The nightly beatings became a daily occurrence, one that I never tired of. In the beginning of my stay in Rutherglen I had been so against club discipline...but now, I was more than for it.

Discipline was to be had, and they deserved every fucking ounce of pain they received.

But it was strange watching Ripper turn into what the clubs knew him to be, change from the gentle man who was by my side constantly to the bloodthirsty, rage filled beast whose fists rained down on the men and drowned them whole.

But every night we went home together, he was always right by my side, with hands so kind that I struggled not to cry. And crying wasn't my thing- no matter how much I had cried these past few months.

We went back home and I made breakfast for us, since it was the early hours of the morning. A giant helping of eggs, bacon and breakfast muffins that had me salivating as I cooked. Ripper was sitting in the kitchen too, watching me cook.

"What are your adoptive parents like?" The question was unbidden and I tilted my head to the side as I served his food.

"Eh. They're not parents in any sense really, just two people who thought they had a hole a child could fix." I shrugged, taking a bite of bacon. Ah, so salty. " There was nothing to fill. They had no room for a child in their relationship so I was shipped abroad and spent the rest of that time travelling while they funded me"

It wasn't the best life, but it was a rich one. I met a lot of people, some who were good, some who were bad, but if I didn't travel as much I wouldn't have been as curious to who my dad was.

And never would have met Ripper.

I munched on the rest of my bacon, sitting down beside him. "The last time they called me was when I was in Brazil actually. Huh. That was a while ago"

Ripper raised a brow. "How long ago?"

"Around two, three years."

I remembered now, they had just called to ask if I wanted to come to a business ball with them- since it was an expected family event. I had declined of course, because Bianca and I were going to Carnival.

They hadn't liked that.

Ripper's arm came around me, sliding me back onto his lap. The never ending contact with him was the only touch I could handle- especially at such an intensity. He nuzzled his nose into my neck, inhaling deeply as I leaned back into him.

"Are you sure I'm not cutting off circulation to your thighs?"

An exhale of laughter. "You're fine, sugar. A solid girl makes me feel manly"

Of course. We both laughed and continued eating our breakfast, washing away any of what the night had brought.

____________________________________

Seamus was over for the day, and I was excited. My little prospect had been out with Deadeye on some club business, so I hadn't seen him for around a week.

And you know what? My birthday was coming up. Since it was the middle of February, I had around a week to get my birthday presents ready. Usually, for my birthday, I gave other people presents instead of getting them. The feeling of giving felt so much better than getting.

"Where are we going?" Seamus asked, jumping into the other side of my car. I suddenly wrapped my arms around him and gave him a huge, wet kiss on his cheek, leaning back just as quickly. He cursed and cursed, but didn't wipe his cheek as a flush crept up his neck.

"I'm sorry Seamus. For not being there for you and for the past few weeks." I frowned a little, placing my hands on the wheel. "I've missed you a lot. Really missed you, so I'm glad we can be together today"

Seamus stayed silent, long enough for me to start the car and start driving. Then, his hand came on top of mine and stayed there, accompanied by a rare, beautiful smile.

"I missed you too Cor."

_

We ended up at the same mall I bought all the Christmas presents at. It was full of people, teenagers and ever present women and men who stared at the beautiful boy by my side. He didn't question as I grabbed seemingly random items, buying them and giving them to him to carry.

"Viper and Ringer are coming today"

I raised a brow. "What for?"

Seamus gave me an exasperated look. "Viper...heard about what happened. He wants to see how you're doing."

A small smile found its way to my face, and a sudden warmth enveloped me. Sometimes I wondered how I had recovered so quickly, been able to stand a lot- but how couldn't I? My family, friends and lover were there for me constantly. It was almost like my subconscious had no choice.

"Do you know what time they'll be here?"

Seamus checked his watch. "In around two hours"

That was enough time to get shopping for them too- Viper, Ringer and maybe even Hammer. Probably Hammer, I was in a good mood today.

Seamus accompanied me for the rest of the trip, fussing when I wouldn't let him carry some bags, and out right snapping at women or men who came our way. He obviously didn't give a single shit about common courtesy. Thank God.

We ended up with way more bags than I had thought I would have, and drove them back to my house, stashing them under the bed before making our way back to dad's house for Viper's arrival. Dad was up and about when we got there, vacuuming. It was a strange sight, seeing such a big man move around with a dwarfed machine.

