A/N: Hello everyone! Sorry for the long wait on the next chapter. Life happens. COVID happens. Business happens. Then being diagnosed with breast cancer in May has been a lot for me and my family to handle. I've had a double mastectomy and now after 2 surgeries I'm going through chemo then radiation. I've got 3 more treatments left!

I hope everyone is doing great and staying safe. Please be nice and not too critical, I'm a little out of practice. I going to be honest, I'm not committing to a new chapter every week because there is no way to promise that. Chemo puts me on my ass and there are days I can't get out of bed. So with that said, I AM going to finish this story, but it might take some time.

Please Be Advised. WARNING: This story has strong, bloody violence, strong language, contains material that some find disturbing, and contain scenes of sexual nature.

I do not have an editor so there are going to be blips and mistakes. Please be kind when reviewing. This is purely for entertainment and not real life.

As always all mistakes are mine. Enjoy!

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHRISTIAN

My heart is hammering in my chest as I survey the area. It's dark out here and I can hear my parents talking to the guards telling them to stand down and not spook her. Just as I'm about to take off in a direction the flood lights turn on and light up the entire area. It takes my eyes a few moments to adjust but I see movement and take off at a dead sprint. I'm still in my dress pants and white button shirt I wore this morning for work. It pulls tight across my chest and arms as I pump my arms as fast as my legs will keep up.

She's got a big head start on me but I'm quick. Just as she makes it over the hill and almost to the wall by the shoreline I catch her. My arms circle around her middle and take her by surprise. She screams and tries to fight me off, but I hold her steady as our legs slow down to a stop and we sink to the ground with me on bottom not letting her body touch the soaked ground.

"Let me go. Pl-ease let me go. I- I pro-mise not to tell a single person what happened. I sw-swear." Her breathing is labored again, and I fear she's going to have another attack after all the running she just did. "Ple-please d-don't kill m-me."

Oh babygirl.

My heart breaks that she'd think that I could ever harm her in any way. Though, I might chain her to the bed after the fright she just gave running away from me. I've finally managed to lessen my obsession with her a little, not checking in and up on her every hour. Now I think having her out of my sight isn't going to happen for a long while.

"I can't let you go. Not now, not ever." I tell her as I bury my face in her neck. Doesn't she know that I'll never be able to live my life without her in it? That she is my entire world? The thought of her not being in my life makes me hold her a little tighter.

We're soaking wet with the rain coming down steady. Her body is shaking to the point of convulsions and she's crying hysterically now not making any sense. I wish I could take all this hurt away.

A dark thought passes my mind and I temper my blood pressure towards Pop. He did this. If only he'd come to me instead we could've avoided all this. Avoided having my wife watch me kill a man in front of her.

It only takes a short while and her body gives out again. She struggled until her body gave out. Her heart is beating normal, so I know she's going to be fine. Once I gather her up in my arms I make my way back to the main house, but Pop and Ma pull up in one of the utility vehicles.

"Oh dear, is she okay?" Ma frets and hops out to come over. Pop is grumbling about her getting wet, but she ignores him. "Here, put this around her." Ma hands over a thick blanket when we are all seated in the vehicle.

I have Anastasia in my lap all bundled up and am holding her tight to me with my fingers on her wrist checking her pulse. I've never been so scared as I was when I saw her running away from me. If it were possible my heart busted out of my chest.

Once we've made it up to the house I take her up to my old room brushing past everyone. I hear my parents calling out trying to both talk to me at the same time, but I ignore them. I know how to take care of my wife. Pop has done enough to put a wedge the size of the Grand Canyon in my marriage.

In the bathroom I turn on a warm bath and shed us out of our wet clothes. Even when she unconscious she clings to me. We soak for a bit to get our temperatures to normal and hopefully we don't catch a cold from being out in the rain. I make sure to dry every inch of her body off and place her in the clothes Ma left for us at the end of the bed. She's wearing a bright tie-dye sweats which is definitely from my sister, Mia's closet.

I'm pulling on a pair of boxers when a light tap raps at my door. Placing a pillow right up against Anastasia I leave and pull the door open as quietly as possible. What greets me has me almost bursting out a laugh, but I stay as silent as possible to not disturb her.

"I know you want to laugh." Luke huffs. "Go on, get it all out now. Taylor and Ryan both can't stop."

"Are you going to be okay?" My voice trembles trying to keep from laughing my ass off. Both he and Jose took a beating from my wife, and I couldn't be more proud of her assault on the men who she thought were trying to harm her.

Luke touches his swollen shut eye with a wince.

