Tadpole and Victoria
After Sara was escorted back through the bar to Sean's secret office she finally asked Claire, "what is this place? Hidden in a bar of all places." Claire smiled and shook her head as she responded, "This was the first block of real estate the Dearborn developed. Sean built a private office inside this bar to conduct business without prying eyes knowing who he was. To the outside this is a known gang hideout but in reality no gang members dare step foot in here." Sara was stunned hearing the explanation before simply nodding. After a thought came to her she asked, "what type of businesses does the Carmichael family own here in London?" Claire seemingly knowing what Sara was thinking smiled mischievously, "just the most exclusive hotel: Lavender Hotel. That's the only physical arm of the Lotus Group here. While the Lotus Group can't compare to the size and strength of Dearborn, they are so deeply ingrained in the Europe's culture their collapse would be a shock throughout the region."
Sara pondered the words when Frank suddenly burst into the room, causing both women to stare perplexed at the man. However before either could say anything he uttered a single word, "Tadpole" Claire immediately froze as the sound of someone whistling came through the door. A man entered the office seemingly missing Sara who was behind Claire. "Oh hey Claire and Frank. I thought you two were in the US. What brings you back? Also where is Sean? That guy is like a ghost." However before anyone could answer, Sara had peeked around to see who had entered, she suddenly exclaimed, "Mauricio is that you?" The man froze as the three sets of eyes widen and turned to look at Sara. She immediately blushed at everyone suddenly staring at her. However Mauricio was first to react, "The only people who call me that are family and Sean. However I do not recognize you at all." His voice void of any emotion as he coldly glared at the woman sitting at the desk.
Little did Sara know that Sean had actually suppressed almost all of the legitimate news outlets of their marriage and maintained it as a rumor on the tabloids and gossip forums. Fearing that any official announcement would not be beneficial to her as it would only make her a target. This in turn caused a lot of people to actually doubt the news and claim that Sara and Sean were actually visiting an investment that she had made when the attack happened on Dearborn. This thought was reinforced greatly when he prevented the major tabloids in Europe from even mentioning it causing it to just be pure gossip. These actions made people like Mauricio, who was in on Sean's secret identity as the Chairman of Dearborn from the start, to not even pay attention to the gossip.
As he glared at the woman her smile dazzled him before he heard her speak again,"You don't remember me. You copied my economics homework the first term of college because you were too busy with 'extra-curricular activities'. You only passed that class cause of me." The man had a flash of light in his emerald eyes as he suddenly remembered the woman in front of him. "Sara the Superstar. I remember you." The mans sudden calling of Sara almost caused Claire to laugh out loud. "So what are you doing here?" Sara was about to answer the new question before Claire immediately chimed in knowing her boss's brain "She had a meeting with Sean this morning and is finishing up some work before heading back." Mauricio nodded as he seemed to believe Claire, before he asked, "speaking of Sean where is he?"
Frank was the first to respond, "North." The mans deep and hoarse voice seemed to carry a hidden meaning and weight that caused Mauricio to only nod in acknowledgement. Knowing what the words truly meant the man only nodded before excusing himself and leaving. Sara was completely perplexed at the events and how a single word could cause such a cheerful person to turn solemn and distant. However before she could ask further Claire looked at her watch before she stated, "Frank we have 13 minutes to spare it's best we get moving." Frank nodded before turning to Sara, "Madam we should return to the hotel. Even though no gang will enter the bar the men that are loyal to Sean will still frequent the place. So it will get quite crowded and it's best not to reveal the hidden office to them." Sara nodded as she gathered her things while still pondering what the word North meant. It seemed that her husband was still hiding things from her. However she couldn't comprehend whether it was a trust issue or a protection thing.
When the trio arrived back at the hotel, as Sara entered the suite she noticed a man standing in front of the window looking out at the city turning on for the night. As she cautiously approached reaching into her bag for the pepper spray she always had, her eyes caught sight of a bloody knife on the table behind the man. "That spray isn't necessary." The man called out causing Sara to instantly recognize his voice. Sighing in relief she walked over to Sean who had since turned around and was staring at the knife. Sara glanced at the knife before realization hit her and how the man next to her had ended another mans life. "He'll recover, the wound wasn't that deep. But he will not be comfortable after he recovers." Sean's magnetic voice rang out breaking Sara from her trance. Looking up at Sean she smiled slightly before whispering "how can you be so sure, you stabbed a man in his chest after all" Sean smiled as he wrapped his arms around her pulling her into his embrace, "the doctor notified me that his surgery was completed and he should have no problem making a full recovery." Sara sighed as she leaned on his chest.
Suddenly her phone chimed. Pulling it out she saw her social media account was blowing up as everyone was following the rumors of her supposed marriage back home. Puzzled,she looked at notifications before looking at Sean. "I'm suppressing the news of our marriage for your protection. Yes I personally announced it but I've only allowed it to be a rumor. It's for your protection." Sara nodded before asking, "ashamed of me are you?" Sean chuckled, "absolutely not but if it was news even people who know of me in the underworld would target you as someone they could use against me. I've made many enemies climbing to where I am." Sara nodded in understanding before softly mumbling, "I'm tired" Sean smiled as he carried her to the bedroom. After cleaning up she quickly fell asleep in Sean's arms.
The man didn't stay long though. As he exited the room he looked back at the woman with gentleness in his now golden eyes before they darkened and a cold glint flashed through them. Grabbing the bloody knife he exited the hotel room. Seemingly dropping the knife to the floor it was quickly caught by the same mysterious woman who always followed him around. Freezing as he walked away, he turned and faced the woman. "Dispose of it and prepare to leave. Tomorrow you will enter the Wilderness for the last time as my aide. You will stay and begin your proper training, congratulations Victoria." The mans voice was still cold and void of emotions before he quickly turned back around and left the woman who had a bright smile and twinkling green eyes. She had finally been accepted to join the Pack, after 5 years of hard work for Sean and one of them as his Underground Aide, he finally recognized her existence.