Dear all,

As I promised yesterday, here comes Part 2 of CH.26 and I really hope you will enjoy it! It is more intense and richer in terms of emotions and action. It was not easy to properly craft this whole chapter, so I hope I managed in that. You will see :-)

Let me know what you think of it with your awesome messages, votes and comments that I am really enjoying reading  right now :THANK YOU!

Thank you very much for your sweet and loving welcome back and for your kindness, it really made me feel wonderful and sincerely grateful.

I chose a song that seemed to well fit the chapter in general and in particular the last part; a picture of our Oleg (--> handsome model Vince Ramos) . I particularly like this image.

I would like to dedicate this chapter to everyone as a big thank you for your support and magical kindness, and in particular to Kappayokai as special thank you for reading and commenting my stories, also for your message :-)

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And now, do enjoy this new chapter!

"I am there waiting, watching, keeping to the shadows. But when you need me, I'll step out of the shadows and protect what's mine." By Unknown Author.

ANATOLY POV:

I took my Ninja, because it was the best way to reach Vincent and where we had planned to meet. It was going to attract less attention than a big SUV for sure, as also Adrian's car wasn't exactly small and unnoticeable. He walked towards me and I handed him the extra helmet.

"Are you really sure you want to go with me?" I asked once more, because somehow, I felt uneasy in involving him more with anyone related to that gang; the more I thought about it, the more I realised how dangerous they were. Vincent had to get his ass out of there very soon. I also wasn't crazy at the idea of somehow involving Adrian in anything related to that fucked-up mess in school...but wasn't he already personally involved? Argh...I had to stop worrying more than a mother hen. It was ridiculous.

"Yes Tolya, I told you already. You should stop worrying about me this much, or I may think you are actually a very caring and thoughtful friend," he said with a playful tone as he winked at me, before pushing the helmet down.

Sometimes he gave me the very eerie impression of being able to read inside people's mind, even if in a different way than Oleg did. He mostly read people's face, expression and behaviour, while Adrian really felt their emotions. River was also very good in reading into people, but in another different way. I guessed Dima and I hadn't been blessed with such superpower, well, my twin even less than me. I observed Adrian a moment and then rolled my eyes as he gave me another teasing expression. Did he want to see that idiot this much? He could be my darn guest.

"Whatever," I snorted out. "Suit yourself and I'm sure that idiot will be happy to see you."

"I want to see him, to be honest, and make sure he's keeping his rather handsome face safe. Plus, this mess in school should end soon and I am happy to be there with you."

I nodded only at his last words, as a way of thanking him. He didn't press or ask for further information and discreetly told me he would wait to know more once this was over. I liked this side of him, because he never poked his nose where it didn't belong. I started my babe and switched gear ready to go. Adrian tightened his arms around me, because he still wasn't very used to my way of riding my beautiful babe; as a matter of fact, only Oleg was used to it and only he understood me and took his Ducati to levels that the mere thought was enough to ignite my blood. Dima thought I was mental and a danger to society when on two wheels and the idea helped me to find a smile and slightly relax.

"I won't go like a maniac," I reassured Adrian over the roar of my Ninja and he simply patted my shoulder. He trusted me more than my brother did and he surely covered his fear better. Thus, I definitely couldn't go like a maniac.

I thought about discussing with him what Oleg had discovered, in the same way I did with Seryozha, but I decided to wait. The problem wasn't that I didn't trust the Taylor brother and sister; the matter at hands was really delicate, almost as delicate and dangerous as a time bomb, and Oleg was sticking his neck out for me, doing everything in his power to leave my family and me out of this mess.

For now, it was better to keep it very private, even if Adrian had surely guessed enough. Lebedev also hadn't asked for details and he understood the importance to keep his mouth shut. I don't even comprehend why it felt right telling him first...I guess it was a silent way to finally bury the hatchet and get even with all that past shit.

My exciting babe roared to life and eager to bite the asphalt and I let her go, feeling my friend's arms tightening more around me. I smiled, feeling the adrenaline pumping in my system and wanting to take my motorbike to further limits, but I had to impose some discipline and self-control: I wasn't riding with that hot bastard and he was the only one able to take my crazy riding. As the words flashed in my mind, other images of us naked in bed or on the carpet of his house crowded my mind and I felt my dick waking up. I shifted gear and sped up a bit, trying to suppress that other form of powerful and overwhelming excitement.

Oh God...I had to speed up more to somehow confuse the two forms of adrenaline and pleasure inducing a turmoil of emotions.

As we reached the agreed meeting place, I parked my bike in a hidden spot, and we walked to the old and abandoned playground. Vincent was sitting on a bench smoking a cigarette and when he heard our steps, he got on his feet with a nervous and guarded motion, his eyes revealing a cautious look and his face looking tired. He relaxed when he realised it was us and a rather conceited smile formed on his lips the moment he spotted Adrian. He brushed his hair back, flinging the cigarette butt to the ground and stepping on it with the tip of his boot, and then he straight away assumed the stance of the typical show-off he was. But he wasn't fooling me completely.

What had happened to him? He looked wary and drawn. He looked like he was afraid someone might have followed him. Vincent looked like he was in deep trouble.

"Adrian, what a pleasure seeing you. I was happy when you wrote me a message," he said with a mischievous note in his voice, quickly throwing an ambiguous smile at me. Could I punch his face and wipe that stupid grin away? Argh...of course Adrian had to write him a message and of course this jerk here had to bring it up. My friend kept his face with a rather neutral smile, studying Vincent and then, he approached him, making that clown take a step back as he didn't expect it.

"I simply wanted to make sure you were still keeping yourself safe and out of unnecessary danger. But I see you still have to sort a few things out." He stepped even closer and leaned his nose a mere inch away from his neck, inhaling with an expression on his face that with all chances let Vince completely tongue-tied. "The smell of smoke doesn't suit you much, you know this?"

"Some old habits are hard to die," he said with measured voice, not daring to move away or closer. He was at a complete loss of words or haughty come-backs, even if that same smile was on his lips, clearly enjoying Adrian's proximity.

"I know this very well, Vincent. Some old habits are indeed very hard to die and some other matters need more time, correct?" He only nodded at my friend who pulled back at once and I was more confused than ever. I had no idea what the hell was going. What did he mean by that? Did something happen? Vince dropped the sardonic expression and concentrated his dark green eyes on Adrian, with a face that spoke many words.

