Chapter 11

Maria

"Can you go be ugly somewhere else", Fitz said engrossed in his game. I still didn't get why Mom let him play all of these violent games but I couldn't. He got the whole setup from PC, Xbox PlayStation and all the bells and whistles to go with it.

"Shut up, stupid", I said standing at his window that overlook the backyard to the neighbor's property. With my golden opera binoculars I tried to get a glance at the boy next door. It had been 3 days since I last seen him, but I never stopped thinking about him. He made my heart flutter and my cheeks burn with heat.

Where was he?

"Who the hell are you looking for?" Fitzs asked pounding away and his controller.

I lowered my binoculars defeated. "The neighbor boy".

"Who?"

"Keep up idiot. The people that moved in next door. They have a son... Or she has a son...." With the prettiest bluest eyes I've ever seen.

"Ooh, you got the hots for the neighbor boy", Fitz teased abandoning his game as he came to stand by the window with me. He snatched my binoculars away and tried to find the boy next door. He pushed me out the way and scanned the property.

"Hey! Dick!"

"I barely touched you drama queen... Oh look I found him! He's by the pool!"

"REALLY!?" I said a little too eager as I tried to snatch the binoculars back.

"No", He teased and I slapped Fitz on the back of the head.

"Asshole".

"Twins!" Mom yelled it sounded like she was at the end of the hallway.

"Yes?" We both shouted back still fighting.

"We need to pack we're going to London to meet Dad and Daniel", she said coming into Fitz's room and immediately broke us up from our fight,"Stop it! Now".

Mom had that tone in her voice that said if we didn't stop we would regret it. Fitzs like the baby he was ran to hide behind her,"Maria is being a creep! She's trying to look the neighbor boys boobs".

"What?" Mom asked confused.

"She wants to see his thorax!" He shouted with so much confidence He didn't deserve to have.

"Are you trying to say chest?" Mom questioned.

"Mondula number".

"See he's stupid and crazy", and I laughed.

"Medulla oblongata?" She tried to clarify.

"Yup", Fitz said proud.

"Okay, well, we are going to have a long conversation about human anatomy".

"No!" Fitzs whined.

"O, yes. Now get your little tush to the car".

"Yes, mommy", Fitz groaned heading out the door but before he completely left he threw up his middle finger behind Mom's back sticking out his tongue knowing I couldn't do anything with Mom watching. I'm going to kill him.

I felt my cheeks burn red hot from embarrassment. I didn't want a long talk from Mom. I was mentally preparing myself for one but she didn't say anything. She picked up a few of Fitz's school books off of the floor and put them on his desk. She turned off the TV and started to make his bed. The fact that she wasn't saying anything put me on edge. "Mommy?"

"These sheets are filthy", she said stripping the bed.

"Am I in trouble?"

"No, no", She said and I finally felt like I could breathe again. "What you're feeling is very natural. A little bit earlier than what I would have expected but natural nonetheless----".

"MOM!" Fitz screamed.

"Yes!?"

"There's a stranger in the house!" Immediately, mom abandoned everything she was doing as she headed to the door.

"Maria, we will talk about this later".

Okay?

"I'm not going to be in trouble later am I?"

Jennifer

"No", I shouted back power walking downstairs. Once I hit the top of the grand staircase I saw an old... Accomplice. "Alejandro, what bring you to town?"

Alejandro hadn't changed. He was still the hard-ass I knew from all those years ago. The only change was the few grays in his beard and hair and whichever model he was banging this week. "Ma'am, we haven't fully checked him yet".

"That's fine, Thomas", Thomas was Adam's second hand man. A title He rightfully earned. He didn't need to do any grunt work anymore. But, I still appreciate it that he still took care of us like nothing had changed. He continued his pat down until he was sure Alejandro didn't have anything on him. Thomas could do a full cavity check if Alejandro wanted to kill me. I would be dead.

"He could have a gun in his butt", Fritz laughed to himself.

"And you were on your way to the car. Can you tell Liam we're about to leave?" Preoccupied with his new mission Fitz ran off.

"He's bigger", Alejandro said in a t-pose.

"Children grow up", I smiled. "But you didn't come see the kids. Something's happen".

"Clear", Thomas announced.

"I know not to bring any weapons here. I may be a jackass but I'm not a dumbass".

"The line is finite", Thomas commented.

"But clearly defined", he stated.

