Chapter 5
Anatonia
I’ve been training Domino for four weeks now. It’s been that long since I last saw Vitaly. I don’t see him around anymore, so I expect he’s gone back to Russia. The family will be leaving soon as Natale graduates from school, and they will take Posy with them. I need to meet with Capo. He knows I’m going back to Russia, but I need to make sure he understands I’m not going to be able to return to Sicily ever.
I knock on his office door.
“Come in.” His deep voice sounds through the door. I step inside and see Natale sitting there with him. I’d told them I wanted to speak to them earlier.
“Capo.” I tip my head, giving him the respect I’ve shown him since the beginning.
“Ana.” He doesn’t say anything else. But his jaw is relaxed, his eyes focused on me. I know without asking him that he’s always been there for me.
“Like I said before, it’s time to end this feud.”
“It is.”
“I’ll make sure there are no current hits on the family. Then I’m heading back to Russia. I won’t be going to Sicily with you. But if you need me again, you know how to reach me.” I look at both Natale and Capo, making sure they understand. They know my secure email and about the secreted burner phone I have for just them.
“Do you have help?” Natale asks.
“I don’t need help.” I smirk at him. “But I want to apologize.”
“For?” His voice is tight.
“I shouldn’t have left Posy since I suspected she would be targeted next.”
He stands from his chair. “Next?”
“My uncle sent a hitman. He didn’t finish the job and I sent him back.”
Natale laughs but my eyes are on Capo. I see the moment he figures it out. He knows I care for Vitaly.
“You let him walk away?” Natale continues to chuckle.
“Si,” I say, and drop my eyes, sure that Carlo can see more than I’m saying.
“Anatonia, you know if…” He doesn’t finish the sentence. I look up and nod before heading out the door. I make my way into the kitchen and find Maria. I’d already told Capo and her I’m flying out tomorrow morning.
Watching her for a moment, I feel the thump in my chest. She’s always treated me like family and not as a hired gun. I’m glad my uncle failed to kill her. She is the heart of the Morello family, and I’ll continue to protect her and Posy. She turns to see me and walks over to me.
“Ana, do you really have to go?”
“I do, Maria. It’s for the best.” I let her pull me into her body and hug me close, but not for long as I feel my heart cracking already.
“You come see us in Sicily when you get a chance,” she says as she squeezes my hand. I nod unable to speak as my words are trapped in my throat, and because I can’t tell her I don’t know if I’ll survive this.
I walk out of the kitchen and head to the library where Posy is sitting in a chair reading. We both learned we like to read romance novels. It’s the only way I can shut off the images and forget for a moment. She is swinging her legs as she reads. I smile because she’s come so far, and I hope she continues to grow.
“Posy.”
“Hey, Ana. Are you off?” She thinks I’m just leaving for the night.
“I’m taking off for a bit. I can’t let men like Igor come after you again.” I explain and start to turn away from her.
“Wait.” She stops me and I turn back toward her. She rises up from the chair and walks to me.
“Thank you for everything.”