Author's Note:

I know, I know. I am royally late yet again but here I am! I am hoping to keep this going faster than before with this being the last week of school for me! Woo hoo! Things have been so crazy getting ready for the end of the school year and the possibility of moving in the near future (I am so hoping!). Anyway, I am going to do my best to get things out as quickly as possible in the coming weeks. With summer upon us, it will be easier though I still have some obligations to fulfill in the meantime as well. Anyway, thank you so much for sticking with me and continuing to read the story. Yes, I did mention that the story has changed dramatically from the original idea that I had. Maybe one day, I'll let you know what it was. But there are some ideas that I had for previous stories that didn't come out that are coming to fruition here so it's a win-win. I hope that you enjoy this next chapter and if you will, please leave a review to let me know what you think! As for those who have stories out there which I normally read, I will be catching up as best I can in the coming weeks. If I haven't gotten to you yet, I will. Before I go, I must say thank you to all servicemen and women who were or are serving in our nation's military. And to those who lost loved ones in the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, God bless you. God bless you all! Happy Memorial Day.

Chapter Nine

"Don't you think you should go after him?" Jenny asked Joe as he paced the room.

"What?" he said distractedly. He finally stopped and turned to look at her. "Oh, yeah. I should go."

"Are you acting like this because of Frank?" she stated, glancing at him.

"Well, yeah," Joe shrugged then shook his head. "I just wish he wasn't so bullheaded at the moment."

"Like you are sometimes?" Charlie piped in.

"Shut up, Charlie," he snapped though he knew it to be true. "Sorry, I…I just wish we could find out something…anything so I can get the normal Frank back. He's been like this for months and I know he's been drinking even though he's kept it on the down low. I'm worried about him."

"As you should be," Jenny replied soothingly. She placed a hand on his arm and smiled. "Frank needs to know that you're there for him. And he may not realize it, but he needs help, just like you do. Your family went through a lot in the last year and I think you all should sit down and talk about it."

"Talk about our feelings?" Joe laughed. "When would we have the time? Our lives are so busy, I can't even imagine the time to do that."

"You won't know unless you try."

"You guys helped me and Whitney after our parents were murdered," Charlie said softly, looking at Joe. "I want to be here for you too."

"Thanks, Charlie," Joe smiled. He quickly wiped his face and sniffled a bit while trying to hide his emotions. They were right. His family did need to talk it out. But they needed to complete their family first. Nancy needed to come home.

Joe looked at his watch and almost cried out in alarm at the time. Frank had been gone for almost 30 minutes and he was still standing in the room. "Damn, I've got to go find, Frank. Keep on researching and let me know if you find anything."

"Will do," the young man saluted as Joe rushed out of the hotel room.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" Jenny asked sheepishly.

"They'll both be okay," Charlie nodded. "Frank and Joe are the strongest people I've ever met along with Nancy. They know how to handle themselves."

Austin stared at the door moments after Nancy practically slammed it in his face. He wondered if he made the right decision in trying to kiss her. Although he'd only been with her for a few hours, it seemed like it was the right thing to do in the moment. Austin had "rescued" her from Bündchen moments before anyway. What woman wouldn't want to kiss their rescuer?

He was about to turn away when he heard the sound of her sobbing coming from the other side of the door. What he wouldn't give to be in the room to comfort her but Austin knew he shouldn't. He knew he nearly crossed the line by trying to kiss her. Nancy was off-limits in every way. His boss practically ingrained it into his head when he spoke about his plans for her. Still, Austin wanted to be there for her.

Turning away, Austin headed back down stairs, trying to put as much distance from him and Nancy as he could. As he stepped onto the landing midway down, Bündchen's shrill voice echoed in the foyer causing him to cringe.

"Where is she?" the woman demanded, hands on her hips. She stood at the base of the staircase glaring up at Austin. "You were supposed to bring her right back down!"

"I don't recall such an order, Butt-chin," he replied, using emphasis on his nickname for her. "I would advise that you let the girl alone for a little while. You practically killed her that last time. Besides, she needs a little rest."

