Crimson Fate (R-M)

Chapter 46 - "Shots Fired!" (Le Castle Vania- John Wick soundtrack)

Before you read this chapter a brief note. I apologize for a few reasons. One, the overdue update. This is the longest I've ever gone without updating. Two, I don't know when the next update is coming. As I mentioned this story was written with one ending from the contest I did, that I planned on changing. The reason is because the original ending was rushed for a deadline I had to meet, and is not how I envision ending it with all the great lengths I've gone to tell this story. But, some time off has been a blessing because I've decided to change some things for the better. And the third apology, is for leaving that killer cliffhanger. Eeeek, I would kill my favorite authors for doing that to me. Lol. But as I promised THIS STORY, WILL NOT BE ABANDONED! So, apology number four, being MIA on social media. My life has changed so drastically over the past four months and I got one haven't had the brain capacity to update or even focus on editing. And last but not least I apologize for probably countless mechanical errors. I honestly just wanted to edit and get it out to those of you who have patiently stuck by me. It's a thank you and a hug. I've always said it, I have the best readers. And I probably lost a bunch of you since the last update. Which sucks. But, mental/emotional struggling is something you can't just, snap out of. Unfortunately, my healing hasn't happened over night and I'm still working through my issues. (Not fully healed but working on it in a better space than four months ago.) I'm not publicizing anything on social media about it for the sake of my daughters. But again, y'alls reviews and requests and words of kindness has been helping me through. I love my readers. More than you'll ever know. Thanks and please enjoy without further ado. "Shots Fired"

BANG!

Silence.

BANG!

"What the fuck?" Stefan turned to Vince, reaching for his gun, watching Vin hold his hand out to stop him.

"Hold up? We don't know what that was."

"It was a fucking gun shot. I'm positive the receiving end of that, was my brother." They looked around to see everyone acting obscurely inept. Almost as if no one heard a thing. They swam, drank, and continued their debauchery. "I'm going in."

"WAIT! We can't be for sure. Rip!" Vin called out as Stefan went charging in, leaving Vin to be a look out, for two seconds before he followed right after. Stefan walked through the house, headed back towards the party where the noise was disregarded by a house full of drunken and coked up rich folk. "Rip!"

"Vin, my brother is in trouble. Trust me!"

"How do you know?"

"Trust me." Stefan continued through the crowd until he spotted Caroline. "Care!"

She turned in a fit of fear. Blue eyes darted as blonde hair flew to the right, smacking her face when she spotted him. "Oh my God." She ran towards him hugging him. "What was that noise?"

"A gun shot. You okay?"

"I'm fine. Marcel just left, and headed back inside for Damon and Bonnie. We think they might be together in the house. Frankie Fingers was here, but he got off into the house and told me to stand over here and don't move."

"Fuck. And Cel…. Went in…. who's in there, Sal, and B?"

"And we think they're with James." She breathed out fearfully. "Oh my God. Stefan, who was shot?"

"I- I don't- I don't know." He grabbed her by the hand leading her out. "Vin, please get her outta here."

"No! I'm not leaving without you or Bonnie." She demanded.

"Yes you are."

"Bro, I can't leave you hear without protection, Rip. I'm literally NOT, going to do that. We don't know what happened, and Sal and Cel, AND B... are nowhere to be found." Vin, dropped his arms, and put his gun back in the back of his pants, and pulled the three of them out of the crowd. "Listen, I got the boys headed back. Let me just, get her to a safe place for now. And I'll have one of the guys take her home. But I'm not leaving y'all here." He tried moving Caroline toward the exit, but she stood firm on her stance.

"I'm not leaving without Bonnie! I don't think either of you two understand!"

...

Marcel forced the large guard to take him to the room where he heard the voices. And the loud BANG... BANG! They waited outside quietly, to listen for the voices. Marcel heard silence for a second, until his sister screamed. "STAY BACK!" He yanked the bigger man by his shirt and put the gun directly to the side of his head before busting the door open, and seeing his best friend laid out on the ground, bleeding.

Then he turned to see James holding a gun in one hand, aimed at Damon and Bonnie, while Bonnie was squeezing the trigger of another gun, aiming it back at James. The stand off was real and Bonnie hovered Damon's body, ready to kill James. When the door flew open, distracting her. She put one hand over Damon, and the other still ready to squeeze the trigger, afraid to miss her shot and get shot by James instead. She wasn't the best shot, but Damon taught her well enough to know. And if she missed, she was a dead woman.

When Marcel busted the door open to his terrified, sister, she was breathing heavy and ready to go down for the cause. Fearful of killing another human being, but willing to do it, for Damon.

"B?"

"How the fuck?" James asked looking at his guard on shock, but not moving his barrel-aimed gun either. "Well, if it isn't the man with a thousand watt smile." James grinned. He and Bonnie both aiming guns at one another's direction, and Damon unconscious. James gun aimed at Damon, and Bonnie's gun aimed at James.

"Put the gun down West." Cello threatened.

"Suck my cock."

