This took forever to update-I'm so sorry. A lot of backstory on Riki and her family in this chappie.
Riki's head was hurting and her stomach was flipping and she was fighting everything she could to open her eyes. Opening her eyes meant she would see light, and right now light would hurt…a lot. She felt the bed move and a small smile crossed her face. Did Daryl sleep with her last night? She remembered bits and pieces, but she was pretty sure she remembered him kissing her on the forehead, but hell, she might have dreamed that. Bravely she opened her eyes to see two sets of eyes mere inches from her face. Without warning she screamed and jumped out of bed, terrified. Unfortunately, her screams terrified the little kittens in her bed and the small gray kitten arched his back and began to hiss while the little black and white kitten skittered off the bed and into a corner under a chair. To make matters worse Daryl appeared within seconds clad only in boxers and T-shirt, carrying his crossbow. Shit, this was not how to start off a day with a severe hangover.
"Oh Shit" were the first words out of Riki's mouth as she stumbled/fell out of bed to comfort the kitten she had just traumatized.
"It's OK little man, I'm so sorry" She said as she made her way to the little black and white critter and picked his little trembling body up and began to comfort him. She slid down on the floor, a little unsteady on her feet and began to coo to the kitten. Within a few seconds he was cradled against her chest and sound asleep. She looked up to see Daryl still standing there like a deer in headlights.
"Sorry Daryl. I didn't mean to wake you up." She whispered.
"Ain't a big deal…Just thought someone had gotten in and was after ya. I reckon the little creatures scared ya. Kinda funny." He said trying to hold back a smile.
"If my head wasn't killing me so badly I'm sure I would find the humor in all of this too." She said as she made to stand up on her shaky legs. Daryl reached down and offered her a hand as she continued to hold onto Lucky. Finally on her feet she placed Lucky against his brother and made her way to the kitchen.
"I need a Bloody Mary." She mumbled to Daryl.
"Ain't gonna do ya no good…just prolong things. You need a big glass of ice water and some aspirin. Flush the alcohol out of your system." Daryl informed her.
"Bloody Mary sounds better. Shit, I might drink all day." She told him.
"Then you will feel like hell all day tomorrow. I've got myself through plenty of hangovers with water, aspirin, and junk food. Just follow my lead girl and we will get through this." He told her.
"If I didn't feel so fucking bad I might enjoy the thought of you standing here in your boxers a little more." She mumbled as she shaded her eyes from the light coming in the window. Daryl bristled a little when he realized he had never been this uncovered in front of a female while he was still sober. Thankfully he had a shirt on.
"Mmm…I'm gonna get dressed and start breakfast. Meet me in the kitchen and bring Oscar and Lucky…then need to eat." He told her.
"Fine." She said as she let out a hiss of pain.
…
Daryl had pulled on jeans and a black T-shirt and was hard at work cooking a hangover friendly breakfast for Riki. It was carb laden and nice and greasy at the same time. He had poured her a large glass of ice cold water and placed two aspirin for her at her seat. Riki had taken a quick shower and made her way to the table, wearing nothing more than a tiny pair of cotton shorts and a light pink T-shirt while her hair had been thrown up into a clip on top of her head. The first thing Daryl noticed was she wasn't wearing a bra. He wasn't sure if she did it on purpose, or if she was just that comfortable with her body, but the woman oozed sexuality and was always throwing temptation his way. He might have gotten a peak of her pert nipples, but he wasn't going to let that distract him. No matter how bad he wanted it, he would never allow himself to cross that line with her.
She flopped down in a chair and took in the sight before her. "I haven't ever had anyone make me breakfast before, unless you count calling room service and charging it to me." She said, in an almost sad voice. Daryl could tell that she had been used by a lot of people in her past, yet for some reason she still trusted him.
"It ain't nothing. Figure you wouldn't feel like cooking this morning." He said in an almost mumble.
Riki looked at Daryl intently. He had a pair of the most piercing blue eyes she thought she had ever seen on any man in her entire life. He didn't speak much, but his eyes expressed what he was thinking, whether he was aware of it or not. She hadn't known him very long, but she could tell by his eyes if he was angry, nervous, or thinking. She decided she would keep that secret to herself. Based on his expressions currently, she could tell he was thinking.
"So Daryl, Whatcha thinking about this morning?" She asked as she reached out and touched his hand.
Daryl was caught off guard with the question. He couldn't come right out and say "her". That just wasn't and would never happen. He decided to just give her a shrug. Fortunately for him her phone rang and he was saved from answering her at the moment.
"Hello"
"Erika, I expect you for dinner and Sunday mass today." Thomas Thornton didn't hold anything back…no formalities.
"Daddy, I've got plans today." She said, trying not to let her voice sound nervous.
