Chapter Forty-Eight

After a few more tears and me having to fix my makeup, we were walking down the hall on the way to see the team. I was so nervous about the next few hours ahead of us, Toby assumed it was just because of the party I was feeling this way. Morgan doesn't want the little fact of us inviting my family, or the plan of us arresting them to get out to anyone who isn't in our team. He thinks that will just have everyone on edge so it won't look like a normal party, which will just make my family see all the red flags and will probably leave. It did suck that I couldn't talk to Toby about my nervous fears over arresting my family, but I knew I couldn't jeopardise the whole of the plan, unfortunately. We soon meet the rest of the team at the exit door to the building, even Cooper was standing there waiting. He isn't a main member of our team but works on the documents and files, which is why he knew about Lukas and Toby arriving without clearance. "Taylor, you did not disappoint, you're a whole snack" he smirks looking me up and down, beside me I feel Toby immediately tense looking over at Cooper. I nudge him a little to snap him out of his annoyed state, I've told him over a hundred times, Cooper and I are strictly friends, nothing more and nothing less. We've always done this flirty act ever since we met, it doesn't mean anything to either of us though. "You definitely didn't either" I smirk over at Cooper when Toby had snapped out of it, he doesn't growl this time but does inconspicuously take my hand and pull me closer to him. "Ready to leave" Morgan smiles holding two blindfolds up, I smile looking up and Toby who I could just tell by his face, was completely over the blindfold rule. Lukas just shrugs letting Brandon blindfold him, while I take the blindfold from Morgan turning to Toby. He shakes his head slightly but does bend down, even in heels I wouldn't be able to reach to slip it on. I put it over his eyes tying it up at the back, while Brandon helps Lukas to get in the car. "I don't understand why we still need to wear these, most importantly me, I've been in and out this alliance more times than some agents here" Toby grumbles as I take him by his hand, he follows but I could tell he wasn't enjoying it. "It's protocol Toby, only agents are to know where the alliance is located" Morgan tells him with a laugh, it's crazy how close we've all became with the guys over these last for months. "Some closer than others" Toby whispers as I lean over to clip his seatbelt, I just roll my eyes and block him from my thoughts, I didn't need him hearing the plans about my family before it happens "hey, I don't like being blocked out" he tells me when I finally find the buckle, I feel like he hides that thing on purpose sometimes. "And I don't like you listening to my thoughts whenever you please" I smile patting him on the shoulder, while everyone else starts to climb into the car. We were soon all on our way to the party, for the first time in a long time I wasn't driving. Normally, I'm at the wheel taking charge but today Cooper was driving. I sat in the back of the car between Toby and Lukas, Brandon was in the front with Cooper, while Morgan wanted to take his own car so he could scope some place out. In no time we pull up at the venue, which was this huge mansion and garden which is owned by the alliance. It's perfect for traps to catch some shady people, it's definitely what we're using it for today, unknowing of anyone else around here. While we pull in I tell the guys they can take their blindfolds off, Lukas's mouth hung open at the sheer beauty of this place. Alliance agents were walking in and out having a chat, for some this is the first real break they're having. Toby was the first to get out when we pull up, but he soon turns holding his hand out to help me. "This is where the nightmare begins" I sigh taking a look at everyone, who were all already sending me smiles and waves, my social interaction meter is really gonna be stretched thin tonight. "You're gonna have a great time Taylor, if not you know where I am" Cooper winks making me laugh a little, Toby looks down at me in an annoyed manner. "I think she'll be fine" he mutters whilst Cooper had already turned and was chasing down another agent, I just shake my head beginning to make my way towards the building. "Here is the woman of the night, welcome Miss Westlake" the agent at the door smiles, I think his name might be Tom or Rick, don't judge me there's a lot of agents at the alliance! "before I forget, a man left this letter for you" he smiles reaching in his pocket and pulling an envelope out, I take it with a smile but was super nervous to read what it said and who it was from. Brandon looks over at me while I step to the side to open it, Toby and Lukas were too busy having a random conversation about turtles to see what I was doing. I pull the piece of paper out to see the little note, which read "The family and I are all here Love dad" A tiny sigh escapes my lips as I look up from the letter, sending a nod to Brandon while also handing him the letter, I didn't have any pockets and Toby would definitely ask me what it was if he saw it. He reads it quickly before slipping it into his pocket, he also sends nods of his head before walking into the building. I turn to look at Toby who was already standing behind me, with a forced smile I walk myself into the building. As like the mansion that burned down, this place was absolutely beautiful, let's hope it doesn't turn out like the other one did. Right in the middle of the ballroom, people were dancing together to the elegant music that was placing. "Maybe we could join them" Toby smiles appearing beside me, I send him a little smile before scanning my surroundings, my family is here somewhere I just need to catch a glimpse of them. "I wish we could, but people would start asking questions and slowly connect the dots" I sigh with a sad look before my eyes fall to the front, Morgan was making his way into the stage with paper in his hands, I think it's time for his speech. "Can I have your attention please" Morgan says from the front, almost immediately the ballroom falls silent "normally, it would be the person who is receiving the medals time to give a speech, but in the words of Taylor Westlake herself, I don't do speech's so Morgan you're my default speech maker" he smiles which causes the hall erupt in little laughs, I smile a little but it was totally true. "When you make these types of speeches, you talk about all the good qualities and the great things the agent has done, but for Taylor that list is much too long. Anyone who has the pleasure to work with her or even have a conversation with her, you will all say the same thing. She is the most loving, compassionate but also toughest person out there. With everything Taylor experienced in her early years of life, she could have been and would have had the justification to be bitter and hold hate. But she decided to go the total opposite way, she deeply cares about every single person she comes in contact with, even if it is the people she's putting away. You are a credit to this agency and everyone you work with, you're gonna do such great things Taylor in whatever you choose to do. To Taylor" Morgan finish his speech holding a glass up, everyone cheers to Taylor while clapping. I take a look to Morgan who was wiping away a tear, I walk through the crowd and over to the stage to give him a hug. I still didn't have a clue what I was gonna do after Richard, but I can't think about that now.