Author's Note:

I know I have been awful in getting this chapter out. Hopefully, after reading it, you'll forgive me! Anyway, thank you for reading the previous chapter and a special thanks to those who left reviews! You know I love hearing from you! Constructive criticism is always welcome as well. I will keep this short as this chapter is rather long. I hope that you enjoy the reading and if you will, please leave a review to let me know what you think. Have a great week and if I don't get out another chapter before next week, have a safe and Happy Halloween! God bless!

Chapter Two

"Did you find her?" Donatelli demanded when one of his men returned to the house an hour later. He had ordered them to find Gidget the moment he realized she was gone. Donatelli thought he hit her in a spot that would either kill her or incapacitate her so she couldn't escape. Now he was regretting his decision to not check on her right away.

"No, my Lord," the man shook his head grimly. "The woman was nowhere to be found."

"Damn it!" he yelled. Frustrated, he took a vase and threw it across the foyer. It shattered loudly as it hit the wall. "That woman will destroy me if she isn't found! She knows where we are and who to contact! Find her!"

"But, my Lord…"

"NOW!"

The man bowed then quickly left the house. Donatelli growled as he headed into the study where Nancy was sitting at a desk with an open book in front of her. He had given her several of his financial books and journals to look at in order to get to know him better and what he did.

"So what did you find out, my dear?" he asked pleasantly. He stopped just behind her, hovering over her shoulder as she read.

"Only that your business practices are disturbing and riddled with problems," Nancy replied pushing the book away from her. "How in God's name you haven't been caught after all these years is beyond me and frankly, I want no part of it."

"Well, unfortunately you don't have that choice," Donatelli smiled. He caressed her cheek and Nancy quickly batted his hand away. Sneering, he grabbed a hold of her arm and yanked her out of the chair. "I told you, Nancy. You are going to get to know everything in order to take over one day. You have the potential to do great things and I want you to understand that."

"You're hurting me," she said through gritted teeth.

He leaned toward her, smelling the perfume of her hair. Even though she knew his affection toward her was no more than like a daughter, the motion still sent a chill down her spine. "I don't care," Donatelli whispered softly in her ear. His grip strengthened and Nancy squeaked in pain. "Know this, my dear. You are never going home. This is your home now. Get used to it."

Nancy turned around to look at him, her face revealing pure hatred for the man. She wanted nothing to do with him or his business practices, some of which made her blood boil with anger. The man was harbinger of evil, selling anything from guns to drugs to young boys and girls. She wondered how a man of high status such as he could do these horrible things without anyone noticing that he was doing it. And then a thought crossed her mind. Donatelli, or whatever his name really was, was regarded so well, that people overlooked his businesses. He was a sociopath in every sense of the word. No one was going to go after him because of his charm. Nancy knew she had to get away from him before she started believing the lies he was telling her.

Suddenly, she lashed out, punching him directly in the jaw. While Donatelli was stunned by the punch, Nancy kneed him in the groin then did a roundhouse kick to his head, knocking him to the ground. Without hesitation, she ran for the door and just as she reached it, she heard Donatelli scream her name.

In alarm, Nancy burst outside alone for the first time in weeks. Spring was blooming, the warmth filling her senses but she didn't stop to enjoy it. She couldn't. She ran away from the house not knowing where to go or what to do. What Nancy needed to get to a phone. She needed to hear her father's voice…or Frank's. She needed to know he was still alive.

Several cars were parked in the roundabout in front of the house but she didn't have the time to check to see if they had keys in them. When Donatelli yelled again, Nancy kicked off her heels and sprinted for the tree-lined driveway before rushing into the brush. There had to be a way off the property. Plus she knew that Gidget was able to get away. Why couldn't she?

Nancy continued to run, jumping over downed tree limbs and small bushes. She stopped when the hem of her dress got caught on a bush. Yanking hard, the dress ripped knocking her hard to the ground. Nancy felt the soggy ground seep into her clothing, sending a chill through her body.

"Where did she go?" cried a man nearby.

Nancy's heart pounded as she heard footsteps coming closer to where she was sitting. She looked all around her for a weapon though nothing came to mind for her. The footsteps stopped near her and Nancy held her breath. All the person had to do was look around and they would find her.

Mustering up the courage to move, Nancy crab crawled backwards until she hit the hard wood of a tree trunk. She waited, holding her breath as she listened to the sounds around her. A noise to the right of her caused her to whip her head in the direction but no one was there. She had to move but she wasn't sure if she should.