"You're right, you do. You will be here for Sunday Mass and then dinner with the family. We have some things we need to discuss, more specifically why I saw photos of you digging through a trash bin in a back alley in the wee hours of the morning. What are you trying to do to this family that you haven't done already? The last thing I need is for someone to accuse me of allowing you to go homeless." He bellowed over the phone loud enough for Daryl to hear. Daryl opted to bow his head and try not to acknowledge the awkward conversation Riki was having with her father.
"Dad…Please, I don't feel well this morning." She begged.
"I don't care Riki. I want you dressed appropriately and at Our Lady of Lourdes in ninety minutes. It's the least that you can do. You actions from last night were all over the news and tabloids this morning, and I want to know what the hell you were doing with that biker looking fellow?" He yelled.
"We'll discuss it later daddy. He's a friend who's done quite a bit to help me out." She said, not giving her father the specific details.
"Don't make this a problem Erika. I've cleaned up too many of your messes in the past." He screamed before slamming the phone down. Riki just sat there looking like a kicked puppy. Daryl could tell she was upset.
"Look, if me being here is gonna cause a problem for you with your daddy, then I can figure something else out." Daryl told her in earnest. She shook her head no and raised her hand so he would stop talking.
"Cigarette…Now." She said as she inhaled the food on her plate and headed out to the back porch. The morning was overcast and a little cooler than she expected and Daryl noticed her shiver as she sat down in one of the chairs on the balcony. Without a word he got up and returned with a blanket and handed it to her. He then noticed she was crying.
"Hey…none of that shit. Don't let anyone get to ya like that." Daryl said trying to be supportive but knowing he was clueless when it came to comforting people.
"You don't understand Daryl. I think I'm an independent adult and then my father calls and I'm a helpless little kid. He continues to bring up all of my past mistakes…and trust me he had to bail me out of more than one issue, but that was a long time ago. It fucking sucks that I can't stand up to him." She said wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
"It won't a piece a cake with my old man either. I left when I was eighteen and ain't seen him since. Hell I don't even know if he's still alive, though I think Merle keeps in touch with him and he'd let me know if the asshole kicked the bucket." Daryl said to her with traces of anger in her voice.
"What happened? I mean with your father?" Riki asked him.
"It don't matter now and I ain't discussing it." He told her emphatically. Riki made a mental note not to bring up the subject of Daryl's father again. Obviously there were some deep-rooted resentments there and she didn't want to stir the pot.
"Sorry…I didn't mean to bring it up." She told him.
"I didn't mean to snap at ya, it's just something I don't want to talk about. The past is the past." Daryl said, knowing full well that he relived that fucking past every single day.
A banging on the front door broke the awkwardness. "What the hell?" Riki said as she got up to see who was knocking on the door. Daryl followed because the only person's who had access to the penthouse without knowing the code were Building Security and Public Service. Anyone else who wanted to reach the top of the building had to be buzzed in by Riki.
Riki opened the door and Daryl saw an Atlanta Police Officer standing there. He had thick wavy black hair, olive skin, broad shoulders and menacing brown eyes. A pretty boy who obviously had his nose broken a few times. Riki huffed "Shane, I told you I didn't want to see you ever again and I don't appreciate you using your code to get up here unannounced."
"We need to talk Erika." The man said emphatically.
Riki looked at Daryl "Hey, can you give us a few? I'll join you for a smoke in a few minutes, this won't take long." She said as she turned to the Officer. Daryl reluctantly went out to the balcony and lit up a cigarette. He didn't want to eavesdrop on Riki's conversation, but something about Cop left Daryl with a feeling of uneasiness. It was a combination of the guy's arrogance and the fact that Riki didn't react to him well. So he decided to listen to the conversation in case things went too far and he needed to intervene.
"You've got five minutes" Riki snapped at him.
"You're right, this won't take long." Shane replied in a snarky tone.
"What is it that you had to bring yourself all the way over here?" Riki asked hoping to get this awkward exchange over with.
"What the fuck are you doing Erika? Shane bellowed at her.
"Excuse me? Who the fuck do you think you are Mr. Walsh? Hmmm? You think you can burst in here and start demanding things from me? I think not." She screamed back at him.
"I see you spiraling out of control Riki. Dumpster Diving, and now hanging around with White Trash like this asshole?" Shane said pointing to Daryl. Daryl heard him, and fought with ever fiber of his being not to burst into the house and beat the shit out of the lawman…but he thought about Riki and decided so far she was holding her own.
"Oh don't give me that bullshit Shane. That man is Daryl, and you will refer to him as such. He has more class in his little finger than you have in your entire body. He has been nothing but a proper gentleman and has protected me better in the short time I've known him than you ever did in our relationship." She attacked.
"Riki I want you back. I don't want you throwing your life away on deadbeats like Daryl" he replied sarcastically.
