Thanks for the reviews:

Hutchy- I can't really answer your question concerning Tyson and Hilary. As for the hidden door, this chapie will tell you.

SweetStealer- Thanks for reviewing. I see that you've reviewed my other story too. Warning: my stories are weird and irrational. Hope you enjoy them anyway.

Chapter 9: The Angelico Mafia

"Ready?" Hilary asked as she held a corner of the tapestry.

Tyson, who was holding the other side, nodded.

They lifted it upwards. The automatic door opened itself. With a nod, they entered the darkness, where the Tornatore's secret lied. They entered a large circular room lit by blue lights. About 10 doors led to other rooms. Hilary took a deep breath. She opened the nearest door to her.

She couldn't help herself from gasping. It was a sort of a security control room. The screens showed different parts of the villa. In one, the birthday cake was being served in the ballroom. A guard was snoring in the armchair facing the screens, empty beer bottles scattered around him. Hilary closed the door quietly and turned to Tyson who was as surprised as she was.

"This is creepy," he said, "How long have they been spying on us?"

"I don't like this either. Let's find some more information," Hilary said as she went for another door.

Tyson blocked her way.

"Wait, maybe they're hiding something dangerous in there," he said.

Hilary almost laughed.

"What can that be?" she asked

"It's not funny. What if they're keeping a Frankenstein or something ?"

Hilary shook her head.

"You watch too much movies," she said, signing.

"After what we've seen, how can you say such a thing?"

She stared at him.

"Oh, alright. So, what are you gonna do?" she asked.

"Let's get outta here."

"What, are you crazy?"

"Sshh! The guard might wake up," Tyson warned.

"Fine, but I'm not going anywhere before we clear this mystery."

She pushed him aside and opened the next door.

"Women," Tyson mumbled before following her in.

They found themselves in a what- seemed- to- be a weapon room. Rows of strange gadgets and guns laid across the room. The swords' blades gleamed in the little light they let through by the door. The further they went in, the stranger became the weapons. One looked like a metallic bazooka but when Hilary looked through the mouth, it seemed that it shot rope. Tyson dared giving an oddly shaped ball a nudge. It suddenly illuminated and tried sucking Tyson's arm. Hilary dashed over to him and grabbed a pointy-looking object to stab it with. The ball howled and went back to its place.

Gasping, Tyson muttered, "Thanks." And they wandered a little further in. Hilary then noticed a metallic ball. She picked it up, much to Tyson's dismay, and recognized it as one of Kenny Marple's inventions. Maybe… Maybe Kenny was the one who made all these weapons! But why?

They left the weapon room and explored some more. There was a corridor, which seemed to lead to some kind of platform with an opening in the ceiling. Tyson reckoned it opened to the lawn where he found the helicopter marks. Another room sheltered curious uniforms, which was very much ninja-like. Most of these discoveries did not carry them further in their quest for information but on the contrary made everything look more mysterious. At last they reached a spacious room which was most likelya meeting room since there were chairs surrounding a circular table. On the opposite wall to the door was a large screen and when they came closer they saw that it was a giant size computer.

"Kenny will be dreaming about having this," Tyson whispered.

"Maybe he already knows about it," Hilary said as she tried to turn on the computer.

"What do you mean?" Tyson sounded astonished.

"I think that will do," Hilary said, straightening up.

The computer screen lighted up. A crest of angel's wings superposed with a revolver appeared on the screen.

"Welcome to the Headquarters of the Angelico Mafia," the computer said, "I am Dizzy and I am the brain of this society. Please enter your ID and the password."

"Shit, there's a password," Tyson swore.

"I have an idea," Hilary said. "We can try entering Mariam's ID."

"And for the password?"

Hilary didn't answer but bit her nails.

"Try 'Botticelli."

"How do you know that?" Tyson asked but Hilary wasn't looking at him.

He slowly turned his head.

Signor and signora Tornatore framed the door, their arms crossed.

"Er… we didn't mean to intrude," Hilary said, "But-."

"We're just going now," Tyson ended.

The masters didn't say anything. Tyson pulled Hilary and made way through the chairs. As they were approaching the masters, Hilary's stomach gave a lurch.

"Do you think we're going to let you go so easily, for trespassing?" Signor Tornatore spoke up.

They both froze.

"My men were watching each of your steps, how you two lurked deeper into our secrets."

Tyson gulped.

"If you think we're not informed of your scurrying around, looking for information, finding this place then you are wrong," he said. "We have a number of spies to keep an eye on you."

At that word, Enrique entered, looking full of mirth.

"Hello, 'Joy'. Didn't expect you here."

He gave her a charming grin.

It dawned on Hilary that all Enrique said to her was simply a ruse to get information from her. Her throat went dry.

"Son, you shouldn't be leaving the party," his mother groaned, "Look at you. Wipe off those lipstick stains on your torso at once."

"As you wish, Mother," Enrique said and wiped the red stains from his body.

As Enrique was cleaning himself, a number of people appeared from the gloom, all dressed as ninjas. Hilary recognized Mariam at once, in a navy ninja outfit. She was lining up with the others on the master's left-hand side.

"Mariam Merzougi, aka Shakrash is placed as your room mate to keep an eye on you," Tornatore said as he gestured Mariam, "She has an incredible agility. Her weapon is the ninja stars but she is also excellent in capoeira."

Mariam merely stared into the blank space in front of her. Hilary felt betrayed. Is anyone in this house true to her?

The master moved to a boy next to Mariam, dressed in green.

"Max Mitzuhara, aka Draciel, champion in kick-boxing, is our code-breaker. He looks after Tyson Granger here."

