Arianna taps on her phone. “Crap.” She types some more. “I can’t get any search results. My phone says I have service, but it’s not working.”
I try my own phone, but nothing will load. Even when I attempt to send a text to Wolfe it fails to go through. We’re on our own.
Defeat settles heavily across my shoulders. “We’re going to have to stay here for the night.”
Arianna’s gaze snaps to mine. “In thecar?”
I nod. “If we stay inside where it’s warm, we should make it through until morning. There should be emergency supplies under our seats.”
I reach beneath mine, pulling out a small bottle of water, a flare, and a thermal blanket. Arianna discovers the same under her seat. Thanks goodness Cian’s some kind of boy scout.
“Better than nothing. Maybe we won’t freeze to death,” she mutters.
“I’m so sorry about all of this.”
She glances over at me, a rueful smile on her face. “What an amazing rescue attempt. I wouldn’t hire us, that’s for sure.”
“It’s not over yet. This is just a setback. In the morning, hopefully the storm will pass, then we'll get into that house and save Sophia.”
CHAPTER 35
Ravenna
Glaring sunlight woke me up this morning. Miraculously, we survived the blizzard in the car, and although I feel dead tired from a restless, uncomfortable night’s sleep, I’m ready to see this rescue through to the end.
On the plus side, the weather has cleared, we’re alive, and I can pick the gate’s lock if they won’t come down from the house and let us in.
The downsides? I can’t walk far in these heels, and both of our phones' batteries died. They’re charging but it may be a while.
Starting the car, I blast the heat. Once it’s nice and toasty inside, I roll down the window and press that damn intercom again.
Immediately a voice comes on the line, “De Luca residence. How may I help you?”
I scowl at the polite voice. Like they don’t know we’ve been out here all night long?
“My cousin, Sophia, is a… guest. I’ve come to visit her.”
“I’m sorry. There’s no one here by that name.” The crackling abruptly cuts out.
“Damn it!” I roll up the window, then smack my hands against the steering wheel. “I’ll show thatstronzohow serious I am. Wait here.”
“Where are you?—?”
Getting out of the car, I slam the door closed behind me, cutting off Arianna’s question. Fury heats my blood.
I march through the snow to the gate. Up close the bars are actually fairly wide apart. No so far that a large man would fit through them, but I certainly can. Angling my body, I step through the gap, my heels sinking into the snow.
I better make this quick if I don’t want to lose my toes to frostbite.
On the inside, I find the old fashioned padlock. Plucking a bobby pin from my disheveled hair, I pick the ancient lock. At this point, I don’t even care if a security team shows up. I’d gladly give them a piece of my mind.
When the mechanism releases, I manually swing the gates open wide enough to drive through.
Back in the car, I put it into gear and step on the gas. The vehicle lurches forward. About a quarter mile ahead stands Mr. De Luca’s formidable mansion and our destination.
“How did you get the gate open?” Arianna asks in awe.
“Picked the lock.”
