Author's Note: This story is my baby, my master peice. Be nice but be sure to be specific. I want to know what's wrong. I need to know what to fix. Thank you and enjoy!

Kingdom

Kingdom

It's Us or Them

Chapter One

The foul stench of anti-freeze burned my nose as I poured it into the engine of the broken down minivan. It had been totaled about a week ago, and was brought in Tuesday, which meant that I had been working on the stupid thing for three days, and the only things that I had working were the windshield wipers!

I screwed back on the cap of the blue liquid until the palm of my hand was red. I didn't do that for a particular reason except to release some of the tension that had made my muscles permanently rigid.

"You done?”

My body froze at the sound of his voice. He didn't scare me, at least not as much as a few others, but his very being there was a reminder.

"This van hates me." I muttered under my breath and wiped the sweat away from my forehead with the back of my hand.

When I pulled my hand back I saw that the oil that had covered my palms had smeared, which meant that my forehead was probably now semi covered in grease. I frowned at it.

I could feel his gaze on me and that only made my frown turn into a glare.

The oil was etched into my palm. My hands were covered with grime and dirt from the day at the garage, but I wasn’t glaring at it because I was mad about getting dirty. That wasn’t a big thing considering my choice of profession.

I was glaring at myself because I couldn’t glare at him.

I knew he was waiting for me to show something - discomfort, anger, even fear. I would disappoint him. I wouldn't let him feel glory over my pain.

With a quick pace I went back to the office.

I had worked at Donnie's Auto Body and Repair for two years. It was the only place I was allowed to work.

Donnie didn’t wear the colors, but since he worked on the guys’ cars he was practically regarded as a brother.

That fact alone made me quaver whenever he was in the room. He had never been mean to me, in fact he was the very opposite. He taught me everything I knew about cars and engines, and he made sure I didn't go crazy going over the month's spreadsheets, but still, I couldn't let my guard down around him completely.

I grabbed one of the rags that was piled up in the bucket behind the desk and wiped down my hands.

Once I was satisfied that my hands were no longer the color of charcoal I went to work dating some receipts.

Donnie disliked paperwork with a passion. He'd rather spend all his time with the cars. That was why he had looked for a part-time employee in the first place.

My job was to talk to the clients, make up receipts and those spreadsheets that crossed my eyes. I did everything Donnie despised, along with some manual labor from time to time.

"Your phone rang earlier." Seizer came into the office a few seconds after I did. I should have been expecting him to follow me. Whenever he was on duty he was never more than eight feet away from me.

Unfortunately, I hadn’t been paying much attention, and he had the victory of making me jump.

I hadn't heard him walk in. I hadn't even heard the clash of the chains that hung from his jeans.

Seizer always found a way to do that. He liked sneaking up on people just to make them scared. One thing I knew about him was that he loved seeing fear shine in someone’s eyes, especially when it was because of him.

I watched him walk over to the old recliner in the corner of the office. It was made of this dark olive green fabric that itched against bare skin. I made it a priority not to sit there. It was possibly the most uncomfortable chair in the world, or at least on the East coast.

Sure, I could have replaced it, but where was the fun in that? That was the one thing I could do to make Seizer feel uncomfortable.

I watched as Seizer sat down. His face twisted in his irritation, and I felt a small grin twitch at the edges of my lips.

I kept him in range of sight while I got out my phone.

'1 missed call'

But there wasn't a message.

After pressing a few buttons I found out it had been my brother who called.

I pressed speed dial and it didn't even get through one ring before he picked up.

"Where are you?"

His tone was dark and demanding and it made me clamp up and go completely rigid.

For a second I thought it had been him who answered Jess's phone, or that I dialed the wrong number.

"I'm at work." I tried desperately to conceal the fear in my voice, but I knew I failed when I saw Seizer glance over at me. His eyes were narrowed and his face was full of questions.

I forced myself to fully turn away from the older and bigger man.

"Still?" I let out a shaky relieved sigh when the voice softened. I knew it was Jess then. Now, instead of the anger that had laced his previous words, there was confusion, and maybe a little concern.

