“Alyona...Hello earth to big sister! Are you even listening to me?!” The sound of Alexandru’s voice made her blink back to reality, a soft hum sliding from her throat as her eyes raised. The youngest brother huffed a pout when his sister wasn’t always giving her undivided attention to him. “What’s wrong this time? You ask how my day was and then you just space off and ignore me? Damn you’re so rude.” His words were a grumpy rumble, how he usually sounded.

    “Sorry Al, just been a long few days.” Her words sounded softer than a whisper as she looked down in question to the food on her plate. American food, it made her want to throw up with how much fat and greasy it was. She would rather be in China eating a scorpion on a stick than whatever this sloppy mess on her plate was. Alyona could not understand how her brothers just ate the food like rabid animals.
“Doing what? Oooh hanging with your new American chew toy?” Alexandrus eyebrows wiggled in delight as he pointed a french fry to his sister, earning a scowl from Jax and Alyona.
    “What on earth are you talking about Al? I don’t even talk to the americans-”
    “Oh please, shut the hell up already. We all already know that Vad caught you with some guy at a bookstore. Heh, word spreads fast through the security guards” His grin was wide as he popped the fry into his mouth. Alexandru shook his head with a chuckle as he leaned back against his chair, arms lifting up over his head and sighed. “You’re just dumb enough to have the balls to talk to another guy when Vadik is in town. Hell, I know I would be scared s***less.” The boy had a point, with the eldest and most powerful brother being in town it wouldn’t be smart to even breathe without asking him first. Alyona looked down guilty, knowing what she had done was wrong. Before she could speak, the third eldest of the siblings spoke up with an annoyed grunt.
    “Why don’t you mind your own business, Alexandru. Now you know why Blake doesn’t give you any high positioned jobs other than working in the mail-room.” Jirkar’s statement made the other three siblings chuckle while Alexandrus expression went from c***y to annoyed. The blue eyes narrowing at his brother before childishly throwing a handful of fries at him. Even Vlad was laughing, the most quiet of the five. To better explain the Romanova siblings, you have to start from youngest to oldest. Alexandru was the youngest and most immature of the group. His looks were dashing for his age of 19 and he was more concerned with breasts and how long a girls legs were than with the business. Though the others had hopes for him to get out of this immature faise and learn as fast as Alyona did, who was the second youngest at 22. Jirkar was next with a strong personality, but his sense of humor surpassed any comedian for a 24 year old. His smile was killer, a true heart stopper. His looks didn't compare to Jax though. Jax was the true lady snatcher with his scruffy face and sharp jaw line that could split a diamond in two. He was tough, serious and vicious outside and in work. The 26 year old was considered the “bad boy” of the brothers yet Jax was by far the closest with his only sister. But no one understood Alyona like Vlad could. Vlad was at the ripe age of 27 going on 28, his body was more lean than his muscular brothers but his facial expressions were what most people noticed and his strange golden eyes. Reserved was the only word to describe Vlad, he never spoke; Ever. It was strange and almost scary to hear his voice and usually meant the situation was serious. Though he was a very good listener. Those five were an unstoppable force. Then there was Vadik…
    “Alyona you’re doing it again! God woman listen to us for once.” Alexandru’s voice rose in annoyance and he crankily stood up. “Whatever. I don’t want  you to listen anyways. You’re all boring.” Hands stuffing into his pockets he stomped down the hall and up the stairs of the large mansion they lived in. Everyone just chuckled softly and watched the temper tantrum.
    “Well now that’s over, Alyona we need to talk to you. Er...Just don’t freak out or do that hyperventilating thing you do when nervous or pace.” Jax raised both his eyebrows to her, softly chuckling as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. Vlad just nodded his head in agreement.. Jirkar, cleared his throat and leaned his elbows up on the table before looking scary serious to his sister.
    “Blake and Katya are coming home for a week and plan on staying this time.” At the sound of her parents names she swore she felt her chest tighten. Her face paled and she just sat in shock. Not knowing how else to react but to slowly look down at her now shaking hands. The impact their parents made on their lives were obvious because even Vlad twitched at the sound of his father’s name. Blake Romanova, head honcho of the family business that has been running practically forever. You wouldn’t know what true heart shattering, bone crushing fear was unless you stepped in a room with the man. If you dare look him in the eyes you’ll end up having a bullet between your own. Katya, his wife was a different story. She was a strange woman who held just as much power as her husband, but for the wrong reasons. Being a gold digger had turned into a side job, her other main focus was making her body perfect. She was always the shining sunflower in the patch of dandelions and made sure she was noticed. Alyona had obviously gotten the looks from her mother but the determination and harsh mindset from her cruel father. The only thing was she has only seen both her parents four times in her short life. The two together were siblings, they were more into their family and keeping the bloodline going for the business.
