Chapter 54. The Valtieris

MYKAELA

[Ostia, Rome]

Maybe this was what Miles meant when he told me, "Savagery is the default state of humanity."

From outside, the house didn't look old or dilapidated. Not at all. Just a bit lonely. Sad.  Too quiet. The paint on the five-foot concrete fence looked weathered.

Like Enzo mentioned during the 20-minute drive, he no longer had the time or money to renovate this property. It wasn't huge, but it didn't look much smaller than his brand new house and lot in New York.

"Where's Rafa?" I asked while Enzo stood next to me, his eyes and hands glued to his phone.

"My calls go straight to his bloody voicemail." He sighed and shook his head faintly.

Carrying their handguns, Lele and Marco told us to stay on this patio minutes ago, leaving us alone with the new bodyguards. Next to the weed-grown front yard. Lele and Marco snuck into the house through the damaged and unlocked backdoor.

A big padlock secured the iron gates when