I don’t need him to expand on his reply. Lucia only takes her backpack with her when she’s either running or up to mischief.
Fuck, I hope it’s the latter.
My expression must be extremely telling. Concetta, my impending stepmother, breaks through the wings of the stage, covers Camille’s ears, which momentarily disrupts her from sorting through the lollipop bouquet Anna handed her before following her mother’s brisk exit, then says, “If you need to handle something, I can take Camille back tothe compound. Your father is gathering the car now. She’ll be safe there.” Her eyes stray in the direction Carmela just went. “I don’t care who she thinks she is; she won’t get within an inch of Camille under my watch.”
I love the protectiveness beaming out of her, but I still hesitate. Everything in me screams not to let Camille out of my sight, but she’s exhausted from her hour-long performance. She needs rest and quiet—two things I can’t give her while scouring the city for Lucia.
As I glance down at my daughter, who’s wrangling a grape-flavored sucker from its wrapper, the unease in my chest slackens. Something is wrong, and it’s coming fast, but I’m certain it’s on a direct collision course with Lucia, not Camille.
The intuition telling me this also announces that if I don’t act fast, I’ll run out of time.
Again, I have no choice. I must nod.
Camille isn’t in any danger right now.
I can’t offer the same guarantee for Lucia.
After brushing my lips against my daughter’s temple and snatching up her dance bag, I guide her and Concetta into one of the many SUVs idling outside. “Take them straight to the compound,” I instruct the driver. “Don’t stop anywhere.” I turn to face Concetta. “I’ll tell my father to meet you there.”
Concetta nods in understanding before she slips in behind Camille and buckles her into her car seat. Then, just as fast, I twist to face my brothers and father milling at the back of the concert hall, forever on alert.
One look tells them everything they need to know. The woman I love is in danger, and protecting her is more vital to me than anything I could lose by prioritizing her safety.
