Page 152 of In Shadows We Dance

The timing is twelve hours exactly. My father.

“It’s handled,” he says the moment I answer, his tone cool, efficient. “All agents have been reassigned.”

I let my fingers drift down Ileana’s spine, her body shifting closer beneath my touch. “Just like that?”

"Operation Rossi Crown had some interesting loose ends. Loose ends that certain people would rather remain buried. Agent Miller, for instance, had a vested interest in keeping the official narrative intact."

"They weren't protecting her. They were protecting themselves."

"Precisely. Careers were built on that operation. Reputations that can't withstand scrutiny. The task force that took down Victor Rossi wasn't as clean as the reports suggested. Money disappeared—millions. Evidence vanished. And certain agents made deals that were never meant to see the light of day."

A muscle ticks in my jaw. "With who?"

"Let's just say Victor Rossi had powerful friends in places that would make headlines if exposed. Friends who are still very much alive and in positions of influence. Ileana was young enough that she probably didn't understand what she was seeing back then, but they couldn't take that chance."

"So they buried her in witness protection instead of actually investigating."

"Miller and his team doctored evidence. They crafted a narrative that made them look like heroes while pocketing deals on the side. Keeping Ileana isolated wasn't just convenient, it was necessary. If she ever started asking the right questions, started remembering details that didn't match the official story ..."

"They'd lose everything."

"Their careers, their pensions, their freedom. Some of them would face federal charges. And the politicians and business figures who were quietly involved would face exposure. They couldn't risk her memories clearing up as she got older."

"And now?"

"They've been convinced that pursuing this further would be ... unwise." He pauses, his voice deliberate. "But there's another matter to address, one that's equally important."

“What?” I wait to hear what he wants me to do to pay for the favor.

“She can’t live her life entirely in the dark, Wren.” His pragmatism cuts through my irritation. “She needs a foundation. Identification. A bank account. A birth certificate. She needs to exist in the system,legitimately. Without those, she won’t be able to function. You might be able to protect her from federal agents, but you can’t shield her from the reality of living without these things.”

“In her birth name?” I’m already trying to figure out the risk assessment in my mind.

“If it’s safe,” he says. “The name Isabella Rossi carries weight,and there’s always the possibility it could draw the wrong attention. But it’s the simplest starting point. If it becomes a liability, I can arrange a legal alias—fully traceable and functional. Either way, this isn’t optional. If she’s to step into a legitimate life, she needs more than just your protection.”

My jaw tightens. “You already have a plan, don’t you?”

“Of course,” he replies, and for a moment, I hear myself in his voice. “I’ll handle it. Social security, identification, accounts. All of it. It will take time to finalize everything, but it will be seamless.”

“And what’s the cost?” I bite out. Nothing comes free with him.

There’s a brief pause, weighted. “Consider it a small payment for what I owe you,” he says finally, his voice carefully measured. “For family.”

The word lands heavily, the unspoken expectations behind it palpable.

“The house is clear.” His tone shifts back to businesslike efficiency. “The agents are gone. You can bring her home whenever you’re ready.”

Home. The word feels foreign now, different.

“You’ve never asked for anything before,” he says, his voice softer, almost curious. “Why her? Why now?”

I glance at Ileana, her face peaceful in sleep. “Because sheseesme. Not as an heir or a pawn. Just … me.”

There’s a short silence on the other end, as though he’s weighing the significance of my words.

“Your mother wants to meet her,” he says finally.

“No.” The word is biting. “Not yet. She needs time. She needs to feel safe, to understand her choices.”

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