Chapter 37
I find Dani in the bedroom she’s sharing with my brother, my stomach twisting uncomfortably with what I’m about to do. I know it’s not right; it goes against every impulse within my body. But being me is what has me stuck in this mess. I refuse to continue on as this vulnerable girl. I need to grow some balls and take what I want from this life. No one is going to give it to me here, no matter how hard I beg them. They all have their own agendas. I can see how much they love me. That’s not in question. I don’t feel their respect even after all this time. They still see me as the fragile little princess who needs them to take care of me while the men sort out all the real shit. Well, not anymore.
“Dani, is there any chance you can take me to the drug store real quick before Geovani takes me to the airport tonight?”
She smiles at me, looking up from the laptop she has lying out on her bed. “What do you need, girl? I probably have whatever it is in my closet. Except if it’s sanitary products, had the shot, you know, so don’t get my period anymore.” She laughs.
“I wish it was that.” I give her a serious expression, hoping it will freak her out enough that she lets me out of this place without a male escort.
She sits straight up. “What the fuck?”
“When Alessandro put the idea in my head the other day, I hadn’t even considered it. But it’s been a long time since I’ve had my period, and I seriously wouldn’t put it past them to mess with my birth control. Do you have time to help me out, please? I don’t want to leave without knowing either way.”
“Sure,” she agrees. “I’ll just text Geovani and let him know we will be back soon.”
“Good plan.” I smile at her.
She texts Geovani, who’s in a meeting downtown with Alessandro—also why I chose this exact moment to ask for her help. She takes her car keys, and the two of us walk down through the back end of the house into the garage. We hop in her Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and she takes off down the driveway, the guards waving us through as soon as they see us approaching. I wouldn’t have gotten past them on my own.
The first drugstore we pass she drives into the parking lot and parks her car. It’s early afternoon, and there’s not many people around, but she still looks over her shoulder before getting out of the car.
We enter the drugstore, and I pick out a couple of different brands of pregnancy tests just to be sure what I’m doing looks legit to her.
I feel her gaze on me as she looks over my shoulder. “There’s a bathroom in this place. You should take it now. I don’t want to wait till we get back to the boys’ place.”
I give a hesitant smile, not quite reaching my eyes. “A drugstore bathroom isn’t the place I want to find out I’m pregnant.”
“It would be a good place to find out you’re not.” She shrugs.
I purchase the tests and leave the drugstore with her close by my side. Once she starts up the car and drives us back toward the boys’ place, I pop the glove box and pull out the gun I put in there earlier. “Pull the car over and get out,” I say, a calmness washing over me.
She glances back at me, her sudden fear obvious. “What the fuck, girl?”
“You and I both know I can’t stay here. I’m a fucking dead girl if I do. You want to help me? You will do what I say.” I attempt to hold the gun steady, but my trembling hands betray my nerves.
Without hesitation she pulls the car over to the curb, dust flying up. She kills the engine but leaves the keys in the console. “Lana, this is crazy. You have a flight out of town tonight, a way out of all this shit.”
“I don’t want out. I want my fucking freedom and Enzo Moretti dealt with. I’m sick of being told it’s all being taken care of. ‘Just trust us.’ Well, I don’t trust anyone anymore except myself. You have all proven to me where I stand, and I for one am done with being the damsel in destress. Locked away to be protected.”
Her lips quiver, and I know the realization I’m not playing some fucked-up prank on her is settling in. “I can’t leave you alone. The boys will kill me.”
“Geovani and Marco will protect you. We both know it. Answer me this, friend. How many cameras did you and Geovani have installed in my new accommodation?”
Her eyes flick back up nervously to me, and she swallows hard. I don’t look away; she needs to see the hurt she has been a huge part in causing. All over her face is her betrayal. Not only from the past, but every way she would continue to serve Geovani over me. No matter how close we get, she will always side with him first. And her face says it all. That place in Australia would have been bugged. I knew he had no intention of ever truly letting me go. Knew there would be new cameras watching my every move. I understand his obsession, but he has to understand that it’s gone too far. They all have to know it’s gone too far.
“I get it. You can’t,” I huff, not ever really expecting her to answer me truthfully. “Tell Geovani and Marco the Havardi businesses are theirs; I want no part in it.”
Her eyes go wide. “You’ve lost your mind.” She lets out a half-hearted laugh, tinged with nervousness.
“No, I’m seeing everything crystal clear for the first time in my life. I’m not letting any of you manipulate me for your own gain anymore. I’m taking back the control. Now get out of the car.” I raise the gun toward her.
She fumbles with the handle, then steps out of the car.
I climb over the gear box and plonk down in her seat, pressing the ignition, and the engine roars to life. “I’m so sorry, Dani.” A single tear glides silently down my face. I didn’t want to do this, but they all gave me no choice. I press down on the accelerator, feeling the car surge forward as I speed up the road. Through my rear-view mirror, I watch her trying madly to call someone.
