Hesitantly, Emily nodded.

"I sent one guard looking, but I'm just uneasy. The kitchens are exactly diagonal from where we are- those double doors over there."

She discreetly motioned in the direction of the swinging doors.

"Listen, if something is wrong, there are guards everywhere that can help. They are all in tuxes, but you'll know them by a red pocket square in the jacket. Take as many as you need, but please, if there is trouble, I don't want the guests alarmed."

The hardest part for Emily, now, was trying to keep a cool, collected appearance. Many people were coming by to chat, and she didn't want to give off the idea that anything was amiss.

"You coming as well, Devlin?"

The Irishman shrugged as if to let him know that he would indeed be following after him. Both of them looked at the doors with nothing but suspicion, noticing how fewer guards were posted by the kitchen doors as well. This was going to go smoothly Charlie sarcastically thought, he smelt like something was burning and he noticed a few bodies just at the side of the door, leaning against the wall.

"Well...didn't Em say she sent one guard?"

"Oh I know Chuck, she did."

Both men were about to pull out their guns, only to realize that would not be an option. Em didn't want this to be disturbed and he knew to do that was going to be a fast way of going down.  Plus, it would alarm the guests, leading to chaos and then the feds asking questions. Snarling to himself, Charlie stepped into the main kitchen area and what he found surprised him. The woman who he assumed to be @Catalina-Rey was laid out, seemingly given a good old punch that had her out of commission. 

"You have got to be fuckin kidding me...we got two more boys!"

Charlie's eyes had widened, looking at the man who seemed to be dressed for the event. Is that how he got in? Did he fake being a guest and for what reason was that? What the fuck was going on here!? Charlie had so many questions, only that was not going to be an option. Chuck was soon chucked to the floor as three men came towards him and Devlin, a fight had ensued. 

The Irishman was handling himself well, already kicking the kneecap of one of the pursuers. Today was not going to be the day that he would lose to a fucking ambush. Devlin being the brawler between himself and Charlie, put his fists up before delivering two swift punches. 

He knocked his first offender on their ass before turning his attention to the other who brought out a switchblade, clearly no longer taking the threat of this Irishman as an easy one. 

"Oh ho, come on lad, you think that you need a weapon like that against me? Trust me, you would need a machine gun!"

Devlin chuckled before throwing a fist, only for the enemy to duck it and almost catch him clean in the face with that fucking blade of his. Devlin gripped the arm, twisting his arm behind his back, only to then have him drop the blade and then Devlin as punishment placed his face into the hot burning stove. Causing him to scream as if he had given birth. 

"Charlie, you okay mate?"

Looking over, he noticed that Charlie was now finishing up with his offender. His face was a bit busted up but he had soon knocked his offender to the ground, he was out for the count. 

"Fuckin' Hell, get Em and some of the guards...we need them in here now. Let's hope you didn't just alert those in the ball to the problem, and let us hope that the music is playing loud enough."

Devlin nodded, considering that he looked less of the problem right now, he walked back out, wishing to alert Emily-Renfroe. 

Charlie walked back over to the woman that was down on the floor, he looked around and noticed the scared kitchen staff, knowing that he had forgotten about them during his little haze of the fight. 

"Miss, we need you to wake up right now."

"Hijo de puta, ¿quién golpea a una mujer?" Catalina gasped out through gritted teeth. Her vision was clearing and she could see a man above her now. She flinched away from his outstretched hand, but thought better of it when she realized she wouldn't be getting off of the floor without his assistance. Slowly, she was pulled to her feet.

"Thank you. Freezer."

The man gave her an odd look, and she took a few moments to take in more air. "There's a man in the freezer. The one who hit me locked him in. I don't know who is is, or why he was put there, but he's going to freeze to death," she said, nodding her head in the general direction of the meat locker. Two of the paralyzed kitchen staff came back to life and rushed over to open the door. The man on the other side of it seemed none the worse for wear, but he'd been in there long enough that he was visibly shaking.

"Miss Renfroe will be wanting to know exactly what you did to get yourself locked in her freezer. Who are you? And who are they?" She asked, indicating the bodies slumped on the floor, compliments of Charlie Pavanno.

The first guard that Emily had sent after Catalina returned to the table, a few signs of struggle showing on his tuxedo. Emily's expression darkened.

"Miss Renfroe, there's been a disturbance in the kitchen. We have the situation neutralized, but we need you."

