Mafia Born

Chapter Eighteen: Taken

**Veronica's POV**

"Who the hell do you think you are pulling my arm like that? Just because my father told you to take care of me doesn't you mean get to throw me around like some f*****g rag doll!"

I rubbed my arm a little to get rid of the tenderness. I've seen Teo angry before but this time it was different. Almost like he was a little insecure about the whole situation.

"I'm sorry, Ronnie. I didn't mean to hurt you but you can't just leave me like that. Even if we are in our territory."

"Well I didn't think you would care. You looked a little occupied at the moment and Marco wasn't busy." I said with a smirk.

"Occupied? What would have I been occupied with?"

I rolled my eyes. Clearly he's playing dumb. "That chick that was all over you. Apparently you know each other enough to tell her all about your little babysitting project."

"Veronica, I never said guarding you was babysitting. She's just trying to get into your head."

"Like she's trying to get in your pants right?" I crossed my arms.

"Look, I'm far from a Saint but that chick means nothing to me. We hooked up long before you got here. She's my past. And.."

"And? And what, Teo?"

He took a deep sigh. "And I want you to be my future. Ronnie, I care for you. Deeply. I get that you're still new here and probably have other options but I'm here right now telling you I have strong feelings for you."

I wanted to believe him. My heart wanted to believe him and let him in completely but I know I shouldn't. Not yet anyways. I have too much on my mind to be worried about some romantic fling going on with Teo.

"Prove it." I replied to his confession. I know it sounded cold but I need him to show me. Show me he's worth taking a risk. I don't think that's asking for too much.

"I will."

"Sure you will. So, is this your office or something?" I asked as I looked around the room. It looked like Teo. Dark leather furniture, dark walls, everything was dark. But it also smelt like him too. Odd, I know but he has a very unique smell to him that I do find addicting. A secret I will never tell him.

"Yes, this is my office. Your father's is right down the hall. He's still in a meeting so I figured I'd show you where I work for the time being. Whatcha think? Sexy huh?" Teo said in a seductive low tone.

"It's you alright. Don't think I would use the word sexy though." I traced my fingers on his desk feeling the smooth wood under them.

"Oh? And how would you describe it?"

"Depressing." I responded.

"Whatever, Ronnie. I know you like it." Teo winks.

"You're so full of yourself."

"Oh mio petardo... I'd rather you be full of me." Teo slowly corners me against one of the walls in his office preventing me from moving. He places both hands on either side of my body caging me near him. I feel my body arch closer to him to remove the space and he smirks at my action.

"You have no idea what you do to me...." He whispers in my ear while giving it a slight nibble before looking into my eyes. I can feel my heart race quicken and my breath become shorter. Teo was turning me on and he knew it too.

Screw my subconscious for the moment, I thought to myself and flung my arms around Teo's neck slamming him onto my lips. I wanted him and I wanted him now.

To my surprise, Teo didn't fight back or break our kiss, instead he deepened our lips and quickly took control of the situation.

I gracefully wrapped my legs around his body and his hands held me up in place. Within seconds, Teo had me laying on my back on top of his desk still passionately kissing me up and down my neck and returning to my lips. I gently start to tug on his belt trying to get to some skin but he moves my hands so they're pinned above me.

"So impatient mio petardo...Relax and let me take care of you." He whispers again and slowly takes one of his hands and moves under my shirt.

"Teo...." I whisper heavily. "We can't do this in the office. My father is right down the hall."

"Shhhh. Just don't be too loud and let me please you."

Teo began to feel my breasts and gently pinch my n*****s. He was teasing me again and it was working. Before he could remove any clothing, there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Cazzo.." Teo places a sweet kiss on my forehead before he helps me on my feet. "It's a shame we keep getting interrupted. One of these days I'm going to finish what I started. Just you wait."

I straightened myself out and tried to calm down. Teo always seems to know what to say to get me turned on and ready to pounce.

The office is door is swung open and I hear a familiar voice boom through the office.

"Ah! There she is! I heard you were back. Thank you, Teo, for looking after my little girl. Come, Ronnie. I have much to show you and much to discuss."

I look past Teo and see my father standing on the other side of the door with a giant smile on his face. I'm sure that smile wouldn't be there if he knew what Teo was about to do to me. I quickly pushed that thought to the back of my head and walked towards my father.

"Thanks, Teo. Guess I'll see you around." I said to Teo before my father grabbed my arm and started walking me down the hallway. I turned to look back at him to see his distinguishing smirk on his face followed by his classic wink. This man will be the death of me. I gave him a reassuring smile and returned the wink.

Moments later, Lorenzo had show me all the fancy conference rooms and some of the weapons they specialize in the mafia. I know nothing about guns except what Teo taught me but I was surprised at how heavy they really are.

