Gemma:

My father, brothers, and their trusted men have been making plans the past few weeks. Today they are finalizing their plans. Luckily for me I actually get to sit in this meeting. I get to voice my opinion considering half of these men have no damn logical brain cells. Like none whatsoever! I want to make sure everyone, including the knuckleheads make it out alive. I need my brothers and my papa to stay alive. My brothers need their friends to stay alive. My papa needs his men to stay a freaking live.

So, everyone must stay alive.

"Gemma! The meeting starts in an hour. We're leaving in thirty minutes!" Leonardo yells out from the stairs.

Our meeting is being held in one of Renzo's warehouses. A very secured warehouse at that. Like the building you see on movies and television shows where they have eye scanner and stuff. Renzo's most secured warehouse, this warehouse, to enter you must know a passcode. To move through the halls you must be in their system because they use scanners for eyes, palms, and facial recognition. Guards stay posted by every door entrance. I mean every door entrance. The front has two and once you go through the doors, there's two more inside the door way. It's like that with every door.

"Okay! I'll be downstairs in a minute Fratello!" I scream from my doorway.

Why am I screaming when I'm outside my door? Simply because he yelled back. Plus it'll get on Matty's nerves. He hates when we all scream from different rooms. I don't think he's truly lived just a little. But, I don't think he's truly had a childhood so who am I to judge. Right?

"What is up with the damn screaming?" Matty's voice rings out down the hall.

Oops.

That's my cue to high tail it back to my room. Matty seems on edge. Usually it takes him at least five minutes to yell back at us. Plus, he said the word damn. He always lectures us on cussing and here he is cussing.

"Isn't that a little hypocritical there Matteo!?!" Vincent screams from his room.

Oh shoot. Where's the popcorn?!

"Vincent Alexander Rossi! It doesn't matter if I fucking cuss! I'm a bloody goddamn adult!" Matty voice booms.

"Language!" Lucian yells from somewhere downstairs.

"I'll show you language when I beat that ass Lucian Romeo Rossi!" Matty seethes out.

"Yeah, okay Matteo Donovan Rossi." Renzo's voice echoes in the house.

Oh snap! Renzo used Matty's whole name!

Is everyone trying to rile Matty up?

"Shut your measly mouth Renzo. Is it rile me up day or something." Matty grumbles.

"Or something!" We all scream out to Matty.

"Get in the car!" Dad's voice roars through the house.

Damn who pissed in his cheerios?

I grab my bag and rush pass Ren, Julian, Niko, Maxi, Gi, and Matty. I skip every other stair and barrel pass Lonzo, Cian, LeeLee, and Vinny. I run out the door and whiz pass my dad.

"Where's the rush Tesoro?" Dad asks.

"Shotgun!" I scream out.

I rush to dad's car and jump into the passenger seat. No way in hell I'm getting sandwich in between two of my sweaty brothers. Nope! I don't think so.!

I hear my dad bursting into laughter. All I can do is smile at my Papa from the front seat. I look pass dad and see three of my brothers running like they been shot out of a gun. Gianni, Maximus, and Alonzo hop in the back seat of dad's car.

"I am not riding with Teo! He's like on a war path." Gianni whines.

"I am not getting death glares for thirty minutes." Alonzo chuckles out.

"I plan on not dying at the hands of the second eldest child! My life's too valuable." Maximus grumbles out.

"What's so valuable about you?" I question.

I watch as dad hops in the driver seat. He starts to take off, without our other precious treasures.

"I can make anyone laugh so I'm valuable." Maximus says with a shrug of his shoulders.

All four of us bicker the entire time dad is driving. Dad hasn't complained not once; he simply keeps laughing. It's nice to see my dad without a serious look on his face all the time.

Like bahhh hum bug! Look at me I'm a grouchy ole Lucifer Rossi.

After the long yet comfortable thirty minute drive, we finally have arrived. The entire Rossi Clan gets out of their vehicles as soon as Gianni; the last one out of our car gets to the front entrance.

Ren walks up to the two guards and they both bow their heads down to him. He leans forward into the eyeball scanner. Once it reads his pupils, the door opens. All of us walk in behind him as the guards up front continue to watch us.

Seriously?

We are the good bad guys here!

We follow behind Ren as he makes several turns and has used his eyeballs, hand, and or face to get us through the doors. My legs feel like jello from all this walking. By the time we have reached the meeting room, I swear I feel like I have ran like twenty miles.

Who needs a warehouse this damn big!?

I rush towards my seat. My feet are killing me and my legs are going to give out any minute now. So running to my seat was my best option. I take my seat next to Lucian at the table and wait for everyone to kindly join me.

I kick off my sandals and start rubbing my aching feet.

"Gems what the hell?" Gianni whines.

"Your feet smell!" Maximus grumbles.

"My feet do not stink. That's your upper lip you mongrel!" I screech out.

"Round twenty has arrived for the day." Nikolai cackles out.

I toss my sandal while the other two toss their notebooks at our older brother.

"Looks like you're their new target Niko." Alonzo chuckles out.

