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She blushes. “But they’re gone now, right?”
“Exactly. You ready to go home, my pregnant wife?”
We prepare to leave, wrapping ourselves in the cool evening air.
“I could get used to this,” I admit, watching a soft smile play on her lips as she points out the little bookstore she adores and the café where everyone knows her name.
We’re passing by the hair salon when I stop dead. Something isn’t right. I tell myself it’s paranoia, a hangover from life in New York. “What’s up?” Emma asks as I glance around me.
“Nothing,” I reply with a smile. We continue forward but we’ve only gone a few yards when a shadow steps out from an alleyway, blocking our passage. A gun is pointed directly at my chest and I find myself staring into the eyes of a dead man.
“Luca?” I say, unable to believe what I’m seeing. “You’re alive.”
16
EMMA
Luca’s face twists into a faux grimace as my heart starts to pound in my chest. “Disappointed to see me?”
His words sound mocking. Adrian stares at him, saying nothing.
“Charles and me made a deal,” he says with a chuckle. “You die. We split the money. Just needed you to get rid of that tedious security detail following you around everywhere.
“Now, I know the money went into your Swiss account. You.” He calls out. “Charles. The bag. Get the laptop out. Now.”
From the alleyway, Charles emerges, holding a computer in one hand and a gun in the other. He’s got it pointed at me. “Good to see you again,” he says, nodding toward Adrian. “Sorry about this but a hundred million dollars is a hell of a good offer.”
“You fucking snake,” Adrian says. “Didn’t my family treat you well?”
“Sure you did but he pays better.”
“Transfer the funds to me,” Luca says, interrupting the conversation.
“I’ll do it,” Adrian replies, his voice surprisingly calm. “Just don’t hurt her.”
“Actually,” Luca counters, his gaze shifting towards me with a calculating look, “she can transfer the money. I don’t trust you. Give her the codes.”
Adrian tells me which website to visit. I glance at Luca. He’s got his eyes fixed on his cousin, not on me. I think of what Adrian taught me. Remain in control.
I start typing fast, an idea occurring to me. Charles has his gun on me but he can’t see the screen either. I just pray this works or I may have condemned me and Adrian to death.
After a few minutes, I show Luca the screen, confirming the transfer. His laugh, devoid of any warmth, sends a shiver down my spine. “Charles, take the computer and get moving. The cartel’s waiting on the edge of town. Pay them with my compliments.”
Charles walks away with the computer under his arm. I look at Adrian and he gives me the slightest of nods. I return it as Luca frowns.
“What was that? You two cooking something up? I’ve got the gun, in case you forgot. Now walk into the fucking alley, cousin. No tricks.”
“What? So you can kill me out of sight, you pussy?” Adrian replies.
“I might be a pussy but I’m a fucking rich one.” He turns the gun to me. “You move or I shoot her.”
I glance at the gun. I see what Adrian was trying to tell me. A smile forms on my lips. “You’re going to shoot me?” I ask.
“Why are you smiling, bitch?”
“Because,” I say as Adrian shifts his weight back, “you’ve still got the safety on.”
Adrian lunges for the gun as Luca pulls the trigger. There’s a click but nothing happens and then my husband is on him, yanking the gun from his hand.
