Strength In Age.

We’ve been here for what feels like hours, waiting for Tony to wake up from the drugs and watching these fucking videos. It is torture, just not the physical kind. My mind is going back and forth on every moment I’ve had with Ariana and I’m trying to decipher what each of those meant to her, compared to the ones she shared with Alexander. Fuck this. I will fight for her. I have to. I look over at Luca who looks equally deflated. I spin on my toes to look around at what we might be able to reach. The chairs they kicked aren’t too far out of reach. We need to get those back; my hands are fucking killing me.

“Luca?” I whisper to get his attention.

He looks up, not saying anything, not like he could anyway with his gag still in place.

“The chairs, we need to get the chairs.” He turns on his toes and looks back to see how far they are. His is closer but mine’s not far off.

“How far can you swing?” He looks up at his hands, wiggling his fingers before he starts to wind the chain around his hands, with the extra chain in his grip, his feet come off the floor and he tries to swing his body backwards, kicking out his feet. It’s not enough momentum…

“Hold on brother, I’ll try to give you a push.”

I wrap my hands and my feet lift. With all the strength I have left I pull my feet up and flick them towards Luca, kicking backwards into his gut and effectively giving him a push. A couple more swings and his feet catch the leg of his chair, and it creaks on the concrete floor as it is pulled forward. I watch as he lets his hands go from the chain, placing his toes on one foot on the floor and then throwing back his other leg to hook the chair to his side. He uses his feet to adjust it and then steps upward on it, groaning as the pressure leaves his arms. His head flops forward with his arms and he shakes his hands to help the blood flow back into them.

“Good job brother!”, he looks at me and then grabs the gag from his mouth and pulls it down.

“Ugh, that’s got to be one of the longest times I’ve had to go without talking. Fucking prick!”

I laugh at him, always making light of the situation.

“Alright, now let’s get yours”, he looks back.

**Ariana.**

Hudson has taken his tenth nap for the day. I say nap, but really, he’s just a weak piece of shit who keeps passing out. I take the time to head to the next cell where Jeremy has everything they know laid out. It’s good, but it’s not enough, even with Hudson’s knowledge of how many guards and their placement. I need to be able to see it with my own eyes to know what we’re going in to. Not to mention we’re seriously lacking in numbers now that we’ve lost two teams in the recent attacks.

“Jeremy, how many men to we have to spare if we run another rescue mission?”

“Not nearly enough…We need to keep men at the house and around the wives and children as well…”

“Fuck…” I’ve not wanted to do this since I found out but it seems to be my only option. At the Donna ceremony when I met all the families, Luciano’s, Luca’s and Tony’s grandfathers, along with Luca’s father had pulled me aside to let me know if I ever needed anything that they would be there for me. They might be getting there in age, but they’ve been in this life for how long? Their training and skills would be well beyond most of the younger men, even without the strength and agility they once had. I had seen they had all kept themselves in good shape. I pull out my phone and make the call I wish I didn’t have to.

“Mr Donatello?”

“Ariana, how lovely to hear from you, please, call me Marcus.”

“Marcus. I need help. May we meet?”

“Of course! I will come immediately.”

“No, I’ll come to you. Can you ask Tony’s father, to join us?”

“I will. See you soon.”

I hang up and note Jeremy, Hays and Matteo waiting for instructions.

“We’re going to Luciano’s grandparents’ house. It’s time we ask for help from the people who know this game better than all of us.”

“Should I call my father?” Jeremy asks. Obviously, this would be Luciano’s uncle. However, I don’t remember meeting him directly.

“Call any of the elders who aren’t currently in service but would like to volunteer for one last job. Don’t give out details, it’s not safe and we don’t know how far this rat infiltrated us.”

“What do you want to do about that rat?” Matteo asks me.

“Let the guards take Demos and Keres for a walk in his cell.”

My puppies are no longer little carefree puppies anymore and they’ve been trained perfectly. Hudson has no more useful information for me so I’m happy enough to let my loyal companions take care of him.

The drive to Luciano's grandparents isn't too far. I take Jeremy and Hays and a handful of guards. We left Matteo at the house to make sure things continue running there.

"Ariana! Darling!" Luciano's Nonna greets me at the front door.

"Nonna", I give her a hug and kiss her cheek.

"Where are the boys? What is happening?" she asks looking around me.

"Vera, mi amore, I think we should take this to my office." Nonno says behind her, holding out his arm to me. Nonno and Nonna aren't awfully old, they've just reached their 60's. Having children young in this life is important for the bloodlines to be carried on. Nonno is still a very fit man, he just hides his strength behind some wrinkles and grey hair. He leads us down the hall to his office and opens the door to usher us inside. Sitting around the office his is a group of older men, Tony's father, Gregory comes over to me, kissing my cheek and offering me a seat.

"What has happened, Ariana, and what do you need of us?" Nonno starts.

I waste not a moment pulling out files, laying them on the desk and explaining the situation while Jeremy sets up a projector to show everyone more information we have. Everyone stays calm while I explain and lay out plans.

Mamma and Madre interrupt after a few hours, bringing in snacks and drinks for everyone and taking a moment to look me over, before asking me if I would like something to eat.

"Unless you have pickles..."

Mamma's eyebrows shoot upward, and the two women look at each other and then back to me.

"We do actually. Would you mind coming with us for a moment?" Mamma asks.

I look to Nonno to see if he needs anything from me right now and he nods for me to go. The women lead me to the kitchen and Madre pulls out a large jar of pickles. I waste no time digging in for a few. It's been a while since I last ate, and this little peanut really likes to eat. I close my eyes and wiggle in my seat in contentment.

"You're pregnant!" Mumma shouts.

I open my eyes abruptly and almost choke on the mouthful of food before I smirk.

"How did you know?"

"You're glowing for one." Madre says.

"and for two, the pickle craving, I had that with Luca." Mamma finishes.