"It's 'Bünd-chen,'" the woman said through gritted teeth, "and I don't care if she needs rest. Mr. Donatelli gave me a task and I intend to fulfill it within the timeframe that he gave me. I expect her down here in the next ten minutes, ready for her next lesson."

"And I'm telling you, lady," Austin stated, taking the last few steps to the bottom before stopping just in front of her, "She. Needs. A. Break. I think Mr. Donatelli would want her to be a little more alert when he does arrive, don't you think?"

"You may be some high and mighty 'hit-man,' Mr. Austin," Bündchen said slowly, her words direct, "but I have power here. I am in charge and what I want is for that girl to be down here in five minutes for her next lesson."

"Lady," he took a step toward her, towering above her, "and I am here to ensure she's okay. Right now, she ain't. You have no right to treat her the way you have. She has done everything you've asked her to do today and from what I heard from Michael, yesterday as well. If you want her downstairs in the next few minutes, you're gonna have to go through me. It's bad enough as it is that you put a choker around that girl's neck with the intention of 'teaching her a lesson' now you want to exhaust all energy from her as well. When was the last time she slept, huh? Michael told me she's been up all night. No wonder she almost fell down the stairs when I got here. And it's a lucky thing that I did get here when I did or you would have had to deal with Donatelli about her death."

"If she dies, then I will compensate him for it," the woman proclaimed, her held high in defiance.

Austin stared at the woman in disbelief. "You mean to tell me that you would go so far as to kill a person in order to teach them a lesson? That is sick and that's coming from me considering the fact that I kill people for a living. You wanna teach her a lesson? Start by making sure she gets rest in order to understand the lesson that you're trying to give. She can't do anything or go anywhere so why bother in trying to exhaust her. Plus, I feel the choker and that damn corset are a bit much for this situation. You could literally kill her and if you did, I would be the last person you see before you die."

Bündchen's chin quivered slightly though she didn't outwardly express her fear. She knew what the man was capable of but she wasn't going to allow him to take control of the situation.

The sound of footsteps in the foyer interrupted their conversation and the two turned to see Donatelli's assistant, Michael, walking toward them.

"Madam Bündchen," he regally replied as he came toward them, "I agree with Mr. Austin's demand."

"What?" she stammered looking from one man to the other. "But…but I have done so much since introducing them to her! It's the only way I can get her to listen!"

"I understand that but I have spoken with his Lordship and he feels that your tactics are a little too extreme. If there were to be any bruising around her neck, he would be most displeased. Remember, Saturday is the dinner party and she must be ready by then for her introduction."

"I know that but it's the only way…"

"Madam," Michael lightly said, "you need a new tactic. The choker goes off and if there is any bruising, you will answer to Mr. Austin, here. The corset can remain but the remote stays with me."

Bündchen looked alarmed, her whole demeanor changing. She glanced around the foyer looking for anyone who would help her but Madam Hilde and her assistants were nowhere to be seen.

"Hand me the remote, Madam Bündchen," he demanded, holding out his hand.

The woman stood her ground for a few moments as she thought about the situation. There was no way she could defend herself from the likes of Austin but she also had other ways to get Nancy to comply to her lessons.

"Fine," Bündchen finally said exasperated. She slapped the remote into Michael's hand then turned to leave but stopped. "But mark my words, Michael, that girl will comply with the lessons I have for her. And if she doesn't, then I guess Mr. Donatelli will deal with her." She turned to Austin, her eyes blazing. "Have her ready in an hour. That is what I am giving her. We do not have much time left and I intend to use as much as I can."

"She will be ready when I say she's ready," Michael interjected. Bündchen whirled around, her eyes blazing with fury. "That is what his Lordship told me. You may be in charge of her training but I am in charge of the household. I am giving her time to rest and you will just have to deal with it, Madam Bündchen. Mr. Austin, I want you to stand guard outside her room. No one is to bother her for the next four hours. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly," Austin shrugged, looking smug. "I don't mind. That poor girl needs some time alone."

"Good, you are dismissed."

