Chapter 21 I Have To Return Home

• L A N A
• I let out a shaky breath before I can stop myself, the sound soft but obvious in the quiet room as I press my fingers together in my lap to keep them from trembling, because no matter how calm this space feels compared to last night, no matter how politely Dante speaks to me, the truth still sits between us that he is the Head of a crime family, that every person in this room belongs to a world I never meant to step into. My mind keeps circling back to that fact, comparing him to Ezio whether I want to or not, wondering if the difference I feel is real or if it is just relief talking, but at the same time I cannot ignore that if they intended to hurt me, they have had more than enough opportunity to do so already, which leaves me in this strange in between place where I am afraid and yet oddly secure.
• I nod slowly in response to Dante, taking in what he has said about safety and enemies and consequences, understanding now that I have not actually escaped danger but simply crossed from one side of it to another. Even though this side feels calmer and more structured, it is still built on the same foundation of power and retaliation. I can feel his eyes on me as I process it, as if he is trying to read whether I am grasping the reality of my situation or still clinging to denial.