"You can want me, but you can't have me. I wanted a real man Shane, and you were nothing but a fucking player who used my money and me. How many 'indiscretions' did you have while we were together? Hmmm? I lost count Shane. Did you ever tell your partner you were fucking his wife? And what about the whores at the bar, the lawyer? What was her name…Andrea. Oh yeah, can't forget her. You blew your chance Shane, and there won't be another. So take your ass out of here and leave." Riki screamed.
Shane reached out and grabbed Riki's arm and that was enough for Daryl to leave the balcony and enter the condo. "Hey mother fucker…take your hand off of her or you are gonna wish you were dead."
"You threatening me? Do you know what the punishment for threatening a lawman is Daryl?" Shane teased back.
"And I reckon you wouldn't have any problem explaining why you were putting hands on a lady without her permission…right Shane." Daryl snarked back.
Shane let out a hiss and dropped Riki's arm. A visible relief crossed Riki's face. "I'm leaving, but I'm going to have my eye on you." Shane said as he pointed at Daryl. "Riki, take care of yourself…but I am not giving up on us."
"Shane there is no 'Us'. I need you to accept that." She said in a pleading voice.
"No, you're wrong and no matter how long it takes, I will prove that to you." He said as he turned and walked out of the door.
Riki let out a swallowed sob. "Could this day get any worse?" She asked out loud to no one in particular. Daryl walked over to her and did something he wasn't comfortable with; he pulled her into an embrace. He was stiff in his actions, but his heart was in the right place.
"Trust me, it could. Let's have a smoke and then I think you need to get ready to meet your family for church." Daryl said, trying to offer her a bit of comfort.
They went out and had a final smoke before Riki disappeared to get ready for her family meeting. Daryl cleaned up the kitchen and flopped down on the couch with the remote in his hand. There wasn't any reason to not take advantage of the top-notch television and surround sound and since he was pretty much broke he didn't have anything planned for the day. He had already found himself in a reality television program about moonshining when Riki emerged from her bedroom.
Daryl couldn't believe the change in Riki's appearance. He had only seen her dressed in something sexy or barely there, but this Riki looked like a political candidate. She had on a pink pencil skirt that hit her below the knee and sleeveless white blouse. Any signs of her tattoo were completely covered up and Daryl noted she had on a matching set of pearl earrings, bracelet, and necklace. It was a very conservative look, especially for Riki. She was carrying a matching pink suit jacket and had on a nude pair of heels to finish off the outfit. Her hair was pulled back in an upsweep and pinned with a pearl comb. Her makeup was minimal but flattering and Daryl found himself staring at her natural beauty.
Daryl went to say something but Riki raised her finger and gave him a look to tell him to think hard before he said anything.
" I was just gonna say you look real nice and lady like." Daryl told her.
"Oh, just what every girl wants to hear from a handsome man." Riki quipped back as she made her way to the liquor cabinet and poured herself a shot of vodka.
"I ain't your boyfriend, so it shouldn't bother ya none." Daryl barked at her.
"I didn't say you were, it's just not my comfort zone. I hate looking like this…this is how my parents expect me to present myself, and if feels fucking confining. I can't even smoke in front of them without my father lecturing me. This is going to be the most absolutely miserable Sunday ever. Cheers!" She said as she lifted the shot of vodka to her mouth and downed the shot.
"You're just gonna prolong your hangover." Daryl warned.
"Fuck it…I don't care. This is just to get me through the next few hours. Maybe my mother will serve wine with dinner. You know us Thornton's 'only the best will do'." Riki said in a mocking tone.
One thing was for sure, that a hung over Riki made for a very bitchy Riki. Daryl wanted to do everything in his power to avoid her wrath.
"Do the church thing, eat dinner, and then tell them that you have something work related to do. Then you can come home and relax…maybe we could watch a movie." He said, trying to put her in a better mood.
"We'll see." She said grabbing her purse. Without thinking she turned and placed a kiss on Daryl's cheek and then gave a quick cuddle to Oscar and Lucky. "Here goes nothing." She said as she gave a final wave and walked out the door.
Daryl could still smell her heavenly scent still wafting in the air as she left. His cheek still tingled where she had just placed her soft lips on him, but he could tell that the more he got to know Riki, she was much more complex than he had originally believed. The worst part about it was, he was actually concerned. Never in his life had he given a shit about anyone other than him and Merle, and now this girl was invading his every thought. The wall that always surrounded his heart was starting to crumble, and that scared the hell out of him.
…
Riki showed up at the church just as mass was beginning. She threw some holy water on herself, genuflected, and then took her seat beside her cousin. She was thrilled that her beloved cousin Rick was with the family today. Unfortunately, so was her conniving brother Gareth. Of course, Gareth was seated beside her father and grinning like a Cheshire cat. When Riki sat down her father gave her a stern look then tapped his watch, letting her know she was late. That man never gave her a break.
