Finding The Gang Leaders Heart

Chapter Nine

I washed my hair out again from the pool water. Getting to spend some time with my brother since our talk was nice. Sometimes I feel like even if I came to live with him I never get to see him. He's always off on 'missions' or he's locked up in his room. I'm usually left around the house with only a few people I don't know. They dont tell me a lot about their business. It's fine I suppose but I do wish I knew what I was a part of. I got out of the shower for the second time today and sat on my bed. I was dressed in sweatpants and a tee shirt. The walls in my room looked a lot better then they did and made everything feel more like me. A few times since being here I felt like I was loosing myself. I missed racing a lot and wanted to get in a car. I shook off the idea and walked downstairs.

A few people were milling around the dinning room and kitchen. I didn't know any of them except for Toddy who was sitting at the table behind his laptop. He had told me he was the 'tech guy' for the group. I used to take a few computer classes so I did think that was pretty cool. I went and sat down next to him staring at the grooves in the wood of the table. I peeked over at Toddy who was deeply focused on his computer. He was wearing a shirt sleeve shirt that showed a lot of his tattoos. He looked like a cliché gang member but he was really the nicest one here.

"Toddy?" I said in a soft voice. His attention snapped away an he looked like he just noticed me.

"Talia! Good evening to you," He greets my his blue eyes shinning with excitement.

"I'm just great, and you?"

"I'm doing very fine, can I help you or do you just want to talk" he questions, the smile never leaving his face. I ponder his question for a moment.

"Well, both actually" his eyes narrow like he's intrigued, "I was wondering if you could teach me more about the tech you do for the gang" I said slowly almost as if I was walking on eggshells. He ran a hand through his disheveled brown hair and his toothy smile only got wider.

"You want to know about my job?"

"Well, yes" I responded laughing.

"Nothing would make me happier then having someone to share this with" Toddy said standing up and wrapping me in a big hug. His arms weren't near as big as the other guys, but still big enough to strangle me. I coughed and he realized he was suffocating.

"I don't have school work tonight can we start now?" I asked hopefully. His face almost seemed proud as he sat down and angled the lap top so we could both see it.

"Okay so this is" He continued talking about how he had to go through fire walls and other passwords to get into the bad guys personal information. He talked a lot about the project he was working on. This was the part I really focused on so I could know more about what the gang was involved in.

"You see, Coby asked me to break into the email of Turner Samson, because he had put one of our guys in the hospital and we need to know more about him so we can take him down faster" Toddy explained. At that moment Coby walked into the kitchen really not paying anyone any attention. Toddy kept talking not noticing that his leader had walked into the room.

"Why did he put someone in the hospital?" I question further, hungry for answers.

"Well it was someone that doesnt live in this house but in his own. We don't know why he did it. The man was just walking to town and got attacked. We think it could have been some form of threat, but were not sure. Which is why I'm trying to find out more about him by hacking" he explained to me. I watched Coby's head turn at the word hacking. He suddenly became very aware of our conversation and walked this way. Well this is going to be great. Toddy was still talking about how he gets into the database when Coby walked behind him. His dark ocean eyes gleaming with anger.

"What are you doing" Coby asked in a low, intimating voice. Toddy jumped at the sound but quickly recovered.

"Tal asked me to teach her about computers so thats what I'm doing." Coby's hands went into fists at his sides and I could see his jaw tighten.

"That's not allowed" he said and then started walking away.

"Why" I said trying to make my voice into a boring tone so it didn't seem like he effected me. He turned his head and glared. "Because I said so" he growled.

"Well, I'm not part of this gang and you're certainly not my boss. So give me a better reason then that" I knew what I said was daring but I wanted him to think I wasn't scared of him.

"Exactly! You're not part of this gang so stop trying to be!" he shouted causing the attention from everyone in the room to shift to us.

"And what's so wrong about me knowing huh? Are you embarrassed?" I tried to keep my voice calm even though his shouting made me want to burst into tears.

"Hardly. I just don't want you to be in this type of life. Sorry I'm trying to look out for you" he shouting slamming his cup of water onto the table. I watched a few of the guys leave the room, lucky them.

"You don't need to look out for me Coby! I told you I can take care of myself" I shouted back at him. Both of using the loudest voices we could conjure up.

"No you can't!"

"Yes, I can!"

"Well maybe you shouldn't have to!"

"What the hell does that mean?"

"You shouldnt have this life, you're to precious for it!" Cody yelled and then stomped out of the room. What does he mean I'm "to precious for it?'. Why did he care so much if I got hurt or not? I decided I was done getting half answers. I followed Cody out of the room and saw him leaving through the front door. I had to run to keep up with him. I called his name and he turned around his face angry as ever.

"What was that?" I asked like I was scolding him.

"I can't" he said barley loud enough for me to hear.

"Excuse me, I can't hear you."

"I CAN'T" he yelled. I flinched at him yelling because it reminded me of dad. He saw me flinch and his eyes visibly softened and he unclenched his fists.

"What can't you do?" I pressured, I could feel the tears welling in my eyes. He took three large steps and closed the space between us.

"I can't loose you" he whispered. I could feel his breath on my face. It smelt like cigarettes and coffee. The tears started rushing down my face. I tried to push him back with both my hands but to no avail.

"Don't act like you care about me one minute and then yell at me the next! I've had enough people like you in my life and I don't need more" I yelled. I was frustrated with him for treating me like my father did. I know he could see the hurt in my eyes and hear it in my voice. He set his large hand on my arm softly.

"What does that mean?" he whispered. I looked at him deep in the eyes. He is not worth it. Without answering him I turned around and stormed off. I ran all the way up to my room without stopping. I only calmed down once my door was locked and I was safely in bed. Screw you Cody.