Christmas morning. I loved it. The pyjamas, presents, hot chocolate, and cookies. And most importantly, the family vibes. This year that aspect was stronger because my family got a whole lot bigger.

We sat in the living room of our mansion in Long Island. I was snuggled up to Theo's side on the floor as we passed presents around. I loved presents so much and this was my first Christmas with my family.

So I was overexcited.

Especially when Theo gave me his presents.

I think I screamed.

I jumped on top of him and hugged him with all my power.

He gave me the best presents ever.

The Song of Achilles was my favourite book ever.

Like ever. Ever.

He got it signed by the author herself with a sweet note.

If I die today, I'll die happily.

"You're the best brother in the whole world!" I told him.

"Fucking playing favourites, little girl." Silas rolled his eyes.

I ignored him. Nothing could ruin this moment.

Theo patted my hair as I stared in disbelief at the copy in my hands. This was now my most treasured item.

"We all knew that Theo was her favourite." Nicolas shrugged.

"Obviously." Amelia rolled her eyes.

We both agreed that Theo was the best. He was understanding, kind, and caring. I know that he'll be an excellent father someday.

"I better be your favourite, princess." Silas warned Amelia.

"Theo for the win!" She grinned while opening her next present.

Silas cursed and I laughed at him. He glared at me while I blew him a kiss.

"My favourite is Hector." Nicolas grinned.

Liar. I could tell by the way he batted his eyelashes.

"You're not getting a new car, Nicolas." Hector spoke while scrolling through his iPad.

He was even working on Christmas.

"Well, then I take that back. My favourite is Leo." Nicolas grumbled.

"You're my favourite too, man."

The twins bumped fists. When I see how they sometimes vibe with each other, I want to have a twin too. Sometimes they could tell read each other's minds or finish each other's sentences.

Fucking insane.

"What about you, buddy?" Silas asked Victor softly.

Victor sat next to dad. Everybody in our family seemed to have an obsession with Victor's curls. Dad was running his hand through them as Victor showed him all the new books he got for Christmas.

"I love you all the same." He answered.

"Come on, Vic, we won't be upset." Nicolas laughed.

Everybody was looking at him. His cheeks were turning red again and I couldn't help but find him adorable. Victor was a year older than men but sometimes it felt like I was his older sister.

"Silas." He replied shyly.

Silas looked like the happiest man on earth. I wasn't surprised to hear that Silas was his favourite. He was always there to help him through a panic attack and he was incredibly sweet towards Victor all the time.

"What about you, baby?" Mom asked Hector.

It was still strange to hear someone call Hector baby.

"I'll be upset if you don't say my name." Nicolas told him.

"Me too!" Leonardo and Amelia said at the same time.

They were probably trolling him but I think they were also being serious. I had no idea who his favourite was.

"Victor." He replied calmly.

That made sense. Victor was calm and never caused any trouble, on the contrary to the twins, Amelia, and me.

But Silas snorted loudly.

"You liar, we all know how whipped you are for Elena."

Hector didn't reply as he continued to look down at his iPad.

I frowned confused. First, my dad was saying that Hector cares a lot for me and now Silas. Why did everybody seem to see it except for me?

////////////////

A heart attack. Grandma Maxwell had a heart attack and was in the hospital. Her condition wasn't stable so our parents immediately flew back to Italy. Christmas Day wasn't even over yet and they were already gone.

We had such a nice and happy morning. And now we were having a horrible afternoon. Amelia was crying because she was worried for grandma Maxwell. I was worried as well but I haven't even met her yet, so I did not have a connection to the woman.

I'll meet them for New Year when our family would fly to Italy and spend the remaining time of winter break there.

Only that was never going to happen.

After my encounter with Ronan on Halloween, nothing had happened. I was starting to feel safe again.

But I won't be safe unless he's dead.

I was walking towards Cecelia's penthouse. My friends and I would meet up to do our secret Santa. I was flying to Italy in a few days so we had to do it now. Ian was by my side as we crossed the corner. I could already see the gigantic building Cecelia lived in.

Grandma Maxwell's condition had improved and she was going to make it. That brought such a big relief to the family and I was happy that I'll still get to meet her.

But not for New Year.

Ian suddenly pushed me into an alley, making me drop the present that I got for Daniel. He was really into biology so I wanted to give him a special edition anatomy book.

