Chapter Eight

Christian

I watched Ana as she slept a frown marring her stunning face and I hated it. I know that she was worried about what was happening with Cian Byrne and what happened to his daughter because of us could mean.

Sure, Cian had said that allowing him to use our home and having Ana and Alice kill Gino and Isabelle would help create peace between our families but we could still have problems.

I hated what today would also mean for Ana and Alice if Cian wanted today to be the end for Isabelle and Gino then they would have to kill them and I wasn't sure how they would handle that.

I had been so lost in my thoughts as I stroked Ana's silky hair from her face that I hadn't realised that she was awake and watching me frowning deeper. "Hey, how long have you been awake?" I smiled down at Ana as she pushed herself up so that she was sitting with her back against the headboard.

"I haven't slept."

"What are you thinking about?"

"Ana, you know that there is a possibility that today could be the day that you have to…"

"Kill someone?"

"Yeah. I'm worried about how you will handle that. I know no other life than this one but you… you have been dragged into this by me and I am so sorry. I have been so fucking selfish." I hated myself so fucking much because I knew that if I hadn't come into her life none of this would be happening. She would be safe.

"Christian, I need you to listen to me, please. I wouldn't change my life. I wouldn't give you up for anything. You are worth all of this. I love you so much more than I ever thought possible." I wanted to believe her words but the guilt ate away at me and Ana seemed to notice.

Ana moved closer to me and held my face in her hands looking deep into my eyes. "Christian, if you hadn't come into my life I wouldn't have fallen madly in love. I wouldn't be pregnant. Jessica wouldn't have met her soulmates. Alice wouldn't have met hers. If I hadn't met you, I would be at home right now miserable and writing love stories like ours instead of living it. I would be wallowing in my depression and loneliness, and allowing my sister to use me and treat me like crap and I would never have stood up for myself."

Ana gave me a small smile before continuing. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I mean I could do without being kidnapped or being forced to kill someone but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. You are my life, my love, my family. You own my heart irrevocably. I know today is going to suck and I don't know how I'm going to feel after…well, you know, but I know that with you by my side I can get through it. I can get through anything as long as I have you. You have brought out a side in me that is strong, and fierce, and confident. You have given me not only you and the most amazing love anyone could ever wish for but you have given me a family and I don't just mean you and our child. I have Mia, your brothers, Luca, Cillian, Jessica, and Alice not to mention Carla and Grace. I would fight and kill every day if I had to, to protect our family."

I tucked Ana's hair behind her ear as I took in her words and the honesty in her beautiful eyes. "You're my world, Ana. I need you to know that whatever today holds or how you feel after, you can always come to me and talk to me. I will be here every step of the way, whatever it takes to help you get through this. We all will."

"I know. That's why I know that I…no… WE will all get through this." I never thought I could love Ana more or be prouder of her but she was the bravest most amazing woman I had ever known.

Once Ana had finished speaking, I noticed that was beginning to look a little pale and she was rubbing her stomach. "You feeling sick?"

"A little." Ana gave me a small smile and I leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

"Go wash up. I'll get you some tea and toast prepared. Come down when you're ready, princess." Ana smiled and climbed out of bed heading for the bathroom so I made my way downstairs bumping into Grace on the way.

"Morning, Grace. Can you make some tea and toast for Ana?"

"Of course." Grace walked away just as Mark walked through the front door.

"Cian and his men are on their way."

"What the fuck. What time is it?"

"It's 7.30 am. He did say that he would be here for breakfast."

I took a deep, frustrated breath, running my hands through my hair before making my way into the front room frowning when I noticed that it was empty. "Your family are in the dining room. Grace set up a breakfast buffet. Carla turned up about an hour ago. She threatened us not to wake you and Ana."

I was just about to lose my shit with Mark when Carla's voice stopped me. "Christian, do not get angry with Mark. I told him to leave you alone. With what Alice and Ana have to do today, I figured they and you needed a little peace before everyone arrived. Now that we have word Cian is on his way then I would have had someone come wake you but you're here now so no harm done. Mark, go and wake Luca and Mia. They can wake everyone else."

Mark walked away leaving me in the dining room with Carla. I took a seat at the head of the dining table just as Grace walked in followed by Ana with tea and toast in her hands.