Nancy was about to crawl away when a hand clamped over her mouth, her scream muffled. Her eyes went wide when she saw her so-called assailant. A white-faced Gidget stared back at her, a finger covering her lips warning Nancy to remain quiet as footsteps came closer to where they were.

Carson scanned the papers he held though he wasn't really looking at them. For months he had tried to work through the pain of knowing his daughter was in danger but he had endured and even thrived with certain cases. But the past week had been rough for him. Nancy's birthday was just a few days before and Carson felt lost with her not being there to celebrate it. Hannah still baked Nancy's favorite cake, a decadent chocolate with peanut butter frosting and Carson invited Bess and George over with their families to honor Nancy. It was the only thing they could think of to do. But when Nancy finally came home, they would celebrate in epic proportions.

Sighing, Carson put down his paperwork and closed the file folder they were in. It was his last day before he took a leave of absence to search for Nancy. He knew he had to keep up appearances since Winston Hawkley had insisted that Carson be Attorney General if he won the election that was coming up. It was tough for him but Carson was diligent in every way. And with the way the polls were looking at that moment, Hawkley had a good chance of winning the primary and in November. The good thing was that his old friend understood the situation since his own son, Parker, was kidnapped several years before. The only difference was that it was Nancy who found him and was able to get away from Martin Davenport. But who was going to save Nancy?

The Hardys were the only logical answer of course, especially Frank. Carson knew that the young man had taken it hard when he found out Nancy had disappeared and had promised that he would find her. Frank loved her and it showed. The only problem was that they had no idea where to start as the FBI was still withholding information from them. Hence, the reason Carson was going to New York the next day to demand answers. Fenton was going to meet him there along with Frank and Joe. They all needed to hear what the FBI was holding from them.

Carson opened an envelope he'd received the day before and scanned its contents. There was no return address to show where it came from and the messenger didn't know anything about the envelope besides the fact that he needed to personally deliver it to Carson. Inside, there was a small type-written note that only read "Ask the FBI about Kate." His heart fluttered at the sight of his wife's name but he had no idea as to why anyone would send him such a note.

It was then that he decided he needed answers and told his office and Winston Hawkley that he was taking a few days, if not weeks, to seek the answers out. He spent the day assigning other lawyers his cases before phoning the FBI and Fenton Hardy to tell them he was coming. Unfortunately, the earliest the FBI could see him was not for two days so Carson booked his flight for the morning of the meeting and spent his time wisely.

Along with the note, there was an old picture of Kate, one that he knew well. It was a photo from an FBI picnic they'd gone to right before she died. A three-year-old Nancy was in her arms, the two smiling brightly for the camera. On the back was a strange note, one that made Carson want to scream at the person who would spread such a farce. She's not dead.

Twenty years had passed and there was no indication that Kate was still alive. He would have known it but for some strange reason, Carson felt as if there was some truth to it. But if it were true, why didn't she come home? And why the strange note? Questions continued to rise as he packed up his laptop and belongings. The more important thing was getting Nancy back. That's all he wanted. Questioning the FBI was going to be the start because maybe, just maybe, the key to ending this nightmare was finding out the truth about Kate and what really happened to her so many years before.

Nancy and Gidget waited in a bush as Donatelli's men moved about searching. Before long the men moved away allowing the two women to breathe a sigh of relief. When there were no sounds around them, Nancy sat up and stared at the woman who caused her so much grief. Gidget held a hand to her arm which was bleeding but not badly.

"I'm sorry for getting you into this mess, Nancy," she stated looking away in shame. "I…I never meant to hurt you."

"Whatever, Gidget," Nancy growled, folding her arms in front of her. "I could be home with the ones I love right now."

"I know and it's my fault that you're not." Gidget sighed. "I just wanted to put him away for good. I only threatened you in order to make you more complacent. I've been investigating him for years but never had the evidence to prove what he was really doing. People love him so no one believed me. I've known for a while that he was the man I was searching for especially when he visited me in the hospital after my family was murdered. I lost everything because of him but I knew your mother had the information I needed."

"My mother is really alive?" the young woman asked hopefully. She bit her lip as she waited for Gidget to answer.

"Yes," she nodded. "I met her myself though I didn't know who she was until I saw old pictures of her MI-6 had. If I saw her today, I don't think she would remember me very well." Gidget paused looking around them for guards before returning to Nancy. "I need you to do me a favor."

"Me? Do you a favor?" Nancy grimaced. "I don't think so."

