Okay people, here it is, the final chap.....I’m so sad its come to an end but not because I'm doing a sequel and I'm more excited about the sequel now because I have SO many plans for it that are gonna give you all a wicked read! (Well, that’s my plan anyway! Lol)

So, lots of you opted for a ‘super long chap’ and I went with that. So here’s hoping ya all don’t get bored while reading it!

Anyways......Enjoy....xo

~ ~ Chapter Thirty Nine ~ ~

Hissing in pain, “Bloody watch it!” I snapped at Caveman as he thread the needle through my skin again but going in a little too deep. He just looked over at me with a small glare and shook his head while Phil hovered around me like a panicking mother muttering how sorry he was and getting on my nerves. I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from snapping at him because it’s not his fault I'm in such an agitated mood and he didn’t purposely do anything so he has nothing to feel sorry for.

“Sit still!” Caveman growled from alongside me, yanking my arm closer towards him again and gripping it with his large hand tighter.

“Well stop hurting me then!” I growled back and he just ignored my bitching, “I was not this rough with you.” I muttered as Baden poured me another shot and pushed it towards me. Yep, this is how they handle the pain of having a non professional stitch them up – they drink; which is exactly what I was doing because it did seem to slowly make the pain numb a little but I could still feel it.

Phil had come to and made his way inside, well, more like running in like a mad man with his gun ready to shoot any bugger who wasn’t one of us but instead he found Baden slumped in his chair still, doing his best to not pass out as he yelled at me to stop kicking the crap out of the man on the floor.

It was like once I had started, I couldn’t stop, all my anger, fear and worry, every emotion I have gone through recently was being taken out on him. It took Phil no less than a minute to run over to me and pull me up into his arms and out of that room, we sat down on the top basement step and I was still clinging to him when Caveman came barging through the front door, snapping me out of my shock.

Five loud shots rang throughout the house after that as he walked around to each knocked out body and killed the ones still alive, making me jump with the sound of each one.

Caveman helped Baden up the stairs and into the kitchen and he still hasn’t even looked at me even as he sits here pushing shot after shot at me, he hasn’t even said anything else since Phil pulled me away. I don’t know what his problem is or what he is thinking and honestly, right now I couldn’t bring myself to care. I will deal with it later.

Phil helped Dougy out, who is now sitting on the floor, slumped up against the kitchen wall, holding a clean rag to his head since Phil stitch the small cut up already but now we are worried about him falling unconscious. I'm surprised he even woke up since I don’t even know how long he had been out of it before we showed up.

“All done.” Caveman muttered as he let go off my arm, immediately I looked down at the slightly bloody mess with thin fishing line stitched through my skin – that’s going to leave a nasty and ugly looking scar but I guess it didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

“Thanks.” I mumbled as I took the last shot Baden had poured for me, stood up and walked out to the lounge room where Amberly was sitting all by herself before I slouched down onto the single seater and smiled over at her worried face, “So, what did the house look like?” I asked with a hint of excitement in my voice.

Her eyebrows shot up and her mouth dropped open, “Lee-lee, are you serious? You guys have just all been viciously attacked and your asking about the house?” her tone held utter disbelief.

Shrugging, my smile faded and I looked away from her innocently shocked and worried face, “I wasn’t attacked, only Dougy and Baden were.” I mumbled, “So, how was the house?”

“Leila!”  I snapped my head in her direction with surprise, she rarely yelled at anyone, let alone me, “Stop asking about the damn house! What is going on with you?” she demanded as she yelled at me again then took a deep breath and calmed herself down, “Do you want to talk about what just happened? It’s obvious you’re not okay.” She asked softly, looking over at me with big eyes.

Shaking my head slowly, I looked away from her again, “I am fine Ambo, there’s nothing to talk about.” Why does everyone keep expecting me to become a nervous wreck or something? It’s annoying as hell, I’ve already had my little moment with Phil when he came in and that was all I needed, I'm fine now but they won’t believe me.

“No; you’re not.” Amberly mumbled, looking down at the floor with unshed tears in her eyes, making me groan loudly.

“Seriously Ambo, I'm fine.” And I stood up to walk over to the front window and look out into the dark front yard. Caveman and Phil moved all the bodies down to the basement with the others and I even overheard them saying they were going to burn the house down once everyone is stitched up and our bags are packed.

Honestly, I don’t care what they do with the bodies or the house, my main concern now is that we don’t have that much longer left to get the drop on Paul and with Dougy hurt and Baden barely able to move without causing himself pain, I don’t know what’s going to happen now.

I hope they aren’t both stupid enough to still want to go, they should leave it up to everyone else but I already knew the answer to that – they are stupid enough and there is no way they will sit back on the side lines while everyone else gets to do what they have been wanting to do for ages now.

The door leading from the kitchen to the lounge room opened and I glanced over my shoulder to see Caveman walk in and look down at Amberly with a soft smile but despite this smile, there was so much tension in the air right now that it was almost suffocating.

“I'm going to go shower.” I mumbled and started walking out the room.

“Leila, Dougy asked for you.” Caveman spoke up before I had managed to leave the room. Stopping I groaned internally because that meant going back in there with Baden who was being weird still. Forcing a fake smile onto my face I gave a little nod of my head before turning and heading into the kitchen.

I avoided looking at Baden knowing he was already going to be looking the other way and walked over to my brother and slid down the wall so I was sitting alongside him with my knees pulled up and staring straight at them. Everyone sat so still and silent, even hovering Phil was sitting down at the table right now.

“Come here.” Dougy murmured with a smile as he wrapped one arm around my shoulders and pulled me in close, kissing me on the forehead, “Love you little sister.”

“Love you too Douglas.” I smirked, still looking at my knees but I glanced up to see the frown appear on his face.

“Not cool Leila.” He muttered but then hugged me even tighter to him and took one of my hands into his free one and held on while I leaned in against his shoulder, “We owe you our lives, you know that, right?” he muttered softly, looking up at someone – Baden I'm presuming but I didn’t follow his gaze.

Shrugging it off, “You all would have been fine.” I whispered, knowing this was a lie but I didn’t want to think about the ‘what if’s’ it was too much of a scary thought.

“You did well and I'm proud of you, you held your ground against them pieces of shit and came out on top. I know I complain that everyone babies you but you’ve shown me how much you have grown up and can handle yourself.” He gave me a cheeky smile then grew serious again, “It’s just nice to know if something ever happened to me that you would be alright, that you would be able to fight for yourself.”

“Dougy.” I groaned lightly, “Nothing’s going to happen to you; I won’t let it because I need my big bro in my life.” I smiled a small smile but it was a genuine one. As much as we have our sibling fights, I love him with everything I have and I can’t imagine life without him, I had missed him for so long and I'm not about to sit down and let some thugs come in and take him away from me, take any of these people away from me.

“I don’t like the fact you were half naked though.” He frowned and tried to look serious but a silly grin made its way onto his face after a minute of me just looking at him.

“I was not half naked.” I muttered then stifled a yawn.

“C’mon, let’s get you to bed.” He smiled and I stood up before offering him a helping hand and he slowly got to his feet, staggering a little from head spins no doubt. I glanced over at Baden who was staring off into space and Phil looked over and smiled at me before me and Dougy walked out.

I helped him up the stairs and to his room, even pulled the blankets back for him and took his boots off as he groaned and laid down, holding the side of his head, “Bloody mongrels with their sneak attack – it should be illegal.” He grunted as I chuckled quietly while shaking my head, “What?” he asked, looking up at me.

Smiling I climbed in alongside him and laid down, “Everything you do is illegal Dougy.”

“Shut up.” he grumbled.

“Quote of the year.” I smiled with another yawn, today has been long and exhausting, more than any other big day we have had so far, “Night.”

“Night little sister.”

~~

Yawning and stretching with my eyes closed still, I finally blinked them open against the bright sunlight and rolled over to wake up Dougy but frowned as I noticed he wasn’t there anymore. Slowly sitting up and rubbing my face I looked around his room and my eyes froze when they landed on Baden sitting on the chair in the corner of the room.

He was already looking over at me and I frowned when he didn’t look away like he would last night, so I took this time to really look him over – he looked like hell in all honesty. His face was bruised and swollen in some areas, the already bruised eye from when Dougy had hit him was even blacker and puffier now, there were tiny cuts over his face and his knuckles looked pretty banged up, he also had a few cuts and grazes on his arms but apart from that he looked better than last night; most likely because he’s had a shower and cleaned off all the dirt and blood.

