“What makes you think a low rank like you can protect her?”

We both looked towards the doorway of my bedroom. David stood there leaning against the frame making me wonder how long he had been there listening. But the one thing I knew for sure is that he looked pissed.

“I have my reasons. Just shut up and let us be.” Derik snapped back turning his back to David. Judging by the look of murder on David's face, it was something he shouldn't have done. It must have been a sign of disrespect.

“Why should I when you are taking things that aren't yours?" David nearly shouted. Making me sound like I was a piece of property instead of a human being.

“Why are you so against it?” Derik asked annoyed, "She's made her choice."

“It’s the rules, Derik.” David reminded him once again, "We have them for a reason and you know it."

I watched Derik roll his eyes at the mention of the rules. It was plain to see that David took these rules seriously and he felt like Derik should too. The different upbringings was plain to see. David had rules drilled into him while Derik lived freely to do whatever he wanted. Also David had a future that was pretty plain to see while everyone outcasted Derik in fear that he would become an enemy.

Derik turned to face David, making me stand behind him. "I don't give a damn about your damn rules."

The stare down between the two was intense. I was pretty sure at any moment there was going to be an all out brawl in my bedroom. Ricky peaked into the room, trying to see what was going on. He must have seen David down the hall and came down to see what was going on. I was kind of relieved to see him because he was strong enough to hold these two apart if they decided to fight it out.

“You’re actually going to believe what an old hag told you?” Derik questioned David. Ricky slowly entered the room, hugging the wall the whole way. He was trying to get close enough to me to pull me out of the room just in case things start to get ugly. As much as I appreciated it, I hoped that it didn't resort to that.

“That old hag is the reason why we still exist,” David defended, “If it wasn't for her, there wouldn't be a family to begin with."

"Because of that hag, you all treat me like I'm some unwanted disease," Derik mentioned.

David rolled his eyes making Derik take a step towards him. Afraid that he was going to deck David in the face, I grabbed his arm to hold him back. Not for David's protection, but for Derik's. Something tells me that he would be the winner out of the two if they were ever to duke in out.

A hand grabbed mine and I looked to see Ricky trying to guide me away from Derik and out of the room. Jake and Mike were now in the doorway, bracing themselves for what was about to happen. It's like they knew what was about to happen and I had the same feeling. Something told me that someone was going to say something the other one didn't like and fists were going to start flying.

"You should know your place, Derik," David reminded him. I was nearly to the door with Ricky, "That includes not taking what is not yours."

"Do you really think I would risk Leah?" Derik was getting stupid. We all could feel it and Ricky rushed me out of the door as Jake took me further in the hallway with him, "Do you really think I would let you have her after hearing about your killing your last girlfriend?"

My jaw dropped at those words. That was a sore subject and even I knew that. I wouldn't blame David if he ended up killing him for saying that. But Mike and Ricky had other plans. David jumped to attack, but Mike wrapped his arms around him. Using everything he had to not let go.

Ricky, on the other hand, punched Derik for David. Unfortunately, it didn't defuse David's temper because he was still cursing at Derik, "I'm going to kill you, you half breed bastard!"

Jake and I stood there as Jordan walked up to us, watching David try to escape from Mike's hold. We could tell that he was struggling and really hoping Ricky would come and help. But Ricky was too busy trying to make Derik stop his stupidity because he was ready to go after David. They weren't kidding when they said that these two never got along.

"Stand down both of you. Now," came a demanding voice. Jake and I looked towards the front door and in came an older version of David. He had a stern look on his face as he stopped to stand next to me. Looking into the room, "Don't make me reassign both of you."

Both of the fuming boys stopped fighting Ricky's and Mike's hold, but they continued to stare each other down. I was quite impressed.

"Ricky. Mike. You can let them go now," he ordered them. They didn't hesitate to follow orders. They knew that this guy was in charge and they didn't question it.

I leaned closer to loudly whisper, "My guess it's David's dad."

Jake nodded, "He is the guy that controls everything in the family until Ricky is ready to take over."

Mike and Ricky dropped to the floor as sighs of relief escaped from their mouths. They looked more than happy that someone was able to control David's temper. And, maybe Derik's stupid behavior. At this rate he won't be alive long enough to marry me, which oddly enough I wasn't to disappointed by that thought.

"Outside. All of you. Now," David's dad said as he turned on his heel and headed back outside. All four boys followed him like dogs with their tails tucked behind them. I am pretty sure I could hear each of them whining as they walked past.

Jordan, Jake, and I watched them disappear as the door closed. Something told me that I wasn't going to be seeing them for a while. Jake must have had the same feeling as he let out a low whistle and turned towards Jordan, "Sorry about that, Hon. Didn't expect to have that happen when you were here."

"It's all right," Jordan reassured him. It was still strange to see these two as a couple. But as long as my best friend was happy, I was happy for him. I just had to get used to seeing Jordan around more often now. Jake was considered family, no way I was going to give him up just so Jordan could have time with him. He was going to have to learn to share now.

Suddenly a cell phone when off and Jordan pulled it out of his pocket. He read the number before answering it and walking away.

"Jared must need help with something," Jake mentioned to no one in particular. Jordan confirmed his suspicions as he waved before heading out of the door, "That doesn't look good."

"Why?" I asked him.

"He doesn't hang up if Jared is upset and for good reasons," Jake explained as he entered my room and sat on my bed. I didn't ask any further questions as I followed him. The moment sat down he grabbed my left hand and gave me a look, "What to explain this?"

The ring reflected the light, reminding me that it was there. Looking at him, I told him all that happened in order for me to get the ring on my finger. By the time I was done he looked even more disappointed in me. I didn't blame him because I knew why he was disappointed.

"You do realize that you got manipulated into marrying him, right?" he plainly pointed out.

With a sigh, I agreed with him, "Yes. But it was the only way for him to shut up about the whole David thing."

"He only did it because he see David as a threat," Jake pointed out the obvious, "Why else do you think he asked so early into your relationship?"

"He said it was to protect me," I mentioned. Making Jake laugh.

"It wasn't to protect you. It was to show David that he had no chance," Jake answered. I didn't doubt it. The two were nothing but fighting and challenging each other since I first saw them together. Jake then held my hand in his as he made eye contact with me, "Leah, just don't regret giving in because I don't want to see what the consequences would be if it all blows up in your face."

The worry in Jake's eyes wasn't hard to miss. Memories of both of my dreams played in my mind, making me scared of the unknown. Something was telling me to take those dreams to heart. To take in the warnings that they held. If only I knew what those dreams were, but part of me didn't want to know. It wanted me to live in ignorance.