It's been a few days since the pool party and I haven't heard from Sean since. 

A part of me feels like I overreacted and I've thought about reaching out to him, but I also wanted to see if my thoughts and feelings from that night were a result of being angry, but I know that they're not. 

I want to be with John Paul.

JP and I haven't spoken much either, unless it's about the kids. I'm not sure how to bring up the subject of us and I've been second guessing my words on what to say to him. But this morning he called an emergency meeting as another attack occurred last night.

This time, not only were people killed but more shipments were taken.

"I think you have to consider you have a mole among the Don's, John Paul," Cristian states, leaning back in his chair, his hands are steepled in front of him. "How else would they know the routes. You've had no issues until the last few weeks and it's too much of a coincidence to have the shipments taken as they arrive to the designated ports." 

"I'm not saying it's impossible, but there are only three people who know the routes. Adonis, myself and Georgie," JP tells us. He's standing looking out the window with his arms folded.

We all look at Adonis and he glares back at us. "I'd rather castrate myself than betray Vito or John Paul." 

"Prove it," Enzo says seriously.

"Enzo!" I scold him.

"What? He's offering," Enzo shrugs.

Adonis gets up from the table angrily. "Dude, I was kidding," Enzo tells him.

"Sit down, Donny," JP tells him facing us again. "They have to be infiltrating our tracking systems some how. David and Mateo are working on it as we speak, and they're also trying to get footage from street cameras near the attack."

"I know someone who could help," I speak up and everyone turns to look at me. "With the footage, I mean; maybe even track Jimmy down, since we are are sure he's associating with the Albanians."

"Who?" Enzo asks.

"Let me guess, your friend?" JP states, the underlying jealous tone in his voice is obvious.

"Yes and I guarantee he can do it faster than Mateo and David, combined," I smile at him. 

"I sense a bet coming," Enzo chimes in excitedly.

"How soon could he get here?" Cristian ignores Enzo.

"It depends where he is. He travels all over the world; he was in Philadelphia when he helped me find Enzo in New Jersey," I inform them, as I pull my phone out. "He said he was going to Montenegro, but I'll see where he's at now." 

I send off a quick text to Tej.

"So, should we lay out the terms of this bet, now or...." Enzo sits up eagerly.

"Be serious, Lorenzo," Cristian admonishes.

"I am serious. So, here's what I'm thinking---" My phone rings, cutting Enzo off.

"Wow, that was the fastest response, yet. You're on speaker by the way," I answer the phone, grinning.

"In that case I'll keep my dirty thoughts to myself. And you should know by now, I never keep a beautiful woman waiting, darling," Tej says. "If you're calling to set up a date to go out for drinks, in celebration of Gio's untimely death like we talked about in Jersey, I'm way ahead of you. I booked us a flight for a weekend in Paris. I won't tell Sean, if you don't," He teases flirtatiously through the speaker. 

I shake my head laughing, knowing he's not serious, but then see all unsmiling faces when I look up in the room and clear my throat.

Tej says something in french to someone on the other end of the phone, before he addresses me again. "But you never did get a chance to tell me, was Jimmy the one who finished him?" 

"No, it wasn't Jimmy, but I'll catch you up on that later. Listen, I wanted to see if you could help me out, again?" I look up and see JP's watching me with his heated gaze. 

"Anything for you, gorgeous," Tej responds causing me to smile but stop when I see JP's hand clench into a fist.

"Would you be able to come New York? If you're not in the middle of anything, of course." 

Tej laugh loudly. "I am in New York, Stella. Manhattan to be exact. I don't believe in fate, but it seems to be working in your favor once again, now doesn't it? As you said, we didn't talk too much on our last little adventure, but you and the kids moved from Miami, then? You seemed to really like it there." 

"Yes, we loved Miami and yes, we are in New York. It's a long story," I glance up at JP again. "But I'll send you the address if you could come by, maybe in the afternoon?"

"I'm free now, unless you want to wait." 

"No, if you're free now, that's even better. I have a bet to win," I wink at JP and he rolls his eyes. 

"Well, now I'm really intrigued."

"I'm wagering some of your many talents against some old friends."

"As long as you split your winnings, I have no problem putting others to shame; send me the address, love." We end the call and I send him JP's address.

"Damn, Stella. You've got men from all over world it seems at your beck and call," Enzo jokes.

"Shut up, it's not like that."

"It never is," JP quips and I glare over at him.

"Really? You're one to talk," I respond, he lifts his head to look back at me like I just accused him of something unthinkable. "He's a friend and he lives in L.A."

"He sounds British," Enzo points out.

"He was born in Egypt but raised in England," I stand up and I try to hide my smile when they all stand, too. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to check on the kids while we wait for Tej to arrive." 

I take a deep breath as I walk out of the room feeling anxious. As much as I want to talk to JP he seems closed off. More than usual. There are moments it feels like everything is fine between us when I catch him watching me and then other times a wall comes up between us, like there is now.

The night he came to Cristian's penthouse, flashes in my mind; it feels like a lifetime ago. He said he wasn't going to give me up easily, however, aside from a few comments and his obvious dislike of Sean, he hasn't really done anything to threaten Sean directly other than our few intimate moments together. 

Then there's Charlotte. 

Adonis told me their relationship was more of a fling, while he was in his amnesia state of just Johnny, but she's flat out admitted she wants more with him, and I know if I mention it to JP, he'll probably just chalk it up as me being petty and jealous. 

"Hey mom, is your meeting finished?" Lucy asks me, when I walk into the family room where the kids are hanging out, playing video games. 

"We're just taking a break," I sit on the couch and watch Carmen play a game against, Miles. 

