I waited on our usual park bench, wrapped in a thick winter jacket with a beanie covering my head. The sun was out today but there was still a bitter chill in the air that had me cuddling into my jacket for warmth. I waited in silence, watching two kids building a snowman in the distance. It was hard to believe sometimes that it was still December, close to Christmas in fact and that I'd only met the boys weeks ago. So much had changed since then, so much more than I'd ever dreamed for my final year in high school.

My grandfather seated himself next to me, his usual scent filling the air around both of us. He said nothing, and neither did he push me to speak. We sat in silence for a few moments, watching the kids. We both knew what I'd called him here for.

"She came last night, to the house," I started softly, turning to gauge his reaction. He looked guilty for a second and turned his face away from me. So I'd been right in my deductions. I'd known something was off the moment I'd seen the lack of phone calls from my grandfather, questioning where my mother was like he usually did.

"You sent her, didn't you?" I pressed and he hanging his head was answer enough. There was no way my mother would have known about the existence of my grandfather's set of keys unless he'd given it to her.

"Why didn't you warn me," I asked, sounding choked and he finally looked up at me. His eyes were sunk into his skull, the dark circles more prominent under his eyes than I remembered them to be. I hadn't thought, hadn't realized the toll this would take on his health. To not only take care of his daughter but to watch her break in front of his eyes.

"I thought she'd gotten better sweetpea, and so when she asked me of this one thing, to go see her daughter, I couldn't refuse. I didn't think she'd hurt you," he said. It wasn't his fault but I still couldn't remove the image of Mikhail from my head. The gasp he'd let out, the lingering scars my mother's words had dug up. He'd acted all right this morning. His usual happy smile was in place and so neither of us had pressed the issue. I still couldn't forget it though, that gasp. It hurt, even more, to think it was my fault, for bringing my mother into his life.

"She seemed healthier. I think she's quit," I said, turning away from my thoughts of Mikhail. My grandfather nodded in agreement before turning to face me. There was a spark of light in those eyes that hadn't been there before and I realized he'd come here with his own intentions, not just on my call.

"She's coming around and I know she may have been harsh yesterday but can you do this one thing, for me," he asked and I nodded quickly. I'd do anything for this man. His kindness and generosity were all that had kept me off the streets when my mother had first left and I loved him with all my heart.

"We're hosting a Christmas dinner, like old times and I want you to be there. I felt that it might help your mother to be around family again. Will you come," he asked. I felt tears at the back of my eyes. The last time we'd celebrated Christmas together, as a huge family had been years ago, before the accident. I knew it would be nothing like that this time. I'd be lucky if we could get through dinner without my mother throwing harsh words at me but I'd try. I couldn't deny that a part of me still hoped that one day, we'd go back to the relationship we'd once had.

"Of course," I promised, and a beaming smile lit up his face, wrinkles appearing in the corners of his eyes. The urge to paint that smile tingled my fingers.

It was around 5 in the evening when I heard knock at the front door. The boys had left a couple of hours ago, claiming they wouldn't be back until dinner. Troy and Violet were on a date, and I'd met my grandfather this morning. There were few others who came knocking at my door and I felt the chills as I remembered the danger I'd put myself in by being with the boys, the danger they'd warned me of. I felt a genuine fear rise in my throat, as I slowly swung the door open.

I was faced with none other than Ivan's father and for a second, I felt hatred, bitter and dark twisting my heart. This man had intentionally blinded a young boy right in front of his own son. He was twisted and cruel in ways I couldn't even fathom and yet here he was, no trace of that sadism his son had accused him of in place, as he gave me a smile before extending a bouquet of flowers.

"For you my dear. As a thank you for all you've done," he said and my brows furrowed in confusion. All I could recall doing in front of him was having a panic attack and sprinting out of his house. What did he have to thank me for?

He recognized the confusion on my features and his own eyes widened in surprise. I felt a horrible feeling in the back of my mind like something was drastically wrong. The more that feeling pressed, the more I wanted to see my boys if only to make sure he hadn't done anything to them. I wouldn't put it past this man. He was not only cruel and intelligent, but also psychotic and that made him far more lethal.

"You don't know," he enquired, raising an eyebrow and I could tell he got no small amount of joy in holding this piece of information over my head. I tried to withhold my curiosity but I couldn't help blurt out the next words. My heart was beating too fast as if it knew what was coming.

"What, what is it," I pressed and his grin widened. The smile didn't hold a trace of warmth.

