Preparing the retaliation

-Oww, ghhh, fuck!!!- Your body convulses, back arching off the couch as your fingers plunge deeper, curling inside you, hitting that sweet spot that sends shockwaves of pleasure ripping through you. Your pussy clenches around your fingers, milking them as the third orgasm of the morning crashes over you, leaving you trembling and gasping for air. You collapse into the pillows, your chest heaving, your skin slick with sweat. For a moment, there's nothing but the sound of your ragged breathing and the faint, wet sound of your fingers sliding free.

Then, like a cold splash of water, the acknowledgment of what you just did washes you.

"Oh God, this is Trish's house. She's out there looking for my mom, and I... I just...".

You tried, you swear you did, you really tried to hold back. But when you woke up in your Cindy's body this morning, the need was unbearable. This body, her body, isn’t used to going an entire day without attention. And the memory of Tyler pounding into you from behind, his thick cock stretching you wide, Emily's hands roaming your body, her lips on your neck…

-N-No! Stop, just... stop, you stupid slut!- You hiss at yourself, slapping your thighs as if the sting could snap you out of it. At least you had the decency to keep your clothes nearby. You scramble off the couch, your legs still wobbly, and quickly pull on your panties, your shorts, your shirt. You're just buttoning up when the doorknob clicks.

-Trish!- You blurt out, startled. You thought she'd be gone until lunch, maybe even later.

-I wasn't, I mean, I was just, uh...- Your words trail off as you take in her expression: grave; tense; but then softening with relief as she sees you.

-Wait, what happened? Your clothes are... ruined.-.

-Oh Cindy, I'm so glad you're ok.- She breathes, stepping forward and pulling you into a tight hug. It's… strange. You're not used to an intimate touch like this that doesn't feel sexual. It's almost comforting, if not for the unease radiating off her.

-Yeah, sure, I-I'm fine.- You stammer, awkwardly patting her back. For a fleeting moment, you wonder if she was afraid you'd… well, you noticed there aren't any knives in her kitchen drawers, nor any other sharpened object. Not that you're entirely sure they could harm you, but still. Yet, this feels bigger than that.

-Has something happened?- You ask when she finally pulls away. Her face darkens again, and she hesitates, biting her lip. When she finally explains everything, her words hit you like a punch to the gut.

-Oh my God. Oh my God Trish, are you hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital?-.

-No, no, I'm fine believe me. But Cindy, you know this means only one thing.-.

Your breath catches. You close your eyes, grimacing as the weight of it settles over you.

-It's my fault. You're all in danger because-

-Cindy, stop!- She grabs your shoulders, shaking you gently but firmly, forcing you to look at her: -We already told you so, nothing of this is your fault! And we... I need you to remain focused. If Charity arrived up to me, we need to make sure the others are safe too. Will you help me?-.

You hesitate, your mind racing, but then you nod. You pull out your phone, your fingers trembling as you dial. Trish starts calling Tina. Should you call Kim? No, Tina's probably with her.

Your fingers automatically dial Emily's number.

-Emily! Are you ok?-.

You become pale at her answer.

-What??-.

---

-...calm down now, and tell me exactly what happened!-.

You freeze, your hand hovering over the doorknob as Tina's sharp voice cuts through the door.

Great. You can't say you weren't anticipating some other problem, but you'd kill for 5 minutes, just 5 minutes, of breath.

You exhale sharply, your form shifting seamlessly from Mom's to yours, Kim's. Tina is in the living room, and the person she's talking to, or more precisely discussing with, is one of 'your' (meaning Tom's) friends, Bella. They both turn at you in agitation.

-Kim! For fuck's sake, we have to do something!- Her face is flushed, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy. She's been crying, and recently. You'd know: Kimberly Harris built her social status on reading people, on knowing when to push and when to pull. And you, as Tom, might've only known Bella for a few months, but you've never seen her like this. She's shaken, raw, angry.

-Kim, Bella's mother was attacked while she was with Mrs. Anderson.- Tina explains to you, her jaw clenched.

-They beat her!- Bella interjects, her voice rising: -Tied her up, put a plastic bag over her face! She would've died if I hadn't...-.

You raise a hand, cutting her off. She doesn't need to finish. You get it. You place your other hand on the table, dropping what looks like a small iron marble. It rolls slightly before coming to a stop. Tina and Bella stare at it, their faces paling as they realize what it is. A bullet.

-I already know. We're under attack. All of us, this time. I'm fine.- You gesture to Tina, who's already halfway to you, her eyes wide with concern.

