Hello, my dear readers!

I hope you are okay and doing well.

Here is a new chapter.

Enjoy!

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"Just stop the da*n pounding." Nicholas groaned and reached blindly to turn on his bedside lamp. It seemed that the longer he took to open the door, the longer his visitor got impatient.

When he opened his door, he was surprised to find a disheveled Ethan with an urgent look on his face standing in his doorway.

"There is an emergency meeting in the conference room. Wake Hunter and meet us there." Ethan informed.

"Okay, I will be there."

Nicholas closed the door and went to Hunter's side. He shook his shoulder and called his name, but he didn't even stir.

"So help me god, Hunter. If you don't wake up, I will pour water on your sleepy head." Nicholas threatened.

His words proved futile against his heavy sleeper cousin. He heaved a tired sigh and headed to the mini refrigerator in their room. He grabbed a bottle of water and emptied it on his cousin's head. He watched as Hunter jerked awake in his bed and gasped for air. As the initial shock wore off, Hunter sent him a heated glare.

"What the h*ll dude? What's wrong with you?"

"Ethan called for an emergency meeting. So move it." Nicholas shrugged nonchalantly and left the room.

Hunter shook his wet hair then went to his closest and changed from his sleepwear. He put on a dry shirt and black jeans.

When he entered the meeting room, he noticed that only the persons with the Salviatti's last name were present along with Aiden and Matt considering they are the sons of Jacob who was the godson of the don.

The atmosphere in the room was tense and grim. Hunter sat on the only empty chair with his arms crossed against his chest waiting for someone to start speaking.

Ethan was the first one to break the icy silence.

"I am sure you are wondering why I summoned you at this ungodly hour. Well, today and specifically this afternoon, the Don's mansion was attacked by an unknown gang. Unfortunately, many men on our side died in the ambush. The don was shot in his right shoulder and his condition is stable for now. "

He paused briefly and met Lillian's eyes.

"My uncle was injured as well, but his condition is critical considering he was shot with three bullets, one in his shoulder and two in his chest. As soon as Jacob called us and reported the events of today, Edward and Jackson with father flew to New-York. I am sure they are doing their best to contain the situation."

Ethan words were like a bomb dropped on a silent village. Everyone was in his thoughts contemplating the news. The expressions on the attendant's faces varied between relief and shutter. Ethan was anticipating the storm that will follow the silence. And he wasn't disappointed when the room erupted in an uncontrollable chatter. Questions were thrown here and there. He took a deep breath then slapped his palm against the table which was enough to gain him the silence he needed at the moment.

"I will listen to all your fears and questions, and I will answer them as best as it's possible at the moment. I can't promise that you will like what you will hear, but you have to deal with it for now."

With tears in her eyes and a deep anguish look on her face, Lillian announced.

"I will call and make the right arrangements for our leave."

Lillian started rising from her chair when Ethan's words halted her movements.

"We are not leaving anywhere until the orders come," Ethan stated firmly.

The look of helplessness and vulnerability vanished from Lillian's face and was replaced by fury and burning rage. She stood to her full height and closed the distance between her and Ethan with purposeful steps.

"Do you think I will stay here warm and cosy while my father fights for his life in a hospital room? Do you cousin?"

"It is not the time to argue with me, Lillian. The situation back home is unstable and the men we managed to capture from the enemy aren't confessing. You going there will be a foolish action. So even if I have to tie you and hold you down, I will do it without blinking." Ethan spoke with a voice that didn't leave room for any objections.

"I will go, Ethan. I will go to my father with or without your agreement." With those words and a last heated glare, Lillian left the room.

Ethan gestured to the two guards who were standing in the corners of the room to follow her. He turned his attention once more to the others.

"Any questions?"

When no one spoke, he gave them the orders to go to their rooms and remain there until farther instructions. He plopped down on his chair and took a sip from his cup of coffee. He cringed as the cold beverage traveled down his throat. He was surprised when he found his brother still sitting in his chair and looking directly at him. But again he shouldn't be surprised, the boy didn't ask any questions which were against his curious nature. It was time for the interrogation.

