Marcus

The fucking bitch. I threw the paper across the room.

"What do we do now?"

"Now we know where she is. Get everyone ready. I'm taking back what's mine," I sneered. "As for that fucking bitch, she's going to regret she ever crossed me."

"What do we do with the man in the picture?"

"I don't fucking care about him. But if he gets in the way or anyone else for that matter, kill them."

He nodded.

Damien

It can't.

She can't be.

But the evidence proves otherwise.

We dressed silently. I could tell how nervous she is. She keeps glancing at me, as if any minute I would get angry at her.

Fuck. I don't even know what to feel.

How to feel.

"We need to talk," I said, breaking the silence between us.

She nodded.

"Not here," I said and looked down at the blanket. I picked it up without saying a word. "This is our business," I said to her when she looked at me questioningly.

"Damien..." she started to say.

"Not here," I said again. "Come," I said and took her hand.

"Wait, where are you taking me?"

"Back to my place."

"What? No. I can't. Ty and Michy," she stopped.

"Yes. Exactly. Ty and Michy."

"But..."

"You don't have to worry about your dad. He knows I'm taking you home," I explained.

"What? How? When?"

"Before the party. Ty and Michy will follow us."

"Wait. What?"

"Not tonight. Tomorrow."

"Damien, wait. Slow down. What do you mean?"

"You're coming home."

"I am home," she said stubbornly.

"Look once we've sorted this mess out, you will be back where you belong. I'm not letting you go, Hallie. It's time to put an end on your stubbornness."

"Now hold on a minute you arrogant brute," she started to mouth off.

I sighed. "I've had it," I grounded out and picked her up and threw her over my shoulder."

"Hey! Put me down. Damien!" She hissed as she pounded my back.

"Stop it," I said, smacking her cute butt.

She gasped. "You did not..."

"I did and I'd do it again if you don't stop."

"Put me down!" She demanded.

"No!"

"Damien!"

"Hallie!" I retorted.

She growled. "Aargh! You frustrating, arrogant, jerk!"

I ignored her rant and put her in the back of my car.

"I hate you," she snapped.

"Okay."

She glare at me, before crossing her arms and looking out the window.

The rest of the drive was quiet.

I can't keep my eyes off the blanket that we had just made love on and I still don't know how or what she's going to say to explain it all.

"Come with me," I said when we got home.

She followed silently.

I brought her to my office and not my bedroom. I don't trust myself. She looks too god damn beautiful and tempting.

I held the blanket up to her. "I need you to explain."

"Damien..."

"How the hell are you still a virgin when you have two kids?" I asked.

She flinched.

"The lies stop here. I need the truth from you," I said. "Please tell me that my suspicions are true and that you are—were in fact a virgin, because thinking I've hurt you would kill me," I begged.

She frowned. "You didn't hurt me. Damien, how could you think that?"

I looked at her. "Then who are Ty and Michy to you?"

"They're not mine..." she started to say.

"Clearly," I retorted.

"Michy is my sister," she revealed.

"And Ty?" I asked.

"He's Marcus' so  from a woman who worked for him."

"So you've kidnapped his kids..." I concluded. It all make sense. The hesitation whenever he talks about Marcus and their relationship. Everything.

"It's not like that! Ty's mom. Tasha, she, she was nice to me. She became a friend. She was nice to my mom and took care of her whenever he beat her. Marcus wanted an heir. One that would inherit his business. My mom has trouble getting pregnant so he turned to Tasha. Tasha fell pregnant and my mom became useless. One of his men, Vin took an interest in my mom. They fell in love. My mom wound up pregnant. She was so scared of Marcus finding out. She knew he would kill her and Vin, so she seduced him to make it seem like it was his baby she was carrying. The baby saved her. The beatings stopped and once again he became the devil in disguise," she paused. "But then the baby was born and she was of no use to him. A girl. What use is a girl in the business that he ran. He already had Ty, a boy. An heir. He was going to give the baby away so my mom tried to escape him and he killed her," she choked.  Her tears were continuously rolling down her cheeks. "He would have killed Michy too, but Vin stopped him. Convinced him she would be worth more money when she's older if he sold her."

"Son of a bitch."

"He didn't mean it. He was just buying time."

"He should have killed that motherfucker."

"And then he would have been killed. Then what? You don't know Marcus and his people. They are loyal to him. They would kill for him and die for him."

"Not all of them," I pointed out.

"Thank god for that," she responded. 

"How did you get involved?"

