Chapter Text
Laughter. Songs being sung. Merriment all around. That was before screaming was heard and all were jerked to the side. The vehicle wrenched to the side in an uncontrollable slide only for the world to reverse when the vehicle rolled. Metal screeching against metal sounded as the vehicle suddenly came to a rest with a sharp impact against another vehicle. Numbness and pain followed. Hearing a groan as the other occupant calls out to the others. Nothing before high pitch screaming. Ears ringing as sobs sound almost next to, in front of you. Voice echoing of they’re dead, oh God, everyone is dead. The voice crying quietly, begging into a phone for help. Before hearing a plea to a new call, an apology before a confession stopped sharply as the sight of another car barreling towards both caused a scream ‘Incoming’ to be sounded! The next thing was sharp pain before darkness....
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A sharp breath and shout sounded as Trevor shot up from his bed before groaning lowly. He moved a hand to rub at his face, reaching over to grab his phone to tap on the screen and squinted at the sudden light to read the time. 4:00am. Gods… this is way too early for being awake. He sat there tiredly blinking and let out a groan as he moved out of bed to throw on a pair of sweats and headed out of the room and down the hallway. He frowned seeing the light on in the kitchen and stepped closer to eye within to see Sacha looking like shit much as how he felt. Like him, she wore casual work out clothes of sweats and a sports bra. And so, he fully stepped into the lit room, making way to the coffee pot to make a cup of coffee.
“Morning. Nightmares too?”
“Ugh.. yes. Doesn’t help that the twelfth anniversary of everyone’s deaths is coming up.”
“No, it doesn’t help. Let me guess the reason why you are here at four in the morning, same nightmare? On the phone talking to that mysterious ‘My Prince' fellow before the world went shit sideways when that other car came crashing into us?”
“It’s too early for your shit, but yes. Still confuses me to this day as to why I was calling to confess my love to this person. Especially when we survived the first collision. It’s just as annoying as getting married to some mystery man whilst on a drunken week bender eight years ago for my uni graduation trip. So yeah, utter shit in waking up so early. What of you, dear cousin?”
“It is rather odd there Sacha, as I still haven’t the foggiest who this ‘My Prince’ is. Aha yeah, I still have no idea. Bet your husband is still looking for you too. Still at least you had a fun time. I fucking had Emrys as a babysitter, what joy that was in following him to his meetings. Anyways… training/workout sesh to wake up? I think today is booked with meetings.”
“I know you dick. Even Emrys still has been mum over it all. If he is, he ain’t doing shit in looking hard enough. Oh haha, you were still a youngster. Uh.. workout is good, then whatever comes to mind in training. Fuck that. So glad I am not the Don, you are my fearless leader. Come on, let’s work out.”
Trevor watched Sacha slowly stand up as he took his cup of coffee with him to lead them both to the work out room. Setting the cup down, he stretched and loosened up to get settled in to work out. A grin formed as he easily heard and felt the bass of the music playing from the speakers from Sacha’s playlist upon her phone as he started to do his sets in lifting weights, watching Sacha hang upside down on the pull up bar to start working on crunches with fifty pound dumb bells in each hand. Damn dhampir ability.
Breath in. Breath out. Feel the burn in the muscles in the repetitions of the sets. Change equipment to work on another part of the body, knowing Sacha was doing the same. Every day they worked out like this, working to get faster and stronger. To perfect the roles they were assigned to do since childhood, before being thrust into it too young. The equipment could only do so much, before he and Sacha both started to spar in the sparring ring… with no holding back. It was a way for them to work through their problems, especially with such a heavy day coming up. Right now, Trevor was in a difficult position of trying to pry his cousin's thighs away from his head, his lower half kicking high before lifting his legs up to cross upon her chest so both were effectively pinned. He tried to pry her thighs apart with his hands while knowing she was trying to pry his legs, especially his feet from her face.
But the two were startled when the music blasting was instantly shut off, their eyes flicking over to where their uncle Emrys stood with crossed arms and a very tired frown while in his dressing gown.
“What the fuck are you two doing at half past six in the bloody morning? Blasting such music that even I could hear it from the bedrooms?”
