Page 36 of They Found Us

“Do you want it to be discreet?”

“No, Van. I want the whole of Italy to know that I am back and that the Guerra mean business.”

“What about the police?”

“Don’t worry about the police.”

In a few hours, the country will wake up to the news that I have come back from the dead. Leo Guerra has been resurrected and he doesn’t fuck around. The police have always been in the Guerra’s pockets, apart from Lorenzo, the last Chief of Police, but I put a bullet in his head to remind them of what will happen if they dare to cross the Guerra again.

The car returns me home. After removing my clothes and taking a shower, I check on my boys, who are fast asleep. I then slide into bed behind my wife and take a deep breath. The smell of home. It’s quite surreal being back here. Adrenaline pumps through my body. The night’s activities run through my mind. I feel alive.

Leo Guerra is back.

Katie

When I wake, Leo is snuggled against my back. I can tell by his breathing that he is still fast asleep. I’m not sure what time he came in last night—well, early this morning—but I know I fed Zander at 3:00 a.m., and he wasn’t back then. It’s 7:00 a.m. now, and Zander is stirring, ready for his next feed.

I throw on my dressing gown and pick him up before he disturbs Leo. The door to Mark’s room is slightly ajar, so I pop my head around it to check, and he is still fast asleep. I’ve got the baby monitor, so I go downstairs to make Zander his bottle. Alga and Sergio are already in the kitchen, preparing delicious-smelling food.

“Good morning, Mrs Guerra.”

“Please, Alga, you always call me Katie.”

Alga nods and smiles. “Good morning, Katie. What can I get for you?”

“A coffee would be great while I just get Zander’s bottle ready.”

“Already done. Here you are. Just check the temperature.”

“Ahh, Alga, you are a star.” I take the bottle as Sergio sets a cappuccino down on the island next to me. As soon as I’m comfy on a stool, I give Zander his bottle.

“Did you all sleep okay?” Alga asks.

“We did. I’m not sure what time Leo got in, but he is well away now.”

Alga smiles. She would never comment on any of Leo’s activities. “How do you like the baby monitor?” she asks, nodding at my dressing gown pocket, where it sticks out. “You know it has a two-way speaker and a playback function for the videos.” She gives me a little wink, making me laugh.

It’s great that I can check on everyone else, but I must remember to turn the one off in our room when we have mummy-and-daddy time.

“It’s wonderful, thank you, Alga. You have thought of everything.”

Alga’s face is filled with emotion. She looks like she is about to cry.

I stand from my stool while still feeding Zander and move next to her, nudging her gently. “Hey, what’s wrong?” As soon as the words leave my lips, her tears begin to flow.

“Ah Alga.” Sergio groans and hands her a tissue. “I’m sorry about Alga.” He apologises. “We are just so grateful you are back.”

Alga sobs into her tissue. “I’m sorry.” She leaves the room.

Sergio continues. “When you…died,it broke Alga’s heart. I told her that it couldn’t be true and that you would be living a wonderful life somewhere. She didn’t believe it, and to be honest, neither did I. I just said that to console her.”

“I’m so sorry, Sergio. We had no other option. It breaks my heart thinking about what we put everyone through.” My thoughts go to my parents, who as far as I know still are unaware of our return. Leo wants to wait until everything is sorted with the Martelé, as they will want to see us as soon as they find out.

“Alga hasn’t been well since you’ve been gone. But after Marco told us you are alive, have two little boys, and planned on coming home, it’s like she has a new lease of life.”

Alga returns. “I am okay now.”

I pass Zander to Sergio and wrap my arms around Alga. “Missed you.”

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