CPOV

I walk away from the shed with Taylor, both of us looking back when we hear her shrieking at us to let her out, Gail is standing on the patio with looks of great sympathy for Anastasia. Yeah, like she deserves anything right now. I really believe she deserves much worse: first she runs when I ask a small question that asks nothing of her, second she tries to get out of punishment twice and third she tries to make me feel sorry for her. I am not sorry, I thought that she was going to make things easier. Now it seems as though we are going to have to break her like we break all the slaves that we traffic all over the world.

"She hadn't had anything to eat or drink yet sir," Gail said.

"In three hours you can go in there and give her some orange or cranberry juice, the code to the lock is her birthday. No food, you give her food and you'll be punished and do not look at Taylor for support. I'm too mad for anyone to disobey me right now!" I shouted.

Gail steps aside while I storm into the house, Taylor wisely stays back with her. When I move towards the front door to just go on a drive by myself I see Maia in the living room curled up on the seat Ana had occupied last night, she's crying. It was one thing that my dad taught me when Noah was younger, kids who cry silently are truly upset but ones who are screaming and throwing themselves around are doing it to grab attention. Kate is on the sofa, watching her quietly while reading a book.

I rush over to Maia who kicks me in the chest to get me away from her, Kate stands quickly because she is unsure of how I will handle the situation. I am unsure of how I am going to handle the situation.

Mouse, what's wrong? I ask.

You hate me! You took mommy away because you are jealous I love her too. She rushes.

What are you talking about?

Mommy made you mad, but she ran to me not away. She didn't leave me but you stole her away from me. She looks at Kate who nods. I am mad at you, you lied to me. You lie. You lie and you take her away. Did you take her away last time too?

I reach over and switch on her hearing aids which are obviously still turned off, Kate does not want to piss me off because then she would have Elliot and myself to deal with. Mouse hates me because now she thinks that Anastasia is gone for good, blind rage is becoming more and more clear. The phrase at least.

"Mouse, I did not send her off last time. Last time your mother left by herself. This morning she was asked a question and instead of answering she ran away, yes it may have been to you but she ran instead of answering one question. I didn't lie, she won't leave you again and I didn't send her away. She needs time alone to think because if she doesn't I think that she might leave you, us. Maia, I am sending you and your brother home until things are sorted here with Anastasia. You're too close already and I can't watch you get hurt."

"I hate you," She croaks. "I hate you and if you send me away from my mom I will never forgive you. Not ever!"

I step back from her, she has never been angry with me so this is new territory for me and probably everyone in the house. I look over at Kate who has tears in her eyes, I wave her off and she waddles back into the kitchen to wait for new instructions. With all the strain we have put on Kate lately I am surprised that we have not gone into labour.

I scoop Maia up like a sack of potatoes, her arms and legs thrashing for me to set her down. I walk towards the basement door and carry her down with me. We have all of our fitness facilities down there, like a training dojo for the kids martial arts. Once in the dojo I set her down as tell her to put her padding on so she doesn't get injured. The guards stop breaks and serious injury to internal organs but she still gets bruised.

"You're mad, I get it. I am mad to, at everyone and myself. Show me how mad you are, show me how well your martial arts training is going. Open target which you are mad at."

The smile that spreads across her face should worry me but it doesn't, in all honesty I am rather proud of her because one day she will be lethal and that shows me and my teachings. She is lethal, she managed to worm in more hits then my normal sparring partner who is an ex-olympian and well trained.

Two hours later we are both drenched in sweat, she seems to need a nap but while my ego is slightly bruised hers has never been bigger. Noah is waiting on the second floor landing while I carry Maia towards her room, he is quick to his feet and is close behind us. I lay Maia in her bed and pull the covers over her, set out a new outfit for when she wakes up and leave with Noah who seems to be making a slight attempt and holding back his laughter.

"How did you come up with more bruises with Maia?" He burst out laughing.

"She was wearing guards," I argue.

"Still! You look like you went up against Uncle Elliot and Uncle Luke while she looks like she went up against Micah who is seven."

I shake my head with a smile, "What do you need Noah?"

"Can we drive and talk?"