“Nightmares Emrys, let go Sacha. Ugh… and that’s bloody crock there. Even with this on full blast, can’t hear shit in the private residence wing. You’d hear the nightclub more than here.”
“I’ll let go if you do, Treffy.”
“Ugh don’t fucking call me Treffy, you jerk. Fine… on three. One, two, three.” The two counted before both letting go and sitting up, rubbing at their faces. Trevor sighed as he stood up and helped Sacha up and patted her back before stretching with a groan.
“Since you’re up Emrys, let’s all get ready for the day. Sacha and I need to take showers and while I set up the conference room for these damned meetings… Sacha how about you get yourself and myself some coffee? Perhaps coffee for Emrys too?”
“Yes, I am awake… unfortunately. As much as I would truly love to go back to sleep, I can’t with you two troublemakers making a ruckus. So let’s get ready I suppose.” Emrys sighed with a groan as he shuffled off towards his bedroom.
“Hah, glad I am not the boss. Ugh, fine you Bitch. You are so fucking annoying. We have coffee here.” Sacha grumbled, before moving off to go take a shower and get ready.
“Ugh yes, I am the boss. Jerk, shut up. You’re so fucking annoying in return. So? I want my usual order Sacha! Don’t be going all straight black coffee this time! As much as I know you enjoy it, I don’t.” He growled out, watching the dhampir raise her fingers to give him a two finger salute in response.
So annoying there, sometimes with how his cousin acted. He doesn’t blame her really, since like him, had so many hands dealt with within the last twelve years. From both their families dying, to losing memories from the accident, getting married and not knowing her husband’s identity, plus her being his second-in-command in the mafia as the enforcer in making sure everything and everyone was in line. And that meant letting her do the dirty job of killing anyone who tries to cross the line or attempt to kill him, despite having soldiers and associates who could do that. And if it was on a personal basis, then he’ll do the killing himself. That was all that went through Trevor’s mind as he walked off to get a shower and slowly dressed in a three piece suit, staring at his reflection in the grand bathroom mirror.
Choppy, dark brown hair with sharp blue eyes stared back as he traced the scar over his left eye from the accident twelve years ago. He took in the other random scars from brush ins with attempts on his life to being reckless as a teenager with guilt and angst. He shrugged on his red dress shirt, hiding the full sleeve tattoo of a lion’s head with a crown and the Belmont Crest with his family’s death date, roses, raven, a rosary and cross. And across half his chest was ‘Family is Everything’ in an elegant script. Grabbing his black tie, he expertly tied it around his neck before shrugging on the suspenders, holster and jacket before adding the final touches of a couple of weapons placed upon his body. One can never be too careful.
One last look and Trevor Belmont casually strode out of his bedroom to make way for the conference room. A major perk of residing in a nightclub; the living quarters, personal office and conference room were near one another. Other than looking upon those on the dance floor in a one way mirror glass to make sure everything was in order and not going sideways, he had meetings and company often when doing dealings with running the ‘family business’.
But right now? He moved over to the conference room where Emrys sat with files stacked near him and idly flipping through some as he ate breakfast. They were merely waiting for Sacha to come back and a glance at his watch showed it might take awhile. Sitting down, Trevor grabbed the newspaper to hum as he started scanning the headlines which one made the back of his mind itch. A ‘witness’ has come forward after eight years with some information about the double homicide of the co-founders and owners of Tepes Vitality Incorporated, Vlad and Lisa Tepes. Huh. As far as he knew from the news, the well respected and well known couple had been found burned in their home with the husband Vlad being staked and beheaded. But he did wave Emrys over so he could see the headline and watched as his uncle pursed his lips.
“Trevor, let me know what your police contacts know about that. That is suspicious to say the least of someone coming out of the woodworks to talk about the high profile murder case. It cannot be at random eight years later for this to be not intentional. And that case always seemed off to me.”
“Huh? Err okay? I will say it is rather odd but people do come forward sometimes after x amount of years. I do remember it being a huge case, but weren’t we on the plane coming home from Vegas? I remember the news blasting for weeks.”
