Chapter 22

"She ran away?" Dafne repeated, the words sinking in, "How?"

"We were out in the back yard with the washing," Agnese said, her voice fast and breathy, "I looked away for a second and the next thing I knew she was making a run for it. I tried to catch up with her but she was already too far away, over the back fence and gone," she ran her fingers through her hair distraughtly, "It's my fault. I should have kept a better eye on her, given what's she's been through. She's such a quiet girl. I didn't think she'd do something crazy like this."

"She's lost her family," Dafne said quietly, "That changes a person."

Oh Vanetta, she thought. She probably thought she had nothing to lose by escaping. But Dafne knew all too well the risk involved in taking such a chance. She knew the dangers of being caught. Vanetta was a young girl. If the men found her, they might advantage of her. Worse still, if she was brought back to face the wrath of Mortola and Capricorn, she might very well be reunited with the family in the afterlife.

Dafne couldn't stand by and let that happen.

"I'll go after her," she announced, "She can't have gone far. I'll bring her back."

Agnese starred at her in her gratitude.

"Thank you."

Resa came forward and took Dafne by the hand. She began pulling her in the direction of the back entrance, a set look of determination on her face.

Dafne realised that she intended them to retrieve the girl together.

She pulled her to a halt.

"No, you need to stay here," Dafne told her, "It's too dangerous for you to go."

Resa shook her head.

"Resa, listen to me," Dafne said firmly, "its best I go alone. I'm the only one with an excuse to walking around outside. I'm Basta maid, remember?"

This made her remember the note in her pocket. She pressed it into Resa's hand. When she did, Resa's face softened.

"Please Resa," Dafne said, "You're on a fine line as it is. You need to stay out of trouble for the time being. Let me handle this."

To her relief, the other woman nodded in acceptance.

"I'll find her I swear," Dafne said, "Please read that. I've tried to explain everything."

Resa smiled. It felt so good to have her smile at her. Her friend nodded towards the exit.

Go.

Dafne raced out of Capricorn's house. It was not only quicker to go the back way but it was logical too. Giulio was still waiting for her at the front and she doubted he would be at all interested in helping her search for a runaway girl. She reached the back fence and clambered over, debating which way to go next. She couldn't be sure what direction the girl had taken.

Which way would I go?

Then she realised something: the cat. Vanetta wouldn't leave without Ignazio. That meant she was probably still in the heart of the village, looking for him. Unfortunately, that was where the majority of the men were too.

Dafne ran towards the centre of town, hoping it wasn't too late. It wasn't long before she came across a trio of men playing craps. Too late to turn back, she rushed past them, hoping that Vanetta had been more conspicuous.

"Hey girlie, what are you doing?" one yelled after her.

"I think that was Basta's maid. Yeah, I'm pretty sure."

"Is that why she's running so fast? Cause he's chasing her ha ha."

"I hope not, I don't want him showing up and telling off for us slacking."

Their voices faded as she continued on. Before turning into a new street, Dafne now to paused to peer around corner to check if more men were there. It was better to avoid them if she could. Even so, they weren't out in their multitudes as she had anticipated. Then she remembered that most of them would be at the church having lunch. That was fortunate but it wouldn't be long before they started to trickle out into the village again. She had to find Vanetta by then. But faced with rows of empty streets, her search was beginning to seem hopeless.

She could be anywhere.

Dafne came to a stop, panting from the exertion of running as far as she had.

But she couldn't just give up. She had promised Resa. She had to keep going.

She was nearing the end of the street when she began to hear other voices. She couldn't make out the specifics of what they were saying but it sounded like they were laughing at something. She went to turn back, thinking it best not to continue in that direction. But then a sound pierced the air, a scream, a high-pitched wail of terror, a woman's scream. Dafne froze in her tracks, an awful sensation descending over her.

It had to be Vanetta. She whirled around and raced towards the sound. As she ran, she listened with all her concentration. There was no second scream but there was more laughter. Dafne could put and two together.

She rounded the corner. The street was empty. It had to be the next street across.

Then unexpectedly, there was a shout, a cry of pain. She flinched but the owner of the voice didn't sound feminine. It was coarse, spewing out profanities.

She kept running. She was close. She could pick up the words now.

"Goddamn it, she bit me!"

There was a cackle of laughter which sounded familiar.

"Naughty, naughty," the voice mocked. To her dismay, she recognised it. It was Cockerell.

"Stay away from me!" cried a shrill voice, Vanetta's voice, "Get back!"

Cockerell laughed again.

"Aw what's the matter? Don't you want to play? Well that's too bad for you kitten 'cause I'm in the mood for some fun!"