I nodded more to myself as I said, "Yeah. Donnie asked me to work over because he had a few friends bring in cars." After a quick glance at the door to make sure Donnie wasn't standing right there I added, "Who do you know who would pay to shine up a Ford Anglia 105?" I knew there was an edge to my voice, but I couldn’t help it. I spent five hours on that stupid car, and for what? Some idiot who didn’t know that those cars are old, ugly, and weird?

Jess chuckled under his breath. I could tell that there was something on his mind, but for the time being I ignored the feeling.

I leaned back in the worn brown leather chair and closed my eyes for a brief second. For the first time all day I let myself relax. Jess's voice did that to me. It made me, just for a second, forget about the misery that had cloaked my life.

About five years ago, near the beginning of January, I guessed, the United States government broke apart. For about four years before they officially disbanded fighting and violence broke out of the states. All hell broke loose and the government lost control of everyone and everything. It’s still like that, except now we have different leaders.

Not even a half a year passed before gangs took over the states. They roamed the streets and filled hearts, souls, and minds with pure unadulterated fear.

I guessed I was lucky, fortunate, that I didn't have to worry about death on a daily basis. I may fear for my health and sanity at times, but I knew that I'd never be whacked. He'd never let that happen, even though sometimes I wished he would.

"Listen, Andrea," That rudely pulled me from my thoughts. Jess only called my by my full name when things were really bad. "I want you at the race tonight."

I shivered violently at his 'request' and squeezed my eyes shut in order to fight the rest off. "Why?" I croaked out.

"I just need you there." He snapped, after a second he added in that same urgent tone, "Craig will be there in about fifteen minutes to pick you up."

My eyes snapped open as I stammered over what to say, but I wasn't given much of a chance.

He hung up on me.

"Shit." I closed the phone and threw it onto the desk. It landed with a clunk and slid across the surface until it fell on the floor. It didn’t crunch so I didn’t think I broke it.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw that Seizer was still watching me. His face had darkened from the side of the conversation he’d heard, but I knew he'd never ask what happened or who had called. He’d wait for me to tell him.

I sighed and sat back down, "Craig will be here in fifteen minutes."

I learned the hard way to always let Seizer know who and when people were coming over. One time he had Craig at gunpoint because he came into the back of the garage without calling first… and Craig was one of his brothers!

Seizer nodded and I watched the tension leave his features in a quick wave.

"I'm gonna go change." I grabbed the backpack I kept underneath the desk and headed back to the employee's only bathroom. That was the one place where Seizer wouldn't follow me.

Sometimes I thought about just hiding out in the bathroom all day, but I never would.

I cleaned up and changed in record time, because when I came back out the back door was opening.

Craig had frosted blond hair and ice cold blue eyes. His features were hard and rugged and by the scars across the cuff of his shoulder and up along his chin anyone would be able to see that he had a difficult life.

"Ready?" He wasn't one for small talk.

But neither was I, so that was fine with me.

With my bag over my shoulder and my coat draped across my arm I started towards him.

I slowed to a stop when I heard the office door creak open. It was quickly closed and then I heard boots thudding rhythmically against the concrete.

"You heading out?"

I turned and saw both Donnie and Seizer walking up to me. As always Seizer walked with such a fierce demeanor that he made no sound at all. I often wondered if his chains were plastic, and not metal, because of the toneless sound they made.

"There's a race tonight." I said without any enthusiasm or feeling.

Donnie nodded, “Well have fun.” A glint of something I didn’t recognize appeared in his eyes.

Something about how he said that bothered me. It was like he knew something I didn’t. It didn’t sound like anything bad, because he sounded downright chipper, but still, it bothered me.

Then my boss turned to leave, "Good work on the Ford Anglia today." With that my previous thoughts disappeared and I glared at his retreating back. I knew he was smirking. I could hear it in his voice.

Once he ducked into his office I turned away from him. Then, after one quick glance at Seizer, I turned and went over to where Craig was standing.

