Page 248 of Roberto

“A dead man’s switch,” I suggested in English, and Roberto nodded.

A dead man’s switch, indeed.

It terrified me to know that Roberto might be forced to use the goddamn thing, but if this was the price of getting free of Lau…

So be it.

87

After I dropped off Roberto at the Continental, I drove directly to De Sade.

I was beaming as I walked into work.

The purchase of the gun and C4 had gone off without a hitch, which was a gigantic relief.

More importantly, Roberto had promised to take me with him when he left for Italy –

Far away from Lau, Han, and all the other assholes who made my life in Hong Kong intolerable.

Not only that, but Roberto had made me promise tostay with him.

When he’d first told me he loved me, I’d told him I loved him, too…

And I’d meant it.

He had stolen my heart when I least expected it.

But Roberto had said ‘I love you’ right after sex, half an hour after we were reunited.

I was afraid his words were just something he’d blurted out in the throes of passion.

I hadwantedto believe him –

But now I actuallydid.

And I couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear.

I was exuberantly happy – and incredibly hopeful about the future.

So, of course, that’s when the bottom fell out.

I had just walked into my office when I got a call from Chaoxiang.

I grimaced.I’ll bet he wants more money.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Mei-ling?”

I could hear the fear and urgency in his voice.

“What’s wrong?”

“Lau knows you came to see me.”

All my happiness instantly evaporated.

“He sent his thugs to come get me, but luckily I was out. One of the guys in the noodle shop sent me a text. You need to get out of Hong Kong before they come for you.”

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