Alison groaned in her sleep and twitched her nose to get rid of the feather-like movement right in front of her nose. The feeling returned and not only in her nose but at the sole of her foot as well. She wiggled her foot and sneezed before hearing a string of snickers and giggles. She frowned before opening one of her eyes, only to come face to face with a smirking James who had a feather in his hand and was moving it in front of her nose.

"Misson abort!" yelled James when he saw her glare and jumped down her bed. He was still in his pjs. "Run for your life! The monster is awake." he yelled as he ran toward the door followed by Jordan who squealed as well and jumped down from beside Alison's foot and ran after his twin with a feather in his hand.

Alison threw her blanket away and ran after them out of her room. "You little chipmunks!" she growled and they both screeched and their laughter filled the air. "If I get you, you will regret waking me like that."

Once downstairs, when Alison was gaining on them, they saw Bella walking toward the front door, ready to leave. She was in a denim skirt and a white cardigan on top of a white tank top. She was looking toward the stairs at hearing the mayhem they had caused. "Bella!" yelled the twins and her eyes widened in surprise and the twins ran and hid behind her. "Please, hide us. This monster wants to eat us for breakfast." shrieked James and he walked around Bella to stay away from angry Alison, still giggling with his twin. Bella smiled softly at them and played along pretending to keep them away from Alison.

"So now I'm a monster, huh?" said Alison as she reached out to grab James but he shrieked while laughing and dodged her hand. "What were you too when you were tickling me with feathers while I was sleeping?"

"God, Alison. Stop hurting these cute boys." said Bella but then burst into laughter. "But you really look like a monster. Have you seen yourself?"

Alison groaned and glared at the snickering twins. "You would look like a crap if you were waking up by these two devils."

"Alison, don't call them devils." Eva's voice reached them and they all looked at her walking out of the living room.

"Mommy!" yelled the twins and ran to her who gave them each a kiss on their foreheads.

"Sorry, but your two angels just woke me up by shoving a feather into my nose." said Alison frustrated, and threw her arms in the air.

"Boys, you should not go into anyone's room without their permission and more importantly, don't prank on them." scolded Eva to the twins and scowled at the little boys who looked down embarrassed. "Okay, now go up and get ready for school. Layla will come up to help you."

"Okay mummy." murmured the twins and ran up the stairs while bickering among themselves.

Alison huffed while Bella chuckled and shook her head. "Good morning, grumpy head." greeted Eva and kissed Alison on her cheek. "How was your date last night? I was tucking the twins in bed when you returned. When I came to your room you were fast asleep."

"Yeah, mum is right." said Bella and crossing her arms on her chest and wiggling her eyebrows. "I went to sleep soon last night. But I'm late now. You have to tell me everything when I'm back."

"God, why everyone wants to know?" grumbled Alison under her breath and rubbed her face. She had already explained about her date to Hunter, Damien, and Xander who interrogated her the moment she had arrived. Alex had dropped her at home before 10 as he had promised and had given her a long chaste kiss on the lips before leaving which had not settled well with her stepbrothers who had witnessed it. She had hardly escaped the angry beasts they have turned to and had gone to her room when Ashley, Ed, and Logan had called her. Ashley was squealing all the time and gushing about everything and the boys had whined and cursed Alex at every possible time.

"It was good," said Alison. "Can you bear with only this? I'm tired of explaining it to everyone."

Bella chuckled and kissed Eva and left after saying goodbye. Alison looked at Eva's slightly worried face and hugged her. "Seriously, mom." she said. "It was really fantastic. I really like Alex."

Eva sighed relieved and kissed Alison's head. "That's good to hear. I'm happy for you." she said and pulled away. "Now go and change. You are not going to lose another day of school, young lady."

Alison nodded and kissed Eva for the last time on the cheek and ran upstairs. The memories of her date kept repeating in her mind as she took a shower and got ready for school, her bright smile never faltered.

She went to the dining room and saw everyone other than Albert, Mason, Rich, and Ben who had not returned home last night. She felt a little scared for the missing four. "Is there any news from dad or Mason, Ben and Rich? Are they fine?"

"Yes, don't worry yourself." Answered Damien. "Mason and Ben who had left, will return today."

