No matter how irritating it was to hear it, I knew everything little thing was complicated. Luca’s every move needed to be calculated to avoid costing him something or someone. I let out a deep breath. Walking over to him, I give him a huge hug.
Returning the hug, Luca said, “You know I love you, right? I lost my temper and was harsh on you.”
“Glad you can admit to that.” Pulling out of the hug, I take the bottle and place it back into the cabinet so he won’t have anymore. “Can you admit to something else?” I questioned.
“Depends.”
“Would you ever approve of me being with someone in your inner circle?”
Luca was taken aback, “Like who?”
I shrug, “Anyone.”
Luca gave me a look. “I’d need to know who before I could answer that. Why are you asking?”
I had to think of an excuse. “Just curious.”
“I don’t like the idea of it. Gives everyone else a sense of favoritism. That never goes over well.”
“What if I told you I want to leave Chicago?”
“And go where?”
“Anywhere.”
Luca laughed, “No. You’re safest in Chicago.”
I’ve been told I needed to stay in the city because my family would never have to worry about my safety the way they would if I left Chicago.
“So I can’t just live my life how I want?”
Luca started holding onto the counter as though he would fall. Pulling his phone out, he makes a call.
“Pick me up. I’m at Bethany’s.” He hangs up and begins walking toward the living room.
“Who did you call?”
“Emilio. He will be here soon.” As he continued to walk away, he shouted over his shoulder, “Oh, and the answer to your question. It’s a no.”
When there was a knock at the door, my nerves spiked up. I knew if I looked through the peephole and saw Emilio, I wouldn’t be able to open the door. So I held my breath and swung the door open, only to find someone else standing there.
“Alfie?”
“Hey, B.” He walks in. “Emilio said your brother is here and needs a ride.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be flying back to California?”
“Last minute change of plans.”
Although Luca wasn’t able to drive, he was able to walk just fine. I watched them walk out and shut the door behind them. My brother toldme I was stuck here forever. Which means I’m stuck at his beck and call. It made me sick to my stomach.
If I wanted to break free, I’d have to do this on my own. That meant cutting all ties with my name. Spending the day planning out my new life, my stomach started to growl. I order dinner and pop a bottle of wine while I wait for my food. A long time ago, Luca had separate identities created for each of us in case we needed to go on the run.
Pulling it out from my safe, I look at the social security card, a passport, a birth certificate, and an entire new life planned out in a folder. It was now or never.
Chapter 38
I spent a week pretending everything was fine. I wasn’t upset; I made it a point to spend time with my mother and sisters out of guilt that I wouldn’t tell them goodbye. My brother and Emilio were heading to New York on the spur of the moment. This was my shot. The first thing I did was empty my bank account and do some wire transfers so I had the funds to survive until I got my new life on track. The next thing I did was go to Luca’s house.
