Dear All,

FINALLY (!!!) I am posting CH.31 today, as promised yesterday, and I really hope you will enjoy it! Well, it is very long and to give you an idea: 23 pages and 18126 words. So yeah, you will have a lot to read. I can anticipate that also CH.32 will be quite long, as it will wrap things up and lead us to the conclusion of this story. Do not be sad, please. Every story, sooner or later, has to meet its conclusion.

I am very, sincerely and deeply sorry for having made you wait so long for an update, but you already know what happened and that the past months had not been very easy. However, here I am, because I love writing and because you dear readers deserve my motivation and devotion to my stories, for I want obviously to complete them and have you enjoy them.

I would like to thank you all from my heart, especially who wrote me messages and comments a couple of weeks ago, because believe me your love meant a lot to me.

Now, without further delay, please do enjoy this chapter that will finally conclude Anatoly's journey and challenges. I won't say much about it, aside to be ready for action and strong emotions. Please, let me know what you think of it as usual with your votes, comments and messages; feedbacks are always welcomed, and they actually help a lot!

One small thing: I report rude comments, both aimed at my characters and stories and at other readers' opinions and comments. So please, always keep a kind and polite attitude while approaching stories and other fellow readers.

I would like to dedicate this to all of you, and in particular to AerilistaryliaSae as a big, sincere THANK YOU for your support to my stories, for your being a really devoted re-reader, for your comments and feedbacks, for your messages and for your kind, sweet support in general.

And now, enjoy the new chapter!

"He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight", Chinese Proverb.

VINCENT POV:

I lay down for a few days after having called that man called Oleg, understanding he wasn't exactly happy about my asking around and he might have been right, but with my position in the gang, it was easy to get some shit out of them and Ben was a singer once properly drunk. The quantity of shit he sang out was impressive and I wanted to press for more, but more people joined, and I just couldn't risk it too much. With an excuse of having to meet with a girl, I left for a while and made the call, but something in my guts told me to get back soon.

Skull and the other one always following him like a puppy definitely kept an eye on me and I still had to get my revenge on them, especially on Skull, for what he had done to Anatoly months ago, for having given him shit, for representing a menace to him and especially, for what he had done to me right after Anatoly joined the gang. He sold me away for pure fun and I found myself in real deep crap, unable to get the hell out of that and somehow, fucking everything up.

That piece of shit really fucked me up big time and not sure if I'd ever be able to let it go.

I had no idea whether the two things were related or not, because Skull never seemed a very bright guy to me, but Caden? He was sick, yes, but he was also scaring smart in his own twisted way and too late I realised he might have seen things the other had missed.

Had he suspected something about me or about us two? No, maybe not, but the point was that I couldn't say a word to Anatoly, because I felt like garbage. I should have said no, but instead, I went for it...but then again, was I even in the position of saying no? Not so sure about it. I sighed out and ran both my hands in my hair. No, I was in no position to refuse it, no matter how it made me feel and no matter how it fucked me up, how it fucked everything up. What if that lunatic suspected something? Maybe not and maybe he just saw that Anatoly and I became friends.

I shoved a hand in my jeans' pocket and pulled my cell-phone out. I stared at Adrian's number and felt the impulse, or more likely the need, to call him and hear his voice. There was something about him, about the way he stared at me seeing through me. I hadn't stopped thinking about him since we met that day of months ago, when I went to see Anatoly at school, when I planned to get Anatoly back and got dumped once more and for good. The way Adrian had treated me, the way he had easily read me and put me into the corner left me wanting for more, wanting to pay him back, wanting to see where he would push me.

But mostly, his eyes. The way they assessed me and the way his smile slapped me in the face and left me feeling in need for more. I'm sure he also liked Anatoly, but quickly understood there were no chance and let go easily than I did, staying at his side as sincere friend. I envied Adrian for being able to do that and for having such sincere and pure feelings of friendship only. You could see he really cared for Anatoly as friend only and that he was happy they have become as such. I wonder if we could ever be in the same terms, Anatoly and I. Could we be friends? I began to think I'd like that.

However, there was something else in Adrian, something wild and dangerous in the way he smiled and it excited me, it made me want for more, eager to see him and have him, which wasn't going to happen any time soon. But he wasn't a game and I knew that...my rules might not count this time and sure as hell, he had his own rules to follow. He had seen something in me, felt it, I don't know, as that was something else about Adrian that scared me but attracted me at the same time. Was this even normal? I had no idea and I didn't care about it, because I had other stuff to take care of.

No, I could not get him involved in this shit and Anatoly was right. I had to let go of him for now, until I cleared myself out. Until I sorted myself out, because I still was in a messy place and feelings were fucked-up. However, I hesitated. I wasn't sure if sorting myself out was going to be that easy and fast, and I definitely felt that Adrian could kick my ass in the right direction. Of course, if I didn't behave like the asshole I was. I quietly laughed. He wouldn't take that crap from me. No. He would just kick my ass and tell me to behave and for some reason I could not explain, I think I liked that idea.

So, I stared at his number once more, seeing his rather ambiguous smile dancing in front of my eyes, feeling his hand softly, yet assertively touching my face, reading everything into me. Adrian was scary in some ways, yeah, fucking scary, but also, fucking exciting.

I wanted to press the button to call him, but that man had been right. So, I deleted his number and promised myself I would call him only once all of this was over; Anatoly's number was the next one, but somehow, I hesitated, afraid of pressing the "delete" button, as if it meant deleting everything with him, deleting him from my life and being left completely alone. I hesitated and decided to go for it later. I still had time.

I knew I should have listened to his man and get my ass somewhere safe, just like he pretty much ordered me to do, but I had my own things to solve and there was no way I could move on without getting it back. I knew Marlon was looking out for me and repeated countless times to drop by his place, for a cup of coffee or whatever the hell I felt like; he seemed a nice dude and definitely someone that respected my space.

I lay back on my messy bed and stared at the ceiling, thinking about what happened in the past months, how everything changed. I took my phone once more and looked at Anatoly's number, still not wanting to delete it, scared as a useless idiot still anchored to a past that I could never get back...and it was good in that way. We have been toxic for each other, even if I always deeply cared for him and maybe loved him; but he could never give me what I needed and the same applied to me. The more I saw Anatoly together with that man the more I realised that it was good to part ways and simply let him go.

I wonder what Adrian thought about all this, what he would tell me to do and as I wandered my mind in his direction, I began laughing out loud alone. He had been clear on the matter: "solve your issues, clear your mind and then call me". I stopped laughing just for smiling at the memory of something he told me months ago, something about teaching me how to behave like a good boy and that, all in all, intrigued me. It felt like a challenge and for someone like me, always living outside rules, it triggered many things in my mind and blood.

Adrian was scary, yeah, but also damn interesting and fascinating.

I pushed myself sitting on the bed, staring at the wall in front of me. He was right: I had to solve my shit and get over with this life. At least, with being part of the gang, because I knew some old habits would be very hard to die, but how should I know without trying, hmm? If I wanted to see him again, I had to solve this. If I wanted to face Anatoly openly, without feeling the vermin I felt for too long, I had to face this mess and end it. I had to be honest.

Yes, it was time for it.

I got up and cracked my neck, going for the nightstand in front of my bed, where a loaded gun waited for me. It was time for that, and so, I grabbed it, pushed it in the holster under my hoodie, took the helmet resting on the floor and left my shabby place.

Time to get even with those bastards.

I waited for most of them to leave, for I knew at this time only Skull and that other piece of shit of Devin would stay in our gang's quarters to just mess around and feel like the kings, at least until Caden was back. I also knew that Skull was keeping money for himself only, keeping it quite secret from the other members, because it was bullshit we all received the same share. I knew for a fact that some got much, much more.

I was nervous and somehow scared, because I knew them all too well. Last time I refused to do as they ordered, having enough of this, it cost me no little. But I had reached my limit and I understood as I found myself too rotten to be possibly honestly liked by someone like Adrian.

What could I tell him? What would he see in me? Yet, he saw pretty much quite a lot and it didn't seem to bother him, for there was a dark light in his eyes and a dangerous, well-hidden touch in the way sometimes he smiled. What had happened to him in the past?

I really couldn't get him out of my mind, so I shook my head and cleared my mind from everything. Skull and that other asshole had to pay for that; I also owed it to Anatoly.

I quickly looked around making sure the others really left and then quietly stepped into the building, finding it eerily silent, the signs of some fucked-up party scattered here and there, and I walked past the room, aiming for the lower floors, where I would find those bastards. I descended the stairs almost without breathing, afraid they would hear me, my heart beating too fast for my taste for I was afraid it would give me away, and I even stopped once asking myself if I'd really have the guts to go till the end with my plan, but I had to. I sure didn't plan to plant a bullet in his head, because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life behind bars and garbage like me would, threw in some forsaken jail just to set the example for our fucked-up society.

But I wanted to have the pleasure to punch his face and break some bones and I knew Skull wasn't much of a fighter if faced into a real and rather fair fight; yeah, the asshole was big and shit, but he was slow as fuck and not very skilled, while I knew how to beat the crap out of someone, even if I never really showed it to them. I have had enough of that and I would never ever stand their orders or bullshit any more.

Yeah, I had the guts to do it, so I took a deep breath and tried to calm my heartbeat, concentrating on what I had sworn to and on the thought that I couldn't wait to take Adrian for a ride. I was sure he would possibly give in a bit, if he let me show him that. He had ridden with Anatoly, I knew that, but it was different. Anatoly was crazy when on his Kawasaki, but he sure didn't try to impress Adrian, while I, on the other hand, would show him the real deal and make him taste what I was capable of.

