"Did she wake you?"
"No. I was already awake. Checking the perimeter reports." Old habits. "Everything's secure."
Isabella's smile fades slightly. "That's our life now, isn't it? Perimeter reports. Security checks."
"Yes." I won't lie to her. "But you'll get used to it. And it means you're safe."
"I know." She touches my face gently. "I'm not complaining. Just adjusting."
Elena starts to wake, stretching like a cat. Her eyes open and she sees us both watching her. A huge smile spreads across her face.
"Mama! Daddy! You're both here!"
"We're both here," I say, pulling her closer. "We'll always be here."
"Are we going to your house today? The one with the pool?"
"Yes. This morning. After breakfast."
"Can I swim in the pool?"
"Not yet. First, I have to teach you how. Make sure you're safe." I tap her nose gently. "But soon."
She bounces excitedly, then stops. Her face falls. "But what about the chickens? Who's going to take care of them?"
Isabella and I exchange a glance. I hadn't thought about the chickens.
"A neighbor can take care of them," Isabella says. "Signora Russo down the road. She has chickens too. She'll make sure ours are fed."
"But they'll miss me." Elena's eyes are filling with tears. "They'll wonder where I went."
My heart breaks. This little girl who's been through so much—kidnapped, held in a dark factory, her whole life upended—and she's worried about chickens.
"What if we bring them with us?" I hear myself say.
Both Isabella and Elena stare at me.
"What?" Isabella asks.
"The chickens. What if we bring them to the villa? We can build a coop. A big, nice one. With plenty of space." I look at Elena. "Would you like that? To have your chickens with you?"
Her face lights up like sunrise. "Really? We can bring them?"
"All of them. And we can get more if you want. Make a whole flock." The words keep coming and I realize I mean them. "You can take care of them. Collect the eggs every morning. Just like here."
"Lupo," Isabella says quietly. "You don't have to—"
"I want to." And I do. I want Elena to have something familiar. Something that makes the villa feel like home. "It's just chickens. We have the space. It's not a problem."
"But your neighbors—"
"Can deal with it. It's my property. My family. My chickens." I pull Elena into my lap. "What do you say, sweetheart? Want to bring your chickens to Naples?"
"Yes!" She throws her arms around my neck. "Thank you, Daddy! You're the best daddy in the whole world!"
Those words again. The best daddy.
I'm a crime boss. A killer. A man with blood on his hands and enemies who want me dead.
