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A perplexed expression came over her face at the news she was hearing from the phone. Cadence couldn't speak...but she would speak...but she wasn't in the position. Oh who the hell knew! These dumb games everyone wanted to play in this crazy town were driving her nuts. Especially all the damn riddles. It was more than likely Cadence didn't want to speak with Di. No one who was commonly found on the outside of the law wanted to talk to the FBI. Hell even those that were often on the right side of the law were uncomfortable talking to any law enforcement. The only time anyone, and she meant anyone, wanted those like her around was when they thought she would do something for them.

Di sighed, "Thank-you Ms. Sinclaire-Caine. I will see you at 1:30 tomorrow." She could bring Cadence or leave the damn girl. Di really was getting to the point where she didn't give two shits. With the meeting planned, Diana hung up the phone. She let her head rest back on the head rest as she came to a stop at a stoplight and let out a large breath. Remaining calm and collected would get her down to the bottom of things. So that's what she had to do.

Di drove to the elementary school, she was picking Lyv up straight from the building today. With her daughter in the car, the two went to pick up some groceries before going to the ice cream parlor in town. Every kid did deserve a treat every now and then.

Victoria nodded her head, giving Jasper a large smile. She knew the dark cherry would be a good choice. It would also help conceal some of the little imperfections.
I thought so too. I'm glad to see that this won't be a big deal for you to fix. It's been in my family for a long time, and, well...I kind of was a little rough on it during my teenage years."
She sat back in the chair, and looked around for a moment, before finding her blue eyes back on Jasper.
"I mean, I am not in a rush. Whenever you can get to it and finish it, I will be waiting. I understand that this probably isn't the only thing you do with your life."
She waved her hand around the shop, and then let her eyes fall back on him, before pushing herself from the chair.
"Do you want to follow me and pick it up, or should we arrange that for another day?"

Dereck knew that Lyn probably did not approve of him telling Kevin to go ahead and try and get Grace, but he didn't really care. He wanted that man out of her life. She couldn't blame him for that. After all, Orion was the one keeping him from seeing his damn nephew. It wasn't right, and he did not plan to just let it slide. When Lyn came to them with the pizza, he grinned and opened one of the boxes, immediately grabbing himself a slice.
"Pretty much. More variety." He grinned and leaned down, planting a small kiss on her lips before nodding to Kevin, who pushed him another beer across the table.

Lena sighed and looked up at Archie. "So....Cadence is now considered a traitor of the AA. She is with the KOR now, but it is not as cut and dry as it seems. She agreed to go with them because she is trying to protect her brother's families. She told me that originally she believed it was just Grace, and Thomas that were in any real danger but..." She paused to catch her breath since the words were rushing out of her.
"He wants the MC so to speak. He wants the Angels gone. He wants the territory, and a few of their business ventures." She grabbed her drink and took a sip.
"So the problem is Cadence is pretty much being hunted by both MCs. The only think that keeps the KOR from attacking her right now is the President. Ben....only he is insane. Insane and hurting her. She won't say it, but I know it. The signs are there, the proof is there." Lena finally stopped speaking as she re-gathered her thoughts.
"An Agent with the FBI just called, and wants to speak with Cadence. I agreed to arrange a meeting, but...is that a good idea? I don't want her to get hurt, but I want her away from that MC. They are trouble."

Orion shook his head quickly. "No food! God no! I ate waaaayyy too much already." He leaned forward and kissed Grace gently.
"I can go with you to the appointment." He stared at his wife a long moment.
"How have you been? I think I will be coming here soon. Just one more minor trip and I will be back here." He gave her a big smile.
"Just bear with me...I know this has been hard, and really sucky. I think it will be coming to an end soon though. I truly believe that Grace." He grew silent and tugged her hair playfully.
"Has your butt face brother been around to see Thomas?" He asked, partly teasing and partly serious.