Toby who was sitting on the floor coloring, comes over to me and sits on my lap. "See picture." 

I look at the drawing of a barely decipherable looking house, and what I think is a dog. Then there are several stick figures standing outside the house. He points to each one telling me who it is. I smile when he points to Kai and Miles drawing them with their long, curly hair, and big smiles, both waving. 

"Nonna bella," He refers to my mom as his grandmother, too. " And you and pa," He points to two taller stick figures who are holding hands. "Can I get a dog?" He pouts his bottom lip and I laugh. 

"Dogs are a lot of work, Tobin." 

"I'll keep dog safe. He sleeps with me, please?" He says in an effort to convince me. Lucy walks by mentioning she's going to go to the bathroom and ruffles Toby's hair. 

"Hmmm, what do you think you can do to show me you're ready for a big responsibility of taking care of dog?" 

Toby scrunches his face up in concentration and purses his small lips. He taps his chin gently with one finger and then his face lights up. "Stay in my bed and don't get out, until sun wakes up?" 

"That is a good idea, but if you have a bad night, I won't hold it against you," I tell him, hugging him.

"Signorina Bracco, you have a guest here," One of the staff notifies me. I thank her as I stand and head out to the foyer, but surprised it's not Tej. 

"Sean?" He turns and gives me a small smile. 

"What are you doing here?" 

"I went by the house and one of the guards said you were here, so here I am," He shrugs. "We need to talk, Stels." 

"I didn't realize we were having other guests joining us," JP's cold voice drifts over to us. I look behind me and see everyone else who was also in the conference room, are all standing in the foyer now. "I was notified your friend was here, I didn't realize it was this friend." 

"Who's coming?" Sean questions, as I turn back to him, but before I answer, there's a knock at the door and a servant opens the door and he ushers Tej in, carrying his work bag and before I can say anything I hear Lucy scream in happiness. 

Tej looks over at her and smiles widely. Marco, Kai and Miles run out of the family room, concern written all over their faces from hearing Lucy's scream.

Lucy runs to Tej and jumps into a hug with him. "Tej! I'm so happy to see you. We missed you in Abu Dhabi." Tej laughs and twirls her around; I chuckle when I see the frown on Marco's face.

"Well, from what I heard you still had fun, without me, love," Tej sets her down and Miles and Kai come over to him and greet him, too. 

"Howz it, brah?" Kai and Miles say at the same time. Tej chuckles as he man hugs each of them. 

"Living the dream, guys. Seems like you are, as well," Tej looks around, and then his eyes meet mine and he grins widely. "There she is. I swear you get more beautiful each time I see you, darling." He kisses both sides of my face then hugs me. He looks at Sean and they shake hands and man hug each other. "Sean, I see you're still attached to Stella. Can't say that I blame you, though." He winks at me. 

I pull Tej with me and introduce him to everyone else. "Guys, this is my friend Tej. Tej, this is John Paul, Cristian, Mateo and David and you remember Enzo." Tej looks at me, his eyebrows furrowed. 

"You found all," He smiles at me. 

"They found me. Well, Enzo did," I explain briefly what happened in Miami and how that led to Cristian and then how JP ended up being Johnny Santiago.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, gentlemen. Stella speaks very highly of you all," Tej says as he shakes everyone's hands. 

"She does of you as well," JP says very formal. 

Tej sighs dramatically. "Yet, despite all my good qualities, unwavering loyalty, and rugged good looks, she will never see me as more than a friend," Tej tells them with fake sadness, and pulls me to his side, with his arm around my waist.

"Get in line, buddy," Enzo jokes too, and JP glowers at him. Meanwhile, Sean not so discreetly, peels Tej's arm away from me, while glaring at him; which only makes Tej and I laugh. 

"How can I be of service to you all?" Tej inquires. 

"Let's head to the com room," Adonis instructs and starts leading the way. 

"Tej, don't leave without saying goodbye, please," Lucy calls out. 

"Wouldn't dream of it, love," He winks back at her and she blushes. Marco scowls back at Tej and Tej notices, grinning at me. 

I notice David and Mateo have several different laptops on the large table. Tej whistles as he looks over the equipment and several monitors facing us, in admiration. David takes point and explains what they are doing and what they are using to filter out what they need. 

"There was another attack?" Sean questions and I see JP take in a deep breath, clearly frustrated he's here. Adonis gives him a brief recap of what we went over in the conference room.

After David explains the technicalities, Mateo takes over and goes into detail on how they are having to back track on most of the footage and painstakingly review each camera footage individually.

"So, as you can see, it's not as simple as everyone thinks--" Mateo stops as he watches Tej unzip his bag, pulling his Mac out and opening it. He starts clacking away at the keys; his eyebrows scrunched in concentration. 

He moves towards the computers set out on the table and works his magic as he moves from one to the next, making his way to each one and then back to his computer. David leans over his shoulder watching carefully as he navigates the cyber-world.

JP looks over at me and I smile, like a proud parent, watching Tej do exactly as I knew he could and would do.

Tej hits a final combination of keys and leans back. "That should do it." 

We watch as several things happen all at once and then assortment of screenshots pull up, of not only Jimmy but of the two henchmen, who work for the Albanians, Krischnik and Luan. 

"Damn," Enzo says appreciatively. "You weren't shitting us, Stella." 

"That's fucking impressive," Adonis, who's normally stoic and silent, comments his amazement, too. 

JP walks up to the monitors, his jaw set. "That's all the proof I need. Donny, Call Bosco, and give him the green-light," He addresses Adonis. "I want these motherfuckers' heads."