-Two thugs jumped me on my way back to the car.- You continue, rubbing the spot on your lower back where, just 30 minutes ago, a silencer had been pressed against your skin, cold hands muffling your mouth: -The good news is… well, turns out we can heal our kidneys too.-.

-Oh God...- Bella whispers, her anger momentarily eclipsed by horror. Then it flares again, hotter than before: -Kim we need to-

Tina's phone rings, interrupting her and making you curse under your breath, already foretasting what it's about. Tina hesitates, her eyes darting to you before she answers. The conversation is brief, and when she hangs up, her face is grim. Trish told her what happened to her, and also to Tyler and Emily. You rub your mouth, your mind racing.

-She's experimenting.-.

Tina frowns, but Bella's eyes widen in understanding.

-Acid, shooting, asphyxia... that sick bitch is trying what can harm us. Or even, kill us.- She voices out your exact thoughts. You glance at your phone, the screen lit up with missed calls and unread messages. It's all spiraling, and fast.

-But how is she doing this?- Tina asks, her voice tight.

-Trish's kid wasn't possessed or controlled. How is she convincing all those people to do these things?-.

You know why. Valerie told you, right after she joined your unconventional family. As for the answers you still miss, you've just found a way to get them.

-Come with me.- You say, turning toward the doo: -There's something you have to see.-.

Tina and Bella exchange a glance but follow without question. They trail you to your car, their steps quick and anxious. When you pop the trunk, they crowd behind you, their breath catching in unison.

-Holy shit.- Tina comments.

---

-Oh yes baby, yes cum inside of me!!!-.

You pause at the threshold of the hospital room, your breath catching in your throat. When the pink-haired doctor mentioned they were 'probably busy', you hadn't imagined… well, actually, you probably should have. Emily's voice breaks through the haze of your thoughts, her tone bright and surprised.

-Cindy! How sweet of you to come, but I told you there was no need!- Her smile is warm, but your gaze drifts past her (or rather, under her) to Tyler. He's propped up in the hospital bed, his hand swathed in bandages, looking sheepish but safe. His apologetic grin does little to ease the tension coiling in your chest.

-Well, uh, you told me Tyler was stabbed, so...- You mumble, your voice trailing off as Emily's eyes sparkle with adoration.

-Oh, he was so heroic! My strong, charming prince!- She spins around his dick, her lithe frame pressing against his as she cups his cheek and plants a kiss on his lips: -When that scoundrel tried to hurt me, he stepped in to protect his helpless girlfriend. Didn't you, babe?-.

-Anything for you, Emily.- Tyler murmurs, his voice soft but steady.

-I guess I panicked when I saw all that blood, but doctors say his palm will heal in a month or so.- Emily continues, her hips grinding against his groin, her movements deliberate, and you feel a flush creeping up your neck: -And in the meantime, I'll ease his pain, all day and night. Won't I, my proud hero?- she purrs, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper.

You watch, transfixed, as they kiss again, Emily's body moving rhythmically against Tyler's. Your pulse quickens, and you shift uncomfortably, torn between staying and fleeing. Emily breaks the kiss, turning to you with a mischievous glint in her eye.

-Oh, why don't you join us? Tyler couldn't stop thinking about you all yesterday, I'm sure he'll love if we do it again.-.

Your pussy twitches at the memory, heat pooling low in your belly. The pull between you and them is magnetic, and undeniable. But then your mind flashes to your sisters, to the chaos that has unfolded while you were masturbating safely and protected, and guilt crashes over you like a wave. You shake your head, forcing yourself to step back.

-Emily, Tyler, I... I have no words to tell you how sorry I am.- You say, your gaze dropping to the floor.

-I know what Kim says, but it's all happening because of what I did. If I had imagined anyone else would be in danger, I...-.

-Mm, yeah, I'm so angry that you couldn't predict the future.- Emily quips, her tone light but her eyes soft. She hops off the bed, landing gracefully on the floor. Her hand finds Tyler's cock, stroking him lazily as she looks at you with a mix of sympathy and regret.

-Actually, I'm the one who should apologize for last night. You needed me and I've left you out. I've been terrible.-.

-N-No, don't say that.- You mutter, shrugging your shoulders: -You were just trying to protect your family.-.

-And you were too, right? Protecting someone you loved.- Her words hit you like a kick to the stomach. Maria's face flashes in your mind, and your heart skips a beat.

-I... I guess we do really stupid things when we fall in love.- You say quietly, your voice trembling.

