858 Your Family Wonât Be Excluded
Marcel did a complete sweep of the Base after the attempt on Ariannaâs life. He tightened security and had the body taken out and the scene cleaned up while Samson returned safely to his Den.
As for Arianna, he took her to bed after giving her coconut milk to calm her nerves. She had received quite a shock today. Thankfully, she fell asleep, giving Marcel time to sort out the mess.
âGive me the report,â Marcel said, seated down and wouldnât stop tapping his feet anxiously against the floor.
He refused to leave Ariannaâs side, which means they were gathered in his living room while she slept soundly in his room. He left her hours ago and she nearly died. Marcel was not repeating the same mistake, at least until he knows what he was dealing with here.
Luca told him, âThe woman was one of the staff.â
âStaff? Housekeeping? Who hired her?â Marcel asked in anger, anxious to deal with the mastermind of the attack. He has stayed long enough in the business to know that there was a motive for every attack or a sponsor. If that woman was among the staff, he could already guess that she was sponsored.
Luca and Samuel shared a look and looked hesitant to reply to him.
âI asked a question!â Marcel demanded, the veins in his head bulging.
With a sigh, Luca said, âItâs Mrs. Beatrice.â
.....
At once, Marcelâs expression blanched, never expecting that Beatrice would betray him until something crossed his mind and he asked, âWho did the screening?â
And at that question, Luca and Samuel looked at each other.
âStop staring at each other and answer me!â Marcel hated the wordless conversation that he wasnât a part of. Both of them definitely know something he doesnât know.
âThe thing is boss â¦.â Samuel was the one that stepped out to answer, âBeatrice has become so good with hiring the staff that we didnât look much into it.â He swallowed uneasily by the time he was done knowing that Marcel was about to go berserk.
âSoâ¦.â Marcel started, rubbing his throbbing headache, âYouâre trying to tell me that you didnât screen the staff that you have been letting into my place, all because you trusted Beatriceâs judgment and thanks to your lovely mistake, almost cost me, Arianna and my kid -â He intentionally let out his secret in a fit of anger.
âK-Kid? â Luca said, looking at Marcel with confusion before his gaze strolled to the room where Arianna was sleeping and it dawned on him. Arianna was pregnant.
âOh no,â A feeling of guilt washed over Luca. He failed Arianna and his boss. He was deeply ashamed.
âIf that news gets out without my approval, youâre dead,â Marcel warned him. He was still furious, but then he couldnât wake Arianna sleeping in the other room.
âOf course, boss.â The both of them said in unison, knowing they were dead meat otherwise. Right now, they were losing merits in front of Marcel and needed to gain his trust back.
Samuelâs phone beeped with a message and he glanced down at it before informing Marcel, âThe Draven Brothers are here.â
âLet them in,â Marcel said, running his hand through his hair and ruffling it. God, he was so tired mentally and all he wanted to do was to climb into bed with Arianna and feel her warm, soft body â proof that she was still alive. But then, he needed to do this. He needed to create a safe space for her â and their unborn child.
Marcel had no choice but to call Natalie and inform her about the attack. Of course, the woman didnât take the news nicely considering the attack occurred on his territory â he shouldnât have invited Arianna over if his place wasnât safe. Marcel saw the scolding coming anyway and didnât argue with her. In the end, she demanded Arianna be sent.
The only problem is that Marcel had a feeling he wouldnât see much of Arianna after this incident. Natalie would keep a close eye on her â and he couldnât blame her. What parent wouldnât want to keep her only child safe?
Not long after, Ephraim and his huge brother, Elvis stepped into the room. And though it was just the both of them, they seem to swallow all the space in the room with their presence. Of course, Natalie had to send the toughest brothers. Honestly, Marcel couldnât tell whether he liked or loathed that woman. Her motherly love is tough. At least, both brothers were strong and would keep Arianna safe, that was for sure.
âWhere is she?â Ephraim asked, his gaze already settling on the closed door, figuring out she was in there.
âSheâs asleep at the moment.â Marcel said, standing in the way, âIt was traumatic, keep her time to calm her nerves.â
Ephraimâs face connected to his brotherâs and an understanding passed between the both of them. He then said, âWeâll wait.â
Just like that, the both of them took a seat and faced him, an awkward tension in the air.
Marcel said after a while, âNatalie shouldnât have sent the both of you, I was planning on sending her home when she wakes anyway.â
âSorry, but she trusted us to keep her safer. Sheâs not taking any chances, not with yesterdayâs incident.â Elvis said.
âYesterdayâs incident?â Marcel was curious.
âYou probably donât know yet but â¦â Ephraim looked hesitant to share the news at first but he went on, âThe Basil family was gunned down yesterday, the only survivor was his wife and children who had been away. Sources claim it was the handwork of the Bratva, however, Konstantin was killed in the same witching hour. No one seems to know the mastermind but the Basil familyâs offshore accounts were hacked and now, we have no idea what the new player plans to do with all that money. However, Eric thinks whoever that is, is buying resources to probably conquer the rest of the five families. â
Ephraim added, âYou might not be in the commission, but youâre one of the ruling families in this city, and if war is coming, your family wonât be excluded.â
Marcel tried not to show emotions but the news had taken him by surprise and a shiver ran down his spine. Unlike before, he had a lot of people to protect. And now that he thought about it, it canât be a coincidence that the Basil family was wiped out yesterday and Arianna was attacked today â the one he loved the most. If anyone wanted to get to him, it was through Arianna. This was a perfectly thought-out plan and the woman had only been a tool.
The realization hit him at the same time Luca glanced at him. Both of them have the same thought.
âItâs all Richardoâs plan, why canât you adults see that.â Someone said from nowhere, drawing all of their attention.