Of all the people in the family, Rick and her Grandfather Richard were the closest to Riki. Rick's mother Ella Thornton was her father's younger sister, and she had married Samuel Grimes and opted to not participate in the family business. Where as Burgess respected her decision to put family before business, Thomas thought she was a fool for throwing away the opportunity to grow the family fortune. Rick's father was the Chief of police in Hiram, Georgia and had died in an auto accident when Rick was fourteen. Two years later Rick's mother succumbed to cancer and Thomas took Rick in to live with them until he was eighteen. At that time Rick went to the Police Academy and became an officer. Now he holds his father's previous position of Police Chief in Hiram.
Rick met and Married Lori Bates shortly after finishing up at the academy and they soon had their son Carl. During Rick's rookie year as a cop he was partnered up with Shane Walsh, also just out of the academy and the two of them became close friends. Shane became the brother that Rick never had and after Carl was born he referred to him as "Uncle Shane".
Two years earlier Rick was shot in the line of duty and was not expected to survive. Riki was devastated by the idea of losing her cousin and the family held vigil at his bedside, praying for a miracle that he would survive. It was at this time that Shane took advantage of a lonely and scared Lori and the two began to have a discreet affair. It was also at this time that Shane and Riki began to date.
Shane was handsome, and his genuine concern for Rick touched Riki deeply. He was a smooth talker and very different than the other assholes Riki had dated in the past. He could be both comforting and assuring at the same time, and when he spoke to you, it was like you were the only person in the world who existed. Riki fell for him hard and fast, and before she knew it, they were living together and making plans for the future. That was until she went out of town on business and returned early to find none other than Shane and Rick's wife fucking in her bed. At this point Rick had fully healed and returned to work, but even after Lori knew Rick would survive, she continued to pursue the relationship with Shane. To make matters worse, Riki found out Lori wasn't the only person Shane was seeing while he was dating her, and he was using her money and resources to wine and dine the other women. Riki was devastated and went into a deep depression, and then that depression turned into anger (and even a possible bit of vengeance). At first she put all her efforts into her position at Thornton Industries, but after a life changing conversation with her Grandfather she re-focused that anger into something good. That was when she decided to open the community center and through all of her anger and determination she turned her efforts into helping those whom really were in need. This is when Riki learned how far from reality she had lived her life, and she began to appreciate real people.
When Riki found Lori and Shane together, she knew there was no way she could avoid letting Rick know what was going on. It had been a painful phone call to make, but she knew Rick deserved better than to have a wife that was making a fool of him. If Rick had not survived the gunshot wound, Lori stood to inherit Rick's millions of dollars. To know Rick you would never know he was a wealthy man, as he chose to live a comfortable yet humble life. Lori on the other hand was always begging him to "live a little" and splurge. Occasionally he would break down and take her on an exotic vacation, but for the most part he told her that they didn't need the cash at this point in their life and the funds were there for emergencies, retirement, and Carl's College fund, and eventually Carl's inheritance.
To make matters worse the week after the affair was exposed, Lori found out she was pregnant. A DNA test was performed when little Judith was born, and it was determined that Rick was the child's father, not Shane. Rick immediately fought for custody of the little girl and won, and had been raising his two children on his own. Fortunately he had a good support system to help him out while he was working and had hired a nanny to assist with Judith.
The divorce was ugly between Rick and Lori, but she still managed to be a decent mother to the children. Lori had asked for an astronomical amount in spousal support (even though Rick had custody of the kids) but was denied because Rick had been smart enough to get a pre-nup before they married. If there was one bit of good advice that Thomas had given Rick, the pre-nup had been a blessing. Rick did agree to pay Lori enough to support herself, put herself through school, and a little extra each month so she wasn't destitute, but she was far from happy. In her mind she thought she could get enough to live lavishly, keep Shane, and never have to work again. That fairy tale fell flat and not only did Lori have a ferocious anger towards Rick, she also blamed Riki for 'blabbing' her personal business. Lori took absolutely no responsibility in her actions, and to be honest, Riki wasn't surprised. In fact, Lori seemed to take a bit of pleasure knowing she had 'won' Shane from Riki. What she didn't know was that Shane had continued to desperately try to get back in Riki's good graces. Even after Rick removed Shane as his partner, Shane would try to justify that Rick wanted the two of them together. Riki wasn't stupid though, and she continued to tell him to leave her alone, but he continued to still come around and it was getting unnerving.
…
After the church service Riki stood up so she could sneak outside and smoke a cigarette before she had to head over to her parents home. Before she could make it out the door, Father Gabriel found her.
"Erika…It's been a while." He said giving her a soft smile.
"Yeah…the Center has been keeping me busy." It was true, but not to the extent that it would keep her from Mass.
"It's been a while since your last confession, maybe you should consider stopping by the confessional." He said…almost as if he knew something.
"Um Thanks, I will get to that as soon as I can." She said, feeling awkward and wanting that cigarette doubly as bad as she did just a few minutes ago.
