Oleg will come in the next chapter. I know I said that last time, but Trust me. I know what I'm doing :)

Sorry for the delay.

Enjoy :3

"Fear is my weakness. Losing someone I love adds to the fire."

-Gaia Reya

"Life hands you gifts. Accept them with a open mind."

I barely slept. I tossed and turned as Gaia's words echoed through my head. "She's gone." All this time I spent being pissed at her, she was suffering. Suffering this entire time of being ashamed, scared, and embarrassed to come back to me. Regardless of how angry I was at her, I loved her beyond anything in this world. I would've forgive her. She left because she didn't want to burden my life with a child. She wanted me to live my life the way I wanted it. But my life ended when she left. Everything did. My caring nature turned to cold brutality. My happiness became anger. My sadness became the fuel to the anger. Felt like everything died because Galina, my beautiful Galina, took a piece of me with her that I can't never get back.

If I only knew she got pregnant...fuck, this is all my fault. Everything we could've had slip through my fingers. My ignorance cost me more than I could've been together. Married. Raising our child, Gaia, together. I would've been so happy. I wouldn't be in this life. The life of crime.

Murder.

Revenge.

I think all of us would have been something in life. Not gang leaders nor gang members. Guarantee not a single one of us pop out of our mothers and wailed: "I want to be a gang member!" No. None of us did. Things happened. One thing led to another and it led us to now. It's a life I didn't want to chose, but it's something I oddly enough knew how to do.

"Galina..." I mumbled her name softly as imagines of her flashed in my head. Her green eyes shimmering under the sun. Her long, soft hair flowing in the wind. Her sweet smile and perfect teeth. Her soft skin. Her accent. Her scent I missed it all. I missed everything about that woman that it hurts to the point that it felt like my heart was constricting itself. It was conflicted with pain and sadness. Than Gaia pop in my mind. The similarities between her and her mother was spot on. I almost thought it was her, but her eyes, slight height difference, and short temper separated them, though something tells me that Gaia is a real sweet heart when she isn't in pain and I can tell she's really hurt. She hides it pretty well for being fifteen. She gets it from her father.

She gets it from me. I'm her dad. I'm the only thing she has left. I felt my shoulders got heavier with responsibility. It's one thing to run a gang buts it another thing with you have something that you made. That's your blood and kin rely on you for support. Protection. And affection. Something that the gang doesn't really require. It's almost equivalent to having a hundred bricks drop right on top you and the only thing holding you up is yourself and whoever is willing to support you and be your backbone.

I let out a frustrated groan as I flop onto my back and stared at the purple ceiling. I felt myself blinking slightly more because I felt my eyes get watery. The more I kept thinking of Galina, the more I felt guilt hit my chest. It felt worse than having a bullet go straight through you. Much worse.

Is this what love does to someone? When you really fall in love with someone? You fall head over heels and fall straight to the concrete ground? That you lose what you gain? That you can't forget who you fell in love with? Who really won your heart?

No matter how many drinks I drank and one night stands I did to forget her I couldn't because she's the only person I ever loved and there will never be another. A woman of rarity comes once in a life time and I had her. Than I lost her.

I felt tears slip out of the corner of my eyes. I felt myself chuckle without thinking. "Look at me. The leader of the Saint's crying," I felt myself smile a little, "Even the toughest break," I muttered to myself very gently as I closed my eyes in an attempt to get sleep.

It was the first time I ever dreamt of us in years.

I stared at the new girl with curiosity. She kept gazing around, her green eyes gazing from face to face. She looked beyond scared. She kept her head lowered to avoid any eye contact whatsoever. There was this lady in business suit attire speaking with principle while she sat outside the office.

I felt bad for her. She didn't look like she belonged her. She didn't look native to America, than again I'm not either. I mean, she acted like she really didn't want to be here at all. It looked like she was going to book at any second but it looked like she was restraining herself to do so. Why? All I wanted to know was why? Why was she here? Why was she scared?

"She looks scared Nathan," I gazed to my right and looked down at Shaundi.

"What do you want me to do about it?" I watched as she crossed her arms, debating.

"Go talk to her. It might calm her down." I felt my heart flutter. I might be tough but talking to really pretty girls or any girl in general made me super nervous.

"I don't think that's a good idea Shaundi. I don't know what to say to her!" She looked at me and gave me a pleading look. I sighed. "Okay, okay. I'll go talk to her." She smiled. "Get that smile off your face midget!" I complained as I walked my way over to the girl.

