Audrey's pov
The next day, rain fell hard.
All us kids managed to reach school before it started, thankfully we all had our jackets to keep warm. We couldn't hear anything our teachers said so some settled for classwork, other left us to find somewhere warm.
My classmates were struggling with our math test, I'd already finished. I just sat there staring at my quadruple cross-checked work while my mind replayed everything that happened at Uncle Alex's house.
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"We got most of 'em off the table. Think it'll be enough to draw 'im out?"Malik asked while staring at my sister with a weird look. Uncle Alex patted my head and I relaxed a bit. "Most yeah, but not quite enough. No one had Charlie, thanks to our Ace the assassin is out of commission. You did well but unfortunately, not well enough. Taking out the bodyguard will have drawn Rusoe's attention and then Cage. We'll need to have another opening"Alex said and rested his head on his fist.
I looked back at the table. All were dressed as casually as ever, it's seemed like a scene where the father gathered all his children to dine and discuss family matters. Except this wasn't exactly a family, there was no food or wine and we're gathered to discuss how to go about killing people.
"I couldn't find Charlie anywhere, like he wasn't in the city"Maurie said and lowered her head. She seemed sad though everyone knew she was in a meeting with some VIPs at the time the operation started.
"That's because he wasn't. Rusoe took his new play thing out for a romantic getaway in Brazil where there's no cameras or paparazzi. They'd be back tomorrow, Charlie's his personal bodyguard, but I assume he's there for the menial work and a time off. So basically, Charlie has no idea what's going on"Willow said and folded her arms.
Chris and Malik frowned while the girls just looked pissed, well except my sister, who was simply preoccupied with hiding her yawn. I tried to hold back my laughter.
"Bored Miss Banks?"Alex asked with a smile on his face. Donna groaned and placed her head on her arms folded on the table. "Can you blame me?, These weirdos aren't even glad they got away with it on their first try in a new city. I for one would rather get some sleep than be here just getting mad over nothing."she said and winked at me, I rolled my eyes at her.
"You say it like you had any issues, you're the one that shot a guy in broad daylight"Malik said, "Excuse you, I was there too!","So was I!", "He said shot not shield dumbasses"Chris retorted.
"Whatever, so what are we going to do about Charlie?"Kim asked and looked at Uncle Alex, everyone did, except for my sister who was staring at her nails.
"Well, there's this gala Rusoe's going to attend tomorrow night. It's going to be hosted at Garner mansion. I got an invite but my absence will definitely not go unnoticed. Even if I had one of you as my date, which I'm not, you'd be swarmed"Alex said.
Kim and Malik seemed to space out and suddenly reach for their phones. After saying a few words to whoever was on the line, they dropped their phones. "I have an invitation too"they said in unison.
"That honestly doesn't change anything"Donna moaned. Willow nodded, "you two don't exactly know each other, you need disguises to be seen in public together. Taking either one of us with you will just blow up our covers"she added. "She didn't actually complete her statement"I cut in and turned to my sister. "It won't change the fact that you can't be seen together, but that just means two of you'd be working solo. But an invitation isn't the only way in"Donna continued,
"Maurie could get Chris in as a waiter and he could help with tech support and his own assassination scheme. Willow goes first with the paparazzi to make sure he's actually there and if she's lucky, to even cover the event.
Jill will be on standby from the back exit, though I think it's best to try the waiter business, but staying out back incase something goes south is supposed to be her main role.
You can't be reckless though, there's gonna be alot of people there. I'm specifically referring to the security type invitees, this Garner guy isn't exactly sweet and innocent, there's gonna be bosses, I'm talking Mafioso, Yakuza, Politicians, Syndicate heads, all the big boys And, their lackeys. Sure the cops will be there but specific ones.
So if a body drops, what do you think is going to happen?. I'm sure you guys can figure out a way to get him out of the picture without causing too much trouble"she finished.
Everyone stared wide eyed at her.
"What?I quit school but I know how to read and search the internet"she said and shrugged. "More like why would you research him?", "I wanted to know what happens here before we bring Audrey. It was either here or Switzerland", "Donna!!!"they cried.
"Uhm, if the bosses are invited, why Kim and Malik?"I asked, we all turned to face her again. "Ughhh, Malik owns BEERBORN, the latest and hottest club in the city right now, not to mention a celebrity hotspot. Kim designs for the high-class society and she knows her stuff, I can attest to that, she's most likely invited for referral or based on request. Doc here is just unbelievably popular in Seattle, I'd be surprised if he didn't have an invitation.... anymore questions?".
"How come I didn't know about the gala?"Willow asked still looking surprised. "That's because they won't really want the media on them. Your boss probably knows already so you might have a shot, by now news of it will be leaked out but security will be tight either way."
"Seems like you have all the answers today Miss Banks"Alex said, "Is this your way of saying good job sweetheart? Cuz I'd really prefer you just say good job sweetheart"she whined. We all laughed.
