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And it’s not a fluke.Confidence boosted, she reloads the rifle and takes aim… only to deliver once more.“Wow,” she whispers more to herself and goes on to repeat it for a third time.“I think I’ve got the hang of it now.”
Staring at the target, I agree. “I think you do too.”Who knew that frustrated attraction would be the key to unlock her ability as a shooter?
As the sun begins its descent behind the mountains, we pack up. “Want to watch the sunset?” I ask her, picking up the packet of bullets and stuffing them into my jacket pocket.
She hesitates for a moment before nodding. We walk in silence to the lookout with the perfect view of the lake.
When we reach it, the sinking sun bathes the horizon in golden rays. The symphony of fiery reds, vibrant oranges, and velvety purples is breathtaking.
We sit down on the wooden bench tucked to one side and gaze at the water and the mountains in all their golden, pink and red glory.
We don’t speak. No words are needed. There’s just contentment.
This afternoon has brought us closer together, and I hope like hell she won’t take three steps back again.
What would have happened if Claudette hadn’t fired that shot? As much as I like her, she’s turning out to be a pain in the ass.
As the sun dips below the horizon, we head back to the cabin. I take her hand in mine, intertwining our fingers. She doesn’t pull away.
Pure elation surges through me. Today was a good day.
Chapter Twenty
Gualtiero
Istandattheedge of the rooftop, the cool night breeze wafting across my skin as I gaze out over the sprawling panorama of the illuminated Chicago skyline.
The city below pulses with life, a sea of twinkling lights that stretches out into the darkness. The sky above is clear, yet the stars are hidden, their presence masked by the urban glow. There’s a void where constellations should be. It’s like the void in my heart… in my soul.
Since Ella ran, I’ve often looked up at the stars, sensing she was doing the same. It’s my way of staying connected to her, even when we are miles apart.
“Merda,” I curse.
I need that connection to her. But since I’ve been in this city, it’s evading me. I run my hands through my hair, rubbing my neck, cracking it from side to side.
She’s slipping further and further away—I feel it in my gut. Fear like I’ve not known before grips my heart. I can’t lose her. It’s not an option.
Clenching my teeth, my hand slides into my pocket, rotating my mother’s ring between my fingertips. I instantly feel calmer, more focused.
Pulling out my phone, I dial Uberto’s number. “Anything?” I ask as soon as he picks up.
“Not yet.”
Why is there no progress? Ella can’t have just disappeared from the face of the earth. Freemont and that cocksucker Aiden Burg aren’t that good. Not when I have a small army out there looking for her.
It’s only a matter of time, I keep reminding myself. They will slip up eventually. They have before and I’ll be ready.
“Keep at it,” I bark and hang up.
A noise from behind me has me turning around. Maximo, my cousin, enters the rooftop through the large glass sliding door, two glasses of Scotch in his hand.
This is his place, and despite the circumstances, it’s been good to catch up. He’s a couple of years older than me and second in command of the Chicago operations.
Handing me a glass, we sit down on the sofa by the outdoor fireplace. With the flick of a button, it comes to life, radiating warmth into this chilly October night.
Pointing at his blood-spattered clothes, I say, “You should have told me you were going to have some fun. I need to let off some steam.”
He chuckles. “This wasn’t planned. Fucking Romeros ambushed us. Could have done with your help, actually. We would have been a bit quicker disposing of those roaches.”
