“Tripp and Rex? You’re sending us away? With them? Why exactly? We’ve never been sent away before. What the hell, Dad?” I ask as I hop off my desk and stand with my hands on my hips.

“Roundman, why are they coming with us? Wouldn’t you rather Danza or Tank take them out of the area?” Tripp asks with that serious demeanor he always has.

“No, I need Danza and Tank here. You two will take the girls.”

“And what if we don’t want to go, Dad? What will you do then?” I ask with a firmness I’ve never had when addressing my dad before.

Any other time a trip wouldn’t bother me. I know my dad is going to take this time to handle Delatorre, that’s not my issue with going away. This trip means days and nights with merely inches between Tripp and me on his bike.

“Delilah, I don’t ask any fucking thing of you. This is my one request. Go away with Tripp on this ride. Have fun while you travel if that makes it better, but stay safe. Put your attitude away and listen to me and to Tripp. This is for you, my Doll. To keep you safe.”

“I don’t want to go. Delatorre is an ass, but he won’t come to my house again, he’s bluffing.” I say, not really believing myself.

“Damn it, Delilah! You. Will. Fucking. Go!” with that my dad stomps to his office.

“Not negotiable, Sass, so shut your fucking trap before you even start.” Danza says, as his way of backing up what we already know. He follows my dad into the back office.

Tank, Tripp, Frisco, and Rex follow Danza. Sass and I stand by my desk in disbelief of what just occurred.

“Roundman, you’re sure ‘bout this?” I ask once we are in the privacy of his office. Of all the things he could ask of me, this is what I end up with. No fucking way. How do I say no? The office is small; only a desk, a chair, a safe, and two file cabinets are contained in the room. Having six grown men in the small space is cramped. Tension coursing through each of us is filling the room and sending everyone’s adrenaline into overdrive.

“Are you fucking questioning me, Tripp? Because I know you’re not stupid enough to question me.” Roundman states, the tension is rolling off him in waves. The room is suddenly feeling even smaller.

“I’m not questioning sending the girls on a ride. I thought you’d want me and Rex to work on Delatorre.”

“No, I need our daughters kept safe. They’ve both got a knack for not only running their mouths, but also sticking their noses where they don’t belong. The last thing I need to worry about right now is Doll and Sass. I trust you and Rex to keep them safe. Tank here, would be too busy fucking Savannah to stay on task. As for the rest of us, those girls have us all wrapped around their little fingers, and won’t listen like they need to. They’ve gotta keep their mouths shut and stay out of trouble. You two are my best options.” Roundman says firmly, while Danza is giving Tank the death glare.