Ricardo puts a hand on Richard's chest stopping from entering n the room as he steps out and locks the door.
"I am married now, you cannot just enter the room" he grins and Richard scoffs at his brother.
"Let's go down" he suggests as they both make their way to the cafe downstairs.
"So, what's the plan?" Richard asks as they enter the elevator.
"Well, your plan worked" Ricardo stares at his brother who shrugs his shoulder.
"Told you, we need them distracted enough" Richard states.
"Still, I need you to accompany mom to the party"
"Why?" Richard asks.
"Lucas will be there, and I need him pissed" he states making Richard roll his eyes.
"Next thing I know you may ask me to whore around for you" he remarks.
"If you volunteer" Ricardo grins before laughing as Richard punches on his arm.
"Fuck off" Richard chuckles.
"Don't leave mom side, okay"
"She can handle herself" he sighs as he stares at the floor with his hands in his pocket.
"Bear with us" Ricardo pats on his brother's shoulder as the elevator stops and opens but they pause as a group of men stands out of the elevator.
*******
"Russo" Mark frowns as her stares at the brothers while both the Russo brother's glances at each other.
"Mark" Ricardo nods but none of them makes any move, the door of the elevator starts to close slowly and both Ricardo and Leon steps their foot at once to stop it from closing.
Leon steps inside of the elevator while Ricardo gets off as they both glance at each other while their brothers follow their lead.
"Russo" Leon nods his head watching the man.
"Lucero" Ricardo acknowledges nodding his head as the door closes and Richard touches Ricardo's arm.
"Of all the hotels in the town you had to choose this?" Richard asks and Ricardo shrugs his shoulder.
"You just love to get in trouble, first with Price for Gabby and now Lucero" Richard comments as they walk along.
"What's the fun if not much thrill?" he grins as he wraps his arms around his brother.
"So, what's the plan?"
"Easy, we bring Lilac back home"
"And how?"
"Dad is holding onto his side of the bargain and it seems we have the upper hand, but we cannot be sure until we are invited"
"Invited where?"
"To the Lucero's home, I am just waiting for the reply" he states before waving for a waiter.
"How did she take the news?" Richard asks as he rolls the napkin and Ricardo stares at his brother.
"Would have chopped dad if he was near" he replies, and he nods his head.
"Cried all the way until here before she fell asleep" he adds, and Richard looks around the room.
"You will not die if you confessed you care" Ricardo speaks and Richard frowns.
"It's not that simple"
"As far as I know, it's all in your head"
"Many things were said and done" Richard snaps and Ricardo lets go of the conversation.
*******
"How do you know them?" Leon asks Mark.
"One of them was Melissa's fiancé" he points, and Leon narrows his eyes.
"Fiancé?" he frowns as he glances towards Mark.
"Yeah, well they were dating for a while but recently broke up"
"Why did we never hear about it?" Lucas speaks.
"Your parents knew and not all of you are close to her"
"Mother said she is friends with Alana Russo, and now that woman has shares of our, also Lilac is a Russo...
Too many co-incidences and too much connections of them" Lance points out.
"Lucas, look into this family and see their connections that leads to us"
"Oh, and you guys should also know that Russo is close to the Price family and you must know Leah and Paige are their cousins" Mark points out and Leon eyes meets with his brothers.
*******
"How are you feeling?" Ricardo asks as he puts his hand on his mother's forehead.
"I am fine" Alana smiles as she kisses the back of her son's hand.
"Good, you know what to do right?" he asks her, and she nods her head before there is a knock on the door.
"Richard will be accompanying you okay?" he smiles just as the man enters the room.
"The car is waiting" he informs and Alana smiles as she caresses Ricardo's face before she takes her coat and walks out of the room.
Ricardo checks on the time as he takes a deep breath before walking towards his room. He holds his breath as he finds Gabby standing on the dresser putting her ear ring.
"You look beautiful" he comments as he closes the door and walks in.
"I overslept, does my face look puffy?" she asks as she turns to face him.
"No, but your lips are swollen" he smiles wrapping his arms around her.
"Really?" she frowns before his lips crash on her.
"Mm" Gabby pushes him away from her.
"You will ruin my makeup" she points as she wipes the lipstick mark from his face before she turns in his arms to pick up her lipstick.
Gabby bends to get the lipstick making Ricardo groan as he buries his face at the back of her neck, and she chuckles.
"We need to move" she taps on his hand but he just groans rubbing himself on her.
"Oh my god" Gabby laughs as he makes moaning sounds.
"You will ruin my dress" she laughs before yelping as he picks her up.
"Let's not go" he grins as he starts to pull his tie.
"No" she laughs grabbing his face.
"Later" she promises making him groan in frustration as he bites on her earlobe and lets her go.
*******
Ricardo opens the door for Gabby as she steps outside, holding her hand in his they walk into the hotel. They check in before they are led to a table and Ricardo pulls Gabby's chair settling her in.
"Hungry?" he whispers to her and Gabby shakes her head no before he asks the waiter they will order once their guests arrive.
"Who are we meeting anyways?" she asks wondering as he has not shared that information to her.
"You will know" he smiles as he holds her hand and kiss the back of it.
"Your mom will she be fine alone not that I am judging but Richard is..." she makes a face as she moves her hand left to right making him chuckle.
"Yes, he does things recklessly at times but when needed he is trustworthy" he smiles.
"I was not judging" she grins.
"Totally" he whispers as he puts the few strands on her hair behind her ear and smiles.
"How long are we staying here?" she asks before looking around the cozy room they were settled in.
"This place or city?" he hums as he kisses at the side of her neck.
"Both" she smiles as he rubs the jaw with her thumb.
"I want to go back as soon as everything settles in" he replies as he moves her hair aside and rubs the back of her neck with his thumb.
