Chapter Six

I'll see you when the road decides it's time for our paths to cross again.     ~Ben Maxfield~            Bruno The day Ele was to meet with her father came sooner than expected. It wasn't that Freddie changed the date; it was how I felt. Maybe it was the anxiety of the uncertainty clouding me, but when the alarm went off that morning, I could feel my heart thumping loudly and out of rhythm. I would see her today. I thought as I laid on my back shirtless and with the covers reaching my waist, my right hand over my face. The pictures I had of her filled my brain. Every image I had seen looked beautiful than the last. Though they had been taken from a distance, I was able to make out every curve on her body and outline every contour of her face. She was still bald; I could tell by how she never went out in public without a beanie. I dressed as usual, in a black suit, white shirt, and black shoes. I looked like a man who did a 9 to 5 job, except my suit was too expensive for someone like that to afford it. I went around to sit at the dining table to find Berta had made every morsel available for breakfast; the table was full as if she was feeding an army. I would have enjoyed the food in normal circumstances, but my mission today kept me from eating until my belly was full, but I did eat a little while I waited for Dev to wake up. Finally, it was time to leave. Dev carried a bag that had clothes for a four-year-old boy, but I hadn't prepared anything for Ele; I figured we'd have to sort that out when we get home because I had no idea how to shop for a woman and, to be honest, I wasn't sure what kind she would like. I had only seen her in maxi dresses and long skirts though that had Freddie's orders written all over it than her taste. The helicopter picked us up in time. "Are you ready?" Dev Questioned, looking at me as we boarded the helicopter. "I've never been more prepared," I responded, feeling both relieved and a little bit uncertain. I felt a myriad of emotions on that ride, but none came close to how much I was looking forward to seeing Ele again. It was going to be interesting, living with her and getting to see how she looked first thing in the morning, or how she looked when sleepy, or hungry or full, or when she laughed. Although my life was about to be turned upside down, I figured the prize was far much more than the struggle. She was finally going to be with me. "She has one bodyguard, " Dev repeated for the hundredth time. "I know, you've told me that already; his name is Massimo." I snapped, pining my eyes on his until he became uneasy."You don't need to be nervous about this; nobody is dying today." I assured him as the helicopter began to descend, it's loud noise keeping us from conversing. "You said today, does it mean someone might die someday?" "People die every day, Dev." I took the bag he was carrying and deposited it on the boot of the black range rover sports that had been left for us. One of the best decisions we ever made was investing in legitimate businesses—we got to enjoy both worlds. However, it was imperative to keep both of them separate. I guess it was possible to have our cake and eat it too. I amused, walking to talk with the guys driving a ten wheel truck to block the road. "We all know our roles, don't we?" I asked. They all nodded. " If plan A fails, let's use the second, no improvising until I say so, and unless someone is about to kill you, do not shoot!" We had three cars, two range rover sports, just in case something happened to the one I was driving, and the truck; all of them using fake number plates. It's how the game is played. The truck driver drove first, and we followed. I had used this same road earlier in the week trying to choose the best position to abduct Ele and her son, and I found the best was slightly after a corner. Maybe I shouldn't use the word abduct; save should be the best word to use in such a scenario. I wasn't k********g them; I was rescuing them. My phone rang; it was Jesûs, "Did they leave?" I asked without preamble; he signed dramatically over the phone," Did I spend the night with you? Can't you just say hi before getting into business?" "I don't have time for this, man!" I thundered, wishing it was possible to wreck his neck from where I stood. "Fine, according to my estimation, they'll be there in ten minutes." he yielded but not before he said I owed him one. "Does she still have one bodyguard, or has the plan changed?" "No, just one," Jesûs confirmed; I heard him open his car door and the sound of him pulling the seat belt. "Now, about that debt, " he began, but I cut him off. "You know I pay my debts, " I told him, hanging up before I could hear his rejoinder. I run to the truck driver to get into position just as a Toyota Corolla drove past me. No more cars now until I get them, I shouted at someone on the phone, then stepped off the road to give the truck driver enough room to maneuver it into position. Having done that, I leaned my back on the passenger's side of it because I would be hidden from any approaching car but still retaining the privilege to see one coming. Anytime now, I thought, feeling my stomach flipping over in either excitement or anxiety, I wasn't sure anymore. I swear I could hear the sound of my heart thudding. It was so loud I couldn't hear myself think. Suddenly, I didn't have time to hear either my thoughts or heart; their car slowing down threw me into motion.  