“Yeah, sure, but you need to stay near so I can hear you, and of course no details or locations.”He holds up his hands when I frown.“D’s rules, not mine.”
I roll my eyes, but I know that I have to be careful to not endanger Erin.Even though Lucas seems easygoing and sunny, I can’t forget that he is Damiano’s right hand, and allegedly as dangerous as him.I sit on the couch next to Lucas and dial Erin’s number on my burner phone.
She answers on the third ring.“Lily?”
“Hi, Erin,” I reply softly.
“Oh my God, Lily, how are you?Where are you?What happened?”I look over to Lucas, who is slouching on the couch, his eyes on me.“I am good, don’t worry.I am, uh…taking an unplanned vacation in a place I can’t disclose.”
“Giiiirl,” she squeals.“Are you on a private tropical island getting secretly married to that hunk?Is he railing you good?”
I splutter.I swear my face must be crimson, and from the smirk on Lucas’ face, he heard that.
“Nothing of the sort,” I mutter.
She huffs.“Well, when you get married, I wanna be maid of honor.Don’t you dare elope or do some other romantic shit and leave me out of the fun.”
I wince.“Erin, stop.That’s not what is going on.You are misreading the situation.”
“Am I?”She sounds unconvinced and I sigh.
“I can’t tell you.I wanted you to know that I am safe”—relatively—“and that I should be able to resume my life as soon as this…misunderstanding is resolved.”Fingers crossed.“I will let you know if anything changes.”
“Okay, if you say so.But in the meantime, there’s nothing wrong with having a good time doing the horizontal tango, you get me?”
I groan.“It’s called horizontal mambo.”
“See?You do want to do it!”she teases.
“What, no!I gotta go.I’ll call you.Love ya, Erin.”
“Love you, too, Lily.Take care.Remember, mamboooo,” she singsongs before hanging up.
“Your friend is wise beyond her age,” Lucas teases.
I smile sheepishly.Erin is on the wild side, but she is an absolute sweetheart.
“One more call.”I hold up a finger.
He gestures for me to go on.
Chiara picks up on the second ring.“Hello?”
“Sis.”I almost sob hearing her voice.
“Lee?”
“It’s me.”
“Oh my God!Where are you?”Her voice is edged with worry.
“I…I can’t tell you, but I am safe.Sort of.Don’t worry.”
“Have you been able to lose them?”She whispers the last word.I look at Lucas and see him bent forward, sitting on the edge of the couch with his elbows on his knees staring intently at me.He looks tense, his jaw clenched and his hands locked.Shit, did I say something I shouldn’t have?“I, uh…no.But that’s not an issue anymore.I wanted to tell you that I am safe.”
“All right.”Chiara breathes out.“When can I see you?”
“I don’t know, things are a bit…complicated right now.But as soon as I can, I will come to see you.How have you been?”
