Page 134 of Hidden Echoes

"Nice to meet you, Mia," Pietro replies, his voice carefully measured. "I'm Pietro. Laura's husband."

"I hope you're treating my sister well, Mr. Barone."

His eyes glint with interest, reevaluating me.

"You don’t need to worry. Laura is in good hands."

"That’s good to hear," I say evenly, holding his gaze. "We know what mafia men are like." I pause before adding, as casually as possible, "Was your marriage arranged by my father?"

The air shifts.

"Laura and her father don’t speak," Zane cuts in before either of them can answer. "She’s not on his side, Mia."

A heavy relief escapes my lungs, and I realize I had been holding my breath. I turn back to Laura, studying her more intently now.

"It’s good to see you doing well, little sister," I murmur, pulling her into a tight hug. There’s something grounding about the warmth of her touch, the way she hesitates for a fraction of a second before returning the embrace. But then, like an invisible alarm ringing in my mind, I pull back.

"Did you want to talk to me for a reason?"

Laura straightens, her sharp gaze scanning me before flicking to Zane.

"I just wanted to check in. To see if you were okay, if no one was taking advantage of you."

Her eyes meet mine pinpoint accuracy, studying my face. Heat creeps up my neck.

"Zane is a perfect gentleman," I say, my voice steady. "He’s taken good care of me. You don’t have to worry."

"Of course I worry," Laura says, softer now. "I always will."

"I don’t think it’s wise for people to know I’m your sister, though," I whisper.

"I get it. Too much blood has been spilled."

"Yeah… And as much as I want to keep seeing you, little cricket, it’s too risky."

"Pietro can help with that," Laura suggests, but I shake my head.

"People are already suspicious of why you want contact with me."

"I can protect you," Pietro states firmly, his tone devoid of any pretense. "Feel free to speak openly—I’ve ensured the room’s security."

No matter what precautions Pietro has taken, I never trust that walls don’t have ears. Laura nods in understanding.

"Trevor, his brother-in-law, leads TSOC. You'll have an abundance of influential allies at your disposal," Laura adds, her voice calm but calculating. I can see the understanding settle over Zane’s face as the pieces fall into place.

I offer a faint smile, one that doesn’t quite reach my eyes.

"I’ve killed a lot of TSOC men," I say quietly. "God, I’ve probably tortured plenty of Evermore, too. They’ll never accept me if they know who I am."

Laura's eyes flicker, but she remains impassive. "None of that matters now," she says. "It’s in the past. What matters is what you do next."

"It does matter," I whisper, feeling the weight of my past pressing down on me. "Torture is still torture."

"Excuse me for a moment," I say quietly, stepping away from the conversation.

I move a short distance from them, allowing myself a few moments to breathe. My mind is a whirlwind, and I can’t make sense of everything at once. Zane follows me, standing just close enough to offer silent support but not pushing.

"You’re my family, Zane," I say quietly, my voice carrying a touch of bittersweetness. "I know being around me means dealing with a lot of people you probably don’t want in your life. And I get it. I don’t need more people either. Wherever you go, I go. Remember?"

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