Hello everyone!

I hope you are all doing well.

I can't describe how much I am sorry that I didn't update in more than two months. But life was hectic this period, and I was very busy with exams and homework. Anyone who attends high school or university should understand.

So here is a new chapter!

Enjoy!

A little note: the picture I put above is of "Diane Kurger" who would be Hunter's Mom in the story. I don't own any pictures and all rights are reserved for their owners.

**************

The atmosphere on the jet was full of tension. Anna started regretting her decision in following Hunter and taking this ride towards the unknown. She tried talking to him and starting a conversation but all her attempts were rejected. She never saw Hunter that devastated. He kept a collected front, but she wasn't fooled by his pretence.

She knew he was nervous and sad, his eyes betrayed him. He wasn't able to keep them emotionless as usual. They were swirling with so many emotions Anna found looking at them quite painful.

Anna sighed in frustration and stood up from her seat. She joined Ethan at the small kitchen where he was sitting at the counter and drinking while typing away on his laptop. Anna opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of orange juice. She opened one of the cabinets and grabbed two glasses and filled them with the cold liquor.

"don't even think about offering one of those to Hunter. You won't like his reaction." Ethan advised her without looking up from his work.

Anna shook her head and decided to follow his instructions. After all, he was his brother and would know him better than her.

"what are you doing?" Anna voiced her curiosity.

"working," Ethan answered her and took a sip from his drink.

"are you sure you are in the right mindset to work?" Anna asked in wonder.

"work doesn't wait for you to sort through your problems and pull your crap together. So whether I was in the right mindset or not, I must work."

Anna just sat there watching his fingers flying across the keyboard. She really wondered if the people in this family were real humans. They all act so strangely, not to talk about the speed they change their minds. It was really scaring her right now. She was in the middle of chaos bigger than her. How will she handle all of that?

It was time she followed Ethan's motto and do her work.

With the glass in her hand, she returned to her seat and grabbed her laptop from her backpack. She was grateful that Hunter took it on his way out from the Cafeteria. Anna opened the folder where she kept all files related to the mission and started working on deciphering them.

Twenty minutes later, a shocked gasp from Anna drew the Salviatti boys' attention. They moved to the couch where she was sitting and looked as words were running rapidly on the screen.

"What is this?" Ethan asked while Hunter just stood with his arms crossed over his chest waiting for a response.

"I think our trip to Russia was in vain."

"elaborate." It was the first word Hunter said since they embarked on the plane.

"well from what I have here, the information was coming from a man in Italy. He is the one planning against us with the help of another Russian. There are no names here, but you are the targets that for sure." Anna explained.

"is that all you find in these files?" Anna bit her lip before answering Ethan's question.

"no, I am afraid it's not all. These files are the blueprints of the Don's mansion and every house of yours. Also, it had all the locations of every Salviatti property. Well, I think you need to know that with every blueprint there is another plan accompanying it on how to blow it. In short, they are trying to blow up all your properties. The exact date isn't mentioned in here, but since they exchanged the plans now, it means it is close."

The words Anna spoke took a few minutes to sink in the boys' heads. Hunter cursed under his breath while Ethan started pacing back and forth.

"We need to find those people."

"well, maybe we have one of them." Hunter said to his brother. "since we are finding these files in the headmaster's computer, it is obvious he is the link between the two. If we catch the man, we will be able to interrogate him and get things from him."

"excellent idea little bro, I will call our man in Russia and let them do the job."

"no, no need for that, we will just make a scene. We have to think of something else." Hunter said.

"I think I know the right person for this." Ethan took his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, pretty boy, what do you need?" Hunter and Anna looked at each other in confusion as Nina's voice boomed through the speaker. Ethan shook his head and spoke once again.

"do you want to put up your new heels to something useful?"

"wow! I am smelling blood here." Nina said excitedly which made Anna's skin crawl at the older girl's words.

"where are you?"