Her stomach did a flip-flop, but she rose from her table and followed the guard toward the kitchen. Managing a cheerful smile to those she passed on the way, Emily could only imagine what waited behind those swinging doors. 

The scene waiting for her was strange to say the least- and included the distinct smell of burning flesh. Catalina looked as if she'd had the wind knocked out of her, and Charlie had clearly taken a few punches. Several guards were busy rounding up the assailants, who looked far worse off. Emily looked at the guards, her face reflecting displeasure as she hissed her instructions.

"Get these shit bags down to the boiler room. Cuff them and for fuck's sake, find Raine." 

The guards moved quickly, and Emily turned to her friends, her expression softening. 

"I'm so sorry about this- I can't imagine what in the world spurred this, but I'm just mortified that you three had to get involved. Come, I've got a private clinic down in the basement, let's get you all patched up and see if we can get back for dessert."

She offered her arm to Catalina, and as they walked on, she ordered the kitchen staff back to work.

"I don't want the guests to know anything went wrong. Not a word, not a sideways glance. Go about your business; everything is fine."

"Oh yeah sure, let's just act like one man hasn't had one half of his face burned off and then lets all pop down for a nice cuppa."

Charlie spat out sarcastically, the little brawl had reminded him of the days where he was nothing more than a common thug. Still, his boxing had done him good and he craned his neck to the side. A cut on his upper lip as well as one above his brow, he was the one that got the worst of it on their side of things. 

"Where's that fuckin' Irishman, the bastard was meant to be here-"

Devlin at that moment chose to walk in as if he was not the one that had done most of the damage, he was eating one of the appetizers with a glass of wine in hand. He looked at the scene with a small smile...

"I'm right here Charlie, calm your tits you idiot. Let's go."

Charlie raised his eyebrow, looking at Em who continued to lead them into where she could attend to them before he growled to his associate in distaste. 

"When I said to find Ren, you thought that fuckin' meant. Oh, Charlie said I should find Em, instead, I'll get myself a bite to eat and a glass of wine to wash it done?"

"Well when you put it like that, I almost regret getting you something...get your knickers out of twist you poor old sod. Come on, I don't have time to argue, none of us do."

Charlie grumbled, following after Emily and Catalina as Devlin supported him. He could not help but wonder who those guys were, well, he hoped Raine could find out soon enough.

Raine spun on his heels, nearly sliding out of his shoes as he came running around the corner. It was only a matter of time until things went to hell and that time seemed to be upon them. His fingers naturally found the hilt of the pistol tucked into its holster inside of his jacket. He hoped he wasn’t going to need it but it was always better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. 

He threw his shoulder into the kitchen door with enough force that he even knocked himself off balance a bit. Noticing the men sprawled out on the floor first he scanned over the room with his weapon at the ready. The tension in his shoulders seemed to double as he caught of eye if the three of them, Catalina, Charlie and Devlin as he let out an exasperated sigh and grumbled, “Nothing is ever easy around here.”

Emily looked up, a hint of relief crossing her face. 

"Thank goodness you're here. We have no idea who these goons are, but they have terrible manners, trying to interrupt this lovely party and roughing up my guests. The men are thing to escort these shit bags down to the boiler room. Can you please go along and see what you can get out of them?"

Raine had a good way of getting information from people, and Emily was furious enough at the intrusion to let him completely off the leash. Then, her eyes fell to Devlin. 

​​​​​​"You know, Devlin, if you wouldn't mind terribly, maybe go down with Raine and see what the two of you can drum out of them. Someone might as well have fun at this party. I'll come down after I've seen to Charlie and Catalina."

Raine shot his boss a harsh, sideways look. He didn’t like this part of it, he was very good at it but, he didn’t enjoy it in the slightest. These were the things that stuck with him when everything else was quiet, when the lights were turned down. Someone had to do it though, it might as well be him. He grew used to it in a twisted way, thick skin and all. 

“Come on Devlin. Work to be done.” He grabbed a pair of sharp kitchen knives in his right hand off the counter as he stalked out of the room.

"It's not because we're both Irish, right?"

Devlin had a look pass on his face, believing that it was one of those moments where he was just unlucky. Plus, he had a feeling that this was not a question or her asking him. She was telling him to do this, sparing a brief look with Charlie, he shrugged, allowing him to make his own choice. 

"Ah, what the hell. Let's get this over and done with."

