“They’ll be discreet; you won’t even notice they’re around!” I stare at him with an eyebrow raised, and he lets out a laugh, making me smile. “Maybe you will notice them, but it’s not the end of the world; with time, you’ll get used to it.”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get used to it!”
“With the security guards?” Luca asks, letting out a smile.
“With this life, I don’t know if I fit in!” I say, looking down at the floor, not wanting to face Luca. He laughs out loud, making me look up, confused.
“You’re a fucking queen in the making, Chiara; anyone can see that; you’re perfect for the Capo’s wife title!”
“Enough to be your wife?” I ask, facing him. Luca looks at me and then looks away. He looks at the garden behind me, picks up his cell phone, and writes something on it.
“I have to prepare the soldiers who will accompany you; get your things ready; the jet leaves in two hours. I’ll meet you at the airport with the soldiers that will be taking care of you!” he says, leaving the garden and toward hisLa Ferrariparked in front of the house, leaving me standing in the garden, waiting for an answer that I obviously won’t get.
I walk inside the house and see my mother’s and grandma’s eyes on me; they both look worried, so I try to smile to calm them down. I see Mom coming toward me, giving me a hug, and kissing the top of my head.
“Come on, let’s get your things ready; your brothers are packing.” I look at her, confused, not understanding why Lorenzo and Vincenzo would be packing.
“Why?”
“They’re going with you to London for a week, just enough time for you to settle in permanently and get used to the city, and as the girls won’t be back until tomorrow night, you won’t spend a night on your own after all…”
“Do you think something will happen to me?” I mutter with notable insecurity in my voice as I pack the last of my things into my suitcase.
“Of course not, honey! Chiara look at me.” I face her, and she pulls me toward the bed and sits down in front of me. “Your father and I have always done everything to keep you and your siblings safe, and we always have. That’s not going to changenow. Besides, Don Henrico has guaranteed that the Camorra will protect you, and they keep their word.”
I nod, making her smile and focus on finishing packing. I go downstairs and see my dad, along with Grandma and Mom, waiting for me at the bottom. I smile at them and run to hug them, seeing mom’s disapproving glance on me for running down the stairs.
“I’m going to miss you all so much! What will become of me without you?” I dramatically profess, hugging Grandma.
“We’re only a phone call away, Principessa!” reassures Dad with a smile on his face, making me hug him and squeeze him in my arms. I rest my cheek against his chest and listen to his soft heartbeat, making me relax. “It’s going to be okay, I promise!”
After saying goodbye to everyone, I get into the car with my brothers and wait for the two security cars in front of us to start. I look back, and two more black cars are following us, beginning our journey to the airport.
“This is ridiculous; these security cars scream mafia everywhere. Doesn’t that make it easier for them to see that we’re involved with the Camorra?” I annoyingly mention, checking back at the black cars following us.
“Chiara, please stop being paranoid; it’s just a precaution. Besides, it’s not just members of the mafia who use escorts; lots of rich people in Italy do; just think of yourself as you are, a billionaire with security!” comments Lorenzo in a bored tone, as if he were explaining something to a child for the billionth time. I snort audibly and lean against the seat with my arms crossed, like a real spoiled child. He looks at me and just rolls his eyes, paying attention to what’s going on in the city. I look at Vincenzo, and he smiles at me, amused with the talk, and winks at me. I close my eyes and think about everything that has happened in my life over the past few days, trying to figure out when everything turned into chaos.
At that thought, my stomach twists and turns, and I feel my breathing become ragged. I wonder why I get into trouble all the time. I feel like I’m a walking disaster; not only have I got myself into a complicated situation, but I’ve dragged my whole family down with me. I try to pull the air in sharply, an unsuccessful attempt to calm down, and I feel the tears fighting to come down, so I pinch my arm hard to slow them down. I take a deep breath and feel like I’m drowning; my lungs aren’t accepting the air I’m desperately trying to give them. My heart is racing, and it feels like my ribcage could burst at any moment. I feel my hand being squeezed lightly, and I look at Vincenzo; he looks at me with a reassuring smile and pulls me toward him, hugging me tightly.Finally, my lungs accept the oxygen I was desperately giving them, and I breathe. When my brother loosens his embrace a little, I look out of the window and realize that we are at the airport and the car is about to park near the jet waiting for us. When it stops, they jump out of the car, signaling for me to wait. I see the security guards checking the surroundings, and I roll my eyes so hard that I think it’s lucky they are not upside down right now; as soon as the perimeter has been checked, Lorenzo opens my door, and I can finally breathe fresh air.
“Are we leaving already?” I ask as the security guards take our bags to the jet.
“Not yet; Luca should be arriving with the soldiers who will accompany you!”
Immediately after he talks, a blackLamborghinienters the airport with a car attached, and I see Luca get out of the ridiculously expensive car and walk toward us, so cool and handsome that I feel my body shiver, making me incredibly frustrated at my body’s reaction to this man. He nods at my brother and walks to me.
“Chiara, this is Francesco and Paolo; they’re going to accompany you to London!” He says, pointing to the men infront of me. I smile at them, and they nod seriously, heading for the jet to load their luggageandleaving me alone with Luca.
“Is this really necessary? The escort to the airport was ridiculous enough; now I’m going to have two babysitters as well?”
“Why do I feel that these little persistent and stubborn comments will only get worse once we get married?” says Luca in a relaxed way, making me want to shout at him. “It’s what’s necessary for now, and I don’t think it’s going to change; we have to keep you safe, whether you like it or not!”
“And where is your security escort?” I genuinely asking, causing him to laugh and staring me with a look that I can only decipher as, are you serious?
“I don’t need an escort, Chiara, as you said a few days ago; I’m a big and dangerous man. I don’t need protection, but anyone who tries something with me does need several security guards!”
“The Camorra has been attacked; they might try to kill you!” I say exasperatedly.
“Nothing will happen to me, don’t worry, there’ll be a Capo to marry!” he reassures, giving a smirk. He fiddles with something in his jacket and takes out a small gun from his holster, which I recognize as being made by my family. “Here, even though your family makes guns, I know you don’t carry any; this one is always with you; never leave it out of your reach. Give me your phone!” I unlock it and hand over the phone, watching him insert his number. “Here’s my number; you can call me at any time, for any reason. Chiara, if you feel something is wrong and you’re scared, if for some reason none of the security guards are with you, shoot to kill!”
