16 Chapter 16

Serena didn't speak on their way to her apartment. In fact, she was furious, angry, and sad at the same time. Lucas held her hand all the way while Lorcan drove in silence. Police, ambulance, and firemen were everywhere around the area. There were tapes sealing the people from entering the complex. Police were blocking the people outside the tapes while the fireman and bomb squad looked around.

"Serena..," Hendrick held out his phone, "It's your dad,".

Serena took it and at the same time, her phone rang and her mom's face appeared on the screen. She gave her phone to Lucas to answer. Charlotte was already on the phone with Scott.

"Hey dad..," Serena answered.

"Oh thank God, you're fine," Thomas's voice came out loud, "You really had a nasty day,".

"Guess I did," Serena replied looking at the remains of her apartment.

She took a few steps away from the group to have a bit of privacy from her father.

"I'm flying there tonight," said Thomas, "I'm not going to leave my little daughter dealing with this alone,".

"Dad, it's alright..," Serena whispered, "And the African Star is still safe,".

The line went quiet.

"You didn't hide it at home," said her father quietly.

"No.. I had a feeling that something is going to happen," Serena replied.

"You're always the smart one in the family, sweetheart.. I'm so proud of you," said Thomas, "But I'm still flying to Manchester tonight,".

"Dad.. I think you should tell them about our family history, about the Krays," said Serena quietly, "We're not telling them about the African Star, just a glimpse about the connections between you and Reginald Kray,".

She heard her father sighed.

"Alright.. I'll call your mother after this," said Thomas finally.

"And I will tell the others here," said Serena, "At least to clear up why other gangs were targeting us. I won't mention the African Star,".

"Ok.. I won't tell them too," said Thomas, "Where are you staying tonight?,".

"Goodness, I didn't think about it," Serena replied with a chuckle, "I'll let you know,".

"Ok, see you tonight, sweetheart.. And please be careful," said Thomas.

"I will dad, goodbye," Serena replied and hung up the phone.

She walked towards Hendrick and gave his phone back glancing at Charlotte. There was an opening gap and Serena had a clear view at the rubble. There were more than ten bodies lined up and covered at the front while family members were wailing and crying in the corner. Two rescuers were walking out from the rubble carrying a stretcher where a dead body was covered with a white sheets. Reporters were everywhere making coverage and tried to interview the enforcement. 

"Hey, Charlotte," Serena turned to look at one of her best friends, "Would you mind if I stay with you for the night until my father arrives?,". 

"Merlin's beard, Serena.. You don't have to ask, my house is your house too," said Charlotte fiercely, "You can stay as long as you like,".

Serena nodded and Charlotte walked quickly towards her, pulling her into a hug. 

"I need to tell all of you something, can you guys come to Charlotte's place too?," asked Serena looking at Lucas, Lorcan, and Hendrick.

"Well, since I lost my entire clothes, I think I need to take refuge at your place too, Charlotte," said Hendrick.

"The more the better, I have plenty of room, we can have sleepovers.. I mean, I feel safe if we all stay together," said Charlotte.

"I'm gonna call my mom," said Lorcan.

"I'm fine with it," said Lucas.

"Don't worry about clothes, I think you guys can fit my dad's old attire," said Charlotte.

Charlotte lost her parents in a car crash when she was sixteen, since then her grandmother took care of her until she passed away last year. She met Serena and Lorcan in school when they all lived in London and went to university together. When her parents died, the Evans and Lorcan's family, Philip had cared for her like their own even though her grandmother was still alive. 

As they arrived at Charlotte's house, Lorcan and Hendrick offered to go with Charlotte to check on her house first for safety while Lucas and Serena stayed outside.

"You alright?," Lucas whispered as Serena leaned her head on his shoulder.

"No.. But I will be, I'm just glad that you're here with me," said Serena looking up at him.

Lucas closes his lips to her and gives her a deep kiss. 

"You have to teach me to shoot like that, you know," Lucas smiled as he leaned his forehead on hers. 

