The Dangerous Family Secrets

Chapter 3: Home Safe Home

Soraya's POV

Soraya was happy to be going home, when they got to the landing strip Naomi's security was already there in wait, the girls said there good byes and both got in their cars.

The old 60's style of their estate and the rose garden Raya's mother kept made home feel like a soothing massage therapy session, but nothing could top the smell of grandma De luca' pastries.

Raya loved when her nan baked but Catharine De luca was getting old, she was 63 years old, but don't let her age swindle you. Catharine De luca was and is as tough as they come, from the stories her father had told her of his mother, Catharine was her husbands right hand man or in this case right hand woman. For none of the guys they had on retainer at the time knew more about hand guns, assault Riffles, RPG's the whole military war chest and she was the best at handling them.

It was once rumored that Catharine De Luca was the Red Ribbon Assassin, thinking back soraya always admired her grandma even without the adventurous tales.

Ryan drove the white Jeep through the black 12 feet gate and made his way up to the estate, Renzo was on the front steps awaiting his sister. Soraya adored her younger brother and he adored her like wise, not waiting for Ryan to help her out the car, Raya threw the door open and dash up the steps engulfing her brother in a warm hug, which he returned.

" How have you been Renzo"

Soraya asked while cupping her brothers cheeks, Renzo's green eyes cast a cloud of something Raya could not understand but she knew behind those great oak doors stood trouble.

Renzo still did not make an effort to give Raya an answer so she put her arms around his shoulder and entered the house, bracing her self for what's to come.

Stepping into the spacious entrance way that was furnished to envy a palace, Soraya stopped and release a breath she did not know she was holding and with that a flash of something shinny past her eyes in a quarter second that she hardly saw what it was.

When she turn around, a silver custom hand crafted dagger was stucked into the wooden oak doors and without even looking around, up on the banister, Soraya knew who threw it.

" Do you know how a phone works!,do you?"

came the commanding but melodious voice of Lily- Ann, Soraya's mother. Turning around to face her, Liliy-Ann stood a mare 5'1 even Soraya was taller than her mother for she was 5'4.

Standing there in her earth green s****s and sports bra, with her hair up in a pony tail looking down at her daughter,Soraya was caught up in the shock of it all, she almost forgot to answer her mother.

"Yes mom, i do, but i had somethings to take care of"

Soraya said praying to god her dad is no where around.

" i don't want excuses Raya, it was important and i don't ask much of you at least nothing i know your not capable of handling "

Soraya felt bad, she knew her mother was right so she kept quiet and listened to the lecture that was headed her way.

Once Lily-Ann had done chewing her out Soraya kissed her brother Renzo on the forehead for standing by her side the whole time, not saying a word, but is presence was all the support she needed, making her way to her quarters Soraya was frustrated but not tired, she could not afford to be, because she knew Terrence was not resting he was plotting at this very minute.

She kicked her shoes off and walked into her office that was joined to her room, she flipped the switch and the spacious and quite quaint decor of her office came into view, showing the wooden shelves that surrounded her office walls that were stocked with books of all nature but mostly world politics.

There was a earth green sofa and a glass coffee table in the center of the room, which had papers scattered all over it, Soraya's eyes kept roaming her office and when they caught sight of her lavish wooden office desk an egg shell coloured envelop caught her attention for it was not there when she had left.

She strode over to her desk, all the while holding her breath for that feeling of uneasiness started to resurface, when Soraya saw the CUB shield on the envelop her fears did not cease in fact they only grew.

With trembling hands Raya opened the envelop and took out it's content and read aloud.

Soraya could not believe her eyes, why would the CUB do this now and why would her father allow it, but most of all why didn't he warn her that this was coming.

Leaning on her desk for support, Raya suddenly felt claustrophobic it seems as if the walls were about to close in on her, she felt as if with every breath she would die. Struggling to keep her head right Raya did not hear Jane, her mothers secretary at her office door.

" Ms. Soraya are you alright"

because Soraya did not hear, Jane walked towards her and touch her arm asking again

"Soraya are you alright" the touch of Jane's hand brought Soraya out of her drowning dimension.

