Chapter Four | Emilia, right?

Inspector Kelly had known James Tolland longer than he was willing to admit but the elderly man had never witnessed the young detective in such a distraught state as the man was when he'd arrived at his apartment.

He'd gotten the distress call at nearly midnight, James' voice wrought with pain and anguish as he spoke. The words had rolled out urgently and briefly but the inspector quickly highlighted the center of the conversation: Amelia is missing

The Inspector had rung up some officers at the station, a team of forensic experts, and himself to investigate the scene immediately. The one person that he'd briefly rejoiced over for being by James' side and keeping him at bay had vanished, more likely kidnapped. It was a situation that the inspector couldn't fathom or come to a conclusion over.

Now as the officers and experts strode within and outside the apartment; shutters clicking, samples being extracted and questioning potential witnesses around the complex, the inspector couldn't help but stare at the young detective who sat at a corner in the hallway, his gaze focused on a pregnancy test stick that'd been found at the start of the investigation.

Inspector Kelly strode quietly to his side; his eyes still focused on James who paid no mind to his presence. James fiddled with the test stick; his eyes glistened with unyielding tears as he did so. The Inspector wished to comfort the young detective, convince him that Amelia probably went to stay over at a friend's place or something but the evidence that had been derived so far as well as a significant missing timeline in the surveillance footage confirmed their suspicion of foul play.

Now the only questioned that plagued their minds was the possible motive of the captor. No message had been left behind, only an almost rotting flask filled with food that was discovered earlier by staff and surprisingly, Amelia's cellphone. That was the most shocking revelation.

She must have left her cellphone at the apartment by accident as she left to meet James at the station but what were the odds that she'd left it just before she was taken. Unless-

"Check every single place in the house, especially for minimized wire tapings! Check the cellphone and landlines also" The inspector fessed up, startling both James and the officers on the ground, "I want the surveillance footage of this building and nearby areas from the last few weeks by this night"

A round of "Yes sir's" echoed as the officers dispatched themselves to various places, leaving the hallway secluded aside from the presence of the inspector and detective.

"Did you figure something out?" James asked, still fiddling with the stick as he spoke, his voice mildly audible.

"Yes," The inspector replied, "I suspect that your fiancé was being surveyed for quite some time. I know you have a lot of enemies who you've investigated and exposed but I have a bad feeling that this is linked to your long-term investigation. They have surely taken note of your closeness and attachment to the case, they wouldn't let a renowned detective like yourself get close to exposing them like that"

"so, the only possible way was to deal a blow to your heart by taking someone you love. Someone who'd take your mind off the ongoing case.... It seems like they quickly derived an upper hand to this so you'd be backed in a corner" The inspector revealed.

James exhaled as he struggled to process the information he was listening to. If the cartels he'd been chasing wanted to end his life, wouldn't they have done that seamlessly without involving Amelia? Just as they'd done to his father without a single trace. They wouldn't want to prolong the chase by exposing themselves and kidnapping someone close to him in a bid to torture him.

Of what benefit would they derive from it?

The current facts they possessed now were scattered pieces of information they needed to ponder over and place together before drawing up conclusions that were frustrating James.

"Just promise me one thing, Mr. Kelly," James said as hoisted himself to his feet, wiping at the derriere of his jeans.

"What's that?" The inspector asked, watching the young detective with a concerned expression

"Promise me that we will be able to save Amelia. Promise me that she wouldn't end up like my father" he pleaded; the tears he'd fought back slowly slid over his sunken cheeks causing the elderly man to look away from him.

"I will try my absolute best to-"

James grappled for the lapels of the inspector's black jacket, yanking him forward so their faces were only inches apart, "I don't fuck with trials, I deal with immediate feats!" he snapped.

"Don't forget your place, Detective Tolland. Get your hands off me and calm the fuck down" Inspector Kelly prodded gently; his stoic gaze fixated on James' distraught one.

James shoved him slightly, punching the wall in frustration, cussing at the sting, "How can I calm down when my pregnant fiancé is missing?" he hissed through gritted teeth, watching as the inspector ingested the new information.

"I didn't know" was all He said, earning a scoff from the young detective who began taking quick strides towards the elevator.

"Where are you off to?" Inspector Kelly called, trailing after him to intercept his movements when James swiveled on his heels abruptly.

"I'm off to work. I'm starting my investigation immediately. I'll call you if I find anything" he said dismissively before resuming his stride to the elevator while the Inspector stood in his spot watching him helplessly.

