The wind blew the braids in my hair back in an assortment of directions. It was always a calming effect for me but it didn't work this time. My mind was in turmoil as I went over the story those three guys had told me. Could it be true? Could I really be an Indian prince? How would this affect my life with Connie if it were true? What about the rest of my family? What would happen to them? All these questions ran continuously in mind as Connie and I drove down the highway. "Where are we going," Connie yelled. She hadn't spoken since we left the lake. I think she felt I needed to think. She was so considerate of everyone's feelings. I would have to do something special for her. I turned down the radio, which I had playing at full volume. That was partly the reason Connie had to yell. The other part was that I had the convertible top down and unless you yell, you can't be sure the other person heard you. I glanced at Connie before I answered. She looked a lot more tired than was normal. "We are going to see the one person who can answer my questions," I replied to her question. Connie looked confused. "Who's that," she asked. "The county clerk?" "Nope," I grinned. "My mom. She should be able to tell us if those guys are for real or not." Out of reflex, I looked in the rear-view mirror and saw a black car following close behind us. "Why is that guy waving at us?" Connie asked. She had turned around in the seat and was looking for a soda when she noticed the man in the car behind us. "Does he know you?" Upon closer inspection, I saw Jared in the driver's seat and Xaviar in the passenger's seat. Jared was still waving as his eyes made contact with me. Xaviar stopped when he noticed that I saw him. I did not wave back to Jared, but I did motion him to pull over. As I pulled onto the shoulder of the road, I grabbed the knife I kept under the driver's seat in a small slot in the cushion. Connie noticed my action and her eye's shot open with surprise. I told her to sit still and be quiet. As I opened the door, Connie tugged on my arm. I looked over at her and saw that she was scared. "Don't worry," I assured her. "I won't do anything. It's just for protection." Connie nodded but she still held onto my arm. "It's alright, love. I'll be fine." Then I gently pried her hands off my arm, put the knife in the front pocket of my jean-shorts, and stepped out of my car. Jared was waiting for me and he seemed to have a pleased expression on his face. He walked towards me and, like he had done at the lake, gave me a hug. "My prince," he began, "I should have told you everything back at the lake. I just didn't know if you would believe me or not." He put me down afterwards and I tried to regain my breath. Just at that moment, I heard Connie scream. I looked back at my car and saw Xaviar trying to drag Connie over the top of the passenger-side door. Xaviar had an angry look on his face and was screaming something in a language I didn't know. I started to run for him, but Jared reached him first. With one loud smack, Xaviar hit the ground. Hard. While I tended to Connie, Jared and Jamar put Xaviar in the backseat of their car. I could hear Jamar muttering something to Jared, but couldn't make out the words. Whatever he was saying, I could tell that Jared was in full agreement by the way he kept nodding his head. I put Connie back into the passenger seat and gave her a drink of water. Then I walked back to Jared's car to talk with him again. "What was that hijo-de-puta trying to do with my girl?" I demanded. I was pissed off and not trying to hide. When Xaviar was dragging Connie out of my car, it brought back violent memories of the way Connie looked after she was raped. I wanted to kill him right there, but Jared had put a halt to that plan. "I'm sorry, my prince," Jared apologized and got down on one knee. He immediately rose as I tried to dodge around him to get to Xaviar. "Please, calm down. He did not know what he was doing." Jared had to struggle a little to hold me back. He was well over six feet tall and I am only five-eleven but my anger gave me extra strength. I was still trying to get past him when Jamar spoke to me for the first time. "Cousin, please calm down. He was out of his mind. Xaviar has always had a wild streak, but he has never done anything like this before." Jamar seemed perfectly calm and this helped to calm me down. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I looked back at Connie and it looked like she fell asleep. I'm going to have a tough time reassuring her tonight. A question popped up in my mind just then. "What was Xaviar yelling before?" I asked. Neither Jared nor Jamar would look at me. They seemed embarrassed by the question. This did not make me feel any better. I knew Connie would want to know eventually and I wanted to have an answer for her. Then it hit me. I might not like the answer they were going to tell me. Still, I had to find out what he said. Jared looked at Jamar who just shook his head no. "I don't think that is wise. The response might upset you. I think that it is best for you to take your girlfriend to your home and put her to bed." He started to turn away but I grabbed his shoulder. "Please," I begged. I don't like begging but I had to know. "I have to know, Jared. I promise you I won't go after him again. Just tell me what he said." Jamar was shaking his head like crazy, but Jared appeared to be thinking about it. Finally, he heaved a big sigh and shot an apologetic look at Jamar. "My prince, if I tell you what he said, you must promise that you will ask me no more questions about anything until your next birthday." He looked at mean and I could tell he was serious. I nodded my agreement and he continued. "Xaviar said that he is tired of living in his brother's shadow and he will take all that he possesses, starting with this girl." I swallowed; the realization that Xaviar hated me and wanted everything I owned hit me hard. I never had anyone hate me that much before. As per the deal with Jared, I walked back to my car and drove off.
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