Trust can be earned

Chapter 13

We wait for them to arrive so we can catch them up on what we have agreed to, it doesn’t take them long to show up curiosity getting the better of them both. Once everyone is caught up and after a few back and fourths and a lot of swearing everyone has agreed, the plan is set, I need to get Charlie ready to do the corrective surgeries. I thank god she completed her studies and became a fully fledge doctor before coming to work for me.

Actually, thank god I met her as she was finishing her internship, I trust Charlie to do the surgeries because she was the one that helped with the original ones. We all head back to the Quinn’s to inform our mothers of the announcement plans, we will need to set up a secure location for Gabriella. I meant what I said about not hurting a hair on her head, not this time, knowing I’m really alive will be enough punishment for them both for now. Doesn’t mean I can’t plan for his other family members; Lorenzo is already down. Now the fun begins with Lucas, I haven’t decided what to do about him but when I do, he will pray for his own death.

As expected, when we told our mothers about the announcement, I had to discreetly remind my mother that she was my Aunt and not my mother. I knew it upset her, but she could get carried away with the real wedding, although I have no idea how they are going to explain to Lacey and my mother why we are planning a second wedding.

Then it hits me, whilst Lacey was still asking why, “Because the first wedding isn’t real, it’s a chance for Enzo to take me to dinner.” I finish with a smirk; Lacey gave me a knowing smirk and nod of her own.

Us women understand how the underworld works; in turn we tend to understand hidden meanings, even if they were a little misleading. Suddenly the room was filled with squealing women, every man covered their ears including me.

I don’t do over excited women, give me a good gun fight instead. I’m so lost in my thoughts I don’t notice the women circling me until Morgan’s breath hits my ear “Good luck.” I snap out of my thoughts and focus back on the room.

I see all the women with grins on their faces, I put my hand out to stop them advancing, “Oh no, this is for you ladies I’ve got other places to be.” I turn on my heels and run before they can say anything.

I hear them shouting at me as I make it to the stairs, the men are hot on my heels trying to get away as well. We make it to Shaun’s office and as soon as the door is shut, I run back to it and lock the f*****g thing, I will only be opening it again when we need Charlie.

We need to come up with a plan for me to get shot, while we’re all brainstorming Taylor jumps up, “Why don’t we make it look like an assassination attempt?” I look at Taylor as an idea begins to form in my head, he gives me a nod understanding where my head is. We smirk at everyone about to explain, but Morgan beats us to it.

He looks up, “What if you get shot at the announcement, we could use the same method as before but with blank bullets this time.”

I go to agree before realising, “Yes to when and where but no to the blanks, the people we are inviting will know the difference. We have to make another outfit, and fast.” I say looking at Taylor.

He gives a curt nod and gets up unlocking the door and leaving, Shaun jumps up and rushes to lock it again making us all chuckle. He re-takes his seat with a slight frown, “Mind telling us how you survived if Enzo shot you with actual bullets, we never actually asked, I think I speak for everyone when I say we assumed you had swapped his for blanks knowing what you knew.” I smirk before looking at Morgan.

Morgan gives me a slight nod to explain, I take a breath, “Me, Taylor and my team had been trying to find some form of armour that could be concealed easily and even be mistaken for clothes, the first prototype was my wedding dress and cloak.”

I am interrupted as Ignacio stood and turned to me abruptly, “How did you know it would work? We could have really lost you if it hadn’t!” I’m a little taken back.

My father puts a hand of Ignacio’s shoulder to calm him, it seems to work, I didn’t think my death had affected the Lopez’s as much as it did. I look at everyone in the room with an apologetic expression, “Ignacio, I tested it first extensively, I would have tried a different plan if it hadn’t worked but we knew it did. I promise you all I never did anything that would put me in real danger that night, do you really think Taylor and Morgan would allow that?”

This seems to placate the room, Shaun cleared his throat, “Carry on.” I nod at him.

“The dress also had a thin blood pack in it so when the bullets hit it looked like I really had been hit, I won’t lie it f*****g hurt like a b***h, but it worked.” I looked around to see what they all thought.

“Will a week be long enough for you to get the suit made again?”

I give Shaun a nod, “That shouldn’t be a problem, whoever we get to do the shooting will be offered the same as Tom.” I stop when everyone looks confused.

I roll my eyes, “The guard that helped with Lorenzo.” I shake my head at them as realisation shows on their faces. Honestly, I know there is a lot going on but still, a knock at the door distracts us as we sit silently hoping it’s not the women.

After a few minutes of silence there is another knock and then a voice calls “Sirena are you in there, Taylor said you wanted to talk to me.” I along with the men let out a collective breath as Rico unlocks the door.

Charlie was standing on the other side with a shy smile, I smiled at her and waved her in with my hand. She took a nervous step into the office, as soon as she was over the threshold Rico pulled her away from the door shutting it and locking it again.

I knew my mother and Aunts are no doubt waiting for me, but I have an idea on how to sort that. With an innocent look I turn to Morgan with a sweet smile “Morgan can you go and inform our mothers of the announcement date, please?” I snap my head to my father as he sniggers under his breath.

I quickly turn back to Morgan with the same sweet smile, Morgan rolls his eyes and stands, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing, you will have to face them sooner or later.” I frown knowing he is right as he walks out chuckling to himself. I chuckle to myself when I remember the women are all excited so yes, I will get it but after Morgan suffers.

Everyone in the room chuckles along with me knowing Morgan is going to get it worse, all because he is with them first. Charlie draws our attention clearing her throat before looking around nervously, “Um, Sirena what’s going on?”

I look at her seriously “Charlie please have a seat; we need to talk. Don’t worry about this lot, I’ll always be worse than them.” Charlie chuckles knowing in a way I’m both joking and being serious.

My father, Rico, Shaun, and Ignacio all huff as they cross their arms over their chests, causing Charlie and I to laugh harder. When we have gotten ourselves calmed my father looks at me frowning “Didn’t you have something to tell Charlie?”

Charlies expression turns serious at my father’s words. She turns to me and studies my face for a moment before mumbling “Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this.” I glare at the men as it is now their turn to laugh.

I turn back to Charlie with a small smile, “It’s not as bad as you think, well I hope it isn’t.”