Better The Devil You Know

Will Bombs Stop Going Off Near Me?

‘Hang on! I’m coming, I’m coming!’ Aurora grabbed her woolly scarf, laughing as Nathan continued to pull her arm out of the door. ‘Where are we even going?’

‘Get in the car Aurora, one thing at a time,’ Nathanial replied, trying to hide his laughter when Aurora tripped on the steps down to the garage. Clutching Nathan for dear life, Aurora regained her balance.

‘I swear to God Nate, if you’re abducting me right now...’

‘No-one would save you,’ Nathan opened the passenger door, throwing Aurora’s bag in, ‘so let’s just save the dramatics, yeh?’

Muttering loudly under her breath, Aurora clambered into the sports car, jumping when Nathan slammed the door next to her. ‘So where the hell are we going?’

‘Business.’ Nathanial bit his lip in concentration as he reversed out of the garage. ‘I need you to sign some papers.’

'Oh. That’s it? You couldn’t have said that 10 minutes ago when you practically threw me out of the house?’

'No. ‘Cus you would’ve messed around, felt the need to change or whatever. You’re not good at spontaneous.’
Aurora huffed, knowing very well that he was right.

🖤

Gracefully falling out of the car, Aurora stared at the huge skyscraper ahead of her. ‘It looks different from the front,' she observed. 'This is your office, yeh?’

'Yes. Headquarters is in the back and basement though. This bit is... Romano exports.’

‘Wow. What is it you export?’ Aurora had to stifle a laugh.

That is apart from drugs.

Nathanial smiled, straightening his suit. ‘Wouldn’t you like to know?’ grabbing Aurora’s hand, the two marched into the office. 

Walking straight past the reception desk, the pair entered the lift, the doors opening again when a lady in a pinstripe suit slid in, registering Aurora with shock.

'Don,' she nodded her head in greeting.
'Louise.’ Nathan greeted. ‘Any news?’
Louise gave Aurora the once-over, glaring warily.

What’s her problem?

Deciding it was safe but not too safe, Louise handed a pile of folders to Nathan.
Letting go of Aurora’s hand, he took them, handing half to Aurora, causing Louise to open her mouth in protest.

Before she could make a fuss however, the lift doors opened and Nathanial held his arm out to Aurora, 'come on Rory.’

🖤

The meeting room was on one of the top floors, with the whole end wall covered in floor length windows, looking straight onto the opposite building. Walking in, Danilo was already in there looking through his paperwork.
'They've just arrived downstairs.’

‘Cool. Everything set?’ The boys sat down, immediately consumed in whatever this meeting was about. Aurora didn’t want to know what it was about. It was much easier to survive in the Mafia world if you simply remained oblivious. In many cases knowing is better then guessing, but not in the Mafia. The truth will always be your worst thought, the most extreme, enough to never sleep at night.
Walking over to the window, Aurora watched the other building, the sight of other people going about their normal day surprisingly calming. Two floors up there was a business meeting, and the floor below was filled with people eating on their lunch break. The floor opposite them suddenly caught Aurora’s attention, when all the blinds came down. Aurora peered over, but the sun was in the other direction. Try as she might, she couldn’t find another reason why at midday a whole floor of offices would have pulled down their blinds. Squinting to read a sign plastered on the wall, the words TO LET were bold, followed by an estate agents number underneath. It hadn’t been sold yet. The view would be a big selling point, so why would they hide it?

An uneasy feeling crawled up Aurora’s neck. Just as she opened her mouth to tell Nathanial, the doors opened again and multiple men in smart suits walked in. Jack caught her eye and winked, but Aurora didn’t flinch. Too preoccupied, Jack was the least of her problems for a short while.

In a trance, Aurora shook hands with everyone, names rolling in one ear and out the other. Every other second her eyes flitted over to the windows, causing Danilo and Nathan to glance worried looks her way. 

Why would the blinds be down other than to hide what’s inside?

Everyone sat down, Nathan nudging Aurora to pay attention, but Aurora was now examining the windows in the room. They didn’t open did they? Surely that would break, like a thousand safety rules? Squinting slightly, Aurora could see the faint outline of a split pane, could see the windows edges. The windows could be opened. Not a lot, probably about 15cm max, not enough for someone to fall out.
Enough for a gun to fit through. Leaning slightly towards Nathan, trying hard to look nonchalant, her face set in a concentrated expression, vaguely aware of the discussion commencing, Aurora peeked out to the other building. She couldn't see much, the sun was in her eyes, but she could hardly, just about, see the outline of an open window but she wasn’t sure.
Think woman, think! If it was a sniper, surely, they would be above? The advantages of height is great for aim and accuracy, plus the targets are easier to see, so why would they choose that floor? Maybe they didn’t have a choice.

Aurora glanced at Nathan, who was now talking. He was leant back in his seat, his jacket splayed loosely out. He looked hot; Aurora had to admit. The way he was so casual yet so formal. His tattoos could faintly be seen around his neck and wrists, but mainly hidden, his hair gelled back, highlighting his amazing jaw line, the hard expression he always had when talking about business; and yet, he looked so casual. He didn’t look stiff and uncomfortable unlike most of the men in the room, he was in control.
Nathan knew what he was doing. But so did Aurora.

When Jack took over, no doubt talking about his side of the deal, Aurora didn’t flinch. Not because she was thinking about the sniper, but because she genuinely didn’t realise he had started talking. She was staring at Nathan. Their eyes met, and didn’t leave each other. Nathan smiled slightly, his arm reaching out to hold her hand. When her hands clasped around his urgently, Nathan’s eyebrows creased. How can I tell him? Aurora looked at him, then turned and looked at the building opposite. Nathanial eyes followed hers, clearly confused. Aurora couldn’t blame him. Running out of ideas, Aurora turned back, removing her hand out of his, and resting it on top. Thank God for acrylics. Looking around to check everyone was still focused on whatever bullshit was spouting out of Jack’s mouth, Aurora traced out the letter 'S' on to Nathan’s palm. ‘S... N... I... P... E...’ before Aurora wrote the final letter, Nathanial grabbed her hand, finally noticing the closed blinds.

'There's been a security breach, this meeting will have to be rescheduled, go into the lobby. Now.’

Everyone stood up, hurrying out of the room. Nathan pulled out his phone, Danilo already on and angrily babbling onto some poor man. Aurora tried to pull Nathan’s hand, but he was dialling a number and wasn’t moving. Aurora kept tugging, and when a red dot landed on Nathan’s chest, she flung herself at him, the impact sending both of them to the floor, just as the window shattered and the wall was pierced with bullets.

Nathan’s arm went instinctively around Aurora as her hands slid into his jacket and pulled out a gun. Nathan was calling for backup, Danilo was calling for an attack on the floor opposite, and Aurora could see the sniper.
Aiming, she grimaced as the bullets kept missing. A pistol isn’t really the best for long range shooting. Bullets kept flying at the three of them, all crouched behind the table, Nathan’s arms still tangled with Aurora’s. There was shouting all around, and the sniper was turning around to leave.

Standing up, Aurora held her arms out, closed her right eye and fired multiple times. The first few missed but she soon got him, and the small figure in the distance fell down.

‘Got him.’