HAPPY NEW YEAR LOVES! I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT MF YEAR.

I'm picking up from where chapter fifty three ended, just sayin (:

Also read the authors note at the end, love you guys!

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"Falling is allowed, getting up is required."

Thalia Lively

Ajax was the first to dive into the chaos, pulling out a gun from his waistband and disappearing in the crowd of crazed people. My wild eyes met Nathan's who looked somewhat calm, as if he was confident nothing would happen to us tonight. I grabbed Riley towards me, not wanting to lose her.

"Emmett, take Riley." Nathan instructed and Emmett didn't have to be told twice as he shot me a nod before taking her away from me. "Ethan, go with them." Nathan grabbed Ethan who was now a little less drunk, it's as if the bullet sound sobered him up.

"No, I'm not going anywhere." Ethan denied.

"E, you're drunk. We don't have time to discuss this." Nathan said through a locked jaw, looking angry and impatient.

"I got it, go." Lincoln came in between Ethan and Nathan, taking Ethan with him and up the stairs. Nathan nodded at Carter and Austin who also pulled out guns, making my eyes grow ten times larger.

"Nathan!" I yelled at him as he pulled me through people. "Nathan, what the fuck!" I yelled again and this time he turned back towards me.

"We don't have time for explanations, I don't know if you could tell or not." Sarcasm leaked through every word as we heard two more gun shots. When I didn't respond he resumed dragging me to only god knows where.

I felt the urge to look behind me and I didn't know why, but I did. My eyes immediately locked with someone I didn't recognize, so while mine were filled with confusion, his spiked with excitement. I felt unnerved, anxious and... nostalgic? Before I could question my feelings, Nathan let go of my hand and started fighting a guy who stepped in our way.

"Richard Kells, I presume?" Nathan rolled his eyes at the man who smirked at him. Was I missing something?

"You have some balls showing your face in public, and hers." He peaked to look at me but Nathan was quick to grab him by the neck and slam him into the wall. I guess he likes that move.

"And you have some balls walking in here thinking you're going to make it back out alive." Nathan countered huskily. I've never seen this side of Nathan before and oddly enough, I wasn't scared. I knew being apart of a damn mafia wasn't sunshine and rainbows, but I guess the reality of it hasn't hit me until now.

"Oh c'mon, it's all fun and games!" He smiled wickedly at Nathan before abruptly pushing him away. "I came to take what I need, give it to me and I'll be on my way." He told Nathan calmly.

"Yeah, that's not going to happen." Nathan replied infuriatingly.

"Hard way it is then." Richard replies excitedly.

"Thalia, the stairs." Nathan turned to me briefly and nodded towards the stairs he must've been leading me towards. The look in his eyes told me that I had no other choice and I, for once, didn't go against him.

I ran before Richard leaped to attack, blocking people as I ran in between the chaos. I sprint up the stairs and once I got to the top, I slam myself into the wall and start breathing heavily. I cringe when I heard glass breaking and yelling. I hesitantly walk over to the balcony railing and peer onto the clutter of angry men.

I wondered to myself, what was so important for them to fight over? What caused them to be this violent enough over getting it? What was so crucially needed?

I immediately looked for familiar faces, just to make sure everyone was okay. I spotted Griffin and Ajax fighting off a group of men and we're struggling until Carter stepped in and evened out the numbers. Austin was behind Nathan, watching his back as Nathan was ambushed by people I didn't recognize— not that I would know who any of these people were anyway.

Before I could make a most likely stupid plan to help, I felt someone grab my shoulder and twist me around.

It was the guy that was staring at me earlier. 

"Get off!" I tried yanking my arm out of his grip but failed when my resistance only encouraged him to tighten his hand. "Who are you?"

"So you really did forget everything," the man rolled his eyes. "Or are you just pretending? I mean it would be a genius plan, really. Pretend you forgot everything to keep you out of harms way, I mean, who would go after a brainless girl, right?" He said evilly.

"What are you talking about?" I fought against his grip again, and each time I was unsuccessful.