Alison nodded and grabbed a piece of toast covered with butter and jam and sat down next to Hunter when Marisa walked in. "Good morning, sweetheart," she chirped. "Oliver is waiting outside to take you to school."

Alison opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by Xander. "There is no need for him anymore." said Xander and looked at Alison with a sharp gaze. "You will drive with us."

Alison gulped and looked down at her breakfast. The memories of her last time driving with them to school played in her mind again. She felt a squeeze on her shoulder and turned to her left, only to see Hunter looking at her with a soft smile. "Don't be worried." he whispered. "If he does anything stupid, I'm going to punch some senses in him."

Alison smiled back at him and murmured a thank you under her breath. So some minutes later, she had sat in the backseat while looking at the passing scenery. Next to her was Hunter while Damien was driving and Xander had sat on the passenger seat next to him. Her heartbeat was getting faster and faster as they got near the school.

Damien was a great driver. He was driving fast but swiftly and so soon they were in the school parking lot full of students. Alison was fast to jump out of the car and tried to run away, but a hand gripped her arm and pulled her back into a solid chest. "Where do you think you are going, little sis?" said Xander who had grabbed her and Alison growled inwardly as she felt all eyes turn to them and hid her face in Xander's chest when she hear whispers of the students.

"Now everyone, listen here." yelled Damien who had now stood next to them with Hunter by his side. Everyone silently watched him who puffed his chest proudly. "Alison is our little sister, If we see or feel that you are treating her bad, you are going to face our wrath."

"Now keep your head up and walk to school like a strong girl you are, Alie." whispered Xander next to her ear and ushered her forward. But he stopped and cursed under his breath when they saw two boys approaching them. Alison squealed happily and ran to Alex's open arms and blushed hard when Alex kissed her lips in front of everyone and she heard gasps of shock all around her.

"At least, have some fucking decency and don't kiss her in front of us." growled Xander as they approached Alex and Alison. Simon took a step forward alert and ready to interfere.

"You are right, King." smirked Alex and tightened his hold on Alison's waist, pulling her closer to him. "Next time I will take her to an empty room. Thank you for your offer."

"Don't you dare," growled Damien who was shaking with anger.

Alison quickly opened her arms to both sides and stood between them. "Okay, boys," she said. "No more fighting between you. Can you not jump at each other's throats the moment you saw each other? At least do it for me it if you say you care for me."

Damien and Xander huffed in annoyance but left while bumping their shoulders to Alex. Hunter glared at Alex and made a watching gesture with his hands before walking after his brothers.

Simon stepped forward and held his hand out. "Hey there, little one." he said friendly. "I'm Simon. This shithead's best friend. I have heard too much about you."

Alison smiled shyly and shook his hand while Alex groaned annoyed. "Let's go in." growled Alex and pulled Alison to his chest possessively when he caught a few boys looking at her longer than necessary. "I don't like how those dickheads are looking at you."

"God," grumbled Alison under her breath and snuggled closer to Alex's side. "It's going to be awkward from now on. I'm the sister of Kings and the girlfriend of West. That's great."

"Let them know." snarled Alex while glaring at everyone. "They will know what the fuck will happen to them if they dare to hurt my little angel."

Alison rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that crept into her lips. Maybe it was not good to say, but it gave her a good feeling knowing that she had the strongest boys in school caring for and protecting her.

*****************************

It was almost midnight when Mason walked inside of the house with Rich. Rich walked straight to his room, while Mason answered another phone call downstairs.

Mason sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as he ended the call and walked upstairs. He was tired like hell. He had not slept last night at all and had not slept well for the last two weeks. Sleep had become foreign to him. He clenched and unclenched his fists and felt a twinge of pain because of dry itching wounds on his knuckles. He had interrogated the hostages they had kept alive from their attack himself and let's just say he was not so merciful when they didn't answer his questions.

Just as he reached the second floor, Bella's door swung open and she walked out and Mason's breath hitched in his throat at the sight of the beauty in front of him. She was in short light pink shorts and a loose white t-shirt which had fallen off from one of her shoulders showing the white skin of her shoulder blade. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun on top of her head and she had a mug in her hand. She yelped in surprise when she turned and saw him standing there and staring at her.

