“In the hotel, picking up your and our luggage. We’re going to take it to you.”

“Good. Who else is in the hotel?”

“Most of the Underbosses and Captains have already left. They’re trying to bring their families to safety.”

“Can you tell someone to pick up Ines and Pietro’s things? I don’t want them in the hotel. They need to come to the safehouse as well.”

“Of course. Do you want me to stay? Or should I return to Chicago?”

Giovanni had taken over as my Consigliere while Rocco remained locked in that cell. I had a feeling his life might be of value soon. Sighing, I sank down in an armchair. “I need someone to hold the forte in Chicago while I’m not there.”

“Then Livia and I’ll return today. We’ll just drop your suitcases off at the safehouse.”

I hung up then called Danilo. It took a while before he picked up. “Any leads?”

“They headed out of town on Interstate 70 then switched to smaller roads. We lost their trail around Terre Haute but I have sent out every available man. We have to stop them from leaving our territory.”

“They’ll try to take a private jet or helicopter because it’s safer and quicker than taking the road.”

“We can’t let them take her to their territory…” The despair in Danilo’s voice was palpable. This was supposed to be a day of celebration for Serafina and him, instead they experienced hell. Serafina… I couldn’t allow myself to consider what she might be going through at the hands of Remo, or I’d lose any objectivity.

“The Outfit is looking for them. I’ll head out to join you as soon as Samuel and Pietro get to the safehouse.”

Taft and Enzo came into the living room and I ended my call with Danilo.

“We checked the premises and turned on the surveillance cameras. But we should add more armed guards in the surrounding streets.”

“See who isn’t needed for the search for Serafina.”

“I could ask my son and a few of our men to come from Chicago. He’s the best.”

Pride rang in his voice and he had every reason to feel that way. Santino was one of my best soldiers.

I nodded distractedly. “They should hurry. We’ll stay for a couple more days at least, until things have calmed and we’ve found Serafina.”

“Do you think we’ll get her back quickly?” Taft asked.

I stood. “We have to. Now ask for reinforcement.”

They left and I stared out of the window, trying to consider my options. Remo was a monster. Unfortunately, he was a clever monster if rumors could be trusted. I’d never met him or his brothers, only his father. That man had been a narcissistic maniac who could be driven to rash decisions. I hoped Remo would be the same way.

Steps rang out. Tension shot through my body and I turned around, my gun drawn. Val froze. She was dressed in jeans and a simple T-shirt, a rare sight.

Now that she didn’t have to keep up appearances for the public or our children fear shone clearly in her eyes. I crossed the distance between us, cradling her face and kissing her. “You are safe. No matter the price, I’ll keep you safe.”

Val swallowed, her eyes swimming with tears. “I’m so scared for Serafina.”

I gave a terse nod. “Once Pietro and Samuel are here, we’ll head out to join the chase for Serafina.”

“Be careful,” Val pleaded.

“I’m not worried for myself. I can handle the situation.”

Val closed her eyes and pressed her forehead to my shoulder. “How are we going to protect our children in this world? War with the Camorra and the Famiglia…” She shuddered. “How can we all get out of it unscathed?”

I kissed the top of her head. “You and our children will, I swear.”

“You too. I need you to be safe too.”

I tightened my hold on her, not saying anything. My safety was irrelevant as long as my family remained untouched. I’d lay my life down if it protected them.

This morning, Anna’s laughter had rung in my ears, now I had to watch my daughter curled up in the narrow bed in the safehouse, dressed in foreign pajamas. Her hair was still in her pretty wedding updo. She’d refused to let it down.

Tears burned my eyes. They had all day, and it became a harder struggle containing them with every passing moment. Taking a deep breath, I walked toward the bed and sank down on its edge. I touched Anna’s neck, feeling the pins in there.

Anna sobbed into her pillow, completely shaken. I wished she hadn’t been witness to the chaos, the panic and Ines’ and Sofia’s open sorrow, wished I could have protected her from the harsh realities of mob life. I wanted to preserve her and Leonas’ childhood for as long as possible. Now it had ended far too soon.

Anna turned her head slightly, peering up at me with terrified eyes. “Mommy…”

I leaned down and kissed Anna’s temple, tasting her tears. Her anguish felt worse than my own. “Can I take your pins out? You can’t sleep with your hair up like that.”

It was such a meaningless thing to worry about.

Anna nodded then buried her face in the pillow once more. I began to remove one pin after the other until Anna’s brown hair fanned out on her back. I raked my fingers through the curls, trying to calm myself as much as my daughter.

A creak made my head turn. Leonas stood in the doorway, dressed in too big sweatpants and a T-shirt, his hair standing on end. He looked a little lost. Sometimes he appeared older than his seven years, but today he was the little boy I wanted him to remain for as long as possible. “Is your dad home yet?” I asked.

Leonas shook his head and came inside hesitantly, his green eyes darting to his sobbing sister. He stopped at the end of the bed, watching Anna cry with a wary expression as if Anna’s tears were something contagious.

I stroked her hair almost mechanically.

I held out my other hand to Leonas but he stayed where he was. He reminded me of Dante when it came to dealing with emotions and his problems. He tried to solve them on his own.

It was way past midnight and considering that we’d been awake since sunrise we should have been tired but neither of us craved sleep.

“Can I play poker with Taft and Enzo? They told me I need to ask for permission.”

“You sure you don’t want to stay here?”

Leonas looked at Anna then at me and gave a jerky shake of his head. “I want to play poker.”

“Okay, then do that.” Everyone dealt differently with trauma. If distraction was Leonas’ balm then I wouldn’t stop him. He left quickly and I turned back to Anna then stretched out beside her. She lifted her head slightly to look at me. “Mommy, will they kidnap me as well?”

“No,” I said fiercely. “No, they won’t. You will always be safe. Always.”

Anna nodded. “Is that why Daddy insists I am homeschooled?”

Dante and I had actually considered sending Anna to the same private school Leonas went to at the start of the new school year in a few weeks. It was meant as a surprise for her. Now I wasn’t sure if we’d go through with it. I actually wished Leonas could be homeschooled as well, but Dante wouldn’t budge on that. “Yes.”