APOV

"Alright Mum, close your eyes."

Matteo guided my shoulders as we walked outside, the footsteps that followed were of Christian and my other children.

The only problem with having my eyes closed, is there is always a dog to fall over or a tail to be stood on, which I had obviously done, when I heard a yelp.

"I'm sorry" I said, not knowing which one of my dogs now had a sore tail.

"Gizmo's fine Mum" Lucy said, before a ball was thrown and heavy paw-steps followed.

"Ok you have me outside, now what."

"Open your eyes Mum" Matteo said.

I opened them, seeing a white sports car in front of me as I quickly turned to see smiling faces.

"You asked for an Audi R8."

"I was kidding" I laughed, walking over to the door that Christian held open for me before sitting inside.

"What do you think Mum, we can go to school in it" Lucy said excitedly, getting into the other side.

"Not yet" Matteo said. "It only arrived last night. It needs a tracker like our other cars and a few other adjustments until I deem it fit for my mother to drive."

"I am capable of driving a normal car without all the trackers and gadgets you know."

"I do. You're just not doing it though. Dads orders."

I laughed looking to Christian, knowing I would have a battle on my hands that I wouldn't win, if I wanted a normal car.

"The last car I had without extras was the one I had when I met your Dad" I told them.

Looking over to Christian though, he looked away.

"Christian… Christian. Oh my god, what did you do to my car."

My children were laughing as I got out of the car, turning to my now smirking husband.

"I didn't do anything" he said, holding his hands up. "The garage where I had it fixed might have added a tracker to it, just in case of emergency."

"Christian Grey, your stalking knows no bounds" I laughed.

"You know I will do anything to keep you safe. Even back then, before I claimed you as mine."

"Claimed me" I asked, receiving a happy nod. I can't disagree with him because I claimed him too.

"Oh no, Mum and Dad are going to get mushy. I'm going in" Lucy said, heading inside with her brothers following behind.

"I love that you're protective, even back at our start. No one has ever made me feel as cherished as you have Christian."

"For the rest of our lives Ana, that will never change."

Christian pulled me closer to him, kissing my lips while I wrapped my arms around his neck. We were in full view of everyone on patrol but we didn't care. It was just turning passionate when Lucy shouted that dinner was ready.

"Rain check" I said, catching my breath.

"We seem to have a lot of them in this family, I'm counting at least three which I plan on cashing in on wednesday morning."

"I look forward to it."

We missed our Friday night out so Saturday became date night for the two of us and we had a great night. My husband might be a tough guy but he can still come and enjoy a chick flick at the movies and eat more than half of my popcorn. Then again, we missed most of it because we were making out like teenagers.

Dinner was already plated for us when Christian and I took our seats. Lucy was telling us about her day at school and all the gossip that her friends would rather us not know.

"Nicole told her Mum for her birthday, that she wanted a purse like the one Dad got me. I think she had about a heart attack when she told her how much it cost" Lucy laughed

"She should tell her Dad to get it for her. Then again, does Nicole's Dad live with them" Matteo asked. "I have heard her mention her Mum but never her Dad."

Lucy who was laughing a few moments ago, had suddenly gone quiet.

"Lucy what is it" Christian asked, as she looked down and started playing with her food.

"Nicole doesn't see her Dad. She hasn't since she was little. He used to hit her Mum about and Nicole too. She was five when her Mum got them away from him, moving from shelter to shelter before they were able to find a safe place and get on their feet. How could anyone hurt a five-year-old child" she said angrily.

I could feel the colour drain from my face as I tried not to panic. I know how it feels to be that terrified five year old girl. I willed myself not to go there, especially not here. Christian griped my hand, letting me know he was with me as I closed my eyes for a second. Nicole is like Lucy, so happy and bubbly. You would never know that her start was filled with violence, like my own.

"I just need the bathroom" I excused myself, getting up.

"Mum... Dad what's wrong with Mum" Lucy asked, and I could hear the panic in her voice.

"She will be fine baby girl. She will be fine, let me go and check on her" I heard him say before I closed the bathroom door.

