Sent from the nest | Closed.

@ A Drop On the Window
The sun was high in the sky, temperatures were slowly climbing. And she found herself laying in the sun, her eyes closed and enjoying rays. The latest Airpod Pro playing in her ears as she ignored the chaos around her. It was suppose to be a typical day at the beach, however her secluded part of the beach was now being over run by kids and families. Her father for some unknown reason had called for a lock down. Though it didn't stop her from taking in the sun. Most people knew not to bother her though it did cramp her style as instead of being nude she was being confined by her rather small bathing suit. It was the best she could do as she'd never had to share before. It was one of the reason why her father bought the beach front house. She could sun bath and he didn't see her accidentally. Her guards always stood watch in their swim trunks and the marina had blockers, it kept people from slipping to close to the shore. This also set her father back a lot of money, but it had been the best 16th birthday present a girl could ask for.

A soft growl left her lips as she reached up and pulled a pod from her ear. "What!?" She snapped at the shadow that was looming over her. He'd cut her sun off. "Your father says it's time to come inside." The man told her, his voice holding a tone that said not to fuck with him. Normally she could whine and offer them money, but this was different. She'd never seen her dad so stressed. "Fine." She sighed before getting up, "bring my stuff." She snapped at him, before taking off inside.

It was a stressful time at the Morello place. Mr Morello, was used to things getting violent, and things to go wrong, that was one of the reasons the place was so well walled off. The beautiful home on the shore front, was well protected, only one way to get in from the land, with large concrete walls, surrounding the perimeter.

This time it was different though. Mr Morello was worried, he knew he could protect Aeri from the violence orchestrated by rival families, but their attacks seemed far more planned and surgical than usual. They seemed to know exactly where to hit, and when. They had to have help from inside, someone was trying to take over the family, and was using this war as a cover. Mr Morello was worried, worried enough to call in a favor.

~~~Two Days Ago~~~

The crack of a rifle being fired off echoed through the mountains. A single shot, from a hundred metres away, looking back through a scope, he watched as the mountain goat he'd been stalking all day began to roll down the slope before coming to a stop. Grant sighed softly, "Sorry buddy," he mumbled under his breath.

Grant stood up from his position and put the long gun over his shoulder, to begin his hike up to his kill. The goat would be a nice addition to the stores, and last him for probably a month. He like the serenity up in these mountains, it was one of the reasons he picked this spot. A small vibration buzzed in his pocket.

Grant groaned feeling the phone vibrate with a message, reading it Grant was shocked by who the sender was. Stefano Morello, that was a name that he hadn't heard in years. A name he never expected to hear from again, he read over the message, expecting he would just send back a 'dont contact me again please'. The message caused him to pause, "Grant, sorry to reach out, I need to call in that favor, not for me, but my daughter, please keep her safe, I just hope that when you get here, she is not already dead." Grant read over the message, and paused.

He hadn't heard from the man since they were kids, and had a falling out. However Grant had kept informed about the scrappy young Italian that made his way up from nothing on the streets, and built himself into a successful man, a criminal living a life of violence, but unmistakably successful. He had kept up to date on the happenings, while he was still working, hoping that Stefano would never go too far that he'd end up on the opposite side of a rifle to him, as Grant wasn't sure how he'd deal with that. He sighed and punched in a message to respond to the text, "On my way, two days."

@ BBBibles

@ A Drop On the Window
Huffing out she sat with her arms crossed over her chest, the swim suit making it uncomfortable as the cool air for the center ac brushed her skin. Though she wasn't moving until her father came out of his office. Though it seemed someone had informed him that she was out side, as he stepped out of the door. Quickly barking orders at her guard to start packing up certain belongings. "Papa, what are you doing?" She asked confused, getting to her feet and glaring at him. He shook her off her question before telling her she had to till the end of day to pack her belongings. Mentioning something about jean and shirts, and tennis shoe. He then quickly walked away, heading to god knows where. Seconds later her guard was ushering her into her room, one walking in first, doing a sweep before allowing her to enter. Rolling her eyes she sent him out. What ever it was it had her father paranoid. She decided that she wouldn't ignore his warning. And started to go through her closet, pulling out anything remotely jean like.

After packing for hours, she had four suit cases. Of nothing but clothing and shoes. She was in the middle of packing up her make up and bathing items when her dad came. He didn't say anything but nodded, then left. Shortly a two guys showed up taking her bags. She didn't know what was happening, but she felt like it was something really serious. If her dad was shutting her out. She'd never seen him like this, and that scared her. Once she felt like all her stuff was packed up she grabbed a bag and started packing her electronics and all their charges. Before she laid down on her bed and sighed. All the packing made her tired. Normally she'd never have to pack her things up. But she knew it was because everyone was busy.

