Mafia Queen

The Calm Before the Storm

Aria's POV

I look around the room and the other women nod to me. I take a deep breath and look at Teela. "As for the South side gang, I suggest a show of fourth. Organize a small, strategic operation to take out the key leaders. Send a message that we won't tolerate encroachment. It will be a demonstration of strength, and a warning to any other gang who might get ideas."

"Perfect," Teela says, "Take care of it within the week. Do we have any additional business to discuss?"

The room goes silent, we look amongst ourselves, and then back at Teela. We all responded with no.

"Good, then this meeting is now closed. Rose, get Aria's email and add it to our list. Please make sure you email everyone a copy of the talking points from today's meeting," Teela replies, then slides a phone across to me. "Aria, here is your court phone. The numbers and emails for the rest of us are already programmed into it. If you need anything, please reach out to ever can help. Jewel is our tech person. She can help you with any kind of system upgrades as well as computers and other devices that you might need to run your family. Anne covers are outside allies. If you have anything that would benefit us in knowing how to help them and anyone that might be up against us, you should go to her. Rose is our secretary. She'll be able to get you up to speed on all the projects that we have in the works as well as to the notes for all of our past meetings. Sophia is our media rep. She said that all of our important meetings with the top officials, as well as helping us with our media profiles and anything else that would be online. Donna is our weapons expert and the one to go to if you are in need of any kind of weapon. If she does not have it in stock in her own warehouse, she'll be able to get you a good price on it on the market. Pearl deals with our international holdings. So if you have an idea for anything that can take us overseas to any country, or any continent, go to her. Ruby controls our local outreach programs. This is different than our allies as this is to help the young children in the city. Jade is head of security. Every one of us has our own security team, but Jade is the head of all the security groups. As for me, I oversee it all. I help with all aspects of our dealings, and for the longest time I've had the final say on most things. Now we just need to figure out where to put you. So what are you good at?"

I almost didn't understand the question. I had so much information thrown at me that my head was spinning. But I thought about it, then I spoke. "I am skilled in strategy and leadership. I've also developed unconventional methods for handling problems. Perhaps I could serve as a liaison between the court and the external factions, or any special operations that require creative solutions."

I watched Teela think it over, "So a go-between for all of us?" she asks.

"Exactly! A mediator, of sorts. Someone who facilitates communications and manages delicate situations that require a unique touch. I could act as a troubleshooter, ensuring that our issues between the different departments are resolved efficiently. And if needed, I can handle assignments that require subtlety or unconventional tactics." I say

"Perfect," Teela said. "Any objections to adding this job to our lineup?"

There was a murmur of nos.

"Then it is settled. Rose, please add that to the encrypted file on your computer, then send it to everyone."

Rose's hands fly across the keyboard on her laptop. "Done, your Majesty," she replies. "Everyone should have the updated document in their email right now."

Teela looks at each of us in turn and then asks, "Is everyone satisfied with today's meeting?"

We all murmur our yeses.

"Good, then we will meet again next month. Oh, and there is one more thing. I was going to take Aria to the meeting with the president tomorrow. Who else should go?" Teela said.

As a group, we decided on Sofia as well as Pearl. The consensus was that both of their jobs on the court were needed for what the discussion with the president was going to be. Teela nods and then turns to me. "Aria, you may wish to read up on our work tonight. That way you're up to speed when we meet with the president. He needs to see you are connected to us and on the same page as the rest. He is the president, but we don't trust him fully. The only reason he hasn't tried to do anything to us is because he knows we are a United front. He also doesn't know who all of us are."

I nod my head, "Understand, I'll study our current projects thoroughly tonight. I will make sure I am well-prepared for tomorrow's meeting. And rest assured, I'll present myself as a strong representative of the Court. The president won't doubt my connection to you all."

"Perfect, then until next month for the rest until tomorrow for those who are coming to the meeting," Teela replied.

We all said goodbye and gathered our belongings. I lingered behind after the rest had left. Teela fixed me with a inquisitive smile. "Do you have more to say, Aria?"

"Thank you for this," I say. "I won't let you down!"

She nods and I leave.

Teela's POV

When I woke up the next morning, I got ready for the meeting with the president. I wore my favorite suit and heels. I met up with Pearl, Sophia and Aria at the local coffee shop. "Ladies, are we ready for today?"

The group nods and says yes.

"Perfect," I say to them.

We sit in silence. I watch as men look at us. I can tell they are intrigued by us and want to approach, but the set in our eyes makes them afraid. Good, I thought, only men who can stand beside us should step up to us. I see movement out of the corner of my eye. I do not turn my head, I only let my eyes drift towards it. A man in black, he's acting unhinged. I took out my phone and typed a single text. Hit send and then set it down.

"What time is the meeting?" I ask.

"We have about 45 minutes before we need to leave for the meeting," Pearl replies, after looking at her watch.

I can tell by how each of the girls moves that they also saw the men in black. I have shifts for position so she is able to look at him but still appear nonchalant. Sophia looks a little nervous, but that is only because of the tension.

"Three, two, one," I count down.

Three of my men came through the door and had the man on the ground in 2 seconds. He had a gun and a knife slipped from his pocket. "Bring him." I commanded them.

The man struggles against the hold, his eyes darting wildly. They drag him close, their grip unyielding. I see the employees look at us but look away quickly. Pearl's eyes narrowed, her fingers tightened around her coffee cup. Sophia's hand instantly reaches for her bag, where I know she keeps a small pistol. Aria watches, her expression neutral, but our body language screams readiness. She's alert, her muscles tense, prepared to react at a moment's notice.

I stare at him coldly. "Who sent you?"

"Go to hell," he spat. "I ain't telling you nothin. You're all going to pay for this. You think you're so powerful, sitting there like queens. You're just going to get what's coming to you."

I looked at my man and smiled coolly. "Take him to the hall. I'll deal with him after my meeting. If you want to play with him before I get there. Make sure you give your tape it, so I can watch it after."

They nod, dragging the man away roughly. He continues to struggle, shouting obscenities, but they don't filter. As soon as they're gone, the atmosphere in the coffee shop returns to normal. The patrons didn't appear to be disturbed by the brief interaction with him. Aria exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing slightly.

I look at Aria and an idea pops into my head. "I'm going to bring Donna in on this. Aria, do you want to see how we get information out of people?"

Her eyes lit up, and she nodded her head, "Yes, actually I do. If I'm going to actually have my role be of use to the court, I need to understand how the court operates in all things."

I nod, "Join me after the meeting. I'll even let you play a little."

She nods, and we head off to our meeting with the president. While we were walking to the car, I sent a quick text to Donna.