"I have you to thank you, for convincing Ivan to take over the gang on his 18th birthday. He told me yesterday that he'd changed his mind, and I couldn't help but think you were the reason behind it," he said with genuine excitement coloring his words. I reeled back in shock as it finally made sense, why he'd rushed off so soon after our kiss, why he'd seemed so unhappy, why he had said no more than a few words to me yesterday. He'd given in and done the one thing he'd never wanted to do, all to protect me. When he'd said he'd protect me with everything he had, he hadn't meant his life, but he'd meant his dreams, his vision of the future. He'd thrown that away in a heartbeat for me.

No, I wouldn't let him get away with this. I'd hate myself if I let him live this life he hated so much. I'd knock some sense into his head and persuade him to take back this word. We'd figure this out together, in some other way that didn't require him to throw away his life. If we didn't, then, as much it pained me to think it, I'd walk away from all three of them.

I realized then that Ivan's father was still standing in front of me, watching curiously and just like that I let my walls slide into place, the walls I'd only ever used with one other person. He seemed slightly surprised for a second before a genuine smile came over his face. He then mumbled something under his breath that I couldn't quite catch. He looked up soon after, his face resuming that horrible smile.

"Have a nice day dear and feel free to stop by the house anytime you'd like. After the favor you've done me, I owe you so much," he said, and I realized that this had been his plan all along. This was why he'd invited me to dinner, to see if we were as close as he thought we were. Once he'd realized that, he'd simply let us play straight into his hands. We'd been such fools, for not seeing it earlier and now Ivan would pay the price.

It was around 8 in the evening when the boys came knocking at my door and for a second I felt an irrational anger towards all three of them for keeping something so important from me. Especially when the issue concerned me. I debated cooling down and talking to them tomorrow but the knocks at my door became more urgent. I realized my fireplace was burning so they knew I was in the house.

With a defeated sigh, I slowly got up to open the door. A gust of wind hit as soon as the door swung open and the boys hurried inside, murmuring their usual greetings as they took off their coats to make themselves comfortable. I shut the door behind them, staying near the doorway and just watching them carefully as Alexei sprawled himself on the couch, Ivan crouched down near the fire which was slowly dwindling and Mikhail sat on the floor, leaning against the armchair as he scrolled through his phone. All three of them acted so casually like they were hiding absolutely nothing. My frustration only grew at the sight.

It took a minute for Mikhail and Ivan to notice I was still standing by the doorway, with no doubt an odd expression on my face. Mikhail's eyes narrowed in confusion before he slowly stood up to approach me.

"Roe is something wrong," he asked, visibly concerned but keeping his distance, like he could feel that I wanted him to stay away for a second. I turned my gaze to Ivan before speaking, who'd stopped tending to the fire but remained on the balls of his feet as he watched me with narrow eyes.

"Your father dropped by today and he may have mentioned a thing or two," I said, giving him a chance to explain. His eyes widened in surprise and I would have laughed in any other situation as his mouth gaped open like a fish.

"Why didn't you tell me? Any of you," I pressed, looking to all three of them. Alexei looked caught up by now and he'd risen off the couch and made his way to me without my notice. He opened his mouth to speak, his hand gripping mine.

"Roe darling we had it handled and we didn't think," he started but I interrupted him, feeling genuine fury ripping through my heart for a second.

"Stop treating me like a child," I lashed out, my eyes burning. Yes, I'd agreed for them to protect me from their world, and yes I knew I was vulnerable in their world but I wasn't a child. This would never work if they saw me as someone to protect, and not a confidante. I wanted to be someone they could be with, someone they could talk to, not a burden.

I took deep breaths, shutting my eyes briefly to calm my second of rage. They were protecting me because they cared. They had good intentions. I slowly opened my eyes and leveled my gaze with Ivan, who for the first time looked slightly pale.

"When I said I wanted you to protect me, I meant physically. I don't want you to keep things from me and I certainly don't want you sacrificing your entire life to make sure I'm safe so if you're still going through with what you promised your father, then all three of you can leave because I, I can't live with the fact that you saved me at the expense of all your dreams," I said, keeping my voice as steady as possible despite the genuine fear racing through my heart as I waited to hear what they had to say. 

Left you on a bit of a cliffhanger, didn't I? Do you think the boys were right in hiding it from her? Do you think she overreacted? Tell me what you think below in the comments. Personally, I think she was justified in her anger but let me know how you feel.  

Also, Happy Belated Halloween to all those who celebrate. I hope you guys had the best day whether you were trick-or-treating or sitting at home watching horror movies. This chapter is slightly longer as a little treat from me for Halloween. 

Don't forget to vote, comment, all that good stuff. Until next week, I'll leave you with the following question. Do you guys know anyone that reminds you of any character from this book? If so, don't forget to mention it below or you can message me if you'd like. 

Until next week...

Love

-ASH