Page 115 of The Boss

Everything was a blur as I continued trekking toward the front. A guard suddenly appeared only fifty feet in front of me. Shit. Shit. Hunkering down, I waited as he walked the perimeter, finally moving off in another direction. I made a run for it, racing toward freedom.

I could see the road and continued rushing without looking back. Every muscle in my body ached, my head throbbing. Yet I couldn’t stop. I had to do this. I had to escape.

Once cleared of the trees and on the road, I took a deep breath. I’d told Athena where to meet me after begging her for help. She’d been terrified, threatening to contact the Greek police. I only prayed to God she’d heeded my plea to allow me to handle this.

Keeping my head down, I yanked out the hat I’d snagged, shoving my long hair underneath. I’d changed into a sweatshirt and jeans, hoping to hide my identity. I used the same caution as I headed around the side of another massive estate, reaching another road. At that point, I took another series of deep breaths.

I remained on the outskirts, keeping close to a line of trees. There was no car, no indication she’d followed through with her promise to come get me.

When a set of headlights flashed, relief flooded through my system. After tossing a quick look over my shoulder, I raced toward the awaiting vehicle.

The moment I threw open the door, jumping inside, Athena huffed.

“Are you nuts?” she asked.

That remained to be seen.

“Just drive. Okay?”

“Are you going to tell me what’s really going on?” She hesitated before pressing her foot down on the accelerator.

Those few seconds felt like hours, my stomach in knots.

“It’s complicated.”

“You’re scaring me to death. What about your parents? I heard about them. I’m so sorry.” Athena rolled down the road while I slunk down in the seat. “Do you know who killed them?”

Yes. No. Maybe.

“I’m scared to death. I just need to talk to my brother.”

“Has he contacted you?”

“No.” I yanked my phone into my hand, staring at the blank screen. I had a terrible feeling he wasn’t going to return my call. “Where are we going?”

She threw a glance in my direction. “A friend of mine you haven’t met is out of the country for a week. I’m taking care of her plants and have access to a key. I don’t like this, Willow. You’re goingto get yourself into some serious trouble. Let alone the danger I think you’re in. We should go to the police.”

I’d only told her limited information about Dimitrios. Allowing another party into the mix wasn’t a good idea. That much I’d gathered myself. “No police. I’ll be fine. I just need to do this. What’s the address?”

She spouted it off and I texted it to Shane, begging him once again to come meet me there. I kept the phone in my hand just in case he tried to call. Hundreds of thoughts were racing through my mind, none of them allowing for a positive conclusion.

Neither one of us talked as she drove, but I sensed she had as many questions as I did. Less than twenty minutes later, she pulled up in front of a group of white buildings, all poised on a rocky cliff overlooking the city.

“I really don’t want to leave you alone like this. Let me come inside with you,” Athena pleaded.

“No! No, it’s fine. I’ll be okay. Where’s the key?” God. Why was she hesitating? “Athena. Please. You’re a good friend. I know what I’m doing. Okay?”

“Okay, but call me if you need a ride or a way out of the country. My father can help.”

“I appreciate that.”

“The key is under the planter on the front stairs. Just do me a favor and be careful. Whatever you’re involved in might be extremely dangerous.”

Might be? It was.

“You’re a good friend. Thank you.” After unfastening my seatbelt, I leaned over, pulling her into a hug. “Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

As I climbed out, staring up at the buildings, I had a sick sense that nothing would be okay. There were no other options. None. I raced up the stairs, hurriedly searching for and finding the key. My hands were shaking as I unlocked the door, so much so I almost dropped the key twice.

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