“I'm fine, don’t worry about me.” His deep voice filled the room, making my eyes snap up at his as he smiled slightly but it was forced. I nodded slowly and shifted across the bed to sit on the edge with my feet on the floor, “How are you though, emotionally I mean – and tell me the truth.”

Looking over my shoulder back at him, “I'm fine.” I commented but he raised an eyebrow questioningly and I sighed softly, “Really, I am. I mean I'm angry that they barged in here like that and also a little scared about what could have happened but I'm trying to not think about that and just focus on the fact everyone is safe for now.” I smiled slightly.

“Really?” he questioned and I rolled my eyes before nodding, “Dougy was right.” He muttered, looking off out the window through the big gap in the curtains, “We would be dead right now if it wasn’t for you and that pisses me off.”

A burst of anger shot through me as I narrowed my eyes at him, “Well I'm so sorry that you all had to be saved by a girl, maybe next time I’ll let you all figure your own way out.” I snapped, jumping to my feet and ready to walk off and find someone else other than him.

“That’s not what I meant!” he half shouted and I stopped to look over at him, he sighed loudly and rubbed the back of his head, wincing a little as he raised his arm, “I'm pissed off at the fact you had to save us, you should never have to risk your life like that for anyone, not even me. All of this, my world, it has changed you so much and you don’t even realise it. I'm meant to keep you safe not that other way around.”  He groaned, then looked up at me again and held one hand out, “Come here.” And I did.

I walked over to him as he stood to his feet, groaning slightly in pain as I looked him over with concern but he pushed that away as he wrapped me up in his arms and held me close to him as tight as he could while I gently hugged him back, afraid to hurt him even more though he was acting tough right now.

“I love you beautiful.” He whispered, “You have no idea how scared I was thinking they had shot you but then when you stormed into the room relief flooded me until I really looked up at your murderous face, you had snapped and it was scary.”

I fell silent for a moment, “I want to come with you; I want to have your back.” I whispered as my reply, determined not to get shut down.

He sighed loudly, “I knew you would and I want to say no so bad, to keep you safe but the selfish part of me doesn’t want to leave you behind, even if it’s the right thing to do. So, I guess if its alright with the others, you can come with me but you have to stay by my side and do exactly as I tell you to – got it?” and he pulled back, holding onto my shoulders to look at my face with a serious expression.

Smiling I nodded my head, “Thankyou Baden.” Then I grinned and had to ruin the deep and meaningful moment, “We’ll be like Bonnie and Clyde.”

Baden gave me an annoyed look, “You do know Bonnie and Clyde died, right?”

“Oh, um....no. I thought they escaped and lived off all the money they stole on some deserted beach or something.” I admitted, feeling utterly stupid right now while he chuckled deeply.

“What am I going to do with you?” he asked with amusement.

“Love me.” I grinned then noticed him wincing in pain and frowned, “When are we going?”

“In a few hours.” I frowned and looked over at Dougy’s bed to see it was twelve thirty in the afternoon already, “I’ll be fine Leila besides - you’ll have my back.” He teased and I gave him an unimpressed look. “Sorry.” He mumbled with a small smile.

Nodding, “So you should be.” And I stood up on my tip toes to give him a soft kiss on the lips but Baden had other plans and held me tight to him again as one hand rested against the back of my head and held me in place while he hungrily and greedily kissed me back. My hands took a mind of their own as they roamed his body while he walked backwards towards the bed and he turned us around and laid me down on my back before slowly crawling on top of me, keeping his full weight off my body as I leaned up to kiss him again.

“I love you so much.” I panted as I broke away to catch my breath, he smiled a breath taking smile before murmuring against my neck with small kisses, “I loved you since the first moment I laid eyes on you.”

~~

Walking down the stairs hand in hand with Baden I couldn’t wipe the small smile off my face, we had been at it for over an hour and only finally stopped when Baden glanced at the clock and saw it was already three in the afternoon. I was a little disappointed but reality always has a way of ruining those perfect moments in life.

I was doing my best to not perv on his in his tight short sleeved black t-shirt but I couldn’t help it when it revealed every muscle in his big arms and well toned torso, he was wearing a pair of plain jeans and his normal black boots. My jeans were a shade darker than his and flared out at the bottom a little, covering most of my heelless black boots and I wore a simple grey shirt that hung off one shoulder and fell below my waist.

“Tomorrow I'm taking you on another date with no interruptions this time.” He smirked slightly as I looked up at him with my own small smile.

“I’d like that.” The thought of us two just having the entire day to ourselves with no crap to disrupt it sounded brilliant and it’s been so long since our one and only date that was cut short from Caveman being shot but the night still turned out to be a good one.

“Me too.” He grinned and pulled me in close to his side before planting a soft kiss on the side of my head, making me blush slightly, “Rule number one – all phones to be turned off.”

“Agreed.” I grinned as I stood up on my tiptoes and planted my own soft kiss on his lips, he groaned slightly and held me there for a moment while he kissed me back.

“Rule number two – minimal clothing.” I smirked and his eyes took on a hungry look.

“How about we make that rule happen right now?” he teased but I got the feeling he was half serious at the same time and it brought back images from just before as I kissed everything better on his body.

“Or how about you both get your minds out the gutter and turn your hormones off because we have serious shit to start sorting out now.”

Groaning I turned and looked over Dougy who was standing in the lounge room doorway with his arms folded over his chest and an eyebrow raised as he looked between the pair of us, “My minds not in the gutter.” I mumbled as I stood back down to my feet and Baden chuckled.

“Whatever, we all heard you both just before.” And he made a disgusted face while my face turned bright red and Baden grinned like he had won the lottery, I shot him an annoyed look which only made him laugh.

Letting go of Baden’s hand I walked the rest of the way down the stairs and looked over at the wide open front door, Caveman’s car was parked on the grass directly in sight and I could see Amberly sitting in the passenger seat looking down at her own lap.

Frowning I looked over at Dougy, “What’s going on with Ambo?”

He followed my gaze then looked back at me, “Jeff’s taking her to a safe house with all our bags, Baden already packed all your stuff last night and it’s all in the car so you’re stuck with what you’ve got on.” His eyes scanned me up and down then he gave me a small nod, causing me to look at him with confusion – what did it matter what I was wearing? But this did explain why I had a pile of cleans clothes for me in Dougy’s room.

I knew this question was probably going to ruin everything for me but I asked anyway, even though I didn’t want to be doing this, “When is he taking us then?” I complained, looking back out at Amberly who hadn’t noticed me in the doorway yet.

“You’re coming with us.” He spoke in a clear tone and I looked back to him with a smile on my face which made him frown, “Don’t look so happy about it, we’re not putting you on the firing line – you’ll be with the ‘family guys’.” And he made air quotation marks around the last two words as he pulled a face.

“Are you sure Dougy, this is your sister were talking about.” Baden eyed him curiously and I felt like kicking him for trying to make Dougy think twice about it but I had nothing to worry about.

He shrugged, “Its fine, maybe she will finally understand how real this all is and start feeling something about it all besides, like I said – she’s not actually going in there.” He gave Baden a pointed look with the last part but he just nodded and basically shrugged it off as he walked away after giving me a small smile.

Dougy turned to face me, “C’mon, you’re coming with me for now.” He pulled his car keys out of his pocket and headed out the front door.

“Shouldn’t I tell Baden where I'm going?” I asked with a frown as I followed him but he shook his head and said Baden already knew but he stopped outside the door and nodded over to where Amberly was sitting in Caveman’s car before glancing at me over his shoulder.

“Might want to say bye to her, it will be a few hours at least until you see her again.” Then he walked off towards his car, “Don’t be long because I am waiting.” He called out with a chuckle and I shook my head at him with a small smile on my face.

Tapping on Amberly’s window I watched as she jumped before looking up with a worried expression and my heart went out to her as I reached for the door handle and open the door, crouching down next to her and looking up with a reassuring smile, “Hey, everything will be fine, you’ll see.” I tried to convince her.

She shook her head, “No it won’t, what if something bad happens to someone? It will all be my fault, Paul is my step brother and all of this is happening because of me.” Tears leaked over her eyes and ran down her face; she was really taking this all onto herself when she didn’t need too.

