AN: Yes I know it's been a long time (March 2013) since I updated. I was working on this chapter when my entire hard drive got wiped out of my documents and stuff. It was traumatizing. Luckily, the first part of this chapter was saved on a flash drive but I had to rewrite and improvise most of this chapter. Hope it meets expectations. I decided to give Gina some background. The italics are flashbacks. Enjoy! Let me know what you all think! I own nothing except for Gina, Donnie, Vittorio and Lucia.

Chapter 22: Who Will Save You Now?

After a moment, Jo came out of her surprise and just said, "Gina, what are you doing here?"

Gina Santori just grinned at Jo and said, her voice sounding melodic with her Italian accent, "Hello cousin, aren't you going to let me in?"

Jo stepped aside and let her cousin walk into the house, closing the door behind her to gain a few moments to accept this was really happening. Jo turned to face Gina and she saw a grin on the older girl's face that chilled her to the bone, but she wasn't about to let on that Gina's presence was bothering her. "So what brings you to my part of the world Gina?"

Gina took a moment to study her younger second cousin and she realized with pleasure that Jo was afraid of her, even if she was trying to hide it. Good, she could use that to her advantage. She schooled her voice to sound casual and non-threatening when she answered, "Italy was getting boring and I remembered that I have family in America, so here I am. I figured this would be a good time to come and see you and your parents, see what the big fuss about America is."

Jo sensed there was more to Gina's story than just wanting to see America and her family, but as always, the girl's face was an impenetrable mask. Deciding for the moment to play along, Jo nodded, "Okay, sounds like a plan. Why don't you make yourself at home in the living room while I go tell my parents you're here, okay?"

While Gina was reluctant to let the adults know she was there, figuring they might've heard about her escape and call the authorities, she knew if she objected there was going to be more questions than she wanted to answer at the moment so she just nodded. "Okay."

Jo left Gina sitting on the sofa watching television while she went to her mom first, since her mom was the one who was related to Gina by blood. She explained to her mom the situation and before she knew it, both her parents were in the living room talking to Gina. Jo couldn't believe it but her parents seemed to be charmed by the older girl.

She supposed it wasn't their fault though, the older blonde could be very charming when she wanted to be. It was very deceptive though, because Jo knew from first-hand experience that Gina could be sadistic and twisted, and Jo was worried that her childhood nightmare was going to start all over again and this time, there wouldn't be anyone around to save her from Gina's manipulations.

Six Years Ago (2002)

Donatello Santori Jr., known to all who knew him as Donnie, was sitting in the parlor of his family's home, looking out the window at his younger sister, Gina and their cousin Jo playing in the yard. To the casual observer, it looked as if the two girls were the best of friends, thick as thieves, but Donnie wasn't a casual observer.

Donnie knew his little sister had a bit of a mean streak in her, something she had inherited from their father before a heart attack had taken him a few years ago. Donatello senior had spent the last 18 years of his life emotionally and mentally tormenting his three children. Being the oldest, Donnie had gotten the most of it, but being the only girl, Gina had somehow been the most affected by it all.

Their cousin, Jo, was American. Their mothers were sisters who had been raised on separate continents, the result of divorced parents. Donnie watched as the younger girls interacted and already he could see that Gina wasn't playing nice. Donnie sighed as he realized that no one else was going to step in and protect Jo from Gina.

Vittorio, Gina's twin brother, was scared of her, and their mother was too oblivious to notice that Gina was just like their father. Donnie looked down briefly at the drink in his hand, he was the only one in their family who wasn't afraid of Gina. He knew she couldn't do anything to him, she was all talk when it came to him. Donnie had never liked the fact that he was the spitting image of their father when he was a teenager, but the resemblance had served him well with Gina. She had worshipped their father and, given Donnie's close resemblance, she had transferred that affection to him.

