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My uncle is still scolding me when I tune back in. “…Where are you, little dove? Your mother is freaking out. And I can’t handle my sister when she’s like this.”

“I’m fine.” Covered in blood, about to go slaughter some people, and my eye is so bruised I can barely see the treacherous road I’m careening down but I’m cool.

“Do you want to speak with her?”

“Is she there?”

“I believe she’s over at Schroeders today. Adrian has the four kids for a couple of days.” Where are Tabi and Bax? I shake it off. I don’t have time for that.

“Are they at the winery or the house?”

“Winery, I believe.”

“Thanks Uncle. I love you.”

He chuckles and says, “That’s a new one. Love you too.”

I tell Siri to end the call. Finally, it looks like I’m somewhere and I see the water. If I can see a landmark, I can get there. I need to find the red door on the white house that’s in between two houses with blue doors. And pray it’s all lit up.

“Hey Siri! Dial United States 01-707-968…” She doesn’t so I repeat the entire thing in Italian.

The only numbers I know by heart are the five winery tasting rooms I basically grew up in. Before we were allowed cellphones, it’s how we’d find each other. Parents wouldn’t answer their cell phones to play messenger and calls to house land lines would go to answering machines, but someone always had to pick up the tasting room phones.

“Schroeder Estate Winery and Vineyards, how can I help you?”

“Sarah!” Josh’s mom answers. “It’s…”

“Tina! It’s Poppy. Honey, your mom is right here. I’d recognize any one of you kids’ voices. She’s putting baby Nick down and will be right here. Are you ok?”

“Yes. Is everything alright there?”

“We’re waiting for an update, but so far, everyone is fine.” She says and it makes no sense.

“We are so far.” I give her an update, thinking she means us.

“That’s good, dear. Here’s your mom. Be safe, my darling girl.” God, I love that woman. But that was a little dismissive. She’s like hot chocolate on a chilly day.

“Poppy. Are you hurt? Where are you? Baby. My baby. Do you have a protection detail? Tell me you’re far away from the danger.” Tears sting my swollen eye at the sound of her voice.

Whoops. I am the danger. “Mom. I’m ok. I have to do something.” I’d roll my eyes if my lid wasn’t droopy and so fucking painful. I turn left like Siri says. I can’t be more than five minutes away and if there are any guards at the gate, they have to let me in because I’m driving one of their fucking vans. They’ll let me in when they see it.

“We don’t know anything except that everyone is safe,” my mom says.

“That’s good news. But why do people keep saying that? We don’t know anything.” Did Becca contact people? Are my people safe? I don’t have time for this.

“Don’t go anywhere without some protection. Uncle Artie said Boomer’s on it. He’ll keep you safe. I’ll call when I can. Siri disconnect the call.”

“NO…” my mom yells, but I have to focus because I see the pink flowers and careen into the driveway. A wall of men awaits me. There are also two vans. Only two of the four. I pray he’s here.

I ease the van into the space next to the others, and it’s only now that it dawns on me, I’m storming the castle with nothing more than a borrowed phone and some bloody heels. Shit.

I sit still until the driver’s side door opens to a sickly smile. One I was hoping was already dead.

Enzo.

“Come, Ms. Gelbert, we’ve been expecting you.” He reaches out his hand to help me down from the van.

I put my chin up. Shoulders back, tits out.. Despite my appearance, I let the fear morph into a confidence I’ve never known. I take his hand and say, “You of all people should know. It’s Mrs. Pietro.”