Yeah, she is the main reason why all this started but there is no way I would have ever walked away and let her deal with that wanker alone, her problems are my problems. Sighing I looked back up to her and took one of her hands into mine, “Ambo.” I mumbled with a small smile, “This was all inevitable, Johnson’s and Gianni’s have always hated each other and you know that as much as I do. If it wasn’t you they were fighting over, it would be something else. There is nothing that can be done about it, they are sworn enemies but right now – the Johnson members that we know have a personal reason to win.”

Amberly looked away from me and sniffed, trying to hide her tears, “I'm still responsible and nothing you or anyone else says will change the guilt I feel.” She whispered and I reached up, cupping her face and making her look back to me.

“Stop being ridiculous Amberly, you’re beating yourself up for no reason.” I scolded lightly, “Now, unless you want me dobbing on you to Caveman, I suggest you take that guilt and throw it the hell away because it’s not needed.” I grinned and she laughed but it was emotionless as she shook her head at me.

A horn tooting made us both jump and look over at Dougy as he stuck his head out the driver’s window, “Hurry the hell up Lee! You’ll see her soon enough!” he shouted with an impatient look on his face.

“Hold your horses!” I shouted back before turning to face my sister and best friend, “I’ve got to go but I’ll see you later.” I smiled as her body stiffened slightly and her mouth opened.

“Y-you’re going with them?” she gasped and I looked away guilty while nodding my head, “Leila! Don’t do this to me; I'm already going to be worried sick about everyone but you too?”

Standing up I still held her hand in my mine but I had let go of her face and offered her a smile, “I’ll be fine, I'm not actually going into the warehouse but if I do see Paul, he is going the fuck down for everything he has done to you.” I growled the last part, remembering everything Amberly has told me, she didn’t deserve none of this.

“No, please don’t, please stay with me!” she begged as tears filled her eyes up instantly while she grabbed onto me with both hands.

Frowning I shook my head, “Calm down Ambo, in a few hours this will all be over and we’ll be sitting in our new house with drinks in our hands and breathing a sigh of relief that it’s all over.” I grinned but she shook her head, “Don’t do this to me.” I whispered as her tears pulled at my heart.

“I knew deep down you would be going but I want you to stay with me! Why do you even need to be there?” she half snapped with anger.

Groaning, I looked over the roof of the car and stared at a tree across the road, “I’ve had enough, for years I was hiding and running from my worst nightmare and now that he is finally gone for good, it feels great. I just want to give that feeling to you, you have done so much for me and this is the least I can do for you Ambo.” I pulled my hand free from her grip, secretly glad she won’t be able to run after me with her leg still in a cast and that one of her hands was too weak to actually grip on really tight in the first place, “Love you sister.” I smiled and stepped away from the car.

Baden and Phil came walking quickly out the front door, carrying bags with Caveman running after them, slamming the door shut behind him. Baden looked over at me, “Hurry up before this place blows.” And he nodded for me to go get in Dougy’s car while Phil ran over to Baden’s and tossed the bags into the backseat.

Taking one last look at Amberly as I shut her door while Caveman ran around to the driver’s door, I gave her a small smile and ran off down the driveway to Dougy’s car and jumped in. He took off before I could even put my seatbelt on and I was sent flying into the door as he slammed the car into drive and moved so Baden and Caveman could pull out.

Buckling up I turned and looked in the rear vision mirror as I watched Caveman’s car pull out and head in the opposite direction while Baden followed us but turned left at the next street while we kept on going straight. Just as I started to look back at the road in front of us a loud bang echoed around the air and I felt the vibrations through the seat in the car.

Looking back I felt my eyes widen as thick smoke filled the air and I could see the hint of flames over the neighbouring houses roof tops and trees, “Did you all plant a bomb in there or something?” I asked in shock at how big the flames had already gotten.

Dougy smirked as he shook his head, “Nah but gas lines work just as well.” I looked over at him and sat back down in my seat, knowing exactly who set the explosion up – Phil, he was always a little fire bug when he was younger. I wonder if Cole will take after his dad in that way? I sure hope not, I hope he takes after me though.

“Where are we heading?” I asked as I looked out my window at passing houses.

“Porky’s, do you remember him?” Dougy frowned slightly as if he was trying to remember for me and I just rolled my eyes at him.

“No, Phil asked me the same thing.” I mumbled and leaned back in my seat again and waited until we got there.

~~

“That was just plain nasty!” I snapped at Dougy as I climbed out, slamming the car door behind me as he climbed out and grinned at me over top of the car.

“What? The kid deserved it.” He chuckled as he walked down the side of his car to the boot and popped it open. I followed him and watched him pull two bags out, handing one to me.

“He did not.” I grumbled as Dougy laughed again.

“He shouldn’t have stuck his tongue out at me.” He responded with a small smirk then started walking; I followed him again but actually looked around the place. We had driven in through wide open tin gates and the whole place was surrounded by the same tall tin fencing, enclosing the area while rows and rows of wrecked cars were lined up in the dusty dirt with a massive shed to one side and a small office at the start of it.

There were already quite a few cars here that didn’t look like they belonged to the car yard and I noticed a few motorbikes as well, all off road dirt bikes.

“It was no need to point your gun at him and scare the crap out of him though.” I grunted; shooting him daggers as the image of the little seven year olds terrified face flashed before my eyes. I bet that kid will scarred for life and will never look at cars next to him at stop lights again.

“His face was priceless though.” Dougy chuckled as we headed towards the big sliding door on the side of the shed which had been pushed open, shouting and voices flowed out of it towards us and I glanced over at Dougy, not knowing what to expect inside.

“Hot damn! Is this little Leila all grown up?” a voice shouted, snapping my head up in the direction of the guy standing in the open shed doorway now, grinning over at me.

“Sure is Porky.” Dougy smirked back, “And don’t even think about hitting on her, I will kill you unless Baden beats me to it.”

Porky’s grin didn’t fade as he chuckled and looked me up and down but not really in a perverted way, he was a little bit taller than me but not full of toned hard muscles, he had a bit of chubbiness to him and his shiny nose and cheeks gave me the impression that is where he got the name ‘Porky’ from.

“Remember me? I met you a few times when you were a little kid but damn, you’re not a kid no more. All grown up I see and looking fine.” Dougy opened his mouth to say something not so very nice but Porky cut him off with a wave of his hand, “I was just saying, we all know she is Baden’s girl.”

Being referred to as ‘Baden’s girl’ all the time should infuriate me but it doesn’t, it always makes me smile to know that everyone knows I'm with him and him only.

Looking over at Porky I can’t ever remember seeing his face before but it has been quite a few years since I was a kid, “I don’t remember you.” I smiled slightly, hoping he wouldn’t get offended by this.

His eyes twinkle and his grin stayed on his face as he laughed a deep belly laugh, “That’s okay, I didn’t expect you too.” And he winked at me in a friendly way, “I see you’ve come into the family business then ay?”

“No she’s not.” Dougy hissed as he stormed past Porky, elbowing him as he did and Porky just laughed again. He sure seems to laugh a lot; maybe having a face that resembles Santa has something to do with it? I chuckled at that thought and followed Dougy inside with Porky right alongside me

“What’s the family business?” I whispered as I kept my eyes glued to the back of Dougy’s head and spared a quick glance up at Porky to see if he had heard me or not, his grin told me he had.

He leaned in a little towards me, “Dougy has full control of the weaponry import and export business, it’s how he and Baden met in the first place. Baden would buy all his weapons through your brother and they formed a sort of mutual alliance and would help each other out but you.” And he chuckled quietly, “You’re the reason Dougy officially joined Baden’s gang as a fully fledged member along with Phil when you went missing and they become friends as well over time.”

Porky straightened up as I let this new information sink in, his hand clamped down on my shoulder as he steered me through another smaller open doorway with another chuckle and my eyes looked up at the many faces all around us in the small office like area - a few I recognised from the past.

Smiling slightly as Craig looked up and gave me a small nod, right alongside him was the other bouncer from the club that night, Earl I reckon his name is.

“Long time no see.” Craig grinned slightly with a light laugh.

Nodding, “Good to see you again.”

He jerked his thumb in the direction of the second bouncer, “Remember Earl here?” and I nodded then said hello to him which he returned before my eyes landed on the last familiar face in the room of unknown men – Max. Instantly I glanced down at his leg as he moved around, he wasn’t even limping in the slightest and I'm glad he is okay.

“Hi Max.” I smiled slightly and he spun around to face me with a hard look in his eyes until he noticed it was me and then he quickly scanned the room – looking for Baden no doubt, “He’s not here, yet.”