"Cello!" Bonnie yelled, and James' gun suddenly raised the gun from Damon to Bonnie. "Help him Cello. Please!" She asked of him, about Damon. At this point any bad blood between Marcel and Damon was a put on hold. But James wasn't here for the brotherhood, or the moment of camaraderie.

"You reach for him, I shoot her."

"I'll kill you."

"Try it boy."

"Boy? Nigga, I'll smoke you. B! Get up, and get the fuck outta here, I got this."

"No."

"B! Go."

"No. If I go, he'll kill you both. Trust me. If I leave, we all leave together."

"She's right. I won't hesitate to kill you both if she walks outta here. Brains all over the white rug, which cost more than your entire life's savings."

Fuck you bitch. "I'll shoot this mutha fucka right now. I don't give a fuck! Let her go!" Marcel yelled, holding one of James security.

James grinned, before not giving a fuck himself. He pointed the gun at the security guard and shot his leg. "There. He's shot." He said softly as the man fell to the ground holding his knee cap yelling in pain.

"Ahhhh. My leg. Fuuuck. My leg."

"Now, what were you saying? Trust me. There's more of them where he came from. And… you won't get out of here alive." Marcel didn't flinch, he looked straight in James eyes, and aimed the gun at him.

"I'll tell you what. You shoot her, you won't leave this room alive!" Marcel threatened. He heard voices running down towards the hallway, and he slammed the door shut and locked it.

"Be smart about this boy. If you think you can make it out of my compound alive. You're as good as done, something happens to me. All of you are. In fact, I can push this button here, and alert my security team. Just try me."

Marcel and James stare each other in the eyes, clenched jaws and all. But, with Marcel barging in, relieving Bonnie of the stare down, she immediately looked down at Damon, to see blood surrounding him, and unsure where he was shot. Her heart almost stopped in fear, looking at him lying there.

"James, let me get him to a hospital."

"Ha. Laughable. You think I shot him, so I could get immediate medical attention?"

Everyone was still holding their guns, but Bonnie's concern grew more for Damon than James at the moment. "B! Here." Marcel tossed his phone. "Call Fingers. He's outside."

"Okay, but-"

"It's cool. Put the gun down, and call." Marcel's gun was still aimed at James.

"Put that phone down, or Smiley here, dies."

Bonnie struggled. She needed someone to help her get Damon out of there, but she wasn't sacrificing neither Damon or her brother. When she heard another gun shot, it frightened her, making her drop the phone and gun. Marcel moved towards the gun she had, when he saw the shot security guard reaching for it, and just as he made the move! James moved over and grabbed a now defenseless Bonnie by the hair, and yanked her body, with the strength of Thor.

The sound was a blast into the ground, James fired it, with the intention to distract and scare Bonnie, which he realized would trigger Marcel's defenses towards her. Marcel looked up, now holding two guns. One aimed at the guard, the other aimed at James.

"I'll kill you both." Marcel yelled.

James squeezed his arm around Bonnie's waist and she almost lost her breath. Remembering Damon's words she remained calm, in the situation, James was strong, powerful, and a very large man, compared to her petite frame. Marcel, pulled back on his trigger, "Muh fucka…. I said...I... will... kill... you."

James stopped in his tracks, listening to Marcel's voice. He turned his ear towards him, and told him to, "Say that again!"

"Is this a fuckin joke? Mutha fucka, I ... will... kill... you."

"I recognize that voice." James said through gritted teeth and a low voice.

"What?"

"I said, I recognize your voice."

"From the last time you saw me? Other than that, I don't fuckin know you."

"You don't have to. I recognize your angry voice. You're the one, that hit her!" James said, in anger.

Marcel looked confused, and James stood straight up and held Bonnie's face, as her body faced her brother, and grabbed her jaw with his gun still cocked between his large fingers, forcing Marcel to look at her. "Let her go!"

"Look at her! Look at the face of the woman you beat!"

"Beat? I never beat her. Kept her in line, maybe. Never beat her. Trust me. I will beat yo ass tho."

"You hit a woman, that is whom to you? Who is he Doll?"

"James, please don't do this."

"Tell him how I heard you on the receiving end of the phone while he hit you and choked you."

"Me and her relationship ain't yo business."

"Who is he to you?"

"James-"

"Who is he?"

"Nobody!" She cried.

James was no fool though. He aimed his gun back at Damon, and demanded her truth.

"Answer me!"

"He's my brother."

"Brother? Wow. Sorry excuse of a man."

"Fuck you. Let her go, or I swear-"

"Why? So you can keep beating her?" He shook Bonnie's face, and she started to cry more,

"I don't know what the fuck you're talking about. But me and my sister, ain't NONE of your business."

"Sister? Hmm. Okay. So it gives you the right to beat the shit out of her?" Bonnie shook her head, in disbelief that James was exposing her dark secret. She was surprised he was speaking on it, and that he remembered Marcel's voice so distinctly when in person. She only prayed Damon couldn't hear him. "You didn't realize anyone knew your secret did you? Yeah, I knew you always had a familiarity about you. I just, never could place it. But, I was on the phone with her, listening to you beat the crap out of her, choke her, and threaten her."

