Page 60 of SINS & Temptation

“All of us?” I ask, a tremor in my voice, trying to catch Enzo’s eye.

“All of us,” he replies, distracted, his attention already elsewhere. Panic grips me as the reality sets in. There’s no time to prepare.

“What about Riley?” I ask. My voice is frail and desperate.

“I’ve already made the arrangements. She’ll be joining us later,” he says absently, his phone buzzing nonstop. Before I can process this abrupt change, he rises to his feet. “I need to take this. Can you help them pack?”

And with three hasty strides, he’s out the door. I’d be less stunned if he’d handed me a shovel and said, “Pick a nice plot, then dig your grave.”

I look at the girls, their faces bright with excitement, completely unaware of what’s to come. Hell, I’m unaware of what’s to come.

I bite my lower lip until I taste blood. Do we bolt? Get into the nearest cab and...go where? I have no money, no passport, and the girls don’t even have IDs.

And I need to warn Riley.

A riptide of emotions threaten to tear me apart, the urge to curl up in the fetal position and sob overwhelming. Tiny hands tug at mine, chanting, “Help us pack! Help us pack!” as Truffles bounces around us like a buoy, adding to the chaos.

They drag me to their bedroom and rush into the closet. I frantically dial Riley’s number. Voicemail. “You need to call me. Now, Riley,” I hiss into the phone.

I call six more times and send a dozen frantic texts.

Nothing.

Desperation claws at my insides as I throw clothes into suitcases, my mind spinning with fear and uncertainty. The girls chatter away, blissfully ignorant of the storm brewing around us. And it’s all I can do to fight to keep my hands steady and keep my mind from spiraling.

I need to figure out our next move.

Dory pops her head into the room, witnessing the complete pandemonium of brand-new clothes flying into designer suitcases that apparently Enzo pulled out of his ass.

Sofie and Lili are jumping on the bed, giddy and laughing, while I wrestle with the knots tightening in my stomach. I want the girls to soak up the fun while they can. They deserve it.

My hands tremble as I try to fold the clothes, and Dory gently takes a shirt from my grasp.

“Enzo told me about your fear of flying. Do you want a sedative? I’m not a fan of flying either. It can help.”

Part of me wants to take it. Just close my eyes, pop a pill, and say, “Wake me up when it’s over.” But then I catch the smiles on Sofie and Lili’s faces, and I know I have to do this. I have to be strong for them.

The way Da always was for me.

“I’m fine,” I say, forcing a smile as I continue packing, steadily reminding myself to hold it together.

The blur of events from boarding the plane to being in the air barely registers. My fear of flying is nonexistent. It’s the fear of landing and not knowing what’s going to happen the minute we do that’s shredding my last nerve.

Enzo’s been scarce, holed up in the ridiculous bedroom while the girls revel in their sparkly headsets and endless entertainment. At first, they loved having their own monitors, where they could each watch their own shows.

But now, they’re watching the exact same thing, giggling in unison. They remind me so much of Riles and me at that age; it’s a bittersweet ache in my chest.

“Another drink?” the flight attendant offers. It’s the same one from the flight over. She’s been so nice, always checking on the girls. And damnit, I’m trying not to get attached to the idea of this being my life.

Trying, and failing miserably.

A double should help. “Yes, thank you.” What I really want to say is, Leave the bottle, but frankly, I’m not sure it’s what I need right now. I’m so close to confronting his fucking face that being a little less drunk and a little more restrained might be in my best interest.

It’s like I’ve adopted a wolf and wonder why it attacks me. I need to remember he’s a dangerous, ruthless kingpin, fueled by primal urges and lethal instincts. He has no heart. Only cold, calculated precision.

As soon as the flight attendant—Gail, I remind myself—sets the glass in my hand, I down it in one go.

By my fifth glass of liquid courage, I’m braver than shit. The girls are asleep, Truffles is sprawled next to Lili, and my give-a-fuck has flown right out the window.

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