"You told me everything that happened last night, am I correct?".

Anger flooded through me thinking of the possibility of Jackson lying to me. God knows how I would react if I was to find out that Jackson was the one who drugged Rosie.

"Of course boss. I told you everything I remembered". Jackson was sat in the chair opposite from mine with a serious facial expression, no hint of fear or nervousness could be seen on his face.

"If that's so, then tell me why Rosie told me that you brought her a drink. Why did you fail to tell that piece of information".

The office suddenly became tense and an uncomfortable silence surrounded the both of us. The only sound that could be heard was the light ticking of the clock.

"I'm very sorry boss. I genuinely forgot about that piece of information. But if you're thinking I drugged her, then you've got to be mad-"

"Bullshit. Rosie told me you brought her a drink and then that's where things started to turn strange. I hope my suspicions are wrong and you are not responsible for this".

Jackson stood up from his chair, his face angry and fierce. He clenched his fists defensively as he shook his head from left to right.

"Boss, I would never do anything to harm her. I can see she's yours and I only want to ensure her safety. I may have brought her a drink, but there was a time both of us glanced away from the cup. Someone must've slipped something in her drink"-

Gripping Jackson's collar tightly I yanked him up harshly staring into his cold emotionless eyes making him tremble under my glare.

"It better be some random person, because if I find out you had anything to do with this, then it'll cost you big time. You better not betray me Jackson. You know what happens to traitors".

Jackson pushed my hands off him and brushed his suit down that I had momentarily crumpled.

"Don't waste your time boss. I had nothing to do with this. No worries, I'll head back to the office and knuckle down on finding the actual person responsible".

Jackson shoved his chair back and stormed out of my office slamming the door after him.

This is very out of character. I had never seen him get so worked up over a situation before. He was always so chilled, but serious when needed to be. But this time he seemed, angry. He's definitely hiding something and I will get to the bottom of it.

Rubbing my aching temples, I pulled out my phone and lent back in my chair. I needed to talk to someone that didn't work for me. I needed help and I knew just the person to talk to.

Scrolling through my contacts I clicked on the name and held the phone to my ear.

"Well, I didn't think I'd be hearing from you for some time. But this is a pleasure, what can I do for you Dean?".

"Hello to you too James. It's been a while. How's Isabella and the kids?".

"They're great. Ethan's been asking for you like always. That reminds me, Isabella wants you and Lucy to come over for dinner sometime".

"Of course, that would be great. But James I need to ask you a favour".

"I'm listening".

"I know you aren't in the mafia business anymore, but I need you to try and track someone down. Lucy was attacked recently and I want the man who is behind this found".

I could hear James growl lowly in the background.

Even though he was a lot older than me, I saw him as a father figure and I know he felt the same way about Lucy and I.

"Is she okay? Of course I'll help".

"Yes, she is, but there have been more threats. He attacked someone else I um-"

"Ah, is this the girl Maria was talking about? She mentioned something about you having feelings for a girl-"

"For fucks sake, that woman can't keep her mouth shut".

"Honestly Dean, you need a woman in your life to straighten your cold self out. Certainly what Isabella did to me".

It was amusing working alongside a harsh cold man like James, but when it came to Isabella he was like the softest teddy bear. I had never witnessed such a pure love like Isabella and James'. He worshipped the ground she walked on, and certainly made me want to find someone of my own who could make my cold heart beat again.

"Hmmm" I mumbled back not wanting to discuss this topic anymore.

"Ok. Come over to ours for dinner. This Friday 5:30pm sound alright?"

"Yeah, sounds great".

"Ok, we will discuss more about this man and I'll do all I can to track him down. In the meantime send me his details. Bring yourself, Lucy, oh and this mystery girl that is worming her way into your heart".

"For fucks sake" I mumbled away from the phone.

"See you then". James hung up before I could even respond. Guess I have no choice but to bring Rosie.

