Reignite

14

Valentino

12:34 P.M.

"We only have limited time to do this," I say out loud for everyone to hear. 

It's different when it's a boss or someone closely related being kidnapped. They will torture them relentlessly then kill them once they think it's been enough time and someone is close by.

That's what happened to my father. We were right there. Then I watched them put a gun to his head and kill him.

I watched as his lifeless body was pushed to the ground by the Whitlocks. Before we could even react, the Whitlocks were out of sight.

They escaped by mere seconds. And now they have Adrian.

Pierre and the rest of the allies look at me and nod their heads along, listening to me and taking in every word I say. Demetrius looks at me with admiration, like he's proud of me.

"We need to save Chapo by tomorrow," Pierre adds on.

I slam my hands on the table and rise out of my seat, "You think I don't know that?"

I look around the room and see everyone's eyes on me. They're not angry. They're looking at me with worry. I'm glad to be surrounded by a group of people who care so deeply about me. But Adrian is missing.

"I'm sorry. You were just trying to help," I say in a quieter tone as I lower myself back down to my seat.

"Don't stress it, Valentino," Pierre says, "I understand."

I give him a weak smile as we continue discuss what the plan is and what we can do to save our boss, my best friend, Taylor's soon to be wife, and the future of the Falcone Family.

---------------------

1:23 P.M.

I stand up from my seat along with everyone else and go out to the kitchen. We finally know what to do. But we need to eat, even though I don't necessarily have an appetite. I can't go save someone on an empty stomach.

I see our chef in the kitchen waiting to see what we'd like. I turn around and face the other people here.

"What do you guys want?" I ask with a soft smile.

"Surprise us," Pierre responds, reciprocating the smile I gave him.

"Alright," I say back.

I turn towards the chef and tell him to surprise us with his favorite dish to cook. He nods his head and walks off to cook. Maybe this will help ease the tension.

Suddenly, I remember Taylor. I need to bring her down. I quickly walk up the stairs and knock on her door.

"Hey, Taylor. It's V," I say softly.

I hear some shuffling on the other side of the door before the doorknob twists and the door opens. I look up to see a red faced Taylor. She's definitely been crying.

"Hey," She says quietly.

"Hi," I respond.

"What did you want? Any good news?" She asks hopeful.

I slowly shake my head, "No, but we have a plan. And I'd like if you came down and joined us for some food."

"No. I'm good," She says and tries to shut the door.

I quickly put my foot in the door to stop it from closing, "With all due respect, ma'am, you haven't ate anything since we've came back. Please come downstairs and join us for a late lunch."

I watch as her shoulders slump and she opens the door widely. I remove my foot and she follows me downstairs. All eyes are on us as we step downstairs. More specifically, on Taylor. They were worried about her.

Pierre meets us at the bottom and takes Taylor's hand in a friendly gesture.

"We will find your lover and bring her back safely. If at the slightest chance that we don't, we vow to take care of you and any family or friends you have, for as long as we live," He says to her.

I watch as Taylor's eyes begin to swell up with tears.

"Don't cry, everything is all right," he says and pulls her into a bear hug.

All the years that I have known Pierre, I have never seen him hug someone and let down his guard like that. It's so nice to see that Taylor has all of these people by her side.

I smile softly to myself at the view.

The nice moment is interrupted by the chef's voice, "I am very sorry to interrupt, but your dishes are ready."

I turn to him and pat him on the shoulder, "Don't stress. Thank you."

He smiles at me before leading us to the table where the perfect number of plates are set.

"I've made my personal favorite, cheese ravioli with a meat sauce," He says as he gestures towards the table.

We all take a seat and begin eating. We make jokes with each other and talk about our favorite stories. Anything to lighten the mood.

And for a moment, just a moment, all of my worries and stress about Adrian disappears. 

We have a plan. All that is left now is to perfectly time and execute it. And to hope and pray that Adrian can get through the torture that the Whitlocks are known to put their victims through. Especially those directly connected to the Life.

I think she can. I know she can. But a part of me is worried that she'll give up from the amount of pain she will endure. I know that she's strong. But is she strong enough to withstand that amount of torture?

I shake my head to rid my head of those thoughts. I only need to be thinking positive thoughts. It's all that I have to get me through right now.

Adrian, please be strong.