A/N Sorry I've kept you guys waiting, I really have no excuse apart from the fact I've been happy, I've been on holiday, I've been enjoying college despite the workload, and normally I write to escape to my imagination. So I'm really sorry and here's the next chapter. X)

Chapter 10

Fang POV

Waking up didn't help my mood that morning. I had tossed all night, not able to get comfortable and sleep, my mind restless as I kept thinking of Max. And not just her, but her family. The house wasn't suitable for a family despite the obvious signs of hard work to make it a home. Her mother had been in a right state and I suspected it was more than just alcohol. I hadn't seen her siblings, but I did notice there was one locked door in the house, she had also left one of Dad's men in charge, for protection. So she must've had a hard life. She was protecting her family from more than one thing, she had no help. No wonder she was in the fights for the money.

I had finally gotten to sleep but by four in the morning I was up again. Max had problems at home, but from the party and the eyes that had watched her fight that Russian, she'd soon have problems in the fighting ring. Top fighters never stayed at the top for long, those who were betting against them would do everything in their power to knock a top fighter down for their own benefit, through any means necessary.

With my mind running in circles I changed into a muscle top, joggers and trainers and went down to the indoor gym that had been built out of the basement. I did some stretches and warm up and then started up the running machine.

As my muscles strained and my breathing increases I couldn't get her out of my head, no matter how hard I pushed myself something would make me think of her. As I struggled for air I could see her when the wind caught her hair and tossed it about. The damn colour of armband on the bench in the corner reminded me of the dress she had worn, even though she had hated it she'd looked stunning. The sound of my feet hitting the treadmill hard reminded me of her strong will and determination, the way she moved so gracefully even when in a brutal fight.

Damn it, I was becoming obsessed with this girl. Knowing that though, it didn't change anything, I still wanted to be with her, I still wanted to help her and protect her as corny as that seemed. I couldn't reason with my emotions and feelings, all I knew was that I liked Max, I was attracted to her, and I wanted to be with her. Girls overthought situations, not guys. Not me. So my solution was simple, I would ask Max out. And I wasn't above a little persuasion either.

Max's POV

Waking up the next morning felt like hell, my entire body ached and screamed at me. I checked on mum and she was sleeping soundly. I was glad it was the weekend and the kids didn't have to get up, because I didn't feel up to getting them ready for school.

Sitting on a chair in the kitchen I sipped some water and took some aspirin, fiddling with the bracelet on my wrist. It marked me as a fighter, and I was a fighter, but would that be all I'd ever be? I was sure that when I had enough money I'd quit, but would that day come? Something always happened and I seemed to kept being pushed down a path I wasn't sure I wanted to go. How deep into the fighting ring would I go? Did I have a future apart from fighting? Looking at my school grades I'd say hell no, but I actually liked school. Maybe if I hadn't had so many responsibilities I'd have been a good student, but I just had no time for education.

I ground my teeth together as I thought some more. But I was doing the right thing, I was keeping Gazzy and Angel safe, I was making sure they got the education, so that they would never end up doing what I was doing. I had no choice, I had no one to care me, no older sibling, no adult to lean on, nothing.

My siblings would be the saving grace of this family. Gaz kept saying he wanted to play football and if that was his dream I'd help him, angel as sweet as she was loved animals and wasn't sure how she wanted to pursue that, but I wasn't surprised, at her age she sometimes said she wanted to fly. As if that was possible without a plane.

I heard a ding as the toast popped in the toaster and got up to butter it. I frowned as I heard the front door open, but I didn't panic. Fang had said he would come by, and as annoying as he was I couldn't fault his concern. He was actually quite fun to talk to, it was just a shame his father was my boss. I left the toast on the counter as I walked out to the hall to greet him.

"You're early I didn't think you were going to be here for another-"

I froze seeing him standing there, his hair was scruffy and fell over his eyes, which were no doubt as sober as they could be. If there was nothing worse than my mums drunk boyfriend it was her boyfriend sober. Because then he could move more freely, and in my current state I didn't feel ready to go head to head.

Mark grinned as he softly closed the door. "Hey Max, miss me?"

I narrowed my eyes and got into a fighting stance, every muscle strained and cried a protest, but I couldn't not fight. The kids were asleep and Mum was in her room. I wouldn't let him hurt them.

"Get out, now." I snapped bracing my feet. "You're not seeing my mum."

He chuckled as he stepped closer. "I'm not here to see her. I'm actually here to see you. I got thinking, you've landed a few blows on me when I'm drunk, and I haven't properly paid you back for them. Now's a good a time as any."

I felt a slight bit of relief, he wasn't here to hurt Mum or the kids, that was one less thing to worry about. All I needed to worry about was my self.

I saw the fist coming to my head and pulled back enough for it to clip my jaw and snap my head to the side. I threw a kick up to his chest so he stumbled back, and using my own fist slammed it into his nose. He yelped as cartilage broke under the hit and I smirked.

The smirk vanished off my face as he slammed his fists into my gut, the air rushing from my lungs and my body scream as the fresh bruises flamed to life. A sharp yelp of pain came from my lips and I dropped to my knees, I blinked and wondered why I was on the floor a moment, till a hand wrapped in my hair and yanked my head back. Another scream came from my throat, mixed with pain and rage, I blinked up through the tangles of my hair and glared at Mark. I suddenly grinned.

"What the hell are you smiling at? I'm going to smash that smirk right off your god-damn face."Mark snapped, his fist tightening in my hair till I felt the sting of hairs tearing from their roots.

"You might want to let her go, because I'm barely holding onto my anger."

Mark turned and blinked at who stood in the doorway with clenched fists, and a very angry and scary expression.

"Mark meet Fang, he's going to kick your ass in about ten seconds."

Mark turned to stare at me, his free hand clenching. "You think I-" He got cut off as a fist slammed into his face hard enough for him to spin around and slump to the floor, I wobbled as the hand untangled from my hair.

A steady hand reached down to help me up and I grinned at Fang, grateful and genuinely happy to see him. "Seems we can never meet without you playing the hero. Thank you."

Fang just stood their watching me, probably deciding on what words to lecture me with. He sighed and shook his head. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Go sit on the sofa, we need to talk."

I frowned. "I need to get rid of Mark." I glanced at the idiot who was out cold on the floor. I was impressed, one solid hit from Fangs fist had put the man out cold like the flu. He may not be in the fighting rings but he certainly wasn't a plush.

"Don't worry about that, I have it covered." He stepped to the front door and glanced out. "Hendrix! I need a favour, come here a minute."

I walked to the sofa and sat down, maybe I should be concerned that Fang was able to order somebody to take care of Mark, but I didn't seem to care that much. The man had made my life hell, I shouldn't need to be concerned for him. But what did concern me was the talk Fang wanted….because it seemed I was going to let him talk to me. About something serious, and I felt nervous in a good way…maybe I should have just pushed him out of my life, but there's was a warm feeling in me when he was here. He made me feel safe.

The sounds of dragging made me glance up to see Hendrix dragging Mark out by his feet, whilst Fang held the door.

"I'll drop this off and be back in less than an hour Fang. Call if you need a hand with anything." He said as he walked out the door.

"Thanks Hendrix, makes sure that guy knows where he stands. I was serious about what I said." He closed the door after Hendrix replied with an affirmative.

The door shut with a daunting sound and Fang's footsteps seemed overly loud as he walked and paused by the sofa. "Right let's talk Max."

A/N Bit of a cliffy but hopefully I will get the next chapter up Monday, sorry for the long wait guys, but I had another idea for a Maximum Ride AH story, so coming soon will be Racing Hearts. Love you my awesome Reviewers.