Isaac POV

I made it back home exactly at 7:02, only because I did in fact catch all the streetlights on green. Pops was busy on a business call when I walked into his office so I quietly sat my phone and the Acura keys on his desk and he quickly shooshed me out, demanding that I lock the door behind me.

I was a little bummed out that he didn't let me keep my phone, but I knew he was only following momma bears rules, he didn't want to have to deal with her wrath when she came home and found me on my cellular device.

Ma actually never made it home that evening, apparently she was at my uncle Sal's house because we, and I do mean pops and I, had forgot that it was my cousins birthday. Ma had been over at their house since the afternoon, helping aunt V whip up all of Nate's favorite food. Ma of course yelled at pops, she called him a little passed 7:30 asking if we were nearby because apparently they were waiting on us to eat. He of course came into my room yelling at me to get up out of bed, as if it were my fault that he forgot we had somewhere to be. I thought that pops would've drove us to uncle Sal's house seeing how he was in a hurry, but instead he had his driver drop us while he handle a business call on the way there.

Unfortunately, I was still incredibly full from having gone out to eat with Hailey, and was gonna have to come up with a reason why I didn't feel like eating. Either way I was gonna get my ass chewed out, not only would my own mother have a fit, but my aunt V would be down my throat as well, she knew how much I loved her food. I couldn't come up with a lie and say that I was feeling ill because that would've only made them worry, especially ma, seeing how I had just got out of the hospital a few days ago.

I don't know how I managed it but I was able to fork down a plate of food. I was dying by the end of the night though, ready to go home and fall into a food coma, sadly we didn't leave until a little passed 1 am. Pops, uncle Sal and Nate threw back a couple drinks, well a little more than a few. I ended up driving us back home while my father slept in the back seat, I didn't mind though, pops worked all the time, he deserved to have some fun from time to time. I would've gladly joined them but unfortunately I was still grounded, and my parents were sticking to the damn punishment for sure this
time.

My mother barely wanted to talk to me, and the little conversations we did have so far were only small talks, it was starting to drive me insane.

Ma was actually the first one to break the tedious silence after we'd been on the road for about ten minutes, "you went out tonight, didn't you?"

It took almost everything in me not to cheese up right then and there. She always fucking knew, how? I glance over at her to catch my mother looking at me, a not so happy look on her face. "Why do you ask?"

My mother scoffs softly while shaking her and rolling her eyes, turning away. "Of course he let you out."

"Ma-"

"You don't think I know these things, Isaac? You don't think I know my own son and my husband?" I stay quiet, keeping my eyes on the road. "Where did you go?" She presses. "I bet you anything you went out to eat, didn't you?"

I turn to look at her completely amazed and confused at the same time that she knew. "You were forcing yourself to eat," she says. "And you usually always want seconds when it comes to your aunts food."

"I'm sorry ma-"

"Who'd you go with?"

"Hailey," I answered quietly.

My dad grumbles something in the backseat, but he's not awake, he's just talking in his sleep, he usually does when he drinks heavily. Ma turns back to check on pops and doesn't say anything until she's back in her seat comfortably, "your grounded for an extra week," she mumbles.

I don't bother arguing arguing with her, I nod my head tightening my grip on the steering wheel. "I'm sorry," I sigh.

"You're still grounded," she grumbles.

I shake my head, "no, not for tonight, for what I did, for what I put you through."

"Isaac-"

"No listen to me, ma! I know you're upset, shit I'm mad at myself for having put you through all that, I'm trying to fix it. I'm trying to make it up to you, to pops, to Hailey. I fucked up, I know I did, I know you guys think that I can't handle this because I got overwhelmed for a second, but trust me, mom, I'm okay, I don't have a problem, I'm still me. I was gonna come home Monday, I kept in touch because I knew better, I let my guard down for one second and everything went to shit, Im so sorry mom."