Once he was done showing off some of his business, Lorenzo led me to his office. His office was much larger than Teo's and Marcos. He had a sitting area, bar area for entertaining, books all over built in shelves, and a huge desk made of glass. It all looked rich and very Italian. I forced myself to hold back a chuckle. I still have to get used all the pomp and circumstance of the mafia lifestyle.

"Would you like a drink, Ronnie?"

"Oh no. I'm good right now, thank you."

"So I heard from Teo and a few others you've been working on your training. How is it going so far?"

"Very well actually. I did some kickboxing and stuff like that when I was younger so the reflexes were always there. Just needed a little brush up. The shooting, however, is completely hard to me. But I caught on pretty quickly. Teo mentioned a range somewhere in this giant building and I'll probably be down there practicing from time to time until I get comfortable."

Lorenzo paused for a moment and looked deep in thought. "That's great to hear, Ronnie. But there are a few things I need to talk to you about before I let you go back to the mansion."

"Oh, okay. What's going on, father?" Still gotta get used to calling him that.

He grins. "Well first things first. This Friday night, I'm having some very important guests arrive in town to try to figure out this cartel business. I hate that you got involved but there's nothing we can do about that now. Anyways, with them arriving, I have decided that will also be the same night I announce to the world who you are. I wanted to do this for a long time but since your mother was in hiding, we both decided it would be best to keep you a secret. So I have arranged a huge banquet in your honor. There will be plenty of food, drinks, music, and dancing. I also have scheduled an appointment for you to get a special dress and get your hair done. I want to make sure you feel spectacular on your special night."

"Lorenzo... I mean dad. You really don't have to do all that for me." I was not used to being spoiled like this. Growing up, we never had a lot of money but we weren't poor either. My mother and I were content in life.

"I know I don't have to but I want to. You deserve it and so much more. We have a few days to prepare and during that time you will have a guard to keep you safe. The cartels are still after us and I need you to be safe."

"I understand. Thank you. For everything." I walked over to Lorenzo and wrapped my arms around him bringing him in for a warm heartfelt embrace.

He was a little shocked. It took him a moment to return the hug. He slowly wrapped his arms around me returning the strong embrace. It felt nice to hug him. His familiar cologne traveled through my nose and I felt like I was home.

"Come, Ronnie. Let's get you back home and settled. Rose has been patiently waiting for you to return."

I nodded my head and followed my father back down into the garage to head back to the house.

Everything seemed to be fine. There were a few other guards walking with us as Lorenzo led the way to his vehicle. The silence was broken with the sound of tires screeching and we all turned around to see a black SUV zooming right towards us. A few of the guards pulled out their guns and tried to shoot the tires or the driver of the vehicle to stop them but it was no use. Seconds later, I feel myself being slammed into the ground with the vehicle now behind us. I look on top of me and see one of Lorenzo's men covering me.

"Stay down, Miss Veronica!" The man shouts.

"Get Ronnie out of there now!" Lorenzo orders.

The guard quickly helps me up on to my feet and within seconds, we are both running back towards the elevator. The elevator opens and I see Teo with a few of the other guys from the mansion shocked to see the scene in front of them. Teo and the other men drew their guns and immediately started running towards the commotion.

Teo looked at me and I saw the fear in his eyes. I wanted nothing but to feel his arms around me so I sprinted even harder towards him. I could hear guns going off all around me and more tires screeching in the garage. I looked behind me for a moment and saw the guard that was with me was shot and instantly killed. Tears started running down my face and I looked back over at Teo. I was almost to him when another black SUV cut in front of me blocking my path to Teo and the other guys. I quickly stopped, turned, and started to run in the other direction but I heard the door of the SUV swing open and a pair of strong arms grabbed me before I could get too far.

I struggled in the vehicle kicking and punching anything and anyone that was near me. I started screaming and scratching at the person who grabbed me. I tried to turn to look at their face but a black sack was quickly placed over my head preventing me from seeing anything. I punched the guy hard in the face and he loosened his grip on me. I felt my way towards the door and tried to open it but it seemed to be locked from the inside. I could feel the window button and I quickly pushed it down. To my amazement, I heard the window slowly going down.

"Teo!!" I screamed out the window and tried to force my body out of it but I was suddenly pulled back inside. "Teo!!" I screamed again. I tried to fight again but I felt a sharp pain in the back of my neck and everything went black.

**Teo's POV**

"Ronnie! f**k! Marco, get to the SUV now! They got Ronnie! Ronnie!!"

I did not expect the cartels to attack us on our territory. I thought we had more time. I was just coming down the elevator with the guys when we heard the gunshots. The doors slowly opened and that's when everything started to move in slow motion.

