secrets

**Luciano**

The doc told me I have to stay out of the field for another week. He told me to move around as much as I can though.

So that's what I did. Meanwhile, Savannah and I got closer and distant.

"Baby," I hear Savannah call from the bathroom, "Did you use all the toothpaste. Again?"

Oops. "I forgot to tell you—"

"Because you were busy doing what?"

Her hand is on her hip, she has that challenging look.

"Dispiace, Kitty. I will get more tommorow."

My wife(I love saying that) brushes her hair while glaring at me. "Where are you going tommorow?"

"No where. But Nic and Deena are going to Wal-Mart so I figured they could pick some up."

"Actually I need a few things myself. So make a list."

Sexy wife say what?

Seeing my face, she shakes her head.

"Don't start."

"Savannah, we talked about this."

"You can't keep me locked up forever."

I stare at her gaping for a moment. "Yes," I assured her, nodding frantically, "I really can."

"I need to go to the store, Luciano."

"Why can't you just make a list and give the list to Deena?"

"Why can't I just go to the store?! Nic will be there. You trust him right?"

Trap trap trapity trap trap. Trap trap.

"I have to get a few things, Luciano. Personal things."

I sigh, but concede. At least Deena and Nic will be there.

I wait anxiously for her to return the second she leaves

I wait anxiously for her to return the second she leaves. I have a very bad feeling about all of this.

What could she be getting that she doesn't want me to know?

What is she up to?

It's not Wal-Mart, I know that much.

Sneaky ass woman.

The Russians have been quiet and so have the Irish. Russians are never quiet.

As far as I know, no one knows where the Eastern Estate is.

No one knows where Savannah is.

It's worse this time around.

When the criminal world first found out about her she was Savannah Helms.

Now she's Savannah Vitale.

There's no denying. There is no deflecting. It can go one of two ways: they gun for her even harder, or they pull back.

I'm flying blind here, it' is driving me pazzo.

"Nic, where is she?"

"Where she was ten seconds ago when you called."

"Which is?"

"Pharmacy section. She's with Deena and I'm trailing behind."

"What is she purchasing?"

He saying nothing.

"Così? Sputalo fuori!"

(So? Spit it out!)

"Non lo so," He murmurs, lying to me.

(I don't know.)

"Liar."

"I really don't know. They snuck off and bought whatever they came for while I was talking to you."

Now this is my fault?!

"Nic, find my wife. Adesso!"

"Bossy."

Turns out she was just in the bathroom. They came home, and Savannah came bursting into the room snarling at me.

"You knew didn't you?"

I force my eyes to stay on hers.

"About what?"

"Deena?"

I still say nothing.

She scoffs, shaking her head. "Unbelievable. First you get a file on me, then you hide an assassin in my circle, and you knew about Deena and Nic and never told me!"

How did she...?

"Look, I'm not gonna fight with you about it right now. I don't wanna fight. Just... hold me. I feel sick."

So do I.

Something is really wrong.

"Savannah what are you not telling me? What's happening?"

"I love you."

I pull away from her arms, fighting a wince.

"What is going on?"

She rolls her eyes. "I just wanted to tell you I love you. Everything is so crazy and...I just don't wanna fight."

Those gray eyes look up at me. "You got shot five times Luciano. Five. And who says they're not coming back? Who says they won't kill you next time?"

"I won't let that happen,” I assure her softly, opening my arms to her.

She shook her head, avoiding my hug.

"You don't have that choice,” She stands, looking away. “I'm hungry, do you want something?"

She flips so easily. I nod. “A soda, per favore."

With a nod, she kisses my forehead and brings the cross I wear around my neck to her lips.

"For luck."

Then she sweeps out of the room leaving me dumbfounded, and, for the first time in forever, scared.

Then she sweeps out of the room leaving me dumbfounded, and, for the first time in forever, scared

I rest my eyes, waiting for my wife to return. I need to her to tell me what she's planning. It's something big, and I won't like it. That much I know.

I wait, and when she's been gone five minutes, I groan. But then, Deena has a shift today so I figure they're talking.

Out of a clear blue sky, chaos erupts outside the door. There are shots, and screams, and doors being kicked down.

My first thought: Dear God don't let them take her.

I run out, pulling out my gun. Already my house is littered with dead bodies, no one is spared.

My men return fire, and I ignore the pain coursing through me, using the pain of losing my wife to flush it out.

I find the Russi, gunning down the nursery.

Damnit.

Smashing my fist into the nearest wall, I pull out an AK-47. It's fully loaded, as always. I raze them to the ground before they realize I'm there.

The remaining adults take the children to the safe room, and though I know the place is crawling with those vermin, the gunfire stops.

They scattered, and fled as if they hadn't massacred my Family.

So who did they take?

I laugh, though there's no humor in this situation.

Who else would they take?