Page 50 of They Found Us

“Where have they gone?” Mark pushes.

Leo turns to Mark. “They’ve gone to a very nice place like where we used to live. They are together and will be happy there.”

“Oooh, they should go to the beach.”

“That is a wonderful idea. You know there is a beach here. Shall we go today?” Leo asks, changing the subject.

After breakfast and I’ve been checked over by the medic again, we get ready and go to the beach. I’m glad to be out of the house and back on the beach that I know and love. We sit in our old spot with our backs to the rocks with a view in all directions. Zander is sat happily in his pram in the shade, and Mark plays excitedly in the sand.

Then Leo surprises me. “Your parents are on their way. Their plane lands in one hour.”

My breath is taken with excitement but also dread. “What do they know?”

“They have been told we are alive and that we have sent for them. Your father isn’t convinced, but Marco is escorting them and wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

Tears flood my eyes as my body lets me once again become emotional. “What should I tell them? How do I explain?”

Leo wipes the tears from my checks and takes both of my hands in his. “Tell them the truth.”

“And what is the truth, Leo? What happens now? What will our future look like now we are back? I can’t go through last night’s torture again. I just can’t.”

“What do you want our future to look like, Kat-er-een?”

“Well, I want afuture,for starters. A future with my boys, and one that doesn’t involve having their lives threatened.” I shudder as I think of anything happening to them. “I want a close family life. A normal family home. Not one that has separate washing machines for blood and guts. I want just one washing machine and one dryer. I want Mark to have his billy goats and me to have my chickens.”

“I think we can manage that,” Leo agrees, to my surprise.

“How? How can we have any of that if you are the leader of the Guerra and soon to be leader of the Martelé?”

“Because I am not any of those things.” Leo relaxes and lies down on the blanket beside me. He taps the area at his side for me to lie down too. “Marco will continue to lead the Guerra. And Alex and Vanna will lead the Martelé as theMartelé.”

I’m confused. “So, Alex is going tobea Martelé?”

Leo frowns. “It seems that way.”

“But the Martelé are cruel. The way they treat women and children—it’s immoral, disgusting.”

“Vanna said she will change that. She wants to remodel the whole organisation. How easily and quickly she will be able to do that is her problem.”

“Wow.” I lie completely flat on the blanket and look at the sky, taking it all in.

Leo climbs on top of me and places his forearms on either side of my head. “Most importantly, it means that since there is no longer a feud between the Martelé and Guerra, there is no bounty on our heads.” Leo kisses my forehead.

But I’m not convinced. I rise up, gently removing him from my body and pushing him back on his side. “Do you reallythink the Martelé who have hated the Guerra for years are just going to forget about it all?”

“No. There will always be chance of a rogue wanting to get one over on us. That comes with the blood, unfortunately. But there will be no payout for such an act, and that is what these assassins work for.”

“What about him last night? Was he a Martelé?”

“No.” Leo groans in displeasure. “He was one of ours. He hadn’t been with the Guerra long. Van hired him because he was a ruthless killer. He has lived off-grid in Vietnam for ten years. There’s no connection between him and the Martelé. Plus, if it was down to them, they would have made sure we knew about it so they could gloat. He just enjoyed inflicting pain and suffering on others for no other reason than to pleasure himself. He should never have been let anywhere near you and the boys. I’m partly to blame for that. I had no idea.” Leo bows his head in shame.

I rub his back lightly, but I don’t speak. We both just sit and watch Mark playing in the sand.

After noticing the time, I say, “Come on, let’s get back. Dinner will be ready.”

Leo looks at me with sympathy, and I remember that no, it won’t. Leo wraps his arms around me as we stand. He holds me while I sob into his shoulder. This isn’t fair. Alga and Serigo were the kindest, friendliest people I have ever met. They would do anything for anyone, and they did. They gave their lives for us.

When we return to the house, Van informs us that we have a visitor waiting at the gate.

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