"One step at a time, Alannah. The first thing is that I am taking you back to Lux. " Kurt said.
"Dam right you are and the Mad Dogs are doing the security!" Theo said as he burst into the room. He went over and hugged Alannah.
"The ribs!" Alannah moaned. They were still bruised from the other day.
"You will never, ever, pick a fight with those two again! You were injured and could have been killed! " Theo said sternly.
"It is not like I started it. They were going to hurt James, and I could not let that happen! " Alannah argued, and Theo growled.
"Stop it, James is OK. He was just protective over Kurt, which I completely understand and respect. " Alannah said.
"This is how we are over you!" Kurt and Theo said it together, and Alannah rolled her eyes.
"Er, boss? It is your father on the phone! " Frank said as he popped his head around the door with a phone. Theo crooked his head and took the phone from Frank.
"Hello, Dad?" Theo said and listened.
"How did you know? Oh, right Grace, she could never keep a secret! " Theo said with a sigh. Kurt smiled as he gently bandaged Alannah's hands.
"Do you still love her?" Alannah asked and Kurt laughed.
"Once, I thought I did. But, compared to what I have now, I see it was a childish obsession! " Kurt stated truthfully.
"Huh!" Alannah said, and Kurt kissed her gently.
"Do you doubt me?" Kurt said, looking stern.
"No. Grace is pretty and smart, though. Alannah said with a sigh.
"Not compared to you! Besides, I should be worried here. You live with men that think having a 6 pack is a sign of laziness! " Kurt said, and it was Alannah's laugh.
"No, I don't think Kurt will agree to that!" Theo argued.
"I DON'T GIVE A FUCK WHAT KURT THINKS! She is an Evans and my granddaughter! You have done a poor job of protecting her., so bring her here now! "a loud voice shouted on the phone. There was then a buzzing sound, indicating the conversation was over.
Theo sighed and said, "Alannah's not going back to the hotel, she is staying at the Lang's home on the city outskirts until the Syndicate meeting has been completed."
"OK, what else?" Kurt said, eyes narrowing.
"Dad, I mean Chris, has brought along the official Gang Marker, he wants Alannah marked by the end of the day!" Theo informed.
"What? Alannah is in no fit state! Besides, that will mean.." Kurt was about to say that Russia would put two and two together, but he stopped himself.
"He doesn't care, Kurt. He thinks that having her officially marked will protect her!" Theo said.
"Akihiko does not care about that; he will still try!" Kurt snapped. Kurt felt a hand on his arm and his body instantly relaxed a little.
It is OK. Kurt, I don't mind. It is just a tattoo! I am not sure where it is going to go, as I am already marked. They won't go over my Fox, will they? " Alannah asked softly.
"No darling, we'll make sure they won't," Theo said with a smile.
"That is OK then!" Alannah said, smiling back.
"The car is here," Frank said, and Theo nodded.
"Let's go, Princess!" Kurt said as they all walked out to the car.
An hour later, Kurt, Alannah, and Theo arrived at Lang's home. As expected, it was breathtakingly beautiful and very large. Alannah had never been here before. Xan kept a clear distinction between business and personal.
"This is amazing!" Alannah gasped.
Suddenly, a door opened and a large red dog bounded out. He raced over to Alannah and sniffed her. He then laid down and rolled on his back, wanting a tummy rub.
"Tobias likes you!" Grace said, smiling widely as she came down the front steps.
"He is very big and fluffy!" Alannah said happily as she rubbed his belly.
"Tobias is a Tibetan Mastiff and is extremely loyal. Normally! Xan said surprised, as he put a loving arm around his wife.
"Yes, but he can tell Alannah is family! Hello, Kurt and Uncle. " Grace said it carefully.
"Hmmm, it is a good thing you are my favourite niece! But please next time, let me tell him? It would save me a headache!" Theo grumbled.
"Alright Uncle, point taken! Now, come cousin, it is time to meet Granddad!" Grace said as she hooked her arm around Alannah's and guided her into the house. "What happened to your shoulder and hands?" Grace asked.
"Um, I injured them in training," Alannah said.
"Alannah, you are a terrible liar!" Grace said.
