Betrayal's Child: Of secrets and waiting

"Junior this is ridiculous!" Dani exclaimed when she saw the money Junior was spending on 2 cds and 3 video games. "You're spending more money now that you did when you were rich"

"And you have room to talk?" Junior said nodding to the many bags Dani-or rather Matt was holding. "Taking "shop-til-you-drop" a little too literal aren't you sis"

Danni opened her mouth with the perfect comeback in mind but didn't get to say anything since Rebecca cut in "Now now" she said in a teacher-tone that sent everyone cracking up "If you 2 don't behave and stop fighting I'm going to give you a time out and sent you each into a corner"

Junior paid for the stuff and they headed for the food court.

"So I hear you got a new horse" Junior said to Dani as they all sat down in a booth. Dani nodded. "Oh my God Junior you should see him he's gorgeous! And fast! And he was such a steal"

Interesting choice of words, Junior thought Matt'd told him all about the little adventure and how he got the horse. To be honest Junior was impressed. He'd always been the bold one of the group. Who knew cautious responsible Matt had it in him.

"He is really good", Matt added taking Dani's hand. A move that-swift as it was didn't go unnoticed by Junior.

"Dani really has an eye for this" he said "All of the horses she's picked so far are at wildfire level or around there"

Junior smiled at his sister who beamed at this comment.

He hadn't realized until now how much he missed her. It was amazing that banter at the music store had made him realize this.

Then again that was the thing with siblings. Can't live with them, can't live without them.

He glanced at his sister again. He just wished he knew what was wrong. That was another thing with siblings you could always read each other like a book. Dani and him especially, since they were pretty much all each other had growing up.

A part of Junior wanted to ask right then and there but he decided against it. He would confront her in time.

"Dani is everything ok?"

Dani turned around to face her brother. Matt and Rebecca had both left and the 2 Davises had decided to just keep walking trough the mall together.

"Everything's fine" she said with a smile so fake it made her face tired.

"Dani we grew up together" he said giving her a look that said he clearly wasn't buying it. "Meaning that even if the rest of the world falls for that bullshit I won't"

"You know Matt fell for it'

"I always knew he was the stupid one" he said but he couldn't keep the bitter edge from seeping into his voice. Matt was his best friend his brother in anything but blood. And being the bigger of the 2(because really Junior had been a wimp) had become rather…protective him and Dani.

Which was why telling him was out of the question. Matt had gotten in a fight with 4 kids in 3rd grade because they'd started picking on Junior if he were to know what their father did to them Matt would be furious. He'd want to confront their father and Kenneth Davis wasn't a man to be taken lightly. It had long since been decided that they cared too much about their friend to let him in on their little family situation.

He turned to Dani looking straight at her so she wouldn't lie to him-a trick only he knew of.

"He did it again didn't he?"

Dani looked down suddenly finding the tiles of the floor surprisingly interesting.

"Maybe"

"You're staying at my place tonight" Junior said in a tone that meant no negotiation available.

Dani nodded and despite the tears behind her eyes smiled, for all of his child-like-wonderness It was nice when Junior went into big-brother mode.

"Fine" she said "but is Rebecca going to be there?"

"Dani" he said he'd been hoping Dani would mope just a bit longer if only so he wouldn't have to handle another annoying little sister bit.

Fat chance

"It's a simple question Junior" Dani said now completely back to normal her eyes glinted and as glad as he was she was doing better Junior wondered if maybe just maybe she could let it rest this one time

"I just want to know if I should bring my head phones with me"

"I don't know do I need mine next time we go to Matt's?"

He was going to hell for this he knew it but her face was worth that and more.

"Matt and I are partners"

"And Rebecca and I are friends"

"Won't Kris be glad?"

"Dani!"

Dani giggled and walked ahead to the car.

Junior shut up then knowing Dani had won this comeback battle No one could say he didn't know how to loose gracefully.

So he stuck his tongue out at her instead.

"Oh very mature"

Junior gave her his usual smirk knowing it would annoy her more than anything he could say and opened the car door. In the back of his mind though all he could think of was his father and how much time Dani was spending alone with him. He couldn't take her with him just yet that much he knew-the last time he had pissed his father off without a plan it had landed him a concussion. He glanced at his sister as she got in the car she seemed fine-Dani was strong, he knew, stronger than people gave her credit for, stronger than most people twice her age. She had not only survived but thrived in the dog-eat-dog world of high society where half the people hated you for your last name, the other half feared you and everyone lied to you. Where you had to learn to rely only on yourself because family meant nothing and friends didn't exist.

Succeeded where Junior had failed.

Dani was strong but she was still a kid still a minor and still powerless against their father in more was than one and Junior was her older brother. The family-screw-up he may be but he knew he couldn't fail at this.

He just hoped Dani could hold out until he figured out a way.