I Can't Be Without You

Chapter 1: Listen Carefully

As my eyes fluttered open, I realized it was still dark outside. I rolled over to check my phone for the time.  2: 46 am ... Thank god I still have time to sleep. 

*5 Hours later*

DING! DING! DING! I rolled over to my phone alarm going off.  I don't want to go to school today. I already feel like crap. At least it's Friday,  I guess.. 

I lazily crawl out of my bed and walk into the bathroom to clean up, do my make up and hair and get dressed. When I walked out of my room, I run into my big brother Tao. "Sorry oppa!" I put my head down. 

"Hey, it's okay, tonight I need to talk to you..  Mom and dad know that we're going out but please don't tell them anything that happened.. Pinky promise?" He held out his pinky and I took it in mine with a confused face. "Now get to school,  slacker."

Tao was an amazing older brother. He didn't go to school because he dropped out for some unknown reason. He looked out for me when mom and dad went on their business trips.  They're home for a couple of days but take off again on Tuesday. 

*At School*

"SAM!!!" Before I could turn around to see who was calling me, my friend Larissa tackled me. 

"Hey,  aren't you supposed to be in class?" I asked. 

"Aren't you?"

"Well,  yeah,  but I have a pass to go to the bathroom..  What's your excuse?" I showed my pass and she rolled her eyes playfully. 

"Me too!" She giggled.

Larissa and I walked around for 2 or 3 minutes before deciding to go back to class.  She has been my friend since I started at this new school a year ago. She was the only one that wouldn't glare at me or not speak to me.  I don't know what I'd do without her. 

*Later That Night*

"You ready?" Tao asked.  I nodded and headed out to his car. He had a nice black matt muscle car but no one knew how since year didn't go to school or have a job. He took me to my favorite restaurant which was Texas Road House.  The music was loud but the food was amazing. 

As I started to shove a buttered roll into my mouth Tao started to speak.  "Do you know why I brought you here..? " He asked not making eye contact.  I didn't answer, I just looked like a confused chipmunk.  When he looked up and giggled.  "You're so innocent." I smiled. 

"I wanted to tell you something since we're very close.  Mom and dad don't even know and I don't ever want them to know.  It would put them in danger.  I got permission from my boss to tell you." He took a drink of his tea to hydrate before starting again. "I'm part of a Mafia. We aren't like others.  We don't hurt people.. We only take care of the bad guys.."

I swallowed hard,  not knowing 2hat to think.  "Is it dangerous..  For you..  And now for me since you told me..?" I asked. 

"That's the thing,  it's been dangerous for me..  But I like the thrill. " I saw a look in his eyes that I've never seen in my big brother before..  It was excitement. "As for you..  You've been in danger,  before I even told you.. " I took a sip of my soda knowing that this was going to get intense. I was also terrier because I didn't know how I'd be in danger..  There were no signs of danger..

"H-how? " I choked out.

"One of our enemies, named Kris,  had found out that you're my sister.  He followed me home one day after working and found where I lived.  He's been sitting  observing.. Now that he knows you're my sister, he's going to do everything he can to get hack at me. "

My heart dropped into my stomach.  "What did you do..? "

"My people and I had taken care of his  helper. Kris and his helper were getting ready to rob a boat of military weapons.  We simply couldn't have that. I'm not going to get into detail.. But you're going to stay with someone I trust with every part of me. His name is Jay.  I know that he'll protect you.  He's like a brother to me."

"B-but what about mom and dad? " I asked getting worried and scared. 

"I'll take care of it.  They'll be okay.  I promise.  No one is going to hurt you or mom and dad. Trust me."