"Well, you have to get a gun and a license first," Serena replied. 

"Yeah, and after that, it's my job to protect you," said Lucas. 

"My knight in shining armor," Serena said as she smiles.

"I love you, Serena Evans," said Lucas as he leaned again to kiss her.

"I love you too, Lucas Whishaw," Serena whispered back to him.

Hendrick, Lorcan, and Charlotte finally walk outside telling them that it's all clear. Both Serena and Lucas climb out of Lorcan's car and walk inside. Serena finally texted her father that she's staying at Charlotte's place. Once they were in the living room, Charlotte served them with hot chocolates and ramen noodles for simple dinner. Serena starts to explain about her father's history with Reginald Kray and Charlotte gasping, while the boys gaped at her.

"So you're actually the granddaughter of Reginald Kray," said Lorcan.

"Well, not exactly.. Dad never declared him as his father," Serena replied, "Dad was fifteen when the last time he saw him,".

"So he never mentioned the African Star," asked Hendrick.

"Nope, Reginald died a few years after that," said Serena, lying casually, "And dad never went to his funeral,".

"Well I guess now I know why they're after you," said Charlotte, "So that they can use you since you're one of the Kray's heirs. 

"I'm an Evans, and as far as I know, my grandfather is Charles Evans and Giuseppe Verdino," Serena replied firmly.

"But not by blood though," said Hendrick. 

"I don't care what people say," said Serena, "I bet Scott and Stefano are in shock right now. I bet your father knows it, Hendrick. That's why he found out that grandfather Verdino never had the diamond,". 

"Yeah.. And he kept the secret to the grave," said Hendrick. 

They helped Charlotte to clean up the kitchen and the dining table and wait for Thomas to arrive. Half an hour after that, the doorbell rings and Hendrick opens the door. Thomas was standing with his suitcase and he rushed inside to hug his daughter.

"Oh thank God, you're alright," said Thomas, "I told William that I'll be working from here so I can protect you,".

Serena opened her mouth to speak but her father held out her hand.

"I know you said you can protect yourself, and I believe that.. But I'm your father, my job is always protecting you, no matter what, "said Thomas, "And if anything happens to you, I won't forgive myself,".

Charlotte served him a bowl of ramen noodles and a mug of hot chocolate and he ate it without any complaint. He thanked her after dinner and they all decided to call it a day. Serena shared a room with Charlotte, while Lorcan and Lucas took a room together. Hendrick decided to take the sofa while Thomas took the remaining room left. 

They went to work as usual the next day, and this time they were joined by Thomas and Hendrick who act as a guard. Lucas had gone back to his own workplace which he assured Serena that he will be fine. After work, Lucas took both Serena and Hendrick for clothes shopping and other necessities, while Charlotte, Lorcan, and Thomas went house hunting for Serena. It took them for nearly a week until they finally found a suitable house with five bedrooms so Charlotte and Lorcan could move in with Serena. Thomas had made sure that the house was in a neighborhood that was fully guarded. 

Charlotte squealed with delight when she saw the house and Lorcan was glad that he finally could move out from his family house.

"I bet Serena's going to love this, it's got a Victorian style, and there's a library," she beamed with delight.

"And there's a private office and a drawing room," said Lorcan, "It's big, she could fit a brand new piano in here,".

"The dining room is connected with the kitchen, so I think she's going to love it," said Thomas.

"Well, you can sign the deal right now, if you want it," said the agent.

Thomas signed it and after that, he started calling a few companies for cleaning and installing CCTV and alarms while Charlotte called for interior designers to arrange furniture and curtains. The security guards that work there were in charge of their station, and sometimes they took turns in walking around the neighborhood to check for unusual activities. By the time they had arrived back in Charlotte's place, Serena, Lucas, and Hendrick were already there and brought back dinners and shopping bags full of clothes and toiletries. Lucas went back to his home after that and Hendrick finally got to sleep on the bed in the same room with Lorcan.