Page 27 of They Found Us
“I miss it too.” Vanna sighs.
“Really? But you’ve got the perfect life here.”
“We’ve got the perfect house with the perfect view. We’ve got jobs we enjoy and have enough money to have whatever we want. But those are things, not life.”
“No, I suppose not.”
“I love Alex, but I miss having family around me. Well, some of them. I miss having friends. What’s the point in having this big house if we have no one to share it with?”
“I understand what you mean. But you have us now.” I raise my glass in a toast to Vanna.
She accepts, and we clink glasses.
She’s smiling, but there’s sadness behind it. “Anyone on the outside looking in would think this is the perfect life. But it’s likeGroundhog Dayor like going on holiday and staying there for the rest of your life. It’s repetitive and boring. I have nothing to look forward to. Every day is the same. Nothing will ever change. Until I get old and can no longer do the things I can now.”
Vanna speaks with real sadness. I’m taken aback and not really sure what to say.
“I wanted children,” she continues. “I wanted a family. But that has all been taken away from me.”
“What do you mean?”
“We’ve been trying for years. Nothing. We went to all the doctors we could, we’ve had test after test. Turns out, my reproductive organs are older than their years, and Alex has a low sperm count.”
“But there are things that you can do to help that, right?” I ask hopefully, but Vanna shakes her head.
“We’ve done all the fertility treatments the island has to offer. Medications, injections, supplements. Nothing worked. What we need is IVF, but the hospital on the island doesn’t have the facilities or specialist for that.”
“Oh, Vanna, I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks, but please don’t tell me it will happen eventually or to stop trying and it will happen, etc. I’ve had enough of that from councillors and random people, and it really doesn’t help.”
“No, of course.”
Vanna puts on her sunglasses and takes a big sip of her cocktail. I expect she’s covering the emotion in her eyes.
“Don’t give up hope, though, Vanna. Miracles do happen. I’m a firm believer in everything happening for a reason.”
“Yeah, we will see.” Vanna slumps back in her chair.
Leo
As soon as Alex pulls the car away from our house, I go into work mode. “The latest updates in Italy?” I ask.
“As of this morning, we have restored all connections and gained new trade deals. Van has the new recruits in training, andthere has been a restructure in ranks. The Guerra is going to be bigger and stronger than ever.”
“Any more developments on the fact that I am still alive?”
“Nothing,” Alex assures me. “Van has ears everywhere. But that’s not necessarily a good thing. And without telling people exactly what they are listening for, it’s hard to dig for more information.”
“Still, it buys us some time.”
“No, it doesn’t.” Alex groans, shaking his head. “There are new people arriving on the island every week. There’s only so much background we can check. They turn up with fake passports and new identities, just like you and me. We can keep an eye on unplanned arrivals, but those arranged through correct channels, we have no control over. Martelé could have people arriving any day now, and we wouldn’t have a clue.”
Alex pulls off the main road and up a dirt track. The road has a steep incline. The higher we go, the more incredible the views of the island get. It’s a mixture of greens from the luscious trees and plants and blues from the sky and ocean. I take in the sight as my brain processes Alex words.
We need to return to Italy soon. The Martelé must not find us here. They cannot ever know this island exists. My Katie is not going to be happy when I tell her. She is going to be devastated, in fact. Our life on this island is all she has ever wanted. All she has ever wanted for our boys. And I am about to take all that away from her. I’m furious with myself that I have brought about this situation. The reason they are in danger is that I returned to Italy. I wasn’t careful enough. I was seen. My return even resulted in the death of an innocent air stewardess. My head hangs in shame, and I rub my forehead.
“Hey, you can cut that out.” Alex elbows me in the side. “We are Guerras. We don’t worry or care about situations. We get things done and move on.”
