A.N Thank you for leaving your thoughts in your reviews knowing that people are interested gives me the drive to find time to continue as soon as possible. I knew you would be surprised to see Alex and Ava meet so soon but I'm enjoying writing their interactions its something a bit different that I was keen to explore. I've never been able to picture Alex with a baby but a curious intelligent eight year old I can imagine she could cope with!

Now after my rambling on with the story...

"I told you I wanted you to look at me as I fucked you!"

The resounding slap echoed around the room and Piper cringed as she felt her lip split against the force of the blow. Her eyes automatically began to water and she blinked rapidly willing the tears away. Touching her split lip with the tip of tongue she whimpered as it stung on contact and the metallic taste of blood tainted her tongue.

"Fucking look at me!"

Snapping her eyes open she stared at him her eyes wide unflinching she did not want him to hit her again, certainly not across the face. Ava would already ask questions and Piper did not want her daughter to have to live in fear again, helping her poor battered and bruised mother cover up the signs of domestic abuse. As he thrust into her body over and over Piper squirmed at the burn between her thighs it was uncomfortable but she did not dare complain for fear of angering the vile man above her anymore.

"That's it, such a pretty blonde thing, not like all those other vacant blonde girls. No you are a woman and a beautiful one at that"

Each word was punctuated with a thrust from his sweating body and Piper fixed her gaze on the mans receding hairline trying desperately to ignore the horrifying ordeal she was being subjected to. She concentrating hard at counting the droplets of sweat beading across his brow anything to remove herself from the situation emotionally. Piper knew if she cried it would only make it worse. She had learnt that lesson early on with Larry.

So engrossed in counting she didn't feel his thrusts become shallower or hear his deep grunt only realising it was all over when he shuddered above her, his body falling, his head coming to rest on her chest. He did not stay for long after a couple of deep breaths he pulled back and ran a clumsy hand roughly down her cheek.

"You are gorgeous my pet"

Piper didn't feel gorgeous she felt disgusting, with his seed dripping between her thighs, and used but she tried to smile at the compliment although she was fairly certain it came out as more of a grimace.

"Even with that cut to your lip"

"Well who's fault was that?!"

The words were out before she could stop them and her blood ran cold as Mr Anderson's hand stilled his gaze hardening. Automatically she shrunk back pulling her knees up in front of herself trying to prepare for the retaliation she was so sure she was going to receive.

"If you had done as I asked then I wouldn't have lost my temper"

Piper was seriously beginning to wonder if all men treated women as if they were dogs. There purely as a faithful companion willing and obedient but punished the minute they defied their masters orders. So wrapped up in her analogy Piper had not even realised that Mr Anderson had now got dressed and was standing at the side of the bed. When he spoke she was startled and she turned to look in his direction.

"Now I must be going I will see you again soon"

The tone used brokered no argument and she just nodded her head already resigned to the inevitable knowing it would be futile to answer in any other way.

"Good night"

She did not reply, the minute he had left the room she ran to the bathroom and vomited hard her knuckles turning white as she clutched the rim of the porcelain bowl. She knew she would need to try and stop her body's reaction to the job she was struggling to endure. She was becoming thinner with every passing week her clothes beginning to hang loosely off her frame another stark reminder of her situation each time she looked in the mirror. Once she could heave no more she ran herself a hot bath and only began to feel human again once she had scrubbed her skin red raw in the scalding water tears running down her cheeks, as she did, dripping into the water below. For the first time in a long time Piper prayed, prayed that she could escape this nightmarish existence and provide herself and Ava the freedom and happiness she so desperately craved. Half of her wished she could turn back the clock, back to the hotel room in Paris ten years ago back into the arms of the woman she so desperately loved and who loved her in return. The tears fell harder with these thoughts guilt mixing with longing as she knew if she had never left Alex then Ava would never have been brought into this world. She was the only part of her life she did not regret but she wished she could be a better mother something she had always promised herself she would be but at the moment she seemed to be failing at constantly. Her self loathing intensified and she clawed at the skin on her arms hating herself more in that moment than she had since that fateful day 10 years ago.

Once she had finished weeping into the now cold bath water Piper quickly washed her hair and body before wrapping herself in one of the large fluffy bath towels that lined the shelves in the modest bathroom. The hotel was luxurious which had been a surprise to Piper when she had first arrived, she had been expecting something more seedy. When Kubra had obviously seen her shocked expression he had explained that although it was a cover he still wanted his hotel to be one of the best in the area. It was a clever ruse and Piper suspected that as a five star hotel and casino nobody would question the large amount of drug money that washed through the company's account.

When Kubra had first brought them to their suite Piper had been quietly impressed with its two bedrooms, living room with kitchenette and a small bathroom plus her own ensuite it was like their very own small apartment. It was also beautifully furnished and Piper knew she could easily make it feel like their very own little home. She had been incredibly grateful consisting she hadn't expected anything other than a room. If she had known then, how much it would take from her, how high the price would feel that she had to pay to keep this suite she would have gathered Ava in her arms and not looked back.

