A/N: Here's chapter 4. Enjoy, people.

"Hey, you can go pack your stuff and we can leave." Harry looked down at her. "After what just happened, I'm not comfortable leaving you alone here, contract be dammed. Tracy will be very happy to see you again after so long."

Iris winced. "Yeah, I think I'll have to stay."

"Wait, what? Why? If you're worried about the contract, don't worry—"

"No, it's just..." Iris thought back to her chat with Mia; she remembered her biological brothers' eyes glazing over, and their hands trembling. "I think the boys deserve to know what happened to their mother. They're a lot easier to handle than their father."

Harry snorted. "If you say so."

**

"Wait, so... wait... let me get this straight." Brandon leaned forwards, covering his face with his hands. "You and Elise were kicked out... because of a misunderstanding?"

"Yeah, pretty much." Iris leaned against the door, crossing her right arm over her left one. She had vague memories of her brothers as a child, and wanted to be rid of the aching bitterness erupting in her chest every time she looked at them.

Damien laughed humourlessly, running his hands through his dark hair as he leaned back on the couch. "Things would have very different if father had bothered to fucking talk to Elise."

"Language— no, you're right." Elijah sighed, suddenly looking decades older. "I remember bits and pieces of their conversation and I'd always thought... I'd always thought it was true." He hunched over, fixating on a spot on tj wall. "I can't believe Dad would do something like this. On top of him making it difficult for Mum to work... God, he's a right bastard, isn't he?"

Everyone's eyes widened. For as long as they could remember, Elijah had maintained a calm, collected look and rarely lost his temper.

"We can't do anything about that now." Iris pushed herself away from the door. "Look, no matter what David did in the past, it's undeniable that his information network has a far greater reach than Harry's. I need him for my plan to work."

"Okay, that's... fair." Will interlocked his fingers together and leaned forwards. "I think we should first brainstorm what we do know."

Damien read out from the notes on his phone, "Mia said Meredith and her associates injected Elise with something then dragged her body to the bottom of the stairs." He looked up, jaw slightly clenched.

"That tracks with how I found Mum's body."

"You should've called me," Harry muttered with a pained look. "Why didn't you— you know what? Now is not the time."

"Yeah, it's not." Iris pinched the bridge of her nose. I'm exhausted. "What I'm most confused about is: why would Mia give me a false address?"

"Can I see the note Mia gave you?" Brandon asked.

"Uh, yeah." Iris pulled the creased paper out of her pocket and passed it over. "As you already know, I went to that address and didn't find anything." Well, except for Tracy.

"Red Robin. Woodland Street. Code: five, six, four, five," he read out. "And you say it was a warehouse?"

"Yeah, some sort of warehouse but I didn't get a lot of time to look. The code did work for one of the doors, though, so I'm confident it's the right place. I also cross-checked it against the information a friend gave me, and it does mention Meredith stores items for one of her businesses there."

"Maybe we should go back," Oscar piped up. "There's, what, nine of us? We could easily spread out and it's more likely we'll find something."

"Yeah, and it increases our chances of getting caught," Damien added. He tapped his foot against the ground as his gaze swept across the room. "According to what Iris said earlier, there's only one proper entrance. Even if one or two of us stayed behind to act as a distraction, there's no way we won't get caught."

"Besides," Lisa said, "none of you kids are getting involved."

Iris scowled. "That's unfair. I'm the only reason we have this information."

"Yes." Lisa crossed the room and placed her hands on Iris' shoulders. "And this is getting far too dangerous for any of you to be involved. You guys also have school."

"Yes, exactly." Elijah nodded sagely. "But don't worry, you guys can still be involved in the planning stages while we execute the more--"

"You're not going too."

"What?" he spluttered, "But I'm an adult!"

"It's still too dangerous," Lisa said gently but firmly, crossing her arms. "And I need you to take care of the others and make sure they're not doing something dangerous. I will not allow something to happen to any of you. Please, understand where I'm coming from."

Iris turned to Harry, a plea in her eyes.

He shook his head and looked away, jaw clenched. "I'm sorry, Iris, but I have to agree with her. You're being too rash. Your head is thrown by Alex and the... emotional nature of this, which I understand. But I can't send you off into danger like this. How about we all reconvene in the morning? It's Saturday, so you guys won't have school, and we can discuss this more in depth. Perhaps you can offer a fresh perspective."

"Yes, that's a good idea." Lisa clapped and smiled at Harry. "Would you like to stay here for the night?"

"Thank you for the offer, but I fear if I stay under the same roof as David..." he trailed off with a grimace. "Best I get going. Bye, Iris, call me if you need anything. I'll see you in the morning." He kissed the top of her head and gave her a hug.

"Bye," Iris muttered, not really registering his words. Her mind whirred as she recollected what Tracy had said. You're going to need the help of your brothers.

And judging by their determined expressions, she was quite sure they would be prepared to help.

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So sorry for the long wait! Things have been very hectic lately, and I've been trying to plot the final arc for this story which took quite a lot of time.

I hope you guys liked it!

Stay safe and thanks for reading :)