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“You should talk to Dante, let him explain. Maybe it’ll help.”
“Right.” My chest feels like its caving in on me, my ribs strangling my heart and lungs. Dante had told me so many times he wasn’t a good man, but I was so obsessed with him, I just didn’t want to listen. “Hey, Stel, I gotta go.”
“I’m sorry, Rose, really. I’ll call you tomorrow to check in, okay?”
“Okay, thanks.” I pocket the phone, my heart in a vice grip. Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to force back the tears as Dante’s room blurs around me. I can’t be here right now. His scent floods my senses, the dark, masculine furnishings reminding me too much of him.
I race out of his bedroom, and Tony’s eyes jerk up to meet mine as I sprint down the hallway. He’s still sitting on the couch with the newspaper in his lap. “What’s wrong?”
Shit, I probably look like I just had my heart ripped out.
I glance desperately from him to the kitchen, to the living room, to my Christmas tree. “I have to throw that thing out,” I blurt. “Dante’s going to kill me if it sheds any more pine needles on his floor.”
Tony smirks and drops the crossword puzzle onto the couch cushion. “Sure, I can take it out to the dumpster for you.”
“No, I can do it. It’s so small it’ll fit in the garbage chute out in the hallway.”
“You sure?” He lifts a wary brow.
“Yup, no problem. She’s my baby, and it’s time I put her to rest.”
He must read something in my frantic gaze because he relents. I rush over to the tree, rip off the remaining decorations and toss the frail trunk and bare limbs over my shoulder. As I carry it past the cocktail table, I leave a trail of pine needles. It’s going to drive Dante insane. Good.
“Be right back,” I call out over my shoulder.
Opening the front door, I peer out into the hallway. I totally lucked out because instead of the two men usually stationed by the elevator there’s only one today. Maybe the other guy went on break or something.
“Hi.” I shoot him a wave and an innocent smile, then drag the little tree to the garbage chute. I make a big show of trying to shove it down, then let out an exasperated sigh when it doesn’t fit. “Um, excuse me, Marty, could you help me take this downstairs?”
The big guy glances up, and his lips curl into a frown.
“I’m sure I’ll be perfectly safe with you escorting me.”
His cheeks turn rosy, and he fidgets for a second before stalking toward me. “Here, let me take that for you.”
My heart rages against my ribcage the entire ride down in the elevator. Tony will start looking for me any second now. I hadn’t given my escape plan much thought beyond this point. I didn’t really think I’d ever make it this far. Once I get to the garage where the dumpster is, I could very well run into two more of Dante’s men. Unless they’re stationed on the lobby level…
The elevator doors slide open, and I’m greeted only by a dimly lit garage. No more Kings. Damn, I totally lucked out. I follow a few steps behind Marty as a fantastic idea begins to form in my head. I nearly got stuck in this little garbage room once before. There’s a huge sign warning about not letting the door close behind you because it locks automatically.
And just like that, I’ve found my escape.
I linger behind the door as Marty hauls the tree toward the dumpster. The minute he turns his back, I pull the doorstop free and slam it shut behind him.
“Hey!” he shouts then his fists pound on the door.
I don’t wait another second to spin around and race toward the exit. I’ll be surrounded by men in black suits in minutes. The moment I make it out of the garage, the frigid air smacks me in the face. I tug on my measly sweatshirt and break into a run.
I have no idea where I’m going and maybe that’s a good thing because it’ll make it that much harder for anyone to find me.
CHAPTER48
YOU CAN’T HIDE
Rose
After an hour of aimless wandering, I’m freezing and exhausted. I have my phone but no wallet, and I’m starting to regret my rash decision. At least, I’ve had some time to clear my thoughts. When I first made my mad escape, every time I blinked all I saw was Dante attacking Stella. My best friend tossed over the couch, crying, his massive body pinning her down. Nausea crawls up my throat at the vivid images my mind has conjured.
Now, I’m just numb.
