AIDEN'S POV

"Boss! What's wrong?" Stephan came to me, concern evident in his face. I had drifted off once more.

"Lana...She-" I couldn't make up words. "Make sure she never steps foot into this house every again." She dared to drug me, a foul game to play with a mafia. I'm currently in a feud with the Martins, vulnerability isn't what I need right now.

"Yes sir." I could feel him fight the urge to ask what had happened.

"Avery...Where is she?"

"Last I saw her, she was asking to know your whereabouts. I'm guessing you must have seen her earlier." It all came rushing back. She'd seen I and Lana.

"She's probably in her room. Her security team and car are still here." He'd gotten me to my room and helped me to my bed. I don't know how I got my legs to move but now, I couldn't seem to unhook my arm from his neck. My head hurt like hell.

"I got you boss." I mouthed a thank you as i struggled to stay awake. This coupled last night's reckless drinking was doing numbers on me. "Boss, an Intel says the Martin's have plans to attack and rob from our warehouse in Bronx. I've gotten my team ready and I've informed the men there so security is right. We'll arrive there in an hour for reinforcement.

I tried to get up from the bed as I heard the news but I couldn't. "Stephan, help me."

"Don't worry boss, we've got this. Take care, I'll fill you in on everything." He walked away and I drifted back into a deep slumber.

I was awoken by the continuous sound of my ringtone and luckily, I felt much better.

"Yes? What's up Stephan?"

"It was a trap, a distraction boss. The mansion is under attack," my mind immediately went to Avery, "we won't make it in time and most our men joined in to help with the Bronx defense." He paused to catch his breathe and swallow, "I've contacted the Morali's they'll arrive sooner, I know you're not feeling well so I had to make arrangements for your safety and madam's. Security at the hospital where your grandma is has been strengthened."

"Did you take Simon with you?" I asked wanting to know if i had least the second best available.

"Yes sir. I'm sorry I - I should have planned better. I've tried to reach Mrs. Armstrong, she isn't picking up, I was hoping she might be with you. Berry claims he can't find her."

I was up before I could realize it. I had to make sure she was safe, hidden from this crap. I walked to her door and didn't bothered knocking. "Avery are you-" She wasn't there, I checked her bathroom, the balcony and she wasn't there. My heart started racing. I've never been this careless and let my guard down, now Avery might be paying for my mistake.

"Berry, have you found her?" I held my phone tightly as I awaited his response.

"No sir." I'll find her myself. I stormed out on unsteady legs determined to find Avery.

"Boss, I can't let you go out there like this, You're unwell, it's dangerous."

"What's dangerous is you trying to tell me what to do. You have one task, how hard could finding such petite human be?" With the tone I used, he stepped aside immediately.

Just when I stepped out, my phone rang, it was Avery.

"Hello, Aiden I'm outside, somewhere in the garden. I can't explain where, I'm being followed I don't know what's going on and my arm hurts so bad," I was certain she'd been shot. "When are the cops getting here? I'm not sure I can stay up for much longer i-" the call got disconnected.

"Avery! Avery! No no no. Avery!!!" I thought the worst might have happened.

I have to find her fast. "Berry get more men to join me at the garden." Then I hurried as much as I could on unsteady legs to get to the garden as fast as was possible. Where was she?

AVERY'S POV

I can't deny, the food here is always delicious. I needed to clear my head so I went outside, by the pool and had my dinner there. I still hadn't heard or seen Aiden, it hurt that he hadn't tried to apologize or anything but it wasn't surprising. Cool air and music did wonders for the mind. Before long, I started drifting off to to sleep and decided it was time to go to bed and just then I noticed a dark figure pass by but when I turned, I saw nothing. It was probably all in my head. Alarms went off, I could hear shouts and then gunshots. It felt like a horror movie I was scared and my Left arm thought it a good time to start hurting.

