The Dangerous Family Secrets

Chapter 14: Tribunal

Tribunals are rare procedings within the clandestine, mainly because they are serious deliberation, so serious that most times a tribunal could end with the taking of a clandestine members life and if at any time in the future it turns out that the accusers were wrong or made false accusations it could mean turmoil within the families.

So the board chairman of the CUB would take great precautions to never call a tribunal without absolute proof, but in this case the tribunal was not put forth by the chairman of the board, it came about by the seal of three.

Any member of the clandestine can request a tribunal once they have three seals, theirs and two other members, but even this form was not taken lightly because familys would not want to place them selves between or against another clandestine member and then turn out to be wrong for it would leave a taste for bad business dealing within the future.

Lorenzo's Pov,

He had awoke early and left home before his family even stired, he could not bear to face Lily-Ann knowing he had no means of pull them out of this debacle. The only solution he could come up with was next to treason and he was not sure he could do it, or maybe he was being a bit selfish. sitting in his office at the Italian CUB head quarters, a spacious, marble floored, grey decor room, with a large mahagony desk in the center of the room and two burgundy sofas situated a the front of his desk, grand painted images of previous heads of boards and also of previous De'luca's who have passed on occupied the walls. There was also a head to toe mirror at the far corner of the office with a coat rack and a few neatly placed file cabinets which held important clandestine document of their dealings, but upon the coat rack hanged his official tribunal robe.

At the site of the scarlet garment and the offical proceeding documents that were stacked neatly before him on his desk he felt angry, Howard Pratt had made it known to him that it was his son Liam that went behind his back and seal the letter of summon for Soraya, but a great part of his instincts made him feel as if Howard knew more than he was letting on.

pushing his hands through his dark head of hair he pondered on his wife's strategy, he had allowed Lily-Ann, as if he could have swayed her not to, to try and convince the wives and husbands of some of the CUB members to help sway their counterparts to a stalled proceeding or a vote in accordance with them, but from what Lily-Ann had told him their votes were still not sure and now has the chairman of the CUB he had to preside over this farce of a tribunal.

The non accuse and non accusing clandestine members of the CUB would have to vote on the verdict of the tribunal. Currently there were 20 clandestine members but only 16 of those family would be allowed to vote.

The Pratt's, The De'luca's, The Reveara's and the Moassi's would not be allowed to. For an accuser nor an accused family could sway the numbers of a tribunal verdict.

Has the time tick by on the brown colored clocked that hanged on the wall in his office he could see that it was twenty minutes to the time were he would either set his daughter free or send her to a faith of fire. and he was not sure if he could really sit back and watch it happen, but he knew for sure that she would never watch it take place.

After he had called to inform her of the tribunal, she was furious but not at the situation, but at him, and he was ok with her anger for some how he also blamed him self for he had let his guard down. He should have seen a ploy coming when Howard had made the motioned for the heirs and heiress to commence this years committee meeting and ball. And with those thoughts Lorenzo was more than positive that howard knew much more, very much more.

He got up from his desk and walked over to the coat rack, fuming at himself for is short sightedness, how had he not saw this coming, he had made every preparation to make sure that his daughter would be safe from harm but he had neglected to extend his protections to all ploys that could have happened.

He had become complacent, for it had been years since any form of internal within the clandestine between members, he knew well that he had enemies who were not comfortable with his leadership but he had more allies to think himself protected so he neglect to see that his enemies could come after him by means of his family.

Grabbing the tribunal ceremonial scarlett robe off the rack, he threw it around his back where it rested on his shoulders with authority, he then fasten the hook that beard the CUB shield that was placed right under his neck.

The tribunal robe has been past down through ages, but this was the first time he was ever putting it on, but what made it worst was that he was pitting it on to try his own daughter, to implicate his own family. If he was not angry before the site of him self in the red scarlet coloured robe made him so.

Looking at him self in the mirror he look barbaric, he thought to himself, under the robe he had on a black two button suite and gold encrusted cufflinks that beard the De'luca seal. He walk over to a painting of his Great great grandfather that was on the wall and removed it, tuck way behind the painting was a safe compartment within the wall, he punched in the code and when the safe open, a gold jewell crown, laced with gem stones mocked him in it's long rested place.

