Köhler (Book 9 of the Köhler Series)

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No one had heard from them in months. The whole household was on edge as they tried to piece together what had transpired. When and where did they kidnap them? How did they do it? Nobody did, and nobody could fathom why they'd venture out alone. Both them and their parents were completely baffled by all of this.

"Xerxes, what do we know?"

"Dad, I told you an hour ago... nothing. This makes zero sense to me. We got rid of all of our enemies, so there shouldn't be anyone left who can hurt one of us. Still, here was a presence." X leaned back in his chair and sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair.

The room was silent as he and Luca carefully examined the documents before them. While the rest of their group went out searching for answers, Adele was worrying herself sick. Everybody was feeling the strain, but Dele, Nova, Paris, and Violet seemed to be taking it the worst. Xerxes and his siblings were confused, but Luca was hopeful they would return.

"I think I found something."

"You think, or you do?" Luca asked Reese as he walked into his office. The man paused, looking back between X and his father. Luca was hellbent on finding them alive when all the rest was basically losing hope.

"Like I said... I think I found something."

"You little mother...."

"Dad! Let him speak. Shit, we can't get nowhere if you and Ma keep beating the shit out of everyone that's trying their best to help." Xerxes sighed once more as Luca nodded, sitting back down and motioning for Reese to speak. They were supposed to be free of the mafia shit, and here they were back in it like they never left, which they didn't.

"The Russians... did we ever look into them?"

"The Russians? Why in fuck would they have shit to do with this?" Luca questioned. On the other hand, Xerxes saw it as a good question. They never thought about the Russians because they were on good terms. At least, that was what he thought.

"Dimitri... has bad blood with Ivanov. I know you hadn't forgotten the story you told us about how you gained control of the Smirnoff mafia. It is a chance they are still out for blood...."

"No, it is not," Luca said, rolling his shoulders as he combed his hand through the hair once more. Again, Reese had a point that Xerxes had to agree with as he sent a quick text to Hiro to check it out. At this moment, they couldn't leave any stones unturned. Time was running thin, and his dad knew this.

"Think about it, Lu. She's the Donna of the Russian mafia. It doesn't matter if she nor Dominick claims it. That is just what they are, Don and Donna, and it's a strong possibility this is the Russians. No one else knows shit of what we are talking of, and it isn't because they are scared. We have to face the facts. Talia has been missing for over eight months with no sign of life. Either she ran for some strange reason, or they took her. Now the question is if she's alive or not." Rodney spoke as Luca glared in his direction. It was something that he didn't want to acknowledge but they all had to.

"My daughter isn't dead. And why would she run?"

"Maybe she wasn't running from us," Jeremias spoke walking in with Takahiro and AJ. Luca frowned, shaking his head while AJ handed Xerxes a sheet of paper. He couldn't believe what was written on it and had to look at it a second time before taking a deep breath.

"What the fuck is this shit. There is no way Talia was doing this. She couldn't have been... she and Dominick were happy... is happy."

Luca didn't give Xerxes time enough to hand him the paper before taking it and ripping it apart. Before anyone could speak, he called Dominick into the room. Someone needed to explain something. He had to be the one since they were together. Something seemed fishy, and X knew he wasn't the only one feeling the shit. Although right now, he needed a break with a blunt or a drink. Xerxes couldn't take any more secrets from his family. Somewhere along the line, the unity that was meant to exist between them was broken.