"So I keep being told!" Alannah muttered as she looked around the lavishly decorated home. Eventually, they came into a room that overlooked the Garden. It looked like a library or a study, as the room had floor to ceiling shelves filled with books. There was also three large red chesterfields and a couple of big leather chairs. There was also a wooden desk in one corner and a large oriental rug on the wooden floor. It was the perfect mix of east and west.
Alannah spotted an old man with grey hair and green eyes sitting in one of the chairs.
"Granddad Evans, I am pleased to present Alannah Seaswell!" Grace said with a smile. Alannah bowed deeply. She was in the presence of a founding father.
"I am pleased to meet you, Mr Chris Evans!" Alannah said formally.
You look so much like her. Even without a DNA test, I would know you were an Evans! " Chris remarked.
"Dad?" Theo asked as he came in with Kurt and Xan.
She looks like your mother when she was younger. That is where she gets her red hair and green eyes from. " Chris said.
"You are most kind, Mr Evans!" Alannah said formally.
Please stop with the formalities, child. Come, sit by me and tell me about yourself! " Chris said gently and pointed to the sofa that was closest to him.
Alannah obeyed and Kurt sat next to her, Theo on the other single chair and Grace and Xan on the other sofa.
"Erm, there is not really much to tell Mr Evans," Alannah said nervously.
"Chris or Grandad, please child. How did you come to China and what is the mark on your neck? " Chris said. Alannah was sure Chris Evans knew everything already. Alannah closed her eyes. She would rather fight than do this.
"Take your time, Alannah, I know it is very overwhelming!" Grace said it softly whilst pouring some tea.
My parents were murdered... well, I thought they were. My Mum was anyway. " Alannah said.
"And who was your mother?" Chris asked.
"Her name was Emily Sophia Seaswell," Alannah said with a smile.
"It is clear you loved her very much," Chris said gently.
"Yes, I miss her every day," Alannah said sadly.
I understand. I miss my wife too. What happened next? " Chris asked.
My brother got into trouble with gambling debts with a local gang. I was sold to pay them off and transported to China. I was going to be sold, but before I was I made sure I was beaten up by the Guards, to make me less attractive. Tao spotted me and I became a Nine Tails." Alannah said.
"You skipped the island test!" As Chris pointed out,
"I didn't want to bring anyone down!" Alannah said with a shrug.
According to the records, you were almost drowned, chased and bitten by hunting dogs, and carried an injured teammate through deep mudflats to the finish line. This was while you were riddled with a fever caused by the dog bite. Once over the line, you sacrificed yourself to protect the team member because he had a family, "Chris said.
"So, that is how you got that bite mark scar on your arm!" Kurt said.
"So, you are now a Nine Tails and a cursed one. I will be honest, these are not the credentials I want to list under the Evan family name. If you were more like Grace, it would be another matter. But, the cursed ones are well known to be the scrapings of humanity's barrel. They are a bunch of whores and murderers. I am not sure you are good enough for Evan's family name. It is no wonder Theo did not tell me he had a daughter! How disappointing this situation is! " "Chris I said in a disappointed tone.
"Good!" Alannah said before anyone else could say anything.
"Pardon?" Chris said.
"I am happy that I am not going to be part of the Evans family!" Alannah snapped.
"You are happy? My Dear, do you know who we are? How much we are worth?" Chris said surprised.
"I have survived long enough without those things and I don't really care what you think. I am not a murderer or a whore, I am the Red Fucking Vixen! I have broken more records and won more fights than any other woman in the history of gang fights. I am the only woman who has ever been allowed to fight as an equal against men! Grace is a beautiful and smart woman, but I will never be her. So, it is good that you are disappointed now, rather than later down the line!
My real family will take me back in a heartbeat and for your information, those "scraping of the barrels of humanity", have shown me more kindness, love and loyalty than you could understand. It just proves that money and reputation can't buy class or manners!" Alannah said in a scolding tone. She did not give a fuck who this man is, he was a rude arse!
There was stunned silence in the room. Alannah had just gone toe to toe with a founding father and had not blinked.
"Dad, she did not.." Theo said, worried about his Father's reaction.
"I don't need anyone to speak for me!" Alannah snapped.
To everyone's surprise, Chris started to roar with laughter. After a few minutes, Chris said, "You are a lioness alright! I have not been put in my place since my dear wife, Elizabeth, was alive! Forgive me, child, I had to find out! " Chris said.
"Find out what?" Alannah said, confused.
