"I sent her home. I couldn’t focus with her here."
Falcone rolled his eyes. He didn't approve of what they had, especially after he’d been forced by his brother to deal with the matter within the Conte household himself. He believed that it was bound to end badly and if anything, today was an indication as to how easy it was to lose everything in a matter of seconds.
"Don't be such a judgmental asshole," snarled Elio. He could deal with his twin or Father being this way since they cared about their own behind only, but Flavio was nowhere near being the same. No matter how arrogant he was, he had more empathy than most Made Men. Perhaps it was also his way of seeing this unfolding. Caring about the girl more than he should. Outsiders weren't their problem and yet Elio made it seem otherwise.
"You're putting her in unnecessary danger. She's never going to be safe with you, Elio. That's not me being judgmental but fucking rational. Moreover, you turned your back on her when you found out she has a kid to take care of. You knew exactly that it wasn't your place to drag her into this world."
"I know what I fucking did. But you forget that even if I hadn’t been in the picture, the Bratva would still get involved with Hunter, and she was still a waitress there. She'd be pulled into all this either way."
Flavio shook his head as he gestured to the man to go with him further into the villa to check whether they were, in fact, the last of Made Men to leave this place.
"Don't get me started on that. The fact that you love her doesn't change the fact that it'd never work. Noah won’t change the rules for you, and you simply followed your fucking heart rather than think reasonably. If not for your benefit, then for hers."
Silence fell upon them. There was nothing more to say. Elio still wouldn't be able to let go. Not when Savannah was exactly what he wanted and needed. He'd keep her safe no matter what. Commenting on whether he loved her or not was also irrelevant. It wasn’t Flavio who should hear the truth about that. Nor would Elio grant him that, knowing his standpoint.
Other than the dead bodies, some outsiders who were only barely connected to the Famiglia were left when they heard the firefighting trucks approaching. They quickly destroyed any camera recordings, losing the very last evidence that they, in fact, were here and jumped into the car, driving off.
"We'll swing by my apartment. I need to make a list of people who were there before we can be sure how many we've lost. You can stitch yourself up and change clothes. Then I’ll drive you to Savannah," Flavio murmured.
Chapter Forty-Three
The chains had been broken. But she wasn’t truly free.
Savannah packed the last few things she had around the room with tears streaming down her face. Leaving was wrecking her soul just as surely as a dagger could stop a beating heart. It wasn't easy to leave even when it was the only option available. Because it was.
She heard the sound of breaking glass. The sound of a bomb exploding. Shooting. Shell casings falling to the floor one by one. Cries. Yelling.
She saw body parts scattered all over the villa. She saw pools of blood. She saw people dying.
And she couldn't shake it off. That's where she had to draw the line.
Even if she didn't want to.
Even when it hurt.
Physically and mentally.
She didn't want to leave the people that made her feel loved. All of that would soon be gone and she would be left with just one person.
Aiden.
But he was the only one who mattered.
The only one who'd always matter.
The next two hours were chaotic as she gathered all the necessary things. With each piece of clothing she threw in her bag, she felt sick. As if she was going to start throwing up. But she had to.
When she came home, she quickly bandaged her legs, swearing that she would take care of them better when she was far away from him. Safe.
Because there was no mistake that she wasn't. Not when Elio was around. Not when he was connected to mafia. And she would not risk it.
She had a plan.
She was going to execute the plan.
"Are you ready?" Megan asked, appearing in her room.
Savannah had called her, asking if she could give her and Aiden a ride to the bus station. She wouldn't take Elio's car. He would find her.
With a long sigh, she nodded, grabbing the bag and dragging it after her as they both exited the apartment for the last time. Aiden was already waiting downstairs with Frank. He was confused. Rightfully so. He was only five and extremely smart, but even then you couldn't really be prepared to be asked to pack everything in a matter of minutes. Without any further explanation.
Explanation that he wouldn't get.
Not now.
She looked at her brother, giving him an encouraging smile. One that didn't reach her eyes. Her deep blue eyes that were filled with tears. She was a mess. Both on the inside and outside, however, she refused to think about it. Set on just one goal. Getting the hell away from here.
She walked towards Frank who she surely was going to miss and just hugged him. She hugged him and sobbed into his chest. Again. All because of Elio.
"You're going to be alright, Savannah. Just remember that the pain becomes easier to handle. Time will show you how strong you are," he said. "Keep Aiden safe."
She nodded, pulling away. "Thank you for everything. I'm sorry I'm leaving you like this. But Megan assured me that she's going to check up on you every other day. Take care of yourself, please.
