6.29 Draco confronts Lawrence

Draco walked in through the door and suddenly felt lonely. ‘How dare Lawrence make Torri feel afraid to come here and visit?’ 

Draco decided to confront Lawrence and have it out with him. Draco barged in and when two of Lawrence’s men went to attack Draco he put his hand up to stop them and said, “Leave us.” 

He gestured Draco to sit offering him a drink, “I take it you have come to talk to me about Torri?” Draco stood there not taking a seat and stared at him and coldly said, “I want her to visit me but she won’t come here because of you.”

Lawrence looked at Draco and sarcastically said, “Are you sure?” Draco was stunned and spat back, “Well it’s not because of me if that is what you are implying.” 

Lawrence sat down ignoring Draco’s outburst and said calmly, “Take a seat.” Draco reluctantly agreed and waited to hear the excuses, “You are just like your Dad, a forceful character and I can see why Torri is drawn to you but I have my doubts about you, if I’m truthful. I mean you have only just started to date for one.” Draco raised his voice and replied, “I met Torri six years ago when I was a teenager and she had just changed to a full vampire. I saved her life from Elvira because she wanted to kill her.” Lawrence’s eyes narrowed and he yelled, “Elvira wanted to what…” Draco jumped in his seat at the response and was confused, “You treated her like an animal, stripping her naked and who knows what else.”

Lawrence stood from the chair and said firmly, “I want confirmation that Elvira is dead…”

“I can confirm that I killed her but what does it matter to you.” 

Lawrence grabbed him, “She hurt many people, I even warned your father but he wouldn’t listen to me.” Draco pushed him away and said, “What does this have to do with Torri?” 

Lawrence turned away and said, “None of your business but what I will tell you about my niece is that she must never come home.”

“I don’t understand…” 

Lawrence just stared without any response and Draco added, “Where are her parents and how is she related to you?”

“If you must know Draco, her father and I are brothers. Torri’s Mum died when she was 3 years old and then her father, my brother died shortly after that. I then had custody of her but I changed her surname from Knight to her mother’s surname Robertson.” Draco looked hard at Lawrence and said, “You are hiding something.” 

Lawrence smiled and took a sip of his drink and said, “Think what you will but you hurt Torri and I will kill you.”

“I love her and we will bond soon…” Lawrence sniggered, “Bonding is over rated my boy…” Draco laughed, “What would you know about love?” Lawrence said nothing for a moment then replied, “Enough to know without it you die, little by little. Now get out.” Draco pushed a little more, “I want Torri to come and visit me, please.” 

Lawrence stayed silent for a moment then replied, “Very well, as you are Blair’s son and for old times sake I will allow it on one very strict condition. Torri may only stay two days at a time.” Draco yelled, “What kind of deal is that?”

“One you must adhere too or suffer the consequences.” Draco pushed Lawrence and firmly said, “You dare hurt her and I swear…”

“I never said I would do anything…”

“Then tell me what you mean Lawrence.”

“I can’t tell you just heed the warning.” Draco left more confused and wasn’t sure what to make of their encounter. When Draco got home he rang Torri and begged her to come and after much coaxing she agreed.

When Draco opened the door he pulled her close and kissed her without saying a word. 

They made their way to the sofa and after a while Draco stopped them in mid flow and asked, “Tell me about your family?” Torri looked at him and calmly said, “Can we change the subject?”

“Torri!” 

She sighed and said, “When I was a toddler I loved my uncle very much but when my mother died he changed. Looking at him reminds me of my Dad…”

“How so?” Torri looked away and quietly said, “My Dad and Uncle Lawrence are twins so it can be really hard some days. Not long after Mum died, I lost my Dad too and that was when I was put in my uncle’s care.”

Draco could see talking about her family was hard so asked no more questions.