Ma lays her soft, delicate, hand on the right side of shoulder, lightly shaking it, a weak smile on her face. "I don't think you understand how much that little girl loves you, son. She already forgave you even if she hasn't said it out loud, but she's hurt, she's scared. You broke her heart, Isaac, what do you expect from her? You just have to give it time baby, she'll let you back in when she's ready. Don't worry about your father and I, we're gonna love you unconditionally no matter what, there's nothing you need to do to make it up to me, I know who my son is. You think I'm mad at you baby, but I'm not, you're the last person that I'd be angry at," Ma pulls my face in so she can plant a kiss on my cheek.

"I don't blame you for getting overwhelmed honey, it happens, you father puts so much pressure on you and I'm sorry. You deal with a lot more than you're suppose to for an eighteen year old.. " She stays quiet for a couple seconds, "I've never mentioned this to you, and I never wanted to, and I was so sure that Hailey would've told you the second I told her, but i guess she didn't. I- um, I left your father when you were only a few months old, maybe six, seven, I'm not sure but you were still a baby though," she smiles sadly, attempting to hold the tears back.

"Don't get me wrong I loved your dad, I still do, but I was young. I hated who he was, where he came from, that he was your father. I hated myself for falling in love with him, for creating a life with him. I never once regretted having you though, you were my baby, my son. I fell in love with you the instant I heard your heart beat for the first time, but my heart immediately broke for you when we found out you were gonna be a boy. I could already see the excitement in your fathers eyes, he was overjoyed, how could he not be?.. Dion resents his mother for leaving him with his father, but there's so much to that baby. Men like him, like your father, they're relentless. All we really want is what's best for you guys. I left because I wanted you to have a normal life, I didn't want you to get caught up in everything your dads life brought, I was so afraid of what you would be come, or what could happen to you."

"Ma.."

She continues to smile sadly, "but there's really no escaping this life, your dad ended up finding us and I came back home, but only in one condition. I made him promise me that he would let you live a normal life, that he would let you be a kid. You weren't suppose to get involved until you were at least sixteen, but just like I was afraid it would happen, your dads life caught up to you.. That day still haunts me till this day. Your dad and I argued so much until I finally caved in and let him take over. I coddled you so much and that was my mistake, baby. I should've known better, you should've be prepared to defend yourself in case something did happened. After that your father promised me, he swore on his life that nothing bad would ever happen to you again, and nothing had until last week.. It's a mother's intuition to know when something is wrong with their child, I just- I never would've guessed that your dad was the problem."

I pull into our drive way, killing the engine to my mother's car and turn to look at her, but her attention is focused to the right of her as she continues to gaze out the window. She undoes her seat beat, a soft stern look on her face, "your dad doesn't think you're weak, Isaac, he still trusts you," she murmurs.