    “Wait...like they are staying? Here? For a week? Seriously?” Alyona’s words were fast, rushed and shaky as she suddenly stood. One hand set on her forehead and the other on her hip. Jax raised a steadying hand to relax her and nodded his head.
“Yes. But it’s okay. They are just coming so the press gets off their backs for awhile. All you have to do is look pretty and do whatever they ask.”
“Hah! Aren’t I already doing that?! This is.. it’s-..” Her words trailed off and she began to pant. The anxiety raising and her eyes shutting tight. Breathing in deeply through the nose and outside her lips. The amount of stress this had added to her shoulders was crazy. But she could pull through, she always did. She only shook her head and glared down to her socked covered feet.
    “Sweetheart I know this is tough but you just have to push through. We know you can...If Al can somehow please Katya than you of all people can do this.” Jax had risen from his seat and now stood in front of her. Softly pulling her into his chest and holding her. She didn’t hesitate to grip onto him tightly, thinking that her big brother could make the bad go away with just a simple embrace. The other two brothers silently stood and let the two have their moment of needed affection that seemed nonexistent in their busy lives. With gentle hands he stroked through her dark locks and swayed their bodies, allowing her to collect her thoughts and to relax from the slight panic attack she almost put herself through.
    “When are they arriving?”
    “Tomorrow morning, early. Don’t bother going to work, they expect us to be waiting for them.” He waited for an answer, but there was none as she just gripped the back of his shirt tighter with wide terrified eyes that stared at the wall. Jax just sighed and bent down, scooping his shorter sister up and started to carry her up the stairs. For the rest of that night Jax spent it with his sister like he had done many times in the past, their close connection was that of a parent and a child. Jax had helped raised his younger sister with the help of the nanny, but he had been there for every cut, every beating Vadik gave, every pass on a hard test when she went to college at the young age of 15 and had been there for the first time Blake had scolded her. Jax didn’t plan on going anywhere though, he knew how much his sister needed the mental support and had pinky promised a long time ago that he wouldn’t abandon Alyona no matter what. But for now he had helped her get ready for bed, waited until she stepped out of the shower to dress her. She usually needed help when she was like this and could barely blink without being reminded. He rubbed her back and watched her sleep, not even having to look up to know his older brother was standing in the doorway with a look that would rot a flower in seconds.
“Now isn’t a good time Vadik. Give her a bit of space man.” The only response he got was a rude grunt and listened as Vadik walked into the room and slid the smooth grey jacket off his bulky shoulders.
    “You of all people should not be telling me what to do. Get out.” With the flick of his head to the door he glared to Jax who kept his hand on his properties back. She slept so softly when Jax was there, yet when he was there it was like she was as stiff as a wall. It made his teeth grind in rage and his green eyes twitch in annoyance when Jax didn’t make any move to get away from their sister. A battle brewed in the small room as Jax leveled his own hazel eyes with that of his brothers and shook his head.
    “You know they are coming, let her relax for once already. You have your own room for christs sakes and she isn't going to wake up to play your pointless games just to look horrible in the morning. Katya will chew her ass out for it and you know it.” Jax was brave as he tilted his head in challenge to the boss of the siblings. Vadik just glanced to his prize before looking back to Jax, shaking his head and chuckling humorlessly. Mumbling a rather explicit and cold sentence to Jax in their original Russian language before snatching his jacket and walking out. Thats one battle won and had Jax letting out the shaky breath he had been holding. He then stood, tucked his sister in, and let her sleep to herself for once. 
    Early in the morning she was woken up to Vlad softly shaking her shoulders, earning a soft groan as she nuzzled her face into the pillow before pushing herself up. As usual he just patted her head before walking out. She then stood up and began to get ready. This time being precise with what she did so she looked presentable and to her mother's expectations. Hanging up and waiting for her was a red dress that would be to her mother's standards and she slid into it. It hugged her curvy figure and made her bright hazel eyes stand out more, adding light touches of makeup and jewlery. Yawning sleepily and finally walked out of her room at the same time Jirkar did. He was dressed in a fetching suit that would have woman on their knees.
“Relax, soft words and a gentle smile but don’t smile too much or they will think something is up. Chin up, Keep your posture perfect and don’t speak till you’re spoken to.” The list seemed to go on as the touchy brother fixed at her hair and her straps. She inhaled sharply and gave him a frustrated look that made him put his hands in surrender. As they walked down the stairs she about keeled over and puked at what she saw. Katya was dressed like a goddess, the see through black lace dress hugged her wide hips and perky chest with the dark locks pooling down her back. She was attached to the arm of a man who was tall and built like a rock. The scar that ran down the left side of his face and into his eye made his eyes different colors, one side a bright greenish brown and the other was almost clear. The short beard on his face added to make him look older than his original age of 40 while his wife looked no more than 36. At the sight of the first two siblings had the mother smiling and walking straight towards her daughter.
