The light shined too brightly, too much for my eyes.

"Someone turn the fucking light off" A familiar voice snapped, gruff and near me. It sounded so nice. I hoped he kept speaking.

My body felt like lead and aches all mashed together in one lump of sluggish numb. Opening my eyes I winced against the slight light that came in, lips cracking when I smiled.

Ripper was next to me, face pale and strained. Dad was next to him, fingers clenched in the blankets next to him- Bianca at his side.

"Everyone looks like someone nearly died" I coughed, attempting to lighten the atmosphere. Ripper growled, meeting his forehead to mine. "Don't joke about that"

Bianca gave him a black look, coming to my other side. "This is the way she deals with it Ripper. Leave her be"

I gave Bianca a small smile, reaching a heavy hand out to her. Bianca's eyes watered before she clung to my hand, squeezing gently. "We've gotten through this once Biancs. We can do it again eh?" I murmured, reminding her of how much we had endured together. Bianca nodded stiffly, relaxing when Beast's arms came around her.

Oh. I missed something. Beast's dark eyes found mine, daring me to say something. "Bianca, you're new toy is glaring at me- glaring at a cripple"

She spun around, pushing him away hard. "We fucking talked about this" He scowled then stalked outside, like a dog that had been punished.

Only Bianca.

Seamus moved out of the shadows, coming to kneel beside the bed. His face was drawn and cold, much like the boy I first met. He didn't speak, only sat down and lay his head next to my shoulder.

The amount of loyalty this boy had.

I coughed, tightening my hand on Ripper's. "We know who did it Cor" He murmured, voice low with barely controlled fury. Hugh sat back, face dark and angry. "This deserves a whole different level of punishment Cor. There are two things you don't do in this MC, hurt the pres' family, or hurt women."

I sat up with the help of Ripper, holding in a grimace when I saw the bruises all over my body. "How are you going to punish them if they were all women?"

Hugh's eyes snapped to mine, "there was more than one?"

Bianca laughed haughtily, "It would take more than one to bring down Cor" She sat back and frowned, face glazing over with memories.

I nodded, leaning into the warmth Ripper provided when he sidled up next to me. My big, beautiful man. "There were at least 5."

Ripper's hands tightened around mine, the barely suppressed fury in his body making him tremble. Hugh slammed his fist on the bedside table, standing quickly. "I'll call a meeting in a week. Dead eye is going to help me find out who they are"

Before Hugh left he leaned down, kissing me briefly on my forehead. "I'll be back soon sweetheart. You're safe now"

Seamus sat up, cerulean eyes intense on mine. "We will find them. And they will wish they had never even breathed in your direction."

Bianca's eyes closed in on mine, the subtle tightening of her jaw showing me just how angry she was too. And there was a promise in her eyes, one that she communicated to me by squeezing my hand.

Most people would think that revenge was petty, but that was the way of life. Balance. Bianca and I always strove for balance. Living a life where everything was negatively sided and unfair, we learnt to appreciate balance when it came. And if it didn't come, we made it happen.

**********

A week had passed and most of my body had healed, the bruises nearly skin colour and fading fast. Dad, Ripper, Seamus or Bianca was always with me- at times endearing, other times completely and utterly annoying.

At times Slater would drop by, often making Ripper angry with his sexually loaded comments. But dad had enough wisdom to make him leave quickly.

I enjoyed my time with dad though, it was a strange feeling- to be really looked after. Dad wanted to make sure I felt loved and comforted, especially since it was his first go since knowing he had a daughter.

He really was the best father I could have ever dreamed of. But Ripper- he was always there when he could be. A constant pillar and annoyance by my side, he made sure to keep me feeling safe and secure- even when I did tell him just being by my side was enough. He had stood still after that, face going blank before replying. "You're the only one that matters Cor. The only one"

I swear this man would be the cause of an early death.

Ripper stayed by my side as I walked slowly into the meeting, his arm both a protective and supportive measure that made sure I didn't fall. Dead eye stared as I walked in, a frown settling on his worn face, no doubt seeing the remnants of bruises all along my jaw and arms.

