Chapter 6 The Power Struggle Begins

Across town in Vibo Valentia, de Marco's men were preparing to stake out Morelli's family. Meanwhile, de Marco was planning his next strategy. "Where's that moron Rossi!" Drake shouted at his assistant.

"He hasn't come back yet, sir," he responded.

"Bloody useless idiot!" he raged on.

A few minutes later, one of the other henchmen approached. "Sir," he said.

"Speak!" Drake ordered.

"It's that Rossi guy," he responded.

"What about him? get to the point!" Drake was now irritated as things were not going according to his plans.

"Boss, we found his body in the bin," he henchman informed him.

De Marco's face darkened at the news. "In the bin?" his voice dangerously low.

"Yes, boss. This is a clear message, Boss." his assistant responded, treading lightly. "They really did a number on him."

"Morelli, that son of a bitch," he muttered, slamming his fist down on his desk.

"Boss, you want us to go after Morelli, the girl or her friend." his assistant asked.

"I want Morelli's head on a platter, but first, I want her friend Gianna. Talana would give her life for that woman. I'll use her as a negotiation for Fabrizios' daughter!" he ordered.

"Got it, Boss," the assistant responded.

In the meantime, Massimo and Talana had arrived at her parent's place.

"Let me go in first," Talana said gently.

"I'll be right here. If you need anything, just text me. Be careful in there, angel," he cautioned her.

Smiling at him, Talana walked into her parent's house.

"So you decided to come back?" he father smirked, his voice dripping with malice as he sat at their small table swirling a glass of cheap red wine, with his wife Maria, the room smelling of old stale alcohol and cigarette smoke and buts.

Disgusted by the site, she said, "I'm here to warn you and your wife," saying the wife part harder with hateful intent, "I will not, not now or ever, marry de Marco or anyone else you arrange for me!" Her warning was deadly.

Going up the stairs to her bedroom, Talana noticed her box on her dresser was ajar, opening it, she noticed all her savings were missing.

Storming back down to where her father and stepmother sat, she slammed the box on the table. "Where is it?" she yelled.

"Where's what you ungrateful bitch!" Maria yelled back at her.

"Don't act all smug and coy with me! Where is my money. That was to pay my tuition finished!" she yelled at them.

"What money is in this house is ours!" he father yelled at her.

"You would steal from your own daughter and sell me out to a criminal just to cover your gambling and alcohol addiction?" Talana was filled with rage. As she was about to storm out, Maria's fist connected with her face.

"You bitch!" she yelled at her step mother.

Outside, Massimo was patiently waiting until he heard the commotion coming from inside. Storming in, he pulled Talana behind him. "Touch her again, either of you, and trust me, your life will be worse than hell," he threatened in such a low tone that even ants would shudder.

Walking out of the house, he pulled Talana close to him till they entered the maserati. "Are you okay angel, did they lay a hand on you?" he asked, his tone calmer and sweeter to her than a few seconds before.

"I'm okay now. It's nothing, They both drunk or high or something," she responded, "but my final tuition settlement is gone. They stole the money from my box. I confronted them, and she hit me."

"Don't worry about your tuition. I will cover it, I don't want you going back there unless you have me or one of my men with you."

As they drove back to the Morrelli villa, a call from Lorenzo came in.

"Talk to me," Massimo answered the call.

"Boss, there was a break-in at Miss Gianna's place. Our men have searched the parameters. She's missing," he informed him.

Lorenzo's tone was loud enough that Talana could make out the conversation on the other end. Talana looked at Max. "Find her!" Massimo ordered.

"We're on it, Boss," he responded.

"Find her, Max, please," Talana sat there tear in her eyes.

"We will angel, we will bring her back safely," he promised. Hoping that he actually could fulfil the promise.

Arriving at the villa, a message buzzed on Talana's phone. "If you want to see your friend alive again, meet us at the abandoned factory across town. Don't tell anyone about this, or she will die!"

Torn between her love for her friend and the bond now forming between her and Max, Talana was unsure of what her next step would be.

Noticing the sudden change in tempo, Massimo asked, "Who was that message from?"

"Max," she began crying as she showed him the message.

"You trust me this much to risk your long-time best friend's life like this?" he asked, grateful she appreciated and trusted him this much.

"I do," she responded. "Max, I need to go alone. Please, please trust me on this one. Whoever it is will know you and your men, I can't risk her life." She pleaded with him.

"Alright, but I will make sure there is cover outside of my men," he informed her, as he dialled a number.

A few seconds later, an older gentleman's voice came on the other end. "Morelli!" the voice said.

"Talana may be in danger, I need two or three of your men at a distance watching her. Talana wants to do this alone, but I fear danger," he told the older gentleman.

"Got it. Send me the location," old man Sanchiano responded.

Massimo sent the message location to Don Sanchiano.

Talana looked at Max. "Who are you really?" she asked.

"I am most people's worst nightmare, but I'm your protector forever angel," he leaned in and kissed her forehead.

"I need to go change," she responded.

"Let's go inside and have a quick bite then," Massimo suggested.

Entering the villa in Reggio de Calabria, Talana went to change while Max prepared a light seafood salad for them both.

"Come eat," he insisted.

Sitting down, they enjoyed the meal together. Talana got up. "It's time," she responded.

Pulling her into his embrace, he said in a low, caring, and caressing tone, "Please be careful angel."

Bending his down in search of her lips, he drew her in tighter and kissed her so deeply it left her breathless. "Max," she responded.

"I'll be waiting for you," he smiled half heartedly, not wanting to let her go.