"You a mutha fucken lie! You must be talking about somebody else."

"James, stop it!" Bonnie begged. "Just let us go. We'll never talk about his ever again. Let me take him to the hospital please. He's bleeding out. Please, let me take him?" She cried.

"You want me to let you go? You want me to let you save you're little boyfriend?"

"Please." She cried. "He didn't do anything to you. It was me. I betrayed you. Not him. Just let me take him, and when I know he's okay, I promise I'll do whatever you want. I'll do anything. Just let me save him."

"No! B!" Cell yelled.

"No! Stay out of it Cello. It's between me and James." And saving Damon was her only priority.

"No. You not making some deal with this nigga!"

James paused, watching Marcel's teeth grit as spit flew from his mouth when he spoke. It gave James some satisfaction to watch Marcel grow helplessly in anger, and to hear Bonnie grovel pitifully.

"Did he just call me an honorary nigga?" James smiled.

Marcel paused viciously and retreated in his steps. Ready to attack.

"The fuck did you just say?"

"Excuse me, you called me it. And I can't say it?" James laughed. "Doll, am I not allowed to say the N-word? I didn't say it with an "ER" I said it with an "A" like the cool kids do. I can't say it even with an "A" doll?"

"No! You absolutely cannot! And it's not a fucking joke."

"Yeah, you cracker bitch!"

"And Cello- Stay out of it."

"Yeah. Stay out of it sister beater!" James continued to taunt Marcel. Holding Bonnie obstructively tight to where her breathing was strained.

"Fuck you! You don't know me!"

James pinched his eyes hard at Marcel and grinned vilely, with intent to cut verbally and mentally. Since he couldn't very well slay Marcel in front of his own sister, who happened to be the woman James was insanely obsessed with, he lowered his stance and snapped.

"I know you're a fuckin coward. And I know you can't control yourself! I know she came to my house one day with her face all beat up. And it's not the only time I found bruises on her body. It was you. Every time. I know this because she refused to talk about you. And I see why... she didn't want anyone to know her brother beats her. Tell me this..." he said wiping his hand across his chin, to remove the spit that flew out as he spoke at Marcel in disgust... "does lover boy over there, know you beat his girlfriend? Huh? Does he know his club brother, beats his girlfriend?"

"James- shut up! Please. Leave it alone."

"No. I should shoot him, right now!"

"Fuck you." Marcel said. Then he turned, in his anger, and shot the security guard in the head, killing him on the spot.

BANG!

"You son-of-a-bitch."

"LET HER GO!"

"No. An eye for an eye ay. You take one of mine, I take one of yours." He pulled back again, aimed the gun at Damon, ready to fill his white rug with Damon's blood.

"NO! STOP PLEASE. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY BROTHER. OR HIM!" She yelled. The distinct sound of a trigger being cocked, bled through her ears, believing Damon's death would be on her hands, and she never even got to have a normal life with him." James, I need to help him. Please, I'll do anything. I promise. Just let me help him."

"Anything?"

"Yes. Please…"

Marcel was disgusted. Suddenly the idea of she and Damon wasn't the worst thing he'd ever heard of.

"Do you know, she's only eighteen?" Marcel asked.

James looked at Bonnie, in shock, then smiled. "Yes, I did. I know she was sixteen when I hired her and she lied about it too. Which is why, I never fucked her back then. I have a few morals."

"You knew?" She asked.

"I'm a very rich man. You think I didn't run background on you? About six months after I hired her, I wanted to know her more. So I had background done on her. Yeah I knew, but not right away. I never fucking touched her. Not until she'd been seventeen for about six months, give or take. I know the law. I have a sixteen year old daughter. I know how to behave. I wouldn't want a man touching my daughter at sixteen. I also know she's eighteen now. And I'm a very patient man when I want something bad enough." He looked at Bonnie like a starved predator. Bonnie realized, she was a naive girl. Thinking she knew everything, this day was forcing her to realize she didn't. She was being played, thinking she was playing people.

"She's like twenty-five years younger than you. Just because she's eighteen… that shit ain't right."

"I never said I was perfect. I said I was smart."

"Calculating ass nigga." Marcel said disgusted.

"I didn't get where I am today, by not calculating every move." Marcel stare at Bonnie, giving a knowing look. An unspoken look, as if to tell her, this is the type of thing he was trying to protect her from. But he couldn't even be angry at her, because he was worried about her. His look went from aggravated to assurance. He was getting her outta here alive no matter what it took, and she saw it in his eyes.

"What do you want from us?" Marcel asked.

"I tell you what. I'm leaving for a few weeks. Business shit, in some foreign territories. And then, I'm coming back. I'm going to tell, all of my overseas partners, Cade is all in. He hands his business needs over to me, we make good, and we both win. Your job? Get Cade to take the foreign deals. If you don't, I'm coming for her. Don't try and hide her either. I want every deal in writing, or she's mine. I don't have her, I'm coming for your entire MC. Including, Cade's bride-to-be. What's her name?" He asked cynically... "Abby?"

