"I hate that sonofbitch," Victor said low. The venom that spewed from his lips caught Delylah off guard as she packed her small suitcase.. He watched as his parents' car sped away from the vineyard. He'd watched the scene below, and it took every fiber of his being to stay put. Seeing Hannah's tears and Abel's fury shattered his soul. Victor loved his little sister, and he had huge respect for Abel. Victor loved the way Abel cared for and cherished Hannah. Someone has to do it, he thought.

Victor's bags sat by the door as he stared out the window. Given all the nonsense from earlier, Delylah felt better having him with her. It wasn't that she was scared without him; she was scared for him. Flashes of Victor's murderous gaze flickered through her mind as her pulse quickened. He was raw, animal power as he struggled with his father. It was scary, but it was also exhilarating. She'd never seen family tear one another apart like that. She and Opie had some epic fights, but there was never the need to make people hurt like that. It was intense.

"Why?" Delylah asked. It was an obvious question. Victor inhaled deeply and turned to face the beautiful girl in front of him. Wisps of dark hair framed her ivory face, and her huge blue eyes captivated him as they stared. It was if she could see the depths of his soul. It was unsettling. No one had ever looked at him like that.

"He's the worst kind of man," Victor stated. "You don't want to know how bad he is." There was a huge part of him that longed to keep Delylah innocent. He was no fool—he knew she was wild. Hannah relayed many a story about Lala's party girl antics, but Victor knew the darkness that rested within his soul, and Hannah didn't need that kind of agony in her life. He was seasoned in it; he could handle it. He wasn't sure Delylah could.

Delylah closed the suitcase but didn't zip it. Slowly, she walked to him. She was bathed in the silvery lightning as the storm grew closer. It was almost black outside. They weren't going anywhere anytime soon.

"You can tell me," she whispered. Her body was inches from his. Her hands were on his chest, and it was hard as hell to not revel in her touch. She's a kid, Victor, he admonished himself. He gently placed his hands on her wrists. He didn't move her hands; instead, his thumbs stroked her silken skin. He looked down.

"I want to," he admitted. Beneath Delylah's hands, his heart slammed against his sternum. She felt it.

"Look, my father just admitted his involvement in Witness Protection. In a matter of minutes, I've gone from being a simple mechanic's daughter to being part of a biker gang destiny. You were here after we found—" She swallowed hard. "That body. If I can trust you, why can't you trust me?"

Victor sighed. Damn your intelligence, he thought. This would be much easier if you weren't so goddamned logical. He smiled. It was from joyous. If anything, it was broken and sad. His dark eyes met Delylah's blue ones, and he saw no artifice, no lies. He sat heavily in a chair, and he motioned for her to sit on the bed. He placed his hands on the arms of the chair, inhaled deeply, and began.

"My father wasn't always bad," Victor began. "I remember a time, when I was really small, that he loved me. It was before Hannah. I don't remember much, honestly, but I remember him hugging me and laughing with me. I remember him loving my mother dearly. But a time came where he was gone. Mama always told me he was off doing humanitarian missions—Doctors Without Borders kind of stuff. She said it was his calling. He'd be gone for months, then come home for a month or two."

"That must've been hard," Delylah said quietly. She couldn't imagine growing up without her father. Jax had always been a strong presence in the household. Even though she was dealing with her new truth, Delylah knew her father loved all of his children with all of his being. He loved Tara with everything he was. Delylah knew Jax's love was never a lie. She knew he would always be there. Despite all the lies her parents had told; she knew they'd die protecting their children.

"It was," Victor replied, "But I don't remember much of his absence, honestly. I just remember the divide between them. It got worse after Hannah was born."

"He was around for your mom while she was pregnant, right?" Delylah was confused for a moment. James Sinclair traveled around the world helping others when his wife needed him?

"Not really," Victor answered. "But he came home when Hannah arrived. I don't remember much about that. I don't remember Mama's pregnancy much—I just knew she was miserable and wanted that baby—and one day it happened. My sister was here. I was really too little to remember those details."

"Do you remember anything else now?" Lala asked. Victor shook his head in the negative.

"I think I've blocked it out. All I remember is how everything changed after Hannah was born." Victor looked down at his feet. "I remember James getting pissed at the smallest things. Any love he had was lost on me. He treated Mama different too—but he loved Hannah. He loved that girl to pieces."

"That must've been hard," Lala whispered. Her eyes watched as the storm began outside. Jet black clouds mixed with a charcoal gray sky. The rain now fell in torrents against the glass, and stunningly beautiful lightning illuminated everything. Delylah loved storms, especially wild ones like the one that waged outside.

"It was weird at first," Victor admitted. "James just kind of ignored me. He and Mama fought all the time, but I wasn't part of it until—" Victor's voice drifted off.

"Until what?" Delylah fearfully asked. It was almost as if she knew what Victor would say next.

