Chapter Nineteen
Jane
I descended the stairs with a determined stride, finding Tony alone near the bar with a drink in his hand, his face brooding and his posture stiff.
My stride slowed as indecision swept through me, along with guilt. No doubt he’d been left alone to guard me while Alessandro had taken the rest of his men with him to deal with the snitch.
Not that I was anywhere near as comfortable with Tony right now. His unguarded expression made me second-guess asking him for any favors, let alone one that would land him in deep shit if Alessandro found out.
Then he looked up and smiled, his countenance becoming something else entirely. “Jane, you’re looking...headstrong.”
I smiled back. My sudden doubts were obviously well-hidden. “Then I’m hoping you won’t make me beg you to drive me to my shop to see how it’s coming along?”
Something odd crossed his face before he shook his head and said, “Why would I make you beg? As long as you’re with me for protection I can’t see any reason why we can’t go.”
Relief filled me, overpowering any reservations. “Wonderful, thank you.” I grinned conspiratorially. “If we could get back before Alessandro returns, that’d be the icing on the cake.”
Tony snorted. “Then we’d better leave soon.”
I nodded, ignoring the tightening in my stomach. “I’ll just grab my handbag and cellphone and we can be on our way.”
He drained his drink before pulling out his own cell. “You do that,” he said distantly. “It will give me time to make a quick call.”
Twenty minutes later I settled into the backseat of one of Alessandro’s town cars, all doubts banished to the back of my mind. I really did need to see if my shop window had been repaired, and if so, why Alessandro had lied about it.
Tony turned left out of the sweeping driveway and onto the highway before he glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “Things seem to be going well between you and Alessendro. I’ve never seen him so happy.”
I smiled, warmth filling me despite my misgivings. “I’m glad. He makes me happy too.”
Tony’s eyes glinted before he looked ahead at the smooth ribbon of highway in front of him, the ocean to our left and the sun high overhead. I blinked at my faint reflection in the side window. I was getting used to my new look. It was fun and flirty and definitely chic, and it didn’t change who I was on the inside.
I was still the same woman who was falling head-over-heels for the man who’d stalked into my shop and bought a gold bangle. I closed my eyes, but it didn’t stop the truth from sinking in. If I wasn’t already in love with Alessandro I was well on my way.
I opened my eyes and looked down at the bangle on my arm. Though he’d bought the piece of jewelry for another woman, he’d listened to his instincts and had instead given it to me.
A pity his heart was still so far out of reach.
I snorted a little. I was becoming sentimental. Men like Alessandro didn’t fall in love with women like me. Not even my sassy blonde looks meant he’d give me anything of himself.
Money he could easily afford to give away, but not a piece of himself.
I was only distantly aware of Tony slowing the car, my head full of anything and everything Alessandro. Only when Tony steered the car to the side of the road and then stopped did I pull myself out of my thoughts.
He unclipped his seatbelt, then turned around to look at me. “I’m genuinely sorry for what is about to happen.”
I frowned. “What?” A lump formed like a boulder in my throat. “I don’t understand.”
He pressed a button and every door lock in the car activated. “Forgive me, Jane. It was either you or my family. I chose my family...I hope you understand.”
I unclipped my seatbelt with shaky hands even as Tony shoved open his door and then said over his shoulder, “If it makes you feel any better, your end will be quick and painless.”
Isn’t that what Alessandro had promised for his snitch? I resisted a manic laugh. He’d clearly gone after the wrong man. Tony was the biggest traitor of them all.
I shoved at my door handle, panicked now, but the door didn’t budge. My pulse pounded in my ears, my breathing fast and labored. “Tony, you can’t do this! Please don’t go! Let me out!”
“Goodbye, Jane,” he said calmly. Then he activated a screen that rolled up between the front and back seats. Shutting the driver’s door, he walked away without looking back.
I hit the security screen in front of me, but it was immovable. It was akin to punching a concrete wall. I was panting and desperate to find a way out. I couldn’t die now! I’d only just found the love of my life and I hadn’t even had the chance to tell him how I felt.
Seconds later, the sun flashed on a windshield ahead. My stare moved helplessly to the huge black truck and its metal grille as it crested the hill and began its descent.
Sudden calmness moved through me. My fate was sealed. I reached for my handbag and pulled out my cell. Pressing speed dial, I waited for Alessandro’s smooth, honeyed voice to answer before I spoke.
“Alessandro, I’m locked in your car. Tony left me here to die and I can’t get out.”
I might have been insulated by the confines of the car, but I still heard the roar of the approaching truck, still felt the shocked stillness of Alessandro as he processed my words.
“There’s a truck coming right at me. Alessandro, I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you and stay in the house. I-I love you.”
“Get down low,” he said hoarsely. “My car is designed—“
Bang.
Crunch.
Crack.
The car careened through the air and I flew along with it. It hit something hard, then spun, tossing my body around with it like a ragdoll. Then my head cracked against metal, and there was nothing.