"Morning, Ana, how are you, sweetheart?" Carla kissed Ana's cheek as Grace placed the cup and plate beside me and Ana took the seat that I had pulled next to mine.

"Not too bad. How are you feeling?"

"Well, other than wishing today was over or that this shitstorm hadn't happened in the first place? I'm great. I'm more worried about how you and Alice are feeling. I know what you have to do isn't going to be easy on you. Your first kill is always the hardest. You just have to remember that they deserve what is coming to them."

"I know they do. I know that everyone is probably expecting me to freak out at some point and maybe I will but right now I'm actually feeling okay." Before Ana could say anything else an exhausted-looking Alesso walked in with Alice who looked like she hadn't slept all night and had probably spent some if not most of the night crying judging by her red slightly swollen eyes.

Alice took her seat silently as Alesso plated up food for her which he then proceeded to feed her. I knew she wasn't dealing with this as well as Ana and that killed me for both her and Alesso.

We stayed silent knowing that no words would make any of this any better that was until Mia and Jessica walked into the room chatting a little too excitedly considering the situation. Following them, were Luca, my brother, and Cillian.

I noticed Ana giving Alice small understanding smiles anytime she managed to catch her eye but those smiles died when Cian walked into the room like he owned the place.

It pissed me off but I made sure it didn't show. I wanted this to go as smoothly as possible and to make sure we all walked away from this, not to give anyone another reason to be pissed off.

"Well, it's good to see everyone up bright and early, and what a spread." Cian didn't wait for an invite before plating up more food than one man should need but despite Cian's seemingly happy demeanour, I couldn't miss the hint of sadness in his eyes. I knew even though he did a good job of hiding it how much pain he was in and I couldn't blame him.

"How are we all this morning? Ana, Alice how are you both feeling? Are you ready for today?" Alice gave Cian and small nod whereas Ana's held a little more confidence.

"We won't drag today out. I'm sure you would much rather get this over and done with so that you can begin your healing. Especially, you sweet Alice. I am sorry that I am putting this on you both…"

Alice looked up with hope shining in her eyes as she opened her mouth to speak but before she could Cian continued speaking. "But I must exact some revenge for what was taken from me. In this life, men like us cannot be weak. I can't let you all walk away unscathed from this. I understand that none of you asked for this and I know that you are not directly to blame for my daughter's death but if it wasn't for you, she would still be here." Alice's face fell more with each word Cian spoke.

Alesso continued feeding Alice all while rubbing her shoulder with his other hand lovingly and the worry he must be feeling was written all over his face. "How are our prisoners this morning? I assume you did what I asked and had someone down there keeping them awake at all times?"

"I'm a man of my word, Cian. You should know this. I have had my men watching them at all times. I have also checked my security cameras throughout the night. Trust me, they are awake and suffering and have been the entire night."

"Good. Is everyone finished eating? Ana, I know that you are suffering from morning sickness. I am not completely unreasonable. So, if you are not up for going down there right now you are free to stay up here until you are feeling better."

I wanted Ana to stay up here more than anything but when I looked at her, I saw her watching Alice and knew what her answer would be. Ana looked away from Alice and straightened her shoulders before smiling at Cian. "Thank you, that's very kind of you but I'll be fine."

"Well, be sure to let us know if you begin to feel unwell. Christian, make sure you have those biscuits you had yesterday. I know from experience with my wife that mornings can be terrible, especially in the early stages of pregnancy." I didn't miss the sadness in his tone and eyes when he mentioned his wife's pregnancy.

"Let's not keep the assholes waiting. I would like to see them suffer a little while longer before I go back and take care of my wife." Ana was the first to stand with a confidence I knew wasn't entirely real considering her shaking hands.

Once Ana stood everyone else followed as we made our way down to the basement. Some, more excited than others. I knew my sister had a blood lust that rivalled my own but I had no idea that Ana's best friend would have had such a blood lust. She was practically bouncing down the stairs along with Mia.

Once we entered the basement the stench was the first thing that hit me and it clearly hit Ana as she gagged. It was the clear stench of shit and when I looked over at Gino I could see why. "Wash that fucker down and get rid of this fucking smell. Jesus, it didn't fucking enter your head to do this before we came down here?" I was livid especially when Ana and Alice ran back up the stairs, Ana gagging as she went.

