Hello hello!

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My ass smacked onto the cold metal chair when Tessa pushed me. I blew stray hairs out of my face with a glare in her direction. "Was that absolutely necessary?" I asked, settling my handcuffed wrists onto the dirty metal table of the interrogation room.

Tessa grinned over her shoulder. "Yes, yes it was," she stated, turning the pole of the blinds, shutting them so no one would be able to see through.

I sniffed, pulling a face at the stale smell of sweat. "Fair enough, but did you need to tighten these so much?" I jiggled the handcuffs in the air for emphasis before looking at my wrists closely. "My wrists are already beginning to chafe," I whined, running a thumb over the red line of raw skin appearing.

She scoffed, pulling out a set of keys and tossing them onto the table in front of me. "I needed it to look believable, didn't I?" She mocked, leaning against the wall. "That's what you demanded from me, after all."

The metal clanked onto the table as I unlocked each cuff before twisting in my seat to glare at her. "Yes, make it believable, not cut off my blood circulation," I argued, my words quick.

Tessa rolled her eyes. "Such a pain in my ass," she murmured to herself, folding her arms across her chest. "Look, I've got to interrogate your dad right now—."

A frown marred my face. "My father," I cut her off, "He's my father, not my dad."

That made her pause and look at me for a moment. Really look at me. She nodded. "Fine, I'm going to interrogate your father, do you think you can sit here for a minute before the District Attorney gets here?"

My lips pursed. "Do I get a lawyer?"

"If you really want one, I'm sure you of all people know how the legal system works," she tossed me a sly grin and I smiled happily. "But it's up to you."

"Eh, I think I can handle the District Attorney, Henley Peters doesn't scare me," I stated, leaning back in my chair and crossing my legs. My family's connections ran deep through New York City and its government, Henley Peters was nothing special to me.

A snort left Tessa's lips. "It's not Henley Peters, she just resigned, you'll have to deal with the Acting District Attorney."

I blinked. Oh fuck.

Tessa twisted the door handle. "Have fun, play nice, and don't bite," she sent me a smirk, "they bite back." The door clicked shut behind her.

I slumped in my seat. Double fuck.

Maybe I should've requested a lawyer. Although, technically the Acting District Attorney was going to be my lawyer if things go as planned.

The feeling of dread filled my stomach but I sat up straight, unwilling to let it show on my face and in my body language. You never know who was on the other side of that two-way mirror.

Finally, with one spare moment to think, my mind wandered. My uncle was dead, rightfully so but the pain still ebbed in my chest. Someone finally took down Julian Love, the Head of the Love Family.

What happened now? Did things go back to normal? Would I still be in charge? I scoffed. Of course, I'd still be in charge.

As much as Jasper and I now understand each other, I wouldn't put it past him in wanting the throne. But would I fight him for it? And then another thought occurred. Would he even want it with a kid on the way?

My brain swirled. Too many unanswered questions, too quickly.

The door opened and I slipped a bored expression onto my face. I kept my gaze trained on the mirror in front of me but caught the flash of a pastel pink briefcase before it gently settled on the metal table between us.

Raising my eyes, I took in the dark hair and blue eyes. What I didn't account for was the smirk that matched the asshole of an FBI Agent that had left the room minutes ago.

Triple fuck.

She held out her hand towards me. "Anastasia Love, I'm the Acting District Attorney, Madeline Hayes," she said with an easy-going smile. "You can call me Maddie." The smile was friendly, too friendly like she practiced it in the mirror to not come across as a bitch. But a bitch recognizes a bitch, and I see the violent streak in her with just one glance.

Slowly, my head lifted as I stared at her outstretched hand. "I thought you went by Adams now?" I asked casually, clasping my hands in my lap.

Maddie dropped her hand but look the least bit embarrassed, in fact, she smiled, again.

Bitch.

I couldn't even rattle her a little bit.

She sat across from me. "I do go by Adams but I use my maiden name when it comes to practicing law," she dug through her briefcase, "my husband didn't earn that degree, I did." Her face took on a tender note. "My mother taught me that."

Huh. I respect that. "She sounds like a woman with her priorities straight."