"I'm sorry, Adrian. It's not as easy as I had imagined. But I'm happy to see you and I sure didn't expect you to show your handsome face here." As they spoke, I decided to mind my own business. "When will you join me for a ride?" Once more the same predatory smirk rose on his lips, but Adrian wasn't impressed by that and he only chuckled, leaving Vince confused for a few seconds. "So?" Ha, I had to admit that in a way this was quite funny to witness.

"Soon enough. First, sort things out with the gang. You are smarter than this and I know how tired you've grown of this life. Then, we can take care of your other pending matter." What pending matter they meant? Enough was enough.

"Are you OK, Vince?" I decided to ask, as the expression he had before sort of worried me and I couldn't freaking understand what the hell they were talking about. He moved his eyes to me and he gave me a smile I had seen on him only that Sunday when I was out with Oleg.

"I'm fine, Tolya." He observed me a moment to see if I minded the way he called me, but truth be told, I couldn't care less. I went over the resentment I felt for him and I understood why he did what he did; he had risked more than enough and he paid for that. The only feeling left was a sense of guilt for having doubted him so easily. "A couple of members are on my back, because obviously I don't feel like doing the same shit as we used to. I will have to leave soon or it may turn out bad for me. We had an exchange the other day and we only avoided the worse because the Police was approaching."

"Leave it now," I told him quickly, but he shook his head. Damn, why he had to be so freaking stubborn? "Leave it, Vince. You're in damn danger and you know it. They won't let you alive and you know it." I swallowed down after those words left my mouth, because they felt heavy and bitter. And they felt real. It was the truth and we both knew that.

"Everything on its due time. You also didn't rush things, but left it when it was the proper moment, am I not right?" He guessed correctly and I nodded, still not satisfied with his reply. He was risking too much and for what?

"Vincent," I said with more serious and hard voice to get his complete attention and he shook his head at what was coming. "No, listen to me. I don't need you to be there in the gang and tell me about that lunatic."

"I know you can rely on someone more...reliable than me," he commented with no little bitter tone of voice, but he misunderstood me.

"That's not what I meant, idiot. I meant that I don't need you to risk your idiotic ass for me. Don't do that. I will solve that crap, so you should really just think about your own safety."

"Tolya, since when did you have this very caring and cute side in you?" I snorted at his words, while Adrian chuckled. But then Vincent came closer to me and stopped a hand on my arm, resting his eyes on mine. "You were always a good one, Anatoly. You always worry too much about other people. You should worry more about your hot ass." He smirked in his usual way and my eyes caught Adrian's expression. Instead of minding that comment, he was genuinely smiling, even if that smile had an unnerving, rather hidden shade.

He wasn't going to cave in any time soon and he was going to make Vincent pull his head out of his ass, before accepting that invitation for a ride. Smartass.

"Whatever, Vince. I worry when I need to and end of this bull." I shot him a quick glare and then decided to give up. "I'm sure you take care of yourself, right?"

"Very true, I did it my entire life." Adrian studied Vincent as he spoke those words, but kept silent. I understood what he meant by saying that, but I wasn't going to be the one telling my friend about Vince's issues. He then poked my nose, something that always irritated me and I of course grunted, as he laughed. "Hey, enough about me. You wanted to ask me something and I'm here for you." When he said that, Adrian took a couple of steps back and decided to give us some privacy, but Vince stopped him by seizing his arm. "Where are you going?" His reaction surprised me and it had the same effect on my friend, who gave him a genuine smile, slightly touching his hand.

"I will give you two a moment of privacy, as I was here mostly to see you and to support Anatoly. You two can talk and I will sit over there. You can tell me when the right time comes."

Adrian smiled at him in an open way, showing his dimples and it completely mesmerized that idiot, judging by the way his mouth slightly opened at the view of it. Vince observed my friend intensely as he walked away to give us some space and I shook my head. It wasn't my business, but I had the feeling that soon I would know about their business. Oh whatever. I had given up since Viola decided to nominate me her best friend and to dance with that dickhead at the Halloween's party.

"Tell me everything. You said you need to ask me something about a girl. With such a man at your side, I was surprised you asked for a girl," he said with teasing tone, half smirking. I ignored his moronic and useless remark, immediately getting to the point.

"Do you remember a girl called Cally that joined the gang something like two or three years ago? I'm not sure about the time, but she had something to do with Devin and well, she also tried to get in bed with me." It wasn't easy to spill that out and I felt stupid, not to mention it somehow rendered me uneasy to recall those times. Thank God I acted smart at least once back then or who would know what might have happened?

"Yeah, I remember her very well. She gave you quite the hard time with her attempts to get you between her legs. She annoyed me," he snorted and that surprised me not little for he never exactly committed to whatever we had, so he laughed at my expression. "You already know I found you rather attractive for long time and she was getting too clingy and dangerous, putting you in a risky position, given she was with Devin, and you know what kind of bad temper he can have. I was happy when he dumped her and she left the gang. She was trouble..." he paused a moment, trailing off with his thoughts, and I never imagined he would remember her that well.

"But I guess she wasn't a very lucky and smart girl. She had some issues with her family I heard." No shit...they kicked her out, from what Oleg told me, and I was beginning to understand the reasons behind that. But I kept my mouth shut. "She began to date another gang member and I really thought that something must have been wrong with her and I don't mean it in a bad or judgemental way. I realised that a girl like her could want to do that only as revenge or to attract attention."

I believed he was right, especially if I considered my own situation. I wanted revenge on my own disgusting self and I wanted to annihilate myself, to tear myself away from my family and friends. I had wished to completely destroy the real Anatoly. But it did not happen...no, I was blessed and fortunate and it did not happen. Had she also gone through some traumatic experience? I pondered it a moment and don't know, maybe not. Vince had joined the gang for different reasons than I had and we all had different kinds of ghosts. She probably had hers or perhaps, she was too fragile and met the wrong persons at the wrong time.

"How do you know it?" I asked and he shrugged his shoulders.

"Once you get in a gang, especially a girl like her, well, voices and rumours will definitely go around. She wasn't very discreet in her behaviour and she used drugs together with Devin. You know how much he enjoys that crap." I nodded, also remembering what drugs did to his temper and predisposition for aggressiveness. We had a fight once, right because of that girl, and I had been lucky enough for having Vince smoothing things down. Indeed, she was not discreet and he had been right. The more we talked about it, the more I remembered about her.

