He runs illegitimate businesses, trades in drugs.
It's all tied too closely together.
"Then I'll figure something else out. But I won't let her get hurt. I won't let either of you get hurt."
His profile is sharp against the sunlight as he watches Sofia run and giggle.
What I wouldn’t give to believe every word of that is true.
But I know all too well that life can take a turn you never want it to and you're just left to deal with the consequences.
"Your protection feels necessary now," I admit. "After everything I've overheard, I know we wouldn't be safe if we left. But that doesn't mean I like being here. It doesn't mean I'm comfortable with this situation."
"I understand that."
"Do you?"
"Yes. You want your daughter to have a normal life. You want to go back to Naples and forget any of this happened. But that's not an option anymore. My enemies know about you. They know about Sofia. Running won't keep you safe. Staying here will."
"For how long?"
"Until Christmas. Maybe longer. I'm working on it."
Sofia runs back to us with more rosemary in her hands.
She sits down on the bench between Dante and me and smells the herbs and makes a happy sound.
"These smell so good," she says. "Can we put them in the presepe?"
"What presepe?" I ask.
"The one we're going to make. Marta said every Italian home has one for the holidays. She said we could make ours together."
I look at Dante. He shrugs. "Marta mentioned it to me yesterday. I told her it was fine."
"So we're doing Christmas traditions now?" I ask, but Dante never answers me.
We sit in the garden for a while longer.
Sofia eventually returns to our side and talks about the Nativity scene and what figures she wants to include.
Dante listens and asks questions.
I watch them interact and feel my heart gradually opening up to the idea that maybe I could trust him to do as he says.
I am beginning to grow fond of the idea of Sofia having a father.
Even if that father is mixed up in the criminal underworld.
She deserves to know her father and have someone who looks at her the way Dante does.
Someone who listens to her chatter and responds with affirmation and affection.
But I don't know if I can accept the cost.
I don't know if I can live in this world permanently and watch Sofia grow up surrounded by Dante's evil aura.
Dante stands and holds out his hand to Sofia.
