My head whipped to the side as another assassin kicked and punched me twice. Jumping onto a table before kicking one of them across the face making his neck snap.

One pulled the tablecloth from underneath me rolling off the glass table. Falling hard on the floor knowing my arm would have a large bruise. Letting out a groan unable to recover quickly. One jumped on top of me before I could get up punching across the face making me try to block the rest of his blows covering my face with my arms. I punched his teeth before struggling to move away from him to wrap my legs around his neck.

Keeping him in a tight headlock similar to the one I put on the man that was sent after Nathan. The assassin grabbed my legs digging into my bare thighs struggling to breathe. He tried to pull away as he gagged and gasped for air as his face turned red.

I let out a yell gritting my teeth trying to keep my thighs tightly wrapped around his neck. Whipping my head up hearing feet running towards me. Frantically looking for a nearby gun while keeping my legs in the deadly grasp on the man. Pointing and shooting at the man charging towards me, falling to the ground holding his wounds. I grabbed a fist full of hair from the man between my legs trying to keep him still. Snapping his neck with my legs with a grunt. Relaxing my legs as I let go of a breath feeling him go limp.

Panting heavily as other muscular guard finished trying to get up in obvious pain. Quickly trying to shove the heavy dead man off me as another stalked towards me. Standing up struggling to stand straight in a powerful stance. He kicked me across the face catching me off guard.

Blocking his other kick by grabbing his leg making his eyes widen as he tried to pull away. Yelling as I threw him as far as I could, his back falling hard on the floor. Taking the opportunity to quickly catch a breath and gain my remaining strength as I limped over to him.

The highly talented man quickly got back onto his feet. I ducked and dodge most of his punches as he hit me every few seconds, but I didn't show pain from any of them. I looked around for any other weapons noticing another man recover and begin to walk towards us. Oh, god.

After the man stood, we continued to fight and dodge each other's blows. He kicked my chest flying into a table and a gathering of chairs. I squeezed my eyes shut in pain feeling all the small broken glass pierce my bare back and arms. Jumping back up onto my feet before kicking him against his leg, across his face twice. Kicking him in the chest before he finally collapsed onto his back unconscious.

Hoping they were the last two knowing I couldn't take much more of this. Looking over at Nathan seeing him attack a man before someone punched me across the face making me stumble and fall. Crawling away as he stalked towards me with a disturbing smile on his face. Feeling around at the broken table and chairs on the floor beside me. My palms felt around grabbing a piece of wood and stabbing it into his leg as hard as I could.

I stood as the man yelled out looking down at the wood sticking out of him. Grabbing him and throwing the side of his head into a glass table. Grabbing his shirt so he stood in front of me before stabbing a shard of glass into him. His eyes widened as he gasped in shock. I pulled it out making him bleed profusely. He held his wound before I shoved him away from me making him collapse.

Standing straighter trying to catch my breath looking around before I saw Nathan struggling to fight two men. Both assassins noticed I was alone surrounded by dead men making them take their attention away from Nathan only caring about killing me. The person who just killed their boss.

One rushed over to me as Nathan tried to keep the other assassins attention on him. Nathan threw swift kicks and punches throwing the man off guard.

Stumbling away from the man stalking towards me trying to quickly grab a nearby gun on the floor. He kicked me causing me yelp as I fell hard onto the ground. Panting up at him with pleading eyes. Turning onto my stomach, crawling away desperately reaching for the gun only a few feet away from me.

He pulled my ankle sliding me away from it ripping all of the hope from my body. "No," I whimpered desperately trying to reach for it.

I turned myself around to face him above me. Trying to kick him away as I saw him kneel down making him grab my arms to stay in place. Placing my feet stern on his chest as he tried to move them. I used all my might to push him off launching him off of me as far as I could. "Agh!" I let out a deep grunt.

I quickly stumbled to my aching feet as he struggled to recover. Running and getting the nearby gun before finally pointing it at the man. I was a bloody, bruised, panting and furious mess. The man breathed heavily also as he debated on stopping. I shot him in the head falling to the ground bleeding profusely.

Panting and looking around at all the dead bodies scattered everywhere slowly beginning to calm down not seeing anyone else. I felt a sharp pain in my stomach making me look down at a large share of glass sticking out of my waist that I hadn't noticed until now. "Ah." I hissed pulling it out dropping it to the floor.

Feeling my ripped, bloody dress sticking to my bruised body suddenly realizing everything that had just happened. Snapping my head up in fear hearing slow paced out footsteps.

Letting out a breath seeing it was only Nathan. I saw that his suit was disheveled as his nose and mouth bled. "Nathan," I breathed looking up at his wounds. "I... I'm sorry." I panted. "I'm so sorry." I breathed heavily struggling to walk towards him making me wince. Nathan shook his head walking faster with his arms outstretched.

"You need a hospital." He said trying to help me stand as I placed my hands on his chest and arms leaning into him trying to stay upright. "No. W-We need to find her. Take Rose somewhere safe. He has men watching her. I need to be there." I insisted. "Gen-" Nathan began as I stared up at him with pleading eyes.

