Valentina's POV:
It's been a month.
One month...how?
It's been a month since my brothers, father, uncles, grandpa have been kidnapped and held hostage by this piece of shit, Dimitri Ivanov.
Although it feels like just yesterday my brothers, Dad and I were enjoying a movie night the day before they left for Italy for their work. It's also hard to believe only thirty days have passed because the drastic changes around here speak otherwise.
Matteo isn't the same joker brother he used to be. He's become cold and distant. It's hard to see the once joyous boy not talk to anyone except when needed to. The only emotion he relates to these days is anger.
Daniel, on the contrary, has opted for the most emotional approach to handle this situation. He suffers mental breakdown any moment if we discuss our family.
Damon hasn't changed much except he's even more angry than usual nowadays. If he disappears from everyone's sight for more than two hours it's understood that he's venting out on a punching bag.
Deigo's my biggest help around here. He's dealing with this situation in a more healthy way. He and I are always prepared to calm down when Damon and Lucas uncontrollably lash out on someone.
Lucas isn't any better than Damon. And like Matteo he doesn't communicate much except when he absolutely needs to. So far he's got into unnecessary fights with people he most definitely shouldn't mess with.
Marcus has sadly forgotten how to smile or show any emotion. Gone is the boy that would lighten up anyone's day by his childish antics. He now prefers to keep to himself.
My aunts and grandma are trying to stay as strong as they can mostly for for our sake, but they're speedily losing hope as these days pass by. Their health just keeps deteriorating in front of my eyes, thanks to those dark clouds looming over us.
Max. He's still totally unaware of what happened a month ago. We just keep assuring him that our family is gone for a vacation. Sometimes I feel like he can see through our lies us, but he never says anything so I cannot be sure.
He's the only reason my family is still sane I guess. My brothers are calm and mannered when he's around. They never get upset with him and also try to keep up their older selves alive as a facade for Max's sake.
Ben, our hero, is just working all the time. Since none of us kids are trained for Don duties he was compelled to become to interim Don of the American mafia to avoid any disruption in Alessandro's absence.
He also assists aunt Isabella, who's taken over the Italian mafia, as she has no experience regarding Don duties and Ben gives her confidence to manage it all.
We couldn't be more grateful of him.
The Diaz family has proved to be a huge support in this crisis. Ricardo and Louis have handled the responsibility of the Spanish mafia back at their home while Rafael keeps in touch from here in Italy.
Savannah is always present for me whenever needed, but I've noticed her pain and distraught swirling in her eyes for Ales who she would give anything to see. I've lost count of the times she's broken down in my arms releasing her pain through tears.
How am I doing?
Well I've most probably changed the most this month. Infact I cannot even relate to the old Valentina anymore. The one who my family didn't want involved in the mafia business.
I'm a fighter now.
This entire month I've been training tirelessly. Twelve hours a day I'm learning combat fighting, shooting, knife throwing and everything a mafia member is familiar with when it comes to fighting.
It's safe to say I've pushed myself to become one the best—which was my aim. Ben admitted that he's never known anyone to grasp the concept of the intensive training they offer to their recruits in as short a period as a month.
My brothers and I try to work together. And I know we've been getting better and better each day. All of us.
Micheal? Well we're still dating and no one knows about it yet. Although I think I'm not giving us as much time a person should give in a relationship. Any spare time I've got is spent in looking after my family around me or search for those who're far away.
Thankfully Micheal is very understanding. He knows what I'm going through and hardly ever leaves my side. His constant unwavering support has made me fall in love with him.
I haven't returned to America since last month which means I've also not seen my friends or gone to school all this time. Since I didn't inform anyone when we left so abruptly back then my friends expectedly noticed my continued absence at school which raised a lot of curiosity.
They kept dropping texts and leaving voice messages on my phone almost everyday. At first I would ignore them as I was certain I'll probably break down if they ask me what has happened.
But then Micheal convinced me to talk to them and I did after two weeks of being in Italy. I conveyed a family emergency to be the reason for my indefinite stay in Italy. I didn't detail them on what family emergency and thankfully they didn't pry.
Infact they told me to take care of myself while they wait eagerly for me and Micheal to return. I only communicate through texts with them now which they understand. They drop a text every now and then wondering if I'm alright.
Like I said it's only been a month when it feels like it's been ages because of the amount of change we all have gone through around here.
Right now I'm heading towards Matteo's room to check up on him. He was absent today during breakfast. Earlier he'd never fail to show up for food, but now he occasionally does. Heck he forgets to eat sometimes.
I turn the door knob and push open the door before entering. I find him sitting on his bed with our family's picture in his hands. He's so lost staring at it intently that he failed to notice me.
I clear my throat to gain his attention. His head raised to look at me and I raised my eyebrows gesturing my chin towards the clock on the wall. His eyes travel my direction and it takes a few moments before he realises what I meant.