Dinner was a waste as it didn't stay down. I was rinsing my mouth out when Christian came in

"I'm sorry Christian."

"Princess, don't ever apologise."

"I scared the kids Christian."

"It's ok Ana, Theo was telling Lucy that as a doctor you had probably seen some bad things."

"Nicole is such a sweet girl Christian, to think of someone hurting her."

"I know Ana. I hope for his own sake that he never shows his face ever again, especially if Lucy is round at their house."

"I can put everything behind me, not think about it for years but sometimes something can put me back there, hear Mum shouting at him to leave us alone again."

I was wrapped tightly in Christian's arms, his scent and words calming me down.

"Mum, are you ok" Theo asked, from behind the door.

"Son we will be out in a minute" Christian told him.

I washed my face, still looking pale but we went back out together. Luca handed me a cup of tea which made me smile. It's always welcome.

"Mum are you ok."

"Yes, sorry for running out on you all."

"Nicole is ok Mum, she hasn't seen him for years. He's not allowed."

"I know sweetheart. Children being hurt is just something I saw far too often when I used to work at the hospital. I've witnessed too much pain" mostly my own but they don't need to know that.

"I'm glad you don't work there any more then. Deal with snotty noses and chickenpox instead" Lucy told me.

"That's fine by me Lucy."

For the rest of the evening, we talked about my new car and when I would get to drive it before a movie was put on. It was probably the scariest one the boys could watch with a fifteen-year-old in the room. Lucy thought it was hilarious and cheesy but I burrowed myself under Christian's arm, terrified.

All my children were laughing by the end of the movie. I just wish the laughter could last forever and didn't have to turn to tears.

THEO POV

I pounded the streets with Dad as we made our run around the block, passing my grandparents house on the way. The dogs had come with us but had lost interest along the way and were probably shitting in someone's front yard before heading back home. It's very rare that we have to go looking for one and I was right as four dogs were sat waiting at the gate, to be let in.

"Is Lucy getting a dog" I asked Dad.

"Yes, she originally wanted a chihuahua."

"You're shitting me, is she wanting to feed the dogs" I laughed.

"That's what I said, she was bringing them lunch. I said something bigger but you know Lucy, she would want something to fit in her purse."

"What did you decide on then" I asked.

"A king Charles spaniel, a little girl. Your Mum and I have seen her but she's still too young to be away from her Mum."

"A tiny girl dog, with four large male dogs. One-word carnage."

"Shit I didn't think about that. We will have to have the bitch spayed or something."

"What about getting the dogs done."

"Would you like your nuts chopped off" he said, making me wince at the thought as we made our way up the drive. "If we have the boys done, Hugo's line will end."

Mum will be more upset about that. Losing my best pal was so hard but knowing that he was still with us in some fashion was the only way that helped us deal with the fact that he was no long here. Hugo's line needs to continue.

Dad and I made our way into the kitchen, getting told off by Mum when we both threatened to hug her.

"You both stink, shower while I make breakfast."

My brothers were already tucking into a pile of pancakes and if I know those two, there will not be a lot left over.

The shower was nice though, like my muscles had been massaged as well.

"Do I not stink now" I said to Mum once I had sat down.

"You'll do" she smiled, putting my plate in front of me.

Mum left soon after to drop Lucy off at school before heading to the surgery. She still looked a bit pale from yesterday, even Dad picked up on it and asked if she was ok. Despite the situations we find ourselves in with our work, being around a child that has been hurt, is not one of them and unfortunately for Mum, she has.

I spent the morning in Dads office at the club on a video call with Mac and Granddad, even speaking to great grandma who had dropped by. It's hilarious watching my great uncle getting told off by grandma for swearing. It's a third language in this family after Italian and English but it gets some funny results.

"Mum loves her car, even though she can't drive it yet."

"We didn't get the chance to have everything done on it before it was sent over, it shouldn't take too long though" Mac said.

