I am so sorry I didn't update for so long!

I was busy with my exams at university.

But now I am free, and I will try to update frequently.

Here is the new chapter.

Enjoy!

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

"Why isn't he waking up?" Caroline asked with a visible shake in her voice.

"We did all we could Mrs.Salviatti. He lost a lot of blood before we arrived at the scene. The bullet was located in his left shoulder. We were lucky it was mere inches away from his heart. The surgery was successful, and we didn't face any complications. Stay positive Mrs.Salviatti, your son will be on his feet in no time." The doctor smiled warmly trying to reassure the distressed woman standing in front of him. He continued checking Hunter's vitals then left the room closing the door behind him.

Caroline swallowed hard and took the chair beside her son's bed. She clasped his cold hand in her hands trying desperately to transfer some of her warmth to her son. It had been two days since the shooting accident, and Hunter didn't wake up yet. It was utter chaos in the Manor. Everyone was running around doing some task. And yet Caroline felt empty and hollow.

Caroline heard the door being opened then closed behind her. She didn't look up from Hunter's pale face since she was sure who came to visit her.

"How is he?" asked Gabriella.

"Nothing changed from yesterday. The doctor said he is okay and would wake up at any moment." Caroline said with her voice sounding strange even to her ears.

"Don't worry about him, dear, Hunter is strong and would come even stronger after this." Gabriella squeezed her daughter's in-law shoulder in support. "Besides, he would never leave Anna alone in a situation like this."

"Speaking of Anna, did they decide what our next action would be?"

"They are still in the meeting."

"I don't know what took them so long to make a move. The girl is kidnapped and maybe dead for all we know, and they are still discussing strategies." Caroline spoke with anger.

"Calm down dear, you know the rules. They can't attack without plans. You don't want anyone else hurt." Gabriella tried to reason with Caroline gently. She was familiar with the pain the woman was feeling since she has felt it multiple times when her sons got injured in the past.

Caroline shook her head silently and looked up at Gabriella.

"When will Edward come?"

"He is at the airport and will be here within the next hour. He will check on Hunter as soon as he arrives and will do his magic on him. He is the best doctor in the country after all." Gabriella joked trying to lighten the mood.

Caroline graced her with a sad smile and nodded her head to convince herself that her son will be well in no time.

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

"So did we reach an agreement, gentleman?" the Don asked the present members in the meeting room. They nodded their heads, and each one of them went to perform the orders given to him.

Damien stood from his chair and cleared his throat, "I am going to check on Hunter. I will be in my office if you need me."

The Don nodded his head and watched his son exiting the room. He was not prepared for the attack, and it will take time for his lines to get back in order, but he will manage. It was not the first time he lost a battle and wouldn't be the last.

Damien walked with purposeful steps towards his son's room. He was in pain and cursed himself every second for allowing his family to get hurt. As he expected, Caroline was sitting next to Hunter's bed. She didn't even notice him entering the room which was strange for the usually attentive woman.

"Hi," Damien spoke softly so he doesn't startle his wife.

Caroline looked up at him and spoke in a hushed voice "hi."

"How is he doing?" Damien asked his wife.

Caroline rolled her eyes in fond exasperation, "as if you aren't updated on his state every thirty minutes."

Damien smiled and nodded his head.

"you caught me baby, but you were wrong in one thing, I am updated on his state every ten minutes."

Caroline's laugh was like a fresh air in the room. She stood up from her seat and circled her arms around Damien's chest. He brought her closer and hugged her tightly. He kissed her head and ran his hand through her golden locks.

"He will wake up Caroline." He spoke in his serious tone.

"What if he will be in a coma like me? What if it will take him five years to wake up? What if...." Before she could continue her chain of thoughts, Damien put his finger on her lips hushing her. He pushed her gently from his chest and looked at her burning green eyes.

"It won't happen again, Caroline. I won't allow it. Hunter will wake up, and we will go back to New-York and live as a family again. Everything will be okay."