The last time the inspector had seen James riled up for an investigation was a few years back when He'd joined the force with the determination of finding his father's killer.

This was not a good sign for the young detective's deteriorating obsession. He could only pray that Amelia would be found as fast as possible for all their sakes.

*

"We're here," Amelio said, tapping Emilia lightly on the cheek. She'd fallen asleep on his shoulder during their drive through the quaint city of Milan in Lombardy.

The journey had almost been unbearable to undertake with Amelio by her side making unreasonable sexual demands through the flight and earlier in the car, completely exhausting her. His unquenchable libido had always been her favorite part of her relationship with him in the past but was rather a nuisance now.

Emilia rose her head slowly, peering out of the window at the De Santigo mansion as the car eased into the enormous driveway. A wave of nostalgia swept over her, memories both good and bad ran through her mind as she stared at the home she'd grown up in, the same home she'd quickly ran away from when it became agonizing to resided within its emotionally enclosing walls.

She'd fondly thought of her parents especially her overbearing mother who doted on her at every chance she got. She'd imagined how devasted she'd felt when she discovered her little girl had fled from her abode due to her father and brothers' deeds.

The chauffeur politely aided her out of the car, one hand holding the door while the other held onto her hand as she took a step out.

Amelio rounded the car quickly, warding the chauffeur away as he took over, slipping his arm around her petite waist, steadying her. She was feasibly exhausted, leaning into her conspicuous brother for support as they approached the entrance of the enormous mansion.

There was a golden fountain in the middle of the inner courtyard just before the stairs that led to the double doors. Two pedestals stood at either side of the entrance, a brass sculpture of a well-detailed serpent, the insignia of the De Santigo dynasty, mounted on either side.

Emilia ran her hand over the reptilian figurine, images of the same tattoos that were engraved on every member of the De Santigo mafia including Amelio, ran through her mind, the nostalgia almost becoming unbearable.

Amelio urged forward, leading them both through the massive double doors. He was silent through their walk from the car, his demeanor more serious than it had been while they were lodged in New York and through the flight. It's as if he'd mentally flipped a switch from his normal carefree self to the Underboss that led right under the don, their father.

The entrance hall was filled with gang soldiers, their capos, and the servants who all bustled about the massive space, all having something and somewhere important they needed to do and be. They all saluted and curtsied when they both passed by, their eyes fixated on the ground out of fear or respect.

Emilia could see the surprise and shock on some of their expressions, some spared whispers amongst themselves, though subtle and inaudible, she could still hear them. She took a deep breath as they approached a flight of stairs. She feels their gaze boring into her back yet she remained as composed and quiet as Amelio currently was.

They finally paused in front of her father's study. Amelio gave a curt knock, his grip tightening around her waist as a gruff response was uttered from the other side of the door. Emilia felt the air gradually seizing around her as she struggled to maintain her composure.

Amelio proceeded to open the door, slowly revealing her other brothers: Bruno and Luciano who sat at either side of the room while their mother, Rosario De Santigo, stood right beside their father, Fariello, who sat behind the enormous desk that was stationed in the middle of the room.

Then right across the desk sat a man who backed Emilia and Amelio, who oddly still stood at the threshold of the room.

Emilia took cautious steps forward, leaving Amelio's side as she moved, the deafening silence and onslaught of stares making it harder for her to breathe as she did so. Their expressions portrayed their surprise and anger, but their silence prompted her to question the identity of the man who had not bothered to turn in response to her arrival.

As if on cue, the mysterious man slowly swiveled around in his seat to face her causing her to pause her movements. His piercing blue eyes captivating her hazel ones as they settled their gaze on each other.

He resembled Amelio's bravura of styling his hair which was sleeked back beautifully, the blond highlights striking an inimitable difference between them both. Saying that the man before her was handsome was quite inaccurate. Beautiful was a more suitable description of the man whose gaze she couldn't quite evade.

"You must be the long-lost daughter, Emilia, right?" He asked, prompting her to speechlessly nod in response, earning a smirk from the eloquent man before her.

He stood then, making his way over to her.

He extended his hand towards her which she took in hers as if she'd been placed under a spell or something.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Emilia. My name is Leonelli Gianpiero" He said, bringing her hand to the apex of his lips as he placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand while she stared in horror as she fondly remembered where she'd heard of that name before.

She understood now why her family had been solemnly quiet even though she'd appeared before them after being away for so long.

The man before them was someone that enacted fear in the hearts of mafia dons around Italy and ultimately the world.

Better known as the Kingpin of New York City.