Page 19 of They Found Us
“No longer breathing.”
“Nobody as yet knows our location?”
“No. But like I said, it didn’t take me long to find you.”
I pace the room again, racking my brain for a solution. Any kind of plan to keep my wife and children safe.
“You need protection, boss,” Van admits. “What’s the plan?”
“We go back.” Alex’ grunts as he sits up from his lying position. “It’s our only option.” He rubs the side of his head where Van knocked him out.
“No. I will not take my family back there to be slaughtered.”
“You’re just going to wait for them to come here and do it, then?”
“I will protect them.”
“How? When an army of Martelé turn up at your house, while your children and wife are sleeping in their beds, how are you going to protect them?”
“I have guns.” I’m getting more aggravated by my brother who, unfortunately, is right.
“You have guns.” It’s Alex’s turn to laugh now. “What about when they launch a missile straight through your son’s window that blows up the entire house?”
The thought makes me sick to the stomach. What have I done?
“If you come back to the Guerra, we can protect you.”
“And how are you going to do that, Van? You and Marco have already destroyed the organisation.”
Van looks annoyed at my outburst. He takes a moment and then explains his plans. “We have the new Chief of Police in our pocket. That was a big downfall with the last one who waswith the Martelé. We have the government on our side, with new deals happening as we speak. Recruitment has already started. We have pulled in all our men from across the continent and have a new training programme in place. One of which is with Ministry of Defence, who is sending all recent discharged armed forces to us.”
The plan sounds commendatory. But I’m surprised at how quickly this has come about and why it hadn’t been done before the chaos that unfolded, resulting in me being summoned to Italy.
“I know what you are both thinking,” Van continues. “But Marco has his head on straight now. We were attacked from too many sides before, what with the Martelé and Lorenzo, the last Chief of police who corrupted the government. Don’t forget the greatness of the Guerra name, which has been created over countless generations. The Guerra isn’t just about the size that we are. It’s about what we stand for. The country loves us. We do more for the civilians than the Martelé, the police, and the government put together. We have the backing, so we have the power.”
“The man talks some sense,” Alex agrees.
“It seems you have everything under control. But I still don’t see how my family would be safer there. As soon as we land, the Martelé would target them. They would live a life in fear. You said it yourself. The Martelé don’t know where we are. They may never find us.”
Van and Alex look at each other.
Alex stands and brushes himself down. “This has been a lot to take in. We need to think about everything before making any decisions. Van, you return to Italy. I will discuss the best route with you. We don’t want you being tracked back. Whenyou return, continue with your plans and get them done quickly. We need the Guerra strong. For now, we are safe. But we will come up with a plan for if or when that changes.” Alex looks to me for agreement.
I nod.
Alex continues. “Van, you will keep your ears to the ground, and anytime you hear about Leo and his whereabouts, you ring the radio phone. We will set certain times so it will never be missed again. Agreed?” Alex looks to both Van and me.
“Yes.”
“Affirmative.” Van salutes Alex in a condescending way.
“You were always annoying as a kid, Van. Hey, did you ever learn to ride that bike of yours?”
Van grows red in temper at Alex’s remark. The memory of us playing out on our bikes as kids burns brightly in my memory. Van and his sister Mia are the children of my father’s number one. When my father was in charge, their mother and my mother spent a lot of time together, so us children were forced to get along. Van was big even as child and could never quite get the art of riding a bike. It was like his wide frame was too large for such a narrow frame.
“No, I broke it after I wrapped it around your head. I then started cage fighting. More of a manly sport than cycling.”
Alex still bears the scar across his forehead from when Van threw his bike at him. Alex was a very good cyclist and often teased Van. He competed professionally for a while. Hence Van’s reply.