"I just got my hands on you, I'm not going to let go, sweetheart." He grinned and I bit back my gag. "If I were you I'd cut the shit."

"I don't know what the fuck you're talking about! I don't know you!" I insisted.

"Listen, you little bitch. Your brother may be dead but we have proof that you were the last person he had contact with that night. Let's say you did forget, you're going to try everything to fucking remember because he stole something from us and you know where it is." He's persistent, I'll give him that. My brother? What does Aiden have to do with this?

I didn't bother telling him that Aiden wasn't actually dead. "Even if that's true, I wouldn't tell you shit." Was all I said before successfully catching him off guard and twisting his arm that was around my neck. I flipped us around and used the arm I held captive to pull his body towards my knee— making him grunt at the impact. I kicked him in the exact same spot I kneed him once he was kneeling on the ground. "Don't ever fucking threaten me again, or speak about my brother in a negative manner. Understood?" When he didn't reply, I went down to his level, grabbed his shirt with one hand and punched him with the other which sent vibrations of pain through my hand and arm. "Understood!" I repeat and he nods before giving me bloody smile.

"What you just did further proves my theory of you still being the old Thalia. You're remembering, slowly but it's coming back without you even realizing it. That little move you did back there, pulling me by my twisted arm towards your knee, you learned that from your brother." He spit blood out from his mouth. I was rendered into a state of confusion and he took that opportunity to catch me off guard, just like I did with him.

He threw me off of him and stood up, pulling me up with him as he held my neck in his large hands. He pushes me against a nearby wall and gave me a look of caution before taking his hand off my neck.

"My name is Valero." He starts off with as he gives me space by taking steps back. "You should've seen my face when I found out you were alive. The girl I've been assigned to track down for a fucking year but I've only ever hit dead ends and I never knew why until now. You've always Darren in your corner but when he also disappeared from the face of the earth, I never put two and two together. That even in the dark he was hiding your existence— and for good reason." He explains to me but I had no clue what he was talking about.

I never felt so oblivious and stupid.

I'm guessing by the look on my face he was finally convinced that I knew absolutely nothing. "Interesting." He pondered to himself. "Looks like I've said too much." He backs off and I stand still in my spot, still trying to wrap my head around everything he's told me. "You possess something that belongs to The Mob, and it's all because of your brother. I'd do what's wanted from you in order to stay alive." He gave me a warning look before disappearing around a corner.

"What did you take, Aiden?" I whispered to myself.

I suddenly came to the conclusion that what I thought was my old life, could've been a lie. I thought I was just a normal girl who played soccer for joy and was unfortunately in the wrong place and the wrong time with her family.

Now I'm starting to think maybe it wasn't just an accident.

"Thalia?" I heard someone yell my name and I didn't bother moving until a face came into view. "Thalia, there you are. Are you okay?" Carter scanned me for injuries and I remained silent. He gave me an odd look that was caused by concern but he didn't question me.

Did he know? Did one of my best friends know the truth about me? If so, why hasn't he told me?

"C'mon, we're leaving." Was all he said as he went to grab my hand but my flinch made him freeze mid-action. "Thalia?" He said softly.

"Yeah, yeah let's go." I walked past him and cautiously went back down the stairs that could lead me to my doom. I peaked around the corner and gasped at the amount of bodies that were laying in their own blood.

Regardless of my previous flinch, Carter still grabbed my hand and pulled me past the bodies, paying no mind to them. From his cold expression, I could assume he's seen this scene about a hundred times and has grown immune to the shock and sadness.

He lead me through a back door where five black cars were waiting on the other side. I immediately locked eyes with Nathan who was waiting outside of the first car, watching the door we were coming out of impatiently.

"Thank god," Nathan quickly made his way over to me and grabbed my face, kissing my forehead but hugging me. I returned the hug but I couldn't stop doubting him as well. I pushed away the thought of Nathan knowing because if he did, he would've told me and so would have Carter.

"Nathan!" Darren yells in a hurry as cars pull up on one end of the ally way.

