ANNA’S POV

I never thought that I’d meet my soon to be the mother in law like this. She is holding a baseball bat in her hand, I was pretty sure she was only joking but no, she is a woman of her word. I like her already.

The moment I entered his house I could see his house is beautiful and gives a cozy and homely vibe. You could see how much effort he put into this house. There were teddy bears all around his living room, there was even a candy bowl near his door which I think is a sweet gesture. Looking around you can see picture frames of Alaia and Zack all over his staircase and even the kitchen. Overall this is the best house you could live in.

“Welcome dear, I hope Zack didn’t cause any trouble? I did tell this boy to use my car but he insisted I use it to drive Alaia to park, he is such a nice soul isn’t he?” His mother whose name I got to know is Rose, looked at her son lovingly.

This reminds me of how my mother used to take care of me and I have to visit them soon. But not without making sure I am being followed because I don’t want to bring trouble to them.

“No ma’am it is my pleasure, Zack is special and you are right, he takes care of everyone and puts everyone’s needs in front of his own.” I look at Zack who’s now playing with Alaia. He is now kissing her cheeks and hugging her even though he is soaking wet and shivering, looks like he can’t come to his house and not greet his daughter first.

“Zach dear, you do realize you are wet and now I have to change Alaia’s clothes too?” Rose, who asked me to call her by her name, looked at Zach and she used a very calm tone when she was talking to Zach.

I realize that hell is going to break soon.

And what do you know I saw Zach giving us a guilty smile and ran up the stairs with his daughter laughing.

I wish I could see Zach this carefree forever, looks like Natalie has to be taken care of. And no before you guys think I am talking about killing her, no I will just personally go and talk to her.

“Come Anna let’s start making the soup, I’ll even show you my secret recipe.” And with that, I follow her into the kitchen.

After 30 minutes of pleasant talks and Rose sharing all the childhood stories of Zach especially his obsession with touching his butt as a child which is cute but it definitely won’t stop me from teasing him, I see Zach coming down the stairs with his daughter.

Wearing fresh clothes that look good on him, he finally arrives in the kitchen and kisses his mom on the cheek.

I see Alaia looking at me with her clear blue, and for a second I thought she was telepathically asking me about my intentions with her dad. So I was very surprised when she started extending her arms towards me like she was asking me to hold her.

And without any hesitation, I took her out of Zach’s arms and placed her near my heart and hugged her and started rocking her and she put her finger on my cheek and I instantly felt a connection with her, she is very precious.

If anyone told me a week before that I would be rocking a baby, I would have laughed at that because a cold, heartless person like me who kills people can’t dream to have a normal life. When I started my gang, I knew what I was getting into and protecting my loved ones was the only goal in my mind.

But after holding this baby in my arms, a proud look on Rose’s face and admiration on Zach’s I realize that maybe my purpose in my life has broadened and now I would do anything in my power to protect this family and God forbid if anyone touches a strand of their hair, I swear on everything Holy I’ll kill them without any hesitation and remorse.

“Are you okay Anna? You spaced out for five minutes.” Zach said looking scared. It’s no secret that I want to be with him, but do I want to sacrifice their safety and normal life for my happiness? Is it worth risking their lives just because I want to be with him and his daughter?

I can’t do this to him, he truly deserves someone who can give him a normal life and that’s not me.

And with this thought, I kissed Alaia’s forehead and hugged her one last time, and then gave her to Zach who had a bewildered look on his face but he took her and started saying something but I interrupted him,

“It was nice to meet you Rose but I have to leave now, I have some things to take care of. I am sorry, I have to go.” And with that, I gave one last look to Zach and Alaia and then turned around, closed my eyes and took a long breath and when I opened my eyes I knew I had to do this and left with a heavy heart.

I knew I would see Zach in the office but this time I can’t be with him and it would be better if I act like I don’t know him, this way he would be safe.

I started my car and drove away from their house. Using my Bluetooth I called Jake,

“Jake I am already on my way to the headquarters, make sure everyone is ready for the meeting. And I am being followed by two black cars, trace my location and tell me who sent them?”  And with that, I increased the speed of my car.

“They are the men of Carter, the one who hurt Jane, looks like they are here for revenge,” Jake said. “But the most surprising fact is that they look pretty young to be a part of his gang.”

