Page 98 of My Mafia Queen

“No. I was hoping I could borrow some from you.”

“Okay. I’ll look for something.”

“Don’t tell Tina I’m coming home. I don’t want to get her all excited and anxious for nothing. I’ll call you as soon as I get near Edith’s house. And sneak out of there, please.”

“Okay. I’ll do that,” she says before hanging up.

My pulse races as I swing past Damaso’s bodyguards and pace to his suite.

There’s another thing now. Am I telling anyone I plan to go to LA? Or do I sneak out like I’ve done before?

* * *

CARMINA

I’m goingwith the latter.

Because… Um… I don’t want anyone to stop me. And I don’t want anyone to come with me.

Gianni and Vito may be gone, but Louie is here, overseeing Salla’s operations.

I pack light and leave my money in the shoe box at home this time, with the exception of what would be a month’s worth of pay at my old job and whatever extra I need for the road and to give Tina.

Once I’m done putting on my favorite pair of sweatpants, hoodie, and sports shoes, I grab my travel bag, yank it over my shoulder, and quietly walk out.

I barely enter the corridor when a thought pops into my head, and I return. I’m not superstitious or anything, but the thought of swiveling around and going back sends a trickle of worry through me.

Let’s not think about anything bad right now.

A few firm strides take me back to my room.

From the nightstand drawer I pick up the gun Salla had given me before we left for Lake Tahoe.

I don’t flinch when I slide it into my duffel bag, which speaks volumes about my state of mind.

Let’s hope I’ll never have to use it to defend myself.

I stop in the doorway and cast a last look at his place.

As beautiful as his hotel suite is, it doesn’t have much appeal to me when he’s gone.

In fact, I’d be a little crushed right now if I had to be here by myself, thinking about him.

Although I’m still thinking about him. And I’m still worried that he left, and we haven’t talked much since he told me he was leaving.

I hope things are all right with him. Still, I need to worry about myself right now.

Without sparing another moment, I shut the door and quickly move out of the building.

From the second I step outside, things unfold as planned. I locate my car, fill up my gas tank, and drive to LA without the slightest incident.

Spending so much time by myself driving, it’s hard not to think about my past and my future.

Anthony comes to mind, and the way he keeps harassing me and how this whole damn thing will need to go away eventually.

Maybe skipping town with Tina will finally put an end to it.

It might help us leave it all behind while Beau‘Dick’Anthony finds something else to obsess over.

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