"Okay guys! It's time to be serious for a moment." Matteo comments.

"Ermm. Matty I am not a guy. Last time I checked I have lady parts." I say with a cheeky smile on my face.

"Guys and Gemma. Better?" Matteo says with an unappealing look on his face.

"No, it's Principessa farfalla." I grumble.

This causes Julian to spit out his water.

"Yeah Teo, it's Principessa Farfalla dear brother." Julian says in between his laughter.

Matteo instead of arguing decides to flip everyone off.

"Language!" Vincent screams out.

"Daddy! Matty flips me off!" I laugh out.

All our father can do is shake his head. I have no clue how long he will deal with our craziness. I think soon he'll have our heads plaster on the walls.

"Everyone is here so let's get down to what we need to talk about." Renzo's voice booms.

His booming voice cuts everyone off. Now is the time to become serious. I put on a smile and nod my head in understanding. Renzo gives me a soft smile and nods his head back.

He mouths thank you to me. I wink and mouth back you're welcome to my eldest brother.

"Alright let's get the show on the road. Who wants to begin." Renzo asks.

"Not everyone talk at once though. If you have a topic, an opinion, or question raise you hand or motion that you have something. If not we'll go down the table." Matteo calmly, which is surprising, says.

Alonzo raises his hand like he's in school ready to answer the teacher's question. His hand waves frantically in the air as he points down to himself.

"Yes dear brother." Renzo chuckles out.

"We should start off with who is going and who will be planted at home where it's safe." Alonzo states.

This has all of the younger siblings grumbling. Of course he would say some shit like this.

"That's surprisingly a good subject to bring up." Renzo says in shock.

"Look at you being mature and shit." Gianni jokingly says.

"Language Gi." Matteo warns him.

"Well, Valentino, Julian, Nikolai, Renzo, Matteo, and Alonzo are our best snipers and fighters." Dad states.

"Yeah but Gemma and Lucian also has the best shooting average like the rest." Maximus points out.

"But they're the youngest one we have. So no." Dad responds back.

"Lucian is your best fighter. Gemma even though she's not been trained like us. She's your best down shooter. She's even quick like Nikolai and just as quiet as Valentino." Gianni argues back.

"Plus Vincent and Leonardo are the same age as Gemma." Maximus points out.

"Don't be a sexist pig." Gianni grumbles.

Dad's hand bangs on the table and startles every last one of us.

"I said no! They are not to be in this fight!" Dad growls out.

"Kinda hard to stay out of a fight when the bitch targets only one child." Lucian fires back.

I knew he would come out and play. And here is my wicked older brother. My damned twin. I smirk knowing Lucian just won a game of chest.

Checkmate!

"The answer is no Lucian." Dad snarls.

"She's not the one trying to end your life. I should be going." Lucian argues back.

"The more reason to keep you at home where you're safe." Dad snaps.

"Like how we were safe when Pierre and his men stormed our house?" I question.

Giving dad a low blow. I shouldn't have said that. But it's true.

"Look let us go. Pair us with Valentino or Renzo. Someone you know won't let a hair come off our heads. But let us go. Please dad." Lucian begs.

Dad rubs his hands down his face and let's out a long sigh.

"Don't make me regret this." Dad warns.

With his answer, I shoot up out of my chair like a rocket. I start to do my hall dance which gets my brothers chuckling.

"I'm already regretting it now." Dad mumbles out.

I squeal and crash into my dad. I hug his with all my girlie strength.

"Thank you daddy!" I whisper.

I walk back over to my seat next to a full blown laughing Lucian.

"Anyone else?" Renzo asks.

Valentino raises his hand. This gets everyone's attention. Renzo nods his head out Valentino.

"Nikolai, Julian, and I will take those two with us. We can't separate those two even if we tried. They'll always wander to whatever group the other is in. Plus, Lucian and Gems are every observant. Lucian can fight and shoot any target. Gemma is a perfect shot. They'll be safe with us." Valley states his opinion.

"Okay, that sounds well. Leonardo and Vincent will stay in the van. Which will be parked close by. Kane and Blain will stay with them as protective. Leonardo and Vincent will hack into her cameras and system." Dad agrees.

"Dad, Matteo, Gianni, Alonzo, Maximus, and I will be the other group." Renzo agrees as well.

"We'll split the remaining men in two groups of six each." Matteo suddenly says.

Gianni raises his hand up and waves it in the air getting everyone attention.

"Yes Gi." Renzo asks with his brow raised.

"What are the four groups going to do and what side are they going to come from?" Gianni asks.

"Great question." Matteo actually praises Gianni.

"We already discussed what Vincent, Leonardo, Kane, and Blain will be doing. So will start with our two groups of six men. Group A will come from the left side of the house; while Group B will come from the right side of the house. The two group will come through her property and not get detected." Dad says.

"Julian, Lucian, and, Gemma will go to the back of the house. Storm the back side. Nikolai and Valentino will also be going to the backside but through the well entrance. Don't get seen and don't get fucking shot." Renzo orders.