"Matteo is taking it in Thursday to have everything fitted. He could've done it tomorrow but the meeting at the warehouse with Dads New Consigliere is in the afternoon and Matteo wanted to be there. He won't let anyone else work on Mum's car, you know what he's like."

"Over protective, as you all should be" Granddad said.

We concluded our meeting just before Luca came in and said he was heading over to the gym. Matteo who was at the repair shop today, would be meeting us there.

...

"You hit like your mother" Bastille said, as I hit the bag.

"Thanks for the compliment" I replied, seeing some of the newer men shocked. He definitely hadn't insulted me. If I hit half as hard as Mum when she's on the bag, that's a bonus.

"I've see your mother hit. I wouldn't want to get on the end of that punch" I heard behind me.

"Dwayne where the hell have you been" I said, hitting my covered fist to his.

"Oh, spent the last month with my pops, finally died the old goat."

"You don't sound too cutup about it."

"I'm not. I went to support my mother who asked me to be there. He was an arse who would never say sorry so I watched him take his last breath. Mum was relieved to not have to look after him any more."

"I'm glad you're back."

"Me too, Theo" he smiled before taking up gloves himself.

Dwayne moved to the bag next to mine, kicking the shit out of it. I continued my own assault until my brothers came over.

"Hi Dwayne, how's the old man" Matteo asked.

"Six feet under, thank fuck."

I stood watching him hit the bag, probably thinking it was his Dads face. He had no shirt on, having pulled it off before his first hit but his back made me stop a second when I was about to continue.

"Dwayne, what happened to your back" I asked him.

I know where I had seen something similar before. He had a tattoo similar to my mother's but his was just a ring of different colours and not names.

"Oh, I got shot. Probably when you were in diapers. My girl doesn't like it so I had it covered."

Shot, shot.

I looked over to Luca, whose face had to be as pale as mine. She couldn't have, no.

"You sure it was caused by a bullet."

"Not something you forget about, feeling a bullet hit you. Your mother was the one who got it out and stitched me up. She couldn't do anything about the scar but then with bullet wounds, they're inevitable. Theo you ok."

"Yeah, I got to go" I said, throwing the gloves down and headed to my locker for my keys.

"She couldn't have, she would've told us" Matteo said as we all headed over to my car, leaving theirs behind.

"No, she wouldn't have. You know Mum would protect us from everything if she could. When it comes to sparing us pain, Mum would do anything" I said as we sped home.

As I pulled up in front of the house, Dads car was there too. Mums new Audi was parked alongside it, still not allowed to be moved.

As we walked into the house, I could hear their laughter from the kitchen. Lucy was telling Mum something about her day but all laughter stopped when she saw us stood there.

"Boys, are you ok. What's wrong."

None of us could speak for a second just believing that she was still here.

"CHRISTIAN, SOMETHING'S WRONG" Mum shouted as Dad came into the room.

I wanted answers though because I was about to hunt someone down.

"Who did it" I asked, stepping closer to Mum.

"Did what, I don't understand."

"Who shot you" I said more angrily than I meant to be with mum. Someone had hurt her and they would pay for it.

Seeing mums hand go to her mouth, confirmed what the tattoo covered.

"Theo" she said, stepping towards me but I stepped back. I didn't need comforting at the moment, I needed answers.

"Theo please."

"Who shot you Mum, WHO SHOT YOU."

Dad was in front of me in seconds, my back pushed against the wall.

"I love you son but don't you dare speak to your mother like that again."

"Who shot her, why didn't you stop it" I said to my Dad before turning to Mum. "Why didn't you get away."

"I tried, I fought" Mum sobbed, trying to comfort Lucy who was crying too.

I tried to focus on them through my own tears.

"You don't think your mother tried to fight them off, get away. She wasn't an adult Theo who could jump in a car and escape, she was a child."

"No.. NOO" I shouted, looking at my Mum. This is why she reacted so badly to hearing about Nicole, she had been that child too.

"Why didn't someone stop then, WHERE WERE YOUR PARENTS."

Dad had reached his limit at this point as Mum ran from the room with Lucy behind her.