Quickly she made her way out of the church to her Navigator, only to be met by Rick before she could leave.
"You're not gonna bail on me today are you?" He asked.
"I don't think I have that choice. Daddy made it perfectly clear I was expected at dinner. Thought I would get out of here a bit early, grab a smoke and them meet at the estate." She told him.
"Riki, are you OK?" He asked concerned.
"I'm fine, just dreading this dinner. I can't wait to hear what he is about to bitch at me for." She told him.
"If he gets out of control, I'll protect ya." Rick said, reaching out and placing a comforting hand on her arm.
"Thanks Rick, I may need ya today. Dad's having a tizzy about some media post that showed up this morning…I'm sure I am up for quite the lecture." She told him.
"Don't worry…you got me Riki." Her cousin told her. Riki gave him a smile and then began to pull out of the parking lot, lighting up her cigarette as she drove to the Thornton Estate.
…
Riki was a nervous wreck when she arrived at the family home. She knew there was no way she would be leaving there without a confrontation with her father. Just to give herself a bit of courage she picked up her cell phone and called the one person she felt she could trust these days, Daryl.
"Riki?" He answered. She had programmed his phone so her name would show up with a cute pic she had placed in his photos.
"Hey Daryl…I know this sounds crazy, but I just wanted to talk to ya before I go have dinner with the family. I needed to hear your voice as a little pick-me-up." She told him.
"Uh…OK." He said, not knowing how to reply. It was purely Daryl and for some reason, that tickled Riki to no end.
"You don't like to talk on the phone do ya?" She asked, curious to see how he answered.
"It ain't that, not used to doing it is all. No one really ever wanted to talk to me other than Merle." He confessed.
"What are you up to? Miss me?" She asked in a teasing manner.
"Just sitting here watching TV. A man could get used to this HD shit." He told her.
"Well there are plenty of left overs in the fridge for lunch. We can decide what to do for dinner later." She told him.
"Hate to tell ya this, but their ain't much pie left. I kinda helped myself to it already. Hope you don't mind." He said.
Riki started laughing. "No, don't mind a bit. I'll be home in a few hours. Wish me luck."
"You'll be fine…it's your dad not the law. If he gets to be too much of an asshole just leave. You're an adult and he can't hold ya against your will." Daryl said trying to be supportive. He sucked at this comforting stuff and he knew it.
"Thanks Daryl. I'll keep that in mind. See ya in a bit." She said as she hung up the phone.
Daryl hung up as well, and a few butterflies were flipping around in his stomach as he wondered why of all people she would call, that she chose him. His resolution to not fall for her or to get involved was starting to weaken, and he didn't like this lack of control of his feelings. He took a deep breath and fell back into the soft couch and continued to watch some reality TV show about restoring old cars.
…
Dinner was uneventful and uncomfortable, just as they always were for Riki. Her mother babbled on about society bullshit, and then Thomas and Gareth discussed business. Gareth was the VP of marketing, and he was doing a decent job. The problem was, Gareth wanted to be the Chief Operations Manager and Thomas refused to allow Gareth to take that position. Gareth needed more experience, but Thomas secretly hoped that Riki would come to her senses and take the position herself.
Even though Riki had taken a while to settle down in her mid twenties, she eventually had come to work with her father at Thornton Industries. She was a fast learner and a shrewd businesswoman and Thomas was impressed with her ability to understand and close lucrative deals. He referred to her as his secret weapon. Anytime he was having trouble trying to close a contract with a client, then he would call in Riki. Once she was in on the negotiations with the client they would agree to almost any terms, and she was closing deals at a record pace. Riki's intelligence, charm, and beauty made her a triple threat and an asset that Thomas wasn't willing to part with.
After Riki had caught Shane and Lori together Riki was working twenty-hour days and that little spark that made Riki special was starting to fade. It was her grandfather Burgess who finally pulled her aside and had a conversation with her that changed her life.
Riki was at the weekly family dinner when her Grandfather told her he needed to speak with her when they were done eating. She had always been close with him and didn't think anything about his request. The man was in his upper eighties these days and was wheel chair bound and suffering from emphysema. However, he was still a tough old man with a sharp mind, and though his body was betraying him, his mind was not.
"What's on your mind Grampy?" Riki asked the older man. They had locked themselves in her father's office so they could speak privately.
"I'm worried about you kitten. I wanted to tell you a story, and when I finish, maybe you will understand." The older man said.
"I'll always listen to what you have to say…you know that." She assured him.
"Good girl. As you know, everyone calls me Burgess, but I was born with the name Richard. I think you knew that's how they came up with the name Erika for you. If you were a boy they would have called you Richard as well. That honor fell on your cousin Rick." He said giving a laugh.