"I still trust you, you've never given us a reason not to. You don't have to fix anything on our part, your dad does, he's the one trying to live up to his promise again. So no honey, I'm not mad at you, I'm upset with your father because he pushed you to this, he's the one trying to make it up. He's not punishing you. When I say that you're grounded, I mean you're grounded, from your social life, your friends, all of your dads duties. This may be his world we're living in, but I decide when you go back to him, because at the end of it all you are still my son, and what I say goes in this house, do you understand me?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good, now go find someone to take your father into the house, in his spare bedroom where he's been staying in."

~~~~

Things were a bit awkward the next morning at breakfast, now that I knew who ma was really mad at. I actually couldn't stop thinking about everything she told me last night, she always seemed to amaze me. My mother was probably one of the sweetest, greatest, strongest, person that you could ever meet. I knew that she had certain obstacles that she had to over come with pops, I just never knew the full concept of them, and I admired her so much for sticking it through, not many woman can handle a life like this. It's one of the reasons why I tried to push Hailey away, I wasn't sure she could handle it, it's why I tried to hide everything from her.

Pops was actually late for breakfast, Bevens had to go wake him up and when he finally did come stairs he was in bad shape. You can just tell he was hung over, and ma didn't care, just like she did with me, she was giving him shit. You could cut the fucking tension in the room with a god damn butter knife, but pops didn't care, he was trying to get into my moms good graces.

Ma actually had to run a couple errands in town today and dragged me along with her, while pops stayed back at home trying to recover from last night. I actually ended up driving us around because it just so happened to be raining, and ma tend to get a little nervous when the roads were wet. We were out for about four hours and I couldn't wait to get home, I hated shopping, especially with my mother. All we were suppose to do was return a couple things, but what do you know, we ended up back home with more bags than we were suppose to. I think she dragged me along on purpose as part of my punishment.

We made it back home around four o'clock and i immediately marched up to my bedroom and took one of the longest naps of my life. It was nearly 7:40 when I woke up and I was feeling even more sluggish than before. I got out of bed, turned my tv off, grabbed my iPod and got into some comfortable clothing and made my way down stairs. I made a quick pit stop in the kitchen and grabbed two bananas from the fruit bowl. I also grabbed the jar of peanut butter from the pantry and a spoon and continued my way down to the basement, but not before grabbing a water bottle from the fridge.

I peel one of the bananas open and start biting into it as I input my mother's birthday into the keypad, giving me access to the under levels of the house. I toss the banana peel into the trash bin as soon as I enter the gym and the lights automatically come on. I was glad that no one was down here, meaning Jeremiah my fathers personal trainer, I was in no mood to actually full on train. I would get a quick work out in, run for a bit, just enough to tire my body out and head straight to bed. I set the jar of creamy peanut butter down on a near by table, but not before getting a spoonful of it and smearing it all over my second banana and finishing that one as well.

I'm actually feeling a lot lazier than I would have liked so I don't go anywhere near the weights, punching bags, or machines, I march straight over to the treadmills and get on the left one. I start the machine off so that I'm just speed walking at first, meanwhile I'm sticking my earphones into my ears and raising the volume all the way up so I can drown everything out. I restart the last song that was playing on my device, Durnk Txet - Austin Green, and start to increase the speed on the treadmill.

I've been running on the machine for about half an hour now when I see a friendly face pop up in front of me, it's Angela. I'm actually not surprised to see her standing here, my parents, especially my pops, had a soft spot for Ang and always let her come over when I was grounded. I don't stop running though, I continue the fast pace I'm in. I want to hit forty minutes at least before I stop. I smile at her, doing a little head bob and she instantly smiles in return, but it's weak.

I take a good second to check her out and notice that she actually looks a fucking wreck, and frown a bit. Ang supposedly had a stomach bug, what the hell was she doing here standing in my home, when she should be at home resting trying to get better. I know for a fact that she's not feeling good because she's in a hoodie that's too big for her, a pair of sweatpants and a pair of cute teddy slippers, Ang never left her house looking like this. She was always ready, wearing the nicest clothes she could possibly find in her closet, the biggest heels, always had her hair and make up done, not that she ever needed it.

She continues to smile weakly, instructing that I pull my earphones out, and I do.

"What's up?" I asked breathlessly as I continue to run.

She pulls her phone out of the hoodie, "Albert said to call him," she rasps while unlocking her phone. She hands it to me, "he said its urgent."

