Secrets And Sins Part 3: Happy ever after

Chapter 48

***This story is shaping up to be the longest I've ever written... Hope you guys are enjoying it.***

~Beatrice~

All Beatrice wanted as she stepped out of the van after the nearly eighteen-hour drive to Vatican City was to go straight into the meeting with the Church. But it was just after midnight, and they were refused access until daylight.

It was frustrating, infuriating, every second Ava was gone was a second too long.

Despite the deep rage that seemed to never fade away no matter what she did, Beatrice held her tongue on her protests and trailed behind her team as they followed the escort the Papacy had organized for them into a very nice, very expensive, hotel.

"The Pope requested the finest penthouse apartment for you ladies." Their escort, Leo, announced, handing a keycard each to Mary, Camila, Dora, Yasmine and herself. "Only the best for the Warrior nun's team."

Beatrice kept her face purposefully blank at the greasy smile in her direction. Though she understood the need for a team, she did wish it was only her here. The pity in her friend's faces whenever they looked her way did not help with her tumultuous control of herself.

"Thank you. Will there be a car for us tomorrow?" Mary asked.

With Beatrice's volatile temper, Mary had taken the leadership role on this mission, and Beatrice was grateful for that. The only problem with having Mary here was the other woman could see the cracks in Beatrice's shield of anger, and she really didn't want to explore the despair and terror swirling just under the surface. Anger was useful, the rest was not.

"Yes. The driver will pick you up at midday. Strictly no weapons." Leo instructed cooly.

Mary nodded, and their escort excused himself. She turned to the rest of them. "Let's head up to the room." Her eyes lingered on Beatrice. "We should all try to get a few hours' sleep."

As the others began to file towards the elevator, Beatrice made to follow when a hand caught her arm. "Would you hold back a second, Bea?"

Though she really didn't want to, Beatrice complied, reluctantly turning back to Mary. "What is it?"

"I need to know you can control yourself tomorrow... around them?" Mary's expression was hard.

"What kind of question is that?" She bristled, both her anger and the Halo power rising together, inextricably linked.

"A question that needs to be asked." Mary's voice was firm, holding her ground. "You understand that if you can't hold yourself back, if you break something, someone, we'll be in a lot more trouble than we already are."

That explanation made her fucking wild. Of course she knew that. She wasn't a God damn child.

But before Beatrice could answer, Mary said something that stole the air from her lungs in a rush.

"And that will hold us back from saving Ava. If you want to do this quickly, then we have to be smart about it, we have to be emotionless, stoic. Can you do that?"

Beatrice looked between Mary's eyes; she knew her friend was right. She needed the cold, calculated mask that fit over her pain, pushing it down, smothering it. Rage wouldn't help her get what she needed, not tomorrow.

"I can."

Mary nodded, offering Beatrice a brief, slightly strained looking smile. "Thank you." She started walking towards the elevators, following the path of their friends. "Oh, and Bea?" Beatrice tilted her head in Mary's direction but didn't look at her. "I think you should call your parents."