Hiii pretty, so I've been really busy these last couple of weeks and I apologize for not updating sooner like I had said but I'm backkkk haha, enjoy xo
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"Carter." I protested, trying to pull my arm out of his tight hold.

"We're not staying."

"Don't be mad at them, it was only a misunderstanding Carter." I pleaded. "I can take care of myself, you know."

"A misunderstanding? You shouldn't always try to see the good in people." He growled.

"That's all I was ever taught." I said quietly, slipping into the car after Messiah opened the door.

My mothers' comforting voice echoed in my head, "There is a story behind every person. There is a reason why they are the way they are. Think about that, and respect them for who they are."

"It's going to get you in trouble one-day irmãzinha." He buckled Beau into her car seat and got into the driver's seat.

I know. I thought sadly, sometimes I was too nice but it was just who I was.

"You're not going to cut them all off are you Carter?" I frowned, staring ahead at the road in front of us.

"You're right, I'll leave Kai and cut the rest off." He said coldly, throwing the car in reverse and speeding down the dirt driveway.

"Carter-"

"Drop it, Ava." He snapped.

I kept quiet the rest of the ride home; I could see the regret on his face as soon as he snapped at me.

"Ava-"

"It's okay Carter, I'm sorry I tried to push you on the subject. I should have known better." I gave his hand a gentle pat as I rushed into the warmth of the house so I could put Beau into her room to sleep but not before Zion did a full check of her bedroom.

"All clear Ms. Vice." He nodded, gesturing for me to enter.

I tucked Beau into bed and stepped out, leaving her with Zion at her door to stand guard.

"I shouldn't have snapped at you like I did." Carter frowned.

"It's okay, don't worry about it." I assured him with a soft smile.

"Feel like going on a trip to Russia?" He changed the subject, fiddling with his gold rings he wore on his fingers.

"Russia?"

"Sim, Russia. (Yes)" He repeated, flicking my forehead.

"Ha ha." I swatted his big hand away. "Are you going to see Landon's father?"

"Sim, I thought I'd take you and Beau this time to see a different scenery since you both have been stuck here for the past eleven months. (Yes)" He shrugged.

"It's going to be safe for Beau right?" I started preparing lunch since we haven't eaten.

"Of course." He nodded.

"When?"

"Tomorrow morning, I just have a couple of things to take care of before we leave."

"Okay." I hummed.

∞

"I'll be back for the both of you in the morning." Carter pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Okay, be safe please." I held on a second longer.

"Aren't I always." I could hear the smile in his voice.

"I don't know, you never tell me anything." I raised a curious brow up at him.

"I'll be keeping it that way irmãzinha." He gave me a pointed look.

"For now." I called over my shoulder, making my way back into the house.

The loud roar of Carter's car filled the garage as he pulled out.

"Ready Ms. Vice?" Messiah asked, handing me a box containing my knives.

I never carried them when Beau and I were with Carter because I didn't feel like I needed to.

"Of course, I'll check on Beau before we start." I made my way down to our rooms with him following closely behind.

Zion nodded in respect and stepped aside to let me see into the room since his frame blocked the whole doorway.

Beau slept peacefully, her soft snoring filled the room. Knowing she'd wake in an hour or so, I quickly changed into some gym clothes and made my way to the training room.

∞

"Don't extend your arms all the way, it'll only leave you vulnerable for an attack." Messiah called out as I moved around Felik, getting in marks with my makers on his naked torso.

I was against fighting with knives with the guys, I was too scared I'd hurt them so Messiah came up with the idea to use markers as if they were knives.

"That's enough." He stepped on to the Martial Arts mat we were training on.

I smirked at Felik and popped the caps back onto the markers, impressed with how many marks I had gotten in.

"Rule number-" Felik came for me.

"One. Don't turn your back on your opponent." I swung around and my fist made contact with his face.

"Fuck!" He clutched his nose and stumbled back.

"You're embarrassing me." Messiah snapped at him and Preston broke out into a fit of laughter.

"Boss, Ms. Vice is like your long lost daughter." Preston kept laughing. "We can never get anything passed her."

"How many did she get on you?" Messiah asked Felik, ignoring Preston's presence.

"23."

"How many did he get on you?" Messiah asked me.

"None." I shrugged, unwrapping my hands of the strapping tape.

"You're killing me here." Preston fell over in laughter. "If those were real knives you'd be dead."

"Re-strap your hands, knives this time." Messiah called over his shoulder, taking off his suit jacket and loosening his tie.

I've never trained against Messiah, he always stood on the side and told me what to do and what not to do. It was always me and the other three, Felik, Preston, and Elliot.

I eagerly pulled my knives from the box and stared at them in awe for the hundredth time. They were a gift from Carter, custom-made tantō knives. The blades are double-edged with a length of 20cm. The tantō was designed primarily as a stabbing weapon, but Carter had the edges sharpened so they could be used for slashing as well. The intricate detailing of the handles is what amazed me the most, a spiral pattern wrapped around the handles, leading up to the cursive S at the top of the knives.

"It's weird that you and Rei prefer knives." Elliot pointed out.

"I thought he preferred guns, I've only ever seen him with them."

"He prefers knives. Gun's are just more efficient." Messiah stood on the opposite side of the mat from me. "Ready?"

"When you are." I nodded.

"Rules-"

"No rules." I waved a dismissive hand at Preston.

"There are no rules when it comes to having to use my training, so why use them?"

I saw the throwing knife coming straight towards me but I stayed in my place and waited for it to hit me.

"AVA MOVE!" Felik tried intercepting but it was too late.

I watched the blood trickle down my arm; scarlet red was always my favorite color.

There was stillness on both sides, Messiah stared straight at me, watching expectantly.

"You're a dead man walking." Felik grumbled at Messiah.

Yanking the throwing knife out of my arm, I threw it to the floor and watched as Messiah came charging for me.

I stayed perfectly still until he was close enough. Throwing a knife at his head as a distraction, he flinched, giving me a second window to grab a hold of his neck to trip and pin him to the floor.

"It's pathetic of you to go easy on me Messiah." I ran my knife with my free hand down his torso.

There were so many ways Messiah could have prevented the position I had put him in but he chose not to.

"Now we're even." I whispered, running my knife across his upper arm with slight pressure, just enough to make my favorite color soak the little area of his business shirt.

"Just because he's injured too, doesn't mean Rei isn't going to kill him." Felik cleaned my wound and stitched it up nicely.

"Thank you." I stood, bandaging the wound myself.

"I'll handle Carter, Beau should be awake." I wrapped my knives into their cloth and made my way out of the training room. "Preston and Elliot let's go."

Even though I get hurt in some of the training we do, I'm glad the guys don't overcrowd me with worry even though I can see it on their faces.

Beau and I spent the rest of the day doing a painting activity. I've been teaching her all sorts of different things, her favorite subject at the moment is maths.

After dinner, I packed mine and her bags for the trip. We had to be up early so I made sure to get her into bed earlier than normal.

"Are we going to meet nice people this time?" She asked as I tucked her in.

"I hope so." I laughed, swiping her long dark hair from her face. "I'm sure Landon's family is nice enough."

"I hope so too mummy." Her eyes drooped.

"Goodnight, meu amor. (My love)" I kissed the top of her head and left for the door.

"Mummy, when is our Zaee coming back?" Her voice sounded full of sleep, struggling to stay awake.

"I wish I knew meu amor." I smiled half-heartedly.