Austin turned and went back upstairs leaving the others in cold silence. Bündchen's eyes followed the young man as he ascended the stairs, her eyes still blazing. She couldn't believe that she was being treated so poorly by an uneducated swine like Austin. She loathed the man, wanting nothing more than to beat him with her whip. Bündchen vowed to deal with him once she was done with Nancy and there would be no one to stop her.

"Frank?" Joe called as he walked through the lobby. His brother was nowhere to be found. He'd looked through every nook and cranny in the lobby including the bathroom and he couldn't find Frank anywhere. Joe had even peeked into the windows of the closed bar across from the elevators though he saw no one.

Alarms went off in his head. Something was wrong and he knew it. A young woman stood typing at a computer, her eyes fixed to the screen until he came up to her.

"Hello," she smiled. "What can I help you with?"

"My brother came down here about an hour ago," Joe explained as calmly as he could. He pulled out his phone and showed a picture of Frank. "You didn't happen to see him come through here, did you?"

The girl leaned in to study the picture then shook her head. "I'm sorry. I haven't seen him come through here."

"Damn it," he muttered looking around the lobby. "Where the hell did you go, Frank? Uh, thanks anyway."

As he turned away from the desk, Joe's phone rang. He bowed his head as he looked at the screen seeing that it was his father calling. Knowing that he was going to have to tell his father what happened Joe reluctantly answered, his voice quivering slightly as he spoke.

"He-hello?"

"Joe! Finally I got a hold of someone!" Fenton replied exasperatedly. "I've been trying to call Frank for at least ten minutes. Where is he? I want to talk to both of you."

"Um…he's not here."

"What do you mean he's not there?" his father asked, raising his voice slightly. "You better explain, Joseph Hardy."

Joe sighed and bit his lower lip. He explained everything that happened just before the phone call came into the hotel room. "Frank left the room and I was just looking for him down in the lobby."

"But you can't find him?"

"No."

Fenton made a noise of frustration. "Damn it. This is what I was worried about the moment you two left. Did he go off on his own?"

"I'm not sure," Joe shook his head. "He said he was only going downstairs to take a breather. He could be anywhere for all I know."

"You've checked everywhere?"

"Yeah, Dad, I did. I even checked the public bathrooms and fitness center."

"Did you check the bar?"

"It was closed. There was no one there." Joe plopped himself down onto a couch around the corner from the lobby. He was exhausted from searching for Frank but concerned that something might have happened to his brother.

"So, he was mad that you two aren't able to leave the hotel right away?" his father said interrupting his thoughts.

"Yeah, among other things."

"Oh, right, the whole thing with the lords." Fenton huffed in frustration. "What are your thoughts on that?"

"I think it's a wild goose chase, Dad," Joe answered. "Why would anyone steal this woman's car that would lead right back to them?"

"You're right about that but I think you need to follow up on them. Frank may be right."

"But, Dad, it could be a dead end for all we know!"

"Haven't I taught you two anything?" his father growled. "You should always look at every angle even if it appears to be nothing. There were numerous times where I thought something was nothing and when I looked into it finally, it blew the case wide open. You won't know anything until you look into it. As for Charlie, you are correct on not letting him hack into those schedules. You're in a different country and I don't want you boys in jail over something like that."

"What about Frank?"

"You need to find him…NOW," Fenton ordered.

"This isn't like him, Dad," Joe expressed. "He's not himself. I don't think he should have come."

"Yeah, and keeping him at home would've been a bigger issue, Joe," his father retorted.

Fenton paused for a moment. Joe imagined his father pacing the living room of their home, his finger rubbing his temple. Although it was nearly 6:30 in the morning in New York, Fenton was awake and ready to tackle anything. What Joe wouldn't do to have his father there instead of several thousand miles away. Maybe then he could really talk some sense into Frank, wherever he was.

"There's no way he's in the hotel?"

"As I already told you, I've checked everywhere I was able to, Dad," Joe answered. "If he's here, he's either in someone else's room or invisible. I'm worried."

"As you should be," Fenton replied grimly. "Ask around to see if anyone has seen him. How long has he been gone?"

