Thank you for your votes in the fiction awards for The Dons Daughter and thank for the support on my new book, Eu te amo, xo.
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Grayson isn't her real brother. Repeated itself over and over again in my head.

I sat back and watched Carter yell into his phone. Messiah and the rest of our security team came rushing into the living room we sat in, alert of their surroundings. No one helped the unconscious man on the floor, so I got up and yanked him into a sitting position.

"Wake up." I tapped his shoulder. "Quinn!" His eyes fluttered open and then shut again.

"You have three seconds before I punch you out cold again." I threatened, drawing my fist back.

I wasn't going to actually punch the poor man, definitely not after what Carter just did to him but I had to get him talking.

"Stop." He mumbled. "Why are Hayze's kids so violent?"

"It gets people talking apparently." I sat in front of him on the coffee table. "Start talking, I want to know more."

"Vania." He rubbed at his temples. "She's your mothers older sister, who fell pregnant with their families first boy obviously it being Grayson. Your grandfather had him sent over to your parents so they could train him to be a skilled killer. Grayson wasn't interested in the things you were, it was like you both were opposites. They tried to get him into it all but he refused, I'm sure you remember." He rubbed at his bruising jaw.

He was right, Grayson preferred to be at the park practicing for his soccer games with his friends. He always supported our fathers and my fighting careers but never showed interest in it.

"Why did they take Grayson?" I asked, I was curious where my parents were going with this.

"Your parents said no to Fane sending Grayson to them but he never listened, so they had Grayson within the 24 hours of him being born. Your parents fell in love with Grayson and decided to keep him. Fane thinks Grayson is skilled, maybe even more skilled than you. He's waiting until he is of legal age so they can go get him." He flinched away as Carter made a sudden movement in his peripheral vision. "When the deal was made, your father had me hiding close by to record the recording I showed you. If your grandfathers had known I was there as witness then I would have been dead a long time ago."

"I want the recording." I held my hand out to him.

"That's fine, I just need you to work fast before Vice is walking around again and finds out I was the one who tipped you off on this." He handed me the small device. "I don't feel like dying anytime soon, I trust you Versana."

"You shouldn't have opened your mouth about my name, now everyone is going to question you. Keep me posted, I'll be back once he's able to function properly." I stood. "If I find out any of this is bullshit, I'm coming for your head."

"You sound just like your father, I'll be in touch niece." He bowed his head and left through a door I had no clue where it led to.

"Both your grandfathers are going to be in a casket by the time I'm finished with them." Carter started to make his way up the staircase.

"Parar, estamos deixando. (Stop, we're leaving)." I pulled open the front door. "You'll get your chance, just not right now Carter."

He muttered incoherent words before undoing his suit jacket and shoving his hands into his slacks. "When?"

"You'll be the first to know." I sighed, looping my arm into his.

I rushed my way to Carters car and climbed in. We sat in silence the whole ride back to the Hotel, throwing the door open and getting out, my heels clicked against the pavement as I made my way over to Zion and Preston who held Beau.

"Thank you." I whispered to the pair and hurried into the warmth's of the hotels private elevator to the top floor. Carter and Kai followed me silently, trying to figure me out.

Shutting my bedroom door behind me, I laid Beau into the four posted bed. "Mummy, are you okay?" Her tired grey eyes searched me and her little fingers grasped mine.

"I'm okay beautiful, go to sleep." My eyes grew blurry.

"I love you." She murmured into my hand she had clutched to her chest.

She somehow knew when I needed comfort, her eyes fluttered open and closed. I tried pushing the images of Zaden out but every time I looked into her big doe eyes, they came rushing back in. They held a resemblance to his, the color was almost exact, only his were slightly darker.

"I love you too, meu amor." I kissed her cheek and continued to rub circles on her back to make her fall asleep.

When am I going to see you? I breathed, slipping my hand from Beau's loosened grip, I pulled the blanket over her and made my way out to see where Carter was.

"What's your plan Ava?" He lit a cigar.

He stared at me with a serious expression but I could see the worry in his eyes. A mans eyes is what gives them away, my father always said when I was up against the opposite sex.

"Do you need to be back in Brazil for something?" I flopped down next to him and took a swing from the scotch he had poured.

"I know I'm a criminal and I'm all for doing illegal shit but you drinking is a big N.O." He took it from my hand and downed the rest.

"I'm almost 20 Carter."

"Let me know when you get to 21 little sister." He flicked my head softly.

I rolled my eyes as he chuckled and tucked myself under his big arm. "I should go see Grayson, he has a right to know."

