"Sergei what do you want? Get to the point will you?" I snapped at him the moment I heard my car engine leave.

"Oh malen'kiy kot? (Little cat) Why so desperate. Let's have some fun first." He said with a disgusting smirk.

"I'm not here to play games Sergei. Tell me what do you want!" I yelled.

"You kotik(cat). I want you," he grinned.

"Well I'm not yours to keep!" I snapped again.

"Oh yes you belong to blonde boy, don't you. The one who wears that stupid hat everywhere?" He said stepping closer to me.

I took one step back.

"I. Belong. To. No-one." I said enunciating each word.

"AJ? That's his name right? Pretty boy? Did he by any chance break your precious heart?" He laughed.

My blood boiled and I had a sudden urge to kick him in the crotch. But I swallowed it down.

"None of your damn business." I said.

"He did a good job, my big boy didn't he dorogoy brat? (Dear brother)" said Yelena stepping out from behind the door.

"You people sure love to snoop and hide in the shadows. Must be a family thing." I said matter-of-factly.

Yelena hissed. And Sergei laughed.

"Shut up Yelena, she's the cat here not you." He said.

Yelena wore leather shorts and a red corset like thing. Her slick black hair was in a pony and she wore black boots. She looked intimidating. But I was not afraid. Not anymore. Willow was safe. That's all that mattered.

"So you broke up then? I wish my boy just came back to me. We were so good together. I don't know what he sees in you!" she spat.

"Everything but you I guess. Oh and a little less bitchiness. And a brain?" I was going to go on but Yelena lost it and pounded on me.

I was ready and I kicked her back. She fell on her brother who seemed disgusted and amused at the same time. She got up and growled at me. Then came running bull first toward me. I swooped to the side and punched her back. She groaned and lashed at me. Like a crazy demon cat. Her talon like nails dug into my neck and slashed.

"Suka!" (Bitch) She yelled as I kicked her in the stomach.

I didn't need Google translate to guess what that meant. I felt a burning pain on my neck now. I was beyond mad.

I grabbed her and banged her nose with my head. She screamed and scrambled back holding her now bleeding nose.

"That's for Willow you bitch!" I yelled. My head was hurting too. But not as much as I guessed her nose was. She was royally mad and she ran back to her brother. Who still looked amused.

"She never kidnapped Willow." He said sweetly.

"Fine, for AJ then." I said.

"Ah AJ. She did mess that up for you." He said walking around me in circles. Yelena just ran out and vanished into the shadows once again. As I said, a family thing.

"What do you mean? AJ messed it up himself. He knew about Willow! He was in touch with your bloody sister! He was caught on camera with your men!" I said letting it all out.

"Oh dear, you're an ungrateful little cat now aren't you?" He said still walking in circles around me.

"What?" I asked.

"If it weren't for your pretty boy, you would have been a hostage or worse by now." He said with a sick smile. The way he said 'worse' sent an unwelcome shiver through me.

"What do you mean?" I said softly now.

"He was the one who made sure my men thought that your friend was you and you were her. He was the one who made a deal with my sister to keep quiet about it, when she realised what was going on. And he was the one who made sure that your friend wasn't touched either." Sergei said and his voice echoed through me.

"N-No," I whispered. "That text? I-"

"That was Yelena congratulating him on disguising himself and not letting Dima and Igor see him. She told him she'd not open her mouth. But if the others found out. He was on his own. So he had to be careful."

"Why take me to the club then? Why let me have poison?" I yelled back.

"He took you to the club because you wanted to know about Ghost. And so did he. He took the risk. His first wrong move. And he didn't know shit about the drink." Sergei laughed.
"He fought with my sister a lot, when he found out, on the phone though. Poor guy," he laughed again and I was losing it.

"But you didn't trust him did you?" He asked, his hair covering his right eye.

I didn't answer. I felt so stupid!

"Oh well there's next time.......but wait.... there's never going to be one of those for you!" He laughed wickedly.

I finally was done.