"Momma?"

"Oh that's right, she's your mother." He smiled. "Don't underestimate what I know about you people. I'm a business man. I'm not from the ghetto. I do my research.

"James, I want to graduate high school, and go to prom."

"Then make sure your boys get Daddy dearest to sign over on this deal. And all will be well for you and your family."

"You've known about me for this long. And you know about my family? What else don't I know?"

"Keep pissing me off and you'll find out in the worst way sweet cheeks."

"You've set me up. All along! You played me. You're a phony. How could you? Everything is a lie. I can't, look at you the same!"

"You shoulda thought about all of that, before you played with the men. This ain't the kiddie table anymore, baby. You're an adult now. Which means you can be tried as an adult." Then he bent over to whisper into her ear, "And be fucked like one too." When James saw Bonnie's fear, he adjusted his words, to keep her calm. After all, he cared about her. In his own twisted, way. "I care about you, after all." He stroked his finger across her jaw, forcing her to wallow in pity and pretend not t be disgusted to save her brother and Damon's lives.

"James, I need to get him out of here safely."

"Fine, maybe we can work something out. But, if you want to save his life, you owe me. And I always collect. And since I get what I want, just know, I better get this deal or I'm taking you, and no one, I mean no one, will come between me and what I want. Or everyone dies."

"Fuck no!" Marcel yelled.

Bonnie's bottom lip turned lightly in a frown when she tried to bite back her anger and tears. She looked at James. "You have a deal. Let me get him outta here."

"I'm not finished. I want you and I want your new daddy to cut the deal I spoke about to Sister Beater! It's... highly imperative." James looked up and smiled angrily at hot-headed Marcel, cracking his neck it's to turns of his head.

"Cade won't do it." Marcel was adamant about this.

"Oh Sister Beater who sells salt to the oceans far and wide. That's where you come in. Talk your sweet ass off. Hell, suck his dick for all I care. I don't care how you sell it, just fuckin do it."

Both Bonnie and Marcel felt the impossible boiling to a head, of confrontation and loss, nearing the danger their lives sought out since birth. With no choice of their own, they were both Crimson. And they would bleed Crimson, with every drop of their egos, like true Bennett's. The Bennett's who never backed down. And as they stare on in disparity, one glimmer of hope rang in their ears, in the form of Stefan's voice.

"B? SAL! CEL?" They heard outside of the door.

"Stef!"

"RIP!"

"Bonnie? Cell?"

James pushed the bottom on the device of his gun. "There my team is alerted. No one leaves here without my consent. Or the second alert is a bullet to everyone's head."

"Bonnie!" Stefan called out.

"I need to get him outta here James. Please. Call your guys off!" She begged.

"Alright. We have a deal?"

"Deal." Bonnie said. They turned to Marcel. Marcel had to swallow his pride for now, and come up with a plan in less than a couple weeks.

"Deal."

"Good, and if you renege on this deal. I will come for the lives of everyone. Outside of this door, you will find my security team has your friends outside waiting on you. On my signal, everyone will be shot in the head. So, if you aim at me, and let that trigger go. You're all dead, that goes for Abby too. Got me?"

Bonnie nodded her head. He looked at Marcel. "Marcel, come on. Help me!" Marcel was skeptical.

"Don't worry. He's not dead. Though, I should've aimed for his head. Unfortunately, my trigger finger ain't what it used to be." He laughed.

"Papi?" She bent down to wake him while Marcel stood guard over her.

"I won't shoot you. Go ahead, get the fuck out of my house, and remember, if I can't get ahold of her in a few days with some sort of news….. tick tick tick tick…. tock!" He said. Bonnie and Marcel struggled to lift Damon's body, seeing him bleeding from the abdomen, and unconscious. James opened the door to find everything the way he said. Stefan, and Vince with guns to their heads.

"We have the blonde outside along with a few others." One man said.

"Come on!" Marcel yelled. "We need to get him out of here." And that was it. The other guys sent for someone to bring Caroline's car, which they used to transport Damon to a hospital. Bonnie sat in the backseat with him, holding him the whole way there.

...

Caroline stayed with Bonnie at the hospital for a few hours, then Stefan came and took her home to get some rest. Bonnie refused to leave, until Damon came out of surgery. Marcel showed up and waited in the lobby with Bonnie a while. They didn't speak. The entire MC came, and waited at one point. It was four am when the doctor came out and spoke to them. They specifically requested family members only. Stefan, Asked for Bonnie to accompany him, since the Salvatore's were away.

"Doc?"

"Well, the good news is he's okay, the surgery was successful. The bad news is, he's going to be in pain for a few weeks. The bullet just missed his large intestine. Largely, due to the fact that he managed to stop the bullet from traveling so far, by using his arm to block, I'm assuming. Now, as for his arm, the forearm has a lot of muscle tissue damage. His radius, his extensor Capri radialus both brevis and longus, and his brachioradialus were all damaged."