"She is." Maddie pulled out a yellow legal pad and a few pens, setting them on the metal table. "Okay, let's get down to it. I don't want to know how or why you were able to get hold of me the way you did but I did enjoy my lengthy conversation with your assistant, Owen."

I waved a hand. "He's not my assistant, he's my IT guy."

Maddie hadn't touched her pens yet. "I don't care who he is, the fact is that he gave me your demands, and I agreed to them under the condition that I receive your full cooperation when it comes to your father's case." She laced her fingers together and rested them on the table.

I bit my bottom lip, running my fingertips over my spandex leggings. You know, the least Tessa could have done is let me change before bringing me here. Bitch. "I am ready to cooperate fully, Madeline," her nose twitched at the use of her full name, causing a smile to grace my lips, "but I just want to get some reassurances before we start this."

Her sleek brow lifted. "I gave Owen your reassurances."

My lips thinned out. "Yeah, but you work for the government so forgive me if I think you're reassurances from six hours ago are bullshit," I said casually, even adding a sarcastic smile to the mix.

Her shoulders slumped the slightest, her strict demeanor shifting into one of comfort. She nodded in understanding. "Fine, what reassurances do you want and I'll see what I can do." She splayed both hands out in front of her, picked up a pen, and waited.

A short breath left my lips. "If you're going to end up backstabbing me," her eyes snapped to mine, "leave my siblings out of it." She looked down again at the paper in front of her. "Send me to jail, I don't give a shit just leave my siblings and my men out of it."

Maddie fiddled with the pen in her hand. "You wouldn't last five minutes in jail."

I smirked, tipping my head back, and staring at the harsh fluorescent lights above me. "I'd be running the place by lunchtime, Hayes, don't underestimate me."

Maddie fought to hide her smile. Guess someone does have a wild streak in her. "I wouldn't wish your wrath on my worst enemy."

"I would."

Her gaze settled on mine again and she sat up straighter, casual conversation over. "I understand the need to protect your family, keep them from harm and I respect that. I'm sure you're well aware of how big my family is," she added with a fond smile, no doubt thinking about her family. "And I know I'd do anything to protect them, even the stupid ones that get on my nerves," she chuckled. I didn't smile with her, only sat there, waiting. "I promise to keep them out of it."

I wanted to release a breath of relief so badly my chest hurt, but I wouldn't because she still could turn back on her word and I don't want to her to see how much her promise affected me. "Good."

"As far as I'm concerned, your actions were controlled and sanctioned by your father, therefore you have been declared nothing but puppets in the scheme of his career," Maddie continued, writing down something. "Plus, no offense, but your father is a bigger fish than you or your siblings."

I grumbled to myself, folding my arms across my chest, taking complete offense. I'm just as badass as my father is.

The notepad slid across the table until it stopped in front of me. The pen came next. "Now, we know that the evidence we do have about the explosion did not involve your father but we do know now that he murdered," she picked up a piece of paper, "George Love, who I believe is your uncle."

My head dipped in assent.

"I'm sorry to hear that," she said genuinely.

"It's fine," I waved her off, angling my head to look at her shoulder instead of her eyes. "He also admitted to murdering his brother, Ronald Love, Owen will be forwarding through the tape of his admission that the burner phone you gave us recorded."

Maddie smiled, her blue eyes shining. "Perfect."

The door behind me opened and Tessa walked through. She walked over to her sister's side and flicked the side of her head. Maddie glared up at her. "I'm busy," Maddie stated, gesturing to me sitting there. "Can you at least try to act professionally for more than five seconds?" She taunted rhetorically.

Tessa rolled her eyes. "Why are you so cranky? We're about to win the biggest case this city's ever seen, crack a smile why don't ya." Her green eyes wandered over to me. "We're waiting for your father's lawyer to get here," she explained, "He also informed me that you and your siblings," she held up her hands making quotations, "'Murdered every mercenary that came onto the property.' So I hope you realize your father just sold you all out."

The admission fell like a rock into the pit of my stomach. Of course, at the very end of all of this, he still betrayed his children. "I've been cooperating," I snapped, pushing my back further into the metal seat, letting the cool metal on the back burn into my exposed skin.

