Mafia Born

Chapter Twenty: The Escape

**Teo's POV**

I still can't believe Tony's gone. If Enzo would have just waited a moment, we could have gotten more information from him. But Enzo is just thinking about his daughter and I honestly don't blame him. I probably would have shot him the moment I saw him as well.

I'm cleaning up around Tony's office when I noticed his computer was still on displaying information about one of the vehicles that took Ronnie. I quickly skim through the document and notice they were rentals. I find that odd that the cartel's would have to rent a vehicle when they are known to flaunt their cash from time to time even with their cars. I continue reading a little bit more and find a name listed for the rental insurance.

"Roxane Guerra..."

Roxanne's last name was Davis and not Guerra. Guerra means war. Something's not adding up here as I continue to scan through the information. Someone knew Roxanne would get caught but why use Tony as a scapegoat? There's no way Tony was involved. I refuse to believe he would betray us.

I close the license plate program and scroll through some other documents located on Tony's computer.

"What do we have here?" I say to myself as I open a folder titled "Cartel Info". Inside the folder were copies of Marco's phone logs and records of his whereabouts.

"Why was Tony following Marco?" I scroll a bit more and noticed every time we had a run in with the cartel, he wasn't around. His location was unknown but he was using his phone during the time of the altercation. Looking back at the other documents in the folder, Marco wasn't the only person Tony was following. Tony also had information Luca. Luca also wasn't around during any of the altercations and seemed to be making the same amount of phone calls as Marco during the incident.

I quickly pull out my phone and dial Ricci.

"Ricci."

"Yes Teo? What's up?"

"Are you still at the warehouse or are you back at the mansion?"

"I'm actually about to leave the warehouse. Did you need something?"

I pondered for a moment before answering. "Come up to Tony's office. I need to discuss a few things with you. Make sure no one follows you."

"Um, oh okay. I'll be right there. Do you just want me or do you want Luca too. He's just about to drive off..."

"No!" I quickly say through the phone. "Just you and hurry." I hang up before he could even answer.

I want to tell Enzo what Tony was up to but now is not the time. He's too inside his own head and we don't need him flipping out again.

Minutes pass by and Ricci finally appears in the doorway.

"Were you followed?" I asked.

Ricci looks around and behind him before shaking his head.

"Good. Come in and close the door."

Ricci did as I instructed and made his way towards me.

"What's going on, Teo? Why so secretive?"

"Take a look at this." I gave Ricci a copy of documents I found on Tony's computer. I watched as Ricci scanned the papers. His face changed from confusion to frustration almost instantly.

"What is all this?" Ricci finally asked.

"I was hoping you knew. It looks like Tony was following Marco and Luca but didn't tell anyone about it. Also, it looked like the cartels expected Roxane to get caught since they changed her last name. Did Tony tell you anything?"

Ricci thought for a moment. "Tony did mention that he had an idea who the rat could be but he never told me any names. Do you think Marco or Luca could be behind the attacks?"

"I don't know but all the information Tony found points to both of them. Look, the phone logs alone place Marco and Luca away from both attacks. The only time I knew Marco was around was right before Ronnie was kidnapped. One of them knows something. We need to get one to talk."

"Marco won't talk. He knows your methods and is stubborn as hell. Luca will break under pressure. We should start with him." Ricci stated.

"You're right. We need to get to Luca. Marco's running recon tonight so he shouldn't be at the mansion. Tonight would be the perfect night to get Luca on his own. I've noticed he follows Marco like a lost puppy at times. It's pathetic."

"So what's your plan, Teo? Should we tell Don Lorenzo?"

"No. Not yet. Let's get confirmation before we tell him anything. Give him some time to cool off a bit. You know he was close to Tony."

"I still can't believe he's gone, man. He taught me everything I know." Ricci started to choke up a little and I swear I saw tears forming in his eyes.

Tony and Ricci were always inseparable. They trained together, they fought together, and they busted their ass for Lorenzo every chance they could get. I swear, if Marco or Luca are involved with the cartel in anyway, I'll kill them myself.

"We will avenge his death, Ricci. Don't you worry. We just have a couple of roaches to kill on the way there."

"You're right. The cartel will get theirs. But how do you want to approach Luca? We can't just walk up to him and ask him questions. He's gonna get suspicious."

I pondered for a moment. "True. We don't want him to get suspicious. We also need to make sure he doesn't have his phone on him so he can't alert anyone. I think we should wait until we know he's asleep. Sneak into his room, take his phone, and take him down to the basement. We can put him in one of the cells and question him in there."

