Chapter 14: The Truth Will Set You Free

Saturday was great even though she was a little sore. Gage had told her they would be going out to dinner tonight. She made sure to get all the confidence she cold muster because tonight was the night she was going to tell him. Time seemed to be just flying by and in three weeks she would be named the Donna of Dons, The true Queen of Kings. Her heart was stuck in her throat almost all day and never in her life have tears threaten to fall as much as they have all day. Gage noticed her acting weird and was really hoping his plans of the night won't be ruined. He's been thinking this over a lot. Talking it over with his friends, her friends, her father and family. His family. Taking a deep breath he finally had everything set up. Tonight would be the night he's been working on for a while.

Tessa could not believe she had to spend most of the day at her office. Preparing a few things she would need to get done as so she could work from home for the next couple of days. If Gage takes the news as badly as she hopes he wont he will need a few days away from him to let him have enough space to think. She asked a few of her men if their girlfriends would work as a maid to get her place ready jus tin case. Fill the fridge with a list of specific things, get her closet ready. Her office make sure the fax and everything was running at the highest of speeds. She wanted to make sure Gage would feel better of coming into the office without her being around. Making sure Lincoln had pushed all her meetings to be elsewhere other than the office itself. Tessenia hasn't even seen a calendar since a few weeks back when she made Lincoln her P.A.

After walking out the office she found Gage in dark washed jeans and a beautiful black button downed shirt that made his muscles he's been getting with her father pop. How she could just lick him up and down that wash board body. "BABE!" "Sorry what?" "I said I have a surprise for you. I want to take you somewhere special for dinner tonight." Laughing at her as she was beaming red like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar. He knew she was having special thoughts he was hoping to turn into a reality tonight. "Oh, yeah, that sounds great. Lead the way. Am I dressed ok?" Wearing a white sundress with her flip flops, her hair was half up and half down wearing the matching wolf necklaces he had made for them. His was a white wolf for her and hers was black for him and they were the Ying & Yang style.

"You never cease to amaze me on how beautiful you truly are." Gage looking down at her like she was the most precious thing he's ever held putting a stray hair behind her ear. "Come on it's a short walk." Taking her by the hand he lead her down the towns biggest park trail. It was evening so the sunset just barely set. They followed a trail of fairy lights making everything look like a little fairy tale. Biting the bullet she couldn't take it anymore. "Gage I need to talk to you about that important thing. Before I lose all nerve and back out." "Alright baby, I'm all ears." "OK well in three weeks there is going to be a huge party like huge. It's another promotion I'm getting that will change everything for me, which could possibly change things for us but only if we let it. I was hoping you would be my date." "Tessenia that's wonderful. Is that what you been so worked up about I mean this is good news. I'm proud of you of course I'll be there. What's the promotion though I mean you own and operate like thousands of companies already. It's kind of hard to think of what's like left after that." Gage was teasing her as they came to the end of the trail.

"That's the thing. Gage I've been struggling so long on how to tell you this so I'm just going to come out and say it. Babe I'm part of the." "SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TESSA!" A huge crowd of people from everywhere the underworld, Families all over the world, coworkers of legit businesses all of their friends and families. Looking at the banners and the beautifully decorated park covered in people politicians, hospitals staff hell half the state probably here. How could so much time gotten away from her that she forgotten her own birthday. Angelo smiling the brightest of them all proud of his baby. "Happy Birthday baby!" Gage whispered to her kissing her deeply. Smiling at him knowing it's all his doing. "Thank you." The DJ called out to bring her on stage for a few words. Food was being passed al the way around.