"I'll see you tomorrow." I told Seizer with the same dry emotionless tone.

“I’ll drive you.”

Seizer’s voice was so close to me that I spun back around in surprise.

I caught myself before I jumped when I practically rammed into his chest. I gasped, and I watched as a menacing grin tugged at his lips from pleasure. I inwardly shuddered.

"I'm not going to kidnap her." Craig told him gruffly. He was obviously annoyed.

I was relieved when Seizer took his gaze off me and turned his dark eyes onto Craig. "She's my responsibility." That was all he said. Then, with one hand behind my back, he pushed me out the door.

The first thing I met when stepped out the door was the thick fog of car exhaust that had permanently stained the air of Baltimore city.

I scanned the streets and saw the same thing that I had been seeing since the Empire took control of the city.

The roads were clogged and full of litter. The pavement itself was cracked and transfigured. I could make out a homeless man across the street going down the dismantled sidewalk pushing a halfway full Wal-Mart shopping cart.

He, like many of the people in the states, weren't fortunate enough to have friends in high places. He probably made his living on discarded soda cans and other tin he could find and trade for 74 cents a pound. His days were meek and dull, without the promise of a good meal or even a dry place to sleep.

Seizer pressed his hand firmly on the small of my back and that sent a message to my brain to keep walking. I hadn’t even noticed that I had been slowing my pace.

The wall behind the man caught my eyes. The bricks were old and some were picked away by bullets that had been carelessly shot its way. But what really stood out was the red and gold paint that was drawn expertly across it.

It was there as a territorial mark. It was a way to gain fear and respect, and a way to send messages to the brothers.

EMPIRE was written boldly in red block letters and a crown made with gold ivory was painted underneath.

That one word was printed in about 16 states. Each state was run by one man, and was monitored by his minions - his brothers.

As his face came into my mind I snapped out of my thoughts. I shook my head a few times before looking up at the guys.

"Can I drive?" I asked as I pulled on my patched jean coat over my crimson long sleeve shirt.

I despised myself when I wore their colors. What I hated more was that I didn't have the strength not to.

"No." Seizer and Craig told me in unison.

I hadn’t really expected them to let me drive anyway, so I wasn’t really disappointed.

I rolled my eyes to myself and started to walk past them to where both of them were parked. I got two lengths away from them when a hand gripped my upper arm; stopping me from going any further.

My feet froze where they were and I subconsciously held my breath as I waited.

“Craig, who asked you to pick up Andy?” Seizer’s question came out half strangled. It sounded like he was fighting an inner battle.

I turned until I could see both of them clearly.

Craig’s eyes were narrowed in confusion as he watched Seizer, who was about three inches taller than him and a hell of a lot more scary in appearance.

“Jess.”

Seizer made a choking sound in the back of his throat. I could practically see the wheels of his brain turning through his dark eyes.

That’s when I understood.

Seizer may be high up in the Empire ranks, but not as high as my brother. If he didn’t follow the orders Jess handed out he’d be in trouble with him.

On the other hand, Seizer’s orders, from him, were to watch me when he wasn’t around.

Ergo inner conflict.

“If you so much as swerve, Craig, you won’t have to worry about The Emperor coming after you, because I’ll have gotten to you first.” Seizer’s voice held such a deadly threat that I was about to just agree to go with Seizer, just to save us all future injuries.

But Craig stopped me.

He waved off Seizer’s threat like it was nothing, but even in the dark I could see the fear flash through his icy eyes.

“Sure, sure, whatever.” Craig’s voice; however, remained laid back.

Seizer’s grip on me tightened a little before he released me. I could tell he still wasn’t sure if he had made the right decision.

“I’ll be behind you.” I wasn’t sure if that was supposed to be reassuring or a threat. Seizer’s tone was low and dark so I assumed it was meant to remind Craig of just how scary he could be, although I didn’t think either one of us needed to be reminded. I certainly didn’t need to be.

