Surprise! Surprise!

I am back with another update. The last chapter wasn't long so I decided to give you another shot from our mafia crew.

Enjoy!

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"Are you sure she will stay asleep until we are out of here?" Anna asked Lillian while her eyes trailed on the now unconscious Tatiana.

"This technique will make an average human sleep from 10 to 14 hours without even stirring. So, I think we have time to process our plan." Lillian informed.

"I want to ask you from where did you learn such moves, but I am afraid of your answer."

Lillian chuckled at her friend's horrified expression.

"To answer your question shortly, last year, Ethan and I visited a small village in China. We met an elder man who was an expert in different types of martial arts. We stayed at his home for two months and learned a few tricks from him. What did you witness me doing moments ago was using two thumbs to practice a certain amount of pressure on Tatiana's neck to knock her out. Well, it is a very dangerous tactic and needs a high level of concentration, because one wrong move and you could kill the person." Lillian explained with a serious tone.

Anna watched her with fascination and a new level of admiration for the girl's talents and smooth actions. Lillian's ringing phone caught the girls' attention, and Anna watched with anticipation as Lillian answered.

"Hello, Nacho." A slight pause, then Lillian continued with "thank you so much. I will owe you one for this favour."

Lillian smiled broadly and said with triumph.

"Everything is on the right track. Nacho prepared the drinks, and the guards in the security room will be out in exactly one hour." Lillian reported.

"Are you sure this plan will work? Aren't we putting Nacho in danger? Won't they suspect his involvement with us when the guards woke up, and report what happened to Ethan?"

"Don't concern yourself with those thoughts, Anna. I had it under control. They think Nacho is an innocent man who can't do anything beyond cooking. Besides, he wasn't the one who delivered the drinks. He just prepared them. One of the guards took them to his buddies. They think they are just normal drinks from the supermarket. So far, we are safe, don't worry."

**************

One hour later:

"I didn't think it will be that hard to hack into the camera's system," Anna said in frustration as her last attempt to access the system failed.

"Don't get nervous Anna. Calm down and try once more. Take deep breaths for me, okay?"

Anna did as told and tried her hardest to keep her cool. She started typing vigorously once again on the laptop in front of her, praying her attempts will work soon. They don't have much time and she needed to make it work as fast as possible. Three times later, she gained access to the camera's system and easily turned them off. When her mission was complete, Anna stretched her tense neck and rested her head against the chair's arm.

"It's done. The cameras will be out of service until someone took notice, or when the guards will gain their conscious."

"You did it! You really did it!" Lillian whispered in near disbelief.

"Did you doubt my skills?" Anna teased.

"Of course not, Anna. I just was surprised you did it in such a short time. You are a dream, thank you so much." Lillian said with gratefulness evident in her voice.

"We are friends Lillian, and I will always have your back. I did my part, now it's time you do yours."

"Actually, I need you to do one more thing. I heard that Hunter is the new head of the security team. After all the adults left for New-York leaving Ethan in charge, he gave each one of the boys a task to do. Hunter is now the one responsible for organising the guards and planning their shifts. I can handle the other guards, but Hunter is out of my league. I can fight my way against him, but he will leave some damage, and I can't afford that."

"What do you need me to do?" Anna asked dreadfully. She was the one who suggested that plan, but she didn't imagine that she will be forced to deceive Hunter in any way.

"Hunter will be the last one we will knock out today. I prepared a bottle of his favourite soda containing the right amount of drugs to make him sleep for hours. I want you to visit him in his office and made sure he drinks all of it." Lillian explained.

With a heavy heart, Anna nodded her acceptance.

************

"Hello, are you free for a few moments?" Anna greeted while poking her head in his office.

Hunter smiled her way and ushered her to enter his office. He stacked the files on his desk neatly and put his full attention on her.

"I am always free for you, ma belle."

Anna returned his smile with another one of her own that didn't even reach her troubled eyes.

"You were here all day, so I decided to pay you a visit and bring you some refreshments," Anna said and cursed under her breath when her hands shook as she offered him the drink.

Hunter being his attentive self frowned at the display and disposed the bottle on his desk. He looked at her with concern.

"What's the matter, Anna? Are you sure everything is okay?"

If you want to pull this off you need to put your sh*t together!!! Anna chided herself mentally.

