Taken by Vincenzo

by Katrina S Karter

  Lucas pointed his gun at Cherubino. “Don’t even think about it.”

  Hank turned away shielding his face from Lucas, I could see the dimple in his cheeks. “I’ve missed a lot.”

  “I’m not giving Salvatore another upper hand. He already has Tatiana.” I forced Lucas’s gun away from Cherubino’s head.

  “The Esposito’s are our enemies. Why does Lucas care what happens to her?” asked Terenzio.

  I could not blame him for being confused. Hell, I was still confused. How does Lucas go to kill them and end up falling in love with our enemy’s daughter? I haven’t forgiven him for the fucked-up position he’s put me in either.

  “They are our enemy, but Ginevra is under Mancini protection.” I stared at my men. My word was law whether it made sense or not.

  “While we are on the subject, Tatiana Ivanor is under Mancini protection, and when I get her back you will protect her with your life.

  “Where is Tatiana?” asked Hank.”

  “Salvatore has her.” My men grumbled and soon my men had their weapons out and waiting on my signal.

  Hank did not say a word. He held up his hands and Terenzio shook his head. He and the Martinetti cousins followed Hank. They got in the truck and drove off.

  Snapping my fingers, we ran down to the Fish Market. When we were on the side of the building, I hand signaled for them to spread out. Some men went around back, while the others went to the front. I went around the side with Lucas and a group of men.

  Picking the lock, we entered the warehouse. Walking down the hall, I saw a guard with his back turned to me. I shot him in the head. We cleared room by room. As we shot the men, we stepped over their bodies. Loud voices were coming from up above in one of the offices. Signaling, I separated the group, sending half of them to the right up that staircase, and we took the left.

  Livino’s voice was loud. “You promised that if we helped you get rid of the Mancini’s, that you would give us the list. We held up our end.”

  “The deal has changed. You had a rat blow up his house, but you didn’t kill him,” said Sabitov.

  “Ivan wants Ivkina Yurievna dead. You give us proof that she’s dead and you get the list,” said Sabitor Aleksandr.

  I needed to find this Ivkina Yurievna before Ivan did. Her name did not sound familiar, but that wasn’t unusual. I did not mess with the Russians. They would betray someone before they could swallow.

  Ducking, I motioned for my men to move back.

  Pow. A single gunshot was fired. A minute later two more shots were fired. I waited kneeling near the door. Most of Livino’s men were dead. The door opened and Livino walked out.

  Pow. Pow. Pow. I shot him twice in the heart and one time in the head. Bending low, I searched his pockets. There was something crisp in his pocket. Pulling it free, I stood up.

  Yes, this looked like the list. If it was useless, I still had a chance of using it to fool Salvatore. I held it up for Lucas to see.

  “Let’s get out of here.” Glancing at my watch I know that the police would be here soon.

  “Our luck looks like it just changed.” I walked down the hall. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. A man jumped from behind the shadows, he tossed a vial toward me. I dodged out of the way, but the paper flew from my hand.

  “Fuck.” I shot the man in the face.

  I watched as the acid ate it immediately. I lost it. Turning toward the wall, I punched it repeatedly. Walking into the room, I searched Sabitor. He had a phone, but that was it. Sliding it in my pocket, I stifled the urge to curse again. I was running out of time.

  “I can’t believe this shit.” I walked past them, and down the stairs. Running my hands through my hair, I kicked each body on the ground. Most of the men here were not the best fighters. It was obvious that they were low levels trying to earn their rank.

  “Search this place. There must be more of them hiding. Bring me the survivors.”

  Pulling out my phone I called the man that I knew could get me answers. He answered on the second ring.

  “You left a mess, and you weren’t quick enough.”

  Oh shit. Victor could not mean that we were caught on camera.

  “Sergi got away. He still has the list.”

  “He’s working with Ivan Yahontov. He was spotted in Italy no doubt to meet Salvatore.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I assumed you were going to kill him anyway. In your father’s favorite place, you will find a list, it isn’t the list that Salvatore’s chasing but it’ll check out and give you time to rescue her,” said Victor.

