A/N: Hey y'all, any dialogue in bold and italics is in Italian. This chapter was a wild ride. I didn't even plan for it to be like this, but TBH I think I really like the turn it took! Please R&R!
The Prentiss's have been on vacation for five weeks. After their three weeks in France, the went to Spain for two weeks. Lola loved Spain the most, she got to try out her Spanish, and even got pointers from some of Emily's associates. The group were currently on an early flight to Italy. They wanted to have time to settle down before the hectic day they had planned tomorrow. Emily had to drive up to northern Italy for business, she planned to borrow one of her dad's very fast cars. She would spend four days there before she came back to her family in the south in time to meet JJ, Will, Henry, and Edward when they arrived. But for now, the group was asleep on the jet.
"Momma! Look!" Ellie called from the car, "Swimming!" she said pointing to the ocean as the drove to the villa.
"I know baby. When Mommy and Henry get here, we can all go swimming." Emily smiled at the girl's happiness.
The rest of the ride was spent just watching the beautiful scenery. When they arrived at the villa, Emily's aunt, Seraphina, and her cousins, Sophia and Gabriella were waiting for them.
Emily got out and ran to Sophia, the women hugging and squealing like little girls. Emily hugged her aunt and other cousin. Emily went back and picked up Ellie, who holding her purple elephant close to her side, and leading Lola to the group. "Zia, Sophia, Gabbie, these are my daughters. Eloise and Lola. Say hi girls."
The girls greeted the new family. Sera scooped Ellie out of Emily's arms. "Oh! Look at the little bambina! Come with Zia. I will make snacks!"
Elizabeth called after her, "She's can't have any sugar, Sera! If she has sweets after a plane ride, she throws up! If she does that, you'll be cleaning it up!" Elizabeth warned.
"Oh, Liz! You worry too much!" The woman called behind her.
"Hey Lola. I'm your Auntie Sophie. Anything you need, you come to me. Come on, let me show you around the place. You're what? 14?" She asked, Lola nodded, rolling a bag behind her as Sophia led the way, "Liquor laws are very flexible here. As long as you're not drunk in public, I think we can get you some wine." Sophia suggested.
"Sophia! You cannot let her drink. You have to wait for Jen to get here, and even then, if she says no, it's a no. Am I clear?" Emily asked sternly as she followed the group closely.
"Crystal. But Emmy, you've got to learn to relax a little." Sophia laughed.
"You have not seen how good a shot my wife is, have you?"
Elizabeth and Gabbie brought up the rear.
"Aunt Liz?" Gabbie asked.
"Yes, dear?" Elizabeth responded, stopping so they could talk.
"I know I'm not Emily's favorite person in the world, I know we've fought almost our entire lives. But I love her, and I want to get to know her. I know I really messed up by not going to her wedding. And I don't know how to fix that. I need advice." The young brunette said shakily.
"Emily can be stubborn, and sometimes cruel. But she only is like that for the people she loves, not to the people she loves. She will do anything for those she loves. I've seen her with the kids, she's kind, compassionate, patient. She is like that with them because she loves them. And I know she was hurt when you didn't come to the wedding, but she was only so hurt because she loves you. Just apologize to her. She can be quite understanding." Liz explained, watching her daughter laugh at something Sophia said.
"Okay, thank you. I will do just that. I don't tell her enough how much she means to me." Gabbie moved to follow the group but Elizabeth gently rested a hand on her arm to stop her.
"Gabriella, if I may, why the sudden interest in making amends?"
Gabbie looked down and played with the cuticles on her fingers, "I've been cruel to her our entire lives, she didn't deserve that. I've felt guilty for a while, but some things in my life has changed, and I'm going to need her support. I can't expect her to show an effort with me if I never show one with her." She said quietly.
"Gabriella Zeta De Luca." Elizabeth warned her niece. Gabbie had always confided in Elizabeth, and with Gabbie and Sophia being her only nieces, Elizabeth always welcomed them. "You tell me what's going on right now. You are starting to scare me."
"Zia Liz, I've gotten myself into trouble. A trouble Emily would know intimately about." A tear slipped out of the younger woman's eye. "I'm pregnant, and I don't know what to do about it. The father was abusive towards me. I never told anyone, and he was the reason I couldn't attend the wedding. He told me I couldn't go, and I wanted to. We had a huge fight and by the end, I was covered in so many bruises I… I couldn't go to the wedding looking like that." Gabbie started to cry in earnest. "When I found out about the baby, I ran. I came home, told Mama everything, but he's been following me. If he finds out about the baby, I don't know what he'll do. I have to get out, and I need her help."