"I am in Paris. I heard there is a new Gallery for rare pieces of jewels." Nina said with greed in her voice.

"uh-oh," both Salviatti boys muttered under their breath.

"I think you should take a detour from your location. I want you to take the first flight to Russia. There is a guy who had the information I want. Make sure he spills everything. I will send you his profile later." Ethan said seriously.

"you owe me, Salviatti."

"I know, I will make sure I buy you the newest Louboutin heels. Also, expect a special delivery to your apartment in New-York."

"Great, we have a deal. Wait for good news, they will arrive soon." With that, Nina closed the line.

"Are you sure she will do the job?" Anna asked with uncertainty.

"don't worry, Nina never disappoints. I trust her more than anyone outside of the family of course." Ethan said and excused himself from the room but not before ruffling Anna's hair and muttering a 'good job'.

Anna expected Hunter to talk to her, to at least acknowledge her, but the blue-eyed stubborn teenager just took his phone and started typing whatever.

Anna huffed and closed her laptop. She laid on the couch and closed her eyes. She needed a little peace before they land in Italy, where she was sure she won't get any.

**********

Finally, the tense ride was over, and the plane landed on the Italian grounds. Hunter followed by Anna, and Ethan climbed in the waiting black SUV. Like Anna expected, their car was in the middle of four cars two in front, and another identical two from behind. The level of security was high, and Anna wasn't surprised. It was the usual protocol, and she didn't feel intimidated by it anymore.

Thirty minutes later, the car was parked out the gate of a huge mansion, not at all what Anna pictured in her head. Ethan had told her their mother was dying. She thought they were going to a hospital or some private clinic. After the usual security checks, they were allowed inside the magnificent building.

Hunter and Ethan didn't say a word and climbed the stairs two at a time. It was hard for Anna to keep up with their pace, but she managed to follow them, although she was a bit breathless by the end of the seemingly endless stairs, she had to bend a little to catch her rigid breathing.

When she looked up, she was met with a sight that left her more breathless. In front of her was a room that appeared to be out of a hospital with glass walls that allowed you to see inside. She could hear the steady beeping of the machines and also the shuffling of the nurses and doctors who were entering and exiting the room rapidly.

Anna spotted Damien speaking with one of the older doctors who seemed to be in charge of his wife's case. He was wearing the usual black suit that gave him his intimidating look. He was sharp and composed as ever. He didn't give the impression that his wife was dying. Anna decided to give them some family space and took a seat on one of the waiting chairs.

Hunter was listening to the doctor who tried to explain his mother's situation as best as he could. The poor man was nearly shaking by the looks he was getting.

After all, it wasn't every day you got scrutinized by two pairs of cold blue eyes and another pair of burning green ones.

"can you speak in English, please?" Hunter was losing his patience because the man in front of him was using medical terms, and he didn't understand him fully. He wanted a briefing about his mother's condition not a lesson in medicine.

"Sorry Sir, I will try to give you a simpler explanation. You know your mother was in a coma for the last five years. Yesterday, her brain was showing signs of waking up. It is good news because she will be up soon. But unfortunately, it appeared that her body is weak, and we are not sure if it can take the shock of waking up. Early this morning, her heart stopped and it took us a lot of time to revive it. Hopefully, it won't happen again. She didn't show any signs of relapse, but we are keeping her under close supervision. I think we are past the danger zone. Now it is a matter of time, but 80% she will be okay and wake up soon. Don't lose hope." With those words, the doctor strode away happy to escape the intensity radiating off the Salviatti family members.

Damien ran his hand through his hair for what seemed to be the hundredth time this day. He sat on one of the comfortable sofas and sighed.

"she is going to wake up." He whispered to himself, but Ethan who was just next to him heard the softly spoken words.

"yes, we will have a chance to see her green eyes once again. It is like a miracle happening to us."