"Sorry, Sir. This has only just happened."

"Well, clean it the fuck up. Cian, will you excuse me? I need to check on Ana."

"Of course. I will have someone come get you when the stench has gone." I hated that Cian had so much power in this situation. I wasn't used to someone else giving out orders in my home.

I didn't bother responding. I simply turned and left the room finding Ana in the bathroom brushing her teeth while Alice held a damp cloth to her forehead. "Hey, are you both, okay?"

Ana looked up from the sink and gave me a weak smile. "Yeah, sorry about that. I wasn't expecting to walk into that."

"None of us were. Apparently, it had only just happened. Cian is going to have someone come and get us when it's all cleaned up. Alice, how are you feeling? You haven't said anything all morning. Did you get much sleep last night?"

"Not really. I'm scared and Alesso was begging me all night not to leave him once this is over."

"Do you want to leave him?" I dreaded her answer.

"No, no of course I don't but I don't know what this is going to do to me or how I'm going to handle it. I have to kill someone, Christian. I have to take someone's life. I don't know if I will ever be able to handle that. How can I say if Alesso and I can handle the fallout of this? I have never experienced anything like this before." My heart sank as I watched tears fall from her eyes and I wanted to take the pain from both Alice and Alesso.

Cian

"Now that this mess is cleaned up, I'll go and find Christian and the ladies myself." I didn't waste my time waiting for any replies or protests as I walked up the stairs. I had been in the house many times before, usually under better circumstances so I knew where the nearest bathroom was.

As I approached the bathroom I stopped when I heard them talking and I hated the pain in the soft voice of Alesso's woman, Alice. I wasn't a bad man. Sure, I was a savage to those that that crossed me or those I loved and cared about but deep down I was a good man and when I heard her pain my heart broke, not just for her but also for Alesso who I had always thought of as a friend in the past.

I wanted to take this all back and go down to the basement and end those fuckers myself but I needed to have revenge for my baby daughter. My only daughter!

My wife and I had gone through hell to have our miracle daughter and now she was gone forever, and if it wasn't for these people she would still be here. I would still have the chance one day of walking her down the aisle and of watching her have children of her own, but now all those dreams were gone, soon to be buried six feet under along with the body of my precious baby girl.

I shook myself out of my thoughts and took a deep steadying breath before knocking on the door. Christian opened the door and frowned when he saw me standing there. "I wanted to let you know that everything is cleaned up. Though I can't promise there won't be more mess and blood than just a few minutes ago. Jessica is currently looking through your wall of weapons like a kid in a toy store."

I watched as Ana gave me a weak smile and I had to admire her bravery. I knew that deep down she was scared but her bravery was admirable. It made my respect for her grow.

We all made our way back down the stairs our silence broken by the screams of Isabelle and the groans of a nearly unconscious Gino. "Take that fucker off there. We don't need him making more of a mess and making Ana sick again. Tie him to the chair I want my pound of flesh. Jessica, lovely why don't you keep looking and pick something to use on him while your men tie him to the chair?" I nodded encouragingly at Jessica.

Jessica gave me a smile of excitement and I looked forward to the day that I could hopefully work with her under better circumstances. She was born for this life and it was very rare to be able to say that about outsiders.

"What's this?" Jessica held up a device I had never seen before but Mia was obviously behind this purchase as well what I assumed was most if not all of the other devices around the room.

"Oh, this is a nifty device called the pear of anguish. You can put it anywhere in the body and expand it once it's inside. It apparently hurts like a bitch. You can ram it down Gino's throat if you want."

"Maybe later. What about this one?" Jessica now held up what I knew to be a heretic's fork. I had one of my own.

I held out my hand for the fork which Jessica happily handed over. "Allow me to show you." I strapped the fork around Gino's throat so that his head was stretched back and I knew it was hurting. "He would be able to swallow or speak with this in place."

Jessica smiled once more then turned as Mia grabbed something and practically skipped over to me with what resembled a crocodile's head with layer upon layer of blades for teeth.

"I want to use this one on Gino. I promise it won't kill him but it's the perfect punishment for him." I frowned but held my hand out toward Gino, allowing Mia to show me how the device was to be used but before she could Luca stopped her.