"God please, God please." Who ever was shooting for whatever reason, should stay far away from here. I don't want to get shot or lose my life over some stupid shoot out. I heard footsteps, "Security? Help, I'm over here." When I rushed out, it wasn't any of the security here and this man looked strange, dangerous with a look that tells he meant to cause harm. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I got to a spot where I could hide for a while and tried to call Berry, the head of the security team Aiden had left in charge of my safety but the line wasn't connecting so I decided to call the one man I didn't want to speak to, Aiden.

"Hello, Aiden I'm outside, somewhere in the garden. I can't explain where, I'm being followed I don't know what's going on and my arm hurts so bad," She's been shot. "When are the cops getting here? I'm not sure I can stay up for much longer i-" the call got disconnected while I was still talking. "No no no, why now?" I tried calling back several times but it wouldn't connect.

I had to try and escape on my own, it was the only way. Looking left and right to make certain no one was out there waiting to get me, I ran as fast as I could but I stopped by a huge guy who appeared in front of my path, I quickly turned around to take the other route.

"One more move and I'll pull the trigger." I went ice still, fear rocketed through my body. Was this how I was going to end? Loveless, unhappy, zero accomplished goals, no child. I said my last prayer and then I heard sound of gunshot come from behind me. This is it, this was the end.

"Avery!" I turned at the sound of my name. It was Aiden. The man from earlier was laying on the floor lifeless. I ran as Aiden as fast as I could, my legs were shaking, I could barely move them.

Aiden rushed over to me, "Stay with me, Avery don't go to sleep." Why was he shouting? My head hurt like hell and he was making things worse. Somebody tell this man he had no right to tell me when I can and can not go to sleep. I felt him grip my right arm and the pain intensified. "Let go! It hurts...why? My words were slurred. I heard more gunshots as i drifted off while Aiden barked orders that I couldn't process. When would this be over? Will i ever get to safety?

Aiden's POV

Did you get info on their location?"

"No boss." Stephan replied in a tone that showed how disappointed he was.

"What do I pay you for?"

"I'm sorry Boss."

"You sure you torture that man or do I have to do it myself?"

"Yes Boss but he has refused to say anything. If we torture him anymore, he'd die."

"It doesn't matter. Shoot him or whatever, if he doesn't want to cooperate why keep him alive?"

"We could get info on him, boss. you know what they say: if you can't hurt them, go after something they care about. There's always something or someone we can use against him."

"True. Good thinking, Stephan. Let me know if you get anything. For now, we'll focus on finding and destroying their warehouses until we're able to get info on their hide out."

"Yes Boss. When do we head out?"

"12 am." I watched him nod in understanding. I turned to leave. I had to check on Avery, make certain she was okay before heading out for today's mission.

The hospital wasn't far from home, so I got there in three minutes. Rudy did step on the gass.

"How is she Doc?"

"She's stable, nothing to worry about, bullet's out so her arm will heal just fine. Due to her injuries, she might be in pain when she wakes up."

"And her Ankle?"

"It was sprained but for now, we'll focus on the injury, we don't want it getting infected."

"Alright, thanks Doc."

Seeing her small frame in the hospital bed, looking so frail and vulnerable did something to me that I couldn't explain.

"Such a small thing you are. I must admit, you do have strength." I smiled at how stupid it felt speaking to someone who couldn't hear or respond to me at the moment.

I had hoped she'd awaken but it seemed like she really needed her sleep, leaving her felt wrong. I had security guarding the room but still... They weren't competent the last time, would they be now?

"Simon, I leave you in charge. No matter what, don't let anyone in here. If a doctor or nurse gives you weird vibes, keep an eye on them. Infact, keep an eye on every doctor or nurse that walks in."

"Yes Boss."

"Good."

My phone rang as I stepped out of the hospital. "Hey cousin!"

"Sydney, what's up?"

"That's not how to greet your cousin you haven't spoken to in months. Where are you? I just got back."

"What do you mean you just got back?"

"I got here a few minutes ago. My flight got delayed. Where are you?"

"You didn't tell me you were coming back to New York, Sydney. I'm currently at the hospital. Though -"

"Hospital? Why? what happened?" Such a dramatic girl.

"I'm fine, my wife got attacked a few hours ago."