"Alonzo, Gianni, and Maximus will storm through the hidden tunnel up front; while Dad, Renzo, and I come from the front. We will come through the house. You three don't get shot or seen when you enter the front door. I mean it." Matteo's says threatening.

"So? Don't die pretty much." Maximus asks.

"Yes! Don't die Maximus!" Dad grumbles.

"Are we planning to do a drive by if stake out tonight?" Vincent question.

"Yes. We're still debating on who to send." Renzo answers.

"No better time to discuss it than now." Alonzo says.

"Who doesn't want to do a stake out? Raise your hands." Valentino orders.

I was as Blain, Kane, Leonardo, Vincent, our twelve other men, Maximus, Gianni, and Alonzo all raise their hands.

"Who wants to go on the stake out?" Dad asks.

Lucian, Julian, Renzo, Matteo, Valentino, Nikolai, and I raise our hands.

"That's settled than. You seven will go when it gets dark." Dad comments.

"Any other questions, opinions, or concerns?" Renzo asks.

"Yes! Weapons." Nikolai says.

For the next few hours we went on about what weapons to bring. It consisted of a lot of arguing and fighting. We all have our favorites some not the same as others. Which is what led to the arguing. Dad looks to be ready to strangle all of us.

"Carry whatever you prefer. Whatever your best weapons are. For fuck sake." Dad says with annoyance.

Thank god! We can leave finally.

"Wait!" Dad calls out to us.

We all freeze. I internally groan. Come on I want to go home and eat a whole cow already!

"You seven after dinner will take the SUV that's bulletproof to do the stake out. It shouldn't take more than two hours. When you get home tell us what you have and than we'll go to bed and rest up. Tomorrow everyone is to be up and ready to leave at 8 am. Understood?" Dad orders.

We all do a chorus of yes.

After spending thirty minutes running down the halls just to get out of this crazy building. We finally make it to our cars. The drive is in a comfortable silence. When we make it home the cooks already have dinner placed on the table for us. We all sit and begin to eat. During dinner we all have our friendly and joking conversations going on. It has taken us an hour to eat. Dad hugs all seven of us and kisses my forehead. We all head to the garage to get into the SUV that's going to be taking us. Valentino grabs a set of keys from the key hooks. However, Renzo snatches the keys from his hands and walks over to the driver side. We all watch as Renzo climbs into the driver seat.

Well it looks like we have a new driver today.

Once we all have climbed into the vehicle. Renzo stomps on the gas and all our heads slam into the head rests.

Geez! What are we doing? Playing Grand Thief Auto?!

He turns the car around in a hurry. As soon as the car is almost stopped; he slams it in drive. He stomps on the gas pedal again. Yet again our heads hit the head rest again. He doesn't stop nor slow down at the end our driveway. As soon as our tires hit the asphalt, he stomps on it again. The turn causes all of us to shift in our seat. Lucian's elbow is in my rib as my foot is somehow in Julian's gut. Julian is squished into the door. Nikolai's head bounces off the window and Valentino is hanging on to the back of Lucian's seat for dear life.

Valentino is getting a taste of his own medicine. This is hilarious.

The car roars to life as Renzo accelerates. The stop sign is coming up, yet he doesn't even stop. Hell he didn't even slow down. He cuts off a small car as he makes his right turn.

I change my mind! I want Valentino driving. Definitely not Renzo! Where's my helmet and my ejecto seato button! Renzo Kian Rossi!

We pull up the same gravel old driveway as last time. I swear we beat Valentino's damn record. Are they trying to see who is the quickest? Maybe next time don't have passengers in the car!!!

"Okay, Lucian and Gemma you will go with." Renzo starts to say.

"With me." Julian volunteers without even listening to Renzo.

"Okay, you two will be with Julian. You three will look for anymore passageways that leads to anywhere in the house or the yard. Do you have your weapons on?" Renzo says.

We all nod our heads in agreement and understanding.

"Matteo and I will scope out the area and see if we see anything you haven't seen before." Renzo says while looking at everyone.

Matteo whispers got it.

"Nikolai and Valentino, scope out the back and dig further into the well. In an hour and half meet back here. I mean it. All seven of us better be at this very car in that allotted time." Renzo says sternly.

"Does everyone have their weapons?" Matteo asks.

"Never leave without her!" I call out.

"Check." Lucian says.

"Got them." Nikolai says while flashing his ninja stars and knives.

"Yeah!" Julian says.

Valentino nods his head. However, he doesn't show any weapons.

"Vests?" Renzo asks while looking directly into Julian's soul.

"Yeah why are you staring at just me?" Julian grumbles.

"Because last time you didn't keep yours on and got shot." Lucian sasses back.

"Okay let's get out of the car and split up. 9:30 no later at this car. Keep your ear piece in so we can communicate." Renzo states.

We all split into our teams but not before I rush to Valentino and Nikolai. I give the twins a big hug. I sprint off to Matteo and Renzo before they got too far ahead and hug both of my two eldest brothers.