“Thank you, I’ll see what I can do with my own contacts. Oh it was a huge case, as the Tepes’ were very high profile as your and Sacha’s parents did know them… including myself. Even with what happened between them and Sacha’s parents, I still would love to see their killer or killers caught. And we were indeed coming back when it happened.”
“Mm fine. You did briefly mention that in the past. You still won’t fucking say what happened between them to me or Sacha.”
“I did boyo, but it’s not my place to say. You two were young and didn’t need to deal with adult problems. Pity you two don’t remember them much from the accident.” Emrys muttered lowly.
“Still, a bit of honesty is best there, Emrys. At the time we were young teens… and now we are adults now and well, everyone is fucking dead. And still be nice to know.”
“You will eventually have it when the time comes Trevor. Just have patience, you need to have patience boyo. You cannot have everything in the palm of your hand like you want. To be a good leader, you need to accept what is handed to you and deal with your cards properly. That way you would know how to eventually win the whole pot once everyone lays out their losing hands.”
“Ugh fine… I’ll try to get some patience. I wish I could, it would make life so much easier. Okay… okay. How are you so wise with such advice Emrys?”
“Good. I know but where’s the fun in that? I’m good with such wise words and wisdom as they come from learning from my godmother who was excellent at giving advice to others, especially my father when he was Don. Unfortunately she passed away when you and Sacha were super young.”
“You are no fun, Emrys. Huh, I didn't even know there was a godmother who knew Grandfather, though I don’t remember him honestly. But it seems like she gave a lot of advice. Well that sucks, how did she die?”
“Yes, she was the family’s godmother of sorts, she was actually godmother for myself, your father and Sacha’s mother. She was a very integral part of our family and respected by all. Unfortunately, I am sad to say I’m the only one who still remembers her as everyone else has passed away. Which is a pity as she was a wonderful woman. Oh she died in her sleep from what your grandfather had told us, around New Years Eve/Day of 1999-2000. But I think something had happened to her and good old dad lied but there is no way of knowing since it was roughly 25 years ago.”
“Huh, interesting notion there. I’m sorry… you were the only one who knows about her. But I suppose she is still being remembered no matter what? She sounds like it. And yeah? Weird to think that there Emrys, as really who would hurt an old woman?” Trevor mused out as he saw Emrys merely grin slightly but refrained from answering.
Well that was before he glanced at his watch again before sighing. What was taking Sacha so long to get three drinks?
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The cafe was crowded with the rush hour of everyone needing their caffeine fix or a quick breakfast before work. Standing in line was a petite woman with short, strawberry blonde hair in black slacks and a sky blue blazer. She sighed, glancing at her phone and smiled softly at the lock picture flashing momentarily as she glanced at the time. There wasn’t reason to be in a rush per say, it was more along the lines of having a huge order. Her boss asked if she was willing to bring up thirty odd drinks for the workers, especially those slotted to have multiple meetings in the morning. Pocketing her phone, she glanced around at the people waiting in line - mother and child, elderly couple, businessmen and businesswoman on their phones talking loudly about stocks or something, a gorgeous woman in a three piece suit with dual colored eyes, an office worker--- hold on a moment.
Her powder blue gaze narrowed to focus on the very dapper looking female, taking in the blue, black, grey combination in the suit before taking in the dark hair and golden rimmed cerulean eyes that held a hint of annoyance yet extreme awareness of her surroundings. So it did not come to a surprise when those eyes flicked over at her as eyebrows narrowed before realization dawned. But that realization dawned for the redhead too.
“Artemesia Winchester? Is that you?”
“Sypha, darling… my oh my. It’s been awhile after all, no?” Artemesia hummed out.
She moved up the line towards Sypha to hug the more petite female before pressing slight kisses to her cheeks in greeting. There were a bit of disgruntled noises behind them, in which Sacha slightly opened her jacket to reveal a gun before turning back to the female in front of her.
“It has been, ever since that day Chris decided to break up with me three years ago. Granted in general it had been off and on for eight years for us. How have you been? You look so… different. Are you teaching at the university? Or have you started your own business venture yet?”
