Eden opened her eyes. She felt a bad headache. She looked around and she felt a chill run down her spine. She could not recognise her surroundings. She was in a small room with no windows laying on a bed. She tried to move but she felt like her bad headache was not allowing her. She slowly sat up but then felt dizzy and laid down.

Eden on the inside was feeling the panic rising inside her. She tried to remember what had happened before she had ended up in this strange room. But she could not remember. She slowly sat up and slowly walked towards the door. As she reached the door, she turned the handle but she couldn't open it. It was locked. She tried to open it but to no avail. She felt dizzy again and fell on the floor.

As she was laying on the floor as dizziness and headache were hindering her will to stand and knock on the door and scream to be let out. She was locked somewhere that was not her home. She was trying to remember what had happened before but everything was foggy in her mind and the pain wasn't letting her think. She then lost consciousness and everything went dark.

Eden could hear voices but her eyes were closed. She could feel she was laying on a soft mattress and a blanket was on her.

A woman's soft voice said "Her pulse is good. She should wake up soon... ...

A young teenage boy's voice said "That drug that was given to her was strong but she should not have this many side effects..."

Eden felt cold suddenly and her eyes were still closed. Reality hit her hard. Someone had drugged her. She felt conscious enough to open here eyes. But she didn't. She was abducted most likely and they had drugged her. She still couldn't remember what had happened before she had ended up in the room and she wasn't trying to remember. Her strength was on hearing her surroundings.

The woman's voice said "I can inject her with more medication sir..."

The boy's voice said "No... You are dismissed doctor..."

The woman's voice came "But..."

The boy said "That's an order... Leave... You cant inject too much into her.... She needs to remain alive and healthy..."

Eden felt slightly relieved. She was panicking inside but it was good to hear they weren't going to kill her. She didn't want to die... What could happen to her family if she died surrounded by strangers... And also the thought of not seeing Luigi again hurt her heart. Somehow it did.

There were footsteps and sounds of doors closing. She assumed it was safe to open her eyes. She opened her eyes slowly and then sat on the bed. The room seemed empty but then a voice came from the other side of the room "You are awake? How are you you feeling Eden?"

She retreated as her back hit the head rest. A boy her age appeared standing in front of her bed. He looked familiar and somehow he didn't scare her. He just didn't. His expression on his face was one of concern and not of cruel intentions.

Eden breathed "Who... Who are you?"

The boy said "Oh... I am sorry... I forgot to introduce myself... I am your cousin Falco Fontana..."

Eden gasped "You are my aunt Eleanor's son?" So she was facing his cousin who also happened to be the grandson of a mob boss.

He nodded "Yes... I am so delighted to meet you... " He offered his hand to her to shake.

Eden shook his hand and then he pulled his hand away and sighed "We are the same age and related. Its unfortunate I never met you or Ethan earlier and cant hang out with you... I would have loved to do that... I wish we were meeting in better circumstances. This is very unfortunate that we are meeting like this..."

Eden asked "Can you tell me what's happened Falco... I do not remember what's happened and how I have needed up here... What day is it... What time is it? I came home from school and slept early because I was so tired... That's the last thing I remember..."

Falco sighed and sat down on a chair near the bed. He ran his hands in his hair and said "I am going to tell you what's happened... But I dont want you to worry... I want you to not panic... In our world crisis happens sometimes..."

Eden breathed "Crisis? What kind of crisis has happened?" She had bad feeling about what she was about to hear but she tried to compose herself.

Falco said "Well... I dont know how to tell you this but your... parents are in trouble... Big trouble with the Fontana family... When was the last time you saw them?"

Eden was shocked "Trouble? What kind of trouble? My parents are meant to be at a family wedding right now outside New York... They were going to leave at night shortly after I went to sleep. They didn't take my brother and I because we had some important school exams..."

