Better The Devil You Know

Thanks, I Hate It

Aurora leant on her crutch as the lift doors pinged open. Strolling into the conference room she took her usual seat next to Nathan.

"Sorry. Traffic."

"That explains the iced coffee," Nathan gestured at her Starbucks cup.

It was July, and by now Aurora was functioning on icy cool coffee to get her through this madness.

Aurora ignored Nathan's comment and instead nodded her head towards Andrea. "Continue."

"I'm organising a coup. With the Romano support," Andrea looked at Nathan who gave a firm nod, "we have more than enough man power to threaten dad into stepping down."

"We just have to hope he goes down willingly."

Mateo looks up cautiously. "And if he doesn't?"

"He will. He'll see sense. Let him surrender. The aim is not to... To kill him but to help him." Aurora's voice was monotone.

"Of course." Nathan replied quickly. "We have no plans for violence."

This all felt so surreal. Aurora always knew that the Romano Mafia would have enemies, she just never thought her own dad would be the one trying to kill her husband.

"He's been head for 30 years. It's time for him to step down, regardless." Andrea had a hard edge in his voice, looking at Angelo and Aurora.

But no matter how many reasons and excuses they could come up with, nothing would excuse the fact that they were going to be their father's downfall.

"We've gained support from the Moretti's. Most of the Castillo men have offered to join. The ones we know won't have been kept in the dark. We can do this."

"Don't bring Mum into this. Or Angie. They don't have to choose. Keep them out of this and it'll run smoothly."

"Really? Are you sure?" Nathanial looked surprised.

"Yes." Aurora looked defiantly at her brothers, "not a word."

Angelo nodded, Andrea repeating, "not a word."

"Ok. When do we go up?"

🖤

"Are you sure you don't want to warn your mum?" Nathan asked as the pair drove up to Manchester. "There's still time."

"No, Nathan." Aurora huffed. They had had this discussion multiple times now. "She doesn't need to know."

"What if she's angry at you? If you tell her now..."

"If I tell her now she will have to decide where her loyalties lie. Between her husband, who she's been married to for 28 years, or her children. And whoever she doesn't choose, and I don't care what you say because you know I'm right, is going to be angry at her. No one should be made to make that decision, so my mother is being kept out of this."

"Your mother isn't an idiot, she'd know it was the right thing to do..."

"I would choose you. Whatever you did. I wouldn't betray you. We're not including my mother. End of."

Nathan looked at her and sighed. "Ok."

Aurora closed her eyes and took a shaky breath, leaning back against the seat as they pulled into the familiar drive of Castillo Manor.

"This is going to be fine. Right?"

Nathan looked at her, taking in her worried face. "It's all going to be fine."