Ele "Don't worry too much, Luca; grandfather is going to love you," I assured my son, who'd been beside himself since I told him we were leaving to visit his grandfather. "Didn't he like me before?" he had asked me, sounding venerable and small. Since his birth, he has only known rejection, and my love for him did not protect him from feeling unwanted by everyone else around him. "He likes you, but I wouldn't let you meet him, " I answered, hoping that would be enough information or at least enough to keep him from asking any further questions, but my son was smart for his age; he wanted more. "Why, don't you like him?" I smiled at his innocence before leaning to whisper, "no. I don't like him," it was the truth. "I won't like him either, " he whispered sternly into my ear, covering a side of his mouth just as I had done. We were still whispering into each other's ears when Massimo slowed down the car; I moved my eyes to see a truck covering almost the whole path. There was no way for us to pass through unless Massimo decided to reverse and go back, but looking back, that option had already been taken away from him by a black jeep driving closely behind us. No sooner had I moved my eyes to the front, I heard someone trying to yank on my door at the same time Massimo was dragged out. I tensed, pulling my son to my body. I could hear male voices from outside. I screamed when the door was forcefully opened; Luca let out a cry of his own when I did. "Ele, " my heart and body recognized that voice; it hadn't changed in five years. I stayed still absorbing it all while still hiding in Luca's shoulders with my eyes closed. He got my note, I thought. He got my note; I kept thinking. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I was so happy, so happy my body decided crying was the best way to express it. "We need to move, " he said, pulling Luca from my arms and taking my hand in his. It was the first time in my life that I wasn't worried about what tomorrow might bring. It was freedom. I ran to keep up with his strides even though my hand was still in his; Luca threw me an uncertain look, and I smiled a little to let him know it was okay. "Get in, " he said in a low but urgent voice, holding the door to the back of a black car; I slid in, and he placed Luca on my lap. "Buckle up, " he said as he shut the door. I saw him pass through the windscreen to get into the driver's seat at the same time another guy sat on the passenger side. I watched him start the car while still pulling his safety belt without missing a beat. I didn't know much about the speed limit, but I was sure he was breaking it. He drove so fast my head spun, Luca's small hand crutched tightly on my blouse just above my right breast. Yet even at that speed, I wasn't afraid; I knew we would arrive safely to wherever he was taking us. The car slowed down to take a corner to what I quickly recognized as an airstrip. We drove through to park the car directly in front of the stairs of a gleaming private jet. I had never been into one, neither have ever left Italy. I found I was really looking forward to the next chapter of my and Luca's life. Though I was happy, I didn't know how to behave. Do I get out or stay still? I was saved from making the decision when my door was opened to reveal Luciano. "We are here," he said, unbuckling my belt to pull out Luca off my lap. Luca went willingly with him, giving me time to get out. I stood beside them, my son and the man the boy I loved had become. "Dev, get the bag," he called out to the guy who had sat beside him in the car. I was still in a trance; the sound of his voice felt as if I was dreaming and conjuring his image, except even in my dreams, I had never seen him holding Luca that naturally as if this wasn't his first time holding a child. Although Luca didn't fuss, I could see him watching me, looking for any sign of fear from my face. I winked at him and then touched his face gently to reassure him that we were okay. Luciano was big, bigger than life. His hair was shorter than it had been five years ago. I stared at him, secretly noticing little things, like how long his eyelashes were or how easily he smiled at the guy he called Dev. "Okay, Ele, get in the front." he pointed at the stairs, and I realized he meant for me to proceed them. I hesitated, throwing a nervous look at him. He nodded, turning Luca to look at me. I realized he wanted him to see me so he doesn't have to worry or fear I wasn't with him. I took one step at a time until I got inside the jet. I stood to let him through because I didn't know where to sit. "Sit anywhere, or with me," he said, pointing at the opposite seat beside him. He handed Luca back to me, who, although he came to my arms willingly, I could tell he was curious about Luciano. "Genetics can be a blessing sometimes, can't they, Ele?" I wasn't sure how to respond to that, so I raised my eyebrow at him in confusion. "He has my eyes." he was staring at Luca with a look I couldn't understand. " What's your name?" I didn't expect him to answer, Luca had a fear of men, but I was surprised when he did. "Luca." his small voice said, and he hid his face in my chest for a second before moving his eyes to stare at Luciano in wonder as if he was his hero. It was a look I had never seen on him, not even directed at me Luciano gave me a secret smile, one that was loaded with humor and knowledge. It was as if he was privy to some of my innermost secrets. "Well, Luca, mine is Bruno." He held out his hand to Luca, and I nodded to him to take it. "I changed it the same night I left, " he told me even though I hadn't asked. "Giuseppe is asking if we are ready for take-off," Dev announced, passing Luca a pack of milk. "Tell him yes."