Chapter 2: The Disappearance

Sixteen years later

The doors to the mansion swung open with a creak, the heavy scent of cigar smoke and aged whiskey wafting through the air as Axe's footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway, making his way toward the grand living room.

As he entered the room, the sight that greeted him was one of simmering anger. Don Vincenzo sat in his leather armchair, his piercing eyes ablaze with fury, and the room seemed to shrink under the weight of his gaze. 

When Don's glare fell upon Axe, a heavy sigh escaped his lips, carrying with it a mix of disappointment and frustration.

Immediately, bowing deeply, Axe's voice remained studied as he addressed his boss, "Master, you sent for me?"

Setting down his wine glass with a resounding thud, Don Vincenzo locked eyes with Axe and said, "Leia and Ember are gone," 

The mention of Leia's name made Axe's eyes darkened, and his jaws clutched as he tried to hold back his tongue from asking if she was okay.

"I forbade Ember from attending a frivolous party hosted by Giovanni Russo's sons—" Don Vincenzo continued with such a deadly calmness.

"The heirs to the Black Widow gang?" Axe interjected, his worry now evident in his voice.

"Yes. Russo and I have our history. Rather than handling it diplomatically, he's chosen to press the issue in a different direction," 

"Do you suspect that the invitation to the party is a trap..."

Reaching for his glass again, Don hesitated, his brows almost touching as he said, "I'm uncertain. But the timing is suspicious... When I denied her from going, I couldn't divulge my reasons to Ember, so she now sees me as a nuisance. Leia, upon discovering Ember's departure, likely sought to prevent her sister from facing my wrath. The security cameras captured their departures minutes apart, suggesting they're together now."

"I will track Leia's car, and I promise to get them both home," Axe said with a deep bow, and Don waved him away with a slight nod.

**************

As minutes trickled by, Axe's car navigated the winding road leading to an exclusive private resort, the sprawling grand entrance gradually emerging into view.

 The moon hung low in the ink-black sky, casting an eerie glow over the dense forest that surrounded the place. Tall trees whispered, their leaves rustling like a million hushed voices as he spotted Leia standing just beyond the chainlink fence. Her petite figure was huddled against the biting wind, her arms wrapped tightly around her body.

Without hesitation, Axe parked his Ford Raptor behind Leia's car and stepped out, his boots crunching against the gravel as he approached her. His heart ached at the sight of her, her delicate frame trembling in the cold. Concern etched his features as he reached out to gently touch her arm.

"Leia," he called out softly. "Where's Ember?"

The moment their eyes locked, fear overcame her, and her voice quivered as she explained, "Ember... she drove into the fence. I arrived shortly after, but the gate refused to open for me. I didn't know what to do... I was afraid to call my dad because Ember might blame me if she gets scolded."

Wordlessly, Axe pulled his jacket off him, and he draped it over Leia's shoulders, taking her hand in his, he guided her towards the front seat of his car.

After opening the door, he commanded, "Get in,"

With shaking limbs and tearful eyes, Leia nodded her head, and she clambered into the passenger seat before he slammed the door behind her. 

Once Leia was settled in the front seat, Axe slipped into the driver's seat, his hands gripping the steering wheel. As he started the engine, the rumble of power filled the night air. Then he maneuvered the car in reverse, skillfully avoiding any obstacles in his path.

With precision, Axe aimed the front of his car towards the chainlink gates, the engine roaring as he stepped on the accelerator. 

As the sound sent a shiver down her spine, Leia looked at Axe, afraid to say a word.

 When he noticed her stare, he smirked and said, "Closed your eyes. It will soon be over."

The moment she did, he accelerated towards the gates, the metal screeching in protest as they crumpled and bent under the force of impact of the car slamming into it.

As the damaged gates swung open, Axe sped into the resort, driving at full speed, and arrived at the building that was lit and had loud music blasting in no time. 

His brow furrowed as he thought to himself, 'What kind of party is this...?'

Then he looked to his side and saw Leia looking pale and sickly, and a small pang of guilt struck his gut.

"Are you okay?" Axe asked.

