Page 103 of Iron Roses

“Thank you for saving me,” she says.

Then she turns to Lorenzo. She lowers her head in a quiet bow. When she turns away from me, something in my chest closes.

Elaria walks out of the door. I stare frozen for a few minutes and then I run after her.

Allegra’s just behind me, Lorenzo at her side.

We reach the front steps. She’s already down them. We catch up to her at the gate.

Fausto leans against the black car. His arms crossed, his smile wide.

When he sees us, his grin deepens.

“I see you brought your little friends,” he says.

Elaria doesn’t acknowledge him.

She pulls open the back door.

Allegra reaches for her arm.

“Elaria, I don’t know what he’s told you—”

“Oh please,” Fausto says with a small laugh.

He tilts his head toward Elaria. “She’s only helping you because she feels guilty.”

Allegra snaps. “Shut up!”

Fausto’s men step forward. Two of them. Broad-shouldered. Suited. Blocking the car without needing to speak.

Elaria looks at all of us.

“I’m not my sister,” she says.

Her voice doesn’t rise. It settles like dust.

“You don’t have to be nice to me because you pity me.”

She looks at Allegra, then Lorenzo.

Then, finally, at me.

“I can handle things from here on.”

She gets into the car.

Fausto doesn’t speak. He only watches us, then follows her inside.

The door closes.

The car pulls off, the tires whispering over the gravel.

None of us move.

Allegra turns on me.

“What is wrong with you?” Her voice is high, sharp. “You’re letting her go?”

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