Page 75 of Code Name: Dante

The reunionbetween my mother and grandmother was as tearful as I’d expected, for them and for me. Even Alessandro appeared to get choked up. Before he left to go downstairs to check on his mother, he squeezed my hand, kissed my cheek, and murmured he loved me into my ear.

“I love you too,” I responded, not lowering my voice even a little. As far as I was concerned, he and I were together now, and anyone who didn’t approve was welcome to keep their opinions to themselves. I couldn’t stop myself from glancing in Gram’s direction, though. When she smiled broadly, I teared up again.

“The doctor is on his way here now,” said a nurse who came in to check Gram’s vitals. “He says you’ll be able to go home today.”

“Home?” she asked, looking between my mother and me.

“I’m, um, not sure what that means,” I admitted.

“Mom, there are some things that still need to be worked out. My understanding is we’ve been invited to the compound in Canada Lake, where you’ve been staying. Would you be willing to return there temporarily?”

“Of course,” my grandmother responded.

I put my hands on my hips. “Hey, how come you aren’t so agreeable with me?” I teased.

“I will be,” she said, winking. “Now that your mother has returned and it’s no longer my job to protect you.”

“Oh yeah? Wiping your hands of me, is that it?”

She smiled. “Trusting that Alessandro will do a far better job than I can. Instead, I plan to enjoy my retirement, spending all the time I can with you and Summer.”

I gasped. “Retirement?”

“Come now, you didn’t expect me to work forever, did you?” Gram teased.

“Yes,” my mom and I said at the same time.

“I noticed, Summer, it looks like you’ve put on some weight since I last saw you.”

“I guess twenty-six years will do that,” she said, chuckling.

Gram shook her head. “It hasn’t even been a month since I spotted you walk past the Perfect Fit. You probably thought your disguise would fool me, but a mother always knows her daughter.”

My mouth gaped, and I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from asking why Gram hadn’t told me. I already knew the answer. It had been to keep us all safe.

“How long have you been living on the compound at Great Sacandaga Lake?” I asked.

“Off and on since Vincent Sr. died. We never stayed in one place for too long of a stretch. Then we’d go somewhere else, oftentimes back to a place we’d lived before.”

I was fascinated by what life must have been like for them. “Where else have you lived?”

“All over the world.”

“What was your favorite?”

My mom smiled. “Here, of course, since it meant I’d get glimpses of you. Otherwise, the villa in Siena. It’s about an hour outside of Florence.”

“Florence? You’re kidding.”

“Lark has always wanted to see that part of the world,” Gram explained when my mother cocked her head.

“More than anywhere,” I added.

“Hey, I heard someone is about to be sprung from Gloversville General Hospital,” said Alessandro, walking into the room.

“Did you know?” I asked.

His eyes scrunched. “I overheard the doctor speaking to a nurse when I walked by.”

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