"Please come and sit down." Viktor calls from his desk, it wasn't as much an invite as it was a straight up demand. Not feeling like angering the man I walk over to the chairs and sit down.

"Now speak from the beginning please, I also need to know what your side of things are with my nephew, Blade." I really don't feel like speaking about my whole life but I don't have any choice right now, taking a deep breath I start my sob story.

"Well I lived in a shit hole of an orphanage when Blade had taken an interest in me, I did not return those feelings. I was actually in love with another boy from the orphanage at that time. Eventually things became dangerous when the orphanage was set on fire, I was just 18 so I was able to leave, so I went into witness protection." I couldn't hold anyone's eyes, so I stared at a place on the large oak desk in front of me.

"I was under protection for seven years, until I was then kidnapped by Arthur Catelli for his sex trafficking." I shivered at the memory, "But it lead me back to my childhood lover who made a deal with Catelli to pay off some debit, he also bargained for my freedom to be with him. To do that I have to do Catelli's work to 'earn my keep' so to speak." I didn't feel proud of that fact, but I keep trying to tell myself that I needed to do this to survive. I take a deep, shuddering breath as everyone else in the office is still silent.

"Take her back to her quarters please Vincent. Antonio you stay here." with that I was dismissed, which kind of confused me. I mean I told the total truth but why would he believe me so easily, unless he doesn't believe me at all and he is going to kill me. I was brought out of my thoughts when Vincent took hold of my hand and pulls me up from my seat and leads me out of the office.

As we walked I questioned him, "Now what?" I whispered, almost scared of his response. He squeezed my hand but didn't answer me, so I stewed in my thoughts until we were back in the bedroom I woke up in. He let go of my hand and I walked over to the bed feeling completely lost and hopeless. He sat down beside me and wrapped me in his arms, his familiar cologne surrounding me in what felt like a protective cocoon.

"My dad believes you, my brother is more leery about it but I could tell he felt your pain as well. Not many know this, but my mom came from the sex trades of Arthur Catelli. My father disagrees with trafficking of women so we have broken up many of his trades, actually we thought he was done with that part of it until you confirmed he is not." he scrubbed his free hand down his face and back up until he ran it through his hair.

"I really can't say what is going to happen, but know this you will not be hurt. We refuse to hurt women. Our family believes women are key to a mans future and should be treated like the goddesses they were created after." he smiles kindly as he squeezes my hand, my heart beat stutters a little at the underlying compliment.

I took a good look at him and he had dropped his mask, he was as easy to read as the other night. His eyes held a passion and determination but also a warmth. Does that mean he likes me? I question myself as we sit staring at each other.

"I don't know what to tell you to be honest, your kind of stuck in the middle of the war and there is nothing that can be done about it. I can tell you have been through a lot already but you need to think about your future and what you want to happen. You may have a very hard decision to make soon because one way or another you are apart of the Mafia and once your in you never get out. Not even once your debt is paid off." he gives my hand a squeeze and he walks out of the room to let me think.

What does he mean by a decision, does he mean decide between Arthur and Viktor? I really couldn't decide, I mean I love Chuck. I want to be with him more than anything but I am NOT the kind of person who can handle the mafia and the death and kidnapping. I mean I am weak and sensitive, I can't handle the things they do on a regular basis.

My head hurts, I can't think about this any more right now. I just don't want to adult any more, my life sucks and nothing seems to get better. What have I done so wrong in my past life to deserve this? The tears start dropping down my cheeks without warning and I end up crying myself to sleep.

In my sleep I feel the bed move and the familiar smell of Vincent wrap around me as arms circle my waist. I snuggle into the warmth of his body needing some form of comfort and fall back into a deep dreamless sleep. Through the darkness of sleep I can feel something caressing my face, I like the feeling of it as I lay there just on the edge of consciousness, half asleep and half awake.

"I wish it was different circumstances that we met, maybe we both could have had what we wanted." the softest of whispers came from the body that was curled around mine in the bed, so soft I almost wondered if I had imagined it.

There was a knock on the door and Vincent got out of bed and I could hear whispering, but I couldn't make out the words. The door closes so I open my eyes and get a shock, Antonio is standing in the room, Vincent was no where to be seen.

