The Mafia's Grace

Carson

James planted a kiss on my cheek as he sat next to me. 

"You did everything you could to convince her to stay baby. Now it's up to her." I knew he was right.

"I know but I can see how Ry looks at her." James rubbed my back. 

"I need to do some work now. See you later yeah?" I nodded and gave him a quick kiss.

I heard soft footsteps as Grace walked into the kitchen. She had changed out of Ry's shirt and into a sundress. It was a yellow colour with flowers all over it. If I wasn't with James, I would go after her.

"Hey, thanks for earlier." She rummaged through the cupboards until she found what she was after. 

She sat next to me and offered a biscuit from the packet she had just found. I took one and smiled. 

"Cute dress. James would love it. Yellow is his favourite colour." 

"You two are the perfect couple. Makes me very jealous." I chuckled.

"Oh darling, of course, we are perfect have you seen us. We are HOT." She rolled her eyes.

"Hmm if you say so. I'm going to watch a film. Want to join?" My phone buzzed. It was Ry. 

"Ah, I can't sorry. Ry has just messaged me, I need to go for a meeting." She smiled a went to the living room. I followed behind her.

The meeting room was full when I went in. James smiled and I headed to the empty seat next to him. Ryker nodded and began speaking.

"Dylan has resurfaced again. He is posing a greater threat than we initially thought. Last night our weapon shipment was robbed again, three guys were killed. We have also intel on a smaller gang believed to be working with Dylan. The leader goes by the name of Tyler Scott. Don, I want you to gather as much information on him as possible. Tomorrow we will discuss a plan to get information from him." 

This was not good. The last time we went into a gang war both of our parents got killed. It tore Ryker up. We needed to win this one. Our gang would not survive if we lost.

"Yes, boss. I will find out everything I can." Don was a gruff bald man but he had a way of finding out anything. 

"Thanks, Don. James, I want you to try and intercept any conversations between Dylan and Tyler. Report any findings to me in tomorrow meetings. Carson, don't distract him." I gave James a quick wink and his face reddened. 

I zoned out for the rest of the meeting. My thumb twiddled with James' as he read through a character profile on Tyler Scott. Ryker cleared his throat.

"Carson, can you get that done for me?" 

"Sure thing big boss man. What did you want me to do again?" I hadn't been listening which Ryker knew.

"I need you to keep an eye on Grace." My jaw slackened.

"So everyone else has important jobs and I have to babysit Grace. She can fight better than me. I don't think she really needs me." He rolled his eyes.

"Just do what you are told to do for once," I grunted at him and nodded. 

The meeting was interrupted by the door flying open. Grace stood there, her eyes wide and her hands shaking slightly. I quickly got to my feet along with James. Ryker quirked his eyebrow up.

"What's wrong darling?" Her shocked face darkened at the nickname my brother had given her.

All of the men sat at the table looked between Ry and Grace, confused looks on their faces. Grace didn't speak for a bit. She took some deep breaths and then her shaky voice cut through the quiet room.

"There was a knock at the door. So I answered it. I know I shouldn't have but I did. He was already dead when I opened the door. There is blood everywhere." Ryker was in front of her in a blink of an eye. His hands grasped her face and forced her to look at him.

"Who Grace? Who is dead?" She shook her head, muttering that she didn't know who he was.

"It's okay, my love, is the body still at the door?" She nodded, spinning on her heel and walking into the corridor. The men all followed her towards the unknown dead man. 

James grabbed my hand and squeezed it slightly. He hated death. I smiled softly and we exited the meeting room.