"What about Anna, what did you decide?"

"There is no trace of the attackers. We are dealing with professionals who know their work perfectly. We are waiting for Nina to give us information from the headmaster. The man proved hard to crack. She is trying new methods with him so he will confess."

Caroline winced at the words spoken by her husband since she knew Nina was a bad-a!s and will give the man hell which he deserved since he planned to hurt her family.

The couple was interrupted by a frantic knock on the door. Jason was standing on the other side panting heavily.

"I think we found her sir. I was able to track her cell phone." Without another word, Damien exited the room and started walking rapidly.

"I am going with you." Caroline declared with resolve.

Damien froze mid-stride and looked at his wife to see if she was playing some kind of joke on him. But judging by the look on her face, the woman was serious one hundred percent.

"This is not the time of jokes, Caroline. Go back to Hunter's room and stay with him." Damien spoke impatiently and resumed walking down the hall.

"It is your choice Damien, I can go with you and under your watch so you know I am safe, or I can go without you and risk my life." Caroline challenged.

With a grunt, Damien stopped in his tracks once again and silently stretched his hand. Without delay, Caroline jogged to him and took his hand. Damien leaned over her and whispered darkly.

"You will pay for that later." Caroline just smiled and shrugged her shoulders indifferently.

"So what did you find?" Damien asked Jason who was nearly running to keep up with his boss's long strides.

"I was able to track their location. It took me so long because Anna's phone was turned off. The signal is in the forest north from here. It is two hour's drive from the mansion. I spoke with Ethan, and he is preparing everything for our departure. They are waiting for us at the front gate."

Damien nodded his head in satisfaction and continued walking. The sight that greeted him filled his chest with pride. His son with the help of Jasper and Jacob did an excellent job. Lines of black SUVs and tracks were waiting for them. Dogs in their cages waiting for orders to sniff anything they needed. They were prepared to start their searching party.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" Ethan asked quizzically.

"I am going with you," Caroline stated casually as if going to missions like this was like a walk in the park.

"What? Are you serious? This is dangerous, Mom, and we don't want to lose you again."

"I am going and that's final Ethan," Caroline spoke sternly.

"Father, Can you please reason with her?" Ethan asked desperately. His brother didn't even wake up. And here his mother was trying to go with them to a mission they didn't know its outcome.

"She can go with us. Your mother is equipped to take care of herself. Don't worry."

"Did you forget she was in a coma just weeks ago?" Ethan argued.

"Stop this nonsense, Ethan. I gave my orders and that's final." Damien spoke with his icy voice cutting all his son's arguments. Then he looked at his men and spoke with authority.

"Jason told me the drive to the location will be two hours. I want us to be there in one hour. Break all rules of driving and arrive there safely."

With those words, Damien took Caroline's hand and led her to his car. He took the driver's seat and waited until Caroline buckled her seatbelt to start the journey at a neck-breaking speed.

********

One hour later, the Salviatti men were in the location Jason provided them with. Damien was the first to exit his vehicle. He gave Caroline a stern glare.

"Stay here until I give you the OK the come." Caroline nodded her head showing him she would obey his orders. She was willing to stay and wait if it meant giving her overprotective husband mind peace.

"There is nothing here," Ethan told his father after he and his men searched the area.

"We found the cell phone, sir." Another man in a black suit came running to Damien.

Damien ran his hand through his face and growled

"they took it away from her. Give him to Jason, maybe he can find some useful information. It is time we use the dogs and track her."

"It is two days since they took her, do you think the dogs will be able to find her?" Jasper expressed his worries.

"They are the best shot we have now. Order the men to start their searching. We are not going home until we find the girl or at least a clue that will lead us to her."

Before anyone could go and do as Damien has instructed, a loud gunshot was heard in the silent dark night, then another one and another. Damien cursed under his breath and shouted.

"We are under attack."