Falco said "Yes... They are meant to be at a wedding... But I wish that they went there without dragging my mother with them... My mother was invited but the Fontana felt the wedding venue was surrounded by many Irish mob territories so they told my mother couldn't attend. So the story goes, your father insists my mother goes with him and your mother to this wedding. He sends a telegram to her work that we later saw when it was too late. He asks her to leave without telling the Fontanas and join him and his wife on the journey. My mother for the first time in her life endangers herself as she felt pressured to go to this family wedding. She leaves without any protection in the middle of the night to join your father. Your father drives her to that place where the wedding is meant to happen. Then my mother was abducted by an Irish mob..."

Eden gasped "No... It cant be true..."

Falco said in a sad tone "It is true... An Irish mob ambushed the car and abducted my mother and left your parents safe... They abducted my mother but did not touch your parents and left..."

Eden was speechless as her heart was racing... Her words came out weak "Oh my god... Why? How? She has to be safe..." She closed her eyes and prayed "Please lord let her be safe..."

Falco said "You might want to pray for your parents if I were you... The message we have received from the Irish says it loud and clear... They dont want her dead... But they will use her captivity to get to us... My mother is worth more alive than dead... believe me...I cant say the same about your father or your mother or your brother for that matter..."

Eden opened her eyes and felt alarmed "What do you mean?... What is going on? Where are my family? Are they abducted too by the Irish?"

Falco said "Oh... You wish they were abducted by an Irish mob... Your parents were captured by my uncle Federico.... They are now in his custody... He also ordered you and your brother to be drugged and abducted and brought to my uncle... Your brother is with your parents under interrogation of my uncle Federico... Your parents could have been working with the Irish for all we know and even if they didn't, your father's insistence forced my mother to leave safety for the first time since his marriage to my father..."

Eden felt tears running down her cheeks. She did not know much about the crime families but he knew they were brutal and no one messed with their families. She wiped her tears. "I cant believe this... This is like a nightmare..."

Falco hesitated and then said "I think you should know how bad the situation is... It gets worse Eden... Much worse... My grandfather and my father went personally to the area to save my mother... There was a ... stand off... They shot my grandfather and my father..."

Eden was horrified "Oh my god..." She was sobbing as she was covering her mouth.

Falco said "Luckily they are alive... They are injured but under treatment of the best doctors. They will recover... But it can be a lengthy recovery especially for my grandpa... So now... My uncle Federico is in charge... Not my grandfather.... before this happened. My grandpa Ferdinando Fontana was the head of family. My uncle Federico is older than my father, Fabrizio... So now, what my uncle goes... He is outraged... He is reasonable. But when the blood of a Fontana is shed, he would forget who my mother is related to... He could kill your parents and brother if he wishes it and gets angry enough... He has them and they could die any day he wishes if he judges them to be guilty... My father or my grandfather were shot... My mother is abducted... Enough Fontanas have gotten hurt because of your father... That's why if you want to pray for anyone you should pray for them... They are under interrogation and even torture and no one can save them..."

Eden looked at Falco with tearful eyes "I am scared. This is so shocking... But....Would your uncle interrogate me too? Is he coming to see me now that I am awake? I would beg him for hours and hours if I have to on my knees to spare my family's life..."

Falco said "You cant change his mind... He is a businessman... He is not emotional... He won't listen to you... And no he is not coming to get you... Not yet... He doesn't know you are here.. My people abducted you before his people reached your house... Your brother was unfortunately out of your house and they got him while he was outside. I think he was meeting his friends and they captured him on his way in an alley. There was no way I could break him out of my uncle's grasp... That place has security like no other place... My uncle will eventually find out you are here... He is the boss and head of family... Someone here who works for my father will tell him you are here if they are ordered to report to him... I will try to protect you if he comes.."

Eden breathed. "Protect me?" She wiped her tears and thought over what she had heard. She had a distant look in her eyes.

Falco said "What's on your mind? You are quiet... I am very sorry about all this... This is not your fault..."

