Chapter 12 #2
“I don’t want to leave you guys behind,” I said, fear and sadness now mixing with my joy and relief at having my father back. “You’re in danger, too.”
“We’re always in danger,” Papa said, his tone so matter-of-fact that the reminder helped to give me mental clarity. “That’s what we’ve all signed up for. But the danger is worth it for the power it gives to protect each another.”
He was right. The mafia life was more than just wealth and status.
It was power to protect. Power to fight our enemies with such force that we could turn them into insignificant chess pieces.
Not only did it give us the power to fight, it made fate a thing we could bend to our will.
It was the sort of thing that most people could only dream of.
If I left now, I could bide my time. That way I’d be able to live to fight another day. I could find out who was coming after us and finally stop them. I’d make them pay for everything they had done.
“I just wish I could be there to welcome you home,” I said, a lump forming in my throat. It hurt to know that I was ruining my parents’ happy moment with all this bad news. And now I wasn’t even going to be there when Dad made it out of the hospital.
“I wish I could see you, too, Lena,” Papa said. “Your mom tells me that you visited me. I appreciate that.”
I nodded, still fighting back tears. This wasn’t the time to fall to pieces and cry in front of them. I’d brought enough bad news. The least I could do now was try to lighten the mood. “I see you got your get well soon gifts.”
My father was surrounded by gifts from our inner circle.
Balloons and cards from me, fancy coffee mugs from Mom, flowers, and teddy bears holding get well soon messages.
I made a mental note to send my father some fresh balloons and more practical gifts ASAP.
Hospital rooms were depressing. He deserved to have a room that made him happy.
“You’ve all spoiled me,” Papa said with a chuckle. “Your mother read out your cards, Lena. I’ll hold onto them until you get back.”
There was no telling how long I would be gone. My heart ached just thinking about it. I wanted to reassure Papa by telling him I’d be back soon, but I we weren’t the kind of father and daughter that did fake sentimentality.
“This trip of yours—do you know where you’ll be going?” my mother asked.
“It’s supposed to be upstate, but I don’t know exact details yet. I’ll let you know when I do,” I answered.
Mom nodded. She paused for a moment. “And you’re comfortable going away alone with Enzo? That won’t be awkward for you two?”
I felt a blush come on, my face heating at my mom’s question. She hadn’t said it outright, but I could read between the lines and guess what she meant. No use telling her that Enzo had spent the past few days at the townhouse. That would just raise a lot of inconvenient questions.
“Of course I’m comfortable,” I answered quickly. “He’s going to be my husband after all.”
Mom cleared her throat. “True, but you might have been wanting to wait for the wedding night.”
“Bridget,” my father chided.
I was now blushing furiously. I might have brought home a bad boy or two in my time, but I didn’t make a habit of sharing the private details of my love life. Though my mother obviously knew that I wasn’t exactly a virgin. She was clearly testing how close I had gotten to Enzo.
“If you’re trying to find out how far things have gotten with Enzo, then you’re out of luck,” I told my mother.
I certainly wouldn’t kiss and tell. Especially not if Enzo and I were going to be bonded for life.
That was a whole lot more significant than a one-night stand that I could write off if I ever accidentally spilled the beans.
“I don’t want to hear any more of this,” my father said, his voice suddenly sounding stronger.
“Don’t blame me, I’m not the troublemaker today,” I said.
That got a chuckle out of both my parents.
Seeing them relaxed and happy lifted my spirits.
I was going to miss them, and I’d worry every single moment that I was away.
But I’d do anything to make them happy. Make them proud.
If that meant leaving the city so that I could track down whoever it was that was trying to destroy us, that was a small price to pay.
I’d solve this to give my parents the peace of mind they deserved.
They’d both protected me my whole life. It was now my turn to protect them.
“I should let you two get some rest,” I added, my chest tightening with emotion. “I’ll let you know location details for this safehouse as soon as I can.”
“Appreciate that, sweetie,” Mom said.
I gave a wave goodbye, now too choked up to say anything further.
“We love you, Lena,” my father said.
“Love you,” Mom said before blowing a kiss.
The screen went black then and I held the phone so tight I was sure that I would crack it.
But I didn’t break it. And the pain didn’t break me.
I got up, brushed the tears away, and headed for my bedroom door.
Enzo hadn’t given me a timetable, but it was clear that we’d be leaving right away.
That gave me little time to prepare. Which meant that I’d have to rush this.
Pretty soon, I’d be packing my bags and saying goodbye to New York City.