Saving Isabella

Chapter 23: Family Meeting

"Dylan, come on get up!" I groan and roll over on the hard floor. "Dylan get up, Arthur called a family meeting." I shoot up, Arthur never calls family meetings unless it's something important.

"Ok ok, I'm up just let me get dressed will you!" I say pushing Elijah out of my room. I quickly tear off my clothes and hop into the shower, turning the water scalding hot. I like how it makes my skin feel like it's about to peel off. The idea of my skin being peeled kind of reminds me of a Demogorgon for some strange reason. I turn the water on cold, I barely hear the change in temperature since the hot water made my skin go numb. I stop the water and get out of the shower wrapping a towel around my waist. I walk to my closet and take out a pair of black sweatpants and a hoodie and make my way downstairs to the dining room where I find my brothers, Dominic is already seated and is wearing his signature scowl. Enzo and Ezra are talking in a corner of the room, which honestly really surprises me, I'm pretty sure Ezra hates all of us or at least despises us. I'm also pretty sure Isabella has been growing on him, like a lot.

"Nice of you to finally make an appearance" I turn around to face a smirking Nick.

"What do you mean?" I glance at my watch "It's 1.03 on a Saturday, it's not that late!"

He looks at me with concern "Dylan" he pauses "it's Monday, how did you miss two days?" That's a good question. How did I miss two days? I don't even remember what happened after we left the hospital. Didn't I just lie down for a few hours? Someone tugs on my arm. I look up to see Alex.

"Nick, why don't you go and sit down? I need to have a word with our brother." Nick nods and walks off, this is going to be fun... Arthur pulls me to a corner of the room and puts a finger under my chin signaling me to look at him, I shake it off but keep eye contact. "Dylan... Are you okay?" Why is he asking? Do I look sad?

"Yeah why?"

"Where have you been these past few days?"

"In my room" I respond bluntly.

"Did you eat?" he asks, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"No"

"You didn't eat for two days?!" Alex sounds alarmed. Maybe I shouldn't have said that?

"Yeah, I'm sorry I wasn't really hungry and with the whole Isabella thing... it stressed me out, and I was really tired and had homework to catch up on..." I start rambling.

"Ok, I got it, but if you need anything just tell me, ok?" I nod, and go sit down at the table.

Once everyone is settled down Arthur steps forward, his tone cold and measured as he begins. "Let's get right to the point: we have a situation with Isabella. According to the medical report, she bears injuries and scars that indicate probable abuse. This morning, Alex and I attempted to discuss it with her, but she chose to be uncooperative and lied about the circumstances. Shortly after, we were ambushed by the Sicilians while receiving a shipment—two tons of pink cocaine—from our Colombian associates, Las Immams. Fortunately, the shipment remains intact, but we sustained multiple casualties. While our people were being treated, Isabella set her room on fire, stole a weapon, and attempted to flee." I must admit I'm impressed, our sister has some balls. If I had a gun I would probably use it to shoot myself in the head. Come to think of it, I do own a gun, several for that matter, maybe my next activity could be...No, no Dylan come on, I can't think like that, that's bad.

He pauses, glancing around the room with a hardened expression. "I want every available resource dedicated to finding her. She's fresh out of surgery, heavily intoxicated, and a liability in this state. Ryan, Lorenzo, I need every man you can spare on this. Nick, review the security footage from the Med Bay, check transit stations, the metro—anything that might give us a lead. Everyone else, mobilize and locate her, but do not act recklessly. I don't want any further complications."

Arthur's gaze settles on the group with finality. "Dylan, Dominic, remain here. I need to discuss a few pressing matters with you. The rest of you, dismissed." I sigh, I'm so tired I just want to crawl into bed and waste away. My brothers stand up: Ezra walks out without bothering to say anything, Lorenzo and Ryan are talking intently on their phones, Nick already rushed to his secret hacker lair, I swear he loves that place more than us, and Alex is talking with Arthur. Elijah is the last one to leave the room as he stops to say goodbye to everyone before rushing to his car. The room goes dead silent as everyone leaves leaving me, Dominic and Arthur to have an awkward staring competition.

"Ok, so we have a few matters to discuss, I want to start off with you Dylan. Dominic, please step out of the room." He says giving Dominic a look that says don't-you-dare-run! He sighs and turns to me. "Dylan, I don't know what's been your problem lately but I don't need something else right now so just tell me. Ok?" he snaps. How about no?

"What am I supposed to say, I'm fine?"

"Oh so you're fine? Just fine? Cause Alex tells me you haven't come out of your room for two days! Then you also started smoking, you always look lost in thought, you don't talk much! What's bothering you?" I look away "Is it school?" I shake my head "The missions? I can take you off of them if you want." I shake my head "Then what's it fucking about?" his patience is wearing thin "Is it Dad" Dad why would it be Dad.

"What about Dad? Dad's fucking dead, Mom's in jail, our sister ran away, you barely talk to us. I don't know what's the fucking problem, I don't have a fucking problem, you have a fucking problem!" I scream at him letting the tears flow down my face, I stand up and start walking away "I'm done with this conversation, find someone else to bother."

"Dylan stop right now" I freeze up, his voice is icy cold filled with fury. I slowly turn around. "Fucking look at me. I will not tolerate this level of disrespect, get your act together and get it together right now. I have bigger problems than you at the moment."

Ouch

"If you need help, come talk to me, but don't expect me to worry about this any longer. Take today off, you're in no position to do anything, go to your room and stay there, you seem to like that." he growls. "If you're not going to tell me what's going on, at least stop showing everyone you're having problems, clean yourself up, put a smile on your face. If you want to smoke, smoke! If you want to drink, drink, but it's on you, I did my part. Now go!"

I storm out of there trying to prevent the tears from pouring out of my eyes yet again while aggressively wiping my face. I slam the door to the dining room and continue walking up the stairs to my room.

After closing the door to my room, gently this time, and locking, I proceed to pick through my blades to find the sharpest one. I sit back down and pull my hoodie off...