Stefan’s hand shot out fast and he caught Jamal’s wrist before he could dial.

"Wait."

Jamal paused, and his brows pulled together as he looked at Stefan. "What am I waiting for?" he asked slowly.

Stefan let go of his wrist and took a step back. "We can’t tell anyone," he said. "Not yet."

Jamal blinked in disbelief. "I beg your pardon?"

Genevieve’s breath caught as she looked from one man to the other.

"Everyone thinks she’s dead," Stefan said quietly. "That’s the only reason she’s safe right now."

Jamal stared at him. Then his eyes moved to Genevieve. Then back again. "And Dawn is just anyone? Telling Dawn and Tom will compromise her safety?" He asked in disbelief.

"It’s nothing personal," Stefan said quietly.

"Are you being serious?" Jamal asked, unable to hide his annoyance. "Do you have any idea how worried they all are?"

"I understand that. But it will be safer if we take her back to Ludus and there they can see her and know she is safe once and for all. I’m sure they will understand."

Silence filled the room.

Genevieve cleared her throat. "I don’t think it will hurt to let Dawn know I’m fine and then she can relay the news to others and ask them to keep it a secret."

"I won’t take that risk," Stefan said.

Jamal stared at Stefan wordlessly.

"If you were in my shoes you’d do the same," Stefan said defensively, seeing that Jamal wasn’t pleased with his decision.

"No! If I were in your shoes I’d let everyone else know the situation because I TRUST them enough not to think telling them would compromise her safety. And together we’d all figure out a way to ensure her safety," Jamal said, enunciating the word trust.

Stefan didn’t answer right away. He knew that was exactly what Jamal would have done. He’d told the rest of the family the truth the moment he found out Dawn’s true identity.

But he wasn’t Jamal.

Jamal was family. He was related both to the Hanks and to the Jonas by blood. Dawn was also related to them and so it was easy for Jamal to trust them.

But he wasn’t related to them that way and neither was Genevieve. As a matter of fact Genevieve didn’t have a pristine record with them. So he didn’t think the family owed him or Genevieve any favors.

"I still don’t think it’s a good idea. I could have lost her..."

"WE could have lost her!" Jamal snapped at him. "What makes you think you’re the only one who cares about her? Yes, you love her, and I totally get that. But telling me that Dawn should keep believing Genevieve is dead and mourning for days is not acceptable! If I wasn’t here with you, is this how you’d have handled it? You’d have left everyone in the dark? Dawn was so upset yet she was worried about you enough to ask me to go be with you, yet you don’t care about her. What exactly do you think you’d be able to do for m Genevieve right now without the help of everyone else?"

"She is safe right now only because I took precautions myself!" Stefan fired back. "I can protect her and I will!"

"Can you both please STOP!" Genevieve yelled before Jamal could respond, covering her ears with both hands. "Just stop!"

Both of them turned to look at her.

"Jamal, you can call Dawn," Genevieve said, and Stefan shook his head.

"No, Viv..."

"Stefan, I know you’re trying to protect me, but Dawn is smart enough to understand the situation and know that she can’t tell anyone else that I’m alive. It won’t be okay to let her continue to believe I’m dead and leave her in emotional distress," she said, and when she saw how displeased he looked, she placed her hands on his shoulder, "Please."

Seeing how hesitant Stefan was, Jamal shook his head, "Have it your way." He turned around to leave.

"Jamal, please don’t go," Genevieve pleaded.

Jamal paused. "I’m clearly not needed here. Stefan has it all figured out. I came to offer emotional support and since you’re fine, my job here is over. I’d let him figure out the rest, while I go back home to console Dawn and wait until your savior here is ready to tell everyone that you’re alive," Jamal said, and walked away before Stefan or Genevieve could say anything else.

The door shut behind him. He didn’t bang it, but the silence he left behind echoed in the room.

Genevieve turned slowly to look at Stefan. "He’s upset."

Stefan stood still, his jaw tight, and both hands were clenched at his sides. "He will be fine."

"Stefan..." she called softly. "I don’t like this. I don’t want this."

He didn’t answer immediately. He ran a hand through his hair and turned away from her.

