“Sì,” I whispered and eagerly leaned in.

“Does he seem like the type of man who would leave you in the home of someone you hardly know even if he had something dangerous to take care of?”

I thought about her question for a moment and the answer was clear. No, he wouldn’t. And even if he did, he would at least wake me up to tell me what was going on first. He wouldn't just leave me without knowing anything.

She must have seen the look on my face because she gave a serious nod. “He wouldn't have left you without telling you, would he?”

“No. He wouldn't.”

“I could tell that about him last night when I was leading him to his room. He kept questioning me about where you were, where your room was, how he could get in.”

“So, he left against his will? Was he hurt?” Fear gripped my throat, making it hard to swallow.

“No signora. I can honestly say that he looked very peaceful and not in any pain when he left.”

“Peaceful?” The word made me feel as though the earth had dropped out from under my feet and my head spun. “Please tell me that my father didn't kill him. He's not... no one hurt him did they?”

“No signora. He was the picture of health.”

“He was unconscious? Drugged?” Her eyes lit up, confirming my suspicions. “Do you know where they took him? Where they took the others?”

“I'm sorry, signora. That I don't know, and I've already said too much.”

“Thank you. And I promise I won't say a word about anything that you've told me or haven't told me.” I gave her a grateful smile and gently squeezed her arm, and she winced. I took her arm and lifted her sleeve revealing fingerprint bruises along her bicep. “Luna? Do you enjoy working for my father?”

“Of course, signora.” I gave her a skeptical look and glanced around to make sure that nobody was nearby to overhear us.

“Well if that changes or if you rethink that before I leave, know that you can come with me. I will make sure that you get out, too.” Luna's eyes widened and she nodded but she looked scared. “I've called a car and I was going to let my father know that I was leaving, but since he is preoccupied and not supposed to be disturbed, I was considering not bothering to tell him.”

“The guards at the gate will inform him of any car coming or going.”

“Well how do they reach him?”

“They usually call through the main line and me or one of the other servants will answer, find out what's going on, and filter it through to him if it's something that needs his attention.”

“Well, I don't think that my car arriving would need his attention. I'm his daughter and that would make me the next in line if he was indisposed, correct?”

“Sì signora. I suppose so.”

“Good. Then when the car arrives, you can let the guards know that I have approved it and to let the car through. Then you let me know.”

“Sì, signora.”

“Thank you. And Luna?”

“Sì?”

“If you're coming with me, you may want to go pack your things. The car should be here before long.”

“Sì signora. Grazie.”

Chapter 27

Enzo

I woke up with a terrible crick in my neck. "Man, I slept like the dead," I mumbled to myself as I heard a faint sound of a car going by.

Hearing the faint sound of a car going by, I pulled myself from my sleep and looked around. I was in the back seat of Alessandro's car. Luca sat slumped over beside me, with his head resting against his window while Alessandro and Teo slept in similar positions in the front seats.