Mannat's P.O.V.

"Hey Uncle Akash," I say while making pancakes for Gia and me. 

"Hey, Mahi...how are you doing?" He asked, 

"Amazing," I say, "I was just making breakfast for Gia and me, remember the little girl I told you about?"

"Yes, the one you are taking care of, while her parents deal with some legal things."

"Right. So what's up?"

"Well I called you to tell you that we are going to a family party tonight, and since you are a part of the family, I thought that I should invite you too and you can bring Gia along."

My smile fell from my face, "A family party?"

"Yeah, tonight."

"Finally you are leaving this house." Aunt Rani said walking in with a smirk on her face, "I was wondering when this house would be free from you...an orphan."

I clenched my jaw keeping my gaze down as I continued to pack my things. She leaned against the wall. "The apartment nice?"

"Yes," I say shortly, "It's small but it will do."

"It's not like you have that much stuff anyway. You should thank me for not letting you waste money on useless things as clothes and jewelry. Now look it's so easy to pack."

"Is there anything you wanted Aunt Hope?"

She grabbed my arm tightly causing me to flinch, "Ouch, Auntie stop."

"I wanted to tell you that once you set foot out of this out, you are not welcomed back."

Wincing I looked at her with teary eyes, "What?"

"For years I have had to tolerate you, for years I have had to keep you under the same roof as my girls and now fianlly you are leaving, do you think I would want you back in this house?"

I struggled in her grip, "Let go," I whimper, 

She dug her nails in more, "Did you understand what I just said Mannat?"

"Yes, I won't come back."

"Good," Aunt Rani shoved me towards the bed, "Now hurry the fuck up and get out."

"Mahi?" Uncle Akash said firmly snapping me out of my thoughts, "It's okay if you are busy Honey."

My heart dropped I didn't want to disappoint him, wiping away some tears I breath in sharply, "No, I'm not busy...what time do I need to be there and where is it?"

"Great! It's at 8:30 and it's at the hall nearby our house." At our house, Uncle Akash had always thought of me as his daughter, and I so badly wanted to call him my dad because...he loved me just as much as I imagine my dad would but...Aunt Hope. 

"See you then," I say quickly,

"Bye Honey,"

"Bye,"

I'm only going for him, no one else...

Hunter's P.O.V.

Yawning I look over the paper's one last time before I head out the door, I had spent all day and night reading over the files and information I could find about both Gage and Saber...Gage had a clean background, but there was something seriously fishy about Saber...there was no history of the Ebong Gang, it's fresh off the ground and he was the one who has established it. 

But why? No parent wants their kid to go down in this direction so why were his parents so proud and open about it? Why was Saber directly coming for us? Clearing my throat I make my way down where Dom was waiting for me and Vallie? "You are not going, Vallie," I say firmly looking at her. "It's dangerous, and I don't know what is going to happen."

"She is going with you," Dad interrupted, "I am sending her with you."

I raise an eyebrow at him, "Dad, I am not taking her with me."

Vallie clenched her jaw angrily, "If I can beat the shit out of you Hunter, I can take anyone...now stop being an ass, and let's go. Draven texted that he was outside literally fifteen minutes ago."

Rolling my eyes at her, knowing that I wasn't going to win I took a deep breath in, "Fine, let's go." All of us got into our cars before heading over to the given location Saber had sent us...it was fishy...it was really close to town, close to civilians but why would they want to be in the eyes of thousands of people...I don't understand their thinking. 

Licking my lips I sigh looking over Vallie, "Hey,"

"Mhm?"

"Be on guard okay?" I say, "I don't want you to get hurt okay?"

Vallie offered me a light smile, "I won't get hurt, because I trust you Dimples,"

Chuckling at my old nickname I nudge her a little, "Stop,"

Draven and Dom pulled up close behind us as Vallie and I got out of the car waiting for them to park,  Draven fixed his coat as Dom locked the car, "Ready?" Draven asked.

"Ready," I said fixing my composure we all walked in confidentially as the guards glared at us, clenching my jaw I looked around taking a wine glass off of a waiter's tray, everything looks so luxurious, so perfect. Keeping a harsh gaze I grab Vallie's hand holding her close to me, Vallie crept closer to me as the dirty gazes from the men made her feel conscious I saw Draven glaring at some of them, "This is why I needed you to say home, Vallie."

"I'm okay," She whispered gripping onto my hand tighter, "I'm okay."

Walking over to a table that had a tag with our name on it we all sat down, "Where are they?" I ask Draven, who shrugged. "I don't deal with them, I am just here to find Gage."

"Found," Dom said taking a sip from his wine, "He's over there with your friend Vallie."

Vallie looked confused as she followed Dom's gaze, "Cyra? What is she doing here?" My gaze snapped over to where she was standing, she looked gorgeous in that almost emerald green dress, Cyra was standing next to Ronnie who was talking to an unknown man. A little girl ran up to her matching her dress there, "Let me go see."

"No." I say quickly catching her attention, "I-I mean, let's go together."

Vallie gave me a weird look, "Fine, let's go then. Dom, Draven stay here." They nodded as we walked over to them. "Hey, Ronnie! Mahi."

Mannat turned around smiling but as soon as she saw me her smile dropped pulling the little girl close to her, smirking I give her a tiny wave, Vallie hugged Ronnie, "What are you doing here?" Ronnie asked, 

"Well Hunter and I were invited here by Saber Ryland, what are you doing here?" The man standing beside Mannat smirked at us, 

"Saber is our cousin." Ronnie said she pulled the man standing closest to us, "Saber this is Hunter and Valencia, and this is Saber."

Saber put his hand out for me to shake, "Pleasure meeting you, I see you got my invitation?" 

Smirking myself I shake his hand firmly "Pleasure's all mine." My gaze quickly moved back to Mannat who looked uncomfortable, Gia looked up carefully, "And who are you?"

"Gianna," She said shyly, "You're Addi's dad right?"

"I am, how did you know?'

"Addi is my best friend, we met at the Day Care."

Smiling at her I lean down to her level, "I'm Hunter, Gianna."

"Call me Gia," She smiled back at me showing off her beautiful smile, 

Raising my eyebrow I look over at Cyra, "And is that your Mommy?"

Gia giggled shaking her head no, "Mahi isn't my mommy! My mommy is busy at work, Mahi is taking care of me." So she's not her daughter. Standing up I brush off my coat, "Ignoring me?" I ask her. 

Mannat looked over at me finally, "No," 

Saber stood in front of her, "Why don't we talk business Hunter? I mean that is why I called you over right?"

Icing the warm look in my eyes I give him a pointed look, "What's the hurry? I mean we have all night right?"

"Hunter," Draven said running over to be followed by Dom, "Gage is here, look over at the door." He whispered in my ear, my gaze moved from Sabers over to the door. That scum walked in with a girl on his arm. Saber tried to follow my gaze but I quickly shook my head throwing him off walking away. "Don't do anything right now." I whispered back, "Let's deal with Saber first."

"Right," Dom said as we walked away from the group, I took one last look at Mannat, who was watching me walk away before storming off...actually first let me deal with her.