"My mother's funeral. He had to put in a show that we were a perfect family. He offered for me to stay and be a part of my sister's life. I wasn't going to say no and leave her behind with him. So I accepted. Then he began making passes at me. It was subtle at first then as months went on he became more and more brazen. I always managed to stop him and Vin protected me. Told him he needed to wait and that it wouldn't look good for those who aren't aware of his side businesses. And then you know the rest. Why I left," she said. "Vin was the one who helped me escape. He got us everything we needed. Planned it to a T. Made sure with wouldn't trace back to him."

"Why? Why stay with him?"

"You don't leave Marcus unless it's in a bodybag. Besides, Vin has a plan to bring down Marcus. I don't know what it is exactly, but he's been planning it for a long time."

"Ty? How did you manage to take him? He calls you mommy."

"She couldn't take it anymore. Being passed around from one men to another. She made me promIse to take care of Ty. I already was and I loved him like my own. Not long after my mother's funeral she confessed and admitted that she helped my mom plan her escape. She set it all up. She wanted Marcus to know because she knew he would kill her."

"Fuck. All of this is so fucking messed up."

She nodded. "I know."

"Why didn't you mention Vin before?"

"I was protecting him. If Marcus finds out about his betrayal, he wouldn't hesitate to kill him. Marcus can't know or even get a hint of what he's done. The less people who know the better."

"Does Ty know about his real mom?" I asked.

"She shook his head. He was too young when everything happened. And Like I said, it was really me who took care of him, after my mom passed that is. Tasha wasn't around. Marcus kept her away from him."

"Are you ever going to tell him?"

"I will. When he's older and can understand better. Tasha wanted to keep it a secret, but I knew I couldn't do that. He deserves to know the truth about his mom."

I nodded in understanding.

"Damien, I know that this is a lot to take in and I understand if you've changed your mind about us and..."

"Stop. Stop talking," I ordered.

She frowned.

"It doesn't change how I feel about you. I'm just... I just... why didn't you tell me sooner? I would have understood and," I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.

"Honestly? At first I was scared. I couldn't risk anyone finding out. I have no right to Ty and Michy and you were right. I've practically kidnapped them and... I don't know," she said her voice cracking. "I just..."

"Shh...". I said, pulling her into my arms. Her sobs piercing through like a knife to my heart.

"I can't lose them, Damien. I would die before Marcus gets his hands on them."

"I'm surprised he hasn't filed a missing persons and kidnapping case against you."

"He wouldn't do that. He wouldn't let the police involved. Especially when there's a chance that police who are not in his pocket could be involved. It would be too messy and too complicated."

"That makes sense," I agreed.

"Besides, he sees it as an embarrassment. To be outwit by a woman. That's why I know he wants me dead. He won't stop until I am."

"He won't get anywhere near you," I promised.

"Damien," she said as she pulled back to look into my eyes.

"Yes?"

"I am sorry. For not being truthful."

"I know and I understand. Just promise me one thing," I said.

"No more secrets?"

She smiled and nodded. "No more secrets."

I kissed her tenderly.

"Can you also promise me something?"

"Anything," I said without hesitation.

"Promise me you'd take care of Ty and Michy if something were to happen to me," she said, making me frown. "Nothing is going to happen to you," I insisted.

"Then you shouldn't have trouble making it," she responded. "Please, Damien. I need to know that they would be taken care of."

"I promise."

"Thank you."

"I love those kids, Hallie. I would never let anything happen to them."

"I know."

Before we could say anything else, my phone rang.
I pulled it out of my pocket.

"It's Nate," I said. "Hey," I greeted.

"Hey. I've just got confirmation that Marcus Barnes is coming. I need you and Hallie briefed and ready for the next step."

My heart pounded and fear gripped me. "I need you tell me again, Nate," I said.

"Hallie and her kids will be safe. He will not get anywhere near them."

I closed my eyes and allowed those words to reassure and calm me.

"The other thing," I asked, all the while I could feel Hallie's gaze on me.

"I've got a plane waiting to take them if it gets too dangerous. I get them out and them alone."

"Thanks, Nate."

"No thanks necessary. I love you, Damien. I love our family and I would do anything for any of you."

I smiled. "Right back at you, Nate."

"I'll see you guys soon," he said before hanging up.

I looked at Hallie and swallowed the lump that formed in my throat.

"It's time," was all I said and she understood.

She took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm ready."

"I love you with all of me and everything in me," I said.

"I love you too, Damien. You're my whole life."

I bent down and kissed her.

Hallie doesn't know it, but we do have a plan B.

Me.

*****

Hope you all enjoyed reading this Chapter we're nearing then end even my own heart pounds as I am writing this chapter and thinking of how the next one is going to be.