𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟝 : 𝕊𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕋𝕦𝕣𝕞𝕠𝕚𝕝

Sawyer's POV:

Sebastian and I emerged from the high-rise, the weight of our success palpable. This year, the Ashfords had ascended to the highest rank among the deadliest mafia families, a feat five years in the making. As we climbed into the sleek black car and fastened our seatbelts, the reality of our achievement settled over us like a warm blanket.

"We did it!" Sebastian exclaimed, his excitement infectious as he repeated the words twice.

"For five years straight, no one's come close to topping us!" I added, a broad smile spreading across my face.

"Call Sant and Spencer!" Sebastian directed, the urgency in his voice mirroring my anticipation.

"On it," I replied casually, pulling out my iPhone and pressing the call button.

We waited for Sant to pick up, but the call went to voicemail. We tried again, with the same result.

"That's odd. His phone is usually on," I said, a hint of confusion creeping into my tone.

"Let me try," Sebastian said, dialling the number himself.

Again, it went to voicemail.

"He's probably spending time with Sage and Spencer. For the first time in ages, he might want to disconnect," Sebastian suggested, trying to calm us both.

"That makes sense..." I lied, the worry gnawing at me despite his rationalization.

Seb sighed, a touch of impatience in his voice. 

"Hey, he's always buried in work. Let him have this. We'll get in touch later."

"Alright, Seb," I agreed, trying to shake off my unease.

"Let's go pick up the kids from the mall," Sebastian said, steering our thoughts away from the troubling silence on the other end of the line.

(...)

Sage's POV:

"Can we try calling the others?" I asked, my eyes darting to the basement door as it began to splinter under the relentless assault.

"My phone's dead," Spencer responded, frustration evident in his voice. "What about yours?"

"Alexis has it," I replied, my anxiety mounting.

"Sant, can you call?" Spencer asked, turning to our eldest brother.

"No, I left it downstairs," Sant said, a worried look passing between us.

The loud banging on the door sent shivers down my spine. I needed a plan. Fast. Bill's gun. It was in my bathroom drawer. Without a second thought, I sprinted upstairs.

"Sage?" Spencer called after me. "Where are you going?"

"I have an idea," I shouted back, my mind racing.

I reached my room, flung open the drawer, and grabbed the gun. Heart pounding, I returned to my brothers, the weapon heavy in my hand.

"Where the hell did you get that gun?" Sant demanded, eyes wide with shock.

"I found it on the floor," I lied, forcing a smile that I hoped would placate them.

"We'll discuss this later," Spencer said, his tone grave.

The door finally gave way with a deafening crash, and the men charged at us. I fired five shots, each one finding its mark. I quickly took down another five before running out of ammo. Sant dashed to the kitchen, retrieved a knife, and expertly took down five more men with fluid, lethal precision. Spencer tried to grab the knife but was caught in a trap. Desperation surged through me as I used my telekinesis to fend off the remaining men, though I knew it wouldn't hold them for long.