Page 44 of A Mafia's Treasure

“I didn’t really catch the street, just ran out as quick as I could. We need to get back now before anyone returns to the house. I know where it is, so I can take you,” she rushes out as she stands to go but wobbles on her feet.

Shit! She needs to see someone. I’ll get someone to the house and send her there. One of the guys can follow us to the location. We’ll need two beds set up because if she is like this after six months, what the fuck is Gabriele going to be like?

“Marco, get one of the men around the front, he can follow us to the location, and we can head in to see if we can find Gabriele.” I look over to Rosie. “You will come with us and show us where we need to go, but when we get there, one of my men will take you back to my house so you can get looked at by the Dr. We’ll meet you back there with Gabriele,” I assure her.

“I should come with you. I told him I would come back … I promised him.” She stands and grabs hold of my arm.

“He will understand. I’ll tell him you need to be looked at.” I pull her into a hug.

“Marco, call the family Dr. and get him to the house. We need two beds set up with all the equipment they can think of. Tell them to get it, no questions asked,” I command.

“On it, and I’ve informed Tony and Tommy that we will be over either later or tomorrow, but to keep Brandon secure until we arrive.” His smile is cruel, and the outcome for Brandon is not looking good right now. It wasn’t before, but now I know he kidnapped my brother and kept him hidden for almost two years, this is something he won’t come back from.

Reluctantly, Rosie agrees with my plan, which is good because I don’t want to have to force her, not in the state she is currently in, so we all head out.

We follow her directions through the New York traffic. The journey shouldn’t take long but it feels like hours have passed when we arrive at the house in front of us.

You wouldn’t suspect that beneath the house in the basement, the owner is holding prisoners. This town house is in one of the more affluent parts of the city and we need to head in without causing a fuss. The last thing we need is the cops showing up.

The red bricks of the five windows wide, three-story property look impressive. The lights are all off, but that doesn’t mean that no one is home. I instruct my guards to have the lights off all the time, it gives people a false sense of security, and they feel bolder when they believe no one is watching.

My heart starts to pound as I exit the vehicle and signal to Marco to get Rosie back to my house.

He does the switch, and I watch closely as my men arrive and separate, several head around the back while one of the guards stays with myself and Marco.

My guard proceeds to enter the premises, and we follow. The others have already entered, signaling all is clear on this floor.

I point upstairs for that team to investigate as we locate the door with a padlock sitting at the foot of the wooden door.

This is it… I pull it wide open with a creak and head down the concrete steps.

Chapter32

Gabriele

It feels like she’s been gone for days, and it seems to be getting colder down here.

Glancing across to where I would watch her, there’s nothing but bunched up grubby sheets from where she used to be.

I know it was the right thing telling her to go, but part of me wishes she was still here, just so I know it’s not my mind making her up.

Laying here I remember the look in her deep chocolate brown eyes as she said goodbye, glistening with unshed tears, and the slight scratch I felt from her dry lips when she kissed me softly before promising she’d be back.

Scoffing to myself, I try to clear my mind of her. I don’t even know her name. For months we shared this space and barley spoke. We just felt comfortable with each other and safe … that in itself is fucking ridiculous considering everything that’s happened.

I sit up as I hear the door upstairs creaking. Shit, he’s back!

Licking my lips, I straighten my back as best I can with the chains on my wrists restricting my movements, but I have to face him when he comes in. I’m not going to take his beatings lying down.

My heartbeat picks up as I wait, listening to the slow footsteps descend the concrete steps. I tilt my head as I make out more than one person coming down.

Great … he’s brought friends!

I watch as the big steel door opens slowly, scratching along the floor as it does, light filling the room, and as usual I squint to adjust to the change.

“Gabe … Gabe … you in here,fratello?” It’s a whisper, but I know instantly who it is. Nico, myfratello, he came. She must have done as I asked and went to him.

“N-Nico,” I croak. I haven’t had a drink in what feels like forever.

---