He reached for his gun and ducked behind the nearest car to take cover. The silence that reigned around the area minutes ago transformed into chaos in mere seconds. Damien was trying very hard to go to where Caroline was waiting. He left three bodyguards with her, but he needed to be there.

Damien sighed and tried to figure something so he can achieve his purpose. The car was in the open, and to go there, he had to run through the fire. He will be without any protection. When the first man guarding his wife fell, Damien made his mind. If it meant taking a bullet to arrive at his wife, so be it. He will take it happily.

Damien took a deep breath and took off running in the car's direction. He felt bullets flying around him from every direction, but his only focus was his wife.

Fortunately, he was able to be at her side without injuries. As he was mere inches from opening the car's door, he felt a metallic barrel pressing into his back.

"Well well, if it isn't the infamous Damien Salviatti." The man behind him spoke in mockery. "Don't you dare move, or it will be your last moment on earth."

"Or maybe it will be yours." Caroline's icy words were followed by a loud gunshot.

Damien felt the man's hand going limp and with a thud, his attacker was on the ground swimming in his own blood. Damien turned around to find his wife with a gun in her hand and a murderous look on her face. She went to him and asked frantically.

"are you okay?"

"I was supposed to be the one asking you this question. What are you doing out of the car?" Damien asked angrily.

"I didn't forget the lessons about survival Damien. Staying in a car in a situation like this is suicidal."

"Yes, you are right. I see your aim is still flawless." Damien said and started walking rapidly with Caroline so they can take refuge behind trees.

"I am good as always," Caroline smirked and followed her husband to the nearest tree. It was time they fight together, and she would be here with him.

One hour later, Damien's party was winning the fight. Realizing they were outnumbered, the enemy started retreating rapidly. When the gunshots ceased completely and once again the silence dawned on the area, the men who stayed alive emerged from their hiding spots.

Damien assessed the situation in front of him and shook his head. He didn't like losing any men of his, but this was the life they choose to live and death was always their friend looming in the shadows. It would do them no good mourning and moping around. They were facing the enemy and they have to win the battle.

"Jacob, you and another dozen of our men will take the injured and see they are treated by the best. Edward will be here today, and he will do his best. Assign him the enemy's men, he will know what to do with them. I want them to stay alive."

Once Jacob nodded his understandings and started gathering the men, Damien turned to his son and brother.

"They confirmed our suspicions, they are nearby. They were supervising the area and eliminating any threats. They lost against us which will be perturbing to them. It will take time to regain their balance. A time that will be our advantage, we need to take action immediately. We will have our dogs follow their traces. Ethan and Jasper, you will take the lead of the searching party. I and Caroline will be in the rear watching the process. Come on, let's go."

*******

Anna lay on the mattress staring at the ceiling unblinkingly. It had been two days since the strange men brought her here. She was shocked when she saw Alex was one of them. He was planning all along to kidnap her.

Anna felt hurt by his actions. At one point, she considered him a friend and even fought Hunter on his behalf.

The thought of Hunter lying on the cold floor with blood oozing from his shoulder brought immediate tears to Anna's eyes. She never thought her life will take such a drastic turn. She wiped her eyes angrily. She didn't want to feel weakness and fight until the end.

A knock interrupted Anna from her deep thoughts. She looked up at the door waiting for the intruder to make his presence known. She was hoping whoever was at the door didn't bring her food once again. The tray from the breakfast was still sitting on her bedside table untouched.

Anna nearly shot up from her bed when she saw who was at her door. She scooted away and moved towards the bed's headboard as close as she can get.

"Y...You!!! what are you doing here?" Anna cursed herself for stuttering in front of that man.

"I didn't take you for the rude type, Bella. Since you are my guest, I will forgive your slip." As the man took a seat on Anna's bed, she swallowed hard and if it was humanly possible, she would have scooted closer to the wall.

"What do you want from me?" Anna asked breathlessly. She never thought that she would cross the paths of Lucca Ignacio again. The man with his steely blue eyes sent shudders of dread down her spine.

