Page 128 of Lupo

It should frighten me.

But right now, I'm just grateful.

Grateful he has the resources to protect us. Grateful he came. Grateful we're alive.

Elena is asleep now, slumped against me, her rabbit under her chin. The adrenaline finally gave way to exhaustion.

"She's out," I say quietly.

Lupo looks over, his expression softening when he sees her. "Poor baby. She was so brave."

"She kept asking for you. Kept saying you'd come."

"I'm sorry," he says, his voice rough. "I'm sorry they found you. That they used you to get to me."

I squeeze his hand. Not now. Not with Ciro and the driver right there. We'll talk later. When we're alone.

He seems to understand. Just squeezes back and goes quiet.

We drive in silence for the rest of the journey. Elena sleeping. Me watching the dark landscape blur past. Lupo's hand warm in mine.

Ciro makes more calls. The driver navigates the dark roads carefully and slowly the familiar countryside appears. The roads I know. The landmarks I recognize.

We're almost home.

The car turns onto the dirt road and I see the farmhouse in the distance. Lights still on the way I left them. But there are other vehicles too. Black SUVs. Men in dark clothing taking positions around the property.

My new reality.

Elena wakes as we pull up to the house, rubbing her eyes. "We're home?"

"We're home, baby."

"Look, Mama! There are the guards!" She's not frightened. Just interested. She waves at the nearest one, a large man who smiles and waves back.

The car stops. Ciro gets out and opens our door. Lupo climbs out first, then reaches back for Elena. He lifts her easily, settling her on his hip.

I climb out after them, my legs unsteady. The night air is cool and familiar.

One of the guards nods respectfully as we approach the house. "Don Rossi. Signora."

Don Rossi.

A mob boss to be both respected and feared.

That's who he is to them. To his world.

But to Elena, he's just Daddy.

Inside, everything is exactly as we left it. Elena's toys scattered on the floor. Our breakfast dishes still in the sink.

"Bath time," I say, my voice sounding strange to my own ears. "Then bed."

"Can Daddy help?" Elena asks, already half-asleep again.

"If he wants to."

"I'd like that," he says quietly.