"Stay safe." I whisper to them.

"You too Principessa. You too." Matteo whispers.

I walk back towards Julian and Lucian. Once I reach my two brothers, we begin to scout out the area. Looking for anymore hidden gems in this shitty rundown area.

So, far we haven't seen anything unusual or strange. We continue to search further down into the woods behind the house. Further back behind the well. I don't know why we decided to go this far out. But we did. The leaves from the trees have now scattered the ground. The toe of my shoe catches something and begin to trip. Lucian quickly grabs my arm before I complete fell on my face. All three of us look back to see what I have tripped over. Right where my foot connected earlier, the leaves has shift. We all spot a forest green solid colored something. When Julian started to move the leaves off of the hidden object. All three of us look at each other bug eyes.

A bunker top!

Julian lift the top open and peeks in above the stairs.

"You two stay here. Wait until I get back." Julian says.

We both chill above the bunker and wait for our brother to make an appearance again. What seems like infinity and beyond. His moppy black hair is seen coming up from the ladder.

"Cameras. Someone is using it as a surveillance room. I could see Renzo and Matteo on the other side of the property. I could see Nikolai and Valentino in the well tunnels. There has to be more hidden bunkers around here. We need to start searching under the leaves." Julian says with worry in his voice.

I walk out a few feet and drop to the ground. I start to move leaves around to feel for anymore bunkers. I turn and look back at Julian and see he's placed the top back on the bunker already. He's now placing leaves back on the top of it. If they have cameras it means they will know we are here. So what's the point!?

My attention is caught back to the front when I hear Lucian cussing.

"Mother fucking pinky! Seriously?!" Lucian whisper yells.

I haven't found anything so I get back up from the leaves and walk over to Lucian. By the time I reach him; so does Julian. Lucian wipes his hand on his shirt and begins to kick the leaves around.

Bunker number two has been found just fifty feet from the first bunker. Julian again goes down the opening but he shoots back up moments later.

"Tunnels." Is all Julian says.

His moppy hair disappears and both Lucian and I follow behind him. Tunnels is right. This bunker has two tunnels. Which one do we go down? Do we play eenie meenie minie moe? Or close our eyes and point? How do we pick?

"We'll take the left one. If it isn't late we'll come back through and do a search of the right one." Julian explains.

Well there does how I was planing on picking a tunnel. Julian takes the lead as Lucian and I walk side by side behind him. The tunnel twists and turns a lot. It crosses over other tunnels than goes back to its lonesome self again. By the time we get to the end; we have come up inside the second yet smallest house on the property.

"Well this one is new." Lucian whispers.

"You think so?!" Julian says sarcastically.

"We have enough time to check out some more tunnels. Let's go." I whisper.

We back track down the tunnel after a good fifteen minute walk; we're finally back inside the bunker. Lucian grabs ahold of my hand so I don't get lost. This tunnel is creepy and dark. There's barely any light in here. Julian turns on his flashlight and all we can see if cobwebs, spiders, and skeleton remains.

What the hell?!

I let out a screeching sound when I spot an animal skeleton. What the actual flying fuck is going on in here?!

This tunnel does a lot of twists and turns. Yet, it doesn't cross any other tunnel ways like it's twin. When we get to the end of the tunnel; we all let out a gasp.

We can see our car from just outside the house.

The house that's next door.

How the hell?

"Let's go. This is creepy!" I whisper.

"Hold on. We need to see what's in this house. Why did that tunnel lead into this house? Come on. Stay close to me." Julian whispers.

We careful search each room. We weren't dumb enough not to pull out our weapons. All three of us have our guns out without the safety on. No fucking way in hell I'm going any further in this house without my baby.

All the rooms are cleared. Not any evidence a person even lives here. Only place left is the attic to check. As we creep up the old cobwebbed stairs. Remind you they creak so if anyone upstairs. They know we are coming. We come to the attic's door. Julian stands on one side while Lucian stands on the other. I'm directly behind Lucian out of sight. Julian turns the handle and the old door pushes open on its own. After a few seconds Julian walks in with his gun raised. We follow right behind our brother. We all three stop dead center of our tracks.

"Guys?" I whisper.

"Renzo. Valentino. All of you all come to the house next door." Julian calls out into our ear piece.

"It'll take us at least ten minutes." Valentino replies.

"We'll be there about the same time." Renzo answers.

"Guys I don't think I can stay in this spot more than five minutes. Can you hurry up." I whisper.

"Bet." Nikolai says back.

What was suppose to take our four brothers ten minutes or so. Only takes them three minutes. Thank god!

"Where are you all at?" Matteo says in our ear.

"Attic." Lucian says a little spooked.

We are still frozen in our spot when our four brothers come up behind us.

"What the?" Matteo doesn't even finish.

"Is that my fucking face?" Nikolai questions.

I glance behind me and see my brothers are just as creeped out as we are.

