9 months later...

Hallie

"Do you really have to go?" Anne asked.

I nodded. "I stayed longer than safe for all of us," I said. "I can't even begin to tell you how thankful I am for everything you've done for me, Ty, and Michy."

Anne has been like a mother to me ever since I met her and she gave me a lifeline. She knew I was running and she gave me a safe haven. It didn't take me long to feel comfortable and learn to trust her enough to share who I was running from and why.

"You've done far more for me. You've made me... this whole place happier."

Tears pricked my eyes. "Thank you," I said before hugging her.

"I want you to take this," she said, as she folded something in my hands. I looked down and saw that it was some cash and I immediately shook my head. "No. I can't take this, you've helped us more than enough. You've already given us so much..."

"Hush. You will take it. If not for yourself but for Ty and Michy."

"But—"

She shook her head sternly. "No. No buts, young lady. Now take it and let's go, or you'll miss your bus."

"Thank you."

She nodded. "Call me when you can and know that you always have a home here with me. You can always come back."

"I'll call you once I've found a place and a job. Thank you again, Anne. I can't say that enough."

"You're welcome, honey," she said, while patting my hand.

She gave Ty a hug and kiss and said, "be good for your mama."

Ty nodded. "I will."

Next, she gave Michy a kiss. "Take care little one."

"Bye Anne. I will see you again. I promise," I said.

She nodded tearfully. "I know we will. Take care."

I walked over to where the bus was waiting. Before getting on the bus, I waved goodbye to Anne one last time.

She waved back and smiled.

I looked over to Ty and Michy and prayed to god, I was making the right decision.

Deciding to head to a big city like LA wasn't an easy decision for me, but I needed to find my dad and according to my mom he was based in LA and he comes from money. He's the only one who can help me. He's the only one who can protect us. I just hope he doesn't turn me away. I don't know how he'll react or if he'll even listen to me, but it's a chance I've got to take.

I closed my eyes and sighed.

My life wasn't easy growing up. I didn't have the best childhood, but my mom did the best she could. My father wasn't in the picture growing up. All my mom said was being with my dad was a mistake and I was. He left right before I was born leaving my mom on her own to raise me. She worked at a diner once I was born, leaving me with her best friend when she worked. Jackie did the best she could to help me and my mom, but with kids of her own, there wasn't much she can do. I can't count how many times we've missed a meal or two a day because we didn't have enough to buy food. School was torture. The other kids teased and made fun of me. The clothes I wore were hand me downs, the shoes on my feet were torn apart, but it was better than nothing. But still, it gave other kids a reason to tease me. I tried to ignore the laughs and the whispers, but it was hard. I liked school aside from the bullying. I studied hard, making sure I had good grades to help me get through high school and maybe even go to college.

When I was seventeen, my mom met a man at the diner. He was nice to my mom. Gave her gifts, took her out to dinner at fancy restaurants. He even extended his generosity towards me. He bought me clothes and new shoes for school. A new backpack. New everything. It should have made it easier for me to like him, but I've always been uneasy around him. He made me feel uncomfortable. His bodyguards made it worse. They were big and mean looking.

It wasn't much later when he asked my mom to marry her. Promising her the world. My mom agreed. He wanted to take her back to London, where he resides. My mom agreed of course. I decided to stay. I was graduating in high school and had scholarship waiting for me. My mom refused to let me stay initially but with the help of her new husband and his promise of making sure I was taken care of financially, she finally agreed.

"Mamam," a soft tiny voice said, pulling me out of my trance.

I looked over to Michy, as she gave me a toothy grin, making me smile.

I ran my hand through her hair and she giggled.

"Mommy, we there yets?" Ty asked me.

"Not yet, sweetie. We've got a long way to go."

He pouted.

I tickled him, making him giggle. I ruffled his hair and wrapped my arms around him.

It hasn't been easy with two toddlers in tow, but I love them and I wouldn't change anything. There are the only good thing that came out of this ordeal.

I closed my eyes.

Please. Help me. Help us. Keep us safe.

Damien

"Are you okay?" My brother, Derek asked, elbowing me on my side.

"Yeah. Why?"

He shrugged. "You just have this look on your face."

