Damien

"Listen, I'm gonna step out and get some fresh air for a little bit," I told my sister Katie.

"Okay," she said with a smile.

I looked around and everyone was having a good time. Our family, friends, and business associates and guests, dancing, chatting, and laughing surrounded me, and as I looked around at my the members of my family who has found love, I couldn't help the envy that washed through me once again.

I looked over at my brother Dylan who had just been proposed to by my newest sister, Katherine recently and I couldn't be happier.

I looked at my other sisters and saw the glow of happiness and love shinning in their eyes, but with husbands like Nate and Allan, who wouldn't be deliriously happy and in love?

I want to know what it's like to be in love with someone. To be consumed by her completely. To lose sleep thinking about her. To not be able to eat because I'm preoccupied by thoughts of her. I want to feel that burning desire that my brother and sisters always talk about. I want the kind of love that makes your burn and yearn for more.

I can't help but think about that woman I bumped into. For the past couple weeks, I couldn't stop thinking about her. I guess I could just get someone to look into her, but I stopped myself every time I thought about it. I'm sounding and thinking like some crazy stalker. I shouldn't be this obsessed about someone I don't even know. Beside, she could be married with kids.

I shook my head. I have to stop thinking about her. But how can I, when after meeting her, all I ever think about is wanting to see her again... to hear her voice... to see her smile.

When our eyes collided with each other, I felt something I have never felt before. It was like there was an electricity pulling me to her. And after feeling the way I did, I just keep yearning more and more for that feeling.

Is this what my brother and sisters felt for their spouses when they first met? I wondered.

Because if the answer is yes and judging by how deliriously happy they all are then, I'm a fucking goner. I want it all, because I might have all the money in the world and people consider me powerful, but at the end of the day I'm alone. I come home to an empty house with no one to talk to and share how my day went.

I sighed.

Hallie

"Shhh..." I said as I rocked Michy in my arms.

"Mommy, I hungwy," Tyler, my two and a half year old son said from his stroller.

We just stopped for a few minutes to rest and So I could rock Michy in my arms. We've been walking the streets for hours. I need to find another job, as soon as possible. Rent is covered for the next couple of months, but I need money for groceries. I've already been to four diners and two coffee shops and still no luck. I thought the city would give me lots of opportunities in finding a job quickly.

I sighed. Guess I was wrong. It's been two weeks and still no luck. And now here I am, trying to comfort Michy. I left Chester because I stayed in that place far longer than intended. It was hard to leave, but I knew I had to keep moving if I wanted to me keep one step ahead of Marcus and his men. I know that he won't stop until he finds me, and I will never let that happen.

I placed my hand in my pocket and pulled out the rest of the money I earned from waiting tables for two weeks.

Twenty two dollars left.

I closed my eyes and willed the tears to go away.

"Mommy?"

I forced out a smile. "How does pizza sound baby?" I asked Ty.

He grinned and nodded.

I smiled.  They are the reason why I have to keep fighting. I can't let Marcus find me and take my kids away from me.

We found a pizza shop and I bought Ty a slice of pizza while I asked for water. I have to make the twenty dollars I have left last for at least another day.  Hopefully tomorrow I have more luck at finding a job. At least I still have my cleaning job twice a week at that big office. Still it doesn't pay much. Not when I'm the third party. Sally has that job, and while I'm still job hunting, she's given me two days worth of hours instead of the twenty percent of what she earns she usually gives me, for doing some of the cleaning for her. It's not much, but it's better than nothing. I won't get paid for that until, the day after tomorrow though, that's why I have to make sure my twenty lasts for another day.

I looked at Ty, then at Michy who's now sleeping peacefully in their stroller.

This isn't the life I had wished and imagined for us when we ran away.

"Mommy, wur we go now?" Ty asked.

"We're going back home and get you two to bed," I said.

Tomorrow. I need to find a job by tomorrow.

Marcus

"I'm paying you a shit load of money to give me results not some lame excuse. How fucking hard is it to find a woman with two little brats?" I growled.

"I'm sorry, but have you not considered that maybe they are no longer here in the country? What if they have left the country?

I shot the fucking arse in the head. "Anyone else want to offer their opinion?" I asked my men.

They shook their heads.

The pussies.

"Clean that up," I ordered.

Fucking idiot. Out of the country? How can she leave with my kids who have no passports? Besides that bitch doesn't know anyone and has no family left, except for me.

"Wherever you are, I will find you, and I will kill you," I gritted out, as I slammed my fist on the table. "Nobody crosses me and gets away with it."

Hallie

"Damn it," I cursed softly, tears stinging my eyes. "I can't lose that money. That's all I have left," I said, rummaging through the garbage.

"Mommy?"

"Give me a second, baby. Mommy needs to look for something," I said.

"You saided a bad wurd."

Crap. "Mommy's sorry bubba."

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

How could I have thrown my money along with the garbage?

