you



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If climbing the ladder wasn't painful then just sitting down was a fucking shit show. My back was practically burning not to mention the rest of my body which I was ignoring the past hour to get my family out of that hell hole "Has everyone gotten out?"

"Only four deaths which were 3 seniors and 1 junior. The rest are currently behind us travelling in vans." I sucked a breath... even though it wasn't just for me. I still couldn't help but feel I was responsible.

Guilt.

I couldn't help being swarmed by it. it feels as if those four people have died because of me, died to help me. I couldn't help feeling guilty for putting Jace and my family in the position they were in. It was all my fault and that was the toughest pill to swallow. But I could not dwell on this because if anything I have learnt over the years, is that to move forward you cannot dwell.

"Are they following us?" I asked.

"no."

"Where are you taking me and my family?" drawing a deep breath he looked at me tiredly.

"To our base which is in a small country house outside the Forrest. We are nearly there." I nodded simply and let my head fall back as I enjoyed the freedom of not having chains around me. Though there was still a problem... my collar.

"My collar," I said panicked which caused my family to look at me with wide eyes.

"Take that shit off her," Diego screamed as Jace's hand around mine tightened. Devon didn't seem that bothered and handed Jace a key. "Before our 'rebellion', Ares cut the connection off. We made sure that little dog collar was useless to boss before we 'saved' you."

"Thank you. I am forever grateful Devon for you doing this... for me and my family." I said fully grateful for what Devon had done.

"As I have said before, I didn't do it for you. I only want those sons of bitches to burn in hell. But....... Your welcome." We exchanged smiles and for the first time, I could feel finally a neutral respect for each other.

The whole helicopter then fell into an awkward silence... the guns had stopped, the screams and crying have stopped, the torture has stopped but the only thing that hasn't stopped is being a stranger. I didn't know how to break this silence but then again, I've never known how to break this wall that was between me and my family. By the look of things, my family didn't know how to break it either. The tension was even more intense between Jace and Louis who has just been reunited. Everything on the helicopter ride was just complete shit and chaos that was just waiting to unfold.

"Ang-." Mamma started.

"Your bleeding!" Juan suddenly called out. Everyone's and my eyes travelled down following Alex's to my knife wound which had blood oozing out.

"Sorry about that..." Devon said sheepishly. I gave him a small smile and before I could say something uncle Alex decided to put his thoughts in.

"Let me patch that up for you, it could lead to an infection not to mention the amount of pain you are in." I looked at him for a mere second and then to every one of my family members longing eyes. They were looking for acceptance... even the two twins of evil were looking for me to accept them.

"It's fine, I can do it myself." Getting material of my t-shirt which now looks more like a rag. I ripped a piece off and then tightly wrapped it around the wound which would stop and slow down the building. But wouldn't stop me from dying to death from blood loss or possibly infection. I would need to stitch this up or get Jace too when we get to the base.

"Perhaps I can stitch it when we get to that ba-."

"I said I can do it myself." I interrupted him with firm words and authority. I did not need their help and I know for a fact that they know that. They know I am stronger, more independent, more powerful than they will ever be. Papa opened his mouth to say something but closed it when he saw my glare. The tension was stronger than ever I wasn't sure if it was hatred or what. But what I felt for my family was many emotions...

"We have arrived at the base," Devon announced after talking to the pilot. "We are about to land." I nodded and then clipped the seatbelt in and rested my head calmly on Jace's shoulder. Drained wasn't even a correct terminology to how I felt right now. My back burned, my body in no doubt had some broken ribs and bones but the most draining part was my emotions. I was guilty, I felt deprived, and I felt that I was longing. Longing for love, for hope, for peace.

And for Blaze....

"Eternity and always?" Jace whispered lifting his pinkie. I smiled to myself with warmth and love. If I just had Jace, I had everything I needed.

"Eternity and always, you dork."

My eyes met with Juan, John and Diego who was looking at me with their own mixed emotions such as jealously, longing and guilt... I couldn't say I felt bad for them because they had caused this themselves. They never asked how I was... never asked why I locked myself away... They never cared about me until today when they see what they lost.

Me...

"Ready chica?" Jace chirped jumping up from his seat. I rolled my eyes at his antics and stood up. "Ready as I will ever be," I said sighing.

"How do we know we can trust you," Papa growled directing his anger at Devon. My uncles, cousins and brothers joined Papa's tactics and glared at Devon. I rolled my eyes and looked at them unimpressed. Was this seriously their way of trying to gain control? They don't know this world of assassins and especially the boss. These people were trained to stand against hell and the devil himself. Yet here my family think they can throw some tough glares and get these trained killers to fall to their knees. The only way these people respect you is by beating them. Plain and simple.

Kill or be killed is our motto.

"Because I trust them." I intervened standing next to Devon. I expected Papa or Enzo to fight on this or try to make an input, but they didn't. They only nodded which brought something deep inside of me that I hadn't felt in such a long time.

Breaking the silence Ares opened the helicopter door which alerted me instantly and I protectively without thought stepped in front of everyone. "Hey everyone." He chirped.

