The sun beat down on cinnamon shoulders as a sultry Latina lay sprawled across a number of cases in front of the fort. There were to many strong men in and out the place for her to truly bother carrying her own bags. In all honesty though despite the relaxed pose the green eyed young temptress adopted she was so nervous she felt almost sick. The closest thing she had to a father, the man who took a shine to a frightened and damaged runaway who joined her in cons right the way across Mexico and threatened to annihilate all who hurt her. The man who had done so much for her saved her from a life of horror and she'd let him down.

He'd gone to so much trouble this time it wasn't like the other two schools she'd been chucked out of although they'd all been all girl schools. This one was a boarding school's sent her to when things had gotten more dangerous around here. He was keeping her out of harms way but all the young brunette could think was he was putting her out of the way distancing himself taking away that one place she felt safe.

Oh she knew why he'd been prepared to kill when she'd been violated in Mexico tracked him to LA because he'd told her she'd be safe she'd always have a place with him the closest thing he had to a daughter he'd told her to the schools she'd been registered with she was introduced as his daughter so as not to alert the authorities to her existence and the fact she.d been runaway. He was her papa and she had let him down but really this wasn't her fault.

In her long grey vintage band t-shirt her cut off shorts and flip flops she looks like she should be at the beach. Her youth shining through long dark hair pulled into a pony her blemish free face free of makeup. She stuffs one foot against the ground this time it really wasn't her fault she got suspended but she was still nervous about Dom.s reaction in fact she was probably more nervous about this reaction than she had been that time she liberated a hot pink Toyota supra from the impound yard.

A shadow falls over her so lost in her musing she only notices it when the absence of heat on her neck chest and shoulders registers. A glance upward through thick long sooty lashes and a sheepish expression on her face

Eva:umm...surprise?

The question in her voice says she doesn't quite believe it either but hey it worked for the pink supra so you might as well go with a proven strategy

This was supposed to be on Eva's but it wouldn't let me log out of Nessa sorry

Dom was having a quiet day. Not in the sense of a calm day, it was just one of those days where nothing was said, and therefore nothing was answered. The majority of his day up to this point was spent inside on the kitchen table with a corona contemplating family, and those lost. Letty came to mind more than he would've liked. Sometimes he wondered why, even after all these years he spent in Lompoc, he had such a hard time letting past relationships take their course. Everyone had places to be, dreams to follow, and destinies to fill. It wasn't something he would always think about in his own time, but now he did, and he cherished what he had even more than before. All those years locked away can change a man. No longer did he take for granted the family that he had, and the family he has.

An unsteady knock at the door dragged Dom back to reality. Hardly anyone came to the fort these days by a door knock. Without much of a further thought, he pulled himself out of the chair and made his way to the front door, unlatching it and then swinging it open.

The sight of the girl at the door drew a sentimental expression from him. Eva, the one he considered as close to him as a daughter could be, was standing there. Maybe a little older than when he'd last seen her, but there she was no less.
"I'll say." Dom answered to the oh so familiar voice and then pulled her into a hug. Silently, he reprimanded himself for not visiting her at least once at the boarding school. He swore he'd make time for her the day she enrolled at the place. Speaking of the boarding school, it was class time, wasn't it?
"What brings you here?" He asked with a cheerful but inquisitive expression.

She allowed herself to be pressed against the firm muscled chest by the strong arms allowing a sense of home to wash over her breathing in the scent of sandalwood motor oil and corona. It was a scent that was distinctly Dom, it was papa, it was a sent that meant she was home.

She felt when he noticed the bags in his yard, felt him stiffen and the sigh, didn't need to look up to know he was shaking his head. SHe felt the exhaled sigh leave his chest but she didn't want to let him pull away. She'd missed her papa, besides boarding school was boring. No one raced not one of those little girls even knew how to change a tyre never mind strip an engine. Admittedly Eva had learnt how to do that in a less than reputable manner than her papa. He'd been helping his papa repair them she'd been stripping stolen cars down for parts for the money to eat.

She feels him pull away doesn't need to look into those liquid chocolate eyes (xray eyes as she always calls them, because he sees right through the bullshit) doesn't need to look to know he's demanding an explanation. tucking a strand of honeyed chocolate hair behind her ear where it's fallen free from her pony.

Eva: Please don't be mad Papa. it wasn't my fault.