"I can't believe she got the upper hand on me." He shakes his head. "When the fuck did you ever play tennis? I mean, as soon as I opened the door to check on her she pounced out of nowhere. I remember the first two hits but God I think she got me four times before she bolted out through the balcony door. I think I was too stunned at first to move. Doc said I'll live and gave me some painkillers. Nothing is wrong with my sight." He shrugs. "I wanted you to know that Ray has volunteered to stand guard tonight and I'll be back first thing in the morning."

I nod.

Being the next in line to take over the Mafia I've come to know that there is never a moment when I'm not being guarded. I'm surprised that it's Ray doing the watching, but I think we all panicked when we watched Anastasia try to escape from us.

Movement catches my eye and I watch as Ray climbs up the stairs and makes his way down the hall towards us. He nods to Luke, who takes the hint, and leaves.

"I'll be on watch tonight. Garrett and Luis will be posted outside on your balcony. Everyone on the compound has orders to stand down if Anastasia takes off again and to approach her with caution."

"She's going to have a lot of questions."

"I know and that's why I wanted to stand guard tonight. I've got a lot of soul searching to try and find the answers that will help her understand or at least make the most sense."

"She may want nothing to do with you." I clip. "If she does then you'll need to heed that warning because what she says and wants trumps whatever it is you do. I won't let you be a dark cloud around her."

"I understand that." He grits. "I'll take whatever she is willing to give me right now and hope for the best."

"I've got some people coming in from San Diego that will be a part of my team."

He nods and I decide I need to be with my wife.

"See you in the morning."

With that I close the door and lock it with a click. I have no desire to sleep but if I do fall asleep I want to be able to hear if she tries to leave me again. Not that she'll get far.

Pulling the covers back, I remove the pillow and crawl into my bed next to her. She whimpers when the pillow is missing but stops when I pull her to my body and entwine our legs making sure to put her cold feet between my thighs. Anastasia snuggles closer to me and if it were possible she's practically on top of me with her body.

The morning light wakes me and I try to shake the horrible dream I've had. My body is primed and ready to start my morning between my wife's legs, but I don't feel the warmth of my wife's body. Panic sets in and I jackknife up from my position. My eyes are a bit blurry from only a short few hours of sleep. They settle on the tiny figure at the edge of the bed by the headboard. The day before events come rushing back and I'm reminded at the shit show that really happened and my dream was actually reality.

Thank God she didn't run again.

Anastasia is hunched down with her arms wrapped around her legs that are pulled up to her chest.

"Morning, babygirl." I greet trying to slow my heartrate at the thought she left me again. I shift my body towards her, and she watches me like a hawk with every movement.

She doesn't answer.

"I know you must be completely confused right now but if you'll just hear me out I promise that everything will be just fine."

Her body is stiff and unmoving.

"You must have a million questions." I push hoping she gives me some sort of verbal response. When she doesn't I continue, "Remember me telling you about my family? That I wanted out and branch off on my own."

She still doesn't make a single move. The only relief I get is watching her chest move up and down.

"My family isn't like a normal American family. We dapple in…"

"I-I won't say anyt-tthing. I pr-omise." She stutters.

"No that's not it." She is completely not understanding and I'm afraid that too much has happened for her to have an open mind. "No one is going to hurt you. I know what happened yesterday scared you but please know that nothing and no one will ever hurt you, not here." I inch closer to her because if I can get her to feel me and have her in my arms she will melt into me, and I'll be able to explain everything to her. "My Pop is a little over the top making points and I'm so sorry he had his men grab you from our home." Another inch. Her eyes are laser focused on me that she doesn't notice that I've moved closer. "I should've told you the entire truth about my family. I was worried that you'd run for the hills if you knew."

She's blinking like normal, so I know she's hearing me and it's getting to her. I'm so close now.

"Wh-ho are you people?" It's so low I almost don't hear her.

"Babygirl," I reach out for her with my arms sweeping from underneath to place her in my lap and secure her to me, but the door bursts open startling both of us.

Anastasia leaps off the bed and backs up against the balcony door.

"It is true!" Says a voice from over my shoulder.

I'd know that voice from anywhere.

Mia.

"OMG! I finally have a sister!" Mia squeals barging into the room further. "When Ma said you'd come home I was excited but when she said that you'd brought back a wife I didn't believe it. It's like Christmas morning!"

I slowly get off the bed to not spook Ana any further and turn toward my sister.

"I'm here sis." I say and she comes barreling over and into my chest. I circle her tiny frame and she reminds me of how little Ana is. My cheek rests on the top of her head as I keep my eyes on Ana. She hasn't moved but I can tell that she is about to try the door to the balcony again.

