AN: here's chapter 34. Enjoy, people.

Third Person's POV:

Ryan was confused and angry.

Well, he was mostly angry.

He was angry at  his eldest brother for signing that dumb contract. He was angry  that they just let her go without even putting up a fight! He was also hurt and confused that Lexi was so happy to leave.

It has been exactly two weeks since she left. Nobody had said a word. A blanket of sadness and suffering cloaked over the home, slowly choking its inhabitants. The two families were still living together, but they were separated by a wall of emotions.

All twelve of them were sitting at the dining table. It had become a habit of theirs- eat together and then go their separate ways. The meals were usually in terse, unbroken silence. But not today.

"She hasn't even called." Hayden murmured. "Do you think she's forgotten about us?"

"Probably." Sam sighed, rubbing his tired face. "I treated her like sh*t when she first arrived. I'd be surprised if she ever talks to me again."

"But what about Ryan?" Jack asked. "She loves Ryan- he's the only one who was nice to her since the beginning. Has she called you?"

Ryan longed to reply 'yes'. But he shook his head sorrowfully. "No."

"She's probably having fun with her new family." Thomas sighed. "Maybe she has new brothers as well." Immediately, all the men at the table scowled darkly, glaring at their food.

The doorbell rang, piercing through the silence. Ryan opened the door, ready to shoo whoever was there (unless they had food) when his gaze landed on a familiar blue-eyed girl.

"H-hey R-Ryan." She stammered, shivering. Lexi was completely soaked and parts of her shirt and trouser were torn, revealing fresh bloodied wounds. Her hair was plastered to her face and she pulled stands of blonde hair from her mouth. Next to her was a beaten old suitcase. "C-can y-you l-let me in p-please?"

"What happened to you?!" Ryan exclaimed, ushering his little sister inside. He was over the moon that she was back, but the joy was temporarily shoved aside when he saw her injured state.

"H-Had a run in with m-my assassin." She explained, shoulders sagging in relief upon entering the warm home. "Don't worry, he's dead now. I think. U-Unless he's turned into a zombie. It's a long story."

"I look forward to hearing it." Ryan answered, wrapping his strong arms around her, squeezing tightly. She responded eagerly and they held each other for a minute. "I missed you Lex." He muttered, voice slightly muffled.

"Ryan? Who's at the- Lexi?!" Tony stopped dead in his tracks. At her name, the others thundered down the corridor.

"Lexi?!"

"Is she back?"

"Wow you look terrible."

"Are you here to stay forever?"

"What happened to you?!"

"I'll kill whoever did that!"

"Have you treated those wounds yet? They might get infected. Let's go to my clinic and deal with that first." Luke's voice of reason cut over the chatter. Instantly, Lexi was ushered to the medic room, none of her brothers wanting her to fall sick.

"Why are you here?" Luke asked as he gently bandaged the particularly nasty gash on her knee. "Don't get me wrong," he hastily added, "I'm glad you're here, but I thought you got adopted?"

"It's a very long story." Lexi half-grinned. "I promise to tell you guys later... that is, if I can stay?"

"What kind of question is that?" Flynn scoffed. "Of course you're staying. We won't let you leave anyway."

"But the contract-" Lexi started.

"F*ck the contract." Flynn said.

"Language!" Everyone chanted in unison, laughing when he rolled his eyes.

"I love you guys." Lexi suddenly blurted out. She recoiled and flushed, mentally slapping herself.

The men beamed so bright they could've outshone the sun. "We love you too, Lexi."

X

"ALEXANDRA DELESCO-DELACRUZ!"

"You're dead." Ryan commented, amused at his sister's terrified expression.

"Help me!" Lexi pleaded Tony, who shook his head with a small laugh.

"Sorry little sis, you're on your own." He chuckled as Ace stormed in the room.

"Heyyy Ace, what's up?" Lexi laughed nervously, taking a couple of steps back. Behind her best friend were Jackson, Maddie and Dean. Their expressions were one of relief, but Ace had murder on his mind.

"What's up? WHAT'S UP?! YOU GO MISSING, YOUR PHONE IS SWITCHED OFF AND I HAVE NO CLUE WHERE THE HELL YOU WERE AND THEN I FOUND OUT YOU WERE ADOPTED AND YOU ASK WHAT'S UP?" Ace boomed. In two strides, he crossed the room and enveloped Lexi in a tight embrace. "You're not allowed to leave me." He mumbled.

Lexi smiled and hugged him a little tighter. "Same for you." He pulled away and punched her cheek, making her scowl in annoyance.

Next, Maddie crushed her in a bear hug, babbling on about how glad she was Lexi was safe- well, as safe as someone can be living with two gangs. They made plans to go to the town over the weekend for some girl time.

Dean nodded and gave her a fist bump. "Glad to see you're not dead yet."

Finally, Jackson stepped up, looking as though he'd gotten no sleep the last week. He moved to hug Lexi, but stopped short at Sam's glare, settling for a handshake instead.

Lexi gazed at her family as they dissolved into chatter, Kyle and Dean were loudly debating on the best way to hide a body. A small grin lifted her lips. She was glad that she came back to her brothers. She was glad they accepted her.

For things which are seen are Temporary. But the things that are felt are eternal.
Anything easy will always be temporary. Have patience for the things you want to last forever.

End of chapter 34.

Oh wow... it's over. Pass the tissues please?

I can't believe I managed to finish my third mafia story. At times, I was tempted to give up. But I'm so glad I finished! Thank you all for giving my book a chance- your comments never fail to bring a smile to my face.

Until next time!

I hope you guys liked it!

Stay safe and thanks for reading :)