Page 56 of Bianchi

Relenting, Massimo offers a quick, sharp nod. “You have my word. I’ll do anything for the family.”

I lean back, flicking my wrist and tugging on my cuff. A knock at the door draws our attention and when Massimo calls for them to enter, a timid-looking woman enters, her fingers nervously fiddling with a dustcloth. Her wide eyes look glassy as they dart around the room, looking like we might kill her for the interruption.

When she doesn’t speak, Massimo demands, “What is it, Haven?”

She looks at the floor before swallowing and lifting her focus back to us. “I’m so sorry. I’ve just taken a call on the housephone, Mr. Marino.”

Her eyes dart to mine for a second, and my stomach clenches. I know what she’s about to say before the words pass her lips.

I never should have let her leave this house.

“Miss Costa has been taken.”

Chapter 34

Aurora

I’ve been traipsing from store to store for the last two hours and have yet to make a single purchase. Most of my day has been spent trying to distract myself from the meeting tonight.

After breakfast, I tracked down Angelo and asked to push our leaving time to the afternoon. He shrugged and grunted before walking off so I took my things and went into the garden. I spent the better part of five hours trying to sketch out the landscape before giving up.

Haven caught me on my way back into the house and invited me to a late lunch with her and Maria. I wish now, as a knot of nerves sits on my chest, that I’d spent more time going over my plan. Although I had the foundation—get into Manhattan—I didn’t even consider how I’m going to get away from Angelo. His mood has darkened with each minute that’s passed as I’ve forced him into each store.

We’re in a boutique just off Fifth Avenue. It’s the ideal location for me to sneak out, access the park where I’m meant to meet the writer of the note, and hopefully make it back before raising any suspicion. It’s now or never. I can’t keep up this charade for much longer, especially when there are only thirty minutes until the meeting time.

Sucking in a breath, I pull nervously on my ear and stand taller. My voice comes out sounding a little too high-pitched when I ask the sales assistant, “Where’s the restroom, please?”

She smiles, oblivious to my inner turmoil. “Go through the double doors.” She points to the back of the store before continuing, “And then it’s at the end of the corridor. You can’t miss it.”

I chance a glance at Angelo, his attention shifting from the window to me. He might get in trouble because of me, but I’m sure that when I get back and explain everything, Romeo will forgive him. I swallow down the nausea stuck in my throat and lift my chin. This is the right thing to do, no matter the consequences.

“I’ll be right back.” Turning to the saleswoman, I add, “Maybe I can try the red and blue dresses when I come back?”

She nods, her curls bouncing from the force. “Of course, take your time and I’ll get everything set up for you in the dressing room.”

If only she knew how long I’ll be.

Every movement of my body feels short and jerky as I walk toward the back of the store. Trying not to look back, I force myself to slow down and keep a leisurely pace. My hands tremble as I raise them and push through the door that leads to the employee only area.

When it swings shut behind me, I rub my sweaty palms over my thighs, looking around the space to make sure it’s clear before I release the tension in my shoulders. I lean against the wall, closing my eyes and sucking in several deep breaths in a bid to calm my nerves.

I feel dangerously out of my depth.

At the end of the narrow hallway is an emergency exit, and I send up a silent prayer of thanks that at least this part is easy.

Eventually, they’ll notice that I’ve gone and alert Romeo. But I’m counting on having enough time to at least get to the park before they send out the search party. I just need to meet with this person face-to-face, find out what they want and then I don’t care if they find me. The entrance to Central Park is two blocks away. If I run, I’ll have enough time.

I hurry down the hallway, throwing furtive glances over my shoulder as I go. Coming to a stop in front of the door, my hands rest on the bar and I grit my teeth as I read the writing printed across it in big block letters. I didn’t even consider the door might be alarmed. Fuck.

I don’t have a choice. Bracing for a jarring sound, I press down, prepared to run and not look back. Too much is riding on me making it to Strawberry Fields alone. It’s only when the only noise is that of the city seeping through the gap that I breathe a sigh of relief. My eyes sting with unshed tears, but I push the emotion down and quietly close the door behind me.

Everything happens so quickly.

I turn to run but collide with a solid body. I’m met with a skull mask covering the face of a bulky man when I lift my eyes to his. I take a step back, but he grips my arms, his fingers digging painfully into the flesh.

“I’m sorr—” A hood is thrown over my head, cutting off my words and plunging me into darkness.

Confusion clouds my mind, but I know whatever this is, it’s not right. My heart pounds a wild beat in my rib cage. Praying that Angelo can hear me, I scream as loud as I can, but it doesn’t deter them. Tears tumble down my cheeks and my body shakes as fear takes hold. Heavy arms band around me, squeezing me tightly and minimizing any impact I might have as I thrash my body around, fighting with all my strength. This is bad. Really bad. I might have been welcoming of death when Romeo took me, but it couldn’t be further from what I want now.

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