Aurielo hurries out of the house, slams the bullet-ridden door, and hustles down the steps. “Let’s go,” he says.
I shut the back door of the vehicle and stroll around the SUV to the passenger side. Aurielo pops the trunk and drops his duffel inside before jumping into the driver’s seat and starting the engine.
“Change of plans,” he says.
I glance at him, unsure what the original plans even were but coming here was a mistake. I yank the seatbelt and snap the buckle in place while he puts the SUV into reverse and hurries us away from the house.
“We’re heading straight back to the compound,” Aurielo says. His focus is on the road, two hands gripping the steering wheel.
“Compound?”
“The house,” he clarifies for me.
“Okay.” I don’t even remember if he said what he planned earlier for us. My stomach is still somersaulting, but my hands have finally stopped shaking.
“I’ll make you both something to eat at the house.”
Oh, right. Dinner.
How easy it is to forget everything else. The events of today feel like a lifetime away. I glance behind me at Ashton.
He’s staring out the side window, silent.
It’s probably for the best.
I reach for the radio, turning on the music.
Aurielo casts a glance at me. Like he’s wondering what I’m doing, but he doesn’t say a word.
It’s been a long day.
I want to talk, but I don’t want Ashton overhearing the conversation. “Can we talk about what just happened?” I ask, keeping my voice low.
“Now?” Aurielo glances in the rearview mirror. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Just keep your voice down,” I say. “Who is Etta Bianchi?” I recognize the name. It’s the same one that I snuck into years ago at that party. He’d told me she’d been his ex-girlfriend. But why had her name been on the invitation?
“My ex is the niece of Don Bianchi. Her parents died when she was a teenager, so he’s raised her as his daughter.”
“Were you two engaged?” I ask. I’m not sure I want to know the answer, but the fact they’re exes at least tells me that I didn’t break up an engagement.
“I never asked her to marry me or gave her a ring,” Aurielo says.
We head off the side road and back onto the highway. Aurielo turns up the music, ending our conversation.
He’s done talking.
I don’t want to be done, but I’m not in the mood for a heated argument either.
I fold my arms across my chest and glance out the side window. Dealing with kids that are dying is easier than talking with Aurielo.
I didn’t expect to learn everything about him overnight when we married, but I thought his secrets and skeletons would stay locked up in the closet.
I certainly never expected they’d hunt us down, chase us with guns, and want to murder us.
However, they seemed more interested in threatening my son and me than Aurielo.
Why?