Page 28 of Sweet Lies

What to do next?

Lying on the bed, I try not to let my thoughts run wild, but it’s harder than I’d expected. It’s as if talking about Tony and Levi has opened the floodgates and everything has come rushing back. I just want to forget, but it seems no matter how hard I try, some things will never wash away from my mind.

I need to leave before Andre returns—if he lives; otherwise, I’ll be in the same position. I need to disappear and be free from this world. There has to be something different out there.

Slowly, I test my muscles as I rise from the bed. Feeling as if I’ve run a hundred marathons of late, I stand and creep to the door.

Peeping from the hole, I take in as much as I can to make sure no one is testing me—seeing if I’ll actually leave. When no one appears, I gradually open the door and glance in both directions before stepping out. Breathing intensely, I rush down the hall toward the elevator. The door can’t shut quickly enough; the trip to the first floor is far too slow. I can’t accept I’m this close to freedom.

What will I do the moment I’m on the street by myself with no one calling the shots? I don’t have a clue, and it’s terrifying, but it’s also liberating.

I try to keep my hysterical laugh from escaping as the doors open, but it breaks free as an elderly couple steps in as I step out. The street seems brighter and more intense, but I could dance in excitement.

I have the oddest thought as I cross the street.

What would Rebeccado?

ChapterTen

ANDRE

The knife slides easily into Levi’s flesh. It was child’s play to find him. I remembered his old hangouts, and luck was on my side as two of his men were drunk at the first bar I searched. It was easy to eavesdrop, and he was right where they said he would be, leaving his mistress’s.

I followed him a short distance till it was dark enough and prying eyes were gone, then slid behind him just as he pulled a lighter from his pocket, distracted for a split second. A few stab wounds in this perfect location and he’ll bleed out long before anyone will find him.

Walking down the street as if nothing’s happened, I head back toward the hotel. Three streets away, I see a familiar figure dash across the street.

“Fuck.”

I thought for sure she would stay in that room. She’s showing more and more Rossi characteristics. Claire and Elijah would be pleased.

Creeping up behind her, I grab her around her midsection and pull her back. My hand muffles her yell.

“Not the time to cause a scene, Bec.”

Her fingers dig into my arms till she realizes it’s me.

“I’m going to let you go, and we’re going back to the hotel room to have a talk. Don’t make this worse.”

I release her, and she twists around to glare at me.

“You appear to be feeling better,” I mutter, grabbing her wrist and pulling her to my side before I lead her back to the hotel room.

She’s silent the whole trip back. Once the hotel-room door shuts, she huffs and sits on the edge of the bed.

“Levi is dead,” I say, point-blank, and watch as shock displaces anger. Her eyes widen, and her lips part in disbelief.

I chuckle. “Did you think I would fail?” I ask, a little insulted at her lack of faith.

“I…”

Her lips close and reopen. I wait for her to continue, but instead, she leaps from her seat and throws herself at me. My arms stay stiffly at my sides at the unexpected contact.

“Thank you,” she whispers. “I thought for sure he would kill you.”

“I’m not that easy to kill.” My arms finally wrap around her. “It was simple. I told you I would be back. I’ll always come back.”

“He’s really dead?”

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