Everything seemed to have slowed down as I watched shooters peak their heads of the window and aimed straight at us. My eyes widened and although I felt myself freeze up, my body acted before my mind could. I ducked and pulled Nathan down with me as we hid behind a steel garbage bin. I turned to see the other cars that mostly likely contained the rest of our friends speed off. One car stayed and I watched it curiously until Darren got out with his gun and aimed straight for the other cars wisely; instead of shooting the people, he shot all the car tires.

I was being pulled up to my feet before I could blink and was led by Nathan to the car, with Carter hot on our trail. I felt Nathan leave my side as he and Carter switched places in directing me into the car without getting hit. I looked back to see Nathan pull out his own gun and covered Darren's back instead of leaving him behind. With one last shot, they both ran to the car, with Darren driving, Nathan in the passenger seat and Carter in the back with me.

Normally I would've questioned what just happened, but not this time. This time I was going to figure it out by myself since no one would ever give me answers anyway.

"So much for that welcome back party." Darren said sarcastically, making Nathan scoff but chuckle afterwards nonetheless.

"Where to?" Carter piped up from the backseat.

"Base two." Nathan answers while still keeping an eye out for anyone who could be following us. I noticed that was sort of his role in this, the observer. He was always paying attention to everything and everyone except he was missing one detail.

I was catching up.

I looked into the rear view mirror where I saw Darren eyeing me knowingly. He knew, as I suspected he did. Earlier, he mentioned I knew a gang leader before but was cut off by Nathan from exposing anything else to me. Valero is apart of The Mob, whatever that is, and he knew me— well past me that I have barely any recollection of. He was assigned to track me down but couldn't because he thinks Darren was the one leading him into dead ends, but why? Why would Darren protect me? How did he know me? Valero also mentioned that my brother was a key detail about this whole "Mafia War" problem, because he stole something from them and they now think I possess whatever he took.

They think Aiden's dead, and that I'm just as clueless as they are.

I'm already one step ahead of them by just having that as my advantage. My only problem is, will my own team trust me enough to finally clue me in on the rest of the mystery that seems to be my life.

"Thalia? Thalia!" Nathan calms me out of my trance, making me look over at his concerned gaze. "Are you okay?" He asks, switching his position in the passenger seat so he could face me.

"What? Oh, yeah no I'm okay." I smile at him and he seems to be convinced but Darren certainly wasn't and I was going to pry him for information later without Nathan around to stop me from finally knowing, oh I don't know, SOMETHING for once.

"We're here." Darren exits the car without another word and I follow his actions, scanning the area with amazed eyes.

"What, the, fuck?" I couldn't stop my eyes from attaching themselves onto every inch of the mansion that was placed in the middle of a forest. I heard Darren chuckle but only barely since he was still walking away from us and to the door.

"C'mon, weirdo." Carter rolled his eyes amusingly and softly pushed me to keep walking.

"Oh, I'm sorry I'm not rich enough to be used to seeing mansions this big on the daily." I say sarcastically. "Man, being a Mafia member really does have a good pay rate. Maybe it's not so bad." I shrugged making Nathan shake his head at me as we walked into the stupidly large house, mansion, practically a building, etc.

"Thalia!" I heard Riley yell the second I entered the living room and shortly after was attacked by a very concerned best friend. "You're okay, right?" She scanned me and I nodded.

"Yeah, you?" Now it was my turn to make sure she's in the exact same condition she was earlier, which was not good to begin with since she still her fresh injuries from when Colt had Megan jump her.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." The concerned look left her face and an excited one replaced it. "Can you believe what just happened? We were in the middle of a Mafia fight, like who would've thought? Us! That was so sick, I mean terrifying, but sick! All the guys were like 'fuck around and I'll shoot you,'" she mocked the guys' voices and held her hands up in a gun gesture. I laughed, for the first time today, genuinely. You can always count on Riley to lighten the mood.

"Hey, we don't sound like that." Ethan judged her impression of them while eating... yogurt? Whatever, at least he's sober now.

"Yeah, you got it all wrong. Ethan's voice is definitely more high pitched." Austin teases but had yogurt flicked onto him by Ethan immediately. "Are you kidding me? I just changed!" Austin complains and exits the living room to now, I assume, change his yogurt covered shirt.

