Page 31 of Wanted Twins with the Mafia Boss

For Adriano.

For our twins.

We won’t know peace until Matteo is gone, and this seems like the best way to lure him out. If he believes I’m desperate for his help, he might come out of hiding. I’m sure Adriano and his men won’t need much to hunt Matteo down once that happens.

“All right.” Adriano sighs, and then he presses his lips against mine.

Warmth spreads through me, and for a moment, I’m lost in his scent and his gentle touch.

“But I’m teaching you how to shoot first,” he murmurs.

My lips spread into a smile. I guess I don’t have to worry he’s going to try to turn me into some trapped mafia wife who can’t do anything for herself.

Adriano and I are partners. Equals. And he’ll respect my decisions, even if he doesn’t completely agree with them.

I like that.

The holster feels weird under my jacket, and I hope Matteo won’t be suspicious because I’m wearing oversized clothes. They’re worn out, dirty, and ragged so it seems like I’ve been on the streets for a while.

I could’ve found them in the trash, or borrowed or stolen them from someone. Maybe the nurse at the hospital told him about my request for clothes, but it would’ve been easy to spot me on the streets if I kept wearing the scrubs, especially in the cold. It makes sense that I would’ve gotten rid of them.

I didn’t have any money or anything with me when I escaped, but I could’ve gotten in touch with a friend or my parents for help. Still, I would’ve avoided most places I usually frequent and maybe stayed at amotel.

If I was terrified that Adriano was looking for me and wanted to kill me for my betrayal, then it would be logical to look for his biggest enemy’s help.

I ran away from Matteo, but things have changed. And he kidnapped me, so I don’t think he can hold my escape against me. Anyone would’ve tried it.

But it doesn’t matter right now what Matteo will think. I have a piece of old paper with me. I scribbled an address where I’d want to meet with him to talk about a new deal between us.

I look right and left and then cross the street. The house is right there, and a shudder runs through me. Maybe I haven’t been trapped in there for long, but seeing it still makes goosebumps rise at the back of my neck.

I curl my fingers around the note and keep moving forward. Every little movement and sound startles me, but if Matteo’s watching me somehow, it’s better if he thinks I’m terrified. Besides, he probably believes Adriano would’ve never let me come here on my own because he’d be too worried about my safety.

The gun pressing against my side doesn’t make me feel any better. Adriano has shown me the basics and I can mostly hit the target, but I don’t know how well I’d do under pressure.

Adriano’s men have secretly searched the area, sothere shouldn’t be any surprises. The house isn’t supposed to have any hidden rooms either, and it would be unsafe for Matteo to stay if he believed I’d tell Adriano where he was.

I’m trying to convince myself I’m as safe as I can be, but my hand still trembles as I push the gate, which is cracked open. I make my way to the front door. It looks like there’s a small camera next to it.

I try the handle, and the door opens. My breath catches.

“Hello?” I call softly.

No answer.

I dash to the closest cabinet and place the note on it, and then I race for the door. Once I’m outside, I glance once again at the house and take a shaky breath. Pushing my feet as fast as they’ll go, I stride away from the house.

I’m almost out of breath as I dash across the street and hurry down an alley. Then I melt into a crowd of people and wait for a bus with everyone else. People keep glancing at me, and all of them suddenly seem suspicious, but I know it’s just my fear talking.

I doubt Matteo’s men are here and following me. But I have a plan to lose them even if they do that. Adriano’s men will help me and pick me up when I getto them.

Will the plan work? Will Matteo believe me and come for me? I hope he will, and if he doesn’t, then we’ll have to adapt and come up with a new plan.

As the bus shows up and I find myself a seat, I let out a sigh of relief. No one’s going to hurt me in a bus full of people. It’s very unlikely, and I can relax until my stop. It’s not like anyone knows where I’m supposed to get off, and Adriano’s men will be just one busy street away.

Everything’s going to work out. I have to believe it.

CHAPTER 17

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