Chapter 7 De Marco's Revenge

Talana left the Morrelli villa in Reggio Calabria and headed for Vibo Valentia, and headed for the abandoned factories. Approximately an hours drive.

Meanwhile, in Catanzaro, old man Sanchiano had organized for two of his very best to head to Vibo Valentia to protect Talana, giving them strict instructions.

Arriving at the abandoned factories, Talana stepped out of the vehicle and entered the property.

Searching, she finally found Gianna. "Hang in there, my friend," she whispered.

As Talana tried to untie Gianna, she heard a deep male voice and froze. "Doctor Fabrizio." The smug voice called out.

"Let my friend go. Say want you want, but let her go. She's innocent in all this." Talana reasoned woth them.

"All with in due time, my dear," he laughed.

Pablo Fabrizio walked over to Gianna and untied her.

As Talana was about to grab her friend, she was pulled back by other strong male. "Fiesty, aren't we Miss Fabrizio. I guess Morelli likes them this way. Too bad he won't get to taste you," the voice dripped with sarcasm.

"You fucking bastard!" Talana shouted at her father. "You think you going to get away with this? Max will have your head.

"Don't you think Max won't look for me?" her eyes blazed with anger as they locked on her father. "Max is coming, and when he does, there won't be enough place in hell for you to hide!"

A smirked lined on Drake's face. "You belong to me to do with as I like!"

Gianna, by now, was free, de Marco's henchman had blind-folded her and dragged her to the other end of the factory lots.

As they drove off, Sanchianos men picked her up and put her in their car, heading for Sanchianos villa. As they arrived, the old man ushered her in. "Where's Talana?" the old man asked.

"She's still inside. Her father and Drake de Marco are inside," she explained.

"Talana's still there. We have Gianna. It was a trap. They set Talana up. Exchange," Sanchiano explained.

"I'm going in," Massimo insisted.

"I'm sending my men with you," he insisted.

"There's someone else on the lookout," Gianna shouted.

"I don't know who he is, but he is not one of de Marco's or a Fabrizio," she explained.

Massimo paused. "Could this be the rat in my clan?" he thought to himself.

"I've got it, Mr Sanchiano. Send two of your men to meet me there," Massimo ordered.

Before de Marco and Pablo could do anything Massimo's maserati sounded. The sound of three vehicles screeching to a halt.

At the entrance was Raphael. He hadn't had a chance to hide. "You bloody piece of shit," Massimo blazed at the sight of him.

"Matteo!" he roared, "take him back! I'll deal with him later."

Not sparing Raphael, another glance, his mind was on getting inside, he left Raphael to, Matteo, while he, and Lorenzo met inside with Sanchianos men.

"Did you really think I would leave her to you?" he roared. "Fabrizio, the only reason you're still breathing right now is because Talana asked me once to spare you. That mercy just ran out."

"Then kill me," he tested Massimo's patience.

"No, I want to see you suffer the way you made Talana suffer. I'll leave you to Sanchiano," Massimo's relished in the mention of the old man's name.

Pablo's face went ashen at the mention of his in-laws' name. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh, but I would. But not before I make you watch while I burn everything you, de Marco and Donatello have built, burn to the ground," he threated, his tone dripping with condescension.

Drake de Marco, hearing those words, gripped Talana tighter by the hair, with a knife to her throat.

"I'm warning you, hurt her, and I won't think twice of my next move," Massimo threatened as he edged closer to Talana.

As Massimo moved closer, Talana managed to get into a space where she could do some damage, enabling her to get free from de Marco's claws.

"This isn't over!" he yelled as he fired a shot that just missed Massimo.

Just as Massimo was about to shoot back, Lorenzo fired a short injury to Marco's shoulder, forcing him to release his grip on Talana.

"I am aware it's not over!" Massimo responded.

Talana dashed for Massimo, who caught her effortlessly in his arms. "You're safe now, angel," he responded.

"Gianna?" she asked.

"She's safe. I'll take you to her. There's so much you need to know," he responded.

Meanwhile, Drake was on the ground cursing as he clutched his bleeding shoulder.

Turning to Sanchianos' men, he said, "Take him, don't kill him. I'll speak with Don Sanchiano."

"You can't do this!" Pablo Fabrizio shouted.

"Oh, but I already have," his laughter thick with intent.

"Sanchianos residence," Massimo ordered.

Massimo in the back sea with Talan, holding her close to him. "Did he hurt you, angel?" his voice laced with concern.

"A little, but nothing I can't handle," she responded, laying her head on his shoulder. For the first time in forever, Talana felt safe.Someone else besides Gianna that she could trust.

Arriving at Don Sanchiano, Massimo helped Talana out of the vehicle.

"Why are we here?" she asked curiously.

"Well, for one, we need to get Gianna. Two, there is someone you need to meet," he explained in not so much detail.

"Who?" she quizzed.

"Remember I told you I would answer your questions. Well, today, some of those questions will be answered. Who I am and what my interest is in you," he explained.

Heading into the Sanchiano villa, Masso and Talana were greeted by Roberto Sanchiano and his son Mariano Sanchiano.

"You look just like your mother," Roberto Sanchiano said, admiring the beauty in his granddaughter.

"You knew my mother?" Talana asked.

"We did, but first come sit and have some refreshments. Mariano, go fetch the young lady," he ordered in a gentle tone.

Gianna came out, and the two friends hugged, reconnecting immediately. "Are you okay?" Gianna asked.

"I am now. I'm just glad you got to safety. I almost died when I heard they kidnapped you for me," she threw her arms around Gianna.

"Massimo, thank you for getting her out there," Gianna said, softening to Massimo.

"Wait? What? You're Massimo Morrelli? The Don of the Morrelli mafia?" her eyes were wide like saucers as she questioned him.

"That is me, angel, but I am here to protect you," he promised, "you will understand everything tonight, I promise. Just trust me."

They sat at the dining room table enjoying a family meal. For the first time since her mother died, Talana felt like she was home. She didn't know why, but all would be revealed soon.