Dad stood at the helm of the meeting, all eyes immediately swinging to his now terrifying form that gripped everyone in the room.

"I called this meeting today because a group of people dared to touch my daughter" He murmured, voice a wish of death. I sat up straight, not letting the members see me in more of a weak light than they already probably did. Eyes flicked to me, some who I recognized and others who brought the beatings back to life.

Bianca sat next to the Beast, nodding brusquely to me when she realized who they were.

Dad continued, walking to the middle of the room. "And Deadeye, as well as Cor knows who did it. But, knowing that some women in the club had the amazing thought of beating the pres' daughter, I feel as if you have all forgotten the reason you should love, as well as fear me"

The more he spoke, the colder the air became. Despite the fire blazing in the corner, all the members looked visibly shaken by his words. Hugh's mouth turned down into a disgusted sneer, a large fist slamming against his hand with a more than audible 'thump.'

I could feel Ripper tense beside me, his hand steadying me as I shook with anger. "I am the president because I am the one who has made each one of you and I can break you as if you were a twig in the middle of autumn. Now, before I get really angry, which one of you fuckers beat my daughter?"

Silence echoed in the room, pregnant and full of frustration. Dad growled lowly, slamming his fist into the nearest wall. "You either come out now and deal with me, or you get caught and deal with Ripper"

I stood then, not surprising who still had his hand in mine. I glanced at him, nodding for him to stay sitting. I could already see the veins pulsing on his forehead, barely contained fury nearly taking hold.

"Cor?"

Bianca came to stand beside me, a silent wall of strength.

"If you were game enough to take me on a week ago, would you be brave enough to do it now?"

I saw a woman's eyes flick up, narrowing. I held out my hands, a placation of weakness. "Look at me. I'm still recovering. But, if you best me in a one on one fight, I'll leave. However, if I win, I get to beat you again. And with the help of this chick right here" I jerked my head at Bianca, who tried to look as innocent as possible.

Ripper squeezed my hand, an angry look on his face. I mouthed 'I'll explain later.' He shook his head, mussed hair getting even more dishevelled.

Dad stared, searching my face for something that would clue him into what I was up to. Deadeye was the only one who had understood what I had said. Rather, what I had not said.

He nodded, agreeing to my proposition, then three women immediately stood up, cracking their knuckles in an effort to look intimidating. Once you beat someone in an alleyway while two other people hold her back, I think you lose your intimidating factor.

Martha, Jacqueline and Carrie. Whores of the club who seeked to become an old lady through all the wrong means. Martha, the one with bright red hair and a yellow smile, gave me a black look.

"If it means you'll finally get the fuck out of this club then I'll fight you."

I held up a hand, halting her. "If you fight me, you admit that you beat me"

Martha grinned, the stains of her teeth covering her mouth. "I did it gladly". All the other woman agreed, but gulped nervously. And by the backing away of the men in the club, I didn't dare look at the face of my father or Ripper.

I was in this to fuck them up, then fuck them up some more. I had fought better in worse states.

The club was gathered outside in a small ring that would make it easier to fight and harder to run away. Which is what Bianca and I wanted. Ripper and Seamus just kept silent- and I knew I'd get a reaming later on for the brashness at which I did things.

It was going to be three consecutive one on one fights, all just bare fisted brawling. Dad kept his hand on my shoulder until he nodded to start, and the frenzy took over.

Martha was mincemeat, and I would have fun pumelling her into the dust. She was cocky and gave a limp handed stance before lunging, aiming to scratch my eyes.

I dodged, a sharp pain lancing up my leg as I stepped on a sore part of my foot, but grabbed her arm and pulled her forward, using the momentum from the lunge and bringing my knee up to her face. It hit with a satisfying 'crack' blood pouring out of her nose. She cried out then twisted out of my hold, wiping her nose. "Fucking bitch, I'm going to kill you"

I grinned, knowing the look in my eyes was anything less than civil. She ran forward again, throwing a right hook that didn't hit as I ducked and swung my left fist up for an uppercut, then turning after I felt the impact to shove my elbow into her face.

Women were usually pretty good when it came to face shots- Martha wasn't one of those women. She crumpled to the ground, face bloody and already swelling.

