LOCATION: A warehouse, in the suburbs.

TIME: 2130 hrs. The night of Shania's rescue.

The black Audi drove through the poorly lit drive-thru almost hidden in the dark of the night.

The blue fluorescent lights of the old street lamps bounced off the white walls of the warehouse and reflected on the body of the car as it pulled up to the warehouse. It came to a stop, feet away from the silver Ford.

The door of the Audi was flung opened and a man dressed in a black suit stepped out. He raked his hand through his long blond hair and his icy blue eyes roamed over the place.

His eyes rested on a man in a white suit and white hat. The man stared at him with his bright emerald eyes, his face had wrinkles all over and his grey hair was peeking out of his hat.

"Mr. Ferrez, thank you for taking the time to meet with me," the man said.

"Mr. Kane, it's nothing, but I must ask why you've called me down here?" Giovanni Ferrez answered with a question of his own.

"Hm, curious aren't you? Follow me and leave your men," Lionel Kane replied as he entered another room.

Giovanni turned to the men behind him and told them to give them space but to stay alert. He followed Kane into an adjoining room.

The room was the same colour as the other; the only difference was that this room had a table and chairs. On the table was a box of Cuban cigars, two bottles of rum and some glasses. Kane gestured to the black leather chair on the left and Giovanni sat in the chair as Kane sat in his.

Kane offered him a cigar and Giovanni accepted it. Lighting it he took a draw, a sign of respect to Kane.

Lionel mentally smiled. At least the boy had manners... Lighting his cigar, he also took a draw, puffing out smoke.

Kane had always hated the young gang leaders. They always tried to come par to par with him. He had taken pleasure in putting them in their places and knocking them off their high thrones, grinding their heads under his boot like the dirt they were.

However, this boy was raised by one of Lionel's generation. He, however, succeeded where his father had failed... He had made a name for himself, secured the power and respect his father had failed to garner.

It was for that reason Kane liked him and was also cautious of him.

"Now, Giovanni let's get down to business. You have someone I want," Kane said as he coughed, smoke leaving his lips.

Giovanni's interest was piqued. What, or should he say who, could he want?

"Oh, do I? Who do you want and why do you need them so badly?"

Kane had decided to be honest. They said you should keep your enemies close and that was his plan. He needed this boy to trust him... That way he would be easier to control him.

"She's a real gem," Lionel replied nonchalantly. "Brown hair, beautiful green eyes and she's roughly twenty years. She's married to my adopted son and I need her to spark a business deal. That's about it. "

Green eyes? Brown hair? Giovanni mentally grinned but gave Kane a look of indifference. This was going his way.

"Hm, short and simple but I have no one of that description. I think you have the wrong man Kane," Giovanni replied as he took a draw and exhaled.

"Oh no, I think I have the right man... well, according to Jim's records you are. Maybe this will jog your memory; you bought her at an auction a few days ago... Her name's Shania," Kane said sitting up to face Giovanni, watching his reaction.

Giovanni tensed at the mention of her name and Kane saw it just as Giovanni had planned.

So he is bent on finding her... How big is this deal he wishes to spark? And what's in it for me? These ran through Giovanni's mind as he sat there acting speechless.

An awkward silence fell between them, the only thing that could be heard was Kane pulling the cork on one of the bottles of rum and pouring it into a glass.

"Here, have a drink and think real hard. I believe you do know her," he said pushing a glass towards Giovanni.

He watched as Kane pours a glass for himself then took a sip, only then did Giovanni finally take a gulp.

"Let's say maybe I know her... what's in it for me?" Giovanni asked as he removed the glass from his lips.

"Have you ever heard about Gem Co?" Kane asked with a raised brow.

"The multi-billion company? Yes."

"Well my son, Daniel is the CEO of that business. He made it from the dirt up within two years and it's booming. Now, I've tried negotiating with my son to partner with me and push my drugs through his company but he's being stubborn. So, naturally to get him to agree I need her. Once I have her he will have no choice but to agree and once he agrees the deal will be sealed," Kane explained.

So that's his great plan? Giovanni thought. Let's see what he's willing to offer me for my cooperation.

"So, what's in it for me?" Giovanni repeated once more.

"If you help me, I will partner with you. Allowing you to get a percentage of my income, a fraction of my power and when my son is of no use to me, I'll kill him and you can get the girl back."

Giovanni mentally laughed. He didn't need his income; the girl was already his but the power... He craved that and if all went right he'd have it.

"And how can I be sure you won't stab me in the back?" Giovanni asked eyeing him sceptically going along with Kane's ideology of him... an inexperienced boy.

"I won't. Let's face it I'm getting old and need a stable income and someone to run my business. You and I have been friends for a long time Ferrez. I knew your father for years and he was a good man and so are you. I remember training you when your dad wasn't around, I taught you how to shoot, fight and strategize. You are like the son I never had, so I want you to run my business when I decide to retire."

Son? What bullshit...

"Well, Kane it's an honour to be thought of as your heir and to be given the opportunity to run your company. I would love to," Giovanni said giving his award-winning smile, going along with Kane's play. "So let's get this deal sealed, shall we? We should talk about this percentage of income you've suggested."

Giovanni was many things but a fool was not one. He wasn't new to flattery and he knew the old crook had no intention of handing over his business but that didn't stop him from agreeing.

He needed power in this business and partnerships were the way. In addition, whether Kane knew it or not he would hand over his business... willingly or with a cold lifeless hand.

"Good, Good... We shall talk of those things later... Right now, let us have a toast to our new partnership," Kane said lifting his glass.

Just then Giovanni's phone buzzed, he took it out and answered. "Yes? What?"

This piqued Lionel's interest.

"How the—you better find them or I'll rip out your fucking throat," Giovanni said as he ended the call.

"What's wrong?" Kane asked as he lounged in the chair.

At least his boy was good for one thing, Giovanni thought, looking at Kane. The boy had done as he predicted he took the bait... and now the pieces were in place.

"Your fucking son broke her out and he got help. But not to worry we'll find them," Giovanni replied his eyes filled with fake anger.

"Hm, I know you will son. Out of curiosity who was his help?"

"An agent named Rodriquez... his filthy dead body is in my hall right now," Giovanni said giving a sadistic smile. "He escaped a long and painful death but I can't say the same for your son."

Kane laughed. "We'll find them for sure; this is just a setback... We'll have her soon."

Giovanni stared at Kane, with a smirk. The old man had something up his sleeve. He had to watch out for him.

Giovanni hadn't set his pieces on the board, ready for checkmate only to have this old gringo mess that up.

Giovanni hadn't let his pet escape 3 years ago to be that shit's wife, to have it all go down the drain. He could've had his pet in his grasp the moment she stepped foot in Marrietta but he left her to recover that freedom she so wished for... so he could break her all over again.

Imagine his stroke of luck when she attracted the man that would cement his power in this business... He had watched them, plotted and when Kane attacked, he was going to kidnap her but plans had changed...

Thankfully, their tail that day had relayed that Jim had taken her... He paid a lot of money for her that night but it wouldn't compare to the power he'd have when this play was over...

"A toast to our good fortune," Kane said raising his glass.

Good fortune indeed, Giovanni thought.

Giovanni raised his glass. "Cheers."