Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
E MERALD
Christian has summoned me to his office. He knows why I shot Calcedonio in the hand, and I know he doesn’t blame me after that awful man tried to rape me, so I’m not sure what he wants to talk about today. I know Saint ended up killing Calcedonio, but Christian can’t blame me for that, right?
“Emerald, I have serious concerns for your safety, especially after Calcedonio tried to attack you at the funeral.”
I don’t know where Christian’s going with this, but I get the feeling that I’m not going to like it.
“Unfortunately, your family’s reputation makes you a target in the eyes of assholes like that. And what worries me even more is Calcedonio’s brother, Carmine.” Carmine is another underboss. “Carmine is furious about what happened to his brother and is hellbent on revenge. I’ve warned him to stay away from you, but he’s a crazy bastard who’s volatile and unpredictable. You’re not safe with Carmine out there.”
Holy crap . “I can take care of myself.” I try to sound brave, but I can’t help the slight break in my voice.
“No, you can’t.” Christian clenches his jaw. “And you need to take this seriously because the danger to you is pretty significant.”
“Are the children in danger?” I whisper.
He shakes his head. “He doesn’t go after kids. At least we know that they’ll stay safe. I’m one hundred percent certain about that.”
I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding.
Christian spears me with his gaze. “So, here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to marry one of my men .”
I shake my head. “Uh, that’s very kind of you to offer, but no, thank you. I’ll be okay. I’m fine as I am.”
“This is the only way I can protect you. And I will protect you. I’m responsible for what happened to you at an Imperiosi funeral and at the hands of one of my underbosses, and I won’t run the risk of anything else happening to you.”
No, no, no. No way. I mean, who’s really going to want to marry someone with my family background? They’ll only be doing it because Christian tells them to. Made men are not exactly known for their fidelity, and I’m definitely not taking the risk of ending up with someone who treats me badly.
“Piero has agreed to marry you.”
My face falls. “Jeez, Christian, he's ancient. He must be at least eighty-five.”
Christian pierces me with a hard look. “He's forty-four.”
Uh, okay, so the age argument isn’t going to get me out of this. And I know what Christian really means is that if I’m with Piero, people won’t dare call me a whore. Without me even realizing it, my fingers automatically reach for my bracelet, clicking it open and shut, seeking some comfort in the repetitive motion and soothing sound. In his own way, Christian’s trying to help me, but I’m definitely not risking marrying someone I don’t really know, especially as I now also have responsibility for the kids. We already went through so much crap with my mom’s boyfriend, and I don’t want to take any more chances.
All I want is someone who’ll love me for who I am—is that really too much to ask?
* * *
Returning to the apartment, I know that I can’t marry Piero. But I’m also not safe while Carmine Cicconi is intent on getting revenge against me.
Which doesn’t leave me with many options.
I know Christian said the kids are safe, but what if Carmine targets me when they’re with me? That would put them in danger too. I can’t risk the kids getting hurt because of Carmine being after me. The whole point of them living with me was to keep them safe because they weren’t safe with our mom.
It doesn’t take me long to work out what I need to do.
When the kids get home from school, I tell them that an old friend in San Diego had a fall and needs me to go and take care of her for a little while until she gets back onto her feet. I cross my fingers behind my back while I tell them this, hoping they believe me because I’m hopeless at telling convincing lies.
“Can we come too?” Giulietta asks. “It’ll be like a family vacation!”
“I wish you could come, sweetie,” I say, really meaning it. “But you’ve got school. And she’ll have lots of medical appointments, so it won’t really be like a vacation.” Her shoulders slump with disappointment, and I feel fury race through me at the whole situation. “Jacquetta and her family will take care of you until I’m back. It’s only for a little while.” And her face brightens as soon as she hears that she’ll be staying with Jacquetta.
Ten minutes later, I’m stuffing clothes into a duffle bag.
“Em?”
My head snaps to the door, where Milena stands with a backpack over her shoulder.
“I’m almost ready. Can you check and see if the kids have everything they need?”
She nods, and as she goes to find them, I toss another random selection of clothes into the bag before I zip it up. Slinging it over my shoulder, I go downstairs to the others, plastering on a sunny smile.
“Let’s roll out, guys.” I usher them out the door and swiftly lock it behind us. The sound of a car door slamming on the street makes me jump, bumping into Milena.
My hands shake as I toss the bags into the back of the Uber. I’m gripping my purse so hard that I’m certain I’m going to break a finger. But I’ll be damned if I let my siblings get caught in the goddamn crossfire of this whole mess.
The drive is tense, and my leg bounces with every stop light until we reach Jacquetta’s home. Jacquetta and her twin, Quin, come out to greet us and take the kids’ bags.
I give them both a hug and thank them for helping out. “Thanks guys. You’re the best, really.” I know the kids will be safe with them because Jacquetta’s whole family are Imperiosi and they have amazing security.
With a longer hug to all three of my siblings, I will my voice to stay even. “You guys have fun, okay?”
“Okay!” the younger two yell, excited at the thought of staying with Jacquetta. They all absolutely love her.
“Milena, try to make sure you all go to bed on time please. You’ll be too tired for school if you stay up as late as you always want to.”
“Got it, Mom.” She rolls her eyes a little, but I smile, tugging them all back into another hug.
“I’ll be back soon, okay?” I hate keeping secrets from them.
My next stop is the bus station, and being alone now only serves to fray my nerves more.
I scan the list of destinations and settle on the one furthest away leaving in the next hour. Springfield, Illinois. Perfect. Once I get to Springfield, I’ll figure out my next step from there.
I pay cash for everything. The ticket, the bottle of water, and the bag of pretzels. I don’t want anyone tracking me via my bank cards.
Forty minutes later, I board the bus. Tugging my hood over my head, I sink into the uncomfortably stiff seat. I’m exhausted.
The sound of a car backfiring makes me jump. I scan the bus again, making a mental note of who else is on board. At least there’s no one who looks like they’re here to off me.
My head leaning against the glass, I let out a sigh as the bus finally pulls out. And after a long while, the busy New York traffic fades into nothing but the interstate.
The silence in the bus provides the perfect backdrop for my thoughts to run wild. What if Carmine finds me? What if he has people in Illinois? What if my photo is being handed to the hitman as we speak?
My leg bounces faster as my thoughts spin. I don’t have a lot of cash to burn through. I didn’t want to withdraw any cash before I left in case it alerted anyone about my imminent departure. I have to be smart. One night in Springfield, then I move. It’s the only way to do this.
How my life got so twisted like this, I don’t know.
I squeeze my eyes shut, my fist tightening more. The tears burn my eyes. My life is a mess, and I should have known it was only a matter of time before everything around me would crash and burn.
* * *
Almost a day later, I watch as the bus pulls into the station. Weary with exhaustion, I lift my chin and sling my bag over my shoulder. I have to keep going. If I stop, I’m as good as dead, and I won’t let that happen.
Slipping off the bus, I melt into the crowd, keeping my head down.
One step at a time.
I can do this being on the run thing.
I have to do it. Because I’m not freaking dying over some jerk who couldn’t keep his hands to himself. I’m not dying and leaving those three kids behind and all alone...