Chapter 40

I had been working extra shifts two nights now covering for Morgan since she had been sick. The other night she came down with something and begged me to cover her shifts. Of course I had agreed even though Lucas said that someone else could cover those shifts. Morgan would've taken my shifts for me, so I had no problem with covering hers. Also, that way I could probably earn some extra cash for those nights.

I had been working yesterday from 4 in the evening to 10:40 in the night. Tonight was a bit longer and I was exhausted and my feet were killing me since most of my time was spent standing and walking around, serving drinks. I was starting to feel a bit sick too like I was coming down with whatever it is that Morgan had a couple of days ago. Being sick right now was not something I was looking forward to at all.

"Hey Amy." Marcos greeted as he sat on a stool at the bar counter.

"Oh hi," I smiled at him. "You know I've been seeing a lot of you lately."

"What? You getting tired of me already?" Marcos chuckled. "I thought you'd enjoy spending time with your old man."

"I don't know how much adult enjoy that after they reach a certain age." I said to him. "I could be wrong though."

"Or is it just me? You still enjoy spending time with your mother don'tyou?" Marcos said to me.

"That's different. Mom is... I've been separated from her for a while and she's like my bestfriend too so..." I said to him.

"I get it. I missed out on the years you'd probably love spending time with me." he replied. "Carter doesn't really enjoy hanging out with me much anymore either. I guess I'll have to make use of the time I still have with Adena since apparently she's the only one who seem to like spending time with me."

"Adena..."  I said putting on a fake smile. "How is she by the way?"

"The two of you don't really like each other much do you?"

"I'm not going to lie to you, I had nothing against her but the other night she saw Lucas and I at dinner and she practically attacked me in the bathroom. Name calling and all. She liked Lucas for a while I guess but he's not interested in her. And I'm sleeping with him so she hates me, not that I care...and I probably shouldn't have said that to you since you're like my dad and all but you already know that I'm not so innocent so..." I shrugged after realizing my slip up.

"I'm going to apologize on Adena's behalf. She's so spoiled and used to getting whatever she wants. Apart of that is my fault. Her being my little girl and all, I have always spoiled her." Marcos replied. "So she's got eyes on Lucas for years, we've all noticed but then you came along and you obviously messed up her plans."

"Well lucky for her. I never had anyone to spoil me. I've always been the one to go for what I wanted and that's exactly what I did. I liked Lucas so I'll go after him. Adena is a little too late, so I just want her to back off and we'll be the perfect siblings." I said to him.

"You are something else Amy." Marcos chuckled shaking his head. "But I don't want you at each others throat. You're both my daughters and I want you to be civil with each other and try to get along with each other if possible. Family is most important to us and as family we should stick together."

"I don't have a problem with that as long as Adena doesn't try to get up in my face again about Lucas." I said to him.

"I'll talk to her. I don't want you two killing each other." Marcos said to me.

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"You don't look too good, are you sick?" Lucas asked me as he came feeling my forehead as I curled up on the sofa.

"I don't feel so good. I think I maybe having whatever it is Morgan came down with a few days ago." I frowned. "This is really not a good time to be sick. I hate being sick."

"Do you want to see a doctor?" Lucas asked me.

"I dont know. I don't feel extra sick where I'll need a doctor right now but I do feel sick to some extent." I said to him.

"I can have Ankell come take a look at you." Lucas said to me.

"Alright I guess but not yet. I took some pills so I'm just going to have to wait and see if those work. If I'm not better soon, then I'll have a doctor check up on me." I said to him.

"If you think that's best." He replied.

"I think I may need to take tonight off." I said to him.

"I wasn't going to allow you to leave here in this condition either." Lucas told me.

"Are you going out tonight?" I asked noticing he was dressed.

"No, not anymore." Lucas replied.

"Oh," I said with a small smile.  "Can I ask you something?"

"Depends." Lucas replied looking at me. "You can ask me anything but I won't guarantee you'll get the respond you want."

