Page 362 of Marcello

Nothing happened.

Thirty minutes later, we were out of Naples and on our way back home. For the first time in 24 hours, we relaxed.

Dario called the hospital to let Alessandra know he was safe. I could hear her crying with relief over the phone.

I called Sofia, and Lars called Rachel…

But despite our conversations, Marcello and Laura slept in each other’s arms the entire way back to Florence.

We reached the outskirts of Florence shortly before dawn, and pulled off the highway onto a deserted road.

“Wake up,” I said, gently tapping Marcello’s knee.

He jolted awake and looked around in alarm like he didn’t recognize where he was.

“You’re safe,” I said. “We’re just outside Florence.”

He nodded, then gently woke Laura.

Everyone got out of the Mercedes. We transferred Laura’s suitcase into Marcello’s SUV, and I retrieved one of the garbage bags of cash.

“There should be a couple million euros in there,” I said as I handed it to Laura. “Not enough to cover the paintings, but enough to get you started.”

Roberto handed Laura a business card. “Call me, and I’ll arrange for more money to be deposited into a Swiss bank account for you. We have our own losses to offset, but we’ll go half and half on your family’s paintings. Selling them could take months, though.”

“I understand,” she murmured. “Thank you.”

Marcello was stunned as he looked at the bag of money Laura was holding. “Thank you.”

“It’s not for you,” I said drily. “It’s for her.”

“Gee, thanks,” he sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Then I tossed him another garbage bag full of cash.

“That’s for you. To make up for what Fausto did to you…” I paused as I felt a pang of guilt. “…and for what I let happen to you.”

He stared at me in shock, then nodded somberly. “Thank you.”

“What will you do now?” Dario asked.

“Sleep for three days,” Marcello replied. “Then… I don’t know.”

“When I negotiated our safe passage,” I said gently, “part of the condition was that we would never return to Naples. I’m afraid that includes both of you, as well.”

“Good,” Laura said. “I never want to go back.”

“If you had any inclination to take your father’s place in the Cosa Nostra – ”

“No,” she interrupted. “Thank you, but no.”

Dario nodded. “Good.”

We all shook hands with Marcello and gave hugs to Laura.

As they walked towards his Cadillac, he looked back at us.

“My family… they’re really safe?” he asked.