2 {2}

Today is a new day filled with shit I don't want to do. Ryke is already up and fueled with energy, considering he's running around the bedroom yapping his face out. I look at my phone and it displays 6:30 in the little font. Perfect I have time to work out a bit, make food then go to work. Oh wait, we currently have a guest in the house. Lilac, I forgot. I groan and get up, going straight to my bathroom. Do my morning routine, I'm still in my cotton two-tone shorts and a sports bra so I just go into my workout room which is next to Lilacs.

Be careful not to be so loud.

I put some music on, but not too loudly, and do a full workout. In the middle of my heavy bag session, I hear Lilac's door open and in the corner of my eye, her head pops out from around the door. "Good morning Naomi" Ryke hears her voice and runs to her. "Good morning boy" She smiles, petting him softly. I'm huffing and puffing while taking my gloves off, trying to wipe the sweat from my face and neck. "Hey, morning. Did I wake you?" I chugged half of my water bottle and set my gloves down. She shakes her head "I've been awake, just too sleepy to get up until now" She giggles softly and places a kiss on Rykes head. "Breakfast?" I asked while wiping my face and neck off with a towel this time. Her stomach sent a loud growl throughout the room, and her cheeks quickly darkened. Slightly amused, I chuckled "That answers my question, let me wash up real quick."

I go into my bedroom and straight to my bathroom, to take a quick shower. After drying off I into my closet putting on black jeans and a graphic muscle tee with socks. I ran the towel over my hair trying to dry it a bit more then ruffled the top. By the time I was done, Lilac put a cartoon on the tv. "Sorry, I didn't know what else to put on and I kinda just automatically put on Avatar."

I made us both coffee and then brought our cups to the coffee table. Making my way back to the kitchen popping waffles into the toaster. "Anything else you like in the morning?" she softly shook her head "I don't really get big appetites in the morning, so the waffles are fine for me." with that, I made our plates and then brought them to the coffee table. We both finished and I had time to help clean up before going to work. "When Ryke gets hungry he will hit that bell on the pantry and when he needs to go he'll bring you the bags." I laughed and pet Rykes head. "Aint that right lil man." He wags his tail and rubs his head against my leg. She nods and smiles small at him. "Alright I leave the house and him in your hands, I'll be home around 10." I grabbed my computer bag that has files inside and headed out the door.

Getting to my car was a drag because of who was at the elevator. Oh, the wonderful Emma. The obsessed neighbor for who knows why. "Naomi-poo!" Her face gleamed as her head turned to look at me. She looks like she's breaking her neck. I managed to make a small smile and walk closer to the elevator. "Emma." The elevator opens, we both step in and I push the glowy button for Lobby. "How was your day? Is the -girl, still there?" She fidgets with her fingers and looks down. "Yes," I said so blankly and monotoned that she flinched.

"o-oh" I smirk small as the elevator door opens, I walk out waving small without turning my head "Have a nice day." I go out to my car and quickly get in. Thirty minutes to get to work. Let's hope there's no traffic. I sped off in the direction of the highway.

Managed to arrive 10 minutes later than I usually arrive, but it's fine. Due to two different car accidents, my ass was close to being late. My assistant, Aaliyah comes rushing up to me frantic, "Ma'am some random guy came in barging looking for you." Great, what a wonderful way to start my morning at work. "Have security bring him to my office and get me another coffee, I finished mine on the way here." She nods and rushes back to her desk. I sigh and make my way to the elevator, greeting everyone as I go.

"Ms.Lennox, we have a meeting with the director of Twan Candy Bar in half an hour." I nod and press the glow-up button. "Okay, meet me in the conference room 10 minutes before, until then do not send anyone in. I have to deal with this stranger." They nod and go about their business while I make my way into the elevator. Once the elevator stopped at my floor, my security guards were in my office with someone sitting in between.

I took this time to examine the stranger, with colorful hair, dark clothes, and earrings in both ears. I sigh and walk straight to my desk. I took in their face and rolled my eyes. "You may leave us." The guards looked at each other confused, "But ma-" I cut them off by holding up my hand. "He's my younger brother, you may go and tell Aaliyah to hurry up with my coffee." They both nod and hurry off. "I love the buff guys, sis. Love what you've done with the place." Farren grins.

