FIVE

Aunt Gina’s house was quiet, the kind of quiet that made my skin crawl. She had left to run errands, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the faint hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. I sat on the couch, my knees pulled to my chest, staring at the blank TV screen. Marco’s voice still echoed in my head, a constant reminder of the danger I was in.

You’ll never be safe anywhere except with me.

I shook my head, trying to push the thought away, but it clung to me like a shadow. I didn’t want to believe him. I couldn’t. But the fear was there, gnawing at the edges of my mind, refusing to let go.

I reached for the remote and turned on the TV, hoping for some distraction. The news was on, and my stomach dropped when I saw the headline.

Mafia Kingpin Marco Morano attends charity gala with Davina Morano.

The screen cut to footage of Marco, his arm draped around Davina’s waist, her lips curled into a smug smile. They looked… happy. Comfortable. Like they belonged together.

My chest tightened, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Marco had moved on so quickly, so easily, while I was still picking up the pieces of my shattered life.

I turned off the TV, my hands trembling. I didn’t want to see it. I didn’t want to think about it. But the image was burned into my mind, a cruel reminder of everything I’d lost.

The sound of glass breaking snapped me out of my thoughts. I froze, my heart racing, and listened.

There it was again. The sound of footsteps, heavy and deliberate, coming from the back of the house.

My stomach dropped. Marco’s men.

I grabbed my phone, my fingers fumbling as I dialed Aunt Gina’s number. It rang once, twice, then went to voicemail.

“Aunt Gina, it’s me,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “There’s someone in the house. I think it’s Marco’s men. Call me back, please.”

I hung up and stared at the phone, willing it to ring. It didn’t.

The footsteps grew louder, closer. I could hear voices now, low and menacing.

“Check the living room.”

I didn’t think. I just moved.

I grabbed my bag and bolted for the front door, my heart pounding in my chest. I yanked it open and ran, the cold air hitting my face like a slap.

“There she is!”

I glanced back and saw two men in dark suits chasing after me, their faces hard and determined. I ran faster, my legs burning, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

I didn’t know where I was going. I just knew I had to get away.

A car screeched to a halt in front of me, and I almost collided with it. The passenger door flew open, and Wesley leaned across the seat, his expression grim.

“Get in!” he shouted.

I hesitated for a split second, my mind racing. Could I trust him? Did I have a choice?

I jumped in, slamming the door behind me. Wesley hit the gas, and the car lurched forward, tires squealing.

I glanced back and saw Marco’s men standing in the street, their faces twisted in frustration.

“What the hell is going on?” I asked, my voice trembling.

Wesley didn’t answer right away. His hands were tight on the wheel, his jaw clenched. “Marco’s men,” he said finally, his tone grim. “They’re not going to stop until they find you.”

I stared at him, my chest tightening. “Why are you helping me?”

He glanced at me, his expression unreadable. “Because I know what Marco’s capable of. And I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

I wanted to believe him. I really did. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it, that he had his own reasons for wanting me close.

We drove in silence, the city lights blurring past. My thoughts were a tangled mess, my emotions raw and frayed. I didn’t know what to think, what to feel. All I knew was that I was scared. Scared of Marco. Scared of Wesley. Scared of what was coming next.

“Where are we going?” I asked finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Somewhere safe,” he said, his tone firm.

I didn’t argue. I couldn’t. I stared out the window, my heart pounding, my mind spinning.

The car slowed as we approached a red light, and I glanced at Wesley. His eyes were fixed on the road, his expression serious.

“Thank you,” I said, the words catching in my throat.

He nodded, his grip on the wheel tightening. I leaned back in the seat, my eyes closing as the car sped down the street.

"You have to hold on now. They're right behind us." Wesley announced, his voice

way too calm for my liking.

I swallowed, turning back to see.

"What?"