𝗟𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗲

39- 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀

"I don't think I can do this-" Natalia spoke, stopping for a moment in the hallway as Elias noticed the missing footsteps beside him, turning around.

"Natty, it's for the best-" Elias started, walking up to her as she cut him off, raking a hand through her hair.

"Maybe for us, maybe for me- but not Estela, and certainly not Arabella" Natalia told him, her voice slightly raised as Elias cautiously approached her, holding her hands in his.

"I know, but in a couple of years time you'll see that everything was worth it- that they're all safe" Elias spoke, his voice almost a whisper as Natalia shut her eyes briefly, nodding with a hint of a smile on her face.

"I hope you're right" Natalia told him, opening her eyes as she interlocked her hand with his, planting a small kiss on his lips.

"What was that for?" Elias asked as they began to walk, a faint smile on his face.

"I just felt like it" Natalia told him, looking at him as a smile covered her face, almost infectious as one spread to his face, too.

Soon enough, they approached the door to the meeting room. Elias let go of Natalia's hand to open the door, but only to reveal Azaiah Martinez and-

"Amara?" Elias spoke as she peered past Azaiah's shoulder, swallowing a lump in her throat as she plastered a smile on her face.

"Well, at least someone looks happy to see me" Amara spoke, but Elias didn't see the hidden meaning in her words.

Natalia walked in behind him, closing and locking the door behind her as she looked towards Azaiah with furrowed brows- but he just looked away.

"Guess it's time to get this done with" Natalia spoke, clearing her throat as everything started to seem distant.

Natalia had been dreading tomorrow, the day where she had to actually follow through with the actions she was planning today. If she was this anxious now, she didn't know what state she would be in tomorrow.

"Natty, you can do this" Elias told her, stopping alongside her as she didn't even realise she had frozen in her tracks.

Natalia just gave him a small smile, nodding slightly as she walked towards the table, taking a seat as Elias took one alongside her.

"Right, we know the Russians and Americans will already be notified by Leonardo, meaning they'll already be here" Azaiah began, taking a seat as Amara just stood, ignoring the empty seat beside him.

"I've got men on lookout, I've made it clear to them that it's simply rumours in the underground to keep them from suspecting anything and reporting it to Xavier" Elias told him and Azaiah nodded, seeming like he distracted by the presence behind him.

"Our extra help is landing tonight, they're filled in on the plan we have so far and are willing to join us" Amara spoke, looking to Natalia as she nodded, sending her a small smile.

But, underneath the table, she was fidgeting with her hands, attempting to stop them from trembling so much. The edges of her vision were blurred slightly and what Azaiah continued to say next was just a muffled noise.

"Here, play with these" Elias whispered, placing his hand onto hers, rings adorning his fingers.

Elias knew that this always helped with Natalia in these situations, so he didn't mind if Amara and Azaiah found out. He'd pay any price if it meant his Natty would be okay, despite the cost.

And it did help her, but as soon as she had calmed down and brought her focus back to the conversation- she was met with Amara Romero with furrowed brows and an unreadable expression on her face.