"I have some questions for you, and after walking in and seeing my brother in bed with you this morning, I have a few extra questions as well." my face heats as I realize it wasn't a dream when I could feel and smell Vincent, I look down at the beds before nodding my head. The bed dips and he sits down on the bed a little further away then I expected.

"First off, how long have you been under Catelli?" straight to business, no emotions are shown through his deep chocolate eyes. I hold eye contact, trying to at least appear not so weak.

"Not very long, Arthur was advised of my," I pause, thinking of the right words, "special talent so to speak, the same day I was kidnapped. So to help work off my own keep, as well as being able to stay with Chuck he wanted me to gather intel for him. I had proved myself when I found two spies acting as guards for his door." he nodded his head with an evil smirk on his lips.

"Yes, those were our men. Do you know what Arthur Catelli did to them little uccello (bird)?" his face became distraught as he slipped away into the horrors of his mind. I close my eyes tight, as if I can hide behind the darkness like a security blanket. I never even thought about what was going to happen to those men being caught. I could feel the onslaught of tears even though my eyes were closed tight, sure enough one treacherous tear falls and I can feel it run down my cheek.

His soft hand gently followed the tear until he wipes it off my face, I open my eyes and focus my watery eyes on his. This is a mistake, I should not show my vulnerability like this. He is the predator and I am the prey. But I don't let my gaze waiver before answering him honestly.

"No, and I don't want to know what horror's that man is capable of. I ignore that side of life because I only did what I needed to survive. I am a selfish bitch because if it comes down to someone and me, I want to live." another tear falls down as my emotions wage a war against my mind. His chuckle had me thrown off for a moment, he sounded genuinely amused at that moment.

"You and everyone else in life little uccello (bird), you are not alone." he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before continuing his questioning.

"What information did you give to Arthur?" he was back to being in control of his mask, a blanc canvas waiting for direction. I had to say, I admired how easily he slipped his mask over his emotions, it makes me wonder what he would be like as a normal man without the looming life of the Mafia nipping at his heels.

"I really didn't get much personal information besides that Vincent is guarded when it comes to talking about his family, it leads me to believe that he is not as deep into the family business as you are. I noticed there was some animosity about not being included and how his views differ, but he does not get a say." he nodded his head in confirmation.

"He does have very good ideas, but my father is set in his ways. Continue." he has a small smile on his face.

"He mentioned his cousin, Blade, but didn't say his name or anything, but mentioned that his 'businesses' help with the family business. Other than that I got the information off his drivers license like his address, date of birth and that basic stuff." I summarized, not thinking I got much information that was of any use. Then again, Arthur was very impressed with the information I did get.

"To me it didn't seem like any useful or decent information, but Arthur seemed very pleased with the information I had given him, he said that I got better information then they had." I had decided to voice my thoughts because I didn't want him to think that I was withholding anything.

"Thank you for being cooperative Naomie, I promise to be just as honest. Right now you will be deemed as a captive, you will have someone out side your room at all times and if you do leave the room it will be with myself, my father or my brother only." he paused and looked at me, I nodded my head in understanding, even if it did feel like a slap in the face. My mood must have showed on my face as he reached over and took hold of my hand.

"Onto a more personal matter, why was my brother in your bed and why did you allow it?" my face flushed, I really didn't know the answer to that. It was a question I was asking myself. I looked down at his larger hand gently holding mine before answering truthfully.

"I don't know, I wondered as well. Personally I didn't kick him out because I am scared, disappointed in myself for being so weak and he offered a comfort I have not had ever. You already know my life story, no comfort or love in my life ever except for Chuck. Your brother is an amazing person, from the little time I have spent with him alone he was nothing but kind, protective and genuine well except when he kidnapped me." I smiled ruefully at that memory, the knife against my throat.

"In his defense we all had thought you to be some hardened criminal working with Catlli to get information on the whole family little uccello (bird) and in our world that is not something you just 'let go'." he stands up and stretches out his back.

"What does that mean, uccello?" I question, butchering the pronunciation of the word completely. Antonio chuckles as he walks towards the door, I don't think he is going to answer until he opens the door and turns to look at me.

"It means little bird, I find it fitting since you are caged in here unable to fly to your potential until we decide so. Oh and little uccello, my brother is correct with his warning to you. Once in the mafia you never leave with your life, that means you choose to stand with us or with Arthur Catelli, choose wisely." with that he walked out and closed the door on me.