Chapter 7 - FACING THE GHOSTS
Back in their quiet town, Matteo sensed the shift in the air before any concrete warning arrived. His underworld contacts in Boston had gone suddenly silent, a sure sign that static electricity was building before a violent storm. He spent his mornings checking the perimeter of their property, reinforcing the hidden security cameras, and keeping his licensed firearm within arm's reach.
Lena noticed the tension in his shoulders during breakfast on a crisp Thursday morning. She poured him a fresh cup of coffee, her expression calm and steady. “You’re checking the gates every hour, Matteo. Something’s coming, isn't it?”
Matteo set his mug down, choosing honesty over empty reassurances. “Rossi’s men are restless. A digital trace from an encrypted server in Boston pinged near our region yesterday. They know I’m alive, Lena.”
May you like
Instead of panicking, Lena crossed the kitchen and placed her hands firmly on his shoulders. “Then we face it together. I am not running away from this house, Matteo. I built a life here, and I won't let ghosts from your past take it away.”
Matteo looked up at her, filled with fierce admiration for her courage. “You are the strongest person I have ever known,” he said, pulling her down into his lap and holding her close. “We will prepare. But if it comes to a fight, I will burn their entire network to ash before I let them lay a finger on you.”