"What do you want Farren? You haven't called me in two years, so why all of a sudden you storm into my building." I raise an eyebrow and entwine my fingers. "You already know. Dad called you last night, did he not?" I tightened my jaw. "Of course he sent you, but I would've expected Nikki or AnnaLee. Definitely not you." I smirked, knowing that got under his skin. He was always the baby, he never got to help out with our jobs growing up or help with the big stuff, father never took him seriously enough. Which is probably why his rebel-like charms gets him in so much trouble. He clenched his jaw and tightened his grip on the armchair he so comfortably sat in.

"Everyone else but me was busy, plus Mom misses you." I rolled my eyes. "Oh please she's not our mother She's a wannabe, she's obsessed with what our father can do." I sat up. "This time it's different sis. The business is slowing down and we have much bigger issues." I placed a finger against my lip, resting my head on my hand. "Yeah, and what's that? You know father's ways of dealing with these types of things don't you? Oh, wait. You were too little."

He growled. "Look, the Romano family is back and they're striking us. They already took down three money deposit trips. That was to help the house and your building." My eyes narrowed. "Romano family. Are you sure? I thought we wiped them out in 19XX to the point where they couldn't come back up." I now was fully leaning against my desk.

"I have no clue but they did and they're stronger than ever." I rub my temples. "Somebody we know or inside must've helped them and told them because they wouldn't know the spots to hit unless they were let in on, "I growled and run my hands over my face. Then I suddenly think of Lilac. "Can you find someone? Like someone from the east side?" Farren nods and raises an eyebrow. "I'm insulted you even asked, but why. Who are you trying to find?"

I gave him a stern look. "On my way home from a friend's house, I found a girl. She was beaten, bruised, bleeding, and raped. Her clothes were shredded. Barely any fabric on her gorgeous skin. I mean hm, I brought her to my place, and she's there now. All I know about her is Lilac and she's from the east side." I scratch my forehead and chuckle.

Farren stared and looked at me like I had two heads. "So you have some stranger living in your apartment and you don't even know them?" I nodded, "Yup, doesn't sound like the big bad Naomi, does it?" He shakes his head fast. Before I could say anything my assistant popped her head in, "Maam your meeting with the candy bar is here, they're in the conference room." I nod "Thank you, Aaliyah, I'll be there in just a minute." I turn to Farren and gesture my head toward the door. He knew what it meant but sometimes he's a total idiot. "Scaddadle kid, let me know about the search, and damn it use your phone next time." I smile small but hugged him after I stood up.

He leaves and I fix my leather jacket as I follow him out, making my way to the conference room. I walk in and smile small at everyone. "Good morning everyone, thank you all for waiting, my baby brother decided to stop by. But please let us begin shall we?" I sat down in my chair at the head of the table.

The meeting went surprisingly well, considering they are the second top candy bar, behind Snackerz. Lunchtime came around and I decided to leave early for the day, Lilac may have answers to some questions for me. Leaving my office my personal security was calling my phone. "Sir, Taylor is at your car and it has been completely wrecked." I groan. Well, that leaves me to stay at my office. . "Fuck! Have Taylor go get one of my other ones, grab Ryke and the girl at my apartment and bring them both here. Her name is Lilac. Have AnnaLee come scout out my car" I sighed "Understood." Solis hangs up.

I go back to the office and ring for Aaliyah. Her heels tapped against the floors then her head popped into the doorway. "Yes?" I glanced up at her, "Please clear my schedule for the next two hours, something came up that I have to deal with and make a delivery order for Payne's, my usual." She nods and leaves to her desk. Almost an hour later Solis arrives with my food, Ryke, Lilac, and AnnaLee. "Oh my god, finally I'm starving." Solis hands me the plastic bag and I immediately take out the foam box. "You're such a pig." AnnaLee rolled her eyes and I held up my middle finger. Glancing over at Lilac, she's fidgeting with her hands and is sucked deep into the chair while Ryke is laying in his bed in the corner. I finished chewing and wiped my mouth, "Now who the fuck, wreck my car." Looking at my older sister.

Mhh soo good.

