Chapter 7 - Returning to the Safe House
Two days later, the threat from Viktor Vance was neutralized. Vance’s operation in Brooklyn was dismantled by federal raids coordinated anonymously by Daniel Cross, while the remaining lieutenants fled the state. The DeLuca empire was safe, stronger and more unified than ever before.
Lorenzo walked into the Ridgewood safe house holding a small, brightly wrapped box.
Emma was sitting on the living room rug, feeding imaginary tea to her stuffed rabbit. When she saw the tall man enter the room, her face lit up with a joyful smile.
"Mr. Lorenzo!" she cried, scrambling to her feet and running across the room to wrap her arms around his knees, exactly as she had done a week ago.
Lorenzo knelt down, wincing only slightly as his healing shoulder moved, and gently picked her up. He balanced her easily on his arm.
"Hello, little captain," Lorenzo said, his voice softer than anyone in New York had ever heard it. "I brought you something."
He handed her the small box. Emma ripped off the shiny pink wrapping paper with enthusiastic haste. Inside was a brand-new pair of preschool safety scissors—bright pink, shaped like a bunny, with stainless steel blades that actually cut paper properly, alongside a certificate proclaiming her an honorary protector of the estate.
Emma gasped in delight. "My scissors! They're fixed! And they're shiny!"
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Sophia walked in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron, watching the scene with a quiet smile. "Mr. Lorenzo, you really didn't have to do that. She already talks about you all day long."
"She saved my life, Sophia," Lorenzo said, standing up while holding Emma securely. "And a DeLuca always pays his debts."
