FIRE & BLOOD • EVAN 'BUCK' BUCKLEY / 9-1-1

Empty promises

Jay and Ayla had left an hour ago. I have been sitting in the living room in complete shock since they left. Could it be that Dylan has followed me all the way to Los Angeles? Killed Savannah and Tyler? What else has he done and what else is he willing to do?

"Hey" Evan reached for my arm, pulling me into him. "Talk to me."

Gigi sat across from us, staring off into space. She hasn't said anything about Ayla, her twin. No one has brough it up. There was a lot to take in. Too much. I laid my head down on Evan's chest, listened to the steady beats of his heart. A thought crossed my mind that had my own heart beating fast. What if I was putting everyone in danger? If everything that has been happing lately is all really Dylan, then that can only mean I am his true target and he will rid of anything or anyone in his way until he gets to me. I know Dylan. I know how he can get when he is upset and how obsessive he becomes. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants. But what does he want?

"Where do I start?" I say quietly.

"I need to talk to my parents" Gigi whispers. Her eyes were closed as she rested her chin in her palm, still dazing off. "I need an explanation."

"Maybe they wanted to wait to tell you?"

"Yeah, until when? I'm damn near 30 and they still haven't thought to mention there is a walking clone of me out there? How does this even happen? We lived on the total opposite sides of the country from one another and then today we come face to face? It doesn't make sense it's all too... too much."

Evan rests his chin on my head, his hands rubbing againts my back gently. His touch was definitely helping me stay grounded. Despite the chaos in my mind. "I know it is" I agree. "Never did I think that everything that has been happening was because of my pyschotic ex" I shook my head.

"I swear if I ever see him" Evan starts but I look up at him. He immediately stops and justs stares into my eyes. The anger behind them melted away as I brushed my fingers across his cheek.

"Please let the detectives handle this. I don't want you doing anything crazy."

"I'm not letting that bastard get anywhere near you"
"Evan, promise me."

We looked at each other in silence for a moment before he pulled me back onto his chest, placing a kiss on my forehead. "I promise, baby. As long as you promise you won't do anything without telling me. You let them handle this."

I looked towards Gigi, and back up to Evan. I'd be damned if Dylan thinks I'm going to allow him to come near the people I love. If he wants to come after me then he would have to come after me alone. They have been through enough already and it's all because of me. I am the main factor in this entire situation. Two people are dead. Evan has nearly met death. If he comes after Gigi, Amanda, or Mazzey then I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing I lead him to them. So, I need to lead him away from them. There was only one way I could do that. I needed to keep everyone safe. It pained me as I stared into Evan's eyes and said, "I promise."