Sacha winced internally at hearing the name ‘Chris’, knowing that event all too well with Trevor dumping Sypha just shortly before his graduation from university. It’s been awhile since she heard either her or Trevor’s alias out in the open though.
“Right… right, yeah. I chewed him out over that, for any consideration. I’ve been… well enough I suppose? Busy in any regard with work. Thank you? I know I am dressed nicely. Ah… no, no. I tried for like a month teaching before having to back out and end that career, nipping it in the butt really. Sadly no, I never got a chance to start or begin a business of my own. It would've been nice if I did. No, unfortunately I had to join the family business with Chris who became the head of it. Anyways, how have you been? Since the last time we saw one another three years ago?”
Sypha smiled ruefully hearing that as she knew the woman before her definitely would’ve chewed her ex out. But she hummed slightly and frowned.
“Good, he truly deserves it for being chewed out then. Busy huh? You’re welcome and you are quite lovely in that suit. Just different to see you in it since you always wore that athletic type of clothes. Aww Mia… I’m so sorry you had to back out there. And honestly joining the family business too? I thought you wanted to get away from it? Oh uh… I’ve been alright. Got a job as a secretary to the CEO at Tepes Vitality Incorporated. I’m working on my graduate degree now. Linguistics, Oral history and literature, and History. Everything that ties in together with what I’ve been studying. I know… I know… what am I doing with a secretary job? Good pay to help out.”
The dark haired woman hummed lightly before flashing a disarming smile, one that Sypha knew all too well with its pure charm and wit. Dare she say it was just like how Chris would smile at her when the two of them were dating. Gods… now she knew where Chris got it from, his sister. Sypha knew there had to be similarities between the two since she dated both in the past, with Artemesia first then Chris. And even though the two of them broke up, that damn smile still brought a tiny bit of butterflies in her stomach. She loved her ex and friend dearly, but it was now more a platonic love for her. As for her brother, that was a whole can of worms she was not going to deal with or think about. But she stepped up in the line as they were next to give their orders.
“Nah it’s alright Tinkerbell. I always knew I would be working in the family business no matter how much I tried to escape from it. I was trained to take over my father’s position after he passed. Secretary huh? Do you get to wear sexy outfits? Kidding, kidding. That CEO bloke has to be lucky to have you working there. You are literally one of the smartest women I know. Oh? Congrats there! Got to let me know when your graduation is for your doctorate. Got to support my girl after all. Not saying a word poppet, I know you got quite a bit of dues there for your degrees. I hope it truly pays well, and if not,... I’ll have words with your boss. He better be treating you right, yeah? And if not, I’ll kick his arse.”
Sypha couldn’t help but to laugh as this definitely was her dearest friend and ex lover being her usual protective self, moving to wrap an arm around the taller well dressed female’s. Both took a step up as Artemesia relayed her three orders which Sypha knew were for her, her brother and their uncle Rowan. Seeing a wave of her hand to place her own order, Sypha pulled out her phone to quickly type in the lock code and brought up the notes app as she apologized to the barista that this would be a long order. Now Sypha gave a slight objection when her friend said that she would pay for everything, as the other was nonchalant about it and for Sypha to continue on. After giving the huge order, she spoke up to her dearest friend.
“Tinkerbell… I haven’t heard that in awhile. Still a pity there. Ha! No, no… he, my boss, does not seem like the type to enjoy anyone in such clothes. He is married after all and seems pretty devoted from what I can tell. Though, he doesn’t speak much of her. Oh God… perhaps his wife passed. I shall, it’ll be another year or two but I shall let you know Mia. Yes, the loans are quite a bit but the money I am earning is helping. Haha, oh my dearest… I know you would and please don’t. I know how much you care about those you are close to but don’t hurt him. He’s a good man. Oh… um I never thought of this though.” Sypha sighed, blinking as she pursed her lips.