"I need to see Mum" I said, sobbing myself.

"No, you stay away from her. You think she didn't want to tell you, she was scared that you would have this exact reaction and blame her. Sit" he said, pointing to the couch after he had moved us into the den, telling Luca and Matteo to sit too. Neither had said a word, whether too scared of Dad or too upset seeing Mum cry, I don't know.

"You want to know what your mother went through as a child, the pain and mess she was left in. do you. You ask why she didn't fight back, she did with everything she had."

He left the room, coming back from the office with his laptop in hand. None of us had dared to move.

"Dad just send the file please" he said before throwing his phone onto the couch opposite and placing the laptop onto the table in front of us. I could see him warring with himself about pushing the start but when he did, I knew it was too painful for him to stay in the room.

What came on, had my anger boiling over, my heart completely shattered that someone could treat my mother like that. As soon as the recording was over I got up from my chair and left the room, left Matteo retching in the trash can and Luca sobbing.

I needed some air, some space for just a little while to calm down and when I did, I would grovel to Mum for upsetting her. I had my hand on the door handle when Mum called my name. I couldn't face her yet, the shame was too much so I opened the door and left hearing my Mum scream my name behind me.

I drove, nearly taking the front gate out on the way through as I needed out of here. I brushed the tears away from my eyes as I continued to drive. My phone rang, seeing it was Dad but even though he will give me shit, I ignored it.

Pulling up at the marina, I didn't want to go back home yet or head to Escala where I had an apartment. I just needed to calm down for a bit. I was about to get out of the car when my phone rang again. Seeing I now had 6 missed calls from Dad and a number as well from my brothers, I finally answered it.

"I will be home soon Dad, I promise."

"She's missing, your Mum's missing. She took the car that you all got her and followed you. She's out there Theo all alone without any protection" I could hear him practically hyperventilating on the phone.

"No, oh god no. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I will find her. I'm sorry" I said, starting the car and headed back into the city.

"We need to find her Theo" he said before hanging up.

I drove, trying to think of where Mum would've gone. If she wanted some peace on her own she would head to, where the fuck would she head to. Mum is usually at work or home, she never goes off by herself, she never gets five minutes peace from anyone.

"She's not looking for peace Theo, she's looking for you" I said out loud.

I turned my car from the direction I was in and headed to Escala, she would go there, I hoped she would go there. There is only the club and I don't want her there on our busiest night.

Pulling into the underground parking garage, I probably took my first deep breath since Dads call.

"She's at Escala" I said, ending the call with Dad before I got out of the car and raced to Mum's door.

Opening the door quickly, she let out a little squeal before I pulled my mother into my arms and let her sob into my chest.

This woman had given me everything and I was so blinded by my anger that I didn't see how much she was hurting too, how much my words had upset her. I saw it now though, I felt it as her body shook with her sobs.

I moved us into the elevator, putting in the code for my apartment. I didn't like having us so out in the open, I needed her safe.

We made it into my apartment, switching the lights on as we went. I moved us over to the couch before we took a seat. Mum gripped my hand. This is what she had wanted to do back at the house, to hold onto me but I had walked away.

"I'm sorry Mum for upsetting you, I was so angry. I should've never taken it out on you. Someone hurt you" I said, my words getting lost in my throat.

"I love you son, I'm not angry with you. I was scared when you left. As a child you would always walk off when you got angry but you wanted me close so I could talk to you and calm you down. I wanted to do that now, calm you down, be there when you were ready to talk to me so I could explain" she said, holding my face within her hands.

I pulled her into my arms, hugging her tight.

"I love you Mum."

We were interrupted when the elevator doors opened and my Dad and siblings emerged. Dad ran over to Mum, practically pulling her from the couch and into his arms. He was checking her over, to make sure she was ok before he looked to me.

Dad let go of Mum who was soon wrapped up in Lucy before pulling me up too. I expected his anger but instead his hug was what I received.

"We don't run in this family Theo. You get angry fine, take a walk. You don't disappear which makes your mother follow you."