How did I manage to forget this much? I guess that it wasn't about forgetting, but about wanting to repress and bury everything in the past. I shook my head and decided to let it be.

"What happened to her?" I enquired, prompting him to tell me more, because I really didn't remember when she left and what followed.

"I don't know much of her after she left the gang, but she joined one called Iron Devils and a Devin said she became the woman of a guy probably called Marko or something like that. I remember that gang quite well, because we raced against them a few times, but we never really got on each other's throats, if you get my meaning."

I nodded and yeah, that was true. I remember doing shit like that, but I also remember that in those moments, nothing else existed aside my roaring Ninja and the adrenaline obliterating everything else in my mind and heart.

"Right, I sort of remember that," I mumbled out and he gave me a quick, understanding smile.

"You have no idea who this guy is, right?" I shook my head. "This dude I believe somehow resembled you, probably also Russian or something like that, but I'm not entirely sure about this detail." I swallowed down hard and loud as he explained me that and he didn't miss it. I swear I couldn't remember this guy, not even if my life depended on that. "Don't get me wrong. That loser didn't look like you at all, but he was quite tall, blonde and had ridiculous tattoos and shit like that."

Many pieces fell together at once and the picture was basically completed. It was what Oleg and I needed to know. It was what confirmed why Mrs. Palmer hated my guts at that point. Vincent scratched his chin as I kept silent and lost in many thoughts, and then trailed his eyes on me, with a mute question.

"She died," I only said and Vince didn't look too astonished by my words.

"I thought I heard Skull and Devin talking about that, but I wasn't sure." I wondered if he knew how she died and so, I spoke.

"She committed suicide," I quickly said and his eyes widened briefly. "Do you have any idea why she did it or do you know what happened with that other guy?" I already suspected the truth, but I needed this extra confirmation.

"Why are you asking me about this girl?" He inquired back while his stare searched in me. "Tolya?" He pressed with another question as I didn't reply at first.

"It's a bit complicated to explain, well...let's say it's quite fucked up." I sighed out loudly and he waited for me. "I have some issues in school and someone got the wrong idea about me and this girl," I summed it up the best I could, avoiding revealing too much. He pondered on my words and then nodded, meaning what I said was enough.

"He left her, it's all I have heard, but not sure about the reasons. They said because she tricked him to have a child, but who knows where the truth lies? He probably grew bored of her and I'm sure you know how these things go in gangs. You witnessed Caden toying with girls many times, behaving like the worst piece of trash. That girl definitely wasn't cut for this life."

Fuck, everything made sense now. Could that be the real reason that drove her to kill herself when she realised how utterly and terrifyingly alone she ended? She had been afraid and alone. I could be wrong, but I had a feeling that was the reason that drove to commit such extreme gesture. Had she maybe tried to reconcile with her family and ask for their help, but receiving none? Somehow, the idea didn't surprise me and only left me terribly mad at Mrs. Palmer.

Oleg showed me the picture of that letter and the words written in there were the words that only a disturbed and very grieved mind could conceive. That woman could have been capable of chasing away her daughter and wasn't what that man called Marlon confirmed to us yesterday? But why the father didn't take a stronger position? Had it been too late? What the hell was wrong with that family?

Caroline Palmer had not gone through some major bad experience. She had been too fragile and exactly like I thought before, she had met the wrong persons in the wrong time.

"You think it possible?" I asked once more, because somehow hearing the opinion of different persons helped me in this mess.

"Yeah, why not? I saw her once, after she had joined that other gang. She looked haunted, tired. The way you looked months ago, Anatoly." His words knocked the breath out of my lungs and not in a nice way. Fuck...fuck...fuck! No wonder Mrs. Palmer had it so personal and so desperate against me. I represented everything his daughter had been and at the same time, everything she had not been able to be. I swallowed down slowly and Vincent rested a hand on my shoulder. "Are you OK?"

"Yeah," I lied, but he didn't exactly buy it, judging by the way he assessed me quickly.

"You don't feel responsible, right?" Oleg also had asked me the same and I immediately shook my head, because why on hell should I have felt responsible for her? I barely knew her. I was simply mad. Incredibly and burning mad. At that woman, at her daughter's missed and never gotten chance for a better life, at my stupid past and many other things. Then I eyed the bench and felt the need to sit down a moment.

God...what would have happened to me if I had parents and family like hers? If I hadn't met a man like Oleg? I really had been blessed. Oleg wasn't the fortunate and blessed one for having met me. No...it wasn't as he kept damn repeating. I was the damn, freaking blessed and very fortunate one. I smiled and Vincent sat beside me.

"I don't feel responsible, obviously. I almost didn't know that girl. I only understand how she must have felt and I feel sorry for her." It was the pure truth. I felt sorry for her and also very enraged for what that woman had put me through and what had dared to do to Viola. It was unfair that Caroline Palmer had to die and pay for her mistakes and wrong decisions taken in life.

"I can try to imagine, but the truth is that I will never completely understand such things," Vincent commented, staring at the ground. He raised his stare the moment that Adrian approached us.

"Everything OK, hermoso?" He asked discretely, standing in front of us and mostly looking at Vince, who slowly nodded.

"Yeah, I believe Anatoly got the information he needed, right?"

"That and more," I replied drily and Adrian studied me with a stare that made feel a chill run down my spine. Had he felt my own tension and anger? His eyes seemed to confirm that, but then the expression in them completely changed and after a quick nod at my direction, he set his look on Vince, who never ceased staring at him.

"This is good to hear. I was wondering if you would like to join me for dinner, Vincent?" I widened my eyes so much at the question that for a moment I thought they would explode. Had I heard well?

"What?" He replied, even more surprised than I was. Was Adrian out of his mind? Had he forgotten the part where this arrogant idiot here told us about two men being on his case? I went to say something, but he quickly glanced at me and the look in his eyes shut my mouth. I comprehended his intentions. He was a very scary smartass. "Adrian, I'm still in the gang," he cautiously remarked and in all answer, my friend smiled at him in that same fascinating yet eerie way.