I saw some of Enzo's men protecting him and shooting at a vehicle while I saw Ronnie and one of the guards racing back to where I was. I'll never forget what I felt in that moment when I locked eyes with Ronnie. Fear. Something new to me. I feared for her safety and I feared for her life. I felt all the color drain in my face when I saw her running for her life right to me. I quickly sprang into action.

I told the other guys to protect Enzo and I was going to get to Ronnie. I started to run as fast as I could. I was nearly there when another vehicle blocked my path. I knew exactly what was going to happen. They were going to try and take her. I pulled out my gun and fired a few shots at the vehicle. I noticed none of the bullets were doing any damage. That could only mean the car was bullet proof and they have been planning this attack for a while.

I heard a door to the SUV open and I freaked. All I could see was red. I reloaded my gun and kept firing in the same spot to eventually get through the vehicle. I got one shot in to the person sitting in the front but it took forever to do any damage.

"Teo!"

I heard Ronnie scream. I raced to the other side of the vehicle and saw she had a hood over her face and she was attempting to jump out the car through the window. Stupid, smart girl I thought to myself. I tried to enter on the other side of the car since it stopped but it was locked. I fired a few shots on the handle until the door finally opened. I saw one of the kidnappers all dressed in black with black gloves and a black ski mask. With the door open, I noticed the front passenger was screaming in pain from the gunshot wound that I inflicted and the driver trying to tell the guy in the back to get Ronnie under control.

"Teo!!"

Ronnie screams for me again. I try to force my way into the vehicle when I feel a knife being forced into the side of my body. I lost my grip and fall backwards out the car. I curse loudly and try to get back up when I hear the vehicle start move again. I look inside the vehicle and see Ronnie go limp all of sudden. This can't be good I thought to myself. I reloaded my gun and started to fire as the vehicle disappeared out of the garage.

Marco pulled up next to me in his car screeching his tires as well. "Hurry up and get in!" He shouted and I jumped into the car. Seconds later, we see the black SUV and begin tailing it throughout the city.

They kept trying to make sharp turns to lose us but Marco was the best driver we had and he knew these streets like the back of his hand.

"Is it the Cartel?" Marco asked.

"I don't know. I know as much as you right now." I reloaded my gun and began firing shots trying to hit the tires from the passenger side of Marco's car.

"f**k! This is getting ridiculous!" Marco shouted. "Hold on, I'm gonna take a short cut and try and cut them off."

Marco whips the car sharp right and speeds through a tight alleyway. On the other side of the buildings, I could see the black SUV and we were quickly gaining on them. Marco takes another sharp right and now we are directly in front of the car blocking their route. I hear Marco rev the engine a little daring the SUV to make a move but it remained still. Suddenly, both the front doors of the SUV swing open and two gentleman all dressed in black with a matching ski mask, wait on the outside of their car.

Marco and I grab our guns and exit the car as well watching any movement from the back of the vehicle.

"Ahh look who it is boys. Teo and his sidekick Marco." The driver says.

"Quit the small talk and give us the girl. Now!" I shout at them.

The driver and the passenger laugh. "You think you're in any position to make demands? This may be your town but we obviously have something your boss wants."

I try to start walking towards them when I see the back door of the SUV open and another gentleman all dressed in black comes out holding a lifeless Ronnie in his arms.

"I wouldn't take another step if I was you, Teo. Don't want to hurt your boss's precious little girl now, do you?" The driver said.

I gripped my gun even tighter. I noticed blood on the ground near my feet. I completely forgot all about the fucker that stabbed me and now he's the one holding Ronnie.

"Just give her to us and we can forget this whole thing ever happened." Marco says trying to make some kind of deal with the kidnappers.

"Tell your boss he will have our demands soon. Until then, Miss Veronica stays with us. We promise not to harm her, too much." Both men laugh again.

"Mother-fuckers!" I shout and I start running towards Ronnie. I'm almost more than half way there when I see the guy hold her reach into his pocket and pull out a switchblade. He quickly places it against her throat which stops me dead in my tracks.

"Like I said, we will be in touch. Let's go." The driver says and then a ladder appears out of the sky. Both Marco and I look up to see a helicopter slowly start to hover above the road. The passenger aims his gun at us and we watch the driver throw Ronnie over his shoulder and ascend the ladder.

The other guys quickly get into the black SUV and disappear back the way they came. I turned to Marco and I was about to say something when I started to get dizzy.

"Teo? Teo?! Teo, are you okay? f**k! Dude, you're bleeding." I could hear what Marco was saying but it was hard to make out. Moments later, I felt myself fall to the ground and slowly close my eyes.