The raw emotion shocked me as it tore throughout my body. “Can they survive?”
“I don’t know.”
I’d never seen such agony on his face, and it deepened my concern. We were safe here while they fought to protect us. Itwasn’t right. We should all be together. The thought rocked me onto my heels.
I’d shot someone to protect Alessio and Matteo. And I’d do it again for any of them. I wanted nothing more than to have all three men in here with me so I’d know they were okay. A shudder rippled up my spine, followed by another. Soon, my entire body trembled.
“I shot him.”
“You saved us.” Alessio pulled me to his chest. “I’m sorry you were forced to do that. I should have been paying attention. We’re supposed to protect you.”
“I can protect you too. All of you.” I leaned into his touch and let him comfort me. “I’m not a damsel in distress, Alessio.”
“That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try.” He guided me to a chair and eased me down onto the cold metal. “I’ll get some blankets.”
He backed toward the lockers and pulled several jackets down to reveal a deeper compartment stacked with bedding. A red quilt sat on top, and Alessio paused with his hand on top of the thick cover. His brows knitted together.
“This was my mother’s. It shouldn’t be here.” He pulled it down, and a piece of paper fluttered to the floor.
I bent to grab it, stopping when I saw Alessio’s name in a thick scrawl. “That’s not your writing.”
He wrapped the blanket tight around my shoulders and plucked the paper up between his thumb and forefinger. “It’s my father’s.”
“Your papa?” Leo jumped up from his chair and ran over to Alessio, scrambling up into his lap. “Like you’re my papa?”
Tears blurred my vision when Alessio tucked Leo close and settled his chin on Leo’s head. He questioned me with a look, and when I nodded, he hugged Leo tight. “Yes, Son. Like I’m your papa.” He said it with such love and reverence that my entire body went soft.
I’d taken this away from him by denying Leo his father. I’d ignored the looks of adoration Leo gave Alessio and the way he always asked Alessio’s opinion when they played together. He was a miniature of Alessio in many ways, ways that were more evident by the minute.
“What’s it say?” Leo tapped the paper, drawing our attention back.
Alessio unfolded the stiff sheet and held it up. His lips caressed the words in silence, a growing tension knotting his shoulders. His arm around Leo tightened slightly until he lowered the paper, creased it into a palm-sized square, and shoved it into his pocket. “He had the artifact all along.”
“What’s an artifact?” Leo asked.
Alessio blinked slowly, his focus returning at Leo’s question. “Something I’ve been looking for.” A mockery of a laugh rattled from him. “And it’s been here all along.”
“You said this was his panic room.” I took in the space with that knowledge in the forefront of my mind. It made more sense now. The utilitarian room was so unlike Alessio. His father must have been a military man, someone who preferred the sparseness of clean lines and no wasted space.
Like Renzo.
Alessio rubbed his hand over his forehead then swiped it across his thigh. The damp ring of sweat trickling down his temples reminded me of Matteo’s warning.
“How bad is it?” The question meant so much more. Would we see Matteo and Renzo again? Was Alessio going to be okay here? The room wasn’t cramped, but it felt that way with the narrow walls and stacks of equipment.
Alessio ruffled Leo’s hair, and his tight jaw relaxed a fraction. “We’ll be okay. There’s food and water, places to sleep. Matteo will come get us when things calm down.” He stopped there, acautionary tilt to his chin as he looked at Leo. “We’re going to be fine.”
“What about you?” I hesitated to call him out directly, but maybe it was time. “Matteo was worried you’d struggle with the small space?—”
“Let’s not talk about that.” Standing, he set Leo on his chair. “Let’s have a treasure hunt instead.” He tapped his pocket. “The letter says he hid the artifact but doesn’t say where. He mentions it’s safe from the vultures. He must mean the Verduccis. Their symbol is the vulture.”
“What’s yours?” I suspected he had one. Just as I suspected I knew exactly what he tried to hide from me, the real meaning of tonight’s raid. Those men had called out for blood, demanding Alessio and my son come to them.
“I like treasure hunts. I’m real good at them.” Leo hopped down from the chair and ran over to the lockers. “I’ll look here.” He stopped and tapped his index finger against his chin, exactly like Alessio. “What’s it look like?”
“Like a coin.” Alessio held his hands out, his fingers making a circle. “About this big. It’ll be gold with a red gem in the center.”
“Okay.” Leo dove into the search, his excited chatter swirling around us.
