Mated To A Convict (Book Two)

Chapter 9: No Excuse

Chapter 9: No Excuse

Lincon's POV:

I flinch again when I hear the door from upstairs slam. Again. Dominic stomps down the stairs, through the living room not giving me one glance, and into the kitchen with a phone to his ear. We just got back from the Cafe and he's not handling this well.

I let out a sigh as Lilly, Taylor's dog, lays her head on my foot and whimpers. I pat her head and scratch her ear. I wanted to report Taylor missing, but Dominic angrily explained that she's wanted, something I should have remembered, and if we report her missing everyone goes down including Taylor.

I'm still angry, but more depressed than anything. Grant has been helping Dominic, but we try to avoid him and his outbursts of anger. I've made sure to check on Xander every few hours. He just stays locked in his room, avoiding everyone. I guess it's his way of mourning.

Dominic heads back upstairs, the door slamming behind him. He'll break it soon enough. After a few minutes I hear a loud crash and I can't ignore it any longer. I mentally write my will as I head towards Dominic's office.

I dare open the door, and see a broken lamp. There sitting on his desk is a letter, Dominic is looking out the window, rage and hurt written on his face. I silently make my way to the letter and glance down at it.

I look at him for permission, he does nothing so I pick it up and read:

Dominic,

I want you to always remember those last things I told you. That I did it out of my love for you and Xander. I've never been scared of my ending, Dominic. But, I've been scared for yours. For Xanders, Lincon's, our Pack.

I don't want us all to pay for something that I could easily solve. I wanted to tell you... So badly. But I knew, whatever we did, however we did it, it would fail. He's got connections even Dean doesn't have. He had Xander.

Don't blame yourself, don't hurt yourself, over this. Please, give me the sanity in knowing that my family is safe and will live happily. I will always be safe, Dominic. I'll be fine. Tell Xander our situation, but spare the details. Try not to scare him.

Tell Xander, Lincon, everyone that I love them.

And I love you.

Love, Taylor.

I look back to Dominic and notice he's trying not to let tears fall in my presence.

"She was always stubborn," I announce to Dominic, noticing the corners of his mouth twitching into a fairly noticeable smile, "She always knew how to work her way around things."

"It sounds like her." He say's, a few tears falling from his eyes. I put the letter back in it's place and lean on the desk.

"I'm not telling you to give up, Dominic, far from it. But, I'm telling you to control yourself. Your probably scaring Xander. He doesn't know what's happening, and he's not close enough to me. He doesn't have his mom, so he needs his dad. Stop punishing your family and yourself. You didn't do this. Be there for him. I'll try to talk to him, but you need to be there for him." I tell Dominic. He doesn't even glance at me, he just stares at the rising sun.

I head down and across the hall. I hope he can control himself.

-----Taylor's POV-----

Six Days Later:

I groan in boredom as I put down a third book. If this is kept up, I'll finish the series.

Yesterday, Soren decided to cuff just one of my hands to the bed post, but it's exteded it about three feet so I can walk to the book shelf. Aside from that, he's come no where near trusting me, and I've come no where near being nice to him like before.

No, this time, he gets the sarcastic b**** that no one can stand. I'm a nice person, but I can swerve when I want to. Because of this, I've earned a few hits in the side of the head. His temper has gotten worse since the last time I saw him.

My right hand is aching because of how long it's been tied, well, locked. The metal digs in my skin if I move a certain way. It's like I've been moved from a county jail to a maximum security prison.

The door opens and Soren steps in holding a bag. I put the book aside and stay perched on the edge of the bed. It's then that I notice that his hair has been re-dyed a light brown, he has in brown contacts, his face is cleanly shaven, a change in style, and he looks like... Not Soren.

"Now you have no excuse." He smirks.

"Sorry, Prince Charming, but I'm married." I growl. He's referring to his request he made a few days ago. More like pestering demand. He want's to go out to dinner, a date, but I told him he would get noticed. So, he did this.

"You robbed a bank in this town a few days ago, too!" I shout at him.

"We're far away from that town." He reply's, his traditional poker face still unaffected.

"How far?" I ask wearily. He doesn't respond, instead, he sets the back pack on the bed and say's, "Be ready in two hours."

He unlocks my cuff and does a double check on the room. After that, he leaves. I cautiously go to the bag and open it. Inside in a navy blue dress, white heels, makeup, and other date-night stuff. I knew he was crazy, but not insane.

Thinking of what it would be like to go on this date with Nick, I go to the bathroom and step into the shower, making sure to lock the door. After a long shower, I get out and blow dry my hair. I then straighten out the waves, adding a curl to the end, and pull out the makeup.

I add a very light brown to my eyes, foundation, and lip gloss. I pull on the navy blue dress and examine it in the mirror. It's strapless, a belt going across the waist, it's simple, and I'm surprised to say I like it. I goes down to my knees, but is a little too low-cut for my taste.

I pull on the white high heels and look at myself. I smile at my reflection, but it then falls. I did this for Dominic, not for Soren. I suddenly regret dressing so nicely for Soren. Just then, a knock comes from the door and I unlock it, and Soren examines me.

I shift uncomfortably under his gaze and he say's, "You're beautiful."

I say nothing and let him drag me like a dog. After we get in the truck, he drives off. The town is lightly populated, only 1,579 people. I couldn't catch a name of the town anywhere, though.

-----

Soren begins to eat in the small restaurant as I shift my pasta around in the plate. This place is small, but it's fancy. I can feel his gaze on me, but I stare at the plate.

"You should eat, Love." He say's. I mentally cringe every time he say's that. Instead of complaining I just eat. He attempts to make conversation a few times, but I blow him off.

"Taylor!" Someone yells. My head snaps up in alarm and I see my sister, Alora. Her mother behind her sending me a look of disapproval. Soren stiffens and I do as well.

She comes running and wraps her arms around me and say's, "I've missed you! It's been forever!" She's grown, probably living on her own by now. I guess she's just having an evening dinner with her mom.

"Where's Dominic?" She asks, her voice filled with delight. She immediately picks up on the heaviness and stares at Soren, where Nick should be sitting.

Soren kicks me in the leg as a silent warning. I look up at her and smile, but she can tell somethings wrong. The look on her face say's it all. I look at Soren, and then back at her...

"Hi, I'm James." He introduces himself. She smiles and takes his extended hand with a toothy smile. Just great.