And I was just getting started.

The other two went as quickly as they came, easy fights that didn't work up a sweat, but gave a few new bruises. Even though the many years experience with street brawling, it still didn't take away from the fact that I was still injured and felt pain.

Bianca came to stand next to me, glaring down at Carrie who lay on the red glass, face blue and covered in crimson. "We'll beat them later. But now, you've earned your place in the club." She gave me a dark smile, face twisting from the innocence before into a knowing, vengeful look. "It's been awhile since we hustled together"

I grinned back, heart beating wildly, wiping my bloody knuckles on my shirt before falling forward, the strength I had used all spent. Two strong arms came around my waist immediately, pulling me back and standing straight. Ripper. The club still stood around us, eyes still wide at my wins.

Ripper raised his voice, firm and daring. "She has earned her place. If anyone questions her, touches her or even breathes in her direction with the intention to hurt her- you'll deal with me."

He lifted me up, carrying me into the house like a fireman with his rescue, and walked straight to my room. He was more my knight in shining leather.

The fights probably hurt more than they should have normally, and I didn't know if it was because I had been beaten beforehand, or I had overexerted myself. Ripper sat at my side, fists clenched with the familiar look of anger dark on his face. I reached out a hand only to have him flinch away, his eyes snapping to the door instead. It hurt- more than I would ever let on- but Bianca noticed. She always did. Ripper stayed close but exhaled deeply, golden eyes finally resting on my face.

"You didn't tell us what you were going to do"

Seamus nodded from the far side of the room, an expression similar to Ripper's on his face. "You never tell us Cor. And now you're hurt because you decided something that could have ended up in you being killed"

I sat back, slumping down in the bed I was sitting atop of, gritting my teeth. "Would you have let me if I had told you?"

Ripper made a noise between a grunt and a scoff. "Of course not" I folded my arms, trying to ignore frustration that grew.

"You're so unpredictable, and always make brash decisions" Ripper snarled, standing to tower over the bed I sat on. His voice hurt my ears and my heart, because I knew what he was saying was true. That was who I am. It's always been that way with me- deal with it then and there, or live with the guilt that I let something go on longer.

And seeing Hugh's MC become divided because of me? Letting women get beaten by much bigger men? I didn't like the women who beat me- of fucking course- but if they went by the rules of the club and had God knows what done to them by a very angry Ripper- I was doing them a favour by fighting them one on one, with the promise of a later beating by myself.

I was there to exact revenge, not to give more than was deserved.

I kept my voice low, realizing how tired I actually was when I spoke. "My decisions are my decisions. I make them without permission from others, and do what I believe needs to be done." My hands shook in my lap, something Bianca's eyes darted to and frowned at from the other side of the bed.

Ripper growled lowly, running a hand through his curls. "When your decisions get you hurt, maybe you're making all the wrong ones"

It didn't take much to calm the anger, my energy was slowly ebbing out. Hugh stood up, finally saying something apart from assessing the bruises on my body. "Enough. She needs to rest"

Bianca nodded to him, patting my hand before leaving. Seamus frowned then took off his jacket, laying it on my legs. "Sleep Cor. Don't think about what I said, I'm just angry you're hurt" He left, broad back out the door and leaving me speechless.

Ripper still sat in the room, face creasing. He let the silence go on as I felt my eyes droop before he sighed. "Please,just tell me what you're going to do." He shook his head, falling to his knees near me. "I know you're always going to want to do things for yourself, but if it has the slightest chance of you getting hurt, please at least give me an inkling of what you are going to do"

The plead in his voice silenced my further protests, too much pain in those few sentences to say no. Part of me knew he was right- and in order to be in a functional relationship, I needed to get out of the one woman show I seemed to have going on.

I pulled Ripper's hands to my lap, urging him with tired eyes to lay near me. He followed and stretched his long body next to mine, a protective barrier to anyone who dared to hurt me more. I slid down so that we were face to face, breath mingling.

"I'll try. I swear I'll try my best"

He breathed out slowly, calloused hands delicately stroking the lingering bruises on my face. And when I closed my eyes, he pulled me into his chest softly, encasing me in his warmth.