CHAPTER 16
Chiara
“Any news?” I ask as Adriano glances down at his phone, which vibrated only a moment ago.
“No, not really.” He presses his lips into a tight line. “Wherever Matteo is, he’s not making a move.”
“What about that place where he held me?” I remember the location and the house well, and I gave Adriano all the details on how to find it.
“It’s been abandoned. My men didn’t go too close just in case, but all the images we got show that no one’s been there ever since you escaped.”
“I guess that’s because he knows I must have told you about it.”
Adriano nods. “And he’s found himself a new safe house.”
“Do you think he figured out our plan?” If everything we did was for nothing...
I actually burned my house down. Sure, it was cathartic in a way as I stood there for a few moments and just watched the flames consume the building that represented my past.
But if Matteo didn’t fall for it, then we have a problem. He’s still out there, and my babies are at risk. I don’t think he’ll stop looking for a way to get to us.
Adriano shrugs. “Maybe. But we could try something else.”
I raise an eyebrow at him. “Like what?”
“I’ll find someone who looks like you and send her to that house where he kept you last. Your double will leave a message for him to meet. We’ll pretend you’re desperate and need an ally because I’m pissed off at you, and you’ve realized he’s the only one who can protect you.”
“Do you think he’s watching that house?”
“Yeah. It would be a smart thing to do, and the perfect way to get a confirmation that we’re either really together or we’re fighting. If my men show up, we’re together, and whether I believe you or not doesn’t matter in that case. If no one shows up or you do, then it could mean I fell for his lies.”
“But if he’s watching the house, he’ll know that woman isn’t me.” I furrow my brow. “I should be the one to go. If no one’s there, I don’t mind dropping off a message.”
“No. Absolutely not.” Adriano shakes his head, catching my hand. “It’s too dangerous. I don’t care if the plan doesn’t work. The only thing that matters is that you and our twins are all right.”
I’ve been at the doctor’s with Adriano, and everything seems to be going well with my pregnancy so far. The look in Adriano’s eyes as he held my hand and we were watching the ultrasound images was priceless, and it definitely confirmed that he cares.
I want our future to be safe.
“But if no one’s there, and your men are sure of it, I don’t see any danger. You’d have to drop me off a little farther away, in an ally without any cameras close by, and then I’d just dash there and come back. Or I can find some other way to disappear. I don’t think Matteo can come for me so quickly. Unless you think he’s in the area.”
Adriano caresses my hand as he keeps his gaze on mine, his brow creased. “It could still be stressful, and you don’t need any more of that.”
“I know, but things are fine. The doctor said so. I’m not some fragile flower that will get ripped out in the wind.”
“No, you’re not. But I failed you once already when Matteo snatched you right in front of my nose. I won’t let it happen again.” He tugs me to him and pulls me into his embrace.
“You didn’t fail me. And you killed Filippo for me. Let me do this. I’ll be fine.” I look deep into his eyes. “You said it yourself you didn’t want your men to go too close to the house. Matteo probably has cameras all over, and my double won’t be able to hide from them all. And he knows what I look like. He’s not going to fall for it.”
“You’ve made up your mind, haven’t you?” he whispers, his lips hovering over mine.
“Yeah, I have.” I need to do it.
For myself.
For Adriano.
For our twins.
We won’t know peace until Matteo is gone, and this seems like the best way to lure him out. If he believes I’m desperate for his help, he might come out of hiding. I’m sure Adriano and his men won’t need much to hunt Matteo down once that happens.
“All right.” Adriano sighs, and then he presses his lips against mine.
Warmth spreads through me, and for a moment, I’m lost in his scent and his gentle touch.
“But I’m teaching you how to shoot first,” he murmurs.
My lips spread into a smile. I guess I don’t have to worry he’s going to try to turn me into some trapped mafia wife who can’t do anything for herself.
Adriano and I are partners. Equals. And he’ll respect my decisions, even if he doesn’t completely agree with them.
I like that.
The holster feels weird under my jacket, and I hope Matteo won’t be suspicious because I’m wearing oversized clothes. They’re worn out, dirty, and ragged so it seems like I’ve been on the streets for a while.
I could’ve found them in the trash, or borrowed or stolen them from someone. Maybe the nurse at the hospital told him about my request for clothes, but it would’ve been easy to spot me on the streets if I kept wearing the scrubs, especially in the cold. It makes sense that I would’ve gotten rid of them.
I didn’t have any money or anything with me when I escaped, but I could’ve gotten in touch with a friend or my parents for help. Still, I would’ve avoided most places I usually frequent and maybe stayed at a motel.
If I was terrified that Adriano was looking for me and wanted to kill me for my betrayal, then it would be logical to look for his biggest enemy’s help.
I ran away from Matteo, but things have changed. And he kidnapped me, so I don’t think he can hold my escape against me. Anyone would’ve tried it.
But it doesn’t matter right now what Matteo will think. I have a piece of old paper with me. I scribbled an address where I’d want to meet with him to talk about a new deal between us.
I look right and left and then cross the street. The house is right there, and a shudder runs through me. Maybe I haven’t been trapped in there for long, but seeing it still makes goosebumps rise at the back of my neck.
I curl my fingers around the note and keep moving forward. Every little movement and sound startles me, but if Matteo’s watching me somehow, it’s better if he thinks I’m terrified. Besides, he probably believes Adriano would’ve never let me come here on my own because he’d be too worried about my safety.
The gun pressing against my side doesn’t make me feel any better. Adriano has shown me the basics and I can mostly hit the target, but I don’t know how well I’d do under pressure.
Adriano’s men have secretly searched the area, so there shouldn’t be any surprises. The house isn’t supposed to have any hidden rooms either, and it would be unsafe for Matteo to stay if he believed I’d tell Adriano where he was.
I’m trying to convince myself I’m as safe as I can be, but my hand still trembles as I push the gate, which is cracked open. I make my way to the front door. It looks like there’s a small camera next to it.
I try the handle, and the door opens. My breath catches.
“Hello?” I call softly.
No answer.
I dash to the closest cabinet and place the note on it, and then I race for the door. Once I’m outside, I glance once again at the house and take a shaky breath. Pushing my feet as fast as they’ll go, I stride away from the house.
I’m almost out of breath as I dash across the street and hurry down an alley. Then I melt into a crowd of people and wait for a bus with everyone else. People keep glancing at me, and all of them suddenly seem suspicious, but I know it’s just my fear talking.
I doubt Matteo’s men are here and following me. But I have a plan to lose them even if they do that. Adriano’s men will help me and pick me up when I get to them.
Will the plan work? Will Matteo believe me and come for me? I hope he will, and if he doesn’t, then we’ll have to adapt and come up with a new plan.
As the bus shows up and I find myself a seat, I let out a sigh of relief. No one’s going to hurt me in a bus full of people. It’s very unlikely, and I can relax until my stop. It’s not like anyone knows where I’m supposed to get off, and Adriano’s men will be just one busy street away.
Everything’s going to work out. I have to believe it.