Apologies for this taking sooooooo long. RL gets in the way sometimes. Thank you so much for the adds and reviews in the meantime!

This is probably the last but one chapter to this story before I start something new. So as always, I hope you all enjoy xXx

Part 16

Several times, Anna had opened her mouth the speak, but nothing came out.

"I know, it was wrong to listen! I didn't mean to!" The words tumbled out of his mouth as the tears followed.

"No, no honey, you did exactly the right thing!" She said, getting up from her chair and crouching in front of him. She swiped her thumbs under his eyes, wiping away his tears. "But I need you to do something for me. I want you to go up to your room and stay there til I or one of your brothers come get you OK?" She said softly, doing her best to keep him calm. When he nodded, she took him by the hand and led him to the stairs, which he quickly took 2 at a time.

Anna waited until she heard his bedroom door close, before making her way back through the kitchen. She stood for a few seconds to gather herself before heading back out.

The initial shock of what Laddie had told her, had now been replaced by an anger that was not so steadily spreading through her body. She kept her eyes forward and tried to look as natural as possible. If she saw Star right now, even just out of the corner of her eye, she was certain she wouldn't be responsible for what came next. Well she might, and probably enjoy every minute of it.

He was still deep in conversation with the same guy he had been when Anna left, but when Dwayne saw her coming, he almost immediately forgot he existed. He stood up and in what seemed like two or three strides was half way across the room to meet her. She was trying to mask it, but her knew her too well, something was up.

"What's wrong?" He said, placing a hand on her hip.

"Can we talk...not here." She said quickly.

"Are you alright? You feeling OK?" He said, absent-mindedly shifting his hand to her stomach.

"I'm fine, really, we just need to talk." She repeated, a little more eagerly this time. Dwayne gave a sharp nod, before taking her hand and guiding her through the crowd.

The only other place close to quiet was the veranda that led onto the gardens. Once out there, Dwayne shut the glass doors behind him, so no one would be tempted to join them.

"Baby, talk to me." He began, when initially Anna said nothing.

"I was...I just talked to Laddie" She started, trying to keep it together. "He said her heard Michael yelling at Star." She swallowed hard, she knew she just had to say it. "Star told Yuri about the baby." Anna let her gaze linger on the floor for a second before looking up at him.

When she did, what she saw scared her. Already, there was pure unadulterated hate in his eyes. In fact, there were already flecks of gold swimming in the near black of his iris's.

"What?"

"That's all he said. He heard them arguing in one of the bathrooms." Anna watched as he took a deep steady breath.

"OK, come on." He said, taking Anna by the hand and pulling her back towards the doors.

"Wait, where are we going?"

"We're just gonna have a little talk with the happy couple."

"Dwayne!" Anna said, trying in vain stop and pull him back to her, but by now he was way too angry and determined. "Dwayne! Please! She continued to protest fruitlessly as they made a B line back towards the party. So, when David suddenly appeared from around the corner, Anna was sure she'd never been happier to see him.

"What's going on?" David asked stepping in front of them. "Hold up! I said what's going on?" He said again, as Dwayne made to go straight around him. David looked to Anna then.

"Star..."

"That bitch told Yuri Anna was pregnant." Dwayne said cutting her off.

David looked from Anna to Dwayne before looking away.

"Hmm, is that right." Even though he didn't lose it like as Dwayne had, Anna saw his demeanour instantly turn to ice.

"Don't worry, I'm gonna take care of it right now."

"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!" David said, putting his palm flat against Dwayne's chest as he made to charge past him once again. "I get it it OK? I do. And you're right, but WE are gonna take care of this. But you know as well as I do, that 'Dad' isn't gonna be happy if we walk in there and just start tearing shit up in front of the Kardashian's. Tempting as it is." Dwayne could tell by the look on his brothers face, that they were on the same page. And when he turned to Anna and saw the way she was silently begging him to listen to David, he took another deep breath and pulled her to him, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"So, what do you suggest?" Dwayne asked.

"First, and as much as it pains me, we're gonna have to tell Max. Second, we need to find Euey and Duey." David said, referring to Paul and Marko.

"I'll go find them. You guys see to Max." Anna suddenly spoke up.

"Not by yourself I'm coming wi..."

"I'll be fine. And it's quicker this way." She jumped in before he could finish.

He kept his eyes on her for a couple of seconds, saying nothing. Finally, he nodded and kissed her once again, this time firmly on the lips before letting her go.

…...

It didn't take Anna long to find Paul and Marko. They were nowhere to be seen in the main room, but she didn't have to venture too far before she heard what was undoubtedly Paul's voice, emanating from the pool room. As she entered, she already had a strong feeling that didn't want to see what was going on inside, but right now she had no choice, so she braced herself for the worst and pressed on.

The first sight she was met with were 2 women who, she initially thought were naked, but thankfully turned out to be still in their underwear; in the pool, having an extremely giggly splash fight, while Paul and Marko looked on, unsurprisingly loving every minute.