Dafne turned into the street just in time to see Cockerell seize the girl by the hands. She cried out, struggling. But he overpowered her, pushing her back to pin her against the wall of one of the houses. Cockerell's face was covered in ugly bruises and it gave Dafne satisfaction even in that moment to know she had dealt them. His cohort, a taller man with a blotchy face who Dafne couldn't name, was rubbing his hand and grimacing.

"Hold her there Cockie," he said, moving towards them, "No bitch bites me and gets away with it."

As the man loomed upon her, Vanetta's pale face was wild with comprehension and fear. Cockerell had her locked in place, a disturbingly gleeful expression on his face.

Too far away to physically intercede in time, Dafne opened her mouth, to call out. But at the same moment, another voice exploded onto the scene.

"Hey! Hey!"

It was Silvio. He was hurrying towards the three from the other end of the street.

"Hey! Leave her alone!"

Drawn by his shouting, Cockerell and the other man turned to look at him. Like Dafne, they were surprised. He seemed to have come out of nowhere. Then they exchanged glances with each other and their expressions turned to sneers.

"Stay out of this, you little snotnose," Cockerell called out to him, "Go make yourself useful and clean my car."

Silvio stayed on course, undeterred.

"I'm not going until you leave her alone!"

"Ha, listen to him, Vito," Cockerell said, "Basta's little pet thinks he can order us around. We're your superiors, you little worm."

"I don't care," Silvio said evenly, "Let her go."

Blotchy cracked his knuckles threateningly,

"I think you need a lesson in respect. I'd be happy to teach it to you."

Silvio smiled his carefree smile. One arm still in its sling, he spread the other out invitingly,

"Hit me if you want. Basta says you punch like a girl."

Cockerell laughed at this but his friend was not amused.

"I'll show you, you little brat," he growled.

He came at Silvio, fist already curled. Dafne's heart was in her mouth, willing him to run. Damn Basta's opinion, if Blotchy hit him with his sizeable fist, it was going to cause damage. But Silvio stood his ground and as the fist went sailing towards him Dafne shut her eyes, unable to watch.

She hesitantly opened them to see the aftermath but it wasn't one she had been expecting. Silvio was now several paces from where he had once stood, looking completely unharmed. He must have dodged him. She knew he was fast on his feet. Meanwhile Blotchy was stumbling around trying to regain his balance from his blow only finding air. He steadied himself and gave a roar of frustration.

"Damn brat! I'm going to beat you so hard you'll be out for a week."

Silvio grinned mockingly,

"You're going to have to catch me first, idiota."

Incensed, Blotchy charged at him like a bull. Silvio easily evaded him, darting out of the way.

"Too slow," he said in a singsong voice.

"Way to teach the kid a lesson Vito," Cockerell observed sarcastically.

Blotchy whirled on him, breathing heavily,

"You're not helping."

"Hey, I've got the girl to keep hold of, remember? Isn't that right, sweetie?"

Vanetta whimpered as Cockerell's attention went back to her.

"Leave her alone!" Silvio shouted.

He ran at Cockerell, throwing himself against him. The force broke the man's grip on Vanetta and both he and the boy fell to the ground. Both stirred, moaning. Silvio's sling had come loose and he was clutching his wounded arm, wincing. He was looking up at Vanetta,

"Run!" he told her, "Get out of here!"

Despite his imploring, Vanetta remained rooted to the spot. Her eyes were fearfully set on Cockerell as he was getting to his feet.

"You little bastard!" he snarled at Silvio.

Silvio ignored him.

"Go!" he shouted, his voice rising in urgency, "Go!"

"Vanetta," Dafne joined in, trying to catch her attention, "Vanetta, over here!"

Vanetta's head jerked in her direction. On seeing Dafne, relief flooded her face.

"Quick, come here!" Dafne cried.

Thankfully, the girl found her legs and began to move.

"Where to do think you're going?" Cockerell hissed, going to intercept her.

Still on the ground, Silvio kicked out at his legs. The man came toppling down on top on him. Silvio cried out, obviously from the strain to his arm.

Her obstacle taken down, Vanetta ran. Dafne raced forward to meet her. But she had forgotten about Blotchy. He came running after Vanetta, though she was also too fast for him. She made it to Dafne, falling into her into arms with a sob. With Blotchy bearing down on them, Dafne was forced to wrench her away,

"Keep running, go back to the house," she told her.

"What about you?" Vanetta whimpered.

"I can't leave him," Dafne said.

By now Cockerell had used his position on top of Silvio to grab hold of him, pinning him like he had Vanetta. He dug his fingers into Silvio's bandaged arm, causing him to squirm in pain.

"How do you like that, little pet, how do you like that!" he jeered.

With no time to waste, Dafne shoved a reluctant Vanetta,

"Go!" she commanded.

She didn't wait to see if the girl obeyed. She rushed towards Silvio, side-stepping Blotchy who seemed to be taken by surprise to have her run at him instead of away.

