*Jackson's P.O.V*

"Hey Vanilla Bean... Just calling to uh...check in on you," I frown at the massive storm outside. I'm lucky the road's narrow or else i'd probably be dead by now.

"It's been an eventful couple of hours for me. Zara said she called but you didn't pick up and normally I would be panicking right now but...your car has a tracker and a camera so i'm watching you sleep right now...kind of..."

Not creepy at all.

I notice two figures in raincoats run across the street into the forest, finally. I stop the car, pulling over to the side of the road —let's hope it doesn't get stuck in the mud.

I need to chase after them quickly.

"Anyways um...I love you. Bye" saying the L word is a big deal but it almost felt like an impulse this time. I've said it before but she wasn't sure...now she knows.

She knows I love her.

My phone rings and although it's private, I know who it is.

"Hey son," Vito's raspy voice speaks on the line. " You just gonna sit in your car all night?"

I left my phone in the car, so Aiden can find it and walk into the forest.

I hope this plan works.

Although it's after 8 pm it's still bright outside. I try to avoid stepping in the mud but that's like trying to avoid water in the rain. A branch snaps behind me and suddenly i'm surrounded by six men all wearing black coats like me, their face hidden.

" An intervention so soon?" I say trying to buy some time and assess the enemy.

Another figure appears from behind a tree. " Where's the girl, son?"

"Why'd you let Mom die, Dad?" I asked since we're playing twenty questions.

His face turns sour. "Ah...so you know huh? that must mean they've inaugurated you"

Any moment now.

"Perhaps" I shrug. The rain gets heavier.

" Just so we're clear, your Mom was my everything...just like that brat seems to be for you. I won't let you make the same mistake son," He nudges the man to his left. "Kill him"

" Not without a fight you won't!"

I grabbed the arm of the guy closet to me and kicked his knee at full force, breaking his leg completely. Someone grabbed me from behind and I threw my head back against his before knocking him unconscious with the flashlight I thought I wouldn't need. Another guy approached me from the side and I turned right into the sharp object he was holding. A knife? The pain was sudden and I fell to my knees. For a split second Ashley's image flashed into my mind before I stared up at the rain, then blackness.

~

*Ashley's P.O.V*

I woke up to a hundred choreographed footsteps above me and cold sweats.

" What is going on?" I groaned.

" You know how to use this?" Zara pointed a small handgun at me.

" Kinda?"

"That'll have to do," She threw on a bullet proof vest. "You have five minutes to shower and get dressed"

"Wh—"

"Four minutes" She snapped.

I stumbled out of bed and ran into the bathroom dragging my clothes off. I've never brushed my teeth in the shower before but I gotta say, it's really convenient when you're in a hurry. I know for a fact my shower exceeded five minutes so I walked out of the bathroom fearing for my life. Zara was nowhere to be seen. On the bed was a red tank top and black jacket with dark jeans. I kept my hair down since it's still wet and slipped on my running shoes.

The door banged open. I Nearly jumped out of my skin.

" Good, your dressed," Zara slipped the handgun behind my waistband in the back of my Jeans. "Only use if necessary"

" What's happening?" I ask again.

She hands me a black duffel bag and walks out indicating I should follow. The hallway wasn't as packed as it was last night, in fact we were the only ones left. I follow her upstairs and rushed into a minnie van behind her. Everyone stares at me.

"What?" I ask, feeling anxious.

" Jackson might be dead and Jeff passed away at 3 am this morning" A guy I recognize from my Father's mansion —Jimmy?— blurts out suddenly.

All the oxygen leaves my lungs and i'm wheezing. "W-What?"

Zara glares at Jimmy but hands me a folded piece of paper. "I'm sorry honey"

~

Hey Ashley my princess. If you're reading this then it's either i'm

about to die or already dead. I've been a shitty Father I know and

I hope you can forgive me. I've made Jackson my 'successor' of some

sort which means he'll take my place as a Mafia Boss. I'm sure by now

you know the details. Before I died we came up with a plan together

that will make everything the way it was before —or better. I can't

disclose much incase this letter gets lost or stolen during transport

—Jimmy's an idiot—but we went over the chances of the plan

succeeding, and are aware of the consequences. I'm dying because i'm

old and sick but Jackson's young and fit and in love, if that's

not a reason to live I don't know what is. Be strong principessa.

I Love you.

~ Sully

Sully. So that is our real last name. I try to dry my tears with my hands but more keeps coming. I'm not sure how to feel right now. One minute Jackson's dead then the next, it's all part of a plan... but my Dad's dead now...?

" Does my Mom know?" I whisper, not being able to speak. We drive past a forest and I get that sad feeling in my heart again as we approach a black race car.

" she also got a letter" Zara confirms.

" I-I got a call from Sadie.." Someone hands me a tissue.

"I know sweetie...she's actually dead. They did that to spook you"

"How...?" I shake my head. I don't care. It's best I don't know.

It's still really quiet in the van except for my sobs and heavy breathing. How can one person go through a multitude of emotions in half an hour? this has to be a dream but—

" We're here" The van comes to a halt. I look around and there seems to already be about twenty other vans here. I have a bad feeling about this.

"Where?"

"The Bianchi hideout. This is where they're keeping Jackson —dead or alive— in order for us to know where Vito hides, Jackson —or you— had to get captured" Zara says apologetically.

I notice Aiden in the distance and hop out of the van, ignoring protests. He turns around just as I got to him and catches me in a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry Ash" He pats my back and the tears roll out again.

Zara appears with the duffel bag. " How's the injury"

"Better now that you're here"

His flirtatiousness comforts me a little.

A tall guy with bulging muscles carrying a rocket launcher approaches Aiden. " Ready Boss?"

He clears his throat.

" Team A protect the girl with your life, Team B get into position, Team Charley prepare for a fight, Andy it's time to call in that favor from Santiago and Jax —"

He paused, taking a deep breath.

"Let's blow this place up"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------