Page 106 of Hush 3: Hidden Family

We have arrived at the safe house. Adriano was adamant that we move here. I have been planning my escape since those men left my apartment.

I will be on my own this time. I can’t call Nate and ask for help. Pam and Paige cornered me before Val’s outburst and told me not to contact their husbands ever again.

I get it. I totally understand. The pass they gave me the first time was more than gracious.

I was hesitant to call Michael in the first place. Now, I just have this gut feeling like I need to get out of here and away from these people.

Danger finds me when I’m around them. I want to put my past behind me and lay all this to rest. I don’t want to cause trouble, and I don’t want to find it either.

When those men showed up at my place, I thought it was over. It would have been if not for my noisy neighbor who got himself shot and stuffed back into his apartment, giving me enough time to run and warn Adriano.

“Thank you so much,” the woman with the bundle in her arms says with a Russian accent as she steps into the elevator.

Adriano sends me a glare for holding the door for her. He’s right; I probably shouldn’t have. I look at the woman with her blonde hair and blue eyes.

She smiles back at me as she rocks the little bundle in her arms. She’s probably tired and wants to get the baby home. I know I’m exhausted and wish I could sleep for a few days.

We get to our floor and Adriano ushers me out. This isn’t as fancy as my apartment building, but it will have to do. We won’t be here long.

As soon as I get the chance, I’m taking off. I’ve seen pictures of Michael’s wife. I look nothing like her, so I’m not counting on running into too much trouble getting far away from here.

“Get settled in. I need to make a few calls and then I will go out to get something to eat,” Adriano says as we walk into the apartment.

I sigh and nod, moving to find where the bedroom is. I need to lie down. My head is starting to ache.

“Why does it feel like all my shit is catching up to me?” I murmur to myself as I go to face-plant on the bed in the first bedroom I find.

CHAPTER 50

Caught off Guard

Michael

I’m exhausted. For the last week, Sim and I have been on call after call with Don Trovati. It is time. We were scheduled to leave for Italy next week. That was before Sammy and Monique were targeted.

Now, everything is being moved up. Collectively, the dons are making moves and handing over promotions. LaSalle was already in the process. That was the reason for our upcoming trip. We were to follow.

Now it will be simultaneous. The Alliance will be established and revealed to the world. All the planning and chess moves are to be revealed.

“Why do you think Mo was so upset about Sammy’s training? He is proficient and it’s helping him,” Sim says as we ride from the airport to our home in Italy.

Many of the others went to stay at the Mairettie family residence. While I know my brother is there for meetings, I’m tired and need my bed. We can get to business later after I’ve had some rest.

“He is three. I can understand her concern,” I reply.

My phone rings and I groan. The answer is no. I’m not doing anything else at this hour. We are not turning this car around to head anywhere, I’m not taking a life. The only thing I plan on doing at this hour is getting in my bed.

“Hello,” I snap into the phone.

“Boss, we have a problem.”

“What kind of problem, Adriano?” I huff tiredly.

My brain is barely functioning to allow me to force my eyes to remain open. If the problem doesn’t require me to approve someone else doing the work, I’m not going to be of any use.

“Men came here for Julissa, but they weren’t here for her. Somehow, they believe she is Symphony. They were here to kill Sim,” he says.

“What the fuck did you just say?” I seethe.

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