I have the answer
I can take the pressure
I will turn it all around
~Five Finger Death Punch

OUTFIT

Grace smiled, and chuckled at him. He always ate a lot, she should know that. Before she could offer him a cookie or something, he leaned in and kissed her. She gently wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss, relishing in the familiar feeling. When he broke it and spoke about going to the appointment with her, she held his gaze for a few moments, staying silent. The look on his face indicated that he wasn't lying about it.
"I would really, really like that."
She returned the big smile, giving him a nod at his mention of only having one more trip before he could possible come home for good. Her eyes dropped as he went on to explain how sucky this had been. She knew that feeling too well. Not that Jasper wasn't good company, but he wasn't her husband.
Her eyes darted back to him when he tugged her hair playfully, and she couldn't help but grin, and shake her head.
"I haven't seen him, no. Not much of anyone had been around these parts."
She shifted and sat so she was straddling his lap, letting her hands cup the sides of his face.
"How long do I have with you?"

'Cause sometimes you just feel tired,
Feel weak, and when you feel weak,
you feel like you wanna just give up

~Cadence Jaycey Sinclaire-Caine~

Cadence hid the phone back in the hiding spot she had made for it. She was sure to turn it off first. She left the doors to the balcony open, turned up the music and hopped on the treadmill. Her latest obsession other then cigs and huge quantities of wine. She needed the exercise. She felt restless and cooped up. She needed to burn off some energy, so this she did with the treadmill.

She started slowly. Walking as a warm up as usual, then slowly she upped the speed and incline. She continued doing this until she was running. She couldn't go all out because if she missed a step she knew she would be unable to catch herself since one arm was in a cast still. Lucky for her it would be off in a few short weeks. It was only a fracture, but it was in two separate places. Which is why Ben's friend decided to cast her arm.

She was really starting to tire when her music was suddenly lowered. She forced herself to stay focused. She knew why her music was lowered but she ran on. In fact she ran faster now that she knew Ben was there with her. He watched her in silence. He just admired her butt as she ran. He loved her in yoga pants. He got to see every last curve she had to offer in them.

Finally tiring of being ignored he walked over to the treadmill and hit the emergency stop. She glared at him.
"Switch to cool down, this session is over." He said and she begrudgingly did as instructed. The cool down was not satisfying at all. Her workout was over, and she stepped off the treadmill and grabbed the towel she had nearby. He walked up and smacked her butt and she quickly stepped away. He smirked and stepped closer, enjoying watching her discomfort and annoyance.
"So....my license had been suspended pending investigation. You happen to know anything about that?" He asked as he reached out a hand to play in her dark hair.
"How could I know anything about that? I have been locked up here in this Condo forever now." She retorted in an overly sweet tone. One that said she clearly thought he was an idiot. Ben chuckled, and he gripped her hair. He yanked her close to him by her hair.
"I knew you were going to say that, so since you want to play games I will play too. Cadence, you listen to me, and listen good. If I find out this is you and your b***h Mother's doing, Mommy is going to have an accident. If that doesn't work, then Tyson will have an accident. So on and so forth until my life returns to normal." He yanked hard at her hair and was rewarded with a yelp of pain. He held his fistful of hair a moment longer before slowly releasing his grip.
"Go shower and get dressed. Something nice. The new dress I bought you. Tonight is a special night. We are going somewhere. I think you will really enjoy it." The nasty smile he gave her made her sure she would hate where ever they were going.

She showered dressed and was putting on her make up. She didn't really understand why she was bothering. The dress was barely there and showed her ugly bruised, cut and battered skin. She stared at the discolored bruises in various stages of healing. Some bruises were purple, some blue-greenish and others yet were so dark they appeared almost black. She slipped on the heels and grabbed a sweater. She was already cold, she couldn't imagine going outside would be any better.

Cadence sat quietly in the car. The only noise was the wind as Ben sped about. He never put music on. He enjoyed the tension between them. He laid his hand her thigh and she forced herself to sit still.
"You look beautiful tonight. All eyes will be on you tonight." Cadence did not respond. He was parading her around like some freaking show dog. She hated it.

Cadence's stomach did a back flip as she saw the sign stating they were entering Shadow Creek. She felt the terror bubble up.
"Why are we going to the Creek? I don't want to go there! Take me back!" Cadence was starting to panic as they got closer and closer to the main part of town.
"Shut up." He replied dismissively.
"Ben! I am serious! I want to leave now!" She noticed he was heading downtown. He glanced over at her once they were stopped at a red light. He grinned at her, and it was a grin that chilled her to the very bone.
"Thought you would be happy to be back home, see all your old friends tonight at the opening of your brother's new restaurant. Figured afterwards we could go pay dearest Mommy a visit.Let her know I will be taking you to your appointments now since I will be home for a while." Cadence felt her blood turn to ice. He was taking her to the opening of an Angel's establishment. He was dangling her in front of them like bait. Baiting them into a fight, and he didn't give a s**t if they got to her.
"Your a piece s**t. I hope when they end you, it is slow and painful. Hope they drag that s**t out. I want you to suffer horribly before you burn in hell you son of b***h!" She slapped him before she could stop herself. He just chuckled lit a cigarette, took a drag and then grabbed her arm. He put the cigarette out on her forearm. She cried out but lucky for her the car behind them beeped. the light was green again.

