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Enzo tensed his expression shuttering. "It was nothing you need fret about. Family matters, the situation got tense, you now it better than me." At my skeptical look, he sighed. "I'd rather not burden you until necessary. For now, just focus on laying low here."
I bit my lip, anxiety swelling. "If it affects my safety, I deserve to know. What aren't you telling me?"
Enzo scrubbed a hand over his face tiredly. "It's...complicated, Natalia. Father caught wind of certain rumors...about divided loyalties in the family." His eyes flickered briefly toward Leonardo. "I needed to extract you quickly, before things escalated, he wanted to take things too far."
My breath caught as implications took shape. If Father suspected me of disloyalty - suspected my affair - his wrath would be unimaginable. And the timing, just before the violent ambush...
Sensing my spiraling distress, Enzo clasped my hand firmly. "Hey, whatever happens, I will handle it. Our father's reaction does not change facts." His gaze took in Leonardo intently. "Anyone who's proven their devotion has my trust, no matter their name."
I clung to his words like a lifeline, emotions churning. Perhaps ignorance of brewing storms had been a mercy. But forewarned was forearmed. When the confrontation with Father came, we would weather it together.
Across the table, Leonardo's expression remained shuttered, but I felt his leg press more firmly against mine in wordless support. I soaked up the steadying contact. With these two stalwart souls at my side, I could face down anything, even my own family's wrath.
Suddenly feeling the need for air, I murmured an excuse and slipped outside. The morning sun was an astringent on my chaotic thoughts, helping clear the miasma of fear. Whatever came next, I refused to waste another moment in dread. Too many beautiful stolen moments like this morning would never come again.
Lost in thought, I almost missed the scuff of a footstep behind me. Whirling, I was startled to see Leonardo had followed me out. His keen gaze assessed me quietly.
"You alright?"
The simple question undid me. I stepped wordlessly into his arms, tucking my head beneath his chin as I tried to memorize the scent and feel of him. Leonardo held me close without need for explanations, a bulwark against gathering storms.
"Whatever comes, we will face it," he eventually rumbled. His large hand cradled the back of my head gently. "All is not lost yet, my love."
Those quiet words of faith were like water on parched ground. This was no time for despair or retreat. We had already conquered so much together against steep odds. With determination blazing in my heart again, I lifted my head to meet Leonardo's steady gaze.
"You're right. This changes nothing." I drew a deep breath, strength renewed. "We are not some tragic fable at the mercy of feuding families. We decide our own fates."
Leonardo's expression softened with pride. He brushed a stray hair behind my ear tenderly. "No one denies Don Moretti's daughter what she desires. Certainly not some delinquent from the wrong side of town." His playful assurance coaxed a watery laugh from me. No more weeping; this warrior queen had work to do.
I rose on tiptoe to kiss Leonardo firmly, sealing my renewed resolve. Then, squaring my shoulders, I headed back inside with him at my side. Tomorrow could well bring a reckoningfrom Father. But today still held possibilities worth fiercely protecting, for as long as we had left.
CHAPTER 18
FRAGILE TRUCE
I woke slowly, blinking against the muted sunlight filtering through the dingy safehouse blinds. For a moment, everything seemed calm, almost normal. Then the chaotic events of the past days came crashing back - the violent ambush at the airfield, Bree's sadistic torment, seeking refuge here with Enzo and Leonardo.
Rolling over with a sigh, I reached across the rumpled sheets seeking Leonardo's familiar warmth. But his side of the mattress was empty and cold. I sat up, listening intently until the comforting rumble of Leonardo and Enzo's voices drifted in from the other room. Relief swelled within me hearing the muted sounds of my makeshift family already up and functioning. After recent close calls, having both men safe and near was no small gift.
I freshened up quickly in the cramped bathroom, finger combing my hair into a loose braid. Staring critically at my wan reflection, smudged shadows beneath the eyes, I made a concerted effort to straighten my spine and adjust my expression into neutral calm. However battered down I felt, projecting strength today mattered. There were surely fresh troubles awaiting already thatI would need to face with unflinching composure, mafia princess mask firmly in place.
Padding out to the safe house's cramped kitchen, I was greeted by the heartwarming sight of Leonardo cooking at the stove while Enzo set out plates, the two men chatting casually. They looked up with matching smiles as I entered, despite both appearing as exhausted as I felt.
"Morning, sleeping beauty," Enzo rumbled, dropping a quick kiss to the top of my head as I passed to grab some coffee.
"Wow, something smells amazing," I said with an appreciative inhale. Trust Leonardo to somehow whip up gourmet creations in this bare-bones kitchen.
"Hope you're hungry. Growing boys here need fuel," he joked, sliding a perfect omelet onto my plate. His eyes crinkled adorably when I leaned up on tiptoe to kiss his stubbly cheek in thanks.
Over breakfast, Enzo briefed us on the agenda for the day - more planning contingencies and shoring up safeguards now that tensions were running so high with my family. I mostly tuned out the technical details, knowing the guys had security covered between them. My role was mostly to keep a low profile.
I helped tidy up the kitchen once we had all eaten. As I was washing dishes, Leonardo came up behind me, strongarms circling my waist. "How are you holding up, bella?" he murmured against my hair.
I sighed, leaning back into him. "Oh you know, just taking it one day at a time." Craning my neck, I managed a tremulous smile. "But having my fellas around helps a lot."
Leonardo's expression softened, but I could see the worry lingering in his eyes. I knew he hated feeling unable to shield me completely from all this ugly uncertainty. But just having him near was comfort enough day to day.
Unfortunately, our quiet moment was shattered by the shrill ring of Enzo's phone in the other room. His terse, clipped responses sent a spike of anxiety through me. After ending the call, Enzo's face was grim.