Cockerell had gotten up and was circling the boy, who had curled up into a ball. The man kicked him with his good leg.

"Not so tough now are you?"

Silvio moaned. Cockerell drew his leg up for another turn.

"Stop," Dafne cried, "Stop!"

She threw herself over Silvio like a shield.

The boy starred up at her with bleary eyes,

"Dafne?" he croaked.

"Well well well. Doesn't my day just get better and better," said Silvio's tormentor.

He grabbed Dafne by the arm, heaving her unwillingly to her feet.

"If it isn't my old friend, how have you been?" he went on in a menacingly pleasant voice, "I heard you're Basta's maid now. That was a big surprise to hear."

"Please Cockerell leave him alone," Dafne said.

"Oh I've finished with him," Cockerell said dismissively, "I've got you to play with now."

There was nothing good-natured about Cockerell's idea of "play" and his hold on Dafne was as tight as clamp.

Silvio groaned, attempting to get up,

"Dafne," he said, the concern in his voice unmistakeable.

"Stay where you are Silvio, lie still," she said as calmly as she could.

"Yes Silvio, lie still like Miss Pussycat says," Cockerell sneered, "She knows you can't help her."

At that moment Blotchy came trudging back. Dafne was glad to see he was empty-handed.

"I lost the girl," he said.

"No matter," Cockerell replied, smirking at Dafne, "I'd rather this one anyway."

Blotchy leaned his ugly face in to inspect her.

"Isn't this the one who did that to your face?"

Cockerell twitched in anger but then he smiled again which was worse. It was a vicious smile like a dog baring its teeth.

"The very same, which reminds me..."

Without warning, he thrust Dafne backwards. She landed against the hard surface of the wall behind her with a cry of pain. Cockerell's free hand danced around her throat.

"I've been waiting for an opportunity to return the favour."

"Please," Dafne whispered, even though she knew it was useless appealing to a person who had no qualms about murdering a girl's family, "Don't."

Cockerell raised an eyebrow mockingly.

"Oh? Why shouldn't I?"

"Because..." Dafne began, swallowing hard at the sensation of having his fingers apply pressure on her neck, "Basta."

"Basta," Cockerell snorted, "Do you think I'm scared of him? I've already beaten up his golden boy tonight, I may as well pretty up his maid for him too."

"I wouldn't if I were you," said a familiar growling voice.

Cockerell's eyes widened in surprise, his head was in the process of turning when a fist slammed into it. Dafne cried out from being as close as she was.

"Did I hear right Cockerell," Basta said, rubbing his fist, "Did I hear you say you're not scared of me?"

Clutching his face, Cockerell attempted to scramble away from him but Basta was too quick. He grabbed him by the collar. Dafne hastened to move aside as he slammed him against the wall.

"Because that would be a stupid thing to say," Basta said, his face leaning intimidatingly close to Cockerell's, "Since it's not true," he tightened his grip, "Is it?"

Cockerell was in no position to argue. He nodded.

"But the thing is," Basta went on, "Is that you are stupid. You're stupid enough to think you could hurt someone that belongs to me and get away with it."

Basta reached down and drew out his knife. He held the tip close to Cockerell's eye.

"If you ever touch my maid again, I'll cut out your eyes," he said his voice thick with promise, "The same goes for the boy. Leave him alone. Do you understand?"

Cockerell gave another nod. Satisfied, Basta pushed Cockerell away in disgust, propelling him into Blotchy.

"Now get out of my sight."

"Let's go," Cockerell muttered to Blotchy. Together, they began to slink away.

"Hey Cockerell," Basta called pleasantly after him, pricking his fingertip on his blade to test its sharpness.

Cockerell looked back sullenly.

"Those bruises she gave you are an improvement really."

To that, Cockerell only sneered.

Dafne watched the retreating forms with a sigh of relief. She rubbed her throat. The uncomfortable sensation of Cockerell's touch still lingered there. Basta stowed his blade, hurrying over to her.

"Did he hurt you?"

She found the naked concern on his face a little too intense.

"I'm fine," Dafne said distractedly, "Silvio..."

"I'm okay," a weak voice drifted up from the ground.

"Are you sure?" Basta said, to Dafne, not Silvio.

"Yes," she replied impatiently, going to kneel beside Silvio. She stroked his head tenderly.

Basta came and leaned over them,

"Can you get up?" he asked Silvio.

Dafne looked up at him reproachfully. Couldn't he see the state he was in?

"I think so," Silvio said, managing to sit up, "It's just my arm I think."

"He needs to see Orlanda," Dafne said to Basta, "So she can check the wound."

"Dafne?" said a timid voice. Dafne turned to see Vanetta standing nervously nearby.

"Vanetta, I told you to go back to the house," Dafne said, though she was too glad to know Vanetta was safe to be angry.