I followed Craig and then got into the passenger’s side of his car.

His car wasn't anything much, just something that got him around. It was rusted, a dingy shade of brown, pretty much just a beat up clunker… and I knew for a fact that the windshield wipers didn't work, so at least the mini van had something up on it.

"I swear that guy has control issues." Craig told me as he shut his door. He had slammed it so hard that the car shook.

I winced lightly and followed his gaze to Seizer, who was climbing into his black ford.

“You’d think you were dating him.” His tone told me he wasn’t in a good mood.

I didn’t say anything.

I turned and stared out the window, in hope that he’d leave me alone. That was when I was glad I did get in the car with Craig. He was a lot quieter than Seizer.

The light that hung above Donnie's parking lot flickered violently. I stared into the darkness and pressed my forehead against the cold glass window.

Craig started up his engine and pulled us out onto the street. I was used to the uneven roads so when the car jerked to the right I barely noticed.

My eyes were glued on the side mirror. I could see Seizer's truck less than half a car's length behind us.

Would I never really be left alone? Would I always have to be looking over my shoulder? Would I always be babysat?

As much as I wanted to believe that one day I wouldn’t, I just couldn’t.

!

After twenty minutes of driving down Main Street we pulled off the beltway and headed to the outskirts of the city. Nothing was really different there, except that they had less traffic lights - not that anyone listened to them anyway.

"What's going on tonight?" I cut through the silence.

We were closing in the distance between us and the racing lot. It was an old parking lot that Empire used as its meeting ground. To them it was sacred place; like the sands were to the Romans.

With each passing mile my chest got tighter and tighter in anxiety.

"Why you ask?" Craig sounded distracted. His eyes were glued to the lot.

I glanced at him for a second. All I saw was eagerness on his face. He, like most Empire members, loved going to that lot. It was where they got to be with the entire Empire, where they got to see their Emperor, and where they earned cash.

To them it was sacred.

To me it was scary.

I hated having to go to races. They were long, always lasting past two in the morning, and completely pointless in my opinion. Five men raced at midnight, but other than that it was just a social gathering where fights broke out and speeches were given.

It was also where he would be.

"I don’t know.” I shrugged in my attempt to appear casual, “Jess was just real insistent that I come."

Craig broke out into a grin when we came up to the line at the entrance. "What are you asking me?"

"Why'd you bring me?" I blurted out. He glanced over at me sideways and I sighed, "You're just not usually one to play chauffeur."

Craig turned back to the road when the line moved up. "I brought you because your brother can be damn scary sometimes."

I forced out a strangled laugh before turning back to the line myself.

Something didn't feel right about this race, but I didn’t pay much attention to that feeling. I was used to feeling that way. Nothing about Empire ever felt right.

After a few minutes we came up to the gates. I knew the man who was checking ID's. His name was Spade and he was a master pickpocket.

Every time I was around him I always checked to make sure I still had my wallet. He actually took mine once, but a few minutes later he came back and dropped it back in my lap, grinning like an idiot. I think, for the most part, stealing was just a game to him. It was a thrill.

"Jess is in first place." Spade told us as he shone his flashlight into the back of the car.

Jess being in first place, in the Empire racing world, meant that he had the most money bet on him.

"Good, he's where I put my money." Craig made a sign with his hand, an E in sigh language, when Spade turned his attention on him. That was the Empire way of showing that they were Empire.

"I always put my money on Jess." I told Spade when his gold eyes turned to me.

He smirked then and I instinctively tensed up, "Except when Kyle is racing, right?"

My hands started shaking to get out the pure fear that had built up in my body. I forced myself to grin so that it looked like I was agreeing with him. I assumed that I had done a good job because Spade let us pass without another word.

The cars had parked on either side of the lot. The middle was made up of the crowd. From what I could tell there were more than 50 people standing around.

We followed the path the people formed for the cars until we found an empty parking spot. Craig unbuckled himself and opened his door before the engine had completely shut off.

