For the most part, the drive over to the other estate proved to be somewhat uneventful, for Dante had spent the better part of driving the Silverado while staying off the highway. Chances are, the cops were clued in onto the whereabouts of the massive gang war by someone that had enough brains to pick up a phone and dial those three infamous numbers that spelled the end for any would-be crook. But Samuel was smart. He knew how to get out of trouble as soon as he got into it while keeping at least three or four back up plans on hand and ready to go at a moment's notice.
"What do you think the place will look like once we get it back?" Dante asked as he drove to break up the silence.
"It's probably a total loss." Samuel answered with a shrug of his good shoulder. "No matter. Throw a couple million at it and get it repaired, reupholstered, recarpeted, redecorated, restaffed and goddammit, a better security system." He added begrudgingly. "Besides, I'm getting tired of these affairs of one of my own men biting the hand that fed them then stabbing me in the back later down the line." He concluded.
"Who in their right mind would do such a thing, anyway?" Dante asked, looking into the rearview mirror for a moment. "You said it was an inside job, right? That means someone had to know the ins and outs of the place."
"All too easily, of course." Samuel answered. "We're going to have to have a talk with my inner circle about this as soon as we get patched up, fed and clothed." He added with a frown before looking over to Victoria as she slept.
"Amongst other things, too..." He sighed contently.
"Things like what?" Dante asked.
"Things like making sure that this brazen act of betrayal gets squashed before it's even allowed to happen again." Samuel answered as he glanced over to Dante. "And trust me, whoever it was that did this is definitely going to be on the receiving end of a punishment like they have never seen in their lifetime." He added, shaking his head. "I worked too damn hard for all of this and I will be triple goddammned if this happens again."
"No kidding. I haven't seen anything like this in my life. I mean sure, I popped plenty of heads from a distance, but having to do it up close and personal is just... Whoo. It's a little bit different." He admitted.
"Never been in a close quarters gun battle, huh?" Samuel asked.
"You might say that. Most times, you got me working sniper detail." Dante answered, shaking his head with a smile.
"Let me remind you of one thing, Dante. Just because you're in a gunfight doesn't mean that distance is going to make things any safer. No matter the distance, you need to act accordingly to the situation around you. I thought I taught you this." Samuel said, sounding a little disappointed.
"Yeah, I guess that was my fault, boss." Dante answered, frowning a bit at himself.
"Ugh. Let's just forget about it. Besides, I'm already starting to lose my voice here." Samuel answered with a sigh before waving a hand at him. "In any case, how long until we get to the other place?" He then asked.
"We should be there in about half an hour if we continue taking the sidestreets like you said. Other than that, I think we're making great time here." Dante answered.
"Good. I want to be off the streets as soon as possible. This has been a shitty enough night without having some yo-yo fucking it up even worse." Samuel answered as he relaxed into the seat before looking back once more at the sleeping form of his priceless, beautiful little girl. She looked so peaceful when she was asleep, that he thought it wouldn't be advisable to wake her up. Not just yet, anyway.
30 minutes later...
Upon arrival at the new mansion which was fortified a little more clearly - giving it the equivalency of a fort in some instances - Dante drove up to the front gate of the residence before explaining himself to the waiting guard outside. Once he was permitted entry onto the grounds, Dante drove the truck inside one of the various parking garages then shut the truck off, allowing Vincent to jump out of the bed. Dante filed out next once he slid out of the driver's seat of the vehicle before moving to the back passenger seats where a sleeping Victoria and a barely awake Samuel were located.
Very carefully, Dante shook Victoria awake, causing her to say those words to Samuel who looked down at her with a loving smile. "Not quite, love." He said with a light laugh. "But you're awful close." He added as he then gestured to Dante to have her taken out of the cab of the truck first.
"You gonna be OK by yourself in getting outta there?" Dante asked when he took Victoria into his arms.
"Yeah... I'll be alright." Samuel answered as he then slowly slid out of the passenger seat, wincing a bit in the process. "Come on. Let's get inside and get patched up." He said as he then slowly took the lead.