Damn it. Does he have to be so kind and good to me?
Every second spent in his presence has my resolve crumbling. But it’s pretty clear I can’t go anywhere. I’m stuck in the kitchen, conversing with a five-year-old and his father, who offers short, clipped contributions every now and then.
I’m surprised at how easy it to be there with them. My entire body feels lighter by the time we’re done in the kitchen. Matteo even offers me a small smile when I gave him a thumbs up after getting a taste of the brownies. They’re incredible.
The boys announce they’re heading to the pool for a swim, so I take that as my cue to head back to my room. On the way there, my phone buzzes with a text.
8:30 p.m. There’s a dive bar tucked into the corner on Grove Street. You can’t miss it. Make sure to come alone. I’ll be seated right in front of the bartender waiting for you.
My heart skips a beat as I read the words on my screen. It’s from Chase. I’ve been trying to get in touch with him since my father was shot three days ago. Matteo hasn’t said a word to me about finding who was responsible, and I need to know. I need to do something about it.
I read and reread the text over the next couple of minutes, trying to come up with a plan. Although to be fair, I have been thinking of the best method to slip away from the house unnoticed since the day I arrived.
I’ve already memorized the security patterns. There are a couple cameras scattered across the house, but there’s also blind spots I can use to my advantage. The guards have a schedule they stick to rigidly.
The best exit point is by the pool. It connects to an outer gate and I don’t think there are many cameras there. I just need to find a moment when the security guard isn’t there. My only problem is a mode of transportation.
My cars are still back at the hotel. I bite down on my bottom lip, considering my options. Maybe I’ll get lucky and find a car I can drive.
I think about how Matteo will react when he inevitably finds out I’m missing. This morning felt like we were starting to heal the rift between us. And I was happy.
A part of me doesn’t want to betray him like this. But I’ll come back. I actually like it here. I just need a couple hours of respite.
Thankfully, luck decides to smile on me. My plan goes off without a hitch. When I slip through the poolside entrance, I catch sight of a guard on patrol inside a sedan. He’s asleep as I creep toward the side of the car. The door unlocks without any effort and he jolts awake as soon as it does.
He’s too slow, though. I summon every burst of strength I have into my palm. One carefully aimed jab to his throat and he passes out.
I mutter a quick thank you to my father for insisting on the Krav Maga training.
Dragging the guard out is easy enough. “I’m sorry,” I whisper as I set him down on the ground.
I slide into the sedan and turn the key, and then I’m home free.
That was surprisingly easy.
I keep looking backwards as I drive, half expecting there to be several cars following me, ready to drag me back to the mansion. But no one comes.
I make it to the bar in one piece, and after taking a second or two to steel myself, I step out and head inside.
The light in the bar is a little dim and I wrinkle my nose at the pungent smell of alcohol in the air. There aren’t a lot of patrons in here. No one bats an eye as I make my way toward the bar. Sure enough, there’s a back turned to me, waiting.
Alarm bells blare in my head but I ignore them, not giving it much though.
I slide into the chair beside his before turning to face Chase. I choke when I do so, however.
Fuck my life. He isnotsupposed to be here.
My gaze clashes with dark eyes I’m starting to get intimately familiar with, and I feel the blood drain from my face.
Matteo Vitale sits there, completely at ease and nowhere near surprised to see me.
“Shit,” I breathe.
He arches an eyebrow. “Fancy seeing you here, princess.”
“W-what are you doing here?” I question, my voice shaky. “How did you know?”
He doesn’t immediately reply. Displeasure is written into every inch of his face.
