Something to Prove

VIIII

"If you want to be strong, learn how to fight alone."

Lockdown is something I've never wanted to do; when Dad first told me about it, I prayed I'd never have to use it. However, because of the attack, we have to follow protocol. After I informed Dad of the attack and let him know our thoughts, I officially set the mansion on lockdown. The house locks every single door and window and doesn't unlock until after forty eight hours. No one gets in, no one gets out. This is especially dangerous at this time because there are already tensions between us due to the attack, making being locked in a house together nothing better.

I gather everyone in the training room on the top floor. "Okay you guys, we're officially on lockdown," I begin, looking around at all of them. "What I suggest doing is finding a place where you can be alone. If we spend too much time together we risk driving each other crazy. This doesn't mean you have to completely seclude yourself because that would also drive some crazy. Just keep in mind, we have no way of getting out for forty eight hours. Does anyone have any questions?"

They shake their heads.

"Okay guys, I'll be in Boss's office if you need me. I'm gonna try to get some work done." I head downstairs to my father's office, closing the door behind me and sitting down behind the desk, looking at the stacks of papers in front of me.

The papers are separated into three different categories. The first two are our inventory shipments needing approval and the last stack is a bunch of forms of members and events going on. Because of my father being gone, we've missed a bunch of meetings with important clients.

I begin to massage my temples when the door opens and Bash steps into the office. "I know we're supposed to stay away from each other but I figured you might need some help," he explains as he closes the door and takes a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk.

"Is it bad that I really don't want to do any of this right now?" I ask, setting my head on my hands.

He shrugs. "You've got two whole days to do this so you really don't have to start it now."

I sigh and rub my neck slightly. "I know," I answer quietly. He stands and walks around to my side of the desk. He sits on the edge of the desk. I pick up the nearest paper. "We've shut down the warehouses due to the attack but I didn't realize how far behind it'd put us on our shipments. I'm going to have to call all of these clients and explain to them why their orders aren't being met without telling them outright that we're on the brink of an all out civil war." I move my head, the tension in my neck growing. "And my neck hurts!" I exclaim out of frustration.

He moves behind my chair and places his hands on my neck, beginning to massage the knots.

"You don't have to," I start, feeling silly.

"I want to," he answers calmly, continuing. I close my eyes and lose myself in the tension finally leaving my shoulders. After a few minutes of this, he crouches down beside my chair, looking up at me. "Why don't you just leave this here to do another time. Let's go to your room, you deserve a break."

He takes my hand and pulls me out of the chair. We slowly walk up to the second floor to my room in comfortable silence. When we're outside the double oakwood doors of my room, I reach for the handle but he reaches out and pulls my hand back. I look up at him, confused.

"Something before we go in there," he says quietly. I stare at him, not understanding what he's meaning. He suddenly places his hand on my cheek and leans in, kissing me softly. I'm taken off guard for a moment before kissing him back, reaching forward to hold onto his sweatshirt. He pulls back just a little and presses his forehead to mine. "Okay, now we can go in."