I, on the other hand, didn’t move. I was frozen where I was. Partly out of fear and partly because I just didn’t want to get out and mingle with people I hated.

He looked back at me before getting out, "What’s wrong?"

"I'm just tired." I lied weakly.

"Well wake up. The party’s just starting." I wasn't sure if Craig believed me or not. He wasn't as good at reading me as others were.

I sighed heavily, threw back my seatbelt, and climbed out of the car.

My ears were pounding by the time I got around the car. Stereos were playing full blast, hardcore members were yelling, and car engines were cutting through the air like a banshee’s cry.

"You’ll be alright?" Craig met me at the back of the car. He was doing his last job for the night by making sure that I was safe.

I nodded absently.

Then he broke out into a childish grin and went out to have fun. I stayed put and leaned against the trunk of his car. My coat hiked up and the bare skin of my back pressed onto the cold exterior of the car.

I ignored the cold. I was used to the cold.

I scanned the crowd. I knew some of them, had been introduced to most of them, and there were a few that I had never seen before. They all knew me though.

Directly across the lot I saw Seizer jumping out of his truck. His eyes locked with mine for a second and a sneer stretched across his mouth. I could see the same eagerness in his eyes that Craig had.

Then his gaze turned away from me and he walked along the line of cars.

I followed his gaze and my eyes fell on a more expensive car. It was sleek and bright red. My breath caught in my throat. I knew that car very well, just as I knew the owner, although I wished I didn't.

There was a circle of about eight guys around the open trunk and I saw him. His back was turned to me, but I knew it was him.

He was wearing a black beater and I could make out the gold ivory crown that was tattooed over his left shoulder. It was the sign of Empire. The crown sat on a tattoo that looked like red silk and that marked him for life as The Emperor.

I watched as he and one of the guys in the tight circle exchanged two plain brown paper bags. I knew the one he took was full of money. I didn’t know what was in the one he gave out. I was pretty sure that I didn’t want to know what was in it.

I couldn't tell who was surrounding him. I didn’t recognize any of them. At least I didn’t until Seizer walked up to them.

My personal stalker leaned over to him and said something.

It must have been about me because he spun around. His withering dark brown eyes scanned the crowd. I held my breath subconsciously and then his gaze fell on me.

My insides tightened until I couldn’t breathe.

His name was Kyle and he had haunted my sleep since the government take over… when he became Emperor of Baltimore, 16 states of the former United States, and of me. I hated being under his rule. I hated having him watching me. I hated having to share the same air as him.

My entire body was trembling by then. Fear had taken over my senses and I was paralyzed to where I stood. I couldn't move. I could barely breathe. All I could think of was that I wished I wasn't there.

"Well, look who finally showed up."

I recognized the deep voice instantly. It belonged to a snake.

“Well, look who’s out from behind bars.” I snapped back on instinct.

During that second I forgot about Kyle, I forgot about being surrounded by about a hundred men who could end my life without even blinking. The fear was gone and all I felt was anger well up inside me. It was the feeling that I had tried so hard to push away completely. It only led to more pain.

Base walked up to me. He didn’t have the same fierce steps that Seizer walked with, but the rage that constantly radiated off of him was enough to make anyone scared of him.

It took all my strength not to cower or make myself look small under his brutal gaze.

Base, like Seizer, was one of Kyle's hardcore members. He followed all Kyle's orders without question and did whatever he could to be noticed by the Emperor.

He had a tendency to hang around me at races. Like Seizer he liked to keep an eye on me. However, unlike Seizer, he wasn't looking out for my safety. He was just looking at my body. He was sick and mean, and I almost hated him as much as Kyle.

His hands were stuffed deep into his pockets and his red bandana was tied to his jeans belt loop, on the left side of his jeans.

Base's hair was black and slicked back with gel. I always thought he did that because he was trying to look dark, dangerous and like the mafia, but I personally thought it made him look like a snake; sneaky, deceptive, and down right creepy.

A guy, younger than Base but still older than me, walked up and stood so that we were standing in a triangle. I didn’t like that I was cornered by them, but I wouldn’t let myself look afraid.

