“Yes, but nothing,” I cut him off. “I want to help. Let me just text Vanessa back first.”
I go to grab my phone, but he swipes it out of my hand.
“What the fuck, Carmine?” I shout, my voice echoing amongst the warehouse walls.
“Mi amor, there is no service here, remember? Where we are going you aren’t going to need that,” he reminds me as he tosses my phone on the ground.
“Unless we are going to the grave, where could we possibly be going that doesn’t require a cell phone?” I ask, but he isn’t listening.
Instead, he walks to the front of the warehouse. I watch as he slowly opens the door as a loud creak echoes filling the stillness that surrounds us.
Facing away from me, I see him lean over to hug someone, revealing a woman’s manicured red nails embracing his back. He whispers something to the woman he is hugging. He stands up and moves from the doorway, revealing a familiar face.
Creepy Miranda.
She flashes a warm smile. Honestly, the only smile I think I have ever seen from her—as either Rose or Miranda—as she begins to head toward me.
“Hello, Sienna,” she greets me with her hand extended, waiting for me to shake it.
I stand there, still trying to process everything I have learned today and everything that has transpired since.
Finally, my hand meets hers as I try to think of something to say. “Hello …” I stall, suddenly realizing I don’t know what to call her.
She releases my hand and directs her attention to the incinerator. “I see you two have wasted no time in getting reacquainted. I trust that you have filled Ms. Ricci in on the next steps?”
I look at her, confused. “Next steps?” I ask, almost not wanting to know the answer.
“Yes, dear, the way for you both to make it out of here. You have too much blood on your hands, as does my dear nephew.” She darts her eyes to Carmine for a second before redirecting her gaze to me. “Truthfully, Plan B is probably what is best for you both—”
Carmine interrupts. “I haven’t told her about that yet.” He looks at Rose, signaling his annoyance with her revealing what he hasn’t yet.
She clicks her tongue, shaking her head as she walks to the incinerator to turn it on. The motor begins to rumble stealing all our attention.
“Well, now isn’t the time for dallying, Carmine, we discussed this. Alex has stalled enough with her cop friend. You are running out of time,” Rose says in a stern tone. “Remember, boy, you wanted this. You wanted her. This is the only way you get to keep her. This is the only way out,” she reminds him, sounding ominous.
Where the fuck are we going now?
“Goddamn it, I know, would you give us a fucking minute,” Carmine roars as he reaches for my hand.
Unfazed by his outburst, she agrees. “Fine, just make it quick. We need to clean up this mess and get you both out of here,” she says, directing her attention back to the incinerator.
“Mi reina,do you trust me?” he asks, stroking my hand in his with his thumb.
“I shouldn’t,” I tease.
He squeezes my hand slightly, the vulnerability that briefly entered his voice now is overtaken by his stern tone. “I’m serious, do you trust me?” he asks again, this time with an intensity that makes my heart skip a beat.
“Yes, I do. Beyond all logic and reason, I do,” I admit. My answer brings a smile to his face, softening his intensity just a bit.
“Good.” He unclasps his hand from mind, bringing his calloused palm to my cheek. “What if I told you that we could go someplace where we wouldn’t have to worry about all this? Start anew, start over together.”
“That sounds amazing, but how?”
He looks over my shoulder, out the large window of the warehouse that is behind us. There is a bright light that begins to peer through the glass, reflecting off the steel columns that hold up the structure. I turn to see where the light is coming from as I hear a whooshing sound of what sound like a helicopter. It’s difficult to see clearly, but from the way the trees outside are rustling about, and the noise that accompanies their movement, my assumption appears to be correct.
“Your cousin is ready for you both,” Rose shouts, sounding out of breath, as she begins lugging one of the wrapped bodies toward the incinerator.
Panic begins to set in as I realize that the helicopter is for us. I’m not afraid of going to whatever undisclosed destination Carmine has in mind, although knowing him, maybe I should be a little scared. It’s the realization of leaving without being able to say goodbye to Vanessa and Titi Lana, or even tell them where we are going, that makes me feel sick.