Lawrence sat in front of the fire watching the flickering of the flames and wondered where his life had gone wrong. His own brother had ruined his life then years later married a wonderful woman. James was never content with his life and often accused his wife of sleeping with other men and when he could take it no more he killed his wife in front of their daughter, Torri. Lawrence was outraged with his brother and made the painful decision to banish him only telling his niece that her father died after he compelled Torri to forget what she had seen.  
When he found Torri it was supposed to be an opportunity for making amends but instead he had changed his orders for bringing her back home. James had threatened to kill his own daughter if he escaped banishment and he couldn’t let that happen. When he caught the man stripping her, Lawrence pulled him off but instead of going to her aid he acted cruel towards her making up lies of marrying her off to make sure she never returned home. Making this deal of two days with Draco was a very high risk and he wasn't sure if he was strong enough to protect her without telling her the truth.

Lawrence longed for the days before the evil set in and when life was good so he opened the only thing in life that gave him pleasure, his diary. It was of a time he remembered with fondness of a love he once knew and a love he would never let die.

The spring of 1843…

6.28 Going forward

Estevan and Dawn were still fighting, “That’s it then end of discussion,” Estevan spat. Dawn yelled back, “Yes.” She went to open the bedroom door but Estevan slammed the door, “Don’t walk away from me.”

“I’m not but I’m tired of having this argument and we have to be at Blair and Teddy’s shortly.” Estevan was losing his temper, “Stuff the party after all they are family.”

“Estevan you are being unreasonable.”

“Wanting another baby is being unreasonable, to have sex with my wife who I adore and want to have this baby with is being unreasonable…?” 

Dawn was starting to cry when Estevan wiped away the tear. “What are your real reasons for saying no Dawn?” She looked at him and replied, “I couldn’t protect Nathan when that woman came after us, if it wasn’t for your Mum and Lexy we’d be dead.”

“Oh Dawn why didn’t you tell me this before? We could have avoided the arguments.”

“I see myself as a bad mother who couldn’t protect her child.” Estevan lifted her face so they had eye contact, “Do you want another baby with me?” Almost in a whisper Dawn replied, “Yes I do.”

“Then we will see the doctor in the morning. Now are you ok meeting Katherine?” Dawn hesitated then said, “If you say she can be trusted then that is good enough for me.” 

Suddenly there was a knock on the bedroom door but Estevan and Dawn were locked in a passionate kiss when they heard through the door, “Gran make them stop, they’re kissing again.”

Harmony was checking herself over in the mirror when Ty came up behind her and said, “You look beautiful tonight. Have you told your parents yet?”

“I can’t steal tonight from my sister, we will tell them tomorrow.” 

Ty turned Harmony around and kissed her gently on the lips.” 

As Ty went to walk out of the bedroom Katherine walked in, “How does this look?” Harmony smiled, “You look fantastic and I love your hair,” Harmony could see the fear in Katherine and asked, “What’s up?”

“Will the family like me?” Harmony sighed as she wasn’t sure what to say but said, “I don’t know but remember your mother hurt a lot of people but I think when they get to know you then you’ll be fine.”

When Katherine walked out of the room with Harmony, Daphne was waiting but David stopped her before she could speak, “It’s nice to finally meet my granddaughter, this is your step grandmother Daphne.” Katherine looked nervous at meeting Daphne and shakily said, “Hi.” Daphne studied her for a moment then answered, “You have no idea how to use your vampire powers do you?”

“Umm no miss I don’t.” Daphne raised her eyebrow at her and said firmly, “Its Gran to you same as the others. Ever hunted before?”

“No just fed from others,” Daphne shook her head and said, “After tonight we will have a lot to do.” 

Suddenly they heard, “You can’t teach her because she is part of that bitch.” 

When Daphne turned around she saw William but before she could say anything David raised his voice, “Enough,” he opened the door to the gym and ordered William to get in there and when Blake walked in the door before he opened his mouth he was told to get in this room and slammed the door shut. 

Blair quickly made his way to the bar and Estevan asked if he was ok. Blair said shakily, “I’m just glad I’m not in that room.” Katherine had to ask, “Why aren’t they tearing Granddad apart?”