I stilled my will and heartbeat and then I silently approached the door, hearing their loud voices behind it, probably sniffing something or whatever the hell. Skull wasn't as much into drugs as Caden, but he sure enjoyed it once in a while. I halted a moment, looking around and suddenly feeling uneasy. Was this a stupid idea? I shook my head and let my hand grab the gun, pulling it out from the holster. I had to do it and get over with that. My free hand went to seize the handle, wanting to surprise them, for I had heard in there only Skull, Devin and Jax, the third in command that pretty much counted as zero in the gang hierarchy, but whatever.

I went to push it down, when something hard and cold pressed against the back on my head and a sudden strong smell of cigar hit my noise and senses, turning me into a piece of ice. I remembered that smell too well and my blood stopped coursing through my veins.

I was in deep shit.

"I knew a cockroach like you would crawl back to its hole to get the last crumbles...I knew it well, Vincent," the twisted and hissing voice of Caden taunted way too close to my ear, making me feel his breath and causing a cold shiver all over my body. I closed my eyes a moment. Fuck, they played with me and I fell for it like an idiot. "You thought I was still in LA. hmm? Ahh...bad judgement as usual, Vincent." Still pressing the weapon against the back of my head, he disarmed me and then burst out laughing in that creepy and sick way of his, as if he was some weird and fucked-up creature on some even more fucked-up drug. For all I knew, he might have been. "I'm going to enjoy this very much and even more, when we will get Anatoly here. He was very smart in hiding his true identity, but we found it out and well, who knew his family was that rich? How much would they pay for their beloved son? I wonder."

"What are you talking about?" I dared to counter debate, wanting to do anything in my power to keep Anatoly out of this. "You get it wrong; you don't know shit about him," I groaned out, trying to struggle and do something.

But Caden hit me very hard and I fell on my knees, for then being hit another time even stronger, this time on my face by his boot and I found myself spitting out blood. The door opened in front me and the face of Skull immediately appeared as I tried to look up, showing me quite the amused smile. Another person stepped into the room right behind his tail and I cursed under my breath when I saw the leering smug of Devin. That bastard had always wanted to beat the shit out of me, for whatever reason he had, and it looked like today he was going to get his fun.

"We are really going to enjoy this, piece of little, queer shit," Devin said, stopping beside Skull.

I froze at those words and Skull saw it, a satisfied sneer plastered on his face, because he squatted down, grabbing my hair painfully and forcing my head back.

"You think we hadn't found that out?" He quickly looked at Caden, as if asking permission for something, and that something was a full-power punch on my face that almost knocked me out. The dickhead was slow but fucking strong. It broke my nose for sure, because the pain exploded like a full blast and my head spun around. I spat out more blood, but without giving me the time to take a breath, Devin hit me in all of his violence. I tried to defend myself, but the punch from Skull almost made me lose consciousness and so another blow arrived from Devin and more blood dripped from me.

I knew I was fucked big time, especially when I tried to move and react, for another member of the gang showed up and they blocked me on the ground, Caden searching in my jeans' pockets and jacket, finding my cell phone.

No, no, no.

If they weren't going to kill me today, I knew for a fact that Anatoly's man was going to do it and I deserved nothing less. I had fucked everything up so much that I had no idea if I wanted to get out of this alive, because I had no idea how both Anatoly and Adrian would look at me. If they would still look at me.

That lunatic's face grimaced like a comics villain and no doubts he had found what he was looking for, so I completely knew I had been a gigantic idiot for not having deleted that number.

Why did I have to linger on something I could never get? Shit, I was going to be Anatoly's Achilles' heel and that was enough to make me want to shoot myself.

I had fucked everything up so much.

"You'll see how much we will enjoy beating you to death and then, get it over with your precious bitch. Or wait, were you his bitch? That wouldn't surprise me." Caden laughed more in that way of his and it made my skin crawl in fear and disgust. I never wanted to involve Anatoly, but at the end I did it.

Why hadn't I deleted that damn number, why did I keep so much attached to a past that would bring me to nothing? No, I wouldn't let that happen. I struggled and went to move, pushing against the pain exploding in me, pushing myself to stand up, wanting to get the phone back and destroy it, not actually caring what would happen to me. They could kill me, for all I cared. However, the hit arrived so vicious that left me on the verge of passing out.

"There is no going back from this, Vincent." A loud laugh burst out from him and he then shook his head, passing his tongue over his teeth and gums. He had taken some shit and it was clear by how dilated his pupils were, how on the edge appeared his movements. He spat on me and laughed more. "You're nothing but garbage and I'll show it to you. I'll show you how I dispose of filthy, disgusting garbage just like you." He widened his eyes loudly inhaling from his nose.

He was so fucking high he probably was one foot away by losing contact with reality. But no...I was wrong. There was lucidity in his madness.

Caden brought his face very close to mine, seeing his crazed, grey eyes slightly narrowing at the thought of beating me up, at the pleasure it must have given him, the tattoos on his neck, over the dark eye-brows, at the corner of his eyes, the long bleached, blonde hair tightly pulled back in a pony tail, the dark bear he never had before now partially covering his chin and cheeks, the same insane, violent light dancing in his eyes. He looked skinnier than before, yet he was more ruthless than before in his beating.

Another blow hit me before I could even sense it or react to it and I was no longer sure whether I was still conscious or not. Was it a syringe what they had in their hands? I had no idea.

I might have felt another one, maybe another bone breaking, maybe more than one and perhaps something stung me. Where they injecting something into me? I no longer was sure of anything, aside the darkness wrapping around my body and mind.

I fucked it up big time.

OLEG POV – TWO DAYS LATER:

I had spent the entire past day at Marlon's, both of us locked up in his studio searching through files and documents, reading reports and looking for details we were missing. I was set on finding the identity of the corrupted cops, as Vincent had informed us about, because it seemed the only way to quickly obtain fundamental intel. My instinct told me that Leah was both a name and a sort of code or message for that new drug and finding the meaning behind that was the key. I had dismissed it too early and it had been a mistake.

Our informer said that Caden Mad-Dog was not yet back to New York and I questioned him on his methods, making sure he was really being watchful and careful. We could not afford any mistake, because Anatoly's safety was on the line and something told me time was essential and running short. The faster we solved this impending problem the better. Anatoly was restless and, honestly speaking, so was I. There was something elusive about all this and it was what left me on a sort of an edge; thus, the best way was to bury myself into work and researched, having understood that Marlon was on the same page.

He had not heard from Vincent in two days and it was clear how worried he was for that young, very reckless man. I hoped dearly he had not gotten himself involved and worse, another factor that gave me doubts. He was supposed to contact him over two days ago and settle safely into Marlon's place, but Vincent Dalton was impossible to be found and his phone was switched off. It was not a good sign and that prompted me to search for more.

We had asked a policeman we knew and whom could be trusted to look into this, but it was not easy, and it took time. Time until the moment we heard my other burn phone ring and an unknown number appeared on the screen.

"Yes," I quickly replied.

"I've got the names you need: Sgt, Robert Malloy and Detective John Birke, both from the same precinct that obviously isn't the one corresponding to where the gang operates mostly, but not far from that." Of course, they played remotely smart.

"Thank you, any address I could use?"

"Yes," he answered and quickly told me where those two lowlifes lived.

"Thank you, I owe you a big favor." And I already knew how to repay it.

"No need, because helping you to get these two rats out of the Police is more than enough. You have no idea of what bastards like them cost us." I comprehended that and his clear resentment very well, yet I was still going to repay the favor. "Also, I know nothing of this," he quietly chuckled, "do your things and be sure to get their ass kicked. I hate rats." No doubts about that.

"Thank you," I said, for then turning the conversation off. I looked at Marlon and he nodded.

"Going to enjoy an early morning ride, man?" He asked with a knowing smile.

"Indeed." And with that I equipped myself in the best way to find and interrogate one the two rats at least. Marlon observed me quickly and let go an honestly amused chuckle.

"That jerk is going to shit himself, once he sees you man. I almost wish I could see you getting information out of him." He had never witnessed my methods and that was more than fine. Today mercy was going to be even less than usual, because we were running against time and the fact Vincent Dalton was not around worried me much.

I just nodded and pushed the helmet down, hiding the balaclava and keeping the voice-altering device in my pocket, closing the door then behind me. Time was essential and something told me I had to rush. Something felt out of place and I had the same feeling when Anatoly left the gang without saying anything to me. I hope I was wrong, but rarely my instincts were.

I easily found the place where the Detective lived, being closer than the other, and it proved a lucky strike, for he was at home and still sleeping. Breaking into his apartment had not been a challenge and I stepped inside silently, checking the surroundings and realizing he indeed was still sleeping very sound. He lived alone and that made everything even easier and less complicated, which was another reason I chose him as first.

I pulled out a combat knife and, as I pressed on his mouth with my gloved hand, the other pushed the sharp blade at liver's level. He woke up to find himself into a nightmare and I did not miss the wet stain on his underwear, as he had tried to resist me and trash about, kicking the cover away. He earned a blow to his stomach that left him breathless and I quickly stuffed a cloth in his mouth, going to shove him out of bed to tie his hands and legs. I changed the knife for a gun and squatted down in front of him, aiming at his temple.

"I am running short of time and I need answers right now." My voice sounded deeper and metallic due to the device I used to alter it and it helped even more in instilling more panic in the lowlife desperately shaking in front of me. "You want to keep your limbs and head in the right place, I suppose." He nodded vigorously. "I will move the cloth from your mouth, but if you dare to scream, you are dead. Understood?" He did not nod at first, so I hit him hard as warning. "Understood?" He nodded and I freed his mouth, my gun still planted against his head. "Now tell me what I need to know."

I rode back to Marlon's place speeding up, because what I had learned changed everything and threw myself in more worry.

Caden Mad-Dog was back to New York already and that happened three days ago. If that was true, it really changed everything and that uneasy, restless feeling was explained. How our informer missed that I could not explain it to myself, but I was going to take care of that in a second moment, for now I had to think of Anatoly's safety only. He was still in school and I first needed to verify something with Marlon and speak to Mr. Denisov.