"How did you folks enjoy the ride." Ares chirped while winking at me.

"It was lovely..." Vince muttered sarcastically with all the male members glaring at Ares. "And who are you?" Enzo asked, crossing his eyes while looking up and down at Ares.

"The name is Ares."

"Ares who?" Papa pressed further.

"Ares none of your god damn business." Jace sang then winked back to Ares.

God, please help me not murder my ENTIRE family...

"You guys might want to wear these going out there." Devon then said throwing a bunch of vests onto the ground. "And also make sure to grab a weapon which is just a precaution. I know most of you know how to defend yourselves. The expectation is if you dare to kill or hurt one of us we get to do the same to you. No matter who you are." Devon's were dark and daring no would sane would dare to cross his words.

"Why is this necessary? Are you saying that this place isn't safe?" He and Ares rolled their eyes and looked at me emotionless.

"Think about it... with half of Bosses men gone and rebelling against him which is because of us and.... you. Do you really think anywhere we go with or without your family is going to be 'safe'?" Sighing internally, he was right. It was a stupid question on my behalf because everyone knows that Boss is always one step ahead. No place on this planet would be able to keep my family and Jace safe from Boss and Tony.

"Well let's skip waiting to be killed guys and let's go inside." Ares waved us. "I heard some folks are making pizzas." This caught some of my family members attention and in seconds they were already walking alongside Jace, Devon and Ares. I was about to join them until I was stopped by none other than my parents.

"What do you want?" I sighed. "Because if it is about me not telling you I am sparrow then I don't want to hear it." I expected them to be angry, to be disappointed that I wasn't listening or acting as a good daughter.

"No sweetheart." Papa started but then sighed. "I-I am so sorry. I'm so sorry I failed you as not just a protector but just as a father. I needed to be here for you... you needed a shoulder and someone to listen to you and I wasn't there. Angelina my princess, I am sorry I failed you." Tears twinkled in his eyes which hurt my heart so much. He was sorry... he knew he has always been wrong and he knows that he has always underestimated me.

"We are both sorry little bee... I failed so badly to be here for you and if anyone should recognise pain... it is me.... I know how it feels to be manipulated, to be tortured and punished as well to have everything turned against you. Yet I as a mother and as a person who has experienced this has failed to be here for my own daughter. Sweetheart, I love you so much a-and seeing you go through the pain t-that you d-did i-it ju-." I interrupted mamma and pulled them both into a tight hug.

The hug was something different it was something that I never knew that longed so much for. Despite the pain I was in and feeling like I was being crushed, the hug was still warm and loving and finally made me feel like I had some sort of place in this family.

"I love you guys too."

Despite the pain and everything... I forgive you, I always will.

"Now c'mon if we don't leave now the boys and especially Jace will eat all of that pizza." I joked and I could tell they were trying to smile. But their eyes still swarmed with guilt and sadness.

"Angelina promise me you will get your wounds looked at... I-I kn- they will only get more painful." Mum whispered while holding my hand tightly almost as if she was scared that I would disappear if let me go.

"Are you guys coming? Because Jace is now trying to see how many pieces of pizza he can fit in his mouth and your brothers and cousins aren't that impressed." Devon said sheepishly.

Bunch of idiots...

"We will go." Mum and dad left eagerly looking like they were on a mission. Probably to save Jace from getting murdered by his newfound cousins. Devon left as well and I made sure to walk alongside him to ask him questions as we get inside.

"Devon, you need to properly explain to me what is happening?"

No answer...

"Where is boss?"

No answer...

"Does he know where we are?"

No answer...

"What's the next step?"

No answer...

"Who planned all of this? Because no offence but I know you couldn't have organised this." Stopping in his tracks in the room which seems to be the cafeteria. He turned to me looking half tired and half irritated.

"Look Angelina, you are right... I didn't organise this but the guy who organised this is still making sure our asses are hidden." He spoke tiredly while running his hands through his hair.

"Who is he?" I didn't know anyone who could do this... They planned a whole rebellion and a base with weapons and machinery that even the strongest mafias didn't have. Whoever did this had to be powerful, smart, witty and would have to be experienced with the black mark assassins.

Signing again, he answered slowly. "The guy is powerful and extremely dangerous... I believe he is here but I can't be sure. When taking this opportunity, it was a long and to be honest I don't know why he did all of this. But my guess is that he has a serious blood lust for tony and boss cause those are the ones he wanted to kill." I continued to ponder who this guy was. "He gave me 5 million just to rally up troops with his only instruction being to save you..."

"Devon." I started. "What is his name."

The doors then opened and he walked in... Our eyes connected instantly, my brown ones into his staggering icy blue ones making my heart leap and my head spun. His steps stopped when he looked at me and so did all air within me. The voices and noise in the room seemed to disappear as well. All eyes and ears were on us but neither of us knew what to do or what to say.

"You." He simply stated, looking straight into my eyes...

Nothing came to mind, but everything instead went straight into my heart which was driving me wild. Nothing but many emotions were going on right now and even though he was trying to hide it. I could tell he was going through the exact same thing as I am...

"you."