Lucky's (Mis)Fortune: CHAPTER FOURTEEN

As I wait for my professor's arrival, I realize I still haven't gotten any answers. at least none that are direct, concrete. I still don't know exactly what is going on in that house and what is the deal with everyone there. Sure, they told me about the organization that they ran and I knew that they had enemies, and from that, I could deduce that they ran a gang but I just needed to know more. I had to know just exactly in how much trouble that put me in and for the love of god, I wanted to stop being so clueless. I had to know the way things ran, for my own safety, and everyone was avoiding that.

"Ouch," I exclaim, rubbing the back of my head as I get out of my thoughts.

"Why are you so distracted today," Liam said, frowning.

I shrug, looking back ahead. "Personal problems."

"Aren't I your friend? Personal problems are discussed with friends especially when it seems to be taking up so much space in your mind. Come on, Lucky, I'll be your therapist." There was a cheeky grin on his face when he said that last part but frankly, he had gotten me during that first part. I actually thought he was taking something seriously for once. Not that it meant I would actually spill this newfound secret I have to carry.

I roll my eyes, looking down at my notebook. Thankfully, he didn't have time to whine and complain since just a second later walked in our math professor. Thank you, Mrs. Taylor.

I never had a problem focusing in class because it gave me a chance to put my total attention to something that wasn't my problem. Today, however, my problems got to me and that was all I could think about. I still took detailed noted like I usually did, but I didn't understand coming out of the woman's mouth which could be a problem but knowing myself, I could catch up with my notes and determination.

I was mentally exhausted by the time class was over. The math and conflicts combo was not good for my brain.

"You wanna go get some lunch?" Surprisingly, I hadn't had to wake Liam up. He was dozing off the whole class but fascinatingly enough, he never fell asleep.

I had finished my tasks earlier before coming, it was 4 PM now and I hadn't eaten lunch. So that meant nothing to do and an empty stomach. And, I had money now, a plus. "Sure, I answer. On me this time."

"Don't worry, I got it. My parents gave me extra allowance. Told me to buy some books or something." He shrugs, standing up. "Where do you wanna go?"

"How about pizza?"

"Sure, let's go," he says with bright eyes, putting his arm around my shoulder.

We walked out of the building but stopped short when we saw Leo leaning on the same car as before, sunglasses on, and a frown on his face as he looked down at his phone. I didn't want to deal with him again. Where they really expecting me to get a ride from him everyday now?

I could tell he wasn't a big fan of mine and I reciprocated the feeling.

I sigh and walk towards him. I had a feeling he would be furious if I just left and had him wait minutes there before he realized that I wasn't coming.

He heard my steps and looked up boredly. "Oh, good, you're here," he said coldly.

"I came to let you know that I'm going out with my friend," I tell him monotonously.

"No, you're not," he replies, opening the passenger seat door. "Don't make things hard and get in the car, Lucky." He seemed on the edge of becoming furious and I didn't want to push it but at the same time... I was amused.

"Can I at least have the reason why?" I cross my arms, my eyebrows furrowed.

"You know the answer to that."

"No. I don't," I respond through gritted teeth.

"Just get in the car and you might get to find out." He wasn't so angry anymore, just annoyed.

I take a second to think. I knew the reason why. Khael sent him, of course, I knew that much but why? Was it my safety? Was it really so dangerous to just go to their mansion on my own that I needed Leo to be the one picking me up?

I roll my eyes and walk towards Liam who had been waiting a few feet behind me. "I, uh, gotta go."

He frowns, looking over my shoulder towards Leo. "Why does he have to take you home?"

"It's just convenient and he's being nice. I shouldn't take it for granted," I tell him in the most convincing tone I could muster. "Raincheck?"

Hesitantly, he responds, "Sure Lucky, see you next week."

Leo was already inside the car when I turned around, waiting for me with a look full of exasperation.

"I shouldn't be someone's babysitter," I hear him mumble as I put on my seatbelt. "Let him die for all I care but no kind Khael is the best," he continued mockingly as he started to drive. "I am a killer, for fuck's sake. People are scared of me," that part came out lower but it made me flinch and gulp.

I look out the window, holding my seatbelt tightly, hoping that it wasn't as bad as it seemed. The situation I had gotten myself into couldn't be as bad as it seemed, right?