"Please," Gidget pleaded, her eyes watering.

Nancy sighed and shook her head. "No. I'm not doing anything for you. When we get out of here, I'm going my own way…without you. I need to find a phone."

"I can't let you leave," she replied grabbing Nancy by the arm. "You are too important. When Katherine finds out you're alive, she'll be here but if you're not here, then he'll kill her for spite."

"You're not making any sense, Gidget. I can't stay here! I need to go home! And why would he kill her when he wants her so badly?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! They'll hear you! We can't both be caught! He'll kill me for defying him!"

"Good!" Nancy shrieked. She rose from the ground and glared down at Gidget. "You said it yourself that you're at fault for this!"

"Nancy, wait! I need to tell you something!"

Ignoring Gidget's protests, Nancy took off running, putting as much distance as she could between her and Gidget. She couldn't believe anything the woman told her after everything that happened. The only thought in her head was to get off the property and find a phone to call home. Her father needed to know she was okay and to know where she was.

The thoughts running through Nancy's head blinded her to what was going on around her. She didn't see a man rushing up behind until it was too late. He tackled her to ground, pinning her arms behind her back.

"Get off of me!" she screamed, trying to kick her way out from under him though it was a moot point since he practically had her legs pinned.

"Now, where do you think you're going, little lady?" the man replied with a twang. He was obviously from the States, more than likely Texas or Oklahoma. She stopped struggling and turned her head to look up at him. He was handsome and rugged with a stubble of facial hair lining his jaw line.

"Get off me, you jerk!" Nancy shouted though she didn't struggle.

"Oh, I don't think so, honey," he smirked, his dazzling blue eyes staring down at her.

"Don't…ugh…call me…'honey!'" she squirmed trying to move her arms. She soon realized she wasn't going to get away and her body slacked.

"Good work, Austin," Donatelli replied gleefully as he stepped through the trees. Nancy could tell he was hurt by the way he moved.

Austin shifted off of her than pulled Nancy up by her arms, one hand firmly gripped around her wrists. She was whirled around to face Donatelli who slapped her before she could say anything. He grabbed a hold of her neck and brought her close to him.

"I do not like being defied, Nancy," he seethed in anger. "As for punishment, I have a unique idea for you that will be most unpleasant." Donatelli looked over at two of his men and threw her to them. "Take her back to the house. You know what I want you to do. I'll be there soon."

The two men nodded, each holding on to one of Nancy's arms. Donatelli smiled, listening to her scream as the men half-dragged, half-walked her back towards the house.

"She was talking to someone," Austin replied, looking around them. "That's how I was able to pinpoint where she was."

"About how far did she run from?"

"Couple hunderd feet maybe," he shrugged, pointing in the direction Nancy came from. "She sounded angry."

"More than likely it was Genevieve," Donatelli smirked gazing in the direction Austin pointed to. "She's the only one who Nancy would know around here. Show me."

Austin nodded and began walking away. Donatelli followed behind him, his eyes peeled for any disturbance in the trees. He wasn't paying attention and almost tripped over Austin who was kneeling in the grass. Blood covered the branch of a sapling, lightly dripping to the ground. It wasn't much but it still made a small mess. Austin scanned the area searching for anything out of the ordinary. He took a few steps and pushed back a bush only to find it empty.

"What did you find?" Donatelli asked coming up behind him.

"The blood back there is obviously still fresh," Austin pointed out. "I figure they hid in the bush here while your men went in another direction. That Genevieve lady must have run off but not far, I can tell you. She's not losing a lot of blood but if she doesn't get help soon, whatever injury it is could get infected. I can still locate her and finish the job."

"No, leave her be for now," the man sneered. "She's as good as dead anyway. The town is at least three miles away and no one is going to help her knowing she's hurt."

"What about the girl?"

"I have something in mind for her which will make her not want to defy me again. Besides, I have it on good authority that Katherine is on her way. Once she's here, I will have what I want and my family will be complete."

"But that girl isn't yours."

"I know that," Donatelli snapped. "By the time I'm done with her, that won't matter. And Katherine will have no choice but to join me in order to save her daughter."

"What is your fascination with these two women anyway?" Austin asked confused. "That Nancy doesn't seem that special to me."

"Martin Davenport saw something in Nancy years ago," he explained. "And when she turned him down, he wanted nothing more than to break her spirit because of what she did to him. But I don't want to do that. I want her spirit to work with me. Nancy has potential to do great things. She just needs a little push in the right direction. As for Katherine, well…she has something no one else can give me and I intend to take it."