I had found one cop only, leaving the whereabout of the second one right in the rat's I caught pockets. Someone else obviously deserved to have a final word with them, giving what both traitors kept in their laptops. I was not surprised in seeing how he quickly talked and told me everything, because I sure promised him more hell and pain than anyone ever did. He realized he had no way out and that there was no bluffing. Either he talked, or his brains were gone.

From what the rat named John told me, the police officer Caden Mad-Dog killed happened by accident, right when he decided to get rid of the drug dealer, who was the real issue. The officer was simply passing by the area to check the surroundings as routine and it complicated Caden's plans.

However, after having learned the possible real identity of the drug dealer, it was completely clear why that vermin had to leave New York for a while and test the ground before coming back, why the drug had to be finalized in Los Angeles. Too many variables at stake that could overturn his plan and endanger his useless life.

Vincent had been right in saying that the girl named Alison was related to the Hell's Riders gang, but the point was that she was not in the way we all thought. If what I learned was true, the leader's brother was the key in the matter. How did I miss that? How did I fail in finding that piece of information? Too late to think over that.

The two corrupted cops had somehow covered Caden's traces and mixed up the evidences, pointing at someone else's direction, helping the soon-to-be-dead piece of human trash in leaving the city. He paid them considerably, but he had also found their weak spots: addiction to drug for one and debt due to gambling for the other one. He used the leverages smartly and got two informers inside the police. However, if what Marlon and I discovered was true, if what our informer notified us was correct, Caden Mad-Dog had made a big mistake: he came back too sure of his position and strength, without bothering to bring more men from Los Angeles.

Still, it could be wrong, or the men could simply join later, just as the Detective confessed.

Mr. Denisov clearly instructed me to leave the two rats there for Eirik of the Hell's Riders, as they stipulated with Mr. Konstantin. I did as was ordered, for I had a more impending matter to deal with.

As I reached Marlon's place, I wasted no time and briefed him about my findings at once and he swore out loudly. He immediately went back to his computer and, even if he never liked to do so, he managed to hack two websites archives. In the meantime, I got in touch with our informer, who short after confirmed the intel given me by the corrupted cop.

I had to get Anatoly out of school.

Marlon dropped the papers and pictures on the table, and I stared at everything in complete silence for a short moment.

"Don't beat yourself up, man. You could have never imagined this, and they played on the fact they have different surnames. You could never guess that the drug-dealer, who wisely disguised himself as some small fry, was actually the brother of Eirik...shit, quite messed up. By playing it under the radar, he built quite the business and what happened with his girlfriend is even more messed up," he said, sighing out loud and massaging his head. He had done an impeccable job and his assistance had been vital and very precious.

Rationally speaking he was right in saying so, yet I still minded not having found that information on time. We had been right in our guessing and more than ever we needed Mr. Denisov's assistance in this. All considered, the matter at hands became extremely dangerous and explosive all of a sudden, involving too many independent variables: corrupted cops, misplaced evidences, the brother of the Hell's Riders killed by Caden, a personal revenge delayed by more reasons, and a soon-to-begin war among gangs over territory.

Of course, that changed many things and explained why the leader of the other gang never took the chance to overthrow the Demons White Beasts or kill their head. Yes, the two corrupted cops had evidences in their hands they used to keep him quiet and silent, but Eirik of the Hell's Riders made a good job in waiting and playing the game, hence luring Caden back and making him feel strong, too confident and ready to strike. He played his cards well and it fortunately served our purpose perfectly.

I sat down a moment, reading through the various files, looking at the pictures, the names and everything pieced itself together. So, the drug was really called after the name of a person, of two persons to be precise, and the reason behind that was extremely twisted. Somehow, it did not surprise me, because I already understood the personality of that vermin, and no wonder he wanted to finish this with Anatoly. He had heard the name, thinking then a code and he was right in a way, but apparently, he must have unconsciously witnessed to much more.

Caden "Mad-Dog" was not a simple lunatic on some drug as Anatoly often pictured him; there was sick and badly used intelligence in his rotten mind, and I understood why he wanted Anatoly alive until then. But then, for how long would it last? With all chances, he had discovered Anatoly's true identity and probably wanted to use it for his advantage. I had to be extremely cautious, as that piece of human garbage was more clever and ruthless than we thought. He had too many reasons to kill Anatoly.

He knew he was being watched and followed; however, he still did not know whom was watching and following him and for sure, he had no idea what would happen to him if he dared to harm Anatoly.

"It's good he came back with little people, but it's bad he came back when we didn't expect him," Marlon commented as he quickly went through some files in his laptop, shaking his head. I needed to confirm this before taking any actions and so, it was true: the vermin had made the incredible mistake of coming back almost alone, wanting to strike with more men in the next days. Good for us. "My man will hear it from me." He meant the informer and his voice sounded harder than I ever heard, and we exchanged a quick, eloquent look.

I had to get Anatoly from school, because a very bad feeling began creeping inside of me as soon as I confronted that cop. I stood up and my hand hit the table, making Marlon stare at me with a surprised yet understanding expression. Why did I not discover his coming back to New York earlier? I clenched my fist and let out a silent breath. Useless wasting time over pondering and minding something already happened. I just had to take actions before something worse occurred.

"I need to get Anatoly right now, because he stands in real danger in this very moment."

"I get it, and should I inform Mr. Denisov of this?" I nodded at him and walked to the door, grabbing the helmet, for then halting a moment. "Marlon?" He shook his head, already imagining what I was about to ask.

"I couldn't get in touch with him at all. I haven't heard in two days and I tried more earlier, when you left, but nothing. Sorry, Oleg," he sincerely apologized, and I quickly walked back placing a hand on his shoulder. He felt responsible somehow, but he had no reason to feel in such way. Without his help we would have all be in deeper troubles.

"Do not worry and do not apologize, because it is not your fault. He did what he had to do, and I knew he is not an easy subject," I explained, and I thought about our last encounter, which made me sigh out. "I believe he had some business left unsolved, so I am not very surprised, but I fear he got himself into some mess and what I mostly worry about is him creating more problems." I eyed the clock on his desk and walked to the door. Anatoly would soon finish his lessons and I had to get him before anything could possibly happen. "I will keep in touch, Marlon. In the meantime, please have a look at all the possible hideouts of the gang, because something tells me Vincent got himself into troubles."

"I'm on it already and will send you a message once I find them all."

"Marlon?" He looked at me with troubled eyes and without doubts my face did not appear any different. "It was not your fault and without your impeccable assistance we would stand in a more complicated situation. Thank you," I said in all honesty and he smiled back, without replying anything. I understood him well enough and thus, I rushed to my motorbike, for I had to reach Anatoly without any further delay.

Before starting the bike, I quickly called Mr. Denisov, explaining in short what we had discovered, and that Marlon would soon contact him with complete information. He said he would directly visit Marlon and that did not surprise me at all.

"Are you going to see my son? He is in school right now, but I think we should get him home. This person has already proved himself too dangerous and more importantly, he is capable enough."

"I am, sir. I will call him now and tell him to wait for me."

"I will see my friend shortly and we might visit Marlon together. Konstantin has contacted the leader of that other gang and they are speaking right now. I believe he will give him useful information and he will seal a deal with them, a deal that will shut their mouths for as long as they live, knowing him. Today, we are also doing them a favor and be sure we will not forget about it." I said nothing to that, for I expected it and because it was the only way to follow. "Oleg?"

"Sir?"

"Thank you."

"It is my honor, sir," I replied quickly and started the engine immediately after, for calling Anatoly the following moment, speaking through the Bluetooth device I had installed on the motorbike.

As soon as he answered the call, I realized something was wrong and my deep worries were confirmed when he told me he had received a picture of Vincent being beaten up and held as hostage by the gang. I knew he would have done something reckless and that stupid, but there was something else that left me in pure dread, and it was the fact they had his number. Vincent had not cancelled Anatoly's number as I ordered him, another detail I had feared. As I said before, too many independent variables were involved.

We quickly spoke, as I pretty much ordered him to wait for me inside the school, for I heard sounds coming from outside and that was not safe. Of course, right after he received that message, he could not stay there doing nothing and waiting and he probably thought of calling me as first thing, but he had to be patient and wait for me. I would get Vincent Dalton out of that mess, if it was not going to be too late.

He sounded so tense and scared for his friend that it pained me, but I kept my cold blood and rode faster, wanting to reach his school the earliest I could. But then, something happened, and I immediately hit the break, stopping the motorbike to better listen to everything.

They had reached Anatoly to school right as we spoke, and he somehow had managed to either hide the phone or keep them distracted from it.

They found Anatoly before I could get him out of there safe. My hands closed harder around the throttles of the motorbike.

Something awoke inside of me, like a pure and glacial fury taking over my body, coursing through my veins instead of my blood, wrapping around my heart, and a very cold and lethal calm stirred inside of me, sharpening both my focus and very calculated rage. I have never felt like this, not even when that woman had tried to ride over him with the car, because I knew she posed for him a contained and easily controlled menace. But them...the whole gang was something different and the leader a ticking time-bomb. They had already beaten him, and the thought only fueled my rage and fury more, honing my senses. I heard their voices and I automatically restarted the motorbike and drove as fast as the engine allowed, surpassing cars and only thinking of Anatoly.

In the past days, I had installed a tracking device on Anatoly's cellphone, trying to be prepared for everything, but I hoped the occasion to use it would not come. It did, though. They had found him and judging by what I heard, they had hurt him already. My motorbike sped up and roared under me, as if resonating my belligerent state of mind.

They had anticipated the end of this with such move, endangering Anatoly and with that, without them knowing, unleashing something in me that I never felt before.

