Epilogue （Two Weeks Later）
Sophia
Massimo rubs the palm of my hand as we walk with Anna along the grounds of the Roselli estate.
She’s determined after almost two months that she can do more, she is fine and safe now that Barcelo is dead.
Massimo isn’t so sure of that, and we’ve told Anna, but my sister is as headstrong as a Cassone can get.
So he has guards flank her everywhere after orchestrating what to the outside world certainly appeared to be Anna’s death.
At the end of the day, it’s not our choice.
All we can do is support and love Anna, and make sure she is heavily guarded, although she only wants protection from the Cassone soldiers and everyone knows how thin those ranks have been since the Roselli and Gallini war ensued.
Still, we try to keep her at home and well protected even though it’s clear she resents the hell out of it all.
Delz meets us at the back door leading into the house from Massimo’s patio. Massimo has come to trust Delz. He lowers his voice. “Thanks for staying here and making sure things are taken care of with the others.”
“No problem.” Delz moves to the side and lets us through.
Anna is busy taking in all the details of our home, but I’ve long since moved past her unease and all I notice is the concerned look that passes between my husband and Delz.
There’s something they know but aren’t saying, which makes me nervous as hell.
I turn to my sister. “Are you sure you don’t want to join us in the pool, Anna?”
She gives me a hug. “I’m good, Sophia. I promise another time, but I have a few things I’d like to do today.
It feels good to look at numbers, to be busy and productive again.
Besides, I have security while you two are splashing around like kids in that infinity pool.
Delz and his team are the best.” She gives Massimo a grin.
“Unless your husband sends his demons in again.”
Massimo takes her teasing in good stride, placing his arm around me before turning more serious. “Anything you need, Anna, you ask Delz and he’ll get it for you.”
“Thanks Massimo. Maybe I’ll slip out and go dancing tonight.”
My heart beats faster at the very thought. She may be joking but clearly she’s not as worried as I am. She needs to know the very real ramifications of our enemies finding out she’s still alive. “What if Barcelo’s family comes for you?”
Her eyes mist and she shrugs, resigned in the situation that she now finds herself in.
“It’s our life, Sophia. If they come, it’s because I was given to Barcelo, and there’s nothing you, Massimo, Delz or anyone can do about that.
But that’s not going to happen. No one is coming for me. They don’t know I exist.”