And really it wasn't this time. The principal's daughter knew everyones little secrets so everyone was sweetness and light kissed her ass. Eva had never been one to kiss ass so within three days of her arriving she was friendless and ostrasized because lets face it according to rumours she was a raging nymphomaniac a whore who'd been pregnant at 15 didn't care who got into her as long as she got some didn't even have to be male apparently. She'd let all that go, she hadn't smacked them like she wanted too because she hadn't wanted to let her papa down.

Things were dangerous at home, she knew she'd been sent away to protect her, they didn't speak of it around her that much but she heard whisperings before she'd been packed off to the school. That had only heightened her worry. Something could take her papa away from her and she wouldn't know until it was to late to change things. This was her family as well, well aside from Brian, it wasn't fair but she'd probably never be as comfortable around Brian because he once held a badge and he'd wanted to call child services, wanted to tell her parents where she was even after being told by Dom that they'd whore her out if they ever found her. Pulling away slightly looking dejected she glances up through long dark lashes a small pout on her cherry red lips.

Eva: They didn't like me.

It was true they hadn't liked her, she was the one that wouldn't be cowed even as they ridiculed and slandered her she walked around as though unphased they didn't need to know she cried sometimes alone at night in her room, mainly when they said she'd been sent here because she was too much trouble to deal with. She knew it wasn't true Papa had explained he wanted the best education for her the best possible future for her despite her rough start. No the real reason she had been thrown out was all the little things they did that they blamed on her and who was going to stick up for the misfit, the loner the car junkie the whore. That's right no one, she was on her own and blamed for their stealing or anything else they could blame on her. This time though they'd stolen the keys to the principals car and crashed it into the lake.

Obviously it had to be Eva's fault despite the fact Eva had been in bed when it happened and when the principal had come storming up the stairs all her clothing was accounted for and none of it was wet from a trip into the lake. Although curiously her own daughter Imogen, oh her hair was plastered to her head. Apparently Eva was lucky she wasn't calling the police. They had no evidence and any investigation would show Eva had never been anywhere near the car. It was just Imogen's way of trying to get her kicked out.

It failed the review board said they didn't have enough evidence to support an exclusion. Imogen had been furious she'd ranted that Eva didn't belong that the street rat belonged in the gutter with her father and that's when they got their excuse to expel her. Because the instant she spoke ill of Dom the street smart latina had flew at the ivory tower gilded spoon little roach. A broken nose a broken cheek bone and a thoroughly smug Eva later she happily packed her bags.

Eva: She had no right to say things about you. And i didn't touch the thing, I have more taste than to steal a VW Bug

SHe'd named the car derisively because lets face it it really couldn't be described as a car It was with an almost petulant stamp of her foot arms now folded across her chest she heard the phone ring. She'd absconded two days ago and they were only just now thinking to call the man they had down on record as her father and next of kin? yeah some tight ship that was. She switched to italian a language they often used with eachother. In the beginning it was so they could talk in front of a mark in mexico who only spoke spanish and english.

Eva: Sólo quiero ser el papá de casa que no encajé allí ( I just want to be home papa, I didn't fit there)

She looked so small arms wrapped around her self almost unsure of her welcome. The phone continued to ring in the background but she really couldn't care less what the school had to say if in fact it was them on the phone. She just wanted to come home.

Something about her expression hinted to Dom that she wasn't here for a casual chat. There was something more deep in her than that, and she felt nervous. The joy of her presence was not reciprocated by her. A look beyond her and towards the view of several packed bags began explaining the story to Dom. She wasn't here for a visit.
"Responsibility is an important trait, you know that." He said. His voice wasn't so much as a scold, as more as it was a statement. Truth be known, she was her own women now. Her sense of responsibility was just that, her's, and Dom hoped he had steered her in the right line of thinking in her younger years. Of course, she still was a child, and to Dom, probably always would be his child.
Though her short explanation could be interperted differently by many, Dom knew almost exactly what she was talking about. He could almost predict her actions without even hearing about them. It was enough to reveal to him just how she managed to get herself kicked out. Was he pleased with her actions? No, but that didn't mean he didn't understand them. Eva reminded Dom a lot of himself back in the day in the sense of being such a feisty, aggressive personality. Inwardly, he knew where she truly belonged, but of course there wasn't a future to be proud of making your cash off the streets.
"And at home you are always welcome." Dom motioned for her to come inside as the phone started ringing. Half expecting the other end to be the school, he picked it up. Sure enough, it was. The administrator gave him an earful about Eva, she did this, she did that. On and on, finally getting to the instance that got her expelled. Dom kept a straight face as he listened. The lady on the other end clearly was intending on upsetting him, but there was so much passion and rage in her voice. It made him think that here was much more to the story than what she was offering...much more. It almost sounded personal, like there was a vendetta against Eva.
Eventually, the call was ceased and Dom turned to face the girl. "They really didn't like you." He said almost with a slight chuckle.

