Intertwined

Chapter 60: Best Laid Plans - Part 1

A/N
I know it's been ages. Migraines and life have been getting in the way. I have migraines most days now. Although I'm trialing some preventatives. So cross your fingers.
I'm nearly done with part 2 and will also upload a character map and family tree asap as well. Just because I know this book has a lot happening and because I'm slow to write lately, you all deserve a recap/catch up.

Thank you for being such lovely, kind readers. I appreciate you all.

1st August

After six weeks of gathering information on the Camorra, Antonella and Niko, they all stood silent trying to digest what Mia and Morgan had suggested. Charlotte wanted to scream, but her shoulders just began to shake silently.

The redhead reached over to put her arms around her fiancé but Charlotte just turned away and walked out the door, slamming it behind her, ignoring the pleas of everyone for her to stay.

'I... We are running out of time... I don't want...' Mia couldn't find the words to try and stop herself crying, to make them understand.

'I'll go get her,' Marjorie looked at Mia and Morgan with cold eyes. She didn't want to be angry at them, but this plan was dangerous and could land her best friend experiencing incomprehensible devastation. She glanced back at Reece, hoping he could talk some sense into them, but from the conversation so far, he seemed ok with the idea. She sighed through her clenched jaw, trying not to slam the door as equally hard as Charlotte before her.

When Reece heard Marjorie's engine start up, he spoke, 'I don't like you going to find Niko either Mia, but I think if you take Asha,' the redhead looked at him with tears brimming and shock on her face.

'We need to make this plan as tight as we can, account for as many variables as possible,' Autumn added, rubbing her lower abdomen as she sat down and motioned for Winter to fetch her bag. Mia nodded silently and sat beside her.

Bella walked over to the other side of the kitchen bench, 'You don't think Morgan should go?' She asked Reece and the lawyer went to argue.

'Look, Morgs, I love you. I trust you with my life and everyone else's here, but Asha and Mia together have a certain assertiveness we need, to face someone like Antonella,' Morgan smiled and laughed dryly, 'Besides, you've got an appendage that Antonella hates,' the blonde grimaced and Autumn rolled her eyes before speaking. 'I hate to admit it, but Reece is right,' Reece raised his eyebrows in mischief.

'This isn't the moment to push it Reecey,' Mia shook her head when she raised her hand to stop him speaking, but her eyes were hollow, without the sparkle they usually held and she looked back to the door Charlotte had slammed on her way out.

'Alright children, let's reel it in and focus,' Lily warned as she entered the room with a babbling Evangeline, 'Maybe we can come up with a plan to help Niko and keep Mims out of danger'.

The group looked at each other, silent determination before gathering notes, Autumn started to type it all out, chronologically and they began to formulate a way to rescue their friend and make sure Antonella could never threaten any of them again...

Six weeks earlier:

Morgan sat at his desk. The office seemed unusually quiet for a Wednesday morning. Usually there was a lot of fast walking and talking as everyone was meeting deadlines, sending contracts, finalising depositions, finalising closing arguments and assistants and junior staff were vetting clients desperate to be seen and heard.

The lawyer looked up, saw his assistant was gone from her desk, he stepped into the corridor and looked in the office opposite him, Kelly and her assistant were also absent. He heard the quiet hum of computers running while no keyboards were being used. Phones were ringing unanswered and someone's abandoned mobile vibrated on a desk stacked with papers.