Sang 

"Can we pass by the storage unit on fifth street?" I asked.

Chloe replied, "Sure, if you don't take forever. What do you want from there any way?"

I smirked, "It's a surprise! The only hint is that it will contribute ti my grand entrance."

Nathan interrupted, "Do you have to have a grand entrance? Won't that make this Ace guy mad?"

I turned to him, "I have a reputation to uphold after all. It's fun too and I don't want to stop. I never have time to do this."

The rest of the car ride was spent in silence. No one really had anything to say. The only thing making noise is the GPS giving directions to Chloe. I honestly hated the annoying voice of her GPS. I don't even know why, but it just managed to rub me the wrong way. 

When we got to my storage unit, I warned Chloe, "I am not going to coming back into the car. When you see me, start driving and I'll follow. Okay?"

"Sure," she said.

The boys grumbled at the fact that I was leaving their sight. I simply rolled my eyes and went on my way. They knew by now not to make a comment about my habits. This was my playground, not theirs. I made it to the storage locker that I rent, but I didn't have my key. I just broke said lock with the butt of my gun. A smile made its' way unto my face the moment I observed the contents of my stuff. It had been over six months since I have had the chance to come by Chicago.

I walked over first to my all black motorcycle. I checked it quickly and my baby was in perfect shape. I hadn't used it yet at Ace's place, so it would add a certain amount of flair. There was a ramp near the wall that Ace has around his compound. Combine those two and you have a fun idea. I am sure that Ace and the boys would think this is a terrible idea, but they don't have to know until it is too late to stop me. I then took out a change of clothes. The ones I was wearing were either not mine and too big or dirty as hell. I haven't really had a chance to go shopping.

Not even fifteen minutes later, I was ready to go. Chloe spotted me on my motorcycle. Her eyes went wide and she smirked, starting the car. North saw me next and started yelling at me but I couldn't hear him. Chloe had installed a child lock on the doors, so h couldn't get out to stop me. It was quite funny to see everyone's reactions. I just love riling people up, it's so fun.

Our group arrived at Ace's mansion soon after. I motioned with my hand for Chloe to go through the front gates, leaving me behind. I had to do a dramatic entrance. We all need some flair in our lives. I put my motorcycle leaning on his wall surrounding his house. I pushed the makeshift ramp against the wall before getting on the motorcycle. I revved the motor and took up this ramp. I flew up above the wall, catching the attention of Ace who had been greeting his sister at the door. The guards were pointing their guns at me, but the old guards recognized me and stopped them from shooting.

When I pulled up in front of Ace, he just shook his head at me, "You never change."

"Do you even want me too, Ace?" I questioned with a certain amount of sarcasm.

Chloe chipped in, "I loved it. You are really stepping up your game."

Ace captured our attention once more, "I think that we should all go inside where you two are going to give me a reason why you brought nine unknown men into my home. Do they need to be killed? You know I hate doing other people's dirty work."

Gabriel grumbled, "What the fuck is up with everyone offering to kill us?"

I rolled my eyes, "No, Ace, these men are not to be killed."

Ace started walking into his home where everyone followed, "Whatever you say. Where are my favorite children?"

At this point, we were in his living room. I cringed at his question, "Actually, Ace that's part of the reason I'm here."

Ace stood up suddenly from his relaxed position, "Which fucker hurt the kids? Tell me who it is and I'll have the killed by morning."

I pour myself a shot of whiskey, "The kids have been kidnapped."

The expression on Ace's face was murderous, "WHO. DID. IT."

I down my drink, "It's more complicated than that. I was kidnapped back in Russia."

Ace interrupted, "WHAT!"

I waved away his exclamation, "Volto, my kidnapped, brought me to South Charleston. I had sent my kids to their fathers who are these men in your living room. I escaped easily which is suspicious. When I made it their house, my kids had been kidnapped by the same sick bastard. A comment he said made me think that they are in Chicago."

He was pacing the room while Chloe was nowhere to be seen, "What can I do?"

I sit down on a comfortable couch, "Actually, yes. Can you have your men look around Chicago to find where Volto is."

Ace stops making a hole in the carpet, "Whatever you want, I need more info on Volto."

I stretch out, "I don't know if you remember L.A., when I shot a guest."

He nods his head, "I remember. The Russians, Ryder and I had to do damage control because everyone was absolutely convinced that you were trying to kill them."

I continue, "I had seen Volto. He had been following me around the city. I recognize him by his white Volto mask. I first ran into him at South Charleston. He was stalking me and my boys. I got attacked which caused me to have TEMPORARY amnesia."

At my emphasis on temporary, the boys looked around the room, basically anywhere but me. Yeah, you can tell that I am feeling salty about that situation still. Assholes...

That is the moment Chloe entered, she commented, "I am going to need the story behind that comment."

I roll my eyes, "He was been hunting me for a while. I ran into him several times over the years, but I got out safe most of the time. Volto is obsessed with the agency that the boys used to be with. That is how his original obsession with me started. He was trying to 'save' me from them."

Ace pulled out his phone, "I'll make the call. I will find the kids even if that is the last fucking thing I'll do. I have some favors that I can call it from the Italiens and get the gangs of Chicago on watch."

He left the room and everyone got more comfortable settled. I felt some of my anxiety fade away at the fact that Ace was helping. I would find my kids. Even Ryder is calling in favors to help with the search, trying to figure out how Volto brought me over from Mother Russia.

Chloe spoke in the silence, "I never got proper introductions from any of your lovers."

Ace re-entered the room at this point, "Yes, I want to know who they are too. It is always good to know the identity of the bastards who abandoned our Ghostbird and phantoms."

Sean frowns, "Phantoms?"

I explain, "That's what people call my kids. They are all ghosts like me. And Ace, they didn't abandon me and the kids."

He crossed his arms, "I remember the first time I met you. They did fucking abandon you and it fucking broke you. So excuse me, if I will break them to make them feel a fraction of the pain you felt."

I shake my head, "Ace..."

Ace hangs his head low, "Fine, but I still want their names. If they break your heart again, I'll break their spines."

Owen starts, "I am Owen Blackbourne."

Kota goes next, "I am Dakota, but you can call me Kota."

"I am Sean Greene, a doctor too." 

Luke goes next, "I am Luke and this grump is North."

Silas speaks up, "I am Silas and if we hurt aggele mou, I'll kill myself and my brothers first."

Nathan is next, "I am Nathan."

Gabriel bounces over to me, "I am Gabriel."

Last is Victor, "I am Victor."

Ace asks, "Aren't you that child piano prodigy?"

He nods, "That was in the past.

Ace chuckles, "I remember when Aleksandr called me up to find an assassin for your parents. They had owed me a great debt before they died."

I shove him playfully, "You forgave that debt, remember? That was the deal."

Our conversation was interrupted by Ace's phone ringing. He picked up and looked grim. I gave him a look to make him tell me what was going on. His expression was not reassuring.

He hung up the phone and turned to me, "We might have a lead."

***

Word Count : 1543