"I'm sorry, I forgot to come down to eat", Matteo sighs in defeat.
"Again", I reminded quietly.
He nods weakly before going back to looking at the picture again. We remain like this in comfortable silence for a while not saying anything until I see a tear drop down his eyes.
I immediately walk towards him and kneel down in front of him. I take his hand in mine and squeezed it a bit showing my comfort.
"It's been a month. Exactly", He whispers while gazing at the photo.
"I know", I said sadly
"I cannot take it anymore", Matteo breaks down into tears. "It hurts not seeing them everyday. It hurts not being able to hug Enzo. It hurts not being able to play with the twins. It hurts not feeling protected by Ales. It hurts not being able to go to Elijah when things get rough. It hurts not getting scolded by dad for my antics. It just hurts so damn much", He whispered, his voice dripping with pain.
I could almost anticipate my tears that slowly brimmed my eyes was, but I held back knowing I need to remain strong for him.
"Matteo I know it hurts, but we can't give up okay. We'll find them. We have to", I said firmly.
"You're right. We have to. Otherwise I don't know what'll happen to us. I cannot lose another parent Val. I just can't", Matteo sniffed.
I witnessed him get this emotional for the first time since the last time we cried after we arrived in Italy. He's been holding back a lot for a long time.
"You won't. I'll not let that happen", I promised.
He nodded smiling a bit.
"Now come on. Time for lunch", I said standing up.
He stood up and we walked down.
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Alessandro's POV:
One month.
It's been a month. I don't know how long we'll be here. I want to just hold my bambina and Matteo close to me. I can't even imagine what they must be going through.
I was sitting in the cell along with the rest of my family. We get food twice a day. Dimitri comes once in a while letting out his frustration on one of us all the time.
God knows why he's so frustrated.
He never tells us what's going on outside, but I can tell he's not happy with whatever my family is doing to him.
Dad and my brothers are seated next to me in this cell. I look at them and see everyone just staring at the wall with no emotion.
"I'm worried about my kids", Dad said suddenly
We all look at him.
"Me too dad. I don't think they're alone. They must be with the rest of the family but it worries me still. They're just kids", Enzo said worried.
"Yeah it's frustrating to not know what's going on outside", Xander frowned
"I just hope our brothers and sister are fine", Xavier whispered sadly.
Everyone sighs in defeat.
"They will be. I trust Ben to take care of them", I said confidently
They all look at me and I know they all think the same.
"That's the only reason I'm still sane I guess. I trust Ben with my life", Dad said looking at us.
Some of my brothers smiled nodding. Oldies sigh hard.
Suddenly the door bangs open and again comes in Dimitri like every other day angry and pissed.
We all look at him with hatred. I see Grandpa's jaw clenched. All my brothers showing furious emotions.
"I hate your fucking family", Dimitri growls kicking the can in front of him towards the wall.
"That's already very evident", Emilio said looking at all of us.
We smile and shrug.
"I mean your family out there annoying the shit out of me", Dimitri snarls.
"Yeah? What did they do?", Leo chuckled a bit
"They're on a killing spree", Dimitri growls at us.
Yes!
"That doesn't surprise me, but care to elaborate?", I asked
"Your family is on a man hunt for my mafia's men. They're going crazy searching for you bastards", Dimitri spat at me.
Anger flared inside me at the disrespect along with others, but we controlled.
"Well my kids will never rest till they find us. I can guarantee that to you boy", Grandpa smirked proudly.
"Yeah? I hope they enjoy disappointment then. I will kill them when I see them for killing my men", Dimitri smirked
Obviously that ticked some of us.
"You bastard", Xander shouted thrashes in his chains.
"Don't you dare touch them", Angelo yells angrily.
"You piece of shit", Mark spat.
Dimitri just laughs and leaves the cell leaving us all furious.
He dare touch my siblings.
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Valentina's POV:
We all just finished our lunch and are walking towards the office for a meeting.
I first had to get my phone so I told others to go to the office and I'll see them in a minute.
I enter my room and get my phone. I'm replying to some texts on my phone when I'm suddenly hugged from behind.
I immediately know who it is without even turning.
I rest and lean on him. He hugs me tight and kisses my shoulder.
"I missed you", Michael whispered kissing my shoulder.
I could imagine pouting behind me.
"You saw me yesterday", I snickered amused.
"Yeah and that's a long time without you", He said turning me and holding me by my waist and my hands around his neck.
He looks so handsome. I feel like he gets better and better as days pass.
"We have to go to the meeting now", I informed him
"Yeah Rafael's already up. I saw you coming here so I came here", He smiled.
"Okay come on", I smiled and kissed him on his lips.
He kissed me back immediately and he finally pecks me and we walk towards the office.
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There will be more action in upcoming chapters.
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