This whole thing has made me mistrust humanity.
"Do you want to stay at the market or go back to the villa?"
I look at Sofia.
She's clutching the box with the cufflinks and watching the interaction with wide eyes.
She looks scared now.
The magic of the market has been replaced by the reality of our situation.
"Let's go back," I tell him, and I bundle her closer to my side as we turn to walk away.
We return to the car and Luca drives us home.
The guards sit in the back seat with Sofia and me, and nobody speaks during the drive as I hold Sofia's hand and try to calm the panic rising in my chest.
I was terrified out there, convinced that the man was someone dangerous.
Something could've happened to Sofia because I wasn't paying attention.
And now I fear that I'm completely helpless without Dante's protection.
It makes me feel trapped.
I can't leave because we're not safe on our own.
But I can't stay because I don't trust the man who's keeping us safe.
I'm caught between two impossible choices and I don't know how to escape.
When we arrive at the villa, I take Sofia inside and send her upstairs to play in her room.
Then I walk toward the kitchen to find Marta.
But as I pass the den, I hear Dante's voice through the partially open door.
I can't help but walk closer to hear what he's saying.
After today, I'm feeling entirely unprepared for anything that might happen.
And he lied to me about the man at the church. If something else is going down, I deserve to know.
So I press my ear to the slightly open door and listen.
He's on the phone talking casually to someone, but I can't hear the other end of the line.
"I understand your concerns," he says. "But I have evidence that will prove I never betrayed our agreement. The missingshipment was intercepted by a third party. The ledgers showing my involvement were forged. I can show you proof if you agree to meet."
There is a pause. Then he continues.
"Tomorrow night is good and we'll meet at a neutral location. No weapons except for standard protection. I'm willing to meet your terms because I value our alliance and I want to resolve this misunderstanding before it destroys what we've built."
Another pause.
"I appreciate your willingness to listen. I'll send the details within the hour, Kemal. And I swear to you, we'll get your shipment to you past Gerard's men, and it will be intact this time."
He ends the call, and I hear him set the phone down on his desk.