He took the crown from the safe, walked over to the mirror and placed it on his head and at that moment he knew that this was about to happen, for he had just placed the crown of Truth upon his head, as he watch the jewels of different sizes shine off the crown and on to the mirror with a ray of colours, Lorenzo thought of all the chairmens who have worn the crown before him, and he hoped that some of their wisdom and spirit would be left upon the crown for if not what purpose does it serve.

The crown of truth was made in 1832,

thirty years after the CUB was formed by Barthelemy Akal, a great jewellery maker at the time and the gem stones that lay within the golden crown were given to the CUB by Gabriel Swyffer, the Swyffers were amoung the first new member to join the CUB at that time.

Steeling his posture with a sigh, Lorenzo gave himself a once over in the mirror then toke up his documents from his desk, then turn to walk out of his office, but something caught his attention through his office window, there was someone standing outside in the far corner of the parking area in a black cloak that hide their face, he walk over to his window which was bullet proof but it was still hard to make out who the person is, from their stance he could tell that who ever it is they were looking right at him, and some how he knew this person wanted him to see them standing there.

Mr.De'luca was not a man who gets scared, he can be paranoid, over protective, strategic and smart but something about the hooded figure made him quiver, but not out of fear for himself but for others. Pulling his phone from his pocket he dialed Bradley,

"Kross ramp up the security round the premises and stay on your guard, and have Ryan stand by" ordered Lorenzo in a hasened voice

" ok boss, there's already men coming in from the south, they will be on site in 2 minutes" said Kross with his stern voice that told Lorenzo that he fully understood the detriment of the situation.

" right, and do let Lily know that K.O.S is on the move, she will understand"

" will do boss" said Kross

Lorenzo then hang up the phone feeling assure, Bradley Kross was his oldest friend and right hand, he knew he could trust him with his life. and has he walked out of his office and into the hall he knew where his heart laid.

The halls of the Italian CUB head quarters were grand, one could end up lost if they did not know there way around, from the expensive art that decor the halls to the crystal lighting of the chandeliers and marbled floors one could tell that nobility and class ran in the veins of the clandestine's of the old but mostly money. It was expected that where ever there his money the finer things of life would lay there too and has Lorenzo headed for the tribunal assemble some one called out to him,

" De'luca!" said the voice, which was Bradley

Lorenzo stop and turn to face Kross who was coming up a stairs at him from a hall way that went to the east of the building for he was heading south

"Bradley, everything fine" asked Lorenzo

" yes, and no Boss" said Kross in a secretive tone but not that of a whisper as he looked around

" walk with me am headed to the assemble hall" offered Lorenzo as she clap Bradley on his back and stir him to his direction

" the men are already on site, with Ryan in position near his charge and I've informed Mrs.De'luca of your words upon which she laughed and nod, in confirmation" spoke Kross in an even tone still checking for eyes and ears around them.

" very well, but what beacons the but i hear in your voice" asked Lorenzo calmly, which made Bradley push out him arm to block his path, and came to face him.

" I'm no lassy Lorenzo, i know something is up, even with this farce of a trial for anyone can see it for what it is from a far, and then you Have the Vadeem's poking around, level with me"

" what do you mean the Vadeem's poking around?" asked Lorenzo in a concerned voice, and his eyes the size of canada, he had known that Soraya and Terrence had been on a date from the information he got from his men but maybe he might have been wrong about their whole meeting

" its nothing concrete just a hunch" said Kross trying to deflect that he had spoke about the Vadeem's

" ok then, but as you can see time is against us and i have some where to be, if we pull through this then you and i need to really have a discussion my friend" said Lorenzo patting kross on the back as he walked away.

When he got to the large wooden door that held his entry into the assemble hall, there was a guard standing there, who saluted to his presence and then went back to his rested stance, Lorenzo then felt his pulse rise from it's slow pace, he could not remember the last time he was ever nervous, maybe when he was a boy, he was not sure, but he was sure that he had to enter this lions den as the lion and not the prey, so he shock off his shiver of nerves and step up the door,

the guard in place moved to open the door for him but he signal him to stay put, he pushed the great wooden door open and walked in, with his sights set on the dias in the center of the hall were he would take his seat.

Has he walk up to the dias he could see every member of the clandestine standing, and as he sat down they so did too. Then with a knock of his mullet he said.

