Chapter 14

Suzie

T he WAR meeting is about to start, and that's after we have all had a walk around Sin's new mansion, and I mean a mansion! It's huge and Stanley ushered us around like a Top Sergeant on the training ground. We passed some rooms so fast I hardly had time to look inside, but ending in the conference room, which I have to say is magnificent, as the long table must have twenty chairs around it, and has placings set with notebooks, stationary, and even a coaster with a crystal water glass.

Sin is smirking at the way me, Holly and Liv are gushing over how lovely the room is and looks at Benjamin, Noah, and Slade who we are lucky to have here, as they are in and out of the country with work quite a lot at the moment.

"Okay, let's get started because Stanley has arranged a meal for us in the formal dining room later." Sin smirks again at Holly's mouthed, ‘formal dining room!'

"I know Holly, but let Stanley enjoy himself. If he wants to call it that, I'm good with it."

Benjamin, who always chairs the meetings, taps on the table with his knuckles, gaining everyone's attention. "Okay, let's get down to business. We've nearly gotten revenge on everyone. Holly's family we can tick off our list, the same with Liv's. Liv, you don't have to worry about Gaz and Wanda. They are warned, and he knows he is not getting anything from you, and if he continues the way he is, we will take everything from him. He met Slade's fist, and I don't think he liked it very much." Now, it's said with such smoothness you'd not know he's talking about violence. Then he continues as though everything is perfect. "Sin has his affairs in order, and that leaves us with you, Suzie."

"Any ideas on how to get revenge on ‘Meanie Mo' and Brent?" Benjamin asks.

"Well, we went into The Medusa and got Meanie Mo in a little trouble. But it was a nice reprimand, and it gave Suzie some kind of satisfaction," Holly grins.

"Suzie's case is more severe than the rest of us, in my opinion. We didn't walk into our home and find our man having sex with another woman. That was traumatic and although I think I deserved to see the revenge we achieved; I think Suzie deserves far more." Liv reaches over and squeezes my hand.

"Brent cannot do anything legally to me. He signed the prenup when we married that he would not be able to take a part, or whole of the house. The house was left to me in my grandparents' will, and I made sure I safeguarded that. He is not letting go and moving on as he should, and I'm not sure why that is, but I'm not willing to mess with him any longer. I had a PI look at what was happening with him and his girlfriend. It seems that Brent is in financial trouble, due to the overspending of said girlfriend," I sigh, because none of this is really my concern.

"Well, maybe she's taking him to the cleaners, but Suzie, that is not your doing. That sits squarely on his own shoulders." Noah gives me the look that always shows how much he cares about me, and also always gives me confidence, because I know that no matter what, he will stand beside me.

Slade leans forward and places his elbows on the table. Now, Slade is a deep thinker and I'm sure he already has questions he wants answers to. "Suzie, was Brent close with your parents?" Slade asks.

"Hm, he was for a while. Once I had to cut them out of my life, and of course after they told me I was a disgrace and they disowned me, he had nothing more to do with them," I reply, not knowing why he's asking me this.

"I did a little digging around myself before this meeting. Brent and your parents have remained friendly. Did you know he goes over to visit them three or four times a year?" Slade is giving me such a serious look I know he's not fooling around.

"No, I did not."

"Well, they are in some financial trouble too, and I think they and Brent are in league to take what you have. It's the only way they'll be able to get out of the shit they are standing in."

"Are you for real, Slade?" I ask, more with a snarl than a question.

"Yep, no joking going on here, Suzie."

"No way," Holly snaps.

"Way!" Slade replies with a smirk on his face.

"Noah and I are going over to a business near your parents. While we are there, we are going to check out what is happening, and we'll update Benjamin on anything that needs attention. We can pre-warn if you like of impending danger." Slade leans back in his seat, folding his arms over his chest, looking from one of us to the other.

"Okay, everyone double check whatever you can regarding Brent and Suzie's parents, even check out the girlfriend's shit again," Benjamin is giving us all a serious look.

