Chapter 16 (Benjamin's POV)"What do you mean she is gone, Benjamin?! She did not leave for no reason, so speak what did you do before I beat the truth out of you!" As I was sitting here, listening to my best friend yelling at me because his sister left without any explanation, I realized sometimes this familial bond was not good to get in between.I could understand his desperation to find out what was going on and why she left so suddenly, but I also knew had no answer and wanted them as badly as he did. He could beat me for all I c Asa red but I could not answer him and besides my pain was at the moment much worse than any body inflicted pain could ever hurt.Anabelle was standing right next to Seth and was pulling his arm to keep him somehow in control, "Seth! Listen to yourself! This is your best friend! Don't you think he would tell you already if he knew something? Look at him for fucks sake! The man is one word away from crying! Does that look like a man who hurt your sister?"
Chapter 17 (Anastasia's POV)If someone said just a few days ago that I would end up in my childhood home I would simply laugh at them. But today this unthinkable scenario was my reality and I was sitting on a couch in the living room which was covered with a white cloth like every other piece of furniture in this haunted place.All I wanted was to run as far away from this place as I could because it brought back so many bad memories, but right now hiding here was my best option. Because no one in their right mind would think I would run here. Memories were hidden in every wall and every board on the floor. So many of those boards had my blood on them and even more tears and sweat. When my mother was still alive I was allowed to be just a little girl with a perfect family, but after her death, everything went to hell. I became a slave in my own home and I was not allowed to speak if not asked, screaming was also not allowed in our household. No matter the amount of pain you were in,
Chapter 18 (Benjamin's POV)Often you hear words like, it will all work out in the end. Well, since today I promise to believe it next time I hear it. After all, I did get my girl back into my arms where she belonged even though some things still felt completely unrealistic to me. Like the fact that she was pregnant! I was going to be a father! I would probably need quite some time to wrap my head around this new fact. Why she would hide something like that from me was a mystery though. But Seth did warn me that it was most likely something from the past or someone coming to haunt her again and that I should be prepared, but all that did not prepare me for the news I received instead. I was definitely ready to defend Anastasia and beat up anyone that so much as looked at her at the wrong time and wrong place. But she did answer at least halfway. There has been something said about a threatening more she received, I had no idea about the content of it but if it scared my sunshine it mu
Chapter 19 (Anastasia's POV)At first, I was adamant about not going with Benjamin and Seth anywhere because I wanted to keep my family safe and if that meant I would have to be away from Benjamin I would do so gladly.But it looks like I underestimated Benjamin and his stubbornness. And to be honest I kind of felt relieved when he presented me with his two options because I did not have to make another difficult choice. I was still not too enthusiastic about going back to the ranch with them and putting everyone in danger but anyway it looked like there was no better choice. And I would feel safer with my brother and Benjamin by my side and that was the discussion right now in the car if Seth and Anabelle would be staying on the ranch or at the property next to it. One side was for them to be on the ranch in the same house and the other side wanted them to stay at a distant location. Now I know what you must be thinking. That Seth wanted to be as close to me as possible while Benjami
Chapter 20 (Benjamin's POV)What in the ever-loving fuck is going on?We just arrived back at my parent's ranch and stepped out of the car when suddenly shots could be heard from somewhere behind us. Of course, my first thought was that I need to get Anastasia and the baby to safety, but in the pitch-black night and only stars shining above us, I had no idea where the shots came from and which way was safe. Where was my father when you needed him? Just as the thought entered my mind the front door burst opened and there stood the man I was just cursing silently in my mind holding his beloved shotgun. As he stepped on the front porch the light above him turned on and I could finally see things around us, but still I could only see two silhouettes from where we were crouching behind the car. I had to get us closer to the house, but first something else, "Dad! Tell mom to call the cops! Now! And get your ass inside the house, just make sure the light stays turned on!" But you see, I sho
Chapter 21 (Anastasia's POV)If I said I knew what was going on around me, I would be lying. Because I had no fuckung idea.When we arrived at the police station they showed me to a seat, not into a prison cell which was kind of a relief honestly but it did not help my numbness. I was completely and utterly detached from my surroundings. And I did not even want to see or hear anything. I wanted to be left alone so I could process everything. The fact that I killed someone intentionally hit me pretty hard. And to top it off I did not kill one but two human beings. At this point, I could say with confidence that I really was a monster. A murderer. And I was disgusted with myself. But it looked like I would not be getting any more time to myself because in the next moment a police officer approached me with a cup of something hot in his hands, "I brought you tea. It will calm you a little and stop your body from shivering." Only when he said it did I realize I was indeed shivering. Even