Honestly she did not mind the loans as she had been on a payment plan to help pay those loans off. And she did not want to ask her ex for payments and all. But the thought she had of her boss just now with his wife had made her pause. She didn’t know too much other than the fact the man had been married for almost as long as Mia. But as the orders started to accumulate, Sypha stared at them and wondered how she would carry them all. Though she honestly did not expect Artemesia to grab quite a few of the drinks in hand including her own three and tilted her chin forward.
“Gonna help you Tink, grab the rest of the drinks darling and lead me to where you work. I doubt dear ol’ brother of mine wouldn’t mind too much if I were to help a lady in distress.”
That made Sypa snort, grabbing the drinks remaining and carefully led her out of the shop and led her down a block or two before crossing the street as she led the well dressed female to a rather imposing building. It was tall, sleek, all modern by all accounts as Sypha led Artemesia inside the foyer of the ground floor with the service desk in the front and a small display case displaying the history of the foundation of the building since the previous building before this one had been registered with the historical society before it was destroyed.
There were business people coming in and out of the lifts even this early in the morning. Sypha was about to tell Mia which lift to take when the female easily walked over there to jab the button with Sypha right behind her with a raised eyebrow. Now what was even odder was when they entered the lift, Mia moved to the panel of buttons and reached up to press the top most button for the penthouse office before balancing the drinks to type in a code. And it was the correct code for the bell within dinged and the lift started moving upwards.
“Uhhhh have you ever been here before Mia?”
“Hm? I don’t think so. Why?”
“Um, mostly because one, you went to the right lift without me stating. Two, you literally just typed the code for the penthouse office in which only myself, my boss Mr. Tepes, and a couple others have. Plus I have not told you about it at all.”
“O-oh… um as far as I know I’ve never been here. I don’t know why I have a code I don’t remember. It’s like muscle memory or something that made me do it. But remember sweetheart, I don’t have much memory of when I was younger after the accident.”
Sypha let out a noise of remembrance as she knew her two exes had trouble remembering parts of their past due to the accident that took the lives of their families. But it was still a bit maddening to know that Mia remembered this for some odd reason. Perhaps she should ask her boss about it. But in all honesty, it was a fifty-fifty chance if he might’ve heard her name before or if he knew his parents might’ve known Mia. But in any regards, she led the other female out of the lift and set the drinks on her desk, watching the other female look around in obvious interest to see where she worked. Her desk was not far from the lift, almost acting as reception. But there was her boss’s office door with blinds shut off to the side and down the hallway were the rooms for the conference room for meetings and bathroom.
Sacha wasn’t trying to be super nosy as she perched upon the edge of the desk, eyeing the personal effects on the desk of pen and pad of paper, computer and iPad even, to a neat stack of folders off to the side. There were a few framed pictures on the desk but she was unable to see. No matter, perhaps later on she could see if asked. Yet when she tilted her head to the side as she caught the scent of something familiar yet she did not know why. It was of spices, deep dark wine, dark oak wood, and sweet plums. It was almost enough to salivate as she looked around for the source. There was nothing to indicate this very masculine scent that swirled around her, as the only other thing she smelt was Sypha’s fire and ice scent. Sighing, she checked her watch and cursed slightly before getting up as she reached over to grab the drinks as she barely glanced at the initials or marks written on them denoting who was who’s.
“Sorry my lovely, I must dash. I have to go lest dear old Chris has a bloody fit. I am quite late. Love you darling Sypha, we need to hang out again yeah? Toodles.” Artemesia replied.
With that, she sashayed towards the lift and waved at Sypha who gave a snort at her ex’s flamboyant exit just as her boss opened the door of his office to glance over at her. Sypha glanced over as she smiled, seeing Adrian Tepes standing there. Long blond hair hung loosely over his white silk dress shirt, black tie, dark grey vest and black slacks as he strolled over to her desk and froze slightly. Well before turning his head to stare at the closing doors of the lift that closed upon a dark haired woman in a dark suit, as a slight sniff sounded.
“Thank you Sypha, for doing this. I hope all went well? And who was that Sypha? Her scent… her scent is so familiar… God why is it so familiar?” he muttered, the last bit to himself.
