The Final Vow

Chapter 8

We all sat in the backyard watching Encanto on a big projector screen. Nalani and Leah sat snuggled up together as if they'd known each other their whole lives. It was cute and I loved it. I looked around at everyone snuggled up eating and watching the movie, everything felt perfect. I felt at peace. The only thing missing was Robbie and Delilah. 

"Luca, have you seen Robbie?" I thought back to the flight and I don't remember Robbie or Delilah on board. 

"Oh, I'm sorry Lana, I forgot to tell you. Robbie and Delilah were sent to a safe house. I discussed it with them before we left and they both agreed it was best for the baby." 

"He didn't tell me." I thought back to early this morning, now that I'm thinking of it, I haven't seen Robbie since our talk on the beach. 

"Well, we made the arrangements pretty quickly." Luca shrugged.

"Where exactly are they?"

"I can't tell you, it's better only I know."

"Luca, he's my brother," I argued. 

"Yes, but the best way to protect him is by keeping him hidden from everyone. I promise he's safe. I wouldn't let anything happen to him."

"Can I call him?" 

"You can, but it's safer if you don't. We don't know if we're being monitored. For now, they are safe, we don't want to jeopardize that." I knew he was right, I just couldn't help but feel guilty for not noticing sooner. But, it is safer for them to be in hiding right now, especially with Delilah being pregnant. Just then, Luca's phone began ringing. He looked down at it and glanced back up at me before stepping away to answer it. I watched him carefully, but I couldn't make out what he was saying. He kept glancing over at me and walking further away. It was as if, he didn't want me to hear. But why? He's never minded me listening in on his calls before.

"Finally, some alone time with my girl!" Carla sat down next to me. Still, I kept my eyes on Luca. He looked stressed, and frustrated. "Is it just me or-"

"He looks nervous like he's hiding something." Carla finished my sentence for me. 

Luca ended the call and quickly stormed towards us. "Luca-" Before I could say anything he shoved past me, causing me to stumble for a minute. He stopped and turned back to look at me. His expression was stone cold. I hadn't seen this side of him in a long time, he looked like his father. "I'm sorry." He apologized before turning back around and hurrying towards Niko. He whispered in Niko's ear, and they both stood and headed back inside. Whatever that phone call was about, it wasn't good. I looked over at Gia who noticed it too, but she simply smiled and turned her attention back to the movie, and kids. I quickly hurried to her side. "Hey," I whispered trying not to disrupt the girls' movie. "Hi, are you okay?" She flashed me another innocent smile. "Yeah, do you know what's going on?" 

"With what?" She tilted her head in confusion. 

"Luca, and Niko." I furrowed my brows at her. She saw what happened, why was she not worried about it? 

"Oh, no." She shrugged nonchalantly. 

"You're not worried?" She let out a long sigh and then stood up.  "Let's go get a drink and talk." She grabbed my hand pulling me with her. 

Once inside we sat in the kitchen while she poured us both a glass of wine. 

"Lana, what is it that you're so worried about?" She asked taking a sip from her glass.

"Well, Luca took a phone call, and after he didn't seem like himself. Didn't you see him pull Niko away?" 

"Yes, I saw."

"So how are you not worried?" I was genuinely confused by her reaction. She behaved without a care in the world. 

"Lana, is it okay, if I am brutally honest with you?"

"Uh, sure?" 

"Don't take this the wrong way, but we are just their wives." I was unsure what to say. Was there a point to that statement? If so, I didn't get it.  "I mean, we are here as their life partners, not their work partners. Our jobs are to raise our children and support our husbands. And I don't mean that rudely, I just mean, it's not our job to worry about their work. Do you understand?" 

"Sort of." I took a long sip from my wine. "But how are we not supposed to worry about their work, when it puts us in danger?" 

"Because it's the life we chose. When we agreed to marry them, we agreed to their lifestyle, the truth is, we will always be in danger and be targeted, but if we continue to be paranoid, we will miss out on the important stuff. We will never be happy. Luca and Niko, they bare the weight of it, so we don't have to. Always be mentally prepared but focus on living. Give Luca love and support because he is the one carrying the wirhgt and responsibility of protecting you and your children." I understood what she was say, but I didn't know how to let go, and not worry. 

"What about our children?" 

"Lana, if you live your life paranoid, so will your children. Our kids are smarter than we realize. They sense things and pick up on body language. That's why I don't stress and worry, over everything. Sometimes you have to trust Luca to take care of you." I knew she was right. Maybe that why Leah reacted so badly when Alexa showed up. Maybe I didn't handle things right with Antonio and it traumatized her more than I realized. But if that's the case, how do I help her? How do I fix it?