"Hey dad"

He looked up and gave me a wide grin, throwing his arms around me for a giant hug. I hugged him back just as fiercely, pecking him on the cheek.

"How've you been?" The question was loaded with more than what it usually was. I sat down on the couch, giving a non committal shrug.

"Better than usual. Went shopping with Seamus today"

"Yeah? What for?"

I smiled, holding my secret close. "Just random things I thought we might need around the house"

Seamus gave me a sidelong look but brushed it off, taking off his patched jacket. "What's for dinner Pres?"

Ah, ever the teenage boy. I flicked a quick text to Ripper, telling him I was at dad's house, then stood as my dad still thought about what they were actually going to eat.

"I'll make dinner- Seamus, go and grab a shitload of steak, dad, a shitload of potatoes. We're having steak and chips for tea tonight"

Hugh grinned at me, hurrying him and Seamus out the door as the house went silent again. Silence was hard to deal with for me- for obvious reasons. I didn't like the lack of noise, hated that my own thoughts filled my mind. Being with someone, near someone, helped me think of other things.

Helped me breathe.

I did better when I was with people. Did better when I was with Ripper.

A motorbike pulled up outside the house, and I turned off the oven, grabbing a knife and ducking down behind the counter. My heart beat in my throat and I fought the fear that rose in my chest.

"Is anybody here?" Viper called, knocking on the door.

The amount of relief that ran through me was something I didn't want to acknowledge. I hurried to the door and opened it, cursing myself as all I could procure was a wobbly smile.

Viper's familiar salt and pepper head peered down at me, gaze flicking to the knife in my hand, and his face somewhat softened.

"Hey there doll, how've you been?"

I put the knife on the ground and rushed forward, wrapping my arms around him as the rest of his men stared on. Viper was family. And I was safe around family.

He hugged me back just as fiercely, seeming to know I needed proof that someone was there. And a warmth filled the silence, the steady beat of feet and heart showing me that I wasn't alone.

Not anymore.

Viper stepped back, a crooked smile on his weathered face. "You making dinner?"

I nodded, waving to Ringer and the rest of the boys- most of whom looked at me with sad expressions. My gut tightened and I turned on my heel, walking inside to finish the prep.

"Where's your old man?"

I checked my phone, "He should be here soon, he's just been finishing some club work"

"The other old man? And pretty boy?"

"Dad and Seamus are out getting the rest of the dinner ingredients, since they can't cook for shit."

Viper chuckled, lighting a smoke and settling at the table. The rest of the men- a smaller amount than last time- all came in and introduced themselves to me, saying sorry for how they didn't last time.

Viper leaned over to me once they were done, crooked smile more smug. "Ripper told them if they so much as looked at you, he would castrate them individually with a blunt butter knife"

I winced, crushing some garlic cloves, and felt a bit sorry for them.

"So, why are you really here?"

Viper gave me a look but sighed, taking a long drag of his cigarette. "Your last name is Kane?"

I paused. "Yes, why?"

"Two folks have been poking around to find their 'missing daughter.' Most of the clubs in Ireland and America have been notified to look for Corin Kane, with a huge price on her head."

I raised a brow. "How come dad doesn't know about this?"

"He will, and soon. Thought you'd like to know."

I narrowed my eyes at him, gesturing to the hulking men in the living room. "Why bring all of them then?"

Viper sighed dramatically. "You're like a pitbull with a bone- you never let go. Some clubs have decided they want the bounty, and are coming here to get it."

I stabbed my knife into the chopping board, slamming my hands onto the table. "Why can't I just be left alone for once?" I turned away, angrily shaking my head. "I just want to be safe, for more than a week, and not have to worry about mine or somebody I care about's life"

This fucking universe. I swear, whoever was up there, just wanted to hurt me over and over again- seeing whether I would get back up or lay dead on the floor.

A hand came on my shoulder and I flinched forward, whipping away from the touch and turning to see a concerned looking Viper. I brushed him off and grabbed a beer from the fridge, chucking one to him.

"Why a bounty? I'll just ring them up and talk to them, no biggie"

But my adoptive parents were a biggie. And if I was a pitbull, they were hyenas. They wanted me for something, I just didn't know what.