"Perfect. Those cells are sound proof so no one will even know he's down there unless we tell them."

"Exactly. Now, let's back to the mansion and wait for nightfall."

Ricci and I gathered the documents we found on Tony's computer and around his office before heading back to the mansion. If Luca knows anything, I'm going to make sure he talks. Ricci knows some of the techniques I use but not all of them. I make sure I'm alone with the prisoner because my methods can be gruesome. I clutched the rosary that I wore around my neck and knew it was going to be one of those nights where I will have to lose control and let my inner demon free.

Night arrives quickly at the mansion and I'm in my room alone staring up at my ceiling. Lorenzo has locked himself in his office and refuses to speak to anyone. Rose tried to get him to eat dinner but the food was still left outside his office when I came up to my bedroom. I honestly hope we can get something out of Luca tonight because time is ticking down. We don't know what the cartel wants with Ronnie so we need to get to her fast.

Suddenly, I hear a faint tap at my door and knew it was time. I grabbed my rosary and headed towards the door. I opened it to see Ricci ready to get our plan in motion. I nod to him and we silently make our way down to the end of the hall towards Luca's room. Ricci and I had dinner with him before he went to bed so we knew he was home. Ricci added sleeping pills into his drink to knock him out quicker and keep him out while we moved him.

Ricci slowly opens the door and we both see Luca passed out across his bed still in his clothes from earlier. Looks like the drink worked better than we thought. I motioned for Ricci to look around the room for his phone. I quickly tie Luca's hands and legs together to make moving him downstairs a little easier. Ricci tapped me and showed me his phone. I looked at it closely and it wasn't the phone I was used to him using.

"That's a burner phone, Ricci. Luca is definitely hiding something. We gotta find his other phone." I whisper not trying to wake Luca who I still have over my shoulder.

I lightly feel his pants pockets and noticed something was there. I gently pull the object out of his pocket and see the phone I'm used to him using. I put it in my back pocket and start to head down the stairs with Ricci close behind.

We decided to use the very last cell in the basement to keep an eye out on anyone who was curious and decided to venture down here. I threw Luca down in chair and tied him to it. The less he can move, the better.

"Alright Ricci. Fetch me some water and let's get this s**t started."

"Yes sir...." Ricci replied with a wicked grin.

***Meanwhile Elsewhere***

**Veronica's POV**

Cold. My body whole was cold. I couldn't feel my toes even though I was still wearing both my socks and shoes.

It feels like I've been locked in this place for weeks even though I think it's only been two days. I'm starting to lose count.

They kept a cloth over my head most of the time I've been here. They've tried to feed me and give me water but I have refused anything from them. I'm trying my best to stay strong but I'm getting weak.

I've tried to get any of the people keeping me here to talk but none of them ever say a word to me.

I keep telling myself to hold on to the last bit of hope I have left because I know someone will come and save me. Right? Lorenzo wouldn't let me get kidnapped and not do anything. I don't see him as the type of Don to do that. Especially since I'm his only child.

My thoughts are broken by the sound of someone walking down the hall towards where I'm being held. I hear the jingle of keys and then the door squeaks open.

It must be breakfast time or something. But I feel like they just gave me dinner not too long ago.

"Se ne sai uno piccolo, non volevo che le cose finisse cosi. Tuo padre e un uomo testardo."

"You know little one, I didn't want things to end up this way. Your father is a stubborn man."

"So this is about my father?! Isn't it!?!" I shouted angerly at the person talking. I didn't understand all of what the guy was saying but I understood a few words. Of course this has to do with my father. I know he's a powerful man and probably has more enemies than friends but I'm still getting used to being mafia born.

"Vede, tuo padre ha dimenticato qualcosa di molto importante che deve affrontare questo affare. Sai cos' e quello? Permettetemi di dirtelo. Non lasciare mai perdere le estremita in vita."

"You see, your father has forgotten something very important that has to deal with this business. Do you know what that is? Allow me to tell you. Never leave lose ends alive."

"Listen, I haven't seen your face. If you let me go now, my father won't find you and we can pretend this never happened. Just untie me and let me go asshole!"

As soon as I finished speaking, I felt a hard slap across my face. I guess I must have pissed him off. But that's when I hear the sound of someone else standing in the room. The person that slapped me was standing on one side while the person talking was standing on the other. I could hear someone else in the room being punched. For some reason, hearing someone else getting hurt brought a subtle smile to my face. Thank goodness for the cloth or the men would see the slight joy on my face.

