Chapter 53

-James-

**2007**

I woke up and looked at Jianna sleeping next to me. I guess this is what bliss looks like. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I need to make a plan to get out of here.

She lightly turned and whispered something, then reached her arm out. "James..." she whispered.

I caught her arm before it landed on the bed and placed it on my chest. She surprisingly scooted closer to me when I did this. She sighed deeply, and her face softened.

I didn't realize I had fallen back asleep because when I woke up, Jianna was gone. Not again.

"J?" I called out.

"In the bathroom," she yelled back.

I breathed a sigh of relief. I lay my head back on the pillow and stared at the ceiling for a while. I heard the door to the bathroom open, and Jianna came out with just my shirt on again, but now she had her hair in a ponytail. I looked at her and smiled. She looked so beautiful.

"I'm hungry," she said. Her stomach rumbled just as she said it. She held her stomach, embarrassed, and looked up at me.

I raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

"I did say I was hungry." she blushed.

I got off the bed, grabbed my earlier bags, and started taking them out. "Well, we'll have to settle for cold Risotto and bread." I was taking the containers out of the bag, then realized I also bought wine. "Hey! The wine is still good."

Jianna walked over to where I was and sat on my lap. I was surprised by the gesture but kept it to myself.

"I don't think we can eat like this babe." I chuckled.

"Well, you're going to have to figure it out," she said, settling between my legs, scooping up a heaping of risotto, and breaking off a piece of bread. "Open up," she said, then started feeding me.

"Oh. Ok. I guess this works, too." I laughed before putting the spoon in my mouth.

Jianna giggled and continued to eat. One spoonful for her. One spoonful for me. I started stroking her hair while she fed me, and as we watched the sunset through the window, I have never felt more at peace. It just felt natural. Like we had been doing this for years.

After dinner, we stayed on the couch a while longer and watched the sunset from the small window.

We fell asleep cuddled on the couch when I heard the floor creak. I opened my eyes, but it was too late. Hands already appeared to pry Jianna from my grasp. She wasn't screaming. She was slumped over like she was dead.

"Jianna! Jianna! Open your eyes, baby!" I yelled as the masked men took her from my arms.

"DON'T FUCKING TOUCH HER! DON'T YOU FUCKING TOUCH HER!" I screamed at the men as they dragged Jianna out of the room.

I tried to fight them off, but I felt a prick on my neck, and then everything went black.

When I woke up, I was in the back of a van with my hands tied and my head in a sack.

"Hello?" I called out.

"Ahhh... Finally. Il principe azzurro è sveglio. I'm glad you're finally awake." said the voice. "We're almost home."

"Where's Jianna?" I yelled.

"Oh, you'll be with your *Rosso* soon enough." the voice cackled.

I felt the van slow down and another prick. Again, everything went black.

When I get to it again, I'm in a cell. The bounds had been taken off me, as well as the sack. I tried to adjust my eyesight, but there was barely any light in the room, so I was having a hard time. I heard someone screaming in the distance, and I was trying to figure out who it was. Then it hit me.

"JIANNA! BABY! WHERE ARE YOU?" I screamed. I stopped and tried to listen to a response.

"JAMES? JAMES? WHERE ARE YOU?" she sounded desperate.

"BABY, I'M HERE! I'M HERE BABE!" I responded back.

I then heard the sound I dreaded the most. The screams of torture from the love of my life.

"JAMES! JAMES! HELP ME!" she hollered. "NO! NO! GET OFF ME! FUCKING GET OFF ME! I WILL FUCKING KILL OF YOU!" she continued.

Then silence.

"J?" my voice quivered. "J? Answer me, baby?" My legs became Jell-O. I fell down on the floor and felt sick.

"J. Please. Please. Answer me." I sobbed. I clenched my chest, feeling like my chest was being stabbed over and over again.

I felt so helpless. The pleas of Jianna echoed in my mind. Then I heard the clacking of shoes getting louder.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen." said the voice.

"Who are you? What have you done to her?" I screamed.

The footsteps stopped right outside my cell. "Oh, open your eyes, James!" said the voice. "I do hate to see you like this."

The voice became more apparent. How the fuck did they find me?

"Vanessa," I growled.

"Did you think they're not going to find you?" she hissed. "What is that saying again? The enemy of your enemy is your friend? Guess who just made nice with Jianna's handlers."

I looked up with eyes widened. "What the fuck did you just say?"

"Yes. Yes. Your handlers and her handlers have placed a temporary accord until they figure out what to do with the both of you." she said blandly.

"What have they done?" my breath shuddered.

"Mmmm... I don't know, but I'm sure you'll find out soon enough." her tone was condescending.

"What. Have. They. Done." I demanded.

"Fine. Since I'm in such a giving mood, I'll let you in on a little secret." she leaned in closer and whispered. "We're going to let you watch her die. They don't like when their precious asset decides to be happy. No one gets out of this life alive, Buck, no one."

I knew she was right, and now, it's worse because both sides want the same thing.

Realizing that I felt numb and there was nothing else I could do but slump to the floor.