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“You wanted me to come talk to you after breakfast?”
I settle her on my lap and shift her so I can look into her eyes when I speak. When she leaves my office today, I need to be very sure she understands everything I’m about to explain to her. “As you are very aware, we’ve started our plan to take down your father. Now, I also need to ensure you always remain safe. That no matter what happens, no one can get to you.”
I hate the fear in her eyes as I talk. Even more so, knowing that once I finish, she has the means to leave me forever. I’ve gone out of my way to make sure she understands that she can’t escape me. And now, I’m just going to hand her the knowledge and ability to do so.
I just have to hope that she’ll keep her word and stay with me.
She shifts on my lap. “Whatever it is, just say it. You’re scaring me.”
“Some time ago, I put in motion a plan to ensure your safety if somehow your father succeeds in killing me.”
Her hands rush up to grip my cheeks. “Don’t say things like that.”
“As much as I like to think about our success. I also have to think about our failure, and the ultimate failure would be to let the five families take you after I’m gone.”
Again, she shakes her head frantically. “I don’t like this. What are you saying?”
“Only that there are a few things you need to be made aware of. The first of which is the tunnel system under the house. It leads out about a half-mile to the edge of the property. If something happens, and the house is taken, you can escape via that route. There is a vehicle parked at the mouth of the tunnel that will have everything you need for your escape.”
She stares at me wide-eyed.
“I need you to nod or acknowledge that you understand what I’m saying.”
When she doesn’t, I lift her by the hips up onto the edge of the desk and shove my chair back. At this angle, I can look into her eyes better. And she can see how serious I am.
“I hope you will never have to touch this option. But I need you to understand that they are in place for your safety. Now be a good girl and tell me you understand.”
After a heartbeat, she nods. “I understand. I don’t like it, but I understand.”
“You don’t have to like it.”
I gently pick her up and lower her to the floor again. Then I lead her out of my office, through the house, and down the basement steps. We pass the laundry room, and she stares around until we stop at a heavy wooden door on the other side of the basement.
“This is the door you will use to make your escape if you need it. It stays locked, but the keys are in the safe in my office. Along with the keys, you’ll find a passport and money, anything you might need to make a clean getaway.”
This time I don’t have to prompt her response. She nods, and I hug her tight to my chest.
“I’ve written down the access code to the safe and a phone number to someone I know outside the city who can help you if you need it.”
I hate everything about this. The thought of losing her is like taking a knife to the gut. But I don’t know how to tell her what she means to me without scaring her.
We walk back up to the main house and into my office. Once inside, I guide her to the hatch in the floor behind my desk and explain how to open the safe. I have no doubt she will be able to figure it out on her own, but instructing her makes me happy, so I carry on.
Once I’m finished, I turn to her, knowing that she is going to be angry with me in a few seconds. “In a few hours, I’m going to be leaving to meet with Bianci.”
“What?” Her gaze widens. “I should be there with you.”
My insides twist. “I can’t have you there. The risk of word getting back to your father is too high.”
“Word about what?”
“What do you think your father will do if he gets his hands on you after you married the man targeting him? He killed your sister for less.” I feel like a dick for reminding her of what she lost, but she needs to take this seriously.
She considers my question for a moment, and her pretty brown eyes fill with confusion a second before she answers. “I think he would try to use me against you.” Her voice deflates completely as understanding of what may happen sinks in. A deep frown mars her face. “I just hate the thought of you out there alone.”