"Oh my God." Bonnie said, covering her mouth.

"It sounds a lot worse than it is. Basically... He won't be writing or, handling anything with left arm for a while. The other muscles were not as terribly damaged but slight tears will add to the pain he already has. He's in a cast. The other shot, aimed at his chest, missed, thanks to the vest. He's very lucky." Bonnie remembered how Damon was a south paw. When he fought, he lead with his left arm. This would ruin all of his underground fighting for a while which was one of his major sources of income. But it wasn't all, the doctor told her. "The bullet was logged in his abdominal tissue, which was mere centimeters away from his large intestine. We are lucky it missed his major organs. But the tissue is definitely damaged, right at the hip. He's going to have pain walking for a few weeks. Then, there was also grazed epidermis of his shoulder. That was a few stitches. His abdomen will be in pain for a while, but... I'd say give him six to eight weeks to be at his old self. But it can be actual months, before the pain disappears, and feeling hundred percent."

Bonnie placed her hands over her mouth, and sighed, with grief. "When will he be awake?"

"He'll probably be awake after about ten hours. But, he's heavily sedated, so... he may not speak or recognize you. We'll have him in a room soon. As of now, he's still in a bed in the ER, until a bed opens up. Which should be in a few hours."

"Can we see him?"

"Yes. But only a couple of you. Everyone else can wait in the lobby, or come back tomorrow during visiting hours."

"Okay thank you." The Doctor glanced away slowly before exiting the room. Bonnie and Stefan looked at one another, and he felt her wanting to cry, so he grabbed her and hugged her. He wrapped his arms around her let her bury her face into his chest and let out her tears. "Stefan..." she began to cry. "Why? I had no idea you guys knew James."

"I'd never met him before. Apparently, he'd done a deal with Sal and Cel. He wanted to meet the club and try to open us up to more. But, it was all a lie."

"What do you mean?"

"Look at this letter Sal left for you. The one I gave Caroline to give you. I guess you never read it, because you didn't get a chance, but I found it in Caroline's car, barely touched." Stefan pulled the letter out of his pocket and handed it to Bonnie. She stood in the hallway and red it.

Baby, This week has been fucked. I haven't seen you, and I can't call you. Cel is on us tough, and it's fuckin killing me. Not knowing what you're up to, how you are, or if you're sleeping good, really fucks me up in the head. I worry about you everyday I'm not able to be there. But with hurdles comes comes obstacles, and all it's done, is force me to think. I've been putting a lot of things together this week. And, I really believe something suspicious is happening with this new deal Cade has us in. I think this new guy we're in bed with is your old boyfriend. And if I'm right, and I've put somethings together, he's not who you think he is. He's a very dangerous man, and something tells me, he knows who you are. And he may very well, know about us. Me and you, and maybe even the club. So, I need you to stay away from him. Don't even try to end things. Just get through the next couple weeks, and I'm getting you the fuck away from here. Just me and you. I'm suspicious of everything right now. I've never questioned my loyalties the way I have been lately. I'm suspicious of Cade, I'm suspicious of Vin, and I'm suspicious of the club in general. I'm suspicious of my own father at this point. The only men I can say I may be able to still trust well, less than a handful, if that. You know who they are. This letter is meant for no one's eyes but yours. Baby, I need to tell you some things about your father, but I can't in this letter. But, figure out a way to get away from your brother for a few hours, Sunday... I need to see you. I love you. ~Papi

Stefan didn't know what to make of it all. He just stood there, listening to her read it. His brother never worried about anyone or anything before. The letter sent chills up Stefan's spine, the time he read it, and when he heard her read it. He waited for her to finish, then, when she looked up at him, he was quiet.

"What does this mean? Stefan..."

"I don't know. He's almost speaking in riddles. He's not stating anything in particular. But it still says so much. Hell, I can't even go back and look at the guys the same. I swear to God, I'm gonna look at everyone sideways."

"We can't Stefan. Which is why he didn't want you to read it. And you can't tell anyone, including Cello."

Stefan wanted to say 'Fuck Cel' after hearing everything James said from the other side of the door, but he kept it in for Bonnie. To keep her from stressing. "B, my brother knows something. And I think someone in the club knows something."

"Listen, we can't deal with it right now. I need to see him. I've got less than seventy-two hours before James calls me."

"You can't possibly go through with this."

"You read that letter Stef. If we don't do what he wants, and get Cade to sign this deal... James will kill Damon, you, everyone. We have to make him take this deal. I refuse to let the people I love die, because I was a dumb girl, that lied to everyone. This is my mistake. Let me fix it."

"B... no."

"Its not your choice to make. Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to spend some time with him. And he can't know the deal, and neither can anyone else."

"Marcel and Vin know."

"Then I need you, to trust me enough, to know, I'll fix this, and I need you to understand, that I got us here, and I can only get us out."

"My brother will kill everyone if you leave. It's a lose lose. Hell go back to fuckin prison." You can't do this! I don't trust that guy."