"Well wow y'all you got me. That is no easy task too ask anyone." The crowd all laughed. "I want to thank all of you for taking time out of your busy lives to come celebrate another year around the sun for me and with me. Thanks to all my friends and family for sticking by me through all these years and making them all wonderful and amazing. My workers and colleagues for the hard work and dedication that has us whopping the worlds ass and making it better at the same time. My dad for being a best friend and biggest everything in my world. From teacher, nurse, friend, boss, cheerleader whatever I ever needed he made sure he filled the role. He never let anyone step in he has always been my rock. Lastly the Brooks. Sean And Maddison you've given me the best thing I have known or gotten and that is you Gage. I will be forever thankful for you. You showed me a world I didn't believe to really exist. I want you to know what ever happens from here on out how much I appreciate and cherish you, how thankful I am for the time we have. Most of all remember how much I love you. Have a great night everyone."

Walking off the stage. The DJ Called Jaxon, Hunter and Dre' on as they have preformed a song for her. Smiling widely at the stage as the guys and the lights popped on smiling widely at them Gage and his friends along with her dad, Sean and Maddison all happily watching as the music went on.

(Dre=D, Hunter=H, Jaxon=J All=A)

(J) Anything she needs, she can call me

Don't worry 'bout her, that's my seed, bruh that's all me

Just know, if you cross her, then you cross me

Cross me, cross me, if you, if you, if you, if you

(H) Anything she needs, she can call me

Don't worry about her, that's my seed, that's all me

Just know, if you cross her, then you cross me

Cross me, cross me, if you, if

(J) And she ain't messin' with no other man

And me and her have something different

I really need all you to understand

That nobody's comin' close

(D) And I don't ever wanna run around

I spent my youth jumpin' in and out

You know I fuckin' love her now

Like nobody ever could

(H) And you know I stay trippin', am I crazy? Oh, no

I'm stickin' with my baby, for sure

Together or solo

It doesn't matter where we are, oh no no

(A) So if you hear about my lady, just know

That she ain't the one to play with, oh no

(J) And I'll be standin' so close

So you know that ayy

Anything she needs, she can call me

(H) Don't worry 'bout her, that's my seed, bruh that's all me

Just know, if you cross her, then you cross me

(A) Cross me, cross me, if you, if you, if you, if you

If you cross her, then you cross me (Cross me)

And nobody's comin' close, yeah

And I think that you should know that

If you cross her (Anything she needs, she can call me)

Then you cross me (Don't worry about her, that's my seed, bruh, that's all me)

(D) So come on, and let it go

Oh, I think that you should know

That she ain't messin' with no other man

(J) Now, what you not gon' do

Is stand there, crouched for me, like you got kung-fu

Death stare, cross-armed, runnin' your mouth like a faucet

But you don't know that my girl been doin' CrossFit

Pew, kung pow, hit your ass with a cross kick

Pulling air out, wear you out, you exhausted

Know she gonna slide anytime you bitches talk shit

Keep a lil' blade in her fuckin' lip gloss kit, ayy

(A) No one say "Hi" to me without her

Better pay your respect to the queen

Better do that shit without a flirt

Gotta respect the HBIC

(H) Couple of things that you need to know

If you still wanna be friends with me

Just know if you cross her, then you cross me

Cross me, cross me, if you, if you, if you, if you

(A) If you cross her (Anything she needs, she can call me)

Then you cross me (Don't worry about her, that's my seed, bruh, that's all me)

And nobody's comin' close, yeah

And I think that you should know that

If you cross her (Anything she needs, she can call me)

Then you cross me (Don't worry about her, that's my seed, bruh, that's all me)

(H) So come on, and let it go

Oh, I think that you should know

She stay trippin', and she crazy, oh no

Quit messin' with my baby, for sure

Together, or solo

(D) It doesn't matter where we are, oh no, no

So if you hear about my lady, just know

That she ain't the one to play with, oh no

And I'll be standin' so close

So you know that

(A) If you cross her (Anything she needs, she can call me)

Then you cross me (Don't worry about her, that's my seed, bruh, that's all me)

And nobody's comin' close, yeah

And I think that you should know that

If you cross her (Anything she needs, she can call me)

Then you cross me (Don't worry about her, that's my seed, that's all me)

