May 20, 2021. 22:20. Rome.
The ride back is considerably quieter.
For a while, I mostly stare out the window, watching Central Italy pass by while everyone else settles into their seats.
Nobody really brings up the fact that I'm staying behind again.
They already got their surprise out of the way at dinner.
Shock and Remi still look like they want to interrogate me about it, while Tetra seemed genuinely disappointed when I told him.
But thankfully, they leave it alone.
By the time we reach the airport, Dante has already arranged everything.
The airport itself is surprisingly calm compared to everything we've been dealing with lately.
People move through the terminals with luggage rolling behind them, families wait around departure boards, and airport staff weave through the crowds like it's any other night. Camorra security is everywhere, mixed in with the regular airport staff, but no civilians seem particularly bothered by it or even notice it.
It's almost funny.
A few hours ago, we were raiding a terrorist compound, but now I'm standing in an airport watching some kid complain to his parents about wanting snacks.
Normal life just keeps moving, I guess.
Our section is considerably quieter—private and reserved for VIPs, separated from the main terminal's bustle as they make the final arrangements for our flight.
Dante turns toward us.
"I cannot stress this enough; it was a pleasure working with all of you."
He offers Mister his hand first.
Mister takes it.
"The feeling is mutual, Dante," he replies. "Despite the circumstances, our arrangement was productive. I appreciate your hospitality and professionalism."
"Likewise."
They shake once before separating.
Remi stretches both arms above his head.
"Not gonna lie, though, Italy was chill as fuck when people weren't trying to zero us." He exhales. "I'm ready to kick back for a while."
Mister turns his helmet toward him.
"Don't forget, you still have your arrangement with the Dead Kings."
Remi freezes in place. "Oh shit, yeah."
I snort. "Dumbass."
He scratches the back of his head. "Meh. On the grind as usual, I guess."
"That's quite the change from 'kick back for a while,'" Tetra points out.
"Choom, I can do both."
"I don't think that's how that works."
"Skill issue."
Tetra sighs.
Nearby, Shock has been talking quietly with Dante.
"So..." she starts, rocking slightly on her heels. "About the whole family thing."
Dante waits.
Shock takes a breath. "I think I'm just gonna enjoy Vancouver for now. Y'know... chill out, take a vacation, figure some stuff out."
Dante smiles. "Then consider yourself officially on indefinite vacation."
Shock's face immediately brightens. "Really?"
"Of course."
"Awwww!" She suddenly throws her arms around him. "Thank youuu!"
Dante stiffens for about half a second before returning the hug.
I smile slightly.
Yeah. They'll figure it out.
Tetra looks between everyone. "I guess things have finally calmed down."
Remi raises an eyebrow. "Bro, why would you say that?"
"What?"
"You just jinxed us."
"I didn't jinx anything."
"You absolutely fuckin' jinxed us."
Tetra sighs. "Okay, fine. Things have calmed down for now."
"Better."
Tetra rolls his eyes before looking around at all of us.
"But... seriously." His expression softens. "I'm sure things are gonna get chaotic again eventually. So hopefully, if something happens... we can call on each other again."
Something about that catches me off guard.
And then I realize something.
"Wait... what happens to the group chat?"
Everyone looks at me.
Mister answers first.
"I have everyone's individual contact information saved. Maintaining the group itself isn't strictly necessary."
"Awwww, what?!" Shock immediately protests.
Remi looks equally offended. "Nah, fuck that."
Mister turns toward them. "I beg your pardon? We're no longer coordinating an active operation."
"So...?" Shock asks.
"Yeah," Remi adds. "Just keep the chat, man."
Tetra rubs the back of his neck. "I mean... the name is a little awkward."
Everyone goes quiet.
Can't we just rename it? Ah... still is kinda awkward though.
Slowly, every single person looks toward Remi.
He looks back at us. "What?"
I stare at him.
Shock stares at him.
Tetra gives him a look.
Remi raises both hands. "I still don't regret it."
"Of course you don't," I mutter. "How about we change the name to something that doesn't cuss someone out?"
"Fuck that shit. I stand by my artistic decisions."
"Calling it artistic is generous."
"Fuck off."
Tetra laughs quietly, but he hesitates. "Still..."
Something about his voice makes everyone settle down.
He looks almost embarrassed now.
"I'd kinda like to keep the chat too."
Shock tilts her head. "Oh?"
"Yeah." Tetra gives a sheepish smile. "I mean... you guys are probably the closest thing I have to friends outside of my family." He winces a little, glancing off into the distance. "Aside from the... name and all."