Tyson was as shocked as Hilary was.

"Tala Valkov, aka Wolborg, my bodyguard, masters 5 martial arts ( tai chi chuan, ninjutsu, aikido, taekwondo and kenpo) , professional gun man."

Hilary recognized the red hair poking from the mask. It was the boy who helped her find her dormitory on her first day!

"Salima Mikori, aka Psykick,professional in ninpo, specializes in nunchaku."

Hilary couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the purple ninja. No wonder she was always whispering with Mariam: they both shared a secret…

He then moved to a girl ninja who Hilary had never seen before.

"Prima, Enrique's fiancee, aka Tiger Lily, just arrived from Italy. She is a black belt in Taekwondo and practices Kendo and Thai-boxing too. But she specializes in poison."

Hilary stared in stupor at the girl in black ninja costume. She had long silky midnight hair, which was held up in an elegant ponytail. Her misty grey eyes gleamed behind the mask. Enrique blew a kiss at her but she didn't answer. She was stiff like an ice maiden.

"These are our computer scientists, Kenny Marple and Emily Watson," he ended, gesturing the last two people who weren't dressed as ninjas but they both had a lab gown on.

"And of course, my son, Enrique Tornatore, aka Amphitryon." Enrique smiled at them. "Fencing champion and archer. But he prefers flirting his women enemies," he added.

"Come on, Padre!" Enrique laughed.

Hilary found her voice at last.

"Er… excuse me, but why are you telling us this?" she asked.

The Tornatore stared at her.

"We thought it's what you wanted to know," signora answered.

"You both know too much for us to keep it away from you," signor explained. "Come, let's see what Dizzy has to say to you."

Before they could object, the master ushered them to the chairs. The ninjas took their place too. While Kenny was tapping the password in the computer, Tyson whispered to Hilary, "What do you think they're up to?"

Hilary simply shook her head. Suddenly the woman voice that had greeted them earlier spoke again.

"The Angelico Mafia is the world most powerful gang, led by Signor Giovanni Tornatore." A picture of the master appeared on the screen. The real Giovanni Tornatore smiled to himself, as if cooking something up in his mind.

"Its members are handpicked by the Signor himself," the computer continued, "The gang has many plants all around the planet, imposing its will. The Tornatore Villa is the headquarters of the Mafia. This organization contributes to help the Tornatore's societies to flourish economically and take care of each of its member's lives to be eternally joyful and carefree."

A mini film was projected on the screen showing how the Mafia was first created and the ninjas in action. Hilary almost thought that she was watching a secret agent film, or something. The things that the ninjas did, the way they fought was incredible. When the film finished, Tornatore spoke up again.

"So, are you in or out?"

They both stared at him.

"I don't think you have much choice: you know too much. So you either join us or leave this world."

Hilary was silent after such a grave announcement. She looked at the ninjas. Max, Mariam and Salima weren't looking backat her. They seemed to be suddenly attired by their shoelace. However Tala Valkov and Enrique's fiancee seemed very much capable of murder. As for Tyson, he seemed to be waiting for someone to shout, "April's fool!"

"Er… may I…erm…ask a question?" Hilary asked, weighing for time

"Sure!" The master answered in a cheerful voice that startled Hilary and Tyson.

"Who are the Chows?"

The expression on Tornatore's face became grim.

"Another Mafia that stands up against our authority. They are bloodthirsty Chinese whose societies are competing with ours. We suspect them of stealing from our galleries.They're thieves and cheaters led by the world youngest millionaire, Lee Chow." The last word was spat with rage. The ninjas were agitated too, as if the simple sound of their enemy's name disgusted them.

"But… but why are you doing all this?"

The master laughed, and so did his son.

"But for the joy of it, Hilary darling! Being rich is so boring, we have to lighten up our lives a bit. Money and wealth are nothing compared to the dangers these missions bring us."

"What about the authority/" Tyson asked.

This time, everyone there laughed.

"The authority?" Enrique repeated, wiping his eyes, "If they have problems with us, they'll have problems with the Pope! Mother's close to his surrounding. Besides, a buck or two and they shut up."

Hilary and Tyson looked at him in amazement.

'We fight," the master said, "against morality and order of all kind. Seriously, how can you live in a world like this?" He gestured the space around him.

"I like living like this," Hilary answered before she could stop herself.

"Then my girl, you must be blind. The world is running in the opposite direction of human's needs. They're transforming us into witless beings, eaten by cowardice and fear of death. But not us. No, the Angelico Mafia runs wild and will never stop before any power. We might steal, but afterwards what do we do with them? We give them away. We kill. But does the world really needs them? Think. We, humans should be free of our judgement."

After such a speech, Hilary grew silent. She and Tyson exchanged nervous looks.

Emily handed Tornatore a sheet of paper.

"According to our informers, you, Miss Brown, have practiced shooting and karate whilst you, Mr. Granger is a Kendo fighter."

"And a very bad one indeed."

A voice made all heads turn. Butler Granger was standing under the doorway.

"Grandpa!" Tyson exclaimed but the latter ignored him.

"Master Jurgen is leaving, Sir, I'm afraid you have to see him go," he said to the master.

"Very well, Granger. Tell him I'm coming," Tornatore said.

Then he turned back to Hilary and Tyson.

"You'll just have to sign here if you're willing," he said, pushing 2 sheets of paper to them.

"Don't we have time to think over?" Hilary asked.

The master laughed heartily.

"The choice isn't that hard, after all."

With that, he and Signora and Enrique left. Prima followed them. Emily handed Hilary and Tyson a pen. Hilary took a glimpse at Mariam before deciding.