Family First | *Rewrites in Progress*

Another Threat

Quinn's POV

I kissed her.

I fucking kissed her.

The one girl in the entire world who fate would deem impossible to reach, was in my arms, and had willingly kissed me.

She lay asleep on her bed, her tear stained face slowly coming back to its normal colour. I stroked her soft hair out of her face, out of her naturally curled eyelashes. I pressed a kiss to her forehead, before quietly slipping out, going downstairs to Thomas' office.

It was midday, and mouth watering smells were wafting from the kitchen. Tina was busy making food, and was singing an Italian song, her voice echoing throughout the villa.

I wondered if Anastasia could sing.

I walked past the kitchen, waving to Tina as she was in mid song. She smiled at me before continuing with her song.

Continuing my little walk, I passed a few double doors, some glass and some wood, before  I reached the large double doors in the east wing of the villa. I knocked twice before a gruff 'come in' came from the room.

I pushed the doors open, and Thomas was seated at his desk, looking over some paperwork with his glasses slowly falling down the bridge of his nose. When he saw me he smiled, and gestured for me to take a seat opposite him.

"How are you settling in Mr Walker?" he asked, taking off the glasses from the perch of his nose. 

"I'm doing well sir. I've never been to Italy before, so I'm taking in the sights," I answered, and he offered me some coffee from the stand on his desk. I politely refused, and he simply shrugged, pouring some for himself.

"I feel sorry for my youngest children, pulling them away from their education and life back home. But I can't have them in any more danger, I've already had two incidents back home in a matter of two days." He leant back in his armchair, taking a sip from his coffee.

"I know sir, the only reason I was in your territory to start with was because of a threat I had received myself." I took a shaky breath, not realising how fresh the wound of the memory still was. "It was from Vince Borle as well, and my father saw it fit to get me out of the situation, as I'm his only heir. Vince's men have buried their way into my father's mafia."

Thomas nodded his head, and pulled out a letter. He reached over the table, handing it to me.

It was from my father. The sloppy yet somehow elegant handwriting was most definitely his.

"I know of your situation son, why else would I trust my daughter with you? In all technicalities your father has made you the leader, and if he made that choice, I know he did it because you are strong-minded." 

His face lit up slightly speaking of Anastasia, but returned to it's solemn and wise state quickly.

"I fear I must bring her into our lives quicker than she wanted to though. The thought that if she was ever along again without a weapon terrifies Tina and I," Thomas said, and he took another sip of his coffee, his hands shaking slightly.

"It scares me too," I replied.

It did.

For once in my life, I was scared.

I had moved away from London because my father was scared.

But now I was feeling as if my heart could die at any given moment.

"I do not know how long we will hide here, but I fear I may have to split my family up, and that will break my children. Their bond is something quite special," said Thomas, running a hand through his hair. He walked around his desk, and sat by the chair next to me.

"I need you to promise me something boy." His tone turned serious, and I realised that this was the mafia leader I had been told to fear by my father so many times.

"If it needs to happen, I need you to get my youngest children away from here. If something happens here, you all need to run. In the dead of the night to wherever is safe. Even I would not know of the location." He grabbed an old ring from his suit pocket and placed it in my hand, clasping my fingers over it.

It was gold, with the Rosso Cuore symbol engraved in the centre.

"Sir I cannot take this, I-" 

"Hush, son, you must, I insist. It's the only way I can ensure your safety if you run into any of my men." 

Someone knocked on the door hurridly, and Thomas stood up, opening it. Hazel ran in and wrapped her arms around his waist, sobbing heavily. "What's wrong, nocciola?" Thomas asked worriedly, hugging her head to his chest.

"I w-w-was just i-in my room, a-and it j-j-just landed there." Her cries became louder, and I offered to take her into my arms so Thomas could check out her room. 

He gratefully handed her over and I hugged her close to me, trying my best to calm her down. Memories of Aurora entered my head, and I pulled her closer to me, angry that something had made Hazel cry. Just like someone had once made Aurora cry. 

I grabbed her shoulders gently, and her tears subsided to sniffles. She took my hand and led me to her room, which was a few doors down from Anastasia's. Inside, all the Heart brothers sat solemnly on her bed, Charlie holding a note in his hands that was attached to a rock. Glass was scattered by her balcony, and the curtains were waving in the light breeze. 

Hazel gripped onto my hand tighter, hiding behind me, and Gabby came up to her, hugging her arm. 

"It's a threat dad," said Charlie, and Thomas looked towards me. 

"You know what to do," he said quickly, and the brothers looked at him. 

"Papà, what do you mean?" Nathan asked, looking between Thomas and I. 

Tina entered the room, and immediately pulled Hazel to her. "Thomas, are you sure?" she whispered, and the boys instantly understood.

"Oh hell no!"

"They can't go with him!"

"What if he knocks her up?"

We all looked at Grayson, whose face had turned crimson.

"It's just a thought," he muttered, and for a second, the tense air seemed to get lighter.

"Where's Anastasia?" Thomas asked, and he got up, walking as if he was on coals to her bedroom. She was still fast asleep, tucked into her covers and hugging a pillow, light snores escaping her nose. Her brothers crept over, gentle smiles creeping over their faces. 

"Who's going, Papà?" Charlie asked quietly.

"Just the youngest four, with Evelyn of course. Quinn and I were talking before, and I trust him enough to get all of them out, whilst we make plans," he answered. Nathan and Jacob's face scrunched up into shock, with both Grayson and Charlie chuckling. 

"It's for your safety, and I will hear no arguing," Thomas scolded Nathan and Jacob, and they hung their heads in defeat.

"Where will we be going?" Nathan asked. I could tell he was protective over Hazel, which would help in giving me and Anastasia some alone time. Jacob had Evelyn, so I hoped he would stay away too. 

"Well, I was thinking we could do with a vacation in my home country," I replied, and Hazel, who had just entered with her mother, started bouncing.

"I've always wanted to go to England!" she whispered excitedly, and she ran at me full speed hugging me.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she said.

A rustle came from Anastasia's bed, and she slowly sat up, still groggy from her sleep.

"WHAT THE FU-"