I settle into the chair in the corner, telling myself I'll just stay until she falls asleep. Make sure she's okay.
Ten minutes later, there's a soft knock. Vito opens the door and gestures for me to follow him.
I glance back at Elena. She's out cold.
In Vito's office, I give him the full rundown. The power cutting out. The sniper. The breach. How Elena took down one of the attackers without hesitation.
"How did they get the drop on you?" Vito's voice carries an edge. Accusatory.
I was already chastising myself. I don't need him doing it too. "I was asleep on the couch. We were watching movies and I dozed off."
His eyebrow raises slightly but he doesn't comment. Just waits for me to continue.
I tell him about Luca and Enzo securing the perimeter. About the bullet casings and tire tracks. About Rafa pulling security footage.
"The attackers were professionals," I say. "Tactical gear. Coordinated. This wasn't some low-level crew sent to scare her. They came to kill."
Vito's jaw tightens. "The forty-eight hours are almost up."
"Tomorrow we make contact with Elio through the cafe. Set up a meeting. Bring him in."
"You and I will handle the meeting with Elio," Vito says. "Elena stays here."
I straighten in my chair. "What? No. She needs to be there?—"
"She needs to be safe. After tonight, it's clear the Costellos know where she is and how to get to her. I'm not putting her in another situation where she can be targeted."
"But she's the only one who knows how to make contact through the cafe?—"
"Then you'll get the details from her before we go. But Elena stays here, under guard. Dante and Luca will be on her detail. No one goes in or out of this building without my explicit permission."
"Vito, I can't just leave her here. I need to stay with her?—"
"You need to be at this meeting with Elio. You're my consigliere. I need you there to negotiate, to assess the situation, to handle whatever happens when we confront him." His voice is firm. Final. "Elena will be protected. But I need you focused on ending this threat, not worried about her every second."
"I can do both?—"
"Can you?" He leans forward. "Because tonight suggests otherwise. You were asleep. Comfortable. Distracted. And it almost got both of you killed."
The words hit like a punch. Because he's right.
"Elena will be safe here," Vito continues. "This building has better security than anywhere else in the city. Dante and Luca are two of our best. She'll be fine for a few hours while we deal with her father."
I want to argue more. Want to insist I stay with her. But the look on Vito's face tells me this isn't a negotiation.
"Fine," I say through gritted teeth. "But I want updates every thirty minutes while we're gone."
"Done." He nods, then leans back in his chair. Studies me. "How is she?"
"Shaken. But holding it together."
"And you?"
The question catches me off guard. "I'm fine."
"Are you?" His eyes are sharp. Knowing. "Because from what I saw when you brought her in, this looks like more than just protection detail."
I don't answer immediately. Can't lie to him, but admitting the truth feels dangerous.