He then continued "My entire life growing up everyone called me Burgess and that's who I was. I never really had any formal education, but I was smart and could figure things out. You're great grandfather, my daddy, was a tobacco farmer and I saw him working himself near to death for very little reward. That's when I decided I would do something different and I began to learn about distributing tobacco to other markets and how to actually make cigars and cigarettes. It seemed pointless that I would follow in daddy's footsteps and grow the golden leaf and then take it to market and sell it for pennies of what it was really worth. That is how Thornton Industries got its start. By the time I was twenty-five years old the company was making money hand over fist and I was working every free minute I had. You're father had been born by this time and I missed his birth because I was traveling for business. It was like I came home one day and he was three years old. We never got to spend those first few years bonding, and I deeply regret that. It was at this time in my life I realized that Burgess no longer existed and that Richard had taken me over. I had lost my true self."
"So what did you do?" Riki asked him.
"I hired someone to run the business for me so that I could spend more time with the family. Ella was born shortly thereafter, and she was the apple of my eye. I tried to get that closeness back with your father, but all he would say even as a small child was he wanted to be just like me and run a big company one day. I guess in that sense, he succeeded, but you know how driven he is. Ella was offered the same opportunities that Thomas was, but she wanted to become a wife and a mother, and that was what she did. Thomas always wondered why I allowed her to go down that path and I tried to explain to him that all I wanted was for my children to be happy. He said the only way he could ever truly be happy was to be successful in life. He was driven, but not by the same things as Ella." Her grandfather told her.
"Do you think he will ever change?" Riki asked in earnest.
"He has changed some over the years. He still loves the business more than anything, and we can't deny he has been successful at growing the company into an empire. We will all be financially taken care of for the rest of our lives, even Gareth and his mother Mary, But his family values are a bit skewed. I do know he loves you and your mother. Keep in mind, she was only eighteen when they got married and you came along nine months later. She's stronger than you give her credit. Thomas has his flaws, but they are also assets. He is painfully truthful about everything and he speaks his mind. It can be quite intimidating, but he never leaves any doubt where he stands." He told his granddaughter.
"Ugh…He is so damn hard on me all the time." Riki commented.
"Look Riki, the reason I wanted to have this conversation with you is that I see Riki fading away and Erika is taking over. Erika isn't you…it's who your father wants you to be, but I don't believe for one moment that you are happy. You are gifted with your sense of business, but it isn't filling the hole you have inside of you right now. I want you to think long and hard about what will make you happy in life…and honestly, I don't think doing what your doing now is the answer. You've got to let Riki make decisions, not the Thomas Thornton version of Erika. Do you understand what I'm telling you?" He asked her.
Riki thought for a moment, and it was like a light bulb went off in her head. "I hear you loud and clear." She told her grandfather, and then gave him a giant hug.
That night Riki went home in tears, but not tears of sadness and heartbreak, tears of joy. She swung by the office and removed her personal belongings from her desk, and then called her father and resigned her position in the company, leaving her now, as only a board member required to only attend quarterly earnings meetings. The next day she set out to find a place to set up what she really wanted to do…set up a place for people who really needed help. Maybe she could help make a difference in this world. If not at least she could say she tried.
…
Riki thought she had made it through the dinner without getting lectured by her father, but that was too much to hope for. After the staff had come around to deliver everyone their desserts, Thomas cleared his throat and addressed Riki.
"Erika, the reason I had you come over here today was to address this 'situation' that has come up with you climbing through dumpsters in the company of a man who is…let's say…not of your breeding."
"What am I dad…a horse? Breeding…Really, What are you trying to say?" She challenged, she knew damn well where this was going, but she wanted to make it as difficult on him as possible.
"Fine, I'll come right out with it. I was very disturbed to wake up this morning to see photos of my daughter all over the paper and the news climbing in dumpsters with some hoodlum. Is that clear enough for you?" Thomas yelled.
"Clear as fucking rain." Riki shouted.
"You will not take that tone or speak that vile language in my presence, do you understand me?" Thomas chastised.
"Last time I checked I was an adult Daddy and I can speak any fucking way I want too." She screamed. At this point Gareth took the time to chime in on the conversation.
"Riki you need to calm down and act like an adult for once."
"You don't get to tell me what to do Gareth, and don't act like you care. I know there is nothing you would like more than to have me completely out of the picture, so let me make it easy for all of y'all…I'm done dealing with you people." Riki shouted.
Thomas slammed his hand on the table, making everyone jump "Erika Marie if you don't get your life together I will cut you off financially and we will see just how far you can make it." He threatened. Gareth couldn't fight the smile on his face at his father's threats.
Riki's mother Kim finally spoke up "I think everyone is just a little stressed out, how about we talk about the party we are having next month. It is sure to be the social event of the season."
Riki looked at her mother like she had grown a second head "Mother you are so clueless, I don't think now is the time or the place to discuss a fucking party."