They were all going to pay, and they were all going to die, in a way or another.

I made a quick detour to my house and collected what I needed, informing Mr. Denisov in the meantime. The signal coming from Anatoly's cellphone still worked, but after a while it died. They had found it and with all chances they destroyed the phone; however, I knew where they took him and once more my instinct proved to be right.

I secured the bullet-proof vest on me and quickly eyed the weapons I decided to take with me, trusting two guns in the holster, another one strapped on my back and a combat knife in my boots. I did not plan to open fire and expose Anatoly to such danger, but I could not afford to enter their quarter unarmed. I closed the cabinet where I kept the weapons and closed my eyes for a short moment, recalling the necessary coldness and stillness of emotions in me. I made him a promise. No, I made him two promises and I could only but keep them.

My phone vibrated and it was the number of Mr. Denisov.

"I called Konstantin and he will meet you at where you indicated us." His voice sounded hard and strained, thinking about his son. "Anatoly, he..."

"I will not let them harm him," I said, even though they surely had already touched him. They knew his identity though and I had a feeling the leader was going to use it to extort money, which gave me a few more precious minutes.

"Oleg, we will be there in no time."

"Sir," I only said and ended the conversation. We had no more time to waste and nothing more had to be added.

I started the motorbike and drove at the highest possible speed the engine would allow me.

ANATOLY POV:

I stared at the picture in some mess of emotions I couldn't even understand myself and read those twisted words written by Caden: "How about you join your bitch? We've got you, Anatoly Denisov." I tried to swallow down, but my mouth and throat were too freaking dry to produce any saliva and I knew my heart had begun to beat furiously, especially after having read my complete name in the message. That sick lunatic knew my real identity and shit, this was fucked up. My eyes glued back to Vincent's picture and I felt like throwing up. They had really been savage and ruthless with him...and I was here in school doing nothing.

My feet automatically began to walk fast, and I pretty much ran outside the building, wanting to reach for the car and find Oleg, because he was the only one now able to fix this shit. I didn't want anything happening to Vincent and I had no idea what to do aside calling Oleg and, once more, relying on him. God, I felt so fucking useless, but what could I do? I was always relying on him, but this time my father also took quite the stance and shit was really deep. I read the words once more and swore out loud, and in that precise moment my phone vibrated again, Oleg calling me.

"Anatoly, he is back, and I know why the drug is called Leah. He came back for a few days already." The tone of his voice as he said those words froze me.

"I know," I could only mutter out and he immediately caught my state of mind.

"He came back earlier than expect and you will have to forgive me, but he passed the attention of my informer." The sound of his voice when he pronounced those words left me numb and it stabbed me at the heart, because he felt responsible for something he couldn't possibly control, given he was a freaking human being that couldn't be everywhere.

"Oleg," I immediately went to talk, but he stopped me at once.

"I informed your father, Anatoly, and I am about to get you from school, just wait for me there and don't do anything. I discovered that Alison, the girl killed by overdose, was indirectly related to the Hell's Riders' leader, because she was his brother's partner." I froze at hearing those words, because I was beginning to imagine whom the brother was and how we had missed that. I had no idea how Oleg discovered it, but if there was someone capable of getting every detail out, that was my incredible bastard.

"What do you mean? Who's the brother?" I asked, hearing my own voice shaking, just as my hand holding the phone.

"The drug dealer Caden killed." Oh Fuck. No wonder indeed Eirik of the Hell's Riders wanted that lunatic six feet under...and we thought she was the real reason. That maniac had wronged and pissed off so many people that of course he needed more money and power before coming back. He was aware of the situation in which he stood.

"What's his name?" I began to piece everything together and to slowly guess why the new drug was called Leah. I knew the drug dealer went by some sort of code-name he used in the field, but I think I never heard the real one and I wasn't surprised at the fact that Oleg had discovered everything about him. He said they couldn't find much and no shit, but apparently Marlon was another crazy dude in terms of this.

Oh shit, it all was so freaking fucked-up that I no longer knew what to think.

"Hector," he only said and yeah, it definitely wasn't a name for a drug dealer and the fact was that he had been smart to make himself pass by as some small fry, when in fact he probably wasn't. Then, a terrible, heavy feeling began to stir in me and I wanted to throw up.

I think I had heard that name before, probably Skull and someone else talking about it, while they discussed the mess related to the death of that girl, when they gave me more shit to take God, my head hurt so much it felt like exploding in many pieces.

"What is it, Anatoly?" He asked me pretty much already guessing what was going on in my mind, knowing the name had triggered more buried and not really lost memories.

"I heard that name before," I replied, and he muttered something inaudible.

"I suspected this much, and it makes even more sense on why Caden is so set against you. You know a lot, even if you have not realized it until now."

I kept walking and thinking about everything, thinking about what happened to Vince and to all this mess. It had to be over. For all of us. I thought more about his name and it all clicked together.

Hector.

And Alison.

Fucking hell! It was a name and a code at the same time. Oleg had been right, and Caden indeed was a sick piece of trash and he decided to rub it in Eirik's face in the worst possible way.

"I get it now," I said only.

"Anatoly, he is back, and he is obviously out of control, thinking he can do as he pleases. Stay in school and wait for me, am I understood? You obviously know and saw too much back then, so wait for me. I believe he took someone with him from Los Angeles." There was not much room for debating with him right then and I totally understood him, so I told him what happened straight away, because it felt as if time was against us big freaking time. He had to hear about Vincent and see what to do about that, because I couldn't let him there. Something had to be done, for he couldn't pay the price instead of me.

"They got Vince," I said in almost one word and he hissed out something I couldn't understand. He probably even cursed, but I wasn't sure of anything in that moment, aside the fact I had to see him.

"I thought something might have happened to him the moment you answered the phone. Marlon could not get in touch with him and he worried. I feared for this." He paused a moment and levelled out a sigh. "Wait for me and that's final. I will be there in short time." I had walked to my SUV without realizing it as we spoke, for I felt like a tiger in a cage and I couldn't just stay still. I also was in need of fresh air, given the picture I had seen left me as if suffocating. I was afraid for Vincent and I hoped he was still in one piece. "I believe they will track you down, so wait for me inside the school, you hear me? I will call you once I am there."

I had to get back as he said, because he was right. There was a very sharp edge of worry in his voice and that was enough for me to grasp the entirety of his state of mind. We were going to solve this shit together: there was no other way. So, I went to move, but I first told him they discovered who I really was. Surely, he needed this information.

"They know my complete name," I said with clipped voice, feeling my chest rising and lowering in deep and nervous breathing. He said nothing for a brief moment and then reacted.

"I expected it and so did Mr. Denisov. I will be there in short time, I am already driving there."

"How did you get a hold on so much information?" Had he gotten his hands on someone and made them talk? I had no doubts nobody would withhold information if confronted by an enraged Oleg, as his voice slightly revealed his emotions. It was just me probably, because I also was burning mad.

"I will tell you later and do not worry, Anatoly: we will get Vincent out of that. Marlon is already helping me in checking their various hide outs and I believe they actually hold him in their head quarter. It is just my instinct suggesting that, but it can be right." I nodded, even if I knew he couldn't see me. He knew what had to be done and he had the right cold blood and preparation to face such situation, which meant I had nothing to worry about, but it wasn't that easy, and so far, I hadn't freaked out only because of Oleg.

If there was anyone capable of doing anything for Vince, well, that person could only be my impassive bastard, a man who never wavered or lost his mind. What would I do without him? Not fucking much.

"Yeah, I know that," I said, and I went to talk more as I wanted to walk back to school as he instructed me, but I felt the presence of someone approaching from behind, hearing loud steps coming closer, and before I could turn around or do anything, a hand slammed me against the door of the SUV and probably another one pressed a gun on the back of my head.

Fuck.

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

"What do you want?" I asked slightly louder, letting Oleg hear that, for I had been able to slip the phone in the winter jacket' sleeve the moment I heard something out of place, not sure how long it could stay there hidden and knowing that once they were going to find it, it would cost me a lot of pain.

"Caden wants to see you, Anatoly," Skull said, since I recognized his voice and the hate with what he pronounced my name, considered he never really liked me. He had enjoyed beating the shit out of me when I left the gang and I knew he was waiting for this moment. They have saved the real beating for now, as if it was all planned and it maybe was. Oleg told me enough a moment ago and I knew why Caden wanted me dead, and that's why he called me telling me to not move from school.

Fuck. I should have not walked outside and screw things up.

Could I do something? Not here for sure.

Cool down, Anatoly, Oleg is on his way to here. This I tried to tell myself, knowing I had to buy time.

"Do you even realize where the hell you are, fucktards?" I really had to buy time but not get them even more annoyed, yet I couldn't help myself, especially after having seen that picture, after what Oleg told me. I turned around to face them, but they held me facing the car, this time slamming my head against it. I gritted my teeth to not give them the satisfaction of hearing me grunting in pain, but they did it once more and it slipped out, making them laugh like the twisted pieces of garbage they were. "What the fuck have you done to Vince?" I hissed and before I could think of anything, Skull spun me around and planted the gun in my guts, seizing my throat with the other hand.

"We had some due fun with that traitor, and you'll be next, Anatoly Denisov." My heart stopped beating and I felt sick at hearing my complete name pronounced by him. They had found out my identity and why was I even surprised by that? Oleg and I knew it was about time and that was why he was so set into ending this matter once and for all. That's why I wanted to give them what they deserved and have it over: they couldn't dare to touch my family. "Surprised? Oh, we discovered quite a lot about you, but Caden wants to see you and he's in no mood to wait, so how about we go?" He let go of my throat and leaned too close for my taste.

