Because Mom Wasn't Enough

Don't react when I tell you

God, I was so tired. I got ready for bed, and picked up the clothes that I had worn for about a week straight, but felt the envelope in the pocket. I forgot about that until now. I sighed, remembering Bulldog and what he did for me. Guess I better open it...

I tore the paper apart and took out the wrinkled letter.

Jodie,

Hey, Jo! So if you're reading this then something must have happened to me. I'm sorry I won't be there for you anymore, you know I love you. Anyway, there's a few topics I need to address. First, if I'm dead, I hope you killed the guy who did it. Really. Just don't get caught. Also, you know how important the gang is; it's more than just a gang, it's a society. It sounds dumb, I know, but they'll protect you when I can't. Next, well, this is kind of important. Jo, I want you to lead them. They're loyal and strong, and I know you'll need them. I guess I should tell you why now... So, I've been after Sam for a while. I hope he's dead now, and if he's not, well, get rid of him for me, kay? The thing is, the person who's going to take over after him, Danny, is twice as bad. No, it gets worse...Jo, I know you never knew this and I'll explain in a sec, but he's your brother. No, really, not kidding here. So, my mom was friends with yours back in high school. When she had you, she didn't JUST have you. Danny was your twin brother. Your mom couldn't take care of both of you so she adopted him out and kept you. I am telling you this because no one else will. I know you and your mom aren't on the best terms right now, but I want the best for you. I also don't want any more of our own to die. I want you to have the best relationship with your family as you can and, if at all possible, declare some sort of truce with Sam's gang. They aren't worth it, but we are. Do this for me, Jo, my dying wish, please?

Okay, I'll admit it, that sounded really cheezy...

Love you,

Bulldog

My mouth was hanging to the ground. You're kidding me right? I have a fucking brother and no one told me? I thought I was going to pass out. This is insane. Not only is he my brother, but he is after me. And my gang. My gang. I'm the top dog now, no pun intended. Oh god. I have to kill him, my own brother. How do I do that? If I don't he kills me...Or we do as Bull said and truce it up, but that could never happen. If I so much as talk to him he'll attack. And he's worse than Sam? I didn't even know Sam was in a gang.

Oh god. Oh. God. How do I tell Vic? Shit... He didn't even want one kid, now he has two? I wonder how much Danny knows. If he finds out about the guys, he might hurt them. Fuck what do I do?? I have to tell Vic. I would normally never say this, but I think in this case, the more he knows, the safer he is. I don't know anything about this Danny, but maybe he does?

I got up and opened my door to go downstairs and talk to Vic. I was still clutching the letter, but all the lights were off, signaling that everyone had gone to bed. I sighed, maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I'll sleep on it. I have to get Mark and Cali up to speed as well.

I didn't sleep at all. My eyes burned, begging for rest, but my mind refused them that pleasure. Dammit brain... I pulled the letter out from under my pillow and reread it. Sure enough, it said the same thing. Why couldn't I have just imagined it all? Why can't I just have a normal life? Well, that would be boring, duh. I heard footsteps and knew someone was up. I hoped it was Vic and everyone else was still asleep. I can't tell everyone yet, this is a family affair.

I got out of bed and threw on my sweatshirt. I glanced into the room Cali and Mark were staying in and noticed they were both gone. I made my way downstairs, thankful to only hear Vic Cali and Mark talking.

"Are you serious? That's ridiculous! She's lived in San Diego her whole life and she can't swim?" I heard Vic say, trying not to laugh. Oh, they were talking about me...

"Yeah! And this one time we went to the ocean, and we were laughing at her cause she was too afraid to let us teach her how. Then we all went in without her and she felt left out so she ran in to join us. But we were too far out and couldn't hear her. The lifeguard had to go in and rescue her. Then she went out with him! That was her last boyfriend, Sam." Cali told him. I stood at the bottom of the stairs.

"Well in my defense he was adorable!" I said from the stairs. They looked up at me.

"Yeah, until he tried to fucking kill you the other day!" DAMMIT CALI!!

"WHAT??" Vic screamed.

"Oh, shit, uh this looks like a family thing, we'll uh just go..." Mark said as he and Cali started to sneak out.

"No, stay, there's some things I need to tell all of you." They nodded and sat back down on the couch. "So, well I don't know if you know this, but on the more poor side of the city there's this gang, the Bulldogs. Their leader is, or was, a guy named Bulldog. We were close friends, he helped me out a lot...Anyway, he gave me a letter that had some information about...me I guess, that you really need to know." Vic nodded.

"Well, what is it? Are you in a gang or something?"

"No, I was, but I'm not anymore, well ugh. Just don't freak out, okay? So the other day, Bulldog was actually killed, along with the leader of another gang in the area. The leader of that gang turned out to be my ex-boyfriend, Sam. Bull-"

"Wait, whoa, killed!? Who killed them?"

"Uh, well, I don't know, I got away before I saw but-"

"You were there!?" Vic was practically screaming.

"Chill out! I'm alive aren't I!?" I yelled back.

"Yeah, okay, just tell me."

"So they were both shot and basically Bull gave me a note which I forgot about until last night after the party. So it, well, Bull kind of asked me to take over the gang for him..." Cali and Mark both audibly gasped.

"Oh my god, is he crazy!? I thought you said this guy looked out for you! Now he's throwing you in to the same business that got him killed?" Vic was standing and pacing while running his fingers through his hair.

"He did Vic! He was like my brother! And...that's why he wanted me to do this." Vic gave me a curious look. "The leader of the gang is virtually the safest. They have the rest of the gang to protect them."

"Why do you need to be protected though?" I stood up.

"Because Bull knew the guy who took over the other gang! He's twice as bad as Sam, and he's..."

"He's what, Jo?" I turned away from Vic.

"M-my twin brother. And he's going to kill me if I don't kill him first."

A/N: OOOOHHHHH CAN YOU SAY DRAMA??? Anyway, sorry I haven't updated in a while, school, yuck, kill it. I'll try to get another chapter up this week sometime, but no promises. Thanks so much if you're still reading. See you in the the next A/N my lovlies!

Also I would love it if you would comment, just to let me know if I should change anything and if you like where the story is going so thanks!!