"I know that, Vincent. But I believe you don't want to ruin the chance to have a real and exciting ride in the near future, hmm?" Oh wonderful...another bastard of his own special category. I think I should begin to worry more about Vince than Adrian.

"I definitely don't want to renounce to this chance and I can guarantee you, I know how to protect someone, if needed," Vincent added, still staring at my friend rather surprised, but in no time his arrogant and playful smile was back. "What made you change your mind?"

"You need your first lesson, I believe." Why was I there listening to this? I rolled my eyes and pretended I wasn't sitting there. "Also, Vincent?"

"What?"

"I can defend myself just fine," Adrian said with a note in his voice that sent another chill down my spine and I could see how it affected that jerk, leaving him in a sort of blasted and blissed confusion.

"I think you're right...you sure can defend yourself," he muttered quietly, throwing him quite the predatory smirk. I just wanted to leave them, but Adrian followed me holding his helmet and that left Vincent in complete bewilderment. "I thought you wanted to go for dinner together..." He sounded sour and slightly defensive.

"Yes, I said that. I will write you later, as it still is early for dinner and I will find the place that should be fine for both of us," my friend replied with a mischievous smile and then placed a hand on my shoulder. "Shall we go?" I eyed Vince and then nodded. None of my business and a bit of this medicine was going to be very beneficial with that subject.

"Vince, thanks for everything. Do take care, got it?" I told him while holding the helmet in both hands and he only grinned in his usual way.

"Don't worry about me, and Tolya?" I waited for him to speak further. "Let me know if you need more help." Right, more help with that Leah matter. I shook my head, because he was already in huge trouble with the gang and he sure didn't need to expose his neck more than he already did

"No, thanks Vince. I'll take care of it," I quickly replied and he said nothing.

Adrian and I walked in complete silence to place where I had parked my motorbike and once I started my babe, I reminded myself to care about one problem at a time. I was worried about Vincent and I felt that the sooner I had it done with Caden, the better for him.

I accelerated a bit and once repeated the same words in my mind: one problem at a time, Anatoly.

OLEG POV – DAYS LATER:

For another three days that woman and her son did not go to school, while I searched for them around New York without success. I had also tried to look for them at their relatives' houses, but they were not there and Marlon was now chasing them through their credit card, still without immediate success. It was not easy and I knew it, for we had limited time and resources for obvious reasons. Anatoly was growing very impatient and so was I.

Mr. Denisov had given me days off, saying the priority was to solve this problem and he also had spoken to Marlon, clearly exposing himself for the sake of his son. Marlon had been impressed by Mr. Denisov and it was clear that incredible man had slightly intimidated him with his first hard way of assessing people, with a very strong hand-shake and very severe, almost stern way of speaking. Whenever I observed that man, it was clear that he demanded and also commanded respect and he deserved every bit of it. He had offered a very generous extra compensation to Marlon, who immediately refused it, saying he had been already well paid for this job, but Anatoly's father was not a man to take a refusal and he made Marlon accept the proposed extra reward.

Mrs. Denisov also was very restless and worried, and I had no idea what she would do to that woman if she tried something very dangerous and extreme against Anatoly. As I observed her in the past days, I even more came to understand why Mr. Denisov considered her a very special woman; she insisted for me to attend dinners with them and she wanted to know all the details and progress in the case. Obviously, she did not like Anatoly's idea at first but surprisingly, she sided with her son's mind setting and plan after a little exchange they had.

The more I observed Mrs. Denisov interacting with her sons, the more I understood what they took after her: Dmitri took her affectionate way of being, her sunny and open disposition, and her bright, heart-warming smiles; while Anatoly took her stubbornness, her boldness and also, her sharp intelligence.

I was immensely grateful for their trust and for their honest welcome into their family. As I sat one evening at their table, for a moment the atmosphere around the room and the way they interacted with one another and also with me, almost made me feel part of them. The moment I realised that feeling, I slightly shook my head, reminding myself my role and position; I knew they often told me I was part of the family, but in my heart, I still did not entirely deserve it. I had to give more to Anatoly and I had to achieve more for him.

In the moment I briefly felt part of their family, Anatoly must have perceived a minor shift of emotions in me or must have seen something on my face, because he quickly, yet significantly gripped and squeezed my hand under the table. We did not need to look at each other; I squeezed his hand back and a soft smile rose momentarily on my lips. The Denisov had given me a second chance in life and Anatoly had given me everything to entirely live that life, not merely existing through it.

However, I had to first help Anatoly is solving these two pending problems and give him the much needed and deserved peace; then I had to become a better settled man in a more materialistic way of speaking, for my life was no more belonging to myself only any longer. This incredible punk had become part of my life and it meant that I had to be able to properly take care of him in every possible situation, just as he wished to do. Only then, I could entirely consider myself worthy of the Denisov family.

As those thoughts travelled my mind and as I rode around places where Mrs Palmer and her son could be possibly hiding in New York, Anatoly sent me a message. I kept the cell phone connected with blue tooth so I could always hear it; I stopped in a quiet place and read it, for then almost crushing it in my grip. I immediately called him, because the content of that message was simply insane and beyond recklessness and it only meant one thing: that woman was set on hurting Anatoly in a mad way, if not worse.

"Anatoly," I authoritatively spoke as he replied on the phone.

"What?" He hissed back, for then sighing loud. "I know, I know. It's stupid, dangerous and reckless and whatever the hell you want to add with that. But what else should I do? Days passed and I'm tired of this shit, you are tired of this shit and don't you even dare to deny it. She wants to meet me in the place I wrote you? Well, she can be my fucking guest and I will meet that psychotic woman and her idiotic son. I am not afraid and this must be over."

"Have you realised in what sort of place she plans to meet you? It will be not very frequented by people and it means that she has dangerous ideas in mind."

"I know and let her, for all I care."

"Anatoly," I said more firmly and then, what he said completely froze me.

"You will follow me, right? I have nothing to worry about then. If you have my back, I'm fine and I know nothing will happen. Also, I won't let her hurt you or me. She has done enough. I want to confront her."

I took a couple of seconds to decide on the spot and then realised we had no other option. It was dangerous and very risky on many levels and we both acknowledged that. I quickly ranked through all the possible scenarios that could likely happen, even the worse ones, and then I took a deep breath. Anatoly had no intention of letting that woman hurt him. He had no intention of letting her hurt me...I finally understood and released the long breath.

