Chapter 32
T he bathroom door clicks shut behind Lu, and I step under the spray of lukewarm water. The pressure's weak, barely enough to rinse the sweat from my skin, but it's all this shithole motel has to offer. I brace my hands against the cracked tile wall, letting the water run down my back.
My mind races, trying to make sense of how everything went sideways so fast. Damiano finding us was pure luck.
But that text from Enzo...
Just a warning. Like he was trying to help us escape.
What the fuck does that even mean? Enzo's loyalty to Damiano is absolute. Has been since they were kids. He wouldn't betray his brother.
I shut off the water and reach for the scratchy motel towel. The pipes groan in protest as the shower sputters to a stop. My mind's still racing, but I need to focus on what I can control right now.
Just the next steps. The concrete plan.
I dry off quickly and pull on my jeans, not bothering with a shirt. The message from my old Army buddy Garrett still open on the screen. He's one of the few people I trust completely. A ghost who disappeared after our last deployment and now specializes in making other people disappear too.
Two days. Come alone. Usual spot.
Tomorrow we'll drive to meet him, get our new papers, and then... where? I haven't even asked Lu where she wants to go. Some remote island? Europe? South America? Somewhere the Ferettis have no reach.
My throat tightens at the thought of asking such a simple question. It's fucking ridiculous. The idea of asking Lu where she wants to build a life with me makes my palms sweat.
What if she doesn't want this? What if she's already regretting leaving everything behind? What if I'm not enough?
I shake my head, trying to dislodge these thoughts. This isn't like me. I don't second-guess. I assess, decide, execute. But with Lu, everything's different. She makes me feel things I thought were burned out of me years ago.
I step out of the bathroom, still toweling my hair dry. "Lu? You want to grab something to eat before we?—"
The words die in my throat. The room is empty.
My heart slams against my ribs as I scan the small space. The door to the room stands slightly ajar, letting in a slice of harsh parking lot light.
"Fuck."
I drop the towel and grab my gun from the nightstand, checking the magazine automatically. My training kicks in, pushing down the panic rising in my chest. I move to the door in three quick strides, pressing my back against the wall beside it.
I peer through the crack, scanning the dimly lit parking lot. No movement. No sign of Lu.
Taking a deep breath, I push the door open and step outside, gun held low against my thigh. The night air hits my damp skin, raising goosebumps along my arms. The motel parking lot is nearly empty. Just my car and two other vehicles parked at the far end.
"Lu?" I call out, keeping my voice low. No answer.
I move along the walkway, checking both directions. The office is dark except for a single desk lamp. The vending machine hums in its alcove, casting a sickly blue glow. No Lu.
I check behind the ice machine, gun ready. Nothing.
The road beyond the parking lot is empty, stretching dark in both directions. No headlights. No sign of vehicles.
I rush back to the room. The door bangs against the wall as I burst inside, scanning every corner. No Lu. No signs of struggle. Just emptiness and the lingering scent of her skin.
Then I see it. A folded piece of paper on the bed.
My hand isn't steady as I pick it up. The motel notepad paper feels flimsy between my fingers, like it might disintegrate before I can read it.
Daniel,
I'm sorry. I have to go back. Damiano promised he wouldn't hurt you if I returned willingly. I told him I manipulated you into helping me. He believes me.
Please don't follow me. They'll kill you, and I couldn't bear that. Not after everything.
This was real. The most real thing I've ever felt. But I can't let you die for me.
—Lucrezia
The paper crumples in my fist. My vision blurs, rage and fear battling for control of my body. I slam my palm against the wall hard enough to crack the cheap drywall.
"Fuck!"
She sacrificed herself.
I slam my fist against the wall again, pain shooting up my arm. Good. I need the clarity that comes with pain.
I grab my shirt and yank it over my head, then shove my feet into my boots.
The rational part of my brain tells me to run. Get in the car and disappear.
But the other part, the part that's been dead until Lu woke it up, screams that I can't leave her.
If Lu told Damiano where we are, this place will be crawling with his men any minute. Walking out that door might be suicide.
But staying here definitely is.
I need information. I need to know exactly what happened.
I grab my jacket and the keys. I step outside, scanning the parking lot again. The night is quiet except for the distant hum of traffic from the highway.
I move quickly to the motel office, keeping close to the shadows. Through the glass door, I can see the middle-aged woman with frizzy gray hair sitting behind the desk, scrolling on her phone.
The bell above the door jingles as I push it open. The woman looks up, her eyes widening slightly at my appearance.
"Can I help you?" she asks, setting her phone down.
I force myself to breathe, to speak calmly. "The woman I checked in with—did you see her leave?"
The woman's expression shifts from bored to interested. "The pretty one? Dark hair?"
I nod, my jaw clenched so tight it hurts.
"Yeah, she left maybe twenty minutes ago." She glances at the clock on the wall. "Black car picked her up. Nice car too."
My stomach drops. "How many people in the car?"
She thinks for a moment. "Two, I think."
"Did she seem... okay?" I ask, hating how desperate I sound.
The woman shrugs. "Didn't look scared or anything, if that's what you're asking. Got in the car real calm-like." She narrows her eyes at me. "You two having problems?"
I ignore her question. "Which way did they go?"
"Back toward the highway." She points east. "Look, mister, is everything?—"
I'm already out the door before she can finish.