"I am okay Hunter, don't worry. I am just worried about Lillian. She didn't stop crying at all. I tried to comfort her, but she is inconsolable. All she is thinking about is her father and his condition." Anna partially lied.

"We are doing all we can do at the moment. Dad called and gave distinct orders that we remain here until the situation is calm enough for us to leave." Hunter said while uncapping the bottle's lid and taking a large sip.

Anna felt her heart's beats accelerate, and she swallowed hard as Hunter emptied the bottle in another gulp. She felt relief that this part of the mission was over.

"Don't worry Anna, Lillian will be okay. Her father is stable now, and she will see him very soon. Please, stay with her and make sure she won't do something foolish that she will regret later."

His words were like an ice bucket poured on her head. She regretted her decision in taking part in this plan. The trusting look in his eyes made her heart contract in guilt. What was done is done and over with it. So with a heavy sigh, she gave him a reassuring smile.

"I won't leave her alone, I promise. Now, I will leave you. Try not to overexert yourself too much."

"Seeing you gave me the boost to continue that dreadful day," Hunter said and gave her a playful wink.

Anna shook her head at his antics, then with a last goodbye wave, she left his office.

****************

"Thank you so much, Anna. I know it was hard for you to do that with Hunter. I am sure he will forgive you and get over it."

Anna nodded at her and wished she could believe her friend's words. She knew without a doubt that Hunter would feel betrayal, and honestly, she can't blame him. If the roles were reversed she was sure she would have been upset and hurt. Anna was brought out from her musings when she felt something colliding with her face. Anna looked up with confusion written all over her face.

"It is time we move, Anna. Nacho called and told me that Hunter is out."

Anna exhaled deeply, and made her way to the bathroom to change her clothes.

Thirty minutes later, and after making sure that they didn't leave any evidence behind them, both girls were walking in a narrow dark tunnel.

"Where are we going, Lillian?" Anna spoke for the first time since they left the campgrounds.

"This is a secret passage. Only I and Ethan know of its existence. Maybe Hunter knows too, but I am not sure. When we will come to the end of this route, we will find ourselves in a large clearing where we will find a car waiting for us."

After this brief conversation, both girls continued walking in silence. Anna expressed a wave of relief washing over her as the light of the moon came into view.

"Your pink Audi!!! Really Lillian!! Didn't you think maybe it would have been wiser to choose a black car? We are running Lillian and flashy cars won't help us." Anna huffed annoyed with her friend's actions. For a smart girl, Lillian sometimes does stupid things.

Lillian smiled sheepishly at her friend and shrugged.

The drive to New-York city was a long one that by the time they reached the hospital, the sun was rising and the clock reads 7 a.m. Lillian looked at her sleeping friend and smiled softly. Anna risked herself and her relationship with Hunter just to help her come here and check on her father. The girl was loyal to a terrifying degree. And Lillian was happy she met her and was friends with her.

Lillian shook Anna's shoulder and woke her gently. Anna rubbed her eyes to get over the dizziness of sleep, then looked at her surroundings.

"Are we there?" was the first question the blue-eyed girl asked.

"Yes, we had arrived."

Anna noticed the tiredness in her friend's voice. The situation was hard and she was sure that it was catching up to her.

"Hey, we will be fine. We achieved our goal, and now you can see your father."

"I am afraid, Anna," Lillian confessed in a hushed tone. "It is the first time I will see my father in a hospital bed. He got sick before, but it was nothing serious like this one. I don't want to see his pale face and unmoving body."

"You are here to be by his side, Lillian. We took the risk and came here. It is not the time you back out. Take all the time you need in the world to build your courage, but you will go inside that hospital and see your father. You will go there and support him." Anna said strongly.

The hospital's location was very strategic. It was in the middle of the city, you can see tall buildings, parks, and malls surrounding the area. Anna looked out the window and watched the busy streets of New-York. It didn't matter what time it was, this city was always busy and full of life. Businessmen and women were rushing in their expensive suits like the earth might shatter if they were late. Others were living a carefree life and jogging around the park smiling and talking with their friends or just listening to music, and enjoying the fresh air the morning offered.

"I am ready. Let's go." Lillian said confidently 30 minutes later and opened her car's door.

Anna smiled to herself and was thankful that her friend came to her senses and did the right thing in this situation. She followed her friend out of the car. They crossed the road and made their way to the entrance of the hospital. Lillian was the first to enter, but when Anna moved to do the same, a large guy dressed in a dark suit and black eyeshades blocked her way. She looked at him in confusion and said.

