Page 94 of All Your Lies
I slowly retreat to the bed, gently pressing a kiss to Gage’s cheek before whispering in his ear, “I’ll be right back. I love you.”
When I walk out of the room, Vinny is right next to Gage’s mom. “Keep him safe.”
Vinny nods his head while I give Gage’s mom a quick hug.
As I drive to my apartment, tears stream down my face. The strange blend of numbness and despair that’s been my companion for the past couple of days are suffocating me. I need to feel something besides a chaotic void, and I believe only one thing will help ground me and make me feel like myself again.
Showing everyone a strong, calm facade has been exhausting because, on the inside, I’m quaking with feelings of the unknown. But I’m determined to be what Gage needs since he became what I needed.
My eyes shift to my rearview mirror on my second-to-last left turn before I get to my condo. A spine-chilling sensation runs through me as I notice a navy-blue SUV following me extremely close. I gas it and pass my condo while watching my company keep pace behind me. Gage’s gun sits uncomfortably behind my back in the waistband of my pants, but it’s a welcome sensation.
“Alexa...call Vic,” I say.
“Calling... Vic.”
“Is he okay?” Vic murmurs into the other line with worry clear in his voice.
“He’s still sleeping. I had to leave, but I think I have company.”
“You left? Where are you?”
“West Adams and South Jefferson.”
Vic murmurs something to someone on his end while I continue to check behind me. With glasses adorning their face and the car’s visor lowered, it is difficult to identify the figure in the dimming sunlight of the afternoon.
“Julian has eyes on you through the traffic cams. Someone reported the SUV behind you stolen yesterday. You think it’s the guy we’re looking for?”
“Could be,” I say as I make a right and punch it. My gas light pings on, and I close my eyes in resignation. Fucking great. “My gas light just came on. I need to—”
The back of my car gets rammed, and I let out a startled gasp as I grip the wheel tighter.
“What happened?”
“They hit the back of my car. I need—”
A wave of frustration washes over me, causing me to pause and shake my head. I can’t continue to have someone come to my rescue every time I’m in trouble. I need to find the strength and resilience in myself to become my own hero. My own protector. I need to stand on my own two feet and prove whyI’m capable of being one of the first female capos of the Chicago Mafia.
“Look, I’ll give you my location if I need cleanup, but I have to go,” I say as I hang up while he yells something from the other end.
Zooming through an alley behind a chain of restaurants, I decide to come to an abrupt halt next to a green metal dumpster. As the SUV screeches to a stop behind me, I yank open my door and retrieve Gage’s gun, ready for whatever may come. I squint through the headlights of the SUV as I point the gun at the driver behind the wheel.
The door creaks open and Brad casually steps out as if he didn’t almost run me off the road. His long-sleeved blue button-up is untucked from his wrinkled khaki pants and seems to be askew, as if he didn’t line the buttons up correctly. But what makes my hand tremble is the unhinged expression in his eyes.
“Alexa. I’ve been waiting for you,” he says as he advances on me.
“Don’t come any closer,” I blurt as I continue to re-aim the barrel at his head the closer he advances on me.
“Put the gun down and let’s talk.” He takes another step in my direction, and I don’t even think as I aim the gun south, squeeze the trigger, and hit him in the outer quadrant of the left thigh.
In shock, his eyes widen, and a pained hiss escapes his lips as he limps toward me like a deranged zombie.
The slightest tremor runs through my hands as I ready myself for a chest shot, but just as I’m about to shoot, the sound of tires screeching interrupts us from behind. As he spins and retreats to his vehicle, the sound of someone pounding the pavement behind me grows louder.
“Fuck, are you okay?” Vic asks at my side.
“Yeah, follow him.”
“Trey’s already on it. Why don’t you come with me, and I’ll have one of the guys pick up your car?”