The young Latin lady nodded her head vigorously making her long dark hair bounce and flick around her face ocean green eyes wide and innocent to those who didn't know her properly. It was part of what made her such a good con artist the fact people rarely suspected the beautiful innocent girls were anything but that. Papa knew better though always seemed to see through her or any one else for that matter. God she'd hated it at that school. It had uniforms honest to God uniforms with pleated skirts button down shirts and tight fitting sweaters all that was missing was the fish net hold ups to be an xxx costume Dam it. Eva was constantly having the back of her leg slapped for her shorter than regulation skirt even though they let others walk around in shorter skirts.

Settling herself in on the sofa her long legs curled in on themselves she made herself comfortable. She wanted to reach up and beg him to sit so she could lay with her head in his lap as he played with her hair like she was a small child in need of comfort. She didn't though because she hadn't needed anyone before he took her home with him in Mexico. She'd tried to leave that first night so afraid that it wouldn't be real that he'd turn. It seemed he knew she'd try it and sat up waiting for her, told her to get her ass back to bed bed and when she'd hesitated he swung her up in a pair of arms that had previously been folded across his chest. Carrying her back to bed with a gentleness his powerful frame belied tucking her in like a small child and tracing soothing patterns across her forehead and scalp telling her about the people he'd left left behind.

Her favourite stories had been of the strong woman. The one who didn't take shit who was so strong in herself that she didn't need anyone but was also strong enough to let people in. Next to her Eva felt like a frightened little girl afraid to let people close because she'd only ever been hurt. No one ever cared but it seemed this man cared saw traces of those he'd left behind in the jaded street smart little runaway. It seemed he was determined to make her trust. Admittedly in the beginning there was a well hidden flinch when he looked angry like a dog waiting to be the victim of a bad mood. And when he'd tried to convince her to go home she'd tried to leave again. She didn't want to be that victim any more. She didn't want to be afraid to love someone, but God she was afraid of being hurt again. She didn't want to admit that the words of the girls at the school got to her the ones that said she'd been sent away because she was a problem.

Instead she smiled half sheepishly when he spoke wondering just which instances the school had told him about. She had an answer for most of them like how half the trophy cabinet had ended up in her room. I mean come on everyone with any sense knew they were plated and essentially worthless. As for the vw bug that explained itself no one with half a brain would steal a bug. Ok so she'd done a few things petty little things that she hadn't been caught for like putting sickly green hair dye in uniforms shampoo bottle everyone blamed chlorine for ruining her dyed blonde hair but Eva always smirked to herself. There was one incident she couldn't explain fully and that was how the entire football team of the neighbouring boys school ended up in her room.

Eva: you know it's rubbish right? They didn't like me that much that it took them over two days to let you know I wasn't there anymore.

What went unsaid was where she.d been for two days or why she hadn't come home straight away in truth she'd been contemplating running again afraid to find out the girls were right. Eva lived her life constantly waiting for the good things to end it had taken her those days to convince herself papa wasn't people and he wanted her. She was his little girl even if it was unconventional.

There was a hopeful questioning tone to her voice wide blue green eyes looked hopeful at the slight chuckle in his voice when he spoke.

Eva: I didn't have my own pony didn't know how to ride, didn't understand the rules of crochet and didn't have a double barreled old English surname. They had sticks so far up their asses they couldn't bend.

A pout settled on her lips and a frown on her face arms folded under her chest the next failing of the school was probably the most important to Eva. It was ridiculous absurd and archaic. Looking for all the world like a toddler about to throw a tantrum.

Eva: they had lessons in being the perfect house wife. They had me learning to iron pleats into men's trousers .... they can iron their own dam pants.

Dom remembered that day Eva enrolled there, he remembered the lingering thoughts he had of how she would fit in, or not fit in. The school shared little to no commonalities with her. Strict structures, dress code, and all girls. It reminded Dom a lot of a monastery, but at least a monastery was a lot more forgiving.
Admittedly, he questioned from day 1 just if that was the right place for her to be. It was a question that was being answered rather quickly. He had the best in mind for her, it was a place known to catapult the future of teenagers. But with prestige comes pride, and pride is a hard disease to cure in group of "upper class" students."