So come on, and let it go

Oh, I think that you should know

If you cross her

(J) Anything she needs, she can call me

Then you cross me

Don't worry about her, that's my seed, that's all me

Just know, if you cross her, then you cross me

Cross me, cross me, if you, if you, if you, if you

Oh yeah

The crowd went nuts yelling for them. Even Tessenia had to admit they had the bodies, the looks, and the voice. Her heart melting at the love of her friends who came running up hugging her and kissing all over her face as she smacks them away. This was her brothers, her family. After looking around at the love and happiness surrounding her at the moment she decided to let herself have this. One more selfish night. Tomorrow I'll tell him everything in the morning. Gage was looking at her like the whole world was hung in her eyes. Well for him at least it was.

Two hour after dancing with her father and everyone else there. Dimitri stole her from Nico and Tony spinning her around on the floor to glare at Gage when he stepped in stealing the dance and his spot with her. The DJ played Marry me from Jason Derulo. Gage span her around that dance floor so gracefully making her smile. Everyone lost in the dance between them it was difficult not to watch them. As the song was starting to come down he span her one time only for her to turn back around and see him on his knee with a ring in front of her. Shock taking over her face as Sean, Angelo, the rest of their six friends smiling away at them.

Dimitri was fuming. Seething through the scene like most of the other Dons who came out this evening but not letting it show. "Tess you are the best thing that ever happened to me. I wasn't living until I met you. You brought me breathed life back into my soulless body. I will always be thankful for you in my life. You make me a better man. You are turning me into the man I want to be. I don't know what our future holds but I can't wait to find out. If you will honor me and be my wife I will make sure you wake up at least every other morning be so thankful you had. What'd you say Tessenia Will you spend the rest of your days with me? It's only for ever not long at all." Finishing with the great line of David Bowie.

Looking in his eyes her mind blank as she could see a whole life with him in front of her and never had she wanted anything so badly. Even though tomorrow will change everything she will let herself have this, even if it is just for one night. "Yes." Putting the ring on her finger and swinging her around. Kissing her deeply. The ring was simple and beautiful not too flashy but enough to be noticed. "I'm the happiest luckiest man walking this Earth tonight. The night went quickly and everyone was leaving after that. His truck was parked next to an alley between the club and a kebob restaurant. Gage, Ace, Vince and Axel were talking while Tessenia said she had to talk to some others and would be walking back over to them.

When they heard the noises they all quietly peaked down and froze at the scene they saw. A group of men had two other men crying on the ground in front of them. "Did you really think you could run from us you little pissant? After everything you did you think you can out run the Alderman family?" One of the soldier men screamed at him. The guys were mentally freaking out. This was the Alderman's mafia the most dangerous people around the world. Just being in their way would grant you a horrible sentence, doing their best to stay quiet being so outnumbered. The only thing Gage was praying for was that Tessenia wouldn't come down here and see any of this. A new fear came over him of what would happen if these guys got ahold of her. This mafia was way above the law.

The shock came over all four of them when Dre', Hunter, Jaxon, Elijah, and Dimitri came walking around him. "Did your punk asses really think you were going to get away with trafficking kids in our fucking town?!" Jaxon hollered in their faces kicking them in their face as he was at it. "Look at him their shaking." Dre' told them with a laugh as they all chuckled with him lightly. "You've really done it now. You broke the Beasts rules, you made damn sure to get the Beasts attention." Just then Ace knocked over a can. "Get them." Dimitri told the men who managed to drag all four of them back. "Well look at this boss. We may have a problem." Derek told him as they came closer to the light.

"What are you guys doing here?" Jaxon asked curiously and confused. "What the hell are you doing?" Axel asked him like back with the same energy. "You guys are the mafia?" Vince asked in shock. "Yeah." Hunter told them scratching the back of his head. "It's not as bad as you're thinking. I just need you to know that before you see." Jaxon was cut off as his hands were up in surrender when he got cut off. "Really it's not as bad as we think because this is looking pretty bad. This guy literally pist himself because he's scared of you Beast." Gage growled out lowly looking at Dimitri.