"Anatoly," I said more calmly, but still very firmly.

"What is it, Oleg?"

"Promise me you will not do anything reckless and that you will let me protect you. You must promise me this." I knew already how hard it was going to get this from my stubborn punk and indeed, he took a couple of seconds and then he sighed out loud through the phone.

"Alright, I promise you I won't do anything idiotic and reckless and that I will rely on you. But...Oleg?"

"Yes?"

"Don't do anything that will then make me wish to kick your hot ass, got it?" I briefly smiled at his words, but then my necessary concentration took control all over my senses and personal emotions.

"Very well, we have a deal." I set the place on the GPS in the phone and asked Anatoly for his location, so I could reach him and follow him from safe distance and be ready to intervene when necessary. My instincts were alerted and something remained heavy in my guts, something almost whispering me words in my ears. I had to be extra careful and watchful. I had a feeling that the woman had planned something very extreme, but I said nothing to him, knowing how he would react. It was my job and duty and responsibility to watch after him and protect him. However, I felt the right to warn him. "Anatoly, be careful. Wait for me now and move when I tell you to do so. I will immediately locate her, worry not, and I will take immediate action. But please, be careful."

"Some bad feeling twisting in your guts?" He asked and indeed, Anatoly knew me very well.

"Yes," I only said and he swore under his breath. "Anatoly, do not worry. Understood? Nothing will happen to you." He only muttered a stretched "alright" and then I told him to wait for my signal.

I reached Anatoly's location and before getting in touch with him, I searched the perimeter of the area, looking for suspicious cars or anything that appeared out of ordinary. But they were not there. They were playing a very dangerous game and unfortunately for them, they had not realised with whom they were playing. This hide-and-seek way of acting and the feeling gripping my guts only fuelled my thirst for payback even more and it sharpened my senses, my awareness and my concentration.

I signalled Anatoly to start riding his motorbike and he followed my instructions, while I kept at safe distance, observing and ready to act at the first need.

He rode to the place indicated in the message and I felt more alerted and restless, watching around and waiting for that woman to finally make her move and show herself. A couple of cars drove around us, but not the one I was waiting for and I quickly overtook them, in order to not have obstacles between us.

I did not like this in the least and it felt wrong to wait for them to act first and chase Anatoly, in the intent to corner him in a rather isolated location, away from prying and witnessing eyes, obviously wanting to strike him. The fact they had not attended school, especially in the case of that woman, proved they had reached very dangerous levels. And here I was, agreeing with Anatoly's reckless idea and watching his back. It felt wrong. I should have been the one chased and targeted, not him. However, I had to learn to also trust his judgement.

I never lost sight of Anatoly, always in front of me riding at a different speed he usually did, trying to also assess his surrounding and giving me the chance to better protect him. Then something caught my attention and a car suddenly appeared in front of me, driving out from a secondary street. I did not recognize it as belonging to Mrs. Palmer, but I sped up in order to close the distance and it was her. She was using another car that she did not own and this detail rendered me even more uneasy and wary.

I believe she did not notice me and her stare was probably focused on Anatoly's motorbike only, not having imagined that someone would watch his back. Of course she could not suspect such thing. She drove after him at some distance and for the moment, it looked like she simply wanted to follow him, but I did not trust it, because I was very afraid my instincts were right as usual. I debated whether to pass the car and stop it, confronting Mrs. Palmer with my methods and surely, I would have made her talk, but I had to wait. It could have turned against the Denisov and Anatoly, if I acted impulsively and driven by my emotions.

I had to command calm and composure, almost impassiveness; something that was almost impossible at that moment, given the person I loved most was involved and in possible lethal danger.

I valued the options and simply kept behind and ready to react, but she simply drove at some distance, at a not threatening speed. I went to inform Anatoly via phone, for he needed to be alerted and ready.

But I had not the time.

As we quickly reached a less inhabited area of the outskirts of New York and no other cars drove around us, that mad woman suddenly sped up and set the car on a speed obviously meant to drive over Anatoly and make serious damage.

I did not think twice and I did not need any time for planning, as my immediate reaction was triggered by pure instinct.

She had planned to hurt him or kill him and my instincts had been right once more. I did not have the time to alert Anatoly, it would have wasted precious seconds. It was my duty to protect him and take care of that woman. Her speed increased even more, but so did I with my Ducati and I chased her, on time to overtake her car and thus, I sped ahead, eyeing the mirror and seeing she had not noticed me or slowed down; she must have been under the influence of some substance, which explained even more that obsessed and fanatical behaviour. As I realised she was madly driving against us, I suddenly stopped my motorbike and veered around, riding towards her.

She finally comprehended what was happening and the unexpected view of me aiming for her broke her focus and she steered the car a few times, making the vehicle lose control. I bent on the asphalt with the motorbike and let it slide under the tyres of the car, wanting to stop it or simply pose as sort of barrier to slow her down, as I was afraid she would have driven over Anatoly. I slid on the asphalt with my body and then immediately rolled away on time before getting hit by the vehicle that as expected drove over the motorbike. I got on my feet without wasting time and witnessed how she did swerve to the side of the street.

Anatoly in the meantime halted and turned his bike around, riding to me at fast speed, probably having seen what happened in the mirror. I could only try to imagine what was going on in his mind in that precise moment. My motorbike suffered a great damage and I did not want to think what could have happened to Anatoly. He stopped his bike, getting off from it in a quick and clearly edgy state, letting it rest on the ground and, after having reached me in two fast strides, he removed the helmet hastily.

"What the fuck?" He burst out as he had witnessed my reaction of before. Worry and anger and much more were showing on his tense face and his eyes spoke louder than his voice. "She could have driven over you, didn't you think of that? She could have killed you! Are you OK?"

"I only thought of you, Anatoly," I quickly replied, removing my helmet but keeping the balaclava to hide my face and maintain a more intimidating appearance. "This is not the time," I told him hard and quick, as I moved in front of him in one step the moment my eyes caught view of that insane woman starting the car again and aiming for us. She immediately hit the gas pedal and drove towards us, but I was ready and my hand went to the gun I had strapped on my back.

"Fuck," Anatoly swore and without giving me the time to anticipate his reaction, he jumped in front me with wide open arms. Reckless brat: what was he doing? Was he also insane? "I won't let that bitch hurt you," he snarled out, standing entirely in front of my body, in a stance meant to shield but also to challenge that woman. And in that moment I understood him entirely.