"Their problem with you is personal. They speak with anger, not with facts." Dom stated after a short pause. "You were never supposed to fit in with a community that holds their own prestige more important than the truth itself."

It was clear that this place had upset her to a new level. Even now she was getting emotional just talking about it. Dom's guess was that she was bullied. Maybe not in the typical steal-your-lunch-money way, but emotionally. One thing Dom did know about Eva is that she did not take personal and emotional attacks sitting down.

"The school said you've been gone several days, where have you been?" Dom asked open-ended.

A shrug that said a million things and nothing at all. A sigh that said she was ashamed of her thoughts. Ashamed that she doubted him, but she was so used to being disappointed. Absent mindlessly she played with a loose strand of hair chewing on her lower lip. He was right about one thing it had been personal, it had been her personal medical records that had been splashed around the school. Had been her personal character they attacked.

Eva: I wouldn't kiss the right ass. The ass that had access to my medical records.

She didn't.t have to tell him what she'd found there or the conclusions that had been drawn from it. She refused to cry, her eyes completely dry but her shoulders slumped slightly before she straightened up and brushed it off like the comments did nothing to her. Like she didn't still have nightmares about that day. The fighter in her wouldn't let her be a victim wouldn't let her admit she was hurt or needed comfort.

Where had she been? Half way to Vegas before she shook herself and told herself papa said she'd always have a place with him. She'd almost got to the front door twice before turning again spending the night in an empty repossessed house. She thought she saw someone she ran from in Mexico but dismissed it eventually as being overwrought sleep deprived and paranoid. But her answer to the question didn't say anything like that sweet and simple. Just a shrug that said nothing at all.

Eva: I was around, funny though took them days to notify my next of kin that I was missing.

She was avoiding the question avoiding admitting she was afraid she had disappointed him afraid he'd sent her there so he didn't have to deal with her afraid those girls were right. But most of all she was afraid she'd outsmarted her welcome. That she'd become a burden. So she'd scammed around 4k out of two men and was all for heading to Vegas.

Though he probably shouldn't be, he was almost proud of the girl for having the self-confidence to stand out and be who she was, even in an environment where she was frowned upon. Regardless of intent or even judgement, that showed she had strength in her identity. That in Dom's eyes was one of the most important traits a young person could have.
"Those who conform to other's are living a lie themselves. You stood up for who you are." Dom patted her shoulder as he walked past her towards the fridge for another corona.

Her answer to where she was these past couple days was pretty vague, and Dom took notice. She always knew the fort was her refuge. She had an open invitation always. That never changed, at least, it never was supposed to. Sure, it had been awhile, but did that diminish their relationship? No. Why Eva didn't come sooner wasn't so much the concern to Toretto, more so what she was doing for those few days out.
"Be honest Eva, what have you been up to lately? What's going through your head?" Dom took a few shots of the corona as he studied her.

Those pretty ocean green eyes refused to meet his. She knew she'd see concern in those fathomless dark orbs. Concern for her, concern that would make her feel so much worse for her doubt. Chewing her bottom lip casting her eyes anywhere but in his direction.

She exhaled slowly slender little hand going to the bag at her side. She opens it slowly hesitating for a brief second before removing the contents a driver's license with her picture under the name Angel Mendoza it stated she was 21 because her 16 year old ass really looked that old but whatever she needed to be legal in every sense of the word. Next out of the bag were a few stacks of cash some conned from unsuspecting men some won and some liberated from their previous owners around 9k in total round the corner was a beautiful charger the guy working at the impound lot had gifted a lost damsel in distress with in return for a date Saturday night. A date she.d never turn up for. The money was laid on the table the keys to the charger followed

Finally she lifted her head meeting his eyes with her own. The apology evident within her eyes just as much as her nervousness her fear and her desire to be loved. Her shoulders dropped and she hugged her her knees to her chest hiding behind them almost. She knew it was apparent she'd been thinking about running again.

Letting out a shuddering breath her eyes shining despite her refusal to cry. Her lip trembled and her breath was fighting to remain calm and even. Slowly haltingly she speaks.