Her lips trembled slightly, and before she could speak, she bent over and gagged, causing Axe to rest his hand on her back and patted her awkwardly.

Hugging her stomach, Leia managed to sit up straight, her face flushed with embarrassment as she muttered, "It was nothing. Just... nausea, that's all."

"You should stay here. I will go get Ember." Axe said, reaching for the car door.

But as she shook her head, Leia grabbed his arm and pleaded, "No. I want to come too. Ember is my younger sister, and I should be there to make sure that she's okay." 

Axe hesitated for a moment, torn between his protective instincts and Leia's insistence. He had intended to handle this situation quickly and discreetly, but seeing the worry in Leia's eyes, he couldn't bring himself to leave her behind.

Reluctantly, he nodded and said, "Alright, you can come with me, but stay close and don't wander off. This place is dangerous, and I need to find Ember as soon as possible."

Moments later, Leia walked beside Axe, clutching his jacket tightly as they navigated the bustling resort. The grand hall was teeming with people, the air heavy with the scent of alcohol and the deafening music. Flashing lights illuminated the chaotic dance floor where people swayed to the rhythm of the song.

As they made their way through the throngs of partygoers, a young woman, dressed in a Draped Collar Crisscross Backless Metallic Cami Dress and reeking of alcohol, rushed up to Axe.

"Hey, handsome!!" She shouted in his face as she wrapped her arms around his body, and pressed herself against him.

Glaring down at her, Axe reached behind his waist for her hands and yanked it away from him. But she suddenly grabbed his arm tightly, whispering, "Where do you think you are going? Come dance with me."

Pissed, Noah reached for her fingers and pulled them away from his skin, saying, "Sorry, but I already have a dance partner."

"What a shame... You are handsome. Just in case things don't work out between you and her tonight, come find me." She chuckled as she stepped back from Axe, and that's when he noticed Leia was missing.

Following the sound coming from the corner of the end of the upstairs corridor, Leia reached a door to a room and hesitated for a moment. Then she pushed the door open quietly, revealing a scene that made her blood run cold, seeing Ember tied to a chair, her face pallid, and tears streaking her cheeks. The Russo brothers and their friends circled her, blowing smoke in her face and taunting her mercilessly.

One of the Russo brothers, Giovanni Jr., sneered at Ember and said, "What's the matter, little princess? Can't handle a little fun?"

Raising her gaze, Ember's voice quivered as she replied, "Let me go! You have no right to do this to me."

Not thinking, Leia's heart raced as she stepped further into the room, her presence unnoticed for the moment as she tried to come up with a plan to rescue her sister. 

Just then Leia spotted a heavy glass vase on a nearby table. It was her only weapon, but she had to make it count.

Gathering her courage, Leia tightened her grip on the vase and, with all her strength, hurled it at Giovanni Jr.'s head. The vase shattered on impact, and he yelped in pain, clutching his bleeding forehead.

Panic spread among the group as they turned to see Leia standing there, her eyes filled with rage, bringing her fists before her face. Axe had taught her a thing or two about self-defense, and she was determined to use that knowledge to protect her sister.

"Leave my sister alone, you cowards!" Leia shouted.

Immediately, the group turned away from Ember, their attention now squarely on Leia. Their laughter and jeers echoed off the walls of the room, creating a stifling atmosphere that made Leia's heart pound even harder.

The Russo brothers and their friends surrounded her, their faces contorted with of malice and amusement. Nico, still nursing his bleeding forehead, grinned wickedly and said, "Well, well, what do we have here? A little hero come to save the day?"

Stepping back slightly, Leia stood her ground, her fists clenched in front of her as her eyes darted between them.  

"I won't let you hurt my sister," Leia declared, her voice trembling.

The room erupted in laughter, the echoes bouncing off the walls, making it seem even more sinister. Another of the Russo brothers, Marco, stepped forward, his face inches from Leia's, his breath reeking of booze.

"You're a brave one, aren't you?" he sneered. "But you're in way over your head, sweetheart. You and your sister are not leaving this room. You're going to pay for your father's sins."