He nodded once then looked back to me again, “Heard you’ve been up to a bit since that day.” He smirked slightly and I rolled my eyes but nodded, “So, you joining us tonight then?”

Nodding again, “Yup....how’s your leg?”

Max shook his head lightly, “Fine and.....thanks.” he mumbled the last part so not many people heard but the few who did, didn’t understand what he was on about. I did though, he was thanking me for keeping our little secret about him and Phil running off to different parts of the house that day – something Baden still knows nothing about and it will stay that way.

“No probs.” I laughed softly and then Dougy came up and took my hand into his, leading me away to a big table in the far corner of the room covered in spanners and tools and smelled like grease. Porky was already standing there, talking loudly to some other lanky guy with red hair as they pointed to a big map – one I have seen before.

Looking down at the familiar land markings and road maps, Dougy stepped up alongside me and smiled slightly, “This is where you will be, Craig will be with you and a few others.” He tapped a line which resembled a dirt track and will most likely only fit one car down it at a time.

“What am I driving?” I asked as I looked at the distance between where I will be and where the warehouse is, on the map it didn’t look like much but in person it probably will be.

“Baden wants you to take the grey car, since you’ve driven it before and all.”

“Since its bulletproof you mean.” I smirked, shaking my head slightly but I can’t complain; I'm lucky enough to even be getting this close to Paul.

“That too.” He chuckled, “Tom, Byron and Craig are all going to be on dirt bikes right there with you but you have to be careful driving through the city though.” He warned and I looked up at him with confusion, be careful of what? Dougy noticed and smiled slightly, “You’re going to have a lot of hardcore weapons in that car with you – I made sure my little sister got all the best.” I just simply rolled my eyes.

Heaving up a heavy wooden crate with rope handles, I followed Craig to the back of some off road jeep where this guy, Kurt, was standing up in the back. He was an okay guy, not much of a talker and mostly a grunter but I’ve been told he is like that with everyone apart from a few.

“Here we go Kurt.” I smiled innocently and he grunted before reaching down and taking the crate from me and placing it on the floor under the backseat before taking Craig’s crate. I laughed silently, ever since I found out he only grunts, I’ve been doing all I can to try and get him to talk to me but nothing seems to work.

Craig shook his head at me with slight amusement, “I love how we are about to go to war but you’re worried about getting Kurt to talk to you.” He chuckled as we walked back to the wooden pallets with more crates waiting on top of them to be loaded up.

Shrugging, “It’s keeping me distracted.”

He cocked an eyebrow, “Nice to know Leila is still inside that badass somewhere.”

Rolling my eyes I shoved him lightly, “Whatever Craig, just keep working.”

He saluted me as we stepped up to the pallets and mumbled “Salve driver.” While I just smiled and shook my head, picking up another crate.

Huffing, I rested it against my stomach, “Why are they so damn heavy?” I grunted as I turned around and noticed Baden standing inside the open shed door and talking to Porky, who nodded and pointed over in my direction. Baden looked up and I smiled before I kept walking over to Kurt and the jeep.

“This one’s a heavy one.” I smiled up at Kurt as he reached down and took it from my hands, grunting as a response one again and making me frown, “Do you get laid much?” I asked, tilting my head slightly to one side and watching him as he jerked his head up and glared at me before turning away again.

Laughing quietly, “Never mind.” And I walked back towards the heavy crates which were really making me work my arm muscles.

“Leila, Dougy wanted to see you.” Craig looked up from a crate he had opened and was rummaging through the shredded paper inside.

Nodding, I turned and looked around but couldn’t see him through the crowd of men. Some glared at me like I shouldn’t be here at all, most just simply ignored me but didn’t go out of their way to be utterly rude and some would say hi or smile or nod, a few have asked me about things like if I knew where so and so was and stuff like that but all of them had that intimidating look to them which I wasn’t letting get to me.

Spotting Phil on the other side of the shed with a small group of men, loading bigger guns into the back of a black dark tinted window van; so I headed over there while keeping an eye out for Dougy but I couldn’t see him anywhere. So much for wanting to see me.

“Phil, you have you seen Dougy anywhere?” I asked casually as I walked up alongside him.

He turned and grinned down at me but didn’t miss a beat with taking a gun from one of the other guys and placing it in the back on the growing pile, “Nah, can’t say I have. Oh, Jeff messaged saying Amberly is safe.” He added and I nodded slowly while chewing on my bottom lip.

“Need any help then?” I offered before I headed back over to lifting crates. Phil glanced down at his watch and looked back up again as the sound of a few car doors slamming shut could be heard all around us, his eyes scanning the mass of people for someone in particular.

“No.” He mumbled slowly, then turned back to the guy who was passing him guns, “Finish getting this lot in, we’re leaving in a minute.” They nodded as he turned back to me and took my hand into his, “Come with me Lee.” He smiled as he led me away.

Looking around as Phil weaved in and out of people and around cars, the place was almost like a frenzy, the calm packing up that everyone was doing only minutes ago was now in a full rush and people where filing out the place.

“Leila!” a voice shouted out over top of the noise and I snapped my head up to see Craig waving at me and making his way towards us, Phil noticed too and stopped walking while he pulled his phone out and dialled someone’s number, “Our lot is ready to go now.”

“Hang on, I'm ringing Dougy.” Phil mumbled, “Yeah man.” He spoke loudly into the phone, “Meet Lee at her car....alright....yeah I’ll wait for you.” And he hung up, “Dougy is walking towards your car now, so meet him there.” Before I could even say anything Phil had pulled me into a tight bear crushing hug and held me close for a minute, “Look after yourself and don’t get hurt.” He muttered sternly.

Nodding, “I will, you and Dougy watch your backs and don’t get shot.” And I pulled back to give him a warning look which he chuckled at and messed my hair up.

“We will, see you soon little sister.” He smiled lovingly and kissed my forehead in a brotherly way. Smiling up at him, I pulled him in for one last hug, “Love you Philly boy.” And I let go, “Love you too Lee.” He chuckled and walked away with a small wave over his shoulder and his famous grin.

Turning to follow Craig to where my car was waiting outside, already loaded up since Dougy wanted to personally over look that ages ago; I smiled when I saw my big brother leaning against the driver’s door, talking away on his phone. He happened to look up as I neared him, muttered something into his phone and snapped it shut.

“I’ve been looking for you little girl.” He smirked.

Shaking my head, “I'm not little.” I grunted and gave him playful daggers while my heart was clenching in my chest, praying nothing bad would happen to any of them since there is a big chance for plenty of things to go wrong and with the luck we seem to not have, I get the feeling something will happen.

“Whatever you say, you will always be my little sister.” He teased as he slung his arm around my shoulder and walked me down the side of the car a little to open the back door, I looked inside and my eyes bugged out of my head – he wasn’t joking about the hardcore weapons in the car, “Machine gun, rocket launcher – which I want you to shoot at any car that comes your way.” He added sternly and I nodded, “High powered crossbows with laser pointer, just in case you guys run out of bullets or something, you shouldn’t but it’s back up. The rest is for the other guys.”

“You do know I don’t know how to use this stuff, right?” I looked up at him because I honestly didn’t; I only knew how to use a basic gun.

He chuckled, “Yeah, Craig will help you. So don’t give him hell.” He added with a pointed look and I rolled my eyes before wrapping my arms around his waist, “Don’t worry, I’ll be annoying you again real soon.” He smirked.

“I’ll be holding you to that Dougy.” I smiled, putting on a brave face to hide my worry but I could see the same brave face on almost everyone here that I looked at – including Dougy.

“Love you Leila.” He whispered and hugged me tight once more, “Love you too Dougy.” I whispered back and tried to squeeze him tight which didn’t work and only had him laughing at me, “Nice try.”

Shrugging as I pulled away, “Eh, I used all my strength to pick up crates.”

Dougy grinned as he shook his head slowly, “Sure sure. Alright, I’ve got to go, see you later.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek before quickly turning his back on me and walking off across the dirt parking lot towards the rows of motorbikes, I noticed Phil was already sitting on one and smiled at Dougy as he climbed onto his own.

Sighing softly I prayed those two looked after each other, I know they will but I still can’t help but worry as my stomach twisted into tight vicious knots as I shut the back door and opened the drivers. Motorbikes roared to life, making me jump from how close they were. Turning around I watched Craig drive up to me slowly with Tom and Byron right behind him.

