“Hello?”
“Do I need to remind you what’s at stake?”
I stop dead in my tracks and lean against the wall in case my knees fold. “Who is this?”
“We met last night.”
It’s the man from the vault.
“What do you want?”
“I need to know who your boyfriend is speaking with now and what they’re talking about.”
“Right now?”
“That’s what I said.”
“But I don’t know.”
A ping sounds, and I look at the screen. The man wants to video chat. Can I refuse? I want to, but I’m terrified of what he’ll do if I refuse, so I press the camera button.
I see a live feed of a long barrel of what appears to be a sniper rifle that’s trained on a woman putting groceries in her car. I recognize my aunt.
“If I give the order?—”
I cut him off. “Don’t hurt her! Don’t hurt her! What do you want?”
“Listen in on Alessio’s calls, and all be well. And if you say a word to him about this or anything else, know that my people are in position to take out your entire family. All I have to do is make a call like the one I’m making to you now. Understood?”
“Yes.” I run down the hallway, but before I can step outside, I hear the man on the line calling me back.
“Calm down, or he’ll know something is wrong,” he says.
Alessio’s standing by the statue again. “Promise me you’ll take the shooter off my aunt,” I say even though I have no leverage. I have nothing.
The vile man hangs up, and I rush into the pouring rain, trying to think of something to say that will explain why I returned, but I can’t come up with anything because my brain isn’t working.
Alessio frowns when he sees me.
When I reach him, I don’t know what to say. Turns out, Alessio needs no explanation. He walks up to me and lets me wrap my arms around his waist. I hug him tightly and rest my head on his chest, where his heart beats strong. Tears well up in my eyes when he doesn’t push me away or question why I’m here.
He holds me to him.
I overhear several conversations, most of which I would describe as active involvement in taking out a threat to the free world. Unless I have an overactive imagination, it sounds to me like the leaders of the world are telling Alessio he has a green light to transport someone named Susan to some facility. They offer to provide cover.
Alessio refuses, saying the fewer people involved, the better. I think I hear the wordwarhead, but at this point, I’m so scared of what I’m hearing that my heart pulses in my ears. When I feel like I might faint, I clutch Alessio for dear life. I’m terrified that if I pull away, my aunt won’t make it to her house alive.
THIRTY-SIX
THE LITTLE PLASTIC PIECE
Lake
After I listened in on a conversation I’d rather not have heard, I clung to Leo for the rest of the day. The boy and I played chess until Alessio returned to the suite for dinner. I was unable to hide my distress.
When Alessio asked what was wrong with me, I told him I should get my period soon, which is true. At least I hope I get my period, given that Alessio and I haven’t used a condom. I trust we’re both clean, and I’m on birth control, but I missed a few doses this month. Not intentionally. I’m preoccupied with survival, is all.
Neither of us has brought up condoms, even though I’m sure he’s aware I could get pregnant. I should probably tell him I missed my dosages, but in the heat of the moment, I forgot. I also have so much on my mind, I feel like I’m about to combust.
