CHAPTER FIVE

ARIES

After doing a deep dive into all things De Luca, I know two things. One, I need their intel guy Benji, but I know he won't help us without the approval of his bosses. That would be a death sentence. I have my own but he has found nothing on my sister's disappearance. Second, Dalia De Luca has a ‘save the world' type of personality. I've heard about her through the years. Born into a family of bloodthirsty men, she's the only true good De Luca alive. She works tirelessly helping victims of everything ranging from domestic violence to brutal rapes, and near murders. Maybe she was simply born with a good heart, but I suspect it has something to do with what happened to her. Yeah, that's partially my fault but her brothers want to put all the blame on me. It wasn't entirely my decision, my father was alive and in charge at the time. Also, I didn't fucking take her and do whatever the hell they did to her. I don't agree with hurting children especially, but in our world it happens. When we have children we know damn well what the consequences could be.

My mom walks into my office with tears streaking her cheeks, "Figliolo," she cries. While we speak English, she always uses the Italian term for son with me. I hate seeing her so distraught it's like that day three years ago all over again.

My father and my two brothers are mafia men but that's not where my interests ever lied. I graduated from Harvard with an MBA. As the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, I have everything I ever wanted. However, I know one day this might all end. If my father and brothers die, I'll have no choice but to take over my fathers legacy. That was the agreement when I was allowed to leave the family home, and my schooling was paid for.

I'm sitting in my office when my cell phone begins to ring. Glancing down at it, I see it's my mother, I answer it quickly because I speak with my parents every Sunday, but since it's Tuesday I'm concerned, "Mamma?"

"Figliolo," she weeps into the earpiece, "You must come home."

I already know without asking that something has happened to my father. However, then she sobs, "They're all dead. Your father and brothers. Massacred."

Our entire family was taken out. My father, brothers, and all of the men that worked with them. I had to rebuild with people I didn't trust. While it was never what I wanted out of life, I'd never let my father down because family is everything. Now Sierra is missing and I have no fucking clue where she is, although, I'd bet anything that the Aiellos are responsible. And if they have her she's going through hell.

Sierra is a fucking wild child, constantly making poor decisions, drinking, and hanging out with the wrong crowd. I've had many conversations with my fourteen year old sister about this behavior. Since my family members died, she's been acting out, and I've feared she'd end up in the wrong hands. I don't think my mother's heart could take the loss of another child. It's written all over her face as she begs me, "You have to find her."

I nod with a deep sigh, "I know. I'm trying, Mamma. I promise, I'll find her."

There's one thing I never do. Make empty promises. If I vow to do something, I do it. And this time, I won't be alone. The De Luca family will help me. Starting with the gorgeous Dalia.

DALIA

I love my brothers so much but sometimes being around them makes it hurt more. Now that Domenic has a child it seems to be getting worse. Not only because it makes me long for what I'll never have, but it makes me miss my parents terribly. I lie curled up on my couch because when it's bad like this, I can't sleep in my bed, the memories are too much and it feels like I'm back there again.

Mom and I always walk through the flower garden on the weekend. It's our special time. I love my brothers but sometimes a girl just needs time with her mom. She always takes me to the spot where she planted Dahlias three weeks before I was born.

"Why did you name me Dalia?"

I know the story but I never get tired of hearing it, so I ask frequently.

She smiles down at me, the sun shining on her dark hair, making her look like an angel, "Because I knew you were going to be the most beautiful thing in my life. My sweet girl. Dahlias are my favorite flower, and even before you were born I knew you'd be my favorite person."

I smile at my beautiful mom. They say I look just like her, I hope when I grow up I do, because she's the prettiest woman in the world, "You're my favorite person too, mamma."

Pulling her hand, she comes with me, knowing well where we are going, to the Koi fish pond. We keep seeds out there and I love feeding them. I throw some seeds into the water as they rush to the surface to eat. This is my favorite place in the entire world.

We are laughing as we watch our hungry fish when suddenly I feel hands on my arms, and darkness surrounds me, a black material is over my eyes, I yell, "Mamma."

She yells, "Take me, but leave my daughter here. Leave her alone, she's a child."