"You'll thank me later!" Was all Shaundi said. Thank her later? For what? Suddenly it came to my attention that I was standing in front of the girl and she was staring at me with nervous eyes and I did the same. "Uh, hi?" I said as I rub the back of my head sheepishly. She was really pretty. I felt really stupid.

"Hi." Was the soft reply I got from her.

"Um, I was standing over there, and uh, saw you here and um, uh. I'm guessing you're new here? Right?" I sound really stupid don't I?

"Yes. I am new here," she answered in a low voice. She had a accent that sounded...Russian? "But why does it concern you?" She was scared no doubt. I gave her a small smile.

"I was new here once. I sat were you're sitting before when I transferred here."

"Really?" I nodded. "Was it scary?" I nodded a yes. "Where-" she stop herself. She wanted to ask me questions but I could see her shyness.

"Am I from?" I finished for her. She nodded a yes. I sat down in the seat besides her. "I ain't from her and I reckon you're not either. I'm from England love. You?"

"M-Moscow, Russia." She was nervous.

"Ah. From Mother Russia I see. Do you like vodka down there?" She laughed and the nervousness she had melted away slowly.

"Why does everybody think Russian's like vodka so much? We don't drink that much, well, I don't drink all. It's a few idiots that make us seem we're drunk bastards."

"It's like asking why people think us British folks drink tea and are very proper. I'll tell you now, I am not one for tea nor am I proper."

"Neither am I, at times." We both laughed. She completely relaxed. My mind realized we haven't introduced ourselves to one another.

"I didn't quite catch a name. Mines Nathan. Nathan Reya." I stuck out a hand towards her and she gazed at it. She hesitated before slowly reaching out and grasping his hand.

"Galina. Galina Kirrlov."

Next morning...

Gaia's P. O. V

After taking a shower, putting fresh clothes on, brush my teeth and did my hair I sat quietly on the sofa bed Helena was currently occupying. I softly placed a hand on her head, being careful to not hit the bandage that was covering the cut that French waffle head gave her, it felt hot. She had gotten sick overnight and now had a high fever. She was breathing heavy and felt sweaty. She never got sick like this before. It had to do with something with those headaches she has been getting recently. She needed medicine. There was a knock on the door. It was soft. "Come in."

The door opened quietly and it was that kid. Mike was it? "S-sorry, I was, um, checking on you." I stared at him. He was tall. At least 5'11. Looked to be at seventeen years old. He was attractive. Had a clean cut hairstyle, he had a fit body. An average built for teenage boys. His skin was almost like a honey-almond color. Wasn't light but wasn't dark neither. He had soft honey brown eyes that I liked. I smiled softly at him.

"Did Nathan send you?" I asked as I motioned him to enter. He shyly entered.

"N-no. I, um, came on my own. I wanted to see if, you know, were okay cause you know, about yesterday." He rub the back of his head in embarrassment. His cheeks blushed a soft red. "I'm just, um, I gotta go somewhere." He made a grab for the door knob before I stop him.

"Mike was it?"

"Yeah."

"Mike what?"

"Mike Ramirez."

"Gaia Reya." I stuck out a hand to him and he slowly let go of the door knob and went towards me. He grasp my hands and gave a firm shake. My hands were tiny in his. "You look like a man I can trust. I can't say that to many people." He gazed at me surprise. He opened his mouth as if to ask how I could trust him but I beat him to it. "And how can I trust you, you might ask. It's simple. You look new to this gang Nathan leads and you keep fidgeting a lot."

"Um." I released his hand and laughed softly. I gently hit my fist against his arm.

"Don't worry. I don't judge." I winked at him and he blushed like fifty shades of rosy pink. It felt amusing teasing someone, but I knew my limits. Helena suddenly coughed and groaned in pain. My attention went to her and I softly placed my hand against her forehead once more. It felt hotter than before. The fever was getting worse.

"What's wrong with her?" questioned Mike. I sighed as I felt her cheeks. Her face was red and she was sweating a lot now.

"She got sick over night. Do you have any medication here?" I asked as I gazed up at him with a hopeful stare.

"Not in this penthouse no. Unless you consider Smirnoff and Corona medicine."

"You drink?" I asked, feeling a bit disappointed. It's hard nowadays to find a boy who doesn't drink.