"Of course, how about we drive out to Burden Lake and go to that pizzeria I know you love. Maia needs to sleep and Kate will be here with her."

He reaches into his room and grabs his backpack, the bugger knew that I would not be able to refuse. We walk out to the garage and he heads towards the white 911 Porsche Turbo, his favourite vehicle in the fleet here. Ten minutes into the twenty minutes drive he still hadn't said a word, just mindlessly looked out the window.

"What did Ana do to warrant that type of punishment?" He asked. "I'm still learning so I want to know because it seemed harsh, Dad."

"We found out information about Anastasia last night, I asked her about it this morning and instead of answering she ran. The information we found out could threaten the well being of the family," I answer.

"Could it hurt Maia?"

"Quite possibly."

"I don't understand, why not ask Barney to dive in and get more intel? What if you just sacred her?"

"The only reason she would run from the question I asked would be if she was guilty, if she knew that I would not like the answer."

"But what would have happened if she had answered and you didn't like her answer?"

"What happens to someone if they betray the family, Noah? Just because she is my wife and your mother she does not get a free card. She would and will if she answers, face that same consequence. I'm sorry."

"I get it, it just kind of sucks."

We pull into the parking lot of a small pizzeria that the kids love. Noah rushes in and sits at a booth far from the entrance but with a clear view, what we usually aim for due to safety concerns. I sit across from him and he orders fast, I just get classic pepperoni since its the only one I really like. Not a fan of pizza but it is a kids favourite and is easy when schedules are tight.

While waiting for our orders to arrive he hands me over a filled out application to a summer camp in Michigan. Scratch that, not a summer camp a summer school. This is the last thing I would expect from Noah. I look through the package and it is Interlochen Centre for the Arts in Michigan, its for an advanced high school drawing course which could allow him to go to the school in the fall.

"Are you serious about this?" I ask.

"It's one of the best schools for arts in the country, plus I am pretty sure that I am expelled from school because that last fight."

"I will fax over the application, and if you are sure about the fall you can fill out that application and I will sign that one as well. I just want you happy Noah, you and your sister are my world and I will do anything to make you happy and safe. You understand that?"

"I do, but Maia takes everything to heart. I'm scared that if I go and she is here with you and Ana that she will get her heart broken, that she will get hurt."

"What did you do to her when you put her in the back?"

The waitress comes with our orders and walks away quickly, don't think I didn't notice her eyeing me like she wanted to pounce right there. Noah and I eat in peace while I think about how to answer him, he is old enough to know the truth but Noah can be sensitive.

"I locked he back in the shed, her hands and legs bound, blindfold on and alone so that she can take time to think about what she wants out of this and what she is willing to do if she wants to make this work. Your grandfather would call her feral, he would say that she needs to learn on her own and that she needs to want this."

"What do you say?"

"I say that sometimes you need to treat a woman like a horse, break them down and teach them who the master is. Show them who is in control and that it will never change, and we have ways to do this so you don't need to worry."

"You're going to train her like the guys train slaves?"

"If I have to I will, but again it is up to her."

"Will I have to treat Hopie like that? When we get married and stuff later on I mean?"

"Depends on how you want her, I want Anastasia to be mine and to listen. She needs to learn her place by my side and that is a personal preference. My parents, your grandparents, work on more of an equal playing field but she will always cater to his needs. What you want is what you will have, Hopie will bend to that."

"I don't want what you want of Ana or what Uncle Elliot and Uncle Luke have of Aunt Kate and Aunt Mia. I just don't want to disappoint you."

"Noah, look at me." His eyes hesitantly connect with mine. "I will never be disappointed with you. You're my son and that makes me the happiest person in the world. I am happy with you being you, you don't need to be like your uncles and me. Okay?"

He nods, finally I know what has been eating at him for the last while. This school and summer program will be great for him, and it will help him be true to himself. Sometimes you can pinpoint the kids born into the family who don't quite fit in it and Noah is one of them. He stands back at meetings, never carries his gun with him and is always drawing. The only time he fights is when he is protecting me or Maia, even just our names.

