Page 110 of The Devil's Deal

A few minutes pass before I’m calm enough to rise, scouring his desk, looking through the other drawers for a weapon. He has to have one here. I open the lower one on the other side, lifting up a stack of files, and before I’ve given up hope, I find what I’ve been looking for.

I take out a black handgun, checking the chamber to make sure there are bullets in case I need them. Slipping the weapon into the waistband of my leggings, I conceal it with the oversized t-shirt I have on.

I turn the light off, my pulse still ravaging in my ears, and head back up. When I get there, I head toward my room instead of back to Dom’s, needing to pack just a few items for the road.

“Still no word, ma’am,” Miles says, anticipating my question.

I nod curtly with a small smile, my heart twisting within my chest. “Thanks for letting me know.”

I bet he can tell I’ve been crying, but I’m sure he’ll assume it’s because of my worry for Dom.

“I’ll be right out. I need to get something.”

“I’ll be here, ma’am.”

I enter the room in a hurry and lock the door.

Dashing toward the closet, I find the duffle Dom used to pack my things. Ripping off some of my clothes from the hangers, I hurriedly stuff them inside, followed by some water bottles and snacks from the fridge.

My heart aches from having found the man I loved as a boy, only to lose him again. A man I’ve pictured so many times in my head, wondering if he was still alive. Never did I imagine he’d turn into this. Someone who’d strike a deal to harm me. Someone who’d deceive me.

I head for the nightstand, finding a random piece of paper and pen inside. I shouldn’t leave a note, but I want to let him know I know. I want him to feel the same way I’m feeling, except it’d never come close.

All this time, I wished for you to call, to write, to find me and take me with you like you promised me long ago. But you’ve been right here, living a life without me. I can’t believe you could hurt me this way, Dom. Your betrayal hurts even worse than my father’s.

Did I ever matter? Do you hate me this much? So much so you’d make a deal with him and pretend you’re someone I don’t know? Why? How could you want to cause me so much pain? I loved you. Don’t you know that? Whoever you are now, I don’t want to know you. Don’t look for me. I never want to see your face again.

I drop the note on my bed, slip into my sneakers, and head for the door. The duffle’s hoisted over my shoulder as I take a deep breath, stepping out into the hall, immediately rushing for the stairs.

“Ma’am, where are you going?” Miles asks.

I remove the weapon, pointing it at him.

“Whoa.” He raises his hands in the air. “What’s going on?”

“Tell him I know. Tell him I’m leaving. Make sure no one here stops me. I am my father’s daughter, after all, and I’m not afraid to shoot.”

“Okay, let me get my radio from my waistband.” He points a finger down. “And I’ll let them know. No one will stand in your way. I promise.”

“Great. You do that while I head down.”

He nods, picking up his radio, giving whoever it is on the other end instructions to allow me to leave the premises.

Rushing down the steps, I make it to the entry door, finding two guards standing on each side.

With my gun pointing at one of them, they stare me down, a grim look on both of their faces before they part and allow me the exit I need.

I don’t waste a second, opening the door and running out to freedom. I don’t know where I’ll go, and I have zero dollars to my name, but I’ll figure it out once I’m long gone.

My aunt would be my best bet, but first I’d have to get to her. She lives an hour and a half from here. Maybe I can hitchhike.

Running down his block, the gun once again hidden, I make it to a gate with a security booth, and walk out onto the main road, hoping I can find someone to take me far away from here.

* * *

DOMINIC

“Are you sure Faro and his brothers are still at the house?” I ask Miles over the phone as we drive up to Chiara’s mother’s home, the one Faro is hiding in.

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