"Uhm... How does it feel to you know... take someone out?" I asked hesitantly.

"I'm afraid I won't be answering that question because I can ensure that you'll get a reply that you're not going to like." Lucas responded.

"Well how about if I ask you how long have you been doing this?" I asked again.

"Approximately 8 years now." Lucas responded.

"Oh, so have Gio been the boss that long too?" I asked him.

"No, Gio's father handed over the business to him a few years ago and then Gio made me his second in command." Lucas told me.

"Oh, thats why some of the guys refer to you as boss." I nodded with understanding. "Is this something you enjoy? I mean you're all business men who have honest jobs and own your own businesses, so why are you guys in a mafia?"

"Some of what we do maybe illegal but there is always going to be crimes and criminal activities. It's best to have a way to keep these criminal activities organized in such a way that it doesn't become a huge problem for countries." Lucas explained to me. "The mafia group help a lot of young men to find common grounds and you see the way how crime and violence becomes an issue sometimes? The mafia is there to help control its level. It's somewhat like people say, fighting fire with fire. The mafia established a certain level of discipline within individuals, with other criminals they don't have conscience or go by rules they just do as they please and create chaos. The group controls that. It's there to make sure that innocent people don't suffer as much as a result of some criminals, and that the ones who are wicked get what they deserve."

"Like with Alfredo's case? And I?" I inquired. "You hated the type of business that he operates and whatever elsr your issue with him. Whatever it is that he owed you or did. You made sure he and the others got what they deserved but I wasn't harmed."

"Alfredo was a bastard who should have been dead long time. He was a disgusting son of a bitch who uses and exploits women and that's one thing we don't support- the abuse and exploitation of innocent women. I saw what happened that night. It only encouraged me further to get rid of the bastard." Lucas said to me.

"You know I should probably be thanking you everyday. You've saved my life more than once." I said to him "I'm really grateful for that."

"I know that all those decisions I've made were always the best. I won't sit back and see someone who needed my help, get hurt." Lucas replied.

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It seemed that there was a two day stomach bug going around. First Morgan got it, then me but after a few days it went right away. I was so glad to be feeling better now, the past two days had been awful. There was flu, vomiting and stomach cramps through out the sickness. When I had talked to Morgan, those were the exact symptoms it had brought her too.

Today I was excited, Katie and Nora were finally getting out of rehab and then Lucas were getting them settled in a new apartment. I was happy that with the necessary help, we were all able to get over our drugs problem. I promised to visit them whenever they were settled in.

I was having a bit of a mood swing and I was bored. I felt like I needed some cheering up. Greta was gone early today and mom was at work. I was now finding it really boring just staying home all day, I was contemplating getting a part time day job too so I wouldn't have to be home bored everyday. The minute Lucas got home, I was there to greet him.

"Why do you seem so excited?" Lucas asked taking off his jacket and loosening his tie.

"I don't know, I guess I feel sort of happy?" I stated but it sounded more like a question.

Lucas toss the tie and jacket over the edge of the sofa before sitting down and removing his shoes and socks. I sat beside him watching him do that as well as loosening the top buttons on his shirt.

"What?" Lucas asked looking at me now noticing me watching him.

"I know you've been at work the entire day and you just got in but are you tired?" I asked him.

"What?" Lucas asked looking at me confused.

"Are you exhausted?" I asked him again.

"Where are you going with this question?" Lucas asked me.

"I wanted to know if you were too tired for me to do this." I said as I leaned over planting my lips to his.

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**Few Days Later**

I had no idea who initiated this whole thing but for the past week, Lucas and I had been sleeping together and I mean literally. I haven't slept by myself in a couple nights now. We were either sleeping in his room or somehow I would be sleeping in my own room and woke up with Lucas next to me. It was so strange how something like this just seem to become so normal.

The thing was that I was still not even sure what we are. Lucas and I have been out more than once and slept together but it wasn't like we had a title or label as to what we were. Were we friends? Friends with benefits maybe? I wasn't sure.