"When you called, it had been over an hour. I already asked the lady at the front desk but she said she hasn't seen him."

"Okay, keep looking," his father ordered. "Call me the moment you find him or got a clue as to where he went. I'm going to call Charlie and see what's going on with the investigation. I really think you all should look into those noblemen you mentioned. They may have a clue that we're not seeing. And Joe?"

"Yeah, Dad?"

"Tell your brother that he's in butt load of trouble when I get there," Fenton stated. "I'll be there by Sunday, hopefully, if not earlier. Carson is having a hard time getting permission to travel but he's determined. I don't think even a doctor will stop him from going to England. Please don't forget to call me the moment you find out about Frank."

"I won't. I'll see you soon." The moment the call ended, Joe leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "What were you thinking, Frank?" he mumbled. Then he thought about where his brother would go to let off steam.

The bar, he thought. But it was closed when he last saw it. Joe stood up and walked into the lobby. The bar was directly across from the elevators and next to the front desk. If the bar is closed, where would Frank go?

Frank's head pounded even though his eyes were closed. He wanted to get out of the room he was in though he could barely move with the pain he was enduring. He was angry though too so the emotion was only making matters worse but he had every right to be angry. Angry at Gidget for everything that she had done in the past few months but Frank was also angry at himself for being gullible enough to go with her. He wanted to find Nancy though and Gidget was the only way, no matter how hard a trail it was.

Opening his eyes, Frank could barely see the ceiling above him. The car ride wasn't that far from the hotel though he still had no clue as to how long it was for he didn't know if he'd completely passed out or not. Frank looked around the room. It was a small room complete with a bathroom attached and a TV, not that he would want to watch anything. There was even a small refrigerator that Gidget explained was filled with food. Her intention was not to kill him, she stated. Just to keep him out of the way for a little while, whatever that meat.

Pain ripped through his head once again as Frank tried to sit up. Whatever Gidget gave him, wasn't letting up anytime soon and he knew it.

Sighing, Frank lay back down and closed his eyes. Visions of Nancy floated in his mind once again. She was calling out to him, pain evident in not only her eyes but her voice. Time was running out and all Frank could do was lie there and do nothing.

He didn't trust Gidget and whatever her plan was. He was worried that it would get his brother killed and Nancy disappeared forever. That was his worst fear and there nothing he could do to stop it from happening.

Austin warily cracked open Nancy's door hoping not to upset her more. What he saw surprised him. She was lying on her bed, her feet hanging over the side. Nancy was also still dressed in her gown though she looked rumpled from head to toe as if she flopped onto the bed. Other than the occasional soft sniffle, Austin could tell she had fallen asleep.

Cautiously walking over to Nancy, he shifted her to the pillow and her feet onto the bed. Austin carefully removed her shoes then grabbed a blanket from the trunk at the end of the bed. As he covered her, Nancy moved slightly though she didn't wake up. When he was done, Austin took a step back and stared at her.

Tears streaked her face, the mascara and makeup she had on smeared. He noticed the smudge from the makeup on the bed and went into the bathroom for a washcloth. Austin carefully wiped up the smear as best he could before turning back to Nancy. He gently wiped her face, her body never stirring.

When he was done, Austin hovered over Nancy, watching her as she slept. Her face was peaceful and serene, the natural beauty showing. A lock of hair fell onto her cheek and Austin tucked it back behind her ear.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you again," he whispered.

Nancy sighed in her sleep, too exhausted to even realize someone was with her. Only one word came out of her mouth making Austin bow his head in defeat. "Frank."

"What do you have, Charlie?" Fenton asked the moment Charlie answered the phone.

"Hello, Sir," the young man said surprised. He looked at the computer screen and began telling him everything that they found out about the lords.

"What are the ages of each of them?"

"There's one is in his twenties, unmarried; another in his thirties but married with two kids…"

"I would strike out those two," Fenton interrupted. "Their age doesn't fit the description of Donatelli. According to Interpol, he's older, maybe fifties or sixties. Go on."

"Okay, um…there's another who's in his seventies, widower, two sons." Charlie paused to read more of the biography. "Nah, he's not right either."

