Is this destiny?

After visiting Vasily at the LA Medical Center, Sarah and Aiden met with Emma, at her request.

"Does Merve like her new apartment building?", Emma asked.

Sarah knew that Emma's question was related to one of the latest assets which Steve gave to Corey and Merve as settlement for Samantha offending them.

"Yes, both Merve and Corey are happy with the apartments, and we are planning their engagement party for the next week, after we are back from the White Rock Lake.", Sarah responded. "I assume that is not the reason you called us here."

Emma confirmed and moved on to the main topic.

Sarah was surprised to hear that Emma plans to go to Italy (she is very pregnant), and then there was the second part…

"You want to take a few of our kids as your security?", Sarah asked suspiciously.

Emma nodded. "I can't trust anyone and I'm not sure if Charlie's men are capable enough. I need people who know how to deal with… tricky situations."

"What tricky situations are you expecting?", it was Aiden's turn to ask.

Both Sarah and Aiden knew about Nero Armi and there was no way that they will recklessly send their kids there. It's not that their kids are inferior to any person there, but that is the heart of a different organization and if they don't act carefully, things might get messy.

Emma fidgeted under Aiden's scrutinizing gaze. He is usually easy-going, and she never saw him in his serious-mode. "Your kids saved me from various plots that were directed my way. Do I need to say more?"

"If you want our kids, then yes.", Sarah responded. "Even if you asked for any of our bodyguards, we would still ask questions, and you know that those kids are much more than just bodyguards, so we need to know what kind of trouble you are expecting. If it's just a vacation, Charlie's men would be more than enough. Actually, considering that you are going to see Angelo, his men should keep you safe and the fact that you are asking for additional security there, makes us suspect that you want someone to keep you safe from Angelo's people."

Emma had to accept that Sarah saw through her clearly. And she understood why Sarah and Aiden are so cautious, she would be the same if the roles were reversed. Emma thought how she was silly to assume that they will agree with incomplete information.

"I want to go to Italy to visit Angelo's home and meet with people from Nero Armi.", Emma said.

Both Aiden and Sarah had matching scrutinizing gazes while waiting for Emma to continue.

"I assume that is not the reason you need our kids.", Sarah said while gesturing to Emma with her hand to keep on talking.

Emma let out a long exhale. "I was thinking after what we talked about and… I decided to stop avoiding responsibilities. I hope to take over."

Aiden nodded in understanding. "And you fear that Sean and Ryan will not agree."

Emma was shocked. How can he be so spot on? 

"What are you trying to achieve?", Sarah asked. "Just to take over from Sean and Ryan? Why?"

"The position of Capo was mine, to begin with. Sean and Ryan stepped in because I was not willing.", Emma responded.

"What changed?", Sarah continued probing.

"I want to own what is mine and to have the ability to protect myself."

"Are you talking about the Smiths? Do you think that they will care if you hold the position of Capo or not?"

Aiden's questions left Emma stupefied.

"What is Charlie's opinion of this?", Sarah asked her next question.

"He supports me. Actually, he said that he will talk to Jarred about taking over the other side of the Smith business."

Aiden nodded faintly before asking: "Are you planning to merge the two?"

Emma blinked and fidgeted uncomfortably. Suddenly, in front of Aiden, she felt like an open book. Was he always able to see through her like that? "Is it that obvious?"

Aiden shrugged. "It's what I would do."

Emma exhaled heavily. "This is what I'm talking about. Everyone has some power and experience. I thought about this for a long time and I thought that it's a brilliant idea, yet you guys figured me out within seconds."

"Don't be upset over it. We have experience with such things… taking over and merging forces.", Sarah said vaguely.

Emma looked at Sarah and then at Aiden. "So… will you lend me a few kids? It's only for a few days. We will be back by the weekend."

"No.", Sarah and Aiden said in unison.

Emma frowned. Whenever she asked for help, Sarah and Aiden were eager to assist her. What changed? "Why?"