"Er...Hi...I'm sorry to just walk in." Anna began, tripping over her words, not really sure how to initiate a conversation under these circumstances. But, there was hardly time for the words to pass her lips, before the boys spotted her and quickly began making their way over.

"Everything OK chica?" Paul sounded immediately concerned, making her realise that the "Everything's fine" expression she'd been trying to pull off was failing miserably. Over Marko's shoulder, she noticed the 2 women climbing out of the pool, the look on both their faces screamed that they were not at all happy about the sudden loss of attention, but Anna really didn't have time to care right now.

"Yeah, can I talk to you guys for a second? And, you might, wanna put on a shirt." she said with a small awkward smile, as the 2 of them looked down at themselves, then back up at each other, as if it had only just dawned on them that they were both naked from the waist up.

…...

When the 2 of them finally reappeared and Anna explained everything to them, Paul and Marko looked at each again and seemed to some kind of mutual understanding, before moving to either side of her and each taking one of her hands in theirs. As they set off down the hallway, Anna couldn't help giving a slight side look to one then the other. The hand thing was a new and quite surprising move for them, but she wasn't complaining. It was kind of comforting and honestly just what she needed right now.

…...

When the 3 of them walked into the room where the others were waiting, Anna was still between Paul and Marko. Max was the first person her eyes fell on and though she knew that none of this was really her fault, she suddenly felt a lump in her throat and fresh tears quickly well in her eyes. How could he not be getting tired of all the trouble that had been dropped at his door since she and Dwayne met.

"Max, I'm sorry." she said, as her voice began to break. "I didn't want any of this to happen, especially not tonight I..." Before she could finish, Max had crossed the room and wrapped her in a fatherly hug.

"Now we'll have none of that do you understand?" He said softly, placing a hand against her cheek and tilting her head so she looked up at him. "This isn't down to you. I made a mistake bringing that girl anywhere near this family." Just then, Anna felt a strong pair of arms envelope her from behind.

"It's OK. Come on." Dwayne pressed a kiss to her temple "I'm right here." he said, before placing another just under her earlobe. Closing her eyes, Anna leaned into him, revelling in the sudden feeling of safety that washed over her. The same one that always did whenever she was in his arms.

"Where you goin?" Dwayne asked, as Max walked past them and towards the door.

"Son." Max said, turning back to face his children, his fingers already on the door handle. "You have a wife now. A baby on the way. And you're right, I must accept that I need to let you take care of your own problems. All of you." He made a move to leave but stopped again. "I've assured Lucy that Michael won't be hurt."

"No problem. This ain't about him." Dwayne answered simply.

"And at least TRY to keep the furniture in one piece this time." Max said with very little hope in his voice, as he finally left the room.

"So, what now?" Marko asked.

"Max called for them about 30 seconds before you arrived. So now we wait." David answered.

…...

"Doin OK?" Dwayne asked Anna. They were sat on a small couch in the corner of the room, where he held her in his lap.

"I'm doing fine. Really." She said with a small smile that he wasn't at all convinced by.

"I'm sorry." He said then, causing Anna to pull back to look at him. Confusion etched across her face.

"What are you even talking about?"

"When you said you'd be with me, I promised you you'd never have to be afraid again. Then there was the shit with Yvette. Yuri. Now this. I feel like I let you down."

"Hey, you listen to me." she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Yes, we've had some problems. None of which have been our fault by the way. All we did was meet. Oh, and you made me fall in love with you, pretty much instantly." Now it was his turn to look her over quizzically.

"Instantly huh?" he said, as she gave him another little smile. Only this time it was nice to see her eyes come into play. "Yet you still kept me hanging."

"Had to keep you on your toes somehow." She managed to say, before he leaned in and quickly and captured her lips with his, adoring the vibrations from the soft giggle that he'd muffled with his kiss.

However, and even though they'd been doing their best to ignore it, reality quickly made itself known when the doors began to open.

"Show time." Paul said, as he and the other boys rose to their feet. Dwayne doing so with Anna sill in his arms.

The second that he and Star entered the room and took in the greeting party in front of them, Michael knew exactly what was going on. And the fact that everyone seemed to be looking past him to Star, who had quickly moved so most of her was hidden behind him served to confirm it.

"How'd you know?" He asked.

"Does it really matter?" David quickly retorted.

"Look, we can talk about it."

"You wanna talk? Sure, we can talk!" David said, cutting him off dead. "Star, do you have something you wanna talk about?"

Anna hadn't taken her eyes off Star since she'd walked in, so she had a perfect view when the other girl's eyes widened like a deer in headlights. She gave the slightest shake of her head before letting her gaze drift to the floor, unable to take the intense stares. No one more than Dwayne, who's look told her in no uncertain terms, that as far as he was concerned, she was already dead.

"Really, cus you see, we heard that you and Michael had quite the debate earlier on, and we were just curious."

"Michael lets go." Star whispered, but Anna didn't allow him time to react.

"Why?" Anna asked simply, and Star swallowed hard before attempting an answer.

