Chapter 18: A New Kind of War
836 Words
The weeks after Enzo's death were quiet.
No attacks. No threats. No letters slipped under doors.
Elena started sleeping through the night. Dante stopped carrying a gun everywhere. Rosa smiled more often.
But Elena knew the silence wouldn't last.
"Moretti is still out there," she said one morning.
They were eating breakfast in the kitchen. Dante was reading reports.
"Yes. But he's staying quiet. Watching."
"That's worse than fighting."
"Agreed. But we can't attack without provocation. It would make us look like the aggressors."
"So we wait."
"We prepare."
---
Elena threw herself into training.
Not just fighting. Strategy. Negotiation. Leadership.
Dante taught her how to read people. How to spot lies. How to make men fear her without raising her voice.
"You're a natural," he said.
"I'm a fast learner."
"You're a born leader."
She didn't feel like a leader. She felt like a woman trying to survive.
But she kept learning.
---
At night, they talked about the future.
"I want to visit my father next week," Elena said.
"Take Rosa. I'll send guards."
"I don't need guards."
"You have enemies. You need guards."
Elena sighed. "I hate this."
"What?"
"Being watched. Being hunted. Being afraid."
Dante pulled her close. "It won't last forever. I'm getting out."
"When?"
"Soon. I'm transferring operations to my top men. Legitimizing businesses. Cutting ties."
"And Moretti?"
"He's the last loose end. Once he's gone, I'm done."
---
The next day, Elena visited her father.
Marco was sober. Healthy. He had started working at a small shop, repairing electronics.
"Elena, you look tired."
"I'm fine, Papa."
"You're not fine. I know my daughter."
She sat across from him. "I killed someone, Papa."
Marco's face went pale.
"During the attack. He was going to shoot Dante. I shot him first."
"I'm sorry you had to do that."
"I'm not. But I can't stop seeing his face."
Marco took her hand. "That's because you're human. The day you stop seeing faces is the day you lose yourself."
She squeezed his hand. "I'm trying not to lose myself."
"You won't. You're too strong."
---
When she returned to the mansion, Dante was waiting.
"How is he?"
"Good. Sober. Working."
"That's good."
"He said I'm too strong to lose myself."
Dante nodded. "He's right."
Elena looked at him. "What if I'm not strong enough for what comes next?"
"Then I'll be strong for both of us."
---
That night, Dante received a call.
Moretti wanted to meet. Neutral ground. To discuss peace.
"It's a trap," Elena said.
"Probably. But if I don't go, I look weak."
"Then let me come with you."
"No."
"Dante—"
"If you're there, I'll be distracted. I need to focus."
"Then promise me you'll come back."
He kissed her forehead. "I promise."
---
The meeting was set for the next night.
Elena could not sleep. She paced the study. Checked her phone. Stared at the door.
Rosa brought tea. "He'll come back."
"How do you know?"
"Because he has something to live for now. He didn't before."
Elena prayed.
At 11 PM, the door opened.
Dante walked in. His suit was clean. No blood.
"It's done."
"What happened?"
"We talked. He wants peace. He's tired of fighting."
"Do you trust him?"
"No. But I'll use him. For now."
---
The next few weeks were strange.
No threats. No attacks. Just... quiet.
Elena started taking online classes. She was determined to finish her degree.
Dante spent more time at the mansion. Less time on business.
"You're home a lot," Elena said.
"I'm delegating."
"To who?"
"My top men. They're capable."
"And you trust them?"
"I trust no one. But I need to step back."
---
One evening, Dante took her to the garden.
The roses were blooming. White. Red. Pink.
"I want to ask you something," he said.
"What?"
"When this is over... when Moretti is gone... will you marry me?"
Elena's heart stopped.
"Are you serious?"
"I've never been more serious."
She looked at his face. His gray eyes were soft. Vulnerable.
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes. A thousand times yes."
He kissed her. Long. Deep.
"I love you, Elena."
"I love you too."
---
They sat on the bench, holding hands.
"The wedding will be small," Dante said. "Just Rosa. Your father. A few friends."
"I don't want a big wedding. I just want you."
"You have me. Forever."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
---
That night, Elena dreamed of the future.
A house in the countryside. A garden full of roses. Children running through the grass.
She woke up smiling.
Dante was still asleep beside her.
She kissed his cheek.
"Good morning, my love."
He stirred. "Morning."
"I had a dream about us. About the future."
"Good dream?"
"The best."
He pulled her close.
"Then let's make it real."
---
The war with Moretti was not over. There would be more battles. More dangers.
But Elena was no longer afraid.
She had Dante. She had hope. She had a future.
And she would fight for it.
With everything she had.
- Writer