“He maybe human but NEVER piss him off because he’s scary,” 

Katherine looked shocked, “You’re scared of your Dad?” Blair just looked at her which spoke volumes. 

Nathan tried to bug his uncle, “Uncle Blair, please can we shoot some hoops?” Blair shook his head, “Not tonight but if you are allowed over tomorrow then we can.” He turned to his Mum and said with excitement, “Mum I’m staying here tonight,” 

Dawn was going to protest but she felt Estevan touch her arms and whisper, “We can be together tonight.” Dawn turned to Estevan and kissed him. Estevan and Dawn chatted with Katherine for a while when Dawn finally asked, “You seem distracted?” 

Katherine turned her attention back to Dawn and said, “I thought Guy would be here but I guess he’s not coming.” Estevan looked at her and said, “If he said he would be here then he will be.”

Art finally showed up with Ellen and walked straight up to Katherine and said, “Hi I’m Art and this is my girlfriend Ellen. “You must be Uncle Estevan’s grandson and…sorry I don’t remember…”

“My Dad is William,” then the door opened and out walked William and Blake looking very upset. David came out behind them and pushed them forward. When they got to Katherine, William said, “Sorry for my outburst I shouldn’t think you’re like her.”

“Me too, I’m sorry Katherine.” She smiled, “I get this a lot when people know who my mother was but I’m glad she has gone.” 

When the door opened Katherine glanced up but it was Draco walking in looking sad. Teddy went up to him and asked, “Are you ok?” Draco shook his head and quietly replied, “She won’t speak to me, and she said I could ring her but wouldn’t answer the phone.” Teddy wasn’t sure how to advise him other than, “Give her time.” 

William noticed Katherine was just looking out of the window so he approached her and asked, “Are you ok?” She looked at him and replied, “I was just thinking how I fit in? I mean I wasn’t educated, I was made to sleep with men and the one person who believed in me and helped me isn’t here.”

“I’m sure they will be here soon but your education, if you need anything and I can’t believe I’m doing this but I’ll help where I can.” 

Katherine was about to answer when she heard, “Sorry I’m late. You look great and I see the bruises are gone.” Katherine’s face lit up as she replied, “Harmony helped with the clothes and hairstyle, I just hope it grows more.” She introduced William as her cousin to Guy and it warmed his heart to see her so happy. He excused himself for a moment and went straight for Draco.

“Do you know a red head by the name of Torri?” Draco was intrigued, “Yes why?”

“I was taking a look at the bar I will be working in and as I was leaving this girl was losing her temper at any man that tried to go near her including bar staff and they were only asking what she wanted to drink.” Blair came over and said, “I’ll go and sort this out.” Draco stopped his Dad and firmly said, “I want to do this and besides it means I get to talk to her.”

Guy told him which bar it was and Draco promptly left.

Philippe was at the door and said, “I don’t know what is wrong but she isn’t in the best of moods. She is down in the club part.” Draco demanded the keys from Philippe and told him to leave. Draco locked the door behind him and made his way to the basement. 

Once he was inside the club he heard Torri in the bathroom so he quickly made his way to the office and cut the power to the lifts and waited. 

Torri came out the bathroom and saw the club was empty and said, “Philippe must be waiting upstairs.” She pushed the button to the lift but nothing happened so Torri quickly pressed the button over and over and shouted, “I’m still here so can you switch the lift back on please.” She heard a door open and a voice say, “I won’t turn the lift back on until you hear me out.”

Torri still facing the lift said, “I’m not turning around so say what you have to say then let me leave.”

“Ok, first of all Kerri and I are not together. Second I lied to you, this is hard…when she wanted me to hurt you I said I didn’t love you, well the truth is I do love you and I’m sorry.” Torri kept her composer and said, “Is that it?” Draco nodded but with Torri’s back to him he replied, “Yes.” Still looking away she said firmly, “You hurt me by the way you treated me, always jealous when other men looked at me but I only ever wanted you. I told you I loved you so many times but you never told me how you felt until now. So you expect me to say ok and fall into your arms and live happily ever after?”