Laughing hard Dimitri couldn't help it. "First off these men are in trouble with us because they are trafficking children we have pictures and even freed the kids for proof if you truly need it. Second off I am not the Beast you fucking twat." Dimitri growled back. "If you're not the Beast than who is?" Vince managed to speak up. "I am." Tessenia spoke softly. Right when one of the men on the ground threw something heavy hitting Gage in the head before he knew it he heard a gunshot and everything went dark.

Gage was slowly waking up in a strange room strapped down to a chair. Looking around he saw the one thing he really didn't want to see. "Where are we? Where's Tess." "We are actually in the Don Angelo's house. Tess was dealing with the child traffickers who were the ones to strike you by the way. Tess was so sweet treating your wounds I imagine she will be pist once she realizes I moved you to another room. I'm sure everyone is looking for you now. However I had you brought you here and strapped you down, but believe it or not I did it for a good cause. I just need you to hear everything I have to say." Dimitri told him looking at him not leaving room for him to argue.

"I want to tell you a story, somethings you need to know." "What is all that?" "Files and tablet, I brought them as proof. We may be mafia but even you should know Brooks we aren't liars. I am the Don of the Russian mafia. I went to Dark Heights Academy along with all the other Don and mafia related heirs and people to take the their places if anything should happen which is the only reason you never got in by the way. Anyway I want to tell you a story. Grabbing some pictures putting in front of him as he stood there turning each one as he spoke with a tablet right under them.

"Once upon a time there was a couple. A drug addicted woman and the welder who loved her. One day she fell pregnant and the man left thinking the baby would miscarry no matter how badly he wanted that child. He died in an accident at work. By the fate and mercy of God himself the baby was born. Mother snuck off with the child who by the way was already addicted to whatever her mother was on. The mother snuck her off and left her at the most run down orphanage three days old out side the step, not even a blanket, no name, just a birth certificate missing information. The child grew there being abused by all who surround her. Being under fed, no real clothing, no toys, being used as a maid and punching bag. One older boy did teach her to read when she was about five, than he got recruited for the army and left." Told him putting the pictures away and pulling the tablet open for him in the files. Gage's heart was breaking knowing this was his Tessenia.

"Before all this though. One man had conquered every single mafia family worldwide. The world was crumbling as the world leaders got every country into debt. People everywhere was starving. Children and people being sold, drugs and guns being sold and crazy people running a mock meaningless killings. Everything was in chaos. Angelo after conquering the families decided to be a graceful King, or Don and let the families take back control as long as they all followed his rule, his law, his code. Angelo Alderman went into the world leaders meeting with all the families by his side and presented a plan to fix the economy for everyone. He bought the debt everyone owed. Which believe you me didn't even make a dent for this great man. He put into action his plans as long as everyone agreed to his codes. His rules peace will be worldwide." Showing pictures of the mafias helping rebuild cities, homes, helping people.

"No longer was trafficking of any kind allowed anywhere. You must be eighteen years old and give consent no one could sell you anymore. Schools were finally equipped to actually teach children the way they needed to be taught. Farms were finally prospering. Elderly were getting health care. People no longer living paycheck to paycheck. The world was still dark in some places but for the majority Angelo made this world a better place. He made companies to help keep making the world a better place. Giving people who dream making a difference a chance to do so. Yes of course he still dealt with drugs and guns. This time though the drugs were safe for the addicts to use and not some crack heads making crazy shit up and injecting it into innocent people." Still showing him pictures that made his stomach turn. People horrible reactions as side effects.

"Angelo never took a woman not as a wife anyway." Dimitri chuckled. "One day as he was recruiting boys for the army you know give them a better chance. They would get fed, training, education so much more. He mainly picked from the orphanages to give those who had no chance a chance at life. When he stumbles across a very young girl who was beating the crap out of a group of boys who thought they could come take her meal. They did this daily however they never won. Angelo was so impressed on this little flower he decided to adopt her. Something about this little angel always calls out to you though. You met her you know I'm right. Angelo named her. Trained her, fed her, cared for her he raised his little flower to be everything he was and more. Tessenia grew into the most feared person on this planet right behind her father."