  “I might already be too late.”

  “Nope. Salvatore was attacked and is in Catania. He doesn’t have Tatiana, but don’t worry I’ll find her. Get your ass to Taormina and call when you get there.”

  “She’s in Italy all alone with no money, resources, or friends with Salvatore hunting her, which makes her a target for his enemies.” I ran out the office. Running down the stairs, I kept the phone in place with my shoulder as I saw my men.

  “She’s not alone. Call me when you get to Taormina.”

  “Where are you?” Snapping my fingers, I motioned for them to follow me.

  Victor was resourceful. He always had my back, and he had put a plan in place for me not having the list. He was fucking brilliant

  “I need you to find out who Ivkina Yurievna is and where I can find her.”

  17

  Tatiana

  I ran fast because the damn dog had gotten out. His barks were getting closer and closer. I could not see a damn thing, and I was sure I was about to become tasty dog food.

  “What is it trouble. I hope it’s a rabbit this time. I haven’t eaten rabbit since you found them roaming the southside of my fields.”

  What now?

  He had come out to see what the dang dog was barking at. So much for wishful thinking that he was too tired to give a damn.

  Tripping over a rock I fell. Pain shot through my head as I rolled to the side and crawled between two corn stalks. Blood dripped in my eye, but I kept moving. Strong hands covered my mouth and picked me up. I struggled, kicking, and clawing but the man was strong. He reached his truck, and before opening the door he slammed my head into the door. Stars soared in my eyes as I saw two of him. He did not look like one of Salvatore’s men, but that did not mean a thing.

  I woke up tied to a chair with duct tape around my mouth. A dark silk blindfold covered my eyes. My stomach was in knots. All I could smell was potatoes and carrots in brown gravy. Someone was cooking a mean stew and it smelled heavenly. There were no sounds, and the room was pleasantly warm against the cold night air. Tilting my head, I listened for any sign that I was being watched. It didn’t matter; I needed to get out of here.

  Wiggling I tried to get my hands free. I heard footsteps pounding on the stairs, and I went limp faking like I was still unconscious. The door opened.

  I did not hear a lock. The door must be operated by code or scanner technology. Biting my tongue, I focused on listening to the intruders.

  “Tallie, you weren’t supposed to harm her. The reward says return her alive and well.”

  “Barry you worry too much. I’ll just tell him I found her like that.”

  Maybe they will kill each other, and I can escape out of here before they turn me over.

  “I’m not trying to have him kill me because you want to get your dick wet.”

  “Barry, if you had ever laid with a woman, you’d understand that every hot-blooded heterosexual male wants to get their dick wet.”

  Great. It seemed like all the men in Italy no matter whether they were in the mafia or not felt fine about raping women. I forced myself to remain still. If they thought I was unconscious maybe they would come back later to rape me. And I would be gone.

  “You aren’t touching her. He will kill you and me. I am not trying to die before Fabian has sex with me. Our chemistry could set worlds a flame.”

  His steps came toward me. I dug my nai
ls in my palm to keep from moving. As he drew near to me a scent of sweat and cigarettes filled my nose. Whoever he was he did not have good hygiene. There was no telling what and who his man had slept with. He ripped the blindfold from my eyes.

  “Wake up bitch. It’s time for you and me to have some fun.” He tossed the blindfold on the floor, and I immediately wished he hadn’t.

  He was bald-headed and fat. His large stomach hung over his pants and I doubted that he had seen his penis in years. His right arm was tattooed from shoulder to his wrist. There seemed to be a common theme of skulls and blood.

  “Let me make a phone call. I am worth more to you alive than dead. I can get you whatever you want.”

  “I know you can. What I want is to be nestled between them warm thighs of yours,” said Tallie. He thrust his hand deep between my thighs. His rough fingers pinched me hard enough to make tears pool in my eyes.

  Slamming my legs shut, I opened my mouth and spit in his face. “He’ll kill you for this.”

