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*Tanya*

When I woke up in the hospital, the first face I remember seeing was Brian. He looked down at me disgusted like I had done something wrong. I felt anger burning in my throat. I don't know if it was feeling secure in the hospital or everything hitting me at once, but I blew up. "You heartless waste of space excuse of a man, how could you let this happen to me? I know you knew they came in when you left Brian. I know you allowed them to hurt me. What's wrong? Were you getting tired of doing it yourself?" I immediately regretted my words as he walked closer to me. He wrapped his hand around my throat choking me while whispering into my ear, "I did know. If you were hiding that skank Sandra and her thug boyfriends, you deserved to pay for it. I am sure you enjoyed it anyway whore." He was ice cold. He leaned up quickly walking out of the room. I cried so hard after he left the nurse ran in and gave me something in my IV. My eyes got heavy instantly as I tried to tell her to keep him out, but my lips wouldn't move. I was asleep within seconds. I woke up to a friendly face, Sandra and her Greek gods surrounded me, they saved me. Brian was gone. The beautiful god they left with me, Zeus, the pull I had to him was fierce. I let him have me, at the hospital, and he erased all they had done. He was gentle and passionate. I could tell that wasn't who he was, he did that for me. Now I was staring at this big beautiful country house. A safe house, he called it. Sandra ran out the front door to greet me with one of the giant men following behind her. Two other men grabbed my bags and carried them to the house. Zeus had stopped at my house and had them pack up everything I wanted. I was officially away from Brian. I was safe.

"Sandra, thank you so much," I said softly as she wrapped her arms around my neck. She asked me how I was feeling so I held out one of my crutches showing her and shrugging. "I'm alive and safe," I told her because that was the best answer I could think of. "And Zeus?" She asked with a knowing grin on her face. I could feel myself blushing, we both giggled like schoolgirls while I hobbled to the stairs. Two guards walked beside me practically carrying me up the stairs. When we walked in the front door the beauty amazed me. You don't expect to see something so classical looking in a place owned by the biggest kingpin in the state. It was breathtaking. Sandra led me to a door on the right. A huge kitchen with a large dining table. "Hello Tanya, welcome to our kitchen." A younger guy I remember from the hospital smiled at me as we walked in. "This is Henry, he is a badass. He is also a damn good chef." Zeus' voice came from a room to my left. When he walked in my eyes went directly to his, he was so beautiful. "Hello, Henry." I smiled at him. Sandra told me to sit at the table. I walked over with Zeus instantly coming to help me. He pulled out the chair kissing my forehead and sitting beside me. I heard a deeper voice come in, another god with dark blue eyes and tribal tattoos running up his neck. He walked up to Sandra first. "There is my queen, I missed you." He said softly kissing her. I watched as she melted into him. They were perfect together. I smiled at her while she laid her head on his chest, and she smiled back. "You must be Smoke?" I said smiling knowing that couldn't be his real name. He shook his head yes as he led Sandra to the table beside me. He also sat down. The biggest guy in the group came in sitting beside of smoke. "That's Jay, he looks scary, but he is a big guardian angel." Sandra smiled. I watched as he blushed before saying hello to me. Henry brought over some plates sitting them in front of us. The food smelled delicious. "He's a great cook," Zeus said noticing my amazement. He was proud of his friend. Finally, Henry sat down with a plate of his own.

The room got quiet as we all ate. I watched the people around me amazed. A group of what people would call criminals, but all I could see was their love for each other. Something I haven't seen for a long time. I watched as Smoke looked at Sandra while she ate, he was admiring her. He loved her. She deserves someone like that. I looked towards Zeus and he was watching me as well. My heart started to speed up. "You okay beautiful, I know this is a lot." He said pushing a stray hair behind my ear. I felt a chill down me when he touched me. "I am okay Zeus, thank you," I smiled at him. He went back to his plate. After we were all done eating Henry began to clean up. "Do you need some help?" I wanted to feel useful. "Silly girl, you can hardly walk. I can tell why you and Sunshine are such good friends. I got it, I enjoy this part." Henry winked at me taking my plate. Zeus grabbed my hand squeezing it. "I need to talk to you," he said before helping me stand reaching me my crutches. I turned to follow him into the room he came from before. I noticed Smoke nodding at him on the way by. When we walked into the room I think I realized why. It was an office of sorts, but a huge one. The desk alone was big enough to fill a normal business office. Zeus noticed my wonder and told me that it was indeed his boss' office. "They put your things in my room." He said abruptly, almost nervous. "If you would like a room of your own I can arrange that." I smiled at him. "Your room will be perfect." As soon as I said it he put his lips on mine hard, I started to stumble and he lifted me off the ground. He pushed me back into a wall and my crutches landed on the ground. I couldn't breathe after he pulled away. "Thank you." He smiled. Why was he thanking me, he saved me, and he was still saving me. "I owe you a thank you Z, not the other way around," I said quietly. "No baby, You don't, you woke me up. You shook something inside of me I didn't know existed anymore. I want you." He talked so quickly I could hardly keep up. He kissed me again. I shook my head, Yes, it was fast and scary but at that moment there was nothing I wanted more than to be with him.

We stayed there for minutes, with him holding me up against the wall. He stared at me like he wanted more, but couldn't quite get there. He reached to his ear before saying "Yes boss, out in a minute" confusing me. "I muted my comm when we came in here, They couldn't hear me but I could hear them." He explained. I shook my head yes slowly as he helped me to a chair. When he picked my crutches up off of the floor before sitting down across from me. "I have a doctor coming to check you out in a while, he will come to the room. You can trust him. We all have to leave for a while but make yourself at home. You can go anywhere. I have a guard, we call him five, he will be with you. He is outside waiting for you. You are safe here. No one knows where this place is. We will be back as soon as possible." He kissed me softly again. He told me that Sandra was going with them. They were going to take care of Ryan and the other man. He called him Ark. He promised we would spend some time getting to know each other better after they came home. He winked at me before picking me up out of the chair and handing me my crutches. When we got back to the kitchen I was greeted by the others. Zeus introduced me to five telling him not to smother me, but to keep me safe. I smiled at him and said hello. He nodded. "The guards don't talk much." Sandra said making a silly mime gesture at me. I laughed a little, which hurt. The pain meds must be wearing off some. I watched as they packed up gear, putting a vest on Sandra. She slid her hoodie down over top of it. They were all packed and ready to go. I walked to the door and five followed behind me. Zeus turned to me kissing me softly, "Remember the doctor is coming, your meds are in our room, and I will be home as soon as this is done." He smiled at me and walked out the door with Jay and Henry. Smoke let go of Sandra's hand allowing her to stay behind for a moment. He smiled and nodded at me before turning out the door himself.

Sandra watched as he walked towards the SUV smiling. "He makes you happy huh Sandy?" I asked her smiling half as big. She shook her head, yes looking back at me. "They are all special. Zeus seems to have become a different man with you Tawn, Take care of him. I know you have been through a lot. If anyone understands some of it, I do. He's a great guy. If you allow him to love you, you won't be sorry." She didn't let me reply just reaching her arms around me and hugging me tightly. "Five take care of my friend." She smiled as she walked out the door. I watched as she walked towards the car. Jay waiting to help her inside. She had become their queen. She was so strong. I found myself wanting that strength too. Someday.