Hallie

"You fucking bitch! Where the hell do you think you're going?" Marcus asked.

"Please. Please. Let me go. Let us go!"

He laughed mercilessly. "You think you can run from me? After everything that I've done for all of you? You think you can run and take my kids with you?"

"Marcus, please!"

"You're fucking mine! All of you are mine and I'll kill you before you even think about leaving!" He growled before slapping me hard on the face.

I could hear Tyler and Michy crying.

"Shut up!" He yelled angrily at them.

They cried even more.

"Fucking brats!" He growled as he stalked towards them.

"No!" I screamed.

I shot up in bed, sweaty and panting.

I looked around me and for a moment I was confused. Then I remembered, Damien. Last night. Everything.

Suddenly the door bursts open and there he was, with a worried expression on his face.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" He asked.

"Where's Tyler and Michy?" I croaked out.

"They're having breakfast with me. I left them with Martha, my housekeeper when I heard you scream. Scared the hell out of me!"

I grimaced. "Sorry."

"Bad dream?"

"Something like that," I said.

I noticed a few bags next to the bed.

"Those are for you. Why don't you take a few minutes to yourself and then you can come join us for breakfast when you're ready," he suggested.

"That's not really necessary. I've got clothes back at my place and we should really get going. It was kind of you to let us stay the night, but..."

"I have a job offer for you," he interrupted. "Please. Just stay a bit longer so we can discuss the job."

I frowned.

"I'm sure you'd want to freshen up. Please take the clothes and the bathroom is through that door. There's an extra toothbrush in the cabinet under the sink. Join us for breakfast when you're ready," he said again, before leaving me to it.

Does anyone ever say no to this guy?

"But Ty and Michy..."

"Are fine and enjoying their breakfast. Your kids are quite entertaining," he smiled and I nearly melted. He has the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. He's just so damn handsome it should be a crime.

I shook my head. I shouldn't be thinking about him like that.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded. "If you really don't mind then I'd like a few minutes to freshen up," I said.

"Take all the time you need. No rush."

I nodded again.

"Well I better get back and save Martha from Michy. You did tell me that daughter of yours is quite the artist," he said chuckling. Then I noticed the stained spot on his shirt.

I flinched sheepishly. "Yeah, she wears more of her food than she eats. But she doesn't like to be fed either and has no problem letting you know."

Damien laughed. "Oh trust me, she let me know. She gave me the stink eye. I thought my mom is the only one capable of making me do what she wants with that look, but no, Michy has the same power over me."

I chuckled.

"Anyways, I'll leave you to it and see you downstairs. The kitchen and breakfast bar is to your left."

"Thanks."

Once he was gone, I looked around the room for the first time and felt immediately intimidated by the luxurious room.

I frowned and shook my head. The faster I freshen up and get ready, the faster Michy, Ty, and I can get out of here.

I grabbed the bag and looked inside and found a pair of jeans and a beautiful, stylish top. It's soft to the touch. This probably costs more than my two weeks salary. I also found some underwear, which made me blush. I looked at the sizes and felt my face heat up even more.

How did he know what size to get?

I frowned. With how rich and famous and incredibly handsome he is, no doubt he's been with a lot of women and knows them well. He probably has a lot of experience when it comes to these kinds
of things, I thought to myself. Then I cringed. I don't know how I feel about the fact hat he sized me up.

I shook my head.

"Stop it!" I said out loud.

I grabbed the clothes and headed to the bathroom.

Damien

"Everything alright?" Martha asked as I walked back into the kitchen.

I nodded. "Yes. She'll join us in a little bit," I told her before turning to Ty and Michy. "You two have a stubborn momma," I said, waggling my finger at them both.

They chuckled in unison.

Then Ty frowned. "What ta-burn mean?" He asked cutely, making me chuckle.

"It means she's difficult."

"Tifitult?"

"Yes," I nodddd with a laugh.

He shrugged and went back to eating.

"Mama?" Michy asked.

"She's coming," I told her.

"Ta-ming," she echoed.

"Yes. She's coming."

She gave me a toothy grin, and I swear right there and then, I fell more in love with this sweet baby girl.

"You're good, you know that," I said, tickling her, making her squeal and giggle.

