"Marcus, don't lie about Trick so I don't hang out with him." I sighed, rolling my eyes.

Marcus stared at me with wide eyes, "What? Baby cheeks, I wouldn't. I'm serious. Trick is in the rival gang."

I nodded, not believing him.

"You don't believe me, don't you?" Marcus said and I looked at him, shaking my head. He clenched his jaw and let out a sigh,"Can we talk in private?" he said. "Now."

Marcus stood up and walked to the stairs and ascended them. I looked at the guys left. Ian and Chase had left to smoke outside, since it started to smell like smoke inside the house.

"Goodluck." Erik smiled. I chuckled and I walked up the stairs. Marcus was leaning against the doorframe, waiting for me. I walked past him and into the room, feeling scared. Marcus closed the door. I stared at him, his back was facing me and his hand was still on the door knob.

He threw his head back as he sighed and he turned to me. The look in his eyes caused a chill to run down my spine. I started backing away as he walked closer to me. My back hit the wall and I still pressed my body against the wall.

Marcus stopped when there was little space between us. I didn't know why I was suddenly afraid of him, though, I still kept my eyes on his. My lips parted and an audible breath escaped making Marcus break eye contact to look at my lips for a moment. "I don't know what you see in Trick that... makes you so stupid sometimes," he said then his eyes met mine. "That's what I don't like about you. Trick has got you thinking that he's innocent, he has you wrapped around his fucking finger."

I furrowed my eyebrows,"Excuse me?"

"You heard me, Alyssa. You wouldn't know dangerous even if you slapped you in the face," Marcus said.

I glared at Marcus, my mouth slightly open. I stared at him for a few seconds before raising my finger. "You." I poked his chest hard as I stepped closer making him walk back. "Marcus Sawyer. Are the definition of dangerous. If anything I shouldn't be around you."

Marcus' widened and he held my hand that was poking him. "Alyssa, we've been through a lot together. More than that fucking idiot. You trust me. You know my parents. You know why I act like this. You know who I am. And as for Trick, what do you know about him. Mm? His favourite colour?"

I growled,"Marc--"

"He's playing you, Alyssa," Marcus said, his voice rising each second.

"You know... this gang rivalry thing is really making you paranoid. Trick has been my friend before you agreed to pretend to date me," I stated.

"He wasn't going to go to you if you hadn't lied about dating me," Marcus said. "If you hadn't lied about dating me, we wouldn't be in this mess. James wouldn't be after you. Come to think of it... you started this. If only I had never gave you anything for Valentine's Day."

I stared at Marcus in shock, my eyes tearing up. My heart dropped,"Are you saying that you regret... meeting--"

Marcus interrupted me as soon as he realised what I was about to say,"That's not what I meant."

I pressed my lips together then let out a sigh,"What else could you have meant?"

Marcus stared at me sadly, just making me want to cry.

"Because if you hadn't given me those gifts, Bree wouldn't have assumed that we were 'secretly dating'. I wouldn't have lied about dating you. We wouldn't have been friends... you wouldn't have been my real boyfriend," I whispered, my vision getting blurry. I looked up at him and I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from crying harder,"I really like you, Marcus. I'm sorry if I made your life a mess. I'm sorry for invading it." I chuckled sadly to myself.

Marcus held my cheek and made me look up to him. He gently pressed his lips on mine in a swift move. I shut my eyes and I felt warm tears fall down my cheeks. His touch made my skin burn and my heart pound faster.

"I don't want you to ever say that again," he whispered against my lips. He cupped my cheek and stared at my eyes as I stared at his. "You are the reason I'm not the emotional wreck I used to be. I didn't mean what I said because I don't know what I would be if I hadn't met you. I want you in my life... fuck want. I need you, Alyssa Heart. I just hate that I got you involved in this gang war. I care about you too much to let you get hurt," he said and placed his lips on my cheek, gently pecking it.

I looked down, trying to hide my heated face and tears. My palms were on his chest and fisted his tee. I hated crying in front of Marcus. He wrapped his arms around my torso, pulling me close for his warm hug.

"I don't regret anything, Baby cheeks. I'm going to protect you, even if it means getting myself hurt because I'd do anything for you," he said and I looked up at him again.

He frowned and cupped my cheek, wiping the tears away. "Don't cry, Baby cheeks," he said with a slight chuckle trying to clear the sadness. "Please."

I gave him a small smile and nodded.

He hugged me again,"You can go watch movies with them," Marcus said. "But if something seems dodgy, please call me," he said and pulled away.

I smiled at him.

"Say 'I love you, Marcus'... and I'll be there in a snap," he said and clicked his two fingers for emphasis.

"But what if I really say 'I love you, Marcus'. What if I really mean it?" I asked nevrously.

Marcus almost looked surprised then he smiled,"I'm still going to come. But you wouldn't say that to me over the phone, would you?" he said. He brought his face closer to mine and his lips hovered mine,"You can tell me now... " he whispered huskily and right when he was about to kiss me, the door was opened.

Chase stood there, not bothered that he interrupted us. He showed me my phone,"Ian was a second away from throwing your phone at the ceiling. And to be honest, I was about to as well. Trick has been calling you..."

I turned to Marcus,"Can you drive me there?"