Devlin walked over to Raine, eyeing him up like he was the enemy. Well just up to a couple of days ago, Dev didn't like his so-called countryman. And now he had to work with him in another capacity, this was shaping up to be an odd few days in his life. Ah whatever, he smirked. 

"Well then, it seems like we have a few people to have some fun with."

Hearing the response and how he spared a look to Ren. Devlin knew he felt the same way, deciding to go on with it. Noticing how he stalked out of the room, he chuckled. 

"I like this guy...right behind ya mate."

Devlin walked out behind him with a pep in his step as he set his wine glass aside.

Raine twirled the steak knife in his hand with a grace that came naturally to him. He was rushing down the stairwell so it didn’t take all that long to reach the sub basement of the Whitmore. The hallway lights dimmed and flickered giving off a shadowy, eerie glow. There were a couple of doorways along the long concrete pathway but only one of the them was illuminated underneath from a light within. After a few long strides he stopped in front of the door for a Brie second, hoping to hide his hesitation from Devlin he swung the door open with a thud as it smacked into the wall behind it. 

The room was as dimly lit as the hallway, a rectangular metal table says off to the side, with three of the four matching metal chairs pulled into the center of the room, each one being used to tie the intruders to. Small bruises and cuts were already visibly showing on their faces, the man on the far left looking a little worse for wear then the other two. 

“I don’t want to be here anymore than you men,” Raine kept his voice even, mechanical even, “so, let’s get this over with as quick and painless as possible. You are going to answer the questions that we ask and if you do, we all go home after. Simple as that. Let’s not make this any more...” he paused, choosing his next word very carefully, “gruesome, than it needs to be.”

He continued twirling one of the blades as he made a show of placing the other on the metal table. “We will start easy, who sent you?”

After a long tense moment the man in the middle finally spat out, “Fuck you! We ain’t sayin’ nothin’!”

“Alright,” Raine couldn’t hide the disappointment from his face, “hard way it is.”

He took a short step forward before plunging the blade, full force into the man on the left’s thigh, drawing out a primal scream that seemed to shake the walls. “Now I’m going to leave this in here and it will hurt like a son of a bitch or I’m going to pull it out and we are all going to watch you bleed to death. Anyone up for still not talking?” 

Being a trained nurse practitioner, it was only natural that Emily would have had a private, well-stocked clinic in her hotel. It was a generously sized room in the basement, one floor above where Raine and Devlin were doing the dirty work.

Emily led Catalina to a comfortable chair to sit, then pointed at an exam table for Charlie.

"Have a seat there so I can take a look at that mug of yours. Catalina, hon, tell me what happened."

As she spoke, she began gathering things from various cabinets and drawers, including a cold pack that she wrapped in a dish towel.

Catalina had let herself be led passively from the kitchen, through the network of hallways, and finally to what looked like an informal doctor's office. Absent was the antiseptic smells and sterile decor; Emily Renfroe's flair had reached all the way to the basement. Taking a seat in a upholstered chair, Catalina took a moment to collect her thoughts. 

"I saw what I thought was a gun being waved about, by a man in the kitchen. There were too many people nearby for me to pick out any of the security detail, so I followed. Impulsively," she said, her eyes flicking between Emily and then Charlie, where they stayed. 

"When I stepped through the doors, I saw that it was indeed a weapon, and that el bastardo was using it to force another man into the meat locker. The situation read completely wrong to me, there was simply no way the man was one of yours, so I tried to, ehm. Neutralize him. I failed, but your other guest here managed to do so. Thank you again, Sir," she smiled weakly at Charlie.

"The man in the locker, is he well enough to ex-"

An inhumane howl of pain floated up from the floor below, and Catalina froze. Neither Miss Renfroe not Mr. Pavanno seemed much disturbed or surprised by it. Catalina attempted to take it in stride and finish what she was saying.

"Perhaps he is well enough to tell you why he was targeted?" Or, most likely, the poor fucker screaming in the sub-basement would.

Devlin watched the scene before him, he looked like he always did. A bit pissed off, his friend was attacked. Now that was not something which would not stand, watching his countryman as Charlie had often said get to work. He could see why Em had chosen the guy to lead this little interrogation, it would be slow and painful, the good old way. 

"Gentlemen, I suggest yer all get to talking. The lad right there doesn't seem like he's going to take 'Oh we don't know, please! Let us go!' Cause even I am not taking that for a bloody answer, so tell us and you can all go..."

He trailed off, reaching into his pocket for a couple smokes, placing one behind his ear as he set the one in between his lips alight. Inhaling like he needed it to live. 

