Chained Souls

Chapter 17

               Nino Falcone

We’ve been searching the city non-stop for the woman who gave birth to us. She doesn’t deserve the title of mother after trying to kill us. And for what? To get revenge on our father, the man she so desperately loved.

Remo and I have been on high alert because if she reconnects with her old allies, she could endanger our family: Hope, Alessio, Serafina, Nevio, and Greta.

It’s been 48 hours since she escaped, fooling Adamo with her supposedly caring mother act. She could be anywhere.

“We’ll find her, Nino. This time, we’ll make sure she’s never a threat to our children,” Remo said, steering the car into another lane.

Just then, my phone rang. It was Hope. I wondered why she was calling. I hoped she was alright. I answered immediately, bringing the phone to my ear.

“My dear, dear son, how are you?” Her voice sent a chill down my spine. Fear gripped me as I glanced over at Remo, who had stopped the car and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Mother. What a surprise! Where’s Hope? Why are you calling from her number?” I kept my tone neutral, not wanting her to know how much Hope meant to me.

Remo tensed beside me, squeezing my shoulder gently.

“She’s right here in front of me, on the ground. I must say, she looks exquisite, drenched in gasoline, her shirt see-through for Carmine and everyone else to see.”

All the color drained from my face. She was going to burn Hope, just like she tried to burn us all those years ago. I put the phone on speaker so Remo could hear as well.

"Hope is strong enough to defend herself," I said, trying to sound confident, though I felt anything but.

"She might be," the voice on the other end said, "but will she defend herself, or will she play along so her son doesn't go up in flames with her? Oh, I forgot to mention—he's also drenched in gasoline. If my lighter slips, they could both die. If you don't want that to happen, come along with Remo to the mansion within 2 hours."

"Don't listen to her, Nino. I'll handle this," Hope shouted from the background.

"Shut up, bitch," Carmine growled, followed by a pained grunt from Hope. Alessio started crying too.

"Silence him, bitch," Carmine demanded again.

"The clock's ticking. I'll be waiting," Mother said before hanging up. I glanced at Remo.

"We’ll save her, Nino. Let me just call Fabiano."

Fabiano answered on the second ring. 
"Remo, Serafina and the kids are safe in the basement. Hope managed to text us before they reached the mansion through her secret phone. There are eight men in the hall. I can't act without help. Savio is out cold with a bleeding forehead."

"Thanks, Fabiano. Stay with Fina. We’ll take care of the rest."

Fabiano agreed. Remo drove us toward the Falcone mansion. Savio was already there. It was just Remo, Adamo, and me. Adamo had been missing since he called Hope to warn her about Mother Dearest's escape.

When we arrived, the guards at the gates searched us for weapons and confiscated all our guns and knives. Once we were led into the hall, I saw Savio on his knees, looking dazed, likely from his head injury.

My attention then shifted to Hope—the love of my life, my entire world. She sat in the middle of the room, drenched, holding Alessio close and rocking him gently to keep him calm. The floor around her was covered in gasoline; even a single gunshot could set it off.

Hope’s shirt was soaked and see-through. Carmine and some other scum were leering at her inappropriately. I wanted to rip their eyes out, but I had to stay focused.

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with worry and a fear I had never seen before. I gave her a reassuring nod, silently promising that everything would be alright.

I will make sure she gets out of this, even if it's the last thing I do.