“Layla?” Kasey knocked lightly on her cousin's bedroom door and waited. “Coffee’s on if you’re interested.” When she didn’t get a response after a moment, she turned and headed to the kitchen. It was the weekend after all. Who was she to judge if her cousin wanted to sleep the day away?

“Morning.”

Kasey yelped in surprise as she saw Layla sitting at the table. “You scared the shit out of me. I thought you were still in your room.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. I’m an early riser. I didn’t want to disturb you, so I’ve been sitting here watching the world come alive through your back window.”

Kasey blinked in stunned surprise. That was the most she’d heard her cousin say at one time. No matter how hard she’d tried the night before, all she’d succeeded in getting out of Layla was one- or two-word answers.

“Sorry, I tend to ramble when I’m nervous.”

“Don’t apologize. It just took me off guard. And don’t be nervous. We’re family. This is your home now, too.” Kasey opened the cabinet and pulled out a mug before stopping and turning to face Layla once more. “Wait, how are you so awake without coffee? Are you one of those cheery morning people that make me want to vomit?”

Layla’s musical laughter filled the small apartment. “No way. I avoid people in the morning at all costs until I’ve had a cup or five. I was just trying to be on my best behavior for you.”

“You scared me for a minute there,” Kasey replied as she resumed her task and pulled another coffee mug down. “If you’d said anything different I’d have to chop off your head, burn your body, and salt your bones before I buried you.”

Layla cocked her head in an amused fashion. “Are you calling me a demon?”

“Well, yeah. Anyone that doesn’t need coffee in the morning can’t be mortal or a blood relative of mine.” Kasey sighed as the coffee started dripping into the carafe and the rich aroma filled the room. “My father sent a message that your things would be delivered in an hour. Your father is taken care of and fine with you living here. You’re still good with that, right?” After the silence became a little too long, Kasey glanced over her shoulder to Layla. “I can tell him no if you’d prefer to stay with your father and stepmom.”

“Why are you doing this? You and your father, I mean? I know we’re related, but neither of you know me. For all you know, I could be psychotic, or listen to Yanni as loud as it can go.”

“Do you?”

“What?” Layla asked in confusion.

“Listen to Yanni?”

“No.” She laughed. “Do you?”

Kasey couldn’t help the look of disgust that she knew had to be on her face at those words, “Carajo, that’s not even funny to joke about. I was about to have you committed to a psych ward for an evaluation.”

“Okay, well, that’s something, I guess, but you still didn’t answer my question. Why are you letting me live with you?”

Kasey didn’t respond right away. She poured two cups of coffee and carried them to the table instead. “Grab the cream, please.”

The silence continued as they doctored their coffees and took their first sips. Kasey set her cup down and stared into her cousin’s eyes. “You’re right, I don’t know you, but you’re family. That right there is a huge point in your favor, but my dad moved you guys here. He wouldn’t have done that if he hadn’t looked into all of you thoroughly. He’s the one that suggested this and after what I saw last night—” in more places than only the house—"I agreed with him.”

“He’s not a bad man,” Layla interjected softly. “He just wants to make a good impression on your father and he was worried I’d embarrass him.”

“By standing against a wall and not talking to anyone?” Kasey asked incredulously. “That’s absurd. To me, a good father would have made an effort to make sure you were comfortable, introduced you to some people, done something other than berating you in public like he did.”

“Can we just agree to disagree on this one, please?” When Kasey nodded in agreement, Layla smiled. “Thank you. Now, I have one thing I need to know the answer to.”

“Okay, what’s that?”

“Why did you agree to let me live here? I know your dad suggested it, but why did you agree?”

“I told you, my dad vetted you all…”

“Stop,” Layla demanded. “That may be true, but I know there is more to it than that. Please be honest with me. I swear on my mother's grave you can trust me.”

“First, let me explain a few things. This apartment is my only safe zone. In here alone, there are no listening devices or monitoring equipment. The minute I walk out the front door, my father can watch and hear me. I’m not saying he is watching me every minute, but that he could be.”

“I don’t understand. What’s the difference?”

“Depending on the situation, and no, I don’t know when they are, just that at random times I’m informed that security has been tightened. That means I’m under constant surveillance”—until the one time she needed them—"until whatever threat is eliminated.”

“And the rest of the time?”

“There is always at least one guard in an apartment on the floor below us monitoring the security cameras. Before anyone who isn’t listed as a tenant in one of the apartments on this floor attempts to access this level, they are stopped by security and questioned thoroughly.”

“What does this have to do with anything?”

“By necessity, I’m isolated here. I have friends, but they are kept at a distance and I have to lie to them about everything. It’s lonely and exhausting. You’re my family. Your father works for mine. I don’t have to pretend, lie, or hide with you.”

Layla nodded. “I can understand that, and I’d be very happy to stay here with you. I’ve never really had any friends or family close to my age. I’m glad we moved to town and I finally got to meet you. My mom used to talk about your family. She loved you very much.”

Kasey debated a moment, trying to decide if she could trust Layla with her secret. It wasn’t like she was going to be able to keep it forever if they stayed roommates. “I want to tell you something, but I need you to swear you won’t tell anyone. My father wouldn’t approve and neither would his associates.”

Layla didn’t hesitate in her agreement and that gave Kasey some hope that she was being honest. “Would you like to go to a baby shower with me?”

“Excuse me?”

“My friends and their mates had babies recently, well, two of them. The third is pregnant still. Anyway, the point is we’re having a baby shower for Toni and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me?”

“Sure, I’d love to. They won’t mind if I crash the party, though? I don’t want to impose.”