18 Chapter 17

Two weeks later, Theseus, Jake, Freddie, and Matt arrived in Italy. The INTERPOL had given them a location which was a large abandoned hotel along the river in Venice where they had to ride a gondola to go there. They saw the abandoned hotel where there was a sign of under construction but when they entered the building, everything was far away from abandon. Agents were working on the ground floor, there were agents sitting on the sofa of the hotel lobby, discussing plans.

"Excuse me? Are you lost?," asked one of the agents.

"Not really, we have an appointment with Agent Caldwell and Agent Cobbs," said Jake. 

"Ah yes.. Of course," said the agent, "Agent Caldwell said that you'll be staying here,".

"In this building?," asked Matt, looking around the lobby and at the other agents who were busy with their work.

"Yes, I will show you your room but first, you'll be meeting Agent Caldwell and Agent Cobbs in the ballroom," said the agent. 

"Lead the way," said Theseus and they all followed the agent who led them through the hallway and entered one of the elevators in the corner. 

After reaching the second floor, they exit and walk right in front of two large doors.

"This is where I leave you," said the agent, "Just knock and enter,".

The agent left and after Jake knocked on the door, they entered the ballroom and saw Agent Caldwell and Agent Cobbs were in deep discussion with two other agents. 

"Mr. Balthazar, great to see you and your friends finally make it," said Agent Caldwell and started to introduce the other agents, "You have met Agent Cobbs, the other two are Agent Ford and Agent Chen,".    

"Yeah.. But why Venice though?," asked Theseus with a small nod at the other agents, "I thought Il Macellaio headquarters are in Bologna,".

"Well we don't want it to be suspicious especially when there are two British gangs entering Italy at the same time," said Agent Cobbs. 

"Two gangs?," asked Theseus, "Who's the other gang,".

But before the agents could answer there was a knock on the door before it opened and Dylan and Megan Phoenix, and Ben Zane entered shocking the Hunters.

"Fuck," Dylan cursed once he saw the four Hunters standing in front of them. 

"Gǎo shénme guǐ," said Megan quietly. (What the hell)

"Is it too late to back out?," asked Ben, turning to Dylan. 

But before they could do anything, Agent Ford had walked quickly to them followed by Agent Chen. Agent Ford pulled Dylan to a corner, a bit far away from the Hunters with Megan and Ben followed behind them.

"What the fuck, Ford..," whispered Dylan, angrily. 

"I didn't know those two made a deal with the Hunters," said Ford, "But I've already discussed it with them and we've agreed to make you another deal,". 

"Oh yeah? What's that," asked Megan.

"It's better if you hear from him first since he's actually the head of the operation," said Agent Chen. 

But just as they walked towards the other agents and the Hunters, there was a loud commotion outside and the sounds of knocking before the doors were flung open. Steven, Shane, Theo, Meera, and Miranda rushed inside, slamming back the door laughing and blocking it from people entering inside. 

"Did you see his face?," laughed Miranda, clearly haven't noticed who's behind them as she laughed with the other fours, "Agent my ass,". 

"More like a travel agency," Shane smirked as he high-five her, "God, I miss this,". 

The five of them hugged each other before Agent Caldwell cleared his throat and they all turned around and saw Dylan, Megan, and Ben.

"Steven?," whispered Megan.

"Hey big sis," grinned Steven.

"What's up big bro?," smirked Theo looking at his older brother.

"Come here, you idiot," laughed Dylan as he pulled Theo into a hug. 

There was another commotion as they all scramble to hug Dylan, Megan, and Ben. Laughter starts to break out as they joke around, missing the fun for the past seven years. There was another knock and an agent step in opening the doors wide, revealing Ezra, Sienna, and Sam who were taking turns hugging Leon, Raven, and Karan. Once they noticed their family inside the ballroom, there was a yell from Leon as he ran inside followed by the others, hugging the rest of them. 

Agent Caldwell decided that it was time for them to start a meeting and cleared his throat. At once, the family went quiet and looked at him before the late comers started to notice the Hunters. 

"What the fuck are they doing here?," Theo growled looking directly at Theseus.

"Was going to ask you the same thing, Phoenix," replied Theseus casually, "Where's Zara?,".

None of them replied and the INTERPOL who had realized the tension as the two gangs glared at each other quickly started the meeting.

"Well now that we know both of the family are working together to take down Il Macellaio, let's start with our first meeting as a team," said Agent Caldwell. 

"Team? Seriously? You want us to work alongside a gang who tried to kidnap our sister?," asked Leon angrily.

"Thought you said he wants to offer us another deal, Ford?," said Dylan, looking at the two agents, "Or is it just a trick for us to be involved,".

