Eva's PoV

Every night before I went to sleep I texted Dean, told him about my day and asked him about his. We'd chat until one of us fell asleep and stopped responding, hinting to the other that it was late enough and they needed to sleep too. So last night , when he didn't respond to my texts at all, I began to worry. This was unlike him and it scared me. When I'd woken up, I reached for my phone first thing. Still nothing. Something was definitely wrong. I jumped out of bed, my heart thumping loudly in my chest and ears. Clutching my phone to my ear, I waited for him to answer and tell me he'd just fallen asleep before I'd sent the first message... but he never answered. I hung up quickly and dialled Sirgani, the number Dean has given me in case I was in trouble and he wasn't around but that too went to answerphone. Now this was wrong. So, so wrong. My stomach fell, my mind racing with bad scenarios that would mean both brothers wouldn't answer my call. I got on with them both, was told I could rely on them and call them any time once they knew I was pretty much an orphan to my parents and their love for their work. So for both to be unavailable? That was bad. I dialled again, not even believing I was calling this person in my time of need.

"Hey sweetheart." My dad answered in a hushed tone. "I'm in a meeting I'll call back when-"

"No time!" I interrupted him. "Did you ever go to Francesco's house?" I held the phone in the crook of my neck as I desperately threw on clothes, anything I could get on without the phone leaving my being.

"Why? Is everything-" I interrupted again. Come on man I really didnt have time for this.

""I think they're in trouble! Do you know where they live or not?" The urgency rang in my voice and suddenly, it was like my dad had sparked into life.

"My goodness! Of course, it was 162 West Avenue. I never went in but he showed me on the drive home once." I hung up without saying anything else, ordering a taxi to come and get me as I quickly brushed my teeth and hair, jumping down the stairs and towards the front door as quickly as I could. Everything could wait. They could be in danger.

Danger? Ashton? He did mention a plan...

Surely not. Ashton wouldn't do something so reckless, would he? Had I pushed him over the edge and back to his terrible ways?
The taxi drove as quickly as he could to the address. I lied and told him my sister was in labour and needed to be with her so when we pulled up and I jumped out without a thank you, I'd hoped he wouldn't be offended. I ran up the steps to the front door and noticed it was open. Panicked and scared, I dived into the house, running around like a lunatic as I tried to find them. Any of them. And that's when I saw it.

"Francesco?!" I cried out as I skidded to a halt, falling to my knees beside the bloodied body. My phone came out again, this time for the emergency services. I called for everyone. This was a home invasion, a kidnapping, an assault. Things I didn't want to imagine had anything to do with Ashton. The seemingly lifeless body beside me let out a splutter as I leant over him, my hands cupping his bloodied face.

"Francesco? Are you okay? I've called the cops and the paramedics. You'll be okay." I rambled. This was too much for me to handle.

"Boys." He croaked out. "Where are my boys?" I felt tears prick my eyes as I bit my lips together.

"I- I can't find them." I whispered sorrowfully. I didn't want him to be upset but he needed to know the truth. What if I told him they were okay and they weren't? He'd never forgive me and I'd never forgive myself.

"Some men came in..." he breathed out just as the paramedics and police rushed in.

"In here!" I called, interrupting Francesco. I needed him to be okay at least. Then he may be able to help. The men and women ran in, drinking in the sight before them. The room was a mess, signs of a clear struggle as tables had overturned and photo frames were smashed on the floor.

"Did you touch anything?" One cop shouted at me as he radioed for backup.

"No, just Francesco. His kids are missing." I said as the tears finally fell. It had become real, all of these threats that I thought Ashton had said just for the fear factor were actually real. He'd done this, I was sure of it.

"We're going to need a statement from you." The policeman had said sternly, bringing me into the hallway where I perched on their steps. "Now, tell me everything." I breathed in a shaky breath before beginning. I had to leave out Ashton's part, after all that was just a theory at the moment.

"Francesco and his sons are friends of the family. I'm really close with his son Dean, we text each other every night but last night he didn't respond. I got worried so this morning I called both him and his brothers phones but neither picked up. I thought it was best to check on them and this is what I came across. As soon as I saw Francesco, I called for you guys." It finally hit me just how serious this was. They'd beaten Francesco to a pulp just for being at home and then preceded to kidnap both brothers. This reeked of Ashton and his hate for this family, the way he had said they were vermin. But I couldn't believe he'd do something this bad... Getting into fights at college was one thing but this was a criminal offence. "He mentioned something about men coming in but I didn't want him to talk, just rest until the paramedics were here." I finished my statement and the policeman gave me his card in case I remembered any more information. I watched as they loaded Francesco into the ambulance and taped the house off from anyone.
For a moment, my mind could barely function. How could this have happened? What had caused this switch in Ashton so badly that he'd risk prison time?

Me. I'd caused his decline and I knew it.

I had to find them before it was too late. Who knew what they'd be capable of now.