Jean rode in the front seat of Antonio's sport car, wishing that he hadn't just left Maiah's car out in the open. Thieves could get to it, since he had left the doors unlocked. "It's been a long time," Antonio said abruptly.
"Hm?" Jean didn't understand. "A long time since what?"
"Since all of this began," his friend replied shortly. "We enlisted to help with this project four years ago, Mieuret. Remember? My sister drew you into all of this, and we formed a joint project, with us as the core. What now? What if she draws us in again?" Jean smiled and didn't reply. It was late, and he knew that if they were diverted from their task, then anything could happen. And the thought of being with Mireille after this gave his life a new hope, as if he could now pick up and go on with the life he had once decided to leave behind.
"Why did you join our little Axis, Mieuret?" Antonio asked. "I wouldn't expect such a gentleman like you to try and get in with the crime lords like my sister. It just seemed strange that you even joined up, and stranger yet that you stayed with us for so long. Not to say that I don't appreciate the help." Jean grimaced and looked ahead, seeing the beautiful coastal house that he had been to so many times. Back then Livia had been his employer, not the enemy of those whom he cared for. Now, he was prepared to squash what little resistance she had left.
"I don't even remember the reasoning behind that decision anymore," he said, "but now I regret it with all of my being. If ever there was a chance for me to atone, this is it." He looked to the back, where Mireille sat silently, her complexion burning with rage as she awaited the chance to end this ordeal, this second trial.
"Don't worry about me," she said harshly, and loaded her gun, making sure that the extra cartridges were where they should be. Antonio's car rode smoothly toward the house, and the closer they got, the more the four of them wanted revenge. Livia had caused them all a great amount of trouble, and it was due time that she paid for it.
Suddenly, the car stopped and Antonio slumped down in his seat, feeling weariness sink in entirely. Jean nodded to his friend, motioning for him to watch over the car. Mireille and Kirika crept out like silent shadows, their weapons concealed. "It is time for Les Fleurs de Mort to be disbanded," Mireille said softly, "permanently." Kirika nodded and took a deep breath, drawing her gun. Livia would know that their intentions were hostile, so what was the point of a surprise? They walked into the glorious mansion, ignoring the shadows that danced about them. When inside, all three went in different directions, but Kirika left, returning to the car to wake Antonio. "Come," she said. "If you want to help Mireille, please, come with me." Antonio looked up to see those gentle brown eyes looking down at him, and smiled.
"I see," he said, and got out of the car, following her back into the house.
Mireille ran swiftly across the soft carpets, thankful for the fact that they muffled the sound of her footsteps. Next to her was Jean, keeping up easily with his long-legged stride. Soon enough, they reached a sitting room, and there was that face, the image of utter perfection, sitting in a red velvet chair, a glass of dark wine in her dainty hand. "Ah," she said with a seductive smile, "Jean Mieuret. I thought you'd never come." She rose, the narrow dress she wore proving no hindrance. Her dark hair flowed freely down her shoulders, and her honey-brown eyes were beautiful but dangerous as they studied Mireille. "And you have brought the third, the Daughter of Corsica." Her slender hand wrapped deftly around a thin dagger, drawing it to reveal a cold, curved blade.
"And what do you plan to do with that toy, you bitch!" Mireille screamed, drawing her gun so that it pointed at that sinuously beautiful figure. Livia raised an eyebrow at the insult and laughed musically, her smile coming across as easy and relaxed.
"It is only a symbol," she said softly, "a symbol of the fact that I have accepted my position in Les Fleurs de Mort, but every ruler needs a right hand, and I thought that you, as part of Noir, would be a very fitting one indeed." Mireille cocked her gun, but before she could pull the trigger, Livia had ducked and rushed at her with that dagger.
Jumping to the side, Mireille muttered another oath and fired, hearing the bullet hit the wall. Where was Kirika when she was needed? Somehow, that girl was able to hit anything from anywhere. Firing off one more shot, she hopped backwards and grabbed Livia's wrist, kicking that frail stomach with her boot. Livia flew backward, but recovered without a drop of blood on her. "I," she said venomously, "have had cause to continue my trade, unlike you." And then Mireille saw that dagger raised above a slender shoulder, and she fired another shot, which missed. Jean stayed back; he knew that this was Mireille's fight, and hers alone, and that he didn't need to intervene, not yet.
Kirika ran, following Antonio through the twisted halls of la Maison D'Ammoure. Finally, they came to one of the darker rooms that had been placed in a lower level. A warm fire blazed on the hearth as two guards taking their break chatted lazily. With a grin, Antonio crept up behind one until his arms were secure around the man's neck. Jerking upward, he heard the crack of a broken neck. He took off the dead man's coat and stuck part of it in the fire, waiting until it caught. Kirika had already shot the remaining guard, and Antonio took the coat and threw it on the ground, opening a small window. Grabbing Kirika's hand, he dragged her out of the room, trying to find where his sister was.
"You know your way, right?" Kirika asked nervously when they stopped for a short breath.
"Of course I do," Antonio replied and stood tall, looking down the hallway. "And we have to get to the main parlor before Mireille is killed." They took off again, and kept on running until they found two great oak doors. Antonio tried at the knob furiously, but it wouldn't give. "Now, try taking a couple shots at those hinges," he said, an idea coming to him. "They're old, so they shouldn't be too difficult to break." Kirika nodded and fired at all three, hoping that it would work. The only visible damage was what looked like large dents. Antonio nodded at her and ran into the door, feeling it give as it hit his shoulder.
Once inside, Antonio was horrified to see the two battling it out, both giving it their all. His eyes were wide as he watched them both, Mireille with her gun and Livia with her dagger. Blood was visible on both, and he could see more appearing as they continued to fight. If his plan ever came to fruition, this would not work in their favor. "Mieuret!" he shouted, running over to his friend. "How long can you distract Livia for?" He looked over at the two women, noticing that they were too absorbed in their battle to notice himself or Mieuret.
"I think about ten minutes," Jean replied quietly. "Why?" Antonio looked back to his tired friend and grinned.
"Just a plan to end this. But you'll have to help me so that I can get Kirika out of here while you take Mireille. If you see us, just keep on going. If myself and Kirika are injured, then we can't afford to lose everyone."
Jean looked into Antonio's eyes and saw an older man, one scarred by the battles he had seen and the nightmarish life he had once led. Was this the same man who had inspired him to get to the inside of La Famille D'Ammoure despite his bourgeois heritage? Of course, as he showed pride and knowledge of the world and its ways. It was why he had joined the little axis, and now it crumbled about him while he stood, a successful man with a woman who valued him. He had cause to live, and cause to help Antonio by distracting Livia. If it forced Antonio to betray his sister, his reasoning must have been very powerful. "I will help you, Antonio," he said, "and best of luck to you." With one final nod, Antonio went back out of the room, and heard Kirika's footsteps accompanied by the sound of a roaring flame. Yes, it would be long enough for them to escape.