“Ready?”

Nodding my head slowly I climbed into the driver’s seat, sliding my sunnies down over my eyes and started the car up while Craig revved his motorbike alongside me and flipped the visor on his helmet down before pulling away. I watched the other two to see if they were going to go first or not but Tom waved me ahead of them so I followed Craig to the start of the big yard.

Baden’s car was parked just to the side of the wide open gates and as we came along I watched him climb out the driver’s seat and fold his arms over his chest while he faced me, a small smirk on his lips. Craig pulled to a stop next time him and I stopped behind Craig with the other two behind me.

Watching Baden exchange words with Craig, he nodded slightly then started walking towards me while I stayed seated in the car. Winding my window down like he motioned for me to, Baden leaned into the car, propping his arms in the open window and smiled at me as I lifted my sunnies up on top of my head.

“Hey beautiful.” His voice soft but yet firm and I couldn’t help but smile back as I reached up and took one of his hands into my own, locking our fingers together.

“This is it, the day Paul is taken down and we can go on with our lives.” I murmured, I’ve been waiting for this day ever since he first kidnapped Amberly and beat her up and sent people after me to get my body in a body bag and I know I can say everyone else here has also been waiting for this day, especially four other men in particular and one girl waiting at home for us. Paul Gianni didn’t deserve compassion; he deserved a bullet to the head for everything he has done to us.

Baden reached out with his free hand and cupped my cheek gently, closing my eyes I leaned into his hand and smiled at how much I love his touch, “It will all be over after tonight.” Nodding slightly I opened my eyes to look up into his dark ones, “It’ll all be alright and tomorrow we will get our interruption free date.” He smirked.

“Rule number three – lots of chocolate.” I laughed softly and he nodded his head.

“Agreed.” He murmured leaning down further towards me, I tilted my face up so our lips could meet. It was soft and tender but greedy and passionate at the same time and I could feel the warmth of him soaking into me, his natural smell filling my mind and then we broke apart, I missed his lips already, “We can finish this later.” He winked at me, pecked me on the tip of my nose lightly and pulled his head back out of the car.

“Later.” I murmured before flashing him a smile and following Craig out of the wrecking yard onto the quiet street. It will be dusk in about two hours and I heard it’s going to take us a little bit to get their first. Glancing in my rear vision mirror and watching Baden walk back to his car, I smiled a little.

~~

If I was to say I was perfectly fine and not scared or paranoid at all, I’d be lying. My eyes are darting all over the place for some swat team to fly out in front of me, barricade my car in and all point guns at my head as they tell me to get out nice and slow.

Shooting a glance over my shoulder into the backseat at all of the weapons I mentally cursed Dougy for making me drive this car with all of that in here but I already knew if for some reason cops did try and pull me over – I sure as hell wasn’t stopping.

I could see Craig’s back as he rode his bike about two car lengths ahead of me, weaving in and out of the traffic but still staying within eyesight. His head would turn slightly to the side every now and then to make sure I'm still here and I would roll my eyes.

Tom and Byron were both basically flanking me but at different lengths, I had already guessed they were trying to not make it obvious we were all driving together as we drove through the city but right now we are about five minutes from the outskirts and the revving of motorbikes made me check my rear vision mirror again to see the two of them gaining me and fast.

Flying onto the narrow dirt road right behind Craig with the other two directly behind me, I felt like a mini convoy. The road was a little bendy with tall gum trees growing up high on both sides but I was concentrating on the rear taillight of Craig’s bike through the swirl of dust he was creating since I didn’t know how far down this road we would be driving but after about fifteen minutes his break light lit up as he slowed down at a normal pace and didn’t just rammed the bike to a stop.

Pulling up behind him, Tom came up to my door and I wound my window down as he turned his bike off and lifted his helmet up, “We need you to park the car side on, alright?” I nodded and put the car into reverse, turning so I could see behind me as I drove in close as I could to the big tree trunk behind me, then shifted to drive and moved forward until I was on as much of an angle I could get the car.

The second I turned the car off, Byron was opening the back door and had climbed in, playing around with the weapons. I turned in my seat to watch him opening the back passenger door in the direction of the warehouse to keep myself distracted from the reality of the situation as he propped the machine gun onto a tripod and stood it in position.

“Why not have it outside the car?” I asked, confused. Wouldn’t it be easier and have a better advantage sitting it on top of the roof or something?

Just as Byron opened his mouth to reply the sounds of constant gunshots echoed off from in the distance, my whole body tensed as I slowly turned to face the trees in the direction it was coming from, my heart speeding up as I thought of my brothers and Baden and even Caveman being in that right now.

“It’s started.” Tom muttered softly as he walked past the car, pushing his bike to the side of the road and into the cover of the trees.

“Because Dougy wants you to stay in the car and this is your weapon so if someone does come, you will have the car as cover and protection but don’t get cocky, because the door is open and bullets come in through open doors.” He smirked slightly as I nodded my head slowly, watching him attach a long chain of bullets before he explained the gist of how to use it.

A small explosion made me jump and sent my eyes towards the tops of the trees where thick smoke was already starting to rise up into the sky but I blocked all thoughts from my head as I turned back to face Byron as I helped him set the rocket launcher up into place in the front passenger seat. It was like I had my own personal little barricade right here with lots of ammunition and powerful weapons.

“Didn’t take long for shit to hit the fan.” Craig grunted as he reached into the backseat and pulled something off the floor, then motioned for me to climb out. Standing next to him I glanced at the brown leather straps and frowned – was he planning on tying me up or something? My heart pounded at that thought but he started talking, “Stand still.” He muttered as slipped my arms through two loops, “This is to attach the cross bow onto your back without having to carry it.” He explained and I nodded slightly.

Tom tossed him a long leather pouch with a smaller strap on it and Craig handed it to me then motioned at the top of my thigh, “Strap it on there, your arrows are inside.” Another loud bag echoed through the bush all around us and it was starting to get dark now so the smoke was all blending in with the darkening sky.

“How long has it been?” I asked quietly as I strapped the long pouch on like he had instructed while he showed me how to slip the crossbow into the straps on my back and pull it out again. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to remember that but I didn’t want to waste time going over it again – I can just improvise later if I need to.

“Just over twenty minutes.” Byron answered from the rear end of the car, he had a small automatic in his hands and his eyes were scanning the trees all around us.

“Get it Leila.” Craig nodded for the driver’s seat again and I didn’t argue as I climbed in and turned to face the road, feeling a little weird with all this stuff attached to me since Phil gave me his favourite gun which is tucked into the top of my jeans at my back right now and Baden gave me a smaller one which he tucked into the side of my right boot.

We all fell silent and I knew their eyes would be scanning the shadowed trees and road just like mine were but I also kept glancing over at each of them, putting all my concentration into what we were doing and not what the others were doing right now. Craig, I noticed, kept looking back over at me before turning to the trees again and as my fingers played with the handle edge of Phil’s gun behind my back I looked over at Byron.

I’ve never met him before but he seemed like a decent guy – one who obviously had kids, I bet he is a great dad with them, Craig too since he has taken on a sort of fatherly role towards me tonight. Tom was a little harder to read but I’d like to say he was a great dad as well. He’s not overly talkative with me but he’s not rude or mean either.

Someone’s phone started buzzing a little while later and I turned to look over at Tom feeling bored as he pulled it out his back pocket, glanced at the caller ID and frowned before answering, “What’s-.” He obviously got cut off by the person calling and his head snapped up in the direction of the road I had just been watching, “Got it.” He muttered then hung up, “Two jeeps heading this way – not ours.” He spoke in a firm tone.

“Leila, get that rocket launcher loaded.” Byron half shouted at me as he reached in and handed me the first missile, my palms were instantly all sweaty with my heart racing like crazy in my chest – what if I mess this up? What if I miss? Too many what’s if! Sliding it into place like Byron had shown me before, he reached over and pressed something while I held my hands in place as I lifted one end up onto my shoulder and faced the tip to the road; holding the handle, ready to pull at the first sight of a car.

“What’s going on there?” Craig asked Tom without looking at him as he stood on my side of the car, using the front end for cover if he needed it.

“It’s a blood bath, Ryan said we have lost so many men – the cops are going to be all over this, there is no way either of us can cover up what went on here.” Tom muttered back in a rushed voice and I tried to block out his words as a tear leaked out the corner of my eye, praying the ones I cared about aren’t one of those bodies in there right now.

