Without A Trace

Sixty-Two.

The next morning the girls and I wake early, before the stars have even left the sky. I pour a cup of coffee and turn my back to hear the footsteps of my girls growing closer to the dining room. Upon entering Anna stares at the pile of clothes, shoes, and rings sitting ontop of the table. Ivy looks at the stuff and then back to me, "What is this?"

"We're not just rebranding our own company. To rebrand the company is to rebrand yourselves. To look differently than the typical Shelby aesthetic," I say with a pause. I set my coffee mug down and walk over to the first stack of clothes picking up the ring sitting on top and wave Ivy over to me.

She takes a few steps and stands in front of me as I grab her hand, "The dagger," I say taking the dagger shaped ring and slipping it onto her first finger, "Is a symbol of protection, sacrifice, and bravery," I say meeting her eyes. "You represent the dagger with your sacrifice to your husband and especially to your daughter, to be the best for this company. Your bravery to leave everything you know and trust in me and to protect your daughter is unmatched. Wear this proudly," I say giving her a small smile before handing her the clothes and the shoes.

She returns my smile and takes a step back. Anna looks at her and then back to me before hesitantly walking over to me. I study her eyes before taking her hand, "The Dragon," I start before slipping the dragon wing shaped ring onto her first finger, "Is a symbol of power, wisdom, strength, and last but not least, chaos," I say dropping her hand and meeting her green eyes again. "You represent the Dragon by your strength and knowledge the war has taught you. To rule with just enough of an iron fist to make people not only fear you, but respect you. Not to mention the chaos that you hold within you is something nobody wants to dare to cross. Wear this proudly," I say with a smile and hand her the other stack of clothes off the table.

"Without a Trace Enterprises will consist of the Dagger, the Dragon, and the Snake," I say slipping the snake like ring on my first finger. "This company will consist of bravery, wisdom, protection, chaos, and slight deceit. But the three of us together will be something the world will write about in their history books. Go change," I say before picking up my mug and taking a few steps towards my room before looking back at them, "Todays our first business meeting. And Harper loathes to wait," I say to them before walking away into my room.

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In the car on the way there Ivy pulls on her blazer, "Am I supposed to feel this exposed in these clothes?"

"Shut up and smoke a cigarette Ivy," I say taking a few puffs off mine, "You're a bloody Milf anyways so you'll get used to it," I say as I feel the car slow to a stop.

Ivys face heats up with embarrassment before lightning a cigarette like shes told before the door opens. She steps out and takes a deep breath through her nose at the crisp fall morning air, "I'm terrified and excited at the same time," she says turning her head towards Anna and I as we make our way around the side of the car.

"If you weren't terrified I would be slightly concerned," Anna said as they follow close behind me. "This place is a fuckin palace," she says as her heels click along the stone walkway.

"If it's luxury living, then Harper will surely have it. Harper Grace is Russian and is head of the biggest mafia in Moscow as well as the russians here in England, but if you have any issues speaking to her she is a gypsy as well. Remember 2 things, let the bitch speak first, and don't speak unless spoken to until after I break the ice," I say before knocking on the grand black colored door.

The door swings open after a few moments and I'm greeted by familiar chocolate eyes with beautiful copper colored skin and a wide pearly white smile, "Cori my love, do come in," Harper says with her thick russian accent as she steps to the side. She takes her hand and tucks a strand of her chocolate ringlets behind her ear as the girls and I enter her home. Her white suit definitely flatters her in more ways than one.