Am I really that obvious? I was trying to be mysterious and here you all are, guessing the plot before I can even write it...maybe I should throw in a plot twist...

Jumping down from the last step, I accidentally tripped over my bad ankle and fell on my butt. Well, wasn't this a nice way to start of the morning? Luckily, there was no one around to witness my moment of embarrassment. Picking myself up, I straightened my clothes and fixed a pleasant expression on my face before continuing on.

A conversation coming from the kitchen made me pause before I took another step anywhere. Eavesdropping wasn't my thing, but then again, I've been doing a lot of things that weren't my 'thing.' For example, kissing one of the most wanted criminal kings in the world. In comparison, listening in on something that wasn't meant for me to hear wasn't that bad.

Positioning myself against the wall, I could hear Cage and Micheal talking quietly in the kitchen.

"-don't say a damn word, Micheal." Cage's voice carried out. Even though I wasn't even in the room with them, I could hear the underlying threat in his words. It sounded all too familiar. "Not to the others and especially not to her. Not yet, at least. She's got a temper worse than Cherry's. And you know what Cherry was capable of."

Who's Cherry?

And where they talking about me?

"Fuck, I'm glad I got rid of that one. She was poison." Micheal chuckled humorlessly. "Three years and I'm still not over half the shit she pulled. And that was after the cheating. But I do think you need to tell her soon. I'm not sure how long this little submission act will last."

Cage sighed, and then there came a sound like liquid being poured into a glass. "Submission? Try blackmail."

"Really? To you?" Whatever they were talking about, Micheal seemed surprised. "That's a first."

"Tell me about it. I'm a fucking mess." Cage said quietly. "Before I say anything, are you absolutely sure that it was no accident? There's no taking it back once it's out and I'd like to avoid the fit she'll throw if I can."

There came a sound like a stove clicking a few times before the flame lit up. I couldn't see what they were doing because I was right outside the kitchen. Dipping my head, I strained to hear Micheal's reply. They were talking in such soft voices.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"That's a shame." Cage said. "I have no idea what to do with her, man."

"Never would have believed that if I didn't just hear you say it." Micheal sounded amused.

"That bad, huh?"

"Worse."

I waited to hear if they had anything else to say but the conversation seemed to be over after a couple moments of silence. Trying to put on the most normal facade as I could, I stepped away from the wall and strode inside like I did not just overhear their entire conversation about Cherry and me. At least I think they were talking about me. Maybe it was Delia they were referring to. I had a suspicion about Cage's words that I diligently tried to avoid thinking about. Dangerous territory, that was.

Cage and Micheal both looked up at the same time as I entered the kitchen. Their faces were wiped clean of any emotions, as usual. They had a great poker face. I was an open book, it seemed, and the Crows were the complete opposite. Cage had a lowball glass with alcohol inside and Micheal was doing whatever he was doing, which was making coffee.

"Good morning." Micheal said nicely.

"You look weird without the other eyebrow." Cage smirked and took a sip of his drink.

"Good morning, Micheal." I smiled at him and then turned to Cage. "Your face makes onions cry."

"You look like someone-" He suddenly stopped short of his reply as Delia suddenly entered the kitchen. Choking slightly, Cage cleared his throat and fixed a polite smile, shooting me a glare when her back was turned. "Good morning, Delia. You look beautiful today. Did you sleep well?"

"Sweet talk isn't going to get you anywhere, darling." Delia coughed for a second and patted Cage on the cheek nicely, much like I did, and finally noticed me standing there. I was kinda trying to hide behind Micheal because after what Nick told me last night, I was downright terrified of Delia. But Micheal gave me a weird look and moved away, leaving me an open target for her inspection.

The ice clanked against the sides of the glass as Cage moved it around in circles on the island counter top. "Delia, I want to introduce you to the girl I told you about last night. This is November." He reached over and dragged me to stand beside him.

I was as stiff and stoic as a cardboard until Cage suddenly squeezed the side of my stomach with his hand. As I tried to smother my squeal, Heath entered the kitchen but quickly disappeared down the basement steps. "November, this is Delia." Cage said nonchalantly, as if nothing had happened. "Professional wrestler to drug dealer to adoptive mother of the Crows."

