My denim jacket was sodden, and so heavy it weighed my shoulders down, and the navy blue slacks I was wearing were soaked.
A shiver ran through me, half to do with the cold water currently dripping into my eyes and half because I was tired.
This week had been the busiest I had lived through since taking the job at the local Italian deli. I didn’t know what had gotten into people, but they all seemed to be wanting more Cannoli than normal. Probably some kind of internet trend that I wasn’t up to date with.
There seemed to be a new fad at least once a week, not that I spent much time on the internet. No social media, one generic email…that was enough for me. I couldn’t risk anyone from my old life finding me.
Having Gio know my location was one thing; I knew he wouldn’t betray me. He was my brother after all, but anyone else?
After what had happened to my parents, there was no way I wanted Matteo to find me.
Instantly, my shoulders hunched, and that sent a trickle of ice-cold water down my spine.
Yeah, Matteo could never find me. I’d spent the last six years hiding from him, looking over my shoulder and jumping at every shadow. After what he had done to my parents, it was pretty clear to everyone that I would be next on his list.
Crossing my arms around my chest, I turned onto my street. I looked at the houses that had been converted into apartments lining the road on either side of me. Not the best area, but not the worst either. I’d lived in a lot worse since I had been running. At least here, Lily had a small backyard to play in.
Lily—
She was the other reason I didn’t want Matteo to find me. It would put her in danger. Not because I thought he would murder a child. I didn’t think he had become that evil. But because he wasn’t stupid. He would be able to work out dates and realize she was his.
One night of passion, that’s all we had spent together, and it had resulted in the sweetest, most beautiful little girl in the world. A little girl I adored.
A child I would do anything to protect.
The house on the corner came into view, and my feet sped up.
Almost home, and I had the whole weekend off to spend with my child. I’d already made plans that I knew she would love, but tonight would be spent getting warm and just spending time together as a family.
The promise of a warm bath and a night in front of the television sped up my feet, but only for twenty seconds before I clocked the car in the street.
It was silver, sleek and expensive. It didn’t belong on this street.
My eyes swept over it. A rental, nothing more. Maybe a visiting guest of someone who lived here. We weren’t far from the airport, so it made sense.
It made sense that was, right up until a shadow stepped out of the driver’s side of the car and leaned against the door with his muscled arms crossed awkwardly over his chest.
Dark eyes found me and narrowed.
My feet slowed and then stopped altogether. I didn’t know the man, but he sure as hell looked like he knew me.
I swallowed hard, and my heart took off at a gallop. Had someone found me? After all this time, had someone from my past tracked me down?
He straightened, looking even bigger than I had thought, and my eyes darted to the house before I could stop myself.
Lily was in there with my roommate and best friend, Nat, but who else was in there?
Were the two people I cared for the most in the world in danger, and if they were, what could I do about it? I wasn’t armed, and hitting a would-be attacker with my handbag just wouldn’t cut it.
“Miss Bianchi.” The goon with the military style haircut nodded his head politely as I approached. Holding my breath, I walked past him and up to the front door.
He hadn’t made a grab for me, so this wasn’t a kidnapping attempt. In fact, he had been polite. Did that mean…
Pushing open the door, I swung my head to the left. Nat sat opposite the door. Her back was rigid, and she held my daughter protectively on her lap. Her eyes darted up to me and widened.
There was a man sitting in the armchair nearest the door, his dark hair shiny. There was a notch taken out of the top of his right ear.
“Are you just going to stand there and stare at the back of my head, Sophia, or are you going to come in so we can talk?”