Gage's mouth dropped open seeing training videos happy pictures with all the guys her family. "Her friends all lost a parent or even two along the way to people trying to over throw them. They thought they could bring back certain things Angelo had abolished and for good reason. One family around the time she was seventeen had gathered followers they were slaughtering people who refused to join them try to dethrone Angelo. They hated woman honestly they believed they needed to learn their place. The Chinese mafia and some others form the Asian continent were killing off young girls and woman. Selling them, using them. Beating them. They knew Angelo's heir was a woman and they would be damned if some bitch would tell them how to run their country their mafia." Dimitri took a deep breathe.

"Did you know we all had a friend the heir of Australian mafia. Ian and Tess had a secret relationship and once they were found out she was able to spend a week with his family. One day on the beach. The Chinese and other army who was hunting her and Angelo in their little war they were starting. They stormed that beach killing the whole Australian mafia family. Ian managed to hide her in a cave like place. When she got out she managed to see him get held down and shot in the head they left never finding her. Angelo looked for four days. She managed to get into the enemies home and all the traitors and their family not children or anything but like their soldiers and then some." Pulling up the video.

'Tessenia to this day has ever hurt one innocent soul. We never harmed one innocent person despite what you might think. This day though she managed to video this whole thing. She massacred every single person in two hours. Here's when Angelo found her." The video showed her being emotionless covered in blood and just walking out like it was a normal thing. Gage was scared how could that broken young woman be his sweet angel. "Gage we are all trained to take over our place in our family. We were trained to our bones to be just as smart mentally as we are strong physically. Tessenia is going to be taking over for Angelo as the Donna of Dons, the Queen of Kings. She is due to take over in three weeks. There is a huge event like a coronation type thing. Our gala to you people. You know civilians."

Gage was putting it all together now everything Tessa was trying to tell him earlier all this time she's been trying to tell him she is the mafia. Not just a person or pawn but the mafia herself. How am I supposed to take this. What part am I supposed to play in this? How the hell can I be ok with knowing she's killed thousands of literally thousands of people. Rather they were bad or not. There was no emotion at all in those eyes. Angelo did tell him she had problems with emotions when she was younger hell she told me. How can I trust her now, keeping something this from me.'

"See Tessenia has been trying to tell you the truth for a long time. I have been in love with her forever you know that though. You have been the only man who has ever gained the Don Angelo's approval of your claim. I have been telling Tessenia since you got with her, to let you go." "Yeah you really made your feelings transparent." Gage said rolling his eyes. "We both know you are not made for this world don't you think Brooks? I mean she is single handedly is about to rule the world. She needs a strong man to be able to stand beside her. To be supportive of her. I mean hell man you never even been on the wrong side of town. I mean sure I 've seen you hold your own and all but I mean when push comes to shove this is not the life you would choose. You're more like a white picket fence trophy wife guy. You don't deserve that strong amazing woman. I've tried to explain how unfair it is to you to drag you into this world but she's so damn convinced she's in love with you, she's blinded by the truth." Dimitri told him glaring at him.

Gage wanted nothing more than to hit him in his face. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" Jaxon roared across the room as Angelo was hidden in the hall listening to everything. Tessa, Hunter, Dre', Eli and a few other men came in. "Gage are you alright?" Tessa asked cutting him loose. Looking at all the things splayed out around them. "D what did you do?" Tessa asked in a low voice. "I did what you should have done when things got serious with this damn fuck nut." "That was not your place." "Well when exactly did you plan on telling me?" Gage asked in a snippy voice. "I've been trying for months and you know it." Tessa told him flatly. Gage nodded along.