-You're right.- Emily agrees, her hand still working Tyler's length as he lets out a soft moan.

-Sometimes we hurt ourselves...- She glances at him, her touch never faltering: -And other times, we end up hurting other people. It's sad but... in a sense, I think it's also beautiful. It proves that your feelings aren't a shallow whim. Maybe selfishness isn’t completely a bad thing if it comes from love. Heh, we all know something about that, right?-.

You don't answer. You don't need to. Even after everything that has happened, you still remember from where this all story has started. Kim, Tina, Jessica, you loved them. You still do. And Cindy… your hand drifts to your chest, fingers brushing over the curve of your breast. Yes, you love her too, in a way no one could ever understand. You care for her. The thought of anything bad happening to her again makes your belly churn. It's the only thing that kept you from stepping off that building.

But it doesn't make sense, does it? You're her now. You hate yourself, and plus, you're locking her away, burying her deep in her own mind. It's something horrible, tantamount to killing her. It's a contradiction, a mess of emotions you can't untangle. Maybe that's what Emily's trying to say.

-What should I do now?- You meekly ask, seeing that the blonde girl has changed position from before.

Emily lifts her lips from Tyler's cock, watching as he spills over her hand. She brings her fingers to her mouth, sucking them clean with a satisfied hum before answering.

-You're a good person, Cindy. Just do what your heart tells you. And remember, you'll always have us to cover your back, even if things go south.- She smiles, then frowns playfully: -Oh, uh, if you meant now-now, well… babe?- she turns back to Tyler, her hand resuming its rhythm to revitalize him: -What do you say, mm?-.

-No, no, I have to go now.- You excuse yourself quickly. Honestly, you promised Trish you'd be out just for the time of a visit, and it's your excuse to leave them.

Emily's answer lingers in your thoughts, a fragile thread of hope you can cling to.

"My heart...".

"Maria...".

---

-Alright, so... we cut off his ear now?-.

You blink, momentarily thrown off by the question. Your gaze shifts from the man tied to the chair—a middle-aged Black guy, his face bruised (after you knocked him out in the parking lot) and his expression dazed—to your little sister, Tina, who immediately flushes with embarrassment.

-Y-You know, like... it doesn't matter.- She stutters, backtracking quickly.

-So, he's the guy who attacked you?- Bella cuts in, her arms crossed, her usual pout sharper than ever. You nod, your eyes narrowing as you study the man.

-Him, and a couple of other guys who ran away.- You step forward and rip the duct tape off his mouth, the sound sharp in the tense silence. Chadwick Startler, according to the ID you found on him, lets out a weak groan, his head lolling to the side. You snap your fingers in front of his face.

-Hey, eyes on me pal. Who are you working for?-.

-I...- He starts, then stops, his face twisting as if he's fighting some internal battle. The infection from your goo has him under your control, but old habits die hard. He's struggling to reconcile his loyalty to whoever hired him with the compulsion to answer you.

-Come on, no time for cognitive dissonance!- Bella snaps, her frustration boiling over: -Who told you to attack my mom? Tell us!-.

-It's the Big Man.- He eventually croaks, his voice hoarse.

-Who?- Tina and Bella ask in unison, their confusion mirrored in their expressions. You stay silent. This isn't the first time you've heard the name: Valerie mentioned him earlier, after you'd taken control of her body.

-The crime lord of the city.- You explain, your voice steady: -Aunt Val said his identity's a mystery, every lead she followed was a dead end. Except one. A company that officially deals with home economics services but has ties to several mafia leaders; every time, they left almost no trace.-.

The room goes quiet as the weight of your words sinks in. Tina and Bella exchange a glance, their faces pale.

-No one ever realized the truth, am I right, Mr. Startler?- You press, your voice hardening as you lean closer to him: -The Big Man isn't one person. It's two. Darius and Geneviève Gately.-.

Chadwick nods weakly, his resistance crumbling. You step back, letting the silence hang for a moment. Your two companions are reeling, their shock palpable.

-You can't be for real!- Your sister bursts out, her voice rising: -The mafia? So what, Charity now owns the mafia?-.

-How the hell did she know that it was them?- Bella demands, her voice shaking. She's a fast thinker: -If not even the police knew...-.

-Oh, fuck, the police!- Tina's eyes widen in horror: -She controls them too! She controls everything! She had two days, two days, and now you're telling me she cuts herself off, covering her mouth with her hand, her head shaking in disbelief.

-There's still a lot we're missing.- You admit, your tone grim.