"I can't help but notice you're not included in all of this Donna"Kim said with a questioning gaze at my sister. "Ye gat me. I'm not going. I need to recharge plus Audrey and I have a movie marathon we can't afford to miss. But don't worry, you guys got this in the bag. Plus you'd get alot more than just bullet holes in a man, you'd get tips and info too."she said.
"Seriously babe?, I already thought of a hot blue number for you"Kim whined, "Blue's not really her color"I said as I eyed my sister.
"Well then, that's settled. Mary we're ready for dinner"he called out and servants came in with various dishes and drinks fit for a King or an army.
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"Oh, you've already finished"
I snapped out of my trance and looked straight at the source of the voice. "Paper Mr. Price", I handed my paper to my teacher.
I looked forward and a pair of blue eyes and blonde hair stared back at me.
"The red bow's nice but I'd prefer you wore pink", to my suprise, she pulled out a pink bow from her jacket and replace it with the red one. I shook my head in disbelief, "You knew I'd say that didn't you", "Yes, I did. I also know something's on your mind, will you tell me?"she asked and leaned on my table. "No".
"Audrey!"she whined, "it's sorta complicated", "Audrey, we're barely ten, nothing can be that complicated"she cooed. I shrugged in defeat.
Happily, she pushed her chair closer to my desk. "You're sorta too close", "Deal with it", I blinked at her. "You're awful pushy today. Well if you must know, I was thinking of how to make my sister happy or happier rather"I told her. She stared at me as if I grew another head "That's not like you... like at all", "This is my sister I'm talking about!", "I know", "why are you so pissy today, don't like the rain?"I asked. She sighed and lowered her head
"I hate my sister's new boyfriend, I really do. I'm starting to hate her for being so dumb. How could someone say they love you and jump around the world with a million other women and come back to you whenever he feels like it? He's the one that got me the red bow, I was going to burn it but she forced me to wear it"she said sounding kinda sad.
I stared at her, completely in shock she could actually hate someone, it got me a bit angry. "Are you sure that's the only reason? Because of your sister? 'cause if he did something to you he's dead" I didn't know why I said that, but I couldn't bother to take it back. She giggled and looked at me "It's fine I guess and besides, he's not worth your time anyway"she half smiled.
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We walked in to the cafeteria and everywhere was packed. I turned to leave but got stopped by a hand, I turned back to face the person.
"Sit with us", a boy around my age I recognize from my class was standing in front of me, looking quite confident too. "Why?",
"You need time away from Eve and you don't have any guy friends which I'm sure you know isn't cool. Plus she's making you go soft, you're not acting like the boss we thought you were"he said with a smug smile. I knew it had to be true for him to look so cool at me. I looked at Eve and raised a brow at her, she sulked " I really wanted to spend time with you today...but I guess he's right, not about the soft thing, but the no guy friends thing, I guess I'll see you in class then"she said then hugged me and ran off to her friends.
"You have her wrapped around your pinky"he said wide eyed, "I'm not sure about that"I said and looked at him again.
Kinda tall for a 4th grader, blonde, brown eyes and freckles. "If you're not planning on introducing yourself then I'm calling you Freckles", "Don't you dare! My name's Kevin and we're in the same class"he said, "Audrey", we shook hands and he led me to the table most of the other boys in class were sitting, it was quite big and they were all staring like I wasn't real. "What's wrong with them?"I asked, "Too shocked to see the 4th grade tyrant up close or something, they'll get over it"he replied as we reached the table.
A brown haired boy looked up at me as confidently as the blonde one, "Nice to finally meet you Audrey Price, I hope Eve wasn't too upset, you really needed a break from her"he said, I scratched my head at a loss for words. "You're still new and you already have the cutest girl in class bugging you everyday, consider us your rescue team!" Another red head added. I couldn't help smiling a bit.
Kevin pulled out a seat for me and we all started talking. It wasn't difficult talking to them, some were definitely afraid of me, other were regular detention kids, I really did like it, a whole lot. I learned the brown haired guy is Conner, the red head's Terry and a shy guy's Bruce. I made it a task to get him out that shyness, me and the other two anyway. There were so many guys but I decided I'd take everyone in one at a time.
Once we left the cafeteria, we ran in with bullies again. Unlike the usual, this time was kinda fun, we walked towards them like a team and attacked, gave them a wedgy and a spanking for fun, sure we got detention, but it was moved till tomorrow since the rain just let up. Eve kinda got mad about it and wouldn't stop whining about how she's been trying to avoid me getting into trouble but was thrilled to hear I had fun with the guys. That same day she properly introduced me to her friends and some how, I got on good terms with all of my classmates, even bugger boy, it felt sorta nice considering I didn't bother to leave a good first impression.
I didn't breathe a word about where I live, atleast not till I clear out the guns she keeps everywhere.
We all rode together in the school bus, Mr. Peter was jolly as usual and when I got back home, My sister was on the floor, snoozing.
I smiled and locked the door behind me, then changed into shorts and pulled my blanket to the living room where she was and covered her with it. I kissed her head and went to grab lunch then went off to do my homework, cause I knew she won't let me watch the movie if I hadn't finished....well then.