Page 75 of Pietro
As we crawl through traffic, I call Nico.
"I need everything on Connor O'Sullivan's operation. Locations, properties, safe houses. Anything in Chicago."
"Already on it," Nico replies. "You think she's running back to daddy?"
"I don't know." I clench my jaw. "But if she makes it to him before I find her… I'll burn his entire compound to the ground if I have to," I mutter, more to myself than to Nico. "If she makes it back to Boston, I'll walk into his territory myself."
"Pietro—"
"Find me something I can use, Nico. Now."
I hang up and stare out the window, scanning every face we pass. The thought of her running from me, terrified, sends a confusing mix of satisfaction and pain through my chest.
She should be afraid. When I find her, she'll wish she'd never heard the name Sartori.
But first,I have to find her.
NORA
I can't stand by the window anymore. My hands won't stop shaking as I pace behind the snack aisle, trying to make myself invisible while still keeping an eye on the door.
"He's looking for you, isn't he?" The clerk with purple-tipped hair asks, her voice low.
I nod, throat too tight to speak. Pietro's men are probably combing the entire city by now. I can picture him mobilizing everyone.
"Here." She tosses me a baseball cap from behind the counter. "Put your hair up in this."
I twist my auburn waves into a messy bun and tuck it under the cap, pulling the brim low over my eyes. It's not much of a disguise, but it's something.
"Thank you," I whisper, moving away from the windows to crouch behind the refrigerated section. "I'm sorry to bring trouble to your store."
She shrugs. "Wouldn't be the first time. My ex was bad news too."
I don't correct her assumption. Let her think this is about a boyfriend, not the head of a crime family who just discovered I'm his enemy's daughter. Not a man who promised to kill me and everyone I know.
The minutes crawl by like hours. I check the time on the wall clock—only seventeen minutes since I called Finn.
The bell above the door jingles, and I hold my breath. Heavy footsteps approach the counter.
"Excuse me," a deep voice says. "I'm looking for a young woman who made a call from here earlier."
The man at the counter is broad-shouldered with close-cropped dark hair. He's wearing a plain black t-shirt and jeans.
"Are you Finn's friend?" I ask, my voice barely audible.
He turns, revealing a face I don't recognize but eyes that look relieved to see me. "Yes. We need to go. Now."
I nod to the clerk. "Thank you for everything."
"Good luck, honey," she says, and I wonder if she knows how much I'll need it.
The man ushers me outside with a hand hovering near my elbow, not quite touching me. "Car's right here. Stay low."
I slide into the back seat of the sedan, and he quickly moves to the driver's side. As we pull away from the curb, I finally let out a small sound—half sob, half sigh of relief.
"I'm Sean," he says, eyes constantly checking the mirrors. "Finn sent me. We're going somewhere safe, but we need to make sure we're not followed."
I nod, unable to form words as the adrenaline crash hits me. My body feels like it's made of lead, sinking into the seat as the reality of what just happened washes over me.
