~Magnolia Knight~

As I make my way upstairs to my room, I blankly stare at my bloody hands, unable to feel any guilt. Is that normal ? I just killed someone and I feel nothing...

I scrub the blood away from my hands, making sure to take it all off. I apply some cream to smoothen the red skin and start to do my make up. I hear some yelling down stairs and I know exactly what it is for, so I grab a pair of headphone and put some music to avoid hearing something I will probably regret. As a familiar song passes on, it takes me back to the night where Will brought me to a race in his car and we were listening to this exact same song. It makes me think that I haven't heard much of him lately, and seconds later I find myself texting him, asking how he is, I kind of miss hanging out with him. Once I slipped the red dress on and take some time admiring it in the mirror, I finally get a reply from Will.

"I have been busy, can't hang out."

Well that was hell of dry. A bit pissed off by his message, I don't even take my time to reply, as I juts toss my phone on my bed. Two can play this game William.

Exactly five minutes before we need to leave, I start making my way downstairs, my heels warning my brothers that I am coming down and just like I expected, they are already waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, all wearing a dark expression on their faces. Ethan shoots me a small smile, when he sees the dress he helped me choose, and I do my best to return it. Damon extends his arm, as I arrive at the lasts steps, so I could shook my arm around his and I gladly take it.

"How are you feeling Angel ?" he asks concern laced in his voice. I know they are all worried about the discovery I made earlier in the evening, but that is the last thing I want to talk about. I don't want to think about how they lied to me Again. I have had enough, so I just want to forget tonight. Just for one night.

"All good big bro." I respond and snuggle closer to him, as he opens the door for me, so we could all climb into the two black Lamborghini Urus that are ready for us. Luckily he takes the hint, and switches subjects, specially focusing on tonight's business. The drive to the host's mansion is about half an hour long, durning which Damon gives Greyson and I weapons that we should have on us at all times. He made sure to give me a set of two sharp knives, along with a band that I could easily attach to my thighs, while he gave Grey a hand gun. Leo already equipped the two twins apparently in the other car. I don't even flinch at the mention of the weapons and possible danger of this ball, knowing that many gangs are gathered there to make alliances and maybe also enemies. Who knows.

As soon as we arrive, Greyson steps out of the car and opens the door for me, while holding out his arm for me to take. I look at him and I stare for a couple of seconds at how grown up and mature he is for an 18 year old guy, he must have been through so much already to see the world this way. I thank him and we wait for the others to join along our sides, before we walk towards the entrance of the mansion. There, we see an elderly couple greeting the guest and I can't help myself, but to admire how powerful they look together. When they sees us, their attention shifts towards us, as the man cracks a smile and I watch as his gaze stops on me, followed by an amazed expression on his face.

"Good evening Mr. Steel and Ms. Steel." Damon speaks up, as if he owned the place and the host is quick to stretch out his hand to greet my eldest brother. No fear is visible in his traits, unlike most of the people, that cross Damon's path and I wonder why.

"It's good to see you again." The woman speaks up with a bright and warm smile, before turning her eyes towards me. "I am honoured to finally meet you Magnolia. I have been waiting to meet you for a while now. My name is Catherine Steel, but you can just call me Catherine." she sympathetically says and somehow I feel comfortable around her, she has this natural mother figure in some way, I can't really explain it. "Please enjoy the party and don't hesitate to ask for anything if needed."

As they gesture for us to get inside, I get to take a look around and I gasp at how beautiful everything is decorated. I feel a tug on my arm and see Leo urging me to move forwards, so I don't lose them in the crowed room we just entered. Understanding that I don't know who this couple is, Leo explains in a few words that they knew our parents very well and that they cared for my brothers, when my parents died. After that he brings me closer to him, as we enter the crowed room and I understand why when I feel the burning stares of man sliding over my body, like I am some sort of treat. I gulp and lower my head to the ground to avoid making any eye contact, but Leo seems to notice.

