He chuckled, running his hand down his immaculate three-piece suit. It must have been exhausting to dress your best every single day, but being the Mayor of Rome was my father’s dream. He lived and breathed for this city and always showed up for the people.
Although I didn’t see him much after my parents separated because he’d stayed in Italy, he’d always called weekly and inspired me to fight for what I wanted. He taught me that with hard work and perseverance, one could do anything. He was now in his second year as Mayor of the Italian capital, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. His current political campaign focused on sustainability and reducing crime in the city. Although I didn’t really involve myself too much in politics, I knew that it wasn’t an easy task. Everyone knew there were major criminal operations at large in our city, men who not only profited from illegal dealings but also controlled authoritative figures. My father was trying to put an end to that.
“Good night?”
“Hard night,” I replied, relaxing back into the soft beige seats and letting the tension leave my muscles. It felt easier to do than usual after that heavenly massage. “But I don’t have another shift for two nights, so there’s that.” I twisted in my seat to look at him. “As much as I love seeing you, what are you doing here?”
For the first time, he held my gaze, and I frowned. The wrinkles on his forehead deepened with concern, and I didn’t like the unease in his eyes.
“I expect you missed the news last night because you were busy, but...” he sighed, tapping his fingers against the car handle. “We had a breakthrough. The authorities raided several warehouses at the docks and made a number of arrests. We’re suspecting this was a major criminal operation we just intercepted, and although I don’t have proof yet, if I can get it and tie it to the Del Brenta, we may have enough to at least take down a top dog.”
My eyes widened, and I grabbed his arm. “That’s amazing,Papi.Isn’t it?”
“Si,”he exhaled, rubbing his forehead.
“Then why do you look so concerned?”
“Because I took a public stand last night and made it clear that I was the one who ordered it.”
I released his arm and moved back, my stomach twisting with realisation. “You’re scared they will come after you?”
“Not me so much. They’d be foolish to come anywhere near me with the publicity I have. But you, on the other hand….”
“Me?” I slammed my hand against my chest. “What do I have to do with any of this?”
“You are my only daughter, Aria. They will look for my weaknesses, find any way to control me, and blackmail me into stopping the investigation. I’ve tried to keep my life as private as possible for this reason, but it won’t be long before they dig deeper. And it’s not unknown that I have a daughter. After last night, I worry Italy is no longer safe for you.”
I swallowed my fear, fully aware of what he was implying. “You want me to leave? Are you serious? Surely it doesn’t need to come to that, Papi.My life is here! My friends, my job, you. I don’t want to go.”
He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “I don’t want you to have to leave either, but if anything happened to you because of my fight against these criminals, I’d never forgive myself.”
“I’m not leaving Rome.” I shook my head, crossing my arms over my chest while still holding my coffee cup in one hand. “Have they even threatened anything? I’m a nobody, Papi.A hospital administrator with a coffee addiction and a fixation on watching cleaning videos. I doubt they’ll bother wasting their time threatening me.”
“You’re the mayor’s daughter. I don’t want to wait until the situation becomes too dangerous, Arianna. You have no idea what these people are capable of. These aren’t petty thieves or small-time drug dealers. These are criminal masterminds capable of unspeakable things. They have covered their tracks so meticulously that it is nearly impossible to find anything that can take them down. But last night was the first big chance we had to dent their armour. I had to take it. But in doing so, I have just declared war and put myself forward as the city’s defender.”
“So what you’re saying…” I tried to fight back the sudden, overwhelming emotion that threatened to take over. This wasn’t fair. My life was in Rome. I’d never stayed in one place for long, but Rome was the first place that made me want to. I was happy here. “If I stay, I jeopardise your campaign and the investigation, as well as my life being at risk?”
“Si.But I don’t want you to leave either,luce mia.There might be a way to keep you protected in this city, but I don’t think you’ll like it.”
“What is it?” If it meant not having to uproot my entire life and start over, then I’d consider anything.
“Round-the-clock state protection for now.”
“You mean like bodyguards following me around everywhere?” God, I hated the idea of losing my freedom, but I supposed it was better than being forced out of the country.
“Si.”
I sighed, glancing out the window as we drove past the Colosseum. “It won’tbe forever, though, will it? Just until this investigation is over?”
He tilted his head. “That depends on the outcome. But if they come for you or threaten you in any way, we might have to consider other options.”
“Like what?”
“Marriage is an option.”
“Marriage!” I laughed with disbelief. “Unless my husband is bulletproof and comes with an entire hit squad, I don’t see how that’s supposed to help.”
“If you married a very influential figure in Roman society, someone who the mafia wouldn’t dare touch, then you’ll be safer.”
