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THIRTEEN
REBECCA
Vale helped me downinto the subway access tunnel and held my hand as we negotiated the disgusting tracks past the platform. It felt like we walked in those tunnels for days. The smell of urine and sweat from unwashed bodies sleeping down there choked me.
“Giancarlo wants to pick you up at the next station, but there’s no tunnel connecting it. We need to get onto the platform,” Vale said, helping me.
A horn blared and lights blinded me. A train had quickly made a turn and headed straight for us. I clawed my way up and helped Vale as a gust of wind hit me.
When Vale got to his feet, he grabbed me and pushed me into the corner, shielding me from view. My long hair flew around my eyes and I wanted to just pull my hood away, but Vale brought it down further and secured his cap.
A sea of black pinstripes rushed off the train that just nearly killed us. Yankee fans. I looked up at the station sign: Yankee Stadium.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this train will now be making express stops. I repeat, this train is now an express. The next stop is Woodlawn. Transfer to Metro North and...
“Rebecca, I don’t like the idea of us wandering around the city streets. Giancarlo’s plan is a good one, but too much could go wrong. I think we should head to the Woodlawn stop at the end of this line. I know that park. Trust me. I’ll figure out a way to get in touch with him.”
I swallowed, feeling torn between the way Vale wanted to protect me and my men, who loved me. At the end of the day, I had to stay alive, so I nodded.
He grabbed my hand and stepped in the train. But three burly men in jerseys rushed out breaking our hold, pushing me back onto the platform.
My heart pounded as the doors closed and all I saw was Vale’s angry face as he banged on the glass. I worried he’d pull his gun and blow out the doors. I needed him and he couldn’t protect me from prison.
I felt strong and knew I could do this alone from here. I just had to walk six blocks. I smiled at Vale and twisted my fingers. Our long-time gesture that signaled I was okay.
The train zipped away and with the ass-end disappearing into the tunnel, I ran to the exit.
The sun had set, too dark for my shades, but I pulled my hair in front of my face and tucked the hood of my rainslicker as far down as it would go.
The street level buzzed with activity and I watched out for cameras. Gian had told me where to look for them. From what I could see on the sides of each building, no one had them. Or they were hidden really well.
I searched for a shady-looking convenience store to purchase my burner phone. Not seeing any, I crossed the street to dip into a pharmacy. I really needed some water. So long as I kept my head down, I felt I would be all right.
The area looked very pleasant and safe. Who the hell was I to judge about safe places? I had a hitman on his way to my posh Upper East Side townhouse, putting innocent people in danger.
Innocent people...
Like Sebastien, Anthony, and Giancarlo.
How innocent were they?
I guessed they spent my underground transit time figuring out who could be after me. I hated that I suspected one of their fathers, or all three. They had agreed to terminate the Sunrise drug deal too easily. Or it scared the hell out of them that the FBI knew they were involved.
Maybe this death sentence was because I chose to speak to the FBI in the first place. Even though they’d come to me. Making deals with the FBI was a fact of life these days.
The aisles in the pharmacy were clean and neat. From a large plate glass window in the first aisle, I saw a well-lit cement façade and looked up.
Hospital.
Convenient.
Maybe Giancarlo knew a hospital was right here. In case he didn’t get to me in time. Not having my phone unnerved me, but I understood why I had to leave it behind. And may not be able to use it again...
For how long?
What was our game plan?
If my enemies were using a website to hire my assassin, our world had changed in a way I never expected.
What did this particular enemy want? Not that I would negotiate with terrorists.
“Excuse me.” The voice behind me sent shivers up my spine.
I glanced at my reflection in the glass and realized I looked shady as hell. Slowly, I turned around, and saw a woman holding an infant. “Yes?” I breathed.
“Can you buy this for me?” She held up a container of baby formula.
I waited a beat and expected to hear gunshots, my nerves making me think this was a set up.
The baby giggled with glowing cheeks. What animal would use a baby? Figuring this was a chance for me to give back, I nodded and thrust my hand in my jacket’s pocket.
Feeling it empty, I froze.
Oh no...At the last minute I’d changed coats.
Anthony had handed me a wad of hundreds and I shoved them into my pocket. Only, at the last minute when I’d felt warm and uncomfortable in the heavier coat I first put on, I changed into this lighter jacket. I forgot to take out the money from the first coat.
All I had was a 20 buried inside an inner pocket. Money I’d always carry in case I wanted to stop and grab a cup of coffee or some fruit when I actually had freedom to move around.
“How... How much is it?” I lifted the 20 out of my pocket. “I left my house without my wallet. I just came here to get a bottle of water. I’m waiting...” I closed my eyes and stopped talking. This poor woman with a hungry baby didn’t give a shit about my problems. Someone looking to kill me.
“Nineteen dollars. No tax.” Her eyes dropped to my 20.
I exhaled and handed it to her. “Sure. Here.”
“No. I can’t take it. That bitch cashier knows I don’t have any money. She’ll tell the manager I stole it from you.”
Great.“No problem.” Turning away from the view of the hospital, I took the formula from her.
“Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.” I felt good helping her out, maybe the karma would help me.
At the register, I put the formula on the counter and pulled my coat’s hood down again.
“Don’t bother,” the cashier said to me.
I froze, not wanting to look up. “What?”
