A terrified 13-year-old girl fled her mafia boss father, only to be surrounded by fourteen police dogs at the airport—then the officers discovered why she was really running.

Chapter 8

The gentle rocking of the cargo ship did little to calm Elena’s nerves. She sat in the small cabin, her eyes fixed on the dark waters beyond the porthole. The room was bare — a narrow bed, a metal desk, a chair that creaked with each sway of the vessel.

A soft knock on the door made her jump. “It’s just me,” Frank’s familiar voice called out.

He stepped inside, his arm bandaged where the bullet had grazed him. “Can’t sleep?”

Elena shook her head. “Every time I close my eyes, I see them coming after us again.”

Frank pulled up the creaky chair beside her. “I know it’s scary. But I meant what I said before. I’m going to protect you, no matter what.”

Tears welled up in Elena’s eyes. “Why are you helping me? You don’t even know me.”

Frank was quiet for a moment. “Because everyone deserves a chance at a better life. Especially kids like you.” He paused, swallowing hard. “And because you remind me of someone.”

“Your daughter?”

He nodded. “Claire. I wasn’t there for her when she needed me most. Work always came first, and before I knew it, she had grown up without me.” His voice cracked. “I can’t change the past. But maybe I can do better this time.”

A light tap at the door interrupted them. Diane appeared, carrying three steaming cups of hot chocolate. “Thought you both could use something warm.”

Elena accepted the cup gratefully, wrapping her hands around its warmth. Diane sat cross-legged on the floor, creating a small circle of comfort in the cramped cabin.

“You know,” Diane said, “when I was your age, I used to love watching the stars from my bedroom window. Want to try spotting some from the deck?”

Elena’s eyes lit up. “Can we?”

Frank nodded, but his protective instinct kicked in. “Just for a little while. Stay close to us.”

They made their way to the deck, the salty air whipping at their faces. Diane pointed out constellations, and Elena listened with genuine interest. For a brief moment, she looked like any other thirteen-year-old girl, full of wonder and curiosity.

Frank stood a few feet away, scanning the horizon out of habit. The weight of his gun pressed against his side, a constant reminder of the danger they were still in. But watching Elena’s smile as Diane taught her about the stars, he felt a glimmer of hope.

Later, as dawn approached, Frank stood alone on the deck. The first rays of sunlight painted the sky in soft pinks and oranges. Elena and Diane had finally gone to get some rest, leaving him with his thoughts.

His phone buzzed — Pete’s name flashed across the screen. “Frank, we’ve got trouble. Victor Moretti is on the move. He’s not sending his men this time. He’s coming himself.”

Frank’s jaw tightened. “How did he track us?”

“I don’t know, but my sources are solid. He’s got connections at every major port. You need to change course. Fast.”

Frank found Diane standing watch outside Elena’s door. “We need to talk.”

In the ship’s small galley, he laid out what Pete had told him. Diane’s face grew serious. “If Victor’s coming himself, this changes everything. He won’t stop until he finds her.”

“I know.” Frank pulled out a worn map of the coastline. “We need options. Maybe we can dock at one of these smaller ports, get lost in the crowd.”

A soft sound made them both turn. Elena stood in the doorway, her face pale.

“He’s coming, isn’t he? My father.”

Frank moved toward her, placing gentle hands on her shoulders. “Yes. But we’re not going to let him take you.”

Elena’s lower lip trembled. “You don’t know him like I do. He always gets what he wants.”

“Not this time,” Frank said firmly, though doubt gnawed at his insides.