All the walls are covered in pictures. Each one is in sections. Renzo and Matteo's faces are plastered on one wall. The twins are on the wall next to them. Julian and Alonzo are staring back at us on the furthest end of the twin's wall. Maximus and Gianni are next to their wall with their faces plastered all over it. Leonardo and Vincent are next to Maximus and Gianni's wall but the furthest down. Directly in everyone's face right now is Lucian and I. Our faces are covering the main big wall. Our father's pictures along with other members of our family is scattered across the floor. I bend down and pick up a picture that has captured my eyes.

Our family photo before I was taken.

I drop the picture at my feet and begin to back away. When I turn around, I spot a bulletin board with a big note on it.

'All the Rossi's will die for what they done to you.'

Yup! On that note I'm out of this bitch.

I begin to sprint off and Lucian is right behind me. You can hear my brothers right behind us. We aren't staying around long enough to even know what the fuck is going on. I get to the car first and I am panting for air. Lucian is next to me gasping.

"Val come with me to cover where we entered at." Julian says.

I watch as my brothers walk off into the forest. I get into my seat and watch for their silhouettes to come back. Renzo, Nikolai, and Matteo stay outside the car. Five minutes later we see our brothers running like their lives are at stake.

Considering what we seen in that house I say it truly is.

Our five brothers hop into the car. Renzo wastes no time in throwing the car in reverse. He didn't wait for any of us to buckle up and I don't blame him. The drive back home he broke in record time. When we reach the house, all you can hear is the screeching of our tires coming to a stop.

I don't think I've seen any of us Rossi's that spooked.

As we walk into the main room; we are bombarded with questions.

"I'll just show you the video of what we found." Julian says.

He points to the necklace around his neck. Vincent takes the necklace off of him and pulls out a chip. He places it into his laptop which is connected to the projector. The projector shows the video on our wall. You can see everything we have done the entire time we were there. When it gets to the part when we're panicking and calling for our other brothers. That's the part I hold my breath and swear I'm about to collapse on the ground. No one utter a single word as the process the scene in front of them.

"Is that?"

"Why's my face?"

"What the hell?"

"Who?"

"Why is my face!?"

"Is that our family picture!?"

"Wait what's the message on the board?"

Everyone fires rapid questions. Left and right.

"I don't know! We didn't stick around long enough to even remotely find out!" Lucian pretty much screams.

"Why is our faces plastered on every inch of those walls?" Vincent screams.

"I don't know!" Matteo's voice roars.

Everyone of us remain silent. Wheels constantly turning in our heads. Who knows that much about us? Why are they out to harm us? So many questions cramp up my brain that I don't even know the answers too. I don't even say a word to anyone. I just walk the hell out of our main room and head to my own room. Lucian is right behind me.

"You aren't sleeping alone. Not while some crazy person is out there." Lucian says from behind me.

I open my door and walk to my bed. My sweet soft comfy bed. I toss my covers back on my bed and pat the empty spot on my bed. An open invitation for my brother to crawl in my bed with me. I fall asleep quickly. Quicker than I thought I would. I felt safe with one of my brothers with me. More precise, my closest brother. My best friend. My protector. My twin.

The next morning we wake up at our alarms going off at 4:30. Lucian's hair is sticking all over the place which causes me to burst into laughter.

"I wouldn't be laughing once you see your own hair." Lucian grumbles.

I look in the mirror and am in complete horror at what I see. My hair looks like I have been electrocuted! This causes Lucian to burst into his own fits of laughter. I quickly fix my hair as best as I can. Which wasn't much considering how my hair looks at the moment. I opt for my hair tie, I throw my hair in a messy bun and walk out my door. Flipping a still laughing Lucian off. Once we get into the kitchen he's calmed his laughter down to none. The asshole thinks everything is funny at the moment. Because he's still cackling his head off.

"You should have seen your face!" Lucian says in between his fits of laughter.

"I don't understand why you're my favorite brother." I grumble.

"Morning Principessa farfalla." Julian says as he ruffles my hair.

"Morning Juls. Can you bury Lucian twenty feet under. Cover his body with Lime. Than concrete. Make sure the top of the grave before the dirt is concreted. On top of his grave must read 'the brother who laughed too much at his sister died mysteriously' please?" I whine to my brother.

"What has he done now to be on your least favorite list?" Nikolai chuckles.

"Damn that's descriptive." Gianni says in shock.

"That's my Gems!" Valentino responds in the corner.

"Let's eat children! We leave in an hour!" Dad says from the doorway.

Oh yeah! I forgot why we are even up at the butt crack of dawn. Before the roosters even think to wake up and make any noise. This morning is the morning we finally end whatever this person has in store for us all.

"And no we can kill Lucian..." Dad chuckles softly.

"Ha! In your face!" Lucian says with an I won smile.

"We need him for the journey. Afterwards you may do whatever you like to Lucian." Dad says with a smirk.

"Ha! In your face!" I spit back at a stunned Lucian.

"But dad!" Lucian whines.

"Alright guys settle down and let's eat." Dad says with a charming smile.