I lunged onto him and he clearly didn't anticipate it. He slammed into the wall and hit his head. He cursed and shoved me back.

"You think you're all that little cat? I'll show you who's incharge." He spat and charged for me.

I saw a wooden pole from the side of my eye and grabbed it. Poles always find me, I thought.

I smashed it onto him but blinked as I did, so he'd turned in time and it hit his shoulder. He pulled it by one end and threw it away. He dug his hands onto my waist and tried to lick my neck but I kneed him in the gut. It made him yell in anger and cuss all the more. I ran for the exit but he grabbed me and threw me back against a wall. Pain rushed through me like water and I heard a faint ringing.
I tried to punch him when he went for my neck again but my hands were not obeying my mind.
He cornerd me against a wall and held my neck.
I could hardly breath and was sure my eyes were turning red.

He was sickeningly close to me. His hair was brushing my chin and I could see the void in his black eyes. He sneered and grinned.

"Pretty little cat. You didn't think you'd win so easily now did you?" He said.

"F-UCK Y-YOU!" I barely managed. And spat in his face.

That really enraged him. His nostrils flared and he seemed as if he would smash me against the wall.

But then he calmed and placed his hand on my right thigh. I felt like belching. He just snickered and rolled his tongue in his mouth.

"You're mine. Until I have to give you to him," he whispered.

And his hand started trailing higher. I kicked him in the crotch once more and he growled in pain. I spat on him knowing he'll be angry and kicked him in the groin again and again. Rage rushed through me. I ran for the door trying to escape and almost made it out when I felt his grip on my shoulders.

What the hell was he made of? I thought to myself.

"You're not going anywhere!" He screamed, first swinging me forward then throwing me back towards the entrance. I was tired and in pain. I thought I'd hit the wall and black out.

But hands held me by my sides, gently holding me up. Sergei was on the ground still moaning in pain.

I was so out of it. My head hurt crazily and my whole body drummed with sharp aches.

Until I saw him.

He wore his staple black suspenders and white shirt. His trusty fedora still on his head. His eyes met mine for a sliver of a second, they shined with the same brightness, they always did. He charged for Sergei.

I stared in awe as he banged the other man against a wall. And grabbed him by the collar. I felt my cheeks dampen as I saw his familiar tattoos as he smashed Sergei's face.

Sergei fought back too, but AJ was faster and better. He jammed and punched and kicked until Sergei fell unconscious, the last few profanities slipping in his slurred speech.

I felt my feet give way but AJ caught me just in time.

"You did so well, Lilah. You were glorious. I'm so sorry. Let's get you home," he said softly to me. I couldn't get a word out. And I knew behind his comforting looks he was worried about my injuries.

I wrapped my hands around his neck and leaned into him. I felt him sigh with relief and hold my waist gently.

My eyes widened, however, when I saw Sergei get up and grab the pole he'd thrown away.

I summoned the power to speak and turned AJ back while yelling, "Sergei! Behind you!"

He swooped to the side and pushed me back. I held on to the wall for support but gave up sliding down to the floor. AJ got hit in the chest before he took the pole out of Sergei's grip and knocked Sergei out before saying, "Never touch her again. Or I'll do much worse to you."

He put on his fedora again and wrapped me with his coat. I tried to get up but I couldn't. He knelt down beside me and asked, "Can I pick you up Delilah?"

I nodded and he picked me up in an instant. I hugged him and let my head fall into him.

I whimpered a little because it hurt. And he looked sad.

"Does it hurt there baby?" He asked softly. And I shook my head.

He placed me gently on the seat of his car and brushed the hair away from my face. My car was somehow back.

"Your c-car?" I asked.

"G and Jake have come to clean up the mess. One of them will take it," he said smiling.
"I'm not leaving you."

I smiled back slightly.

"They brought my car back? That means Willow?" I asked.

"Is safe." He answered back. "With Jesse"

I smiled at the thought. Internally of course. Even smiling was causing me pain.

