darling {c.l.}

e l e v e n

"Artem!" I shout from my room as I finish getting ready for a meeting with a partner.

"What is it Francesca?" He replies standing in the doorway of my bedroom.

"i'm supposed to be going to a meeting at the Marina but I'm not entirely sure what to expect" I explain as I grab my gun and rest it in the holder around my hips,

"it's kinda my job to go with you Francesca, I think you're forgetting that" he chuckles as I roll my eyes in reply as he walks out of the doorway and waits for me to finish getting ready. I apply a bit of lipstick before grabbing my purse and closing the bedroom door behind me as I walk out of the room and Artem follows me downstairs to the garage and climbs into the driver seat of the SUV as I sit down in the backseat.

"so who are you meeting with?" Artem asks as he starts the car and starts the journey towards the Marina.

"i'm not entirely sure, father told me about the meeting initially before he left but I'm not entirely sure what about, I believe it's with an eastern partner" I explain to him as I sit in the backseat of the car and he continues to drive through the winding streets of Monaco

"you can stay in the car artem, I think it's fine" I mumble as we arrive to the Marina and spot a similar Black SUV parked in the lot

"You asked me to come with you Francesca, it'll be fine" Artem mumbles as he kills the ignition of the car before he climbs out of the drivers seat and opens the backseat door for me, I adjust the suit jacket as I watch the partner climb out of the car and we walk up to each other

"hello Mr. Avots, I hope your flight was well, my father extends his apologies as he had to take a last minute flight to Japan due to meetings with our asian partners, hence my presence, and I can assure you that your contentment within our partnership is of my utmost importance-" I explain to him before he cuts me off by reaching for his gun resting on his hip and pointing it directly at me chest, Artem reacts immediately and points the gun at him

"Mr. Avots, I can assure you this is not necessary" I explain as I attempt to keep calm and I raise my empty hands

"we need more protection" he mutters, not speaking anymore than he needs to

"from who Mr. Avots?" I ask again as I attempt to lower my hands and he tightens his arm holding the gun

"From other eastern bosses and law" he growls, his voice sending a slight shiver down my spine, but I keep my strong stature.

"i don't feel the inclination to help you Mr. Avots with your gun pointing to my chest, so lower the gun and we can have a civilised conversation" I explain again

"get your guard to drop his gun" he urges referencing to Artem standing behind me

"you know this isn't how it works Mr. Avots, you pulled first" I explain to him, he hesitantly and slowly drops the gun and rests in his holster before Artem lowers his as well, clearly hesitant not knowing my plan and how I plan on doing this.

"Mr. Avots, I can assure you. Our own significant ties and the Gambino ties to the Leclerc Family, you have nothing to worry about, we can provide more arms and ammunition by getting you in contact with Mr. Leclerc and we can go from there" I explain to him as he takes a few steps closer to me until he is only a step away form me.

"if any more of my men die because of your own selfish ignorance, I will not hesitate to come after you and kill you and everyone you hold close to you" he mumbles before I feel him press the barrel of the gun against my stomach, we stand off for a few moments before he lowers the gun and walks away leaving me in a bit of shock.