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I look back at Tristan and draw myself up to my full height. “Tell her that I’ll be back.”
Tristan mutters something under his breath.
“And you better take good care of her,” I add after a brief pause. “If one hair on her head is harmed, or if anything happens to the baby, it’ll be on your shoulders.”
Tristan stiffens. “I understand.”
Without waiting for a response, I get into the back of the SUV and look at Tristan through the glass. Ernesto starts the engine and drives away slowly, as if he’s waiting for me to change my mind. I settle back against the leather seats and link my fingers together.
“Where to, boss?”
“To your spare fucking room,” I reply, without meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror. “You’ve been bragging about it long enough.”
Ernesto places both hands on the wheel and clears his throat. “You sure you don’t want me to drive you to a hotel or something?”
I unfasten a button on my jacket. “If there’s something you’re trying to hide, it’s too fucking late. I’m not going to a hotel.”
Not in the state I’m in. I need someone to have my back.
Because leaving the safety of Anita’s means putting an even bigger target on my back.
I know it won’t be long before word reaches my enemies that I’m out in the wild and it’ll be open season. Considering Ernesto is closest in proximity to Anita’s, it makes sense for me to be staying with him, especially with Tristan and Sam in my house.
Fuck.
How have I let things get this far?
I turn the matter over and over in my head as Ernesto drives away from the suburbs and into the city. He takes a series of twists and turns through unfamiliar streets until we reach a nicer, less crowded neighborhood. There, he pulls into an empty parking spot and pushes the door open. I step out of the car and glance down both sides of the paved yet empty streets. Wordlessly, Ernesto retrieves my bag and carries it up the stairs.
In the doorway, he pauses to take out a key card and holds it up. Then, the security machine scans his thumbprint.
It makes a low hissing sound as the door props open, allowing us to step through. Inside, there are polished hardwood floors, a glittering chandelier, and two men seated behind a large desk. Ernesto nods in their direction as we walk past and in the direction of a gilded elevator. Once the doors ping shut, Ernesto punches in a few numbers and sets my bag down.
“Do you live in a building with important people?”
Ernesto nods, looking very pleased with himself. “A few former diplomats, to name a few. The previous tenant caused a lot of problems, so they were pretty eager to rent it out.”
I grunt at his statement.
On the fourth floor, the doors ping open, revealing a carpeted hallway with paintings on either side. At the end of the hallway, Ernesto takes out his key again, and the door beeps open when he swipes. The apartment is the size of my living room, but it’s got two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and an open terrace with a view of the park.
Ernesto leaves my bag by the door and goes into the kitchen. He takes two bottles of beer out of the fridge and hands me one.
“Make yourself at home, boss.”
I take a swig of my beer. “Who else knows you live here?”
“No one.” Ernesto kicks off his shoes and leaves them by the door. “I wouldn’t want to lose a place like this.”
I nod.
Ernesto walks away when his phone rings. After he steps out through the French double doors and onto the terrace, I see him smile. I wheel the bag behind me and into an empty room with a large bed, a TV above the dresser, and a square-shaped closet. After leaving my bag on the bed, I throw the windows open and exhale.
My chest has been tight since I left my aunt’s.
Already, I’m aching to race back to Isabella, to take her into my arms and grovel for forgiveness at her feet. I even pick up the phone and scroll through my contacts until I see her name. But before I can dial her number, I toss the phone onto the bed and rake my fingers through my hair.
I need to keep it together. And I can’t go back to Isabella until I’ve worked on my issues. Taking them out on her isn’t the answer, not by a long shot.