“Oh you’re welcome, Alucard, though the expenses have not been put on the company’s account. It did with help, as I honestly would not have been able to haul all of this here by myself. That was my ex… Artemesia Winchester. My other ex’s older sister, yes I dated both sister and brother. She was the one who paid for everything. Wait… familiar scent? What do you mean about that Alucard?” Sypha questioned, zeroing on the fact as to why her boss of all people knew what the hell her ex smelt like?
“Your… ex? Wait, you dated both sister and brother? Huh… interesting. I’m not judging you Sypha. I er-... okay. Might need to have you send a thank you note towards her for that? I’m surprised she could afford such an order. Yes, a very familiar scent. But you said Artemesia Winchester? That’s…. no is it that simple? But that scent that smells like a sweet, seductive night in? That was the scent the woman I married had. Even being young and drunk that week, I still remember the alluring scent my wife had.” Adrian murmured lowly, a pensive look upon his face, as Sypha looked over with a look of confusion.
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Trevor groaned before jumping when the door slammed open and he saw his dear cousin sweep on in to hand out the drinks. He eyed her, taking in her ever so slightly flushed cheeks and by all appearances wind swept.
“You’re fucking late Sacha… By nearly close to half an hour, forty-five minutes. What the hell were you doing? It does not take that long to go fucking buy three things of coffee.”
“Oh blow it out your arse Trevor. The meeting doesn’t start yet so don’t get your knickers in a twist all right? Geezus mate. Well I so happened to run into someone we both know and started to, you know, talk. Ran into Sypha, Trevor. And we simply started to talk and catch up. It’s been three years since your dumbarse broke up with her. She’s doing well, by the way. Working as the secretary for the hoity toity CEO of Tepes Vitality Incorporated. Yeah, I know, right? Using the earnings to help pay her student debts off since she is working on her graduate degree.”
“Hey.. hey… language there Sacha. Be nice to your cousin. And that’s quite lovely you got to be re-acquainted with Sypha. I know you do miss her, even if it is on friendly terms.” Emrys warned out from his seat at the table, grabbing his drink to take a sip out of as he brought forth his computer to check through his emails. But he did roll his eyes at the two finger salute given his way.
“Blow it out yours. I’m not, Sacha. And I know, we need to get things settled for the meetings after all. Wait… wait… wait… Sypha? Our Sypha? Fucking hell. I know, and I do want to apologize to her at some point. Did she… mention me by chance? Ya know… other things. Oh, nice I am quite glad for her hearing that. Secretary huh? Fancy outfits? Wait, she works for the CEO of Tepes Vitality Incorporated? Geezus Christ. But brilliant of her to use her earnings to help pay those debts off. Come on Violence, get to work hard on normal duties right now.”
A low growl sounded from Sacha as Trevor watched her narrow her eyes at him. Well before rolling her eyes with a snort as she took the last drink to take a sip from, only to let out an annoyed sound to pull back to eye it.
“Yes our Sypha, darling. I don’t know about that Trevor…. And not so much. Sorry. And yes she is a secretary. Not so much in terms of fancy outfits, I’ve already asked. But yes, it is good for our dear Speaker. Ugh dull work there. Fine, I’ll help you with this. And this is not my drink, how lovely. I think I accidentally grabbed someone else’s drink. Tea by the taste of it... joy.” Sacha sighed as she sat down with a disgruntled look and took another sip, eyeing the A.T. initials upon the top.
Trevor watched as she pulled out her phone to text someone before raising an eyebrow at her expressions. It ended up with her scoffing and tossing the phone on the table as she groaned and took another drink of the tea.
“Everything all right there Sacha? Anyways, let’s start this meeting.”
“Yeah… yeah. Seems I got Sypha’s boss’s drink by accident. Ha, hope he enjoys coffee black as my soul. But yes, let’s continue.”
Trevor hummed, giving a smirk as he took a large sip of his own coffee and with a wave of his hand, allowed Emrys to pull up the video feed link to the large screen tv. Four links popped up with the videos of their capos- Brodie Walsh, Zane Hawkins, Tiernan McDonnel, and Nico Holmes. Settling in his chair, Trevor greeted the four men as he started the very long weekly meeting.