Page 16 of Sweet Union
“Your husband won’t try and kill me?”
“No. I’ll make sure of it. He won’t want to upset me.”
“And killing me would upset you?”
“Yes. You’re innocent. You don’t deserve to be murdered.”
“Wow. Poignant for someone who’s sitting across from me with a gun in her lap.”
I sigh. “You can stop being sarcastic. I know you don’t like me, and you have good reason not to. But you don’t know my life. I had to take drastic action because my husband and I are being hunted by a madman.”
“Why is this man hunting you?
“It’s not important.”
“It seems pretty important if you’re on the run because of him.”
There’s no way I can tell her why Romeo is after us. Luca killed Angelo, Romeo’s brother. And I was there, and I didn’t stop it. In fact, I tried to kill Angelo, too, just to put him out of his misery. Luca and I are messed up people, but we’re meant for each other. But Dr. Ryder won’t understand that. She’ll just want to call the cops if I told her Luca and I have killed people. Bad people, but people, nonetheless.
“It’s better you don’t know,” I tell her. “Now, stop asking questions.”
“Fine. How long before you and your husband leave?”
“When he wakes up, he’ll look for another safe house for us. Then, we’ll leave.”
“Will you untie me when you go?”
“Yes.” Though, I’m not actually sure. Luca might want to keep her tied up. “Now, I suggest you try and get some rest. It might be a few more hours before he wakes up.” I’m tired of talking to Dr. Ryder. She’s making me question too many things, and it’s exhausting.
* * *
Luca wakes up with a start.
I rush to his side, wiping the sweat off his brow. “Luca? Are you ok? How are you feeling?”
He looks up at me with those beautiful, dark eyes of his. “I thought I’d lost you for a moment. I was dreaming. But you’re here. You’re ok.” He cups my cheek, and I lean into his touch.
“I’m here. And so are you.”
“I’m feeling better. Sore, but I’ll manage.” He grunts as he pushes himself to standing. He looks over Dr. Ryder ,who is staring defiantly back at him. “How did the doctor do?”
“We just talked,” I tell him. “Now, you should go look for a safe house.”
“I’m on it.” He pulls out his cell and starts making calls.
I sit across from Dr. Ryder again.
“Who is your husband, exactly?” she asks as Luca goes into another room to talk privately. We don’t need Dr. Ryder finding out where we’re going.
“You know I won’t tell you.”
She blinks before nodding slowly. Understanding crosses her eyes. She must know Luca is a bad man.
Luca returns a few minutes later. “I’ve got it. A place farther up north.”
“Ok.” I give him his gun back before turning to Dr. Ryder. “Thanks for cooperating.”
She nods at her ties. “I didn’t really have a choice.”