"True as that may you should have just ripped off the fucking band aide and told me you're in the fucking mafia. Oh no wait you are not just in it you are about to be running in THREE WEEKS TESS? We've been together for months. Fuck we live together you don't think you could have told me at any point?" "I tried. It's not as easy as you think Gage. I was scared I guess maybe. I thought you would leave, walk out on me. I love you Gage. I didn't want you to find out like this. I wanted to tell you my self. Never like this." "You didn't tell me because you were scared I walked out. I thought we were past that selfishness of this relationship Tess. What happened to telling each other everything no matter what?" Gage yelled at her.

"I have been honest about everything. I should have told you sooner. It's not as bad as you think. We don't hurt any innocent people. We actually help a lot of people." "Tessa I've seen the fucking videos. I've watched you take people's body apart. I've watched you take organs out of people. Killing, torturing people. Tessa what am I supposed to think. There was no emotion in you. There was hardly any life in you as you took those peoples last breath. Tessa you were like a monster." Gage told her in an angry voice. Tessa taking a deep breath as she was ignoring her heart breaking.

"You're right Gage I have done things that have caused a lot of people nightmares. I have done things that would the devil himself squirm. People will hear the Beasts, The Dark Angel, or Tessa Alderman and basically piss themselves in fear. I have earned that. I did that. I did everything I was trained to do. Have you considered this though Gage. This was the life I was raised into. This was my only way out to survive. I would have died at such a young age had it not been for me getting brought not this life. Since I have stepped up in to taking my place. I have built watering systems in countries that had none. I have helped the world over. You, yourself trained your whole life to become apart of our company that is forever changing the world." Taking a step back from him.

"Those people I tortured, killed many human beings. They did unspeakable things to defenseless people. Woman, children, elderly, even men all tortured themselves. Sold, beaten, raped, worked their fingers to the bones for someone to kill them or their family anyway. Not one of those animals deserved to be breathing after taking such innocence from the world. Had they gone to trail the judge would have been bought and the jury since most of these people come from money they are thought of as untouchable. No one is above the law. You should know you were born into that world. Let me ask you Gage besides busting your ass for academics and that one bad prom night. When have you ever had to fight for anything. When did you have to fight for food, clothes, the ability just to be alive? When was the last time you got the hell beat out of you just because you were born? How many people depend on you? Depend on you to keep life flowing, their income coming. Their children safe and off the black markets. Their daughters, wives, sisters mothers depending on you so they don't get abducted and sold. How many children depend on you to help them know someone cares about them enough to make sure they have a safe place to sleep, eat, and learn. I maybe a monster to you now in your eyes but there are a hell of a lot things worse than me that go bump in the night!" Turning away for a moment to look back at him seething.

Taking off the ring moments ago he slipped so happily on her finger. "I know you're mad. You have every right to be. I know I fucked up. I know you will need space and I plan on giving you just that. I also think maybe you should take this back as I don't think you are in the right mind to be ready for everything that comes with it. I know it will take a while to feel like you can trust me again, but maybe if you ever find yourself ready to give it to me again you'll remember how much I will make you thankful you had." "I don't know how much I can trust a killer, no matter how good or bad the reason. The way you handled them. It was just." Gage choked out. "I get it." Looking down. "Axel is waiting to take you home. You will have no problems with my men about anything." Tessa told him as Gage squeezed the ring so tight he thought his hand would bleed.

Walking into the hall he saw Angelo looking up to him arms crossed. "Remember what you shook on." Angelo told him as he walked into the room where his kid was. Gage knew he was ok needing time but to really think things through before he threw everything away. Walking out the mansion Axel didn't say one word until they got to his drive way. "You want me to stay? We can talk about it." Gage broke down in tears in the car told him everything. "I can stay." "No, I want to be alone. I need to think." Axel nodded and watched his heart broken best friend walk in the house and drove home.

"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT?!" Jaxon asked punching Dimitri in the face. All the men were outrage at what the Russian Don has done but remained quiet you felt the tension in the room become suffocating. "IT NEEDED TO BE DONE! People like that will never understand all the good we do they only see straight to the bad. You heard him himself call us murders monsters." "NO." Tessa cut him off looking at Dimitri no tears in her eyes. In fact she held nothing in her eyes and that scared everyone even Angelo even more. "He didn't call us those terms D, he only called me them. You were just so nice enough to feel him on my whole life story. Yeah look at that." Tessa said looking at everything in front of them. "All I asked was that he would hear it from me." Looking up around the room.

