Chapter 7: THE SECRET VISITOR

Three days after the gala life was different and it felt weird in a good way.  

I didn’t wear the uniform anymore, I wore normal clothes, jeans and sweaters and the dress Sal bought me, and I ate at the table for every single meal right next to him, and I still took my pills and still went to the doctor but I slept in his room every night like it was normal.  

It felt like a dream until it wasn’t.  

It was Tuesday morning and I was in the garden drawing with the sun on my face when a guard walked up. "Miss Carter"  

"Yes"  

"There’s someone at the gate Asking for you."  

My stomach dropped. "Who"  

"He didn’t say Just said his name is Daniel Says he’s family."  

Daniel.  

The name hit me like a punch because Daniel was my brother.  

"I’ll be right there," I said with a voice that was way too small.  

I found Sal in the study. "Sal Someone’s here For me."  

He looked up. "Who"  

"My brother."  

His face went still. "And"  

"He wants to see me."  

Sal stood up. "Then he can wait."  

We walked to the gate together with two guards behind us and there he was. Daniel.  

Older and tired with the same eyes as me but harder and when he saw me he said "May God Look at you."  

"Daniel."  

Sal stepped in front of me. "Who are you"  

"Her brother."  

Daniel looked Sal up and down. "And you must be the guy The Don."  

Sal didn’t smile. "What do you want"  

"To see my sister It’s been two years."  

"You didn’t call You didn’t write Now you show up at my gate"  

"I needed to In person."  

Daniel looked at me. "Can we talk Alone"  

"No," Sal said.  

"Sal," I whispered.  

He looked at me and softened. "Five minutes Here With guards."  

Daniel nodded and I stepped forward. "Hi."  

"Hi."  

He looked bad, thin, jacket too big. "How are you You look different."  

"I’m okay."  

"You’re living with him."  

It wasn’t a question.  

"Yes."  

"He’s taking care of you"  

"Yes."  

Daniel’s eyes got wet. "I’m sorry May For leaving For everything."  

I didn’t know what to say.  

"Listen," he said fast. "I’m in trouble Debt Bad people They’re going to hurt me I need money Just 20k Please."  

My chest hurt. "Daniel I don’t"  

"You’re with him now He has money Please It’s for Mom’s grave too I haven’t paid it."  

Sal’s jaw tightened. "Heard enough"  

Daniel looked at him. "Please She’s my sister."  

"She’s mine," Sal said low and dangerous. "And you don’t get to use her."  

"I’m not using her I’m asking."  

"Then ask me."  

Daniel swallowed. "Sir Can you help me"  

Sal stared at him for a long time. "No."  

"Sal," I said.  

He looked at me. "Do you want to help him"  

I did. He was my brother. But I was scared of what it meant.  

"I don’t know."  

Sal nodded. "Guards Escort him out."  

"Wait" Daniel said. "May They’ll kill me"  

The gates closed and I stood there shaking.  

Sal put his arm around me. "Come inside."  

In the study he poured me water. "You okay"  

"I don’t know."  

Tears fell. "He’s my brother."  

"I know."  

"He looked sick."  

"I know."  

"Why did you say no"  

"Because he’s not here for you He’s here for money And if I give him 20k he’ll be back for 50k next month And the people after him will come after you too."  

I nodded because I knew he was right and it still hurt.  

"Come here."  

I went to him and he pulled me onto his lap in the chair and held me. "Cry It’s okay."  

I did. For Daniel. For Mom. For everything I lost.  

"I’m sorry," I sobbed. "I’m sorry I’m a mess."  

"You’re not a mess You’re human."  

He kissed my hair. "I’ll handle it I’ll make sure he’s safe From a distance But he doesn’t get to come here Not again."  

"Okay."  

That night I couldn’t sleep and Sal stayed up with me telling me stories about him and Marco getting in trouble as kids and it helped.  

The next day a package came with no name and inside was a letter. May I’m sorry I didn’t mean to use you I’m scared Please don’t hate me -D  

I cried again and Sal didn’t say anything he just held my hand.  

That weekend we went to his mother’s house for dinner and she was cold but not mean and she looked at me a lot and once she said "Eat" and pushed more food on my plate and that was progress.  

On the drive home Sal was quiet. "What is it" I asked.  

"Daniel called."  

My heart stopped. "What"  

"He called the house line Said thank you Said he’s leaving the city Said he’s sorry."  

"Is he okay"  

"For now I had someone watch him He’s on a bus."  

I let out a breath. "Thank you."  

"Don’t thank me I did it for you."  

We got home late and in bed he held me. "I don’t like seeing you hurt," he said.  

"I don’t like being hurt."  

"I know."  

He kissed my forehead. "But you’re strong Stronger than you think."  

"I don’t feel strong."  

"You are You stood at that gate You didn’t beg You didn’t break That’s strong."  

I fell asleep to his voice.  

The next morning there was news about another attack on a rival family and Sal was gone when I woke up with a note on the pillow. Meeting Back by dinner Stay inside -S  

I drew all day. Daniel. Sal. Me. All of us broken but trying.  

At dinner he was late and when he came in he looked tired with blood on his sleeve. "Are you hurt" I ran to him.  

"No Not mine."  

"Sal"  

"Don’t."  

He hugged me hard. "I’m okay I’m here."  

We ate in silence and after he took me to the balcony with cold air and stars. "Something’s coming," he said. "I can feel it And I need you to know No matter what happens You’re mine And I’ll protect you Even from me."  

"What do you mean"  

"Sometimes I’m not a good man Maya Sometimes I have to do bad things To keep us safe."  

"Okay."  

"Don’t look at me different after."  

"I won’t."  

He pulled me close. "I love you."  

"I love you too."  

We stood there holding each other while the world outside got darker because the secret was out now. Daniel knew. The gala knew. And someone else knew too. And they were coming.