bullets and bouquets

44

Sadie and Florence sit in Conference Room B. Felipé brings by the steaks Sadie ordered and Florence chows down.

"So, what's the big problem?" Sadie asks. Florence finishes her bite before speaking.

"I've had three raids since Jenna has left," she answers, "three in the same day."

"How is that possible?" the redhead asks.

"I don't know, but I need backup. I've lost one-third of my men to these... imbeciles and I refuse to lose more for something that you two plotted," she says slightly upset, "I want to make a deal. Give me one-third of your men and I'll take them with me. We'll defeat the next raid and I'll send them back."

"Why would I do that? You don't have the resources?" Sadie questions.

"Oh, I have the resources," the blonde laughs, "But I can't lose any more men. I need them to take care of things for me and these raids are taking them out like flies."

"How are we supposed to know when the next raid is? And if my men will defeat the enemies?" the mafia boss questions.

"Don't sell yourself short, Sadie," Florence says, "I know you have the best team in Italy. And if you don't, you surely have more allies than I do."

"I'm not dragging them into this," Sadie sternly says.

"Fine, but you'll have to loan me yours then," she orders.

"I need insurance on my men," she negotiates.

"What kind?"

"If they die," Sadie says, "You will reimburse me for my losses."

"How much are you suggesting?" Florence asks.

"$25,000. Each."

"Love, they are not worth that much. $10,000," the gang leader counters.

"$15,000."

"$13,000, final offer," she says. The two are very serious in their conversation. With Sadie's other allies, business is more casual, but with Florence, there is nothing casual about it. Showing up to the Estate is a bold move and if Bella didn't walk in, Sadie would have been able to force her out. But with Bella around, she won't take any chances of letting the brunette be hurt.

"Why is that your final offer, when you're asking me for help?" Sadie grins. Florence huffs.

"Fine, $15,000," she gives in.

"When do you want them?" Sadie asks.

"Now, I'll leave with them and return them when the enemies are taken out," Florence explains. Sadie huffs and stands up. The two turn to leave the room when they hear gunshots.

"God damn it," Sadie whispers, "You've led them here!"

"Well, sorry your plan wasn't believable enough!" Florence exclaims as the two pull out their guns.

***

Jenna and Bella run inside and up to the second level. Some of Jenna's old enemies have followed Florence to the Estate. There are a lot of them too.

"Holy fuck, holy fuck," Bella curses. Jenna shuts the door to the second level and locks it from the inside.

"We need to barricade the windows and doors. Now," she orders. She's used to attacks, but now she's a civilian. She doesn't have a gun at the moment, "Let's get the couch."

Bella shuts the blinds in front of the doors to the balcony. She and Jenna make quick work to put the couch up against the doors. They turn the table on its side and put it up against the door to the second level.