There's a beat of silence.
Shock's expression completely melts. "Awwwwwwww, babessss!"
Tetra immediately laughs awkwardly. "Okay, Shock, don't make it weird."
"Noooo, girlypop, that's so sweet!"
Before Tetra can escape, Shock wraps herself around him.
"Shock—"
Remi puts a hand against his chest. "Ah, shit, choom. That's actually pretty wholesome."
"Please stop."
I laugh.
But underneath it, there's this unexpected warmth spreading through my chest.
Friends, huh?
I look between everyone.
Mister, standing there with that stupid helmet hiding whatever expression he might have.
Remi, somehow surviving an entire international operation while being Remi.
Shock currently squeezing the life out of Tetra.
And Tetra himself, who looks like he's already regretting saying anything remotely emotional in front of us.
A smile slowly forms on my face.
"Yeah," I say. "Maybe... let's just keep the group chat."
Shock releases Tetra just enough to point at me. "YES!"
Remi nods approvingly. "There we go."
Mister looks between us. "If that's what everyone prefers, I see no reason to delete it."
"Perfect!"
Then Dante clears his throat.
We all look over.
He looks... strangely awkward.
"I suppose that raises a question regarding my continued presence."
Shock blinks, then looks at her phone. "Ohhhhh."
I realize it too.
Right… the group chat wasn't originally made because we were all friends but rather for work. Which means that Dante and Wissen are still in there too.
Dante gestures slightly toward us. "If this is becoming a more... casual space, I suspect my presence may be somewhat unnecessary."
Shock immediately grins. "What? The big scary Godfather can't separate business and friendship?"
Dante gives his sister a long look. "That isn't what I said."
"Mhm."
"Shock."
"I'm just sayingggg."
Dante sighs, although there's a faint smile behind it. "Perhaps there's some truth to that."
Shock looks genuinely surprised she got him to admit it.
"Regardless, I doubt I'll have much time to participate in casual conversation." Dante pulls out his phone. "The Camorra requires my attention now more than ever."
"That's fair," Tetra says.
Mister gives a small nod. "It is understandable."
"Yeah, go do your mafia shit," Remi adds.
Dante looks at him. "Thank you, Remi."
"Anytime, dawg."
A moment later, my phone vibrates.
I pull it out, reading the notification.
Dante has left the group.
I stare at the message.
"Wissen's gonna wonder what the hell happened," I mutter to no one in particular.
Shock glances at her phone. "Oh my gosh, you're right."
"Actually..." I think about it for approximately two seconds before shrugging. "Never mind. He'll probably figure it out."
Mister nods. "Almost certainly."
Yeah, knowing Wissen, he'll somehow know why before any of us bother explaining it.
"WAIT!" Shock suddenly yells.
I flinch at the sudden outburst. "What?"
"Group picture!" She already has her phone out. "We need a group picture before everyone leaves!"
Tetra laughs. "Of course we do."
I roll my eyes. "Shock..."
"What?! We just spent weeks together in Italy! We need at least one!"
"I see no harm in it," Mister says.
Remi immediately lights up. "YOOOO, group pic! Hell yeah!"
Of course he's the most excited.
Before any of us can object, Shock starts pulling everyone together.
"Okay, okay, get over here! Tetra, beside me. Artie, c'mon!"
"Ugh, I'm coming."
"Mister, get innnn!"
"I'm already here."
"Remi—"
"Choom, I'm born ready." He throws an arm around Tetra's shoulder.
Tetra looks over at him. "Remi, can we just get the picture over with?"
"Wait, dawg, I gotta..." Remi suddenly shifts beside him, twisting his body sideways while throwing one hand out toward the camera and raising the other above his head in some unnecessarily elaborate pose.
"Remi..." I sigh, facepalming as he adjusts himself twice, nearly bumps into Tetra, then leans back like he's posing for an album cover. "You've gotta be kidding me..."
"Why am I not surprised?" Tetra sighs, laughing.
Dante ends up standing off to the side, watching us try to cram ourselves into frame. "I'll excuse myself."
Shock immediately looks over. "What?! Noooo! Get over here!"
"Yeah, come on," Tetra adds. "You were part of all this too!"
Remi points toward the group. "Ayo, get in here, bro!"
Even I glance toward him. "You might as well."
Mister turns his helmet toward Dante. "There's no practical reason you need to be excluded. If we're taking this as a memory of our time in Italy, you were as much a part of it as anyone else."
