Never Judge

"Is this normal?" Cara asked as she tried to keep up with Al as he rushed through the hall, towards the elevator.

"No, but it's not like people never make attempts on our lives." Al told Cara as he gave her a weak smile.

"What?!" Cara asked, shocked that people wanted Al and his family dead.

When they entered the elevator, Emilio leaned back against the wall and sighed. He shook his head and laughed as he looked at Cara.

"My father is the richest and possibly the most powerful man in the country, did you really think that no one wanted any of us dead?" Emilio questioned as he looked her in the eyes, wondering if she really was so naive.

"I mean, it's possible, right?" Cara asked. "You guys are so powerful that people would be afraid to touch you."

This time it was Eric that reacted to Cara's statement.

"What is up with you guys? I'm just genuinely confused with the situation!" Cara was clearly not happy with how the cousins were reacting to her questions.

Everyone stopped talking and looked at Al. It was clear that he needed to speak with Cara.

"I'll deal with her." Al finally sighed, pulling her out of the elevator as soon as it reached the ground floor of the mansion.

"Where are you taking me?!" Cara shouted as Al dragged her to the guest room that Cara had been using.

He closed the door firmly behind them, gesturing for two guards to keep watch.

He needed them there to keep Cara inside.

"Cara, did you really think we had it that easy?" Al was practically shouting at her as he paced across the room. "Even your own brother wants me and my family dead. Do you know how dangerous it is for us keeping you here?"

"Are you really asking me that?" Cara shouted. "Dangerous for you, but what about me and my dad?! Your father can have me killed at any time, I know I'm the leverage that you and your father have been using against dad, I'm not stupid."

Al glared at her, refusing to let her see how shocked he was that she knew.

"For your safety you will stay here until I get back. If we can't resolve this by tomorrow, you'll be stuck in here Cara." Al didn't like being tough on his friend, but his first priority would have to be the underworld and his family.

If Cara was already doubting the reason she was there, then there was a chance she was also questioning why she and Al were even friends in the first place.

"You can't do this!" Cara shouted as she ran after Al and tried to pull him back.

"I can't do what?!" Al asked as he tried his best not to hurt Cara while getting her grip off of him.

"You can't turn me into a prisoner!" Cara continued to grip Al's arm, clinging on to him.

"Cara, either you let go of me or I will force you off!" Al said in a stern tone as she glared at her.

Never had he wanted to treat her that way, but he had to, at this point it was for her safety and his family's.

Cara looked him in the eyes, she was clearly determined not to let go.

"One." Al began to count, treating Cara like a child. He was hoping and praying that he wouldn't have to force her off.

"Fine." Cara said as soon as she realized that Al was serious.

"Cara, I'm sorry, but we'll settle this when I get back." Al told her as she stalked off into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

Al sighed and shook his head and left the room.

He could only hope that by the time he came back Cara would have calmed down.

"I want two guards at the door and another two by her window. I think she will try to escape." Al told the bodyguards who nodded in response and radioed in for back up.

"What if her father wants to see her?" The bodyguard asked as he waited for further instructions.

"Allow him in but one of you has to be present." Al said with a sigh. He didn't want Cara to hate him. She just needed to cool down so that they could discuss things properly.

She was one of his best friends, he didn't want to lose her, especially not this way.

"We will try our best to make sure that she is comfortable, sir." The bodyguard said with a nod.

They all understood how important Cara was to Al.

Over the past few days they had seen them interact and there were even suspicions that there was more than just friendship between the two teenagers.

Al sighed and left, he found Eric and Emilio waiting for him.

"Where is Hendrick?" He asked, noticing the mafia man's absence.

"With Angelica, I sent him to watch over her." Emilio said with a nod. "She might be a target too and I trust him more than anyone else here."

"Thanks." Al told his cousin as they walked out of the house and one of the cars pulled up for them to get on.

They all got in and rode in silence.

The drive was short since the two mansions were close to each other.

Emilio didn't want to bother his cousin, but he knew that Al was suffering mentally and emotionally because of what he had to do to Cara.

"Do you love her?" Emilio finally asked.

Eric looked at Emilio, his eyes wide with shock. No one ever dared to ask Al the question in such a straightforward manner.

"I don't know." Al answered with a shrug as the car pulled up to the door of Mountain View Mansion. "I care about her, but aren't I too young to know what  love is like?"

"I don't think so." Eric grinned. "My mom and dad fell in love when mom was fifteen, but since they didn't act on their feelings, it took them a while to get together."

"I just don't know." Al said as he opened the door and walked away from his cousins.

Emilio simply shook his head and followed Al's lead, exiting the car and heading towards the house.