Donnie drained the scotch from his glass before slowly rising from his chair. His mother and brother were out for the day, any excuse to be away from Gina was gladly taken by them. Two peas in a pod they were, which was ironic considering that as her twin, one would expect Vittorio to be much closer to Gina.

The house was empty save for the maid and she was busy in the other part of the house. Donnie made his way out to the back yard where Gina was busy tormenting Jo, convincing her to eat a slug she had found in the yard. Donnie could hear his little sister's voice carry across the yard to him as he approached the two girls.

When he was standing behind Gina, whose back was to him, he placed a hand on her shoulder and cleared his throat, "what's going on here Gina?"

Gina Santori felt her shoulders tense for a moment before she forced them to relax as she turned to smile at her older brother, "we're just playing a game Donnie. Nothing you should be worried about dear brother."

Donnie saw the look of feigned innocence on her face and heard the sickeningly sweet tone of her voice but he wasn't fooled by it. He gave a small nod before turning to their much younger cousin, Jo, "Just a game Jo?"

Jo Marlowe, all of 12 years old, looked into Gina's cold, warning eyes before glancing up at her older cousin's compassionate gaze and she swallowed before nodding, knowing if she crossed Gina there would be hell to pay. "Yeah, just a game Donnie."

Donnie wasn't convinced but he knew the much younger girl wasn't about to denounce Gina in front of him so he nodded and pretended to believe them. "Very well then, carry on." He turned to leave them and took a few steps away before he turned back, as if he had just remembered something, "Oh, by the way Jo, your mom called for you a few minutes ago. She wants you to call her back as soon as you can…" Donnie pretended to think about it for a moment then said, "Actually, why don't you call her now, that way you won't forget to later?"

Gina's eyes narrowed for a moment before she remembered that if Jo's mom had really called, it would be in everyone's best interest for Jo to call her back sooner rather than later. The woman was so over protective that it was a miracle she'd even allowed Jo to spend the summer here in Italy with them without her or her father. Gina turned to Jo, "You'd better go call her. Let her know you're still okay. I'll wait here."

Jo nodded then carefully followed Donnie into the house, the whole time waiting for Gina to change her mind and force her to stay and eat the slug before she got to call her mom.

Donnie led Jo into the house and brought her to his private study. He closed the doors and locked them before he turned to Jo, "Your mother didn't call Jo, I just wanted an excuse to get you away from Gina for a few moments."

"Why?"

Donnie sighed, "Jo, I know how my sister can be, and I know that she hasn't exactly been nice to you this summer. You've been taking her crap silently and bravely but honestly, you don't have to."

Jo was reluctant to confide in Donnie, convinced this was a test that Gina had roped him into participating in, to see if she would tattle on Gina. "I don't know what you're talking about Donnie. Gina's been great this summer."

Donnie nodded, "it's okay Jo. You can be honest with me. This isn't some test or a trick. I can't stand to watch Gina torment you the way she has been doing anymore. If you want it, I can have your ticket home changed and you can be back in America by dinnertime tomorrow. We can tell your mom you got homesick and that you wanted to come home. As for Gina, I'll handle her and she won't bother you ever again, I promise you that, on my life."

Jo took a moment to process what Donnie was saying. He was giving her a way out of her miserable summer...a chance to get away from Gina forever. It was almost too good to be true, "Can I think about it?"

Donnie nodded, "Sure. But I'll need an answer by dinnertime tonight so that I can have enough time to change your ticket, okay?"

Jo nodded, "Okay."

With that, Jo left the room and took a few moments to collect her thoughts and try to find a way to not to let Gina know what she had talked to Donnie about. The last thing she needed was Gina finding a way to block Donnie's offer and make her pay for even considering it.

By dinnertime two days later, Jo was back in her bedroom in America, looking around at the familiar walls and smiling, grateful to her cousin Donnie for keeping his word. Once she had made up her mind to take him up on his offer, Donnie had wasted no time in changing her ticket and driving her to the airport while Gina was busy with her horse riding lesson.