Dante smiles, but shakes his head. "I appreciate the invitation, but I think this one should be yours."
Shock pouts. "But you're already here!"
"And I'm perfectly content remaining here."
"Danteeee!"
"My answer isn't changing, Shock."
She stares at him for a few seconds before dramatically sighing. "Fiiiiine."
Remi shrugs. "Your loss, dawg."
Tetra gives Dante one last look before reluctantly accepting it. "Alright."
Shock stretches her arm out with the phone. "Everybody readyyyy?"
"AYO! WAIT!" Remi suddenly blurts.
Shock lowers the phone. "Girl, what?"
"Wissen ain't here."
There's a brief pause between all of us.
Ah...
"Oh." Shock looks around like Wissen might somehow materialize in the airport. "You're right."
"Can't be a real group pic without the mysterious businessman, choom."
Shock thinks for a second, but then she shrugs. "I'll Photoshop him in."
I stare at her. "For real?"
"Yeah!"
Remi immediately nods. "Works with me!"
Tetra laughs. "Honestly, that might be funnier."
Mister tilts his head slightly. "I'm curious to see the result as well."
"Seeee? Even Mister sees the vision!"
Shock raises her phone again. "Okay! Everybody smile!"
The picture snaps.
For a second afterward, nobody really moves.
We're all just standing there together.
After everything that's happened since Vancouver, somehow we made it all the way through Italy and ended up here.
Cute.
Then Remi breaks the moment.
"Aight, and we're keeping the group chat name."
"No," Tetra and I say at the exact same time.
Shock immediately starts laughing. "YESSS! Keep it!"
I look at her. "Don't encourage him!"
"But it's funnyyyy!"
"See?" Remi points at Shock. "Bro gets it."
"You're both terrible." Tetra shakes his head, laughing.
Mister gives a small shrug. "I have no particular preference regarding the name."
"That's three against two," Remi says.
"That's not how this works." I roll my eyes. "You're an idiot."
"Democracy, choom."
"I—" My mouth drops open as I stare at him, already half-ready to smack him again.
Then Dante steps forward before this can somehow become a full argument.
"Alright. I believe most of you have a flight to catch."
"... Fine."
That finally breaks us up, and eventually, boarding starts.
As everyone starts gathering their things, I can't help feeling a little strange about it.
I'm not gonna say it out loud, but… I might actually miss having them around.
After spending all this time together, going from constantly seeing these guys every day to suddenly being on my own again is probably gonna feel weird.
Then again, things will also be considerably quieter.
And hopefully more peaceful.
I still have some time left in Italy, and having a little peace to enjoy it doesn't sound too bad.
Mister heads through first, followed by Remi, who gives me a lazy wave over his shoulder.
"Don't die, choom!"
"I'll try!" I wave back.
Then Shock comes in, giving me a quick hug before she practically skips backward toward the plane.
"Byeeee, Artie! Text us when you're back!"
"I will!" I roll my eyes, laughing as I lightly return the hug. The feeling is a little strange, but I decide to give her one anyway.
"You betterrrr!"
"Girl, I said I will!" I laugh at her clinginess.
Tetra hangs back slightly longer than the others.
He looks at me, not saying a thing.
I smile at him. "I'm fine."
"I know." He pauses. "Still..."
"I'll be careful, I promise."
That seems to satisfy him enough to make him chuckle.
"Sure, sure. I'll see you back in Vancouver, then."
"See you." I nudge him by the shoulder.
He turns and follows the others.
Eventually, they're all gone.
I stay where I am, watching through the glass as everyone disappears farther toward the aircraft.
Dante remains beside me.
Silence settles in again as we watch the minutes pass by and the plane takes everyone else back to Vancouver.
But with that silence comes the lingering question that's been sitting in the back of my head ever since I decided to stay.
What now?
Fortunately, Dante seems to be thinking the same thing.
"So," he starts, turning toward me. "What do you intend to do now?"
"Well..." I watch the plane for another few seconds before looking back at him. "I'm gonna be in Italy for a little while longer."
"Yes... I gathered as much."
"Yeah," I start, glancing around the terminal.
There are still people nearby, including airport staff and some of Dante's own security, but nobody looks immediately suspicious or close enough to listen in.
I lower my voice anyway.
"I'm helping a friend with something while I'm here."
Dante raises an eyebrow. "A friend?"
"Mhm."
"What kind of help?"
"Nothing too dangerous—hopefully. But I'm on bodyguard duty, more or less."