"I have a friend who holds a PI license. He doesn't do it as his full-time job, but as something to stimulate his mind. Now, he'll only take cases that really strike him, so I can't make promises, but he owes me one. If anyone can get the dirt on all of these assholes, he can. So let me contact him and then update you all. I'll contact you Benjamin as you are the chair after all," Sin smirks at Benjamin and myself, Holly and Liv giggle at the look on Benjamin's face, because I really don't think he realized he'd taken control of these meetings.

"Can you let me have a copy of your grandparents' will, Suzie? I'd like our lawyer to check over it for any loopholes that may have been missed. The last thing we want is a fuckin' surprise landing on our laps," Noah asks and I nod my head because I have no problem giving anything to Noah. He's my person, the person I trust most in the world, and the one I depend on.

Brent works in the office of a construction company, so he's not on the highest of salaries, but it's not as bad as many. He could live a comfortable life if he lived within his pay grade. Trouble with Brent is, he always wants more than he can afford, and thinks the world owes him. He has had warnings from his boss more than once, and it wouldn't surprise me if he lost his job through lack of commitment.

Of course, Meanie Mo works at a bar, so she's not on top dollar either. Between them both, they should have a decent life, but again, I think they both expect more than they can afford, and want others to provide for them. Well, it's not happening if they think I'll be giving them anything.

My parents, I have not seen in a long time, and if the truth's told, I have no inclination to see them either. After they tried to take me to court to get the house my grandparents left me I was more than happy to wave them goodbye. If I never see them again, it would be too soon.

"Okay, let's think about what we know, find out more if we can, and then make a plan of how we are going to move forward. Holly, congratulations on getting your revenge. Liv congratulations as well. Sin, I know if you need to do more you will, but know we are here as much for you, as for everyone else." Benjamin flicks his head to the door and we all file out ready to eat whatever delight is going to be put in front of us. This is the friendship and family I've always dreamed of and I'll do anything I can to keep them all.

Noah throws his arm over my shoulders and tucks me into his side, kissing my forehead. "Don't worry, Suzie. I'll always have your back. Let the fucker come, and I'll make sure he regrets it."

Liv gives me a smirk and a wink, which has my shocked mind starting again. I'm not sure what's going on with Noah, as this isn't the first time he's been very affectionate. But I have to admit I am not averse to cuddling with Noah.

We had a great evening, the meal as expected, was fantastic and we all gel so well with each other it made for a relaxing atmosphere. I did, however, notice Sin and Liv were friendly, and so were Benjamin and Holly. Now, I'm not sure if anything is going on, and I'm not asking Liv now, but I will ask when we are on our own.

Three days later, a knock on my door and without thinking, I open it as I take a bite out of an apple. My mouth stops chewing, my face sets solidly into a frown and although bits of apple fly out of my mouth, I snarl, "What the fuck do you want?"

My mother glares at me, and my father gives me a sorry look. "We need to give you this."

I look at the envelope that my father is holding out to me and I shake my head to show it's not happening as I slam the door in their faces. A few minutes later, however, the envelope is pushed through the mail slot.

Growling under my breath at the fact they persisted in giving me something I didn't want and wouldn't take. I run into the kitchen where I'd left my phone, and take a picture of the envelope half-way through the slot, showing it was not physically handed to me. Which may or may not be relevant, but I'm not taking any risks.

After taking the picture, I send it to the WAR group in my contacts with the explanation of what happened, and now they'll advise me of what to do.

Holly: What the actual?

Liv: Don't touch it.

Sin: You will need to open it and see what is in it.

Benjamin: Bring it to the office and we'll open it together.

Noah: I'm gonna do some serious damage to some assholes.

Slade: Shall we have them removed from the face of the earth?

Noah: Bring it to the office, babe. I'm here and so is Benjamin.

Picking up the envelope as though it has a bomb inside, I grab my keys and rush out to my vehicle after locking up, of course. Holly runs out of her house next door, shouting for all the neighborhood to hear, ‘I'm coming, wait for me...'

Sighing, as I think this is going to turn into a shitshow...