Page 23 of A Game of Survival

“I agree. I have to finish up filing these fucking insurance claims before I check in with Sully too. I’ll give Enzo a call later and let him know what’s happened. If he hasn’t already seen it all over the news he’s going to be devastated.” Enzo loved that place just as much as Cole did, and I know he’ll take responsibility for this due to his absence last night. I turn my thoughts quickly to Lucille as it falls silent between us. If she wants to stay with Katrina longer, I will not stop her, especially now, but my God I miss her presence. Lincoln shifts in his chair, looking as if he’s about to say something as the office door opens and speak of the devil, or angel in her case, Lucille saunters in with Sully not far behind her.

“Lucille,” I gasp as I rise from my chair. Lincoln turns in his seat and smiles at her.

“Hello, Love.” He smirks at her with a cocky smile. I shake my head at his attempt to flirt with her as soon as he sees her.

She rolls her eyes at him, “Don’t love me, Lincoln Rossi. You are still on my shit list after what you did.”

Lincoln stands and moves closer to her, taking her in as he looks at her standing strong.

“Sully you can go.” Linc orders as he reaches for Lucille moving her further into the room and shutting the door behind her in Sully’s face. “You are so right, my love, but I’ll be on my knees for you everyday until I have that forgiveness of yours,” he tells her.

Ignoring him, Lucille looks over to me. “So, Boss, are you going to tell me exactly what your plans are for finding my son? I am fed up with being kept out of the loop,” she demands.

She is something else when she’s sassy, I can't help but admire her right now. She is fierce and strong. And she is ours.

“Mi luce, it was never our intention to ever keep you out of the loop as you put it. But we do intend on keeping you out of harm's way.” She's still glaring at me. Lincoln reaches his hand out and tucks a piece of loose hair behind her ear, making her attention snap back to him.

“Lucille, I have to go. Business still needs to continue. Silas will go over our next move with you and Max once he wakes up.” Lincoln tells her, and I notice the way her face softens ever so slightly.

“Just stay safe, please Lincoln. I like your pretty face” she croons. Lincoln smirks before taking her face in his hands and kissing her passionately, wrapping his arms around her waist. Lucille brings her hands to his hair and runs them though it, pulling him closer before bringing her knee swiftly to his groin making him double over in pain.

“Fuckkkk!!” Linc groans clutching at his cock. I have to stifle my laugh.

Lucille looks mischievous, “That was for hurting my brother, you are lucky I didn't go for your face.” I can't help myself, I laugh out loud this time causing Linc to glare in my direction.

“Well played la mia luce, I think Lincoln has learnt his lesson.” I tell her, smirking at Lincoln and I swear she almost beams at the praise.

"He deserves worse, but like I said, I like his pretty face too much to scar him," Lucille teases him. Now it's me beaming at her.

"You fucker, Si! I might have roughed him up, but I wasn't the one that punched him so hard he needed a doctor to put him back together. I'm not the only one who deserves some punishment." Lincoln grumbles, throwing me under the bus.

The smile that was on my face has fallen, Lucille turns to me. "Umm yes, well he will definitely be serving his time soon. But I need you both to find my son. What is the plan?" she demands.

I let out a huff. "The plan is for you to stay safe. But we have many leads to go over. I had hoped your brother would be up to helping go over some of the details of Ronan's operations in order to find some cracks." I will always be honest with her about how we plan to execute things. She's just not going to be in harm's way when we actually implement them. "Linc, you need to get going otherwise you'll be late." We can't afford to miss this one after the loss of inventory from the fire.

Lincoln looks at his watch and nods. "Okay, stay safe, and Si, watch out for her right hook. I have a feeling she's saving that one for you." He smirks at me before leaving. That fucker.

"Come on big guy, we need to go and wake my wounded brother. And find my son." She follows Lincoln out the door leaving me stunned at her assertiveness, and I'd be lying if it didn't turn me on.

I follow after Lucille like a puppy on a leash. She makes her way up the staircase and to the spare bedroom where Max is recovering. We had him moved in the early hours of the morning after the incident at the restaurant. We deemed the club to be an unsafe place of healing, all things considered As I climb the stairs two at a time after her, I hope to God that Max will be able to give us some more information about Ronan’s safe houses. Then we can make plans to search for Teddy from there. As I approach the spare room, I see Lucille already standing at the side of the bed looking at Max. He’s sitting up, he definitely looks better than he did yesterday.

"Luci, I'm fine, I swear," Max huffs with frustration in his voice.

"No, you're not. You keep wincing everytime you move!" Lucille exclaims, matching his irritation. Max's eyes meet mine with a flash of anger as he notices I have entered the room.

"Oh great, here comes the reason I'm here" he growls in my direction. And in truth I am partly to blame for his predicament but the main reason for his injuries is his scumbag father. And just as I'm about to remind him of this, my angel beats me to it.

"No Max, don't you go deflecting this on to him. Yes, he's an ass for all he has done but the fact is he isn’t the one whose fault this really is. You’re hurt and recovering. You'll do more harm than good trying to be a one man army, so stop getting all worked up" she lectures him. He scoffs at her but seems to have accepted defeat, or maybe not.

"Right, so now you’re trusting them to find Teddy? You know what he means to me, Luci. I don't trust them, you shouldn't either."

"You don't get to tell me who I do and don't trust, Max. Your judgment isn't exactly faultless." She snarks back at him and I can't help but laugh aloud at their sibling bickering because it reminds me so much of myself, Cole and Lincoln. They both turn to me and frown.

"And what is so funny?" Lucille snaps in my direction.

"La mia luce, I just enjoy your fierce attitude. But I enjoy it even more when it's aimed at this stronzo." I chuckle.

"Pfft, well enjoy it all you like, you're next on my hit list, Silas Salvatore, just you wait." Pointing her finger in my direction as she hisses at me.

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