The Devil is in the Details (Book 3)

Gathering of the Strong

-Blake's POV-

I opened the door to the last of our guests with a smile on my face,

"Ottawa!" I exclaimed, going to greet the group after their long journey. 

As Nick had promised, all of the previous Skulls and Bones gang met up once a year. It would usually be a happy reuniting of us all however this time, we all knew our internal intention for this year's gathering. 

We had become a target.

Despite all of the underground knowing that the gang had disbanded years ago, it seemed that a certain group, new and up-coming, had decided that we were the perfect way to get them on stage. To be able to defeat the gang that, at their age, was the strongest and most influential gang in the world, was definitely something they seemed worthy to brag about. 

Liam was the unfortunate one in this circumstance. 

Liam was the youngest in our group, although now he was in his forties, which made him the most physically able to them and they used that as another edge. 

Once Nick found out about this though,  he rushed into action. He wasn't going to let Liam be mistreated. Of course, he knew Liam was well capable to defend himself but after finding out the sheer number of members the gang had, we knew that even some of our strongest members would struggle alone and that wasn't going to be an option. 

We sent out a team a couple of weeks ago and they were scheduled to return today with Dominic gone to both retrieve them and also help treat any wounds which are well possible. 

"Where's Amelia? I've missed the girl!"

Nate exclaims after greeting the full house of people. His joyous expression dulled down though when he saw my pained face. 

"She's not here," I replied and let someone explain to him that Amelia found out about all of us being in a gang once. 

After finding out everything Amelia could possibly find out about us all, I had expected her to burst with questions, she was one to do that. She would always get down to whatever was bothering her and there was no doubt that this was going to be one of them. However, after finding out about Dominic's truth, my truth, all of the truth, she sat silent. 

She didn't say anything to either of us for a while. We sat there and waited. She had stopped crying as I was explaining and then seemed to just be in shock. 

She pulled away after a bit, we expected anything, anything, other than what she did next which was give us a gentle smile, telling us she was going to go the bed, wishing us a good night before turning and going upstairs. 

For the next couple of days, she had acted empty. She would still sit with us while we were eating, would still let us hug her and take her to school but it was all empty. She wouldn't come down when any of the other guys came over and she told us in advance that she wouldn't be here when the gathering happened. 

Both Dominic and I knew that it would take time for her to digest everything we told her so we gave her her space and didn't question her. We were just happy that she was still willing to talk to us, I knew how hard this was but it was the right thing to do. 

Suddenly the door opened, it must have been the team. Zack went to the front to help out when we suddenly heard him explain, "Oh shit!" Which made us all rush in at once. 

"Calm down," Dominic says in reply. Liam with one arm around her shoulders and another arm around Nick's. Dominic passed his arm to Zack to support him before ordering them to, "let him lay down, he's been falling in and out of consciousness and needs to rest," 

They go to do so but before Liam could fully rest he holds onto Nick's arm with the last of his strength and says, "Amelia,"

-Amelia's POV-

I was walking towards Francis' house where I thought I'd stay for a couple of nights while my family were gathered at my place. 

I had known all of those people since the day I was born, I always considered myself lucky to have such a crowd I could call my family even if we weren't all blood-related. It was a bond we shared. 

However, now, all of the memories I once looked at with fondness and joy, had blood surrounding them. I didn't even know it yet these people had all taken lives or ruined others. It scared me. 

For some reason though, I wasn't angry. 

When my parents told me the truth, I was confused, hurt and so much more that I can't seem to explain but a thought that concluded it all was...they told me. 

I could have lived my whole life not knowing a thing about any of them but they trusted me to know and that- that warmed me slightly. 

Still, I couldn't be around the group, I felt like I didn't know them anymore and pretending to do so would hurt me even more. I wanted the thought to rest in my head a while longer, to tell myself that they're not who they were in the past, which is why I decided to stay with Francis for now. I found comfort in him and further warmth which I didn't think I would find in someone like that. My only issue was having to think about avoiding Prince while I was there. 

He was the opposite of his brother, made me uncomfortable and as if I had to always be on guard. 

I sighed, telling myself not to think too much about it and to just relax. 

However, just as I was going to take in another breath, any air in my chest was knocked out and I felt myself collapse just as my eyes shut. 

...

I woke up to a hard slap on my face. 

My head was knocked to the side and I could feel the sharp sting imprint left on my skin. I tried lifting my hand to soothe the area but my half-asleep state stopped me from noticing that they were tied. 

I quickly turned to look at the person who had slapped me but was taken aback at the number of guys in the room who all stook with smirks and smug looks. I probably should have been feeling fear but all I felt was disgust. 

"Who are you?" I asked and the main one scoffed as if I shouldn't be the one asking questions. 

"Consider us the people who will make your life a living hell," He replied, coming down and grabbing a handful of my hair roughly. The rest laughed behind him as he earned a whimper of pain from me. "We're going to ruin you, your body and mind, before returning you to your loving family," he mocked, shoving my head against the wall and stepping back. "That is, if they decide to come," 

Hearing those statements clicked something in my head, I wasn't sure was it was but it made me forget any sense of fear. 

I looked at all of them and dared to let a smirk land itself on my face before saying something I never thought I'd hear myself say,

"When they come, I hope they kill you."