    “My pearl, it has been too long lovely!” Her voice was musical, a true siren. She approached her daughter with open arms and pulled her close into an awkward hug that made Alyona flinch at the rock hard fake breasts. When she pulled away her eyes slowly looked her daughter up and down, a frown appearing on her red lips before they twitched. “I see you still are quite short and your eyebrows look hideous. This dress is too loose, you need something far more fitting. Hm, maybe we should get you a corset. After all my lovely, beauty is pain.” The woman babbled out rude judgments that had Alyona biting her tongue and stiffly nodding, giving a faint smile and looking her mother in her bright blue eyes.
    “Yes ma’am, I will be sure to work on those things-”
    “And you need to get your teeth whitened and a hair cut. No man wants a woman with yellow teeth Alyona and a bad habit of biting the dead skin off her lip.” The woman had hawk eyes as she had rudely interrupted her daughter. Alyona flinched and held still, wincing in pain at her mother's surprising strength as she grabbed the girl’s cheeks and pulled her close. Blake just stood with a blank face and watched his wife nitpick at every little thing she could find. He did however approach Jirkar with a firm handshake and said a few words. When the rest of the brothers came Katya excitedly hugged them, seeming to not be as picky with them and only with her daughter. When Vadik approached, Blake grew a proud smile and patted his son on the shoulder as he had with Jax only. Watching as Vadik took his place beside a very nervous and stiff Alyona whose facial expression was blank, emotionless.
    “Darling, smile for your lover.” Whispering the words softly a smile set on his lip as his hand slid down her back only to roughly be elbowed.
    “Hands off the merchandise. Not in front of them.” Barely whispering she used her eyes to glare coldly to her fiance before softening when her father finally approached her. Vadik only chuckled amused and accepted the challenge, a grin set on his lips as he let his arm firmly grip around her waist, a sign of ownership. Blake softly smiled down to his daughter he took pride in. Bending down and cupping her cheek as if she was fragile glass.
    “My sweet little gem, you are running my company well aren't you?” His voice was much deeper than any man she had ever heard and it sent a chill down her spine. Nervously gulping she smiled weakly to him and nodded her head.
    “Yes sir. The rates are rising a significant amount and customer happiness has raised as well. We rarely get any complaints with our partners either.” She was surprised with herself when her voice sounded steady. Her jaw clenched tight and her hands shaking at her side as his thumb stroked over her cheek bone before he roughly patted her cheek and chuckled.
    “Good, Keep up the work. But gem?” Suddenly his grip tightened. His facial expression was that of a stone cold killer as he squeezed her face slowly harder. “If I ever find out you are traveling through the city and speaking with strange men without Vadik again I will either open you from your skinny belly to that smart little brain, or I'll let Vadik decide what your punishment will be. We do not have time for you having communications with other people. We stay in the family. Blood is everything. Am I clear?” By the end of his scolding words she was welling up with tears, her hands reaching up in pain as she felt something pop as he squeezed harder. Her jaw now throbbed and felt off. She nodded her head and held in a sob as he squeezed harder for good measure before letting go. Now smiling as he took his wife's hand, he led her to the stairs. “Lovely seeing my children.” The fact that Blake had found out about her meeting Cameron was crazy, but didn’t surprise any of them. Finding the snitch would be the only trouble.
    Everyone waited until their parents disappeared before Alyona dropped to her knees shaking and gripping her mouth. Vadik just grinned mischievously and stepped over her, his hands in his pockets. “I suggest you clean yourself up, I'll see you tonight.” He waved a hand lazily over his shoulder before disappearing into the kitchen. Al and Vlad bent down to their sister and quickly tried to help, trying to lift her head as tears streamed down the girl's face and her jaw looked odd, misshapen almost as she tried to close it. Jirkar stepped up and rolled his sleeves up, softly kissing her forehead before standing behind her.
    “Hold her tight. She’s going to scream.” He spoke softly, almost in as much shock as everyone else. Jax stood in front of her and made sure her eyes were on his before Jirkar grabbed the sides of her jaw. Softly at first he pushed before roughly snapping her jaw back into place. Her scream erupting through the house and her body shaking. It all broke the brothers hearts as they saw her shake and weep in pain. The pain was too much, heated and boiling her blood as it shot through her body. It throbbed to her head and caused a wave of nausea as she tried to control her breathing but it only came out as short wheezing pants. They let Jax take her and hold her closely as he quickly took her to the kitchen and get an icepack to put on her now bruising cheeks. This was normal for them. For the business to come before anything, but never before blood. He just sat and let his sister weep tears, her cheeks now swollen, holding onto him as if her life depended on it. This couldn’t go on and he knew that. The first thing he needed to do is talk to that bookstore clerk and be sure he knew not to get involved with his sister ever again. Jax didn’t know what he would do if he watched his father hurt his own child in such a way and his mother be so cruel for things that no one cared about. Tomorrow was when he would make his move.