Page 109 of Forging Caine

There was a knock at our door and both of us spun.

“Fiori?” he asked.

I shook my head and picked up a twenty-pound crystal sculpture and headed for the door. I raised my eyebrows at Antonio.

“Who is it?” he asked.

“Jason.”

I hefted the sculpture over my head, just in case it was someone else, while Antonio creaked the door open.

Jason shoved his way through, swinging the door shut behind him. “I’m getting you two out of here.”

“We were just talking about that.” I placed the sculpture on the nearest table. “Do you have a plan?”

Jason handed me his phone. “Contact your family and tell them to get out of town.”

“Cristian’s already setting something up.” Antonio looked at me. “Contact Cassandra and Sofia and tell them someone will pick them up. Go with them, no questions.”

I wanted to call my sister, but if I did that, there’d be too many questions. We didn’t have time. Instead, I texted her:This is Sam. I can’t talk right now. I’m in trouble and so are you. There’s someone coming to your house to take you to safety. Pack an overnight bag only for you, Kevin, and the kids.

She responded right away,Who is this?

Of course, she wouldn’t believe an unknown number. I added,Friday night, you asked about Antonio and me getting married and we talked about Mom and Dad. And about your pregnancy with Emma. I really can’t talk. The people work for Antonio’s family. Trust them.

Antonio spoke into his phone and we passed information back and forth. I gave him Cass’s address; he gave me Sofia’s phone number.

While I texted with Sofia, Cass sent me several more messages. What should she pack? What would the man’s name be? Would there be a code word?

“What about Lucy? Or the rest of your family?”

Antonio repeated the question into the phone, then told me, “If they can get to Cassandra’s or Sofia’s within the next five minutes, do it, otherwise tell them to get out of town.”

I nodded and sent another message to Cass asking her to call Lucy and Nathan; Sofia was to call Lorenzo and their parents. We were really doing this. We were coordinating an escape plan from an international smuggler and murderer. By telling our families to hide out with another international smuggler instead of the FBI or the police. What had my life become?

Antonio hung up as I finished. “Cristian has teams heading to both houses. When I was out earlier, I asked him to be prepared, and he was.”

“Where are they going?”

“I didn’t ask. It’s better we don’t know, in case we get caught.”

Jason held out his hand and I returned his phone. “Speed is more important than details right now.”

“One sec.” I took Antonio’s phone. “I need to call Elliot.”

“Be quick, bella.”

Fortunately, Elliot was in Antonio’s contacts, so I didn’t have to go through a field office to get the number. He answered on the first ring. “Antonio?”

“It’s Sam. I don’t have much time.”

“We’ve been trying to find you since Fiori took you. I’ve already been to your condo and I’m on my way to the airport right now,” said Elliot. “Where am I going?”

But I deleted the message? “Long Island. Thirteen Fellsmere Court.”

“Okay. I just got off the phone with Kelsey who’s going to coordinate the protection detail for your families.”

“No!” My whole body shuddered and I clamped a hand over my mouth. That was too loud. “She’s on Fiori’s payroll!”

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