Chapter 2 CHAPTER 2

Zane

"You're not taking anything that's given by my parents. Go with your little bastards only," Arin sneered, smirking.

"It wasn't given by you, so why are you telling me what to do? Still, you have a point." I picked up my sons' bags, slid their clothes into them, took both their hands, and left.

My sons and I were walking; it was already late at night. Still, I felt confident, I knew exactly where we had to go. But suddenly, a car screeched to a halt in front of us. Four boys stepped out, stumbling slightly, each holding an empty alcohol bottle Their eyes fell on me and my sons. A smirk spread across their faces as they began walking toward us..

"Dad, look, those thugs look like bad news! What should we do? Should I call the police?" Nilo murmured. By then the men had reached us.

"What have we here? Where are you going with these kids? You look rich from your clothes, give us money right now if you don't want to die." The leader sneered.

I stared at them and said nothing. One of them lunged forward and grabbed my collar, anger flashing in his eyes because I hadn't answered.

"This motherfucker wants to die right now," the man who'd grabbed my collar snarled.

"Babies, step back," I said, stepping between them.

My sons obeyed without hesitation. I looked up and saw the leader's face, rage, the kind that gives no warning. Without wasting a second I grabbed his hand that was on my collar with one hand and balled the other into a fist. I drove it into his stomach.

He buckled from the first blow, but anger pushed me on. I didn't show mercy. I kept hitting him and the others, raining down blows until they collapsed, groaning and still. Even though I didn't look strong, thin and small, I surprised myself with how much power I had. After I stopped, I glanced back. Nico was filming me on his tablet, eyes wide with excitement.

"Wow, Dad. You're so cool, you hit them like it was a piece of cake," Nilo said, grinning.

I smiled, knelt, and hugged both of them tight. From there we walked straight to the city's largest, most luxurious night bar.

As we stepped inside, the place was alive with music and laughter , people dancing, drinking, and partying. I moved ahead, set Nilo and Nico down on a chair, and glanced around, searching for someone. Just then, a man came out from behind the bar, and our eyes met.

“Shark! No,I mean, Zane! What are you doing here?” His words stumbled, but then he noticed Nilo and Nico. Quickly, he came out from behind the counter and knelt to admire them.

I told him everything that had happened. His expression darkened with concern, but he offered us fruit juice with a warm smile.

“Man, your family and fiancé are trash. That bitch Arin should die , I wish it , and more than that bastard who got you pregnant. If I find him, I’ll kill him.”

I took a sip. “Can you help me? I need a bank account to transfer my income into, and a new ID with my real surname , my mother’s.”

He nodded and handed me the newly opened bank account details. I sat at the counter with the laptop, opened my old account, and transferred all my one hundred million into the new one.

As soon as I was done, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I glanced around, but no one nearby seemed to be watching.

Then I looked up. On the second floor, a group of men sat around a table. One of them , blond hair, piercing blue eyes , was staring down at me. He sipped his beer with one hand, while the fingers of his other hand tapped slowly against the table, like a silent rhythm meant only for me.

“Ken, who’s that man sitting on the second floor?” I asked quietly.

“Oh, him? He’s a big shot. Often comes here to drink with his friends,” Ken replied.

Once I finished, I knew Ken would send me my new ID soon. I gathered my things and packed them up.

“Babies, we’re going to leave soon,” I said.

I helped both of them down from their chairs. They were clearly tired , it was already past their bedtime.

“Let’s go, babies. We’ll head to our house now.”

“You mean only we three will live there from now on?” they asked at the same time.

I nodded firmly. But as I turned, I suddenly bumped into someone. A chest met mine and a large hand landed on my shoulder.

“See where you’re going, or you’ll fall,” a voice said. I glanced ahead , it was the same man who’d been sitting on the second floor. Now he was standing right in front of me.

I tried to ignore him and move away with my kids, but before I could leave he grabbed my wrist. I froze and looked back.

“What are you doing? Let go of my hand.” My voice trembled.

“Don’t bully our dad , let go of his hand right now!” Nilo shouted.

The man chuckled and released my wrist, though he planted himself in our path.

“This isn’t a place to bring kids. Don’t you know that?” he said, looking down at us.

My eyes sharpened. “Yes , that’s why we’re leaving. Don’t stand in our way.” I pulled my sons closer, ready to walk past him.

He didn’t move from where he stood, so I gently pushed him aside and walked away. He was such a strange person, but for some reason, seeing him stirred an odd familiarity in me. I couldn’t place it, but it felt like I had seen him somewhere before.