Lost in her thoughts Piper cursed as she knocked her clean clothes off the nightstand and as she crouched down to the floor she caught sight of her memory box that she had tucked out of sight under the bed. It was the one thing she had been determined not to leave behind and she had quickly stuffed it into her hold-all the night she had left Larry. Reaching out Piper wrapped her hand around the old wooden box it had belonged to her grandmother and Piper had always admired the delicate patterns that had been carved into the soft wood. She had been touched when Celeste had given it to her as a leaving gift when she left home for university. Sitting on the bed Piper ran her fingers softly down the lid before she flicked the hatch open.

At the top of the pile were pictures of Ava from her being a tiny newborn up until the last happy Christmas they had as a family with Larry. Piper looked through each of the photos smiling adoringly at her blonde haired angel. Piper knew she should stop there but she couldn't help the impulsive urge to continue and she as her fingers brushed the next set of pictures, carefully wrapped in ribbon, hidden at the bottom of the box her heart clenched painfully. Slowly she pulled the worn photos into her hand and as she let her eyes rest on the two happy carefree faces in the photo her heart clenched and Piper let tears build in her eyes. Slowly she let one finger slide down Alex's face her heart aching with longing as she could almost feel those long slender arms as they wrapped around her shoulders. The ghost of the memory was so strong Piper closed her eyes and sighed heavily lost in nostalgia before she was snapped from reality by her phone bleeping at the side of her bed. Shaking her head at the sudden wave of want and longing Piper shoved the photos away quickly and forced the memories of Alex back into the deepest part of her mind knowing it was futile to remain longing for the past.

Pulling on her pyjamas Piper shoved the box back under the bed and went to make herself a decaf coffee knowing that caffeine would not help her not when she was already finding sleep hard to come by. Settling herself into the couch waiting for the kettle to boil she hoped that Ava would be back soon fearing what thoughts her mind would plague her with if she was left on her own for too long.

"Where did you get this?"

Alex turned her head slightly in acknowledgment although she kept her eyes on the book in front of her. She had just reached a particularly interesting part of her novel and she was eager to see how the story progressed.

"Get what?"

The little painted stone lizard was shoved onto her book, directly in her line of sight, startling her from her story. Trying not to snap at the girl knowing she had not meant to anger her Alex marked her place and moved the book onto the arm of the couch. Holding the lizard in her hand she placed it back into Ava's palm running a finger down its decorated back as she did.

"A kid was selling them when I went on my last trip to Bali"

"He's beautiful"

Alex almost laughed at the sentiment but she didn't, not knowing if she would cause offence, instead she picked up the lizard and looked at it closely.

"How do you know it's a boy?"

Ava rolled her eyes "Because he looks like a boy"

Alex just chuckled "It is very life like"

"Have you seen a real one?!"

"Yes"

"At a zoo?"

Alex shook her head "No I've held one. In Bali they were everywhere scurrying about as common as cockroaches. One day there was one just like this lying on a rock outside of the Villa I was staying in. It just sat there sunbathing for ages and I held it briefly before it scampered away, they feel very similar to snakes"

"Wow Alex that is so cool!"

Alex smiled widely feeling oddly pleased at being described as cool from the over excitable girl in front of her.

"So how old are you?"

"Eight years and three months"

"Really you are awfully grown up for an eight year old"

Ava smiled proudly and Alex was amazed at how easy it was to talk to the kid that had been sprung upon her not two hours ago. Ava, so far, had been no trouble she had explored her suite asking questions as she did while Alex had picked up a book and settled on her couch. After her initial panic it had been relatively easy to keep one eye on her book and one on the blonde. She still felt unsure and nervous at having the girl in her personal space and she was certain it showed in her posture. Trying to force herself to relax she stretched out her legs once before crossing them again turning to look at Ava with interest as she spoke.

"Mummy always says that too ... sometimes she gets this sad look on her face as she says it but I like being grown up I don't want to be treated like a baby"

Alex felt her curiosity peak she knew it was wrong to pry she didn't know this girl but she found herself wanting to know her story.

"So how long have you being staying here?"

"I don't know, not long me and mummy had to leave our nice house and come here. It's not too bad, Uncle Kubra's really nice to me, but I miss my old bedroom I had more books there"

Ava's expression turned sullen and Alex wanted to ask more but wasn't certain it was appropriate instead she latched onto the other information said as an afterthought wanting to keep the conversation going.

"You like to read?"

"I love too! My teacher said I was top of my class at reading. I used to have all the Roald Dahl books at home Mummy would read them to me at night before bed ... well if Daddy wasn't bothering her"

"Me too" Ava looked at her curiously "I used to read those when I was a kid at the library near where I lived I used to go there everyday from being about your age. I used to sneak in and sit there reading all day I could spend hours there and not even realise it"

Ava clambered up onto the couch settling heavily into the soft cushions her eyes looked at her eagerly and Alex still couldn't believe how eerily alike Piper's they were. It caused a shiver to run across her skin although she wasn't certain why.

