No.41 Madison Avenue
29/01/2016 16:55pm

"Why is this taking so long?" Vinnie snarled.

Donnie sighed and levelled a scathing look at his brother. He parted his lips to offer a snide remark regarding the situation, but decided against it. The doorbell chimed and Donnie leapt to his feet, eager to get away from the foul mood that permeated the air.

The lounge was bathed in darkness and he opened the door. Andy had arrived with Ashley. Ashley smiled, stepping in and patting Donnie's shoulder sympathetically. He made his way to the whiskey cabinet. Typical Ashley. Andy stepped in and Donnie noted that he too, seemed angry.

"Everything all right?" Donnie asked.

Andy blinked and nodded then as though he'd just snapped back into reality. Donnie shut the door and Andy walked to the office, leaving Donnie with Ashley.

"Is Andy ok?" Donnie asked.

Ashley was pouring himself some Jack Daniels and he set the bottle down and smiled. Ashley loved taunting Andy.

"Women troubles." Ashley snickered. "He's found himself a girl, but she hates him."

"I'd suggest being himself, but that doesn't seem to be working." Donnie replied, smiling.

The doorbell went again and Donnie rushed over, answering it. Annaliese was at the door. She was wearing sweat pants and a baggy t-shirt. She huffed and pushed past Donnie, followed by Dani and Nikki.

"Hold the door." Donnie looked into the corridor and smiled when he saw the four assassins.

"Hey guys." Donnie said.

They trailed in and Ashley grinned, slinking over, clutching his glass and sipping. He nudged Paul in the side, earning a glare.

"You're in trouble." Ashley smirked.

"Aren't we always." George said, shrugging.

Donnie couldn't disagree there, but he held his tongue. They crowded into the office and Vinnie's mood was still sour. Andy was talking to him about the drug runner that had been profiting from 40% of the merchandise. Donnie had heard about that and although he'd reasurred Vinnie that it wasn't a cop, it didn't seem to lift his brother's mood.

"Why can't you admit this is falling apart?" Andy snapped.

"Because it's not." Vinnie scowled.

Annaliese was having a chat with the assassins and Vinnie glowered at them. Donnie knew what was coming.

"And what of the congressman's daughter?" He said.

"When we find her, we'll let you know." John said, and Andy shot him a look that Donnie didn't miss.

"I don't pay you to sit around." Vinnie snapped, and Donnie winced.

"No, you just pay us to go looking for a girlfriend for you." Paul shot back, and Annaliese coughed, possibly to conceal a laugh.

"Really? Is that what you think this is?" Vinnie stood then.

Donnie wanted to tell him to sit down, but once Vinnie had started, he wouldn't stop. Any minute now, Vinnie would push the boundary. Andy has stepped back, possibly sensing the impending catastrophe.

"Are you seriously going to fight us on this?" Paul asked, standing too.

"Maybe I should. I think you've gone soft since my father died. Who can blame you? Your own families abandoned -" Vinnie was cut short by them rising their guns.

"One more word about our families and you'll be joining your daddy." John smirked.

Donnie sensed what was going to happen and stepped between them. He shot his brother a scathing look. Vinnie was shaking and he stepped back. Donnie dared to look at the assassins and they lowered the guns, but continued to glare.

"Why don't you drop the princess abducting mission. I hear one of the other gangs wants your head, Vinnie. Shouldn't you be more concerned about that?" Annaliese cut in.

"How long has this been going on?" Donnie asked.

"Ever since the Don died." Nikki said.

The meeting continued for a while longer and Donnie watched them all leave. He didn't bother to ask Andy if he was all right. He knew he'd get no response. Annaliese hugged him and disappeared. He knew what he needed to ask to confirm his suspicions. He grabbed John's arm just before they left.

"Be honest, you've found her, haven't you?" Donnie asked.

"We'll let you know when we find her." George cut in, completely montone.

Donnie's eyes went to John's hand then back to his face. Donnie clasped his hands together and took a deep breath.

"Don't give me that. You've found her, haven't you?" He pressed.

There was a pause. Donnie waited to see if they'd give anything away or simply admit it.

"It's none of your business." Paul snapped.

"It is most certainly my business. Why is she not here?" Donnie replied, lowering his voice.

"Because she doesn't belong to your fuckin' brother." John sneered, raising his hand.

Omerta? Donnie bit his lip and let out a breath it felt like he'd been holding in. He stepped back and glanced at the office then back to them.

"Say anything and we'll snap your neck." John said.

"You know we will." George said, and Donnie gulped.

He nodded and let them go. Should he tell Vinnie? The answer was most certianly no.


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The Two Swans
29/01/2016 17:40pm
Abbie POV

"I should just not show up tomorrow." I seethed, and Kellin took a gulp of his drink.

"So he's a douche. He's a hot douche." He said, clearly trying to rationalise it. Vic raised his eyebrows and Kellin giggled.

"Am I not hot then?" Vic asked.

"Yes, Viccy, you are. This guy was somthin' else though. Had a face like he was made by angels." Kellin grinned.

"Yeah, but an attitude like the devil." I said.

"He's just a devil woman. He's gonna getcha." Kellin laughed, taking another gulp of his vodka.

Vic frowned and sighed, standing. Kellin was starting to pass out. Vic caught the bottle and set it on the table, picking Kellin up. He stopped and glanced at me.

"Sorry about that guy you like." He said.

"I hate him." I mumbled, sulkily.

Vic rolled his eyes and continued into the bedroom. I stalked back to my room and buried my face in the pillows. Tomorrow I'd have one hell of a hangover, but I deserved it to be honest.


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GreenView Heights
29/01/2016 19:50pm
Kacee POV

The phone rang and I darted away from my porridge and grabbed the phone before the person hung up.

"Hello." Rochelle said.

"Oh, hi Rochelle." I said, and I heard her say something to someone.

I guessed she'd rang on behalf of Dad. Next week was the gala and clearly Mum's words had had no effect on my Dad. I waited with baited breath to hear what was going to happen.

"I suppose you know why I've rang." Rochelle said, sounding nervous.

"Yeah, I figured." I murmured.

"Your father will be sending out two invites to the gala. They will be hand delivered tomorrow. Your father expects you there. All the details will be included." She continued.

"And will I be meeting my new husband there?" I asked, trying to sound less angry.

"Your father has allowed you to bring your own date at your own discretion." Rochelle sounded relieved by this.

I did a mini-fist pump at this. Now i just had to ask said guy. I wasn't sure whether John would want to go to the gala with me. We'd known eachother only a week or so.

"Thanks Rochelle." I said.

"You're very welcome. See you next Saturday." She replied, hanging up.

I set the phone down and ate my porridge in contemplative silence. I knew Dad wouldn't simply give up. It wasn't in his nature. I washed up and peered out the window. I guessed I'd speak to John tomorrow. The memory of that kiss from earlier kept popping into my mind.

His lips on mine and his arms round me. I blushed and almost giggled. I had a shower and brushed my teeth, curling up in bed and reading my book.

Notes

Hello everyone, I've been writing this for a little bit now. I work hard on my stories and put a lot of effort in. If you haven't voted then it'd be amazing if you did or a small comment would be great. I appreciate all my readers. It's nice to get feedback and it's nice to know people are enjoying it.
Forgot to add that I will be making a playlist for this story with songs for each character, so yeah, there ya go.