Raya looked up and saw jane, composing her self a bit she stood up straight

" oh jane i did not hear you come in, what can i do for you" came Soraya best fake, am- doing- great voice.

"Well i just came to tell you that Carlos Buretty's plane went down, but he was not on it, his son Tony Buretty was" said jane as she walked out of the office leaving Soraya in astonishment .

Then it suddenly hit Soraya her hand flew to the egg shell coloured letter, scanning it again, Soraya ran around her desk and sat down popping her laptop open, and signing into the CUB database, and as if she would need any more proof it was stearing her right in the face.

Tony Buretty was the only son of Carlos Buretty and they are the kazakhstan Clandestine family who also controlled parts of Ukraine, Norway and Poland. "All these places had one thing in common", Soraya said out loud "Russia" and it seem to Soraya that somebody has started to clear the board, someone has moved their first chest piece.

Terrence's POV

Hanging up the phone Terrence was just informed by is men that Tommy has been disposed of, shifting through is contacts he found the number for Baldoor Swyffer, he was instructed to get in touch with Swyffer Tech by his father, for they had products and intelligence that Mr.Vadeem needed.

Terrence knew that Swyffer Tech or Baldoor him self was the best at stealing information, tracking and keeping an eye on his enemies. So he knew that Baldoor wouldn't just fly with his fathers demands the price was going to be high but to salvage the leak within there enterprise he would pay in blood if he had to..

The phone started to ring and Terrence was calm and collect

" Baldoor Swyffer office, how may i assist you" said the lady on the line he presumed to be Baldoor's secretary

" tell him that Terrence Vadeem is on the the line"

" please hold" she said, Terrence was starting to get annoyed with the holding music but before his frustration crept in a grainy but manly voice said

" Terrence Vadeem i do hope I'm pronouncing that right".

From the tone of his voice Terrence knew he was not hoping, he meant every word as a disrespect but he also knew that they needed the Swyffer's so he would control is temper.

" yes your pronunciation is fine Mr. Swyffer, but firstly is this a secure line to talk business" Terrence asked.

"My boy, I'm Baldoor Swyffer i invented secure" he responded, and with that said Terrence got straight to the point.

I'm calling on behalf of Trimone Vadeem my father he would like to obtain your very discreet services and the package you give to CUB members"

" I've changed my polices i must inform you young man"

Terrence was getting frustrated with Baldoor's need to keep pointing out his age and it seem that although he was a Vadeem he would not receive the respect he deemed.

"If the changes in your policy are within our best intrest then i believe we could work something out"

Terrence said trying to fine away around Baldoor's dismissive tone.

"On the contrary my boy, there is something that would be in your best intrest and even if its not, making it a priority would be beneficial to both you and me. if you want the services of Swyffer Tech then i would see no need to not make it so"

Baldoor said with no hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"And what would that be" Terrence asked but he was afraid of the answer that Baldoor would give.

Baldoor exhaled letting out a confident breath before he said,

"Well Terrence, someone needs to die"

Soraya's POV

Soraya was on the phone with Noami she wanted to know if she had received one of the letters she did and it did not come as a surprise to Soraya when Naomi confirmed her invitation.

" Naomi did you know Tony Buretty?" Soraya asked her bestfriend,

"no i didn't but i heard what happend" Naomi respond.

"What did happen?, for all i heard was that is plane went down" Raya peek up for she knew there was more to the story and if gossip was going around Naomi would get a sniff of it.

"Well i heard my dad talking to Santos Reveara" the Brazilian Clandestine drug lord and he said that the Buretty jet developed complication in the air something to do with the engine, but its rumored the mechanic who takes care of the Buretty jet, said that he had check the engine before Tony had even arrived at the air strip and everything was fine"

"So your saying someone tampered with the engine" Soraya asked has the wheels in her head began turning,

" I don't know but what i do know is that Carlos Buretty is out for blood, Tony was his only son" Naomi said after which she released a sigh.

The girls talk for a bit more until they got tired, putting down the phone Soraya couldn't help wondering, who would want Tony dead and why.

Who would most likely benefit from his death and one name kept coming to her, Terrence.

But even if so much probable cause pointing to the Vadeem family Soraya couldn't help feel as though she's missing something, but what.

