[song: Just A Dream by Nightcore]

*Zane*

I can't believe she's here after all this time. After abandoning us like she did. I notice she was looking behind and realized that Kylie Dani and Kyler were standing beside the truck.

"Kylie, take the kids inside," I look back at her and she nods before pushing the kids towards the house, "I'll be right in."

"Zane," she starts, "I can explain."

"What are you doing here, Mara?" I interrupt her, "What can you tell me?"

"I didn't have a choice." Mara says, "I didn't want to leave but I had to. I had to keep Dani safe."

"Safe from what?" I said angrily, "You left her. You left your daughter and never called or let me know that you were alive."

"I know," she cried, "Can you let me explain."

"No," I growled out, "I don't want to hear any of your excuses. Now you can go back to what ever..."

"Zane, that's enough." I turned toward the house when I heard Kylie. I watched as she walked over to Mara and held her hand out, "Hello, I'm Kylie. Why don't I get you something to drink and all of us can talk."

"Thank you," Mara whispered as Kylie guided her over to the patio as they past Kylie gave me a hard look. I grumbled before heading towards the kitchen for drinks coming back outside I heard Kylie and Mara talking.

"So are you and Zane dating?" Mara ask,

"No," Kylie starts, "He's, uh, helping me with a problem."

"He's protecting you from Dante," Mara says and I watched as all the color leave Kylie's face.

"How do you know about that?" I asked surprised and mad, "Why do you know that?"

"He's part of the reason I left," Mara says looking everywhere but in my direction.

"What do you mean?" Kylie whispered,

"I left because Dante was blackmailing me," Mara said looking up at me.

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*Kylie*

"Explain now," Zane said angrily.

"Do you remember how we met?" Mara asked looking at Zane. Zane nodded, "I was running from my past. From Dante. I watched as he killed my cousin and he threatened me saying that if I didn't do what he wanted he would kill Danny, my baby brother. I agreed scared of what he would do."

"Wait, your Marissa Sanders?" I say shocked and she nods.

"Yes, its nice to meet in person," she says smiling softly.

"How do you know her real name?" Zane asked shocked.

"She's the devil's assistant," Casey said, I looked over just as she walked up on the patio, "What I would like to know is why she's here."

"I'm here to help," Mara says moving shifting in her chair, "I know what Dante is planning and I want to help stop him."

"Why?" Casey asked confused.

"Is anyone going to call Brandon," Mara say suddenly, "Wouldn't it be better if he know what I'm going to tell you."

"He's on his way," Casey shrugs, "He was going to grab dinner."

After Zach and Brandon showed up I take Dani and Kyler they're food before sitting beside Casey. "Ok, so your working for the man that is stalking Kylie," Zane starts,

"I used to work for him," Mara sighs, "I should start from the beginning. James, my cousin, borrowed money from Dante and was supposed to be paying him back but never did. So I started paying him off but when Dante found that I was the one paying him he shot James and threatened me, saying I would still paying the rest of the money James borrowed if I didn't he would kill Danny.

"I worked for him here for awhile but after Danny died in the accident I was afraid that Dante would blackmail me by threatening Zane and Dani. I left and haven't contacted any of you until today while I realize he was coming after you in this town. I figured if I helped stop him I might bee able to see my daughter again. If its ok with Zane."

"Ok," Zach says shocked, "So you left protecting Dani not because you couldn't handle having a kid." Mara shook her head no.

"What's he planning?" Brandon asked.

"He wants to hurt Kylie for leaving. I'm not completely sure what his plan is but I do know that it ends with her dead." she says looking at me sadly.

"That's not going to happen," all three of the boys exclaim and I look at them shocked.

"Well you have three of the most determined men in Mule Hollow looking after you," Mara chuckles sadly.

"Not just three," I said and the boys and Mara look at me confused and I just shake my head.

"Is there anything else you can tell us?" Brandon asks.

"He's got a meeting he has to go to but he said after that he was going to in her and that b**tard child. That's all I know."

"Alright," Brandon says, "Do you have any place to stay?"

"No, I was going to see if the Inn had any rooms."

"No," Brandon says, "If this find out that your helping he will come looking for you. If your at the Inn people might get hurt. I know someone you can stay with and stay safe." Mara nodded and three hours later Zach, Brandon, Casey and Mara left. After giving Kyler a bath and putting in bed I checked on Dani before heading to the barn to talk with Zane.

"Zane?"

"Yeah," he says poking his head out of a stall, "Did you need something?"

"No, I just wanted to talk," I said walking into the stall with him, "She's beautiful." I nodded at the horse.

"Thanks," Zane chuckled, "What did you want to talk about?"

"I don't think its a good idea for me to stay here." I started and Zane stated to protest, "I mean I don't want to put you or Dani in danger."

"You are not putting Dani in danger," Zane says leaning against the wall, "My parents are taking Dani to this book fair in a little over a week. So she'll be fine and I bet they would take Kyler if you wanted that way he would be safe while we go after this guy."

"I don't know," I say softly rubbing the horses head.

"Its fine, my mom loves kids," Zane says, "They're coming over Thursday, so you can meet them yourself."

"Alright," I sigh defeated. I turn to head back to the house when I trip but before I could hit the ground Zane grabs my waist haling me against his chest.

"You ok?" he breathes and I nodded. Then I realized how close we were, Zane started leaning down and I gasped as he kissed me after a couple of seconds I kissed him back.

Zane picked me up and pressed my back against the wall, suddenly I heard a car door shut and I turned my head, "No," I whispered and pushed him back some after when my feet where on the ground I ran out of the barn. 'What the hell did I just do?' I thought as the back down shut behind me.

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*Zane*

'Shit,' I groaned after Kylie ran off. I meant to peck her lips not kiss her like that.

"Boss?" I heard Andy call out and I sighed stepping out of the stall nodding towards him, "You alright, I swathe girl from this morning run out of here."

"Everything's fine," I said walking towards him, "Did you need something?"

"Nah, just left my tool box here," Andy said with a shrug.

"Close the gate when you leave," I said walking past him,

"Sure thing boss," Andy yelled, "See ya tomorrow."

I checked in on Dani before heading to my room, pasting Kylie's room I heard her singing softly.

'He's not going to get you. I'm not going to let another person die on my watch.' I t