"Hell. Fucking. No. You are not touching that fuckers dick. Show one of the men how to use it. You can supervise but that's as far as you go." I was more intrigued by every word Luca spoke so I pulled up a chair.

"Fine, it's not like it's that hard. They are like scissors. Put his dick in the mouth of the crocodile and close the mouth. It shreds the dick. I smiled when I heard the collective groans coming from the men around the room.

"Mark, you can do it or you can get someone else to do it." I watched in amusement as Mia held the shears out to Mark who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. "Oh, for fucks sake, Mark. Put his dick inside I will do the rest." Mia gave Mark a sweet smile as he took the sheers from her hand.

Once Gino's dick was inside the shears, he began to shake his head in utter panic and I couldn't blame him. As punishments went this would be horrific. While Mark played his part, I took the time to notice that Jessica was trying to catch my eye as she held up the breast rippers and it was then I realised once these particular punishments began it wouldn't be long before Ana and Alice were up to do their parts and from the pale looks on their faces, they likely knew the same.

Mia and Jessica took a seat in front of Isabelle and Gino and with a smile at each other Mia clamped down on Gino and Jessica did the same on Isabelle and both their screams filled the air as blood flowed from their bodies.

I had wanted to drag out their torture but I knew in doing so I was prolonging Alice and Ana's so with a deep breath I removed the two guns I had tucked into the waistband of my jeans and approached Ana and Alice.

"Are you ready, ladies?" They took the guns with shaky hands and I noticed Ana summoning her confidence while Alice had tears in her beautiful eyes.

With her red hair and stunning eyes, she reminded me so much of my daughter so when she reached for the gun, I knew in that moment despite their bravery I couldn't in good conscience do this to two innocent women. I wanted my revenge but it when I imagined my daughter in Alice's shoes I couldn't do it.

I knew that what happened wasn't their fault. Making them do this would never bring my daughter back. It would never heal my heart break but I knew that it would break at least Alice and that would make me no better than the monsters tied to the chairs in front of me. He did this and his daughter was the one who set all this in motion because she was a spoiled entitled bitch. I needed to place the blame where it truly belonged.

Before Alice could wrap her small fingers around the gun, I snatched it back and turned taking aim and putting a bullet between first Isabelle's, then Gino's eyes. I then turned back to face Alice and stroked her cheek like I would often do when my daughter was upset or scared and it seemed once she flinched at first to calm her down and soften her to me, much to my relief. It was like looking at my daughters twin and it made me frown because there was something so much more familiar about the woman before me. More than her physical appearance

"I am sorry, Alice. I should never have forced you to do this. I hope one day both you and Ana can forgive me. You remind me so much of my Siobhan. You look so much like her. I should never have taken things this far. you have been through enough." I quickly snatched my hand back before my emotions took over then turned to address the room.

"I am sure you won't mind cleaning this mess up. I have to get back to my wife. We have a daughter to bury. Thank you for allowing me to get this small slice of revenge for my loss. I am sorry my grief nearly forced me to take it from the wrong people."

I turned back again to face Alice whose tears had now fallen from her eyes. "Alice, much like my daughter this life will be harder for you to navigate because you have so much innocence inside you I can see it in your eyes but you are strong enough, I promise. You not only have this family looking out for you and protecting you and those that you love but I swear, to say sorry for my part in causing your tears and sadness you have the protection from my family as well. If you ever need anything I will always be a phone call away. No matter what time of day or night I will be there anytime you need me."

I leaned down and gently kissed her cheek ignoring Alesso's possessive growl from behind her. His reaction actually made me feel better because I knew that Alesso would die to protect Alice which told me that if I couldn't be there she would always be safe. My reaction to Alice I know was because she resembled my daughter but it was also because of the innocence in her eyes mixed with the bravery she still didn't know that she possessed.

I knew from the look of confusion on everyone's faces that they couldn't fully understand my reaction to Alice and if I was honest I was a little surprised by it myself but I would have to look into her to see if there is anything in her life that can be some kind of explanation for how familiar she is to me. It was unlikely but I had to be sure.

With one last look at the lifeless bodies of the man and woman responsible for my daughter's death, I left the room and headed home to my wife.