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Chapter 47

Valeriana's pov

I've been here for a week. I was the only one receiving the torture. I would always think of happy memories to keep my mind off the pain. After today's torture session I was thrown back into the cell. My hands came out as I caught myself. Pain shot through my arm. It was most likely broken from Chris' torture. My ears pick up on the sound of Chris and Mother's feet walking away. I lay down and catch my breath.

"Valeriana," Damien says worriedly. My eyes blink slowly. "Get up," he says. I take a deep breath before sliding my hand over my body. My hand finally found the wound I was searching for. Mother's favorite spot to cut. With another deep breath I stick my fingers into the wound causing me to cry out in pain.

"Stop it!" Kolton shouts. My fingers finally hit what I was looking for. I grunt in pain as I remove the item. I take a breath of relief. Once it was out I lay there for a few minutes. To regain energy. My hand clenched onto the item before I drift to sleep.

When I woke up my eyes roamed around the room. The dim light was the only light. I blink a few times before pushing myself up onto my feet.

"How long was I out?" I asked.

"4 hours," Papà Santorelli answered. It was the first time I heard him talk. 4 hours wasn't bad. I had time. Usually five hours after being tortured they would bring food in.

"Why do you need to know?" Eliza asked. I unwrap the tools I had. Once they were out of the wrapping I moved towards the cell door. I reach around the bars and begin unlocking the lock. Once I was done I opened the door. "If you had those on you why didn't you leave earlier?" Eliza asked.

"It was only a matter of time before she cut me where I need her to," I answer. I walk towards the door and look out of it. There weren't any camera's around or guards. They must be on their way to give us food. I see J-man walking around the corner. He was alone causing me to walk back into the room. I didn't even bother getting back into the cell. Jamie walks into the room. He pushed the cart with food over. He looks at me before chuckling.

Jamie reached into his pocket before pulling a phone out and tossing it to me. I catch it before dialing Aurelio. Jamie walks around and gives everyone their food. He takes a seat in the corner.

"You're not even going to stop her?" Eliza asked him. I snort before looking at her.

"Please. J-man knows not to piss me off, unlike you. Didn't I tell you to shut the hell up?" I asked. Eliza flinched before hiding behind Damien.

"Hello?" Aurelio asked. I smile to myself.

"Alright, you have until 9 am. If not I move without you. Don't keep me waiting," I say. Aurelio chuckles.

"Damn. Are you ok at least?" Aurelio asked before adding, "you have everyone running around like headless chickens," he says.

"It's nothing I can't handle. Like a tap on the wrist," I lie. I can handle it but I was in agonizing pain. I wouldn't let that show though.

"We'll be there. Don't do anything stupid, Valeriana," Aurelio warns me. I chuckle before nodding my head even though he can't see me.

"Doing stupid shit is what I do. But I'll try not to do anything. You got the location right?" I asked.

"Lucian was tracking the call. We got it," he says.

"Good, tell his bitch ass I owe him one again," I mutter. Aurelio sighs. I hear my brothers in the background. They were all shouting questions.

"You don't owe any of us anything, kid," Aurleio says. I bite my lip. My eyes go to papà Santorelli. He was watching me silently.

"Trust me, I owe you guys. I'm putting my trust in you so if you don't fuck it up then I will be thanking you. Tell Blitz and Arrow to prepare the torture room, were about to have guests," I say. Damien and Kolton's eyes widened. "I'll see you tomorrow," I say.

"Stay safe, V," Aurelio says worriedly. My chest tightened.

"No promises, Aurelio. Anything can happen. I'll make sure we all go down if I can't make it. If they put me down. I'll make sure they both go down too," I say.

"No, Valeriana. That's stupid. You said you would try not to do anything stupid," Aurelio says sternly.

"Fine. I gotta go now," I say. Jamie was holding his hand out for his phone.

"I'll see you soon. I love you, sorellina," Aurelio says. My stomach tightens. Tears prick my eyes. I purse my lips.

"That's nice to hear, I'll see you," I say before quickly hanging up. I hand Jamie his phone.

"I'm rooting for you, Echo," Jamie says. I smile while nodding my head.

"I knew you loved me j-man," I mutter. Jamie rolled his eyes.

"I should have let them shoot you," he mutters before walking back to his cart. I laugh lightly.

"You should have. It would have been your best move. Though you are currently not on my list... Yet," I say. Jamie reached under the cloth on the cart before pulling out a plate. It was a plate of spaghetti. Better than the bread and beans everyone else got. He then hands me a Powerade.

"I'll be back in an hour to collect the items so I don't get in trouble," Jamie says before walking away. "And get back in your cell before you get caught before your help arrives," He warns. I shake my head.

"Please, I don't need help. I only called to make them feel as if I needed them. It's for them not me," I say. It was true. I could easily escape without a problem.

"Why?" he asked. I let out a sigh as I walked back into the cell and shut it. It locks as soon as I shut the door.

"My brothers want me to lean on them since I was alone my whole life. If I have to play damsel in distress to satisfy them I will. We all know I can clear this building without the help. I told them I would try so here I am sitting pretty and letting them help even if it's not needed." I sat down and began to eat. Jamie leaves the room. I only eat a quarter of the food and a few sips of the Powerade. I was full.

"How are the guys?" Papà Santorelli asked. I look up at him. He was playing with his empty plate. It was a paper plate so it just easily folded. It wasn't even the good paper plates, it was the flimsiest plate.

"They are healthy. I don't know. Um well lets see... Valentino, Valerico, Matteo and I have set up Aurelio with our teacher. It was through many elaborate schemes. Aurelio found out about one of them but continued to see Miss Wells. Nazario and Santino warned me not to let him find out or Aurelio wouldn't like it. They were wrong. Aurelio doesn't seem to mind that we set him up because he is so smitten by the woman. She has a dog!" I say excitedly. "His name is wiggles. He is so cute. He likes it when I take him on walks. He also likes to swim. Wiggles is a big cuddler... I was talking about my brothers, sorry," I say when I realize I got distracted by the dog.

"And you call me annoying," the girl says.

"Do you want me to come over there?" I asked. The girl leaned into Damien. I shake my head before looking at my plate. There was a little gap under the cell between mine and papà Santorelli's. I slide my plate under it. He shook his head. "I'm full. Best to eat it or it will be tossed out when Jamie comes back. You look like you need it," I say before leaning back against the wall. Papà Santorelli watched me before hesitating to take the plate. He ate it slowly in case I changed my mind.