“I love you,” played over and over in his head when suddenly he snapped at Torri but remembering to keep his distance, “Here is the truth I love you there I said it again but how can you stand there and say that you love me when you said yes to another man?” 

Torri was stunned that he’d been told and started to crumble, “You treated me like I was your property and would never talk to me. You didn’t trust me and after that night I was so upset at you. All I ever wanted was you to ask me but you didn’t or say I love you so yes when I heard this man propose I stupidly accepted and look where that got me, even more miserable than you could make me.”

“Yeah well…it hurts to think you gave up on me so easily when all I could think of was you. It took all my strength to stop Elvira hurting you and getting her revenge. However this doesn’t change the fact that I hurt you and I am really sorry.” 

Torri finally turned to face him but gasped in shock, “You…your facial hair…your clothes…your eyes.” Torri shut up and quickly said, “I need to go.” Draco could sense she was lying and replied, “You want to stay and not go.” Torri protested and Draco put her to the test. He went to the office and switched the lift back on but by the time he came back she was gone.

In the morning the whole house was woken by loud noises and when Blair investigated he found Draco in a foul mood, “Things didn’t go to plan last night?”

“What makes you say that?” 

Blair stared at him and said, “Your mood for one.” At the top of his voice he yelled, “Yeah well Elvira has ruined everything and Torri didn’t believe me.” Blair wanted to tell him he’d be ok but the mood Draco was in, it would fall on deaf ears so he left.

Draco was still stomping round his room packing his things to travel back to Monte Vista when his door opened, as he turned he yelled, “What now?” Torri just stood there in shock as Draco changed and softly said, “Torri I thought you didn’t want to see me?” Torri stepped forward closing the door and replied, “I needed to think and I came to say I accept your apology and I’m sorry too.” 

Draco looked confused and asked, “Why are you saying sorry?”

“Saying yes to another man when I still have feelings for you, not believing my instincts that there was something wrong.” Draco looked at her and said, “Can we start again?” Torri smiled, “I’d really like that but where are you going?”

“I enrolled at university in Monte Vista…” 

Torri was clearly upset, “That’s so far away plus I won’t be able to visit you.” Draco came closer and asked, “Why can’t you?” She looked at him and saw genuine concern and replied, “My uncle Lawrence lives there.” Draco closed his eyes for a moment as he cursed himself then replied, “I’ll have to come home often to see you then.” Torri smiled and as she gazed into his eyes and asked, “What are we?”

Draco ran his hand across her cheek and said softly, “I don’t want to play the field so will you be my girlfriend?”

“What about Kerri?” Draco didn’t take his eyes off her as he said, “The girlfriend I want is you.” Torri had tears running down her face as she said, “Yes.”

6.27 Going home

Lawrence wasn’t pleased to see Blair the following day and harshly yelled, “What the fuck do you want?” 

Blair grabbed him and firmly said, “Let Katherine go or else.” Lawrence laughed and said, “Not your normal type but seen as Guy brought you here to bargain for her this is what my terms to you are half a million and you have a deal.” 

Blair was furious as he punched him, “You leave Guy’s bar alone and never contact Katherine again.” Lawrence came right in his face and firmly said, “I can’t even see my niece…”

“You treated your own flesh and blood badly and that is putting it mildly. One day she will be part of my family…” Lawrence sniggered, “Part of your… please we both know that son of yours is a waste of space…” 

He didn’t get to finish as Blair pulled him into the air and harshly said, “She is my son’s girl and believe me when I say he has a jealous streak where Torri is concerned and you know in a fight I can beat your ass. Now as I was saying you will let Katherine go and that is my terms.”

Lawrence knew Blair could beat him in a fight and backed down and said, “Very well, she was useless anyway.” Blair threw one punch and Lawrence fell backwards and Blair yelled, “Never speak of Katherine that way again.”

When Blair got home he saw Katherine waiting on the sofa, still bruised, looking worried and when she looked up he said, “The tests came back positive so this morning I went to see Lawrence and you have your freedom. Do you want to collect anything?”