"I was trying to help you!" Star suddenly spat in a tone of voice that took even Michael by surprise. "I knew what was happening the first time he brought you to the cave." She quickly looked to Dwayne then back to Anna. "It was the same thing they did to me. Or wanted to. But I was lucky in a way I guess. They didn't do to me what Dwayne did to you."

"He didn't do anything I didn't want him to." Anna snapped, quickly correcting her.

"And that was the problem. When I realised you liked it. He turned you into a monster and you liked it."When Anna felt Dwayne tense behind her, she took hold of his hand and squeezed it, in a silent plea to stay calm, though she knew right now, that was asking a lot of him. "Yuri was a risk but there was no one else. If he got you out, that was one thing. If he killed, you in the process...well at least that thing in you would have been gone too."

"Star..." Michael said, turning to his girlfriend, genuinely shocked at the words falling so easily from her mouth.

"Oh, Michael please, you knew as well as I did what the outcome could be. Why are you looking at me like that, we did this together, remember?"

"That's not what this was about! Not killing a kid. Star?"

"And that's what breaks my heart." she said calmly, as a single tear began to make its way down her cheek, while at the same time accompanied by a smile that made Anna's stomach turn. "I love you but you're weak. Whatever that creature inside of her is, it isn't a baby."

That was when Dwayne hit his limit. He threw himself forward, as Star jumped back. It took every bit of strength David and Paul had to hold him in place before yet another one of Max's carpets were ruined.

Anna turned her full attention on him then. She took his face in both hands and looked him directly in eye.

"I know. OK, I know. But please." He tried to get his head around her reaction while at the same time trying to calm his breathing, David and Paul still holding him fast. And then it clicked. He nodded his understanding and when they felt him relax, David and Paul let go.

"You're right baby. This one has to be you." Anna smiled, before pushing herself up onto her tiptoes and kissing him gently.

"Thank you."

By the time she turned to face Star again, Anna had already slipped into her other self and Star sucked a sharp breath back into her throat. She tried to move back even further but she quickly realised she was out of options. And then, Anna's features slowly began to become her own again.

"No" she began, the attention of everyone in the room now on her "It's just too easy. I want you to suffer and lose everything. Just like you wanted us to. Go, now, and I don't just mean from the house. I mean you leave Santa Carla altogether. For good. And if I ever see you again then I'll resort back to plan A. Understand?" As she spoke, Anna was as calm as Dwayne had ever seen her. However, he wasn't sure how long it would last, when he saw the self-satisfied little smile return to Star's face. Lord knows he could feel his own hackles begin to rise once more.

"That's it? You really think leaving this hell hole is any kind of punishment? What exactly am I losing by that? You've done me a favour." her smile widened as she spoke "Let's go Michel." Star said softly as she reached out, placing her hand lightly on his back. But Michael didn't move. "Michael." she repeated, a little desperation beginning to sound in her voice as she moved to him, wrapping her arms around his middle from behind.

"You heard her. Just go." Michael said, almost inaudibly. His eyes still glued to the ground.

"What...what are you..." she began to panic, tripping over what words she could get out. But when he finally looked up at her, it all became too clear. "Michael please, we can go forget all about this. This wasn't me at all you'll see! It was them! What they did to me! I wouldn't have done this if it wasn't for them!" she began gesturing wildly around the room, her voice becoming louder with each word she babbled.

"Gentlemen, see the lady, out would you?" David said to Paul and Marko who immediately began moving towards Star. As she instinctively began stepping backwards towards the door, her eyes fell back on Anna "Michael please! Why are you listening to her! You love me! I know you do just say it!" she cried hysterically as Paul and Marko encroached on her, Marko stepped up his pace some and reached around her to open the door. "You bitch!" she all but screeched at Anna.

"OK get her the fuck out of here!" Dwayne finally snapped.

"OK honey time to go." Paul said, talking hold of Star's arm, while using just enough of his strength to back her out of the room. There was one last cry of Michael before her whining was finally out of ear shot.

"How'd you know?" Michael was the first to speak.

"Know what?" Anna answered.

"That I wouldn't go with her."

"I saw your face when she was talking about the baby. You were done." He looked at the floor once again and took a deep breath. When he looked up, the smallest smile adorned his lips.

"I need a drink." he said, heading slowly towards the door, while trying to process everything that had just happened.

"Michael." Anna said, just as he reached it. "No matter what, I know that can't have been easy for you either. Thanks." Smile still in place, Michael nodded before disappearing.

In the next second, Anna was being spun around on the spot, as perfect and soft lips crashed against hers. When Dwayne finally let up on her, he pulled her against him, well as much as he could at this point anyway.

"You're...*kiss*...Fucking...*kiss*...Amazing." Dwayne panted against her mouth "And all mine." When she felt his hand move to her ass and squeeze hard enough to almost bring her feet up off the ground, she knew it was time to take her husband upstairs for the evening or he was clearly prepared to do what he had in mind right here.

"C'mon." she said, managing to pull out of his grip enough to take his hand. She didn't want to be responsible for another of Max's priceless rugs. She giggled at the thought as they headed for the stairs.