Base made a sound in the back of his throat. He wasn’t pleased by my last comment. “Have you met my new recruit, Josh?” He sounded almost civil.

I barely contained the eye roll that was begging to be expressed.

The kid grinned. He looked like he had just won the lottery. “It’s great to meet you.” His eyes were all star stricken. “I just can’t believe I’m meeting the Empress.”

I bit my lip to keep from glaring at him. I hated it when people called me that.

Then I glanced over at Base. I couldn’t understand why the hell Base had brought this kid over to me.

“He’s doing his initiation tonight.” Base explained. There was a wicked, some would say evil, glint in his eye.

I flinched visibly. That only made Base’s sneer widen and I mentally kicked myself.

I hated initiations. They were the first phases of becoming Empire. It was a test to see whether or not they were capable of wearing the colors and getting the brands. Normally the test was in the form of a car boost, a theft, or a beating.

“He’s going against Jess.” That’s when I understood the look in Base’s eyes. He was always excited when there was a promise of violence.

I frowned though. I was still confused about something. “As part of the five?”

“No, I’m going against Jess myself tonight.” For some odd reason he was excited about that. He said it like it was something to be proud about. I guessed, from his point of view, it was something to be proud of. Jess was a great racer. He has never been beaten.

“So does he not get in if he loses?” I chatted away nervously. I looked behind the kid and saw that Kyle hadn’t turned back to his crowd. I automatically knew that he wasn’t pleased.

Technically he wasn’t looking at me. He was now sporting a fierce glare at Base. That look only meant one thing when it was on Kyle’s face.

I instantly tried to take a step back, but I was already pressed up against a car so I didn’t get very far.

“No, he only loses if his car gets totaled… or there’s no one left to join.” Base chuckled darkly.

I turned my glare on Base. “Do you actually have a heart or is there just a black hole in your chest?” I hissed angrily at him. I couldn’t believe he had just said that, but than again I could.

Base had never been the type to feel compassion or sympathy towards anyone.

“Don’t defend me, Empress. I can take care of myself.” The tone of his voice would have bothered me if I had been paying attention. It was borderline flirtatious.

"Ah, Andy, do you always have to put me down?" Base was barely three inches from touching me. He obviously hadn’t noticed that Kyle was mentally planning his death.

"It's instinctual to put dirt where it belongs."

As soon as I said that I wished I hadn't. I always hated when I didn’t pay too much attention to my mouth – it tended to run away with whatever came into my mind; which, especially when I was around Kyle and his groupies, was very dangerous.

For a second I thought Base was going to hit me. He like most the people around here didn't take well to insults. He ripped his hand out of his pocket and formed a fist.

I could see the familiar rage boiling in his eyes and my body cowered, in preparation for what I knew was about to come.

“Hey, man, knock it off.” The kid surprised me by standing up to his mentor.

Base locked eyes with me. I could see the threat burning in his dark eyes, but I didn’t have a chance to react.

"Trying to cause trouble, Andy?" My entire body melted with relief when I heard my brother's voice. From what I heard he was right behind me. It made me feel entirely safe because Jess was at my back.

Base’s eyes lifted from mine and he turned his intense glare onto Jess.

“Or is Base the one with the chip on his shoulder?” Jess laughed darkly and I felt his arm stretch out over my shoulders. I turned, but he wasn’t looking at me. His glare was even more intense than Base’s.

I ignored the look in my brother’s eyes. I knew that he was here to protect me, not hurt me. I smiled in triumph. I knew that Base, even though he was a complete idiot, wouldn’t dare hurt me with Jess standing right there.

I subconsciously snuck a glance over at Kyle. He had turned his back on me again and was chatting it up with his crew.

For the moment I was free.

“We were just talking, Crane.” Base spat.

I leaned further into Jess’s hold. He tightened his grasp on my shoulders protectively.

“Yeah, well, talk’s over.” Jess replied violently.