“Well then let’s give them a taste of what losing feels like, you along with a few other members follow us and make sure they fall into our trap and capture them when they reach the highway.”

I am really glad for a distraction and what’s more fun than playing with someone, I smirk.

“But make sure you don’t hurt them, they seem to be amateurs and could be the recruits. I want them unharmed so handle them with care. I’ll deal with them.” I said.

“As you wish ma’am,” Jake said in a professional voice.

When we are in our element then there is nothing stopping us.

“Also I need to see them in my basement in an hour, am I clear? I want to take my time with them” I said and I heard an okay from Jake and I disconnected the call. I look at the side view mirror and see them following me.

Seriously? Next time try to be more discreet, I thought.

I trusted my men so I knew I don’t have to worry about the people of Carter to catch up with me, so I called Chase,

“Fancy hearing you Anna, I thought you had forgotten me now that you found your lover boy.” I could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

“Chase you are such a drama queen, we just saw each other this morning in your office during lunch.”

“It’s still too long for me darling thought you would miss your favorite man,” Chase said.

“Chase, it was only one time when I called you that and only because I was drunk, can you please let that go?” I asked shivering when I remembered what happened that day.

“Nope, not happening,” Chase said and I also smiled a little. “But you are calling me at this time, it must be something serious.” I figured he already knew about Carter’s men.

“I need you to send some men to stand guard around Zach’s house, I am sure Carter’s men must have seen me exiting his house. I need 24-hour protection around them.” I tighten my grips on the steering wheel and increase my speed. “I don’t need them to worry about anything so ensure that they don’t see the bodyguards am I clear?”

“Yes ma’am, I’ll send the men right away, anything else?” Chase asked.

“No that’s all for now, I am minutes away from the HQ, I’ll see you there.” And I disconnected the call.

I hope Zach doesn’t hate me for putting his family in danger.

I reached my destination and saw guards standing outside protecting the fort, and I respect them a lot because their work doesn’t demand breaks and I appreciate their efforts and also they are like my family, so protecting them is my concern and duty.

“Hey Marcus, had Jake arrived with my gift?” I asked Michael, one of the security guards.

“Your definition of a gift is truly different than ours but yes he has arrived along with two men and their condition is okay, Jake didn’t hurt them as you requested.” He chuckled.

“Very well, thank you, Michael, I’ll see you soon.” And with that, I drove to our garage and parked my car.

I entered the HQ and saw all my members bowing down at me. I nodded towards whoever I passed. Even though we all are a family we all showed each other respect.

I stood near the glass mirror of the basement and looked at the two young boys who could not be more than 18 years and watched how they were moving around and planning to escape. I made sure they weren’t tied up or anything, that is cruel and I need them to trust me.

I chuckled remembering how I used to be when I was 18 and the things I did. And the younger me would have never thought that this would be something I will be doing when I grew up. Funny how things change.

“You know I never thought the people who would be following me would be teenagers; may I know what were you thinking when you decided to follow me, boys?” I asked with a smirk while walking slowly towards them and stood with my posture straight and hands behind my back.

“FUCK YOU AND YOUR GANG! YOU KILLED OUR LEADER!” The boy, Nate, who has black hair with brown eyes, shouted. He looked like the one who formed this plan without consulting his gang.

“Well if you must know Nate your leader physically tortured one of my gang members who had no business with him and if you think I wouldn’t avenge her, then you dear are very very wrong,” I said firmly.

“Yo-You still killed my father, now I have no family left because of you.” The second boy who was quiet the whole time decided to speak. His name is Austin and I know his father used to hit him and wanted him to shape into a merciless leader.

“I know what used to happen to you Austin and I know the condition how your father used to treat his members, and for that reason only I decided to combine our gangs to ally and now I am their leader and all of them are given a second chance and they will be treated with respect, you have my word.”

I know he is worried about his gang as any good leader should be but he is young and he shouldn’t be worrying about these things.

“But because of you I have lost my only standing member” Austin sobs silently and I could see the tiredness in his eyes and he takes a breath to calm down, “And now Nate and I have no family left.”

“Who said you aren’t welcome here.”

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

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