From its spot on the passenger side, my phone rings, her name lighting up the screen. Did she really think I would pick up? It’s too late for regrets. My mind is set on my plan, and I cannot afford to give up now.
Last night opened up my eyes in a new way, and while it broke my heart to know the boys weren’t going to be the heroes I always hoped they could be, I could see it for what it was. They’re trapped here, and it’s me who has to save them. Behind closed doors, those boys worship me like I’m their queen, and I could get swept away in the moment and imagine that was the truth. But as the sun came up in the casino penthouse, I knew it didn’t matter how I felt about the three men I was sharing a bed with, or even how they felt about me. It was time for something to change, and if they weren’t willing to do it, I was going to have to be strong enough for all of us.
I scream into a back street out of view and park her car. A fresh wave of sickness churns through me. I massage my temples, the throbbing of my head like a constant drumbeat. You are strong, Harley, you can do this. I pick up my phone, seeing there are ten missed calls from Dani.
My body knows this is impossible. I don’t want to leave these boys. Not now, when I know I love each of them so much. But I have to. I have to hurt them to save them, or we will all end up dead at the hands of Enzo. Without me around, they can get on with their lives without a target on their backs. I know I’m the only thing standing in their way. Protecting me will cost them everything, and I can’t let that happen.
I start typing out my message to them. A sob escapes me, and I swipe away the tears that run down my cheeks as I read over my last words to the boys. I have lost so much at the hands of that man. So fucking much. And now I’m losing them as well.
Geovani, Alessandro, Ricky, Maddox,
You all left me no choice.
Don’t follow me.
Don’t try to find me.
I don’t want to be found.
I never want anything to do with any of you again.
My heart shatters into a million tiny pieces as I read the words, because they couldn’t be further from the truth. I have to make them believe. They have to think this is real or they will get hurt trying to find me. I inhale a deep breath, trying to get my sobs under control.
You once told me if I ever needed anything, all I had to do is ask. Last night, I asked for your help. Begged for your help, and you showed me why Enzo still holds all the power. Because you’re all too scared to make a change and do something to save the innocent people he corrupts and then destroys. Just like he did my family.
If you really love me like you say you do, let me go. Let me live my life safely away from this hell. It’s the least you can do after everything you’ve put me through.
I will be forever changed for knowing you all, but what we had was nothing but infatuation. A little fun to pull us out of the darkness.
Harley
I hit send then cover my face as heavy sobs take over the pain now lodged in my chest, burning and sucking the breath from my lungs. I will never be the same again. My heart is completely broken, but I know without a shadow of a doubt, I’m doing the right thing. Their lives will be filled with turmoil if I stay, and I will never forgive myself if anything happens to them because of me. I have to hurt them to save them. Even if it destroys me in the process.
In the glove box, I tuck away my new forged identity, the crisp fake documents giving off a faint smell of fresh ink. My old identity, the name Harley Harvardi, rests in the same compartment, its presence evoking a mix of apprehension and relief.
I leave my phone on the passenger seat and take a box of matches from my pocket. The sound of a faint click echoes through the car as I secure my gun, sliding it discreetly onto the back of my jeans. The weight of the weapon creates a subtle pressure against my lower back, a constant reminder of the danger I’m now in.
Alone.
Carefully, I pocket my trusty knife, its worn handle fitting snugly in my hand. The touch of the cold metal blade sends a shiver down my spine, a reminder of the power it holds. With a deep breath, I toss Dani’s keys onto the sleek leather of the driver’s seat. She will never forgive me for this. I already know it. None of them will. But at least I can live with myself.
I snatch up the pregnancy tests knowing I need to hurry. I move quickly around the back of her car and open the trunk, pulling on Geovani’s oversized black hoodie I stashed in there earlier. Then I throw the backpack with all my essentials in it over my shoulder, slotting the tests inside for later. Removing the can of gasoline I stashed, I pour it around the car and over the front seats, then stand back for a second to admire my handiwork, before lighting a match and flicking it toward the car. No turning back now.
With a sudden burst, the fuel ignites.
As I stride down the street, the sun starts to set over the surrounding buildings. My senses heighten, taking in the world around me in fresh light. The crisp evening air brushes against my skin, carrying with it the scent of greasy takeaway food from the nearby shops and the slight hint of smoke.
In my pocket, I feel the crinkling of cash Geovani gave me to start my new life, knowing it’s all I have left.
I’m on my own. Ready to get revenge on the motherfucker who stole it all from me.
Get ready Enzo Moretti, this little redhead is ready to rain hell down on your world and make you pay for ever thinking you could underestimate me.
The End
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