Base kept his face carefully neutral and cold, but I made out the distinctive glint of fear that dominated his eyes.

Without another word Jess turned us around and led us further into the faces of the crowd. “What’s up?” I tilted my chin up so I could look into Jess’s eyes.

“Nothing.” He, however, wasn’t looking at me. His eyes were dark and clouded over as he scanned the crowd.

Jess was a lot taller than me and looked a lot better with black hair than Base did, but what really set him apart from the other gangsters around here were his eyes. They were bright emerald green.

During these meetings we normally wandered around during the first few hours of these gatherings.

It was a lot easier to hide from Kyle's gaze when you were moving.

As we walked more eyes turned to us. That was normal, and something that scared me to no end. Every pair of eyes here reported directly to Kyle. Any treasonous act from either Jess or I would make its way right to him and we’d be worse than toast.

"Now, would you please tell me why I'm here?" I kept my voice low and somehow managed not to growl or snap at my brother.

As we walked the crowd parted for us. It always freaked me out when they did that. It reminded me that all eyes were always on me.

We walked until we got to Jess's car. It was parked in the center of the lot beside a red corvette. I recognized it as the car that Kyle let initiates drive before they got their own wheels.

Jess’s car was nothing special, at least on the exterior, but we had plenty of memories in it.

The old Grand Prix was the first car I drove and the first car that Jess bought. It had never let us down and we hadn't gotten into an accident yet.

"Can't I want my sister here to cheer me on?" Jess asked me lightly. His tone was bored and uninterested, but I saw a flash in his eyes.

I leaned back on Jess's car so I faced him. "Not when it involves me spending more time with Kyle than necessary." Even though I didn't think anyone was listening to us I kept my voice down so that only Jess could hear me.

Jess’s face was hard, but I could see tenderness in his emerald eyes.

However, the moment was short lived because then his eyes flickered behind me and he made a coughing sound in the back of his throat; a warning.

I sighed heavily. I knew who it was without having to look.

Even when we were moving we could never get away from Kyle for too long.

I turned and watched as the crowd parted and Kyle appeared. Seizer was right behind him.

His eyes ran over me and I bit my lip, hard, to keep myself from shying over to Jess.

Whenever he looked at me like that I always felt like I was being judged by him; my clothes, my attitude, and especially the look in my eyes. According to my brother my emotions were easily read in my blue eyes.

His features were hard and sharp and his eyes made me feel like he could read my every thought. I was always scared he knew that I hated him, and that he was going to come after me guns drawn whenever he was near me.

"Hey baby." He came over and leaned against the car beside me. His leg pressed against my outer thigh and I twisted my knuckles around nervously in my lap. I refused to look at him. "Come to watch the race?" His lips ran over my ear and he kissed my neck.

It took all of my will power to not tense up under his touch.

He didn’t seem to be angry about earlier with Base. But, I knew that with Kyle, looks were very deceiving.

"Yeah." I stood, trying to subtly get away from him, "How good is the kid?” I kept my tone as nonchalant as I could.

"Not as good as either of us,” He was talking about him and Jess, “but he has some potential." As soon as I stood Kyle did the same. He wrapped his arms around me from behind and he pulled me to his chest.

I sucked in a shallow breath and closed my eyes. I knew better than to refuse his embrace. I had done it before, and I knew never to do it again, especially not in front of everyone.

Jess watched us with dark and narrowed eyes. If I looked hard enough I would have seen the fear the flashed briefly in his emerald eyes as he watched us.

However, I knew he wouldn't do anything. He couldn't. He was trapped, just like me.

"He’ll be even better once Base gets done with him.” Kyle added gruffly.

“The snake himself." I grumbled under my breath. I was so tight in his arms my chest was barely moving as I breathed.

That made Kyle chuckle. It was deep and dark, and made the hair along my neck stand on end. "He's not that bad." Kyle said against my neck.

I subtly rolled my eyes and allowed my enemy to believe, like he had been doing for years, that I was happy in his arms.

Author's Note: Review like you're life depends on it, please.