Danika

13

'carter Stanhope. Nothing comes up. Normal family. He's just a kid that doesn't care like Danika' "nothing boss. He just doesn't care" "alright. That's one worry out of the way. I have no hope in convincing her to do this formal. She didn't do it last year and I know she won't this year. She's still studying so I can't complain" "rylans pissed off" "she has no interest" "that Shannon?" "Nothing. His family is the same" xavion nodded as the front door opened. "Why are you home early?" "Boss it's Thursday. She doesn't have classes in the afternoon" "right. Your birthday. We are at least having dinner. If need be, we will go to the hotel" when xavion stopped talking, Danika walked upstairs. 'nothing. Not even a nod'.

Entering the hotel, Danika looked around. 'not here yet' Danika rushed to the bar. Carlos grinned "what can I get you?" Danika raised two fingers then pointed at the vodka and lemonade "quick huh?" Danika nodded "you didn't need to pay for that chair. The table was fine" Danika nodded "these are on the house" Carlos put the first one down and Danika sculled it before he put the second one down. The front door opening, Danika grabbed her drink. "Meals?" Danika nodded and Carlos handed the menu over. Danika moved to her usual table as xavion sighed "the big table thanks" "sure" "what is she drinking?" "Lemonade" "right" 'well it has lemonade in it' Carlos held down his laughter as xavion approached Danika "Danika. The big table. Everyone wants to join you for your birthday" 'its her birthday. Hmm. I will sneak her another if she asks for a lemonade' Danika moved and sat at the far end of the table. "It's your birthday. You should be having fun" danika ignored Rylan. "Good day at school?" Danika shrugged "they are doing a lot of rehearsals. Have you been watching?" Danika shook her head no. "I'm sure it's not that exciting" Danika looked over the menu while vandal spoke with Rylan and others had their own conversation. "It's really not that bad. She's missing out on an important event and due to her absence I'm stuck with another girl there" "whether she is or isn't part of the formal, it's her decision to be partnered with you or not" "xavion stated I will be her partner" "it's her choice" "I did state that. He is one of us and I trust he will look out for her" "I can but she won't go" "she can look out for herself" Danika rolled her eyes as she stood up. "Danika.. going to order. Right" Jason and Vandal stood up as Danika grabbed her glass. Sculling her drink, Danika walked to the bar. "Another?" Danika nodded "and your meal?" Danika pointed at what she wanted while both guys watched. "Anymore?" Danika held in her laughter as she shook her head no. "It's on the house for you. Take it from that four hundred you gave me" Danika nodded and stepped aside. "Her drink?" "I will take your orders first" "okay". Danika looked around the hotel as the guys ordered. "Meet you back at the table, Danika" Danika only nodded and Carlos quickly made her drink. "A lemonade right?" Danika nodded as the others neared "here you go" Danika nodded again and grabbed the glass. "does she ever thank you?" "she does in her own way. Are you downgrading one that won't talk?" "She can" "I said won't" "how do you know?" "She used to come here with her opa" "I'm sorry?" "Her opa. Ludwig used to bring her here for lunch" Danika internally grinned as xavion looked her way. 'my father used to bring her here?' xavion sighed 'i didn't know that' Danika sat down and sipped on her lemonade. Jason held in his laughter. 'that is not just lemonade. The sneaky woman knows how to get past everyone to have a drink. I'm not saying shit' "a lemonade on your birthday. You are twenty" Danika shrugged "it would be a lot easier if you spoke" "she can stand up" Danika sculled her drink and stood up to face her uncle. "Remove that" Danika held eye contact with her uncle "don't disrespect me Danika" "Gunther, she doesn't remove it" "she will" "no. We have had enough troubles" "it's time you grow up. I will be sticking around. Your training will increase" Danika rolled her eyes. Receiving a hit to the mouth, Danika didn't hesitate and charged Gunther to the floor. 'good. She has a fire in her' "DANIKA" Gunther put his hand up as Danika stood above him. "Good. You still have that fire in you. But you and I will be training. You have a lot.." as Gunther went to kick her, Danika flipped over him "to learn" Danika rolled her eyes "DANIKA. ARE YOU OKAY?" Gunther looked directly at Carlos. "Carlos..." Danika nodded "SPEAK UP" Gunther trying to hit Danika from behind she ducked, swiftly moved behind him and pushed him to the bar. Gunther grinned "she doesn't need to speak. It's her choice. Wise words your opa used to speak Danika" Danika nodded "my father is dead" "I know. I attended his funeral with my father" Gunther nodded. Danika walked back to her seat and sat down. 'i just want to eat and get the fuck out of here' "your father told me you have been refusing quite a lot" Danika looked at Gunther "he only wants what is best for you. I know you were close with your opa and oma. You received their inheritance" Danika nodded "and your mothers parents too. That's what keeps you going isn't it?" Danika nodded "they obviously put more trust in you than their own children.." "she received it all?" Danika rolled her eyes "eyes off my niece" "Gunther, he hasn't even seen her" "good. Keep it that way" "we are trying to get her to open up" "yeah I heard. There are reasons why she hides herself away" "she's done it since Damon was killed" "that's her brother. Of course it's going to hurt her. He was always there for her when you weren't" xavion sighed "I had business" "and a family" "we have tried to help her" "how?" All of the men sat silent until vandal spoke up "they want her to remove her hoods. Stay away from guys even though she doesn't like other girls.." "bitches. Yeah" Danika held in her laughter "they want her to be someone she doesn't want to be" "he is trying to have a connection with his daughter" "I don't want to hear from you" vandal held in his laughter. "What's happened?" "A lot" "she killed Vincent" "did he touch her?" Xavion sighed "he grabbed her arm and she retaliated" "don't let a fucking man touch you" Danika sat back "but you should speak" seeing April, Danika kept her eyes on her. "DANI" April rushed danikas way and jumped into her arms. "What the.." "don't you dare" 'no swearing. Got it' Danika whispered is April's ear. "Danika doesnt speak okay" April grinned as she hugged Danika "I have missed you. Daddy said you are nineteen now. That's big" Danika nodded 'hopefully April can get her to speak' "did you get any presents?" Danika shook her head no. "I got you this. Well daddy bought it" April held up a small gift box. "No telling her what it is April" "I haven't" Danika held in her laughter as April helped Danika open the wrapping and the box. "It's pretty isn't it?" Danika nodded "I knew she would like it daddy" Danika looked at April mouthing thank you. April beamed a smile "oh you are welcome. Can I help?" Danika nodded and April put the gold bracelet on. "It's perfect. You have small wrists too" Danika nodded. "DANIKA" Danika stood up and threw April on her back. "monkeys" Danika grinned. "Your meal Danika. Miss April. Are you and your daddy eating?" "We will be. Thanks Carlos. Now miss, has Danika spoke to you?" April's eyes widened giving Gunther the answer he wanted but she said no. 'she has always loved Danika. Danika has always treated April well. A very troubled girl though. I know why and having these men around her doesn't help. Xavion needs to think of his family first. He's only got Danika left. She's now nineteen. If he doesn't start doing what's right by her, he's going to completely lose her'.