I swallowed down seeing his slightly dilated pupils due to the pure excitement the idea of beating me up gave him, his shaved and tattooed head, the inks covering his neck and his green eyes flashing in need of violence and more shit. I didn't know if he had taken something and the idea set my blood into pure ice. Fuck. Then, he let out a maniacal laugh and the other one followed, a moron called Harvey who was a new member when I decided to quit and who had contributed in beating me to a pulp to show off in front of that lunatic. I was in wonderful company and I wondered when Oleg would arrive, what would happen. The gun stayed there pressed against my side and I didn't dare say or do anything. Caden might have wanted me alive for him to complete the job or whatever other sick purpose he had in mind, but Skull still hated me, and he wouldn't think twice before shooting me.

"Guess what? You have no choice," he burst out laughing like some crazed hyena and I just stared at them, my mouth dry and my heart beating insanely. I was in deep shit, yeah, but Vince was in a worse situation and I had to face this mess and end if for good.

"So, what the fuck do you waste time for?" I provoked him, and the answer came as expected: he hit my face with the gun, and I found myself spitting blood on the ground. A kick followed and before I could do anything, they grabbed me and tossed me in the back of their car. I coughed a couple of times, but Skull turned around and aimed the gun at me.

"Another sound and I'll fucking shoot you."

I said nothing and simply tried to swallow down, knowing Oleg had heard everything and was rushing after me. But Oleg was alone and there was no way I would allow these pieces of shit to hurt him, as they already hurt Vincent.

When we arrived in their usual shithole, which hadn't much changed, they searched me and after having found my phone, which they broke, they stripped me from the winter jacket and sweater, leaving the t-shirt on only; Skull punched me once and went to do it another time, but I reacted faster, defending myself and landing a blow on his face. It was probably stupid, but it gave me great satisfaction, especially after what they had done to Vince.

"Piece of shit," he groaned, as he massaged his jaw and I just smiled smugly at him, which proved to be a very dumbass idea because two more came to me and they greeted me with kicks and blows. Fuck, it hurt, but I wasn't going down without a fight and right then I was so fucking mad that I could break their ugly faces.

"Stop that," a voice I knew all too fucking well ordered and the fucktards halted, following the orders as good dogs.

Caden slowly walked to us, looking positively possessed, with eyes wide and shot open as if he were experiencing some frenzies of senses, his right hand caressing a beard he never had before and the left one moving and gesticulating in the air as if he listened to some music he only could hear. It wouldn't have surprised me, all considered. He had lost weight, but he looked even more dangerous, still wearing clothes in his usual style: a black t-shirt that left his many tattoos on display on both his arms and part of his chest, a black leather vest, dark jeans stuffed inside black leather boots I bet he was itching to make me taste.

Yeah, he looked skinnier, but completely wired and even more mad. Somehow, his name "Mad-Dog" seemed to better fit him then. Fuck...he had really found a freaking dangerous drug and it was clear in the smug on his face and the confidence he threw against me. He felt the king of New York and I couldn't wait to kick his ass down his dumbass throne.

I swallowed down as my eyes set on his face and all I wanted to do was to spring over him and beat the living shit out of that piece of junk. But I couldn't and I had to remind myself to cool my temper down. If Oleg was about to arrive, I sure wanted to be at side while taking care of this mess.

He slowed his walk even more, taking long and theatrically calculated steps, wanting to instill fear in me, but all I felt was burning and maddening rage, nothing else. I no longer was afraid of him and he must have perceived it, because for a moment his eyes narrowed and short after, a disturbing and sick smile rose on his lips. Still, I refused to show him what he wished me to feel and I knew it fueled him more, pushing in him the need to break me and he could try, if he wanted. He wasn't going to succeed, though.

I no longer was afraid of him. He no longer scared me or made me feel like living in a real nightmare. It was over and I just realized right there, while standing in front of him.

The fear was completely gone. Burning rage and thirst of setting things down took its place.

"Anatoly, Anatoly," Caden mocked my name with a morbid note in his voice as he approached me, by then having Skull and Devin, who had showed up right after we arrived, keeping me in place as they grabbed my arms.

He stopped a moment and stared at me from head to toe, shaking his head and clicking the tongue in his mouth. Fuck. He breathed loudly through his nose and bent his head back, opening his mouth in a mute groan as he cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders, as if readying himself for something. And I knew fucking well what that something was. He shot his maddened stare at me and smiled. Fuck.

"Anatoly," he said once more, opening his arms in a fake welcoming gesture, "the prodigal son is finally back, isn't that so, ah? Is that what your rich and loving parents said to you?"

I kept silent, concentrating on the sound of my breathing to not lose my temper and say something that would worsen the already fucked-up situation. I had to know what happened to Vince, I had to see him; and, I had to buy time for Oleg and my father, because I had no doubt he had already informed him and they were probably already taking action in that precise moment.

As Caden spoke, Skull, Devin and Harvey quietly laughed, and I mentally promised myself to enjoy the moment those stupid smirks were going to be wiped from their faces. I was trying my best to control my shivering, which wasn't due to fear or panic, but to pure anger and need to smack their faces, to break their nose and teeth. I wanted to punch them all to a bloody pulp.

"What is it, Anatoly Denisov? You lost your voice? Cat got your tongue, ah? You never were a chatty one, but never this quiet." Caden's sickening smirk widened and I knew what was coming.

His eyes quickly moved to Devin and he wasted no time in punching me right in my stomach, knocking the breath out of me and almost forcing me on my knees. Almost, I gritted my teeth and suppressed a groan of pain, only slightly coughing. This dickhead here was enjoying it and I knew he still minded the fact that girl, Caroline Palmer, tried to sleep with me while still being his woman. To irony in that was that I never ever touched her or even considered touching her. Would he laugh if he knew her mother tried to kill me? He probably would, but Caden no. No, because he thirsted to punish me, for having left gang and involuntary witnessed some real shit. And he knew I had recalled and regained my lost memories.

"No, no, no, this's not right, Devin. You lost your edge while I was gone? I know you can do better." He was having the time of his life in taunting me, trying to instill the old fear I felt for him in me. I was afraid, yes, but not for me. I was afraid for Vincent and I was terrified at the idea of anything happening to Oleg. Following his leader's words, Devin hit me another time, immediately going for a blow straight to my face that this time threw me on my knees.

Fuck, I hated this so much and rage burned inside of me at a level that I almost felt no pain.

I tried to look around, but I couldn't see Vince and I was beginning to be really scared. What had they done to him? Was he still alive or able to walk on his own legs?

"What are you looking for? Your precious bitch?" Skull asked me as he squatted down and grabbed my hair, pulling it so much I had to force myself to not grunt out in pain. I was so going to break that ugly face of his, he could count on that. "What do you say, Caden?"

The lunatic lightly smiled, and it was the smile of a snake ready to phagocytize its prey. He was having fun, too much fun. He clicked his tongue once more and I saw how he then passed it over his teeth and gums. Fuck. He nodded and stalked closer and closer, walking as if in some game or vision he had in his mind and I waited for him to finally halt in front of me, his alcohol-reeking breath nauseating me as his face stopped right in front of mine.

"You wonder where we keep our dear Vincent, aren't you? You worry for your slut, because if I know you two well enough, and I think I do in a way, I'm sure he was your slut, right?" I couldn't help it, the way he spoke about him, the way he looked at me and the fact he dared to say he knew me. He knew nothing about me. I couldn't help and I spat in his face, which was something so moronic and dumb that nobody had to tell me.

The blow arrived more vicious than expected and I groaned out in pain as he pressed the cigarette a member of the gang was right then smoking on my forearm. Caden looked at me completely disgusted and I enjoyed that, knowing why he minded that so much.

"You dare to infect me with your filth? You dare to spit on me with that mouth that took a dick inside? You're fucking disgusting and dirty. You and your dear Vincent deserve nothing less than death." I had to repress a laugh, because I enjoyed seeing him so worked up, even though I knew it was dangerous for me; yet, he had said too much. He cleaned his face and kicked me in the guts, for then stepping on the point where the cigarette had burned my skin. His eyes shot to Jax and Erik, who had joined the party, and that was enough for them to understand what he meant.

Skull, Devin and Harvey forced me on the ground and kept me there pinned down facing the door and I was shivering at the idea of whom they were bringing over. Was he alive? Was he able to normally walk? Was he still all in one damn piece?

The door sprang open and the body of Vince was dragged in the room by his arms, for then being tossed down as an empty sack. He was breathing hard and groaning in pain, both his eyes black, new cuts and signs of violent beating on him, some of his fingers were broken and by the way he cried out when Jax kicked his right leg, there was something broken there, too. But he was alive and in one piece. I breathed out in short relief and then Vince finally saw me. His swollen eyes reacted, and he tried to say something, but nothing much came out of it as they silenced him with another hit.

"You fucktards, stop it, take it on me instead of beating someone that can't even defend himself," I growled out and the invitation got its expected result. "You fucking pieces of shit," I swore out more, fighting over and landing a kick on Devin, but the joy was short-lived as they blocked me. "Let him go," I growled, but everyone shut up as Caden's maniac laughter exploded in the room.

"What a touching reunion: isn't that so?" He slowly caressed his beard and shook his head. "I should have known at first that you were two fags and I should have dealt with you both earlier, but when I found out it was too late. I had my fun though the other day with Vincent and when you left the gang...something you will be properly punished for." He crouched down and grabbed my hair, forcing my head back and I couldn't do anything else but stare at him. I wanted to wipe that ass-like smile on his face. I wanted to make him feel the same pain he inflicted on Vince. "But it's not too late and we can take care of this now. However, I'm really glad I didn't get rid of your lurid existence already, because discovering your family is that rich was a nice jackpot. They will be willing to pay a lot of money for you, especially when I'll start to send small pieces of you, like an earlobe, a fingernail, maybe a piece of your finger...even a tooth. Oh...they'll pay as much as I wish for."