Gun fire echoed louder through the trees which confused me, until the first jeep came into view, being trailed by two motorbikes, shooting at its rear end while the second jeep was further behind going slower for some reason. One of the guys on the motorbike wasn’t wearing a helmet and I was staring at his face through the dust, trying to work out who he was when Craig roared at me to fire. I jumped and pulled the trigger at the same time the helmetless guy looked up. Caveman.

The missile whizzed through the air, leaving a small trail of white smoke behind it for a second as I froze in time and watched the jeep try to swerve. Caveman’s face filled with pure panic until the dust covered him up again and I noticed he had yanked the bike to the side.

“Duck!” a voice screamed, snapping me out of it as a thunderous explosion went off, shaking the very ground and car I sat in. The entire area lit up brightly as my body shook to the insides with a bright flash of blinding colours that sent a wave of heat towards me, knocking me backwards out the open driver’s door and landing on the ground.

Covering the back of my head I heard voices shouting but they were drowned out by my ringing ears, Tom rushed forward and grabbed my elbow as Byron dove into the front of the car. Being yanked to the side of the car with Tom tucking me under his arm, another familiar sound rang through my ears and then Byron dove back out the car seconds before another explosion rocked the ground.

My hands instantly flew up to my ears to cover them and heat filled the air for a few seconds before cooling down again. Tom let go off me as he jumped up, gun out in front of him and his eyes darting around. Craig was running towards the explosions while Byron looked down at me.

Holding the side of my head my face felt like I had been laying out in the hot sun all day with no sunscreen on as I stood to my feet only to have someone roughly grab my back, I tried to turn around, “Your crossbow is there now.” Craig muttered instantly, puffing slightly and I nodded as my eyes darted over to the cars and my mouth dropped.

“Oh crap.”

The cars resembled flaming hunks of metal right now, thick smoke billowed up into the darkening sky and breathing in almost made me choke on it as it filled my lungs. Covering my mouth my eyes were glued to the dancing flames which not only were attached to what once use to be two jeeps but they also were up higher in the branches and thick leaves of the trees, crackling away at the dry foliage, lighting up this whole area with an orange glow.

I was stupidly too busy scanning the burning trees to notice anything but I wasn’t the only one, Byron and Craig never saw the survivor either, the one who was covered in black singe marks with an twisted smile as blood stained his teeth, I only know this because after the gun shot sound rang out, another one did seconds later and I had turned to see the singed man falling to the ground face first but he wasn’t the only one.

“Tom!” Craig shouted as he ran over towards him, laying a few metres away from me in a crumpled heap, Byron quickly took my elbow and yanked me in the other direction as I watched Craig’s face fall before he too turned away and headed for his bike.

“Here.” Byron shoved a small automatic into my hands and I took it as I numbly climbed into the bike and started it up as he jogged over to his and climbed on. I don’t know why we are leaving our post but we are for some reason and I was told to listen to Craig and not argue with him but I didn’t entirely listen as they took off into the trees and I took off towards the burning metal.

I know that was Caveman I had seen just before the missile hit the car and I needed to find him; I needed to see that he was alright and safe. Driving directly towards the spot I last saw him, I slowed down and looked all around, coughing from the thick smoke as I tucked the gun Byron had given me into a side compartment on the bike and held the front of my shirt over my nose and mouth.

“Caveman!” I shouted as loud as I could between coughs before slowly riding further ahead, my eyes scanning the wreckages and flames of fire and I have never felt so alone as I did right now, doing my best to hold back my flood of emotions as I searched for him, “Caveman!” I screamed out again desperately hoping he could hear me or that I would hear him reply.

Driving up to the second wreckage, I tried once more, “Caveman!” my throat stung from screaming so loudly but I needed to find him.

“I fucking hate that name Leila!” he roared back at me from my side, snapping my head in the direction of the trees; he was walking towards me, pushing his idling bike along and shooting me daggers while a grin spread across my face.

His face was covered in black while he had white crease marks in his skin, his top looked a little burnt and I noticed parts on his arms looking raw and red but he was up and standing, he was alive.

“Come on, get on your bike – we don’t have all night.” I smirked as I revved my engine and drove towards him before sliding to a stop a metre away with a grin, happy to finally see a familiar face that I know and happy to see I hadn’t accidently blown him up.

He made some grunting noise, “Maybe next time you’re about to send a missile my way, warn me!” he snapped, “I just should have let you deal with them yourself then I wouldn’t be covered in burns right now.” He grunted as he climbed onto his bike, hissing in slight pain as my grin stayed in place.

“You came to help me?” I asked with amusement, feeling light hearted and happy now that I was with him.

“Never again though, geez girl, you almost blew me up.” he muttered then turned and looked at me over his shoulder, “Glad your okay though, now let’s go find Baden.” And he started his bike up while I followed him through the trees, ducking and weaving with only my head light showing the way right now as adrenalin took over my body.

The sun had finally fallen and it was a moonless night so the only sources of light we had was the bike lights and the faint glow which we were leaving far behind us and the soft glow further up ahead which is where the main battle is taking place. Gun shots could still be heard and the sounds of revving engines and voices shouting or screaming but my mind had slowly started to block these sounds out as they became normal over the past half an hour or so.

Caveman pulled to a stop and I immediately followed suit as he switched his engine off and I copied him on that too, turning he looked over at me as I sat by his side, “Alright, I'm bringing you in with me, we need to find those other three and get the hell out of here.” I nodded as my eyes darted around the dark trees, “Two cops were flying in along the main road before and it won’t take too long before the place is surrounded but if you see one – don’t you dare bloody stop.” He growled with warning and again I nodded my head.

“I'm not stupid you know.’ I muttered, feeling a little insulted he would think I would stop if a cop shouted at me too. Hell no, I'm not going to prison for this crap. I want to live life as a free woman.

“You’re stupid enough to try and blow me up.” he grunted sourly and I almost laughed.

“Sorry, it was an accident though.” I muttered back and he gave me one small nod.

“Shush!” he hissed suddenly as he pulled a gun out from behind him, I noticed what he had been looking at, over in the trees about twenty metres away was some lights, small but it was obvious out here in the pitch black. Reaching behind me I slowly and quietly pulled the crossbow out, keeping my breathing slow and even as sweat trickled down the side of my hot forehead, cooling my skin down slightly.

“Ours?” I whispered ever so softly that I'm not sure he had heard me but after a moment he leaned towards me, “No.” And I nodded, not knowing if he saw or not as I reached down the side of my thigh and gently removed an arrow before straining in the darkness to see what I was doing as I held the bow up and placed the arrow in.

Glancing at Caveman’s dark shadow, the silence was eerie but we could hear crunching footsteps on the bush floor, flicking the laser light on I instantly held the arrow up, pulled it back and clicked it into place as I aimed, my eyes trained on the thin red light until I knew it was pointed at a body.

“What the-.” A voice hissed in panic but it was too late as I released and the arrow whizzed through the air. I didn’t get time to find out if I hit my target or not because Caveman let loose with a spray of bullets in the direction of the light.

“Ride!” he yelled over the noise and I started my bike back up, slinging my arm through the crossbow as the wire held it across my chest like in the old movies and followed Caveman through the trees as he still fired off a round of seemingly never ending bullets in the same spot before a loud click told him he was all out.

Cursing loudly he threw the gun down on the ground and used both hands on the bike, picking up speed now as I kept close to his rear end, ducking and praying I didn’t fall off as the sounds that use to be in the far distance grew louder and louder until I could actually start to make out some words that were being shouted.

Flying out from the trees my eyes widened at the sight before me, half the big grey building was on fire or burnt to the ground, cars and bikes were everywhere but some were flipped over onto their roofs, some had flames coming out of them, people were running as they fired of bullets, a lot were covered in blood – their own or someone else’s I will never know, dodging an unmoving body I kept my eyes off the ground d as I followed Caveman the chaos.

Ducking as something small and on fire went flying past my head, sending my body into overdrive as I looked for any other familiar faces but not finding any.

“Baden was around the back last I saw of him!” Caveman shouted out, I nodded once and revved my bike even more as I sped up and flew past two guys beating the crap out of each other. As I neared the side of the building, a shocked scream escaped my lips as a guy on a motorbike came flying out though a gap in the wall, he slide to a stop with his gun held up and pointed at me but then he looked furious.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Dougy roared as I flashed him a smile before flying past him, ignoring him since now was not the time to get into a sibling argument, leaning to the side my back tire slid in the soft dirt as I rounded the corner with Dougy hot on my heels, my eyes peeled open for any sign of Baden as my body was relaxing since now that’s two out of four who I know are all okay.