I frown immediately, what could he possibly want at this time. I push the emergency stop button on the machine, shutting it off completely and grab her phone from her hand. It's already on Albert's contact. I click his number and the phone immediately starts dialing.

I place her phone next to my ear, attempting to get my breath under control. "Want me to get you some water?" She whispers and I shake my head no, showing her my own bottle in the cup holder when Albert picks up the phone on the third ring.

"KP?"

"Mhm." I answer short and flatly. He's probably gonna think that I'm in a bad mood, but I'm honestly just trying to get ahold of my breathing.

"We found her."

"Where?" My mood is instantly ruined now.

"You're not gonna like it."

"Where?" I growl for a second time.

"The sub's near the city," he answers. "You won't believe who she's with though."

"Let me fucking guess, Roxwell."

"Worse," he says and the hairs on the back of my neck instantly stand up.

"Verdino.."

"Yuuuuup," he drags out. "She's at a party surrounded by his hounds."

"Fuck," I hiss, hoping off of the treadmill. "How'd you find out?"

"Ariel," he's referring to his cousin, Vince's twin sister. "Apparently the party's her dude's friend's cousin, I don't fücking know, but they're there right now."

"Is Vin there?"

"Yeah he's right here next to me, we're parked down the block."

"Alright good, tell them to call you immediately if she leaves. I'll try to be there in 30, call Ric, I want him there by the time I pull up."

"Sure thing, KP." The line goes dead and I hand Ang her phone back, she doesn't say a word. She looks down at the ground, shoving her phone back into her sweater.

I grab ahold of her chin, forcing her to look at me. "What's wrong, Ang? Are you feeling okay?"

She nods slowly, a small smile on her face, "go handle your business," she murmurs.

"Come on," I scoop her up into my arms. "You can sleep in my room while I shower, I'll drop you off at home."

"Isaac! Put me down!" She exclaims, smacking me on the chest.

"Shhh," I laugh softly. "You interrupted my run, this will make up for it," I say walking towards the door way.

"I hate you," she groans while rolling her eyes.

I stop near the table and tell her to grab my jar of peanut butter, she does and I take us upstairs. I toss her onto my bed when I'm in my bedroom and tell her to rest while I shower real quick, sure enough ten minutes later when I'm stepping out she's out cold under my blankets. I smile and decide to let her sleep, I'll have someone take her home if she's still here by the time I come back. I turn the light off and leave my door cracked just a bit and inform Bevens that Ang is sleeping in my room.

I think about it long and hard, who I want to ask for permission to leave the house, especially after the conversation with my mother last night and decide to go with pops. He doesn't hesitate like yesterday, he immediately hands me my phone and keys and tells me to keep in touch. It doesn't take me more than fifteen minutes to get to where my boys are at, and I'm glad to see that not only is Ric here like i asked, but so is Dion.

We clasps hands, immediately greeting each other and he quickly informs me that pops told him to come handle this rather than what he was given to do. Apparently he called Vin and he told him where we were meeting at and he just so happened to be near by. We load up into Alberts escalade, trying to come up with a plan but everything the guys keep throwing at me ends up badly.

"Getting in isn't the fucking problem," Dion grumbles to the right of me. Albert and Vinny were up at the front, while Dion and I sat in the back, and Ric behind us. "How the fuck are we suppose to get to her if she never leaves Ax's side."

"Santiago, Ax, Ivan, all his friends know who we all are," Ric sits forward. "They'll know something's up the minute they see us."

"What about Vin?" Albert suggests, looking over at his cousin.

Dion immediately shakes his head, "Ax and Vin may have an alliance, but he'll still be too paranoid. He knows his loyalty stands with KP if anything goes down."

"I don't fucking know then," Ric exhales sitting back in his seat.

"Stop talking and let me think for a second," I say. I glance over at Dion and he instantly frowns, "I think I have an idea, but it can get real ugly if we don't play our cards right."

"What's up?" I stay quiet for a couples seconds, trying to think of a different way to get to Layla, but always come up short. "KP.." Dion presses.

"We all know the kind of girl Santiago is," all four guys nod. "All we really need to do is get her away from her bodyguards. We find a pretty face to distract her, and boom, we have him isolate her and come in."

"That sounds good and all, KP, but who are we gonna send in such a short period of time. They literally know everyone we hang out with."

"I have someone in mind, I just don't know if he'll do it."

"Who?" Ric asks.

I look back at him and then towards Dion, "Caleb."

"Caleb? As in reds brother?" Dee scoffs, and I nod. "No disrespect, KP, but fuck that. It's way too risky."

"Do you have anyone else in mind?!"

"No, but-"

"But what?!" I bark. "This is as good as we fucking get, Dee! If you anyone one of you's has anyone else in mind, someone that won't bitch out and actually have the fucking balls to do it, please let me know!" All four gentlemen stay quiet. "It's risky Dee, I know it is, but he's the only one I trust afar from you guys, but all we got fucked right there. You're either with me on this or get the fuck out and go home, I'll handle this myself if I have