Tonight Katie, Nora and I were going to go clubbing as a way of celebrating us being drug free as well as free from Alfredo's club and rehab. I was brushing my teeth in the bathroom with my towel still wrapped around me when I almost had a heart attack when someone appeared in the mirror behind me.

"You scared me!" I said letting out a sigh of relief when I realized it was only Lucas. "I wasn't expecting you."

"Are you that easily frightened?" Lucas smirked pressing his body against mine.

After finishing brushing my teeth, I rinsed and spit before putting down the toothbrush and looked up in the mirror at Lucas.

"Yes I am. Especially since you just snuck up on me like that." I said to him. "You almost made my heart leap out of my chest."

"Let me help you calm down that frightened heart then." Lucas said before kissing my neck.

Lucas held me from behind as he began kissing up the side if my neck. I lean my head to the side closing my eyes as I enjoyed the pleasurable sensation I was getting from his kisses. Realizing that if I didn't stop him now I probably wouldn't be going out again, I pulled away and turned to face him.

"Lucas you have to stop or else I'm gonna be late." I told him. "I'm going out with the girls tonight."

"Out?" Lucas asked resting his hands on my hips.

"Yeah, kind of like a post celebration. For being clean and free." I said to him. "We're going clubbing."

"Clubbing? This is inclusive of drinking and all isn't it? Just the three of you as ladies? I doubt that's such a great idea." Lucas said to me.

"Oh no, you're not going to prevent me from going out are you? Lucas come on, we've been looking forward to this night for a while now. I for one haven't been planning to drink-well not too much. I wouldn't want to be drunk in..."

"Which club are you guys going?" Lucas asked me.

"We haven't decided yet. We were just planning to meet up and then decide afterwards. "

"You girls should go to Inferno- Gio's club. It's safer for you there." Lucas said to me.

"You mean that way you can keep your eyes on us." I said to him "Guess we'll go there then."

"How are you planning to reach and return home?"

"We'll call a cab or something." I said to him.

"Can you drive?" Lucas asked me.

"Well I could. Haven't done it in a while but yeah." I nodded. "Why?"

Lucas put his hand in his pocket before pulling out his car keys holding it in front of me.

"What's this for? You're not going to allow me to drive your car are you?" I asked in surprised.

"Just don't ruin her." Lucas said to me.

"Her? Okay, but what if something comes up while I'm gone and you need to leave?" I asked him.

"Amy, I don't own only one car. I thought you knew that."

"Honestly, I've never really thought about that." I said before talking the keys from him.

No way I was going to pass up the opportunity to drive a cool luxurious car like his. Especially when I haven't done this in ages and he was offering it to me.

"Remember what I said."

"Don't worry, I'll take very good care of her." I smirked before giving him a brief kiss and walking around him to go back in my room.

"Just a minute." Lucas said grabbing onto my towel causing it to pull away exposing my body.

"Hey!" I screamed quickly covering all my lady parts with my hands as much as I could. "Lucas!"

"Since when are you shy about me seeing you naked?" Lucas chuckled at my flustered state.

Ignoring him, I went over to my drawers and pulling out a pair of black underwear- bra and panties and slipped them on. I then headed over to the bed before picking up the blue dress I had laid down to wear.

"You're not wearing that." Lucas said to me.

"What?" I asked in shock.

"That dress. You can't wear that." Lucas said to me.

"You've got to be kidding me." I chuckled in disbelief. "Why not?"

"Because I said so and I'm not watching you walk out of here in that, so change." Lucas said to me.

"Change into what?" I asked frustrated. "Are you dictating what I wear now?"

I went back over to the closet and took out a black knee length messed long sleeve dress.

"Look for something else." Lucas said to me. "Don't you have anything that is less revealing?"

"Lucas are you serious? You know what since you want to determine what I wear now and you're finding fault with all my outfits tonight, why don't you choose one for me?" I said throwing my hands in the air.