“Phil! Left!” Dougy shouted from behind me and repetitive gun fire sounded off, I glanced back to see Phil shooting at a figure on a bike in the cover of the trees. The huge building had a few lamps still on outside but the majority of the place was covered in darkness apart from the other end that was on fire, it was lit up like a massive bonfire.

“Lee?” Phil shouted confused and I nodded as I looked up ahead to see a motorbike idling on its side on the ground and someone climbing to his feet but some other guy ran up and kicked him in the guts followed by another. The fire was near that end and I slammed my back brakes on as I noticed a long lumpy thing on the ground in front of me, turning it sideways into the dirt a bit too quickly, I lost control as it fell down side on, almost trapping my leg underneath it but I yanked that leg up into the air before it could get trapped.

Rolling to my side I jumped back up to my feet and slid the crossbow off as Dougy pulled to a stop alongside me and wrapped one arm around my waist, lifting me up and off the ground. Gripping onto his shoulders I placed my feet on the little stands and stood up behind him, using him as support while I grabbed a few arrows out.

“What are you doing?” he shouted out over the noise going on all around us.

I pointed to the group up ahead, “Forget it Lee!” he snapped but I shook my head, “That’s Caveman on the ground!” I shouted into his ear, making him cringe slightly but he turned and looked, now noticing what I did as he revved his bike, flying forward.

Resting my elbows on his shoulder as I squeezed my legs tightly around the bike to keep me gripped on, I pulled the arrow back into place, aimed with one eye squinted shut and shot it off, I watched as it flew through the air and hit some guy in the back, making him stop kicking Caveman - who suddenly got the upper hand as the other two were staring at their friend as he fell down.

“Where the hell is your gun?” Dougy shouted at me as he slipped one out from behind him, holding it up for me as I sat back down and wrapped one arm around his waist and clung on while I slid the crossbow through my free arm and took his weapon.

“On me!” I shouted back as I aimed in the direction of the men but it was hard to keep it steady while Dougy was swerving and kept going over bumps, the last thing I wanted to do was accidently shoot Caveman and he would never forgive me considering he sounded sore about me almost blowing him up.

Dougy slid his bike to a stop side on and took his gun back from me as he fired at the two men because Caveman had noticed us, so he ducked for cover to not get in the crossfire. Looking around in search of Baden once more my panic for him was starting to build up again. Where the hell is he? I’ve found the others and I know because I'm with them, I feel braver and not so worried but Baden was still missing.

A figure came running out from the shadows of the building, a plank of wood in his bloody hands as his eyes were locked on Dougy. My brain switched to quick thinking as I stood up, holding Dougy’s head to balance myself and lunged at the guy, sending him backwards with me on top of him. He dropped the plank during the fall but was quick to punched me in the jaw as he shoved me off of him but my entire body was already aching and adrenalin was the only thing keeping it going, so the pain wasn’t that bad - I knew I would be feeling it later as I flung my leg out, kicking into the side of his knee cap, he shouted out in pain as his hand dropped to the side and held it while his leg buckled. I went in again, rolling to the side and jumping up at the same time as I booted into his other leg but getting his thigh this time.

Something whizzed past us but I didn’t pay it any attention as I grabbed the plank and sent it flying across the guys face, knocking him to the side where he didn’t move again. I watched him for a moment before the sounds of sirens filled the air and Phil swore loudly.

“Get on Lee!” Dougy roared at me and held his hand out for me to take, I looked over at him and reached out but before I took it a car came flying up behind me, making me spin around to face it, it was covered in dirt and mud but I would recognise that car from anywhere as it slid to a stop a metre away and the driver’s door flung open revealing the man I have been looking for.

“Get in!” he ordered without a moment’s hesitation and I heard Dougy take off so I ran over to Baden and flew in through the open doorway, my feet landing in his lap and this time he didn’t wait for me to be buckled in as he took off, dodging past a cop car coming straight for us as I straightened myself up with blue and red lights flashing all around.

“I thought Jeff was going to help you, not bring you back!” he shouted as his eyes searched all around us, both hands clenched onto the steering wheel as I sat up, not bothering with a seat belt as I looked behind us at the cops car we just missed, it was in the process of reversing to chase after us.

“He did but I almost killed him!” I shouted back over the roar of the engine and gun fire still going crazy but as we rounded the far end of the building I noticed that the gun fire didn’t just belong to gangs but the police also. In the far distance of the wide open clearing I spotted two familiar riders disappearing into the cover of the trees, chasing another rider in there. Dougy and Phil and I’m hoping the other rider was Caveman.

“Why would you kill Jeff?” Baden glanced at me with a slightly horrified look on his face which if it wasn’t for the situation – I would have laughed at.

“It was an accident! I didn’t know he was going to be alongside the jeep when I fired the missile!”

“Take this and shoot any bugger that looks our way!” Baden changed the topic as he handed me a large automatic and I wound the window down quickly, not arguing with anything he had to say and rested it on the edge as I pulled the trigger, it shook the crap out of my arms but I refused to let go as I fired at people who were firing at us then moments later I stopped as our surroundings turned into tall gum trees and we were now on a bitumen road.

Leaning back in my seat I sighed a small sigh of relief as I turned my head to face Baden, his face was still a little beaten up from the other night but it looked worst now, his shirt was ripped down one side where it looks like he has a huge gash, his left thigh has a deep blood stain in his jeans and I knew it was a bullet wound but he wasn’t letting the pain get to him.

As I was eyeing him off, he was doing the same to see, “Why do you look burnt?” he demanded as he glanced back to the road then back to me briefly as I frowned and flipped the visor down in front of me, a small gasp escaped my lips at how singed my face and the top of my chest looked. It was all bright red and my grey top had black smoke marks all over it.

“I forgot to duck right away.” I mumbled as I flipped it back up and blocked the image of my sore looking face from my mind.

“You forgot to duck.” He growled but it was more to himself as he shook his head angrily and glanced over at me again, “You’ve also got another fleshy.” He nodded to my shoulder and I looked down to see the sleeve of my top had a small rip in it with fresh blood and I groaned as the stinging became obvious now.

“Damn you Baden, stop pointing crap out.” I muttered as the pain in my shoulder was very real right now, thanks to him. I could have just gone on not noticing and dealt with the pain later if it wasn’t for him.

“Sorry.” He mumbled and my head snapped up at the sound of glass shattering, I turned to look at what was my passenger door window to see glass shards everywhere before I looked up ahead as Baden swore loudly, right up ahead of us was a black SUV with tinted windows but the more important part was the hand hanging out the passenger window with a gun pointed back at us.

“Get your gun on him!” Baden roared as he put his foot flat to the floor, “This bastard is going down.” He hissed as I grabbed the gun and used both hands to hold it straight against the pressure of the wind and fired, squinting my eyes as wind blew into my face. I hit their back window, shattering it. Baden swerved the glass on the road instantly, sending the side of my head cracking into the metal doorframe as I hissed in pain and held my head for a moment. We sure could have used that rocket launcher right about now.

“Gianni’s?” I asked as I held my hands back out the window and fired off a few more rounds before that annoying clicking sound happened and I threw the gun to the floor of the car.

“Paul.” Baden hissed and my head snapped up again, Paul was in that car right now, he was in our sights, so close but yet so far but he wasn’t going to lose us anytime soon, “No one shoots at my girl!” Baden growled as he reached behind his seat and handed me another gun which I instantly held outside the window and fired off.

The noise was deafening but I ignored it, there was one thing on my mind right now and that one thing was running that damned car of the road and ending that scum’s life, the one who has caused us all so much trouble, the one who has caused Amberly pain, well not after tonight.

“Hold on!” Baden yelled and I quickly pulled back into the car and grabbed the dash to steady myself as he rammed the back of the SUV and sent it swerving but we did as well, lucky Baden got control of the car again as a scream escaped my lips because we swerved too much to my side of the road and I looked out the window to see a crappy metal fence right before a big drop.

“Uh, Baden, please tell me we aren’t driving along that cliff face on the map?” I asked as panic over took me because he was looking in the rear vision mirror and lights were shining in from behind us. Turning to look at the road I gasped as bright lights blinded me before the sounds of gun fire filled my ears, ducking I held my head for cover as Baden swerved all over the place.

