CAUGHT UP

Derek's POV:

"Yeah right." George agreed. "She wasn't actually good enough for me anyway." A rough fist connected with his face harshly at that statement. And as though the punch hadn't hurt, Jason gave out a humorless laughter. He was a fucking lunatic.

"You seem to have forgotten who is in charge here." I scowled, which almost instantly turned into a smirk. "I know you're still under Caesar's supervision. Perhaps I should hand you over to him so he would have you killed for failing him. I'm certain his dogs would love to feast on that delicious bone of yours." Caesar was his real boss. The one who ordered him about like a dog. His eyes widened in fear. "I really like your nerve." I bent and began to slowly remove the knives I had dug into his fingers. His toes curled or tried to because I had a knife in them. He screamed again. How nice.

"Next time, I won't go easy on you," I stated as I walked out. When I turned I was definitely not expecting to meet Elena here.

"Who were you chatting with?" She asked and tried to look at who was inside. According to Jessie, she couldn't stand blood.

"Not your business Elena." He heard a mumble behind him.

"Why isn't it?"

"You're supposed to be resting, what are you doing outside?"

"My back hurts really bad. I can hardly twist and turn the way I like. So I decided to take a walk."

"You need to go back to sleep, or you won't recover fast. Come." I took her hand and the image of her scowling was evident in his head as she followed behind me. I walked toward the door at his left and twisted the handle, before opening it.

"Are you up to something Derek?"

"Yes, protecting you." I dialled a number. "Have you been able to track him?" I asked Augusta while Elena sat beside me.

"C'mon, who?" I didn't see how it concerned her but I told her anyway. She probably wouldn't understand.

"Ace's family," I said, not taking his eyes off his laptop. Elena watched as I began working on my computer.

From the short, while I'd known Elena, even though it was only for a glimpse of moments there was something like that, my observation about her was that she was reserved, focused, and broken. Sometimes I saw the pain in her eyes and wondered what could be causing him so much pain. Even in the short while that we met, she was beautiful but broken. She tried to mask it, but I wasn't one to fool.

I sighed internally. Whatever caused her pain I hoped she got over it soon.

"You still haven't gotten his location?" I asked as Augusta walked in.

"I have."

"And you didn't say anything to me?" Elena cocked a brow. I think the hit messed with more nerves in her brain than I thought.

I gave her a quizzical look. "I didn't think it was necessary." She rolled her eyes toying with some items on my table. I didn't bother though. I stared at my laptop screen and zoomed where Augusta had located this person. A smirk appeared on my lips.

This was my personal life and it was someone I had to deal with before it was too late.

Kyle and Ace's meeting was coincidental. Ace had seen and instantly recognized him as his son's best friend. Ace was informed about his son's death, and that had gotten him furious. Since then he had kept a close watch on George, his younger son and had taken Ken for assistance. Although Ken was later able to trace Gretchen with his skills, and he'd found her, he didn't tell Ace though. He didn't think it was the right time.

But contacting her had been a problem. For days he was unable to reach her or get her new phone number. Fortunately for him he was a computer genius and had hacked into her phone, just to get her number, and that was how they were able to talk once more. With Gretchen sobbing and complaining about her irresponsible brother and the mafia and how much she wanted revenge, he decided to help. And their partnership was going on well, any information about George he delivered to her.

The thing she had failed to tell him was that she had a critical condition. She knew if anyone could find out what she was trying to do in her state, they would stop her and she didn't want that.

"You've found her?" Augusta asked.

"Yeah."

"Here's the phone." I received the phone and placed it where Elena wouldn't be able to reach it, in my pocket. She seemed a little too stubborn for her own good the moment she woke up this afternoon.

"What are you gonna do with her?" August motioned his head towards Elena, who just stared innocently at the both of us.

"I'm keeping her, of course."

"What about Damon?"

"He can come for her whenever he wants, but he sure as hell won't be able to take her away from me this time. She's no longer his wife. She's mine now." I said and I saw a flicker of pain in Augusta's eyes. She really had to get over me. I couldn't do anything to help her.

"I want you to watch Jason for me. Torture him if you need to, but don't kill him." I ordered and Augusta nodded. Elena was looking at me like I'd grown two heads. She didn't move even when I waved a hand at her eyes.

"Kill? Did you hold anyone hostage?" She questioned.

"I'd rather not answer that though." I said and she stared blankly at me.."What? Would you please let me focus?"

"You mentioned something about Damon not being able to get me again. Did he have me before?"

"I can't believe you still don't recall your past events."

"Who was Damon to me? Did I like him? Was he my husband?"

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .