Chapter 28
The plate left my hand and shattered against the wall. Its blue and white shards rained down on the floor, joining the remains of yesterday’s therapy session.
Despite the controlled destruction, I felt no relief. I’d spent all day trying to figure out how to get rid of Hailey without risking exposure, and I’d come up with nothing.
My phone rang, and I snatched it from the counter. “What?”
“You need to get out of there.” Barely restrained panic laced the voice coming through my phone.
My body stiffened. “What’s happened?”
“He knows. There are men at my house. I can’t go back.”
No. There hadn’t been any more emails, and Hailey hadn’t said enough in the first one to warrant this. We should have more time.
Sweat broke out on my forehead, but I managed to keep my voice calm. “Where are you? Are you safe?”
“For now. I saw their vehicles in my driveway and kept going. I don’t think they saw me.
” He paused. The faint purr of a car engine drifted over the line.
“But you aren’t safe. If they’re in my house, it’s only a matter of time before they discover the link between us.
You need to leave. I’ll be tossing my phone after this call. Meet me at our place in Tennessee.”
“Got it.” I hung up and slumped in my chair.
But only for a moment. He was right. If Alessandro Luque’s men were at his house, that meant the jig was up.
Luque might not realize yet that he hadn’t acted alone, but I had no doubt he’d put two and two together once he uncovered my identity.
And he’d stop at nothing to make us pay.
I jumped to my feet. I couldn’t afford to sit here any longer. There was no telling how long I had before men showed up at my door too. Might be an hour, might be a day—but they would be coming, and I needed to be far, far away from here when they did.
Rushing into my bedroom, I made a beeline for the closet.
I pulled out my largest suitcase and threw it on the bed.
I opened my wall safe. There wasn’t time to sort through what I’d need, so I removed everything and tossed the whole mess of documents, jewelry, and cash into the suitcase.
That couple grand I’d tucked away would be all I’d have access to for a while.
Quickly, I gathered an armful of clothing and a few pairs of socks and undergarments. I didn’t bother to make sure the items would form coordinated outfits. There would be time later to worry about my appearance.
After shoving them inside the suitcase, I glanced around the room. What else did I need? All the expensive things I’d filled my home with were worthless to me now. They’d only be a burden if I tried to take them along.
The thought left a bitter taste on my tongue. This was all Hailey’s fault. Somehow she’d tipped off Mr. Luque. Everything I’d worked so hard for was ruined. One day, she would pay. I’d make sure of it.
But for now, I had to focus on surviving. That was the most important thing. And it was time to go.
I zipped the suitcase and snatched it from the bed. As I hurried through the house, I said good-bye to my home and my things—and muttered curses directed at Hailey. I reached the door and flung it open.
And stopped cold.
“Going somewhere?” a deep voice asked.