I close my eyes and try to shut it all out.
But the image of Sofia's face stays with me, her dark brown eyes… my eyes.
She's mine, and I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
Even if she never forgives me for it.
5
ANGELICA
Dawn creeps through the blackout blinds in thin strips of gray light.
I wake to Sofia's breathing beside me sounding much softer now that her cough has quieted.
She's curled against my side with her thumb tucked near her mouth.
Her hair spreads across the pillow in dark tangles that need attention.
I sit up carefully so I don’t wake her and gather her hair in my hands.
My fingers work through the knots gently, separating the strands and weaving them into a simple braid.
She stirs but doesn’t open her eyes.
I tie off the end with a hair elastic from my wrist and smooth the flyaways down.
She shifts and blinks up at me with sleepy eyes and confusion.
For a moment, she looks around like she doesn't know where we are, then reality settles back in and her expression falls.
"Mama," she whispers. "I want to go home."
"I know,Tesoro. So do I."
She sits up and leans against me, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her closer.
She's so small and fragile.
I'd light Dante's damn mansion on fire if it meant firemen would come and we could get out of here, but it'd be dangerous and I have to protect her.
"Tell me a story," she says before yawning and sniffling.
The cold she has is still trying to keep its grip, but Marta's honey concoction seems to have kicked most of it to the curb.
I'll have to thank her later.
I think for a moment, then begin. "Once upon a time in Naples, there was a little girl who loved winter. She would wake up early on snowy mornings and press her nose against the window to watch the snowflakes fall. Her mama would bundle her in a warm coat and take her to the street vendors who sold hot chocolate in tiny cups."
Sofia nestles deeper against my side and sighs contentedly. "Was the hot chocolate good?"
"The best hot chocolate in all of Italy. It was thick and sweet and warm enough to chase away any cold. The little girl would drink it slowly and watch the city turn white around her."
"I wish we could go there," Sofia says in a very dreamy, faraway sounding voice.
My heart clenches and feels heavy.
I'd love to take her there.