"I won't leave. I have to make things look normal. I have to go to prom and graduate, like nothing's wrong. I have to go to prom." She started to cry. Her prom date was shot. And she was too focussed on those facts right now. "I have to act normal."

"B, what about Cade? Let's just let Marcel do his thing."

"My brother hates Cade. Cade doesn't exactly like my brother. They've already gotten off to the worst start."

"He'll do it for you."

"It's a lot to ask. My brother, only listens to Damon."

"Yeah. But when Damon wakes up, Marcel will be the last person he wants to see." After knowing the tea James spilt. "If Damon heard what we heard, he's coming straight for Cel."

"I cant think about that. I've made up my mind." She walked away from him, and headed towards Damon. She was on a mission to be with him, and no one else. She didn't even want them to be interrupted. And at this point, the whole club was probably aware of their secret relationship, after the fiasco in James mansion.

...

Bonnie walked into the ER, trying not to let her eyes flood with tears. He lay asleep with his abdomen bandaged and his wrist in a cast. There was nowhere to sit, so she stood next not him, and held his right hand, slowly pushing her fingers through his limo fingers and gripping his hand tight. She stood there for a while before a passing nurse brought her chair, allowing her to sit. Stefan finally returned after talking with the MC, and sending them home to sleep for a few hours, and get back to the hospital. Everyone needed eyes on Bonnie. Accept Gino, who came back home after hearing what happened, and stayed to look after Damon. Stefan walked back to the ER to see his best friend, sitting next to his brother holding his hand and crying.

"B... Vin called Cade."

"What?"

"He and your mom are on their way back from Napa on a private jet."

"You told her? Stefan..."

"I had to. He threatened everybody. Including Abby. Cade didn't take to that shit lightly."

"Yeah, But, my momma is gonna flip. I told you to keep quiet. Cade won't trust us! Stefan you should've let me handle James."

"Bonnie, do you hear yourself? Come on!" Stefan called out in annoyance. "This man... manipulated you. All of us. From day-fuckin-one! He threaded the Kings. My family. YOUR FAMILY. THIS... this is our family. Blood and all. Crimson from babies. And you think I'm gonna let you handle it alone? My best FUCKING friend! No. This is a club issue now too. You ain't doing this shit alone! And we have to protect you. Even more now, than ever."

"But, it's my fault. I have to fix it without dragging everyone down with me."

"Family, B! Have you heard anything I said? We can't let you do this. We won't."

"It's my fault. I lied to everyone, and I deserve this. I need to deal with my actions like the woman I claim to be, or I'm just some stupid kid, letting everyone clean up my mess."

"Do you hear yourself?" He spoke confused. "You're right. You're a teenager. None of us can doubt you've been handling yourself okay for the past couple of years. But you messed up, because you didn't know better. You were naïve. You didn't get anyone killed. Damon got hurt because James is greedy. But it doesn't mean you're gonna be his prisoner/girlfriend." She shook her head.

"I don't want to talk about it right now. I just want to sit with Damon. That's it."

"B... we got you."

Stefan knew at all times someone needed to be by Bonnie's side. So, for now it was him, soon he'd tag Gino in and they'd figure this out.

Sixty-four hours to go.

...

Bonnie sat on the hospital chair, slouched over. Half her body in the chair, half hovering over him. She was asleep holding his hands, when Stefan came back. He'd left for a few hours to sleep, and came to relieve Gino. He walked slowly to her and tapped her shoulders. "Hey, B? Get up. You're mom's on her way. They got back a little while ago, and she's on her way here."

"I can't believe you guys called them."

"We had to. So, you should-"

"Bonnie?" Abby called out entering the room. "Oh my God are you okay?"

She ran to her daughter and hugged her, while she was still in a haze.

"Momma, I'm fine. And I don't want to talk about it."

"Bonnie, I-"

"Momma, I just want to sit here with him. And that's it."

"Sweetie, Cade and me, need to talk to you."

Bonnie rolled her eyes wondering how any of this needed his two cents at this moment rather than after Damon left the hospital. Sure he and James did business, but they weren't personal acquaintances. And Bonnie had no idea why Cade, her mother's fiancé, would be the man heading the cocaine connection between the MC and James. After reading Damon's letter she trusted no one! She had only got glimpses of that truth from Damon's letter, and James words during there volatile office exchange. "What? Momma why?"

Just then Cade walked into the hospital room, causing Bonnie to question her mother's reasoning. "Hello, Bonnie."

"Cade."

"Listen, I understand what has happened, is a terrible thing. But you need to listen to me. James, is a dangerous man. He will do anything, to get what he wants. He's not like me, or the MC, where loyalty is everything. Family is everything. He'll lie, cheat, and kill even his family in order to protect his wealth."

"What does it have to do with me? I'm not his money."

"Yeah, but... you were a highly unattainable jewel to him. You were... probably more valuable than his money in many ways."

"Sweetie, what were you doing with him? Huh? Why did you get tangled up in this mess?" Abby questioned.