Chapter 22 (Benjamin's POV)Hours have passed already and still, we had no idea when Anastasia was coming home or if she was even coming home, or if they would keep her at the police station, after all, it would not be the first time that police officers would use tactics of lying to convince someone to follow them willingly. But I had to stay positive, and I guess my struggle was showing clearly on my face because suddenly I could feel a hand clamp down on my shoulder and when I looked over it I found Seth standing behind me, giving me an encouraging smile, "Do not worry Benji. She will be alright. I promise. You know many bad things she survived with small scars to her body and soul and hopefully this time it would be the same." All I could do was hope he was right. I needed her to be strong for herself, for the baby, and for me as well. Just the thought of my sunshine being scared, or in any way carrying around the guilt for what happened tonight was tearing me apart. I was just
Chapter 23 (Anastasia's POV)I was relaxed for the first time since the shooting happened a few hours ago. Wait. Was it really just a few hours ago? Damn! I could swear a whole lot more time has passed since it happened, but no. When i looked at the clock i could see it was showing only two in the morning and I was brought back from the police station around 11 the previous day I guess I can say since it was after midnight already.Right now, I was lying safely in Benjamin's arms just cuddling and enjoying his presence.In a few weeks I would need to face my problems and my father's trial, but until then I can relax and think about nothing and no one. I was adamant to put my focus on Benjamin and our unborn baby. Thinking about the problems in my life would not bring anything good so there was no point dwelling on it."Are you really ok sunshine?" Benjamin's voice spooke me, not because I was scared of him, but because it came out of nowhere while I was lost in my own thoughts. Thinki
Chapter 27 (Loraine’s POV) epilogue Some years later… “Andrew! The girls will be here any minute, could you get Samuel ready for me please?” Before you make any assumptions let us make something clear. Samuel is our son, and he is three years old. As weird and unthinkable as it might sound, all girls gave birth to a child in the same year. Sure, there were differences, Valentina and Nathaniel had three kids. The first one was a little girl named Daisy, who was not so little anymore since she was nine years old already. Second was a boy named Gareth, he was six years old and the last was Penelope who was three years old as well as our Samuel. Then there was Anabelle and Seth. They had two kids, twins to be exact. A boy and a girl, Samantha, and Sam, they were three years old as well. If we move forward, we have Anastasia and Benjamin, they had just one kid the same as me and Andrew, and the little three years old princesses’ name was Lory. The next in line would be Malcolm and Mandy
Chapter 26 (Andrew’s POV)We were on our way to the airport and of course, with Malcolm in the car we were driving over the speed limit and if a police officer pulled us over there would be hell to pay once he realized who the driver was, but mostly no one dared stop Malcolm, even the new guys knew his car and just waved when he passed. But in my opinion, we were still not driving fast enough. I wanted to be at the airport already, deal with the bastard and wrap my Loraine in my arms where I knew I could keep her safe.But as much as I wanted to yell and rant and be a smart ass, I knew I was thinking irrationally so I rather just sat back and kept my mouth shut. That and the fact that Malcolm threatened to throw me out of the car if I dared be loud.Thankfully we arrived at the airport just when my patience was running low. But as we stopped the car, I could not believe my eyes. There was a plane, ready to take off at any moment, but the stairs were still pulled out and firmly on the
Chapter 25 (Loraine’s POV)Either these people were stupid, or they just assumed I knew London so well that I did not need to have my eyes covered while we were driving to the airport. Or maybe it was just the fact that they were so sure I would not be going anywhere except board the plane to Washington.Too bad for them because I had every intention to run away as fast as my legs could carry me, especially now that I knew two of six guys were on my side. Two of those guys that were not on my side are going into the plane’s cabin to make sure everything is set up and two will be completely oblivious to my attempt thanks to my accomplices. I still had no idea what their moto was, but I was not about to ask them since I was just happy to have someone willing to help me get away without a need to kill someone.You see all my self defense classes and so on that I was taking while on the run were in case, I found some place I want to stay and not run anymore, but before London there was no
