Lex walked into the Penthouse and was greeted by the smell of cigars. (Shit.) She quietly closed the door behind her and started towards the bedroom.

"Where you been?" Nikko's voice came in from behind her as he entered the living room.

She sighed and turned around. "Out."

"Lex, I'd had a good day, and I was in a good mood when I got home. Then I find out you'd gone out, alone. Now, my mood's not so good. So don't push it. Where were you?" Nikko asked again.

"I went to dinner with my mother."

"Your mother?" Nikko was on her in just a few steps, his hand gripping her arm.

"What can I say? Lizzy felt like bonding today. She stopped by and asked me to have dinner with her. So I did." He was squeezing her arm, and it hurt but she didn't complain, instead she held her head up high and looked him straight in the eye.

He seem to take a moment to decide if she was telling the truth, his eyes darting from one eye to the other, staring her down. He knew he didn't intimidate her, and that pissed him off. He let her go with a bit of a shove. "Mike told me she was here and that you actually let that junkie into my house."

She rolled her eyes at him and turned to walk into the bedroom. "Relax, Nikko, I had her sit outside by the pool and she didn't touch a thing."

"What did she want? I'm not giving that bitch another credit!" He was following her into the room.

Lex sat on the bed and started to take off her heels. "Like I said, she wanted to bond. Don't worry, she won't be asking you for a dime. And she won't be coming around here again."

"Mike told me you left right before I got here, must've been a short dinner." He went to lean on the dresser and watched her.

"It was. I walked in, told her off a bit, and left." (Pretty much what had happened, so I'm not lying, really.) Lex got up from the bed and walked towards Nikko, turning her back to him when she reached him. He pulled the zipper down on her skirt and then reached around her waist and pulled her close to him. She leaned against him, resting the back of her head on his chest. "I'm tired Nikko. I didn't mean to piss you off, let's not fight tonight, okay? I'm sorry."

He leaned his head down and kissed her neck. Lex smiled, knowing that meant he was letting it go. "Okay baby, I'll drop it. You get comfortable. The guys and I are playing poker tonight, so don't wait up. But I'll be sure to wake you when I come to bed." He turned her around suddenly and kissed her before letting her go and leaving the room.

Lex went into the closet to finish changing. She put on a pair of sweats and a large t-shirt and went back to the bed. If she was lucky, Nikko would drink too much and pass out as soon as he got back to the room. (I should at least be thankful he's not some fat, hairy old man.) That was something. Nikko wasn't unattractive. He was only twenty-five, ten years older than her. He was tall, at least six inches taller than she was. With black hair and dark brown eyes that looked black when he was angry or horny. He'd never actually forced himself on her, but it was implied shortly after she moved in that it would be a bad idea to refuse his advances. And since he didn't repulse her, she figured it'd be smarter if she just shared his bed. It wasn't like she'd been a virgin when they had become lovers. She'd lost that years ago, life on the streets wasn't for the innocent.

Lex had just started to fall asleep when her omni-tool beeped. She was surprised when she saw an encrypted message from Major Hackett.

Alexandra,

I made your mother tell me everything. I have no words to express how upset I was to learn of the life you've had to endure. Lizzy also gave me your address, and I was tempted to go there tonight, but I decided instead to send you this message. I know that you do not know me, and as such have no reason to trust me, but I want you to know that I would like a chance to get to know you and to help you. I can get you freedom from that gang and that life, please agree to meet me. I anxiously await your response, but know that if I do not hear from you soon, I will come looking for you. Regards, Major Steven Hackett.

Lex read the message three more times and was still in shock. She had absolutely no idea what to think of the Major, her father. Freedom. She'd pretty much resigned herself to the life she had now. It wasn't all that bad. Much better than the one she'd had before Nikko took interest in her. People respected her, feared her. She had power, even though she had to live as a prisoner for it. What would the Major want in exchange for her freedom, what did he expect from her? She did know one thing, he couldn't show up at Nikko's place. She typed a quick reply.

Major Hackett,

Please give me a day or two to arrange for us to meet, and I promise that we will. Do not come here! I thank you for your concern, but you have nothing to worry about. Regards, Lex.

Now she just had to figure out a way to get some time to herself within the next few days.