Dante looks mildly curious, but thankfully doesn't immediately start interrogating me.
"So..." I continue. "I figured now would be a good time to talk about those favours you owe me."
"I see." A faint smile crosses his face. "I was wondering when you would bring those up."
I smile back. "Well, right now I am."
After everything I've done for this family, I might as well enjoy myself a little.
"First, I'm gonna need somewhere to stay. A nice hotel."
"How nice?"
I pause before breaking into a grin. "Very."
Dante chuckles. "Of course."
"Two beds," I add. "My friend's staying with me."
That gets another curious look from him.
"And I want privacy. Actual privacy. Somewhere secure where I don't have to worry about people getting into the room or spying on us."
Dante's expression becomes a little more serious. "That can easily be arranged."
"Good."
He studies me for a moment.
"This friend of yours..." he starts.
My stomach tightens slightly.
Please don't ask. I really don't feel like explaining Gina.
Thankfully, Dante seems to back off.
"Never mind," he says.
I blink. "That's it?"
"You've done nothing but stay faithfully by my side throughout your time here. I see no reason not to respect your right to privacy despite my gnawing curiosity."
Oh.
"Besides," he continues, "providing accommodations for you and a friend is hardly an unreasonable request."
My shoulders relax. "Thanks."
"I have connections throughout Italy. I'll make sure you're given whatever resources you need."
Whatever resources I need, huh? Hmm.
A slightly mischievous smile creeps across my face as "Gina" takes over and the promise I made to Mom comes into focus again.
Dante notices immediately. "There's more, I assume."
"Maybe."
He sighs, chuckling. "Alright, get on with it."
"Listen, you said favours. Plural."
"I did."
"And I helped get you a railgun, fought terrorists, helped you deal with a succession crisis, and nearly got shot by said railgun."
"Yes, I still remember."
"So..." I casually clasp my hands behind my back. "My friend hasn't really gotten to properly experience Italy before, andddd... I was thinking maybe you could help with that too."
"How?"
"A proper tour. Y'know... sightseeing, good restaurants, places worth visiting, and stuff tourists would actually want to do."
"That's simple enough."
"And shopping."
"Shopping?"
"Mhm. Good places to get souvenirs and fashion..." I pause. "Maybe some discounts."
Dante stares at me.
I give him my most innocent smile.
"...What?"
He lets out a quiet chuckle.
I narrow my eyes. "What's funny?"
"Nothing. I'm simply surprised."
"Why?"
"When you repeatedly reminded me that I owed you favours, I expected your eventual requests to be considerably more difficult."
"Oh." I think about that, but then shrug. "Wellllll, do I still reserve the right to make your life difficult later?"
"For now, yes."
"Hah..." My smile returns. "Don't worry, I'm cashing everything in now."
"Clearly." Dante shakes his head, still visibly amused. "A secure hotel suite, transportation if necessary, sightseeing, restaurants, shopping, and whatever discounts I can reasonably arrange."
"Remember, two beds." I hold up two fingers.
"Yes, Artemis. Two beds. I can count."
"Just making sure."
"I'll see that it's handled."
A triumphant smile breaks across my face despite my best efforts to hide it. Nice, I'm gonna enjoy this~!
While I start my little mental celebration, Dante pulls out his phone.
"I'll need a timeline."
"Starting now," I say, trying to regain composure.
He looks up. "Immediately?"
"Preferably. I want to check the room myself before my friend lands."
That earns me another brief look, although this time he doesn't question it.
"And how long will you need the accommodations?"
"Until around mid-August."
Dante freezes for a beat.
"...Mid-August?"
"Yeah. Is that a problem?"
"You're remaining in Italy for nearly three months?"
"Pretty much."
Ah, shit. That sounds considerably longer when he says it out loud. Hopefully that isn't a problem.
Dante considers that for a moment. "And afterward?"
"We'll leave together."
"We?"
"My friend and I."
"I see." He taps something into his phone. "Very well. I'll have my people begin making the arrangements tonight. Given the length of your stay, I'll make sure the accommodations are somewhere suitable rather than simply luxurious."
"Secure too."
"Yes, and private."
"Perfect!" I say, fully satisfied now.
Dante looks back down at his phone, already working through whatever absurd network of contacts a Camorra Godfather apparently has available at ten-something at night.
Meanwhile, I can't help smiling.
Fantastic. With all this shit soon behind me, I can spend the next few weeks enjoying a luxury hotel, private security, sightseeing, shopping, and whatever else I can squeeze out of Dante's connections.
I definitely earned this.