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Father sighed, looking suddenly every one of his 60-odd years. "You drive a hard bargain, figlia mia. But we shall...renegotiate some matters of your independence when we are home again."
I nearly collapsed in dizzy relief. After a lifetime of strain, true change finally felt possible between us. I would earn Father'srespect on my own terms, without sacrificing every scrap of freedom and spirit.
As we walked slowly back inside, Father hesitated. "There is still much left unsettled. But know I only want what is best for you...even if we disagree on what that is."
Impulsively, I hugged him tight for the first time in forever. After a startled moment, his arms came around me gruffly. I had my taciturn father back, faults and all. For now, that was enough progress.
Back at Enzo's bedside, he was already sleeping again. Father stepped out to confer with doctors, leaving me alone with my bittersweet thoughts.
I hoped desperately Enzo would make a full recovery. He deserved so much more than this cruel repayment after only ever trying to shield me from harm.
Which reminded me, I realized with a lurch, I needed to call Leonardo and update him after radio silence all day. He was probably out of his mind with worry. I couldn't bear the thought of him waiting in torment, not knowing if Enzo had survived.
Slipping into an empty hallway, I quickly dialed Leonardo's burner number with unsteady hands. He snatched it up on the first ring.
"Natalia! Thank god, I've been losing my mind," Leonardo said hoarsely. "Is Enzo...?" He trailed off, dread plain in his voice.
"He's stable and awake. Doctors say he'll recover," I managed thickly, fresh tears escaping in sheer relief saying it aloud.
Leonardo let out a ragged exhale across the line. "That stubborn bastard. I knew hell itself couldn't keep him down." His joking relief was contagious even through my exhaustion.
My emotions settled enough to ask gently "What about you? Are you somewhere safe?"
"I'm alright, cara. Hole up securing some new arrangements," Leonardo reassured. But he hesitated before adding "Might need to lay low for a bit though after everything. Just until the dust settles."
My throat tightened, reading between the lines. After openly collaborating with the rival Morettis, Leonardo would have a target on his back from his own family. Of course he would need to disappear for now.
Swallowing hard, I forced brightness into my tone. "Well, call me the minute it's safe to surface again, you hear? I expect more death-defying dates Mr. Delacruz."
Leonardo's warm chuckle buoyed me. "Wild horses couldn't keep me from your side again, my love." His voice softened. "I'm so glad you're alright. Get some rest, okay?"
I whispered a goodbye, ignoring the tears crowding again. Ending the call, I slumped against the empty hallway wall just needing to breathe for a minute. So much uncertain ground still lay ahead. But at least those I loved most were on the path of mending. That victory alone felt monumental after staring into the abyss together so recently.
Wiping my eyes defiantly, I headed back to resume my vigil at Enzo's side. My men needed me strong and steady now despite everything. I would gladly weather any fire and fury with them if it led us to a more just peace someday. We were fighters, all. And the battle was only just beginning.
----
The sight of the grand estate gates opening before me stirred a maelstrom of emotions. This imposing fortress had been both sanctuary and prison over the years. Part of me thrilled at returning home safe once more. But deeper down, resentment simmered remembering past constraints and control imposed within those walls.
Steeling myself, I stepped through the front doors still left unbolted in hasty evacuation. Inside, the air felt stale, tinged with lingering notes of smoke and gunpowder. But the vaulted ceilings and plush rugs underfoot still exuded wealth and power. However much it gilded harsher realities, it was familiar at least.
With Father still at the hospital and much of the staff evacuated, I found myself alone in the cavernous space. My footsteps seemed too loud intruding on the heavy silence as I made my way upstairs almost cautiously, senses still on high alert after so much violence.
At the grand doors of my childhood bedroom, relief flooded me. Nothing seemed disturbed within my private sanctuary. The space looked untouched since I had last prepared for a date night that now felt a lifetime ago.
I drifted over to the massive canopy bed, running my hands over decadent fabrics and silks that encapsulated so many memories here, good and bad. It hardly seemed real to be back within these walls that had defined and confined me for so long. Though perhaps that was shifting now.
Shaking off heavier thoughts, I headed for the en-suite bathroom and turned the taps full blast. I had been craving a long shower to wash away the physical and mental grime of trauma. As steam billowed, I stripped off dirty clothes stiff with smoke and ashes that seemed embedded in my very pores now.
Stepping under the hot spray was sheer bliss. I let it sluice over me, imagining it could rinse away the lingering horrors witnessed if I stood there long enough. The floral scents of expensive soaps finally chased off the stubborn phantom odor of explosions that had filled my nose.
After thoroughly scrubbing every inch, I lingered a while longer simply letting the water stream relax taut muscles. But even the lavish shower's massage jets couldn't fully ease the coiled tension that seemed to have taken up permanent residence after so much violence.
Shutting off the taps reluctantly, I wrung out my hair and slipped into a plush robe. Wiping the fog from the mirror, the haunted eyes staring back gave me pause. Outwardly I looked myself again, washed clean and polished. But inside, something fundamental felt altered.
Shaking off heavier musings, I left wet footprints across marble floors to the massive walk-in closet. As I sorted through designer outfits, it struck me how trivial these symbols of wealth and femininity felt after barely escaping targeted destruction in torn, bloodied scraps.
Finally, I selected an understated but flattering dress, needing to feel some semblance of normalcy again. The fine fabrics whispered comfortingly against my skin as I ran a comb through my damp waves. Thus armored, I felt somewhat prepared to face this familiar yet foreign space again.