I remained behind him and simply aimed the gun at the front tyres.

"Stay still," I ordered him and he listened to my instruction, almost not breathing, still keeping in the same stance.

It was about absolute trust between Anatoly and me.

It all happened in the fraction of a second. I watched her approach as I had already studied the surrounding. As she reached the right distance according to my judgement, I fired at the front tyres, hitting first the right one and the one on the left after that. As expected, she lost control of the car immediately and I wasted no time in grabbing Anatoly, throwing us in the complete opposite direction the vehicle took skidding, completely out of control.

As I quickly eyed with the corner of my eye, I saw her crushing against a car parked at the side of the street and we had safely rolled away, my body completely shielding Anatoly's, one arm tightly around his shoulders to soften the impact on the asphalt when I threw us down. I sighed out a moment and quickly enquired if he was alright.

"Anatoly, are you OK?" He nodded only and his eyes were wide open, his breathing short and shallow. What happened had slightly scared him and I had to admit that the fear had run through my body earlier, the moment I comprehended her sick intentions and I saw her speeding up wanting to eliminate Anatoly. Somehow, the fear of something happening to him instead of impairing my senses and reactions only sharpened them even more. "Good," I only replied and then got on my feet.

It was not over yet. Now, I had to confront her.

ANATOLY POV:

Oleg told me to get going and I followed his instructions, knowing I had to cooperate and do nothing stupid. He was worried and even if he would never admit it loudly to me, I could hear it in his voice and he actually confirmed he had a bad feeling. So those two maniacs probably wanted me six feet under and I had a feeling that only Mrs. Palmer had it so extreme against me.

I was edgy, anxious and also damn worried. Of course Oleg was guarding my back and such, but I didn't want to involve him and I knew he wouldn't hesitate to put himself in danger if he judged it the only way to save my ass. I was terribly edgy and I tried to calm down as I rode at a decently slow, yet not too annoyingly slow speed. Oleg told me to not go at my usual, as he needed to check the surrounding and yeah, I also needed to play the bait part. So I drove around and eyed the side streets, checking cars nervously and often glancing at the mirror of my babe, wanting to see Oleg right behind me. I hope he was not going to do anything that would put him in danger.

A couple of cars surpassed me and for a moment I swallowed down, imagining one of them going to suddenly hit me on the side, but it was my freaking, paranoid imagination only. Oleg was riding behind at some distance he judged safe and convenient and I trusted him completely. I eyed more cars and I was growing more nervous as the meeting point approached and that woman didn't show up. I wasn't stupid to believe she simply wanted to meet me there for a lovely and relaxed chat; Oleg had been right in pointing out that the area was rather deserted and mostly industrial. She hadn't planned to meet and talk.

I had this feeling in my guts telling me that she decided to get rid of me, as punishment for being alive and having a better life.

Well she could fucking kiss my ass, because I wasn't letting her threatening me in this way and more over, I wasn't going to let her put the person I mostly loved in danger. I wouldn't let anybody touch and endanger Oleg. I understood it in these past days and as I thought more about the Leah case; there was something in the back of my mind that seemed to be about to emerge, but for some reason it was stuck in there. It felt as if there was a sort of block and nothing seemed to remove it. Damn, it was annoying and freaking frustrating. The other night I suddenly woke up from a dream and I thought I had something about that crap, but then, it was nothing. Just empty and useless memories.

I shook my head and kept focused on the road, glancing around me and at the mirror, noticing a car following me that was not there before. It must have been her, even if it wasn't the one Oleg told me she owed. My blood suddenly began to pump faster and my heart raced more prompted by my state of edginess. I squeezed the throttles and commanded some calm in my system, because for a moment I wished to stop my bike and turn around, going to directly confront her. Oleg would have kicked my ass badly, if I did that. So, I kept relatively calm and chased those thoughts away.

We rode for probably a couple of minutes normally. My edginess grew and my heart beat faster, feeling it echoing in my throat and temples. And then...it all happened in a few seconds and it felt as if I had been punched fucking hard in my guts and if my heart suddenly stopped beating in my damn chest.

That crazed woman suddenly decided to speed up and drive over me, as I noticed it a moment too late than due, but Oleg had seen it before me obviously and had taken over her car and shit, my heart pretty much stopped as I witnessed him suddenly turning around and driving against Mrs. Palmer's car, for then sliding down with his Ducati and letting his bike get under her wheels.

For a moment horror took over my mind and senses as I saw him going down those wheels with his bike...but...he reacted faster and avoided running down the car.

Fuck...what the hell just happened? Fucking hell...Oleg was...

I froze a fraction of a second as my eyes saw him sliding away from the Ducati and rolling to the side. My heart released a beat and I let out of my breath. That man was...I couldn't properly think in that moment.

Blood rushed into my head and anger exploded in my system. What the fuck had he done? He could have gotten killed, that bastard! But I wasn't actually mad at him. I was crazily enraged at that woman, because she had kept driving against him, even though his actions clearly took her by surprise.

I wasted no time and turned around my bike, rushing toward Oleg and dropping my bike on the asphalt as I got off from it in one quick move, wanting to be at his side and make sure that bastard was alright. He had gotten on his feet immediately after avoiding the car and he stood there as if nothing happened. I wasn't sure if I was breathing and if my heart was normally beating. I knew I was shivering in anger and freaking fear. What if he hadn't rolled out of the way in time? Oh fuck, I couldn't even think about it. Arggh....I wanted to strangle that woman for having dared to do such things. And his bike was...oh freak, his hot, red babe was completely destroyed.

I removed my helmet and threw it to the ground, planting my sure to be burning eyes on him, quickly checking him and seeing he was alright and standing without problems. Oh Lord...this man wasn't entirely normal and human.

"What the fuck?" I barked out suddenly and that wasn't what I had meant to say, but my temper and fear got in my way and blood had rushed into my head, clouding my mind. I was shaking for how mad I was at that woman. "She could have driven over you, didn't you think of that? She could have killed you! Are you OK?" I was frozen on the spot, but he concentrated his eyes behind me.

