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“We’re like two minutes away. What the fuck is going on?”
“The security guard—” I start replying, then stop when I hear the whoosh of automatic doors opening.
“Hurry,” I whisper, then break into a run, heading for the trees.
The guard laughs behind me. Fucking enjoying himself as he gives chase. I get to the trees and, as soon as I’m behind the first few, I veer diagonally to the left. I can hear his heavy footsteps and heavy breathing behind me as I cut again, running parallel to the bus station, watching the glow of the lamppost.
“LittleCaaruusso,” the guard taunts from behind me. Hesounds like he’s still running straight and didn’t notice I’ve changed direction, so I slow down to a jog, getting closer to the edge of the trees. “Do you know how much money Nicolosi will reward me with if I bring him your head on a silver platter?” This time, his voice is closer. He must have figured out my move.
I stop, my heart racing as I search for the car Mel might be driving, and trying to figure out where the guard is.
A branch snaps thirty, maybe forty feet behind me, and I instantly spring into action. Headlights flash in the distance, making me want to cry with relief. Adrenaline propels my feet as I start running back to the bus station. The guard cackles behind me, not giving up, and clearly not noticing the approaching car. If I’m fast enough, I could just jump into the passenger seat and get Mel to keep going. I no longer care about my stuff. Even if it’s everything I’ve ever owned. I can steal or buy new shit as long as I can escape the psycho behind me.
I get to the bus station just as a black Alfa Romeo screeches to a halt, and the driver’s door opens. I don’t have the time to contemplate how Mel can afford a car like this because I’m staring in shock at the driver as he jumps out, a gun in his hand, aiming it at someone behind me.
“Luca?” I ask in confusion.
“Get in.” He stalks past me as the passenger door opens and Mel drags me inside.
The door shuts behind me as Mel pulls me into her arms, a phone still clutched in her hand.
“I was so worried,” she mouths into my hair. “What happened?”
With the adrenaline leaving my bloodstream, I’m finding it hard to process it myself. Because what the hell actually happened?
“I’m not sure. But thank you for coming to get me.” Ireply as the trunk of the car opens and the car moves under the weight of my suitcases. That means that the guard is dead, a thought that should revolt me but doesn’t. He can rot in hell.
“Of course.”
“How do you know Luca?”
She blushes. “He sometimes gives me a lift home.”
I laugh. “Oh, really? Pray tell, what else does he give you?”
Mel hides her face in her hands, peeking out through her fingers as Luca closes the trunk of the car. “Things.”
“I have a feeling those things are intangible.” I grin. Happy the focus is no longer on me.
“Shhh.” Mel pokes me in the ribs, causing a dirty cackle to escape my throat.
Luca’s eyes are on me as he slides into the driver’s seat, throwing the car key into the cup holder.
“You okay, Alessa?” he asks as he starts the engine and faces the road.
“Alessa?” Mel mouths at me.
I shake my head. “Later.” Then meet Luca’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “Is he dead?”
His eyes briefly leave mine as he watches the road. “Not yet.”
Mel squeezes my hand as I try to figure out what he means by that. “You can just drop me off in the nearest town. Just not Blackriver.”
His eyes meet mine again. “Why not?”
“That’s where the psycho guard apparently is from and since he’s not dead, I’d rather not go somewhere he lives.”
“You don’t have to worry about him. I doubt you’ll ever see him again,” he replies enigmatically.
