TONY: Book 1 of The De Luca Brothers Series [COMPLETED]

8:

I stare at my shaking hands, the bags underneath my eyes are enough to tell people to back off, however here Morgan is, silently raking in my rugged appearance whilst sipping her coffee. She finally sighs and from the corner of my eye I notice the shaking of her head, "Babe, you look like you've been to hell."

"I think I did," I whisper and cradle my hot beverage.

"Why?"

"Derek tried to force himself onto me," I respond monotonously.

"Oh my god! Here I am teasing you and-"

"It's okay," I stop her. "It's not your fault."

She pouts and I notice her eyes glisten slightly, "Is he the reason for your... face?"

I nod once and take a sip of the scolding coffee.

"We can get him done for it! Let's go to the police and tell them what happened," she responds boldly, her voice confident.

I shake my head, "No."

"No? What the fuck Zac?!" She exclaims. "He's dangerous!"

"He's frustrated. He got drunk, told me about his dictator father and then I said the wrong things, got him angry and, well-"

"Don't you dare defend him," she growls, gripping my hand tightly. "He hurt you."

I shut my eyes tightly and inhale sharply, "You should have heard him Morgan. He's so broken. He wants to do art, but his dad won't let him. At least my mom doesn't deny me of my dreams."

"Which involves getting your mom the fuck away from your psychopath stepdad," grumbles Morgan. "Not the same thing."

"I know," I breathe. "I think something's wrong at home though. Mom hasn't been responding to my calls. Or texts."

"For a week?" Asks Morgan in shock.

I nod once.

"I think you need to visit."

"I will, during the break. But there's something else Morgan," I say gently.

"Worst than almost getting raped?"

I flinch.

"Shit, sorry," she clamps a hand over her mouth.

I ignore her and take a sip, calming my nerves. "I went for a run- well, more like away from the party or whatever. I went to the city's park and, well, I found Big Al."

"That homeless dude you bonded with?"

"Yeah, that one. Caught him buying off of a dealer and the dealer was getting livid 'cause he was second guessing," I begin.

"You got involved?" She assumes.

"Yeah."

"Idiot," she groans. "Absolute fucking idiot!"

"I know, but it gets worst. Remember that man I told you about. The one with the sex worker?" I ask.

She blinks, "Don't tell me he's a dealer."

"He is."

"Shit. Shit."

"Yup, anyway I ended up snatching the weed and sprinting to cause a distraction," I mutter.

"What in your mind tells you that that's okay?" She questions hotly. "That sort of attitude gets you murdered Zachary!"

"I destroyed the drugs. Burnt them in front of him."

She doesn't respond, instead she gets up from the seat and paces despite being in the canteen.

"Now he's blackmailing me to work for him."

She stops short and just looks at me. A million emotions flicker through her eyes as her muscles freeze, tensing as if trying to figure out how to respond.

"I have to Morgan. He... he threatened me by you guys," I finish in a whisper, hanging my head lowly.

She slowly sits down, not knowing how to react. She slowly places her hands over each other, her mind whirling, "Well, you have to."

"I know."

"'Cause no offence, I don't want to die."

"I know Morgan."

"And your mom who might be preggers, and Nate won't be able to have sex once he's dead."

"Yes Morgan."

She puffs out a breath and shakes her head, "For fucks sake Zac."

"I'm so sorry for dragging you into this," I mumble.

"N-no, it's somewhat okay. Oddly? I don't even know to be fair, I think you're an idiot for doing this."

I don't respond, I just take a long sip of my coffee.

"So, have you spoke to Big Al?"

"He spoke to me last night once Toro left. He lectured me, apologised, then went back into an entire speech on how stupid I am."

She breathes through her mouth, her shoulder relaxing, "Damn."

"Damn Indeed," I agree.

Ping!

I pull out my phone and freeze, my eyes widening.

Unknown: Hi pretty boy, meet me tonight at the bridge. Wear all black. 9 p.m. sharp.

I look at Morgan and she's stopped mid sip from her coffee as she glances at my hand to my face, her face flickering with uncertainty.

"Do I respond?"

"What does it say?"

I tell her.p

"No, leave him on read. There's no point."

Unknown: I don't like being ignored. Don't make me angry or I'll be sure to pay Linda a nice visit.

Linda, as in my mother Linda.

Me: I'll be there. Leave my mother the fuck alone you insane criminal.
Unknown: don't test me.

I leave it alone, looking at Morgan desperately. We both finish our coffees and head back to her dorm where Morgan tries to divert my attention from my impending doom.
"I was with a girl last night. She's called Leslie," she informs me. I have no idea how she's so calm right now, I'm freaking out and want to run away.

"What's she majoring in?" I ask wobbly.

"Arts," she responds. "And she's very good. She asked me for dinner tonight actually."

"You do that," I whisper.

Morgan stops me and grips my arm firmly, "You'll be okay. I promise. He said he needs you to work some things for him right?"

"Right."

"So he won't hurt you."

"I'm not so sure about that Morgan," I croak, my eyes pricking with tears. "You haven't met him. H-He's so scary and deadly. The way he looks at people, like a bird with prey."

She caresses my cheek and brushes my curls out of my eyes, "Babe. Do as he says until he gets bored, he'll leave you alone then."

"Promise?"

"No," she shakes her head. "But it's purely logical. Come on, let's go."