He walked a few steps, then stopped and turned back to her. "I’m trying to keep you alive," he said in a low voice.

Genevieve swallowed. "I know."

He shook his head. "No, you don’t," he said, meeting her eyes. "You don’t understand. If anything happens to you..." he stopped.

His throat moved and he looked away again. "I can’t lose you. I can’t afford to."

Genevieve’s eyes softened. She took a step toward him. "You won’t lose me. No one is asking you to risk me," she said gently. "But I’m asking you not to hurt people who care about me. It’s only right that Jamal tells Dawn the truth. If you were in his shoes would you want me to remain in the dark mourning alone while you’re thousands of miles away from me?"

Stefan let out a quiet breath and his shoulders dropped just a little.

"Why do you doubt Dawn and the Hanks?" She asked softly. "Why do you think my safety would be compromised if they know I’m alive?"

He didn’t respond immediately. "It’s not that I doubt them."

"Then what is it?" She pressed gently.

"This is about you. It isn’t about them. Unlike Jamal I don’t believe in involving everyone in my business. We can handle this ourselves and let them know you’re fine when it is safe. They don’t owe us both anything."

Genevieve nodded slowly. "I see."

Stefan frowned at the mild amusement in her tone. "What do you see?"

"It’s about you thinking you’re not part of the family..."

"That’s not what I said," he said defensively.

"Maybe not what you said, but that’s what I heard." she continued softly. "Do you think Jamal would leave Dawn and come all this way with you if they all didn’t genuinely care about you? About us?"

Stefan didn’t respond, but he listened.

"I don’t mind them being involved in my business if they want to be. I actually appreciate it," she confessed.

Stefan frowned. "Why?"

She shrugged. "I always wanted my Dad to be involved in my business but he never cared enough. And my mom never cared enough unless it was beneficial to her. The only people that ever wanted to be involved in my business before you came into my life was the Hanks. And that was when they believed I was Dawn. If despite all that has happened they care enough to want to still want to be involved, then please let’s involve them. And Dawn... she’s my sister. I do not want her to hurt for even one more second believing I’m dead."

That made something flicker across his face.

"Stefan, it won’t be easy for us to get out of this alone. We need all the help we can get. And I’d hate for Jamal to leave this way."

Genevieve stepped closer and reached for his hand. She held it.

"We don’t have to do this alone when we have people who can help," she said softly. "Family is not always blood related. And Jamal is your family whether or not you believe it."

Before Stefan could respond, a knock sounded on the door.

Genevieve flinched and Stefan’s brows pulled together as they both turned.

Stefan moved toward the door slowly while Genevieve stepped away from view of the door so that whoever was there wouldn’t see her.

Stefan opened the door to see Jamal standing there.

Though Jamal’s expression was calmer now but his eyes were still hard. Without a word he brushed past Stefan and walked inside the suite.

Stefan shut the door behind him and faced Jamal.

"Although I think you’re being unreasonable, I’m not leaving," Jamal said simply. "And you’re not the reason I’m not leaving. I’m not leaving because of Genevieve. And because I know Dawn and the others wouldn’t want me to leave you both alone until Genevieve is safe."

On hearing Jamal’s voice Genevieve stepped back into view while Stefan held Jamal’s gaze.

"I didn’t mean to offend you," Stefan said after a moment. His voice was quieter now.

Jamal shook his head. "It’s not about offending me. I understand that you’re worried about Genevieve. Anyone would be in your shoes."

Jamal glanced at Genevieve then back at Stefan. "We’re all on edge," he said.

Stefan rubbed the back of his neck. "We can tell Dawn and the rest of the family."

"That wasn’t supposed to be up for debate from the start," Jamal said dryly.

Stefan gave him a dirty look that made Genevieve smile.

"Let’s talk to Tom first. We can all come up with a plan to get out of here unnoticed," Jamal said.

Stefan nodded. "Go on."

"Me? No. Not me. You’re making the call yourself. Give him a call and bring him up to speed while Genny and I talk to Dawn," Jamal said.

Stefan scratched the back of his head. "I’d rather call Uncle Harry."

Jamal shrugged. "Your choice. There is really no difference between them anyway. Call whoever you want, but make the call."