I didn't mean it but I was surprised when Lucas walked ahead of me and went to pick out an outfit out the closet. Are you kidding me?

"This one is more appropriate." He said handing me a black dress. "It shows less if you pull it down."

"Oh my God. Are you serious?" I said shaking my head as I took the dress from him and putting it on. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you didn't want anyone else looking at me."

"And you're quite right." Lucas said to me. "Don't be too late getting back here alright?"

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"You want to know what I think?" Katie asked as we sat down in the club. "I think both you and Lucas got each other so whipped. I mean, he gave you his car to drive, he suggested you come here and even picked out your outfit and you listen to him? I think you're whipped Amy."

"I think Katie's right, I mean the fact that you're not even getting a single drink, that's something." Nora joined in.

"I told you guys that I'm not drinking. I don't want to get drunk and risk doing something crazy." I replied.

"Well if you're not drinking don't mind if I do. I've been staying clean from drugs, alcohol and cigarettes for months. I don't think it'll hurt to indulge in a few drinks tonight." Nora replied.

"Here's an idea since you're not going to drink and be boring, how about you volunteer to get us drunk then? I'd love a refill of what I just had. Isn't that what bartenders do anyway?" Katie and Nora laughed.

"You know what, that's not such a bad idea. That way I can also get to leave y'all drunken asses on the side of the road." I said smugly as I got up. "I'll soon be back with your drinks your majesties. "

I went to the bar to get the girls their drinks. Katie wanted a pina colada and Nora wanted some vodka soda. I was standing there waiting for the drinks when someone came beside.

"Those are on me." The man said to the bartender as he placed the drinks in front of me.

"No, thanks but that's alright. I pay for my own drinks." As I looked at the man who had offered to pay for the drinks, I started getting nervous.

What was he doing here? I hated this man and being in his presence gave me the chills. I know what this guy was about and what he is capable of and I didn't want to be anywhere near this man again. Marvin Seagal is a man to be feared and I've been there before.

"Oh hello there beautiful." He said smiling at me.

"Hi." I replied giving him a fake smile and attempting to walk away.

"Wait haven't we met before?" He asked me.

"No, I don't think so." I replied quickly trying to get away from him.

He couldn't have recognised me from Alfredo's club days could he? I mean when I was sent to be with him I had worn a mask. We always wore masks at Alfredo's club except for that first night with Lucas.

"No, I believe we have. You're Ackles girl aren't you? We met back at a function he took you to. Remember me?" He stopped me by holding unto my elbow. "Marvin, Marvin Seagal."

"Oh yeah. Mr. Seagal it's good seeing you but I have to go now." I said to him.

"Wait are you here with him tonight? Is he here? I was actually hoping to talk to him." He said to me.

"Sorry, he isn't here. You're just going to have to speak with him another time." I said to him.

That was my foolish mistake, telling him Lucas wasn't with me.

"That's a shame. And he allowed such a pretty thing like you out of his sight for the night?" He asked raising a brow. "If I had a woman like you I'd never let you out of my sight for as much as a second. Wouldn't want another man to snatch you up from me."

"Well Lucas doesn't have to worry about that." I said pulling away from him.

"Ackles got lucky with a loyal one like you then." He replied. "But you know, I feel like we've somehow met before. And I'm not referring to that night at the business function. I feel like I know you differently."

"I'm afraid you may have me confused with someone else Mr. Seagal. Sorry to disappoint you anyway, I've got to get back to my friends. Excuse me." I said walking off.

I didn't like how this guy seemed to be trying to figure me out.

"Just another second. Are you sure we haven't met somewhere before? I mean your voice sounds quite familiar and your body..." He trailed off as he eyed my body down lustfully making me uncomfortable.

I was now even thankful that Lucas had stopped me from wearing any of those dresses I had picked out to wear. They would have surely given this perverted creep more to feast his eyes one, which was the last thing I would want right now.

"Excuse me!?"