He raced off, driving like a maniac. He stepped out of the car, walked around her side and pulled her out of the car, She did not want to go so he was dragging her the whole way. He tossed the keys to the valet driver and dragged his prize off to flaunt in front of the Angels.
"Hey, you wonder if you ex has replaced you yet? Wonder who else he branded by now. Maybe we will see him tonight with his new girl. Bet she will be a lot prettier then you. Well....at least we can be sure she will be taller then you." He teased with a nasty grin. He loved to tear her down whatever way he could. Her heart stopped for a minute. He probably did have a new girlfriend, and even if he didn't he would eventually. Ben would be there to make sure she knew, and forced her to watch him with her.
"I want to go." Cadence tried again this time meekly. She knew it was pointless but she had to try.

Ben was referring to the tattoo she had gotten impulsively while Jasper and her were broken up. Dumb in hindsight, but she had gotten his name in a petal on a rose tattoo she had decided to get on her hip. You really would not notice Jasper's name immediately, you had to really look at the tattoo. Unfortunately Ben had been seen a great deal of Cadie lately, and had familiarized himself with her body.

That tattoo had sent him into a rage. It was hard to enjoy something when it was branded with another man's name. Ben hated the tattoo, it infuriated him to no end. It worked out for Cadence because not Ben insisted on positions where he couldn't see it, which meant she did not have to face him. A minor help, but it did help.

Soon the pair were lead to their table, and Ben held out her chair. He help her out of her sweater and the bruises were suddenly on full display. He waited till she had taken her seat and pushed her in. Cadence could already feel the eyes on her. As soon as she walked in she had noticed the glares, and looks of disgust. She had heard a few of the nasty whispers as well.

Ben took his seat across from Cadence. The waiter talked to them about some of the things on the menu and took their drink orders. Ben in typical Ben fashion took over. He ordered both their food without any input from her, ordered their drinks and was now looking around the restaurant. He smirked, and sat up a bit straighter in his seat.
"And the fun begins...." Another sinister chuckle. Black stood at their table glowering.
"You two need to leave NOW." He barked. Cadence cowered, Black was terrifying. the one person she actually feared.
"We're guests, besides Cadie should be here to support her big brother's latest business." Black turned his fierce stare on Cadence, reached down and took her chin in his large hand.
"You're just a pretty little dead b***h, now take your friend and leave immediately. Don't ruin this for your brother as well." He let her face go and his fingers lightly grazed over her cheek and down her neck and across her bare shoulders.
"Also....cover up whore. Jasper and Killian don't need to see that." He was referring to the hickeys. He leaned down and whispered in her ear.
"Orion won't protect you forever, and when he finally gives the word. Know that it will be me he sends to end you. I will enjoy it too. Enjoy watching the fight drain from your body. I will kill you as surely as you tried to kill the club. Only difference, I will be successful." He pulled away and returned his attention to Ben who was now up and looking like he wanted a fight.
"Don't touch her."
"Oh trust me, I don't want the slut. Especially not after she has ******** her way through....what is it now Cadence? Three Clubs?" Her cheeks grew red and heated and she grabbed her sweater. She pulled it on and hurried out. Ben called after her but she ignored him. She just needed to get away from this place.

~Candie~

Lena thought over his offer. She nodded her head slowly. She wouldn't be that far away if Tyson needed her.
"Sounds nice. Let's do it." Lena stood up, and reached down to take his hand.
"I control the music on the ride though." She smiled back at Archie. She rarely got to listen to anything she liked since she always had Tyson in the car with her, so when she was Tyson free she controlled the music. Lena lead Archie outside, once they were outside she lipped her arms about his waist and gave him a bit of a squeeze. She needed a hug right now.