Chapter 21: Safe House Reclamation (Elena's POV)
The truck finally slows and turns onto a hidden dirt track. Trees close in thick and dark blocking the moonlight. Nico kills the headlights coasts the last few hundred meters until an old farmhouse appears low brick walls boarded windows but lights on inside warm yellow glow spilling from the cracks.
Matteo helps me out of the truck careful of his wounded shoulder. Luca and Nico flank us guns still drawn scanning the trees. We move quick inside the house door shuts heavy behind us locks click.
The living room is basic couch table lamp on low. No luxury no penthouse glamour just safe hidden rough.
Matteo lay on his back, shirt off, the bandage fresh on his shoulder where the bullet had grazed him deep. Blood still stained the edges pink,
