Chapter 31

I don't know what had gotten into me yesterday. Why did I even agree to go see Lexi and come back here? I had my chance to find help and come back for the kids. Knowing Luca, he's probably already caught on and done nothing. Not unless he came for his kids and pretended I never existed. If it's going to be like, then so be it. Two can play at that game.

It hadn't even been long since I escaped from the ropes. My eyes had gotten used to the dark and I was able to estimate how big the room was. If I were able to tuck myself into a corner, the next person who came in would get it. In the middle of this plan, the door opened. I paused and turned to the door.

"I see you are the Master of Escape," Jackson praised. "I thought you should finally have some company. He...knows quite a lot."

Vincent stumbled into the room. Jackson patted his head and left. I resisted the urge to walk to him. Who was Jackson to think he could hold us captive? Now Vincent had to know everything that was going on. Ugh, I didn't want to tell him anything.

"Is Jasmine your daughter?" He asked.

"Where's that coming from?" I blinked at him.

"...I don't know. Everyone kept saying it and I just thought..."

"No. She's too young to be my daughter. I didn't meet with your mother personally ever again until we moved to Palm Springs. Sometimes I wish she was."

"...She acts like you're her father and it seemed like a question worth asking."

The silence was thick enough to cut with a knife. Vincent seemed to have another burning question, but he wasn't about to ask. I think I know what it is, but how am I going to tell him? It's not that easy telling your kids that you're a part of something illegal. You can only protect them for so long before they figure out everything on their own. I was Vincent's age when I thought I lost my mother. My entire life after that was quick.

I was rushed into the position of CEO before I turned 11. I'd flown all over the world making deals with partners and making enemies by the time I was 15. I thought I had the best life until Lexi became pregnant. Without Kathryn and Aunt Nikki, I don't think I would have been able to be the man I am today. I continued on and was finally the richest male in my generation of the Italian-American mafia by the night of my 18th birthday.

I lost my father before he could see me do what he wanted me to do. What would Vincent do without me? What would he do without Lexi and my relatives? That's why I needed him to know everything. He's more mature than I was when I was 10. I don't know how he'll react. I don't know what he already knows. It's always worth it to figure out what he's thinking. He deserves to know what his father endeavors in when people keep disappearing and ending up on the news having seen me two days before they died.

"...Vincent, I have a lot to tell you, but you have to promise you'll stay calm," I said.

"I think I already know what you're about to tell me." Vincent finally came to sit by me. "I'm not that dumb, you know. Going around with Cousin Cam in the dead of night when you think I'm sleeping...The mafia's crazy, isn't it?"

I couldn't say anything. He knew! He knew for how long?! Gah, this is frustrating.

"H-h-how?"

"...You can't keep a secret from me. Mom too. Crazy how she can't even keep a secret about how she works for the AOC."

A thud against the door interrupted our conversation. Vincent glanced at me and went to the door. I doubt it would open for either of us. Jackson seemed intent on keeping us in here without any other company. Vincent put his ear to the door as if to listen to what was going on outside. When he turned back to me, I could see the strained expression on his face.

"I know where we are."

⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕

"Where..."

"I remember coming here once with you and Cousin Cameron. It's not easy to forget this place. It's his old hideout."

Cameron's old hideout? I thought he had it destroyed. If the FBI had figured out this place was more than just an abandoned building, everyone involved with Cameron would have gone to jail. That includes both me and Kathryn. There's no way Jackson found it and claimed it for revenge.

Just as we thought we were the only ones here a scream erupted from outside the door. Vincent jumped back in surprise. It wasn't a woman. Jackson wouldn't dare bring women to a place like this. It was more manly. It was about time we got out of here. All I needed was my lockpicking kit. Gosh, I really hope I still have it on me. I never really go anywhere without it.

After rummaging through my pockets for more than I needed to, I finally found what I was looking for. I pulled it out, but a bundle of keys followed suit. Keys? I've never had this many keys on me at once. Could it be...No, there's no way. Cameron never gave anyone the keys for this place. Except his guards. Maybe...

I moved Vincent out the way and began shoving keys into the lock. It was weird how he had the doors designed. Locks were on both the inside and outside. Is that why he said he was excited when prisoners escaped when it got boring? I can't blame him. Having them escape more than once a day was something exciting. They thought they'd get away, but we'd be waiting around the corner for it to happen again.

"Why--" Vincent started.

"Cameron's just really dumb sometimes. You'd have to ask him," I muttered.

As soon as the door was open a body crashed into me. I yelped in surprise as I realized how trapped I was. Vincent ignored me and looked into the hall. He muttered something about someone running. That was enough to get me to push the body off and follow him out. The halls were the same as always. Except for the missing lights and random bodies strewn all over the place.

"What did you see?" I asked.

"Someone ran that way," he said. "Do you think Cameron's here too?"

"Why would he be? This place isn't the most ideal for anyone right now."

It was true. Even though the authorities had given up on finding out who was in charge of the Opium transports, they seemed to be keeping watch on the places surrounding the gas station. If they were true to their word, then we needed to get out of here. We were victims at this point, but as soon as they find out we were the original owners of this building, we were as good as criminals.

I dragged Vincent away from the room and towards the only other place I knew of in the building. If Jackson isn't as smart as I think he is, then he must've forgotten about what was here. There was a trapdoor around here somewhere. If you weren't careful, then you'd fall in it. If you were lucky, you'd find the door that led to the same place. I was hoping for the latter.

Left, right, sharp right, left again. It was a series of corner turns and roundabouts. If you hadn't worked with Cameron or had to hide yourself you'd get lost. When we found the same roundabout twice, I knew we were as good as lost. Vincent didn't say anything, but I could sense his annoyance rolling off of him in waves. It wasn't my fault.

Another left and right. Then a wall. if I hadn't been watching where we were headed, I would have ran into a wall at full speed. The wall and my face were merely half an inch apart. I could feel the sweat running down my temple.

"Merde." I stepped back from the wall. "They replaced the door."

"Surveille ton langage!" Vincent hit my arm. I knew he didn't care for what I said.

"It should be around here somewhere. Trapdoor. Find it, please."

"A trapdoor?" Vincent laughed and stepped away from me. I wasn't being crazy. "Are you saying there's some type of loose panel somewhere to help us get through the wall? Like in the movies! Gosh, dad, I thought you were crazy, but not this crazy. Where would it be, the floor?"

Just like clockwork, he stomped his foot playful and fell. At first, I was confused by what was happening. What the hell was he doing?

"I told you to stop messing around!" I screamed after him. Now to find those stairs.