The Search

Chapter 4.

Alessio

One thing all the boys weren't used to was the weather.  The freezing temperatures during winter wasn't something they were used to. Yet my Children and Grandchildren insisted on coming, that includes their spouses.

But everyone knows it's worth it, now that we know Jade is hiding somewhere.

Jackson holds the door for everyone as we enter the hotel, one of the many we've funded in Canada. Odd enough, it's where we get most of our business.

Later we went out for dinner, our guards following closely. 

I take a sip of wine, lightly swirling it in the glass.  Christmas wasn't one of our favourite times of the year, especially the music and decorations.  In which this restaurant is loaded full. 

"What was she like?" Jackson finally speaks up, the 20 year old taking a sip of his wine as well.  His Father glares but I hold up a hand looking my grandchild dead in the eye.

He continues, "I only mean, we're sitting here, moping, why don't you guys reminisce on the good times with her, what you miss."

I tilt my head, my body and eyes softening.  God I always had a soft spot for these children. 

But I give in a begin, "She was the first girl born in 4 generations, and let me tell you, she was this quiet observing girl who was born to hold the title of the Italian mafia principessa."

"For having four brothers, she held her ground." Alexander smiles. He's always thought fondly about her and he was the closest to her.  He was also the most protective over her.

"She had this record player," Hudson laughs, "she would collect all of these records and I swear she had, still has in her room, 200 different albums."

"What was her favourite?" Tucker asks, listening intently.  All of the grandchildren seem to be curious as to where their aunt has gone. 

Luca laughs, "she has every ABBA record, I think those had to be her favourite. Especially since they were on replay just to annoy us every time we had a business meeting." Lena, his wife, smiles at him and gives him a smile of encouragement.

"I don't think it was in spite of us though, more trying to ignore the fact she wanted to be in the meeting with us more than anything."

"Why did she run away?" Jackson asks as our dishes are taken away. 

I clear my throat putting down the wine glass, "the mafia tends to put aside feminism, most of our enemies target the women instead of the men who created the force instead."

Alexander continues for me, "as much as we wanted her to feel equal, and she was in many ways, it was hard not to put that protective force above her."

Jackson nods, picking up his spoon for dessert,  "so she felt secluded while you guys felt free?"

"That would be the easiest way to put it," Luca sighs, "we didn't tell her much and her freedom was limited.  Homeschooling, limited friends, limited time outside and our least favourite, limited opinion."

I squeeze my fingers into a tight fist, "she didn't like it very much. But what she didn't see is how important she is to us."

Ezra nods, "she's the only girl in many generations, of course she's important to you."

Alexander's wife speaks up, she had known Jade just as much as the rest of us.  She grew up with Alexander, falling in love along the way. 

"Not only that honey," she smiles, "when someone like Jade comes into our world, a free spirited and courageous girl, you will do everything in your power to keep that light powering through the dark."

James speaks up for the first time tonight, "The thing is boys, once we find her, we won't be letting her go again.  We will redeem ourselves, but that light your Aunt Sydney is talking about, when it is put out,  the darkness ruins too much in its wake." 

He leans forwards looking at all of the grandchildren.  "So we must never let the only thing that is keeping us going, get away again."

—————

"You frightened my grandchildren today." I say towards James as the six of us sit in the lounge. 

James shrugs lighting up a cigarette, slowly inhaling the fumes and then releases them.  "I was preparing them."

Luca shakes his head softly laughing, "yes why don't we tell them all of our true psychotic thoughts."

"She's important to us, she should be important to them." James snarls standing abruptly.  I still can't believe we let her get away in the first place.

"Oh for gods sake." Chris mutters from beside his husband, Hudson.  "One moment you guys are guilty for hurting her and the next you act like over bearing, ignorant and asshole brothers."

I turn my stare onto him, "go on." I command.

He sighs putting down his drink, "if you find her, how are you guys going to redeem yourselves if the next moment your kidnapping and dragging her back to Italy."

"My daughter won't have a choice in that matter, she'll be coming back with us if we do find her and then she can make the decision if she forgives us or not.  But we will not be loosing her again."

"Why do you want her back so bad?" He asks taking a sip of his drink.

"She's my daughter and she will always be my daughter." I stand pouring another for myself.  "If we have just found her, it was only a matter of time before someone else did."

"You want to protect her."

I look at him dead in the eye as I sit back down, "I will always protect her."