"Head up Angel." he whispers in my ear and I immediately do as he says. " They may look terrifying, but don't won't hurt you I promise. We are on neutral grounds here." He finishes, before giving me a warm look, careful not to show too much love, because we all know that in the mafia, enemies will pick on the weakest spot to make their rivals fall, and in this case, I am the weakest and the piece of meat in some sort.

We end up splitting up into two groups, Damon, Ethan and Greyson on one side, because Damon has to make up a deal with an other gang and he needs a strategic brain and a hacker's brain. Leaving me with Leo and Blake, the two scariest brother to protect me. As they introduce me to some people, I get a text and I quickly take a look, without being to disrespectful. It's the unknown number again. I thought I was done with that stupid thing.

"

For fucks sake. It's Jace. He was the dumbass unknown number who scared the living shit out off me. He was still dead at the time he first texted me that's why it was unknown, but now that I know his secret, he doesn't have to hide it anymore. But how does he even know that I am not wearing his dress ? Oh right... I forgot he was a fucking gang leader.

I roll my eyes at his text and ignore it, because I know exactly how bad he hates it, when I ignore him. So I just stick my phone back in my purse and lift my head up to look around and observe my surroundings, while Blake and Leo have a conversation with... I don't remember his name. Never mind. My eyes fall on someone I recognise way too quickly, as he walks down one of the two symmetrical stair cases that lead to the main room, where I am currently standing. He was already staring at me, when my eyes fell on him, and I watch as his cocky smirk grows wider, when he looks at my dress, his eyes staying a little longer than needed on my breasts.

He starts making his way towards us, but not before getting interrupted by two man, wearing black and red suits. His expression hardens, when they seem to inform him about something and by the looks of it, Elijah doesn't feel relaxed about that, especially when his eyes shift from side to side, as if he was looking out for something.

Seconds later, it's like nothing happened, he walks towards us, and it's the perfect timing, because Blake just finished his conversation and noticed his best friend.

They greet each other, and Elijah gives me a quick kiss on the cheek, but something seems off about him tonight. He isn't his usual calm self and that just gives me a very bad feeling...

"Enjoying the night Magnolia ?" Elijah asks me politely and I nod, but as I was about to ask the same question back, I notice a familiar blonde head, looking lost. It takes me a few seconds to realise who it is, and when I do, I make my way towards her, not bothering to excuse myself.

"Grace ?" I call out to Ethan's girlfriend and she spins around with her beautiful lavender coloured dress to face me and when she does, her face lights up of joy to probably see a friendly face.

"Oh my gosh it's nice to see a familiar face ! You look absolutely stunning Magnolia ! Even prettier than I imagined." She compliments and brings me into a tight hug. I wonder what she is doing here, but by putting two and two together, Ethan probably invited her here, so he could introduce her to the family. Wise or not, she is brave to be here.

"It's good to meet you too Grace." I genuinely say. "Did Ethan invite you ?"

"Yes, he wanted me to come tonight, to introduce me to his family. I am nervous, not going to lie." She chuckles and a small blush creeps on her cheeks, which makes me smile. She definitely seems to be a nice girl for Ethan, they kinda give out the same vibe. "Have you seen him by any chance ?"

"Oh not really, but I can help y-" I start but get interrupted, when someone comes behind Grace to give her a peck on the cheek making her giggle. That is no one else than Ethan Knight.

Ethan, too love struck, doesn't even notice me, he only has eyes for his girlfriend at that moment, which I find adorable, so I let them be, by getting back to my original group, who has been watching us from far.

I get an other notification, which is probably one from Jace, but I don't even bother to look at it, as I continue to make my way towards Blake who seems to eye his brother with a very confused expression.

Later on tonight, I will learn to regret to not have read this message earlier, because it will have great consequences on many lives, which could have been spared.

I know you love me right now. What could Jace possibly have texted to Magnolia ? Or maybe it wasn't even him ?

Damn I love drama, so be ready my lovely readers !