Hallie

I stepped into the enormous shower and closed my eyes. I really need to figure out what I'm going to do. I've decided I can't stay here and risk being broadcasted to the entire world. Damien's family is well known around the world. Their entire clan is probably the richest in the world, making them high profiled people and I just can't risk that kind of exposure. I need to think about Ty and Michy. Now that I think about it, I can't risk coming to Larry Winston either. I can't risk having him turn me away or having him listen to me and find out later that he's not my father after all. I have to stay in hiding. It's the best way to keep Ty and Michy safe and away from Marcus.

I'd have to pack our bags tonight and leave.

I could tell that Damien is determined to do what's right and help us, but I can't accept it. I just can't. I can't take that risk.

And the news. Damn it, the news. I've tried to keep up with the news stories in the local London Gazette newspaper to see if there any news about me or Marcus. I still remember reading about a story on a deranged, unstable woman who had kidnaped the two children of a wealthy man.

A shiver ran down my spine at the thought.

Wealth. Wealth from prostitution and selling drugs.

There was even a picture of Marcus looking like the concerned and loving father he pretends to be. I wanted to reach into the computer screen and claw his eyes out. All of it were lies. But then who would believe me over a man as powerful as he is? Who would believe that he was a monster? A sadistic, abusive husband and father, instead of the loving, worried, grieving man he pretended to be to the world?

Only I know the truth. The truth of what a monster he truly is and the real source of his wealth and power.

My mother knew the truth. She knew and died protecting all of us. And if we go back, he would kill me too and god only knows what he'll do to Ty and Michy.

He has connections. It was evident in how he was using the media to help him find us. To get sympathy. He's making it more and more difficult for us to hide. An amber alert was already issued for Ty and Michy with pictures of them when they born. That's the only comfort I find in those pictures. It was the only one he had. My mom and I made sure of it. Ty was older now and so is Michy. No longer looking like they did, the day they were born. But with Technology they could easily fix that and use that age progression thing they do.

I shook my head. He hasn't done that.

Yet.

And that is why I needed to keep a close eye on the London news and any other information about Marcus' pursuit. His media pursuit didn't scare me as much as his private pursuit did. I know that the only reason he hasn't completely used his power over the media is because he wasn't to find me privately so that he could do with me anything he pleased. That is what scares me the most. That he'll find me and get to Ty and Michy. He would go through any lengths just to find me. He has no probably bending the law to get what he wants. And the thought of what he could do sends chills down my spine.

Oh god. What if he's already in the city? Or his gonna are? What if he's found me and just bidding his time?

Stop. Stop it.

No. He wouldn't bid his time if he had. He would attack. Quickly. No one betrays Marcus and gets away with it. The last person who betrayed got a bullet to the head. Just like that. No questions asked.

A shot to the head and that was it.

I began to hurl at the memory. I opened the shower door and quickly ran to the toilet and vomited.

My mother. Shot and killed in front of me. In front of Ty and Michy.

I bent over the toilet until there was nothing left inside of me.

Tears ran down my cheeks.

I began to shake and fear and terror wrapped around me as memories of that fatal night assaulted me.

I sent an urgent prayer and prayed to god that everything would be alright.

Damien

I frowned.

"Martha, would you mind going up to see what's keeping Hallie?"

She nodded.

I know I told her to take her time, but knowing how protective she is of Ty and Michy, I knew she would be down here in a flash. And yet,'it's been nearly a half hour and there was still no sign of her.

"Mr. Anastasi! Damien," the panicked voice of Martha sounded in the distance.

"Jerry!" I called. "Look over them," I said and hurried to the guest room, not bothering to wait for Jerry's response.

"What happened?" I asked, as I looked over an unconscious Hallie, covered in a comforter.

Martha.

"She's breathing. It would seem she has fainted and running a temperature."

"Call, a doctor. Quickly," I said, as I bend over and lifted her into my arms and to the bed.

Christ. She was naked under there.

She needs clothes I immediately thought. I don't want the damn doctor seeing her naked.

When Martha came back I asked her to put some clothes on her. A robe or something.

"Just call me when you're done. I'll be outside the door," I said.

A few minutes later Martha called me back in, while she headed back down to get a cloth and a basin filled with water, while we wait for the doctor.

As I looked over Hallie, fear gripped my heart.

I closed my eyes.

I think it's time to call my mom.

*****

Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.