Once we pile our plates full of food. We all take our respective seats. Of course Lucian is next to me. We all eat our breakfast as we talk and joke around. Like always. It'll never stop being a breakfast or dinner if we didn't talk or joke. It's just who us Rossi's are. After breakfast we all quickly get changed. We all come down fixing our vests and strapping whatever weapons we need.

"Alright we're going to do things a little differently with this mission of ours." Dad states.

"But dad you said we could come." Lucian complains.

"I haven't changed my mind on that. Just hear me out. I want all of us to gather in a circle and hold each other's hands please." Dad instructs.

We all follow dads orders and make that circle and hold hands. Dad bows his head and closes his eyes. We all follow suit.

"Dear Heavenly Father, it's weird for us Rossi's to say a prayer. I know we don't do half of our lives day to day the Christian way. But I'm asking you to watch over my children, my family, our men, and our friends. Please send all of us home unharmed and still breathing. Please protect all my children from harm. Lucian and Gemma have targets on their backs so please watch over those two problem children as well. Thank you another day breathing so we can see each other grow. Continue to watch over us after today. In God's Name. Amen." Dad says his prayer.

Several yells of amen echo the house.

That is definitely different from what we are used too. Normally dad briefs us and we all head out. Never has he prayed before. Today most be eating away at him. Afraid he'll lose a child or himself. This puts an ache in my chest as I think of my dad fearing he would lose one of us. Or we would lose our father. I think that's also everyone's unspoken fear. I don't know what I would do if I lost any of my family.

I glance over to Lucian and give his hand a squeeze. He lightly squeezes my hand back.

"Alright briefing time." Renzo calls out. Getting everyone's attention.

We all walk into the main room and sit on the couches and chairs.

"Vincent and Kane will stay in the van. Vincent will be our ears and hacker. Leonardo and Blain will go into the one bunker. Leonardo will hack into those cameras. Both Kane and Blain will be their protection." Renzo states.

All four boys nod their heads.

"Julian, Lucian, and Gems will go down the second bunker and tunnel. The tunnel that leads to our destination. Not that neighbor's house. Valentino when Nikolai will take the well passage." Dad says.

Dad points to twelve if our men.

"You three are to come from the left of the house. You three will be the right of the house. You three will come from the back. Lastly you three will go in the tunnels that leads to the neighbor's house." Dad finishes.

"Renzo, dad, and I will come through the front. Gianni, Maximus, and Alonzo will go through the mail box tunnels into the house." Matteo says.

"Any questions?" Renzo asks.

He gets either no's verbally or heads shaking no.

"Vests?" Renzo ask.

We all give him all yes's.

"Weapons?" Matteo asks.

We all show him our weapons. I looked stunned when Valentino flashes a gun and not his fists.

We all walk out the door and head towards the waiting vans. Leonardo, Vincent, Blain, and Kane get into the last van. The three going to the back of property, the three coming from the right of the house, Julian, Lucian, Nikolai, Valentino, and I get into the middle van. Dad, Matteo, Renzo, Gianni, Maximus, Alonzo, the three going from the left of the house, and the three going into the creep house hop in the front van. We all take off towards our destination. And all I'm thinking at the moment is please let everyone walk out of this alive and well.

When we arrive are close to the house dad and the second van pull off and turn down into the woods past the house. Leonardo's van turns right up the driveway towards the creepy house. We all pile out of the vans and begin to stalk towards the house.

"Mic Check 1 2 3." Julian whispers.

"It works." Leonardo says.

Once we cross the street, Renzo's group take the left towards the house. Our group takes the right beside the house. We watch as the three going in on our side; get into positions and wait for for our signals. We continue to towards the back of the house. The three that have to come from the back now have made it to their spot. Nikolai and Valentino are walking into the well. The last group of three men have made it to the bunker with us. As soon as we come to the split. They haul ass down the right tunnel as we take the left.

"We're in position." Renzo says from the front of the house."

"In place." We hear three of the groups of three say.

"We're coming through the tunnels at the mailbox." Maximus replies.

"We have made it into the house." The last group of three confirm.

"We're in the well still." Nikolai whispers.

"Tunnels." Is all Julian says.

"We have movement in the house." Vincent says from his van.

"The cameras in the bunker shows at least ten or more men guarding the property from various points." Leonardo has confirmed.

"Any signs of her?" Dad ask.

"No." Vincent calls out.

"Not yet. Still looking." Leonardo says.

"Be careful." I whisper.

I get a chorus of i will's in my ear. She has came with help this time. She knows we were coming. So she's been watching her cameras.

"Valentino. To your right!" Leonardo whispers.

I stop in my tracks at Leonardo's words. I wait for Valley's confirmation that the enemy is die or wounded or something.

"Piece of cake. Target down." Valley suddenly says.

I let out my breath of air and begin to walk again with my brothers. Five minutes into our route we stop yet again.

"Gianni! To your left!" Leonardo rushes out.

I hold my breath and say a silent prayer because Leonardo's worried voice plays in my head. Like he almost didn't spit the enemy in time.

"Both targets are down." Gianni and Alonzo both say.

