Page 132 of Lupo

But to this little girl, I'm just Daddy.

The man who apparently moves her chickens to Naples.

"Okay." I clear my throat, fighting unexpected emotion. "Then we'll bring them. We'll need crates. And we'll have to be careful during the drive. But we'll make it work."

Isabella is watching me with something soft in her eyes. "You're really going to transport chickens to your fancy villa?"

"Looks like it." I manage a smile. "Never thought I'd say those words. But yes."

"The other dons are going to laugh at you."

"Let them." I pull her close too, so I'm holding both of them. "I don't care what they think. Only what you two think."

Elena wiggles happily between us. "This is the best day ever! We get to bring the chickens and see the pool and my new room!"

"Speaking of your room," I say. "I have a surprise for you."

"What kind of surprise?"

"You'll see when we get there."

After our regular breakfast of eggs, we start packing. Isabella doesn't have much. A few clothes. Some books. Elena's toys and drawings.

Everything fits in a few boxes.

It makes me sad to see their whole life packed up in a few small boxes. Makes me want to buy Isabella and Elena everything.

But I know better. She's not that kind of woman. She values other things.

Safety. Stability. Family.

Things money can't buy but power can protect.

Ciro arrives with the cars. He takes one look at the chicken crates and raises an eyebrow.

"Don't say one word," I warn him.

"I wasn't going to say anything, boss."

But he's smiling. And when Elena runs up to explain about the chickens, he crouches down and listens seriously, asking questions about their names and which one lays the best eggs.

He's good with her. Patient. Kind.

I make a mental note. Ciro will be part of Elena's security detail. Someone she knows. Someone I trust.

It takes an hour to load everything. The boxes. The chickens. Stuffed animals. Isabella's late father's tools from the barn.

The guards watch with professional neutrality. Not one of them comments on the chickens.

They know better.

Finally, we're ready. I lock the farmhouse door one last time. Isabella stands on the porch, looking at the place that's been her home for eighteen months.

"Are you okay doing this today?" I ask quietly.

"Yes. Just saying goodbye." She turns to me. "I was happy here. For a while. Before Draco found us. It felt safe."

"I'm sorry it wasn't. Sorry my world found you here."