Chapter 5 - The Safe House
We arrived at a secluded villa hidden on the cliffs of a small, forgotten island.
The sun was just beginning to rise, painting the sky in bruises of purple and gold.
Leo had fallen asleep in Lorenzo’s arms during the boat ride.
The ruthless mafia boss carried my son into the bedroom and tucked him under the heavy blankets.
I watched from the doorway, my heart swelling with a confusing mix of gratitude and fear.
"He is a brave boy," Lorenzo whispered, stepping out of the room and closing the door softly.
"He gets that from you."
I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering from the ocean breeze.
Lorenzo noticed and immediately took off his suit jacket, draping it over my shoulders.
It smelled like expensive cologne and gun smoke.
"Why are you helping us?" I finally asked, looking up into his deep brown eyes.
"The ten families will want your head for saving a Falcone."
Lorenzo stepped closer, erasing the distance between us.
"Because Matteo was my best friend before our fathers forced us into a war."
He reached out, his thumb gently brushing away a smudge of dirt from my cheek.
"And because no one disrespects a woman under my protection."
My breath hitched as his gaze dropped to my lips.
I had spent years being invisible, a poor widow cleaning up messes.
But right now, the most dangerous man in Italy was looking at me like I was a queen.
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"We will stay here until I gather my loyal men," he promised.
But deep down, I knew the war was already coming to our doorstep.