AJ came to the other side of the car and closed the door. He then removed the medicine kit and searched my wounds.

"It'll take more than that this time," I joked.

But he frowned. I cursed myself.

"I'm f-fine though." I said trying to comfort him. He laughed at that.

"You're one bad liar."
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I felt so pathetic and stupid and sorry. What if he didn't love me anymore? What if I'd screwed up? What if he'd thought I'd trust him?

All I knew was that I loved him. Perhaps more than before now. And all I wanted to do was to kiss him. Even though I knew it would hurt.

"I know what you're thinking." He said looking at me. He had some antiseptic and cotton in his hand.

"AJ, I'm so sorry. I should've trusted you. I should have believed you. I feel terrible. I-" but he stopped me with his other hand against my mouth.

"Don't say that. It's my fault. I put you through so much. Your friends through so much. I shouldn't have lied to you either. And I let you drink that poison. And let you go into this shit hole alone. I should've been there for you. Fighting by your side! I-" now it was my turn to stop him. And I did so with a hand on his mouth.

I could feel him grin. And I did too. Both behind each others hands.

"Will you ever forgive me?" He asked through my hand.

Even though I was in pain. Even though my heart was racing. Even though I knew he still loved me. I needed to see.

I leaned forward and scrambled onto his lap. Into his arms. His hand dropped from my face but mine, still on his mouth. His face was as beautiful as it had been the first time I saw him. His eyes still gleamed in the yellow light of the car. And I could see all the gold and green in them just as clearly. I dropped my hand from his mouth and traced it against his jaw, his temple and finally his lips. His smile caused creases near his eyes.

And I fell into his lips. They were soft and gentle on mine. He was careful because I was in pain. His hands were wrapped around me so gently, yet they made me feel safe and sound.

His kiss made me want to cry of joy. I kissed and kissed and kissed him. And when our lips parted. I'd gotten my answer. He still loved me.

"Even more than before." He whispered as if reading my mind.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

AJ winced as he dabbed antiseptic against my slashed neck.

"AJ look at you. I'm fine." I said though my lie was caught when I jumped a little as he let the antiseptic touch my wound. Shots of burning pain went through me.

He gave me his hand and I squeezed it.

"Let's get you to the hospital now. You're right. You're internally wounded. This cannot be enough."

"Okay, will you?" I was beginning to say.

"Of course. Duh?" He said in a cheeky way which made me laugh.

"Ouch", I said sucking in air.

"How's your head. It got banged up pretty bad didn't it?" He asked touching my head for bumps.

"It's still paining. But I can frame sentences now. So that's good."

He frowned again.

"Oh stop that," I said. "So....what happened?"

He sighed knowing what I was talking about and began the engine.

"I'll tell you on the way."
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"Willow volunteered?!" I said in disbelief.

"Well, I was convincing. And your other friend Irene. She was ready too, but she was already away. So Willow was our best bet." He said.

"Irene? Sam?" I asked.

"They're both fine. You can talk to them later. Willow will stay with us tonight. The penthouse is big enough. Especially cause John and G will stay at G's. And Jake and Lily will be at John's."

"Take care of John? Right? How is he? He was injured! They took him to the hospital right?", I said remembering.

"Yes, we're taking you to the same place. No questions. Only help. He's fine the wound is still fresh and he lost a lot of blood. But G took care of him. He'll be fine."

"G?" I asked.

"Yeah. Something is up with him. But I don't know what. All I know is his life is the crew." He said.

I agreed.

"Then what happened?" I pressed on.

"I showed those idiots your photo with your friends. You were kind of blurred and so was Irene. Willow wasn't. It wasn't even suspicious. I just pointed at her and said, 'pretty Delilah'". He went on.
"And they were sold. I made a deal with them. To protect her. Not harm her in anyway. They complied. But then Yelena found out. And they grew hostile. Because I'd lied to them. So it was on Yelena to look after Willow. For a price of course."

"What sort of price?" I asked hoping it was not what I thought it was.