"Oh, Christian don't you ever leave for that long again!"

Mia backs up then tries to punch me in my gut. She turns her attention off me then flips over to Ana.

"She's beautiful." Mia states like she's looking at a piece of artwork.

"Anastasia, I'd like to introduce you to my little sister Mia. Mia this is my wife." I can't help the pride I feel when I say that word out loud.

Mia pushes past me and bounces over to Ana and engulfs her into the biggest hug. She has no boundaries and never has growing up. Ana's arms are at her side as Mia crushes her.

"We are going to be the bestest of friends!" Mia exclaims, placing her hands on Ana's shoulders.

"Oh good lord in heaven! Mia, I told you not to disturb them and look what you've done." Ma says from the doorway. "Give the poor girl a chance to breath this morning before you smother her."

"Morning Ma." I say as she comes in and gives me a hug.

"Morning baby boy." She smiles up at me beaming. Ma always loved having all her chicks under one roof. "Now let me have a turn to introduce myself."

She shoves past me and walks over to Mia and Ana. Ana is just looking back and forth from Mia to Ma. I'm sure this is still a shock and overwhelming to her.

"Oh my, you are the prettiest little darling. I'm Grace, Christian and Mia's mother. You must be Anastasia."

Ana finally nods.

"She isn't a mute is she?" Mia busts out.

"Mia!" Ma and I both yell at her at the same time.

"What? If she is that's fine I'm sure we can have an instructor to come and teach us all sign language."

"Mia go and find some clothes for Anastasia for the next few days. She seems to be your size." Ma instructs, dismissing her.

Mia huffs but complies.

"I'LL SEE YOU SOON!" Mia shouts out as if Ana is deaf after grabbing Ana for another hug. I can't help but roll my eyes, it's be funny if it were any other situation.

"I'm very sorry for my children, you'd think I raised them in a circus." Ma jokes. She reaches out very slowly and caresses Ana's hands in hers. "I know yesterday was a whirlwind and there are a lot of questions that need to be addressed but I want you to know that you can come to me for anything. We take being in this family very serious around here. I've been so worried about Christian and to find out that he added to our family with you has made my heart full. I hope that over time you will be able to accept us as your family too."

Ana only nods again.

"My husband has some apologizing to do so please make him grovel a little before you fully forgive him." I watch my Ma wink at Ana. "And to this guy." She elbows me in the ribs. "We need to keep these husbands on their toes."

"Ma." I groan knowing I'm already in some sort of doghouse.

Tension in Ana's shoulders has lessened but still wound up.

"Here you go!" Mia bounces back in the room with an arm full of clothes and places them on the end of the bed.

"Breakfast is ready when you two want to come down, but I'd suggest having Greta bring up your meals so that you two can have some discussions. Let Bart know, he's on duty today."

"Thanks Ma."

She smiles to me before turning back over to Ana.

"I know this is overwhelming but please give us a chance to right our wrongs." Ma hugs Ana again then leaves with Mia by her side closing the door behind her. Just before she closes it she gives me the look that says, 'make this right'.

The silence is deafening after the door clicks shut. Ana is looking down at her feet and I can't form any words to make a full coherent sentence. Where am I supposed to start? Do I tell her everything and risk rejection? Tell her everything she needs to know? Shit!

"Can I use the bathroom?" Her voice is timid, and I hate that she has lost her confidence.

"You don't have to ask permission baby." I say as I take a step to her. She winces and my heart cracks. "Please don't do that. I'd never lay a hurtful hand on you. I love you so much." I place a finger under her chin so that I can see her eyes. My hand cups her cheek. "I love you more than my own life. I know that your trust in me is shaken but I swear I'll tell you everything and explain it. Give me a chance to fix this don't shut down on me or push me away."

She stares at me, and I know I need to give her time and a little space to process everything. I hate that we can't just go about our day like normal.

"Why don't you take a shower and get dressed. I've got a few phone calls to make and then we can have breakfast and talk. I'll answer any questions you have, okay?"

She finally nods and I lean in and kiss her forehead. I'll take what I can get at this point.

I watch as Ana gathers some of Mia's clothes and walks into the bathroom. My heart cracks even more when I hear the lock on the door set into place.

Give her time, my mind keeps chanting.

Letting out a deep breath I know what I need to do. Swiping my phone from my pants from last night I make a call. It rings three times before it's picked up.

"Shit has hit the fan. I'm in Seattle and I need you here."

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the new chapter! Who did Christian call? Is Ana going to hear him out? Will she believe him and how is she going to handle what he tells her? Ana's POV next up!

~Amber