Whatever happened or happens, Grayson will always be my baby brother. The one I Fought to Provide for. I'd do it all over again if I had to.

"We'll leave tomorrow night, there has been too much traveling for Beau. She might get sick or something." He took a puff and rolled the smoke in his mouth.

"I second you." I yawned. "Tell me what a cigar actually is."

"It's a rolled bundle of dried and fermented tobacco leaves made to be smoked." He inspected the one in his hand. "A cigar isn't like a cigarette. The flavor is meant to be savored but not inhaled."

"So you just bum puff it?" I snickered.

"Go to sleep Ava." He tsk'd, flicking my forehead softly.

∞

"NADIA!" Beau yelled.

They all stood waiting as the SUV's parked, the twins, Drew, Kenna, Blaine, Silas, and Nadia who held baby Catia.

"NADIA!" Beau yelled again once I placed her on the ground. Everyone swarmed her as she ran to Nadia and baby.

"Ava." Blaine and Kenna rushed to me.

I pulled the pair into a group hug, they all still look the same just a little more grown up. Kenna's hair was cut into a shoulder length bob and the red stripe was now gone, and her features still remained stunning as always. The guys held that same tall, dark and handsome look they had in school, just more buff.

"Come in here." Silas and the rest of the guys held their arms out to me, I pulled them all in for a hug and pecked each of their cheeks.

"Ava!" Nadia handed Catia over to Silas and tackled me over before I could react.

"Hi Nadia." I laughed, squeezing her small body to mine. "I've missed you so much."

"I missed you more." She whaled, crushing the life out of me.

"What are you two doing?" Carter frowned down at the two of us.

"AHHH!" Nadia screamed and scurried to stand up straight to back away from Carter.

"Are you okay?" He asked pulling me upright.

"I'm fine." I chuckled at Nadia's mortified expression.

I guess none of them have gotten used to Carter yet. I watched as they all slowly backed away from him.

"Uncle Carter, are you going to stay?" Beau ran to him.

"I have some business to take care of, I'll be back later kiddo." He kissed her cheek and set her back on her two feet.

"Do you promise?" She held her little finger to him.

"Promise." He winked, wrapping his finger around hers.

"I'll be back soon, call if you need me." He kissed the side of my head and nodded to Messiah and the rest of my security group.

"Get this house locked down, I want it searched top to bottom before the two of them step inside, understood?" Carter gave Messiah a stern look.

"Of course, Rei." Messiah said before he barked orders out.

∞

My security team walked the property with their guns on display as we waited for the house to be finished being checked.

"She's beautiful you guys." I whispered as I held Catia in my arms. Her hair, a crazy mass of brown curls and her skin pale and flawless like Silas'. Her eyes big and brown just like Nadia's. She is only a couple months old so she wasn't too fussed about being held by a stranger. "She's perfect." I gushed again.

"Just like her mother." Nadia snickered, ushering us into the house after getting the all clear.

The house still looked the same, Judy still worked here but she was out doing errands so we wouldn't see her until later. There wasn't much catching up do to since Nadia video called me every morning. None of them attended college besides Kenna, and the boys still fight underground.

"Have you heard from Zaden yet?" Nadia asked quietly.

"Not yet." I smiled sadly. "How about you?"

"Nope and he's starting to piss me off." She fumed. "He hasn't rung about baby or anything. I'm going to kill him when I see him."

"Me and you both." I patted Catia back to sleep.

"How are you doing it Ava?" She sniffled. "I miss my brother, Dad won't give me anything either."

"Honestly, I have no clue." I chuckled. "I just hope he's okay." I watched Blaine closely as we talk about Zaden, I had a feeling Blaine knew at least something of what was going on with his best friend but I wasn't going to question him about it. "Zaden never does anything without reason."

"That he doesn't." She agreed, taking a now sleeping Catia from my arms softly.

We all ate lunch together, it felt like old times only that we were missing two important people but it was close enough. We laughed over memories and teased each other about it, it was refreshing to sit at a full table.

"Can I talk to everyone in the family room please?" I asked after we all finished eating.

"What's up?" Blaine asked cautiously. 

"I need to talk to you guys about Beau." I started off once Beau fell asleep.

"Is she causing you too much trouble? We can send Judy with you and I should be able to manage Catia on my own for now." Nadia grabbed my hand in comfort.

"No, Beau's perfect, she's an angel." I shook my head. "I don't think I can continue to take care of her, it is not safe for her with me."

