Page 65 of Something Borrowed

My phone blares early in the morning and I sigh, rubbing my hands across my face to wipe the sleep away before I answer it. Who would call at this time?

I reach over and grab the phone, flicking it to answer the call.

“Hello.” I mumble, my voice rough and deep.

A quick glance at the screen tells me Masaccio is on the other side of this call. If I’d paid attention and looked before I answered I would have let it go to voicemail.

“Luca A’Vara launched an attack on one of our warehouse last night. He killed three of our security men. I’m done with this bullshit. This ends today, Red. I have spoken to Tuomo and Celso and we all agree - she is going back to her father.”

All remnants of sleep disappear in an instant as anger surges through me.

“No, she isn’t. I don’t care what her father does. I willnotgive her up.”

“This isn’t your choice anymore brother. We are already on our way to your place. Sheiscoming with us. This was just a curtesy call. Nothing more.”

I drop the phone and throw the blankets off me.

“Verity, Verity wake up. Now. Hurry.”

She sits up with a fright, her eyes wide and confused.

“What’s going on? Is my father here?” she stammers in fear.

“No, sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. But my brothers are coming to take you from me. I imagine they are on the way to my penthouse in the city, so we have less than an hour before they get there - realize their mistake and then come here.”

“An hour for what? What is going to happen when they get here?” She asks.

“We aren’t staying to find out. We’re leaving.”

“To gowhere?”

“Please, just get up. Grab whatever you need. We don’t have time to discuss this now.”

I leave Verity in the bedroom as I bolt downstairs to pack the essentials. Weapons, Kevlar, and my emergency go-bag which contains a medical kit and survival gear. I hope I need none of these items, but I’d rather be prepared and have them than leave them behind.

I set the items at the front door and run back upstairs to shove a few pieces of clothing into a leather duffel bag.

Verity has thrown some clothes into a suitcase as well.

She looks dazed and panicked.

“Do you have any idea where we’ll go?” She asks.

“Yes, we can talk about it in the car. Are you almost ready?”

“Yes.” She sighs, “I just need to get dressed.” She is already pulling on a pair of jeans.

“I’ll pack the car. Meet me downstairs.” I grab her luggage and carry it with mine.

Fifteen minutes later we are on the road.

I don’t have a plan. I don’t know where we are going. I didn’t want to tell her that in the house because she already looked so stressed.

Right now she has her eyes glued to the side mirror, watching the road behind us.

I reach out and run my hand over her thigh. “I’m watching our back. You can relax.”

“Ican’trelax. This is so crazy.” She snaps. “Where are we going, Red?”

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