My fingers around the steering wheel tightened. Danilo glanced out the window and closed his eyes. I kept throwing glances at my niece and Pietro through the rearview-mirror. Pietro was a strong Underboss, a man who’d been raised in a similar manner as I had been. I’d never seen him cry and I was sure I never would again after today. Getting Serafina back was meant to heal this family, but I had a feeling healing wouldn’t come easily, maybe not at all. Remo had left his mark, and not just on Serafina’s body.
Valentina
I hadn’t heard from Dante in hours. My nerves were frayed. What if he didn’t return to me?
Remo Falcone couldn’t be trusted. He was one of the worst monsters in our world. Dante was sure Remo wanted to continue his devious game of breaking us, but maybe he changed his mind and just ended everything today with a bullet to Dante’s head. It was Remo’s chance to kill three high-ranking Outfit members at once, and it would throw the Outfit into utter darkness. He and Luca would attack and try to tear our territory apart. My eyes darted to Leonas who climbed the tree in the garden of the safehouse. Sofia and Anna sat on a blanket on the grass, talking. If the Outfit fell, what would happen to them? I’d protect them with everything I had, but where could I run to? Everyone knew my face and we were surrounded by enemies. If I had to choose between Camorra and Famiglia, I’d try to seek shelter with Luca. I didn’t like him, trusted him even less, but he was more than only monster if Aria could be trusted. My children, especially my daughter and Sofia would be safer in his territory. Leonas… I closed my eyes. I needed to stop considering the worst outcome.
Steps crunched beside me on the porch and my eyes flew open. Enzo held up a cup of coffee.
I gave a small smile. “Thank you.”
He set the cup down on the small table beside me then sank down on another chair on the porch. He’d been separated from his family for long periods of time as he guarded my family in Minneapolis but he never complained. “Have you heard from Dante?” I asked, even if I knew he hadn’t.
He shook his head. “They’ll be fine.”
I nodded. Anna began braiding Sofia’s long hair and sang “Somewhere Qver the Rainbow.” My heart thudded hard in my chest. Today wouldn’t mark the end of this conflict. It was only the starting point. Dante would seek revenge no matter what I said. The Outfit yearned for blood. This war would pick up. It would kill many, scar even more, emotionally and physically.
Yesterday, Anna had turned eleven, an age where the future gleamed hopefully before you, but all I could think about was how to protect my girl from the horrors of this world. Who could say if Remo wouldn’t try his luck again and this time kidnap my girl?
A small sound escaped my lips.
Enzo glanced my way, his dark brows drawing together. He’d turned fifty this year and his age showed in his face, weathered from the sun. Gray sprinkled his hair and brows. Taft was even older. They were good bodyguards. Dutiful and vigilant. I trusted them but we needed fresh blood and more protection.
“I want a bodyguard for each of my children,” I said. Once Leonas was older Dante would insist he could protect himself but for now he, like Anna, needed a bodyguard who protected only him. Taft had brought Leonas to school and protected him there while Enzo had guarded our home with a few men who were responsible for the general perimeter.
“You mean a bodyguard who’s assigned specifically to one of them and only pays attention to its ward.”
“Yes.” Anna sang another song, a sadder melody I didn’t recognize. “Especially for Anna. After Serafina’s kidnapping, I want her safe. She’s growing so fast, and we can’t lock her in forever. She needs someone who’s going to be at her side at all times.”
Enzo nodded. “A few of my men would be good options.”
I knew the men who guarded our house and they were good, but I wanted more for Anna. I wanted someone who was more ruthless. Someone who wouldn’t hesitate to pick the most brutal option if it meant protecting my daughter.
“You want someone else?” Enzo asked.
“Who are the most dangerous men in the Outfit?”
Enzo thought about it. “I can only take soldiers into consideration obviously.”
“Of course.”
“If we judged only by fight skills and level of brutality, certainly Arturo and Santino. They are Dante’s Enforcers for a reason.”
“Okay.”
Enzo shook his head. “I have to be honest, Valentina. Arturo is too… unhinged to be a bodyguard.”
“What about your son?”
“Santino isn’t like me. He’s dutiful but he chose the job of Enforcer for a reason. He likes the thrill and the brutality of it.”
“Would he be a good protector for Anna? Would he keep her safe?”
“I’m sure it would be an honor for him,” he said after a moment of consideration. “I can talk to him.”
“Please do, and once I’m back in Chicago I’d like to have a word with him as well. I’m sure Dante will do the same. Protecting our daughter isn’t something that can be taken lightly.
“Of course not,” Enzo agreed.
I hoped Dante would agree with my choice but he always said he valued my opinion and thought I’d be a good Consigliere, so I might as well make decisions of importance.
My phone rang. I lunged for it on the table and brought it to my ear with shaking fingers. “Dante?” I gasped.
“Val, we’re in the mansion. We’re all fine.”
I released a shuddering breath. Sofia and Anna rushed my way and even Leonas climbed down the tree. “What about Fina?” I whispered.
“She’s okay, physically as far as I can see, but—” He sighed. “Can you come over with the children?”
“Of course. We’ll get ready now.”
“I need to see you,” he said in a low voice, drenched with worry and exhaustion.
“I love you,” I got out. Enzo looked away, trying to pretend he couldn’t hear me. I usually avoided these kinds of emotional exclamations when others were around but right this moment I didn’t care if the whole world listened in.
I heard voices in the background. Dante cleared his throat.
“We’ll be over soon,” I promised then hung up.
Anna and Sofia spoke at the same time. “Was that Dad?”
“Where’s Fina?”
I gave them a shaky smile. “They’re at your house, Sofia. Everyone’s fine.”
Sofia and Anna jumped up and down, cheering, and even Leonas fell in.
I relaxed for the first time that day. Whatever lay ahead of us, we’d get through it.
* * *
The moment we stepped into the mansion, Sofia rushed into the living room, where voices were coming from. Leonas, Anna and I followed at a slower pace. Inside we found Sofia hugging Pietro tightly, sitting on his lap. He and Dante sat on the sofa, talking. Samuel, Danilo and Ines weren’t present. Anna and Leonas rushed forward as well and pressed to Dante’s side. He wrapped his arms around them, yet his smile remained strained. I walked closer. “Where’s the rest?”
“Serafina is showering,” Dante said with a strange undertone. My stomach hollowed when Pietro blanched and the meaning behind the words registered on me. “Samuel is upstairs with her. Ines in the kitchen, cleaning, and Danilo is in one of the guest rooms.”