I said nothing to it and the fact I didn't cower in fear ticked him off big time. He hit me hard on the face and warm blood dripped from my nose; he hadn't broken it, though, and I had not winced at that. A savage kick followed, and I tried to cover it, but they held me still. I bit my lip to not grunt out as the boot collided against my ribcage, repressing the pain with more anger and thirst for revenge.

"I swear I will make you scream in pain like a pig and you will fear me once more before your very painful and tortured end, because I'll take my time with you and when I'll be done, I'll be just enjoying your parents' money and then go after them." The idea shot my rage to crazed level, but I shut up, because Oleg would come any time soon and this mess was soon to be over. Dad would never let such piece of shit lay a finger on his family. I would never let him do that either. Never ever.

This lunatic had no idea how wrong he was. Yeah, my parents would pay any sum of money for me, I had no doubts, but he had no idea what kind of man my father was and the connections he had. Caden had no idea with whom he was playing this game and he had no idea who worked for my father...Oleg. If he knew all of this, he would be running miles away and very fast, because today he had signed for his end. I know there was no other solution and I just wanted this madman and his band of jerks gone.

"You see, nobody gets out of my gang and control that easily and I let you go just because I wanted to get my sweet punishment in due time, because I had more pending matters to take care of." Such as getting out of New York before being caught for the deaths he left behind, avoiding the Hell's Riders until he had the right power to face them and finalize that fucking drug he planned to sell here. Yeah, a busy agenda indeed, so of course I was his last concern. I was left as last piece of fun. "But I'm back and more powerful than before."

"You should have killed me then," I said, because he had to talk and waste time and triggering his arrogance and ego was the best way. Vince and I already witnessed that in the past.

"No, no, no Anatoly. I'd have ruined the fun and you want to know why?"

"Yeah, tell me why you had been so fucking stupid to not kill me when you had the chance, before I remembered all the shit you did, before you beat up Vince for no reasons."

"No, you are wrong. Vincent received what he deserved for two good reasons: he betrayed me, and you know how bad I take that, and he is a fucking cock-sucker, and I also don't admit such repulsion in my gang." Sick, twisted piece of trash. I growled and went to move, wanting to launch myself at him and punch him, but they kept me down on the floor and I just vented it out by swearing at him. "So, do you want to know why I didn't kill you last year?"

"Tell me, you fucking sick piece of shit." He just laughed like the twisted and violent psycho he was, and more rage boiled inside of me.

"Oh, I will tell you, but first I need a small treat." He widened his eyes and shook his head as if on some drug. "Devin," he curtly called, and the vermin nodded and obeyed like a dog, which gave Caden immense and sadistic joy. He walked to the table pushed against a wall of the room and came back with a small, square piece of glass and some white powder on it. Cocaine. So, today was cocaine's day, and the amount was mental. He sniffed it all in two long lines and I swallowed down silently, knowing what was about to come.

"Ahhhh," he exhaled out loudly, going to rub his nose and crack his neck. He set his pupils-dilated eyes on me and shot me such a smile that then, a very cold shiver travelled my entire body. "So, where were we?" He asked with high-pitched voice, for then dropping his tone immediately. "Aaah yes, why I hadn't killed your pathetic ass that day, which really I'm happy about because your parents will make me even more rich," he spoke with slithering voice, his eyes still shot wide, breathing loudly through his nose, his nostrils dilated after his intake of air, looking completely wired and as if electricity was travelling his entire body, moving his hands and fingers about the air in nonsensical ways. I kept very quiet, only quickly glancing at Vincent, still lying on the floor in pain and barely conscious. I was afraid that if I were to provoke him now, he would take it on him. Cocaine had the effect of sharpening his ruthless and vicious side, increasing the need for physical violence. It triggered him too much.

They were about to arrive soon, I knew it. Hold it, Anatoly.

He began to walk around me very slowly, taking now short then longer steps, sometimes getting closer to me and then pulling back suddenly breaking into a crazed and horrible laugh. He was out of mind and out of control. Only a bullet would do the trick.

"Anatoly, Anatoly...you want to know why I kept your useless carcass alive during these months, even though you knew way too much?" I stared at him without emitting any sort of sound. "Because, first of all, it would have been too easy and not funny at all for me, and you know how much I love and need to enjoy myself, don't you agree?" I said nothing to that. "You're not much fun today I'm afraid," he sentenced while shaking his head and still circling around me like a shark. He eyed Skull and the blow landed on me so fucking hard that I couldn't repress the groan of pain, couching out and spitting blood. Fuck...I hated them all so much. But I wasn't going to give them the satisfaction to see me shiver in fear.

"Now, that's much better," he commented smiling satisfied, "as I said, it would have taken away the fun in it, because you had to fear me, you had to have nightmares thinking about me still about and alive and ready to tear your throat open. Yes, you wanted to leave the gang to live a normal and proper life, ah? Oh well, I had to be the shadow to ruin that for you, to torment you and slowly destroy you, because you want to know something? You are garbage. Yes, you are pure and filthy, stinky garbage and you'll never fucking change. You hear me, Anatoly Denisov? So, I played with you, like cat and mouse, almost going crazy at the thought of this very moment. You wanted to change your life and I'm here to ruin that, I'm here to destroy you and then your precious family, who you tried to protect so much. And after that, I will destroy Vincent."

He stopped his pacing around a moment, and I was dragged up on my feet, Devin and Skull painfully clutching my arms and keeping me in check. They had no idea what was about to come and who was about to storm in here. They were all so fucked up and dead.

"By the way," he said with a mocking tone of voice, his smile reflecting the reckless madness coursing through him, "I will tell you what happened with your precious Vincent, why he talked, because you thought I really believed he was your dear, precious bitch? Oh no...I discovered something much better and far more valuable than that, which gave me real physical pleasure in not having killed you yet."

I felt undiluted and cold, pure fear then gripping at my heart, my breathing stopping and my face pretty much revealing it. He smiled triumphally, because he had found another weak spot in me and it didn't take much to understand what that was, who that was.

"Yes, Vincent told me about a man you now have as partner, how disgusting. I don't know yet all the details but be sure I will find them out and go over him once I'm done with you." It was me then laughing out like some maniac and his arrogant, sick expression broke in momentary confusion

"Good luck with that, Caden. You'll be dead before being able to lay a finger on him, either by my hand or by his." I no longer cared hiding it, because I would never let him hurt Oleg. Never. And if at first fear took me and blinded me for a short instant, I then recalled what we had together, our promises, the incredible man he was. These rats were nothing for him. "What have you done to Vincent to make him talk? Because he would never betray me."

Caden exploded in a mental fit of laughing and then in a quick step he stood in front of me, breathing over my face.

"I sort of tortured him and threatened I would go after his sister. Which I still will, after we are all done with this. She's quite the fuckable bitch, believe me." Fucking sick piece of garbage...arghh...I wanted to punch his face so fucking much. I knew Vince would never consciously betray me or Oleg, but I was also aware he would do anything to protect her, the only person who ever mattered in his life. He slapped me and I fought against their grip to pay him back, but they didn't let go.

"I'm not done talking, Anatoly, because you must know all of it before I start to cut away a piece of your ear as a present for your oh-so-lovely family. You might wonder why I didn't fear you calling the Police." Yeah, I had wondered that, but Oleg already explained me that someone like Caden felt as if he was above everything and everyone, believing everybody feared him too much to take actions and go against him. "Because you are a coward, Anatoly Denisov, and there are no doubts in that. You were and still are scared of me, even if you try your pathetic best to show off the opposite. You lie and I can see that." He passed his tongue over his teeth like a snake and then snorted. "However, what if you decided to grow some spine and open your mouth? I decided to kill you when it most suited me." Oleg had been right in everything, as usual. "You see now? I held you in my palm and now, you're here for me to squish you completely."

He followed the words with mimicking the gesture and smiled at me even more insanely. God, he had really lost his brain and any sense of control. He was completely out of his mind. He considered something else, as he looked around the room and halted his eyes on Vince.

"I think he told you about my new, wonderful lady, right? About this beauty called Leah that will make me so rich it'll be almost disgusting."

I replied nothing and kept my mouth shut; his eyes then fixed on mine and he slapped me once more, while I fought the urge to pay him back.

"I take from your silence you already know, which gives me another reason to get rid of you. You know why I called him like that, though? Because I want to take revenge against Eirik from the Hell's Riders, who never really recognized my leadership and always fought me for territory, feeling much superior than I am, always getting in my way, especially with drugs. Oh, he will pay for that, because he cannot say anything against me to avenge his beloved brother and that other bitch I used for while in bed and then as tester. He cannot do anything, because I have plenty against him, and with this new drug, something he hates with all his passion for how dangerous it is, I will take my final revenge and then crush him. Ohhhh, Anatoly. I cannot wait for that."

He took a few, very deliberate steps back, staring at me with a lopsided, evil smile, sure he had won this game. He was so wrong he had no freaking idea.

"Nobody leaves my gang of their own will and on their own legs. Nobody. And if you try to, you will be dead meat. Am I clear enough?" He brought his hand behind his back and then produced out a very sharp and long knife. Oh, fuck me. "And now, let's put an end to this. Keep him still, while I take a souvenir for his beloved family." Skull and Devin tightened the grip on me, and I began to trash with all my strength and will, kicking and twisting, giving them quite the hard job. "Keep him still, I said," he thundered and two guys I never saw before stepped closer and hit me a couple of times. Who were they? I fought more and managed to get rid of Devin, never a good one at fighting, and I landed a punch on his face, but that cost me a lot.

And the door was kicked open, making everyone stop.