"I love that guy," Ajax comments as he gives Ethan a look of approval.

"Yeah, 'cause he's a replica of you." Lincoln rolls his eyes.

"Unfortunately, because we totally needed another one of you." Griffin joins Lincoln on the expensive looking couch.

Ajax rebutted against Griffin but I tuned out from the conversation as I quickly took note of everyone's actions. Lincoln and Griffin were lounging on the couch, Ajax was sitting on a stool where the bar was in the room being easily distracted by Griffins insults, Ethan was scanning the fridge— having post drunk cravings, Austin came back with a new shirt, Riley was laughing at the conversation between the gang members, Carter was on his phone, Darren was pouring himself a drink. It seems this was a regular night for them, not that that shocking, but none of them care about the past events.

And Nathan was well, staring at me.

He nods his head into the direction of the lavish stairs and I follow him wordlessly, both of us escaping the company of our friends, and new friends. Neither of us said anything while we walked past numerous doors, still mind boggling me that anyone could be rich enough to own this place. There was at least like five floors.

We were currently on the third floor where Nathan opened one of the doors and took off his jacket, throwing it on the bed.

"Your room." I say, mainly to myself as I observed the room. It was empty of any decorations except one picture on the nightstand of his family and friends all in one.

"We have bases all over Canada, the U.S and Europe, mainly Italy though. It's where we stay majority of the time, so we each have our own rooms and stuff. I don't really come in here." He shrugs and opens his closet, picking out some clothes and walking over to hand them to me. "As beautiful as that dress is on you, I don't think it's very comfortable." He joked, making me chuckle and agree with him.

"You're right, it's not. I'm surprised it even held up through all of that." I reply astonished. Especially with the little fighting scene that happened with Valero.

"Thank god it did." His face transformed into a straight one and I roll my eyes.

"I'm changing." I chuckle as I walk away and enter his bathroom, finally getting to take off this dress and thigh high boots that I forgot to take off when I came in. I sigh as the large sweatpants slightly sag on me but thank god they had laces I could tie around my waist to keep them up. He gave me a small shirt though, one that probably doesn't fit him anymore since it was surprisingly a good size for me. I noticed some face wash on the sink counter and I took the opportunity to rid my face of any makeup.

Tying my hair in a high ponytail, I washed my face and had a chance to really just relax and take a moment to refresh myself of the crimes I witnessed tonight.

Any normal human would call the cops, cry, accuse or faint but weirdly enough, I didn't have that reaction. My body and mind seemed to accept it for it was and I don't know why but I suppose it had something to do with the fact that I've seen this all too many times in the past.

It still hits me that my life wasn't as normal as I thought it was. My family, my brother, me. We weren't normal, we weren't some happy family that visited grandma on weekends. We weren't some innocent family. I wasn't innocent.

I look at myself in the mirror and sigh, maybe I don't want to be innocent anyway.

I exit the washroom and neatly out my boots and dress on a chair near the washroom door. I look up expecting to see Nathan but he's not here anymore, instead I hear a knock at the door. I open it and am faced with Darren, now out of a suit and into a simple black shirt with black jeans— making me wonder if he sleeps in jeans.

"May I come in?" He asks and I realize I haven't moved from the doorway so I quickly opened the door wider and nodded, feeling stupid but I couldn't care less about my idiocy at the moment, this was my opportunity for information.

"You know." I imply, cutting to the chase.

"I saw Valero follow you." He confirmed my my suspicions.

"You let him go after me?" I question ridiculously, scoffing at him.

"I was going to step in, but you handled yourself well. You didn't need any help." He defended himself. "Go ahead, ask away, Nathan's not here. He's busy helping Lincoln and Carter track down whoever owned the card that pulled up on us tonight."

"How do I know you? Valero mentioned that he's been trying to find me but never could cause he assumed you stepped in to save me." I start off with the basics.

"Our families were close back in Italy. I watched you grow up, so yeah I looked out for you. I considered you one of my