"I love reading I like how in the stories the places always sound so real even when you know they aren't. Like Willy Wonka's chocolate factory how cool would it be to have your own Oompa Loompa?"

Alex chuckled "Pretty cool I suppose"

"The other kids at school would be well jealous!"

"Do you go to school here?"

Ava shook her head looking suddenly anxious "No it's the holidays but mummy says I'll have to stay here until she can find me a new school she says its complicated and I know it's because of daddy even if she pretends it isn't"

Alex didn't really know how to respond and she was grateful when Ava piped up with another question.

"I haven't seen you here before do you work for Uncle Kubra?"

"I do"

"Do you have to entertain clients as well?"

Alex almost sprayed the mouthful of coffee she had just taken across the floor wanting to answer with 'Are you fucking kidding me' instead she swallowed harshly "No, no I don't"

She obviously hadn't been successful at keeping the disdain from her voice as Ava shrank back away from her, her teeth beginning to worry at her lip as her hands fidgeted with the hem of her t-shirt.

"I'm sorry that's what Uncle Kubra said my mummy does for him and I just thought you must do to"

Trying to remember this was a kid she was talking too, a kid who didn't understand the business that went on around here, Alex let out a long breath.

"Don't be sorry it's just I've worked hard to get to the position I am now and I'm very proud of if. I attend meetings and arrange business deals it means I have to travel a lot"

"Mummy works hard too"

Alex shifted uneasily she didn't doubt what Ava said but lying on your back with your legs spread was hardly what she would class as work.

"I'm sure she does"

Ava just nodded still obviously feeling unsure of herself and Alex felt an overwhelming urge to make the kid smile again. She had obviously had a hard life and Alex could still remember how difficult her own life had been when she was that age.

"Would you like a drink?"

Ava shook her head slightly her gaze firmly on the hands in her lap.

"Are you sure I make a mean hot chocolate reckon if I buzz Devon he can get me some whipped cream and sprinkles from the Casino kitchen?"

The smile came back in full force and Alex grinned in return as Ava's eyes lit up "Can I put the sprinkles on?!"

"Did you enjoy yourself?"

"I did Uncle Kubra thank you she's much better than Devon"

"That's because Devon's simple"

Piper could hear her daughter's laughs before she could see her and she entered the living room cautiously waiting for the inevitable reaction that would come. She had tried to cover the bruise with make up but she had been unsuccessful and she knew her ever observant daughter would see it instantly.

"Mummy!"

The full force of Ava's weight barrelled into her legs and for a moment she was nearly caught off balance. Ignoring Kubra's curious gaze Piper ran her hand across her daughter's head briefly tangling her fingers in the silky locks.

"Did you have a good time? You are back later than I thought you would be its way past your bedtime"

"Yes it was great I met Kubra's friend A..."

Ava's excited response trailed off as Piper watched her daughter's eyes study her face confusion flickered across her features before it turned to fear.

"Is daddy here?"

"No my darling he isn't-"

"Well what happened to your face?"

Piper picked up Ava and placed her on her hip she was too big really to be held this way but Piper wanted to hold her as physically close to her as she could.

"I fell on the stairs that's all, you know how clumsy mummy is, that's all. Daddy isn't here and he isn't going to find us"

Ava still looked unconvinced and Piper found herself turning to Kubra a pleading look in her eye.

"Angel nothing can hurt you or your mother here you have nothing to be afraid of"

Ava looked between them both for a moment before her body relaxed slightly and she leant her head into the crook of Piper's neck.

"You need to be more careful mummy"

"Yes she does"

Piper winced at Kubra's tone she knew tomorrow he would expect a full explanation and Piper hoped there would be no further punishment she didn't think she could take anymore.

"Well my angel come and give your favourite uncle a hug before I go"

"You're my only uncle"

Ava's words made Piper ache Ava had been too young to remember the last time she had seen her brother Cal because of his hillbilly life in the woods Piper did not get to see him as much as she would have liked. He would have last seen Ava when she was nearly three, after her 5th birthday Larry had forced Piper to cut off all contact from her family and so Ava had forgotten all about her real loving uncle.

"Piper my office 11 o clock tomorrow do not be late we need to discuss Mr Anderson"

She nodded tersely and as soon as the door closed she let out a loud sigh of relief.

"Shall we go to bed darling?"

Ava went quiet and Piper thought she was going to argue until she replied her voice small and timid.

"Can I get in with you?"

Having already changed the bedding Piper immediately nodded needing the comfort that came from her only child. Ava smiled softly and Piper pressed a kiss to her cheek this is what kept her going this little person in her arms was all she needed and she would be damned if anything or anyone tried to take Ava away from her.