"Damn, you're crazy," the young Texan said grimacing.

Donatelli glared at him, his face red with anger. He did not like it when people called him 'crazy.' Without warning, he lashed out at the man, punching him hard in the gut. Austin doubled over, instantly regretting his remark. Donatelli knelt beside him as Austin tried to take a breath.

"I am not crazy," the man hissed through gritted teeth. "You say anything like that again, your intestines will be my next meal. Do we have an agreement?"

Austin nodded quickly, wincing from the pain of being punched. Donatelli didn't look like much but he sure could pack a punch. Austin just hoped he never saw it again.

"Good. I think we have an accord." Donatelli rose then held up his hand toward Austin who took it. Once he was stable, he bowed his head.

"Why is it that you pulled me off sniper duty in Germany?" Austin asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Come," the man smiled, gesturing toward the house. "I'll show you."

The two men headed back to the house with Donatelli leading the way. They went upstairs to the second floor following the sounds of Nancy screaming. Donatelli stopped just outside a door when the screams suddenly stopped.

When the door opened, the two guards turned toward their boss expectantly. Nancy sat in a hard chair, her wrists were tied to each arm and her ankles to the legs, all with leather straps. She looked up at Donatelli, her eyes blazing with fury though she said nothing.

"We did as you asked, my Lord," one of the guards replied, bowing slightly. "She can't get out of this one."

"Good," Donatelli sneered stepping toward her. Austin hung back, watching everything intently. "See, Nancy? There has to be consequences for you disobeying me. You'll sit here until the morning. I'm sure this is going to be a most unpleasant experience. This chair is several hundred years old and has a very nasty history. I know. It's just a chair but the leather straps held prisoners in place as they were tortured beyond their limits. I won't do that to you though, my dear. Your torture will just be to sit here for hours thinking about what you have done. Plus you can also think about your dead true love. He can't save you now. No one can. And when it's all over, that is when the real torture begins. You will be with Madam Bundchen tomorrow for etiquette lessons. She is known for her very…interesting methods. By the time she is done with you, you will be a lady of high status and no one will even think about who you really are. Cruelty will be your specialty."

"You're insane," Nancy whispered. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Because I like you, Nancy," he shrugged. "After he does one more thing for me, Austin will be your personal guard from now on. He doesn't take any crap from anyone and he has my permission to do what he wants to you if you disobey him. As for future issues, I highly doubt we will need any punishment but just in case." Donatelli moved closer to her, his face only inches from her. "Your father will die if you so much as speak out against me. I will bring him here and you can watch. Do we have an agreement?"

Nancy nodded quickly, a single tear rolling down her face. She looked away from the man, disgusted by what he had in store for her. There was no rhyme or reason behind the man's plans but Nancy had no choice. Her father's life hung in the balance. She already lost Frank. She couldn't bear to lose anyone else.

"Wonderful," Donatelli smiled rising. He turned and left the room, motioning for Austin to follow. The Texan gave one last fleeting glance at the young woman who was to be his charge before closing the door behind him.

"You brought me off sniper duty to be a babysitter?" Austin demanded the moment they were alone in the hallway. "That's not my job."

"I know that," his boss replied with a dismissive wave. "I wanted you here because you are the best. You would probably be the only one who could keep her under control. But I do have some jobs for you from time to time."

"Like what?"

"Like right now. I want you to hunt down Genevieve Carter and kill her."

"But you said to let her go."

"Yes, I did but I knew she was listening in. If she thinks that she is able to get away, her guard will be down. That's when you step in and deal with her."

"But I'm supposed to be this Nancy girl's personal guard," Austin pointed out. "What if it takes me longer than it should?"

"Leave that to me," Donatelli answered. "She'll be too busy with lessons for the next couple of days that she won't have any energy to get away. By the time you get, she will be a completely different person."

"Is that a fact," the Texan snorted. "That little lady is going to be your downfall. Sorry to say this, sir, but it's the truth. My advice: get rid of her now."

"Thank you for your kind advice, Austin," the man said annoyed, "but I feel that I can break her but not her spirit. I'm going to use it to my advantage. My goal is to be the next prime minister and she will be by my side along with her mother. My businesses will thrive once I'm in office and no one will know. Corruption in politics seems to be the theme of the world lately. You, being an American, should understand that. You have your assignment. Now, go."

"And how would I be able to tell you that Genevieve is dead?"

"Bring me her head."