Page 49 of A Game of Survival

Just as I am about to call Lincoln to let him know about Lucille, I can hear raised voices coming from the kitchen. Fuck. Combing my hand though my hair, I guess he’s already returned and found out for himself.

I make my way to them quickly, and as I enter I look around the room and see only Katrina, Max and Lincoln. Linc has Max against the wall by the collar of his shirt, while Katrina yells at them to stop.

“Where are Teddy and Isabella?” I ask. They all snap their heads to look at me.

“Alesso took them to play in his room for a little while, while this stronzo explains what the fuck is going on.” Lincoln growls, hoisting Max higher off the floor.

“Put him down, Lincoln.” I say calmly. He is glaring at Max while I glance at Katrina as her phone buzzes. Her eyes meet mine and she nods. Neither Linc or Max notice our interaction as my phone buzzes with Katrina's information. But then to my surprise my phone begins to ring. The number that is on the screen is one that causes my stomach to twist.

Answering it I snarl, “Ronan!” This makes Linc and Max drop their aggression towards each other and face me.

Ronan taunts me before he switches the phone to video. There I see my brother, strapped to a god damn chair, he's already a bloody mess. My fears are becoming reality as I see who Cole is staring at. Lucille is being held by a man who is so far back in the shadows, I cannot make out his features. The way he holds her makes me want to snap each finger from his dirty fucking hands before shoving them down his throat, forcing him to choke on them. She's visually uncomfortable, and as she hears my voice, her eyes flicker to the camera. I can feel my heart seizing in my chest but I watch on feeling helpless as Ronan continues his taunts. I demand him to meet us and settle this for good like men but of course he refuses. I know exactly what will happen next as he turns his attention to my brother and he gives his order for them to begin. One of his men obliges immediately as they begin another round of brutalizing torture.

One by one he nails my brother's hands to the chair until blood is pooling at his feet. Even throughout the pain he somehow remains calm, barely protesting the pain and never breaking eye contact with our girl whose screams are broken and raw as she begs for them to stop.

It doesn’t take long for the pain and blood loss to render Cole unconscious, leaving Ronan cackling into the video as he turns the camera back round to face him. “So Silas, as you can see, I have the upper hand. Give your territory over to me or it will be my darling stepdaughters turn next. I’ll contact you in 48 hours to find your answer. How do you Italian filth say bye? Ciao?” he mocks before ending the call.

Chaos erupts behind me as Lincoln and Max argue the best plan to free them both. Katrina stays quiet, contemplating a plan on her own.

I gather myself together and shout for them to stop but they continue to bicker. “STOP!” I shout again, this time with much more conviction than I feel. Linc and Max quickly shut their mouths, turning to face me as the room instantly falls quiet. “I have their location. We need to get a small team of men, armed and ready. We leave at midnight.” I say before heading back to my office.

Before I can leave, Linc calls out to question me, “And how exactly do you have the location already?”

I glance at Katrina, her eyes widen slightly at the fear of being found out. I then look at Max who is scowling at me with the same frown before I reply to Lincoln. “I have a source that would like to remain anonymous, and don’t even think about pushing this.”

Fuck the office, I need to go to the gym and burn off the aggression and this horrifically overwhelming feeling of helplessness as my brain tortures me with repeats of what I just witnessed. I keep reminding myself that we’ll be there soon. We’ll get them out. As I’m heading down to the gym, there’s a heavy knock on the front door.

“For fucksake, that better not be the FBI again.” I mutter as I turn back towards the foyer. As I reach the door, I glance out of the side window and see a familiar set of arms holding a duffel bag. I hadn’t realized how much I needed him until this moment.

“Nic! Fuck man, you certainly know how to pick your moment!” I say, opening the door wide and pulling the giant in for a hug.

“Si, good to see you too man, what’s happened? Who do I have to kill?” He asks jokingly, not realizing how close the truth he is.

“Honestly Nic, I don’t even know where to begin. I was just heading down to the gym to work off some frustration. I know you’ve just got here but do you fancy joining me and I’ll fill you in? Everything work out OK with your sister?” I ask.

“Whatever you need, man. What do I call you now? Si feels too informal. And yes she’s all good thank you”

“Call me Si, Silas, whatever you like my friend. I’m glad to hear it,” I reply, as we head downstairs.

When we reach the gym, the look on Nic’s face is priceless.

“Fuck me Si, you weren’t kidding when you said the gym inside was shit compared to what you had at home! This is fucking awesome!” Nic says, admiring the room my brothers and I spend a lot of time in.

“Are you feeling OK, Nic? I think that’s more words in one sentence than you said the entire time we bunked together.” I say, slapping him on the back.

“Fuck you. So tell me, what’s happened? You looked like someone had kicked your puppy when you opened the door.” Nic asks, placing his duffel bag on the bench before he starts strapping his hands.

“I don’t even know where to begin. What I will tell you now though is the quick version. Lucille was kidnapped by her stepfather, Ronan Costello, this afternoon. The same Ronan Costello that’s currently torturing my brother in his cellar. I literally found out not even an hour ago. I’m going to need your help, big guy.”

“Christ. I have so many questions, but first lets spar and you can fill me in. It sounds like you need it.”

“Bring it on, Shrek,” I laugh, bouncing on the balls of my feet, relishing the burn and pain that’s coming.

“Shrek? I’m not a fucking ogre! Are you sure you want to get that pretty face messed up before you get your girl back?” he taunts.

“You can try, I doubt you’ll succeed though,” I laugh at him.

“Tell me the plan to get Luci back. I take it you have a plan, otherwise you wouldn’t be down here.” he says, observant as ever.

---