After lunch we walk on some trails by the lake for some time and then head home, I want to check in on Maia and get updates from Elliot, Taylor and Gail who should have given Ana something to drink by now.

At the house Maia is in the kitchen with Kate and Gail, they seem to be working on school work that her teachers sent over for the next couple days. Noah sits next to her and joins in on the study session, at least I know that my kids won't let school slide during this time. I motion for Gail to come with me, the two of us head for my office where Elliot and Taylor usually set up base during the day. We all sit on the two sofa's in the room watching each other.

"Gail? Did you bring her the juice?" I ask.

"Yes sir, she drank it but she was hanging quite limp in her restraints as if she had given up. How long are you planning on leaving her in there?" Gail answered.

"I haven't decided yet, you can go take her more juice now." Gail rushes out of the room, not looking back. "Updates?"

"Everything is covered at GEH, you know everything always flows fine when you are there or away. Nothing big but Barney can't find anything on Ana except for her job in Phoenix and her degrees from Stanford, nothing about living arrangements or even food expenses. None of the money she earned or spent seemed to go to an account for her," Elliot said.

"What do you believe that means?"

"She was provided for by someone who took the money she earned, we don't really know or understand everything yet and she isn't talking to you. This is just really fucked up, bro."

"How long will you leave her there? Maia has been bugging everyone about wanting to see her," Taylor announced.

I look at the clock, five in the evening. Dinner will be at seven but I still don't want her out by then. I am going to wait until Maia is in bed so that Ana and I have time to talk about everything. Noah will probably lock himself in his room so I don't have to worry about him.

I send Taylor to tell Gail what time I want dinner prepared for, Elliot leaves me to go and check on Kate and the kids. I really need to call my parents and tell them what is happening here.

Mom answers the phone like normal, "Christian, it is so lovely to hear from you."

"Likewise mom, can you get dad and put me on speaker. I have to tell you both something." I can hear her move around and then my dad's voice. "Dad?"

"I'm here son, what's happening on your end?" Dad's gruff voice a comfort.

"How are my grand babies?" Mom asked.

"They're as good as can be under the circumstances." I pause and take in a deep breath to calm my nerves. "Ana showed up yesterday morning, we went to the courthouse and are legally married and I am trying to train her. She can't run again I won't allow it but I didn't think it would be this hard or hurt this much."

"How are the kids dealing with it?" Mom asked.

"Noah is standing back and really cautious to how much he lets her in, he's guarded because he can remember her leaving. Mouse is all for her, trusts her and loves her. To Mouse, Ana is simply her mom and is back in her life with no drive to leave again."

"Take it one day at a time and if need be you can send the kids to us, we love having them here. Don't be too hard on Anastasia, Christian. You love her with all your heart and hurting her will hurt you, but be firm and stand your ground. I hate what she did to you, I am not her biggest fan but think about yourself and the kids. Punishing Ana every five minuets will just hurt everyone involved, and it could break her to a point where she can't be trained. You could break her till she is just a shell and no one will benefit," Dad sighed.

"We know how your anger can control you Christian," Mom added. "Don't let it."

"I love you all."

"We love you top, baby. Call us tomorrow Christian, I want to talk to Maia and Noah soon. I miss them."

I hang up and lean back on the couch, I don't remember grabbing the bottle of Jack Daniels from the liquor cabinet but when I looked down it was half empty and my body felt light, like I was floating in this weird in-between. Taylor came to inform me of dinner but seeing me in the state I was in he brought me a plate, took the bottle away from me, and left a bottle of water and a bottle of orange juice for me. Around nine Maia and Noah came in and said their goodnights, I just hugged and kissed them before sending them off.

I walked out to the shed and unlocked the door, swinging it open and peered in. Ana hung limp in the restrains, it looked as though urine had run down her leg and her breathing was soft and slow. She was alive like I knew she would be, I undo the leather cuffs and she falls into my arms and makes no attempt to stand up. I reach behind her and slip my hand into her panties to pull out the butt plug, her whole body shudders before her breathing nearly stops. I swoop down to hold her legs behind her knees. It's like body instinct still with her, her arms wrap around my neck and her face nuzzles into my shirt with those cooing noises that I always found adorable.