"Is there something waiting back home?" she asks tilting her head as he kisses on her cheek.
"Our wedding" he breath making her eyes widen.
"I cannot wait to exchange our vows" he nuzzles her nose and she bites on the tip of her nose.
"Why do I feel you have ulterior motive?" Gabby teases as she flicks on his nose making him grin.
"You know me well" he winks as he kisses on her lips and Gabby touches his cheek as their kiss deepens.
*******
"Ready?" Richard asks as he holds his hand out helping her out.
"As ready as ever" Alana smiles as she puts her hand inside of his arm as they make their way towards the hall the party was on going.
"Your card" the man at the door asks and Richard pulls for from the side of his pocket and hands the man who checks before ticking off the mark as he hands an envelope to Alana who smiles as she takes it.
"Don't leave my side" Richard whispers as they walk inside of the room.
"Oh, trust me I would not dare" Alana smiles as she looks around the room.
"Not even one face that I know" Richard states as he stares at Alana who sighs.
"Count me in at that, it's like I have stepped in another space" she jokes making him smile.
"Let's be done with this" he assures patting on her hand as they make their way towards the bar.
"Alana" a familiar voice makes her turn around before she sighs in relief as Natalie shrieks and hugs the woman.
"Oh my god, how long has it been?" she asks as she puts her hand on Alana's shoulder.
"Ages. How are you?" she asks happy to see a familiar face.
"Ugh, don't ask Rolfe let me here to go socialize, I swear that man just tries to find a way to leave me" she waves her hand before her eyes land on Richard.
"Wait, how come your husband never got old? Damn you Richie, oh my god" Natalie gasps as she grabs Richard's face and turns from left to right.
"Not even a single grey hair, maybe you dye your hair and no wrinkles, Botox or surgery, hmm" she hums as she pinches his cheek.
"That's my son, Richard" Alana laughs as he watches Richard's annoyed face as he rubs his cheek.
"No way, he looks exactly like Richie. I should have brought one of my daughters, god knows they need some good dicking" Natalie grins and Richard raises a brow at his mother who pats on his chest.
"Richard, this is Natalie Storm, umm...Gabby's aunt from her mother side" she makes the introduction.
"Hello" He nods his head and she smile staring at him in happiness.
*******
"Sir?" their host excuses as he brings in the guest and Ricardo get up to greet them.
"Ry?" Gabby frowns as she stares at him to her husband.
"Hello" Ricardo smiles as they all finally settle down.
"Precious, meet Laura Lucero" Ricardo introduces them and Gabby smiles at the girl before eyeing her husband in surprised.
"The traffic was mess" Ryman grins as he smiles at his brother and Gabby.
"Oh, I can imagine the mess" Gabby laughs as she squeezes her husband's hand.
"Laura and Ryman are going to get engaged" Ricardo informs and Gabby clears her throat as she sips on her water before waving for the waiter.
"I am starving" Gabby states as she smiles at Laura.
*******
"Mrs. Russo" a voice calls from behind Alana and she turns to face Leon Lucero who stands staring at her.
"Son-in-law" Natalie cheers as she hugs the man who smiles greeting her.
"How are you doing?" he asks and Natalie sighs.
"Is Leah with you?" she asks looking around.
"No, this is a business party so"
"So? God, you two just got married, she needs to stay glued to you twenty-four seven, what if you get overly drunk and end up sleeping with someone" she narrows her eyes at him.
"You do not have to worry"
"Oh, come on, you are a man. Of course, I have to" she scoffs.
"Cheating is something I do not look highly at, especially in a relation"
"Aww, are guys like you still alive?" Natalie gushes.
"Then again, you are Flora's son so obvious" she grins.
"Well, if you will excuse me, I would like to talk to Mrs. Russo privately" he nods as he stares at Alana.
"Oh well, is there something we cannot talk here?" she asks.
"My mother informed you were a very close friend of hers so I thought I would make sure you were enjoying the party"
"Of course, she is close so close that your father accused your mother of cheating with Richie, Alana's husband...
God that night, it's like just yesterday that she slapped the shit out of him before he kissed her...ooh kinky" Natalie smiles remembering the past.
"I am glad you remember such details, but shall we?" Leon smiles at Alana who glances at her son before nodding her head.
*******
Leon opens the door for Alana to walk inside as Richard follows before he gets in and the door is closed. Richard pauses as five pair of eyes turns on them.
"These are my brothers, please have a seat" Leon smiles as his brothers gets up to greet her.
"What is the meaning of this?" Alana frowns as Richard stands behind her and puts his hand on her shoulder.
"I am Leon, and these are my brothers. Liam, Lance, Lucas, Logan and Lorenzo" he speaks, and each man nods their head.
"We actually wanted to discuss few matters with you" he adds as they all settle down and Liam eyes Richard before walking to the bar.
"Do you prefer any drink?" Liam offers.
"No thanks, I am driving" Richard refuses before Liam nods and calls for the man standing at the corner to bring juice.
"Regular for you all?" he asks his brother who nods in reply.
"Be comfortable" Lucas speaks as he points at the empty chair.
"I am" Richard replies.
"So, the matter to discuss?" Alana awaits.
"Well, let's get the point, we would like to know how you knew about the shares being sold?" Lance speaks up and Alana smiles.
"Well, as you know your mother and I, we are real good friends. She was the one who informed me to keep an eye out as the shares of your Bank were going to be out for public" she smiles, and the men stays quiet.
"Our mother?" Lucas repeats thinking he heard wrong.
"Yes, well has she not informed you that your sister Laura is going to be engaged with one of sons, I mean right now she is actually having dinner with my elder son and daughter-in-law as we speak...
She just wants our family to be close" Alana smiles and the bottle in Liam hand drops as he stares at Lorenzo and Leon as if it was their fault.