" The Clandestine Union Board Tribunal for the Accused, Soraya De'luca brought forth by Cindy Owana Reveara and sealed by Moassi and pratt will now commence"

the hall was silent, that you could hear a straw drop and has Lorenzo continued his opening statement his confidence came swimming back,

"According to the 1802 CUB,codes and guide, of Ramone Pratt, and the founding partners, section 5, Courtly Tribunal, code 2, the seal of three was evoked, section 5, code 8 a fair, unplowed or bought tribunal must take place, with both the accuse and the accuser putting fort their argument, proof and or witnesses, Section 5, code 11, the verdict of the tribunal rest upon the remainding members as follows;

Baldoor Swyffer

Carlos Buretty

Vivian Santos

Stanley Zavair

Shaman Tanji Naveen Ahuja

Harrell Achebe

Trimone Vadeem

Sharon Western

John pond

Oneal Pent

Miranda Maria

Isiah Valeen

Paldo Garcia

Alexia Phalinara Islam the third

Draco sedroan Aldon

Kenjo Ballo

If every member present is in agreement that this is the code that, which was set to guide us, then we shall move forward as we say...............

"TANTUM FACINUS VITAE!" ...................

Said every member in accord.

Soraya's POV,

If any one had told her that, Naomi, Travis and Terrence could work together, she would have thought them crazy. What have they been up to, she haven't heared from Naomi in over a week, and now for her to show up saying they have it all work out, her and Terrence and Travis, in some ways she felt left out, why hadn't they at least told her something, do they think her a child, that she cannot understand or help. And what in devils name were they planning.

Everything that Naomi said to her, kept turning in her mind, clouding her thoughts, and confusing her judgement. she could see her father talking as she stared blankley up at him on the dias but it was as if her ears were cut off, no sound seemed to want to penetrate them.

Trying to find her resolve she remembered her brother is seated close by behind her, so she turn her head to look at her brother who smiled at her with assurance, his gleaming blue eyes, remind her of when he was much younger and life was simpler. Sorenzo has a toddler appeared before her eyes, clutching unto her leg in his dinasor monkey suite and his orange colored stuffed rabbit, saying

" paayit meee Aya" in the cutest of voice she had ever heard, and as the memory disolved from her eyes, contentment grew, confidence sprung from her defeated ashes of hope, for her family and friends are her strength

thay were all she had needed to bring her metal of armmer to her once fragile exterior, she gave her brother an accepted smile as she turn her face back to the dias with confidence and out of the corner of her eyes she saw them, the Reaveara's seating to her left, Cindy with all her smug expression staring back at her and Santos with his brutish manner.

How could she had ever thought about given up to those two, she is a De'luca and that mean never giving up, she blesst cindy with a evil sneer, that shadowed the words she really wanted to say,

" f**k with me b***h, i'm about to bury you"

Steeling her self, she turn back to face her chairman and father, who she hadn't had much converstation with to really know what is game plan was, but she thought it best that her fathers stance came as a surprise to her, just as every one present.

" will the accuser now put forth their opening statement as to the claim towards the accuse"

Mr. santos then stood up and walk towards the dias, from the shadow of his iris Soraya could see he had fire in his eyes that was beyond hatred, hatred for her that was unfounded and unreasonable but she felt for Santos, he is a grieving man being manipulated by a treacherous woman he calls a daughter in law, but in Soraya mind Cindy Owana Reveara was nothing more than a b***h that needs to be put down.

There was silence in the assemble once more, Santos took position at the center of the assemble in front of the dias, with his back turn to Mr.De'luca, facing the crowd

" It is with a heavy heart that i stand before you to shed light on the miss deeds of one of our own, that has brought blood and unrest within and among clandestine members, this person that i speak of is none other than Soraya De'luca, she conspired and kill my son Antonio Reveara my sole heir, all in the name of pride and dictatorism, i remember a time when clan members could speak with free will, to disagree because we are a democracy not dictators, my son spoke out about certain grievances and for this reason he was killed, because a mere girl playing chairman felt her position was been challenge, her pride was wounded, so has i put forth my proof throughout this tribunal i seek only that each member think reasonable and just for they hold the cards to justice for SORAYA DE'LUCA DID MURDER MY SON ANTONIO"

Walking back to his seat, he glance a dangerous look at Soraya, which made her flinch, but she knew he was trying to intimidate her for men of his caliber try to seek dominance by any means necessary.