The sisters visibly stiffened at my tone. Maddie stared at me as if I weren't the woman she'd been talking to for the last twenty minutes.

Tessa cleared her throat. "Good." She looked down at her sister as Maddie glanced up at her. After a moment they both turned back to me. "You'll be entertained to know that I didn't tell him you and your siblings used nonlethal tranquilizers on those mercenaries so his claim is total bullshit."

That did make me feel a little bit better. It had been a conversation I'd had with Jasper a week ago. I knew the only way for the rest of us to come out of this with a scrap of innocence was to stop using lethal weapons. Over the week, we'd switched out all ammunition and had individually spread the word to my men about the sudden change.

Jasper and Elijah managed to make all the lethal weapons and ammunition disappear efficiently, a fact I didn't inform Tessa of.

"Consider me entertained," I said, leaning forward and picking up the pen. I cast a look at Maddie. "So, what am I supposed to be writing down?"

Maddie looked up at Tessa. "Get out."

Tessa blanched, her mouth opening in shock. "Still such a bitch," she mumbled, glaring at her sister before walking to the door.

"And you're still a nosy gossip." Tess turned around to argue but Maddie pointed to the door. "Out. Now. I'm busy with my client." She breathed out a sigh and smiled at me. "I just need you to write down what you saw in the manor when your father shot your uncle and about his admission to your other uncle's death. Then if you're able to, any whereabouts of potential evidence or information of other crimes your father has directly committed."

I nodded and immediately started scribbling down, starting with the man and woman he killed in The Courtyard that he sent to attack Elijah that night in the city. Slowly the pages filled with words.

It felt like an out-of-body experience, I couldn't remember half the words I wrote down but somehow they all made sense together. Sometimes through the fourth page, someone walked in and placed two plates on the table. Burgers. Two cheeseburgers with a side of fries.

Maddie didn't bother saying anything before digging in, silently watching me. Interesting since she seemed like the person who would be a health freak, damning anyone who ate the greasy food she now shoved into her mouth.

Hours later, after I had finished the last page. After Maddie and I sat through every single incident and discussed it in detail, she finally seemed satisfied enough to pack her things up.

She brushed a stray hair out of her face. "Do you have any more questions?"

I bit down on the inside of my cheek and shook my head.

Maddie scrutinized my behavior. "Any more reassurances?"

My gaze met hers and the corner of her mouth lifted like she had won something. I dreaded asking or even mentioning his name beforehand but I needed to protect him too. I swallowed roughly. "Dr. Weston, I want him protected too, he didn't do anything wrong he just worked as our family doctor, he didn't hurt anyone," I promised, my tone taking on a pleading note when I didn't even need to defend him.

A hand raised in the air and I found myself pausing. "Dr. Weston is a licensed M.D., who partnered with your family and opened a private practice," she informed me, "I already checked his paperwork."

I breathed heavily through my nose and nodded. And then another thought occurred to me. "Why didn't you come after me as well? Why only my father?"

Maddie set her briefcase down. "From what I've learned, you have connections even I can't begin to understand, and these people heavily vouched for you specifically," she looked a little bit uncomfortable, "it seems that many people are familiar with the Love hospitality and knew there were bigger fish to fry," she added ominously.

Understanding dawned on me. "The Athena Hotel allows anybody to walk through its doors," I said softly, my voice barely a murmur, "even those who happen to run countries."

Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. "And for that, you have my respect." She brushed a hand over her black dress and stood up. "This matter will be dealt with delicately and quietly, the mayor has demanded it be a closed trial."

"What happens to my family's business now? I'm not dumb enough to think that you don't know about the casino."

She flashed me a mischievous grin. "If you can get licenses then your underground casino can stay open and stay private with an invite-only guest list." She looked at me in earnest. "You can become a legal business, no longer hiding behind the veil of hotels, you can move on from the life your father forced you to live. The life he wanted you to believe was the right one, you never have to do another cruel thing in your life, you can be normal."

Emotion filled my throat at her words. Normal. I could live a normal life. Jasper could raise a child without the fear of mercenaries trying to kill her at any chance. Elijah could let go of his inner demons and do whatever he wanted without expectations weighing him down.

