Page 40 of Dark Mafia Bride

“Wait!” the first guard calls out again just as I turn to leave.

What now?

“Yes…” I drag it out, trying to add a bit of playfulness to my voice.

“What’s with the face mask, by the way?” he asks, narrowing his eyes. Shit. Shit. Shit. This is it. This is the end.

“Oh, you know, allergies,” I reply quickly, trying to sound casual. “Terrible this time of year.” He studies me a little longer, then steps closer, giving a subtle nod for me to take the mask off.

Crap. What am I supposed to do now? My genius plan to break out of here like some knock-off Michael Scofield is turning into a disaster.

He takes another step forward, motioning for me to remove the mask again. I’m about to start panicking when, suddenly, his phone rings. He steps back to answer it.

Thank you, Jesus!I’ve never been religious—not that it stopped my grandmother from trying to “save my soul” every Sunday. Right now, though? I could march up to the pearly gates and give the big guy a kiss myself for this save.

The bald-headed guard, who seems friendlier than, gives me a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. Just be on your way. He’s been a big grump ever since his wife got pregnant. Probably terrified of those new daddy duties.”

“Really?” I reply, trying to sound genuinely interested. “Didn’t know he was about to be a dad.”

“Oh yeah! He’s been reading all the parenting books,” the guard chuckles. “Swears he’s going to be the best dad on the planet. You should see him, it’s hilarious watching him try to hide the panic behind that tough-guy act.”

I nod along, pretending to relate, even though parenting feels like a world away from my reality. “Sounds like a huge change for him,” I say, edging closer to the gate.

“Big changes can be scary, but he’ll figure it out,” the guard says, his smile lingering as I slip through the gate.

As their voices fade behind me, my heart pounds like a drum. The instant my feet hit the pavement outside, I let out a shaky exhale.

I did it. I’d fucking escaped.

But there’s no time to celebrate. My legs are trembling as I hurry down the street, clutching my phone in one sweaty hand. Sweat drips down my temple, and it takes three tries before my shaky fingers manage to dial Nonna’s number.

She answers on the second ring.

“Nonna, listen to me carefully,” I whisper, my voice hoarse as I glance over my shoulder. The street is alive with morning commuters, but every shadow feels like a threat. “You have to take Mamma and Giulia to Auntie’s place in Hunter. Don’t ask questions. Just go. I’ll meet you there.”

“Mira, what’s?—”

“Nonna,please.” My voice cracks, and I hate it. “Just trust me. Go now. I’ll explain everything later.”

There’s a pause on the other end, the kind that speaks volumes. I know my Nonna—she’s holding back, biting her tongue like she always does when she wants to scold me but knows the timing isn’t right. I can almost hear the words forming on the tip of her tongue, the “I told you so” she’s surely dying to say.

No doubt, she’s already preparing to remind me how I’ve gotten myself into this mess by chasing the vanities of the world. How she warned me, time and again, that a life spent grasping at shiny, hollow things would only lead to trouble. But there’s no time for her lessons now, and I pray she saves her lectures for later—when we’re all safe, when this impending nightmare is over.

“Pack light,”I add quickly. “Only take what you absolutely need. No statues, no rosaries, no holy books—nothing extra. Just your IDs, some clothes, and enough food for the road. Leave anything that’ll make anyone notice you’re leaving.”

“Not even my rosary?” she whispers, her voice breaking with disbelief.

I press my lips together, forcing myself to stay firm. “Just one, Nonna. Take the one you pray with. Leave the others behind. I need you to be quick, and I don’t want anyone noticing anything unusual.”

“But Mira?—”

“Promise me, Nonna,” I cut her off. “Promise me you’ll keep your head down. Don’t talk to anyone. Don’t answer any calls. Just go straight to Auntie’s. Take the bus. If you don’t have enough for tickets, tell Auntie to send someone to meet you halfway. I’ll explain everything when I get there. But you have tomovenow.”

She takes a shaky breath, her voice fragile but resolute. “Okay, Mira. I promise. We’ll go.”

I exhale a long, trembling breath, relief and fear twisting together in my chest. “Good. I’ll see you soon. I love you, Nonna.”

“I love you too,cara mia. Be safe.”

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