Without A Trace

Seventy.

"I'd say print about 80 of them. Maybe 90 in case theres a few we forgot. And they need to be sent express," I say into the phone while stubbing out my cigarette. "Once they're printed go ahead and pass them out at the gambling office and be sure to keep one for yourself Liz," I say as I glance up from my desk and eye both Anna and Ivy walking towards my office.

I pull out my pocket watch and check the time, 2:50. I curse under my breath and snap it closed before slipping it into my pocket, "Lizzy I gotta go, I'll round with you later," I say before I hang up the phone and get out of my chair.

"We thought you might have fallen asleep up here or something considering how long we've been waiting downstairs," Ivy says as she slides her hands into the pockets of her long wool coat.

"Oh please," I say with a smile while grabbing my coat off the rack, "Time just slipped away from me. Good thing it's only a 5 minute walk," I say walking out of my office. I stop and close the door, locking it and wiggling it softly before walking away.

"What are you printing 90 of?" Anna asks as we make our way outside and across the gravel road.

"Christmas Party invitations, its only fitting to hold one this year with all of our business partners now that we're a company of our own," I say stuffing my hands in my pockets and sinking my face into the collar of my coat as the cold wind slices against my face.

"Who doesn't love free food and booze?" Anna chimes in with a small giggle as we reach the entrance to Thomas's warehouse.

"Exactly," I say pulling the door open and letting them walk through first before following behind them. We make our way up the stairs to the conference room and I open the door meeting my husbands not-so-amused blue eyes.

"We weren't late," I say draping my coat behind my chair and leaning over placing a kiss on my husbands cheek.

Alfie rests his hands on his cane and Harper stares at the unknown man across the table.

Ivy stands frozen in her tracks. Her breaths short and she clenches her jaw, "What are you doing here," she says scowling at the dark haired blue eyed man across the table, tied to the chair.

"You are so beautiful," the man says staring at her with hurt and love In his eyes.

Michael angry gaze flicks between his wife and the man. Anna grabs Ivys wrist and moves her next to Michael, "Don't leave from this chair," Anna says sternly as she takes her coat off and throws it on the table.

Anna makes her way around the table and delivers a loud smack to the side of his face before grabbing his jaw, and turning her head back towards him, "I knew you were a fuckin rat the first time she told me about you," Anna seethes through her teeth.

Lewis cracks a small smile watching his wife before turning his head and pouring a drink.

"Does anyone want to fill me in?" I say sitting there clueless.

"Cora, this is Christian. Ivys ex lover, the one who dumped her half naked body off at the steps of her dorm, and currently Zamira Edens fiancé," Thomas says before lighting a cigarette.

My blood boils as I stare at him, "You," I say breathlessly. I go to stand up and Thomas grabs my wrist gripping it and pulling me down.

"Dont," Thomas orders me. I stare at him and he stares back, dominating his gaze. I cave after a few seconds and look away before snatching my arm back from him and lighting a cigarette.

"Seems we can start the party eh?" Alfie chimes in before smoothing his mustache. He gets up and toddles over to Christian, who hasn't taken his gaze off of Ivy. Alfie takes his cane and cracks Christian across his collar bones causing him to yell in pain.

"I found this lost pup snooping in places he shouldn't be. So tell me Christian, who shot our beautiful girls down there?" Alfie says using his cane to point down the table and the girls and I.

Michael is holding Ivys hand as he brings it to his lips and places a few sultry kisses across her knuckles. He takes his other hand and pulls some brass knuckles out of his pocket and glides them onto his wifes fingers.

"I have no idea," Christian huffs looking up at Alfie.

"Listen mate," Alfie says lowering his head, "Them Edens, think talkin is the way to get info from people. We however, as you find out, are more old fashioned," he says. He studies Christians face before noding towards Harper, "That Viper over there could kill every. Single. One. Of us in this room in five minutes flat," he says darkening his eyes. Christian glances at Harper who is taking in her next victim like hes prey.

"And I think my little birdie over there," he says motioning to Ivy who is rising from her chair, "Also has a few uh," he swirls his hands around, "built up tensions, to bring your way. So, unless you would like your head in a box sent to your fiance, should probably cooperate chap," Alfie says while moving to the side as Ivy winds up and sends a punch straight across Christians jaw.

Christian spits blood as his chest heaves. His breathing is sporadic as he turns to meet Ivys gaze, "Ivy just let me-," He starts before she sends another blow across his cheek.

"You are the reason why I was a broken fuckin woman for so long. The reason I could never stick up for myself and the reason I always stayed in my fuckin shell," she says circling him.

"You're the reason me and my friends almost fucking died," she says, her tone spitting venom. "You are why my daughter almost had to live her life without her fucking MOTHER," she says as her rage spills over. She delivers another blow to his temple before backing up slightly.

"You have 10 seconds to start counting before I slit your fuckin throat myself," she says staring at the pitiful man in front of her. Michael moves from his chair and sits behind his wife, resting his hands on her thighs. Ivy is trembling as the rage and anger radiates off of her. He starts rubbing them softly and places a soft kiss in the crook of her neck before peeling his dark eyes over to Christian who has fire in his eyes.

"Alright," Christian huffs before pulling his head up to look at her. "Yes, it was me that hired men to kill you three. Zamira wanted the biggest threat gone which is your family. Thomas himself is untouchable so she said to go after you three. I told her that she was asking for a death wish, but she didnt listen. She plans on being in town in 3 months time to run for office," he says hurridly as Harper now raises, running her thumb over the blade of her dagger.

"It is a death wish. But I'm not the same Ivy you knew all of those years ago. So she will learn that hard way, that pinning us was even more of a death wish," she says as Harper holds the blade out to her. Ivy takes the handle and a smile creeps on her face, "Burn in fucking hell Christian," she says before taking the blade and slashing it across his throat. He gasps as blood pools at his feet, he slumps over as Ivy hands the knife back to Harper.

I sit there with my eyes wide and my mouth gaped open ever so-slightly, "Wow," is all I can muster out after watching what just happened.

Alfie places his hand on the small of Ivys back, "Beautiful work my little birdie," He says with a smile before locking eyes with Michael who is definitely sizing him up. Alfie removes his hands and holds them up, "Nothin harmful mate," he says as he walks back towards the door.

"I await our next meeting Cori," Harpers Russian accent chimes in as she flashes me a smile. She kisses my cheek before heading to the door, "I have other business to tend to. But I await my invitation to the Christmas party," She says as Alfie motions for her to leave first as he holds the door open. After Harper leaves he tips his hat and exits the office.

"What in the actual fuck just happened," I say staring at everyone dumbfounded.

"Ivy killed an intel man, who let it slip that Zamira will be here in 3 months time. Looks like we have a lot of work to do," Anna says as she lights a cigarette and pulls out a pen. She slides a piece of paper over to her and takes a long drag off her cigarette, " Lets schedule some fuckin Family meetings."