And I could be with Finn without the worry about his safety every time we're seen in public together. For once in my life, I had hope for a not-so-shitty life.

"You'll just have to start paying taxes for all the casinos and liquor you illegally sold." And then that hope deflated like a balloon.

"I hate the government," I muttered.

Maddie chuckled. "Nobody likes the government, not even the people in the government like it, they just like the idea of control."

Fair enough.

"Just make sure you get yourself sorted quickly, my kindness won't last forever and if you step a toe out of line," she began, her face losing all its warmth, "My sister and I will tear down your world faster than you can blink."

A Love smile slipped on my face, mischievous and cocky. "Fair enough, Mrs. Adams."

She squinted at the use of her married name.

Maddie moved to open the door. "Can I see him?" I blurted out. "One last time?"

Pondering about it, she stood there. Eventually, a soft nod came in answer. "But not without me as your legal representative, since you are now my client." Immediately agreeing, I stood up, and together we left the interrogation room.

A legal aid, stood to attention when we left. She trotted after Maddie as we walked further down the quiet hallway of the FBI New York City headquarters. "Um, Ms. Hayes, your husband called and wanted me to ask if you wanted him to pick you up from the office for your daughters' recital?"

Maddie checked her watch, her gait not slowing down. "Tell him to pick me up from here instead, we'll get there faster from here." Her legal aid nodded and immediately put a phone to her ear.

We stopped in front of a door that resembled the one I had walked through hours ago. Maddie pushed it open and stepped through first, introducing herself.

Tessa sat across from my father, who sat there with a murderous look on his face as he glared at the FBI Agent. His eyes darted to mine, an accusatory look marring his expression. "Father," I stated, sitting in the seat Tessa vacated.

"Anastasia Love," he seethed, "my traitorous daughter, I'm assuming you did all of this?"

A shit-eating grin sat on my face. "Am I brave now, Father?" I asked sarcastically, casually leaning back in my chair. "After all, you did say that only people with guts can betray their own family. Are you proud of me now?" I spat with a glare on my face.

"You disappoint me, Anastasia."

I rolled my eyes. "Shocker, how ever will I live on?" The sarcasm dripped from every word.

We sat in silence for a minute, staring at each other. He looked helpless, sitting there with his gelled hair messy, his thousand dollar suit wrinkled, and his face covered in stubble. The handcuffs were the icing on the cake.

"Well?" He snapped. "Say what you want to say and fuck off."

My grin widened. "Oh, there's nothing more I wanted to say to you," I informed him, standing swiftly, "I just wanted to see the great Julian Love in handcuffs."

His nose scrunched in anger, his face reddening before he turned to Maddie. "You won't get a word out of me, I have people high up that would do anything to keep me free and my lips sealed," he warned, his eyes glittering with a deadly promise.

She laced her fingers together and set her elbows on the table. "I was close, personal friends with Isabella Rosa," her eyes trailed over his body dismissively, "you don't scare me."

Isabella Rosa was a force to be reckoned with back in the day before she had a kid. We grew up hearing about her like she was a myth, a legend we'd never seen. I heard that woman put the fear of God without even touching the person. She worked hard and did what she needed to protect herself. Everyone respected her. She grew up on the streets of New York City and made a name for herself but her reputation didn't stop her from giving it all up when she had a child. No one heard from her after that.

My father scowled, his handcuffs rattled on the metal table as he shifted in his seat. "Fuck you."

"Your cowardice is showing, Father, better nip it in the bud before you get to prison or they'll eat you alive," I said without a backward glance as I left the interrogation room.

The roar heard as the door closed behind Maddie made me sigh in relief.

"Thank you," I said to both the sister standing in front of me. "My family and I appreciate your help in this matter."

Tessa held out her hand. "Thank you for trusting me."

My hand slipped into hers and I shook her firm grip. "I don't trust you but I do know that you understand and that's good enough for me." I shook Maddie's hand next.

"Okay, Love," Tessa said, "Let's get you back home."

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Only one more chapter and then the epilogue! How are we feeling??

Until next time,

Sammipott xx