"Thomas, I know you're busy. But can you make sure that Maria gets to the car?" I asked.

"Of course, ma'am", there was no love loss between Thomas and Alejandro. Thomas at every right not to trust Alejandro And so did I. But, throughout the years Alejandro has been nothing but a faithful war dog. He's never once even made a reason not to trust him as long as I could pay him.

Thomas ascended the stairs and I led Alejandro through the kitchen into the study. Once we were inside I slid the heavy cherry wood doors shut.

"Cognac or Malt Scotch?" I asked heading over the side bar next to the only desk in the room. This room used to be a playroom but all of my babies grew up they didn't watch paw patrol or cocomelon anymore. So the room went back to being a glorified library and study

"Surprise me", Alejandro said flopping down on the bar stool as I pulled out two crystal cups and the matching decanter filled with Highland Malt Scotch.

I slid Alejandro his glass and he reached into his pocket and pulled out a switchblade. He slammed it down on the wooden counter,"You're watch dog is getting rusty".

"Unfortunately a byproduct of age", I said sipping my scotch. "Shall we cut the bullshit and get right to it?"

"You should check in with the idiot brother".

"You know his name is Michael", I stated.

"I know he's about to have a big fucking problem".

"Michael controls everything from Chihuahua, Mexico to Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia".

"Someone's just made a play for Columbia. I would think you would want to know".

Damn right I wanted to know. They were our biggest import of pure cocaine. Over 4% of the world's population, some 300 million people, consumed cocaine from Columbia. The exports we get from Columbia made the drug part of drug lord feasible. Between all the deals Michael has made with the Colombian government and the drug peddlers down there I would have never imagined they would play ball with someone else.

"Who? I need a name".

"It'll cost you".

"It always does. I need a name".

"One of the Conrad brothers. A white fucker named Drake Conrad".

"Of course", I said finishing off my scotch. "One of the Conrad's just moved in next door to us".

"Keep your enemies close and all that shit".

"I will let Adam know. In the meantime, keep an eye on our friend Drake. I want to know everything about him, who he sees, who he fucks with, I want to know what he eats in the fucking morning".

"If you want to pull another Bellefonte you just have to say the word", Alejandro said filling his glass.

"That's not off the table", I said has my mind wandered to the boy across the street.

"I'll let you know when I find, give me 12 hours".

"You have eight", I said picking up my phone and wire transferred 150 million to Alejandro.

"Get your men ready in position in Columbia".

"My Unseen are always ready".

"Good. I have a plane to catch but if anything changes---"

"You will be the first to know". I always appreciate it that only hondro was directed straight to the point. He had important news, he was paid for the news and promptly left. I quickly had to pack Fitz, Maria, Daniel, Adam and myself bags because we may not be coming back to the house anytime soon. I had an emergency stash of supplies behind my vanity in the walk-in closet of master bedroom. The kids didn't know about this room at least I didn't think they did. I kept a sliver suitcase of $50,000 US cash, forged passports, a burner phone, our immunity papers, a month supplies of Daniel's medication and my Glock G17 gun. As I stepped out of the small room I eyed my poison ivy lipstick remembering the last person I had to use it on a lifetime ago. I grabbed it just in case.

I struggled with my bangs until one of the security guards asked if I needed help. I graciously accepted and we made our way down to the basement to the SUV rocking back and forth with the sound of Maria and Fitz fighting.

I open the trunk of the SUV to the sound of the joys of motherhood,"Get your big ass head away from me!"

"He farted on me!" Maria shouted pinching her nose.

"Let's just calm down", Thomas said desperately trying to control an unstoppable force and and immovable object.

"Enough!" I snapped startling Maria and Fitz. "Apologized to each other and knock it off".

"Sorry..."

"... sorry".

God they fought like cats and dogs over the stupidest things. I was looking forward to the day they would just see each other as... people. Dare I dream even friends.

Has the car was being loaded up I slid into the passenger seat next to Thomas. He pressed the start button and looked over to me with a worry glance. "Are you planning for a long trip?"

"It may turn into one".

"NNNNNOOOOO! MOM! There's nothing to do in London!" Fitz complained throwing himself back in his chair exasperated at the idea. "All it does is rain!"

"Your godfathers are there and I'm sure Zayden and Amaya would love to see you both".

