ILLICIT #1 : New Moon

Chapter 37 - Happiness

Lana Castroff

"I never thought you would want to see me." Dean said as he gestured me to sit. I sat down on the sofa and Dean sat across me.

"I.. might over heard your convesation with Adrian in the hospital." When I was in the hospital, I walked out to find Adrian since he forgot his phone on the table. I overheard him talking to Dean about Phoenix.

"About what? We talked about a lot of things."

"About you want Phoenix to leave me." I said and he nodded.

"You both are not real right? You're only married because he wanted to save his ass from his parents." Dean said like it's nothing. He looked at me coldly and it was obvious that he doesn't like me.

"That's true but why? Why do you want him to leave me?"

"He's a part of ILLICIT and do you know what ILLICIT do?" He asked as he leaned back to the sofa.

"Creating military gears? That's what Finn wants." I said and Dean nodded.

"That's partly true but ILLICIT is more than just that, we're running a multibillion business that is life threatening."

"That's why you don't want me to be around him? Because you're afraid I might get killed."

"Correction to that, I don't care about you. I care about Phoenix, he's like my little brother so I don't want to risk it at all. When he went after you, he got injured and stay unconscious for 3 days. I'm not risking anything for all the members of ILLICIT." He said not caring that I know about the ILLICIT. It's so clear that he's the leader in this ring, he was the one who told Phoenix to divorce me.

"They did after Phoenix but with you in the picture, he got lure by them." He added and I sighed.

"I love Phoenix, I care for him."

"But are you sure that he will choose you? Are you sure that he will pick you over ILLICIT that technically his dream and his everything?" Dean smirked.

"You entered the headquarters now, you see.. he has everything he ever dream here. He created his own weapon and military gears, that man is a genius." Dean said as he got up from his seat.

"I know I shouldn't be saying all of these things when you just lost your father and got injured but sooner or later you will find out anyway." I turned to him and breath hitched.

"If he chooses you, he has to leave ILLICIT. If he chooses to stay here, he has to leave you. It's either way, Lana. It's the rules so.. I rather have you help me to make him stay and I will guarantee your safety for the rest of your life." He said in a cold tone.

"Why are you giving him choices like this?"

"My question to you is.. are you that confident that he will choose you?!" He raised his voice.

"If you think I will give some flexibility to Phoenix just because he found his happiness, you're wrong. ILLICIT was named ILLICIT for a reason and I will not tolerate when someone breaking the rules." He added and I looked down to my hand.

"Follow me.. I'll show you something." He said as he walked towards me. I got up and followed him out from his office. He brought me to the basement and he led me to a room.

"This is Phoenix's lab, he spent most of his time here." I gasped when I saw guns, machine guns and suits all over the place.

"If he ends up choosing you, it's fine by me. He won't be a part of ILLICIT anymore and I have to throw all of these away. He will cut ties with us and a lot of people will kill to be recruit here." Dean said and I looked around in his lab.

"You're like this to other members?" I asked as I walked around.

"Yes, I'm not the type who will break the rules just for one person." He answered in a really serious tone.

"You hate me that much huh?" I asked him straight to the point.

"If I hate you, you would be dead by now." He chuckled and I saw a photo of Phoenix holding his gun smiling widely. It would be selfish of me if I force him to be with me. Dean's right, he might not choose me either.

"Very well." I said as I turned to him. Dean raised his eyebrows and I walked towards him.

"I'll stay away from him but.. if one day he ends up coming back to me, I won't stop him." I said straight to his face.

"I'm quite fair, Lana. If he ends up running to you, that's his choice. He chooses you and he should be ready for the consequences.. that's it. It's simple." He said and I nodded. He led me back to the lobby and he walked me out.

"What if one day.. you fall in love?" I turned aroundand Dean raised his eyebrows.

"I don't have a heart to begin with so.. I can guarantee you that I won't." He said firmly without any hesitation.

"You're taking someone else's happiness, Dean."

"I already lose someone, Lana. I'm not risking to lose another one." I could hear pain in his voice and I nodded. I got into the car and drove out from the ILLICIT HEADQUARTERS.

I decided to go grocery shopping before I will face Phoenix. I need to make an excuse that is believable and will able to make Phoenix take a step back from me.

"I can't be selfish even though I want to. His happiness is mine too."