Page 8 of They Found Us

After telling me everything he knows, Van looks to me for guidance. “What’s the plan, then, boss? Surely, we can expect a retaliation from the Martelé?”

Van is right. A retaliation will come. Although not just yet. They will have to appoint a new leader, which will take time, seeing as the next in the bloodline is only twelve years old. I explain this to Van. Although I’m speaking positivity and assertively, at this point, with me beingdead,I don’t see how the Guerra stand a chance.

“In the meantime, we need to build ourselves back up. Bigger and stronger than ever,” I state, having no idea how we will achieve this.

Our attention is caught by the sound of alarms. Marco sits bolt upright in bed, ripping the monitors from his chest.

Chapter Five

Katie

Mark’s screams have me running to his bedroom. I find him soaked in sweat with his heart racing. “It’s okay, little one. Mummy is here.” I cradle him to my chest until he calms down.

“The monsters took me away,” he cries, telling me about his nightmare.

Deciding we may as well stay up now, I take Mark downstairs and make him some milk while he watches his favourite television programme. While stood in the kitchen, I stare out of the window. It’s still dark outside, and with the lights on inside I can see my reflection in the glass. I look scared and alone. Which I am. My thoughts go to Leo. I miss him terribly. I hope he is safe. I can’t bear the thought of life without him. What would I do if he never came home? I’d be stuck here, on this island, with no friends or family. Yes, I would have my children, but what life would they have with only me? How could I look after them alone? Tears roll down my face. This was supposed to be our happily ever after. But right now, I’ve never been so unhappy.

The sound of Mark’s laughter brings me out of my self-pity.Pull it together Katie. It’s just your hormones.Everything is going to be fine. Leo will ring at 9:00, which will settle mynerves, and then I’m meeting Vanna for coffee. Maybe she and I will become friends, and this will be the start of us finally settling into a full life here.

After sitting by the phone for what seems like hours, 9:00 finally comes around, and it rings on the minute. Leo seems tense. He asks about Mark and me, but there’s no warmth in his tone, and he seems very distracted. I ask when I should expect him home, but he avoids the question.

When the call ends, I’m more on edge then I was before it. But I have plenty to keep my mind busy. Mark and I potter about our grounds, tending to the vineyard, feeding the animals, and playing our usual game of hide-and-seek. At 11:00 a.m., I put Mark down for a nap while I get showered and ready to meet Vanna.

Mark and I arrive at the café early. I want to get our usual table and settle Mark with the picnic I have brought him to keep him occupied. From our carefully selected table, I see Vanna approaching. She looks amazing. Her perfect hourglass figure is hugged by a simple white dress. As she walks, her dark hair flows in the light breeze. She smiles at the waiter who greets her, and her green eyes sparkle in the sunlight. Vanna is one of those women who will rarely look anything but stunning every day of the year.Bitch,I think to myself jokingly as I sit up a little bit straighter, feeling self-conscious.

“Vanna, over here.” I wave, thankful that she has turned up. I did have my doubts. “I’m so pleased you came.”

“Katie, of course, I’ve been looking forward to it. And how’s Mark? No more running off from your mummy, I hope?”

Mark doesn’t make a sound, just stares at Vanna wide-eyed and open-mouthed, mesmerised by the dark-haired beauty that has joined us.

“No, thank goodness, although I have been keeping him on a tight leash since his last getaway. Thank you again for that.”

“Don’t worry. You definitely have your hands full—and another one on the way.” Vanna gestures towards my baby bump. “Do you know what you’re having?”

“No, we are leaving it as a surprise.” I rub my belly, feeling excited to know what our next child will be.

There’s a break in our conversation as Vanna takes out her compact mirror and inconspicuously scans the café around us. To others this would simply look like she is checking that the application of her lipstick is still intact. But I am married to the last leader of the Guerra. I notice everything. Her action puts me on guard at first. Many thoughts pop into my mind. Is she a spy? Has she been sent here to find us? But something in my gut tells me I can trust her.

“There are twelve people currently in the café, not including us.” I lean in towards her to speak quietly. “One family of four, two couples, two waiters, and two kitchen staff. I recognise all the staff, apart from one guy in the kitchen. And judging by the obscenities I’ve heard coming from the usual chef, he’s new and isn’t very good.”

Vanna arches one of her perfectly sculptured brows at what I’ve revealed about myself through that assessment.

I sit back comfortably in my chair and hope my gut instincts are right.

Vanna also relaxes and laughs. “I think we are going to get on very well, Katie.”

And we do. We both have lunch and talk nonstop for two full hours. Not about anything personal, we both are very careful about that, but we discuss the eccentric characters who live onthe island. Our favourite pastimes and places to go to see the most beautiful views. The only reason we end our conversation is Mark has gotten bored of the many snacks and toys I have given him.

As we leave the café, we say our goodbyes.

“Please let’s do this again soon, Katie.”

“Definitely, I’d love that. How about—” My reply is cut off by a sharp pain that shoots through my stomach. Suddenly I feel hot, and sick.

“Katie? Are you okay?”

Vanna puts her arm around me just as another pain explodes, making me double over. I reach out desperately to support myself with Mark’s pushchair.

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