"Why do you say that?"

"Unless he's like his son behind closed doors, he's a saint. Reminds me of someone else I know."

"Charlie, focus here."

"Oh, sorry," The young man read on. "Looks like this one has a son with a rap sheet a mile long. Rape, sexual assault, assault, DUI, drug possession…you name it, this guy did it. Though I don't think the lord himself is like that. His younger son is the complete opposite of his older brother. Their father is actually giving the inheritance to him rather than the older one. Damn and I thought sibling rivalry in my family was bad."

"I take it that the older brother doesn't like the situation," Fenton piped in.

"Not really. According to one article, he's going to sue his father for it. Ouch. With all this drama, I highly doubt this guy is our Donatelli."

"I agree," Jenny concurred. "What about the other one we found after Joe left?"

"There's another one?" Fenton asked, exasperated.

"Yes, sir," he nodded. Charlie switched the screen to another profile with the photo of a man in his late forties, early fifties. "His name is Baron Benedict Walter Greesley III, aged 52. He is a peer which he inherited from his father. No family, no wife, and is very popular among those around him."

"Okay, but what's his relation to the cleaning lady?"

"When his father was alive, the woman cleaned their house here in London," Charlie continued. "Greesley let her go soon after he took over."

"How long ago did the father die?" Fenton asked.

"About 25 years ago," the young man added as he read. "Greesley was 27 at the time of his father's death. His wife died in childbirth along with their child about 20 years ago and he never remarried. He has no heirs either."

Fenton was quiet almost making Charlie believe that the man was no longer on the phone.

"Mr. Hardy?"

"That's our Donatelli," Fenton announced unexpectedly. "Contact Joe and get him the information. I'm on the next flight with or without Carson. Jenny, do you think you can get an appointment with this guy?"

"I'll try, Mr. Hardy," she answered, "but I can't promise anything. I'm sure he's just as busy as the rest of the lords on the list."

"Ignore the others, I'm telling you this Greesley person is our guy."

"And how do you know that?"

"I just know. It's him," Fenton replied grimly. "Let me know if there's anything else you can find out about him. I'll be there when I get there."

"What about Frank and Joe?" Charlie asked.

"Joe is out looking for Frank and I trust that he'll find him. The priority is to find Frank right now and to get an appointment with Greesley. We'll go from there once we know more. Right now, concentrate of finding out more on this guy and let Joe deal with Frank."

Joe stood outside the side entrance of the hotel, looking around for any clues as to where Frank had gone. He had searched the employee areas though no one had seen his brother. Calling didn't seem to work either since the phone just rang and rang with no one answering.

Whipping out his phone again, Joe dialed Frank's number expecting the same result though he still couldn't give up on it just yet. This time as the phone rang in his ear, he could hear the tinkling of a cell phone ringing outside. Joe quickly ran around the corner to find the dock area where deliveries were made just as the phone stopped.

"Dang it!" he cried dialing the number again. The phone rang and sure enough, the tinkling of a ringtone echoed around him. After a quick search, he found Frank's phone lying on the ground not far from the door. He was surprised no one had seen it before and taken it.

Grabbing it, Joe went back into the alley and looked at both ends. Frank definitely wasn't there but he wondered which direction he could have gone and what made him drop his phone. It couldn't have been long ago for Joe was just in the area searching for Frank.

"Where did you go, Frank?" he asked out loud.

When he looked down the alley again, Joe saw a man standing nearby staring at him. The man looked familiar to Joe but he couldn't quite place it. Smirking, the man continued to stare at Joe putting the young man on edge.

"Do you need something, dude?" Joe asked, taking a step toward him.

The man smiled again then turned and walked away.

"Hey, wait!" The moment Joe took off after him, the man sprinted away towards the end of the alley. By the time Joe got to the end the man was already getting into a vehicle across the street. A familiar face waved from the backseat, her smile disturbing to Joe. The vehicle didn't move even as Joe crossed the street.

"Hello, Joe," Gidget replied. "You're just the man I'm looking for."