***************

2:25am

I hated sleep. It allowed room for dark thoughts to swarm my empty mind. Memories, flashbacks that I swore to never witness again would continuously come back to haunt me. There is no such thing as a peaceful sleep in my life. Violence, blood, death and torture was my world. So I spent the hours of the night working desperately trying to find the man who ruined the perfectly happy family we once were. I wanted to kill him in the most painful ways, yet he couldn't be traced back to. Obviously I had to sleep, but it was only ever a few hours at most in a night or if anything a light sleep.

As I typed away at the last few emails, a shrill scream erupted in the silence shaking me to my absolute core. I knew it wasn't Lucy, to my dismay I recognise her scream as she used to have frequent night terrors. But in fact, it was Rosie.

Part of me told me to carry on typing, but the urge to check on her was too great and within seconds I shoved myself off my bed and sprinted into her bedroom. The sight in front of me hurt me terribly. She lay there half asleep trembling, shaking uncontrollably with tears pouring down her cheeks. She was mumbling words incoherent to my ears and was breathing harshly.

You're making me damn soft Rosie.

Rushing over to her side, I shook her gently hoping to wake her from whatever nightmare she was having.

"Rosie, hey, wake up". I stroked the loose strands of hair away from her face and rubbed my thumb against her soft cheeks in hopes to soothe her from the pain she was suffering.

"Rosie, it's okay. I'm right here, open your eyes". Her trembling body slowly came to a still and to my utter relief her eyes slowly opened revealing her beautiful eyes that I could get hopelessly lost in.

"D-Dean?".

"Hey, shh, it's alright sweetheart. I'm right here". I sat on the edge of her bed smiling reassuringly at her.

Fucking screw the stereotype. I may be a hard gang leader, but everyone needs love. And she is breaking down my self built walls faster with every word and every look.

"I-I'm sorry for waking you".

Is she for real?

She went on to protest some more, but I held up a finger to her lips silencing her effectively.

"Babygirl, you don't need to apologise for anything, you did give me a scare though".

"I'm sorry for scaring you".

"Rosie please stop saying sorry".

"..........sorry".

I shook my head, chuckling at her adorableness.

"But are you okay now?".

Rosie nodded shyly and stared down at the bed letting locks of soft hair fall over her eyes.

"Y-yeah, just a nightmare".

From the way she was screaming, I could tell they weren't just any ordinary nightmare. They sounded like dark memories and painful flashbacks. Maybe she too was hiding a dark past. I wished to find out more and help her battle her inner demons.

"Do you wish to talk about it-"

"No!" she yelled back suddenly, before muttering a small no.

Fair enough.

"Ok. I understand. Goodnight Rosie".

Pushing myself off the bed I turned my back on her and headed to the door, but the soft sound of Rosie's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Dean?".

"Yes Rosie?".

I spun back around to meet her watering eyes and slightly trembling body.

"C-can you stay with me. Just until I fall asleep".

I felt my heart skip a beat. If I brought her peace, could she do the same for me?

"Of course".

Sitting back down on the bed next to her, I watched silently as she snuggled under the duvet getting herself comfortable, but she seemed restless.

Without even thinking, I reached over and placed my hand on her head and began stroking her hair softly. It was something that my mother used to do to me to calm me down and something I'd do to Lucy to calm her down during a panic attack.

I really hoped Rosie wouldn't be creeped out by this gesture, but it was the first thing that came to mind. I glanced down at Rosie wondering if I would be met by a glare, but instead the little angel was fast asleep snoring lightly. It eased my heart knowing my presence brought her peace.

"What are you doing to me Rosie".

*************

"So you're sure he has a thing for her. She's not just a fuck toy?".

"Yes, I'm sure. He won't let anyone disrespect her and he certainly warned me of what would happen if I messed with her".

Jackson shook his head at me in disbelief.

"Perhaps it's time then. I know he's been trying very hard to find my whereabouts. Bless him".

Jackson smirked at me menacingly and nodded his head.

"Not straight away, but very soon I want both Lucy and Rosie brought to me. I want him to suffer like his bastard parents. He will be given the choice on who to save. Rosie, his love. Or Lucy, his little beloved sister. We all know who he'll choose though, but I want to witness his face when I keep Rosie for myself. How devastated he will be when I take her away with me, never to be seen again.