Chapter 27

I looked around the room, not believing I was in a safe room in my own house that I didn’t know about.

The room was bigger than I would have expected as well. How did I not realise there was this much space missing from the house’s floor plan?

The room had a couch and armchair up against the wall to one side, a desk with a chair on the back wall, then a doorway next to about five monitors on the other wall with a big desk under it. That desk had a keyboard, mouse and everything I am guessing to control what is on the monitors.

Leo quickly proved my point by typing away and bringing up security footage on the screens.

My phone rang, making me jump. I pulled it out and saw it was Landon.

“I’m safe” I blurted out.

“Good. Where are you?’ he sounded relieved.

“In the safe room behind the office with Leo, you know the one you should have told me about earlier. Are you safe?”

He chuckled “Yes. Put Leo on Amore.”

“OK.” I handed over the phone to an already outstretched hand from Leo.

He starts talking to Landon in Italian as he watches the screens.

We can see there are 2 men in black I don’t recognise in my house running from room to room. Outside, I could see the bodies of the guards. There doesn’t seem to be any movement anywhere else on the estate that I can see.

Are these men here for me?

Leo seems to be able to read my mind and pulls me into a hug.

“I’ve got you. I will never let anything happen to you”, he holds me tight as he k****s the top of my head. He turns us so I can’t see the screens any more “You don’t need to see this. It will all be over in a second. Shhhhh.”

I only realised then there were tears running down my face and my whole body was shaking. I hold Leo tightly, debating if I should actually be watching and seeing what is going on out there.

Do I need to see what is happening in my house?

Do I need to get used to this and see it for myself?

This is my life now. I don’t know when the last time was that they had a breach, but should I be watching, so I tried to desensitise myself?

Landon said he would always protect me from this, although since it is our house being invaded this second time, is that even possible? Our house is supposed to be safe…

I couldn’t help the little laugh that left my lips from my next thought. Leo pulled away a little to look me in the eyes, probably worried I had lost my marbles.

“All this from a one-night stand,” I shrugged.

He couldn’t stop the laugh that came from him either. He pulled me back to him and kissed the top of my head again. “He knew from the start it wasn’t going to be one night and I don’t blame him. He found a precious gem.”

“That sounds like you’re giving me a compliment. Are you feeling OK?”

He laughs again and gives me a squeeze. “It’s all clear now. We will wait for a moment though and then take you to Ma’s. She will want to check every inch of you to make sure you didn’t get a scratch.”

“Of course!”

We stayed there as my heart rate started to slow down, the shakes didn’t want to subside just yet, just slowing down a little as well.

I knew I was safe with Leo, but still the thought of what was happening out there and that people were walking through my house looking to possibly kill me was too much. My little brain was in melt down.

“Were they here for me?”

Leo took in a deep breath and sighed “I don’t know yet.”

“Would you tell me if they were honestly?”

“No!”

Just as I thought!

“We would never let anyone hurt you. Remember that!” he whispered into my hair.

All I could do was nod and think of the bodies of those men outside. Outside in broad daylight! Not at night, in broad daylight!

For some reason, that made it even more scary. For them to be so brazen like that…. Stop! I have to stop thinking like that until I get answers from Ma. I trust Ma will tell me even if Landon tries to stop her.

I once again nearly jump out of my skin as the door suddenly slid open. I let go of Leo briefly to look at who it is when Landon’s smell and arms engulf me. Leo suddenly disappears from around me as Landon engulfs me, only pulling back slightly to look into my face.

“Are you sure you weren’t hurt?”

I nodded my head. “You?”

He shakes his head and k****s me tenderly before holding me tightly to his chest.

After a moment of just staying like that, he finally pulled away a bit again. “We are going to go to Ma’s and stay there, OK?” I just nodded. “I want you to close your eyes and keep them closed until we get there.”

But this time I shook my head and looked him in the eyes. “No. I need to see this. I need to know what is going on. If I am to be part of your world, I need to see it Landon. Today proved that I need to see.”

He searched my eyes as he scowled. You could see the thoughts going through his mind as he wanted to argue but knew I was right.

