CHAPTER 7
CARA
I still felt shaky when I walked out of the bedroom and into what seemed to be a living space in the hotel suite.
There was a lounge area with two sofas and an armchair, surrounding a coffee table.
A large TV was mounted on the wall, and sports highlights were playing on it, without any sound.
Off to my right I could see a small kitchenette area, and to the left, right in the corner, there was a small bar set up.
Enormous picture windows over looked a very bustling Chicago below, and I was confused by the daylight, wondering what time and even what day it was.
How long had I slept? How long had I sat in my apartment with my mother’s chopped up remains, out of my mind with fear and shock?
At first I thought I was alone in the space, and I was already making my way to the door, ready to just get out of there.
I had my backpack, containing a few meagre items of my clothing, clutched under my arm.
It wasn’t much, but it was all I had in that moment.
Getting out seemed the best decision right then.
My mind was a mixed up mess, and I had no idea what was safe and what wasn’t.
Maybe if I could just get away and have some space I could pull myself together enough to see some sense in all of the chaos.
I couldn’t go back to my place, but if I could get to the club I worked at, the girls who worked there would help me find a safe place to hide out.
I had become close to several of them over the years I worked there, especially Kyla and Joanie, two of the dancers.
“Everything alright, Cara?” I jolted at the question and spun around quickly, finding Rafe and Dio both slouched on the sofa, opposite the television. That was why I hadn’t seen them over the top of the sofa when I walked in. They looked as exhausted as I felt when they both sat up and studied me.
I glanced behind me to the door. It was only a few feet away, but I was sluggish and lightheaded.
I doubted I would get out before one of them jumped up and grabbed me.
Even if I got out of the door, I was pretty sure there would be more men outside, guarding my brother.
I lived in the De Santis world long enough as a kid to know we had always been surrounded by guys who were supposedly our security.
Now I wondered if they had really been our wardens?
“Why don’t you come and sit down, Cara? You look worn out. We ordered some food. It should be here shortly,” Dio spoke when I just stood hesitating.
“What time is it?” I asked instead.
“Quarter past two,” Rafe replied. “You slept for a long time.”
“I-is it Wednesday…o-or Thursday? I think I…I’ve lost track,” I floundered.
“It’s Friday, sweetheart. It’s understandable that you’ve got a little turned around with all you’ve been through,” Rafe assured me.
“Friday?” Panic filled me as I realised how much work I had missed.
My job at the factory would already be gone, filled by another eager and very willing illegal worker, desperate for the chance to earn anything they could.
I’d had a shift at the club the night before too, and another that night.
Maybe if I could get there and explain to my manager what had happened – or at least that my Mum died, since I couldn’t tell anyone the full extent of what actually happened - then maybe I could keep that job.
Surely they would understand me missing one shift because my mother died?
They had to. I needed that job. “I have to go,” I declared as I dropped my backpack to the small side table that sat beside the door.
I started looking all around the open plan space for my shoes.
I’d need my coat too. It looked like the snow was already starting outside the windows.
Looking for my coat reminded me of the stash of pills in my pocket.
Maybe I could sell them back to Justin, or through someone at the club?
I wouldn’t get back what they cost me, but maybe it would be enough to get me a cheap motel or hotel room for a couple of nights if it came to that.
At least it would give me some money to get back on my feet.
“Cara?” I jolted violently when a hand landed on my shoulder, and I instinctively jumped away from the touch.
I didn’t like to be touched, hadn’t liked it for a long time, for many equally dark reasons.
“Sorry. I just…I need you to talk to me,” Rafe said when I caught my breath enough to look up and found him stood close to me.
“I have to work tonight. Where’s my coat…and shoes. I need my shoes.”
“We’ve already had this discussion. It’s not safe for you to return to your old life right now. I thought we agreed you were coming home to see Gia?”
“It’s not my old life. It’s my only life. I can’t lose my job. I….I’ve already lost one. I need this one.”
