South Mountain Pack Ch. 10

Written underneath the original message:

'Master, we are working on a plan to free you and our fellow loyal followers, but we must wait for the right time. I have verified the payment has been received and await your word on how to proceed on the other matter.'

Charles smiled and rolled his shoulders as he looked at his followers. He needed to send a message but the silver and lead construction of the cells prevented the use of the bond and he knew the cells were monitored, "Plans change all the time men, but payment has come to those of us who wait to be free."

*****

The adults looked across the backyard as Gabby, Sophia and Maria were teaching the Miller girls basic cheerleading moves and the boys were in the field near them playing football with Damian as the ref. Carlo rubbed the back of his neck and said quietly, "I'm getting ready to send out the message to the men over eighteen, do we need to talk about anything before I send it out?"

Frank and Joe looked at each other and Frank said, "I think we covered everything earlier. My only comment would be to keep it short."

Carlo nodded his head and opened the bond to include only those he wanted to get the message, "Attention, we will have a mandatory meeting of all men over the age of eighteen at the training room tomorrow evening at 6:15 PM. If you are concerned about your mates or little ones, please bring them to The Manor House. The girls dance class will proceed as usual so make arrangements if needed."

"I just thought of something," Joe said with a frown. "If the men are going to the meeting, that'll leave the females alone at The Apartment House."

"I'll call the head of security and tell them to have the females stay in the safe room until the men come back," said Carlo as Frank, Joe and Carmelo nodded their heads. At the questioning looks on Todd and Papa Mike's face he said, "I don't want to use the Council's security detail. The less people that know the better so I don't want anybody outside this Pack and Dante's to know yet."

"You don't want me to call my brother tomorrow?" asked Gina with a frown. "I know his Pack isn't close, but they're our ally and more importantly, family."

"I'll call your brother on Tuesday, after we talk to the men," said Carlo as he smiled at his mate. "We'll have a better idea of plans and I'll ask him to make an unofficial visit in a month or so, in fact we'll invite your family for the Halloween Party."

Gina smiled and said, "Oh, that'll be great..." before she could continue the youngsters came over asking when dessert would be served. Holly and Nana Ellen quickly got up and took the desserts out of the boxes to reveal vanilla cupcakes with vanilla bean frosting, chocolate chip cookies, M & M cookies, sugar cookies, cranberry orange scones, a raspberry sheet cake with raspberry frosting, two red velvet double layer cakes with cream cheese frosting and a lemon blueberry poundcake.

Within ten minutes there wasn't a scrap of dessert left, the boys were even arguing over who got to lick the plates. Annie looked at Holly and said, "If that's the type of baked goods you're going to have in your store, we'll end up fat. I've never tasted anything as good as that raspberry cake before."

Holly and Nana Ellen looked at each other and smiled as Nana Ellen leaned towards her and whispered, "The secret is Amaretto, we put a little in the cake and icing."

"Carlo, we're interested in the building next to Matt and Phil for the bakery," said Holly with a smile. "We'd like to see it when it's convenient for you."

"That would be a perfect location, and with Matt and Phil next door that'll give you a better sense of protection," said Carlo, before he could continue Frank's phone rang.

Frank picked his phone up and said, "Frank Carlucci...Hi Jerry...no, that won't be a problem... Anthony, Vin and Dom will attend the meeting but the rest of the boys will be at dance class...tell your brother, Harold and the Costello's to drop the girls off here and the boys will take them... okay...see you tomorrow at work."

Before Frank finished talking, Joe's phone rang, "Joe Carlucci...Hi Harold...yeah, Jerry just called...no, it won't be a problem...Frank said to drop the girls off here and the boys will take care of them...I'll tell him...okay, see you tomorrow at 6."

"The Costello's, Whitmer's and Poffenberger's need you to watch their daughters at dance class while we have the meeting," said Frank looking at the boys. "They're going to drop them off here and depending on how long the meeting lasts will either pick them up here or at the studio. They know Vincent, Dominic and Anthony are going to be at the meeting but I assured Jerry the rest of you would watch them."

Vin looked at his brothers and cousins and said, "Make sure you take good care of them, remember not to get rough when you're picking them up."

"What the hell Vin? Do you think I've never picked up a little one or a young one before?" asked Gianni as he frowned at Vin.

"I remember when you picked up Sophia and then dropped her on her head. You'd better not do that with Hope," Vin replied with a scowl.

"I WAS FIVE FUCKING YEARS OLD VIN," shouted Gianni. "I think it's time you let that go, besides you're the one who stepped on Sal and made him cry."

"It's not like I did it on purpose," retorted Vin. "You dropped Sophia because Damian grabbed your toy and you dropped her to hit him."

"In my defense, I'd like to say the toy was mine to begin with and you're wrong Vin," said Damian taking a deep breath before he continued. "Gianni dropped Sophia because Victor bit him on the calf because he thought he stole his Hostess Cupcake when Enzo actually did, Marcus stole Sal's Twinkies and he threw a fit and smashed my Twinkie and knocked over Gino's milk which caused Dom to trip and fall and land on Maria, smashing her Twinkie and knocking the table over which spilt Lorenzo's, Paulo's and Michael's milk and Sal threw himself on the floor when he had his temper tantrum and THAT'S when you stepped on Sal. I remember it perfectly...I really wanted that Twinkie."

Everyone laughed as the Carlucci youngsters glared at each other and Joe shook his head and said with a smile, "Now that we're done going down memory lane of how badly all of you misbehaved at snack time, I have a message for Lorenzo."

"A message for me? From who?" asked Lorenzo as he looked at his Dad.

"From Brooke, when Harold told her she was coming here, she got excited and wanted you to know she got new dance shoes," said Joe with a smile.

At that announcement Lorenzo started groaning and banging his head on the patio table as everyone else started laughing.