"shoot."

Hunter wasn't too shocked that his brother knew his intentions without even voicing them. Suddenly, Hunter was brought back to the old times with his brother. They were close to each other to the point where they could communicate without words. Looks were enough for them. Maybe it was right that some things never change. Hunter shook the foreign thoughts that crossed his mind and spoke about the subject at hand.

"Don't you think you were a little bit harsh on her? She is worried about her father, and you should have been more considerate."

"says who. Aren't you the one who cast her away from your life? Aren't you the one who was harsh enough to treat her as a stranger just because she decided to side with his brother?"

Hunter smiled and shook his head. His brother was always the type of person who would answer a question with another of his own and manages to make you speechless. Hunter rose from his chair, and spoke his next words with a calculated tone.

"I am here if you need any help. I was wrong to question your actions because, in the end, you are the one who will take responsibility. As for your questions about my relationship with Lillian, it is none of your businesses."

Ethan put his head between his hands and watched his brother taking his leave. It was already a long night, and he was sure that the morning will bring more troubles. It was hard to control a bunch of teenagers who were hard-headed and strong-willed. But it was time he took his role as a leader more seriously. With a final sigh, he strode from the conference room and went to start an emergency meeting with the security team.

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Since her arrival at the camp, Anna was always the last one to wake up and usually it was Lillian's voice from the shower that would bring her from her deep slumber. But today, the room was quiet, and the lights in the shower were turned off. She stretched on her mattress and wore her slippers then headed to the bathroom. She performed her morning business and brushed her tangled hair.

She decided to wear dark jeans, a blue baggy T-shirt and her white sneakers. She turned back to her room and opened the curtains to allow the light of the morning sun to enter the previously dark space. She noticed Lillian's bed was made which was strange. She brushed it off and made her way to the cafeteria for breakfast.

Anna concluded that something was officially off when she stepped in the dining hall and found it empty apart from Nacho who was sitting behind the counter reading the newspaper.

"Good morning Nacho, am I really that late?" Anna greeted with a wide smile on her face.

"Good morning Anna, you aren't that late but there is an emergency and all the kids were ordered to go to the meeting room."

"What emergency are you talking about Nacho? What happened?" Anna asked with a frown.

"I am sorry Anna, but I can't reveal any information. If you wish to know anything, I suggest you go and join the others." Nacho answered her respectfully.

"Thank you Nacho, I will see you later," Anna said in understanding.

With her heart beating rapidly in her chest, Anna made her way to the conference room. She spotted Hunter leaning against the wall facing the entrance of the room, and sipping from a soda can.

"Finally the sleepy princess decided to grace us with her presence," Hunter said jokingly and moved away from his position to come closer to her. He hugged her to his chest and kissed her hair lightly.

Anna felt the urgency and a strange longing behind his actions. She drew away from him but left her arms around his waist.

"What's wrong Hunter? Are you okay?" Anna asked worriedly.

"I am alright, ma belle. I just missed you." He stated and rested his head on her shoulder.

After moments of hugging her and seeking comfort from her warm body, Hunter looked at her and spoke seriously.

"We need to talk."

He took her hand in his and led her away from the meeting room. They sat together in silence for a few seconds, then Hunter started talking.

"Yesterday, my grandfather's mansion was ambushed. We lost a lot of guards on our sides. The don was shot in his shoulder, but he is all right and will recover in no time at all. Unfortunately, Lillian's father's injuries were dangerous and right now his situation still unstable."

It took Anna a little time to get over her initial shock. When she was able to form words, she spoke.

"How is Lillian taking the news? Is she okay?"

"Here is our problem. Lillian is very attached to her father. She was hysterical yesterday, and it took Ayla a long time to calm her and lull her to sleep."

"Why isn't she with her father?"

"Ethan ordered us to stay here until farther instruction from New-York. He is waiting for father's orders."

