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I take a sip of my coffee to distract myself from thoughts of her having sex, because for some reason that I can’t identify, the thought of the asshole who gave her those bruises putting his hands on her in any way makes me see red. “You really don’t have a filter, do you?”
That makes her laugh again. “Sorry.”
“Please go on,” I say, annoyed at myself for interrupting her.
“Then when the bad times got more frequent and even the sex became… well not bad. I just didn’t want it, you know?”
Every cell in my body vibrates with tension and anger. What I wouldn’t give right now for a few minutes alone with that motherfucker. Who the fuck treats their wife that way? Her voice brings me back from the ledge, and I’m left wondering why her situation is provoking such an intense physical reaction from me.
“Well, I finally decided I had to get out before he killed me, but I didn’t think I had anywhere to go. About a year ago, I was talking to Kat and she made an offhand comment about how I was always welcome here, and I realized that I was wrong. I did have somewhere to go. Kat’s my family, and she’s there for me just like I’d be for her. I hate to be a burden to any of you, so I won’t hang around for long, but I knew I was running out of time and that if I didn’t get out of that house of my own free will, I’d be leaving in a box.”
I fight the urge to lean across the table and brush away the tear running down her cheek. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone else so willing to bare their soul to a complete stranger. Talking with her is the most intimate thing I’ve done with a woman in a long time.
“So, I fixed up that old Mustang and left this morning. Sixteen hours and two gas and bathroom breaks and I’m here.” The smile that lights up her face makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
I need to break this connection between us, but I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from her.
ChapterFour
MIA
Ilie back on the soft pillow and stare at the ceiling. This house is incredible. The guest bedroom is like something from a five-star hotel. I can’t believe that my cousin gets to live in this place. Without warning, a tear drips down my cheek. I wish she was here. Trust me to turn up on the one night she’s away with her husband. Not that Lorenzo wasn’t completely welcoming, despite not wanting me here. He’s clearly a good man but seeing the amount of sadness he carries around nearly made me want to cry.
I wonder if Brad’s filed a missing person’s report yet. Normally, police departments won’t file unless the person has been missing for more than forty-eight hours, but I bet he’ll use his badge to expedite the process. Imagining his face when he walked through the door and saw the house hadn’t been cleaned makes me smile. And then when he saw the Mustang was gone—I almost wish I was there to see it.
Sighing with contentment, I roll onto my side and snuggle into the pillow. This bed is so damn comfy.
Brad’s in Boston and I’m here, hundreds of miles away from him. Even if he tries to follow me, I’m safe behind these walls. I’m not naive enough to be unaware of the Morettis and what they do. Cop or not, Brad wouldn’t dare take on the Mafia. And while I’m a pacifist at heart, I’m in a desperate situation. What other choice did I have?
As I start to doze off, images of Lorenzo’s handsome face and intense brown eyes flash through my head. It was odd to sit and speak so openly with a complete stranger, particularly one as dangerous as him, but also weirdly familiar and comforting. I feel at ease in his presence. I didn’t even babble as much as I usually do, a fact I bet he’d find hard to believe because I talked nonstop. I’m still thinking about his dark, hypnotic gaze and deep, soothing voice when I drift off to sleep.
* * *
I must have been completely wipedout by my drive from Boston to Chicago because the next thing I know, I’m startled awake by a soft knock on my door followed by my name. Her voice makes my heart swell in my chest.
“Kat?” I throw off the covers and jump out of bed just as she rushes through the door. We run into each other’s arms, hugging tightly as tears roll down our faces. After we’ve embraced for several seconds, we step back and she scans my appearance, her brow furrowed with concern.
“We should get that eye looked at by a doctor. Just to be sure there’s no permanent damage.”
I shake my head. “No doctors. It’ll be fine. It’s happened before,” I assure her.
“Oh, Mia,” she says on a sob, wrapping her arms around me again. “I’m so sorry, honey.”
I rub a soothing hand over her back. “Don’t be. I hid the worst of it, Kat. Please don’t feel sorry for me.”
She straightens up, wiping the tears from her cheeks. I know she understands the deep-seated desire not to feel pitied. Something happened to her a few years ago, and although she never told me what, it changed her. She completely withdrew from life for a time. Then she met Dante, and I’ve never seen her so happy.
“I’m so glad you came. You can stay as long as you like. We have plenty of room. In fact, stay forever.” She brushes a fingertip over my bruised cheek, smiling softly. “He’ll never hurt you here. I promise.”
“Thank you.” I can’t stay here forever, and I have no intention of doing so, but the fact that she would let me means the world to me. “I’ve missed you so much. And I haven’t seen those beautiful babies of yours nearly enough.”
That makes her laugh. “No, you haven’t. Gabriella is three and a half going on thirty. She’ll have dozens of questions to ask you, so be prepared.”
“You know talking is my thing,” I remind her.
She squeezes my hand. “You have no need to be nervous in this house. Dante is really pleased you’re here, and I know Lorenzo seems a bit grumpy…”
“He was quite sweet actually.”