"You got a wife? Jesus! What did I miss? I'm on my way to the hospital. What hospital are you at?"

"Life Haven. Call Simon when you get here. I'm leaving now, I've got matters to attend to."

"You should stay. She would want to see you when she wakes up."

"Someone has to make certain those who attacked her are dealt with. Besides, you'll be watching her, make sure she sees you when she opens her eyes."

"What?"

I hung up and called Stephan. "Head out. I've sent you the location, I'm heading there now."

"We're on our way."

An idea popped in my head, I needed to look a bit different for it to work out. I stopped by the boutique not far from the hospital.

"Wow boss, you look different." I raised a brow. I did feel different but was he trying to say I looked like shit? "In a good way of course." He said in a rush and I nodded.

"Now drive as fast as you can Rudy, I have shit to buy."

Rudy never disappoints, we go there in half the time we were supposed to get there.

"who goes there? Who are you?"

I raised my hands up in surrender as the men pointed guns at me.

"I'm here to get merchandise. I was told you've got the best in the city." One guy stepped forward to search me.

"He's clean." The rest acknowledged his announcement then I was led into the building.

"So what kind are you seeking to get?" A guy with heterochromia said as he stared at me.

"I want the best of what you've got."

"It seems like I know you... Have we met before?"

"I don't think so but I do get merchandise a lot so that's possible." I replied to him firmly.

"But-"

"Oh shut the fuck up Green, you're acting like a pussy in love. He said he doesn't know you." The rest laughed.

That's right idiots, laugh while you can.

"I almost got lost finding this place, is it new? I came all the way from Manhattan." I lied.

"Woah! all the way from Manhattan to Brooklyn?"

"Yeah, I'll do anything for good stuff. I buy and sell to clubs, you know the drill."

"So how many kilos are you getting?"

"As much as can fit in my car."

"And the cops? I have a cover up. I can't be in this business if I don't know how to go about it."

"he's right." The heterochromia guy, Green said. He still looked at me like he didn't believe me.

"What payment method do you accept?"

"Cash, card payment, we got a machine right here."

"I'll pay with a card. Here." I handed them my card. Good thing I came with my design company's card. No one knows I own it. Green looked to check the name on the card but it didn't ring a bell, obviously.

"Looking for something on the card?"

"No, nothing, just checking if it's real."

"I see. Is there a warehouse closer to Manhattan I can buy from next time? It seems y'all are new at this and not popular yet."

"Are you kidding? The Martins new to this? You can't be serious."

"Shut up smith, Here's a few places you can find our warehouses in Manhattan." Green said, writing something down on paper. He handed it to me. With a huge smile I said "thank you, I still haven't paid. What's the delay?"

"We're confirming how much would be enough."

"You, what's your name again...Yeah, Green. You say you recognize me from somewhere, yeah?"

"yeah."

"Look closer."

"Why? I'm certain I was mistaken."

I got a signal from my boys like two minutes ago. The party was about to begin.

AVERY'S POV

I opened my eyes but the light forced me to close them back. It was too bright here. I tried again but this time slowly, letting my eyes adjust to the light.

There was a dark haired girl who seemed to be a little too excited. "You're awake! I got a little worried."

"Who are you?"

"I'm Sydney, Aiden's Cousin."

"Where is he?"

"He had matters to attend to." He didn't care after all.

"How long have I been unconscious?"

"I don't know, maybe 5 hours?" She answered unsure. She looked at me like she was wondering why I was asking.

"What's the time?"

"It's 1 am."

"I see..." I replied weakly. He probably didn't care if I lived or not. Why couldn't he just wait till I opened my eyes?

"I see what this is about. Don't worry, my cousin went after the idiots that attacked." was she always this excited when she spoke?"

"Isn't that supposed to be the police's job?"

"Yeah but-" she paused. "Nevermind." What was she about to say?

"Water, please?"

"Of course, is there anything else you need?"

"No thank you."

She left the room in a hurry. She seems nice, maybe a little too nice. She knew something I didn't, what was it?