I sigh, letting my forehead rest gently against the cool glass. How did I get myself into this mess?
I peel my head from the glass and return to packing, locking my feelings behind a mental door because I have to focus. I need a plan.
I reach for my phone beside me and scroll through my contacts before settling on Finn's name. My hand hovers over the call icon, thinking of what to say to him.
Would Finn or Declan believe me if I suddenly showed up at their doorstep? Or is exile better than walking straight into danger?
A knock at the door brings me back from my thoughts, and I see my sister-in-law's head pop into the room. Rina's brown, wavy, long hair flows over her shoulder as she glances at my suitcase. She sighs, strolling straight to me.
Behind her are Sofia and my cousin Elena.
"What is this? Some kind of intervention? Too late for that," I joke, adding more clothes into the suitcase, even though my insides feel a mess.
"Gianna," Sofia is the first to speak, her deep green eyes reminding me of Finn in a way I don't like.
I tear my gaze from her. I don't want to think of Finn right now.
"We wanted to talk to you before you left." Rina follows, tucking her hair behind her ear before folding her arms.
I'm not sure what they're here for, an interrogation or perhaps to scold me, whichever it is, I know I owe Sofia an apology. "I'm sorry, Sofia. I didn't think...or know he was going to use the information to attack your safe house," I begin, and Sofia hugs me.
Her touch teases something in me. Guilt, perhaps.
Tears cloud my vision, but I blink them back.
"It's okay. You know now not to trust blindly, and that's what matters. In our world, there's always someone out there to use or take from us, but we need to learn to be smarter than they are," she says, pulling away to meet my face.
"Was the damage severe?"
"No, the safe house took a punch, but we were able to get things under control," Rina answers, her eyes swimming with worry. "I spoke to Vito about the plan. He's convinced this is the best way to turn the situation to our advantage."
I nod, knowing all Vito cares about is keeping our family in power and protecting Rina.
"Vito cares and worries about you. He's just angry, that's all," Rina says, as if she can read my mind.
She doesn't need to speak for Vito, but somehow, she always finds herself doing so. Perhaps it's because she's the only one to see all sides of Vito.
I scoff. "Vito is always angry." Everyone smiles, and I turn to Elena. She hasn't said a word since she got here.
"Don't tell me you're missing me already," I tease her, and she rolls her eyes, taking the empty space beside my bed. "I can't believe Vito is sending you into the enemy's lair. We can't protect you from there. I'm just worried."
I swallow. Elena is right. She says everything Rina and Sofia can't bring themselves to say, but I know there's nothing I can do. Once Vito sets his mind to something, he makes sure he sees it through, and this time, I just happen to be caught in it.
"I will be fine," I say, even though I don't sound convincing.
"Gianna..." Elena calls, and I can see the worry on her face.
I force myself to smile. "I will be back soon enough. As soon as Vito is satisfied."
I already feel a mess. I don't want the last night I spent at the estate to be solemn and filled with pity for me. As much as I want nothing to do with my family, and as much as I crave freedom, these women mean a lot to me.
They make life here bearable, and Rina makes my brother somewhat nicer.
Sofia gets to folding my clothes, and Rina sits close to me, holding my hand. "I need you to listen to me." She speaks with so much edge in her voice that I feel like a soldier going to war.
That's probably the perfect description of my situation. "The Irish are far from simple people. They are dangerous, and you need to understand what you're walking into."
"If they sniff out or find out you're a mole..." Rina doesn't have to finish the sentence. I know what my end would be.