"Momma!"

"No! We already had to deal with knowing about you and Damon, but this! This is too much!"

"Right now, isn't the time, Abigail." Cade warned.

"No, she wants to ridicule my choices. And I was forced to do what I had to do, to survive and make money, so I didn't have to rely on the got damn club!"

"Watch your got damn mouth!"

"No! I'm sick of it. If you wanted to be a momma, you should've been one, when I needed you. Right now? Even right now would've been a good time to be there for me. My boyfriend, is in a hospital bed."

"And where's his mother? I am here! I'm your mother and I'm here for you. Where's his mother?"

"They got detained in Mexico on their way back. I don't know why! Vin is heading down there to sort them out at the border."

"Then let me be here for you. I'm trying."

"Then why fight with me?"

"You're my child I'm just trying to understand."

"Abigail-"

"No Cade stay out of this for a moment. Bonnie Jade, I'm here because I love you. Asking questions because I am concerned. I love you and I will never stop being your mother."

"Then stop arguing with me."

"I'm just asking Bonnie? How did this happen? How did you meet this man?"

"I worked for him. Okay. He was my client. I cleaned his house. He's how I paid the bills. And now here we are momma!"

"Because of your poor decision!"

"And if that's the case, momma, you should've gotten me away from this lifestyle, ages ago. You know, when it killed my father!" After Bonnie said that, there was nothing but silence. Cade cleared his threat, and looked at Abby. Abby then looked towards Marcel who stood outside of the hospital room with Gia, calling her back out.

"I need some air. I'll be back." Abby walked out leaving Bonnie in the room with Cade and Damon. Damon still unconscious, lay there.

Bonnie turned away from him and sat back near Damon. "Bonnie, I know I'm not your father, but I think-"

"You're right, you're not Laz. So, no fatherly advice please."

"I'm not going to give you advice," he said in a quiet and sharp tone.

"Good. Because I know how to handle this."

"Bonnie, you're in over your head here. James is an international drug lord. I don't trust his out sources, or his foreign clientele. Which is why I never wanted to take his foreign deal. But, to think he's gonna role over and play nice…?"

"It doesn't matter. I figure after graduation, I'll just go with him for a while. Keep everyone protected, and alive. And eventually… find my way out."

"You realize how ridiculous that sounds. You are Abby's daughter. I'm not going to let you, give yourself as prisoner."

"Then what do you suppose I do? Because, I can't make you take this deal. I know the rules to these games go deeper than just, getting you to agree."

"Hell no. I'm not signing ninety percent of my business over to James Westgate. I'm gonna reconvene with the club tomorrow. Club meeting first thing in the morning. Until then, you need to go home with your mother. Let her take you to and from school the next few days. Act normal."

"I'm not leaving Damon-"

"Bonnie, I'm not asking you. I know I'm not your father, but this is a time I need you to just take a few steps back and let me do my job. That's take care of your mother and you for the time being. The weddings been pushed back-"

"What?!"

"It's okay."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You're Abby's child. You… are more important to her than anything and making sure you are safe, is the priority. We'll figure this out. I just have a few questions I need to know about James. You think we can go for a walk and talk for a few minutes?"

She hesitated before responding.

"Sure." She looked back at the hospital room and back to Cade. "But I need to be back here soon, so I can be here if he wakes up."

"Okay. I'll just need a few minutes."

Bonnie nodded her head, and walked off with him. Passing Abby in the hallway and proceeding past her with Cade. "Hey, you guys okay?"

"Yeah. Baby, I'm taking Bonnie on a walk to talk. Just give us a few minutes, okay?"

Abby looked at Bonnie to see if Bonnie was okay with it, and Bonnie nodded her head.

"Okay. Hurry back though. I don't want her too far."

"Absolutely."

...

They walked for about ten minutes talking about James and what Bonnie knew about him, and the company he kept. She spoke casually and forced herself to remember passed the drugs she took, and to delve deep in moments that she may not have been sober, and tried to think about what she remembered seeing and hearing that could give them clues about James secret business endeavors.

After minutes of gathering information and listening Cade proceeded to talk to Bonnie as the adult she was becoming. "Listen, I just want to say, I won't give advice. What I will do, however, is tell you, that whatever James wants... We need to give it to him."

"What?" She couldn't believe her ears. "He wants your business deal."

"Yeah. He wants my deal. But that's not all he wants. And the club, and no one else can give he what he truly wants. And you know what that is. Bonnie you got yourself in a world of trouble by being naïve, but you also got yourself pretty deep in, with a very powerful man, by being smarter than anyone realizes. I think you're smarter than everyone gives you credit for. I also think, you're smarter than James gives you credit for."

"Really?"

"Yeah. And I think you are key to fixing this big mess."

"So, what? You need my help, to keep from losing your big empire?"

"No. I need YOUR help, to keep your mother from losing two children."

Bonnie stare at him confused, yet knowing. Cade had a devious look, but at this point Bonnie has one thing on her mind. Keep her family, Crimson, alive.

...

