chapter 48

"What do you mean she landed on your car?!"Willow yelled, staring back and forth between Maurie and Madonna. "I mean she fell out of the sky like a freaking pancake and landed on my windscreen"Maurie said in a duh tone.

Madonna avoided everyone's eyes and shrugged, "Donna, I'm not sure if you misheard me but, I specifically said.... Don't get yourself hurt!, I said DON'T!!!"Audrey panicked and instantly started checking his sister for injuries.

"Jeez guys, I just missed a step, that's all, it's not like it hasn't happened before"she said following her little brother's busy hands with interest.

"What do you mean it's happened before!"came Malik's pissed voice, she snuck an involuntary peek at the gang who were all staring holes in her. Audrey seemed even more pissed as he stared up at her with his signature gaze, adding just the right amount of ferocity to make anyone piss themselves... well, except to her, it was a cute look he made when he was just a little baby.

"Seriously! This isn't important! Maurie had something to tell us didn't she? tell them Maurie! Please?"Donna begged Maurie, who seemed to have been frozen with the thought that their so called 'ace' was outrageously clumsy.

"You could have died and that's not important!"Audrey screamed the words on the tip of their tongues. "Please, I doubt I'll get the privilege of a quick death"she retorted then softly patted his hair and pulled him on her lap. Not bothering to resist, he wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"Sorry I'm late guys, there's was an emergency at the hospital.... what's... going on here?"Alex asked wearing a confused and worn out expression as he took his seat. His interest was piqued even more as he noticed Audrey hadn't untangled himself from his sister.

"Someone care to explain?"he asked seriously. "Donna fell out of the sky and landed on Maurie's windscreen"Chris answered.

"Okay, so what's the problems?"he asked again. Audrey whipped his head so fast to glare at Alex. "The problem sir is that my sister nearly died... and she didn't tell about it until two days after it happened!"Audrey yelled. "Relax buddy, it's okay, I'm right here" Donna cooed and he snuggled back into her trying to calm himself. Malik however clutched the edge of the table till a crack echoed in the silence.

"Apparently you all still don't know why she's called the 'ACE', Madonna's survival and killer instinct is solely attached to one source, and that's Audrey, he's practically her lifeline. You should have seen her reaction the day we couldn't find Audrey in his crib. Fortunately only Matteo and I were around to witness it before we found him in the armory.

Don't think for a second that falling from the mere rooftops will end her, don't even think if he went missing she won't kill you if you got in her way. Now, let me ask you all again, WHAT. IS. THE PROBLEM?!"

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Silence.

Alex let out a long sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry I yelled, I'm totally stressed out, that was unnecessary and Audrey, I know you're scared about loosing your sister since this whole thing started, but you have my word I won't let anything happen to her, I promise okay?"Alex said in a tone he hoped to God would get through to Audrey.

Audrey glanced at him and nodded, but didn't move an inch away from his sister.

"Well then, now that's over, I believe we had originally come to discuss something other than my lack of stamina?"Donna said, still patting Audrey's head softly.

"Uhm yes, ofcourse. Audrey gave me some minor information that shed light on a bigger picture. I asked Willow to help me track the guard"said Maurie and let the attention fall on Willow.

"Aside knowing his favorite cafes, restaurants and clubs, I came to know he's on Patrick Rusoe's security detail. Naturally, I don't believe 'security guards' should spend most of their time away from the client and lounging around the city, so I asked Malik for assistance since he owns the club the man loves"said Willow and jerked her head towards Malik.

"He wasn't hard to miss, looking like a boss in my turf. Drinks the heavy stuff and waits for associates. Practically a rendezvous point. There's a mix of sorts, my club girl, a cop, banker, lawyer, baker and some shady guy I assume is the hired assassin. I'm not saying I'm pointing fingers yet, my bartender told me heard the shady one and the security guard arguing like they were frustrated with something. Recently, they freak out at the word 'King' and 'Cage', I recently put the tiger in so 'Cage' is definitely impossible to avoid. Reasonably, you know they're referring to people.

His comrades come in once in a while to the private sector, just yesterday Rusoe came with him. He showed him a file that practically made him wanna piss himself. He tried to burn it but I took it out once he got inside, there's the message, didn't even burn the words". He pulled out a note from his jacket and set it on the table.

****†*****†****

To: Alexander Rusoe

King's being bothered by the executives. They're insisting he tries his hands on the bounty, don't forget his promises, he's not likely to have been jesting. 

I informed him of your findings. 'Exceptional, but not enough', simply put Mr. Rusoe, if those links of yours fail, you're to actively involve yourself, Otherwise I will promptly take over.

Let the men know punishment for their failures will be carried out by me directly, regardless if they're already on the end of the line. It's wiser to die in the fight than face me.

Nevertheless, with the slow pace their moving, you're bound to take action. Kill Banks and who ever you please, at least before the boss gets new orders from the board.

I suggest you hurry it up, we both know King is impatient.

Good luck friend.

From: Dominic Cage.

****†****†****†****

"That explains why you asked for the name. I researched all names, but reports came negative, it was either an urban legend or a wrestler on the other side of world. I assume the name is forged or a code name for secrecy."Maurie said and leaned on the table.

"It didn't even have a stamp or postcard, just plain black envelope, that part burnt off so we can't trace it from there"Malik added and sighed.

"I tried getting into the building he stays in to repair his car or something but they won't let anyone near that floor. Even worse, he parks his car in the mist of others with the exact same model, Color and design and they all don't have plate numbers. They're way too many to plant things on all of them, not to mention how tight security is"Chris added.

"Well, this is all valuable information anyway. Just what exactly are we going to do about it?"Kim asked twirling her hair around her finger. Madonna giggled and Audrey hid his face in her chest.

"Something funny babe?"Malik asked with a curious look.

"Nah, sorry, anyway this is easy. We make the first move"Donna said stroking Audrey's hair softly.

"Maddy, what are you implying?"Alex asked with a sly grin on his face. "We already know the terms this Cage guy is gonna show right? And the only time Patrick himself is gonna take action"she started, Audrey turned to face the others with a bold look, "So you just have to take out the lackeys to get to the boss"He added.

The siblings fist bumped and waited for the plan to sink in.

"That's easy enough, but how exactly do we do this? Each place has top security detail, these people aren't jokers"Malik asked and crossed his arms.

"You each pick a target"Alex said letting his eyes roam on all his children. 

"Well then kids, are you ready to play?"