Pope watched her from the sliding glass door, his body frozen but his mind whirling. She looked so happy, so content splashing around by herself in the pool. Her tiny bikini did little to hide her curves, but if she noticed she didn't care.

How did it even get to this? She was a friend of Deran's, one of his waitresses he employed. But she lingered around Smurf's house, lounging by the pool, playing video games with Craig, even helping J study for college tests.

But he liked her. really liked her.

Her soft voice, soft body, soft- everything. She was too innocent to be surrounded by these criminals, the worst of the worst in Oceanside. Pope couldn't tell if she knew of their criminal business. Sometimes she'd ask, and accept their half assed lies easily- too easily.

But for now he stood watching her, his hand- moving by itself to open the door, stepping out onto the pavement, moving closer to the pool.