Elizabeth pulled her niece into a tight hug, rubbing circles on her back. "It's okay, Gabbie. We'll get everything sorted out, okay? You shouldn't worry anymore now. Emily has always protected those who need it. I don't think now will be any different. Let's just go in, enjoy ourselves, and then you can talk to Emily later tonight."
"Thank you, Liz." Gabbie replied quietly.
"Of course. I love you."
"I love you too," Gabbie paused, "Mama said she is cooking dinner tonight."
"Oh, your mother sure knows how to cook." Liz laughed as she and her niece walked up to the house.
After dinner Emily got the girls to bed.
"I don't see why we have to share a room. The others aren't coming for another week!" Lola whined.
"Don't whine. It's unbecoming." Emily remarked, reminding herself of her mother. "You guys have to share a room now because you'll have to when the rest come and it's just easier than moving all your stuff around later."
"Ugh." Lola groaned, "Fine."
"What is with all the 'tude all of a sudden?" Emily asked. She wasn't angry, this just wasn't like Lola.
The teen shot up, "Hold on." She said as she rushed out of the room. Emily finished tucking Ellie in the bed she would use. This room had a day bed with a trundle bed. Emily squatted on the floor as she tucked Ellie into the latter.
Emily found Lola out in the hall, "What's up?" Emily asked curiously.
"I started my period. I wasn't tracking it and I didn't pack anything after I used mine in France." Lola looked down.
"Don't worry. I packed extra for you. Just in case something like this happened. Traveling can mess with your cycle and I wanted to stay on the safe side. It's in my toiletry bag. Do what you have to then try to get some sleep." Emily finished as she kissed Lola's forehead. "Goodnight. I love you."
"Goodnight. Love you too."
Emily found the rest of her family gathered around the table, talking in hushed tones that stopped when the group saw her. "Why do I feel like this is bad news?" Emily asked warily as she sat with them.
"Emily," Sera spoke, "We need your help. But I need to let Gabbie explain it."
"Em, it is bad news, and I'm sorry I have not been good family to you. And I'm so sorry I didn't come to your wedding," Gabbie started tearily, "But I hope this will explain some of it."
Gabbie explained what happened to her. Emily sat quietly and felt waves of anger and guilt wash over her. She had been so angry at Gabbie when she didn't show up to the wedding, and now, she felt guilty for feeling angry. "What's his name?" Emily asked in a dangerously low voice.
"Emily, there is nothing we can do but try to keep Gabbie safe." Elizabeth said, trying her best to be the voice of reason.
"No. I don't believe that. There is nothing you can do. But I can do so much more than you think. What's his name?" She asked again, reiterating her point.
Gabbie spoke quietly, "Antonio Mancini."
"What was his last known address?" Emily asked with a dangerous tone.
Gabbie gave her the address they had shared.
"I'll be back later tonight. Mother, watch the girls." She said calmly before standing to leave.
"Emily, what are you going to do?" Elizabeth worried.
"It's best if you retain plausible deniability. All of you. Just know that it won't be illegal. I'll be back by morning." Emily said before heading to her father's garage and borrowing a car.
Emily looked at the time and figured Garcia will still be in the office. The phone was picked up after a few rings.
"Emster, how is vacay?" She asked happily.
"It's hit a snag." Emily replied cooly.
Garcia picked up on the dangerously cold tone of Emily's voice. "What do you need?"
"I need you to find an Antonio Mancini. I have his last know address." She repeated the address, "It was co-leased with Gabriella De Luca. I need his current location and then I need you to spoof my phone to my current location until I tell you otherwise."
"Done and done." Garcia said, "Okay, his current location is at a long-term hotel near you. I'll send the address. Be safe."
"Thanks, and one more thing. Not a word to Jennifer, got it?" Emily asked, she knew it was a tall order for Pen to not spill secrets, but she hoped Pen's loyalty would prevail.
"Fine, on one condition: you let me know when you're done doing whatever it is you aren't technically doing, and then you let me know you're safe. Got it?"
"Deal. I'll call you later." Emily said, not waiting for a response before she hung up and pulled the expensive car out of the driveway.
Emily's next call was to a former associate: Clyde Easter. She got her 'By Any Means Necessary' clearance renewed for twelve hours and the location to a local associate of Clyde's who can stock her up with anything she may need. After picking up supplies, she got ready for her personal mission. She dressed in the all black combat gear she got from Mr. Arturo. When she arrived at the hotel, she found the room he was in through a GPS location from Penelope. She spoofed the key card and quietly made her way into the dark room.
She shut the door behind her and stood at the foot of the bed. She yanked on the man's foot, waking him with a start.
"What the fuck? What is going on?" He questioned angrily in Italian.
"I have a gun leveled at your crotch, so be very careful with your movements. Now. I'm going to bind your hands, and you are going to quietly walk out to my car with me. Is that understood?" Emily asked venomously.