“It’ll be alright Leila.” He half shouted, “Shit.” He cursed under his breath as I felt the car jolt forward again, uncovering my head I looked further up the road and around the bend before us, about one hundred metres away was more bright headlights of what seemed to be a barricade and tears brimmed at my eyes.

Looking back panic constricted my chest, we were trapped. Two of us verses however many of them, I turned to look over at Baden and the same kind of panic was clear in his eyes along with a devastating look as he glanced at me and we stared into each other’s eyes for a moment.

I can at least be glad everyone else is safe and it was just the two of us, that we were the only ones in this crappy situation right now. Smiling slightly, I was still panicking and my heart felt like it was going to explode but I had to be brave for Baden’s sake right now, the guilt and self torment in his eyes was clear as day and I couldn’t let that be one of the last things he ever feels.

“I don’t know about you but we are taking Paul down even if it’s the last thing we do.” I smirked, his eyes widen slightly then he too put on a brave face for me and I leaned over to peck his lips quickly before jumping into the backseat and grabbing a new gun, shouting at Baden to tell me how to attach the chain of bullets as I ducked while our back window was shot out, glass spraying all around me but I wasn’t focusing so much on that as I turned and looked back at the cars while I knelt on the backseat and smiled slightly.

“Go to hell!” I screamed as I pulled on the trigger and held the back end of the gun against my body as I sent a shower of bullets towards the first car, feeling nothing as the window shattered and the car swerved to the side and hit into the cliff face, rolling a few times as the car directly behind it ran up its rear end before flipping as well.

I cracked up laughing as a light feeling washed through my body, we might just make it out of this after all. Turning around to look at Baden shaking his head at me with a big grin, my eyes darted to ahead of us and my smile dropped instantly, “Um.” I mumbled and Baden turned to look as well.

“Dammit! Guess we can’t celebrate just yet, hey beautiful.” He chuckled despite the mess we are in and I smiled back. Determined if this is how my life ends, then I'm in it with him and I'm going down enjoying our time together for right up ahead, flying directly towards us was that small convoy of cars gaining distance, apart from one – Paul’s car speeding away from us.

“Hit him!” I screamed suddenly at Baden as I pointed at the SUV trying to escape to the safety of his cars and Baden slammed his foot down even more and sped up while I heaved the gun from the backseat as I climbed into the front again and pointed it back out my window, aiming and holding the trigger down, bullest spraying everywhere all over the rear end.

“Tyres! Get his bloody tyres!” Baden roared over top of the noise and I lowered my aim to the road and kept shooting, excitement filled me as the one right one blew and Baden gained on them even more. Ripping my arms back into the car and gripping onto the dash preparing for the impact a second later everything suddenly slowed down as our front end rammed his back end and sent him sideways.

The wind was blowing my hair all around me and slowly I lifted my arm up to hold it out of my eyes as we jolted forward, I watched as Baden lost his grip on the steering wheel for a split second but that second was too much, panic laced his face as I turned to look directly into a pair of bright headlights on our ass before it backed off a little only to come up again and hit Baden’s side of the rear end.

Getting slammed to the side as Baden’s shouting voice filled my muffled ears but made no sense, I looked and watched as our car spun around to the side, the sounds of tyres screeching and bullets firing echoed all around as our front end turned to face the steep drop off. Baden was slamming his foot down repeatedly on the brakes and even yanked the hand brake up while he tried to turn us the other way but another forceful hit from behind sent us flying over the edge.

I watched as our car seemed to float along the air, gravity not yet taken hold of our weight as I turned to face Baden again who was looking towards me, letting go of the steering wheel as he held one hand against the roof of the car and took one of my hands tightly into his. He was shouting still but I couldn’t hear anything over the roaring wind in my ears but I smiled as I made out the words from his mouth.

I love you.

Then we were falling and my slow motion snapped back into normal time as screams filled my ears, I wanted to close my eyes and not watch us fall to our deaths but I couldn’t help it, they were glued wide open as the head lights lit up some dead looking bushes growing out of a hard rocky surface before the front end slammed into it, jolting the entire car and sending me forward; smashing my head on the dash as a pain filled shout escaped my mouth.

My head felt like it was spinning as well as my whole body being turned over and over and when I briefly opened my eyes I realised the entire car was rolling down the rest of the way, creaking and bending metal filled my ears, glass smashing as little shards and granules flew past my face, cutting into my skin before it landed on the roof again, jarring my arm as I tried to hold myself still.

Panic was the only thing running through my mind, no thoughts filled it other than what was happening, my passenger door half collapsed as the car rolled over again but slowing down slightly, I could only make out objects just in front of me as our headlights smashed in the crash, leaving us cloaked in darkness and then it was all over. One final time the car slammed down.

My breathing was coming fast and heavy and my body was screaming abuse at me as we had landed on the roof, leaving me half laying on my head and shoulders with my legs entangled with my ruined seat. I didn’t dare move as excruciating pain shot through me.

I could hear the car gently creaking and groaning as it settled down, bits of glass still falling all around us and the strong smell of petrol in the air, that isn’t a good sign but even if I wanted to move, I knew I couldn’t. My body was already shutting down.  I slowly moved my arm to the side of my stomach where the worst of the pain is and gently rested my hand there, gasping in horrendous pain and looking down at a chunk of metal sticking out my skin which almost made me throw up right then and there.

“Leila?” Baden coughed from besides me and I forced myself to look over at him with tear filled eyes, we had survived the fall but it doesn’t look like either of us are going to make it out of the car, the smell of petrol was too strong and I guessed it was only a matter of time before the thing blew up on us.

“Y-yeah.” I stammered, wincing as it hurt to even talk while I gasped for air, I could literally feel my lungs letting me down as they filled up with what I presumed as blood. I was dying and there was nothing no one could do about it, not even Baden.

He opened his eyes slowly and took me in, his eyes widening slightly as he spotted my stomach before coughing up a mouthful of blood, “I-I'm.....sorry.” he croaked out, “I.....love you.”

Tears trickly down my face as I took short shallow breathes, feeling the oxygen slowly leaving my body as I reached out for him with one hand and forced a smile, taking his hand into mine. He was worst of then me; I could see it in his face, in the way his body is literally covered in blood, “I....love....you...too.” I gasped, holding my stomach tightly despite the pain; I couldn’t let him see the pain.

“I never should....have...brought you....along.” he croaked, wincing in pain as he scrunched his eyes shut tight and gripped my hand tighter, his whole body started shaking and sobs escaped my lips as I could only watch him and do nothing for him.

“Don’t Baden, talk to me.” I gasped quickly, ignoring my lungs running out of air, “Please, look at me.” Tears streamed down my cheeks but not for my own pain, for his. I couldn’t stand watching him like this and it was tearing my heart into a thousand tiny pieces as all I wanted to do was curl up with him and cry my pain away, cry his pain away. I can’t lose him like this.

Baden’s body didn’t stop shaking as he forced his eyes open to look at me and I offered him a fake smile, “I'm not going to lie.....and say we....will make it......but.” I clenched my teeth as new pain shot through my abdomen, ignoring it, “at least we’re.....together.” I hissed the last part and my grip on his hand loosened.

“Leila.” He croaked in utter pain, I opened my eyes and stared at him; wishing time would stop right now. Even though I have never felt such emotional and physical pain like this before – I'm with Baden at least and I'm not ready to say goodbye to him, I will never be ready to say goodbye.

The crunching of slow footsteps across the rocks gained my attention and I turned to look, to face whoever it was, no doubt someone from the Gianni gang and my only thought was ‘why couldn’t we have died in the fall? Why do they now get the satisfaction of killing us?’ Looking back over at Baden I smiled slightly and he grimaced a smile back before his eyes drifted to the person behind.

Groaning in pain I turned to look again to see a pair of dark pants with boots standing outside my door and I smiled, my wish had come true because right in this second I could feel heat coming from the rear end of the car, the front part wasn’t on fire but it was almost overwhelming as sweat covered my body within a minute and my breathes became harder to take as I was breathing in thick smoke now.

Whoever it was arrived too late to personally kill us.

~~

A/N – Ahhh, please don’t hate on me! Lol, I’ve actually had this ending planned from the very beginning and also in all the stories ya read, the main two characters always have a happy ending.....but I’ve started on the conclusion already and will have it posted soon.....so plz don’t hate me too much =)