The drive was completely silent. Leo continued to drum his fingers on the arm rest between. I shook my leg and bit my leg, wanting to get out of the car as soon as he had confessed (albeit unintentionally) that he has murdered people.

The second we arrived at the house, I couldn't get out faster.

"Hey! At least wait for the car to stop you lunatic!" I heard him scream but I just walked faster.

My shaky hands unlocked the door just as I heard the car door slam shut. I ran to my room and took in deep breaths, dropping to my knees. I was breathing fast and couldn't control it. I close my eyes and put a hand over my chest, trying to control myself.

Everything was just so overwhelming. Everyone in this house are killers, potentially. I'm living in a house full of murderers and I hadn't thought about that before. They own guns and probably hundreds of other weapons. Why was okay with this before? I had to get out. I wanted to get out.

But the contract. The penalty I would face if I terminated it. I couldn't pay it.

There's a knock on my door.

"Y- Yes?"

"Are you okay in there Jordan?" Mr. Sawyer's voice asked. "I'd like to talk to you if that's okay."

"Give me a second, please."

I sounded out of breath, I knew that and anyone would know that I wasn't okay. But he didn't need to know that.

I take a couple more breaths before I can finally stand up although my legs remained extremely shaky. I wipe my face, trying to make myself focus before finally walking towards the door and opening it.

"Woah, all three of you are here." It came out unconsciously because I wasn't expecting this. I didn't need all this attention, especially not right now.

Aiden steps forward. "Are you doing better?"

I figured they were talking about what had happened the day before so I didn't hesitate to answer. "Yeah, no headache or anything."

"Can we come inside?" Mr. Sawyer asked, looking as confident as ever, back straight and intense eyes.

I would've rather not but I can't really say that to the house owner, right?

I open the door wide open for the three of them to step inside. In my room, there wasn't much room to sit. I mean, there's the bed which is big enough and then there's the desk chair by the desk. It wasn't like the room close to theirs that had a small sitting area and even a TV. I look around, wondering where they would sit but they just invited themselves to sit on the bed I slept in, the three next to each other.

I pull the desk chair and sit in front of them, a safe distance away.

"We came to tell you about we live in, the world we inevitably dragged you into," Aiden explained.

I would say it was very much avoidable.

I stay silent, rushing them to continue.

"I'm the leader of a mafia group called the Golden Mane Syndicate. We're the second biggest mafia in the country."

Mafia. Of course it was the mafia. Something as small as a gang wouldn't cut it with my luck.

"When we went to the race, the other two gangs there were the Westside Scorpions, who we have a huge rivalry with and Cobra Kings. We're civil with them but wouldn't be surprised if they did anything against us."

"H- How does it work?" I clear my throat, trying to be more calm than how I felt.

Eliott shakes his head. "We don't want to kill you."

Shivers run through me at his response.

"You're scaring him," Aiden exclaims, taking my hand.

"So? What does it matter?" He looks at me coldly.

"It matters. Jordan is our friend."

Eliott doesn't retort but he crosses his arms and looks behind me, his eyes boring through me.

"Believe it or not, we want to protect you. Things escalated too quickly, for some reason people took note of you and you have gathered attention. Many people think you're special to us. You could be in danger, we can't have you walking around alone now that people know your face and now we're connected, they want to harm you," Mr. Sawyer says with complete seriousness. "We're giving you two choices," he seemed hesitant as he continued, "You can go abroad, change your identity and start a new life far away from here or..."

"Or?" I didn't like the suspense.

"Or you can choose to trust us and let us protect you."

I looked at each one of them, Liam ran through my mind, Mr. Lewis, and Ms. Angela. What did I want? I didn't want to be in trouble. But did I want to leave everything behind out of fear?

You'll end up dead, the deep part of my mind whispered.

Regardless of that, I knew I couldn't leave. I think I didn't want to run away. I think?

"Can I really trust you?"

Eliott seemed surprised, Khael let a soft smile curve onto his lips, and Aiden looked to be suppressing happiness.

This was the decision I made. I would stay, I couldn't leave. There wasn't much for me here but there had to be something, right?

A/N: i am horrible at coming up with names :(