"I don't want to hang out with their weird kids! They don't even get to watch TV! Or like play video game", Fitzgerald complained about Nate and Josh's kids. They didn't have a traditional home. They wanted their kids to have an unplugged childhood. There was nothing wrong with one of your kids to play outside and discover the world that their own pace without technology constantly shoving new ideas down their throat. Who was I to judge if somebody's kid should be able to watch TV or play a video game. Would I ever do it for my kids?

Hell no!

Sometimes you need 30 minutes to just not be around them. 30 minutes to take a shower, have a glass of wine, eat something other than Cheerios and gummies and take a breath with a cup of coffee. So yeah, I'll let my kids watch TV and play video games because sometimes the TV is the best babysitter.

"I'm sure Zayden would love to share one of the books he's reading with you", I said feeling a headache coming on as Thomas drove us out of the garage and onto the main road.

"A book!"

"Yeah, you know those things you get real nervous around because you can't read more than 10 words", Maria laughed.

"Firetruck you!"

"Thank you, for not cursing".

"Are we going to live in London now?" Maria asked always the excited one to travel.

"I don't know, I have to talk to Dad about this".

"Mom", Fitzgerald said getting out of his seatbelt and grabbing my shoulder. As serious as he could he asked,"Mom, did you bring my slim orbeez?"

"What?"

"Remember, we order them and then they came a month late. Then we put them in water and then I dropped them in the tub and it went down the pipe---"

"And then we didn't have water for like a day because he had clogged the pipes", Maria said making me remember that incident.

"No, I'll get you more..." I really didn't want to get Fitz more orbeez to play with. The boy had a mind for destruction. It's like he tries to find new and inventive ways of breaking stuff. It's like the first intrusive thought that enters his mind he has to act on. "Well we'll see".

"Okay, So we'll get more in London".

"We will see", I repeated.

"So is that a no?"

"It's a we'll see".

"Mmmmmoooommmmmm!"

"God, you're so annoying. We have to go to London because Dad's got some drug lord stuff to do!" Maria proudly announced.

It's rolled his eyes and looked out the window and under his breath I heard him mumble,"I wish Dad just had a normal job".

"I don't", Maria said dreamily focusing her attention on her window.

It was always a line to walk when it came to the drug lord world. Fitz and Maria where old enough to understand Adam's job. And they knew sometimes we just have to drop off the face of the earth for a couple months. And I knew they didn't like moving schools as much as what they had to. But that just comes with being born in this family. Fitzgerald had every right to feel frustrated Because more than likely we weren't coming back to Paris. Fitz had friends and his birthday party he was really looking forward to. Maria and Daniel could care less about the moving around constantly but it really did affect Fitz.

"You know if we have to stay in London, Fitzgerald, you can always invite your friends---"

"The parents didn't want them to come in Paris they're definitely not going to come in London", he moped.

"You're not even really your friends. They're fucking idiots".

"Maria, language".

"It's true, they didn't stand up and fight for you when you needed at the most".

"Maybe if we just had normal parents we wouldn't be getting in the fights to begin with. It's not fair, Mom. Everywhere we go we get a black mark tattooed on our face because Dad did something messed up to somebody".

"It's not our fault they're beneath us. Dad wouldn't have done something to someone if they didn't deserve it. They're just jealous because they're not Caffery's "We were touching all the hard topics today.

"I wish I wasn't..."

"Fitz", I said softly turning to face him.

"I don't want to be tied down to Maria and Daniel for the rest of my life. I want to make friends I want to hang out with people not over my PlayStation. I want---"

"I know you want friends", I gently stated.

"You have me", Maria interjected offended.

"You're my sister and my twin not my friend".

"Fine", Maria said offended crossing her arms over her chest.

"I'm sure there's plenty of children who have the same interests as you and London. And they would love to be your friend".

"With 15 bodyguards following me".

"You know they're there for your protection. They're not going to be there forever".

"Why can't you like send me away?"

"Like where", I shocked that this was even an idea he had.

"I don't know like a boarding school where no one knows me or the name Caffery?"

"Please", Maria laughed,"You're not smart enough for boarding school".

"Fuck you!" Fitzgerald exploded and the two started throwing slaps at each other. I tried to break up the fight but they were really going at each other. It used to be easier when they were smaller I could just pick one up and in the fight. But now, I had to deal with twins on polar opposite ends. Maria who wanted nothing more than to be a part of the drug Lord world and Fitzgerald who was doing everything in his power to try and separate himself from the family name.

God I need a drink.