Grant spent a day preparing to go and help out Stefano. He packed away a tactical bag, and packed up his bike. He knew that the quickest way to travel would be by bike, the only concern was having to travel lighter than normal, as he could only fit one rifle along with his gear on his bike. Grant opted to switch out the sight on the rifle though, so it would be effect both medium and long.

He looked over his stuff, and shook his head, why was he even doing this. He resigned himself to following through, even just to find out what had the man so scared. Grant climbed onto his bike and headed into town. He spent the evening of the first night, watching the compound, just to see what was going on. It didn't take him long to notice the place was being watched, but not by the authorities.

The next morning, he strapped his Kevlar on, underneath his shirt. He read over the small sketch he had made the night previously, familiarizing himself with the outside layout of the beach side property. He then climbed on his bike, and rode on up towards the front gate. "Stefano is expecting me," he said plainly to the guard, as he kept his weapon hidden inside the under seat compartment

@ BBBibles

@ A Drop On the Window
Aeri had watched as he father sent her belongings away with her head guard. She'd been confused to say the least. She'd expected they'd all be leaving but it seemed like that wasn't the case. And as she tried to talk to the man about it several times all he did was ignore her. She'd never been treated this way in all her life. It wasn't till days later that he'd finally broke and summoned for her. She walked into his office only to sit and wait for him to arrive.

The sound of a motorcycle caught the attention of everyone and it had Mr. Morello heading down stairs. He stood on his front step as his old friend road up the drive to him. "Grant you old son of a bitch, how are you." He greeted being cheery as he could be. Before leading the man up to his office.

Grant smiled and greeted Stefano, "Tired, always tired," he commented lightly. He swung his bag over his shoulder, and took a moment, pulling the pistol out from under his seat and tucking it into his waist band. He was glad when none of the security bothered to attempt to take it from him.

He then followed his old friend inside the place, "So it seems pretty serious, how many people did you piss off this time?" he asked as he walked. He kept looking around, surprised to see so much security. He noticed the blond sitting outside the room as he walked past, she was older than he had expected, if she was indeed Stefano's daughter, but knowing the guy, that could of been the girls mother.

@ BBBibles

@ A Drop On the Window
Mr. Morello smiled at his daughter before turning to his friend Grant. He choose to ignore his friends questions for the time being. He didn't want any ears to be listening. "Grant I'd like you to me Aeri, my lovely daughter." He told him, before introducing her to his friend. He then opened his office door motioning for them to go in side. Once they were safely inside the room he moved to his whiskey, pouring himself a drink. "Want one?" He asked. "To answer your questions I believe some of my guys are dirty." He told both his daughter and his child hood friend. "There has been big moves being made," he turned to look at the man. "The Eastwood guys have been wiped off the map." He was going to spare his daughter the details but he knew she'd never leave if he didn't. "They contacted me about a month ago asking for assistance. I'm always in the business to make money so I spent some guys with a shipment. They disappeared, their families found dead in their homes." He looked at his daughter. "I don't know who they are, but they are making moves." He knew that he might not be making sense, he was terrified. After seeing the picture of what had happened to the poor women and children. He couldn't stomach it. It was why he called Grant and now he was asked the biggest favor of him.

Grant smiled and nodded to the woman. He headed into the office, declining the offer for a drink. He sat listening as Stefano, explained what had been happening, not interrupting. When the exposition came to an end, and he asked for Grant's help, Grant finally stood up. He walked to the window, and slid the blinds closed. "I guess that explains why there are at least two teams watching this place, they want to know what your next move is gonna be," he said calmly.

He walked back over to the pair of them, pulling his shirt off, and ripping the velcro from his Kevlar peeling it off. He looked at Stefano, "I'll keep her safe, but you should have waited to talk to me, before shipping he belongings away," he said lightly. He put the Kevlar on the seat next to Aeri, who at this point was still sitting in her bikini and sighed softly.

"I would estimate probably about ten minutes until they have gotten their assault ready, Six if they are well trained," he said plainly.

@ BBBibles

@ A Drop On the Window
"Sweet heart, you heard what we've said, I need you to go get dressed put something on fast, and then come right back as quickly as you can." Stefano said, "tennis shoe." He called after her, as she left the room. "The car that left was a decoy, to see if they followed." He told his friend once the door closed behind his daughter. Grabbing a duffel bag from behind his desk he place it at the mans feet. Grabbing the vest he placed it on top of the bag. "There is over a million clean bills in there." He told the man. "I didn't want to say this in front of her, but there's also documents in there for in case I don't make it." He told him, "I've already spoke to the firm in New York about all this. They are aware, they're also have copies, so no one can used forged documents." He was trying to think of everything before his time ran out. The door opened and in walked his daughter. He nodded before ushering her over so he could strap the vest to her.

Grant smiled gently, and watched as the woman left the room. He looked at Stefano, and then the bag. "They did follow it, until they learned it was empty, save for the driver," he said calmly. He dumped his own bag down onto the table, and pulled out his rifle, putting it together, and slipping supplies into his pockets. He looked around the room, trying to make decisions as he worked away. He looked up when the door opened, seeing the woman reappear.