"You wouldn't happen to hear about this club that was burnt down some months ago- Lollipop tease? The owner is believed to have died in the fire." Marvin said to me causing my heart to start racing faster in my chest. He seemed to be figuring things out.

"I believe I've heard about that once on the news." I said as I continued walking with him following behind me.

"Well maybe we had met there." He stated.

"Mr.Seagal, I don't know what you're suggesting but I can assure you that we haven't because I've never heard of the place until it burnt down." I lied although trying to make it sound convincing enough.

"I may be wrong but somehow I doubt that." He said suddenly grabbing my arm causing some of the drinks to spill. "We've met before haven't we Peaches? We had quite some fun together haven't we?"

Holy shit! This couldn't be happening right now. How?

Peaches was a stage name I was referred to at the club by Alfredo whenever he was pawning us out to these men. No one was ever able to recognize us outside of the club ever again but somehow even though it had been over a year now and I was always masked, this disgusting man seem to recognised me. Of all the men, why this one?

"I don't know what kind of disgusting stuff you have in your mind or whoever you did it with but I suggest you let me go now! I don't know you and I don't want to know you so go find someone else to bother." I said angrily pulling my arm from him.

I no longer cared about the drinks spilling.

"Just wait a minute." He sneered grabbing my arm again more roughly this time.

"Let me go!" I yelled at him pulling away as the glasses and everything fell from my hand.

We were now creating a scene and before I know it, Seagal was punched in the face and shoved back away from me causing him to stumble backwards holding his jaw.

"She said to let her go. You let her go. You don't try to manhandle her and hold her against her will."

I could never be more happier to have a big brother in my life like at this moment. Carter was a life saver- a super hero right now. I was starting to panic when he just flew right in saving me.

"You son of a bitch!" Seagal yelled holding his bloody nose as he approached Carter. "You're going to pay pfor interfering."

"Is there a problem here?" I heard Gio asked approaching us, cutting off the rest of Seagal's threat.

"Ask Seagal here. He was the one harassing the lady." Carter spoke seething with rage.

"I'm going to ask you to leave right now Seagal, before you regret it." Gio said dangerously. "There are certain behavior we don't tolerate here. Especially when it comes on to the violation of women."

I thought Marvin was going to put up a fight but instead he just scowled at the men before turning to send me a glare then leaving without saying a word more. I was so glad that these men showed up when they did.

"Are you alright?" Carter asked me concerned.

"Yeah, I'm okay now." I nodded "Thank you."

"What was that with Seagal all about?" Gio asked me.

"He may have thought he recognised me." I replied sheepishly still shaken up by what had just happened.

"Recognized you?" Carter asked.

"From back at Alfredo's club. He was a client there." I told them.

"And you were the one who had to deal with him. Crap." Gio said with understanding. "We're going to have to keep an eye on him from now on."

"Could you guys please not mention this to Lucas?"

I didn't think Lucas would like it much, knowing that he was the one who told me I'd be safe at Inferno yet Seagal showed up there.

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I was surprised that it had been three days since the incident at the club and Lucas hadn't asked me about it as yet or anything. It was a miracle that he hadn't heard about it yet. It seemed as if Gio and Carter had indeed hold out on mentioning it to him. Instead, I had gotten two gifts from him which was a surprise since I didn't see the occasion. He gave me a new upgraded iPhone 11 and a very lovely yet simple silver necklace with a heart shaped pendant. He told me that I should promise him to wear it at all times. I didn't have an issue with that since it would make me feel like he was always there with me, as the necklace would remind me of him.

I was just so glad that Lucas hadn't heard about the Seagal incident as yet because I knew it would have caused a big deal. Lucas already didn't  like Seagal and then he knew about me and him. To hear about this incident would make him probably want to lock me back in and me not being allowed to leave his sight. Even more, he'd probably go kill Seagal right away since he seemed to have gotten so protective and possessive of me. I just know it would have caused a lot of trouble.

