Chapter 5

On the way to the airport, my father called me personally.

It was loud on his end. He was still at the New York headquarters dealing with family business. I could make out people briefing him about the port and the casino. He went quiet for a few seconds before lowering his voice.

"Lilith, you're really going through with this?"

"Yeah."

"I probably can't make it to see you off today." There was real guilt in his voice. "Don't try to tough things out over there. The European division is our territory, but it's not New York. If anything comes up, go to our people first. If you need money, if you need anything, just tell me."

I held the phone, and my eyes stung for no reason.

He'd already gone through all of this with me the night before. More than once. He even had someone put together a file on which streets near the European division weren't safe.

"I know."

"And one more thing." He paused. His voice went soft. "If you really can't get used to it, come home. New York will always be your home."

I lowered my head and murmured a quiet yes.

After I hung up, I watched the city slide past outside the car window. For the first time, the place I'd lived in for twenty years felt like it could become unfamiliar this quickly.

My phone buzzed.

In the family group chat, Alex had posted a photo.

Irene was sitting in the center of a private jet's sofa. Victor and Alex on either side of her. Champagne and a freshly served meal spread out in front of the three of them.

Alex had tagged me.

[European division trip is finally set.]

Irene followed up right away.

[Lilith, we saved you a seat! Too bad you didn't wanna come.]

I stared at the photo for a few seconds.

The seat they'd "saved" for me was a window spot next to Irene.

Every time the family went out on a job, they'd stick me on the edge. Not because there wasn't room anywhere else, but because they figured I couldn't find my way or handle things on my own. Safest if I stayed in the back.

I'd laughed about it before. Asked why I couldn't sit in the middle with them.

Alex would pat my head and say next time, for sure.

Victor would just laugh. "Does it matter where you sit? Quit being picky."

I actually believed them.

For years.

It wasn't until now that I realized they never lacked a spot for me.

That spot just never mattered that much.

Irene posted another photo.

[The seaside estate in Europe is booked! Apparently there's a private harbor nearby!]

Alex and Victor's replies came instantly.

[Whatever makes you happy.]

[I'll take you when we get there.]

I didn't scroll any further. I turned off my phone.

A few hours later, the plane landed at the private airstrip of the Sicilian division.

The moment I stepped out, a young woman in a dark suit waved at me.

"Lilith?"

I nodded.

"I'm Sienna. Castillo family." She smiled and grabbed my luggage. "Our families have a partnership at the southern port. Your father gave me a heads-up. I'll be looking after you while you're here."

I told her she didn't have to go to the trouble.

She was already dragging my suitcase toward the car.

"Come on. I'll take you to the division first."

"Fair warning though, my sense of direction isn't great either."

I blinked.

She looked back at me and grinned.

"So if we both get lost, don't blame me."

I couldn't help laughing.

That was the first time since arriving in Europe that I actually felt relaxed.

After settling in at the division, I realized this place was nothing like New York.

Nobody treated me like a princess who needed protecting. Nobody assumed everything should be arranged for me just because I was Alex's fiancée.

Sienna just spread the division map out in front of me.

"Here's the dock. Over here's the warehouse. Casino's in the old town. Family safe house is at the foot of the hill."

"Memorize it."

I stared at her.

She handed me a pen.

"If you can't remember it all, that's fine. Walk it a few times and it'll stick."

I looked down at the map, and something I couldn't name stirred inside me.

So this is what it looks like when someone teaches you to find your way.

Not by dumping you in an unfamiliar neighborhood and waiting from a distance for you to stumble back.

But by standing next to you and telling you which way to turn.