"This is your family's affair.", Aiden responded. "We are collaborating with Nero Armi for several years. We started with Angelo, and now we are working with Ryan and Sean. If you take over, we hope that we can continue working with you as well. Imagine if we assist you, and you fail."

"Besides…", Sarah continued where Aiden left. "If you want to win them over as a Capo, you need to do it with your abilities. Bringing outsiders to help will not work for your benefit."

"We can provide you with guidance.", Aiden said. "Feel free to bounce ideas on us, and we are happy to help. But in this conflict, we will not take sides."

Sarah put her hand over Aiden's. "Let's not assume that there will be a conflict. Did you talk to Sean and Ryan?"

Emma shook her head. "No."

"You should.", Sarah said. "You know that they took over those positions only because you didn't. Everyone knows that they adore you, and I remember that the two of them worked hard so that they can be your bodyguards. Don't assume that they will not support you."

Aiden agreed with this. "Use this trip to Italy to give them some hints that you are interested in being involved with Nero Armi and see how they react."

Sarah and Aiden discussed various possibilities with Emma, and she was happy to get some advice as well as insights.

"You said that you are working with Nero Armi. Can I assume that you were not talking about the Whites and that you have some other organization?", Emma asked.

Instead of answering, Sarah asked: "What makes you think so?"

"Whites are in the US, while Nero Armi is in Europe. Geographically speaking, they don't overlap, and their businesses differ."

Sarah smiled and nodded. "Now you are using your head. Yes, we have an organization that has a presence in North Americas and Europe. As for who we are, when you join Nero Armi, you will find out."

Emma was happy that Sarah didn't deny it, and at the same time vexed that Sarah didn't disclose more information. But something good came out of this. Sarah and Aiden gave her several insights and told her that she needs to do this on her own, or risk failing. Additionally, after this talk, Emma had renewed hope that her brothers will support her and they will not end up fighting.

…

Sarah and Aiden returned home, Sarah sat on the sofa and took her laptop to check her emails and respond to some.

"Why don't you rest?", Aiden asked while standing behind her and rubbing her shoulders.

"I'm not tired…", Sarah responded with a frown.

"Something wrong?" Aiden noticed the change in Sarah's tone.

"Jarred wants me to meet his mysterious associates."

It was Aiden's turn to frown. "What will you do?"

Sarah shrugged. "I trust that Jarred does not have bad intentions, and normally I would attend the meeting."

Aiden sensed there was more. "But…?"

"This is not normal. I don't like the secrecy and I don't like that Jarred said how only I can attend. No matter how I look at it, it sounds like a trap."

Aiden agreed with Sarah. Even if she is not pregnant he would advise her not to go, but with baby-Logan inside her belly, she needs to be more cautious. However, he had to ask… "Who would want to trap you?"

"Honestly… I don't know. For years, we were focused on Lebedevs and Voronins as our only enemies, but the truth is that there are many others out there. I am confident that we ended up stepping on a toe or two without knowing, and even though we are not advertising our involvement with the Army of Chaos, it's not difficult to figure it out. As much as our influence expanded, we also got many eyes on us. The fact that they are insisting on secrecy and not budging from the request that I come alone is telling me that they believe they are above me…", Sarah's voice trailed off and she shook her head. "There is no point in thinking about this. No matter who they are, they are not preparing me a surprise party and I'm not stupid to walk into a trap."

"You can always have drones, and I can have a team or two to follow you covertly."

Sarah looked up at her husband and smiled. "You are curious to find out who is behind that request."

"Yes.", Aiden admitted. "I would like to see who is so brazen. We have so many organizations that came knocking on our door submissively, yet these are demanding from you to go to them and with such weird conditions. It's obvious that they don't think too much of themselves. If you accept the invitation, we get a chance to find out who they are, storm the place, loot all their valuables, and you show them who is the boss."

Sarah laughed. It was a long time since she saw Aiden so energetic, and… isn't she the one who likes to swipe things?

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