  “Tallie go down the street and get Gertrude. She is always willing to sleep with you. I’ll watch her until you get back.”

  Tallie wiped the spit from his face on his jeans. He backhanded me. “You can stay or go, but I’m going to take her hard and rough. I might even put that sassy mouth to use.”

  I gulped and started struggling in my bonds. The chair wobbled but I did not care. Tallie dropped the black belt to the floor. He slowly unbuttoned his pants.

  Just then someone pounded on the door.

  “That’s got to be him. Pull your damn pants up Tallie.” He rushed to the door.

  “Don’t open it. I am not done with her yet. She needs to be taught a lesson.”

  I leaned away from him struggling more in the bonds. Ignoring the pain shooting through my wrist, I jerked hard on my right arm. The chair toppled backwards, and I landed on my hands, but the old wooden chair broke in half. I managed to get my feet free before he yanked me to my feet.

  I dug my nails into his eyes and slammed my knee into his balls. He grunted and dropped me. Rolling away from him, I ran toward the second man.

  Boom.

  The door erupted into flames, and I was knocked back with the force of the blast. Wiping the dust from my eyes, I saw two men in tactical gear run into the room. One rushed over to Barry and shot him in the head, and then he ran to Tallie and shot him in the penis, then two shots to the head. The second man walked toward me, lifted his gun, and fired. A dart punctured my neck.

  Pulling it free, I pushed to my knees trying to stand. A sense of weakness flowed over me, and I collapsed back to the floor. My eyes fluttered open, as the man picked me up, and tossed me over his shoulder. My heart slowed and I closed my eyes too weak to keep them open.

  I opened my eyes and sat up. Wiping the drool from my face, I staggered to my feet. I was in a small room with concrete floors. There was a small window on the back wall. Running over to it I tried to jump and see out the window. It was no use; I was too short.

  My clothes were intact and I did not feel like anyone had touched me. The veins in my head throbbed and my mouth was dry. Whatever they had shot me with did not help my dehydrated condition. My brain felt like it was swimming in fog. Sliding to the floor, I rested.

  When the dizziness passed, I got up and walked to the door. As expected, it was locked. Backing up from the door, I ran my hand along the wall. Maybe there was more than one way out of this cold room. After rubbing my hands along the wall for the fifth time, I leaned against the wall where I stood, with my elbow at a ninety-degree angle while I wept. A second later, the wall parted.

  I quickly stepped inside the wall, and it closed behind me. The passage was dark and damp. Stretching out my arms I walked until I came to a door. The door opened automatically, and I stepped inside the most extravagant library I had ever seen.

  Dashing past the bookshelves filled with gold-plated first editions of the classics, I went over to the desk. Opening the first drawer, I spotted a checkbook. Picking it up, my heart raised in my chest at the name. Salvatore Moretti.

  The men that drugged me must work for him since they brought me to his place.

  “Orlando find her. Why didn’t you tie her up? He’ll be here soon, and she must be here when he gets here.”

  “Amleto, she has to be here. I don’t think anyone is stupid enough to take her out of here.”

  “I’m going to check the office. Gather the men and search this place from top to bottom. If we cannot find her, we need to leave before he gets here. He doesn’t take disappointment well.”

  Dropping the checkbook. I saw the black barrel of a gun underneath the stack of papers. Picking it up, I closed the drawer. There was a short canary yellow French provincial couch. I crawled behind it and pointed the gun towards the door.

  The door opened. A pair of black Italian leather shoes walked inside and closed the door. Instead of going to the passage, he stopped at the desk. He rummaged through the desk, then pulled out his phone.

  “These idiots lost her. Salvatore is on his way. She isn’t here. You’ll have to find her on your own.”

  “Three hundred thousand dollars isn’t worth getting my throat sliced. She isn’t here.”

  Whoever this expensive shoe wearing idiot was he was looking for me. Angling my head, I caught a glimpse of him. He was probably in his late thirties at the most. He was tall and Italian from his heavy accent. He worked for Salvatore but crossed him for money. He was greedy but that might work in my favor.

