. I come home and she's gone", AJ said.
"She took that job offer in Boston, didn't you know?", her grandpa had said.
AJ swallowed.
"Job offer?", he asked.
It had been two days after her kidnapping, and Trish's funeral.
"AJ?", her grandpa said.
"Oh yeah, the job offer, of course", AJ said, playing along.
"For a big time boss, you sure are a bad liar", her grandpa said with a smirk.
He gestured for AJ to walk in. Her grandpa had explained to him what he and his wife knew about him.
"Kinda hard to hide a crew in such a small town.", her grandpa said.
AJ chuckled and nodded.
"There is no job offer, is there?", her grandma asked.
AJ shook his head no. He told them what happened and how they hid it from their families.
"As much as I want to be pissed at you for not protecting her better, it wasn't your fault.", her grandpa had said.
"But it was, I shouldn't have caved on her not taking her escorts. I should have had her tailed without her knowing. I made such a small mistake and I wish I could take it back", AJ said.
"They were with a group of girls, out having fun. How could you have possibly known DX would go after them. I don't blame her and I don't blame you", her grandpa said.
AJ nodded.
"I just wish I could stop blaming me.", he said softly.
"She'll come home, she just needs space.", her grandma said.
"I hope so", AJ replied.
He sighed before standing.
"Can this stay between us? I don't want her to feel embarrassed or afraid because you know.", he said.
"Secret is safe with us, unless she decides to tell us too", her grandpa said.
AJ nodded.
"And don't worry about the house or the bills, I've got it. Need anything, call me and I can get it done for you", AJ said.
Her grandpa was going to decline.
"Please, you are the only family I have", he said.
Her grandma hugged him.
"Of course, and if you ever need anything, you come by", her grandma said.
He nodded.
"He told you guys?", she said, surprised.
"He did. We could tell he felt awful about it and it would have eaten him alive. Especially since you just up and left him without a word.", her grandma said.
"If I would have said something, he would just try to convince me to stay, and I would have. I needed to go", Casey said.
"We knew that too, all three of us. Its why we never said anything about knowing. You were doing so well when Grandpa and I would visit.", she said.
Casey smiled.
"Now, my best friend is still alive and, all I want is to see her face for myself.", Casey said.
"Just keep in mind, she might not be the same person she once was. Remind Karl of that too.", her grandma said.
Casey nodded.
Once Garcia and his daughters pulled into The Bloodline territory, he dropped his daughters off at Sika's house to visit with Patricia Reigns.
He met with Sika and Afa at the Usos restaurant.
"Where are your daughters? You usually don't travel alone", Sika said.
"I dropped them off with your wife, they wanted to visit with her. She's always been good to them.", Garcia said.
Sika nodded. He knew Garcia wasn't alone, his driver was carrying in case something went down.
"So, I've heard AJ's side. He mentioned you offering up three of your boys to help rescue their friend", Garcia said.
Sika nodded and gestured behind Garcia. Three men joined them.
"These are my sons, Roman, Dean, and Seth", Sika introduced.
Garcia sent them a nod.
"Ever done a job like this boys?", Garcia asked.
"No sir, but we are fast learners", Roman replied.
"Any good with guns?", Garcia asked.
"Yes sir, pretty great aim if you asked me", Dean smirked.
Garcia chuckled.
"You should be, if Afa trained you", Garcia said.
Afa chuckled.
"So?", Sika asked.
"When AJ calls me back with his decision, it's a yes.", Garcia said.
Roman felt relieved. He hoped this was a step closer to taking back his families seat at Garcia's table.
The three oldest girls loved visiting with Mrs. Reigns. They had known her since they were kids, even after their mom died. Bayley and Veronica were the only ones who had never met her.
Their dad thought they were too young to travel and never let them leave the house. Then he forbid his three oldest from visiting.
"Its too bad you didn't bring the baby. I really wanted to meet Veronica", Mrs. Reigns said.
"I know, but she's in school", Melina said.
"Bayley looks a lot like your mom", she said.
"Ronnie looks even more like her. I think maybe that's why my dad is a little harder on her", Nikki said.
Bayley and Brie were talking with Nia.
"She is so much like her too. She scares me the most", Melina said.
Mrs. Reigns rubbed Melina's back.
"Just don't push. She needs to want to come to you", Mrs. Reigns said.
"Try telling my dad. He just doesn't get it", Melina sighed.
Mrs. Reigns giggled.
"Men, so hard headed", she replied.
"Tell me about it", Melina said.
"We missed you so much, mama Patricia.", Nikki said, hugging her.
"I missed you too my girls", she replied.
"And we will get Ric, he will pay for taking Nia. He will burn for hurting innocent women", Melina said.
"Just be careful", Mrs. Reigns replied.
Brie walked over to them.
"Dad is pulling in", she said.
They each hugged Mrs. Reigns and Nia.
"It was so good to finally meet you, well not as a baby", Mrs. Reigns said, cupping Bayley's face.
"You too, my sisters spoke so much about you, its like I already knew you", Bayley replied.
"You all come back to visit soon, and bring your sister next time", Patricia said.
"We will mama Patricia", Nikki replied.
They waved as they drove away. Nia looked at her mom.
"You should sell Roman to Garcia for one of his daughters. Heck, even Dean and Seth.", Nia said.
Her mom laughed.
"Your brothers wouldn't know what to do with women like that", her mom said.
Nia laughed.