I consider telling him he needs to make it happen quicker, but I know he’s doing all he can, and if he could make shit move faster, he would.
Since there’s no punching bag in this piece-of-shit place, I go over to the weights and work on some strength training.
Afterward, I go for a long run, and then I grab a shower.
It’s close to dinnertime by the time I find Lorenzo, hanging out in the library, reading a book.
“You good?” he asks, eyeing me curiously. “You told me not to move, and then you disappeared.”
Fuck, I completely forgot about that.
“Yeah. Just want to get the hell out of here.”
I glance at my phone, but there’s still no response from Daniella.
“Let’s go eat some grub.”
It’s late,but I can’t sleep. Being in this confined space has me crawling in my skin, and I need to burn some energy. I don’t know how Dominick spends his days in an office, confined to four walls. I’ve only been here for a few days, and I’m already struggling to function.
I glance at my phone. Still nothing from Daniella. I can’t doanything from in here, and if she had any new info that would help us find her, she would reach out, but that doesn’t stop me from texting her.
Me: You hanging in there?
A few minutes go by before she responds, and when she does, she only sends one word.
Little Russo: Yes.
Me: What are you doing?
It’s late, so she should be sleeping, but if she’s responding, she’s obviously awake.
Little Russo: Taking a bath. You?
Me: Lying in bed. Has that asshole done anything else?
Little Russo: I’m okay.
Fuck, that means he has, but she doesn’t want to tell me about it. I consider demanding she tell me what he’s done, but instead, I find myself texting something else entirely.
Me: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’m not usually one to make casual conversation, but if I can provide some kind of distraction for her, maybe it will help in some way. I hate being fucking helpless.
Little Russo: Home.
Me: We’ll get you home soon.
It takes everything in me not to tear this place apart, but I know it would only make shit worse.
Little Russo: I don’t even know where home is anymore. My parents’ house burned down. I ended my lease at my apartment in Coral Bay. The place Henry bought isn’t home.
Little Russo: The truth is, I don’t think I’ve ever had a real home. Boarding school, college, visiting my parents for the holidays. All I’ve wanted is a home. A place to call my own, where I feel safe and loved.
Her words have me thinking about the house I grew up in. It was the opposite of safe and loving, thanks to Andrey. He filled the house with darkness and dread. Every day, we feared for our lives. Our mom tried to love us, but her husband made it damn near impossible.
My thoughts go to my condo. It’s safe, with security and cameras, and on the top floor, where no one can get to me … but there’s no love there.
My mind drifts to Dominick and Peyton’s new house. It’s built like a fortress, keeping everyone safe. I don’t agree with Dominick’s choice to grow his family and put them at risk, knowing the life we live is dangerous, but when you’re there, you can’t help but feel all the love that they’ve created.