"Don't you speak to your mother like that Erika. I am sick and tired of you whoring yourself around Atlanta. I thought we had gotten past that, but apparently I was wrong. You have chosen to surround yourself with low-life indigents and hang out in the ghetto and you are making a mockery of this family and our values." He bellowed.
"Our family values? You want to judge me about family values? Like fathering a child with the nanny? Yeah dad, great family values." SLAP. Before she could even finish the statement her father had smacked her hard across the face, causing Burgess to shout at Thomas and Rick to step in to pull the man off of Riki while attempting to keep Burgess in his wheel chair.
"I think this conversation is over. Riki get your things and I will follow you home." Rick told her. Riki didn't speak; she just took her purse and walked out the front door towards the Navigator parked in the driveway. Her hands were shaking so badly she couldn't even get the key in the ignition. Rick finally came over, opened the door, picked her up and carried her to his car.
"You're in no condition to drive. I'll call a service and have your car delivered to your condo garage." Rick told her. She simply nodded. Tears were flowing down her face, and her left cheek was swelling where her father's hand had hit her.
Riki didn't say much on the drive back to the condo. Finally as they got closer she burst out crying…more like sobbing.
"Rick I'm not a whore. Daryl is a good man that I met by accident the other day. Some asshole slipped a roofie in my drink and Daryl intervened and got me home before the fucker could rape me. He's in a tough family situation and I'm helping him out. He's also going to be the new maintenance manager at the Center, and that isn't an easy task, especially since the job does not pay that well. He's helping me and I'm helping him. The reason we were in the Dumpster last night was because someone had abandoned some kittens and we heard them. If we hadn't retrieved them out of the trash they would have died. I swear to you it's the truth." She said.
"Riki, I know you wouldn't lie to me. It seems like this Daryl guy is a decent person, but I don't want to see you get hurt." He said to her in a concerned voice.
"Rick, he's more than decent. I've flirted with him and teased him, but he has been nothing but a complete gentleman towards me and shown me nothing but respect. I know he's had a tough go at things in life, but he isn't a jerk. He might now say a lot verbally, but his actions prove to me that he can be trusted. It just seems so ironic that my father would rather see me with an asshole like Shane, even after everything he did to me and you, and would never even try to accept someone like Daryl." She said, crying a little harder.
"Well if your father wouldn't like him, I like the guy already." Rick joked, trying to calm down his hysterical cousin.
"Rick, Daryl has already shown me more kindness in the few days I've known him than Shane ever did in the time I was with him." She confessed.
"Riki, are you falling for this man?" Rick asked sincerely.
"Kind of…but he's not interested in me like that, at least he hasn't expressed it. But I think he keeps everything buried down deep. It's almost like he is afraid of happiness. I can't pinpoint it, but I think he might have been abused coming up. He's briefly mentioned his father and wanting to get away from him, and I think it has something to do with his upbringing. It's not my place to ask, and if he wants to talk about it, then he can do so on his own time." Riki told her cousin. She knew that 'Kind of' falling for Daryl was a stretch…she had already fell for him, but based on Daryl's lack of reaction to her advances she figured he wasn't interested in her romantically.
…
Daryl was almost asleep on the couch when he heard the front door open and Riki came bursting in with a man he had never met before. He could tell she had been crying and there was a large red handprint swelling on her face. Immediately Daryl stood up to challenge the man following Riki, assuming he was the one who had hit her.
"What the fuck did you do to her?" Daryl yelled at the man.
"I didn't do anything to her. You must be Daryl though; she said a lot of good things about you. Her father hit her and I brought her home because she wasn't in any condition to drive. By the way, I'm Rick Grimes, her cousin." Rick said in a calm voice reaching his hand out to shake Daryl's and trying to diffuse some of the anger that Daryl was displaying.
Daryl accepted the handshake "Does her father hit her often?" Daryl asked, anger for what happened to Riki seething inside of him. Someone as kind and caring as Riki didn't deserve to be hit by anyone, ever.
"Not that I'm aware of but I'm not sure. They had a heated argument at the dinner table and Riki stood up to her father…his response was to backhand her across the face. No one expected it to happen, and I took Riki away from there immediately." Rick assured Daryl.
"Is the son-of-a-bitch still breathing." Daryl asked.
"He is, but if Riki wants to file charges against him, then I will help her do so. At the time she was in shock and wasn't thinking straight." Rick told him.
"Are you a cop?" Daryl asked.
"I'm the Chief of Police of the city of Hiram. I'm sure you've heard Riki speak of Shane Walsh, he's my former partner. After what happened he was let go and now he works for the Atlanta PD." Rick informed Daryl.
"Yeah, I had the pleasure of meeting the asshole today." Daryl said.
"Look, right now Riki needs a friend…can I trust you to look out for her?" Rick asked.
