CHAPTER 45
Aweek and three days.
I haven’t been able to hold back my tears… Nor have I tried to train with Javier or go out.
I hate this. I wish I knew if it’s my anxiety talking or if something has happened. Tara told me he might be missing, but they would have told me, wouldn’t they?
I’m sick of living like this. Everyone hides information from me. The only one even slightly honest is Tara. I guess she’s the only one who isn’t afraid of hurting my feelings or what others might do to her.
“Miss…” Javier comes slowly into the room, his face gloomy and a little unsure.
My heart stops. “He didn’t—”
“No. I don’t have any news; I’m sorry.”
Relief washes over me for just a second before uncertainty strikes again. I swallow the knot in my throat and shake my head.
“What’s wrong, then?”
“I was wondering if you needed something, anything… I’m worried.”
Since Dante left, Javier has been acting more like a human being and not a robot supposed to take care of me.
I appreciate that, and I hope he stays this way.
I thought he hated me; now I know he’s just being professional.
He’s his true self whenever Greta is around, behaving as if he were her son.
He doesn’t try to impress her, but he tries too hard with Dante.
Greta even told me people close to him think he’s gay for that very reason, but she knows better.
I couldn’t help laughing, because I thought the same thing.
“I’m fine. Thanks,” I manage to say.
“If you need anything, you can call me… I live nearby.”
I nod.
“Thanks.”
He smiles faintly and turns to leave the room.
I wonder how he ended up working here. He’s only twenty years old. I’m not much older, but he’s risking his life… why?
He takes a few seconds to leave the room, since Finn is napping, but as he’s closing the door, I call him back. Maybe he has the answers I need.
“What is it you actually do for a living?”
He sighs, resigned, as if he’d feared that question.
“I don’t know if I’m allowed to give you that information, miss.”
“Just Lana. And if someone gives you trouble, tell them it was an order.”
He smiles and leans against the wall, looking out of the window before he begins.
“We protect and rescue. We’re fighting human trafficking.
Dante leads rescues, dismantling operations, search warrants and so on.
We work for an active organisation all over the continent.
I’d even dare to say it covers more, but I’m not entirely sure.
I’ve only been working here a few months, and, well, looking after you was my first task. I haven’t been able to go with him.”
I raise my eyebrows. I hadn’t thought it was something that important. How many people work for him?
“I almost feel bad because I thought he was the trafficker.”
He shakes his head with a sad smile.
“All of this is against them. He rescued my sister a few years ago. If it weren’t for him, she’d be dead or, well…”
Kidnapped. Sold. Mistreated.
“How old was she?”
Fifteen. She’s my twin.” He sighs. “She spent a few weeks in the hospital, then went back home, but couldn’t overcome everything that happened. So, she preferred to stay at the shelter. Hasn’t left since then, so now we both work for him.
My heart clenches.
When they found me, I spent a few days in the hospital. Nurses spoke about a shelter, and I was about to agree… until I saw my mum.
She looked so mistreated, so sad and hurt because of my kidnapping. I couldn’t leave so soon. We wouldn’t have seen each other again. With this decision, at least we had three more years together.
What would my life be like now if I’d accepted? Would I have a job? Would I have met Dante before? Would Finn be with me?
“If there’s any doubt about Dante’s job, I hope I’ve cleared everything up,” he adds, interrupting my thoughts.
A weight lifts from my chest. Now I know why he rescued me, why he wanted to help me, and why he told me he was willing to do anything to make me feel comfortable when we got married, even if I didn’t want to be with him.
He wanted to rescue me.
And now I feel guilty.
All these months I’ve wished for him to die… but I didn’t truly mean it. I can’t live in a world without Dante. Traitor or not, my heart belongs to him and always will. He knows that. I know that. I’m just so tired of betrayal and broken hearts.
“Someone is waiting for you at home?” I ask.
He frowns. “I live alone. Why?”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. I don’t know how to ask him to keep me company without crossing his limits. Javier is the closest thing I’ve had to a friend, I think.
“Angelo… did some things while he was here.”
He raises his eyebrows, blushing, and shakes his head. “I don’t know how that involves me.”
“He told me Dante was the trafficker, but he… he made up a whole story. He drugged me… he’s one of them, and he knows how to get in!”
He nods slowly.
“The place is surrounded by guards. There’s a panic button in every bathroom. If anything happens, you must press it. Although, if it makes you feel more comfortable, I can stay here until Dante comes back.”
Bingo.
I nod. “I’ll fix my room for you.”
“Oh, it’s not necessary. I can sleep on the couch downstairs.”
“I insist.” I stand up. “Go get anything you need to get through the night...” A thought pops into my head. “If you can go and buy something to eat, go. We’re having a pyjama party!”
He laughs awkwardly. He’s not one for many friends, either.
“Fine, okay… but only for tonight.”
I smile, but when I’m alone again, my smile fades, and sadness washes over me.
Dante, please, come back.