"Darling!" Delia suddenly shouted, making everyone else but her jump with surprise. Her blue eyes were light with happiness. She was wearing a Christmas sweater and had a tattoo of a serpent on her left arm. Suddenly, I felt myself being pulled into a bear hug. Flabbergasted, I had no idea what to do except to stand here and let this sweet old lady crush me. "I am so excited to finally meet you! I have been waiting ever since you all came here last night. How are you, pumpkin?"

"I'm good, thank you." I croaked out. Standing at almost six feet, Delia towered over me. Shouldn't people get weaker with age? Delia was built like a bear although her appearance screamed 'sweet old lady who bakes apple pies for her neighbors and if she doesn't like her neighbors, a bit of poison may find itself in that apple pie' type of woman. Cage and Micheal looked on with amusement.

"Oh!" Delia finally let me go and I moved back, gasping for breath as she went on her merry way, talking a mile a minute. With her Russian accent, it was a bit hard to understand everything she said. "I was absolutely thrilled to see Cage bring a girl here even though the circumstances were a tad harsh. Tell me, November, are the boys treating you well? Because if not, you can tell me. I may be old but I still know some pretty killer moves from my wrestling days."

"Of course I have, Delia." Cage smirked.

She gave him a daggered glare. "That is your opinion, yes! I would like November to answer that." Delia turned to be, smiling again.

"Most of the time." I replied, staring at Cage. His fingers were tapping on the edge of the glass and it was very distracting. Micheal bent down and kissed Delia's cheek before taking his coffee cup and going into the living room.

"Very well, darling." Delia flew around the kitchen, quickly whipping out a breakfast faster than I could blink. "I know this must be a very scary experience for you. Did you sleep well last night? No funny business in my house, understand?"

Cage's response was a secret smile into his glass and mine was a flustered blush in the stifling awkward silence. Funny business. If only they knew. Delia seemed to take our silence for an answer and thankfully didn't press on. She bustled around the kitchen, setting plates down on the counter and cooking at the same time. Just as I was going to offer to help, Cage suddenly caught my eye and jerked his head towards the living room. He stood up and left, motioning me to follow.

Cage was already sitting in one of the chairs when I entered. The drink was still in his hand, still tapping away as the ice melted slowly. It really was distracting. I took a seat opposite from Cage. On the coffee table was a black burner phone. Trying to shove down the hopeful feelings, I fixed my face to match his own inscrutable one.

"I have something to tell you." Cage started off slowly.

My feet was tapping away on the carpet and I forced myself to stop. A guttural feeling of nerves went through my stomach. "Yes?"

Cage seemed nervous, more nervous than I ever thought he could be. His index finger was tapping incessantly on the edge of the lowball glass and his eyes were a lucid green, piercing me with the usual killer stare. The edges of his lips turned down. "Well-"

"Breakfast!" Delia suddenly poked her head out of the kitchen, making us both jump with surprise. "Breakfast is ready. Come eat while it's hot."

"In a moment, Delia." Cage replied uncomfortably.

Delia raised her eyebrows but didn't object. After a moment, she disappeared back into the kitchen. Cage glanced down at the carpet, and then back at me, and then to his drink, and then back to me again. He seemed at a loss of what to say.

Cage picked up the burner phone and handed it to me. "Call your sister. It will turn off five minutes after the first ring, so make it quick."

"Thank you. What do you need to tell me?" I mumbled softly.

Cage raised the glass to his lips and drained the contents of the alcohol in one gulp. He also kinda choked on one of the ice cubes, but I didn't make fun of him for it because I was too afraid of what he wanted to tell me. Clearing his throat awkwardly, Cage stood up. "There's a carnival in town. It's the last day. I thought we could all use a night out after everything that has happened. Do you want to go with me?"

That's all? That's all Cage had to tell me? A stupid carnival. Why did Cage seem to nervous to ask me about going to a dumb fair? Perhaps I was looking too far into things. "No, thank you."

"Let me rephrase that." Cage growled. "You will come with me tonight."

I stood up too, frowning. "I don't want to go."

"You don't have a choice."

"You're so mean, Cage." I whined.

"Tough luck, princess." Cage reached across the coffee table and flicked my chin with his thumb. "Be ready at eight." He walked away and disappeared into the kitchen. I stood, clutching the phone and staring at his retreating back with shock.

A date night with Cage Vickers. What has my life come to?