"Now...we know you're here to cause trouble. I would say trouble for Emily, the answer we're looking for is why. I've never seen you particular gentlemen in my life."

Devlin stepped forward, pulling a chair and set the back of it to face the gentlemen. The metal table at the side, Devlin eyed it for a second, having a plan in mind. A casual smirk twitched at his lips. Devlin sat down, leaning against the chair with a glint of malice in his eyes.

"So, I'll ask this time and I am the nicer of us two fine gentlemen. What the fuck are you doing here, huh?"

The men stared back defiantly, or at least, they tried. The fact that one of their cohorts had a knife in his thigh was not helping them at all. 

"Fuck you!"

Devlin chuckled, it was cold and it seemed like the malice in his eyes had returned with such coldness that it was like he held no regard for human life. 

"Wrong fucking answer..."

Devlin stepped around, taking the man in the middle as Raine once did. Only he did not stab him or push the knife deeper, no. He pulled the man's head back, and when he noticed the thug's gaze back on him, he was sure that he saw a flicker of fear. 

Not caring, Devlin removed his smoke from his lips and plunged it deep into the right eye of the thug. He screamed, oh dear god, did he scream. His voice grew hoarse and no doubt that the people below had to grow used to this.

"Oh there he goes, no doubt those two are having a fun bonding experiment."

Charlie quipped sarcastically, his eyes going between Emily and Catalina, he nodded to her. 

"No need for the thanks, I barely did anything. You should be thanking Ren over there, she was the worried one. If it wasn't for her, who knows what these fuckers would have done. Pardon my language."

Charlie smiled, although he was not apologizing for the language. Simply being that the person did not know him this way, it was just the way he was. He swore like a sailor at times. 

"Still, I agree with Catalina. Only I'm a little different in my line of questioning, just why were they here?"

Charlie then heard the howl of pain coming from above him and he sighed, shaking his head. Already knowing that Devlin neither cared for him getting injured, so he would do unto them what they did to him in some fashion. 

"By the way, you sent those two to bond. It seems like they are having quite the time up there. Bloody hell, I kinda feel sorry for those sods."

Charlie muttered those last words to himself, he didn't feel that bad. They had come here with the intent to cause trouble, they would pay the consequences, as would everyone who tried to play them. 

Emily handed Charlie the ice pack.

"Let's try to get some of that swelling down before I decide if you need stitches."

She then turned to Catalina, a bit more concerned.

"How are you feeling? What did they do to you?"

Raine rubbed at his eyes tiredly, the night was already weighing on him and it didn’t seem like it was going to be ending anytime soon. He was more relaxed then he rightfully should have been as he leaned back against the cold metal of the table but he pushed those thoughts aside and chalked it up to rough experience.

”Well then,” he finally spoke after the screams died down a little, “two down and one to go it would seem. I will say I am surprised, figured at least one of you for talkers. No matter I suppose.”

He pushes himself up from the table, deliberately taking his time. He circles the set of chairs a few times before stopping behind the third man. “I’m starting to think that you guys aren’t taking us nearly serious enough. Ya see, there are only two ways this goes. You don’t tell us anything and you die slowly and painfully.” By now Raine had removed his weapon from its holster, laying the barrel of the gun on his captive man’s shoulder. “Or, you tell us what we want to know and you all walk out of here in one piece, only a little worse for wear.”

He cocked the slide back, “any takers?”

The clicking slide seemed to shake the room as the man with the blade in his leg twitched at the sound. The color had nearly completely drained from his face, “Fine!” He finally spat out, a little woozy sounding, “Ill tell you what you want to know.”

”Well now that might be the first good news I’ve heard all day. Not so good for your buddy here though,” Raine moved behind the third man, sharply pulling the trigger, sending a fine most into the air. The deafening sound of a gunshot echoing off the walls of the small room, “​​​​​​​just so you know I’m not fucking around.”

The gunshot was the cue. If things went wrong, that was how Philli would know to make his appearance. He'd been waiting just outside of the hotel, expecting no real trouble, but preparing for something going south anyway. The bar would open, people would have drinks, and the night would close off without a hitch. People would stop wondering why Emily's right hand had not been in attendance, and might be distracted by the absence of the lady herself.

