Chapter 78

Reece

It’s 7 am when I finally start to stir. Having been on edge since the night before and all because of Hannah. Needless to say I wasn’t impressed was an understatement. Dylan aware of mine and Caleb’s displeasure for her.

Hannah having broken Dylan’s heart when we each found out that she cheated on him with his best friend from high school. Thus when she chose to break things off with Dylan, Caleb and I made sure to blacklist her from anything associated with any of us. Having hoped that would be the end of her.

Clearly not.

Groaning, I move to grab my phone. My hand now lifting it up as I move to roll back upon the bed. My fingers quick to unlock the screen as I move to pull up mine and my brother’s group chat. A chat group that only the three of us saw.

Reece: Hey, meeting in my room in 30. We need to talk.

Locking my phone, I move to put the phone back down upon the table before moving to shower. Deciding it be best to get ready for the day even though Dylan and I were working from home as my masquerade ball was tonight and I wanted everything to be perfect.

I just hoped that we didn’t have to run into any unwanted guests. Guests such as Hannah or Nicholas. And while the event was public, anyone could attend the auction. Yet I still didn’t want either of them their nor did I want Nicholas’s snot nose cousin James present either.

Ella having told us all about him and what he wanted to do to her prior to giving her over to Nicholas. The thought disturbing yet just another reason to keep Ella closer.

My body now heading straight for my huge walk in bathroom as I move to shower and get ready for the day. My brothers soon arriving in 30. Caleb and Dylan both knowing better than to ignore my request. Especially when it concerned Ella. Our Princess.

30 minutes later….

Once finished with my shower do I move to wrap a towel around my waist. Once secured do I move to exit the room only to pause. My eyes now on Dylan and Caleb as they both sit within my room.

My eyes quick to study them.

“Glad you could make it” I say, my feet now heading straight for my closet as I move to grab clothes. My back to my brothers.

“You said be here in 30. It’s now exactly that” comments Caleb as he sits upon my desk. His eyes on me even as I dress. Not scared to dress in front of my brothers. Having done it a million times as a child.

“That I did.”

“So… what’s up then? Why the sudden meeting?”

“I called you both here because we need to figure out what to do with Ella and Hannah” I explain, my hands quick to pull up my pants.

“What about them?” asks Dylan from his spot upon the bed.

“Seriously Dylan?” I snap. My eyes now turning towards him as I move to spin around. Not in the mood to play his game. “You know why. Your fucking ex is back in the picture. And if she hurts Ella I won’t hesitate to kick your ass!”

“Whoa, easy there Reece. No need to go all Rambo on him”

“No Caleb. I won’t. Last night was never supposed to happen. Ella was never supposed to know about Hannah. And if I bet any money, I’ll bet it was Nicholas” I counter.

“Nicholas? Do you really think he’d go that far as to hunt down my ex?” questions Dylan. A growl rising as he does.

“Yes Dylan. I honestly do. I mean, we all know he’s a complete psycho. Not only is he stalking Ella, he’s harassing Ella too. Plus, not to mention he wants our father’s Diamond mind.”

“Yeah, why is that? What’s so special about diamonds? There a dime a dozen” replies Caleb.

“For control. How the fuck do I know Caleb. Either he’s completely money hungry or there’s something bigger going on here” I say. My eyes now back on Caleb.

“Like a debt? I mean according to Ella, he has two Russian men working for him. But that doesn’t explain his fascination with Ella. Why target her just to pay off a debt?”

“Not sure. I was thinking of asking a friend of mine to do some digging. He owes me a solid anyways. Figured now would be a good time to cash in considering the ball is tonight and there’s a chance either of them could show up.”

“You mean Nicholas?”

“Yeah. I mean after all, he did show up at Dylan’s Met Gala Event, who’s to say he won’t show up again tonight. Or his snot nose cousin James. Either of them could possibly show up including Hannah.”

At the mention of Hannah does Dylan move to growl.

“She better not. I don’t even want to think of Ella being anywhere close to her. Ever.”

“Speaking of Ella. I do have a thought that I’d like to run by both of you” chimes Caleb, Dylan and I both now on him.

“Okay, shoot.”

“What if we hired Ella a bodyguard? You know, one specifically for her? I mean sure she has Grant and Hayden along with each of us but when we’re working Grant and Hayden are with both of you. Which means Ella’s usually home alone with only the maids and the butlers and nobody else until we get home.”

At the mention of Ella being home alone and unsupervised do the feelings of dread begin to rise. Not liking the idea of Ella being left alone most of the time. A part of me wishing she wasn’t. Dylan quick to mirror my thoughts.

“When you say bodyguard, are we talking male or female here? Because I’m totally not okay with another male being around her. Another woman, maybe, but not another guy. Besides, if I wanted another male around, I’d just give her Hayden and find me a new one to replace him.”

“It can be whoever we want. So long as their trained. We can discuss more later about gender or when Ella can be more involved. But for now, it was only a suggestion as I know how much we worry over her. Plus, I don’t want us in trouble with the law” offers Caleb, almost as if he read our minds.

“Speaking of the law. I have a friend in the Irish Mob who might be able to help us if we need be. He owes me for helping them. And while I know asking anyone in the Mafia is a terrible idea, I like to think of it as an option. Incase things with Nicholas turn sour.”

Humming softly, I move to consider our options. Dylan’s Mafia friend could turn out to be very helpful along with the person I knew. The person in question good at digging into people’s pasts without looking suspicious, while Caleb’s idea on the personal bodyguard a must.

“Your right. Dabbling with the Mafia is dangerous. But for now, let’s try the bodyguard first. Preferably a woman, and while we do that, I’ll attempt to reach out to Tripp and see if he can’t find us any useful information on Nicholas.”

Quick to nod their heads do we finally move to finish up. The clock now reading closer to 8 which meant Ella should have been up by now if not sooner as Ella loved making it a habit of cooking for us.

And while each of us found it adorable, it wasn’t really necessary. But being the older sibling we couldn’t bring ourselves to object, especially when she voiced her opinion about enjoying it. Because nothing mattered more to us then Ella’s happiness.