Jo hoped Donnie would keep the rest of his promise to keep Gina away from her.

Donnie sat waiting in his study after dropping Jo off at the airport, for Gina to confront him. He knew it was only a matter of time once she noticed all of the younger girl's clothes and possessions were gone from the guest bedroom.

Donnie swirled the amber liquid in his glass as he waited, enjoying the play of sunlight on the crystal glass and the scotch. Before too long though, his peace was disturbed by the door to the room slamming open and an angry Gina storming into the room.

"What the hell is going on Donnie?!"

Donnie remained calm, knowing he wasn't in any danger, Gina didn't scare him in the least, "Whatever do you mean little sister?"

"Where are all of Jo's things? For that matter where is Jo?!" Gina seethed, just barely managing to keep her anger in check.

Donnie put down his glass and turned to look at his sister directly, "She's gone Gina. Back to America and away from you."

Gina was livid, "What? When? How?"

Donnie proceeded to calmly explain, "Jo left this morning, I helped her leave. I wasn't going to sit back and watch as you methodically tormented that innocent girl. She's family Gina, and I won't have you pulling that shit on family. Are we clear?"

Gina just looked at her brother, "You can't be serious! Since when have you ever cared about what I did and with whom?"

"Since you targeted family, Gina. I won't tolerate you messing with Jo or anyone else who is family. Vittorio chose his own path with you and you know what I will do to you if you abuse his trust. Mark my words little sister, you go near Jo again and I will bury you, capisce?" Donnie's voice turned colder and deadlier than Gina had ever heard it and for a moment it reminded her of their father. She felt a frisson of cold air travel down her spine at the tone in his voice.

Gina nodded silently.

Donnie smiled, coldly, "Good. Now, forget about Jo and go find a new play thing. But remember the new rules: No family, no one younger than you, and never in this house, are we clear?"

Gina swallowed, scared of Donnie for the first time ever in her life. He was acting more and more like their father had when he was alive and it was getting under Gina's skin in a very bad way. "No problem Donnie. Can I go now?"

Donnie stared at her for a moment more before he waved his hand dismissively, "Get out of my sight before I forget that you are my little sister."

Gina actually scurried from the room, closing the door behind her. Donnie watched her go and chuckled to himself. He had been saving the 'dad voice' for a special occasion and this seemed like the perfect time to break it out. As long as he was on this earth, Jo would never have to worry about Gina and he wouldn't have to make good on his promise to bury his little sister. Because for Donnie, and for the entire Santori line, burying someone only came after you had killed them.

Three years later…

Gina Santori, along with her twin brother Vittorio and their mother Lucia, stood near the open grave that would soon be home to her brother Donnie's body for eternity. Donnie had been killed by a drunk driver just a week ago. Donatello Santori Jr was being laid to rest beside his father Donatello Santori Sr.

It was a sad day for everyone in attendance at the small graveside service. Everyone was mourning the death of one so young…Donnie had only been 21 years old.

Gina's eyes never left the gleaming coffin that held her brother's body, silently vowing vengeance on the man who had taken him from her so soon. Gina would have her pound of flesh from him, even if she had to wait for them both to finish their jail sentences first.

Now, six years after Donnie had saved her from Gina's cruelty, Jo was faced with the return of her tormentor and she knew, with Donnie dead, no one would be coming to her rescue this time. This time, she would either rescue herself, or succumb to Gina's will and be swallowed whole by the older girl's darkness.

AN2: For those of you keeping score. In 2002, Gina was 14, Jo was 12, Donnie was 18 (very mature 18 mind you...having to become the man of the house after his father died) and Vittorio, although only mentioned, was also 14. The flashback is three years before Gina meets Emily (and breaks the 'no one younger than you' rule). For the sake of continuity, let's just say that Gina was given a day pass by the prison to attend the funeral and not worry about that anymore ok?