Eva : they said I.d been sent there because I was a problem. I could deal with everything else they did or said anything they called me until they told me that I was being put there because you didn't want me any more.

without pausing for breath the pace of her speech is blistering now. She.s not sure how much he follows but she has to say it.

Eva: I came back though. And when I did I saw her. The woman who came for me with the men. The ones trying to take me back to Vasquez. If she's here who else is. Don't let them take me papa please. I promise I'll never do anything wrong again. I promise to behave please... please please papa please

Somewhere during that the tears had started to course down her cheeks unheeded and unnoticed even as they dripped from her chin. Trembling like a leaf at the very idea of the abuse she'd suffered at their hands. She still had nightmares about that night without seeing them around. She had been so so ready to run but then she reminded herself papa had promised nothing would hurt her here. That here was home.

Dom finally sat at the table across from her and put the corona off to the side. He watched with careful eyes as she brought the a bag up on the table. Her silence was enough to tell him that the contents of the bag did not have noble origins. Slowly and steadily, she pulled out several stacks of cash, followed by the keys that were evidently to a classic car. Dom wasn't one to judge on first sight, but this wasn't something he could take lightly.

"Do I want to know where these things came from?" His expression was a little grim as he thumbed through the cash. There was easily several thousand dollars there, not to mention the implied car that she somehow obtained.

He quirked a brow just so slightly when her tone changed and she spoke in more of a panicked manner. He had to wonder if people truly were after her, or if she was simply a little paranoid from the school. They had a lot of history to cover over the past time, that was for sure. Dom thought the money and the car could've had something to do from the people she was 'running' from. But really, who knew.

"There's a lot of ways to get yourself in a shithole out here. Think about that before you do something stupid."

She was trembling shaking crying and fighting for breath. Her hand sought one more thing inside the bag. Holding on to the cylindrical shape like it was a comfort blanket. It would have been disturbing if Eva thought about it. She didn't think about it though tried not to think about anything since seeing the dark haired woman. If she thought about the woman she'd think about the men. She couldn't go through that again. She hadn't given papa the details wouldn't have ever told him if she hadn't ended up pregnant.

She pulled her t shirt over her knees warding off the cold that seemed to seep into her bones. She felt broken worthless and unwanted. Her hand let go of the tequila flavoured comfort blanket acknowledging that it would do no good to get it confiscated. Instead her small hand darted out snatching up the nearly full bottle of corona bringing the bottle to her lips pulling a face as the first drain hits her tongue it's not the most pleasant of tastes but before she can analyse it more the bottle is snatched from her hand. The eyes surveying her look unamused as he swirls the Amber liquid in the bottle.

The red rimmed blue green eyes that look back at him hold a hint of challenge but that's mainly overshadowed by fear. Fear of those that hunt for her fear of being turned into her mother. But above all else fear that the man in front of her has tired of caring for such a broken little girl. It was so much easier when she was alone no one else's opinion mattered there was no one she could disappoint because there was no one who cared.

Eva: the car was a gift I have till Saturday until he reports it missing from the impound yard, right around the time I don't turn up for the date he thinks he's taking me on.

She had thought it through she'd have till Saturday to use the car to make as much money as possible either win or buy another car ditch that one and see how long she could last on the money she made.

Eva: I came home because you promised me once nothing could harm me here. That I'd be safe.

Her voice faltered over the next words eyes looking old pain filled. She slides the fake Id back into her bag.

Eva: I can't let them near me

Her voice a broken whisper her eyes remembering the pain humiliation fear and degradation as they took a photograph of the abused young girl as she lay to sore to move violated in a pool of her own blood and their fluids. She fought the urge to be sick as memories so vivid she could smell them assailed her. Her voice barely heard no more than a murdered whispering.

Eva: I wouldn't survive it a second time.

She's playing with her hair, a force of habit when she's nervous. Dejected shoulders slumped she's on her feet now beginning to put the money back into the bag.

Eva: I shouldn't bother you with this, I.m sorry I'll just...

She let's that sentence trail off taking her first steps toward the door keys in hand she has her back to him by the time she speaks the last words more to herself than to him.

Eva: they warned me I was sent to school because I wasn't wanted that I was an embarrassment.

God the minute she's alone that bottle of tequila will be gone and hopefully she can find oblivion at the bottom of it.

Dom quickly caught the corona as it met her lips, giving her a stern look as he took it back. He was a little surprised by her actions, and a little disappointed. "That's no way to ask for a beer." He made sure his point got across.

