30

30
Emilia’s POV
Having a new phone with me was bringing a mix of relief and excitement. It had barely been a whole day without my old phone but if made me feel like I had been entirely cut off from my world.
Allesio had helped me transfer all the information from my old phone into the new one. And I wasn’t expecting Alaric to get me the latest model of my phone, but he did. And though it was kind of confusing to operate, I still appreciated it.
I scrolled through the contacts that Allesio had copied over from my old phone, and seeing familiar names on the screen made my chest tighten. There were so many messages I’d missed, especially from Matteo and Rosa, my best friend. They’d both been blowing up my phone in the few hours I had been unreachable, and I knew I owed them explanations.
I decided to start with Matteo. Dialing his number, I tapped my foot anxiously, listening to the rings.
“Finally!” His voice burst through the line, laced with relief and a hint of irritation. “Where the hell have you been?”
“I know, I know,” I sighed. “I’m sorry. My phone fell in the pool two days ago and Alaric helped me get a new one but it took a while before Allesio could restore all my contacts and information. Everything’s just… different right now.”
“Different how?” he asked, his tone suspicious. I could imagine him giving me the side eye if I was with him right now.
“I’ve had to make some changes,” I murmured, trying to keep it vague. I didn’t want to dump all the details on him at once. “But I’m okay. How are you? How’s your recovery going?”
“I’m good, getting stronger every day,” he replied, but there was a slight pause. “I was worried about you, you know. When I didn’t hear from you, I thought something happened.”
His words made me feel guilty, and I tried to explain without giving away too much. “No. No nothing happened. And I’d have come to check up on you but Alaric wouldn’t let me leave the house without one of his men for safety reasons and they’re all so busy right now.”
“Safety reasons?” His voice sharpened. “Emilia, are you in trouble? Are you with him?”
I knew exactly who he meant. “No no. I’m not in trouble. You know me. But…you should understand what I’m trying to say. And he’s intent on keeping me safe just the same way he’s keeping Francesca safe.”
Matteo’s sigh was heavy, full of mixed emotions. “You’re trusting him? After everything you know about him? You know he’s a cold blooded killer, don’t you? And you’re also ignoring that he’s a mafia don?”
“It’s not about trust, Matteo. It’s just what makes sense right now. I don’t want you to worry about me, okay? I’ll keep you updated, I promise.”
He let out a low grunt, clearly unconvinced. “I just don’t want you getting tangled up in his world more than you already are. It’s dangerous.”
“I know,” I replied softly. “But this is temporary. And besides, Alaric has actually helped a lot.”
Matteo let out another sigh, though this time it sounded more resigned than angry. “Fine. But if anything feels off, anything at all, you call me, okay? No hesitation.”
“Okay, big brother,” I teased, a smile tugging at my lips. “I promise.”
He seemed to relax a bit, his tone lightening. “Good. Because if he does anything-”
“Nothing’s going to happen,” I interrupted, laughing. “I’m safe, Matteo. Really.”
We talked a little more about his recovery and his plans for the next few weeks. When we finally hung up, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. At least Matteo knew I was okay, even if he wasn’t thrilled about me continuing to work for Alaric.
Next, I called Rosa. If anyone would give me an earful about disappearing, it was her.
The phone barely rang once before she picked up. “Oh my God, Emilia! Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?”
“Rosa, I’m so sorry,” I said, feeling the guilt creep in again. “I didn’t mean to make you worry. My phone fell in the pool, and it’s been a mess trying to get a new one.”
“Excuses, excuses,” she huffed. “You could’ve sent a carrier pigeon or something.”
“Noted for next time,” I said, laughing. “But seriously, I missed you.”
“Well, obviously,” she said with a dramatic sigh. “So, where are you right now? You have to fill me in on everything.”
I hesitated, wondering how much to tell her. “I’m… staying with Alaric.” I hadn’t much told her about who I was working for, but given her background, she would know him. And she wouldn’t approve.
“Alaric who?” She asked, her voice quiet.
“Castillo,” I answered in an equally quiet tone.
“Alaric?” Her voice shot up an octave. “Are you kidding me, Emilia? That guy? What is going on? He’s the one you said you’re working for?”
“Rosa, it’s not what you think,” I replied quickly, trying to calm her down. “I’m just staying here because of the job. He thought it would be safer, and also closer to Francesca, and… well, he’s been surprisingly helpful.”
There was a beat of silence on the other end before Rosa spoke again, her tone skeptical. “Okay, back up. Are you telling me that Alaric-the Alaric, which you comfortably forgot to add that he’s the one you’re working for told you to stay at his house, and you did. And you’re just… fine with that?”
I took a deep breath, bracing myself. “I work for him, you know. And he’s not that cruel.” I defended, shocking myself.
Rosa’s sigh was long and drawn out. “I don’t know, Em. This just feels weird to me. He’s not exactly Mr. Trustworthy.”
“I know,” I admitted. “But I don’t really have a choice right now. And honestly, it hasn’t been as bad as I expected.”
She scoffed. “Well, as long as you don’t start falling for him or something. You’re way too good for that.”
“Rosa!” I laughed, though her comment hit closer to home than she knew. “It’s not like that at all.”
“Good. Because the last thing you need is to get wrapped up in some messed-up romance with a guy like him.”
“Don’t worry,” I said, hoping my voice sounded convincing. “It’s just a temporary arrangement. Besides, I have you to keep me grounded, right?”
“Damn right you do,” she replied, her voice softening. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt, Em.”
“I know. And I appreciate it,” I said, meaning it. “But I promise I’ll be careful. And hey, I’ll keep you in the loop from now on. No more going MIA.”
“Good, because if you disappear on me again, I’m coming to find you myself,” she threatened playfully. “And I’ll drag Matteo along if I have to.”
We laughed together, the tension easing. It felt good to talk to Rosa, to hear her familiar sass and warmth. I filled her in on some of the less intense parts of my life here, leaving out the grittier details. She listened, occasionally making sarcastic comments, but mostly, she just let me talk, which was exactly what I needed.
“Em,” she murmured after a while. “Promise me you will not get yourself caught up in what you’re not supposed to,” she said, her voice quiet. If anyone could understand what being caught up in mafia shit felt like, it was her.
“I can’t promise that, Rosa,” I murmured back with a sigh. “But I’ll try to keep out of it.”
“Good,” she answered, sighing. “I love you, okay?”
“I love you more,” I replied with a sigh.
“Whatever. I have to hang up now, but I’ll text in a few hours,” she promised before hanging up. I sighed, a smile lingering on my face as I laid back on my bed and stared at the ceiling.