Aiden's pov (The breakfast)
The dining hall looked like something out of a movie magazine sunlight poured through tall windows glinting of silverware that probably cost more than aidiens tuition, a long mahogany table stretched across the room. the smell of coffee and freshly baked pastries filling the air.
Lucas sat at the head of the table, posture perfectly straight, phone faced down beside his plates. Kellan sat on his right dressed casually but somehow still intimidating, Elijah sat opposite stirrring his tea lazily while a young woman Kayla chatted beside him. when neo and Aiden entered all eyes turned towards them "good you're both here" Lucas said gesturing to the two empty chairs across from kellan "sit" Aiden obeyed trying not to look too overwhelmed by the setting or by kellan's quiet gaze that flicked towards him once before returning to his coffee "now that everyone's here" Lucas said placing his napkin neatly on his lap "it's only proper that introductions are made Aiden meet the people you owe your morning to".
He started with a nod towards his right kellan D'moretti field operations and security, my right hand man. You've already met him under unfortunate circumstances" Aiden risked a glance at Kellan who raised his mug slightly in acknowledgments "we've met" he said dryly. Lucas continued "across from him is Elijah Mancarelli, logistics and communications anything related to shippings and cargos he handles coordination and Intel" Elijah smiled warmly setting his cup down pleasure to meet you "Aiden next time you end up in danger try to schedule it during office hours" Aiden chuckled weakly "I will keep that in mind" and this Lucas gestured to the woman beside Elijah "is Kayla medical and analysis she patched you up last night and gave you some medications" Kayla gave a small wave her expression gentle but Sharp "you'll probably feel a little dizzy for the next day or two that's normal try to drink water not sarcasm".
Neo snorted "good luck with that" Aiden grinned feeling slightly more at ease "no promises" lucas's gaze shifted towards the far end of the table where two men have been quietly observing the exchange "and finally he said my brothers Ethan and Matteo.J.Luther" the pair couldn't have looked more different "matteo the elder had the composed sharpness of a man who spent years calculating every move his Navy t-shirts crisp even early in the morning, his tone calm but watchful as he gave aiden a polite nod Ethan on the other hand leaned back in his chair with lazy confidence a faint smirk tugging at his lips his shirt collar was open a gold chain glinting faintly at his neck "Matteo manages discipline, internal affairs punishment, manages our stocks and investments all round while Ethan handles overseas operations, trade routes, money laundering diplomacy with people we don't name in daylight" Lucas paused to observe both neo and aiden "there so many more but for now these are The importance ones" "welcome to the circus" Matteo said smoothly voice low and teasing "don't worry we only bite when we are bored". Aiden blinked "good to know" he muttered unsure whether to laugh or run.
Lucas leaned back slightly his sharp eyes scanning everyone "now that we all know each other let's discuss what happens next" but before he could continue Aiden raised a hand nervously "uh..wait what happens next as in what I think you mean?.. because if it's anything involving guns, secret missions or me running again I'd rather just stay in the kitchen and do dishes" a brief silence then unexpectedly kellan's low voice broke it "then you'll do the dishes under supervision" Aiden's mouth dropped open and the room broke into quiet laughter even Lucas lips easily twitched just slightly.
The clatter of silverway softened as Lucas leaned back in his chair the quiet weight of command wrapping around him like a shadowed crown for a long moment he didn't speak he just studied the two friends sitting opposite him neo sharp eyed and calculating even when pretending to be calm and Aiden who's confusion was written all over his face.
Finally he spoke
"you to need to understand something" he began voice low but cutting through The stillness "you're already in whether you realize it or not you stepped into this the moment you met me there is no backing out now" Aiden's spoon froze mid air "in what exactly" lucas's lips curved slightly not a smile but a knowing line that carried both danger and authority "the family business" he said simply "The familia" neo frowned "you mean your father's company?" Lucas shook his head slowly "not that one the one beneath it, the one that's doesn't exist on paper, the one that runs in blood and loyalty" he glanced at Ethan and Matteo who both slightly nodded like this was a conversation they'd heard before a ritual almost.
"The underground familia was built decades ago" Lucas continued "my father Alessandro Julius Luther founded it with his brothers men who believed that power was the only language the world truly respected, we run the legitimate from real estate, shipping, imports and so on but what really keeps the empire alive isn't on any government record" Aiden swallowed his heart thudded faster "you mean illegal stuff" Matteo chuckled dryly "if you call survival illegal then yeah" lucas's tone hardened "we protect what's ours, we fight when we have to, we keep Peace by reminding people who owns it" his gaze flicked towards neo then Aiden again sharp enough to pin them in place "you already crossed parts with our enemies the Whisper known as Darian who am I'm very sure works Cassian Drayce also known as The serpent, supreme leader of the obsidian circle an organization older than the familia itself they've been watching The familia for a long time and now that you're seen around me they'll watch you too that's why you can't walk away your part of this now".
The air in the room tightened even neo looked less composed than usual "so what do we do" neo asked quietly.
Lucas stood his presence commanding instant silence "you learn. both of you" he motioned towards the far wall where a black case sat propped against the corner. Ethan opened it revealing the glint of silver and steel, handguns, knives and an array of weapons that looked both sleek and deadly. "you'll learn how to fight, how to shoot how, to defend yourself" Lucas said "you'll learn the codes what to say what not to say when to shut up and when to act, you'll learn who to trust and who to kill, because this world doesn't forgive mistakes. it buried them" Aiden's stomach twisted but something inside him, curiosity maybe or destiny refused to let him look away.
Lucas turned then eyes softer almost reflective "my family is complicated he admitted Ethan and Matteo they are my brother's we don't always get along but they've saved my life more times than I can count my mother serafina Rossi Luther she wanted me to stay out of this, my father wanted me to rule it I try to do both and I failed at neither" he smirked faintly as if amused by his own contradictions.
He poured himself another cup of coffee and added more quietly "you'll meet others too step siblings, allies some of them are loyal some are opportunist you'll have to figure out who's who but for now you only answer to me, you move when I move, you speak when I tell you to and whatever happens you don't betray the famila.... ever!"
Neo exchanged a quick glance with Aiden the reality of the situation sinking in like a slow poison. Lucas set his cup down and leaned forward dropping to near whisper to "there's one more thing" he said "if you want pia to know she can but she stays out of the dirt she doesn't fight she doesn't get involved she's the only one who gets to stay clean understood?".
Neo nodded slowly a mixture of fear and awe filling his chest Lucas smiled faintly for the first time almost warmly "good then from this day forward you are not outside any more" he straightened his tone final, his presence regal your now part of the familiar" the room fell silent not with fear but with the weight of recognition, of power of inevitability.
"Oh and lastly you have to find a way to tell your mom about your job neo cause it's time you come clean you too Aiden tell your parents you have a job in a company no more secrets again"
"Sure?" They both said