He saw one major thing that lacked in Eva. Maturity. Maybe she hadn't had the opportunity to really develop it, she's had about the roughest childhood you could come up with, but still it was something that she desperately needed to pick up. Something Dom needed to do a better job of implanting. Certainly, she had all the excuses in the world for the way she was, but the world doesn't accept excuses or circumstances.

Dom snapped his head back to her when she gave the explanation for the car keys. She said she'd do what??? He could only pray she wasn't messin' with the wrong people. "That ain't a gift, that's you conning something out of them." Dom told it like it was. He knew too much to know that 'deals' like those went south real fast. It was nothing for Eva to be mixed in with.

Obviously, the girl was hinting to something bad that must've happened recently. She kept mentioning these people, and running from them. Dom could tell she was far from ready to give it up, but he could almost piece the puzzle together as to what exactly she was talking about. She was in full breakdown mode, it's hard to ask questions when someone's in a breakdown, not to mention inappropriate.
And so when she suddenly packed her 'things' and made her way to the door, Dom didn't stop her directly, she needed time to think for herself and reset now that she had a landing pad. All Dom said after her was. "You'll always have a place here. You come back when you're ready to release what you need to."

Wiping red rimmed eyes on the sleeve of her t-shirt,she fights to calm her breathing. Slowly but surely she's getting herself under control. It's one thing to be vulnerable in front of him. It's another entirely for the world in general to know she has weaknesses. To be weak in front of him who has seen her at her lowest, held her through the nightmares. He chased away the monsters under the bed when she was jumping at shadows seeing their faces in every man that looked at her. The first and only protector she has ever known.

She looked at his back know as he swirled the Amber liquid in the bottle before taking a drink. Some people found his sheer size and musculature intimidating to her the safest place in the world was in those arms. She remembered being cradled in those arms that day as he tended to the defensive wounds on her hand and arms. Rocking her as she sobbed thinking it was the adrenaline leaving her and acknowledging what could have happened. Not knowing till months later that the tears were for the last piece of innocence she possessed. Even now he didn't know the extent to which she'd been violated. She couldn't tell him couldn't stand to see the disgust that he'd surely feel for her. Couldn't stand the idea he'd look at her differently.

Slowly she takes a few steps back to the table. Hearing that she has a place here causes hope to shine briefly in those sea green orbs. It's ruthlessly squashed though she needs to be stronger. The closest they ever came to taking her back was when they sent the beautiful dark haired dark eyed woman to retrieve her. She had only realised what was happening when she had seen the men by the car. She'd ran they'd gave Chase jeering after her about things they had done and others they wanted to do. All the while the other woman was silent no hint of emotion flickered across her face no word was spoken but still she gave Chase.

The traumatised teen wraps slender grounds around broad shoulders from behind. Her dark haired head coming to rest on his shoulder burying her face in and inhaling deeply memorizing his scent. It's got to feel like she believes she may never see him again. One large hand wraps round both wrists his head tilting till it comes to rest upon hers. Silently telling her he's there not restraining not demanding just simple reassurance. A small sad smile touches her lips never quite reaching her eyes. Delicate little foot scuffing the floor, almost desperate to stay. It's a whisper when she does speak almost equal parts fearful longing and exhaustion with an edge of despair to it.

Eva: the problem with running, is that when you stop its only so long until they catch up with you. She's the one that nearly caught me last time in Mexico now she's here

And there it was the final piece of the puzzle. It wasn't anything she had done recently. It was the fact that the people she was initially running from when they had first met seemed to have found her. Her next words almost sound like an apology, and they are somewhat she's yet to move her head craving every last second of contact not knowing if or when she might have the chance again.

Eva: your the closest thing I've ever had to a father. Your my family. There though papa that's my lompoc.

It's the nicest way she can put it without saying the words. She hopes he can understand knows that he gets the reference knows he knows she's telling him she'll die before she lets them take her back to her mother and the pimp. Die before she allows them to turn her into a toy for old men and before she becomes their punch bag again. She can't see his face but hopes she'd find understanding in those eyes she doesn't expect acceptance but she hopes against hope he can understand. A gentle kiss to his temple and she lets go with a whispered

Eva: I love you papa

A faint smile crossed his face as he saw her lighten up. In what was not much a surprise to him, she came over and twisted her arms around him, and he wrapped one arm around her frame and the other he placed on the back of her head. He'd never seen her this broken, and there were some hard times back in the day, but this seemed to go down to a new low for her. He wanted so much to be blunt and simply ask what dragged her down to this dark place she was in.