"Non e questo il modo per una donna di parlare. Soprattutto se bella come te stessa. Carlos, farla rinfrescare e amare una stanza al piano di sopra. E ora di mettere in moto il piano."

"Now that's no way for a lady to talk. Especially one as lovely as yourself. Carlos, get her freshened up and moved to a room upstairs. Time to get the plan in motion."

After the man spoke again, there was movement in the room. One man left through the door while another one began to undo some of my bindings. If I had any strength left, now would be the time to use it.

I feel the shackles on my legs fall to the ground and then the rope that held me to the chair slowly was undone. Then I hear the man I'm assume is Carlos walk behind me and start to remove the restraints on my arms.

I wait till I hear the chains land on the ground and I quickly throw my head back hitting Carlos hard against his head. I jump up, remove the cloth covering my face, and quickly check to see the status of Carlos. I'm shocked that I knocked him out cold but I don't stick around to wait to see what he's gonna do next. I noticed a ring of keys laying next to Carlos so I decided to grab them and head to the door.

I look left and I look right. I don't see any guards so I quickly make my way down the hall. I have no idea where to go so I do my best to keep my cool and not draw any attention to myself. I still have my clothes on from when I was kidnapped and haven't showered in a few days so I stayed in the shadows the best I could as I walked down the hall. I peek through each door I pass hoping one leads outside but I can feel my anxiety begin to build up when I feel my luck is running out.

I finally reach the last door in the hallway and I decided to open it. I slowly open the door and instantly start to hear the chirping on birds and feel the warmth start to spread through my body. I sigh in relief and race out the door into the wilderness.

Wherever I was being kept was in the middle of the woods so I just started to sprint for my life away from the building.

I'm about a mile away when I hear alarms begin to go off coming from the building.

"I guess they noticed I got away." I thought to myself.

My body is weak from not eating or drinking so I had to slow my pace down a little. But a few moments later, I hear the barking of dogs and start to run again.

Of course the cartel had dogs. I was stupid to think getting away would be this easy.

The dogs sound like they are getting closer so I decided to try to run through a small stream to get them to lose my scent when I suddenly slip and sprain my ankle.

"f**k!" I shout. I get up and try to walk it off but I'm too weak. Fighting through the pain, I start running again now with went clothes.

I stop for a moment to catch my breath and see if I could hear the dogs. I must have lost them because I could only hear the sound of my heart against my chest. I stayed for a moment longer to see if I could hear anything signally I'm close to getting out of the woods but I don't hear anything.

I turn to keep heading in the same direction when my injured foot gives out from under me sending me down a hill.

I lay at the bottom of the hill covered in bruises, scraps, cuts, and think my foot is broken now. I try to stand but I can't put any weight on it whatsoever. I know I can't give up now but giving up seems so good.

"At least I got away from the bad guys..." I say out loud.

I look around and see a big branch that I use to help my body off the ground. I go to take a step and I want to scream in pain but I refuse. I'm still too close to the building to draw attention to myself. I pause for a moment and could hear cars passing on a nearby road.

I slowly make my way to the edge of the forest and see a small village which brings a smile to my face. Hopefully there's a phone somewhere I can use. I'm ready for this nightmare to be over with.

Walking towards the village, I noticed a couple black SUV's speed into the area. At first I wanted to turn and hide back in the woods but I noticed Marco get out of one of the vehicles and I finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Marco! I'm over here!" I shout towards him and wave my arm to draw his attention. Instantly, I see him look over and smile. I never thought I would be happy to see him but today I am.

Marco runs all the way towards me when he notices I'm struggling to stay standing.

"What the f**k, Ronnie? What did they do to you?" He says as he careful picks me up bridal style and walks back to the SUV.

"Oh, they didn't do this. I did this to myself after I was able to escape." I giggled slightly.

"f*****g Christ, Ronnie. Let's hurry up and get you back. Everyone's going crazy at the compound. Your father has been locked up in his office since you left and Teo disappeared. No one knows where he went. Maybe he had a mission or something with Roxane cause she's been missing too."

"They're probably together. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just take me home so I can get this ankle looked at."

Marco bent down and gently placed a tender kiss on my forehead. I smiled warmly at him. Yes, I don't like Marco but seeing a familiar face gave my heart some comfort.

"Yes ma'am!" Marco answered with a smile and laid me in the back seat of his SUV before heading back to the mansion.