"Your character, of course! You are a true Evans; you protect those you love, you are loyal to a fault and quite fearless. You will need to choose a strong husband, if that is what you want, of course! " Chris said.
"I have already chosen. So, I am not an embarrassment?" Alannah said.
My dear, you are a stunning fighter, an exemplary strategist, and the Red Fucking Vixen. I am delighted to have you as a granddaughter! Now I have two lionesses in my pride. I can't wait to tell Anderson. He is going to be so jealous! " Chris said with a grin.
"Granddad, you are deplorable!" Grace scolded and Chris chuckled.
"Oh, before you go to be marked, we need to talk about a few things. First, who is your lucky chosen husband to be?" Chris asked.
Kurt Blackwood, of course!" Alannah said, and Kurt grinned from ear to ear.
"Kurt? You know that he and Grace had a relationship?" Chris said, his eyes narrowing.
"Fully aware, neither of them had hidden it from me," Alannah said.
"Good. You don't think Kurt is courting you because of your bloodline?" Chris asked.
"With all due respect..." Kurt started to say angrily, but Alannah put a hand on his knee.
"It is ironic, at the start of our relationship I was worried that Kurt I was after his money and power. Now, you think he could be after my name! Kurt was courting me before he knew anything about my family. In fact, he pretended to be a businessman interested in opening fighting training centres. It was quite romantic really, even if he was getting his arse kicked every day!" Alannah said with a smile.
"I see!" said Chris.
"It is true, Father, I was there!" Theo confirmed.
"Father? Oh, have I upset you, Theo? " Chris asked.
"She is my daughter. You did not have to put her through that!" Theo's trumpet
"Oh, she's a strong one. I am sure that Kurt will find that out soon enough! " Chris said with a knowing smile.
"I already know Alannah is strong. She is also beautiful, smart, and the reason for my existence. " Kurt said as he took Alannah's hand and kissed her fingers. Alannah blushed at the intimate gesture.
"Bruh, you got it bad!" Xan said with a smirk, earning him a glare from Grace.
"In truth, My advice to you is to get married to her as quickly as possible before someone steals her away! " Chris said.
"Trust me, as soon as Alannah says yes and has your two's blessing, she will become my wife!" Kurt said.
" Good, I don't believe in messing around with such things. Grace and Xan were bad enough! Shall we talk about allowances and assets?" Chris said.
"What?" Alannah said confused.
Allowances and assets, my dear! You are a member of the Evans family now and therefore are entitled to certain privileges. " Chris said.
"Oh!" Alannah said not understanding.
"Shall we say 15 to start with, followed by monthly instalments?" Chris asked.
"Fifteen thousand US dollars? No, that is too much! " Alannah protested.
"Not thousands, but millions, Alannah. I think a million a month should cover it. Once she is married we can always increase it." Theo said.
"Millions?" Alannah said, feeling faint. That money could buy the nine foxes' freedom!
"Alannah, are you OK? " Kurt asked as Alannah looked pale.
"I think...I need some air!" Alannah said.
"Of course, let's go outside and leave the men to chat!" Grace said as she guided Alannah out into the garden.
"She is simply delightful, Theo. You must be so proud!" Chris said.
"I am!" Theo said.
"You better look after her Kurt. If you hurt a hair on her head, there be big problems for you!" Chris warned.
Theo smiled. He could see that his father had already started to become fond of Alannah. And why not? She was the embodiment of Evans's values.
"I would sooner hurt myself. I get it now. I get why Xan acted as he did with Grace. As much as I like Grace, she was never the one I wanted to be with. She does not fit me or gets me as Alannah does! " Kurt said.
"She is overwhelmed by her new status!" Xan remarked.
"Wouldn't you be? Alannah has been through hell and back!" Theo said.
"Now tell me how she got hurt!" "Chris commanded
"Alannah had a run-in with Akihiko and his second in command. If anyone else was fighting them, they would be dead. Unfortunately, they broke her Tussen and she is pretty cut up about it. " Theo said.
"Akihiko? The Japanese Syndicate chair? What does he want?" Chris ask.
"He wants Alannah to be his Empress!" Xan said, and Kurt growled.
"Does he know she is a Lioness?" Chris asked.
"Yes, and he does not care!" Theo said.
"He dares start a war with a founding Father? Well, he will soon regret that!" Chris said.