"I only thought of you, Anatoly," Oleg quickly replied, removing his helmet and still keeping the balaclava to probably hide his face and look even scarier than he already was. I saw what was burning in his eyes and I didn't want to be in that woman's shoes. She could call herself damn lucky Oleg couldn't handle her directly as he had wished, because I wasn't sure he would have left much intact.

"This is not the time," he then ordered me with hard and commanding tone of voice.

He suddenly moved in front of me in one rapid step, so I turned around just on time to see that Mrs. Palmer was charging against us with her car. It all happened so fast, but in my mind everything played at horrible slow speed and it was like it took forever for that madwoman to drive over us. Oleg went to get something from his back and my eyes widened as he pulled out a gun. He wasn't going to kill her, of course, but he sure wasn't going to get easy on her.

She drove against us, without doubts under the influence of something she took for her depression or whatever the hell, because that behaviour wasn't normal one bit. That's what scared me even more...I knew what drugs and crap like that could do to people's mind. He stood in front of me with his gun pointed at her and in that precise instant I decided I wasn't going to be a brat that forever needed shielding and protection.

"Fuck," I breathed out and in that moment, something clicked in my mind and it also fuelled my temper and blood, making it pump faster and faster. Without thinking about anything else aside protecting Oleg and confronting that crazy bitch, I suddenly placed myself in front of him with my arms wide open. She would need to drive over my dead body before harming my man. Would she have the guts to actually do it? "I won't let that bitch hurt you," I roared out, standing entirely in front of Oleg and not caring whether she would actually hit me. Enough was enough.

Oleg must have finally comprehended my feelings, because he didn't say a word and simply remained behind me, surely still aiming the weapon at the car.

"Stay still," he ordered him with his usual stern tone of voice and I barely nodded at his words, standing still and almost not breathing, keeping the same challenging and protecting stance.

Finally he had decided to completely trust me.

It all happened in almost no time and right when she was about to drive over us, Oleg fired at her front tyres, making her lose control of the car. The bang of the fired bullets resonated in my ears and head like an explosion and I stayed still because Oleg was behind me.

Mrs. Palmer did skid to the side, but I didn't see what happened, only heard the vehicle crashing against something else, since Oleg had grabbed me and jumped to the complete opposite direction, throwing us to ground. I felt nothing in the impact with the asphalt because he had shielded my body with his, one arm around my shoulders so to reduce the collision. I didn't realise how hard I was grabbing his jacket in the pathetic intent to also protect him, even if I didn't manage it. I was also gripping at his jacket strongly because in that moment a fraction of memory flashed in my mind and I found myself breathing short and shallow, suddenly remembering something from my fucked-up past in the gang.

It must have been the motion of that woman charging against us and Oleg firing with the gun or God knows what: something finally opened up in my buried memories and it somehow made sense on why Caden said that day that it was not over and why he wasn't in New York most of the time. He was not hiding...no, he wasn't hiding at all. And once more Oleg had been right in saying that Leah wasn't a damn name.

"Anatoly, are you OK?" He asked me suddenly taking me back from my thoughts and he probably saw something in me, because his eyes penetrated mine for a quick moment, letting go very soon. I only managed to nod, because as pathetic as it sounded, I was slightly under shock for what happened.

That woman had really planned to kill me and she had almost driven over the person I most loved. Oleg must have sensed what was going on in me as he quickly squeezed my arm, somehow soothing away part of my fear and managing to reassure me with such simple gesture.

"Good," he only told me and then pulled both of us on our feet. "It is not over yet," he said, mostly to himself.

I swallowed down as I caught view of the car completely crashed against another vehicle parked on the other side of the street and the view of Oleg walking there wearing a black balaclava and holding the gun tightly. Yeah, I understood what he meant in saying that it wasn't over yet. Same applied to me and as he approached the car and opened the door, I squared my shoulders and cracked my neck. It was about time to get this shit over and confront that crazy woman.

OLEG POV:

It was not over yet.

She had crashed against a car and there was no way that she would be able to restart her vehicle once more, but it was not over for me. I might have not been able to directly deal with her in the way I had wished for, but I could still face her. She had tried to kill Anatoly. It was not over for me and the rage now burning in my veins and in my heart was not possible to be remotely described. She had dared to try hurt and kill the person I loved the most.

In a few strides I reached the car and quickly observed how the airbag that had deployed at the impact had also already deflated, as it usually did after a car-crash; obviously she was still alive and breathing, for I had wished to simply stop the car and not eliminate her or gravely harm her. The impact had broken the windshield and a few splinters probably cut her face, as a rivulet of blood rolled down from her temple. I felt no pity.

The boiling rage soon grew dangerously cold as I opened the door and aimed the gun at her. In that moment, I wished she would be a person I could have dealt with directly, and I could guarantee that nothing would have been left intact. With a rapid inspection, I made sure she had nothing broken and by the way she was breathing and slightly moving about, I could tell that nothing really happened to her.

"Get out," I ordered with stern and cold voice.

The woman looked in one piece without major injuries, for the airbags of the car had protected her and because the impact did not happen at very dangerous speed. She could call herself lucky, but after the Denisov and I were going to be done with her, I was not entirely sure she would still consider her miserable self as such.

"What?" The woman asked confused and then her eyes narrowed at the view of the gun and she began to tremble.

While I approached the car, I had sent a pre-recorded message to that police officer I knew and soon he would arrive, taking care of the formalities and of the scene of the accident.

"I said, get out. Now," I commanded harder and she obeyed without any resistance. I noticed the pupils of her eyes were dilated and I was right in guessing she had been under the influence of some substance, given her erratic behaviour also proved it. Then she grew pale and anger flashed on her face, and she dared to shout at Anatoly, who in the meantime had approached me.

"You...you're still alive...you disgusting.."

"I never had anything to do with your daughter. I almost didn't know her," Anatoly immediately barked out, also prey of ravaging anger and long repressed tension. "You involved me and people around me, almost driving over him," he snarled out, gesturing toward me and shaking visibly upset. "I never had anything to do with her, do you realise this? What the hell is wrong with you?"

"You're lying! You slept with her and then you killed her! You let her die and you didn't care about her, you disgusting monster...you had a chance and..." I interrupted her, because it was more than enough. Another foul and revolting word coming out of her mouth and I could have not guaranteed my complete, already difficulty forcibly auto-imposed calm.

