AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His answer, or lack thereof, tightens the knot of worry in my stomach. The last I knew, Antonio was with Vinny and the others. Vinny was gunned down, and the fate of the rest is a mystery to me. The possibility that Antonio might have met a similar fate is a thought too painful to bear.
I lean back in my seat, staring out the window into the dark. The thought of Antonio being harmed, possibly killed, sends a wave of fear through me. My heart aches with the need to know he's safe. The thought of going back to that world without him is… unimaginable.
“Could we find out? Perhaps through my father?” I persist.
“Let’s get you back to safety,” he answers, his tone of voice measured. "Sounds good?”
“No,” I answer. "They were responsible for protecting me and I saw them gunned down. I need to know what happened to everyone."
“Once you’re settled in we’ll figure it all out. You have my word."
I’m filled with a mix of emotions – relief at being found, fear for Antonio's safety, and the overwhelming realization of how much has changed. I'm leaving another chapter of my life behind, but the threads of my past still hold me tight. The questions about Antonio remain unanswered, adding to the tapestry of uncertainty that my life has become.
"I appreciate you finding me, Marco, but for this, I don't need your permission." I reach one hand between the front seats, my gaze in the rearview mirror where Carlos is now looking back at me. "Give me your phone," I order him, starting to get used to my old self again. "You're all still my father's men, and we need to check in on the people he assigned to protect me. Your phone."
It's Luis who digs into his pocket and places his sleek black cell phone into my awaiting palm. "Thank you."
I try Antonio's number from memory, hoping he'll answer, but he doesn't. With my fingers flying over the screen, I send him a short text message.
"Antonio, it's me, Natalia. I am safe. Send me an update as soon as you get this."
Handing back the phone, I relax into my seat and I gaze out into the darkness. For now, I'm safe, even if my heart is miles away, caught in the unknown fate of Antonio.
The road stretches out before us, leading into a new unknown as we re-enter the world I've been running from.
I'm ready to face whatever comes next.
