FORTIFICATIONS
The security team arrived before lunch.
Six men. Ex military. The kind who moved like shadows and saw threats in everything.
They swept the apartment. Every room. Every closet. Every window.
Luca watched from the couch. Eyes wide. Clutching his stuffed triceratops.
“Mama, why are all these people here?”
I sat beside him. Pulled him close. The lie came easy too easy.
“Just making sure our new home is very, very safe, baby. That’s all.”
“Because of the bad people?”
“Because we’re careful.” I kissed his head. “And being careful means making sure no one can get in who isn’t supposed to.”
“Like a castle,” he said. “With guards and..and walls and stuff.”
“Exactly like a castle.” I hugged him tighter. “You’re the prince. And we’re making sure you’re protected.”
“What do
