Chapter 5 - The Safe Haven
The grand mansion was eerily quiet once the guests were cleared out by the guards.
Alessandro walked down the long, shadowed hallway toward his private office.
He tapped a specific rhythm on the heavy oak door.
A moment later, the lock clicked, and the door opened a fraction of an inch.
Rosa peeked out, her dark eyes wide with lingering fear.
Seeing it was only Alessandro, she opened the door wider and stepped back.
Lily was asleep on the leather sofa, her small arms wrapped tightly around her stuffed rabbit.
Alessandro let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"It is safe now," he signed to Rosa, his large hands moving with surprising grace.
Rosa sagged against the mahogany desk, burying her face in her hands.
"I thought we were dead," she sobbed quietly, not wanting to wake her daughter.
Alessandro walked over and placed a warm, heavy hand on her shoulder.
"You saved my life tonight, Rosa."
She looked up at him, her tear-stained face glowing in the dim light of the desk lamp.
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"Lily saved you," she corrected him softly.
"Then I owe you both a debt that can never be repaid," he replied.