Oleg stepped inside the room and immediately seized a member of the gang that had the misfortunate of standing close to the door. He knocked him down with a quick and strong hit from the elbow, getting the moron straight on his face. The guy didn't even realize what happened and fell on the floor completely out. Oleg's face was a mask of anger and cold wrath he had not wanted to completely repress, and I knew what was about to come. I too well understood his state of mind. He was waiting for this for a long time and nobody or nothing would stop him. They rushed at him, but he pulled out a gun and grabbed Harvey, who had exposed himself given the ridiculous dumbass he was. The gun was pressed against his head and Oleg kept the jerk in front as shield.

His eyes locked on me for a quick moment and his jaw contracted as he took in my conditions, his eyes quickly flashing darker and then focusing back on the gang members.

I don't know if I was still breathing or not, if my heart still beat or not. The only thing I knew was that Oleg arrived as he always promised to me and another thing I knew for sure: I wouldn't let Caden use him for his sick game against me.

"Let him go and let Vincent Dalton go," he ordered with cold and hard voice, his dark eyes set on them and promising painful retribution and burning hell. "I said, let him go."

OLEG POV:

I arrived at their main quarter and it surprised me seeing nobody outside left to guard the perimeter and area. Very unprofessional, but definitely reflecting the profile of Caden Mad-Dog. It rendered my job easier and it showed the arrogance of the leader, too sure of his new-gained power and influence. However, he had not realized how ephemeral it was, the fact it was not well established and that, with his greed and complete disrespect for common rules, he had made too many enemies. Earlier Mr. Denisov explained me quickly how the leader of the Hell's Riders took care of the two corrupted policemen, sincerely thanking for the favour done to him, and saying he would also join in getting rid of the Demons White Beasts.

My eyes quickly studied the building and the surroundings, giving me the chance to spot where the door was and assessing there was no other way in or out. I stepped closer and listened carefully. Nobody was around, there were two cameras that could be easily avoided and disabled; I believed they all were in the basement, according to Marlon's description of the place obtained from Vincent Dalton. They were probably all there as witness to their leader having captured Anatoly, the only one who ever stood against him and left the gang of his own accord. I had been informed that the upper level was more of a representative area, where they met other gangs or so, but the real deals were done in the darkness of the lower rooms.

Anatoly was in there and I feared they had already dared to lay their hands on him. I had to stop thinking over that, because I was there and ready to tear the place in pieces, ready to end their miserable lives. Mr. Denisov and Mr. Konstantin had not arrived yet and I could not wait, for I had to get inside and see Anatoly, get him out of there. Even seconds became precious and Caden Mad-Dog was a very lucid, dangerous piece of human garbage who had lost any sense of control or contact with reality. He had taken Vincent to make him talk and then hurt Anatoly. No, he could not stay there any longer, thus, I took a decision on the spot and called Mr. Denisov, who replied at first.

"Oleg?"

"I am here, sir."

"We will be there very shortly, and it will be all over in no time." I had no doubt over the matter.

"Apologies, sir, but the person I love the most is their hands already and I can no longer wait. I must get in there and take matters in my hands."

"Oleg, you are alone and..."

"My deepest apologies, sir." It was the first time in my life I broke an order and did not comply a request. But this time was completely different, and I had to do what my instinct and heart told me. Anatoly was in there and I could only imagine what the leader of the gang had in mind. I knew what torture felt like and I would never let him experience that. He remained silent for a very short time, processing what I said and the replied, aware I would never endanger his son.

"I understand and I deeply thank you. Please, get him out of there." His voice was sincere and held a trace of emotion he was trying to hide for obvious reasons. Nonetheless, he comprehended the situation and trusted his son's life in my hands. He had no doubts and that was clear by the tone of his voice. "We will be there soon, and they will pay dearly for what they have done."

"Understood," I only said and switched the conversation off, heading for the entrance to the hide-out.

The door was locked, but opening the lock proved an effortless task and I silently pushed it open, being pleased in not hearing any sound produced by that. I closed the door behind me and took a few measured, careful steps. Indeed, nobody was around and surprisingly no cameras, or any other device was in the room; I spotted the stairs on the other side of the room, just as Marlon informed me, seeing a faint light coming from there. I walked down the stairs in complete silence holding a gun in front of me, ready if needed; however, it looked like they all were in the main area of the basement, seeing another one empty and dark.

I approached the door and heard voices there, in particular the voice of the leader ordering his vermin to keep Anatoly still. He was fighting them off, of course. I had no doubts about that, and it also meant they hadn't done much to him. At least, I prayed for that, even if just touching him was too much already.

Inside the room it became louder and more stepped around, someone else swearing aloud, probably at Anatoly, giving me the perfect chance to step inside the room and take them by surprise. I thrust the door open and immediately spotted a gang member nearby, who reacted too slow to my actions and thus, in no time he was knocked off and on the floor. They realized who stepped in there and after a moment of complete confusion they rushed at me and I dodged the too visible swing coming from another member, who easily became my hostage and shield. I pointed the gun at his head and my eyes searched for Anatoly.

They had dared to beat him up and it was painfully visible on him.

Uncontrollable rage and cold fury exploded in me and all I wanted was to make them all pay, one by one, tearing all of them apart.

Yet, I preserved an apparent, ice-made composure, ordering them to release him and then Vincent Dalton, who was left semi-conscious on the ground, his conditions quite bad indeed. I knew they would not comply to my request, but it served the purpose to buy short time and study how many were in the room, seeing he indeed had a few men only with him from Los Angeles, and quickly assess what possibilities I had, what I could do to get them out of there without putting them, especially Anatoly, under more danger. The last thing I wished for was a fire exchange and, after seeing the bewildered face of Caden, staring at me as momentary at a loss, I knew what to do.

"Is this the man Vincent spoke about, Anatoly? Judging by the way you look at him I'd say yes, and you have no idea of the fun I will now enjoy in destroying him in front of your eyes."

Destroy me? He had to wish for that to be true, because if they were not going to kill me at first, I was going to make them all pay for laying their hands on the person I loved. However, I would not let him have his way, because I promised Anatoly two things and a promise made was a promise kept. Judging by the way Vincent was, they had really acted viciously and possibly threatened his weak-spot, making him talk. When this was over, that young man was going to have many regrets to face, even if I was sure Anatoly held nothing against him.

I saw his face paling as the leader pronounced those words and I stepped to the side of the man I took in my hands, still keeping the gun planted against his head. I set my eyes on Caden's and I gave him a dark smile. Without hesitating, I shot the gang member I held at his leg, for then hitting the back his head, his body falling down on the floor, blood spilling from the wound on his leg. They all stood still and just watched me, not sure what to do. They did not bring many weapons with them or however they did not have them at hand, and it was a big mistake on their part and a good point for me.

"Let go of Anatoly," I ordered once more, aiming the gun at the vermin and the other one I quickly pulled out to the left, where most of the members stood. "Step away from him."

"What if I kill him instead or cut him up a bit? What can you do?" He spoke smiling too sure of himself, thinking he was mentally torturing us, and yes, in a way he was, for I was afraid for Anatoly; yet, trash like him could never understand the strength and focus the need to protect the loved ones gave to persons. Seeing a knife on his throat served one purpose only and that rat could not possibly fathom it.

"You would be dead first, you have my word," I replied with even voice and that made him hesitate, calculating what chances he had, and I used it. With the corner of my eyes I saw one man trying to use a gun and I fired without hesitating, shooting him on his shoulder firstly and right after at his leg. I aimed it at another one and kept my focus on their leader, who had exposed himself. I could shoot him clearly, but I was not going to, because it would endanger Anatoly and threw him into some crossfire. "I warned you," I only said and Caden studied me intently, one eyes trembling.

"Do you think your men and you, Caden Mad-Dog, cannot take me alone?" His eyes flashed and his mouth twisted at my provocation. I had been right. "I give you the option to try beating me up," my eyes quickly surveyed the room and counted nineteen men left standing, not considering their leader who would never directly expose himself. Mr. Denisov would arrive soon, and I could delay them by enjoying giving the long awaited and deserved punishment. For long I had wished to deal with them with my own hands and now, I had the rightful occasion.

"Who the fuck are you?" He asked with now angered voice, for he evidently loathed someone not fearing him and challenging his authority. "Who the fuck do you think you are? Walking in here and shooting around like that, in my territory."

"Who am I does not concern you. Let Anatoly go and if you can, you can try to destroy me as you said before. I give you the chance. Put your weapon down or I will have his brains blown away," I warned a man aiming a gun at me and he hesitated, looking between myself and his leader. I had to provoke them more and make them react; I shot at his hand and he dropped the gun as he fell on his knees howling in pain and looking at his maimed hand, at the blood dripping on the floor. "What do you say?" I asked once more, my eyes quickly catching Anatoly's stare, understanding each other immediately, and the members of the gang reacted as I predicted.

Three came at me at first, being the closer ones, and tried to grab my arms to stop me, but I seized the closest one and threw him on the floor, colliding his back and head hardly on the concrete of the pavement and immediately going to hit his nose, breaking it neatly. One threw himself on my back and wrapped an arm around my neck, but I hit him on the face with my head, while someone punched me at liver's level, the bullet-proof vest shielding me from that. I used the momentum by hitting the man at my back with an elbow and kicking the other one standing in front of me, quickly extracting the knife from the boot and slashing the nerves in his arms.

A punch hit me quite strongly and it came from Skull, the second in command who had released Anatoly to fight me. I ducked the other swing, quickly moving to his side and hitting his liver and right after at the diaphragm's level, temporarily leaving him breathless. He dropped down on his hands gasping for air and my knee collided with his temple, putting him down for some time being. He looked strong and like someone used to heavy beating. In the meantime, I searched for Anatoly and I felt cold seeing him having freed himself and fighting against two pieces of trash, landing some really wild punches.