Soraya awoke to the sun coming in from her window and for the first in a long time she wasn't plagued by her reoccurring dream and she was grateful and well rested.

She sat up in bed and stretch for her phone on the bed side table it was 8:00am but the time was not what caught Soraya off guard there were two text message from the infamous Terrence Vadeem.

Soraya click open the messages;

Gemstone meet me at the Serv at cafe tomorrow at 10:00 am, rev.yesterday @11:00pm

And please don't be late.

rev.yesterday @ 11:02pm

Soraya flew out of bed, she had less than an hour to get ready. She threw her top off and head straight for the bath room, after brushing her teeth and taking a shower Soraya shift threw her clothes in her walk in closet she didn't know what to wear but she knew it had to knock the air out of Terrence's lungs, for operation Take down Terrence depends on her ability to seduce and outsmart him..

But the biggest fear Soraya really had was if Terrence would even find her attractive. After much deliberation and a quick face time with Naomi, Soraya decide to wear, some tight jeans with a sexy satin red top that brings out her eyes and also pairing it with her red wine coloured pointed toe platforms. Putting her hair to the side and using a small amount of make up and thin gloss on her lips, because she did not want to seem to be trying too hard.

Giving herself a once over in the mirror she decided she was ready, She grabbed her black purse and her coat and head down stairs, it was almost 10 and although she didn't want Terrence to think he was in control by turning up on time apart of her was eager to see him.

Soraya made her way into the kitchen and out the backdoor and onto the breakfast patio, there sat her grandma,

"grandma catharine" Soraya said

"i knew you would come looking for me my child, for your eye are filled with trouble" Catharine said as she waved her grand daughter over to her.

"Nothing gets passed you nan" Soraya said sitting down beside her grandma,

"it was once my job to be perceptive my child" said catharine as she stretch her hands to stroke her grand daughters cheek...

"Well listen hear my child, sometimes one has to make hard decision even when they are wrong, but what matters most is family and loyalty.

And once you have both your unstoppable".

Grandma Catharine place her hands on a small box in her lap that Soraya didn't even notice until now. " this is for you" Catharine said handing Soraya the box she had in her lap,

" you didn't have to get me anything, you know nan" Soraya said "

open it, it didn't cost me a dime"

Catharine said has she waved off Soraya humility

Soraya open the box, inside was a SIG sauer P320, it was beautiful, her eyes started to water as she looked up at her grandma, " no need for tears my daughter, it belong to her and now it belongs to you, it will bring you good fortune my dear"

Raya closed the box, kissed her grandma on her cheeks and told her thank you, she wiped way her tears and got up ,all the while telling her grandma that she was grateful for her and loved her.

Sitting in the car out side the Serv at cafe Soraya brace her self, she place her hand on the box with the gun her grandma had gave her not too earlier and hoped for good fortune, she wouldn't pray for it, because god or the god's answered the righteous and that she was not.

She stepped out of the car with Ryan's help who gave her a you'll be fine smile, composing her self she went into the cafe but nothing could prepare her for the sight before her.

His sexy blue eyes stared back at her, she was the one who should be doing the seducing but Terrence in his black jeans that hug his waist and a blue dress shirt that showed every curve of his adonis body made Soraya's center tingle.

His dark hair was tousled but it made him look even more sexy, Soraya made her way over to Terrence who stared back at her with just as much need in his eyes if not more.

"Please, sit down" Terrence finally said, Soraya took a seat but still said nothing, Terrence was staring at her he was filled with misery and lust, he needed to hear her voice in person,

"Should we order" Terrence said to Soraya breaking her out of her daze,

"yes, ill have a none fat lattae and a Croissants",

Terrence wave a young waitress over who's eyes roamed every inch of Terrence and Soraya couldn't help noticing.

Raya felt disgust towards the young waitress and was glad when she had finish taking their order and left, but was it disgust or jealousy she felt.

"Terrence lets get down to it already" Soraya said feeling annoyed with her self for caring if girls enjoyed looking at Terrence.