"What-" Ian covered my mouth with his hand.

"We're surrounded, Miss."

My heart sank and I held onto him. Not this again. I never wanted to see Ronan again. Ian grabbed my phone and put it on danger mode which would directly signal my brothers. Then he gave it back to me and I slipped it in my panties so that no one would know that I had it on me.

"You aim for the crotch, the ribs, or the face." He handed me a knife.

"Please don't leave me." I begged him.

I was terrified. I can't fight! I've never had to use a knife before to defend myself. What if I ended up hurting myself?

"I'll try to take down as many as I can. Go hide behind that dumpster over there." He instructed me.

He was going to leave me here. I understood why but I was too scared to let go of him.

"We've signalled your brothers, they'll be here soon." He assured me.

I couldn't respond as he softly pushed me in the direction of the dumpster. I went down on my knees and tried to hide. The stench was intense and I nearly threw up. Not only from that horrid smell but also from fear.

This couldn't be happening again.

Gunshots. Multiple gunshots were fired.

I hugged my knees close to my chest and waited. There was nothing else I could do. I wanted to go out there and help Ian but I'd be more of a liability than actual help.

Loud footsteps came closer to me and I pressed myself up against the wall. My heart was racing and I held my knife ready for action.

It was them or me.

No time for fucking morals right now, Elena.

"Peekaboo."

Ronan truly was a character out of a horror movie.

He jumped in front of me, making me scream and widely wave the knife around. I was just so panicked and scared that I was doing whatever I could.

I managed to hit him because he cursed in Russian.

His hand grabbed my wrist and he twisted it so painfully that the knife fell out of my hand. I cried out and then he slapped me hard across the face.

"Fuck, malyshka, you cut me."

(Baby girl)

I looked up and noticed a cut on his left cheek. He was bleeding but didn't seem bothered by it. He yanked me to my feet by grabbing my hair tightly. My hands went up to his hand that was grabbing my hair painfully. He dragged me out of the alley and then I noticed the chaos on the street.

People were running for their lives while two crime families were fighting it out on the street. Ian stood in the middle of the firing, shooting down as many as he could. Behind him were two large SUV's. A handful of men were supporting him and shooting as well, so I guessed they worked for my brothers.

Ian spotted me and bolted over. I tried to get away from Ronan's hold but he tightened his grip on my hair. He pulled out a gun and directed it on Ian.

One shot. In the head.

My favourite bodyguard fell. Dead. He was dead.

A scream escaped my lips as I stared in horror at what this asshole had just done.

He killed Ian.

"Fucking shut up before I make you." Ronan put the gun against my forehead.

I shivered from the cold barrel. Tears streamed down my face and he pulled me along to a car. At some point, my legs stopped working and I fell to the ground. He groaned in annoyance and threw me over his shoulder.

My eyes remained on Ian's dead body.

This was all my fault.

He's dead because of me.

////////////////////

The cell only had one used mattress and was badly lit. I could smell a disturbing smell and there was dried up blood on the wall.

As soon as we arrived, Ronan threw me in there and left me here. I didn't sit down on the mattress.

God knows how many bacteria and diseases were on that thing.

I hid in a corner hugging my knees close to my chest. My mind kept replaying that scene. Ian is dead.

Tears streamed down my cheeks and I couldn't stop it. Ian was a good guy. He was a bit shy but always let me ramble about anything. He would always come to pick me up in the morning with two cake pops ready for me.

The thought that he was gone, fucked me up. Because I knew that it was my fault. He shouldn't have had to put his life on the line for me.

What about his family? He had parents and a girlfriend. What about them?

Fuck.

I want to apologise to them but I'd first have to get out of this stupid room.

"Malyshka, are you going to attack me again?"

Ronan turned on the lights. I blinked a few times to adjust to the sudden light. Now I noticed that there was a table and chair in the middle of the room. They were wooden but had a red colour to them.

Blood.

Is this a fucking torture room?

He walked closer. His dark brown eyes took in every inch of me. A disgusting smirk appeared on his lips. His hands came under my armpits and he lifted me from my position on the floor.

My heart was racing when his hands travelled all over my body. I wanted to push him away but I felt paralysed. All my courage was gone and now all I felt was fear.