Hunter joined his father and brother on the sofa silently. He didn't believe in miracles and to be honest, he wasn't optimistic. He learned years ago that being too hopeful will eventually bring you too much pain. His eyes landed on Anna who was sitting alone typing on her laptop. He wanted to go and sit beside her, hug her and forget a little of his troubles in her embrace. But he can't do that, every time he looked at her, he remembered her words when he confessed his love to her.

He knew it wasn't the right time to do it. But it felt good to let it out. He was pulled out of his thoughts by his father's voice.

"I am not going to ask why Anna is here because it is your business. But I suggest you take her to one of the guest rooms here so she can rest. You can stay with her, Ethan and I will remain here and call you if anything happens."

Hunter shook his head negatively and spoke with conviction.

"I am not leaving this room until Mom wakes up. You can go if you want, Anna can accompany you also."

Damien sighed heavily, he knew his son too well to try and change his mind. So with a nod, he rose from his chair and left the room followed by Ethan who didn't even bother with asking Anna to go with them as he was sure the girl will refuse his offer in a heartbeat.

***********

Two hours later, Anna felt her brain burning from boredom. She looked at Hunter who had not moved from his seat since his father left. The doctors were checking periodically on his mother but nothing changed. She was stable but refused to open her eyes. It was like she wasn't prepared to be here yet.

With attentive steps, Anna made her way to the chair next to Hunter. She sat down and took his hand in hers. She was relieved when he didn't brush her off.

"Why don't you go into her room? You know, they said people who are in a coma can hear others talking to them. Maybe she will react if you speak to her. Your voice can be the trigger." Anna spoke gently.

Anna wasn't surprised when her words were met with silence. She didn't expect anything from this. She smiled sadly and leaned over to plant a chaste kiss on Hunter's cheek.

"I will be on the balcony. If you need anything, come to me. I am always here Hunter."

Italy at night was breathtaking. The sky was full of bright stars that you could never see in New York. Anna couldn't take her eyes off them. She was enjoying the silence that surrounded her. It provided her with so much needed peace.

I LOVE YOU! Those three words everyone dreams of hearing were said to her by the boy she loves. And what did she do? She refused him and hurt his feelings? But can anyone blame her? She was hurt and at the moment, she didn't think of her words, she just wanted to see the same hurt she felt on his face. She was successful in her mission. So why does she feel so sad and broken? She wanted to feel satisfied, why does she feel like this?

Anna nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a soft fabric being draped over her shoulders.

"you scared me," Anna said breathlessly.

"I was twelve," Hunter started speaking.

"Huh?" Anna looked at him dumbly.

"Just listen. it was my birthday, and I insisted we go to Disney land. Father and Ethan were busy with some work, and Dad suggested we wait until next week, but I insisted we go that day. Mom was able to convince Father that she can handle it and after negotiation, he accepted and assigned his head of security to arrange our trip." Hunter looked at the sky and smiled ruefully, "Lena, my little sister was so happy to go with us. Heck, I even choose Disney land as my birthday gift so she would be happy."

"you have a sister?" Anna gasped.

"I had a sister. She is no longer here." Hunter clarified which made Anna cover her mouth in shock.

"anyway, we went to Disney land and had the day of our lives, especially Lena. She took photos with all princesses. Her favourite was snow-white, she harassed the poor girl until Mom interfered and pried her away."

Hunter chucked at the far away memory, he seemed to be in his own world. Anna didn't utter a syllable and just waited for him to continue. It took him some time to resume talking.

"on our way home, our cars were ambushed and all the guards were killed. There was a traitor on our side that gave our location to the enemy. It was a massacre, blood was everywhere, and groans of pain filled the chilly air. It was summer, but I still remember the cold biting my skin." The first tear rolled down Anna's face, picturing the story Hunter was telling was heartbreaking.