" Calm down little gemstone no need to get so feisty" Terrence shot back

" well excuse my manners if i don't intend on playing nice with the short sighted, arrogant, blood sucking parasite that's blackmailing me" said Soraya thought greeted teeth.

" and don't call me that, you lost that right"

"Ah, I'm perfectly ok with what i am Ms. De Luca, i own the vile monster that i am, but you........, well you know what i mean"

said Terrence smiling to him self knowing he hit a nerve.

"How did you find out" Soraya barked at him,

"Fires are bright Raya and sometimes they die on their own but sometimes they need to be put out"

" what the f**** does that mean" Soraya said knowing that her temper was starting to show, she needed to compose her self.

"Don't be foolish Raya, i wouldn't tell you my source even if we shared a brain"

Has Terrence said this, the waitress returned with their order, she smile at Terrence again a little to hard and Soraya knew she needed a moment.

"I'm going to the rest room, excuse me, i'll be back,"

she said getting up and heading to the ladies room, she didn't wait to hear what Terrence said nor did she care.

When Soraya got back to her seat the waitress was gone " lets talk business and i need an answer to my proposal today" Terrence choked out, sipping her latte Soraya allow him to go on.

"I want more, i want to control Russia and its bordering countries, and you soraya can make it happen, your father controls the CUB when he isnt even supposed to be and your mother runs the shadow government of Italy in other words your mother is the prime minister of Italy" Soraya couldn't say anything, she let Terrence continue.

" They both have the power and resources which will be passed to you very soon, for i assume you received you successors invite to the CUB comity meeting and ball this year."

Terrence sat back in his seat with a smug look on his face,

" i can't just give you a whole country or countries, no one holds that power much less my family or me",

Soraya said once Terrence words had registered.

" that's where your wrong sweetheart, because your family dosen't just run Italy's clandestine and other areas they run Italy her self, and if they can have the authority to run a country why not the Vadeem's as well, we are an older clandestine family after all".

With a sigh Soraya palmed her face,

" Terrence i don't know where you got your facts but my family holds no such power or countries, i would know I'm a De luca after all"

" like how you know what happened to Raven"

Terrence spat at her, Soraya was speechless she did not know how to defused his argument and she really wanted to know more about Raven but she knew Terrence would never share his hand with her or at least not right now.

So changing the subject was her best avenue.

"Did you hear what happened to Tony Buretty" asked Soraya all the while keeping her eye on Terrence.

" It was a tragedy, i sent carlos my condolence,we feel for is lost"

Terrence replied and if he was hiding something or lying Soraya couldn't tell for his eyes and body divulge nothing.

"So what is your answer Soraya its as easy as a yes or no"

Terrence said with is voice laced with sarcasm, Soraya stared at him in though, is Terrence bluffing should she call his bluff and is the truth about Raven worth giving in to his demands. After a few moments of silence Soraya finally said yes.

Terrence expression gave away nothing she could not tell if he was happy with her answer or not, but with a heart beat he finally said

"then our business for today is finished".

Soraya looked at him one last time then got to her feet and turned to head out but before she could move Terrence grab her hand, making her turn around looking down on him, when he said.

" one more thing Ms. De luca, i expect you to accompany me as my date to the CUB ball",

Once she got home Soraya called Naomi and filled her in on what she have learnt and the unbelieveable things Terrence said about her family, she wouldn't believe anything Terrence said without proof, because none of what he said made sense.

Why was her dad not supposed to be the chairman of the CUB, he did not say it as if her father was unfit for the role but more so as if he just didn't belong. And how could her mother run a dame country and she not know about it, what and why would they hide these things from her.

Soraya was under so much pressure she didn't have the energy to go down for dinner so she had it brought up to her room, after eating Raya got ready for bed it was about 11:58 when she got into bed, before she fell asleep her phone buzzed on her side table, Raya got up and check the message that just came in.

Message reads;

The Clandestine Union Board will meet the day after tomorrow at 1:00pm in Vienna at the CUB headquarters, the ball that will follow is at 8:00pm .

Don't be late, and never forget

TANTUM FACINUS VITAE

Chairman for the CUB: Lorenzo De luca

Soraya placed her phone back on the table, laying her self back in bed as she murmured to her self

" let the fun begin".