"And who's she? Do you know?" At least knowing who this person was would better prepare her for future conflicts, and give her the strength to fend her demons off. "What were you doing in Mexico?"

Her words were warming, even to him. Call it a false sense of fatherhood, but that's exactly what he felt. Not to mention how protective he felt of her. Without question, she was a large part of his family now, and always will be.

"I love you two, Eva."

she tried to burrow deeper into his embrace. almost as though she was trying to hide from the world. Mexico what was she doing there? Hiding, living as best a child on her own could. Which to put it bluntly was better than she would have lived in miami they had planned to put her to 'work' when she was 15. Since she was 5 she had been made to sit on the knees of old men made to kiss them goodnight before running to the lumpy mattress and threadbare blanket she called her bed.

Eva: running.

It was a simple answer but it was the truth she had thought about trying to get all the way to South America. She had thought all vasquez family would be cuban or Puerto rican she hadn't known about the Mexican half brother or she would never have stayed as long as she did. She admitted as much now to the man who knew more about her life than anyone. The only person she had really ever let close.

Eva: all I know about her is she works for his brother br...brogan.. no that doesn't sound right. God I can't even remember his name. She had black hair eyes almost as dark as yours she said her name was kat but I don't know if it was or not. Said she needed a hand changing a tyre. There were men waiting near the car.

For a moment she looked like she was lost in painful memories allowing his presence to soothe the fears. The next words are so hard for her to admit.

Eva: I'm scared I can't go back there I can't be like my mother.

Running...

Mexico was pretty low on Dom's list of places to run to or in. It added another element to what he was already trying to figure out. The more she talked though, the clearer the picture became. It was such a gruesome, nasty picture she was painting. Dom didn't want to even think that initially it could be something so awful as what she was hinting at. But, you couldn't run from reality. She'd been violated, repeatedly by the sound of it. It was the only thing that would explain such severe emotion from an otherwise strong girl. Dom could hardly even entertain the thought for more than a second. It filled him with rage.

"I'm so sorry." He said quietly, tightening his grip on her just a bit.

Long sooty lashes brushed against tear stained cheeks any occasional rasping breath caused her to tremble slightly against his hands. She is shocked when his grip on her tightens. So relieved that if she didn't think she'd used all her tears for the next few years she might be tempted to cry in relief. Her voice is tentative questioning and unsure. Almost as though she half suspects this to be to good to be true. She blames herself hates herself so how can he not? Then she hears him apologise sympathise but she shakes her head.

Eva: you don't hate me?

It's not something she understands, she was so terrified he'd cast her aside blame her hate her and yet all she hears are the words I'm so sorry they resound in her ears keep repeating in her mind she feels like a fraud accepting his sympathy.

Eva; if I had just ran quicker fought harder or not been so stupid.

Her tone making it apparent she has always blamed herself probably always would blame herself and couldn't understand how he didn't seem to blame her.

"Never." Dom reassured as he gave her hair a stroke and then released her from his arms. Had she been a little rough around the edges? Definitely, and he couldn't say he was proud of the numerous things she'd done. But everything you could accuse her of paled in significance of the wrong that had been done to her. No one, regardless of who they were or what they had done, ever deserved to be handled like a toy in such matter. It is such a barbaric act that Dom really didn't even understand how people could live in such a brash way.

"Wisdom is obtained through knowledge. You could spend all day living in the past, or you could learn from it and make better decisions going forward."

Feeling him pull away her oceanic eyes looked up her frame much calmer her breathing more even. Her face less pale than it had been and her eyes clearer. She looked less like a rabbit ready to bolt, the fire she normally has within her reignited by the simple fact papa doesn't hate her.

Her dark hair fallen loose for it's previous pony frames her face in places, giving her a young innocent air as she gazes up wonderingly. Even at 5'10 she looks so small next to him, maybe it's the sheer mass of him in comparison to her slender willowy frame. Taking his words to heart about living in the past she draws herself up trying to shake off the abject terror the thought of being a victim again brings. Finally however she shakes off the depression and desperation that threatened to overwhelm her just being with papa knowing he'll make things ok gives her the extra strength not to jump at shadows. It's with mischief in her eyes and a slight smile playing on her lips that she speaks

Eva: Does this mean I can't keep the car?.