"You crazy bitch, why would I ever go with you. I could scream for help right now!" He opened his mouth to scream, but Emily was on him lightning fast, she used her forearm to crush his throat, resting the barrel of the gun between his eyes.
"You are going to come with me right now because if you don't follow my instructions down to the last detail, I am going to make sure you've never existed. Your own family won't even admit to knowing you. If you come, you'll be given the chance to be set free. So, are you going to listen, or do I get to enjoy strangling the life out of you?"
The man just nodded. Emily bound his hands with zip-ties before hoisting him up out of bed, grateful he slept in clothing. She led him to her car and shoved him in the trunk, "Do not make a noise. Do not signal for help. And most importantly: do not fuck up my car." She instructed before slamming the trunk.
She drove to the marina. She walked him to the boat she'd been given the keys to by Mr. Arturo and helped him on board. She secured him to a chair in the cabin before setting off into the night.
She anchored the boat after an hour. She had gotten him well out of range for help. She went back down to the cabin and flicked on the light, blinding the man.
"What the fuck do you want from me?" Antonio asked harshly, panic rising out of his voice as he tried to mask it with anger.
"I am going to be perfectly candid. My cousin is Gabriella De Luca. And you hurt her. You like to prey on weaker women? Why is that? Is it because you're too much of a pussy to fight a man your own size? Or is simply because little Antonio doesn't work without violence?" She asked, flicking her eyes down to his crotch. He lunged towards her, fighting the restraint. Emily didn't even flinch. No, instead, she laughed, "Ooooh, still trying to be the big tough man? News flash Antonio. If you don't agree to my terms, you'll be swimming with the sharks. Well, not exactly swimming, more like, dining with the sharks. I've heard its tiger shark season. And they will eat anything. Even scum like you."
The man sagged back into his restraints, "What do you want?" he asked, not looking back at Emily.
"You are going to go back to whatever shithole you came from. Then you will leave my cousin alone. You will forget about her. You'll never try to see her, talk to her, or even think about her. If you ever accidentally run into her, you will walk away. From this point on, you don't exist to her. If I find out you broke any of our terms, I will find you, just like I found you tonight, and then I will kill you. You will also be on a two-year probationary period. You will not do anything with out me knowing. You can agree to these terms, or I can get the pleasure of killing a low life. I've done it before, and they meant much less to me. But you? The man who hurt my cousin? I will enjoy it, and I will show no mercy. It will be slow, and painful, and you will be begging for death by the time I finish. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes." He whispered.
Emily fisted her hand in his hair and pulled back roughly so he was looking at her, "What was that? I don't think I heard you."
"Yes!" He shouted, "Yes! Yes! I agree. Your family will never hear from me again! On my mother's grave!"
Emily let go of his hair, pushing his head forward as he did so. "Good. I think we've settled this little misunderstanding; don't you think?" She turned to head back but stopped, "Oh and one more thing Antonio. If you go to the police, it won't matter. I've been given clearance to do this with a much higher authority than the lazy beach cops you have here. It'll really save a lot of time and energy if you keep your mouth shut." Not waiting for confirmation, Emily left and brought the boat back to shore. Emily brought Antonio back out to the dock and snipped the zip-ties. "You can walk from here." Emily said before getting back in her car and heading to the villa.
She texted Penelope when she parked in the garage. 'I'm safe. The situation is resolved. Thanks PG. Love you.'
The reply came quickly from Pen, 'Always sugar.'
Emily walked back to the kitchen, it had taken her a total of four hours, so she was shocked to see her mother, Sophia, and her aunt still up. "What are you guys doing up?" She asked casually.
"We were worried sick, Emily!" Her aunt scolded. "What did you do?"
"I already said I can't tell you that. But let's just say, I had a conversation with him, he was very understanding, and he won't be a problem to this family anymore." Emily said cooly, pouring herself a glass of wine. "That being said, I think that Gabbie shouldn't go anywhere unaccompanied, and I think she should move to America. Stay close to us, and away from him."
"That's something you need to take up with her, dear." Sera said, knowing Gabbie could be as head strong as Emily.
"Don't worry. I will." Emily downed the rest of her wine. "Well, I'm going to bed, I have an early morning tomorrow." She kissed each woman on the cheek, "Love you guys."
She heard a chorus of goodnights. That night, while Emily wasn't proud of her own cruelty, she slept soundly knowing she helped her cousin, and her baby.
A/N: Okay, so you guys may not want to think Emily could do something like this, but there was a scene in season 5, episode 10 'The Slave of Duty' where after she takes down the UNSUB, she is like super terrifying and cruel, and I used that as motivation for this chapter. Hope you enjoyed!