I stumbled backwards trying not to fall from exhaustion making Nathan step closer. "You need a hospital." Nathan repeated sternly making me look up at him with pleading eyes. "We need to find her! Please, Nathan. I can't spend another second without her by my side. I need to know she's safe." I begged looking up at him.

I couldn't handle the fact he was looking down at me with so much pity and heartache. Knowing Nathan was probably scared of me after all the things he saw me do but right now all I could think about was Rose. Nathan reluctantly nodded as he held me close so I wouldn't fall.

I knew I looked rough and clearly had been abused. Pulling away from Nathan before quickly regretting it as I tried to walk.

My knees buckled underneath me as Nathan reached out for me before I could fall. "I-I'm fine." I sighed. I began to walk again pushing him away ignoring the pain I felt from the bruises all over my body including my ribs, knuckles, legs, feet and back. Trying not to limp in front of Nathan as my entire body screamed for me to stop.

Leaving the house full of dead men sent after me revealing Nathan's immediate family outside wearing their warm coats making me regret coming outside. "Carmen? What was all of that? You've completely embarrassed us and this family." Cathy, Nathan's mother beamed up at Nathan and me. "Do you have any idea how important the people invited tonight were?" She continued making me fight the urge to roll my eyes.

"What was that? What happened?" Jane, Nathan's other sister asked before she saw the state, I was in. "You look horrible." She breathed raking me up and down.

"I'm sorry but I don't have time for this. You just risked not only me but your son's life over this." I beamed trying to stay calm making Valerie's lip's part. "What's she talking about, Jay?" Cathy asked.

"I take it since you're out here and Mikhail isn't means that you've killed him. I no longer need to worry about our safety." Jay smiled making me step closer as he looked down at me in disgust from my appearance.

My eyes darted up burning holes into him. "Are you sure?" I threatened in a low tone taking him aback.

"How do you know her daughter?" Valerie asked him as we never broke eye contact. "He's dead. You don't have to be afraid of him anymore. That's why you were working with him right?" I asked angry. Everyone frowned in confusion as I felt Nathan walk up right behind me.

"Wrong. I knew you were the reason he wanted to leave. Mikhail promised me that once you were dead, Nathan wouldn't have any reason to leave the life he was meant to inherit." His father said making me scoff. "He was lying! He wanted Nathan dead too! He hired me to kill him. And I'm sure he would've killed you and the rest of your family given the opportunity." I beamed full of annoyance as everyone else's eyes widened looking at me as a completely different person.

"He never wanted Nathan to take over your business. Mikhail knew that Nathan was capable of putting him in jail for what he's done. Showing the world what he has done, and he would've done anything to prevent that from happening. Including using you to get close to him. You were only a pawn in his game." I explained knowing my boss better than anyone else here. "Doesn't mean he was wrong." Jay said full of anger.

"He never wanted to leave before he met you. You're the reason he changed his mind. He let his emotions get in the way just like his brother." He continued as Nathan came between us as he grew angrier. "Jay-" Cindy began full of shock and disbelief.

"I've never wanted this, dad. I have only been working for you and doing everything that was asked of me because I knew how important it was. It was what was expected of me." Nathan stated calmly as everyone looked up at him sympathetically. "I'm sorry, father. I've realized that I need to start putting myself first. I deserve to try and have a life I want."

I knew how important this moment was for the both of them making me internally groan as I began to feel weak and lightheaded. Finally feeling the effects of all of the bruises and blood loss struggling to stand. Stumbling making me grab onto Nathans's toned bicep beside me. He stopped to look down at me with my eyes struggling to stay open. "Gen?" I felt him quickly grab me before I collapsed unconscious.

"They shouldn't be here. Especially after what you've said." Valerie's distant voice said. I was reluctant to open my heavy eyes feeling too exhausted as I heard hushed conversations.

I couldn't help but groan feeling my chest ache taking in a deep breath. "Gen? Genna?" Nathan said quickly as I opened my eyes. Nathan rushed to my bedside as Valerie stood in the brightly lit room.

Wincing at the harsh lighting as I felt him sit on the bed. "Hey." He breathed as I looked up at him weakly as Valerie thankfully closed the blinds.

"I feel like I was hit by a car." I groaned softly struggling to look around. There were painful needles stuck in my hand and arms filling with realization.

"Where am I? I can't be here. I need to be with Rose." I quickly tried to move to get up out of bed instantly regretting it. Squeezing my eyes shut trying not to show my obvious discomfort.

"You need to rest." Nathan pressed as I looked around realizing we were back at his cottage we've been staying at. There was a man staying off to the side. Realizing he was a doctor from his stethoscope around his neck before he silently left the room leaving Nathan and I alone.

"Every second I lay here helpless is another second of Rose being in danger because of me." I quickly spiraled. "How could I have been so stupid?" I breathed looking away from him full of anger and frustration towards myself. Nathan grabbed my hand on the bed.