"Tsk...tsk, you don't know me at all Bella. You are not here because I want something from you. You are here because I want something from your handsome boyfriend, and to get it, I need you here with me so I can manipulate him." Lucca gave her teeth showing smile. "Also I know you have been active this semester at school and stuck your nose where it doesn't belong." To any outsider, Lucca was having a pleasant conversation with Anna. But the teenager knew better. It was silence before the storm.

"Now let's start over, I am Lucca Ignacio, and I am happy to host you here in my modest house. I will be happy if you eat some of the food my staff took great care while preparing it." Lucca said with the same sick smile plastered on his face.

"I am not hungry." Anna declined his offer.

"You misunderstood my words, Bella, I wasn't asking you. Eat your food so you won't faint when I interrogate you later."

Anna swallowed her protests and brought the tray to her lap. She took the fork and started taking small bites from the large stack of pancakes in front of her.

Anna was startled for the second time this day when the door was thrown open and one of the men in black suits entered the room.

"They are here. The Salviatti clan was able to find us. They eliminated the majority of our guarding men, and they are advancing towards the house." The man spoke in panic and left the room in a hurry.

Anna felt a smile stretching across her face. They were coming for her, and soon she will be out of this hellhole. However, Lucca Ignacio wasn't sharing her enthusiasm. He had a murderous look in his eyes.

"The bastards, I can't wait to confront them. But for now, I have to hide the jewel I have in my hands and make sure they won't get hold of her." He stood up from his seat and grabbed Anna's arm tightly. "It is time we move from here, Bella."

Anna tried to free her arm from his tight grip and tried to slip from his clutch. She was successful when she caught his hand between her teeth and bit harshly. Lucca let out a curse and moved away from her to tend to his injured finger.

Anna ran towards the door of the room and took off. She managed to make it until the end of the corridor when two burly men blocked her way and each one of them took one of her arms and started dragging her towards the room where Lucca was. She tried with all her might to free herself but nothing worked.

The two men entered the room and tossed Anna to the ground. She grunted in pain from the impact of her fall against the hard floor and looked up to find the devil himself sitting on her bed with his legs crossed and a relaxed look on his face. Lucca signaled his men to leave them alone. The silence in the room was too heavy and full of tension, which made Anna shiver in fear.

Lucca gave her a sinister smile and took heavy steps in her direction. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and dragged her closer to his face.

"until now, I was nice to you but from this moment, I will treat you like a prisoner, and believe me, you won't like it at all." With those harsh words, he shoved her forcefully.

Barely managing to keep her balance, Anna felt tears brimming in the corner of her eyes. The scalp of her head was burning from the way Lucca manhandled her. He gripped her hand once again in his iron fist and started marching her out of the room.

This time Anna went with him obediently and without fuss. On their way down a flight of stairs, Anna heard the screeching of tires from outside. Moments later, she heard shotguns followed by screams and orders being thrown in every direction. Anna felt hope blossoming in her heart. Maybe they will come to her before Lucca could take her away.

"Boss, they are here." One of Lucca's men said out of breath.

"Change of plan, we are not leaving the mansion. Lead the way to the dungeons on the east side." The man nodded his head.

Anna felt all hope slipping away. She knew Lucca will hide her well, and once the aid was gone, he will do whatever he planned to do with her.

***********

Caroline sighed when they came to a stop in front of an old mansion. She waited in the car until the location was clear and Damien came to get her. This time, it didn't take them long to kill any opposition, and they went inside quite easily.

"Here, take that with you. We are pretty sure the mansion is clear for now. But who knows, we have to be prepared for any surprises." Damien told his wife and gave her a loaded gun for protection.

Carefully Caroline followed Damien and Ethan who was behind Jasper and another dozen men. They searched every room on the first level of the mansion, but they came empty. In the second story, Jason and Ethan went to search for offices or some information they can get while the others continued their mission in searching for clues about Anna's whereabouts.