"Money ofcourse. And a speech telling her I love her. For her big ego." AJ scoffed.

I sighed with relief and he chuckled.

"What did you think?"

"Nothing! Go on," I said.

"Well then you saw the text and at the club Igor and Dima weren't supposed to come. Yelena wasn't supposed to drug you. I thought I could trust her. I was stupid. Then you found out and started your own thing and I couldn't protect you. You know the rest." He finished.

"How did you know this was going to happen?" I asked finally.

"That night at the Twilight Exit. I heard a group of Russians talking about it." He said. "And my suspicions solidified from inside sources."

"But you were with me all the time?"

"Not all the time." He said. And I remembered the nights he could have gone out and the times he had dark circles deeper than ever. But I hadn't noticed.

You did everything so well, I thought. Until I screwed up.

"Thankyou AJ. I would've died without you." I said.

"I would've died without you too."
He said as we parked underneath the hospital.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The nurse was sweet and suspicious. She kept eyeing AJ. He'd gotten some wounds too and when we were done we went out the back door.

All she said the whole time was, "How many of you got knocked out!"

On the drive back home, I must've fallen asleep to AJ's mellow whistles.

"Lilah, we're home, should I carry you again?" He asked and I groggily shook my head.

"No you're...in pain too...I can....walk..." I slurred.

He chuckled and picked me up anyway.

I could smell his familiar scent of mints and vanilla. And I giggled in my sleepiness.

"We're here. You can let go." He spoke with a smile.

And let me sit on the sofa slowly. It was very early in the morning. 4 or 5 am maybe?

But the lights popped up suddenly and a much better looking Willow rushed towards me.

"Thank God you're alright! I was so worried! What have you gotten yourself into Delilah! I thought I'd lost you! Do you even realise how terrified I was!" She said with angry eyes.

Then she saw me properly and saw my wrapped wounds, my bumped head and my painful expression.

"AJ? Is she okay? Will she be okay?" She asked him.

"Yes she'll be fine. Don't worry Willow." AJ answerd moving towards the kitchen when he was shocked to life by a cheerful Jesse.

Jesse hugged AJ tight and buried his head into AJ's chest.

"I knew you were good AJ. I knew it! I love you man! I missed you so much!" He said and all of us smiled. AJ hugged him back tightly and said something I couldn't hear.

"I love you too man,"Willow whispered when she saw my curious expression.

We giggled.

Then Jesse came to me and hugged me more gently. He told me I was the bravest and stupidest person he'd ever met. And then he and Willow sat across us. While AJ got him and I soup, that Willow had made. We sipped on the hot soup and I leaned into AJ. He put one arm across me and we talked for sometime.

Willow fell asleep on the chair she was in and Jesse half walked, half carried her into my room.

I was dozing off too when AJ kissed my cheek.

"Want to sleep?" He asked.

"Yes please," I answered.

He helped me up and we walked till the middle of the alleyway to our rooms before I stopped.

"What's wrong?" Asked AJ.

"I want to-to sleep in your room," I said looking at him.

He smiled and nodded.

Before my eyes gave way and sleep consumed me. I saw AJ's tattoo, the one I'd seen before when he was fighting Sergei. It was the delicate, blue dragon fly with droplets of water on it.

"What does that tattoo mean?" I asked knowing he'd promised to tell me about them.

He was bare chested and his hair fell free from its favourite companion hat.

"It means that this beautiful and delicate fly has the weight of those beautiful and delicate drops. They won't let it fly high. And it won't let them fall through. Unless they decide to help eachother out. Then both will succeed and be beautiful and delicate and strong......together." He said looking down at me.
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"I love you, you beautiful boy," I whispered not knowing he'd hear it.
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"And I you, you spectacular girl," He whispered back smiling in his sleep.
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This was a big chapter guys! 😅🤔 Next chapters will be about the main heist! Hope y'all are liking it! Please keep commenting and voting !! Thankyou so much!
Xoxo💜✨💫