I wanted to go for him, but two men threw themselves on me and, unlikely some others I had already getting rid of, they knew how to fight. I rolled over and straddled the first one who tackled me down and switched him off with a few very strong and merciful punches and a last hit from the elbow that knocked him out completely. I hissed as the other one kicked me first and then quickly tried to slash me with a combat knife. I circled him, pulling out mine and measuring the distance between us, but I noticed two more men closing around me, one of them also wielding a knife. However, he went down as Anatoly recklessly kicked him behind the knee, causing the man to lose balance for a moment, which gave my punk the opportunity to kick him in the face and then punch him straight in the nose.

He was as ferocious and merciless as I never saw him before, and I totally understood the reasons behind that.

"Anatoly," I warned him as the opponent standing in front of me came for a slash and the other one got Anatoly with a vicious blow in the stomach, making him halt for a moment. "Anatoly," I called again, and he cursed out loud, wildly launching himself on the gang-member and hitting him with full speed and aggressiveness in the face with the elbow. He had learned from me quickly and it gave me a subtle, slight pleasure in seeing him facing them like that. He turned around and searched for me, so our eyes met for a short moment and they reflected each other's emotions, making me see he, exactly like me, wanted to protect me and fight alongside me as much as he could.

The knife of the man confronting me tried to go for me once more. I heard Anatoly calling and rushing over, but he was stopped. As I tried to check whether he was fine, a man tried to grab me in order to keep me in place for the other to carve into me, but my hand moved faster and in a long-practiced move I cut him two times in strategic points, for then kneeing him down to the floor. The action had been rather reckless and the man handling the knife almost slash me, but my instincts and the long years in the Army taught me enough.

I stepped back right on time to avoid the blade and I moved to my right, as he followed and opened his stance in the heat of the moment and blinded by the lust for violence. A big mistake I used at my advantage, for I grabbed his arm and blocked it, slashing the man quickly and then, as he let go of the blade, I bent the arm back and broke it in one move. He screamed down in pain and with another hit on his face he was out.

Anatoly was facing two opponents and the look on his face spoke many words. I went for him, but I noticed something else.

I lost view of Caden for a moment and that was a mistake, because a bullet shot me in the arm and went out from it, making me stumble and momentary fall on one knee after having accused the shot and pressing a hand on my wound. Anatoly screamed my name and blood boiled in my veins as I witnessed another gang member hitting him hard in the face, for then kicking him even harder.

I pushed myself standing and rushed to Anatoly without thinking, dodging another bullet coming from that vermin. I knew Caden would soon get his hands on a weapon and try to act as dirty as possible, so I should have not lost sight of him for any reason.

With the corner my eyes I saw him aiming for Anatoly, so I threw myself on him and as I wrapped my arms around him and used my body to shield his, more bullets were fired. We crashed on the floor and I groaned out as my leg was shot, the bullet stuck in there. Blood immediately began to spill out and Anatoly swore.

"Fuck, Oleg..." He looked around pale and frantic and two things happened one right after the other. Skull got up and aimed a gun at us and there was one thing only we could do.

"On my back," I ordered Anatoly and he immediately grabbed the gun under my jacket going to stand up, and he fired without hesitation, hitting the second in command in the shoulder at the second attempt. Another man came for us and I forced myself standing, seeing it was just a maneuver to distract me and force me away from Anatoly, for Caden was aiming at him again. Three shots hit me straight at my chest, but the bullet-proof vest did its job. I stumbled a moment as the bullets pushed me back, pain spreading through my body as the impact had been rather close.

However, I was not feeling much, for one thing only was on my mind: defending and shielding Anatoly.

As Caden went to fire, given it was pure chaos and Anatoly kept moving making it difficult for that vermin, I grabbed Anatoly and forced him down, my body covering his as he was pressed against the floor, the bullet hitting me on the back, for that rat's aim was not precise.

"Oleg!" Anatoly screamed at me seeing Caden readying his gun for more, thus I took the weapon from him and turned around firing at that vermin, instantly going for the armed hand. His shouts did not manage to cover the explosion of the rest of my firing and every shot hit the right mark. The piece of human trash went down shrieking in pain, blood soon pooling about him, the gun scattered away, his screams and swearing filling the room.

Right in that moment, Mr. Denisov, Mr. Konstantin and his men stormed inside the room followed by Eirik of the Hell's Riders and two of his most trusted members, and I knew everything was over. They outnumbered the remaining gang-members and the few men from Los Angeles in an instant and with that, I knew it really was all over. No one was ever going to threaten Anatoly again and I had kept the promises I made to him.

I saw how Konstantin's men made the Demons White Beasts kneel down and face the floor while they tied their hands behind the back, collecting the weapons and mercilessly hitting the ones that tried to resist and fight back. A few more shots were heard in the room and the deaf sound of two dead bodies followed the explosive noise of the guns. The example and warning for the rest of them had been set and no more resisted or tried to fight back. They thought they had an opportunity out, but they were highly mistaken.

"Oleg!" Anatoly called for me again, as I had to force myself down on the ground for a moment without saying anything, blood coating my pants from the wound on the leg. Acute pain began to quickly spread through my body, pulsing in my veins and rendering my breathing heavier, harder, but I commanded my mind to control it. "Oleg, Oleg!" Anatoly screamed for me again and I quietly replied, hearing him breathing out.

He kneeled down beside me and helped on sitting up, for then using a piece of cloth to tie strongly right around the injured area and I could see his hands shaking a lot, so after he knotted the piece of cloth, I took his hands in mine a moment. I was beginning to feel very tired and my vision blurred for a short moment, just as my head swum slightly, but I blinked it away. Not now. Feeling his warm hands in mine gave me the necessary strength and peace of mind.

"Anatoly, it is over," I said apparently calmly, controlling the tone of my voice, but we both knew how we felt in that moment and seeing blood on his hands, both mine and his, as he had being injured before, was not something I would never be able to describe. "Anatoly," I called him again, as he kept staring at my leg. "Anatoly look at me," I ordered with harder voice and he listened to me, his face such a mask of worry, anger, fear, and much more that left me unable to speak for a moment.

"You got shot because of me," he said with hard tone, his voice trembling and seeing he was swallowing down often. "He fucking shot you and he fucking wanted to kill you," he growled out, grabbing my jacket harshly. He was shaking badly, and I understood how he felt. I understood that very well, so I forced my hand to touch his head and his eyes visibly reacted to that. More pain pulsed in my body and I had control my breathing.

"I had promised you, remember?" I asked with quiet voice, trying to calm him down, but I could see it did not work and I had to mask a wince of pain, which unfortunately did not escape his attention. He gritted his teeth and pressed his forehead on my shoulder, still shaking, still grabbing my jacket as if making sure I was well and alive.

"You also promised me to not let anything happen to you." He moved his face up and pressed it against mine, feeling something wet on my skin and I knew it was not blood. "He wanted to kill you," he repeated again, tightening the grip on me. "Oleg..."

"And nothing happened to me, brat. I wear a bullet-proof vest, while you did not. Of course, I had to shield you. It is my duty," I replied, and in that moment, Mr. Denisov approached us, going to hug his son as first thing.

"Anatoly, son," he only said, and I saw him reciprocating the gesture as he clutched at his father's jacket, closing his eyes and pressing his lips together, trying to restrain his emotions. He was safe and it was over. There was nothing more I could ask for and that was all it mattered.

Then, Mr. Denisov came to me and, after asking me if I could stand, they both helped me in that. He placed a strong hand on my shoulder and smiled warmly, his eyes assessing my conditions in one glance.

"Thank you, Oleg." I just inclined my head and then the grip of his hand strengthened, and I noticed the expression on his face hardening as he stared at my leg and eyed my arm. "We should take you to the hospital immediately, because you are losing too much blood." He looked at his son and then at where Vincent Dalton lay, seeing he was trying to move. "We should take them him and Anatoly, too. I believe Marlon wants to accompany him to the hospital and do not worry, I will take care of everything." I knew what he meant.

I went to reply, but I noticed Anatoly collecting a gun from the floor, staring first at me and after at Vincent, for then walking to Caden, an expression on his face I had never seen before, his lips set in a hard line and his eyes dark with hate. So much hate and anger that it distorted the lines of his face. He stopped in front of that vermin and stared down at him for some time, for then aiming the weapon at him. He looked as if possessed and as if under some trance made of resentment, hatred and still burning anger.

"Anatoly," Mr. Denisov called, but he did not reply, for he had almost not heard him.

Thus, I reached for him, because I understood that in that moment, I was the only one that could penetrate inside the wall of emotions clashing inside of his head and heart. I would never let Anatoly dirty his hands for such piece of human garbage worth of nothing.

Author's Chit-Chat:

Dear All, do tell me please what your impressions are, your first thoughts, emotions, comments on this chapter, because I do love to read them and then reply.

Did you enjoy the action-fights scenes in there? Believe me when I say they are not easy to write, and it takes time to think them over and create them so to be realistic enough.

Have you now understood why the drug was called Leah and how twisted the reasons behind that were? Caden surely was quite an interesting villain to create and write and I hope you "enjoyed" his part. What do you think of him? Did you picture him differently?

I think in this chapter we finally understood everything related to the gang and solved all of Anatoly's problems: why the leader had to kill him, why he waited, why he moved to LA and why the name of the drug and more. Let me know if you have questions. It took me time to complete this chapter for good reasons, because I wanted to make sure all the loose threads were going to be tied up and addressed, hopefully avoiding plot-holes.

Now, what will happen with Anatoly while holding a gun against Caden?

Let me know what you think and stay tuned for CH.32 that should be posted this weekend! Ah, one fact I want to share with you: I see many of you like the character of Marlon and I want to develop him more, giving him more space. We will see more of him in Vincent and Adrian's story, but as friend only, so please don't think it differently. I just think he deserves more space and pages.

Let me say that you are amazing readers, thank you for your love, support and kindness.

Lots of Love, Magic, Hugs & Meows,
-TheWitchAndTheCat-