"Mason." she whispered and Mason shivered at hearing his name rolling off her tongue like butter. She put a hand on her chest to calm down her hammering heart. "I'm sorry I didn't see you there. Did you just arrive? " she asked as she took a step forward taking in his handsome glory standing there in his black suit and loose black tie. His handsome face was stone cold but she could see the exhaustion in his sharp gray-blue eyes. She didn't know why, but deep in her heart she wanted to go close to him, run her hands through his dark hair, and comfort him the best she could. Her eyes went down to his clenched fists and widened. "Your knuckles are bloody and bruised."

Mason's heart melted at hearing concern laced with her words but he immediately shook the feeling away and walked toward his room with a clenched fist and jaw. He couldn't have feelings for her. He couldn't get close to her. He was dangerous for her. It was better for her to go back to London and have her normal life, far away from him where she was safe. But his heart ached at the last thought. "I'm fine." he said through gritted teeth and walked past Bella.

"But you don't look fine." she challenged. "And those wounds need to be tended properly"

"I'm fine, Bella. There is nothing that I'm not used to." he snapped and turned to her. "Go and sleep."

Bella took a step toward him and began to talk softly. "I will, but before that, is there anything I can do to help you? No offenses but you look like cra..."

She didn't find time to complete her sentence. Before she knew it, Mason pushed her against the wall and his warm uneven breath was fanning on her face. He easily towered over her, keeping her pinned to the wall. "Don't suggest your help when you don't know what kind of help you might be asked to." he whispered near her ear with a husky and deep voice.

Bella shivered when she felt him bury his face in the crook of her neck and inhale in her scent. A low growl rattled in his chest as he pushed himself closer to her small frame. He had to gain control of his reins soon before he do something irrational.

"Mason!" whispered Bella with a shaky voice and put her delicate hands on his chest, gently pushing him away which he let her do. He could easily see her red cheeks in the dim corridor and feel the heat that was radiating from her face. He couldn't help but feel satisfied at the effect he had on her. "I'm a dangerous man, Bella." he said and looked away ready to walk away. "Stay as far as you can from me."

He expected her to run to her room silently, but instead, he felt her small soft hand grab his large calloused hand and stop him. He turned and his eyes met her calm and determined blue ones. "I will," she said softly. "But before that let me take care of your wounds or else I can't sleep."

He didn't say anything and let her drag him into her room and toward her bathroom. The amount of comfort he was feeling was overwhelming for him. She pointed for him to seat on the edge of her bathtub while taking the first aid kit from the cabinet.

She then sat next to him and grabbed cotton balls and rubbed alcohol from the kit and grabbed his hand once again. She examined them carefully and then began to clean his hand. All the while Mason was watching her every elegant move. She was perfect. He didn't say anything, but what he needed the most was to keep her small warm body in his hold, letting the comforting feeling that he had when she was in his arms tackle him to sleep. He didn't even flinch when she cleaned his hand with alcohol cause he was too busy staring at and admiring her beautiful face which was flushed red.

"How many poor souls have you punched to get these hands?" Bella's whisper snapped Mason out of his daze and he blinked several times before sighing tiredly. "I didn't count." he said and when he saw her tensing he added quickly. "But none of them were innocent. They were as bad as me."

"You are not bad." she said and didn't need to look up to see him staring down at her with surprised eyes. She just finished bandaging one hand and grabbed the other. "Yes, you are a mafia leader but Albert explained to me that you have some morals. You won't go after innocents or women and children. You are protecting your family."

"And I'm failing miserably." sighed Mason and ran his free hand through his hair. "Volkov is threatening my family back and forth and all I do is to sit around and let him."

Bella looked up and her eyes met Mason's. What she did next shocked herself. She cupped his face with her hand and watched him closing his eyes and leaning onto her palm. "You are doing your best, Mason." she said softly. "Don't expect too much of yourself."

Mason stood up suddenly and caused her hand to fall next to her. She was still looking up at him with concern in her eyes. He didn't turn to her. He simply couldn't bear her look right then. She couldn't understand what he was talking about. She couldn't see the pressure on his shoulders. The weight of having so many people under his care to protect. A weight that was slowly bringing him down to his knees. "Thank you for your help, Bella." he said and walked to the bathroom's door. "Good night and sweet dreams." he said before leaving speechless Bella alone,