"Thank you Mr. Reveara, that was the opening statement from our accuser now we will have the opening statement from the accused" said Mr.De'luca

Her mother was about to rise but she stopped her, for she wanted to face the clandestine members herself, so Lily-Ann gave her hand a final squeeze of support and then kiss her on the cheek. Pulling her chair back, she got up and walk to the same spot that once occupied Santos's brutish figure, she look out across the faces that were assembled to see her demise, but only one face she rest her gaze upon with hopeful stares.

" i stand accused of treason, tyrony, and murder, it is been said that i flouted the rules that guide us, the Reveara's would have you believe that i spat in the face of our Democracy, something that Ramone Pratt and the founding members fought hard for, something that has proven victorious, for today clandestine members have sored to greater heights than the common drug cartels and mobsters our family's once were, we have risen because we came together. They would have you think that i had Antonio Reveara killed, and what reason have they given you, ones of his will to speak being blatantly disregarded, and my wounded pride, but as we go through this tribunal you will come to see that my pride was never wounded nor have i moved to disregard any ones voice, much more to commit murder. So my words to you as a De'luca, second born daughter to Lorenzo and Lily-Ann De'luca, I DID NOT KILL OR HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE DEATH OF ANTONIO REVEARA!!!!"

Soraya released a breath she did not know she was holding, Terrence had held her gaze all through her speech, and for that she thank him for he never wavered for a second for in his eyes she found strength, walking back to her seat with her shoulder straight and her chest heigh she sat down in confidence.

" now that both parties have made their opening statements the proceeding of the seal affirmation, from Annabelle Moassi and Liam Pratt are in question" said Mr. De'luca

It was Annabelle who first came to face the clandestine, she looked out of place as she took a seat in the questioning box that was to the right of Mr.De'luca giving Soraya a full view of her. Soraya was still lost to why Annabelle would do this but she might get some clarity from her answer of her affirmation.

A guard in a nice black suite then walked up to Annabelle with the original code document in hand, it was a large book of grey color with fragile bindings with the CUB shield on its cover, it was the first time Soraya was seeing the original codes and guide of the clandestine and a for some reason the sight of it made her smile with pride, Annabelle then rest her right hand on the book and Soraya could have swore she saw her hand trimble.

"Do you Annabelle Moassi swear to speak with truth to the affirmation of your family seal, being lead by the codes and guides that is set before you, so Tantum Facinus Vitae" said Lorenzo

" I do, so Tantum Facinus Vitae" said Annanelle

The guard holding the code and guide walk back to his stance, leaving Annabelle in the full view of every one.

" do you have any ulterior motives for presenting your family seal to the summon for the accuse?" asked Lorenzo

" the Moassi family has no ulterior motives for doing the right thing, and the right thing is to bring a clandestine murder to justice"

Said Annabelle with confidence, and Soraya could hardly deny that if she had not been the one accuse and did not know the truth she would have believe Annabelle and that made her wonder how many clandestine members really believe and supported the Reveara's

"What proof or reason do you have to believe that Soraya De'luca murdered Antonio Reveara?" asked Loeenzo

" Soraya had threaten Antonio hours before his death when he had spoke out about the OPF's within the CUB meeting" she answered

"she threatened him in the CUB meeting, so then the other members present would be able to confirm this then?"

Asked Lorenzo with a nod to the other members,

" yes i believe every member presented at the meeting will be able to confirm this" said Annabelle

" so why do you believe she acted out on this threat miss Moassi" asked Lorenzo

" because she had threatened me that very same day as well and she had shot at me in the meeting after that threat so i believe she acted out of her threat to him as she acted out on the threat to me"

Said Annabelle and Soraya could now hear murmurs from the members behind her and she could feel eyes starring daggers in the back of her head, it seems as if her mother had felt her body stiffen beside her for she held her hand under the table but Lily-Ann did not look at her.

Annabelle words made her look, like the dictator and muder they were trying to make her out to be and now more than ever she hoped that what ever Naomi, Terrence and Travis were planning would work.

" thank you miss Moassi you may step down now, Mr. Pratt come forward" said Lorenzo

Annabelle stepped down from the questioning box as she pass Soraya and Lily-Ann she gave a smirk that made her face look like a wild cat, and it took all of Soraya's self control not to beat the hell out of her. But she could not act on her feelings for it would only prove her to be the person they accused her of being.