"She's alright. I sent Valerie and some security over at your brother's house to pick her up. I suppose the men watching her left after they found out what you had done to their boss." Nathan explained making me look up at him

"Really? Thank you. Where is she?" I said quickly. "She's in the other room with Valerie." I looked around realizing she had left the room. He starred down at me with so much intensity and emotion, I felt vulnerable under his loving gaze. Looking away as memories of last night flooded my mind.

Images of my boss's face as we fought was all I could see remembering effortlessly snapping my boss's neck without a second thought.

"Oh, my god." I breathed pulling my hand away from him leaning away. "How can you even stand to look at me? After what you've seen me do?" I asked in disgust.

"It was self-defense." He corrected making me look up at him. "Of course, I was obviously taken by surprise by your abilities. And it pained me to see you getting hurt." Nathan began.

"I've been around violence for most of my life because of some of the cases I handle. I knew you were strong and could easily defend yourself. And that doesn't scare me, Genevieve. If anything, it's extremely impressive. I've always been on the business side of it all where all they do is threaten me. But it has never bothered me. Mainly because I have always had the best security to count on. Until last night." He scoffed. "But I let my guard down with you. I never could have imagined the woman I met that night at that party would end up being hired to kill me. To only be saving my life instead. And eventually fall for." Nathan confessed never looking away from me. I hung onto every word feeling so underserving of his adoration towards me.

"I realized last night watching you two fight that I couldn't go another day without actually expressing how I feel about you, Gen." Nathan said softly. I never looked away from his anxious features full of uneasiness making me frown.

"I've never wanted any kind of relationship with anyone. At all. I knew that whoever I cared about would only get in the way of my work. They would be used against me by the people I prosecuted against. Knowing anyone I cared about would get hurt because of me never being home enough. I've been with numerous women which I am not proud of. I was consumed with work because it was the one thing, I was good at and the only thing that was expected of me. But since I've gotten to know you and seeing you with Rose... things started to change."

"I've realized I shouldn't be doing something I'm unhappy with. I should fight for what I want just like you have been doing for your happiness with Rose." Nathan confessed looking down at me. I was trying to find the words to speak making my lips part unable to form a quick response.

"I want to be with you. I want more of whatever we are right now. Whatever this is. Whether that be here or anywhere else hiding from anyone else. Preferably not. B-But my point is-" He stuttered nervously before I grabbed his face leaning into him placing my lips against his. Nathan kissed me back wrapping his hand behind my neck.

"It wasn't until last night when I realized... how upset I am actually seeing you in danger. Seeing you with all of those men I felt useless. How I couldn't do anything to help you. You're the only one in my life who actually knows me. You're the only one who has managed to slowly weasel their way into my heart." Nathan stated after looking into his eyes as I continued to hang onto his words.

"I want you in my life." I confessed breathless ignoring the discomfort of being so vulnerable. Our eyes never looked away from one another. "You've driven me crazy. But lately it's for reasons different than before." I breathed through a smile.

But I knew I couldn't promise him a happy and safe life that he deserved.

Nathan eyes looked between my lips and eyes and his parted lips. His warm minty breath fanned my face making me go dizzy. He closed the space between us again kissing me gently memorizing every move I made.

"I need to see her. She needs me." Pulling away from our kiss after what felt like hours. Panting softly looking down away from him. Throwing the blankets off of me. I ignored the pain in my entire body as I opened the door. "I'm afraid you're in no condition to leave." The older doctor stated walking up to us making me fill with annoyance.

"I'm perfectly fine." I replied trying to suppress a pain as I stood holding my stomach. Wincing as I put too much weight on my ankle and hip. "Gen-" Nathan began as I started to limp away from them. I held onto my bruised waist continuing to hide my pain trying to stand tall. I've been in worse shape.

"Please, Miss." The doctor interrupted as they both followed me as I limped through the hallway towards her bedroom.

I frowned not seeing her making me close my eyes wishing I didn't have to keep walking. Continuing to limp and shuffle towards the living room. "You have multiple fractured ribs, wrists, sprained ankle, dislocated shoulder and knee and internal bruising. You are in no condition to be leaving let alone standing." The older man explained nervously as they slowly followed behind me.

"Gen." Nathan repeated full of frustration walking in front of me. "Just calm down for a minute." Nathan said towering over me making me fill with annoyance. "Nathan, please-" I began looking away before he spoke.

"Please just lay down. You don't want her to see you like this." He said softly making me look past him seeing Valerie and Rose in the living room in the distance. Rose smiled eating snacks and playing with her toys with Valerie.

Looking away in disgust from my purple and blue bruises scattered around my arms and hands making me wonder what the rest of me looked like. "Fine." I breathed leaning to
grab the wall with tears in my eyes too tired to try suppressing my heartbreak and guilt. Nathan brought me closer and held onto me to keep me from falling. I loved being in his tall, muscular embrace always feeling as though I was safe with him.

"She's perfectly fine. I promise. She's completely oblivious. Valerie and I have been spending as much time with her as possible. We told her you were sick and didn't want her to contract it." Nathan explained as he reached out for me.

"Let's just wait and see how you feel in the morning." He said softly. "I hate lying to her." I said with tears as he looked down at me with sympathetic eyes as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "She's safe here. We won't let anything happen to her."