Eden looked at Falco "You are right...Its not my fault... But my father has to accept responsibility... He has wronged your family... I am scared for him... But... I am scared for your father too... Your father is my aunt Eleanor's husband...He is injured... Dont get me wrong... I am grateful that by the looks of it your have defied your uncle in some ways to save me and brought me here.... But shouldn't you be with your father or even your grandfather if they are under medical treatment after getting shot? Your mother was abducted... Shouldn't you be comforting him right now? And you are so calm when so much has happened to you... Shouldn't you be angry with me and my family? Your mother is abducted... Your father is hurt and so is your grandfather.... My family had a role in that..."

Falco said "My father told me to stay with you... He told me to save you and protect you... I do what he tells me... And we are related... You are my cousin... To my uncle you are nothing... But to me you are my relative... My uncle has less mercy in him than my father or even my grandfather actually. He didn't used to be like this... After his wife died, he became more merciless... You are innocent in my eyes. He doesn't think so. He thinks you are guilty by association. I am calm... I have been mentored and trained all my life by my grandfather, my father and my uncle to deal with crisis... I have always expected getting hit where it hurts... This is my world... It is making me angry what's happened... Dont get me wrong... But I will take my anger out on the guilty ones who abducted my mother when I get my hands on them... That could take a while... "

Suddenly a knock came on the door "Sir... your uncle has sent his men and your cousin, Ferrucio is outside issuing ultimatums for us to open the gates or he will attack..."

Eden saw how Falco's eyes widened as he whispered "Damn it... My cousin is here..." He stood up and walked to the door and opened it. He said "You have to let them in... He will order his men to kill all the personnel here if we dont comply..."

The man's voice sounded nervous "Sir... We could defend..."

Falco said "There is no point... Let them in... I will come outside and see him...."

Falco turned and looked at the tearful and unsure expression on Eden's face.

Eden said quickly "They are here to take me? Let them take me..." She got off the bed and stood up "You have done enough... My fate would be the same as Ethan's..."

Falco shook his head "Let me handle this... My father will try to talk to my uncle about not hurting your family... My mother is abducted and my father is the one affected here too... He is holding it together as he is worried about my mother but he knows there is no way they would hurt my mother.... She would be worth a lot... They harm her, they won't get much from us... So my father has some energy to try to convince my uncle to go easy on your family until my mother is safely returned... You stay here Eden until I return... OK?"

Eden said "I want to help you.... I dont want you to get hurt... Your cousin is ambushing this place and I dont want you to be facing off your family for saving me..."

Falco said "I cant let you put yourself in danger... Just stay here... Please... Trust me... I will give some instructions to the guard outside this door... I trust him to keep you safe if things go wrong..."

Eden didn't get the chance to question him further as Falco turned and walked away. He rushed out of the room. Something told her to obey his order. It was a hunch. She felt like she had landed in the middle of a horrific nightmare and she had to keep safe first before anything.

Eden slowly walked outside and looked at a guard at the door who was leaning to a window. "You need to remain inside Ma'am..." He then glanced outside "I have orders to protect you if they do come inside by force to take you..."

Eden walked to the guard and then noticed she was standing on the ground floor and the window showed what was happening outside. Countless number of armed men were standing outside behind a boy who had a resemblance to Falco. It must have been his cousin. He looked around the same age. He had his hands on his hips and pacing. He looked terrifying and he looked livid and had ice cold eyes full of anger.

Falco came into view walking towards his cousin. "Hello Ferruccio..." Eden's heart was beating fast. She was worried for Falco. His cousin seemed very angry.

Ferrucio walked towards his cousin and stood in front of him with his hands on his hips "How dare you defy my father? How dare you defend the enemy?"

Falco said calmly "Ferruccio... There was no need for this army to come here... We can talk about this..."

Eden jumped as he watched Ferrucio say menacingly "Falco.... Is that really your choice? Protecting the enemy?... My father is fuming... He will slaughter you when he gets his hands on you for interfering... But he knows uncle Fabrizio asked you to do this... So you will be forgiven... Now lead me to that girl... I am taking her with me..."

Falco put his hands up "She is my cousin... I cant hand her over... Come on..."