"What? Ava, she can't stay with us, she won't be settled if she did." Nadia shook her head.

"It's too dangerous for her with me." I repeated. "I can't shield her away from the shit that's been happening, she needs to stay here."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Blaine frowned. "We've been getting followed, Maceo has been handling it on his end."

"Oh great." I buried my head into my hands. "Are you guys okay? Why didn't you tell me? I could talk to Carter and ask him to leave some men here for you."

"We're okay, don't worry about us." He stared at me with worry. "What's going on with you Ava? You look like you haven't slept in a while."

"And yet you still manage to look so beautiful." Kenna butted in. "Flawless look, long luscious hair, and eyes the color of gold."

"Bags under my eyes, red blotchy skin and stressed." I added jokingly. "You look great too Kenna."

"I do, don't I?" She laughed.

"Don't ruin the moment Kenna." The guys cut in.

"Its better if she stayed with you Ava, she's in harms way with either one of us but she's much safer with you." Blaine's eyes pleaded. "I know it's none of your responsibility-"

"Of course it is, you all are my family too." I peered down at Beau's sleeping position on my lap. "I just don't want her to get hurt, my life is going to get a hell of a lot more dangerous but it looks like yours is too."

Questions flew out of their mouths in unison. I smiled sadly at all of them because I knew I couldn't tell them anything, not yet. "It's better if you all didn't know."

"Ms. Vice, Rei is here." Messiah notified me and I quickly thanked him.

"I'll be back soon, my security team will stay with you guys." I laid Beau down on the couch we sat on and placed my leather jacket over her. "Zion is Beau's personal bodyguard, where she goes, he goes."

"Ms. Vice, are you sure it's a smart move to go into Fane's without us." Messiah whispered.

"We'll be okay." I nodded and shut the door behind me.

Carter stood leaning against a luxurious car and motioned for me to get in. Serial was in the driver's seat and Kai in shotgun. We sat in silence as we made our way to Fane's home.

"Last name?" The security guard standing at the gate asked.

"Vice." I handed over my ID.

"My apologies, Ms. Vice." He hurried to the little booth to the side and waved for someone to open the gates.

"You have a plan right Ava?" Kai asked as we were granted access to enter Fane's property.

"No."

Men, and a lot of them. Stood in place with their finger on the trigger as they watched our car with hawk eyes.

"What do you mean No?" Kai asked mockingly.

"Keep your mouth shut." Carter growled as we got out of the car.

"Try not to get us killed." Serial whispered to Kai as he took in our surroundings and the men who stood guard.

"Hello." A maid answered the door. "How can I help you?"

"Where is my Grandfather Fane?" I stepped into the small gap she had made to pop her head through.

"He's busy at the moment, and the rest of the family is out shopping." She frowned as Carter pushed her out of the way.

"Perfect, take me to him please." I smiled.

"He doesn't like being interrupted when he's working. You'll have to come back later." She motioned for the security guards to escort us out.

"Take me to him." I repeated since the guards made no move to come anywhere near us.

"Ms. Vice, I will show you to him." A guard stepped forward and dismissed the maid.

"Thank you." I followed closely behind him. We walked the long distance and he ushered us into a huge office.

There were twelve men in the room, standing around protectively and heavily armed. Fane sat at his desk, with his reading glasses on and his feet kicked up. "Ava." He shoot up out of his chair and a smile rose to his lips.

"Hi." I hurried to the chair in-front of him. Carter and the other two remained quiet, and stood behind me, staring down the guards in the room.

"I wasn't expecting you, I'll have my maids whip something up for lunch or something." He pressed a button and yelled orders into the telephone before I could protest.

"I'm so happy you're here." He stood and started to make his away around to me.

"Keep your distance from my sister." Carter stepped between Fane and me.

Guns rose to Carter's head immediately but Carter remained in his place, never backing down. "Stai. (Sit.)" Carter said in Romanian.

"Boss, call it." One of his guards called out.

"Pull that trigger, and I'll make sure it's the last thing you all do." I threw my knives onto Fanes desk. "Tell your men to stand down."

"Stand down." Fane stared at me with clear confusion.

"Sit." I gestured to his chair he previously sat in.

"What's going on Ava?" He stared between Carter and I.

"When were you going to tell me?" I placed the small recording device on the desk.

"Tell you what?"

"I want the truth." I pressed play on the small device and his voice was first, followed by Vice and then my parents.

"Start talking." I stared him dead in the eye and had my gun drawn in seconds, held firmly between his eyes. "Or else your heads the first to be rolling."