“Don’t you dare blame yourself either, young man. There is nothing else you could have done, so don’t you dare.” I licked the tip of his nose.

Yes, I can’t help myself. When in a serious or awkward situation, I always try to lighten the mood. And honestly, I need him to know I am OK and make him calm down and listen to me.

He chuckles and k****s my nose. “As soon as it becomes too much, close your eyes.”

“OK.”

Slowly, he leaded me out, still holding onto me tightly.

The office didn’t look any different, so one room down.

Next is the hall and I already knew, thanks to the monitors, that there were 2 men that had walked down them.

I felt a hand squeeze my shoulder. I am guessing it’s Leo and that it was for comfort as I am about to come face to face with it all.

First I saw the b***d splattered on the wall in front of me, then I looked down and saw a man in a pool of b***d with half his head blown off. My gag reflexes were holding at the moment but I wasn’t sure for how long. Probably just shock holding them at bay.

Landon gave me a squeeze and we stepped around him as much as we could, as I tried not to look down again.

We got to the foyer where 2 of our guards were carrying another body out of the house. Gio was there with… oh god I can’t remember the names of the 2 other guys right now. My brain is too busy trying to process everything or not process it!

They all looked at me with first relief and then pity. I gave them a half smile, “I need some shoes, they are in the cupboard there.” I knew Landon was not letting me go, so I had to let him know why I was pulling to the side.

“OK” was all he said as Gio practically ran to the cupboard door and pulled it open. He pulled out a pair of sneakers for me and handed them to me with a half smile.

“You ok?”

I just nodded as I tried not to gag. I can smell it now, my senses slowing returning. The smell of b***d, that copper smell mixed with the smell of gun powder was strong even with the door open.

I didn’t look in the sitting room as I knew the smell had to be from more than just the 2 men so, it had to be coming from there. It’s a shame, I really like the rugs and couches in there. I tried to joke with myself.

Leo suddenly appeared in front of me and put my shoes on as Landon steadied me.

“There are a few bodies out the front. Are you sure you don’t want to close your eyes?” Landon searched my eyes and I could see he was almost begging me to close my eyes without saying the words.

“OK, I’ll close them.” Also, I am sure I would be hurling my guts up in seconds if I saw them.

“Good. I will not let go, do as I tell you. I am right here Amore.” He half whispered reassuringly me, as he still held me tight.

Slowly he told me when to step and when we got to the car waiting for us. I got in the car and scooted over for him to follow me in as instructed. As soon as he was in the car, he had me in his arms again, holding me tight as someone drove us to Ma’s.

“You can open your eyes now if you want.”

I just nodded as my body felt numb. I’m still in shock, I’m guessing.

We got to Ma’s and the place was surrounded by a lot of guards and you could see more inside watching from the windows.

Landon got out and ushered me in with Leo right behind us. He must have been the driver.

Ma, Tom and Gi were all in the office. You could see the tension in the room still, even with some other guards at the windows and door.

Landon only briefly let me go as both Ma and Gi practically sprinted over and hugged me like their lives depended on it. I swear I heard a crack in my spine.

“You’re OK my daughter. Come and sit. Tom will get you something strong to drink.”

I wasn’t surprised that Landon sat on the couch and pulled me onto his lap, manoeuvring me so I was snug up against his chest like a child he was trying to comfort, his arms around me tight still.

Leo sat beside us and draped my legs over him.

Landon and Leo would probably normally be out there making sure everything was now clear but instead they were here comforting me. I won’t lie and say I don’t need it right now.

“Were they here for me?” I blurted out and instantly knew the answer from Ma and Gi’s faces. Landon, Tom and Leo of course, masked their expressions but it was too late. “Why?”

Landon let out a large sigh as everyone tried to think of an answer, but knew it was Landon who had to answer me. “We don’t know yet.” He looked into my eyes “But you are safe. No one is going to hurt you. EVER!”

“EVER!” Leo repeated with his jaw ticking.

Landon’s phone rang, cutting the awkward silence. His face and every muscle in his body was tight as he answered it.

Tom suddenly appeared in front of me with a glass of Baileys.