He turned to her father, "I'll keep her safe, I promise reach out when things die down," he said. He shifted the small folder from the bag of money, to his pack and closed it. He moved over to Aeri, "Okay, I'll make this quick, because you are understandably, confused," he said softly. "I owe your father a favor, he collected so my job, as of walking in this office, has been to keep you..." he began. He readjusted the kevlar vest on her, and then slipped a coat overtop of it, "...alive." he finished. He smiled softly, "I am capable of this task, and will complete it, if you follow my one rule," he said. He looked at Stefano, "If I say something, do it,"

With that said, Grant moved to the window, and sighed, "one last thing Stef, it appears they have good training," he said. He pulled his gun up and aimed down the sight, firing off to rounds, just as a vehicle crashed through the front gate.

@ BBBibles

@ A Drop On the Window
Aeri froze as Grant stood before her, her brow furrowing as he explained everything to her. She nodded when he told her to follow his one rule. Watching as he walked away, her eyes turned to her father. He just put his hand up as to stop her from saying anything. "Sweet heart, just do as Grant says, please. For me." He told her, before hearing Grant's smart ass remark. "I love you," he nodded to her. Placing a kiss to the top of her head. Then he walked out of the office, off to handle his business. Aeri looked after her father, the door closing behind him. Before she looked to Grant. What did she do now, she was entirely confused as what was going on and why all this was happening. But her life was in danger and she still couldn't bring herself to move.

Grant kept firing off shots out the window, taking out the people that would be the hardest for Stefano's less trained men to be able to cover. He stopped shooting and moved into the room, and next to Aeri. "Okay relax, deep breath," he said softly. He smiled, "I have been in way worse situations than this, this will be like walking in the park," he chuckled softly. He took her hand, "Come on, once your are safely out of here, your father will be fine," he said.

He led her towards the door, "when we get to it, get on my bike, and I'll climb on behind you," he said softly, "until we do keep moving and stay next to me," he said.

@ BBBibles

@ A Drop On the Window
Aeri watched as Grant came back into the room, he was doing his best to calm her down. Her eyes went wide when he told to come on. Her legs felt like lead, but she knew she couldn't stop unless he did. It was after all her life on the line if she did stop. Everything happened so fast it was like a blur, one minute she was in her fathers office the next she was out the front door and moving to the bike. Doing as instructed and getting on.

Grant was surprised as Aeri quickly followed his instructions, he was expecting more hesitancy. He kept shooting at people, laying covering fire. He helped her onto the bike, the two duffel bags, slung over his shoulders. He then kicked the bike to start, the engine vibrating as it idled.

Grant wrapped his arms around her, shielding her body with his. He put the bike into gear, and started heading for the gate. The bike swerving unexpectedly to the left for a brief second as Grant felt a round land in his shoulder, before he corrected course, and kept them moving.

@ BBBibles

@ A Drop On the Window
Aeri's mind was racing as they left, she'd followed him out of fear. And she tried her best to keep her eyes open as the bike tore down the road. But feeling over whelmed with everything she tired to block out any more issues. She left her life in the hands of this man, and she was blindly following him. She just hoped that it didn't get her killed, though her father believed in this mans ability so she felt like she had no other choice but to follow him. And the last thing she wanted was for anyone to get hurt because of her.

Grant maneuvered the bike out onto the road and kept riding. He made his way across town, and pulled into an alley, once he was sure they had a moment of respite.

He pulled the bike to a stop, and the climbed off. "How are you doing Aeri?" he asked softly. He wanted to check on her, see whether she'd been hit as they got out.

@ BBBibles

@ A Drop On the Window
Aeri felt numb, though her body was shaking. When he asked how she was doing she glared at him wanting to snap at him. But she noticed the blood on his arm. "You're bleeding," she gasped getting off the bike. And moving to his arm, frantically looking for the injury. A soft gasp left her mouth when she noticed the wound. Her eyes filling with tears. He was injured because he'd been protecting her, it was all her fault.

Grant watched as she climbed off the bike. He reached back, feeling his shoulder, and winced slightly. "Yeah, it's not too bad, didn't hit the joint, just caught flesh," he said. He looked her over, "come on, we should find a place to lay low for a bit, so I can stitch this up," he said.

Grant smiled softly at her, "grab my bag would you?" he asked quietly.

@ BBBibles

@ A Drop On the Window
Aeri's eyes went wide when he said it wasn't bad. "You have a fucking bullet in you." She told him, feeling irate. She'd been bottling everything up and now he was acting like mister tough guy and it pissed her off. He'd been shot because of her And he was playing it off like nothing happened. She grabbed the bag rather forcefully, before slinging it over her shoulder. Still rather pissed off by all of this.