Taylor spoke up first, "Sir it looks like surveillance has a video of two brunettes and a redhead wrecking the car." I groaned and rubbed my forehead putting down my food. "Now who was it" I turned to my older sister. She scratched her head. "The Romano twins and someone else, maybe an acquaintance of theirs." I squeezed my fists. "So you're meaning to tell me, three teenagers were that damn childish to wreck an Audi A5?" At this point, I was beyond pissed. That was an expensive car that some kids wrecked.

"I want them found and taught a lesson. Scare them as much as possible. AnnaLee pay them a visit before I do and find out what they will do in return for my car. If they don't comply, I'll see them myself." At this point, I wasn't in a good mood Naomi. I was Despair, the oldest of the twins, daughter of Time. They both nodded and left my office, leaving Lilac looking pale in her seat. I sigh and wipe my mouth "Now, I want you to be completely honest with me here Lilac." I say my voice filled with hate as I stood up and leaned against the front of my desk. "Who are you? Where are you really from and what is your connection to the Romano household." At this point I knew my aura changed and the mood of the room darkened, she gulped. "I really am from the East Side, my name is Lilac Shard I'm 22. The Romano family hired me and my cousins to work for them, take care of the house...but that house..those people they're monsters. It's like they're not human at all. One of the twins your sister spoke about became fond of me and my cousin Sage would always make us do the most bizarre things for his own pleasure. I stepped out of line when he and his boys were ganging up on Sage... I received her punishment instead. I took the first opportunity I could to get out. My cousins are still there."

I rub my eyes and began gripping at the roots of my hair. "What were the things he made you do." Her eyes widened and began to tear up. "We all had specific parts of the house to focus on, Sage and I were cleaning the master rooms, and we had strict orders to not touch anything. Sage knocked into something important and it made a loud bang as it landed on the floor. I tried to help her clean it up when two of the big guys walked in and saw us cleaning it up. They grabbed us both and took us to a room with no windows, made me tie Sage up to a table, and when I was done the twins came in with two other guys." She took a long pause and gripped the arm of the chair almost ripping off the material. "He gave me a hot knife, the blade was red and even the handle was too hot to hold...he made me put it on specific parts of her body-" she stops mid-sentence and tears running down her cheeks, making her hyperventilate. "he had us take turns burning each other when I couldn't take it anymore I stabbed one of the big guys standing beside me, really I tried going after the twins." She began a full sob. I stood and grabbed her the tissues "You don't have to continue, is that where all the burns on your body are from?" She just simply nodded and continued crying.

I'm in no mood to finish my lunch, I immediately get a call from AnneLee. "Sorry to tell you, but they won't comply looks like you'll have to see them yourself, sis. I'll get the boys ready and meet you outside your office in 10." I groaned and hung up. "You stay here. " I press the button on my desk and Aaliyah pops through the door. "yes?" I begin to fill a bowl for Ryke and grab a blanket from my desk drawer and wrap it around Lilac. "They both stay here, everyone is to be sent home and keep guys around the office. Stay in here with them, do you understand." My voice held power, she nods and goes to her desk to inform everyone to leave for the day. "You'll be safe here. I'll be back."

Stepping into the elevator it brought me to the lobby, my sister AnnaLee, Taylor, Solis, and a couple of other guys were already waiting at the front entrance. "She doesn't know anything about the Romano family besides that they hired her and her family to keep up with the house. Look into details of the guys they have hired. I want to know everything. " We all get into the vehicles lined up outside.

I was angry. So incredibly angry, not for my car but for what they did to Lilac. I'm not someone who falls for anybody or has ties to anyone, yet something about her draws me to her. I feel like I just have to make this right. I have to be Despair, not Naomi. "A couple of their bodyguards are on papers for manslaughter, arson, aggravated assault, and even rape. " AnnaLee spoke as she looked up from her tablet, "Who were their victims" I gripped the rip in my jeans, making it tear even more. "Some were bystanders, others are family members...uh looks like one case Dani Tomb was convicted of molesting young family members and burnt down the family house." I grinned madly.

Perfect there's my leeway.

Really, I just wanted to be at home and soothe Lilac, yet I don't even know the girl. I've always hated this part.