Family Secrets

Chapter 33 - The Mole

Maddie POV:
My brothers and I were walking into our fathers office, because he called a family meeting. When we got there, he was sitting in his chair, with mom holding Knox on her lap. We all knew what this was about. The mole. We have been trying to think of ways to find out who it is, so far it's been a week since that park incident and we still don't know who the mole is.

"You all probably know why you are here." My dad spoke, and we all nodded. "I've sent every man we have to the west wing, so none of us can be heard. So far we have compiled a list of everyone who knows our schedule."

"We figure the mole has been here longer than we thought, we were thinking, and well. Remember Elias and Maddie's run in with Valdik?" Maddox stopped. "How would they know that Elias would be alone? We almost a always have guards with us."

"Your right," Elias interrupted. "I think that day was the first time I didn't have a guard with me since I was—what—ten?"

My father showed us the list, but unfortunately it was only names of our top advisers. "I think the mole is one of my advisers." My father told us. It makes sense. They were the only ones that had a schedule for us, our men usually just went where they were told, and given a twenty minutes notice.

"Oh my god."  Noah spoke. We all turned to him. "Romero, Giovanni Romero. He's the mole." My brother was so sure of it, he had a look of guilt in his eyes as well.

"How do you know?" Alex asked.

"I was with Romero when Sam texted us saying he couldn't drive Maddie home. We were driving to the warehouse together. When I looked at my phone, I laughed at Maddie begging not to go on Elias's bike. He asked what I was laughing about and I told him, Elias is picking up Maddie on the bike. We had every man at the warehouse, he knew you two would be alone," Noah paused his story and mouthed "shit" "Once we got to the warehouse, he told me he needed to make a phone call and to not wait up for him." We were all in shock, I could see Noah's frustration. "Oh my god, it's all my fault. Elias, Maddie, I'm so sorry."

"Noah, stop it's not your fault." I tried to sooth him.

"Ya bro we don't blame you." Elias chimed in.

"Where is Romero now?" My father asked.

Sam went to type on the computer. "Cameras put him—oh no."

"What?" We all yelled.

"He's opening the gate, six cars that don't belong to us just pulled in." Sam replied.

"It's a ambush." Maddox said.

"EVERYONE GET TO THE SAFE ROOM NOW!" My father yelled. We all ran downstairs to a secret door behind a shelf. Behind it was a door with a retina scan, my father put his eye on the scanner and the door unlocked. "Everyone in!" Hs ushered us all inside before he came in last closing the door which locked immediately after. "Sam can you delete Romero's scan from our system?"

"I can try!" Sam responded. He started typing on the computer quickly. My father have him a look telling him to hurry.

Elias checked the cameras, "Guys! They're in the house!"

"Everyone quiet, we can't let them know we are in here." My father whispered. "Sam how's the scan doing?"

"Almost.....done!" Sam whisper yelled.

My father quickly texted his men, probably telling the Romero was a threat and to take him down. Soon enough we heard gunshots, a terrible feeling washed over me. I was having a panic attack. My breath began to hitch and I started feeling claustrophobic, although the safe room was the size of the living room.

Colton POV:
I was sitting in the safe room, next to my sister when I noticed her breathing hard. "Maddie are you okay?" She didn't answer me. I immediately knew what was happening, she was having a panic attack. I used to have them when I was a kid after mom was pronounced dead. "Maddie, he look at me." I cupped her cheeks. "It's going to be okay." She nodded, but I knew she wasn't listening to a word I said. I pulled her into a hug, leaving her head resting on my chest. "Shhhh, listen to my breathing. Try to match it." I soothed her. "In...and out."

I was trying to distract her from the mess happening in front of us. My father and all my brothers, except for Knox were standing in a line, guns drawn, just incase. I would be with them too if it wasn't for the rule we have: The second youngest never leaves the youngest side in battle. Technically I was now the third youngest, but Knox was with mom. I turned back to Maddie who's breathing was back to normal, and she had fallen asleep on my chest. I'm guessing that panic attack she had did a number on her, she was probably exhausted. I didn't dare move to wake her up, if she wakes up and I have to tell her we are still in a stand off, she might have another panic attack.

After what felt like a eternity, my brothers and father turned away from the door, and gunshots weren't heard anymore. Judging from Sams face after looking at the security camera's, our men took Romero and his men down. "Mads, wake up. It's over now, we're okay." I nudged her lightly. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled.

My family walked out of the safe room to see our men already cleaning up the broken glass. "Where's Romero?" My father asked one of our men.

"He was apprehended alive, Capo. Damien took him down to the basement for you, he assumed you would want to talk to him." Our man responded.

"I do, thank you Jonah. I will be down in a few minutes." My father replied.

I walked my sister up to her room. She went and sat down on her couch. "Do you want to talk about it?" I asked her.

"About what?" She asked, even though we both knew what I was talking about.

"Your panic attack....are you okay?" I asked walking over to her.

"Ya," she replied looking at her feet, but we both knew that was a lie.

I crouched down in front of her, forcing our eyes to meet. "I want you to come to me when you start to have a panic attack, if it happens again. Okay?" She nodded. "Trust me, I know what it feels like and trying to hold it in makes it worse. And what you are feeling is normal. You went through traumatic experiences, that I really really wish never happened, just promise me if you ever feel like you are going to have a panic attack again, come get me. I don't care what time it is, if you feel trapped come get me. Okay?"

"I promise. Thanks Cole." She responded. I smiled and gave her a hug. As we pulled away, I heard a vibration from her phone on the table. I got up and grabbed it for her, it was Elena asking you face time. I handed her the phone and told her. "Say hi to her for me," before walking out.