"What! This is unfair Hunter. You know that her father is everything to her. You need to convince your brother to let her go. It is important to her." Anna defended her friend.

"It is out of question Anna. No one is allowed out of here before the situation is solved. The security will be tight, and it will take some time to get everything under control."

"so, you are telling me that she won't see her father until your father says so," Anna said feverishly while rising from her seat.

"Calm down Anna. We are just trying to keep everyone safe until the crisis is over. We were attacked once, and I am sure that it will happen again. We need to be ready when the time comes and defend ourselves."

Hunter knew his words did nothing to convince her or change her mind, but he was relieved when she nodded her head and asked her next question.

"What can I do to help you?"

"You are a close friend to Lillian. I am sure you can help her and make her see our reasoning concerning this situation. We are all worried about our family, but at the moment, we can't do anything but wait."

"Where is she?"

"She is resting in Ayla's suite," Hunter informed.

"Okay, I will go and see her. I will try my best to console her." Anna assured.

"Thank you so much, ma belle," Hunter said in appreciation, then with a kiss to her cheek, he took his leave.

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The moment she entered Ayla's suite, Anna felt a strange emotion overwhelming her. She took cautious steps towards the bed in the center of the room. The figure laying there was nothing like the Lillian she knew. She searched blindly for the lamp on the bedside table and turned it on.

It was very strange how a person could change in the span of one night. Yesterday before she went to sleep, Lillian was in a cheerful mood. She was joking and laughing like there is no tomorrow. But now, her face was pale and stained with tears that had dried a long time ago. Her eyes were empty and held a deep grieve in their depths.

Anna went to the bathroom and wetted a white towel. She returned to her friend's side and cleaned her face as best as she can. She sat at the edge of Lillian's bed, and run her hand through her hair. She spoke gently.

"Your father is a strong man Lillian. I am sure he will be okay. He will fight for his life just to see you one more time."

Lillian remained silent and didn't utter a word. Anna was expecting this reaction, so she gave her time and resumed her gentle play with Lillian's hair.

"You know, my father was always there for me." Lillian began speaking.

Anna's hands stilled in Lillian's hair and she put her full attention on her.

"When my mother died, he was everything for me. He made sure to attend all my school plays and cheer for my competitions like a devoted cheerleader. If I fell sick, he would stay the night by my side as if I am dying or something. He supported me every step of the way. How can I leave him now? How can I stay here while he is fighting for his life? He needs me, Anna, they don't understand, they try to keep me safe but they don't know they are killing me slowly. There is a fire burning in my heart..............."

A sob broke free and stopped her from speaking farther. Anna felt moisture build in her own eyes, and she drew her friend closer to her. Lillian buried her face in Anna's chest. Anna hugged her tighter and murmured sweet and comforting words in her ear. After her wrenching heart sobs stopped and turned to hiccups, Anna reached over and wiped her tears with the pad of her forefinger gently.

"What should I do Anna? Tell me what the way out of this is?" Lillian asked helplessly.

Anna contemplated her friend's words then made her decision. She knew that her next words will change a lot of things, and the consequences will be severe. But she made her mind, and won't change it.

"The only way to go to your father is to leave the camp."

Lillian looked at her friends like she had grown a second head.

"Are you suggesting that we run away? Do you understand the gravity of what you just said?"

"Do you want to see your father or not? You need to take risks, Lillian. And this is the only way I can help you with."

Anna could particularly see the wheels turning in Lillian's head. She allowed her friend the time to think about her next actions while she busied herself by tidying the messy space.

"I will do it. We will run together." Lillian gave her response to Anna's idea with a determined look on her face.

"Good, now, all we need is putting a suitable plan to make it out of here."

"I have a few connections and I intend to use them for this. I am sure we will succeed in our mission by tomorrow morning."

Suddenly, the door to Ayla's room opened and a smug Tatiana walked in with a strange look in her eyes. She closed the door after her and leaned against it with her hands resting on her hips.

"Do you really think that this pathetic plan of yours will work?"

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