“No not really. What happens now?” Blair looked her in the eye and said, “You are coming home with me and Teddy. Your sister Harmony can’t wait to meet you and as for anything else like education or work we will discuss later.”

Teddy came in with bags and said, “I’m ready.” 

Draco hugged his Mum and said, “Please go easy on Katherine for me. I should hate her the most but I can’t because at the end of the day Elvira put her through hell.”

“I’ll try, I promise.” 

Katherine smiled at Draco but he pulled her in for a hug and said, “Give the family time to get used to you. They hate Elvira not you but it will take time.”

“Thank you.” 

Guy was sad to see Katherine leaving and when Blair watched Guy kiss her he could see the heart break in both of them. He glanced at Teddy then walked over to Guy and asked, “You love my daughter?” Guy replied, “Yes I do, why?”

“Settle things here and set up in town. You were and still are the best barman. I know Estevan would like seeing you again.” Guy studied Blair’s expression for a moment, “You know about Estevan…”

“Yes and after fighting for a day or two we now get on. So what do you say?” Guy smiled and replied, “I’ll be there in a few days.” 

Draco sat there at the computer trying to work on his coursework after everyone had left but all he could think about was Torri. It played on his mind the way he treated her. He was mad with himself and hated the thought that she could be mad or even worse hate him. 

He tried calling her again but there was no answer so he texted her.

After they had exchanged texts Draco wondered why she wouldn’t let him ring straight away and all sorts of things went through his mind but he would ring at the agreed time and hope she would listen.

Torri looked at her phone as it rang, the ID said it was Draco. She kept staring as it rang, she really wanted to talk to him, to hear his voice but she had her reservations because this time it would be the real Draco she would be talking to and that scared her as she knew one look at him and she would melt.

Draco sat there with a drink in hand and said, “How do I get her to talk to me and get her to believe I’m not an asshole.”

Ty and Harmony were arguing over Katherine, “I don’t want you near her.” Harmony glared at Ty, “Tough she is my sister and I will not treat her like she is Elvira.”

“She might be trying to con us and….” Harmony stopped him mid-sentence, “You have to trust her after all she is family and besides Dad and Draco give their word and that is all I need.”

“Your Mum is angry…” 

Harmony snapped, “Mum is angry because Dad had a child with Elvira and that’s it but she will give Katherine a chance,” she ran her hand up Ty’s chest and sweetly added, “so for me please give her a chance.”

Ty melted as he looked at Harmony and softly replied, “For you anything but the moment she pulls any trick and I will protect you.” Harmony kissed him and said, “I know you will.”

When Harmony saw Katherine she gasped in horror, “I’m sorry but the bruises, what happened?” Katherine looked at her and Blair said, “Sweetheart can you take your sister to Draco’s room.” 

When the door closed Katherine said, “I can see you look like your Mum, very beautiful and me I look like that evil witch. Blair even calls you sweetheart…” Harmony could see the hurt and said, “He calls me other things too especially if I’ve annoyed him, like get your butt back here young lady or he yells my name but word of warning don’t whatever you do go near his piano.”

“Why?” Harmony shrugged her shoulders, “He won’t say but I did ask him to teach me but he has refused. Dad is moving his office so you will have your own room. Where are your clothes?” 

Katherine looked at the floor, “When you are made to sell your body you don’t need clothes.” Harmony offered her some clothes but insisted they went shopping. Katherine gave a half smile and asked, “Who was that cute guy who stared at me?” 

Harmony smiled and said, “That was Ty my fiancé soon to be husband.” Katherine started to panic, “I’m sorry I wasn’t trying too…what I mean is…” Harmony calmed her down, “He is cute and I didn’t think that you wanted him. Elvira really did a number on you, didn’t she?”

“I never completed school, there is a man that really likes me and I don’t even know how to act around him. What I mean is how would I date him?” 

Harmony put her hand on Katherine’s shoulder and said, “I’ll help you.”