"Excuse me, I need to enter with my friend."

"I am sorry Miss, but only the approved list can enter the hospital, and you are not one of them." The guard explained without any twitch in his emotionless face.

"But I need to be with her. You must be mistaken. Just check your list again." Anna said as she tried to bypass him.

"It is the last time I will warn you, Miss. Step back or I will do it myself." The guard said coldly.

Before Anna could say anything, another guard came and spoke with a low voice with his mate who was blocking Anna's way. After their exchange ended, they looked at Anna and the newcomer told her.

"You need to come with us, Miss Sanders. You are a trespasser and needed to be kept under our watch until master Damien Salviatti comes."

Anna looked at him with horror. Trespasser!! What is wrong with those people?

Lillian who was busy talking with the receptionist looked up and saw the commotion taking place in the front door.

"What's happening here?" she asked coldly.

"Sorry Miss Salviatti, but Miss Sanders isn't allowed to enter the hospital. Family members are the only ones granted permission to enter." The guard bowed respectfully.

"I said this girl is with me. Who is the stupid one who put this stupid rule?" Lillian asked heatedly.

"I am sorry madame, but those are the orders. If you wish, you can talk with the boss."

"well, I am not talking with anyone. I am leaving, this is ridiculous."

Anna gripped her friend's arm and shook her head.

"Don't leave because of me. Go and see your father. After all, they said I need to go with them because I am a trespasser."

"Are sure you will be fine in their presence? I can wait until one of my ass**le cousins or bonehead brother to come and solve this problem."

Anna shook her head negatively.

"You had waited for so long. Just go and see your father."

Lillian nodded at her friend then gave the bodyguards a dirty look.

"Harm her, look at her in the wrong way, insult her even once, and your lives will be mine," Lillian spoke with an icy voice that sends shivers down the strongest men spines and disappeared in the hospital's corridor.

One of the guards looked at Anna and spoke respectfully.

"Please follow me, Miss."

Anna thought they would lead her to a basement and tie her with unbreakable chains then torture her until she dies. No one can blame her for her drastic imagination. They were mafia, and they could do anything they desire. But she was surprised when they took her to a tall building which wasn't far away from the hospital and gave her a large room with a bed, mini-refrigerator, and a bathroom.

"You can use the phone if you need anything, and one of us will be here to help you immediately. This phone is programmed to call one number which is the one in the lobby, so don't try and dial any other number because it would be futile."

With those words, the guard left the room and locked the door behind him. Anna sighed and let her body drop on the soft mattress. She closed her eyes and allowed herself for the first time since they left the camp to think about the consequences of her actions and how will Hunter treat her when he sees her.

**************

"what the h*ll?" Hunter grunted as he massaged his aching temple. He frowned as he felt the soft mattress underneath him. The last he remembered he was in his office reviewing the last reports from his father.

"Are you awake?" Ethan's voice came from beside him.

"I don't even remember falling asleep, and what are you doing here?" Hunter's confusion was written all over his face.

"You were drugged brother along with all our security men."

"What do you mean I was drugged? Explain."

"Apparently, our cousin and your girlfriend are smarter than we thought. They planned their escape, and unfortunately, they succeeded."

Today's events came crushing in Hunter's mind. His conversation with Anna and her disapproval of their methods, her nervousness when she visited him in his office, and the guilty look she shot him when she was leaving. He pounded his fist against his mattress. How can he be that stupid? Now the situation will get more complicated.

"Are they safe? Did they come against any obstacles in their way?"

"No, their trip was safe and as we speak, they are both in New-York city and more precisely in our family's hospital," Ethan answered.

"Now, what will we do?"

"I called the guards in New-York and told them to keep Anna prisoner until we go there. Lillian is a member of our family. She is safe, nothing will happen to her. Everyone will justify her disobedience as an act of love for her father. But Anna is a stranger and if she is caught by father, she will be punished." Ethan explained.

"So, I think it is time we leave this camp," Hunter said and closed his eyes again to ease his headache.

"Yes, it is time. I made all the arrangements for our allies to go back to their countries, and for us to go to New-York."

Hunter nodded and decided to enjoy the silence in his room a little bit more because the chaos that will come in the next days will offer no peace.

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Until next time!