The Woman at the Docks (Grassi Framily)

"I think I was just surprised. That something like that came from him. And then Lucky."

"Everyone has a little darkness in them. Matteo and Lucky's just stay buried until they feel like they need it."

"I'm not a threat to your family," I insisted.

"I know that. But they don't. Yet."

"Are they going to be in charge of me when I go back?" I asked, stomach churning at the idea. Especially because I'd now made a fool of all of them, and even if I wanted a little privacy, it was unlikely they would ever give it to me seeing as I posed a clear flight risk.

To that, Luca took a deep breath, looking past me at the choppy waves. A storm was brewing. In the world. And, if I wasn't mistaken, in Luca as well.

It seemed like ages before he turned his focus back to me, his dark eyes guarded.

"I have a different idea."

"Such as?"

"You. Back at my place, not the rental."

"But how would that change anything? I would still need to be guarded."

"For what reason? If you tell me you won't run again, I trust you."

"Yeah, but your family—"

"Isn't going to know."

"You can't do that," I insisted, shaking my head, even if I knew his idea worked in my favor.

It made no sense at all, but I had this sudden urge to protect him. And him lying to his family for me was only going to bring him harm in the long run. I couldn't be responsible for that. I didn't want that on my conscience.

"The way I see it, if everything works out, if we find the containers, if we can get these men, then you can just show up again, come out of 'hiding.' No one has to be the wiser."

"I thought it was family over everything."

"It is. And it is in the best interest of my family that we don't lose sight of the real issue here. Not you. These containers. And whoever thought we were weak and stupid enough to let them get one past us. If all this works out, Romy, my father will see you as a hero. They won't give a fuck that you ran away. They will see it as you saving yourself."

"You won't feel guilty lying to your family?"

"Only if you end up stabbing us in the back," he told me, head ducking a little, catching my gaze. "But I don't think you are going to do that."

"I'm not. Really. I could never be a criminal. It's absurd that any of you even thought it for a minute. I just want my sister. And I don't want you guys to get in the way of that just because it is taking longer than you think it should."

"So we have an understanding."

"I think so," I agreed, nodding. "But won't your family come to your place?"

"I can't imagine why. When we get together, it is usually at Lucky's mom's house. She and his sisters like to cook. No one wants to hang out at my place."

"But what if someone does show up?" I insisted, wanting to make sure the plan was airtight this time, no more making impulsive decisions and regretting them only a few hours later. We were wasting time with all of that. Precious time I wasn't sure my sister had to spare.

"It's not a small space. If you are there alone and you see someone other than me, or if we are there together and I tell you someone is coming by, you can find a place to wait it out. My closet is bigger than your bedroom at the rental house."

"Okay," I agreed, taking a deep breath.

This seemed... possible.

And possible was better than what I had initially planned on when I ran away.