Zander and I are sleeping peacefully until I hear the door open. Zander gets up to go see what’s going on.

“Zander, it’s just Kyle, he’ll be fine, go back to sleep.”

“I’m just going to go say hi. I don’t want to scare him if he tries to sneak into bed with you.”

I smile at that and go back to sleep. I awake again when I hear Zander’s voice getting louder. What the hell? I throw a robe on and walk into the living room.

“Kyle!”

I run to him when I see he has blood all over his face, and his clothes have been torn.

“Kyle, what happened?”

Zander says, “That’s what I’m trying to get out of him, too.”

“Kyle, tell me what happened.”

“Stop fussing. I was out with my friends, and then when we left, some guys grabbed me and dragged me off. They took me somewhere private and told me I needed to get you to leave or they were going to kill you. I tried, Murph. I told them I wouldn’t let them hurt you, but they kept hitting me and calling me names. It was like I was back in school.”

Kyle tries to laugh, but he cries out in pain. Zander rips the rest of Kyle’s shirt off and starts checking his ribs.

“Man, I don’t think they’re broken, but they’re definitely bruised. You’re going to have some pain for a while. I can call my doctor and have him take a look at you.”

I see red, my anger surfaces, and I yell out, “Get your fucking hands off him. I don’t want you or your doctor looking at him. Get your shit and get the hell out. Now!”

“What the hell, woman? I was just checking on him. What’s got into you?”

“I want you to leave, Zander, right now. I mean it this time, get the fuck out!”

“I didn’t do this, Murphy.”

“I don’t care, you, your brothers, your mother. Why does it matter who did this? It has to be one of you.”

“Why the hell would you think that?”

“You said it yourself, the other guy is on lockdown. So, who else could it be? Your family is the only other ones threatening me. I should have known better, but no, I let you come here and sweep me up in your bullshit again. Leave, Zander, I mean it, I never, ever want to see you again. I don’t even want to see you trying to come collect from me. Send someone else. That’s all I ask is that you never come near me again.”

He doesn’t move, he just stares at me. I can’t take it anymore, I run to the bedroom and collect all his things and go to the door. I open it and throw all his shit out into the hall.

“GET OUT!”

He finally listens and starts making his way to the door while watching me close. Then he turns and tells Kyle, “Look, man, I’m sorry this happened to you. I didn’t do it, and I don’t think my family did either. But I know how it looks, and I promise you I will find out who it was. I’ll make sure he pays for hurting you.”

He then turns and walks out the door. I slam the door and run to tend to Kyle.

* * *

Later, we return to the hotel from the hospital. Zander was right, none of Kyle’s ribs are broken, but they are badly bruised. He had to have a few stitches put on his cheek, and his face will take time for the bruising to leave. Overall, he was lucky it wasn’t worse.

I help Kyle into bed and tuck him in. “Hey, Princess, is there anything else I can do for you?”

He tries to chuckle at my attempt to lighten the mood, but he’s in too much pain for that.

“Murph, I’m going home. I want you to come with me, please?”

“Listen, Kyle, I don’t blame you for wanting to go home, and I actually think it’s for the best. But I’m going to stay, and before you try to argue, don’t, my mind is made up. I need to do this, I have to try because if not, I think I’ll always regret it. But I want you to go home knowing that I love you and you have done everything you could to help me. Plus, if things continue the way they are, it looks like I shouldn’t be too long behind you.”

As I go to stand, Kyle grabs my arm. “Please, Murph, I’m so scared for you.”

“It’s going to be okay, I promise. They haven’t come after me yet. I think they’re wanting to scare me to see what I’ll do next. It’s just games they’re playing to intimidate me.”

“Does my face look like a game to you, Murphy? They’re serious, and I don’t think it’s Zander or his family. Look, I know I’m not going to be able to convince you to come home, but would you please maybe stay near Zander? I think he would and can protect you.”

“Zander? Hell no! I know you want to believe in fairy tales, Kyle, but this isn’t one. He’s not Prince Charming. He and his family are not nice people. He’s the last one I need in my life. Your being hurt opened my eyes. I just wish they were opened before I fucked up again and slept with him tonight.”

“The drugs are starting to kick in, Murph, can we talk later? Come lay down with me.”

He’s right, the drugs are working; he slurred that last part. I lie down in bed with him till he falls asleep. Sleep takes me longer; my brain keeps wanting to kick my heart’s ass. I cannot believe how stupid I was to trust Zander the way I did tonight. Every fucking time I allow myself a minute of weakness or emotion, something happens to show me how fucking stupid I am. Even if I did want to be with Zander, his mother and family want to take everything from me. Hell, she even underhandedly threatened me. I can’t walk away, not after tonight, not after seeing what was in that box. For years, I was kept in the dark about my father. Tonight opened my eyes, discovering that he did love me. He wanted me to have the casino, and I want it. I want to be known as his daughter, and I want to stay put in the place that both my mother and father are from. I want to learn about my heritage. This is where I was supposed to be born and raised; not Jersey, here. I’m not walking away from everything I want and fucking deserve.