“You still think there’s an explanation?”
“All I know is what I saw. The man cares about you. His father was a good man. And I see so much of his father in him.”
“I guess we’ll never know.” It’s time to move on with my life. I came here to get away from Dan, needing space to breathe and time to think clearly. I’m not afraid of Magnus. There’s nothing he can do to me that he hasn’t done already. Except take my son away, but I won’t let that happen. I’ll kill him myself before that ever happens.
I close the door gently as I step into the hallway, the light to Elio’s office still on. Peeking my head around the gap, I smile at Elio. “Thank you for entertaining him tonight. But can you keep the guns locked away from now on?”
Elio quirks his lips and shakes his head as if I’m being overdramatic. He’s nothing like our father, thank goodness. But he shares the same taste for vengeance. “He should learnhow to handle a gun. I was much younger when I learnt how to protect myself.”
Maybe Elio’s right if it’s for his own protection. “Maybe you should teach me how to handle one.” I huff, but I’m not exactly joking. “Right. I’m going to bed. Just came to say night.”
“Do you have everything you need?” He looks up from his laptop, a warm but concerned expression on his face. “Il ragazzo, okay?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“You gonna tell me why you’re here?”
“Just wanted to spend some time with Mamma.”
He nods. “Doctor’s said she’s over the worst. You don’t need to worry anymore. The old girl might outlive us all.”
“Tough as old boots, that one.” My smile falters, knowing it’s just wishful thinking. Mamma may be over the pneumonia, but the COPD machine isn’t going away. “Night.”
“Night, sorella.” He goes back to his laptop, a frown settling on his face.
I close the door and pad up the large winding staircase, my fingers gliding along the ornate carved design of the wooden bannister that curves up the stairs. Moonlight shines through the large arched window on the staircase, light bouncing off the crystals on the chandelier that hangs as a focal point in the centre of the marble steps curving around it.
My brother’s head of security nods as I pass him on the stairs. “Goodnight, signora.”
“Night, Bruno.” My muscles relax, knowing the house is locked down. I walk into the guest room that Angelos has claimed. “Have you cleaned your teeth?”
“Yeah.” He climbs into bed with his Nintendo switch. “I left my charger at home.”
I ruffle his hair. “I’m sure we can get one tomorrow.” I pullthe duvet over his chest in the large double bed. “Want me to stay in here with you?”
“I’m not a kid anymore, Mum.”
“Just because you’re thirteen does not mean you are an adult.”
“I’m a teenager.”
I lean over and kiss his forehead. “All right. I’m just across the hall if you need me, and Uncle Elio’s bedroom is next door.”
“Mum.”
“Yes?”
“Can Dad come and stay here with us now he’s out of prison?”
I swallow the acid rising in my throat. “We’ll talk about your dad tomorrow.” I take the Nintendo Switch from his hand. “Get some sleep. It’s been a long day.”
He yawns and rolls over on the pillow. “Night, Mum.”
I lean down and press a kiss to his temple. “I love you.”
“Love you, Mum.”
I turn off the light and pad out of his room with the tattered book still in my hand, and I rub the ache in my shoulder and neck with the other. It really has been a long day. Entering my old bedroom, a breeze blows through the window, the thin curtain wafting on the wind like a ghost here to haunt me. My teeth chatter with a shiver and walk over with only the moonlight to guide me and pull the window closed.