Two targets?! Why the fuck?!

We continue our walk through the tunnels again. Not even ten steps in Vincent's voice rings out.

"Renzo up top!"

I pause my walking faster than before. Renzo! I hear muffle sounds in my ear and barely hear Renzo's silencer go off.

"He's down." Matteo calls out.

"Gianni to your right mate!" Leonardo calls out again.

What the hell three in that tunnel?

I can hear grunts and groans. I just hope they aren't Gianni's!

"He's out." Gianni says out of breath.

We make it a hundred yards before both boys yell frantically in our ears. Leonardo more frantically than Vincent.

"Nikolai! Up a head! Three men!"

"Julian tunnel to the left coming up take it. You three will come head to head with five men!"

"Dad to the right and up! Right side of the house you got two men coming your way!"

As soon as Julian sees the tunnels cross; he takes the left and we follow behind.

"How do we take five out with only three of us." I whisper.

"You'll see." Julian says with a smirk plastered on his face.

I watch as he takes out several knives. Lucian and I pull out our guns.

"Leonardo tell us when they get close. Not a second late!" Julian whispers.

"Five feet from the cross over." Leonardo warns.

We see five figures in a single filed line appear near us at the cross over. Julian is standing tall as Lucian crouches down. I however am laying on the ground out of sight. I watch a Julian throws several knives towards the enemy. I watch as three bodies hit the dirty walk way. Lucian's silencer goes off and the forth body hits the ground. The last man is looking around in the dark tunnel we're in. He can't see us but we can see him. I pull my trigger and he goes down with a thud.

"Mongrels are down." Lucian says.

Julian walks over and pulls out six of his knives from the three bodies.

"The three mongooses are down." Nikolai whispers.

"Target up top is deceased." Dad confirms.

"Movement on the left side of the property." Vincent warns the team.

"Gemma don't move an inch." Leonardo warns me.

I immediately freeze in my tracks. My left foot is dangling in the air. Trying to figure out why Leonardo told me to stop. I don't see anything in the barely lit tunnel's floor.

"Take two steps back and slide all the way to Lucian's side of the wall. There's a trap right below your left foot." Leonardo calls out.

I take my left dangling foot and swing it behind me. When it hits the floor, I start to back up. I scoot over towards Lucian. Julian crouches down and examines where my foot would have stepped. Lucian tugs me forward next to Julian.

"This wasn't like this last night." Julian says.

"What is it?" I question.

"The stone is pushed in a good five inches or so. One step, that stone would have either crumbled and you would have broken your leg. Or you would have just broken your damn leg." Lucian says.

"Keep your eyes peeled. She has little tricks up her sleeve." Julian says.

"What are we? Home alone? Settling out childish boobie traps?" I ask.

"Well, she did almost take you out with that home alone boobie trap sis." Lucian says with a small chuckle.

We continue our walk, all three of us searching for anymore traps. The closer we got to our exit the more traps we are finding.

"We're five minutes from the exit. Give or take." Julian tells everyone.

"We're at the end of our tunnel." Valentino grunts.

"We're in the creepy neighbor's house." The team says.

"We're maybe a hundred feet from our exit door." Gianni answers.

We can still hear Vincent and Leonardo giving each teams, their heads up on enemies and traps. We aren't the only ones getting hit with traps.

Seriously what are we Home Alone?

"Leonardo was a hair late. Gianni just skidded across the ground on marbles." Alonzo says.

"It wasn't dangerous. Just marbles. Plus I didn't even see them until Maximus kicked the cover off of them. Before I could warn him, he was already on top of the marbles falling." Leonardo defends himself.

"I think I broke my butt bone guys." Gianni says winded.

"How much further is everyone?" Dad asks.

"At our exit."

"The exit."

"Exit."

Our three teams call out.

"On our count. Everyone come out from hiding. We will search every building one by one. See any enemies shoot. If you see her, call out your location." Dad says.

"Use your code word for her. Which is what?" Renzo questions us.

"Pink Flamingo is in flight!" We call back to our brother.

"Be careful." Matteo whispers.

"Three."

"Two."

"One."

"Go."

Julian kicks the tunnels door out of our way. He exits the tunnel like a mad man. Or a brother on a mission. Lucian slows down and now I'm directly in between both my brothers. The tunnel leads up beside the smallest house in the back of the property. As soon as we walk through the doors, Valentino and Nikolai are going through the back door.

"Perfect timing." Nikolai laughs.

"You three upstairs. We'll cover down here." Valentino orders.

Julian takes the lead and begins to ascend the stairs. I'm right behind him with Lucian right on my heels. Julian kicks the first door he sees in. I take the door across from him and push the door open. Lucian takes the door next to me. We all three enter the rooms.

It's an empty room, nothing is in here. Not furniture, no bed, clothes. Nothing. As I turn around to head back out, I notice a red dot on the wall moving around.

"Gemma down! Sniper of the main houses roof!" Vincent and Leonardo scream.

I hit the floor with a hard thud. Before I could scoot, crawl, or take any cover. The glass in the window shattered. The bullet hits where I was standing and exits the old wall.

