Traded In

Chapter 40

"she's not picking up."
"Relax my love, I spoke to Ralph, he said everything's alright." I paused and stared at him as a smile started to form on my face.
With his free hand he took my hand, his eyes fixed on the road.

He pulled into the foyer of his mansion, so eager was I to see our daughter.
The door was immediately opened for me, "you go in I'll be come in a little later." Lucciano said, finally letting my hand slip out of his.
I nodded and stepped out, rushing into the house.

"Allie? Allie?" first thing I noticed was there wasn't any security in the house.
Perhaps they just stepped out?
"Valerie, Allegra?" I called out as I watched Christoph line up all his men from the glass walls.

"Allegra?" I called out, as I walked up the stairs to her room.
"Allie?" I made my way to her door, Still greeted by silence.
"Valerie?" I pushed the door open, "Va_"
I was taken aback by what was before me. "Christoph.." I breathed, retreating, "Christoph!" I yelled running out of the room, when I slammed into a body, arms wrapping around me, as he asked, "what's wrong?"

CHRISTOPH'S POV

I walked towards Allegra's room when Leilani came running towards me. Her body clashing with mine, I held her tightly, "what's wrong?"
Her distress and turmoil tangible.
"Chri-Christoph..." She buried her face into my chest, her body trembling against mine.
I glanced at the door, wide open.
I guestured to my men to check it out as I tried to calm Leilani down.
"Sir, it's a dead body."
I set Leilani aside to see for myself and it seemed to be Valerie.
Allegra.

I quickly searched the room, "Search the whole house now!"
"Christoph, please tell me she's okay... I can't lose her Christoph." She cried, holding onto me for support.

I had my assistant take Leilani away to a safer place. I needed to be with her, but I needed to find my daughter more.

"The whole premises has been inspected, she's no where to be found."
"Well how the fuck did you let this happen, you pussies are supposed make sure shit like this doesn't fucking happen!" Russ burst out in anger, grabbing Ralph by his collar.
"Russ, leave him." I got up from my seat. "You all are fired."
"But sir_"
"I'm doing you a fucking favor by not killing you all." I turned to one of my soldier. "Deal with them and this time I only want qualified soldiers as security."
I was calm, I needed time to analyze what just happened, why it happened.

"Mr Lucciano, the autopsy report." Our mafia pathologist walked in, accompanied by Vinny. She handed the report to Russ following through with, "As it shows she was stubbed to death multiple times and her face was surgically removed, possibly while she was still alive." She paused, composing her self with the help of a deep breath. Other than that "Traces of Benzodiazepines were detected in her bloodstream. I'm quite unsure of her relationship with such drugs but we suspect she may have been drugged by the perpetrator."

"The forensic investigators thoroughly investigated the house. No foreign DNA was found, and the only proof of her being drugged was a glass of orange juice, a high percentage of flunitrazepam was detected." Russ added. "I think it was an inside job."

I sat in silence as they discussed amongst themselves. Seeing how distrubed Leilani was when she saw that faceless body. It made me think, what if Allegra was forced to watch all that happen.... It could ruin her.

I retreated to the penthouse I had my assistant take Leilani. "Good evening Don." I nodded.
"Where is she?" I asked.
"She's asleep. I'm sorry that you two have to go through this."
"Thank you." I responded Dryly.
"I shall take my leave now, also Mr Demetrio will be returning tomorrow and a parcel was sent to your house. I had it sent here. It's on the table."
"Thank you for your help Rebecca."
She smiled, I opened the door for her seeing her off.
I walked to the bar and poured myself something strong.
I took a sip as I headed towards the bedroom.
Her feeble, frail body laying limp in bed.
I couldn't help but feel that all this was my fault.

Not wanting to disturb her I return to the living room taking a seat before the parcel that lay before me.
I took one last sip of my drink, placed the Tumbler down and proceeded to open the parcel, it had no information of it's sender.

I pulled off the brown wrap revealing a properly sealed box, I took out my pocket knife cut through all the tape and opened it to reveal it's contents only to be hit with a strong chemical smell.
I pulled off the extra wrapping material only to be greeted by a preserved face.
Valerie's face, bits of flesh. Framed.
I hesitantly took it out of the box, this time I was greeted by a Photo of Allegra, she seemed to be asleep.
I muttered a curse as I picked up what seemed to be a letter. I began to open it when_
"Lucciano_"

I quickly put everything back in the box and closed it
"Si." I said standing up and turning to her.
"You look fazed what's wrong?" She looked behind me at the box. "What is that?"
"Nothing it's work related." She didn't refute or anything she just nodded.
"Any updates?" Her voice cracked.
I hated seeing her like this.
Pale skin barely able to stand on her own as she sought to the sofa for balance.
"Nothing yet. But I promise you that Allegra will be back in your arms."
She forced a smile and that smile hit me harder than a blade piercing flesh.

"I shouldn't have let this happen..."
"No, you didn't do anything..." Her voice low and hoarse as she cupped my cheek.
"How were you supposed to know the works of others?"
"You told me so many times you did feel quite right or want to leave Allegra alone. I should have listened."
"If this was meant to happen it would have happened regardless." I placed my forehead on her's. "But I know you'll get our daughter back. You'll fix it everything, like you always do..." She began to cry and I held back my tears. I needed to be strong for her. For our daughter.

I was able to get her back into bed. She laid in my arms, quietly, I wanted not to disturb her.
I planted a kiss on her forehead and began to slip away from her, making sure I didn't wake her.

I returned to the living room, opened the box and took out the letter.

"I hope you found this little gift of mine amusing.
I didn't want to drag your little one into this but I had no choice seeing as you dragged mine into this chaos.

I won't write much but you should know that your daughter is safe.
I will have her returned to you only on one condition, Christoph Enzo Lucciano.

As the saying goes an eye for an eye,
I will return your daughter to you if you return my daughter to me.
This shouldn't be that hard....in the same way my daughter was nothing more than collateral for a debt so is yours.
You have all the time in the world but know that you daughter doesn't."

Yours respectfully
Hendrix J. Neluca.