"Hannah had to be three or so," Victor stated. "I was eight or nine. She and I were fighting over a stupid toy—a bear James had gotten her—but all I wanted was to see it. I ran off with it, and Hannah chased me. I ran to my room and tried to slam the door to throw her off, but I caught her fingers in it."

Delylah winced.

"They weren't broken, but Hannah cried. I hurt her terribly—her fingers were bruised and banged up. Mama tried her best to get to me first, but James heard the screams and—"

"He got to you first," Delylah finished. Victor nodded, closing his eyes.

"I remember him whipping his belt off and slamming it into my legs. Over and over again—he showed no mercy." Victor swallowed hard. The sound of his mother's screams haunted him even now. "I was convinced he was going to kill me."

"Did your mother stop him?" Delylah had moved from her seat on the bed and knelt before Victor. His eyes were still closed. She was astounded to see one lone tear fall down his cheek.

"No," he half-laughed, half-sobbed. "Hannah did."

Delylah exhaled. "How?"

"She threw herself atop me," Victor recalled. "At all of three years old, that little girl knew that bastard was wrong. She forgot all about that bear, about her aching fingers, and she saved me. I'll never forget it. Ever." Victor's dark eyes opened. Delylah wiped the tears away as they fell.

"Was that the only time it happened?" she asked. Victor shook his head.

"It was the last time it happened in front of Hannah."

"What about your mom?" Delylah questioned. A tight, angry smile lit Victor's face as the lightning flickered and the thunder rolled.

"She would walk away." A clip of sharp, agitated laughter fell from his lips. "She'd let him do it. Maybe it was better me than her. Who knows?"

"Is that why you joined the Marines?" Victor nodded.

"I'd rather fight terrorists than live with him," he responded. "I'd rather risk my life fighting for something I believe in than follow in the footsteps of a man I despise."

"So your parents disowned you?" Delylah was full of questions. "I mean—"

"No, they did. James was pissed when I joined. He thought I'd follow him in his doctor footsteps, and when I didn't, we fought, and that turned into an all out brawl. I guess old Jimmy underestimated how much I'd grown." Victor laughed.

"Then how did you come back?"

"My sister pulled me back in," Victor explained. "She and I always talked through calls or Skype or email or text. She sweet talked James into letting me see her 'important events'—graduation from high school, college—this wedding. I was content to stay away. "

Delylah's brow furrowed. She'd been at those graduations, and she never saw Victor there.

"I never sat with them," Victor explained in answer to her unspoken question. "Yesterday was the first time I'd really come that close to them since I walked away at eighteen."

"Why yesterday?"

"Your brother." Victor grinned again. "I'd met him years ago on one of my incognito trips home. We kept in touch. He wanted nothing more than to have me there. I came by his invitation."

Again, Delylah's brow furrowed. "But—just before you came up to the bridal suite—your fath—I mean, James—he made it seem like he was the one who surprised Hannah."

"Of course he did," Victor said, disgusted. "Your brother had to fill him in on the secret. Of course, James played the kind and doting father. He didn't want your family knowing he enjoyed beating the hell outta me. Plus, he probably figured he'd earn brownie points with Hannah if it was his idea. That sonofabitch."

Delylah sighed. Part of her was floored by Victor's admission, and part of her wasn't. She'd seen the explosion between the two Sinclair men. Fights like that didn't happen without fury and pain. They just didn't.

"So there you have it, Delylah," he murmured. Chills raced up her spine as he used her real name. It sounded so much better than the Laura she'd grown up with—at least it did on his lips. "You have the truth. I'm the classic beat down kid done good story."

"I'm sorry that happened to you. You definitely deserved better," Delylah said quietly. A massive clap of thunder shook the windows and caught her off guard. It jolted her, and she stumbled slightly. Victor's strong hands caught her. She felt a hot blush travel up her throat and rest on her cheeks. She licked her lips as his hands burned through the thin cotton of her t-shirt. Her breathing quickened, and before she had time to rethink it, she reached up, grabbed his face in her hands, and kissed him.

To her surprise, the kiss was returned. His tongue covered hers, sending delicious chills up her spine. When he broke away, he shocked her by pulling her into his lap, but she wasn't upset by it. His hands twined in her hair, causing it to spill around her shoulders. Her hands still cradled his face. His five o'clock shadow pricked her delicate fingertips. Around them, the thunder and lightning crashed, but all that mattered was what was happening to them.

Delylah had never felt that kind of attraction, that kind of sexual tension. She was always the aggressor, but as Victor continued his sweet assault on her lips, she was more than happy to be submissive.

"Delylah, we can't—" he began as they parted. She placed her lips back on his, and he was lost. What is this girl doing to me? She's too young. Too innocent. He'd seen things that waged war on his soul and on his conscience every single night. In the grand scheme of things, James Sinclair was the least of his worries.