"Do not speak," I said with hard voice and she shrank back, eyeing the weapon I held in my hand with worried and clearly panicked expression. The effect of whatever she took before was slowly wearing off and soon, she would have collapsed in a complete mess. I felt no pity for this pathetic human being. She had been the only responsible for her daughter's sad end. And she had tried to kill Anatoly, not to mention she had involved his friends and used her son in this sick matter.

Indeed, she could call herself very lucky I was in no position to deal directly with her.

"You tried to kill him and this will be discussed in front of his parents at the Police station." I pointed at a very small camera fixed on my shoulder, the same professional racers sometimes had on their motorbike to capture moments of the race. "I have clear evidences," I spoke and she began to tremble and sob. More cold anger rushed in my veins.

"No...no please, I..."

"I said, do not speak." The barrel of the gun was aimed at the spot between her eyes and she visibly, loudly gulped, strongly shaking and looking at me in complete panic and fear. She should have not involved Anatoly. "Another word and I may consider pulling the trigger," I said with very cold and emotionless voice, even if I would have not done it. Anatoly deserved a better man than that. He deserved the man he believed I was and that I wished to be for him.

As if feeling the emotions clashing in my mind and heart, Anatoly stepped closer to me, but avoid touching me, as it was the best decision. We could not afford to show any weakness in front of this woman.

"Who are you?" She however asked and I noticed she was bracing herself against the crashed car, her eyes now wide in pure fear as they stared at my covered face.

"This does not concern you. What concerns you is that you will definitely pay for what you have dared doing to Anatoly."

I pressed the barrel of the gun on her forehead and she shuddered with her entire body, probably about to break down in some hysterical reaction. I wished to crash this woman and I wished to destroy her. But I could not and she had a son that was probably going to pay even more for her behaviour. However, Mr. Denisov and I wished to keep all of this very private, because we did not want to damage Anatoly any further and because, I did not wish to expose him and his family.

"Turn around," I sternly ordered her and she shook her head in visible panic. "I said, turn around," I pressed once more with harder tone and she eyed first me and then Anatoly, tears in her eyes and face completely pale. She thought I was about to kill and let her think that for a brief moment. She deserved to taste fear. "I will not repeat myself another time. I said, turn around." She began to cry and then did as I said and I simply tied her wrists, so to not make her run away.

After short time, the police officer I had informed arrived at the place and he came on time to avoid the accident becoming more public. We had been lucky the area she had chosen was rather isolated, but it was a matter of time before someone noticed anything and reported it to the media. The last thing I wished was to render this of public dominion. It had to be kept private and if I understood that there was a chance for the media to hear about this, I would directly confront them with my most effective methods.

"We will take her to our station and I believe, you will join us there?" The police man asked me and I simply nodded.

"Thank you," I said and he shook his head.

When they left with that woman, I removed the balaclava and went to walk away, wanting to leave the place as soon as possible, for another police car would soon arrive for the usual routine, but Anatoly stopped me and the look in his eyes promised a rather explosive outburst of temper. I had expected it already and somehow, it made me love him even more.

"What the fuck were you thinking about before? I said that I didn't want anything happening to you and you almost ran down her fucking car," he groaned out, but I gave him no time to continue with it, for I took his mouth with a hard and deep kiss. I also had repressed several emotions and I also needed to feel him. He first widened his eyes going to struggle, but as I did not let go of him, he kissed me even more fiercely, intensely. Then we pulled away from each other and he shook his head. "You damn bastard...I almost died when I saw what happened behind me. Don't do something like that anymore...I..." I let my arms go around him and he did not resist it.

"I promised you, Anatoly: I promised you and your parents that I would have been right there watching your back; I gave my word that I would have not let that woman hurt you another time. I promised to protect you and this is the man I am."

He silently looked at me for a few seconds and then touched my forehead with his.

"I know. I know what incredible and bastard-like man you are. I love you for this...thank you for what you did before. It just fucking scared me so much that you have no idea."

"I felt the same when I realised she wanted to drive over you and when you recklessly stepped in front of me as she charged with her car a second time."

Anatoly had meant to protect me with his body. I would never forget it. I believe he had not realised the meaning of his gesture and what that signified between us, what that implied about the incredible man he was becoming.

"I would have not let her hurt you, Oleg. No way in hell. I doubt she would have hit us in such way. But fuck...she was under some drug or crap like that, right?" I nodded at his question and he swore under his breath, rubbing his temples. "And freaking hell, you sure are a dangerous and damn scary-looking man when holding a gun." There was a momentary fire burning in his eyes as he spoke those words that stirred the same in me. "You're...fuck Oleg, you're incredible." Then he paused and quickly glanced to the other side of the street. "Your Ducati is..." I stopped him.

"I do not care about that. I only care that I kept my given word."

He smiled and the fear generated by the shock experienced before was clearly washing away. I indulged another very short moment in holding him in my arms and then, we left with his motorbike for meeting the Denisov at the police station.

It was not over yet and as Anatoly sped up on the street, the image of his eyes the moment we rolled away from the car flashed in my mind. In that instant, he had remembered something from his past and I had no doubts, for it was written on his face. The shock and the situation of before must have triggered a hidden and deeply buried memory. I would ask him later.

As I said, it was not over yet.

Author's chit-chat:

What are your thoughts, reactions, ideas, immediate comments? Did you expect the whole matter to escalate to this point or not?

So as you can see, we understand all the reasons and I believe you comprehend the meaning behind the title chosen for this chapter.

Did you imagine Anatoly reacting in such way and Oleg deciding to follow that? I think it was an ulterior step they needed in their growing special bond and love.

What will happen in CH.27 once Mr and Mrs Denisov will confront Mrs. Palmer? I can imagine Mrs. Denisov being very scary and protective.

As for Adrian and Vince...yeah, I want to write their story. Their personalities trigger my curiosity in exploring their characters further and see how they will manage together. As I said, I have a soft spot for controversial characters.

Thank you very much once more! I will start to work on CH.27 during this weekend and next week I might be able to post it, but I will let you know of course. Stay tuned for CH.30 of "Fallen for an Angel", OK? :-)

P.s. My apologies if you find mistakes and such...I try to double check and everything, but my stories aren't properly edited. I will do so when I'll have more free time. Thank you for understanding and being patient.

Lots of Love, Magic and Meows,
-TheWitchAndTheCat-