Unknown

Chapter 13

4 months later

Eleanor

"So...um are you sure the situation you're walking into is safe?" Melia questioned as I turned a corner of the narrow road, I glanced over at her quickly she had a tense look on her face and I knew she was debating as to whether to call one of the boys.

"Absolutely" I lied shooting her a reassuring grin.

One of Uncle George's "friends" wanted to meet Charlie and me on George's behalf at Charlie's vineyard that he and two good friends now owned, the property was once our fathers and Charlie had developed the estate into a four star vineyard with accommodation and restaurant facilities.

"Ellie... are you messing with me! Why bring me and not one of the boys! They know your situation better than I do and your Uncle sounds like a prick!"

"Melia chill out...it will all be fine" I mumbled slowing down as we went through a narrow crest.

"Can't we at least tell the boys where we are going...they seem worried I have at least five missed calls from Aiden because you won't let me answer?"

"Melia I really don't want them to worry but I don't want them to know what I'm doing either"

"What if something happens to you? How am I to explain that to them. To Luke"

I winced hearing Luke's name. I wasn't sure how this exchange was going to go down and to be fair I never said goodbye I couldn't.

"Nothing is going to happen"

"You don't know that you can't know that!"

"I know Melia!" I shouted and turned up the long driveway into Charlie's vineyard. "Just please no matter what you hear or what you may see please stay in this car"

My heart raced in my chest like it was about to explode, I gave Melia a small smile as I walked onto the gravelled drive heading past the reception area up a long cobblestone path to the large brick house Charlie and his friends shared, I knocked on the timber of the food feeling as though any minute I might vomit. Charlie answered the door, I stared at my big brother, his blue eyes met mine and he gave me a small smile before pulling me into a tight hug.
"El, I feel as though we've got ourselves into a tricky situation. George has friends in high and dark places" Charlie whispered in my ear as I peered over his shoulder at the burly gentlemen with greying black hair and piercing grey eyes that seemed sinister.

Another gentleman joined the older man, he was dressed in a slick business suit and carried a briefcase, and he very carefully popped over the golden flaps on the case. "Ah you must be Eleanor, George's niece I'm Edmund Mist" The burly man's voice sounded like crunching sticks crackly but smooth.

Charlie kept his hand on my shoulder as we moved away from the door; I could sense the tense atmosphere. "I am" I muttered.

"As proposed George would like to discuss the money his nephew and niece owe him."

Charlie sat down at the round dining table gesturing I do the same. I bit my lip as an anxious flurry ran through my veins.

"The money from our parent's estates is rightfully ours and ours alone. I'm sick of George harassing me and my sister for money!"

"Mr Bella believes that as he was appointed guardian of yourself and Eleanor when u were both minors he should get a profit for the care he provided until you were both aged eighteen years."

"Ha oh that's rich coming from a man who couldn't of cared a slither about our wellbeing"

"George has given me two estimations of how to get his fair share."