Pushing himself away from the desk, Philli headed towards the ballroom. Just outside the side door, He gathered in the band by eye, and signaled their leader to take his guys to the dais. Philli himself stepped up to the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Give me your attention for a moment if you would be so kind. On behalf on the management of the Whitman, Welcome to this evenings gala dinner. We hope you have enjoyed your meal, and the festivities are just beginning. As the staff clears the floor, I would like to invite you all the enjoy the desserts and open bar, dance, and enjoy yourselves. Ms. Renfroe will return momentarily, as a small matter has arisen that required her attention, and she will resume her duties as hostess and mistress of Ceremonies. However, Until then, please continue to enjoy yourselves. The bar and the dance floor alike, Are open."

With a grand gesture, the band struck up a lively dancing tune as Philli strode back out the door through which he entered. He knew where they would be, and headed direct to the room Emily was in. Stepping through that door with a soft knock, he took in the room at a glance. Nodding to Charlie Pavanno, he took a quick knee next to the boss lady.

"People are starting to wonder where the hostess and Emcee went Ma'am. I headed things off for a moment, bar and dance floor alike are open, but you know that between your absence and the noises, people will start to wonder. What can I do to help?"

"Bloody hell, okay. We get it, you're scared and whatever. Your associates are fucked up, it's up to to you to tell us what you know. So come on, let's hear this little fuck up!"

Devlin looked at the thug with his eyes filled with sick amusement. He seemingly got a kick out of this, watching the little shit squirm as his plans or the plans of his employer fail. It was always enjoyable, the parts where he got to beat them down only made him happier. 

He sighed, looking at him once more. Seemingly shocked into submission once again before Devlin grew impatient, gripping his shoulder tightly. Bringing him back to the present. 

"Come on laddie, we haven't got all day. We're doing this now or you can end up like your buddies, alright?"

The thug nodded, already wanting to be let go and out of the grips of these ruthless thugs who had no regard for human life. The way their eyes were fixed on him, they had no problem finding out the information necessary in other means. 

"Miguel Angel! Miguel! He heard of the event, he hired us, wanted us to make some trouble for Emily, that's all I fucking know. I swear! We were supposed to collect some money after this."

Devlin looked at Raine, raising his eyebrow in curiosity. 

"What do you want to do here? We can't exactly let this guy go, plus we need to figure more about this Miggy fucker unless you know 'em."

The thug tried to say that he wouldn't be causing any more trouble for anyone. He would make himself scarce, Devlin didn't listen, clocking him right on the chin. Effectively knocking him out

The sound of the gunshot managed to echo from the sub-basement to the basement. It was muffled, but enough to jump Emily slightly. Well, that was it. The interrogation wasn't going so easily, and....

"Boss, Mr. Ph-"

Before the guard could finish, Philli sailed through the door. Emily smirked a bit, winking to Catalina.

"Well, my friend, I was hoping it would be an uneventful night for you, but it seems there were other plans. Still, it's not as bad as it could have been. Thank you for handling the ballroom. You're right, we should get going back up. I just want to make sure these two are alright."

Moving back to Charlie, she pulled away the ice pack and looked over his wounds.

"I don't think you'll be needing stitches. Looks like the sucker that punched you didn't have much of a hook. But, it's best you take it easy for the rest of the night. Don't worry about the gala. Once Devlin is back up here, you two head to your room. Once Raine has given me an update, I'll be up myself."

She wiped her hands on a clean towel and looked back to Catalina.

"Same for you, lady. If you don't feel up to coming back to the party, there's no pressure. But if you start feeling any worse, please send someone for me right away."

Now, Emily turned to Philli and shrugged.

"I suppose I have a speech to give, don't I?"

“Well, I suppose I did tell them they could leave if they were honest and forthright. Seems like the right thing to do.”

Raine took a half step back in front of the tied men, unflinchingly he lifted his right arm, pulling the trigger as he did. The bullet hitting the man on the far left in the center of the forehead causing his body to lurch tipping the chair over backwards. 

“Thing is, I only need one of you to deliver the message. You’re going to tell little- What was it there Dev? Miggy? You’re going to let little Miggy there know that this was a horrible decision on his part. Maybe the worst one he’s ever going to make. You can handle that, right?” Raine stood over the man, pressing the gun into the top of the man’s kneecap. “Right?”

Sweat poured down the man’s clearly terrified face, “Yes! Yes! God yes! I’ll tell him everything just let me go!”

Raine lifted his weapon underneath the man’s chin and pulled the trigger in one swift move, “On second thought, I think I will be the one to let him know.”