Ferruccio snapped angrily "She is the enemy. She became the enemy when her father lured your mother out... She must be interrogated and she must suffer..."

Falco said "You won't touch her... I won't let you..."

Ferruccio said "I dont want to touch her.... I want to kill her.... Grandpa and your father are just about alive after a stand off with the Irish to save your mother and your mother is in the hands of the Irish... Yet you are the defending the enemy..."

Falco said "She is innocent..."

Ferrucio said "Her father isn't... He is guilty... She suffers... I am done waiting.... Lead me to her, or my men would search the premises and would find her... Either way she comes with us... You cant stop the search..."

Falco said "Look... She is my cousin..."

Ferruccio said "Sure... You might get her dead body back to bury..."

Falco pushed his cousin and said to Ferruccio "How dare you?"

Ferruccio gave out a dark chuckle. He shook his head. He pushed Falco hard and Falco almost fell but kept his balance "Are you taking me on Falco? Really?"

Some men who were unarmed and standing on Falco's side rushed to Falco's aid trying to stop a fight breaking out. Falco put his hand up "Get back..." He looked at Ferruccio "You have brought an army to this place and you are surprised I am taking you on?"

The guard turned to Eden "We have to go... Now...."

Eden was horrified at watching Ferrucio step closer to Falco and stand in his personal space and the cousins engaged in an intense argument and the men standing around were trying to interfere and pleading for them not to fight. "Oh my god... Falco... No... What if his cousin hurts him?"

The guard said "Please... We have to go... Dont worry... Those cousins fight all the time... They won't go far if they start throwing punches... They are not allowed to... They are of Fontana blood... They fight but cant hurt each other too much.... Let's go... Now..."

Eden recognised the urgent tone in his voice. The guard lead her out of the back door towards a parked car outside. He announced "There is a way to avoid Ferruccio's men... Let's hope Falco buys us enough time..."

*****

The next thing she knew Eden was on the road with the guard. After minutes of silence on the road and the guard being more relaxed and sure they weren't being followed Eden asked "So.. where are you taking me?"

The guard responded "Its a long drive.... You will be seeing your boyfriend... Luigi..."

Eden turned to him "Luigi? He is not my boyfriend... He is just a friend... What do you know about him?

The guard rolled his eyes "Sure... Trust me... You would want to not deny that if you want your family to live... The fact that your family is not dead already is because of your link to Luigi... This matter is serious as people of Fontana blood have gotten hurt... Your family should be dead already... Federico Fontana has not killed them yet because he knows Luigi has chosen you..."

Eden said with shock "So... I know the Alessandrinis do business and are a wealthy family and must be important to Fontanas... But I didn't think my friendship with Luigi would save me... Why would it? What's so special about Luigi and his family that would make the Fontanas make allowances?" Eden was curious. She got the hint Alessandrinis were important in the business world. But how important and why? She didn't want to know but she had to know... Part of her was hoping Luigi had no close involvement with the Fontanas. Who wanted to be involved with criminals. She had seen Luigi at a work place and his security were serious... But they were not murderers. They weren't a mob. They couldn't be. Luigi was like her. A normal person. He didn't deserve to be dragged into this mess.

The guard said "So you dont know much about the Alessandrinis then? I thought you must know some information... But it seems like you are clueless..."

Eden said "Clueless about what? Luigi's father is a businessman... What else is there to know? He is going to be in danger if I go there... Just drop me off at an airport and lend me some money. I will buy a ticket to my grandparents house on the west coast" Indeed. What else was there to know? She didn't think there was anything.

The guard sighed "You won't be safe there... The Alessandrinis will keep you safe... You ahem no idea. Do you?"

Eden said "But I will endanger the Alessandrinis..."

The guard laughed "I am sorry..." He then laughed harder.

Eden gasped "Why are you laughing?"

The guard finished laughing and said "I am sorry... I wish I wasn't the one to tell you this but... you have no idea who the Alessandrinis are...."