Chapter 14: The Safe House
883 Words
The safe house was deep in the countryside.
Two hours from the city. Surrounded by trees. Hidden from the road.
It was a small farmhouse. White walls. Red roof. A porch with rocking chairs.
Elena stepped out of the car. The air smelled like pine and earth.
"It's beautiful," she said.
"It's safe," Dante replied. "No one knows about this place. Not even my closest men."
"Not even Rosa?"
"Not even Rosa."
Elena looked at him. "You trust me more than Rosa?"
"I trust you with my life."
Her heart swelled.
---
The inside was modest. A living room. A kitchen. Two bedrooms.
"It's not the mansion," Dante said.
"It's perfect."
Rosa started a fire. The warmth spread through the house.
Elena sat on the couch. Dante sat beside her.
"We can't stay here forever," she said.
"I know. Just until I find the spy. Until I end Enzo."
"How long will that take?"
"A week. Maybe less."
"And if it takes longer?"
"Then we stay longer."
Elena leaned her head on his shoulder. "I never thought I'd say this, but I miss the mansion."
"You miss your room?"
"I miss feeling safe."
Dante kissed her hair. "You're safe here. I promise."
---
That night, they ate dinner by candlelight.
Rosa had packed food. Pasta. Sauce. Bread. Wine.
"This is almost romantic," Elena said.
"Almost?"
"The threat of death kind of kills the mood."
Dante laughed. A real laugh. "You always say the unexpected."
"It's my gift."
They ate in comfortable silence.
After dinner, they sat on the porch. The stars were bright. The air was cool.
"I could get used to this," Elena said.
"To what?"
"Peace. Quiet. You."
Dante took her hand. "When this is over, we can have more of this."
"Really?"
"I'll step back from the business. Let my men handle things. Spend more time with you."
"You would do that?"
"For you? Yes."
Elena kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you too."
---
The next morning, Dante was on the phone before sunrise.
Elena watched him from the doorway. His voice was low. Intense.
"The spy is still in the house. Find them. I don't care how."
He hung up. Turned to her.
"Any news?" she asked.
"Nothing yet. But soon."
Elena walked to him. Rubbed his shoulders.
"You're tense."
"I'm worried."
"About the spy?"
"About you."
She kissed his cheek. "I'm fine. I'm here. I'm safe."
"For now."
---
They spent the morning exploring the property.
A barn. A pond. A field of wildflowers.
Elena picked a handful of flowers. White and yellow.
"For Rosa," she said.
"She'll appreciate that."
They walked back to the house.
Rosa was in the kitchen, cooking. Elena put the flowers in a jar.
"Thank you, child," Rosa said.
"Thank you for coming with us."
"I go where Mr. Vitale goes. It's been that way for ten years."
"You love him like a son."
Rosa's eyes softened. "He is like a son to me. A difficult son. But a good one."
Elena smiled. "He is good. Even if he doesn't believe it."
---
That afternoon, Dante received a call.
His face darkened as he listened.
"What is it?" Elena asked.
"The spy. They found them."
"Who?"
"One of the kitchen staff. A woman named Carla. She's been working for the Rossi family for months."
"What will happen to her?"
Dante's jaw tightened. "What needs to happen."
Elena understood. Carla would not live to see another day.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"Don't be. She made her choice."
"But she was desperate. Desperate people do terrible things."
"Desperate people die."
Elena looked away. She knew the life she had chosen. The violence. The death.
But it still hurt.
---
That evening, they sat on the porch again.
"The spy is gone," Dante said. "The house is secure. We can return tomorrow."
"I'm not ready to go back."
"Why not?"
"Because here, you're not the boss. You're just Dante. I like that version of you."
He pulled her close. "I like the version of me that you see."
"It's the real you."
"Maybe. But the real me has enemies. Responsibilities. A city to run."
"Then let's stay one more day."
Dante nodded. "One more day."
---
They spent the next day fishing in the pond.
Elena had never fished before. Dante taught her.
"You hold the rod like this. Cast like this."
She tried. The line tangled.
"Again."
She tried again. The line landed in the water.
"Good."
They sat in silence, watching the bobber.
"I didn't think you would be good at fishing," Elena said.
"My father taught me. When I was young. Before he died."
"Do you miss him?"
"Every day."
Elena reached for his hand. "He would be proud of you."
"You think so?"
"I know so."
Dante kissed her.
They stayed until the sun set.
---
That night, they slept in each other's arms.
The safe house was quiet. The stars were bright.
"We go back tomorrow," Dante said.
"I know."
"Are you ready?"
"I'm ready for anything as long as you're beside me."
He held her tighter.
"Together."
"Together."
In the morning, they packed the car.
Rosa drove. Elena sat in the back with Dante.
The safe house disappeared behind them.
The war was waiting.
But they were ready.
- Writer