"Yeah. Light weight though."

"Aren't you sixteen?"

"Actually seventeen," he corrected.

"Not twenty-one yet," I stated.

"So?"

"Smack now or later?" I simply replied. I don't take kindly to alcohol. I've lost good friends to it over in Russia. He looked confused. "Make yourself useful Mike and get a wet towel so I could put it on her forehead." Without asking, he immediately scurried out my room. Am I that scary? Maybe it's because I look similar to Nathan a lot. Including with the eyes. Wouldn't be surprise that I would accidentally intimidate someone but I doubt someone will be scared of a five foot five fifteen year old. I sat up straight and laid my hands on my lap and simply stated at Helena sleeping form.

It felt like I was staring at my mom. The pain I felt in my chest felt horrible. "Gaia?" I turned my gaze to the door and saw Pierce. I smiled.

"Hey Pierce." He smiled back as he entered the room wearing the same suit. Must have a lot of the same clothing. He entered the room and my eyes fell on something he had in his hands. A big assault rifle. My eyes widen in shock. "Why do you have that?!" I asked, in a timid voice. I know I acted like a tough guy when I had a pistol pointed at me the other day but I was terrified.

"What? The gun?"

"No! The big toy you have in your hands! No shit I mean the gun! When and where did you get that?!"

"Just now," he replied on so calmly. And I thought I was nutty. "Don't worry. It's on safety lock for now. Until we get to Loren's building that is."

"Oh." He put the gun down by the door, seeing how fidgety I was getting. Memories of the conversation between my dad and me crossed my mind. The fact of how casually we talked about killing Loren surprised and scared me. It's one thing wishing death on someone but describing what you want to do to them and actually plan to carry it out is a different thing. "He's really going through with it?" Pierce crossed his arms and have me a half smile, feeling sorry.

"Listen honey, we're sorry about throwing you in this entire thing. You just came at a bad timing."

"No kidding," I mumbled as I turn back to Helena. She let out a weak cough and frowned slightly before completely relaxing her face. Nightmare probably.

"What's up with Helena?" questioned Pierce as he thoughtlessly walked to my side, leaned forward and gently pressed a cold hand against her cheek.

"She's sick." We watched as she nuzzled her head against his hand to get the comforting coldness that seep off him.

"Fever alright. I'll get some medication on the way back." He gently caressed her face, his fingers trailing her soft skin spreading the coldness on his hand on to her hot flesh. We both gazed back when we heard footsteps enter the room.

"Here Gaia," stated Mike as he approached me and handed me a wet towel. I mumbled a soft thank as I laid it on her forehead while Pierce pulled his hand back. "Hey Lieutenant."

"Hi. You're the new kid right? Mike?" Mike laughed sheepishly.

"Ah, yeah that's me." Pierce nodded in acknowledgement. Helena took in a shaky breath. I started to worry.

"She's getting worse Pierce. She has never got this sick before." I gazed up at him with pleading eyes that begged for help. He put a hand on my shoulder and gave a firm, reassuring squeeze.

"We'll do what we can Gaia. But for now, she needs rest to fight off whatever is in her system. I'll stay here and keep a eye on her for a little. Nathan wants to see you. Actually, both of you." I blinked unconcerned, than looked up to Mike who's face looked paler than a ghost.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Um, uh, yeah. Let's go see what he wants," he answered uneasily as he waited for me. I got up, looking at Pierce who gave me a reassuring nod, before heading towards Mike and exiting the room only to stop just as I step out. Everywhere I saw were guns. Big guns, small guns, guns that looked like they can take down helicopters and tanks. Members of the gang were loading them, handing them off to others, some bringing more out, others teaching others how to aim and shoot one. And most importantly, the bodies were gone.

"I'm going back," was all I simply said as I turned only to have a hand grasp my wrist. I stop and looked at the hand grasping me before following the arm to its owner. It was Mike. I tugged but he wouldn't let go.

"They're not going to harm you."

"What happen if one those damn things go off and I got struck?!"

"Stop thinking the impossible!"

"What's impossible is possible!"

"Can you two love birds stop bickering?" yelled Nathan's voice from the second floor. I yanked my hand out of his grasp and stormed up the stairs with him on my tail.

