Sienna broke away from me. She stood up and ran in the opposite direction from where I was. She managed to divert the attention of those chasing us, and as soon as I saw he succeeded in her plan, I ran in the opposite direction.
Tears streamed down my face as I worried about my sister. I could only hope that she would stay safe until I could get help.
I was exhausted, but I didn’t stop running. My legs were numb from the relentless pace. Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t even realize that the ground beneath me was uneven.
I fell and tumbled down. My body hurt, but I managed to get up. My eyes widened when I realized… I had fallen onto a road.
I quickly got up and started running again. I prayed that I would spot a car and someone would help me.
Several cars passed, ignoring me.
“Help!” I shouted at the top of my lungs. “Please, someone help me. My sister…”
My whole body was weakening, but I couldn’t give up. I couldn’t abandon Sienna. I was sure she was still fighting on his own.
When I saw the headlights of a car, I blocked its path. The car screeched to a halt, and at first, I thought it was going to hit me.
The car’s doors swung open. I still couldn’t see the people who emerged because I was blinded by the car’s lights.
“Ma’am Millie?!”
I heard that familiar voice. I looked towards it and saw Dario. On the other side was their driver, Patrick, whom Dario always had with him.
I hurried over to Dario. I stumbled as I approached him, almost falling. Dario caught me. Worry was evident on his face.
“Ma’am, are you okay-”
“Dario! It’s Sienna…” I sobbed. I held Dario’s arm tightly and almost kneeled before him. “Please, save my sister. She allowed herself to be caught so I could escape. Find her; her life is in danger.”
I saw a flash of anger in his eyes at my words, but it quickly returned to his previous expression.
“Get in the car with Patrick, ma’am,” he started. “I’ll find Sienna.”
I’m already inside the car with the window open as I continue to converse with Dario.
“Dario, we’ll wait for you here-”
“Ma’am, it’s better if you leave this place. Please call for assistance in locating Sienna. It’s likely that our colleagues are nearby, and you might encounter them since you’re already being pursued. In the meantime, I’ll begin searching for your sister.” Dario instructed
I have a strong sense of unease, and I’m hesitant to leave them both here.
“Ma’am Millie, I’ll protect Sienna with my life. I’ll make sure she’s with you again.” Dario assured me when sense the worries in me.
She instructs Patrick to drive. I see Dario in the rear-view mirror, adjusting himself before heading into the forest where I came from earlier.
“Where are the others? I know there are more of Locatelli’s men here. We might need help soon.” I asked Patrick.
I notice the driver attempting to make a call but swearing when he realizes there’s no signal in the area. He tries to use the radio, but the signal is still weak.
“Locatelli’s men have been dispersed to search for you since you and your sister were reported missing. The problem, Ma’am, is that only Sir Dario and I came here because he had a hunch.”
“How did you discover this location? Given the remote surroundings, it’s nearly impossible to find.”
He points to a tablet installed in the car. “A tracker, Ma’am. It seems Sir Dario planted a tracker on one of your belongings. There were initial problems with the receiver due to signal interference, but once resolved, it immediately sent the last known location with a signal, which we followed. We couldn’t bring more people along because they’re already scattered searching for you. Dario called for backup just in case, but we spotted you first. I’m calling them now to track Dario. There, we’ve got a signal!” he exclaims and immediately makes a call.
He conveys all the necessary information and breathes a sigh of relief upon learning that more personnel are en route to Dario’s location. That’s good news, right? So why am I still so uneasy? I feel that I won’t be at ease until I hear that Sienna is safe.
“What about Gio? Are they here yet?” I inquire.
“We reached out to Italy once we knew what happened to you. They mentioned that Sir Gio has already left. He might be on a plane, Ma’am, which is why we haven’t been able to relay the news yet.”
After this, I fall silent. Gio might not know anything yet since he’s still on his way home.
“Who ordered the men to find me? Valerio, perhaps? He’s in the highest position now while Gio is away.”
The driver glances at the rearview mirror before speaking. “It was Sir Agatone, Ma’am.”
I don’t know why, but my throat tightens at the revelation. Gio’s father is the one who ordered them to search for me.
“He received the news of your disappearance, which is why he immediately ordered a search for you. We had difficulties since the abductors are unidentified. Some of our men even raided the headquarters of our adversaries, suspecting they might be the ones behind it. Eventually, Sir Dario’s tracker sent a location. Not the exact location, but it was close to the area where you were brought, Ma’am.”
~*~
The journey home was long. My thoughts troubled me, and I eventually dozed off from exhaustion. I only woke up when I was already at home. The Locatelli family doctor was summoned immediately. When I arrived, Gio’s parents were present, as well as Valerio, Gio’s cousin. Mom approached me and asked how I was. I reassured her that I was fine.
The doctor examined me and, aside from some minor cuts and dehydration, found nothing wrong with me.
“I just received news that Gio’s plane has landed. He’s on his way home,” Valerio announced after a phone call.
I’m not particularly close to Gio’s father. In fact, I’m scared of him and avoid speaking to him. If before it was just because of his intimidating presence, now I think he associates me with my mother. But I need to talk to him.
“Dad…”
Gio’s father immediately turned to me. Valerio and the others also paused what they were doing when I addressed him.
His cold eyes fixed on me. I swallowed but the urgency of the situation overcame my anxiety.
“My sister is still missing in the forest where we were held captive. She might still be pursued by the abductors. I’m worried for her and for Dario, who stayed behind. I’m afraid they might be in danger. The abductors are armed, and there are many of them. Dario might be at risk, and the same goes for Sienna.” I spoke so quickly that I couldn’t continue right away. Mom came over and gave me a glass of water. “Please, find them.” I continue to plead.
“We sent some men earlier. We’re just waiting for reports, Millie. You should rest. Your husband will be here any minute.”