Marcus hesitantly nodded and followed me as I walked. I took my phone from Chase and thanked him. We descended the stairs and I went to the door, waiting for Marcus. He was standing by the couch where some of the guys were. He turned to me,"Wait for me outside, I want to speak to them for a quick second."

I nodded and walked out the house and waited. It was very scary to in the middle of the woods when it was the night time. I opened my phone after it vibrated meaning I had received a text.

Marcus walked out the house and stood beside me. "Let's go," he said and he held my hand as I switched on the torchlight on my phone. Shining the light on the path, I hummed. It was so dark and scary... I imagined someone jumping in front of us with chainsaw in hand.

I heard Marcus hum with me in his low voice and I smiled. "Do you want me to carry you?" he asked. I nodded without hesitation and Marcus stopped. I jumped on his back and wrapped my arms around neck while I pointed the torchlight to our pathway. He gripped my thighs and started walking.

"I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road, I'm gonna... riiiide till I can't no more!" I sang and rode on his back.

Marcus laughed, looking back at me, "Baby cheeks, if I were you I'd stop riding my back."

"What? Afraid I'll break your back?" I joked.

Marcus chuckled,"I'm afraid I'll break your back." he looked back at me and winked.

I was silenced. "Shut up," I murmured, my cheeks heating up. We made to the car and I jumped off of his back and we got in his car. He drove to the mall and the whole ride there. I noticed a car driving behind us.

Following us.

I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at the black car behind us from the rearview. "Marcus," I said and he looked at me.

"Baby cheeks?"

"That car has been following us ever since we left the woods," I stated and Marcus looked at me before looking at the rearview.

He groaned and took out his phone. "Hold the wheel for me," he said and I did. He typed something and put his phone back his pocket. He took the wheel again and I turned around, seeing the black car turn the other way making me sigh in relief.

"It's gone," I said and Marcus slowed the car to a stop. As I turned to open the car door, it locked. I paused and turned to Marcus.

He smirked. "Careful, Baby cheeks. Remember what I told you, if something seems strange. Don't hesitate to call me."

I nodded. "Okay Marcus," I said. "And remember what I told you... don't worry about me. I know how to shoot." I winked.

"Bye." I kissed his cheek and opened the unlocked door. I got out and walked away from the car. At the entrance of the mall, I saw Trick waiting for me.

"Trick!" I called out and he looked up, immediately breaking into a grin that didn't reach his eyes.

"Hey," he said and hugged me.

I pulled away,"Where's Aaliyah, Angelo and Percy?" I asked.

"Oh... uhm... they're inside," he replied, looking around as if he was searching or waiting for something. "Who brought you here?" Trick asked.

"Ma-- ma," I replied, forgetting that I shouldn't say I was with Marcus.

"Mama?" Trick repeated with a smile.

"Yes... my mama," I replied and chuckled. Trick smiled and we went to the theater. It wasn't that full and it wasn't that empty either though a few people started coming in. Trick and I sat at the last row. I still couldn't see Aaliyah, Percy and Angelo. I kept quiet and took the popcorn that Trick had bought.

We watched the ads and movie trailers for the upcoming movies, "Trick, we've been here for fifteen minutes. Where are Aaliyah, Percy and Angelo?"

Trick sighed,"They're coming... just wait."

"Where are they?" I asked, annoyed. "Trick, don't tell me you lied about them being here."

"Alyssa just watch the movie, it's starting," he said.

"Are they here or not?" I asked, on the verge of leaving.

"They're not here," Trick replied.

I glared at him,"Why would you lie about that?"

He looked at me with an unfamiliar look in his eyes. Glaring back at me, Trick clenched his jaw.

I stared at him before standing up to leave. "I got somewhere else to be," I murmured, suddenly scared of Trick.

He held my wrist and I froze, a chill running down my spine. I looked at Trick and saw the serious look on his face,"Just sit the fuck down," he said lowly.

"No," I replied and tried to pull away from his grip. We were the only people sitting at the back row, everyone else was watching the movie, not bothering to look at us, "Why are you acting so strange?" I whispered and I finally pulled away from his grip. He stood up and hovered me, his hand went to his back pocket to reach for something.

I quickly walked out the back row and to the entrance but two, broad men appeared in front me, blocking the entrance.

My breath hitched as I stared at the two guys. I backed away and bumped into someone behind me making me jump. It was Trick.

"Trick..." I said. "What's going on?"

Trick smirked,"You're coming with me."

"Uhm... I don't think so," a voice said and we all turned our heads to the voice.

It was Chase. He was here all this time, just acting like a normal guy.

"If the lady wants to go... let her," another voice said.

Ian.

He also stood up, from the middle row.

One other person stood up from the front row. Xavier. He chuckled,"I'm not really going to say anything because I'm so pissed."

Trick clenched his fists,"And who are you guys?"

"Your mom's friends," Chase replied sarcastically and they stood behind me after Trick stood with the guys blocking the entrance.

"Now will you excuse us and move out of the way," Ian said and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I was glad that they were here and I knew that Marcus told them to be here.

Trick stared at the guys behind me. "I'm not leaving till I get what the boss wants," Trick said with a sinister look on his face.

And that what was when I believed Marcus.

"And that is?" Xavier said.

Trick met eyes with me and he smirked.

Trick is part of the rival gang.

Trick cracked his knuckles and rolled his neck,"Alyssa."