"We're not love birds," I grumbled to myself. I felt humiliated in a way and I couldn't really describe why. Once I step foot on the second floor I felt awed. There was a bar that light up with multiple colors, and big sofas similar to the one downstairs. Than my eyes caught a big, beautiful dark wood stained piano that was sitting all lonely by itself in a corner. "Oh..." I whispered gently. I wanted to walk over to it and let my fingers graze the wood, but another sight caught my attention. And it wasn't a good sight either. Standing besides Nathan was the infamous Shaundi who hates me because I look like my mother. Not my fault I was birthed to look like a gorgeous combination of my parents. But my thoughts raced to what Nathan said about what happen between Shaundi and her. They were like sisters. Inseparable and they had a bond that was as tight as family. Than when my mom left, it's like she felt betrayed. I felt the disgust and hatred I felt towards her dwindle a bit. Mike and me approached them, her not looking to kindly at me but her gaze seemed to soften a bit. "You wanted to see us?"

"Where's Helena?" he asked.

"She's sick." He gave a understanding nod.

"Let's get to business before shit hits the fan," he stated as he tilted his head towards Shaundi, "Well?" It was like watching a father scold a five year old, than again, him and me did get into fights the moment I step foot in here. We watched as she rolled her eyes and started to dig something out of her pocket. She pulled out what looked like a neatly folded paper and she stuck it out towards me. I stared at her than at the paper. What was this? A truce offering?

"Are you going to take it or not?" she growled.

"Do you want to get punched?" I questioned bitterly.

"Ladies!" warned Nathan, "Play nice." It felt like he was taming two feral cats. Shaundi and me simply stared one another down before I snatched the paper out of her hand. The way the paper felt, it felt like a photo. I opened it, curious. I felt anger raise within me. The face of my beloved mother was staring at me. She went through my things. Took what was mine.

"Why you little-?!" I started before Mike grasp me by my waist and picked me up, turning around slightly to avoid a big, unneeded fight.

"Calm down Gaia," stated Nathan, "Shaundi. Care to say anything before mini me over there attempts to kill you?" She sighed as she rub the back of her head.

"Listen Gaia," she started. I stop fidgeting, hearing Mike sigh in relief as he rested his face on the top of my head still holding me incase of anything. "I know we got off on the wrong start, and there was a lot of shit I didn't know till now," I stared at her. It looked like she wanted to break down but refused. "If I knew why you were here, I wouldn't have acted out the way I did."

"Am I suppose to accept your apology?" I asked looking at her. She looked at Nathan and he let out a heavy sigh.

"Gaia," he started.

"Don't you Gaia me! She went through my personal belongings! How would you feel?"

"I understand if you feel disrespected about that Gaia. But you did get what she took away didn't you?"

"Yeah but-"

"Than accept her apology."

"Why?! There isn't a law that says I'm required to accept apologies!" I growled.

"Your mother and I were good friends," stated Shaundi through clenched teeth. She leaned against the bar, griping the edges tightly as if restraining herself.

"Yeah. 'Were' good friends," I spat.

"Why do I need to tolerate her?!" she asked angrily towards Nathan.

"The last thing I need is my two best girls butting heads every negative ten seconds! Either you both suck it up and act as your age or I'll do something that I've yet to think about!" he answered. Shaundi sighed feeling that this entire attempt to get Gaia on her side was stupid. She's fifteen what do you suspect? Of course she's gonna act a bit hostile and a tad, well most of the time, a rebel. Especially if you're making her befriend a person who's almost ten years older than her who thinks she's right and the other think she's right as well, there is going to be no doubt conflict.

"Please Gaia, I don't want to have to restrain you every time you two go at it," whispered Mike in my ear. I sighed as I rested my hands on his arms that were wrap around my waist, tapping my fingers on his skin. "Please?"

"Mike, you're annoying," I softly said, giggling lightly, "I hope you know that." I heard him agree and I felt his chest vibrate against my back. He was laughing on the inside. I heard Nathan cough loudly and I looked up. He had this look of annoyance in his eyes, but I sensed they weren't directed toward me. More towards Mike. Is he being protective? I patted Mike's arm, and I felt him loosen how grip than let go before stepping away from him and went towards my 'dad.' Still not use to term. "I don't think this is the best time for this. What do you say Shaundi?"

"I agree. Another time Boss when things aren't stressful."

"Alright. Fine lassies. But we're gonna have to settle things between you two." Ugh, he sounds like a nagging father. Oh wait. He is one.