Speaking of troubles, I was so worried and nervous that I may be in a lot right now. I was making note of a date of when mom told me they were having a party at her workplace that she wanted me to attend. While marking the date on my calendar, I realized that it had been weeks since my period was due. I had always have a regular 28days cycle even while I was on pill and the injection, but now I was more than two weeks late which was so not normal.

I still had the keys to one of Lucas's car, the one he lent me two nights ago. I had given him back the key but somehow he still left it on the dresser in my room. I decided that I was going to run to the pharmacy to pick up a pregnancy test. It was like I couldn't relax or think straight. If this was really  what I think it is, then I was screwed. I wouldn't know what to do.

"Miss I don't want to sound rude or sarcastic but I need to ask, are you going to be stocking a shop or something?" The girl cashing asked me.

"Huh, what?" I asked confused. I was so out of it.

"Are you buying all these pregnancy test to resell?" She asked me.

"What? No." I said to her.

"Are they yours?" She asked me.

"Yeah." I nodded.

"Then if I may say, I don't think you need all these boxes of tests." she said to me.

"I don't know. I have to be certain that they are all good." I said to her.

I was a nervous wreck.

"I understand but you don't need this much." She said to me. "There are two in each box, and usually at least three pregnancy test is enough to give accurate results."

"Well I need to be certain times three. So I need three box of these. A different brand  of each." I said to her as I pushed three boxes towards her and began clearing the others off the counter.

"It's okay, it's okay. We'll get back those to where they belong, dont worry about them. You can leave them." She said giving me an empathetic smile seeing how stress I was.

"Thanks." I sighed.

After paying for the kits, I put the bag with them in my bag and exited the pharmacy/variety store. I was so uneasy that I was glad when I got back to the apartment safely. The way I was stressed and feeling out of it, I almost ran a stop light and I swore I was probably going to have an accident. It was a bad idea to drive when you didn't have a clear and focus head.

When I got home, Greta was there trying to make conversation and asked if I was okay or wanted lunch but I couldn't think about eating right now. The only thing I wanted to see right now was negative or a negative sign saying not pregnant. I just told her that I had a migraine and was going to lay down a bit. I then hurried to my room locking my self in and also locking the bathroom door. I pulled out all three boxes and reading the instructions. I had to made sure that whatever results I got, were at least 90% correct. I had no time for false alarms.

As I took the test and waited for the results, I felt as if I was about to go in a panic attack. My entire face was burning and red, I was sweating and as I kept pacing in the bathroom my heart was beating wildly.

Please let me be wrong. Please let me not be pregnant but somehow having hormonal imbalance or something.  Please let it be a false alarm and some hormone issue causing my late cycle.

I continued pacing and chanting to myself for more than ten minutes when my eyes caught a sign on one of the pregnancy test. I stopped pacing to grab it, looking at the results. As I looked at all of them, my heart dropped and I knew that I had messed with fate too many times.

This was it. I officially dead now. How the hell did this happen? No, how could I allow this to happen? I had been on the pill and Lucas and I always used protection. How was I going to break this to him? We weren't even in a relationship with a title yet. Lucas still had trust and commitment issues so how was I ever going to tell this to him?

At the moment, a million thoughts were running through my head. I had quite a few options: I could either not tell Lucas for a while and when it was probably becoming obvious I run away and go have the baby elsewhere then give it up for adoption or I could lie to him about who the father was when he found out. Or lastly, make up my mind to get rid of it- God forbid- and Lucas wouldn't know. The latter thought made me feel like a horrible person, I wasn't ready or fit to be a mother but abortion? No, I couldn't do that. I could never get rid of my own child, even if it was unplanned and technically just an embryo right now. I would never be able to forgive myself and even worst what would my mom think? What if she had aborted me when she found out she was pregnant with me? She had plans, goals and dreams yet when I came along, she never aborted me or gave me up. I didn't know what I was thinking.

What was I going to do?

Oh God help me. I was so screwed.