Page 33 of Monster in Disguise

As I take a seat opposite Enzo, I can't help but fidget.

"Lina..." He starts and shakes his head. He's holding a letter in his hand, which he passes to me.

"What's this?" I ask. His mouth is set into a rigid line. With a trembling hand, I grab the letter and open it.

Skimming the contents, I feel my stomach drop.

"This... but how?" I ask.

"I don't know. I really have no idea how they found out. Whoever dumped Guerra's body into the grave must have told them about you."

"What now?"

The letter detailed the things the Guerras would do to me if they caught me. They stated that they knew I was the one who killed Father Guerra, and that I'd suffer in kind for the insult afforded to their family.

"It's not an optimal situation. They feel slighted because you are a woman."

"And a woman can't possibly kill a man, you mean?" I ask sarcastically. Enzo grimly nods.

"You need protection, Lina. Both you and Claudia need protection."

"We have you, right?"

Enzo shakes his head. "It won't be enough. You need someone who will protect you at all times; and someone that they can't cross. As much as it pains me to say... I'm stretched too thin. Between running the famiglia and our businesses, there's also an ongoing conflict with other organizations."

"We could just stay here. Hide here," I add, trying to convince him we can be safe here.

"And if they attack? Who is to say they won't attack when I'm called away to deal with something? It could happen."

"Then what can I do?" I'm trying very hard to hold back the tears. What Enzo is saying... does that mean that we'll never be safe? That we will have to always look over our shoulders? I can'thave that for Claudia... even Sacre Coeur is better than that. But the convent is no longer safe now.

"Get married." Enzo drops the bomb on me. My mouth hangs open in shock. Marriage? But who... no one would have me.

"Marriage?"

"Yes. You could get married to a powerful enough man that would ensure both your safety and that of your daughter."

"But... Enzo, surely you know that no one will have me. I'm damaged goods." I drop my volume at the last words, ashamed of myself.

"Don't say that. Lina... never say that again. You arenotdamaged goods," he reprimands, and I turn my head, not wanting to see his reaction.

"Who will have me, Enzo?"

"Someone will. In fact, just a few days ago, he came over to see me regarding an alliance. He would never say no to you." Enzo says confidently, but I can't help but be skeptical. Surely once that man realizes who I am... and that I have a daughter, he will no doubt back down.

"Who is it?" I ask. Before Enzo even tells me his name, I make a vow to myself. Whoever it is, as long as he accepts me and my daughter, I will also accept him, and do my duty as a wife.

Enzo purses his lips. "Marcello Lastra."

My eyes widen and I gasp when I hear the name.

"Sisi's brother?" Enzo nods.

"If the situation wasn't this dire, I would have never given you to him. Trust me on this, Lina. But right now, I fear he might be our only chance."

The good-looking man...

"Do you have anything against him?" I ask, almost hesitantly. Appearance-wise, Marcello Lastra was handsome, maybe even too handsome.

---