I'm hoisted into the air, over someone's shoulder I think, while Mamma continues to beg for me to be left behind. Quickly we're walked in the direction I believe to be the front of the house, and thrown on something hard, I hear doors shut, and an engine revving. We are being taken somewhere, but why? My heart pounds furiously as fear consumes me, but it's the sound of my mom's pleas that hurt the most. I've never heard her so terrified in my entire life and I know if she's this scared, I should be too. Papa taught me if anyone tries to take you, you fight. You never go to another location because once that happens, you'll probably die. I want to do what he would want me to do, he would be so proud, but I can't because I'm frozen.

Most days I'm okay but sometimes the memories are vivid as if they just happened. And I'm losing my mom and being brutally raped all over again. I was only eight years old when the men took their turns with me for what felt like years. In reality, I was rescued three weeks and four days after we were taken. Three and a half weeks isn't a long time really, but when you're being brutally beaten and violated in every possible way, it tends to feel like an eternity. A never ending eternity.

I'm snapped from my thoughts by a text message from my friend Leah.

Leah: This day has been shit. Let's get a drink.

Me: I don't know. I'm having one of those nights where I think too much.

Leah: Perfect. Lets get so drunk you can't think.

I'm not a heavy drinker and generally am against dealing with emotions with alcohol. We call it self medicating at work. Tonight that sounds like a good idea. Just one night sounds like a good plan.

Me: I'll meet you at Joe's in thirty.

For a long time my brothers didn't let me go anywhere without at least one of them following behind me. They finally relaxed about a year ago, because I was twenty-four at the time and I let them know how annoying it was. Do I know I'll always have danger in my life because of who my brothers are? Yes, but I'd rather die an early death than to live under lock and key with any of the big ogres.

After showering, I get changed into my favorite red dress. It's short and low cut but not in a sleazy way. Like any other woman, I aim to look sexy but not cheap. While I don't date, I still like to be appreciated for looking good.

ARIES

I sit in the corner of Joe's Bar waiting for Dalia to show up. Did I hack her phone to make her think she was meeting her friend here tonight? Yes. I know. Shocking and appalling, but a man's gotta do what he's gotta do. Sending a message to someone with a fake phone number is surprisingly easy. I'm not a hacker, but this is a little trick I learned from my brother before he died. He was an IT genius and if he were alive we would've already found my damn sister.

Dalia walks through the door and, Jesus Christ, my tongue feels like it's too big for my damn mouth. She's wearing a tight red mini dress cut into a ‘V' showing just enough cleavage to make me salivate. The dress shows off that perfect hourglass figure, curvy hips, and fuck me, I want to demand she turns around so I can see her ass. I swallow hard and remind myself this is not why I'm here. Dalia walks over to the bar, smiling for the bartender and I assume ordering a drink. They chat as I clench my fists. Why do I care that he's looking at her like she's his next meal? I shouldn't. She carries a glass of white wine over to a table and takes a seat. Grabbing her phone, she texts someone, probably her friend to let her know she's here. It doesn't matter because her text will end up on a burner phone of mine.

Standing up, I throw cash on the table and walk over to her and sit across from Dalia, eliciting a gasp from her.

She stares at me for a long moment before she says, "You. You were at my brother's house."

I nod slightly, "Yes, Wife. I was."

Her beautiful green eyes widen with fear, "Wife?"

Grabbing her wine, I take a sip of it before setting it back in front of her, "That's right. Let me explain how things will go, Dalia."

She swallows hard as she glances around the room, likely still hoping her friend will show up and get her away from me.

"I need your brothers' help. They have refused, but after we're married I'm sure they'll change their minds."

Dalia stands abruptly, "I'm leaving."

Shaking my head at her, I say, "Sit the fuck down, Princess. If you don't do exactly as I tell you to, your asshole brothers are going to prison for life."

Her fists clench at her sides, "You're not even a cop. If you were there's no way you would've been inside Dom's house."

I smirk at her, "I'm not. However, I have enough information on your family to take to my FBI buddy to end their criminal enterprise."

She sits back down with a heavy thud. Do I have contacts in the FBI? Yes. So do the De Lucas. However, I would never turn another family in. I'm not a goddamn snitch but she doesn't need to know that.