I frowned. "What look?"

"Like you're itching for your turn down the aisle."

I shrugged in response. "All I know is that I'm not running away from the first sign of commitment, like someone I know."

He chuckled. "I've been there done that. I swore I won't ever go there again."

"Have you forgotten about mom and dad?"

"No, but just like nonna said, not everyone is lucky enough to get a second chance. I doubt I'll ever meet someone who can compare to Alyssa."

"You're much too young to give up on love, little brother. You can't bury your heart with her. Besides, I like Alyssa, but I'm not sure she was really it for you. It always seemed like there was something missing."

"I was happy with her," was all he said. "She has my heart. I buried it with her."

"Then you're a fool."

"Coming from someone who's relationships lasts no longer than three months."

"Yes and it gets old quick."

"It gets old or you're getting old?" He teased.

I rolled my eyes.

"What happened to Lucy?"

"It's over."

"Already?" He asked with mock surprise.

"Lucy was over a year ago and we weren't serious."

Lucy and I were sleeping together for about a month when I ended our casual relationship. She was starting to get other ideas that we were headed for something more. She only wanted me for what I could give her. She's the reason why I started questioning my lifestyle. I've slept others after her, including the last one night stand I had, whose name I couldn't remember, but the feeling of wanting something more didn't stray very far away from my thoughts.

I haven't slept with anyone since that girl, Cindy or Cynthia or something, and surprisingly, I've actually felt better now that I don't have to engage in another meaningless sex with women who only see me for my money and not who I really am.

"Really? I thought she was the one." He said sarcastically.

I shuddered. "She was too screechy."

"No, shit," He responded.

"The "you're my brother" card is wearing thin, little brother."

He snorted. "Please, you'll never hurt me. I'm your favourite brother."

I laughed. "You wish you were."

"Boys, come on. Get to your places. Dylan's coming soon," my twin sister, Bella said. We followed her and went to our places.

It's my brother's surprise birthday party. My soon-to-be sister in-law, Kat arranged the whole thing. They have been through so much these past few months, but her connection to my family goes way back. She and her mom knew my sister from their time with the Rivera brothers. They were all brutalized by the brothers and their men. My sister helped them escape when Kat was just six years old. They were placed in protective custody and that is when she assumed the name Katherine West.

Apparently, her mom was the reason my sister was kidnaped by Miguel Rivera and carried that guilt till her dying breath. Kat promised to make things right and ended up falling in love with my brother, Dylan instead, complicating things. Add the fact that Kat had a stalker. One from her past, making things even more complicated and dangerous that anyone could have imagined.

Pedro Sanchez... just thinking about his name makes me angry and sick to my stomach. He killed so many people. Nearly killed Kat and Kat's best friend, Jasmine. He was a rapist and a murderer. A sick bastard who caused so many people grief and pain. In my opinion, death was too easy for him. Didn't suffer nearly enough for everything he has done. With that being said, I'm glad that it's all in the past and that my entire family is safe. It's only been a month, but my family has been through so much that it's going to take more than a sick psychopath to bring us down.

"Dyl just texted me. He's five minutes away, so I'm going to meet him outside," Bella said. "Places everyone," she added before leaving us to it.

I can't wait to see the look on my brother's face once he gets here, and even more when he sees the surprise waiting for him.

Dyl and Kat deserves all the happiness in the world.

Kat has been through so much. She has seen and heard things she shouldn't have as a child. When I think about the little girl who witnessed and heard so much violence, I can't help but feel pain. But she survived and thrived. She is so strong... One of the strongest person I know. She has gone so far. I couldn't be more proud of her. She's one special woman and I couldn't be more pleased to have her join our family. I've grown to love her like I do my sisters, and Dylan is one lucky man to have found someone he can bare his soul to and spend the rest of his life with.

I only hope I can find someone I can love as deeply as the men and women in this family love their spouses.

I looked to my mom and dad and pure happiness filled me as they held onto each other lovingly. Even in the dark, I could tell they were looking at each other with nothing but love and respect.

They taught us what true love means. They've shown us what loving someone means. If I can have even half of what they have, I know I would live a happy life. One filled with joy, love, and laughter.