What Life Holds

Chapter 40

James's POV

I walked down the stairs, my mind deep in thoughts and my stomach growling for some food. Today was rather stressful, I had several meetings to attend and projects to finish, and then there was Jess. Her outbursts are rather unpredictable, and it did hurt me a little bit. Everyone loses their temper occasionally but in Jess's case, I didn't understand the reason, she was smiling for a second and the next she started shouting for no reason.

I know that Jess and Grace were pretty close, but that doesn't justify her actions. Saving Grace isn't something that can happen overnight, it takes planning and organization, Jess needs to get that in her head. And then there is Jazz who I happened heard from in days. She just seems so distant these days, part of it is my fault but I apologized. She is just being stubborn and unrealistic.

The sound of joyful chatter grew louder as I neared the dining room, which put a smile on my face. No matter how hard and demanding the day might be, the familiar aura of my family always calms me. I walked to the head of the table and took my seat. "Hello big brother, how as work." Joy asked smiling brightly. "The usual." I replied sending her a soft look.

The conversations continued, Joy and Jase telling Jule something that happened in school while Sal and Enzo were arguing about who drives better. My eyes wandered around the table observing each of my siblings who are in their own world when my world came crashing down. "Where's Jess." I asked doing my best to cover the panic which filling my veins. Everyone stopped talking and furrowed their brows in confusion. "She must be in her room, I'll go check." Jase said slowly and got up, rushing outside.

"I haven't seen her since school." Joy said scrunching her nose, a habit which she has since birth. "I haven't seen here since she ran off." Enzo muttered his eyes going as wide as saucers. "Ran off. What the fuck do you mean she ran off." Sal asked getting from his chair. "I don't know I tried to stop here but she just ran off." Enzo said. "You should have gone after her you moron." Joy yelled running a hand through her hair. "Why did she go out the house." Jule asked cracking his knuckles, something he does when he tries to figure out something.

"She yelled at me for not having a clue where Grace is, and she bolted off. Enzo tried to go after her, but I told him not too, I thought she could use some space to clear her mind." I answered his question. "Are you out of your mind, where did she run off?" Joy yelled. "In the direction of the woods." Enzo answered. "The woods, why would you let her go alone in the woods. She has never been there before." Sal shouted. "I thought she wanted to be alone." I said in my defence. A person needs their own private bubble when they are angry, I just thought like a big brother and not a Mafia leader, which I am regretting now.

"Guys Jess is not in her room." Jase said rushing inside the dining room, looking as pale as paper. "I checked the gym, library, the secret room, everywhere, she is not in the house." He added as he caught his breath. "What the fuck." Sal yelled adding to the tense atmosphere. Everyone was screaming back and forth, I shared a look with Jule who had been quite all this while, his eyes confirming one of my deepest fears.

"Enough." I said banging my fist on the table causing the plates and forks to juggle. "We need to think with a clear mind, everyone calm down." I ordered and glared at Sal who took his seat after that. Sal is usually calm and collected but his reactions to bad news are the worst.

"There is high change that she could be kidnapped, Jule call our men and tell them to search every inch of the woods and tell some to search for any Russian member in our area. Sal go through all the cameras, there are very few cameras in the woods, but see if you can find something. Enzo you will be leading the search in the woods." I ordered once everyone had settled down. "Jase station your men around the mansion, for precaution and then help Sal in going through the footage. Jule meet be at my office after everything is in order. Joy come with me." I added.