I'm sure it's this garbage bin.

It has to be!

I thought back to what I did after we ate pizza.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the salt cracker wrappers I had in there and threw it in the garbage, probably along with the twenty dollars I have left.

Great.

Of all the idiotic thing that I can do!

Finding another job hasn't been easy, and I've spent what I earned cleaning an office building to pay rent and for some groceries. I won't get paid in another two weeks.

What the hell am I going to do now?

Damien

As I was walking, I suddenly stopped in my tracks.

I frowned.

What the...?

I don't know why or how, but something told me to look into the alley as I heard sounds of rustling and a small voice. I looked and frowned.

What the...?

I didn't expect to see what I saw, but it's too late to turn away now.

There was a woman digging in the garbage, and with her is a stroller and a toddler boy standing beside her, holding onto her pants.

The light post was shining against her hair, hair that looked a lot like... no it can't be her, I told myself.

The little boy could not be older than three years old.

Curiosity and concern marred me, so I walked towards them.

I felt my heart thumping inside my chest. I felt some electricity and unexplained force pulling me towards her. Much like... I shook my head. No. It's not her.

What could this woman be possibly doing in an alley at this time at night with her son?

"Are you alright?" I asked, making the woman gasp and jump in surprise. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you..." I trailed off, as she turned around to face me.

I swallowed and I was rooted speechless.

It is her!

She was even more breathtakingly beautiful than I remembered. Even with her startled expression and the darkness around her eyes. She still looked perfect to me.

Her eyes was golden brown with gold specks, as her long lashes touched her cheek as she blinked. Just as I remembered. Her mouth was full and lush, making me want to kiss her lips.

Damn. I don't even know this woman...

But hell, something inside me lit up like fireworks and knocked me sideways.

Fuck. No. She's got kids. She's got a husband somewhere to.

Disappointment filled me as I realized I just felt something for a married woman. Then just as quickly, disappointment was replaced by irritation and anger.

Hallie

"Just a little bit longer bubs, okay?."

"Otay," Ty said.

Please let me find it. Please! I begged my lucky stars.

"Are you alright?" A voice said, startling me, making me gasp and jump in the process.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he trailed off.

I turned around and before I could answer him, I was struck by how beautiful the man standing before me is.

As I looked at him, my eyes collided with a pair of smokey grey eyes, long lashes, chiseled jaw, sinful lips...

I swallowed hard.

"Miss?" He said. "Are you alright?"

All I could do was stare blankly at him.

He was so handsome.

I frowned. Come to think of it he looks familiar.

I shook my head. Impossible.

"Miss?"

I blinked a few times.

"Miss?" He tried again.

I cleared my throat. "Yes. I'm okay. Sorry," I said.

Looking at him, he was wearing some expensive looking clothes and the watch he was wearing was shining as the light was hitting hit.

He exudes money and power, which now terrified me.

Money and power never did go well together. He...

"What are you doing here late at night with your son, rummaging through the garbage?" He asked, but before I could answer, we were interrupted by a cry.

Michy.

He looked towards the stroller and surprise registered his face.

"You've got two kids?" He asked in a tone that sounded surprised and irritated and angry at the same time.

That made me frown. What the hell is wrong this guy!

"You shouldn't be out and about with two young ones in the cold and so late at night! Have you no sense?" He reprimanded making my ears heat up and anger surface, but before I could say anything, he continued.

Of all the arrogant...

"It's dangerous for a woman like you to be out at night. Where is your husband? Why are you rummaging through the garbage? You should be at home and your kids should be in bed at this hour."

"Stop. First of all, you don't know me or my situation.  I know that it's late, and not that it's any of your business, I wouldn't be rummaging through this garbage if it wasn't important," I said. "I accidentally threw something in this garbage and I'm only trying to find it," I said.

"What's so important that you'd risk your safety, as well as your children's?"

Is he serious right now? If he only knew... this is safe haven compared to what we're running away from.

"It's none of your business," I hissed. I can't tell him that I'm looking for a twenty dollar bill. He'll just think  me insane and ridiculous. Twenty dollar to this man is not even worth a penny.

"I'm making it my business when your putting children's lives in danger!"

"Are you kidding me?" I squeaked. "They are bundled warmly and staying up a little late at night won't kill them," I snapped.

Damn it, this man judging eyes is not helping. I know that I could do better, but I'm trying the best that I can. Besides, this is the first time they've stayed up this late.

He glared at me.

"Tell me what it is you are looking for and I will help you," he said.

"I can manage," I said.

"I don't like repeating myself and you're trying my patience," he said, making my blood boil.

Of all the pompous...

"Stop wasting both our time and just tell me what you're looking for so I can help you find it and we can both go our separate ways."

Breathe. Just breathe.

"You can go your way now, mister. No need to help me," I said as calmly as I could, when all I want to do is punch his smug face.

He simply folded his arms across his chest.

