I stay quiet, just waiting. Then I hear him, the sound of his boots hitting the floor, he isn’t going slow. Moving, I glance to look up. My eyes met his. “Look, she has everyone searching, literally everyone Rooster, it isn’t her.” I hope, hell I can’t even say it and be confident. “Someone has her Diesel, and that is my little girl.” He stands glaring at me. I go to speak but he stops me. “Weird isn’t it? You get caught up with Serena, right around the same time Jessie goes awol, no one willing to tell us where she worked, where she lived nothing. Can you say with one hundred per cent confidence Serena has no idea where Jessie is, or what is happening?” He looks at me waiting. “I can tell you Rooster, I had a glimpse into Serena’s past, the truth, and I don’t think she is anything like her father.” “You didn’t answer, so you’re not sure, there is still some doubt left?” He looks at me waiting. We turn hearing the smashing, followed by Serena’s screams. Rooster looks at me confus

I stare at her shocked by her words, by her agreeing.“Don’t be a fool, don’t make deals like that!” Is she a fool? “You’re making yourself weak! You stand there and claim to be the fucking Queen, yet one issue and you roll over and be a doormat and give it all up!” Maybe I shouldn’t shout and be so blunt but who knows what they would do to the city.“It’s either that or no Jessie.” She looks at me.“Now princess, Jake wants you as well, so it's all or nothing.” I turn and look at him as he smiles.“Fine, tell him I agree, now where is Jessie?” Serena looks at him waiting.“No, she doesn’t fucking agree!” I stare at her shocked.“Diesel let her, Jessie would be safe if it wasn’t for her. Right now it is her or Jessie, and I want my baby girl back!” Rooster looks at me furiously. I would tell him but Serena clearly wan

I leave with Rooster, but we don’t speak. I watch as he shakes his head looking at me with disapproval. It hurt, her words hurt and I would be a fool to try and act like they didn’t. Right now though, we need to see Jessie. I can ignore the hurt, ignore Serena’s words, at least until I know for sure Jessie isn’t hurt.We rush in, and I see her sitting with her arms wrapped around Dwayne, and something inside me burns. Jealously swarms me and I don’t even know why. I don’t want Jessie, yet now she is sitting cuddled against Dwayne I am jealous.She doesn’t look hurt, that is a good thing. I watch as she runs to Rooster and hugs him. He wants to scream, and tell her off, even Rooster knows though, doing it now, too soon will hurt her more. Her wild ways put her in a place where she can be harmed.“What happened?” Rooster looks at Jessie, and I watch as she sits back now, Dwayne’s arm wrapping around her body in comfort.“I was out with a guy, Jake. We were just…”“No, Jessie, I don’t wa

I woke and considered last night. The fact I would have fucked Jessie is wrong. I smile at her from across the table. “Don’t worry Diesel, I know it was a mistake.” She smiles at me. “Fuck, Jessie! I don’t deserve you to be nice to me or understanding. I’m a fucking prick.” How can she smile and forgive me so quickly? “You’re not a prick Diesel. Last night you were hurting over everything. In those moments you let go of the ‘what ifs’ you don’t hide from your feelings or love. Don’t worry about it.” I simply nod to her. “Wait.” My word confused, as I watch her look towards me. She laughs slightly nodding. “Yes, Diesel. Don’t worry though, I know your past, and I know that is why you hide from love. I don’t blame you. Letting someone in and admitting it leads to pain. While I was gone I realised.” “Realised what Jessie?” “That me pushing you was wrong. You won’t ever let me or anyone else in Diesel. Anyone who you even remotely care for, any woman that is. Fear of what comes n

I listen to her words and struggle with what to reply. Her dad knew, her dad planned it. Me fine, I am no one to him, but his own daughter? “Is it fucked up that somewhere inside, that made me feel better? For years I told myself if I had done something different, or had begged him to leave Elsie out of it, they would be alive today. Knowing even his own family were treated the same makes me realise nothing I said would change it.” I wish it could have, but it won’t. “Ask me in a few months, Diesel, as right now I am still getting used to the idea my dad knew and paid Jake. I knew he struggled to accept I could run the city, but I didn’t think it would be that bad.” I look at her. “Do you think Jake was the plan? Maybe your dad wanted him to marry you so he took over the city?” Why else would her dad pay him to be in her life? “I know he did. I saw the contracts. My dad promised him the city once he died if we were married. He paid him