"What is that?" He froze when he cupped my vagina.

My phone was still there. He yanked my jeans open and stuffed his hand in there. A sound of protest left my throat as he pulled out my phone.

A raged expression crossed his face. He smashed the phone against the wall and I watched it break into pieces. I hope my brothers had already located me and were nearby.

"You fucking slut." He pressed me down on the table.

I panicked and my fight response came back to life when he ripped my jeans and panties down. He pushed himself up against me and I started to kick wildly.

He was going to rape me.

"Screaming won't help you now, malyshka." He laughed against my ear.

I heard him open his pants.

No no no.

Where were they? Why weren't they coming?

I moved wildly and grabbed the chair in front of me to throw it at him, but he simply blocked it and put his hands on my naked butt. More tears blocked my vision and I was crying for my brothers.

"They're not coming to save you." He forced my butt cheeks apart.

I tensed up and tried to press them together as hard as I could. He cursed again and spanked me so hard that it made me cry out in pain.

"Open up for me, malyshka. It'll hurt more if you resist me."

No, I won't let this happen.

I won't.

He won't have me.

Never.

I half twisted my body and threw my fist at his face. He dodged it and grabbed both of my hands as I twisted underneath him.

"You want me to fuck you missionary?" He grinned amusedly.

I spat on his face. His eyes darkened and he laid his hand on my neck.

"I'll just choke the shit out of you for being such a bad girl."

He started to choke me. I gaped for air but he blocked my airways. The room was silent except for my desperate attempts to breathe in and his psychotic laugh.

This is traumatising the shit out of me.

I read once that choking someone is a very passionate crime and that it takes a long time. You had to hold the person down for fifteen minutes.

We probably weren't even one minute in and I was already in so much pain.

My legs were feeling weak but I put all my energy into them and managed to kick him in the balls. He let go of me. I quickly took in a deep breath of air. It hurt to breathe but I was desperate for air.

"You fucking bitch." He threw me against the wall and started to repeatedly kick me against my stomach and ribs.

I tried to go into the foetus position but his kicks came so fast that I barely could protect myself. I was screaming in pain. Ian had told me that the ribs were one of the most sensitive and painful spots in the body.

I understand that now better than I wanted to.

"You're my fucking bitch. Don't you ever disobey me!" He screamed at me.

Black spots were starting to appear in front of me. My body would soon just shut down and have me pass out. I couldn't take all this pain. I just wanted to close my eyes and never wake up again.

That was the most terrifying thought that I've ever had.

Before I could pass out, I heard something. A door burst open and someone entered the room. That person managed to take Ronan away from me and give me some time to catch my breath.

"Little one?"

The voice was very familiar. I could barely lift my upper eyelids. Someone helped me sit up carefully and I leaned against a strong chest.

The smell.

That cologne.

"H-h-Hector?" My voice sounded hoarse and broken.

My vision suddenly became clearer and I was looking up at my oldest brother. His white dress shirt was covered with blood splatters and for once his face was filled with so many emotions.

Rage, concern, worry, and relief.

"You'll be alright, little one. I'm here." He kissed my forehead.

I was too out of it to react or even process what was happening. Even breathing in hurt like a bitch. I think my ribs are broken.

"P-p-pain." I cried out.

"I know. We'll take you to the hospital." He promised me.

"Tesoro?"

Theo's voice sounded. I couldn't see where he was but I knew he was here.

"Tell Silas to get that fucker to the warehouse." Hector instructed Theo.

I heard more footsteps and loud grunts. I didn't know what was happening around me as I was slowly sinking into unconsciousness.

"I'll put up your pants, okay?" Hector told me softly.

I was still half-naked. He slowly pulled my jeans up to make sure that he didn't hurt me even more. I felt shittier and shittier the more time passed.

When he was done, he softly picked me up. I cried out in pain. My entire body hurt so much.

"We'll be there quickly. The pain will stop soon, okay?"

I couldn't take it anymore. My eyelids were getting too heavy and something started to leak out of my mouth.

"She's fucking bleeding." Hector cursed to someone.

We were outside. I could feel it due to the temperature shift. He picked up his pace and then entered a car. I was sat on his lap as he held me close to him.

"It's my fault..." I cried.

His blue eyes met mine.

"Ian is dead because of me."

Then everything went dark.