Shit!

Julian's across the hall!

"I'm fine Principessa farfalla." Julian's voice rings in my ear.

"We both hit the deck when the boys warned you." Lucian answers my unasked question.

"Sniper is dead. Like dead dead." Matteo says.

"Obviously! You just pulled a Valentino card and ripped his throat out his damn body." Dad says.

"Well, he was targeting our Angel face! What was I supposed to do?" Matteo counters.

"Not to bloody hulk on the guy." Renzo cackles.

"Can I get up now?" I whisper.

"All clear Princess." Leonardo calls out.

I don't even get up. I crawl across the floor until I'm in the hallway. Once in the hall I stand up and see the hole that went through my wall. It went straight through into the room Julian was in.

"That was close Juls." I whisper.

"Yeah it was. It would have hit my shoulder." Julian says with a sad smile.

It wouldn't have 'hit' his shoulder. It would have hit the left side of his chest. I'm not stupid. Thank god they both hit the deck when Leonardo warned me. If not I would have lost Julian and that sets my blood boiling.

We clear the last three rooms and start to head back downstairs.

"You three down in the dinky kitchen." Nikolai commands us.

"Okay Sergeant Slater." I grumble.

As we race down the stairs and into the kitchen. Valentino has moved the fridge over to the right. When we round the fridge we three looked stunned.

Another passage way.

What the hell.

Valentino goes first. Julian goes next, Lucian and I follow. Nikolai is our protection from the back. The tunnel is darker than the night sky. We can't see shit and Leonardo not Vincent can't even tell us anything. There's no camera in this tunnel. No one's used it. She must have not known it was even here. We could use this to our advantage.

When Valley get to the end of the tunnel. We can hear movement. He peeks through the crack of the wood. He taps the door repeatedly like he's knocking on someone's house.

"What the fuck?" Gianni screeches out.

"Open the fucking door." Nikolai growls.

"What fucking door!?" Maximus yells.

"Whatever is in front of your bloody face right now!" Valley growls.

"It's a huge ancient curio cabinet." Alonzo says.

"Just move it!" Lucian snaps.

"Hold on." Gianni says with attitude.

It took the boys at least a few minutes to figure out how to move the damn thing. Alonzo opens the door and we can see his face. Valentino doesn't wait any longer. He throws all his weight into his punch. We all watch as the wood splinters off and breaks completely.

"Oh shit!" Maximus yells.

Valentino walks out the tunnel like Hulk on Steroids. He just busted through the wooden curio cabinet! How the fuck!?

"Come on. There has to be other passage ways." Nikolai says to everyone.

"Groups of two. No one wanders alone." Valley orders.

Nikolai goes with his twin. Lucian grabs my arm. Gianni snatches up Alonzo's hand.

"Fuck me." Julian grumbles.

Julian gets stuck with Maximus. All I could do is try not to laugh at his predicament. Niko, Valley, Lonzo, and Gi go up the stairs. The remaining of us stay downstairs. Lucian check in the living room. He tosses books down on the ground.

Hey sir! What those books do to you! Don't mess their spines up. He slams the book shelf on the floor. On top of the poor books. How rude?!

Nothing is behind the shelf. I walk around the room and move every painting. Still nothing. Lucian moves the rug and still nothing. Think! What are we missing here?

I begin to tap the walls. When my hand connects to the panel behind where the bookshelf once was. My body disappears and I'm tumbling down the small step off. I land on the ground with a big thud.

"Gems found something!" Lucian says.

He comes through the wall and helps me back up to my feet. Well, that's embarrassing! Considering my crush just watched me face plant the earth.

So embarrassing!

All our brothers sound like herds of elephants coming towards us.

"How did she find this?" Alonzo asks.

"Don't ask." I grumble.

"She face planted through the wall." Kane says with a chuckle.

I stick my finger in the air and flip the asshole off.

We all follow the hidden passage way to who knows where it'll lead. By the time we get to the end, we face plant a wall.

More like Valentino hit the wall with his forehead.
We all just bounce off each other from the abrupt stop.

Hell that hurt!

I rub my nose when I blink I see the outside. I don't know how Valentino has opened the wall up. But I'm thankful that I can finally see. As we exit into the garden, dad and my brothers come up from a different passage from the main house. We all walk through the gardens confusing pathway. When we round the last corner we come face to face with the pond.

And her.

Her back is facing us.

"It's nice for you to finally make an appearance." She says with a very soft voice.

When she turns around. We all don't move a muscle. We don't even know what to think. What the hell?

"Madre!"

"Mommy?"

"Mama?"

"Mom!"

"Myra?"

"Mom?"

"Mama?"

"Mom!?"

"Mommy?"

"Mum?"

"Mommy?"

"Ma?"

"Ma?"

The end....

Or so you think.

Book two will be up in January. ❤️

Word Count 8300

Book Words Total: 108,246 🥹

This is the end of the first book. Can you see the hint of who she is in the book? Or even in this chapter?