"Oh God, I'm sorry," another voice broke through the silence. Delylah and Victor broke apart. As they turned towards the sound, they saw Opie's shocked face. They hadn't even heard her enter the room. Again, Delylah blushed. "I didn't know—I—uh—"

"What's up, Op?" Delylah tried valiantly to regain her composure, but all she really wanted was to relive the last few minutes over and over again. She stood and looked at her twin.

"Pop wanted me to come in and tell you they're staying another night here," Ophelia stammered. "They're booking a flight with that—"

"Althea?" Delylah was annoyed. Jax had introduced both the sheriff and her son after they'd arrived, and Opie couldn't even remember her name. Sometimes, Delylah wondered how she and Ophelia were sisters, much less twins. There were days Delylah realized just how opposite she and Opie were.

"Yeah, Althea," Opie responded. "They're going to fly out with her tomorrow—out to California."

"Why?" Delylah asked. It was Ophelia's turn to be annoyed. Why even ask that? Pop told us that man was one of his best friends. Why wouldn't he go to the funeral?

"He doesn't want Althea and her son going alone," Opie answered. "Mom is going too. They want us to head back to the house tomorrow and lie low while this pans out."

Delylah nodded. "So they're just gonna stay here another night and say goodbyes tomorrow?"

"Yep. Adam—I mean Abel—and Lu—Thomas are staying. Pop thinks it best that we do too."

Delylah turned to Victor. "Are you still leaving tonight? I'm sure your base will be looking for you if you didn't show."

Victor shook his head. "I have a job," he said. "I'm a Marine Reservist now. I went part-time after my last enlistment—a Weekend Warrior."

Ophelia's brows lifted in surprise. "What do you do then?" Her eyes narrowed and crossed her arms under her breasts.

"I'm a cop," he calmly answered. "California Highway Patrol, Inland Division." Delylah was impressed. Like her sister, she thought Victor was still a fully enlisted Marine.

"So don't you have to get back to that?" Opie interrogated. Delylah wanted to punch her twin in the throat. Victor handled her with ease.

"I took two weeks of vacation," Victor replied smoothly.

"But you said you were here for one night only," Opie stated. Delylah closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Why are you questioning everything? She sighed. It's not like you'll be focused on me anyway. You'll be too busy fucking Lucius to even know Victor is there.

"I took two weeks off to bum around," Victor explained. "I never planned on being here longer than that. But if you want me to stay—"

A light bulb went off in Delylah's head. "He can protect us while Mom and Pop are gone." Opie's lips tightened into a thin line. No, she thought. You and the soldier are going to fuck the whole time they're gone.

"It's just as much for Hannah as it is for us," Delylah countered. "Between her asshole parents and the dead man downstairs, she'd gonna need real family around."

Again with that logic, Victor thought as he admired Delylah's quick mind. I can't fight any of that.

"It does make sense," Opie relented. "And I'll have Lucius too, so we'll be okay. After all, it doesn't look like they want us. They wanted the biker, and they got him."

"So are you staying?" Delylah asked as she again turned towards him. Victor nodded. Before, his intention was to split, but as he stared at Delylah Teller that intention straight to hell.

"I will," he replied. Opie stared at them both. She had no idea why she was so annoyed, but the feeling bubbled in her gut. "Anything I can do to help."

"We should tell Pop," Opie said. Delylah and Victor nodded in unison.

"We'll meet you downstairs," Delylah declared. "Can you give us a minute, Op?"

"Sure," Ophelia begrudgingly said. She turned and left the room, shutting the door behind her.

"I don't know what her problem is," Delylah sighed. "She's been all kinds of strange lately." Victor shrugged. He wasn't bothered by it. He walked towards Delylah and wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

"It's really no big deal," Victor smiled. "I'm still staying, even if she is all kind of weird, but I have one request." His dark eyes were teasing as he gazed at her face.

"Name it," Delylah challenged with a slight, teasing grin. It feels so good to be in your arms.

"I want to finish what we started." His eyes were pure, delicious fire as he stared into her face. Her breath caught. For a moment, she hesitated. Does this even make sense? What if we start something we can't finish? What if he thinks I'm just a stupid little girl? Anxiety creeped into heart as she stared into his eyes. Can I trust you?

Judging from the the conversation that had just transpired, Delylah was almost sure she could entrust Victor Sinclair with her heart. There was only the tiniest sliver of fear within her, and she pushed it down. It was amazing how much could change in such a short time. Tomorrow, her parents would be on a plane to California to bury a man she'd never even known, and she faced the prospect of Victor staying with her. It was daunting, but she was grateful for him.

"Deal," she said low. The word was punctuated with a chaste kiss on Victor's lips. Shock waves reverberated through Victor's body. With that, Delylah pivoted on her heel and headed downstairs to talk to Jax, leaving the Marine speechless in her wake.

So this is what it's like, he thought as she disappeared down the stairs. This is what it's like to fall in love.