"What the hell are you doing here?" Antonio's voice snapped me back to present.

Jax and Tristan were also standing protectively in front of me, their guns aimed in the direction of Valentino.

"I am not here to hurt anyone. I give you my word." Valentino said in his thick accented voice. He raised his hand in 'I surrender' motion.

"Jammie. Check the perimeter." Antonio ordered one of his men.

We stood outside my mom's chateau for 15 minutes and that too in the same position. Valentino was staring at me with warm eyes, whenever our eyes met, he would offer me a warm smile.

"All clear, sir."Came a deep voice.

All the three men in front of me relaxed and lowered their gun.

"See? I mean you no harm. I am here to help you." Valentino said.

"Help us!!??" Antonio said and laughed bitterly.

"You?" Antonio asked again, pointing his finger at Valentino.

"Will it help us?" Then pointed his finger towards himself.

"Why should I believe you?" Antonio asked calmly.

Trust me. Even though he was asking calmly; he was terrifying.

Valentino walked back into the chateau, I raised my eyebrows and looked at Antonio, but he was just staring inside from the front door. He came back after some time but not alone, he was pushing a wheelchair, in which was situated a woman.

Blond hair, blue eyes. Typical American woman. But that was not all, black and blue bruises marred her beautiful face and arms. Her left leg was in a cast and one of her arms was supported with the help of sling. Her forehead was covered with thick bandages.

I gasped. "Ohmigod." My feet, as if they were on autopilot, took some steps back.

"Papa did this." Valentino said.

"Papa tried to kill my wife."Valentino added, his voice cracked at the end.

My eyes filled with tears at the sight of pain, the couple was suffering.

How could a father do this to his own son? His own blood? How could someone be so cruel?

I looked at the woman again; she was looking at us, precisely at me. When I looked at her, our eyes met and she smiled lightly. I tried to smile back but that came out as a grimace. I started to walk towards her but Antonio held my arm, I turned towards him and gave him a questioning look.

"It's okay." I said and nodded. He reluctantly released my arm.

I continued to walk towards her, my eyes met Valentino's and he just smiled, I knelt in front of her and was shocked when she grabbed my hand with her good hand.

"I am so sorry that you had to go through that." I said in a low voice and she shook her head. She squeezed my hand.

"It's okay, I'll be okay and I am happy that Valentino finally met you." She said softly.

"I am happy too..." I trailed off as I didn't know her name.

"Natalie." She completed my sentence. I nodded.

"Come on in, you all seem tired." She said.

"Oh I am so sorry!! I forgot it is your chateau." Natalie added and looked at me at wide eyes. Her cheeks went red as she looked around avoiding my eyes.

"It's okay." I said and chuckled and slowly stood up.

I was about to walk in, when Antonio grabbed my hand to stop me. He shook his head and walked in first, I smiled and rolled my eyes. Jax and Tristan entered after me.

When I got the first look of the interior I felt like I went back into medieval times, because it looked like that. Big chandeliers and the furniture was made with heavy wood, with floral designs engraved in it, so very antique. The hall was so big that the children of my school would happily play tag in here.

"Wow." I whispered.

Then we walked into the hall. Fuzzy carpet covered every inch of floor in the hall. Big and antique furniture, cushioned sofas and love-seats were there. A round maroon wooden table sat at the center of the room, surrounded by those antique sofas.

I sat down on one of the sofas and Tristan joined me. There was one thing that was bothering me.

"How do you know that it was my mother's chateau?" I thought out loud.

Valentino cleared his throat. I looked at him.

"Actually your father told us." He said.

Father?

Dad?

Does that mean he is alive?