By Fate I Conquer (Sins of the Fathers #4)(67)

I trusted Greta, but still my instincts told me to be cautious on Camorra territory.

I’d been driving for a while, away from the city, when a high fence, a bit like you could find around a military base or a detention camp, rose up to my right. I passed the pebbled road leading straight toward it and tried to get a good look at it from a few other angles. The areal was huge with several buildings from what I could see. I parked a good distance away to avoid being caught on surveillance cameras and pretended I was taking a piss. I would have liked to walk closer but that would have looked suspicious.

I shook my head. This was a horrible idea in a row of many bad ideas.

I knew it but at the same time the pull to Greta was so strong that I threw caution in the wind. I got back into my car and did a U-Turn back toward the pebbled road leading up to a gate. I rolled down the window, making sure I kept my head in the car, though my cap would have probably hidden my face, and pressed a speaker button.

Static sounded, then, “Yes?”

Hearing Greta’s voice, even distorted by speakers, made my heart speed up. “It’s me.”

A buzzer sounded and the gates slid open, but that didn’t bring me inside the premises yet. There was a second gate so my car was now trapped between the closing gate behind me and the one rising up before me. I grabbed my semi-automatic from the passenger seat.

I glanced around for a sign of an ambush, but then the second gate glided open as well. I set the car in motion and followed the pebbled road past paddocks and stables with horses, donkeys, cows and even the occasional pig, sheep and goat. The pastureland spread to both sides of the road. This kind of ranch wasn’t what you expected so close to the city of sin, but Remo was a resourceful man. Finally a white farmhouse came into view and behind it smaller cottages. A porch lined the entire front, complete with a swing.

I stopped the car but didn’t get out right away. The curtains moved and briefly a face peeked out then disappeared. My gun in hand, I cautiously got out of the car, checking my surroundings. It was quiet except for the occasional bird song and cicada. It took my eyes a moment to get used to the bright sunshine.

The front door opened and Greta stood in the doorway, dressed in a white spaghetti strap crop-top, flowy white skirt and cowboy boots. Her hair was down, framing her beautiful face. I swallowed and slowly approached the porch, my fingers still holding onto the gun. When I began to ascend the stairs, a low growl sounded and a big presence appeared behind Greta but she didn’t let the dog pass.

“Bear, stop.”

I kept my finger on the trigger as I stepped onto the porch. It was decorated with colorful flowers in small steel tubs and the wide swing had white cushions with mint pillows that said home. It looked cozy and with Greta’s welcoming presence and sweet smile, I felt at home right away.

I stifled a sardonic laugh. Then my eyes met Greta’s who watched me with a tilted head, her shoulder leaning against the doorframe. “I’m happy you’re here.” I could tell this meant a lot to her, maybe more than yesterday. This place was important to her and she wanted me here.

“Come in,” she said gently and walked into the house, followed by Bear. I followed her into a high-ceilinged living room with wooden beams and a huge stone kitchen island. A pot stood on the stove, and a spicy smell wafted over to me.

“I made chili for us. I wasn’t sure if you would get the chance to grab food somewhere.”

I watched her as she opened the lid and smiled hopefully at me. Slowly she put the lid down on a wooden cutting board, her expression becoming more restrained. “I don’t know how to act around you.”

“Be yourself. No need to act.” I strolled over to her. Bear sat on her other side, never taking his eyes off me. I met his eyes, because I was sick of him staking his claim. If I wanted to be close to Greta, I sure as fuck wouldn’t let a dog stop me. His teeth flashed but I didn’t avert my eyes and took another step closer.

He stood but didn’t attack. With a low grumble he turned and walked over to his bed where he curled up beside Momo.

“You don’t need that.”

Greta motioned at my gun. With a nod, I put it back into my hip holster. She leaned her hip against the kitchen island, regarding me.

“I’m actually hungry,” I said, nodding toward the steaming red chili.

Greta took out bowls and scooped generous portions into them before she carried them over to a rustic wood table around the corner. Floor to ceiling windows granted us a view of the paddocks. Greta motioned at the wooden bench and I sank down.

She sat down across from me and handed me a spoon. “I hope you like it. I made it with soy granules to imitate meat.”

I took a spoonful. “It’s good.”

Her face lit up, and she ate a bite herself.

“What is this place?” I asked quietly as I watched her enjoy her food with a pleased expression.

“It’s a safe haven for abused animals. It’s still only in its beginning. I want to add more stables and a house where dogs can live in a pack, and I need a house for cats.” She smiled embarrassedly.

“My best friend used to live in a place like this with his family.”

“My cousin.”

I nodded.

“Not anymore?”

“He has his own place now.” I didn’t mention Sara, it would have only brought attention to my own wife, and I had no intention to talk about Sara and Maximus anyway.