After the attack, Vito doubled the security along the villa. Cards for stations at every entrance, and a team of trusted man patrolled the grounds day at night. Kleia heated the heightened precautions, but she understood the necessity.
For the first time, she truly grasped the weight of Vito's world, the constant danger, the need for vigilance. She had chosen to be part of, but now with their children in the picture, the stakes fell higher than ever.
One evening, as they sit together terrace, watching the sunset, kleia turned to Vito. " do you ever wish you could leave all of this behind?" She asked softly.
Vito was silent for a moment, is gaze fixed on the horizon. " sometimes." he admitted. " but I know it's not that simple. this life... it's who I am. It's how I've protected you, our kids, everything we've built."
Kleia reached for his hands, lacing her fingers with his. " I just want us to be safe, Vito. I don't want to live in fear."
" you won't have to" he promised, his voice firm. " I'll make sure of it."
As they sat together , the weight of the day lifting just slightly, kleia nude and no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