  “Yeah, well a bullet from your gun or Salvatore’s knife, I’m not risking my neck further. Your sister’s probably already dead.”

  Shit. He was talking to Sergi. I did not know which monster was worse my brother or Salvatore. Sergi was worse. He was supposed to love me, and he didn’t give a damn about me. Thinking of all the times I sacrificed for him, made tears fill my eyes.

  “Come up here if you want, but when Salvatore comes, I stand with him. If he wants you dead, I won’t hesitate to put a bullet in your skull.”

  He slid the phone back in his pocket and walked over to the secret entrance. He felt on the wall until the panel appeared. He placed his hand on the scanner, but the door did not open.

  “He lied. He did not key my signature in here. I knew he didn’t trust me.”

  “Why wouldn’t I trust you Amleto,” asked Salvatore. He had a Glock in his hand. He closed his office door and locked it.

  “I was just surprised that my signature wasn’t in here.” He backed up from the wall and turned to face Salvatore.

  “Who were you talking to on the phone?”

  “My cousin.”

  “I don’t think so.” Salvatore walked to the wall pressed his hand to it and the phone conversation played back.

  “Why were you talking to Sergi?”

  “Amleto you don’t want me upset.” Salvatore walked up to him and pressed the barrel of the gun to his stomach.

  “He just wants his sister back. He thinks she’s valuable.”

  She was. He paid you two hundred thousand and you were going to hand her over to him. How can I trust you?” He pulled back and shot him in the head.

  “Idiot.” He spat on Amleto.

  His men burst through the door. Their eyes bulged at the sight of Amleto.

  Salvatore took the handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the blood off his hands. “Find her.”

  The men ran out the room. Salvatore walked over to the door and placed his hand on it. He disappeared through it.

  Standing up I stretched my arms. I heard footsteps and dropped to the floor. Salvatore walked back in the office. He went to his desk and opened the top drawer. I bit my lip and looked at the gun in my hand. He pulled out the box of ammunition and then searched the drawer. Clasping my hand over my mouth, I watched in horror as he walked back to Amleto.

  The office doors opened. “She’s not here.”

  Salvatore stood up. “She couldn’t have gone far, and she might have a gun
.”

  The men rushed out the office. Salvatore stood up. He started walking toward the couch. My hand shook as I pointed the gun at his feet. He lifted his gun pointing it at the couch. His phone rang.

  “Talk.”

  “Sergi, I was just thinking about you. Where’s the list?”

  “I’ll bring it with me when I get my sister.”

  “Where are you now?” He turned and walked toward the door.

  “She’s down in the dungeon. You can speak to her when you get here.” He hung up on Sergi and walked out the office door.

  This was a mess. Sergi was walking right into a trap. I closed my eyes. Why did I care? He was trying to use me.

  After five minutes, I slid from behind the couch. Walking to the door, I heard the door lock engage. Closing my eyes, I rubbed my head. My head was throbbing.

  I rushed back and picked up Salvatore’s handkerchief, placing the bloody material to the door, I waited. The door opened and I ran through it.

  Back in the small room. Someone had left the door wide open. They had already searched this room several times, so this hallway should be clear for now. I peeked out the room then ran down the hallway. Turning the corner, I ran right into a wall of muscles.

  I fought but the man wore a black mask and leather black gloves. He pressed a cloth to my face. I felt my heart slow down, and I slumped over unable to keep my eyes open.

  “Where are you?”

  I opened my eyes. My hands and feet were tied up, and I was in a boat. The rocking motion made my stomach queasy. The man was still wearing a mask and gloves, and his voice was not familiar.

  Who is he talking to? He could be taking me to Sergi or one of Salvatore’s enemies.

  “Calm down I have her, but I don’t know for how long.”

  “Salvatore’s men are everywhere. I have killed over a hundred men in thirty minutes. I can maneuver but not with baggage.”

  Opening my eyes, I got my feet loose. Using my teeth, I worked at the knot securing my hands. It gave way as I bit into it with all my strength while I wiggled myself free.