"I was too scared to go all the way," the girl said. She looked past Dafne at Silvio, "Is he okay?"

Silvio rose, not without effort, to his feet.

"I'm fine."

Vanetta approached him with all the tentativeness of a wild animal.

"You saved me," she said, bowing her head, "Thank you."

Silvio looked embarrassed but pleased.

"Don't mention it."

Basta watched the interaction confusedly.

"I think you have a lot of explaining to do, little mouse," he remarked.

"Later," Dafne promised, "I have to take Vanetta back to the house before Mortola notices she's missing."

"Silvio can take her," Basta said, "He's going there anyway. You don't need to go."

Dafne frowned,

"He might need my help to walk."

Basta rolled his eyes at her,

"It's his arm, not his legs, little mouse," he drawled, "Anyway the girl can look after him. Can't you, girl?"

Vanetta nodded, regarding him a little fearfully. She obviously hadn't forgotten the time he had threatened her in the past.

"See?" said Basta to Dafne.

Dafne ignored him,

"Take it easy," she told Silvio.

The boy smiled, though he couldn't disguise the pain in his face.

"I will."

"The sooner he leaves, the sooner he gets fixed so stop fussing over him," Basta cut in.

So Silvio and Vanetta departed for Capricorn's house, leaving the two of them alone.

"I don't know where to start," Dafne said, attempting to begin her explanation.

"I know a good place," Basta said, "Let's start at the part where I told you not to go out into the village so you wouldn't get into trouble."

Dafne turned to look at him guiltily. His expression was hard. She had a feeling that he had been waiting for Silvio to leave so he could reprimand her. That was why he had been against her accompanying the boy to Capricorn's.

"But did you listen to me? Oh no, you just went ahead and got yourself into another mess."

He was speaking the truth. She had put herself in danger and Dafne knew he had a right to angry. But she had disobeyed him for a good reason. Dafne wanted him to understand that.

"Basta, I..." she began.

"No," Basta cut in forcefully, "I don't want to know why. I figure it was some bleeding heart reason involving that girl."

Dafne gave him a hopeful smile which faltered as his expression remained unchanged.

It didn't please Basta at all to be correct in his deduction.

"Why can't you just mind your own business?" he said frustratedly.

"She is my business," Dafne said, "Her family's dead. Someone has to look after her."

This failed to touch Basta's heart, if anything it aggravated him further.

"You need to look after yourself, little mouse," he said, "Don't you realise how close you came to looking like Cockerell's twin? If I hadn't found you when I did..."

"I know, I know!" Dafne cried, not wanting to dwell on this subject.

Noting her distress, Basta backed off, his expression softening.

"I would have killed him," he said quietly with conviction, "If he had hurt you, I would have killed him."

Dafne believed him. As much as the thought of murder, whoever it was, disturbed her, she knew this was Basta's way of saying that he cared about her. That was why he had been so angry about her throwing herself into danger so recklessly. He wanted to protect her. It was no different to how she wanted to protect Vanetta and Silvio. She now felt guilty that she hadn't considered his feelings.

"I'm sorry," she said, which made Basta look at her mild surprise, "It was stupid of me. I'm no match for someone like Cockerell."

"Oh I don't know about that," Basta said, "You're the one who gave him those bruises."

He smiled at this. Dafne shrugged. She was beginning to wish she hadn't. It had only made her a target for the man's wrath.

"I took him by surprise that's all. This time it was different. You're right, if you hadn't come..." she held his gaze, wanting them to be eye to eye for her next words, "Thank you for saving me."

At first Basta seemed a little taken aback by her gratitude. But he quickly mustered up some smugness.

"You're my maid. It's my job to keep you safe. I just wish you didn't attract trouble the way you do. It's like flies to honey."

Dafne huffed,

"It's not like I enjoy my life being continually in peril."

Basta raised a disbelieving eyebrow, making her scowl.

"I don't!"

Basta laughed, raising his hands in mock defeat.

"Whatever you say, little mouse," he said, "If that's the case, I suggest I take you back to the house where it's nice and safe."

Dafne couldn't argue with that. She also had to admit that she was safer in this man's company than she was out of it. More than that, the prospect no longer repulsed her. It was the fact that she was content strolling alongside him that unsettled her. She couldn't let herself forget who he was but it seemed to be getting pushed further into the back of her mind.

The more time she spent with him, the more uncertain she was. The man who had kidnapped her had been so black and white, so easy to hate. This man no longer existed. He had been replaced by a man full of intricacies and harder to hate because he had shown her kindness. But she couldn't put complete trust in this kindness. He was like a dog. A dog might defend its owners and then one day turn on them. He was unpredictable and dangerous.

But like a dog, as he walked protectively at her side, in spite of all her rationality, she couldn't help feeling that he was growing on her.

To be continued...