Page 26 of Plus-Size Bratva Possession
I couldn’t believe it. I had escaped.
***
I slipped out of the apartment complex and, after two whole weeks, felt the bright afternoon sunshine.
I swear to God, I didn’t think I knew true happiness until then. I hadn’t even realized I’d been humming as I walked down for a while and slid into a cab, asking him to take me to the shopping street. The whole time, I looked over my shoulder, afraid Dom would have called Gastone, afraid there would soon be a convoy on my tracks.
But I reached the street without any trouble.
At last, walking down the street, I finally allowed myself to breathe. I'd done it. I was out.
And I didn’t know what to do with my small freedom. How long had it been since I had a cup of coffee? Since I sat by and watched people pass?
With a smile, I found a small, quaint café full of artsy types. I placed an order for a cappuccino and a quiche and made my way to a table at the back of the place, where I could sit and watch people go about their day.
This was perfect. At one point in my life, I would’ve rolled my eyes at wasting my time in a place like this. Today, it felt like a privilege.
How times have changed.
For the first time in weeks, I felt like myself again. Free. In control.
The server brought my coffee, and I took a long, appreciative sip. The quiche would take a few minutes, he said. I didn't mind the wait. I was just enjoying being somewhere, anywhere, thatwasn'tthat penthouse.
I was mentally congratulating myself on my escape when a shadow fell across my table. I looked up and nearly dropped the cup I held in my hand.
For right about then, taking a seat across from me, was none other than Gastone himself.
Chapter 10 - Gastone
When Dom first called and told me she made a quick run for it, to say I felt anger didn’t even cover it. It was more.
It was fury, disappointment, and worry, all of which made for a dangerous combination. I ended the meeting halfway through and rushed to my car, heading towards Elena. At that moment, I patted myself on the back for my insight. It was smart to have put a tracking link on her phone before I returned it to her. I had anticipated she'd try to escape, but never thought she’d manage to do it under Dom’s watchful eye.
Needless to say, I was surprised at discovering this crafty side to her. When I saw the car heading towards a shopping street, I felt some of that anger simmer down, replaced with worry. Until then, I’d assumed she’d run off to her brothers and wondered why she’d betray me that way since she’d been the one who had decided to remain married to me. Now, I wondered what she was doing in this shopping street.
Didn’t she understand what danger she was putting herself in?
The GPS led me to a café, and I saw her sitting there, towards the back, sipping on a coffee.
The fact that she'd managed to slip past Dom and the security system was bad enough, but seeing her there, perfectly relaxed like she was on some casual afternoon outing, that's what really twisted the knife. She was so engrossed in her own thoughts, she didn’t even notice I had entered. What if I had been someone else? Someone intending to harm her?
Without wasting a second, I strode over and dropped into the chair opposite hers. She met my gaze, and whatever littleflicker of surprise flashed across her features had been schooled into a look of nonchalance.
I growled. “You little brat.”
Those hazel eyes just locked onto mine, teasing and challenging, and the corner of her mouth twisted up into an infuriating half-smile. “Good afternoon to you, too.”
I fought every urge in my body that screamed at me to grab her by the wrist and drag her out of here. But then I saw her take another sip of coffee, and she let out a little sigh and closed her eyes in the sweetest way, as though this simple moment meant everything. So, I stayed put.
When she opened her eyes, she caught I’d been staring. She motioned at the menu painted across the wall to her right. “Would you like one?”
I was utterly dumbfounded. What the hell was going on here? Why did this seem like we were any other couple, out on a little date? I shook my head and got down to the point.
“How did you get out?” I asked, leaning forward. “What was your plan here, exactly?”
She leaned forward too, studying me with those gorgeous hazel eyes. “First of all, your security system isn't as foolproof as you think, at least it wasn’t once I found the manual to your main door’s security system. Second, I had no grand plans. If I wanted to run, do you think I'd be sitting in a café three blocks from your apartment? I literally only wanted a coffee.”
I narrowed my eyes on her. “Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to be out here alone? You're a Lebedev. Some people'd love nothing more than to get their hands on you.”