I love how they make sure they have some here for me, since they know it’s my favourite. Except for at lunches where it seems customary to drink their wine, they don’t normally try to give me anything else.

Landon was talking in Italian, the anger rolling off of him.

Leo’s phone went off next as Landon was still talking. Leo gently removed my legs from his lap and placed them softly on the couch before answering and leaving the room.

Ma watched him frowning.

The room was still except for Landon talking on the phone with Ma and Tom listening in. Gi was just sitting on the chair across from us on her phone, her perfectly tanned leg bouncing up and down from nerves.

I just sat there holding onto Landon, listening to his heart beat, trying to drown in the rhythm rather than everything else going on in the room and outside.

Landon hung up and put his finger under my chin to get my attention. “I have to go and deal with everything. It’s over. You are safe here. Gi is going to take you to the West Wing to our room and stay with you OK. I will try and be back as quickly as I can.”

I looked into his deep eyes, seeing his determination, anger and concern for me.

“OK. Please be safe, I can’t lose you!”

“Never!” he smirked and kissed me tenderly. Letting his mouth mould so gently to mine.

“I love you!” I blurted out as he pulled away. Scared that something might happen to him or me and I would never get the chance to tell him.

His expression melted into one of pure joy. “I love you more, Amore Mio and stop worrying. I WILL be back!”

He kissed me quickly before leaning his forehead against mine. “I love you more!” he said again before giving me one final squeeze. I reluctantly got up so he can go deal with the s**t storm outside those doors.

I watched as he strode out with purpose, every muscle on edge like a lion stalking its prey. He looked dangerous, scary and every bit the Mafia boss.

I skulled the rest of my drink, then looked up to Gi to see if she was ready to go. Sitting here waiting would be torture. I would prefer to go to our room and pretend to watch a movie or something with about 10 bottles of baileys!

Gi just nodded “Let’s go” she sighed out and tried to smile.

I hadn’t noticed Ma and Tom had left the room but couldn’t see them as we left.

“You OK as well?” I watched Gi to see if she was going to give me a real answer.

“Yes and no. You know what I mean?” I nodded. “There hasn’t been a breach in years and not one so… big. I don’t want to scare you but you need to know the truth. They wanted to take you alive, kidnap you. The call before, they were telling Landon one of the men started spilling the beans.”

“They had to be desperate to do it in broad daylight? And why me?”

She looked at me sadly, “Because you’re Landon’s weakness. They confirmed it was some of Uncle Fuckface Francesco’s minions. You know he had a massive operation going with a… rival family, should we say. Getting himself killed had put a big spanner in the works and they have lost millions and brought it all out in the open. They are getting desperate due to the big targets now on their backs.” She sighed. “I know this is going to be hard, but please don’t let this get to you. If it wasn’t you, it would have been me or one of our cousins or someone else close to the family they thought they could use as leverage.”

“But I am the weak link or the china doll.”

A smile suddenly took over her face “Or the breath of fresh air. I have never seen Landon like this, or Ma. Seriously, that woman is obsessed with you. It’s fantastic! She finally leaves me alone… a bit anyway!” she bumped my shoulder playfully.

“Yeah good luck with getting away from Ma, I’ll just have to remind her you’re lonely and need a date or something. Oh oh no you said you were ready to settle down!”

I laughed at the snort laugh that came out of Gi as she then tried to look at me in horror although still laughing. “Don’t you dare! I will tell her you were looking at wedding dresses!”

“Ha, that’s just mean!”

“Check mate b***h!” we were both now genuinely laughing like it was a normal day.

Even the guards that were escorting us were trying not to smile as they still watched every shadow, every window, every door as we walked.

The banter between us kept going as we tried to outdo each other with what we were going to tell Ma about the other until we reached the room. I believe I won with the story of telling Ma she was pregnant to some broke backpacker who skipped the country.

It was a large bedroom with just a king-sized bed, an Ensuite and a walk-in robe. It was, of course, extravagant even if it was a simple room to their standards, but all we needed was the TV, drinks and food which were waiting on the bed when we arrived.

Gi chose Deadpool, which I thought was rather fitting.

We sat back and skulled our drinks for a couple of hours until my eyes were closing on their own.