Chapter 24 (Andrew’s POV)“WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE IS FUCKING GONE?! YOU STUPID BUNCH OF IMBECILS! HOW COULD YOU LET HER SLIP OUT OF THE CLUB WITHOUT ANY OF YOU NOTICING!?” As you can see, saying I was pissed would be a huge understatement, because I was livid! Somehow, while we were celebrating our win in the office with Malcolm and the girls, and a few minutes later with their boyfriends as well, Loraine managed to slip out of the club and disappeared into thin air.If you would tell me a week ago, she disappeared I would probably believe she ran away like she did every time in the past eight years when something or someone got too close to her and her heart, but today I was sure she did not run away. She promised me that she would not run away, and she would stay with me for as long as I wanted her and on the other hand, the fact that Rodriguez was just leaving my club when Loraine mysteriously disappeared just did not stop nagging me. So, I had my suspicion that he had something to d
Chapter 23 (Loraine’s POV)Today was the first time in my whole life that I remember standing up to myself for as long as I can remember. Not once when I was married was, I willing to do so. I just swallowed everything that was thrown my way. I never yelled at the man or talked back, I never told him my opinion, never objected to his decisions about my life, nothing.And the feeling was kind of refreshing and new. It felt amazing.Now, you see I stopped smoking years ago, it was bad for my health and all that and honestly it was just an expensive habit. But at this moment I felt like I was on top of the world and decided to treat myself to one cigarette you could say for old times’ sake, so I can finally close the door on every bad decision I made in the past.I was at the back entrance when I heard steps approaching but I thought it was sure one of the girls or maybe Andrew, so I stayed put and did not even turn around to see who it was, a big mistake.Next thing I know someone was h
Chapter 22 (Andrew’s POV)The thought of pinching myself and seeing if I was even awake crossed my mind, but nothing felt as good even in dreams as Loraine felt in my arms. She said it. Those fears I had for the past few weeks since I realized I fell for this woman melted away like ice cream on a hot sunny day.Now the only thing left was for us to deal with Rodriguez once and for all. But that was not mine decision, I stopped kissing her and moved a bit away but still kept our foreheads pressed close together, “Are you ready to deal with the demons of the past?”She gave me a nod which was a bit hesitant, but honestly if I was in her shoes and had to deal with someone like Rodriguez, I would be hesitant as well. I took one of her hands in mine and gave her a squeeze to show her that she was not alone.As we rounded the corner, I could not help it but look around and once again it surprised me how self-assured the man really was. He took only five men with him and all of them were in
Chapter 21 (Loraine’s POV)How could he do that? If I had to guess, from what I saw in the office I would say Andrew knew about my past and he knew it well. So first of all, he was hiding the fact that he knows about everything from me, or maybe I can find an excuse for him and say he just found out, but I doubt that since he has been a bit weird for the past few weeks and especially today. But I am willing to tell myself anything to feel a bit better, and right now I needed to believe Andrew did not betray me like everyone else in my life did.At the moment I was sitting by the river that was right next to the club, and yes, I know I did not go far from everything, but it was far enough that Rodriguez would not think I came here, he probably thought that I ran away already like I always do when he finds me, but this time was different. I had friends, I had a job that I liked, and I hope they cared for me as well. I had a good life, and I was actually looking forward to the future. I
Chapter 20 (Andrew’s POV)The moment Loraine barged into my office I knew something was going to go awfully wrong and as usual I was proven right when the asshole opened his mouth.Thankfully me and Malcolm seem to be on the same page because when Loraine ran out of my office as if she was on fire, we both jumped to our feet, but since I was in my usual seat and Malcolm was right next to Rodriguez, he was the one that landed a solid punch to his face and probably broke his nose in the process judging by the crunching sound that could be heard, “You idiot! You just broke my nose! What in the ever-loving hell is wrong with you? Do you have any idea who you are dealing with? I can have you erased from the surface of the earth in a moment!” technically, if we were not who we are, he would be right, but since we were one of the strongest mafia organizations in the world, well, sadly for him, he was wrong. Sure, we were operating on legal grounds, but that was actually a plus on our side, b
Chapter 19 (Loraine’s POV) Something did not feel right. I could not put my finger on it, but my gut was telling me to go back to the club. Why? I had no idea but the opportunity to do so presented itself when Mandy asked me to put the car keys into my purse, because I was the only one that remembered to take a big enough purse to put in my wallet, phone and all the girly necessities but still had some space to put in the keys as well. Now I just had to come up with a plan to get away from them with a believable excuse, ran to the parking lot and drive back to the club so this awful feeling would go away. Even if I drove for nothing, I would still feel better if I followed my instincts and honestly, I doubted my gut was warning me for nothing. I know to some people it might sound stupid to follow your gut or your instincts, but those two things saved me more than once in the past years while I was being on the run. So, there was no way I would ignore it. As we walked around the sho