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"Did you hear that?" Sabri looked behind her as she heard a car door close.

Nick never looked in the direction of the noise, he just stared out into the black ocean. "It was nothing."

Sabri squinted trying to see any movement coming from the dark parking lot. She saw nothing though she knew she heard a car door shutting, yet never heard a car leave or a person walk towards them. She found herself more nervous and jumpy these past few days. She wasn't sure of anything anymore and after her talk with Alex she wasn't able to wrap her mind around anything that she once thought was real or not real. It was starting to get chilly and her comfort level wasn’t too steady. She looked over at Nick, she couldn’t help but stare at him. He moved his eyes before turning his head towards her. He tilted his head to the left before speaking, "Do you fear me?"

Sabri scrunched her brow, "Fear you? Why would I fear you? So far you’re the only guy who seems normal around here."

He showed no emotion and turned his attention back to the ocean, "Normal.. I like normal."

Sabri chuckled, "That is not what I expected you to say."

He looked at her once again with a tilt of the head, "What would you have liked for me to say?"

"Well, most guys would take normal as being boring. You actually take it as a compliment. Maybe you’re not so normal after all."

He stared into her, she felt herself falling into his gaze, "No, I’m normal." He spoke and then smiled. He moved slowly making sure she saw his movements as he reached for her cheek. He brushed his cold hand against her warm skin. She pressed against his hand, closing her eyes for a brief second before looking back into his. He brushed his thumb back and forth against her soft cheek.

She couldn’t bring herself to speak, she found him intriguing and at the same time a little intimidating. He was different from anyone she’s met before. He was the only one she enjoyed spending time with. She knew it wouldn’t be easy to share her time with him. Not when it was obvious her cousin wouldn’t want her seeing Nick.

"I should take you home." He let his hand drop as he turned to walk away. She didn't move she wanted to watch him, he walked with grace. His movement was like an animal, a predator. She found it sexy. When he stopped he looked over his shoulder at her, he smirked, "Are you coming?"

She loved how he spoke, it was not like how anyone else she knew talked. He had a maturity about him, an old soul maybe. She wondered what his story was, even more as he dodged any question she asked about who he was or where he came from.

****

"I don t think it is wise to have her working at the club sir."

"Kevin? Did I ask for your opinion?" Alex clinched his jaw.

"No, No you didn’t. But.."

Alex raised his hand dismissing anything else Kevin would want to say. Alex took a seat in the leather chair near the fireplace "I’m not sure we’re ready for tonight. I’ll go to the meeting and we’ll deal with the Carter Clan later. Let the others know. Keep them training, I want everyone prepared."

Kevin let out a deep sigh, "As you wish."

"We’ll leave in twenty minutes. I need to check on Sabri before we go." Alex pushed himself up out of the chair and headed for the stairs.

****

As Nick pulled up to the McLean mansion Sabri bit on her bottom lip. She looked over at the place she now calls her home and sighed, "When I was a little girl I would have died to live in such a big and beautiful home. Now.. It’s more of a jail." She looked over at Nick finding him watching her.

"You should probably go." Sabri spoke slowly, she felt as if she was in a trance as she stared into his crystal blue eyes. "It wouldn’t be good for my cousin to see you here. Or any of his goons."

"I’m not worried about them." He spoke firm.

"I believe you, but I’d rather not deal with the drama." She went to open the car door, Nick leaned into her grabbing a hold of the hand that held the door handle. He leaned in, "When can I see you again?" he spoke soft as his body pressed against her.

"Time will tell." Sabri smirked keeping control. She moved away from him and was free to get out of his car. She went to walk up the walkway but stopped and turned to look back at his car. She gave him a wave before turning quickly and going into the house. He couldn’t help but smile, she couldn’t see his reaction through the tinted windows, but he gave a wave back anyway. Sabri couldn’t take the smile off her face as she entered the house. The evening was perfect.

"You’re cousin is looking for you." Kevin startled Sabri.

She looked at him annoyed, "Don’t you have a home? Why are you always here?"

"Who were you with?" he stared into her, making her very uncomfortable.

"What, did Alex make you my keeper now?" Sabri dodged his question as she started to climb the stairs. As she climbed she found Alex descending.

"Sabri? I thought you were in your room."

"Sorry, I needed some fresh air. I didn’t go far. Did you need me?"

He frowned, He hated that she never listened. "No, I just.. Never mind. Kevin and I have somewhere important to be. Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure thing." She smiled.

"Don’t leave the house tonight." His eyes begged.

"I have no where to be."

Alex looked at her for a moment, her attitude has changed. He hasn’t seen this side of her since before he left Florida. She was bubbly again, happy. She gave him a smile as he stared at her, he gave her a smile before walking down the stairs, "Goodnight Sabri."

"Nite Alex." Sabri climbed the stairs and headed to her room still not able to remove the smile.

***

Nick stormed into the house he moved swiftly up the stairs, "Aaron!" he growled as he stormed into his younger brothers bed chambers.

"Ever heard of knocking dear brother?" Aaron calmly looked over at Nickolas

"You were spying on me tonight. Why?!"

"I was doing no such thing." Aaron moved from the velvet black chair that sat in the corner of the room.

"You lie." He clinched his teeth.

"I lie? I’m not alone in that Nickolas, am I?” Aaron met his brother head on.

"You have no right to spy on me. Stay out of my life Aaron and don’t you say a word about what you saw tonight."

"What I saw? Or Who?" Aaron raised an eyebrow.

"She’s none of your business. Just for once stay out of my life."

"Who is she Nickolas? Why must you hide her from us?" Aaron’s curiosity was killing him.

"No one. She’s no one to you. Forget you ever saw her."

"If you want to protect her so much, then she must be someone. She must be special if you’d rather spend the evening with her when you should be with our father learning the ways of being a king."

"Why don’t you just walk into the sun." Nick hissed before storming out of the room.

As Nick slammed his very own chamber door he stopped cold as he found his mother waiting for him, "Mother."

She was sitting in the dark, but her presence was known. He always knew when she was around. She stayed standing in front of the window not turning to look at him, her long gown flowed with the breeze that came from outside. He watched her long blond hair move with the wind. He wasn’t sure of why she was waiting for him, unless Aaron opened his big mouth.

"Nickolas, I love you and your siblings. But, you are special. You are the first son.."

"I know mother, I know what you’re getting at." He sighed with a frown.

"Nickolas, let me finish." She finally turned to face him. Their eyes locked, her eyes held strength as her voice was gentle.

"I’m sorry mother." He lowered his head before looking back up at her.

"Tonight was a very important night for our family. And your father needed you there. I’m disappointed in you Nickolas. You’ve not just let down your father but you let down your family, your clan."

"I don’t have a clan. I’m sorry if you feel I let down the family. But, if you can’t understand why I can’t be the King then there’s nothing more I can say."

She let out a sigh, "I’m tired Nickolas. Why must you make things so difficult? Your father wasn’t asked to be King, as much as you want to hate him. You are so very much like him."

"I’m nothing like him." Nick spoke sharp.

His mother smiled, "Oh my sweet child. You are more like him every day. He didn’t want to be his father anymore than you want to be yours. But, there comes a time when responsibilities are stronger than any selfish reasoning you may have for not wanting to grow up and take on the position of King."

Nick was feeling anger, but couldn’t show his mother that side. He didn’t say anything he just walked passed her and stood where she once waited for him. He let the breeze from the night air caress his face as he closed his eyes. His mother headed for the door, "I wish you good night." and the door closed behind her. Nick opened his eyes and found himself in need to escape.

"Why can’t anyone understand me? I need to be free. I need to no longer be a Carter."