"They killed everyone in front of us. They did it in front of a four years old girl. I never saw Lena so terrified like that day. But it was natural. She was just a child witnessing something even grown-ups can't stomach. Mom was the bravest; she and few of our remaining men killed anyone who dared to come close to us. She gave me and Lena orders to run. We managed to run away from the chaos, I remember her small hand in mine shaking with fear. Her little face was pale with tears running non-stop from her green eyes. I tried to reassure her, but I was afraid also. I was weak and couldn't do anything to her." Hunter had to stop in order to reign in his raising emotions.

"two armed men caught up with us. I head butt one of them which knocked him out. But in my moment of bravery, the other bastard shot Lena. You know, she died on the spot, her once lively green eyes turned empty and shallow. She even looked paler than before. The last thing I remember before everything went black was her little frail body in my arms. I still remember the feeling of her blood on my hands. I screamed at her to wake up, but she never did."

"oh god! I am so sorry Hunter, I didn't.........." Anna started speaking through her tears, but Hunter shushed her before she even completed the first sentence.

"not yet Anna, let me finish. Two days later, I woke up in a hospital room. Everything was foggy, and I didn't remember what happened. It took me several hours to recall the events, and I wish I never did. Anyway, my father was there all the time and tried to keep the sad news from me. But I was stubborn and wanted to know everything. I can't describe my emotions at the moment I learned my sister is dead, and my mother is in a coma. From that day onward, our life changed. The doctors told us there is no time limit for my mom's recovery. She was shot four times in different places in her body, and it was a miracle in itself that she is still alive. We waited in this same hospital for days, months, hopeful for her to wake up, but she never did. Father refused to let her alone, but he had to go back to his business and crime life, so he assigned the best doctors in the world to work on her case. We returned home and tried to cope with our loss, but it was hard. Ethan flew away to Switzerland and never came back until last summer. I was left alone with my father who changed a lot. He didn't hurt me or anything, but let's just say my Mom was the angel controlling his dark side and preventing the beast inside him from surfacing."

Few moments passed in silence between the two of them until Hunter spoke once again.

"you understand why I can't go and see her? I am sure she doesn't want to hear the voice of the one who was the cause of her coma for five years." Hunter said bitterly.

Anna looked at him incredibly. She can see that inside Hunter still lived a little boy who blamed himself for an accident he didn't have any hand in.

"you aren't blaming yourself for what happened, are you?" Anna asked dreading his answer. How can anybody live with guilt like this for five years?

Hunter chuckled dryly and looked Anna in the eyes. For the first time, he allowed the pain and anguish to be visible in his eyes.

"what do you think Anna? If I didn't insist on going on this stupid trip, none of this would have happened. Lena would have been here with us. Mom wouldn't have been lying limply in a hospital room. If I just waited for father to go with us, then his head of security would have never thought of betraying us."

To say Anna was shocked would be the understatement of the year. The man who was supposed to protect them was the one who attacked them. She felt bile rise in her stomach, and she had to breathe deeply so she doesn't vomit.

"sick world, huh?" Hunter asked defeated. It was the first time she saw him like this, and it didn't bode well with her. He was always confident and in his element.

Suddenly, a determined look crossed his face.

"Don't worry, Anna. I will get you out of this. I know you didn't enter this world willingly, your talent was your curse in this scenario. After this damned mission, I will convince my grandfather to let you out. He would never contact you again under any circumstances. We will pay for your university in another country and would provide for all your needs until you are done with studies and until you get a respectable job. You will live happily away from all this chaos and sick people."

"and if I don't want to be away from this? What if I want to stay here with you? You said you love me, so why are you letting me go?"

"Because I love you, Anna, I will let you go. You are too innocent to be in here. I don't want you to end up like my mother. If she didn't meet my father in Paris, she would have been happier with another ordinary man and having fun with her ordinary family."

"stop using this word, Hunter. Stop using IF in every sentence." Anna said angrily, "what happened was fate, and even if she didn't meet your father, maybe she would have been laying in a hospital because she is sick or was in an accident or whatever. I am sure she would never trade your father's love for anything."