I scowled at him.

He returned my scowl with his powerful stare.

What an arrogant sorry excuse for a man!

"Fine," I grunted. "I'm looking for my money," I finally said.

He frowned. "How much?" He asked. "And how in the hell did you manage to throw your money in the garbage?"

"I just did okay!" I hissed.

"How much?"

I bit my lip.

"How much?" He asked again.

I bit my lip in embarrassment.

"Woman, we can do this all—"

"Twenty dollars," I said quietly.

"What?"

"Twenty dollars," I said a little louder.

"I can't hear yo—," he said in that voice that irritates me, so I finally said, "twenty dollars," louder than necessary.

He was taken aback. "All this for twenty dollars?"

I frowned. "It may not be much for you, but it's all I have left. I need that money," my voice cracked, as tears welled in my eyes.

Damn it. I'm not going to cry. Not in front of this arrogant man. And I didn't meant to admit that it was all the money I have left.

"I need that money, I need..." damn it.

My voice broke off in sobs and before I knew it, I was wrapped in the stranger's arms.

"Shh... don't cry, mio priziosio," he said soothingly, as he rubbed my back comfortingly.

Damien

Shit. I acted like a fucking asshole. I couldn't help it. I was angry that she was alone at night in a dark alley. I was irritated by the fact that I can't feel the way I do about her because she's spoken for, and at the same time angry at that stupid bastard for letting his wife and kids out this late at night.

I frowned. What situation is this woman in?

Her tears did something inside of me that I can't shake off.

What's happened to her that's got her into such a tight situation?

Yes, twenty dollars is nothing but change, maybe to me, but to her... it was much more than that to her.

"It's all I have left," she said.

Wait a minute. She said I.

So just her? No husband?

I shook my head, as I tried to wrap my head around this new information.

But wait. Twenty dollars? With two children in tow?

I can't help but feel responsible for her and her kids. I can't help but feel responsible for taking care of them and making sure that they all get what she needs.

What is it about this woman that makes me want to stake claim?

I looked down and found the little boy looking up at me with curiosity and trust in his eyes.

He wrapped his arms in both our legs making me melt.

He really is cute and so is the other child in the stroller—If I were to guess she was maybe almost a couple years old—who stopped crying and was now looking at us.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to cry all over you," she said as she pulled away. "If you would kindly release me, we'll be out of your hair," she said.

"I don't think so," I said.

"What do you mean?"

"You obviously need my help," I said.

"I'm fine. We're fine."

"Where are you staying?" I asked.

"None of your business."

"I'm going to take you and your kids home. It's late and it's cold. So do us both a favour and just tell me where you live and I'll get you home."

"Brookwest. I live in the neighbourhood."

"Let's go," I said interrupting her. Right when she said the name of the neighbourhood she was staying at, my blood boiled and my temper rose. That place is a fucking dump. At least, the neighbourhood is. Not to mention dangerous.

"But," she started to protest, but I lifted the little boy in my arms and started walking.

"Hey, wait a minute, you can't just do this. I don't know you and you—"

"My name is Damien."

"Damien," she repeated. "You can't just do this. I have a place to stay. We..."

"You are not safe there. Do you not know that drug dealers and hookers stay in that place?" I asked.

"We keep to ourselves and it's all I can afford," she said glaring at me.

I glared back.

"You have no business interfering in my life. Our life. We don't even know each other!" She hissed in frustration.

"I'm just trying to help!"

"If you really want to help, then get gone!"

My lips twitched in amusement at how feisty she is.

"What the hell is so damn funny?" She asked. Fire sparkling in her eyes.

Just then I also realized that she just said "all I can afford" which means she has no husband or boyfriend. I wonder why? I wonder what happened to her kids dad.

"Well?" She asked din exasperation while tapping her foot.

I smirked. "You're a fire cracker you know that?"

She frowned.

I pulled my phone out and called my driver. "Hey Jerry, I'm at the corner of Palm street," I started to say then realized there was two kids who need car seats. "Bring the SUV instead please," I said before ending the cal. Thank god for having such a big family filled with kids.

"Look, I don't want any trouble nor did I mean to cause you trouble, but really, we'll be fine," she said.

"What's your name?" I asked, already knowing the answer, but I don't want to freak her out by calling her by her name. She obviously doesn't remember or recognize me from weeks ago.

She frowned.

I waited for her to answer.

She sighed before she did. "Hallie. My name is Hallie."

"Well, Hallie, I'll be seeing you and your kids home. It's not safe for you to walk at night in that neighbourhood."

"It isn't so bad," she said.

I scowled. Is she serious?

"I'm taking you and your kids home and make sure you're safe. My conscience will not allow anything less. Besides, you look dead on your feet."

She looked up at me and the look in her eyes made my gut clench.

"I'm not going to hurt you," I said.

She hasn't talked about a husband waiting at home, so that was a good sign. At least for me.