“Wait, stop there. Who’s that?” Serenity pointed at the screen where a figure appeared.
“It looks like a woman.” Xander squinted, picking up on the uniquely feminine features visible even in the partial blurry picture.
“I’m pretty sure he isn’t married, could it be a housekeeper? Live in perhaps?” Serenity wondered and her mind raced back to the night before when they saw the shadow in the window.
Xander shook his head doubtfully, “We need a closer look.”
“I’ve got an idea.” Serenity’s lips curved upwards in a wicked smirk and she drew her phone from her pocket with extra pizazz.
&nbs
The ebony wood stretched out from left to right with a magnificent glow. The bar he was seated at had a stellar reputation as one of the most elite establishments in the city, but even with such high praise more seats remained empty than those that were filled on a late Tuesday evening.The woman seated a few chairs down sipped leisurely on a classic martini without a care in the world. The casual attire she donned indicated she didn’t wake up that morning with any intention or knowledge that she would end the night alone in a bar.“It’s considered rude to stare at a lady especially without buying her a drink first.” The young woman spoke up suddenly.“I wasn’t staring. I was observing.” He shrugged half hea
Serenity lifted her fist and placed a hesitant knock on the door. Now that she was standing on the threshold of her childhood home she didn’t feel quite as certain about being there as she was on the drive over, especially without Xander by her side.None of her family members knew she was coming which made it all the more nerve wracking. What if no one was home and she was just standing there like an idiot?Fortunately her nervous wondering was cut short when the door swung open to reveal her mother’s scowling face, but the look quickly turned to one of surprise and thereafter delight.“Serenity! This is a surprise, what are you doing here? Oh come on in, why were you knocking?” Caterina ushered her daughter in to give her a tight h
“You knew, didn’t you?” Serenity questioned her brothers once the waiter left them alone. “I’m sorry Ser, he wanted to be the one to tell you himself.” Lorenzo offered her a tight smile while Matteo’s face remained impassive. “I just can’t believe it. I mean I know everyone has to die at some point, I just never thought it would be like this.” Serenity sighed, taking a sip of her fountain Sprite. Matteo scoffed, “I know what you mean.” For a moment the siblings were quiet, each just simply taking in the new reality they were faced with. “I think we should tell him about Darrio.” Serenity stated suddenly, causing both her brothers’ eyes to snap to her. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Enzo frowned, he simply didn’t see merit in telling Giovanni what Darrio was doing for him. “Why not? I think he deserves to know the sacrifices his son has made for him, furthermore, what happens if he dies and Darrio finds out we knew all along, he’ll never forgive us.” Serenity shook her
Matteo sat at the table he was supposed to be meeting Ivy at with his leg tapping furiously under the on the ground. He was more anxious than usual, after the meeting with his siblings and friends, Matteo found himself more and more bothered by the lie he was feeding her. “Hey, so sorry I’m late. My dad caught me on the way out and he insisted on knowing who I was meeting. I just barely got him off my back.” Ivy huffed a heavy breath and took her seat across from Matteo after hanging her bag on the rest. “Hey, it’s okay. Are you sure everything is fine with your father?” Matteo cleared his throat and forced his leg to stop under the table. “Yeah, he’s usually paranoid.” She waved him off but stopped for a second to reconsider, “I mean he’s been extra paranoid lately, but I think it’s because he knows I’ve been seeing someone.” She bit her lip and rolled her eyes and picked up the menu. Her revelation made Matteo’s anxiety rise. Even though he was strategically seated behind a p
Matteo sighed loudly, dropping the phone from his ear and ignoring the voicemail prompt. “Still no luck, huh?” Serenity asked, placing a steaming cup of coffee down in front of him. “She won’t even read my text messages.” He complained, feeling more restless with their concerned eyes on him. “What exactly did you say to her?” Xander leaned forward, looking far too interested in Matteo’s love life. “The truth.” Matteo shrugged and took a sip, “I figured she deserved to know why she was suddenly a person of interest and despite me telling her that I never planned to use her to get back at her father she refuses to believe me.” “I mean I get it. You did approach her with the intention of using her as leverage against him and now you’re trying to convince her you don’t want to do that? Seems a tad bit far fetched.” Lorenzo grimaced. “I thought that at least telling the truth would count for something.” Matteo shook his head gravely. Based on the hurt written all over her face whe
“Right there, the watch pinged near a petrol station on the outskirts of the city.” Matteo pointed to a spot on the map and Xander zoomed in to see what was nearby. “That’s one way to get out of town.” Serenity’s eyebrows shot up, “There’s a bunch of farm land around there, mostly old abandoned farm houses with barns etcetera.” She supplied, surprising everyone, “What? I’m not allowed to know things?” She defended when they all looked at her funny. “Look here, there’s a gravel path a little down the way that leads to a small structure. Do you think that’s where they may be?” Xander pointed to a tiny square on the map that was easy to miss if you didn’t look close enough. “I say we split up. Matteo and I will take one car while Xander and Serenity take the other, we’ll take everything west of the road, you guys take everything to the east. My gut is telling me we’ll find them holed up in one of these.” Enzo ordered and with a look passed around, everyone nodded. “Alright, we’re
“Looks like only one vehicle so Teo and I will take the front, Xander and Alonso will take the back and the rest of you guys hang back in case we need backup. Ser, you have the car running so we can get out of here.” Enzo fell into the role of commanding officer without much push, not realising he wasn’t the man in charge anymore. From beside him Xander smirked lightly and nodded, “You have your orders men, move out.” “Typical, make the girl the getaway driver.” Serenity rolled her eyes when everyone dispersed and got ready to breach the barn. “Oh honey, we’re just worried about what you might do to those guys if we set you free in there.” Xander teased and dropped a kiss on her nose before walking away laughing. “Yeah yeah, make all the fun you want, I’ll be here when you get out.” She rolled her eyes and hopped into the driver seat. From her vantage point she could see where all three teams set up ready to breach the house and it was quite the spectacle, somehow the sound o
“Where’s my daughter, I want to see her right this instant!” Joseph Ledger came bursting through the doors of the Moretti residence escorted by a resigned night guard who watched the man with annoyance. “Thank you, Gerald, you may return to your post.” Alexander placed the mug of steaming coffee he never got to sip on the table and stood up to greet the man. “Joseph Ledger, I presume?” Xander asked cooly, giving the man a bland look. “Alexander Moretti, I presume?” The league leader responded with a sneer. “In the flesh.” Xander smirked, finding sudden amusement in the way he got under the man’s skin. “I’ll ask this once. What is my daughter doing in the home of a mob leader?” Joseph Ledger was clearly not a patient man, nor did he seem to have a single grateful bone in his body, but Xander brushed him off easily. “Contrary to what you may believe, Ledger, I am not your enemy, and your daughter is not my prisoner.” Xander leisurely retook his seat, bringing his feet up on t