Page 15 of Bittersweet Endings
“I said I was sorry,” she mumbled, then turned to Alessandro. “And I am sorry for what I did.”
“You’re not,” I repeated. “But you will be.”
“The fuck does that mean?” She straightened her spine before stumbling over the chair.
I motioned to Alessandro and Diego. “Take her to Slab City.”
Eva stepped backwards.
“You have my permission to keep her in line, Alessandro. And bring two men with you, newersoldatos, guys we can spare right now. I can’t deal with all this shit and her.”
“No… Carmine. No, please. I said I was sorry.” She tried leaning towards me.
Alessandro grabbed her cuffed wrists and tugged her back. “How long, boss?”
She glared at me with tears in her eyes. I ignored her. “Until I call.”
“You son-of-a-bitch! Not The Slabs! I’ll fuckin’ kill myself with boredom, Carmine.” She struggled as Diego and Alessandro lifted her by her arms and carried her to the stairs.
“You’ll live, Eva. That’s the goddamn point.”
Slab City, also called The Slabs, was an unincorporated, off-the-grid alternative lifestyle community in the middle of nowhere, California. Thousands of campers and RV owners, many retired, used the site during the off season. The “snowbirds” only stayed for the winter before migrating to cooler climates in the spring. This time of year, not many people would be there and it would be too fuckin’ hot for Eva to escape.
Years ago, I’d positioned a large camper out there and kept it a secret. There was nothing around for a two mile-radius and you could see all threats coming.
“That sucks.” Lorenzo laughed.
“Keep pissing me off and I’ll send you there to babysit,” I ground out.
That was one more problem solved so I could focus on the task at hand. Making sure we survived the shitstorm headed our way.
Chapter Five
OCTAVIA AGOSTINO
“It’s perfect.” I scanned the interior of the open-concept penthouse.
Thank god.
I was exhausted. We’d scoured the city to find the perfect home to escape the compound. I was starting to give up hope until now.
The place was modernized but had a lot of historical features and details still engrained in its bones. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, and it had an L-shaped patio that ran the length of the bedroom.
“Building security is good.” Rocco walked around the room with me. “Locked entry points givesoldatostime to get to you if needed. But keep 'em far enough away that you have some personal space.”
I stared down at the city I used to love and felt empty. This apartment was just what I needed. I’d be safe, but I’d also be alone.
Two bedrooms. Two and a half baths. Living room, diningroom, and kitchen. But the main selling point was the largesecretlibrary hidden just behind a singular bookshelf.
I opened the door and smiled at row after row of empty shelves. There was more than enough space for a sofa, a desk with a chair, and so much more.
“Could be a safe room,” Rocco muttered behind me.
I nodded and turned to my realtor. “Tell them full cash offer. I want the paperwork signed now. I will be moving in today.”
His face lit up with greed, phone to his ear as he started making the arrangements. I had myself a new home. Suddenly, the vise around my heart seemed to ease. Step one to finding peace within the new me had been achieved.
“Pull the car around. We have errands to run,” I said and Rocco nodded.