I nodded before retaking my seat. Lucy came and sat by my side while my brothers surround our mother. She rested her head against my shoulder, brushing her tears away.

"You don't go Theo, you're not allowed."

"Sorry sis" I said, kissing her forehead.

"I always wanted to protect you from my childhood but sometimes things need to be said and then buried again" Mum quietly told us as we all turned to focus on her. "You have all been lucky. You have a family that surrounds you, parents who have loved and nurtured you since the day you were born. I didn't have that" Mum said, taking the tissue from Dad.

"When my mother was pregnant with me, she was taken."

"Taken where" Lucy asked.

"Here, the States. She was taken from Sicily and ended up in a town called Montesano."

Mum told us the story of the man who took her, the arguments, the fights that followed as her mother tried to protect her.

"My Mum died in a car accident when I was five years old. I think the intention was for us both to go and as a child, I thought that might have been better. The years that followed were pain, that's all I remember, everyday until I was nearly eleven. Do you want me to continue?" she asked us.

We all nodded, even my baby sister who as yet, hadn't stopped crying.

"You all know what this family does as a business, what we won't touch."

"Yes" I said, seeing my siblings nod.

"Despite all the pain and bruises. The man who I grew up thinking was my father, had other plans for me as well. I was due to be sold to a friend of his but he jumped the gun. He hurt me and I fought back. I hit him with my bedside lamp and tried to run away. I was stopped, the bullet in my shoulder did that and I was left there in a ditch. He said they would come and get me in the morning but I couldn't stay there. I managed to crawl to your aunt's house where they found me and took me away."

"Mum, if you were with Grandma Claire and Granddad Eamon, when did you meet Granddad and our great grandparents" Lucy asked.

"I had just turned 26. I was terrified of family but seeing the photo of your grandmothers on the mantel set everything off, revealed my true identity as the daughter of Carlotta Mancini and Franklin Lambert. Meeting them was emotional, especially meeting my Dad but we have made up for all the years we lost, I miss my Mum so much but she's always with me. She died trying to protect me"

"What happened to them, they're not still out there are they" Lucy asked, sounding terrified.

"Lucy, they're gone. Every person who ever hurt your mother has been gone a long time" Dad told her.

I watched Mum get up to use the bathroom but no one ran after her this time. We let her be, knowing that if she needed us or more Dad, she would call us.

I went into the kitchen pulling a bottle of bourbon and some glasses out.

"Dad" I asked, holding one up.

"Please son" he said, rubbing his eyes.

His eyes were as red as ours were but he stayed strong, making sure we were all ok as he was calming my little sister down.

"Can I have one of them son" Mum asked, coming from the bathroom.

"You will be asleep, if you drink that Ana" Dad told her.

"Her um, night cap" I said holding out the glass to Mum.

"The smell will put me to sleep, never mind the drink" she smiled.

We all made our way back over to the couches as Mum cuddled into Dads side.

"I'm glad you changed the couch" Mum said. If she wanted to talk about the décor then I'm fine with that.

"Yes, I'm glad too. You don't have a poo couch any more" Lucy giggled. She was sat with Luca who was smiling too.

I got a lot of digging from my family when I bought this place. I ordered a couch, which looked nice online but looked like someone has smeared shit all over it when it had arrived. The dogs could've done one on there and it would've blended in.

We talked about everything we could think of, everything except the subject which had brought our family so much pain this evening. We will all deal with it, in our own way but making sure Mum was ok first, was our priority. She had lived through horrors that a child, should never have had to but she had come out fighting. The woman who gave birth to us had fought with everything she had to be with us today. She's a Princess the same as my little sister, one to be treasured and protected. If it's the last thing I do, I will protect them, we all will.

Thank you for reading.

When I was writing the summary for part three, this was the chapter that I wanted to write but I wasn't sure where I could fit it so it wouldn't put the rest of the story out. I think here works out nicely especially with what comes next.

Next chapter: Ana enter the boys club, shows them who's boss and knocks one down a peg or two.

Until next time

Take care

Caroline.