As the men walk out of the bar I race over to the door, locking it. I flip the switch off for the neon 'open' sign that is posted in the window.

Muttering to myself, "Well that was a rather eventful shift."

I walk to the break room that is in the back of the bar. Grabbing my time card I slide it into the stamping machine. It begins to make a sudden whirring noise followed by a click. I remove the card, which now has 11:45 stamped as the clock-out time. Thank God, I have tomorrow off.

I spin around to grab my purse from the hook on the wall. I make one last check of the bar to make sure everything is ready for business the following day. Flipping the lights off as I walk out the back door. I turn the key, locking up the place for the night.

As I turn around a black car with darkly tinted windows pulls up in front.

I bound down the steps. A tall man dressed in a pressed black suit steps out. He walks to the back and opens the door for me. Smiling as he says, "Miss Raven, what a pleasure to see you again. I think the last time I saw you, you were about this tall." He waves his hand at about thigh height.

I smile, laughing as I give him a hug "Jonathan, we were like five, don't act like you were some big tall man at that age." I can smell the sweet familiar aroma as my face buries into his chest. His strong arms wrapping around me to embrace the hug.

I feel the movement of his chest as he begins to chuckle. "It is so good to have you back in town." His arms slide across my back, to my hip, and then to his sides. Waving a hand towards the open door, ushering me into the car. I smile, then slide into the empty seat as he shuts the door behind me. I watch him climb into the drivers seat.

"So, how have things been while I've been away?" I look at him from the back seat. Noticing his eyes looking back to me in the rearview mirror.

He clears his throat a bit, "Well, your father has been a little distraught after the death of your brother." I frown as he brings up my brother Kade.

Kade was a kind man, but he had been heavily influenced by our father's business. These gang wars can corrupt a man far more than any politician every could. I think that's the real reason father sent me away. Not for a better education, but to preserve some kind of purity to our family name.

I try and steer the conversation away from the depressing subject, "was he glad that I chose to come home on such short notice?"

Jonathan's eyes flash to me, then back at the road. I notice a certain sadness in his eyes. "Of course, he talked about you often after you left."

After I left? What is he talking about? I wasn't given an option of staying or leaving.

We slowly come to a stop in front of my childhood home. This time he turns around in his seat to speak to me. "Taylor?"

"Yes, Jonathan?" My eyes meet his, noticing the sadness in his eyes.

He clears his throat again, "you need to know that your father really didn't want to have to bring you back into this mess."

I shoot him a half smile, "I know, but he needs me and I'm willing to do whatever I can for my family and this gang."

"Taylor, I tried to...." he pauses, stopping himself from completing his sentence.

"I mean, your father tried to find another alternative. But since you are here, just know we are all willing to do what it takes to keep you safe." He looks away from me toward the house where my father stands waiting outside. "Even, if it means death" he mumbles under his breath.

My heart sinks hearing the word, death is already a sore subject. After all, my brother's death is what brought this whole thing about. If it weren't for that. Well, I wouldn't be here signing my life away.

I scoot over to the door to climb out. As my hand reaches for the handle, Jonathan begins to speak again, "so Taylor, on a lighter subject. I was wondering what you're doing tomorrow night? Maybe we could go out and catch up."

I bite my lip as a frown makes it's way on to my face. "Jonathan I would love that, but I actually already made plans."

I watch as disappointment falls over him. "Oh, that's alright maybe some other time. Are you going out with some friends?"

I open the door as I respond unable to look him in the face. "Actually, no. I have a date." I can see his reflection in the window, his face drops as if he is wanting to cry. "We will get together some other time, okay? Thank you for bringing me home."

A half smile crosses his face as I step out of the car, "Yeah, I'd like that. And it was my pleasure, I'll pick you up whenever you'd like."

I smile shutting the door, waving as he drives off.

A gentle and loving voice speaks from behind me, bringing a smile to my face.

"Hello my little Tay-bug, it has been too long."