"That was clearly too much to ask for then wasn't it." "He already knew when he caught us red handed." Dimitri tried to argue reaching out for her hand as she pulled back. "That life story you shared was mine to tell Dimitri, mine not yours. You see I believe that man is stronger than you. I believe he is the one who is worthy enough and the only one who can rule beside me rather he wants to be involved with this way of life would have been up to him. You took so much more than you realize from tonight D and you can't even see it. You're too blinded. I think it's time you left now Don Russo." Tessa told him. "You're just going to let him walk after what he just did?!" Dre' was offended for her.

"What did he do? He committed no crime. I am not a Donna. He is a Don. There was no order in saying he couldn't tell this man the truth once the truth was in front of him. HE witnessed something he shouldn't' have. He did not harm the innocent civilian. The only thing he is guilty of is telling his friend's life story to her would have been future husband without her consent or caring about the consequences for her. That's my problem though Dre', he deserved to know. Not like that but he needed to know none of it was a crime. Don Russo is a free man. You know it's funny Dimitri I have done a lot of things in my life I deserve to go through a lot of things as well but I didn't deserve that. Not today of all days. You just couldn't give me tonight could you. What a great birthday present ol friend. Thanks." She whispered the last part out leaving the room.

Getting her arm pulled into another room she crashed into a chest as the smell enwrapped her she finally let herself fall apart on the only man who ever truly loved her, the only man she has left to trust. "It's going to be alright my sweet flower." "I know dad. Eventually I know." "He will come around. He needs time. Those words he will regret them soon." "No, he shouldn't he was right." "He was not. You will never be a monster you will always be my angel. Not just mine but many others as well. This will pass. I am sorry your heart is in pain my love." Rubbing the back of her head in her hair kissing the top of her head. "I can shoot him." "You can't shoot every guy who wrongs me papa, especially when they've done no real crime."

"That's where you wrong my baby girl, there are crimes against the law and crimes against a father." Angelo growled out. "I should have figured out that is the way he would see me." "HEY! If you are a killing monster than so am I. The world was in ruins when I took it back. Just give it time and that boy will come back around to the man I know he is." "I get why you were smart enough to never take a woman. It is too much trouble for the heart." "That is never why I never took a woman but I did give one my heart. Rather it was stolen from me. I never had any one take my interest until I stumbled on a sweet little flower in a huge patch of dirty old weeds. I plucked that flower and replanted it right here at home. I have been so blessed to nurture and care for this flower as it grew and blossomed into the beautiful flower I have before me today. I did give my heart away, and I never want it back. I am such a blessed man to be able to be apart of your life Tessenia and I will always be thankful that God sent me his greatest Angel to save me form my own darkness. Happy Birthday my sweet child." Kissing her forehead again hugging her tightly. For a few hours she let herself for the first time fall apart like a hurt child in the arms of her favorite protector.

Wednesday came around Gage noticed in the workplace and even at home Tessenia was true to her word giving him space. He was curious where she was staying but tried not to let that get to him. He destroyed the gym in his garage twice and had fixed it back. Being torn knowing she wouldn't be eating right, sleeping right. Working herself to the bone it took everything in him not to call and check in. He didn't think her friends would pick up the phone if he tried to call them. He was still so angry that she with held such important information from him. What if he is not able to live up to the standards of that life style. What if he couldn't be the strong man next to her ruling basically the damn world. Remembering that she said it would only change them if they let it, which meant he had a choice and everything could probably be the same as it is now. His heart was torn his head was aching his body had been through workouts for hours. He got brought back to reality when he heard a knock on his door. Being frustrated opening it up harder than he meant to looking at the person behind left him confused. "What are you doing here?"