Page 39 of They Found Us

Alfie bursts into laugher, and we all then join in on the hilarious sight of Van, dripping wet in a three-piece suit.

“Get inside and get changed. We’ve got work to do,” Leo instructs Van as he turns on his heels and returns to the house.

Van follows, squelching with each footstep.

“Where did he even come from?” I laugh.

“Wherever Emmaline is, Van isn’t far behind.” Mia smirks.

“Cut it out. We are just friends.” Emmaline flicks water from her hands at a dry Mia.

“Yeah, well, he’s a dope anyway. You can do better than my brother.”

“He is not a dope. But I don’t want a man. I have Alfie, and he is the only boy I want in my life.” Emmaline wraps a towel around herself.

“So there’s still no romance in the air for you, then, Emmaline?” I ask, having not touched on that part of her life in a while, or, come to think of it, ever.

“No. I’ve had enough bad experiences with men before Alfie was born to last me a lifetime. I am perfectly happy on my own, thank you.”

Getting the message that Emmaline no longer wants to talk about her love life I lighten the mood again. “Can Van really not swim?”

“Nope. It’s like he’s made of steel or something. His body has real high density and just sinks.”

We all have another laugh and finish the remainder of the cocktails.

“Well, well, well.” Mia stands mid-conversation and removes her sunglasses.

Emmaline and I turn to see what she is looking at. Segio exits the house, followed by Alex and Vanna.

“Ladies.” Sergio stands tall and professional. He gestures to our new arrivals. “Alessandro Guerra and his wife, GiovannaGuerra.” He then bows his head to them and returns to the house.

Vanna removes her sunglasses, and I can see her looking Mia up and down, taking in her very revealing red swimsuit.

Alex and Vanna look like your stereotypical mafia boss and his wife. Vanna wears an oversized brown blazer cinched with a designer statement belt, a black leather skirt, barely there tights, and leopard-print stilettos. Her dark hair is twice the size I’ve ever seen it, styled in waves. Her lips are bright red, giving Mia a run for her money. She wears a death stare and is completely unrecognisable from the Vanna I know from Nuova Vita Island.

Alex wears a tailored black power suit, a statement that says, “I’m here to take over.”

“Vanna, Alex, hi. It’s so good to see you.”

Vanna’s face softens when she looks at me, but not enough that I feel like I can give her a hug, which I would have done without thinking a couple of days ago.

“This is Mia Guerra, Marco’s wife. And Emmaline, a friend of ours.”

“Hello, nice to me you.” Emmaline gives them both a little wave while Mia struts over to them and shakes their hands whether they want to or not. I see Leo appear at the door. I watch him take a deep breath before he greets them.

“Alex, Vanna, you’re here. Come, we are in the office,” Leo says matter-of-factly and guides them into the house.

This all feels very strange.

“So, who are they, then?” Emmaline asks.

“That is Leo’s brother. He was supposed to be dead too. And that woman he is married to is a Martelé,” Mia explains sternly.

Emmaline gasps.

“She’s really nice once you get to know her,” I fire back at Mia.

“She’s a Martelé, Katie. They cannot be trusted.” Mia wraps her robe around herself and gathers her things. “I’m going now. Larisa needs to get home. I’ll call you both later.”

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