“No you don’t. You don’t need to work now, Tesorino. I can take care of you and give you the things you need. I want to.” The desperation in his voice got through to me, and I actually calmed enough to take a deeper breath and think.
“You’re kind, Rafe,” I sighed. “But you…you don’t know me now. I’m not the kid you lost. I grew up and I’ve changed…a lot. My life here is far from perfect, but it’s mine and I can’t just let it all slip away when I had to fight so fucking hard to get it.”
“I do understand. I’m asking you to leave everything you have behind once again, but it will be different this time. I’m going to take care of you this time. All I want is for you to be safe and happy.”
“How can I ever be safe, when the people you’re mixed up with are most likely the ones who did that…
.who murdered and ch-chopped our mother to pieces?
!” I ground out through my tight throat.
Just mentioning my Mum, had the images of me finding her remains playing out in my head, in graphic detail, all over again.
“I can keep you safe there. I have security, and men who work for me. Dio lives with me and Gia, along with two other guys who can and will protect you.”
“Other guys? You live with Dio and two other guys?” I questioned.
“It’s hard to explain, but we all sort of found our way to each other and became a family along the way.
Dante, you might remember. He was Enzo’s son?
” I tried to remember, but I could barely think straight, so I just shook my head.
“It doesn’t matter. Dante saved my life, and he lives with me.
Dio has always been part of our family, as you know.
Then there’s Arran and Callan. They came to us in a strange way that I won’t explain now, but they’re family too.
I swear you’ll be safe in London with all of us, Cara. ”
“Four. That’s f-four guys you live with,” I uttered as it ran through my mind.
He had my baby sister in a house with four men who weren’t related to us in any way.
Dio, I understood. Like Rafe had said, he had always been a part of our family.
He was like a brother to Rafe. But the others?
He expected me to accept just moving in with him and three complete strangers?
Enzo’s son? Enzo had been a monster. I knew that much at eight years old.
And now his son was living with my little sister. It turned my stomach.
“They’re our family. I know it’s hard to comprehend right now, but you’ll see when we get home. It just works for all of us.”
“Gia?”
“She loves them, Cara. She treats them like her brothers and they take care of her too. I’d never do anything that would upset or endanger her in anyway.”
“Come back with us and see for yourself. Check on Gia and see my Mum. You’ll soon realise that what Rafe is telling you is true, but you’re gonna need to give us a little trust to do that.”
“I don’t just give trust,” I told them both firmly. “Learned that lesson a long time ago.”
“Then tell us what we can do to get you to come on that flight with us tonight,” Rafe begged.
“I have to take care of something, and I need to go out to do that,” I explained more calmly.
“Fine, but we’re coming with you,” Rafe stipulated.
“No, you’re not. If you want me to come with you, you’ll let me do this alone.”
“Do what? Where do you need to go?” Dio asked.
“Work. I have some wages to pick up and I’m not leaving without any money of my own,” I lied.
I was telling the truth about wanting some money in case I needed a backup plan, but it would be Justin I was going to for it, not the club.
They didn’t owe me anything. I hadn’t even turned up for my shift the night before.
“You don’t need mon…”
“Yes I do!” I cut Rafe off angrily. “I get that you think you know everything Rafe, but you don’t.
You’ve never gone without a single damn thing in your life.
You don’t know what it’s like to have no food, or home, or even just a dry place to sleep.
You don’t know the panic of walking into an unknown situation, positive that when it all goes wrong you have no cash to escape with, or even a few coins to find a phone to call for help.
You don’t understand but I do! Thanks to you and your shitty decision, I fucking know the importance of having money in my pocket!
” I raged. By the time I was done I was out of breath and I had to step back to lean against the wall.
I was exhausted, despite the sleep I had gotten, and the shaking would not stop.
“Here,” Dio stepped forwards and opened his wallet.
He started pulling out dollar bills, then he moved to the other section and pulled out pound notes too.
He took out almost everything he had and thrust it at me.
“Now you have money for both countries. Put it in your pocket and you’ll be safe, won’t you?
” I don’t think he meant it to be the insult it came out as, but it instantly made me see red.