Daryl nodded. "She's been helping me out of a bad situation…I'll do what I can, but I ain't good with all the comforting shit."
"I think she just needs to know you have her back, and if she needs to talk, you will be there to listen. Riki's relationship with her father is strained at best, and after today, I don't know if there will be a relationship anymore between the two of them. Riki has had her share of struggles and missteps in life, but this wasn't anything she did wrong. It was nothing but Thomas trying to control her and realizing he couldn't. For now I think it is best that she completely avoids him, and everyone else in the family except for Burgess. The man was so angry that he tried to get up out of his wheel chair to go after Thomas, and if he had been physically able too, he would have killed his own son. Riki's grandfather loves her more than life itself and when Thomas reacted the way he did, Burgess lost it." Rick told Daryl.
"Why didn't you hit the bastard?" Daryl asked pointedly.
"I've got a daughter and son to think about, plus it wouldn't look good for the Chief of Police to assault his Uncle. Trust me, I wanted too, but at that point my best option was to get her out of there." Rick admitted.
"Yeah, I get it. Thanks for bringing her home. Do you need a ride somewhere?" Daryl asked.
"No, I brought her home in my car. I called a service that will pick up and return her vehicle to the garage by morning. Daryl just keep an eye on her. Riki has a tendency to go to a dark place occasionally and when she does, the outcome is never good. She can be quite self-destructive." Rick warned.
"I'll do what I can." Daryl told him.
Rick gave Daryl a pat on the shoulder, then gave him a business card. "If things get too bad, or you need my help, give me a call. I appreciate all you are doing for her. Daryl, she won't admit it to me, but she cares for you deeply. She's been fucked over by just about everyone in her life, please don't hurt her."
Daryl wasn't sure how to respond. Hearing things like Riki caring for him, and then Rick begging him not to hurt her were strange to him. "I promise to look out for her…that's the best I can offer right now." Daryl mumbled.
"That's all I can hope for Daryl." Rick said as he offered a final handshake and left.
…
Daryl was left standing in the middle of the main living area not really knowing what to do. He decided to wait a few minutes and then he would check on Riki. That was when he realized he hadn't heard any noise or movement coming from her room and he became concerned.
Daryl knocked on her door, but there wasn't any answer and a slight panic overtook him. He remembered Rick saying Riki could be self-destructive, and he began to wonder if he meant she could be a danger to herself. Daryl had always thought it was ridiculous that people who had money could have real problems, but knowing Riki and seeing all she had to endure to please both her family and others he realized he had been wrong to think that. In fact, it appeared that having money made someone's life even more difficult. You never knew if someone wanted to be close to you because they genuinely liked you, or they wanted to use you for what you could do for them. He hated to say it, but at this moment he felt sorry for her.
"Riki…I'm coming in." He said as he turned the doorknob and walked into the room. He didn't see her at first, but he could smell cigarette smoke. He found her sitting on her bathroom floor with her knees pulled up to her chest and a cold rag on her face where it was swollen. Several cigarette butts were floating in the toilet and her eyes were red from crying.
"Hey now girl, we can't have you crying like this." He said as he stooped down in front of her and pulled the rag from her face so he could see the swelling.
"Between your black eye and my swollen face they are gonna think we got in a fight." She whispered to him, letting out a slight laugh.
"Well you know, I got a reputation to keep woman." He teased her back. "Stay right here and I will get something that will work on the swelling a little better." He told her as he got up and ran to the freezer, pulling out a bag of frozen peas. He returned and gently placed them against her cheek.
"Thanks Daryl." She said softly, the life in her seemed completely drained.
"Riki, no man should ever put a finger on you, especially your father, has he done this before?" Daryl asked in a concerned voice.
"A couple of times, but not recently. He can't stand it when I talk back to him. I should have never provoked him, this is my fault." She sighed.
"No it ain't your fault. Any respectable man would know how to control himself. I don't give a damn how rich he is. He's your Daddy and he had no right to do this." Daryl said trying to convey to her that she wasn't responsible.
She looked at Daryl and then she hid her face in shame. She was weak, just like her mother and the pity that he was showing her made her feel worse.
Seeing her like this was breaking Daryl's heart. Without thinking he scooped her up bridal style and carried her to the bed in her room. He laid her down gently, and did something he had never done before... He lay down beside her and pulled her against his body. Oscar and Lucky found themselves cuddled up against the couple and he held her tightly and let her cry. The two of them stayed like that for hours until they both fell asleep emotionally spent from the darkness of the day.
I'll keep this short and sweet...Please leave me a review and feel free to ask questions. I was going to bring in Daryl's first day of work in this chapter, but it was getting WAY too long. Next chapter Work, and Merle...Merle is going to play into this story quite a bit...there may be some redemption in Daryl's big brother...and maybe a little Romance.
Review Review Review...Pretty please with sugar on top.
Cheers-
Missy
XXOO