"What are with all these guns Nathan? Where did you get them?" He looked at me. His eyes looked tired. I wouldn't be surprise if he didn't sleep. "For the attack on Loren?" He nodded. "Why so many?"

"It's a pretty tall as building sweetie. Place is bound to be crawling with Loren's thugs."

"Any attack plan?"

"Nope." I looked at him like he was nuts. I saw Shaundi raise her hands and turned away as if saying I had nothing to do with the no planning part.

"How can't you have any plan of attack?! You just plan to waltz into that murder building?!"

"I plan to make an entrance through the underground parking lots," he stated with a smirk.

"And what happens if their there?" I asked as I put my hands on my hips. It felt like I was a mother nagging her son now. Total reverse of how its suppose to be. Father nagging daughter not daughter nagging father.

"What do you mean if they're there? They barely use the damn parking lots!"

"They're a gang right?"

"And what do gangs need in order to thrive?"

"Shipment?" answered Mike, a bit unsure.

"Exactly. And I doubt Loren has his men take his shipment through the front door."

"You know a enough shit about gangs Gaia," commented Nathan. "Enough to write a whole story."

"Thank my uncle. He didn't want his niece to be unaware of what's outside the world she lived in."

"Really? Well, I wanna thank him for that."

I laughed, a bit dryly at what he said. Him? Thanking my uncle? My uncle Oleg? The man who I saw as my father? The man who help my mother raise me? He wants to thank the man who temporarily took his place for almost ten years? He would rather hate uncle Oleg than thank him. Most would be beyond jealous if another person waltzed into their kids lives and simply raised them. Replacing them. "If he's still alive," I mumbled as I glared at the floor. It hurts to think about him. My heart felt twice as heavy than is did before. I felt two hands grasp my shoulders but I refused to gaze up. My pride goes way further than my dignity which tends to get me in a lot of trouble.

"Go you two," I heard Nathan voice say in a stern yet gentle voice which was followed by retreating footsteps that quickly got mixed up with the rest of the noise downstairs. "Look at me." I didn't move a inch. I felt my hands ball up into fist. I didn't want to cry again. I felt his fingers grasp my chin softly and pushed my head up to look him in the eye. I saw the sad, confused, questioning stare he gave. Guess my eyes were red. "This uncle of yours. You saw him as your father didn't you?" I gulped slowly. I debated if I should flat out lie to him. But my head nodded a yes before I could register my thoughts and I felt the hot tears escape. He used his thumbs and wiped away the tears.

"For ten years. Yes. He help raised me since I was born."

"What happened to him?" I shrugged.

"I don't know. He came to America for better work and went missing."

"What does he look like?"

"He's really tall. Light skinned like us. Is really buff. Has a blind eye that a scar goes down. I think it's the left eye. Russian accent. Can be super scary when pissed off." A look a disbelief crossed his face, before he shook his head side to side quickly. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing sweetie," he sighed, "Right now..." He hesitated, "I'm all...you got." He was choosing his words carefully but they sounded really unsure. I closed my eyes, breathing in slowly. I felt the tears slowly dry up. His presence was strangely comforting to me even though a part of me still hated and disliked him, but making sense of what happened between him and my mother made us soften up to one another in some ways, and to be honest. I didn't mind it much. I like it better when we're not trying to rip the others neck in anger, but it's going to take awhile to get use too.

"Gaia. I gotta go." My eyes opened and I gazed into those twin looking eyes.

"Right now?"

"Yes right now. Unless you want me to wait till tomorrow?"

I smiled, slightly. I wasn't fond of the idea of this unplanned surprise attack but it was the only time to strike before Loren does. And I'm hundred percent sure that the next confrontation between Loren and me it won't end well. "No. Waiting isn't needed anymore. He needs to go," I answered. He gave a half smile. I watched as he bit his bottom lip as if thinking of something. "You okay-?" I was cut off when he kissed my forehead and pulled me into a tight hug, my head buried in his chest. I just stood in his embrace with wide eyes. If this doesn't scream awkward I don't know what does.

"I'll be back soon. Mike and a few others are staying for your protection." I slowly raised my arms and hugged his waist. I was short next to him but I could hear his strong heart beating. I felt calm. It felt as if the long time need of my father holding me was satisfied. I closed my eyes and said the next few words with thinking.

"You better come back."