-But this appears to be the truth.-.

Bella stares at you, her face a mixture of anger and despair. Then, without warning, she explodes.

-What do we do now, huh? You told us to trust you! My mother, my mother, she almost died!- Her voice cracks, her fury catching you off guard: -And I wasn't there to protect her because you sent me to the other part of the city! And for what? Make us a target for criminals and cops alike? Do you even have a plan?!-.

Tina steps in, trying to calm her down, but Bella shakes her off and storms out of the house.

-Let her be.- You say, stopping Tina from following. You rub your temples, the stress of the situation pressing down on you. Your phone hasn't stopped buzzing throughout the entire conversation, and now you've got to deal with your prisoner too.

But there's a silver lining. While Bella didn't give you a chance to respond, you'd already anticipated something like this. You've got a countermeasure in place.

---

Your daughter sits perched on your legs, her smile radiant, almost blinding. Your fingers trace the contours of her face, still marveling at the fact that the weight of a 14-year lie has been lifted in a single, unplanned moment. You hadn't intended to possess her, though you can't deny the thought had crossed your mind in the few minutes you'd been Alex. But fate, or bad timing, had other plans. Rhiannon—Rhiannon Marine, as your parents had insisted—had stumbled into your office, mistaking the sounds of your and Agatha's passion for trouble. And you had to act.

But at least now... now you can finally do what you wanted to since she was born. And also what you've wanted since you detached from Agatha Bernstein and replaced Alexandra Josephine Morgan in her own body.

Your lips meet hers in a series of soft, lingering kisses, each one deepening the connection between you. Rhiannon pulls back with a light chuckle, her cheeks flushed.

-I still can't believe that you're my mom.- She says, her voice tinged with wonder. You grimace, the same way the old Alexandra would have, a habit you've carried over seamlessly.

-I'm sorry you had to find out like this, Rhee. You have to believe me, your grandparents and I just wanted to protect you.-.

-I know, remember?- She taps her forehead, a playful gesture that hints at the memories she inherited when the other half of you merged with her. You feel a flicker of embarrassment at how much she now knows about you, but it’s overshadowed by relief. She knows you’ve never been ashamed of her, that even though you regret the choices that led to your teenage pregnancy, you'd make them again and again because they gave you the greatest joy of your life.

-I'm not angry with you, Alex. In fact, I've always felt like you were something more than just my older sister...-.

You freeze, sensing something dreamy, almost wistful, in her voice.

-What do you mean?-.

Rhiannon blushes, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her scarf: -I think that... well, that Rhee had a crush on you. She's pansexual, you know.-.

The revelation hits you like a bolt of lightning, and you gasp, your hand flying to your chest.

-But that's... awesome!- You breathe, your fingers sliding down to brush against the modest swell of her chest: -Now I can have you the way I've always wanted... and you can do the same.-.

-I think Alex and Rhee would be happy too.- She murmurs, her voice soft but sure. You give her a playful slap on the butt, and she yelps in surprise.

-You've been quite naughty, saying it out loud like that for Ms. Bernstein to hear.- You mock-scold, though your tone is light.

-You knew exactly how she'd react.-.

-Sooooorryyyy...- She teases, leaning in to press another kiss to your lips. The affection in the gesture makes your heart swell. You can't get angry at her, not even in pretense.

-Things don't need to change. I mean, of course I know they will.- Rhiannon giggles, her amusement evident: -But I've been your big sister for 14 years. I can still be that, if you prefer.-.

She smiles, her eyes glistening with emotion, and pulls you into a tight hug.

-My mom, my sister and my lover. It's like a dream coming true.-.

The door creaks open, but you don’t bother to disentangle yourself. After all, you already know who it is.

-Have you finished, Agent MacDoursley?- You ask, your tone professional but laced with a hint of amusement. The brunette woman in the tailored pantsuit steps inside, her hair pulled into a sleek donut bun. It was pure luck that her appointment followed Agatha's, leading her straight into your trap, since she has been your target since Kim assigned Alexandra to Agatha last night.

-Yes, Madame Mayor.- Sharon MacDoursley, governative agent, replies, her voice crisp and efficient: -As we supposed together, my superiors were deeply alarmed by the warning of criminal infiltration in the city police.-.

Reinforcements are coming so. Mostly female, of course.

-Of course.- You reply smoothly: -Thank you, Agent.-.

-Please, call me Sharon.- She says, her smile turning warm as her gaze shifts between you and Rhiannon.

-After all, I think today we've become much more... connected.-.