Chapter 14 - The Return
The upstate safe house was quiet when Matteo arrived. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden hue over the mountains. He parked his SUV and walked up the wooden steps, the adrenaline of the massacre finally draining from his veins, leaving behind a profound sense of exhaustion.
He opened the front door. The smell of roasted chicken and garlic filled the air. It didn't smell like a cold penthouse or a bloody cathedral. It smelled like a home.
Leo was sitting on the living room rug, slamming two toy trucks together. He looked up and beamed. "Mr. Rossi! You're back! Did you beat up the bad guys?"
Matteo smiled, a genuine, tired smile that reached his eyes. He knelt down and ruffled the boy’s dark hair. "I did, buddy. The bad guys are all gone."
Clara walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. She froze when she saw him. He was still wearing his tuxedo, minus the jacket and tie, but there was no blood on him. Only a heavy, weary weight.
"Is it over?" Clara asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Matteo stood up and walked toward her. He didn't stop until he was inches away. He reached out, gently taking the dish towel from her hands and tossing it onto the counter.
"Elena is gone. The Falcone leadership is dismantled. The city is secure," Matteo said softly.
May you like
Clara let out a breath she felt like she had been holding for two weeks. Tears of sheer relief welled in her eyes. "Thank God."
Matteo framed her face with his hands, his thumbs gently wiping away her tears. "I told you I would protect you. But I realized something standing at that altar today, Clara. I don't just want to protect you. I want you by my side. I want to come home to you."
