The next few weeks are complete and utter bliss. Elio had taken me around the city, showing me his favorite childhood spots and beautiful art museums.

There was a certain softness to him that I hadn't gotten to see before. Waking up this morning, I'm met with Elio's warm chest. We had been sleeping, and only sleeping, together over the last few weeks.

He had been sleeping on the couch in his office his whole stay and sacrificing his bed for me. It was the sweetest thing I had ever heard.

I trace my fingers lightly over the ridges of his stomach. I stop abruptly when his eyes fly open and meet mine, "Don't stop, it feels good." He says, his voice coming out rough.

I smile and continue to feel his smooth skin. Suddenly, Elio moves closer and captures my lips in a kiss. I giggle, "What was that for?" He gives me a lazy smile, "Because I felt like it."

I shake my head at him, ready to give a sassy response. I'm cut off by the door flying open.

Giana runs straight to our bed and flops her body in between us. "OK, you little lovebirds. He's been keeping you all to himself all week, it's my turn." She pouts.

I laugh while Elio and I crush her in a warm embrace. "Gross, too much affection. Let me go you freaks!" She laughs while wiggling free.

Elio takes it as his cue to leave, he gives me a quick peck on the lips. "Don't go far, bambola." I gaze after him, my eyes watching his every move.

The door closes with a soft thud behind him. "So, you and Elio sure have gotten close." Giana pokes at my side, teasing me. I blush while she settles into Elio's spot.

Suddenly, she shoots up. "Ew, please don't tell me-," I throw a pillow at her, cutting off her insinuations. "No, Giana we have not." Her eyes widen with shock.

"Really? He likes you." She nods her head. "I hope because I'm falling for him. He's so sweet and caring." I daze off, recalling our fleeting moments.

"You are so in love." Giana gushes. "I'm so glad you changed your mind, Elio hasn't been this happy in a long time." I smile at her words, hoping they held the truth.

Her words also make me think of our circumstances and how we met. "What are we going to do?" Giana drops her eyes, a certain sadness filling the room.

"That's a problem for another day. Let's get ready, we're going shopping. Courtesy of Elio, of course." I chuckle while throwing off the blanket and heading into my bathroom.

After I finished getting dressed, I met Giana in the living room. She sat with her mother and Maria on the couch, chatting away. I smile and greet everyone hello.

"Ready?" Giana asks, standing. I nod my head. As we're about to leave, Elio slips an arm around my waist and crashes his body against mine.

He has a mischievous smile on his face, making me giggle. "Pick out something pretty, bambola."

He plants a chaste kiss on my lips, releasing his hold. I smile and turn back towards Giana.

"You guys got it bad." She laughs. My face burns red as I shoot her a playful glare. The air is warm and welcoming, wrapping me in a blissful embrace as we step out of the house.

Stepping into her jeep, we make the scenic drive toward town. Their house was in the countryside, a few miles out from the busy city.

"My brother's are throwing an end-of-the-summer party so we need to find some cute outfits!" She says excitedly.

Twenty minutes later, we finally reach a small shopping center littered with locals.

I look around in awe, excited to visit their town. Giana leads me into boutiques and helps me pick out sweet, summer outfits.

After a tiring few hours, we finally sat at a small cafe ready to eat some lunch.

Setting down our bags, we take a seat. "I'm starving, they have great food here!" She gushes.

I glance down the menu before I point out what I want and let Giana order it for me. I knew nothing of Italian and didn't want to make a fool of myself.

Our lunch is filled with chatter and laughter as I learn more about her.

She was sweet and sensitive. Opposite of her brother but yet somehow so similar.

As we're walking back to her car, a blacked-out van cuts us off. Breaking in front of us, the door swings open, and before I know it I'm surrounded by darkness.

I was showering when the sharp ring of my phone cuts me out of my thoughts of Lina. Quickly, I shut off the water and wrap a towel around my waist.

Giana's name flashes across the screen. "What's up, G?" I ask casually. "Elio! Someone grabbed Lina, they took off with her!" Giana's voice is panicked and filled with tears.

My stomach drops, and my ears ring. "What did they look like? Did you get the make and model of the car?" I snap into problem-solving mode.

Giana rambles off the information she got in the car, "Elio, please. You have to find her." She sniffles out. "I will. I promise."

I end the call as I dial out Alessandro's number. He answers on the first ring. "So it's true, you defied me." He says into the phone.

"Alessandro, let her go." My voice comes out low as I clench my jaw. "Why? You're willing to pick this puttana over me." (Whore.) "Alessandro, I have been loyal to you my whole life. Let. Her. Go."

At this point, my rage is boiling. "She's useless, a distraction." He hisses. "You've played house long enough. It is time to return to your job." He ends the call, not letting me get in another word.

I slam my phone against the floor angrily, watching as it smashes into pieces. Stalking into my closet, I throw on some clothes.

Opening up my safe, I grab a few of my guns and clips. As I'm throwing my things into a bag, my twin brothers waltz into my room.

"Hey man,-" They stop short as they watch me load the ammo away.

"What's going on?" Enzo asks, concern filling his features. "Alessandro grabbed Lina. I'm going to bring her home." I say stoically.

"Alone?" Matteo says. I nod my head, trying to contain the anger and sadness that wanted to come flooding out.

"That's a suicide mission, Elio. You're not going alone." Matteo says, with a sharp nod of his head. Enzo stands beside him.

"Mamma would kill me, not happening," I say while shaking my head and walking towards the front door. The boys follow close behind me, protesting.

As I reach the door, they stop me. "Elio, we care about her too. We're going with." I let out a sigh, motioning for them to follow me.

As we load into the car, my mind races. What if he hurts her? Or worse, rapes her.

The thoughts cause me to slam my hands against the steering wheel. "Fuck!" I shout, not knowing what to think.

Matteo and Enzo exchange glances, their gazes filled with pity. I had to find her, if something happened to her I couldn't live with myself.

Alessandro had a warehouse here in Italy, so I knew she was there.

The only thing that concerned me was that I didn't know how many I was up against. But it doesn't matter, I had to get her back.