Another small nod. Her attention turns to Kelley. “Don Ferrante is happy for you to go home, if that’s what you want.”
Yes! Kelley can get help. Why on earth is Lorenzo letting her go? It’s clear from the crease between Allegra’s eyes this isn’t her decision. Rightly so, because Kelley will bring the full force of the law—
“I’m not going home. Where Bonnie goes, I go.”
“Kelley,” I begin, shocked she’s being so idiotic.
“That’s my decision, Bonnie.”
“So be it,” Allegra replies. “Beth will be in shortly to tend to your wound.” Allegra’s hands curl into fists. “I…I’d like to apologise for that,” she says, gesturing to Kelley’s shoulder. Her arm is strapped across her chest, but apart from that, she looks fine. “I shouldn’t have—”
“Shot my best friend,” I scoff. “No, you shouldn’t have. In fact, you shouldn’t have done any of this. So save your apologies. They mean nothing if you still intend to keep us against our will.”
Allegra’s eyes turn to me. Her heterochromatic irises twinkle as a ray of sunlight passes through Kelley’s open curtains. “None of this was my decision. Trust me when I say you are not worth the headache; however, Don Ferrante has requested you’re kept safe, and that’s what I’ll do. Maybe it would be wise for you to stop being so indignant and see the situation for what it is: A way to save your boring life. You will be back at your cosy bookshop soon, going home to eat your sad microwave meals, with your even sadder wool clothes for company. Don Ferrante may not have gone about this in the right way, but his heart is in the right place. Whether you like it or not, he is your kin and will treat you as such. So stop your whining and grow up.”
“How dare—”
“You are being taken to a luxury villa in Italy. You and your parents will be kept safe whilst enjoying a life of pure comfort. I will take care of the people who are hellbent on hurting you and then you can go home.”
“People are after me because of you and this wretched family,” I shout. “You brought this on me and my parents, so don’t start trying to pass yourself off as some sort of hero. You’re a criminal!”
“That may be so. But I’m the only one who will stop you from getting a bullet in your head!”
A thick silence descends on the room. Kelley’s hand on my arm snatches my attention from Allegra, who is shooting fire from her eyes.
“She’s not wrong, Bonnie.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I growl, “stop thinking with your vagina, Kelley. Beth is pretty, I get it, but she’s a bloody criminal too.”
Pulling her hand back, Kelley sits up. “I’ll forgive that outburst because I know you’re stressed,” she begins. “My reason for agreeing with psycho over there has zero to do with Beth and you know it. I was high as a kite last night on some pretty great painkillers. Beth is lovely, but I’d never bet your life on a pretty girl. You knowthat,because you knowme!”
My shoulders sag as I deflate. Of course I know that, and I feel bad for snapping. “I’m sorry, Kel. This is all…”
“Too much. I know. Believe me, I’m scared too. But the fact remains, there are people who want to hurt you. Going home out of sheer stubbornness not only endangers you, but also your parents and everyone around them. Think of the trip to Sicily as a holiday, okay? We’re going to go spend some time eating great food and drinking wine in a gorgeous country.”
“Wedohave excellent wine,” Allegra murmurs. I shoot her a look that clearly states she needs to butt out. Her response is an eye roll.
My thoughts are no longer a picture of organised bliss. “What about work? Clive will—”
“He has been informed of your absence and compensated accordingly. There is no issue in that regard.”
“Of course you’ve already called my boss,” I sneer.
“We’re on a tight schedule, Ms Moorside. Are we all on the same page now?”
Running my hand through my hair, I weigh up the options. Everything in me wants to rebel against Allegra. Sod Lorenzo,she’sthe one who pisses me off, and the thought of doing anything she wants makes me break out in hives. I have to think of my parents and Kelley, however. Their safety comes first.
“Fine,” I say, but I’m not done. I take a step toward Allegra. When I’m forehead to chin, I look up. My voice is low, so only she can hear me, “But if you touch my things again without consent, I will gut you in your sleep.”
Her eyes flash and her pupils dilate. She looks down at my lips and back up. Her tongue sneaks out and delicately traces her bottom lip.
“Duly noted… Bonnie.”
10
Allegra
I’veneverbeenturnedon by a death threat, but Bonnie’s promise to gut me in my sleep still rattles around my head four hours later, and the low throb still beats its tiny drum, making me clench my thighs together.
