Page 32 of They Found Us

When the plane door opens, two tall, large men enter. Marco and Van.

I can’t help but dash to Marco and put my arms around him. “Just Marco.” I squeeze him tightly, and he returns the gesture. “I’ve missed you,” I say, letting him go and enjoying the softness and emotion on his face that took me a long time to earn.

Marco will always have a special place in my heart. He saved my life by risking his, and I will never forget that. Without him being willing to give up his own life for mine, I would not be here.

Feeling Mark at my legs, I pick him up and introduce them. “Mark, this is Marco.”

“Hi, Marco. That’s like my name but with an Ooo.”

“Yes, it is. This is who you are named after. He is a very special friend of ours.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Mark.”

Marco holds out his hand to Mark, and he takes it. Emotion flutters in my chest at the sight.

“Me, too, Marco. I’m just Mark,” he replies.

Both myself and Marco laugh at Mark’s innocent yet perfectly hilarious “Just Mark,” a nickname I gave Marco all those years ago when we first met.

Leo joins us and shakes Marco’s hand. “How’re the legs?” he asks.

Marco brushes off Leo’s concern. “Good as new.”

“Mrs Guerra,” Van greets me with a nod before breaking eye contact.

The Guerra’s foundation is built on a code of honour, loyalty being the main law or commandment. No one should ever look at the woman of another Guerra, especially one of such a high level. I feel Van is being a little extreme, seeing as we do know each other, but the whole situation is very unusual for all of us. I expect Van is apprehensive about his current position in the hierarchy now that Leo has returned.

“Ready, boss?” Marco asks Leo.

He nods. “Here, put these on.” Leo hands me my sunglasses.

I look at him in question. It’s gone 1:00 a.m., and it’s pitch-black outside.

“No eye contact, no emotion. Remember who you are, Mrs Guerra.”

Marco directs us to the door of the plane. “Van will exit first. Then you, then Katie. I will follow behind. Stay close. The car is a few steps away from the end of the stairs. Your pathway is lined with guards. Let’s go.”

Leo holds Zander, and I hold Mark’s hand and take a deep breath. Here we go. I can do this. My heels clink loudly on the metal stairs that take us from the jet to the tarmac, or apron, as it’s officially called. Six guards, three on either side, line our way to a black SUV. Each guard stands with a gun in his hand, a sight I don’t think I will ever get used to or feel comfortable around. The guards look alert but do not look at us, apart from one, whose eyes I can feel following us. I don’t look directly at him, but I can see him in the corner of my eye.

Once my boys are safely fastened in the seats in the car, I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s one thing being married to a Guerra, but having children who are Guerra is on another level of worry.

“Does everyone know now that we are alive?” I ask Marco, feeling uneasy about the guard who watched our every move.

“Well, they probably do now. It’s been on a need-to-know basis. Everyone knew something was happening, and I’m sure some guessed.”

Yeah, the guard was probably just shocked to see us.

It’s not long before we are through the manned security gates of the Guerra house and driving down the familiar pebbled driveway. Lights on either side lead us to the house. It’s a beautiful building even in the dark. I have some very happy memories of being here. But would I say I’m glad to be back? I’m not sure.

One thing I am looking forward to is seeing my parents. The thought of seeing them fills me with emotion. I feel a stab in the heart over what I must have put them through, but I put it to the back of my mind for now. I need to focus on getting in the house and the boys settled.

Alga and Sergio are waiting at the door to greet us. They each wear big, beaming smiles.

“Mrs Guerra.” Alga puts her hands out for a second, but then retracts them, unsure.

But I wrap my arms around her and give her a big squeeze. “It’s so good to see you. And you, too, Sergio.” I wrap an arm around him, as well, and pull us all together. We have a giggle for a moment, our eyes filled with emotion.

“Katie,” Leo shouts from car.

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