Chapter 557: Life for a Life

Mina listened to Dom, but her mind was still reeling, and she felt as though she were living in a dream world. At least with Ren, she knew what he wanted, even though it could never happen, she could never become Sadie or bring her back, but with President Lee, Mina was at a loss.

"Can I help you into bed?" Mina shook her head.

"Can I sit for a little while?" I don't want to sleep yet." Dom nodded and helped Mina onto the sofa.

"It's still early, you haven't eaten lunch or dinner, do you want someone to bring something for you?" Mina found her eyes shutting tightly. She was trying to remove the impression she had of her stay in President Lee's mansion, but it was difficult.

"I think I want to lay down now." Dom took his cue and lifted Mina into bed. He and Rebecca left the room, wanting to give Mina the time and space she needed.

The pair walked a short distance to their boss's study, but Dom gestured for Rebecca to stop. The obvious sounds of a physical conflict were coming from the room and whoever was fighting was trying to keep the noise they were making to a minimum.

Dom peeked into the study, shocked to see the two men he had grown to know as best friends throwing jabs at one another. They were not really fighting, and Dom could tell this from the lack of blood. President Lee and CEO Zane were just angry and were obviously taking it out on each other. Dom had also felt that way many nights, especially while he was investigating Miss Lisa.

"Sirs?" Dom said as a question and both men halted, trying to make it look like they were not doing anything, which was obviously useless. Dom chose to ignore it, state his piece, and leave. "Mina is in bed, but I think she needs a friend who isn't me." True to his plan, Dom left with Rebecca. Normally he would wait to be dismissed, but nothing was normal anymore and he would rather deal with the consequences later.

----

When Willow arrived at the Lee mansion, she first noted that there were two extra gates that led to the estate. Her mind was telling her that it was put in place to prevent Mina from escaping, and she half wondered if her attempts to reach her contact had been noticed.

Willow was greeted in the lobby by the young woman who Mina called a ghost. She did not look happy as she wordlessly took Willow upstairs and into President Lee's home office. The man looked like he had gotten into a scuffle, with large bruises on his cheeks and chin.

The man explained the situation, and Willow agreed to stay without hesitation. When she entered Mina's room, she found the woman laying above the covers, with her back facing the door. Tears brimmed Willow's eyes and she climbed into Mina's bed and wrapped her arms around her friend.

Willow had seen Mina shut down in that way before; it was the day she received notice that her scholarship would no longer cover her room and board. Back then, Mina believed she had failed and what pulled her through was the reminder that she had people who loved her and cared about her.

"Everyone is worried about you." Mina shifted uncomfortably, but Willow did not release her. "Ash got caught by the President." Mina jerked her face toward Willow, who flashed a grin that earned her a shove.

"That isn't funny," Mina whispered.

"No, it is not, but the fear you felt for Ashlyn, is the same fear we all feel for you." Willow stroked Mina's cheek. "You aren't alone in this Mina. Please stop trying to take it all on by yourself."

"I just don't know what's real anymore."

----

Mills stumbled into a utility alley; Melony had broken up with her, Mina was still recovering in the Lee mansion, and she was once again alone. She had been drinking to pass the time, and today was one of the days that getting drunk did not help. She used her code to open the door of a storage garage and flipped on the lights.

"Good evening," she called out to Lydia, who had been tied to a furnace in the room for days. Mills had been meaning to visit, but she had to be careful so that Drax would not find out. She had become secretive and overprotective, just like him and that was why Melony had left her. "I bet you are wondering why you are here." Mills said with a slur. Lydia was gagged so she could not respond.

Mills threatened the woman, telling her that if she screamed, she would turn the heating unit on. Lydia nodded, because she had already felt the burn from the furnace, and she did not want to feel it again.

With the gag removed, Mills fed Lydia water, then shoved a shortbread cookie in her mouth. She and her brother had lived off those cookies once upon a time, so she knew they would sustain Lydia for a while. She would not be full, and she would be hungry, but her body would not shut down.

"What do you want?" Lydia sobbed and Mills tsked while shaking her head.

"Please don't do that. Trying to make yourself seem innocent will only prolong your suffering." Lydia stiffened.

"What did I do wrong?" Mills stood up abruptly and poured a bottle of liquor on the woman.

"I warned you," she said as she pulled her chair back a few feet. Mills pulled out a box of matches and lit one, causing Lydia's eyes to flash wide. "Let's play a game," she said as she threw the match toward Lydia. "You won that round." Mills said while sucking her teeth. She shook the box of matches. "Only ninety-nine rounds to go." Lydia shuddered.

"Please. Have mercy. I am begging you." Mills chuckled before stopping abruptly.

"Did you have any mercy or compassion when you sent those men to attack me?" Lydia sobbed loudly because she ignorantly believed she had gotten away with it clean. All the men had been killed and they had no ties to her, she made sure of it. "The thing about hiring amateurs, is that they can't keep their mouth shut, but don't worry; the Statons' don't know."

"I was angry. I can make it right. My family has money. We can pay you." Mills laughed coldly.

"Pay me?" Mills asked incredulously. "How much do you think a life is worth?" Lydia looked confused so Mills enlightened her. "Your little friends caught me off guard. One blow to the stomach was all it took to take my baby away from me."

"I swear I didn't know. They were just supposed to scare you away from Drax by threatening you and your brother, nothing more."

"You obviously don't know me if you think that would have worked." Mills lit another match and threw it. "Damn, you win again."

"Please," Lydia begged. "I never meant to kill anyone."

"Oh really? So, your brother is working alone?" Lydia's face paled. She knew her brother had sent men to kill Mills before she came to Pan, but the woman survived. If her brother had not put out the order through a Sani politician, they would have been caught by Drax long ago, but apparently Mills was more resourceful than they originally thought.

"I had nothing to do with that. My brother invested a lot of money into the Staton family because Drax told me he was going to marry me. Yes, I sent the men to beat you and that girl, but I only did that to keep you away from him."

"The funny thing is that I believe you, but what your actions cost me, cannot be replaced with money."

"What are you suggesting?" Lydia asked with absolute terror in her tone.

"A life for a life. Don't worry, I don't want yours; I want your brothers' and you are going to help me take it."