"There is a deal, Mr. Phoenix," said Agent Caldwell, "The deal is that if you refused right now, the agents outside are ready to arrest you and your family with or without proof of the heist that you were involved with the Hunters,".

"Oh yeah? Did you tell the Hunters about the deal that the two agents made with my brother when those two first came to him?," said a cold familiar voice at the door. 

They all turned towards the owner of the voice with some of the girls gasping and saw that Jackson, Zara, and Harvey had just arrived. Theseus's eyes lit up as he finally saw his Goddess after seven years, more beautifully, more mature, her long hair had a red highlight a bit, and she was wearing a sundress with a denim jacket, and high heels. His eyes examined her as she walked in together with both of her cousins. There was a squeal as Miranda ran towards her brother and hugged him tight, while the other Phoenix brothers had rushed towards their little sister and Jackson pulling them into a group hug. 

"Finally," said Ezra, as he and his twin were reunited. 

There were tears in Leon's eyes as he hugged his sister from behind.

"Miss you, big sis," Leon muttered.

"Awhhh.. Miss you too, kiddo," replied Zara, turning around to give him a kiss on the cheek. 

After the hugging subsided, Zara turned back towards the agent.

"Well? Did you tell the Hunters about the deal?," asked Zara again while the agents were still in silence.

"What's the deal, love?," asked Theseus, his eyes looking at her with longing.

"Oh they didn't tell you then," replied Zara, glaring at the agents, "They were willing to arrest you and the rest of the Hunters once we agreed to help them take down Il Macellaio,". 

At once, the Hunters turned around abruptly at the agents. 

"You said in our deal that all of our criminal records will be wiped clean," snarled Theseus at the four agents. 

"Feels like double crossing again, right?," said Dylan with an icy chuckle. 

"You should be grateful that we haven't contacted Il Macellaio yet to strike a deal with them," said Zara boredly as she pulled a chair that was propped against the wall and took a seat, crossing her legs, "Now, can we have another deal then? Or I'll just press a button on my phone and call them,". 

"You have their number?," asked Ezra, looking amazed. 

"Oh yeah.. INTERPOL's not the only one who had reached us," said Jackson, "Apparently Il Macellaio had heard about our reputation and tried to get in contact with us,".

"Give us a minute then," said Agent Caldwell suddenly and he beckoned the other three agents for a small discussion in the far corner of the ballroom. 

Zara, Jackson, and Harvey smirked at each other before chatting with her family, looking at Raven's engagement ring, laughing at Steven and Shane's jokes, catching up everything. She felt a pair of eyes staring at her and slowly turned her head, her eyes met with Theseus and she gave him a gentle smile, which shocked him. She turned back towards her family joining the conversation. God, I miss her, said Theseus to himself. He watched her again until the INTERPOL came back to them.

"Well looks like we can cut you with a new deal that is the best for both of the gang," said Agent Caldwell.

"Let's hear it then," said Dylan holding his wife's hand. 

"If you agree to help us, all criminal records will be wiped clean for both of the gang," said Agent Caldwell. 

"That's not new," Jake scoffed, "But it's an advantage for us,".

"But, there will be a restraining order against the Hunter for the Phoenix family," said Agent Caldwell again, "And it will activate once the mission succeeds,". 

Both of the gang were quiet and Theseus was looking at Zara.

"Restraining order?," asked Theseus, "It's been seven years, and I have changed, love,". 

"Changed? Really?," Zara retorted back.

"I won't do anything against your will," said Theseus quietly. 

"Hmm.. We'll see..," replied Zara crossing her arms on her chest. 

"Do we have an agreement?," asked Agent Chen.

"We need a clear contract," said Dylan firmly, "For precautions,".

"We'll make it ready by tomorrow," said Agent Caldwell, "In the meantime, we have set up a room for all of you in here,". 

Dylan laughed.

"In here?," said Dylan in an amused voice, "No thank you, but we already have a place,".

"You don't expect us to live surrounded by INTERPOL, aren't you?," grinned Sienna. 

"Don't worry, we won't be far," said Theo with a smirk.

"Damn it," said Matt, realizing their own mistakes.

"Let me guess, you guys are staying here?," asked Ben.

"Not anymore," Theseus glared at the agents.

"Well good luck finding a hotel during the school holidays, mate," said Shane.

"Come on guys," said Dylan, "We had a lot of catching up to do,".

"And shopping," said Miranda, "And sightseeing, of course,". 

There was a loud chattering among the girls as they started to walk out.

"See you guys tomorrow morning," said Dylan, waving at the agents and the Hunters. 

Agent Caldwell turned to look at the Hunters.

"Well should we show you your room?," asked the agent.

"No, we're staying in another hotel," Theseus glared at him. 

"Very well then, I will see you tomorrow morning," said Agent Caldwell.

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