We reached the stairs and started up to the third floor. They were still talking, and all I caught was something about being starving and wanting Vivo. I came to give her father a little push and remind him what was at stake. But she could have this one moment just to keep smiling.
Still, I wondered when the hell I started bending business rules around a woman, but that smile was worthwhile, rare to see.
The door opened halfway when I knocked. Alessia’s father peeked through the gap, cautious like he expected a bullet on the other side. His eyes landed on Alessia, and something cracked in his expression. He pulled the door open wider and Alessia launched into his arms. “Papa.”
They held each other tight. His arms locked around her like he could protect her from everything by holding her close. But his eyes didn’t stay on her. They found me.
The softness drained from his face. He knew this wasn’t asocial visit. He leaned down and whispered something to her. Alessia nodded, and the two girls walked in, leaving me outside. He stepped out and shut the door behind him.
“I’m working on everything,” he said. “I was going to send it before the day ends.”
“I need to see the progress.”
“Yes, yes … of course. Please, come in.” He opened the door again, and we stepped inside.
The air shifted. Three pairs of eyes turned our way. Alessia’s mother was pressing a glass of milk to her daughter’s lips, but froze mid-motion when she saw me. Alessia sat on the couch, caught in the middle, her mouth half-open. I looked away and followed her father to the dining table. The place was a mess of papers and files. His laptop was open. At least he was doing the damn work.
He grabbed a sheet from the pile. “This is the last list of new accounts in that month. I’m still tracking Luigi’s transfers, following the trail from the bank.”
Snatching the paper from him, I scanned it, eyes moving over the data without really reading. My focus broke the second I heard Alessia’s voice again.
“Mamma, I told you I’m okay.”
Her voice had a warmth I had never heard. Happiness slipped through, despite everything. And I listened to her laugh longer than I should’ve. Seated there, I caught myself replaying the smile she’d worn earlier. I wasn’t ready for it to be in my head, and I sure as hell wasn’t ready for how much I wanted to see it again.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Alessia
A knot tightened in mystomach when Rodion walked out of the house. We only stayed for about forty minutes, but when he said it was time to go, I knew the moment with my family was over. I looked at my father, about to ask if he could talk to Rodion and buy me a few more minutes, but he spoke before I could.
“You’re safe with him,” he said. “I’m working on everything to get you out of this.” I nodded, though I didn’t feel the comfort he offered.. Rodion had a grip on him, one I couldn’t see but could feel in every word he said. He took out his wallet and pulled out a few folded dollar bills. “Take this. In case you need something.”
I couldn’t even argue. I didn’t have a single penny on me. That safe house didn’t guarantee something as basic as sanitary towels like back in his territory. So, I took the money withoutprotest.
“Thank you, Papa.”
He wrapped his arms around me with a hollow pressure that said he knew he had failed me. An embrace that held more guilt than warmth. I hugged him back, burying my face in his chest.
“Go,” he whispered into my hair. “This will be over soon.”
On turning to my mother, she had three food containers stacked in her grip. I accepted them and gave her a childish pout. “I’ll miss your cooking.”
She fixed a loose strand behind my ear. “Eat well. Don’t skip meals.” I promised I would and hugged her tight, breathing in the faint scent of garlic and rosemary clinging to her apron. It made my chest ache.
Carina pulled me into a hug before I could let go of my mother. Redness rimmed her eyes, but she held onto the brave smile she always wore when everything was falling apart.
“You need to take care,” I told her.
“I’ll stay with your parents for a few days.” I loved her for knowing exactly when to talk and when to be there. Carina was a rare kind of friend. The type that stuck even when everything else crumbled.
We hugged for a few seconds before we began to cry.
“Okay,” she said, pulling away and wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her hoodie. “That’s it. No more hugs. Come on, I’ll walk you to the door.”
I laughed through the sobs and waved to my parents. Carina and I headed to the front door. Before she opened it, she leaned in close and lowered her voice.
“Hey. About him, are you sure there’s nothing between you two?”