Two hours later Bonnie lay in the hospital bed with Damon. All of her thoughts centered around how she'd made a huge mistake and how only she could fix it. James was too strategic. He'd been manipulating her from the beginning. And there was no way around him. He had more power than the club. He had more money than the club. He put a hit out on the club, if they fu Jed him over.

He was specific, and detailed. And all he wanted was more power and control. And the one thing he had no control over.

Bonnie.

She grabbed Damon's hand and realized she had to leave him to protect him. She had to be the one to fix this mess. Even if it meant she'd have to let him go. Even if it meant, no more Papi and Baby.

Her small hand clutched his and she lay beside him.

"Papi, I don't know what I'm doing. But... seeing you this way, breaks me from the inside. Go figure. Breaking up with me, didn't break me. But- seeing you like this, hurts my soul. Remember the plan we came up with, about a King, his Queen, and their Kingdom? Well, sometimes the Queen has to sacrifice herself to protect her King. You tried to save me, and I fucked up. Because I lied, from the beginning. But, I'm sorry. All I ever wanted was to feel like enough. To make money, and help my momma to feel like enough. To get good grades and make my brother proud. So he wouldn't think he had to try so hard to be my daddy. And... to be loyal enough, friends wouldn't disappear. But all I had to be with you, was myself. And as much as I hate, I can't be here when you leave this hospital, just know, I'm doing this for us. For me, you, and our Kingdom. I love you. I swear I do." She began wiping the tears streaming down her face. "I love you with all of my heart. Please make sure my momma doesn't cry too much. Make sure, my brother stays outta trouble. And remind Stefan and Caroline, that I love them, and to not hate me. And you, never forget about us, and all that you are to me, while you heal. I love us, so much. We will be together one day... I promise. With everything inside of me, I'll will try not to let this world swallow me, with all the temptation around me. The drugs will be everywhere, but... but I have a mission, and just know... I'm stronger than I even knew. And I know I'll be tested. But, I love you." She buried her head into the pillow next to his body and cried, for a while silently. Until she felt his hands in her hair, fingers twiddling though her curls. She thought she was imaging it.

Until, she heard, "Baby..." she looked up, with the largest hope filled gaze, and frown-smiled.

"Papi?"

"Baby." He whispered, barely able to open his eyes.

"You're awake?" She jumped up and leaned over gently, grabbing his face. "Oh my God. Look at you. Look at those eyes."

"Baby girl, give me a kiss."

"I'll hurt you."

"Nah. You won't. I'll be fine."

"Everyone's in the hallway." She warned.

"I don't give a fuck. Kiss me." He demanded, making her laugh. All she could do was give in and kiss him. And they kissed, back to back, over and over, until she grabbed his face, and looked at him. "Damn your beautiful." He said, making her grin through tears.

"Papi?"

"Yeah."

"Something is happening inside of me, and I don't know what it is. But I don't want it to go away." She smiled into the palms of his hands, hoping her tears would dry before he felt them hit his hand, wondering if he remembered the day they both said those words to each other.

"Baby girl, I'm not about to repeat what I said next," he admitted, "because... no one can take you from me." She then buried her head in his chest and cried. He ruffled his fingers through her hair. "Don't cry, I'm okay."

"I know." She looked up. "And just know, everything I do is for you. For us."

He looked at her, and smiled. "I'ma take care of you Bonnie Bennett, I promise." He never called her by her government name, which made her believe this was a terrible nightmare she was about to wake up from. Until she pinched her arm, realizing it was, infact, reality. Bonnie shook her head, hating herself right now. Hating what she had to do. Hating what it would do to him. She watched his eyes fall low again. "I love you baby." He grazed her tears with his fingers wiping them off. "My baby." He said one more time. She nodded her head in agreement.

"I love you too papi. Always." She said, as his eyes shut again. And though she hoped he'd wake up again, Damon didn't wake up again for another half a day, barely coherent. It wasn't until seventy-two hours later he was staying awake and coherent.

When he heard the news, about Marcel and Bonnie's fall out, how Stefan tried to stop her, and Caroline begged her to stay, when Abby, couldn't keep her kids from bickering, and made her son leave the hospital, he lost it. "What?" He asked over and over. It didn't even sound right in his mind. He started to lose it, calling her name over and over. "Bonnie!" He tried to force himself out of bed to walk, worsening his injury. "BONNIE! Boooonnnniiiiee!" He banged his left hand into everything, worsening his tears. The same knuckles he'd broken hitting the wall weeks ago. The same wrist, with the torn muscles, was now, full on broken, along with his forearm. He punched the wall several times with his casted arm, destroying the cast and all of the surgical work that was done. Before he could be stopped, he ripped all of the cords off his body. It took several more nurses to come in and help restrain and sedate him.

He had to undergo surgery, again.

But no matter how angry he got. No matter how much he yelled. She wasn't coming back. She was gone.

And everyone, was public enemy number one.

Everything went off in his head, like one loud BANG!

Hope you enjoyed,

Xoxo Maniq1