I’m guessing he’s tagging along to make sure I don’t bring up the abducted child in the basement.Or maybe he thinks I’ll flee and rat out the fact he’s mafia and murdered someone last night.
There has to be evidence of a body, blood, a crime scene.
While I could try to call or text the police, what exactly am I going to say?What evidence do I have?Is the child even still downstairs, or did they move him to another location?
I don’t even know the boy’s name.In such a rush last night, I didn’t ask it.I just fled with him on foot and managed to get us both caught.I could try to look up missing persons on Google News and see if there are any local news articles.
But I have a sneaking suspicion that this boy hasn’t been reported missing.I haven’t seen any Amber Alerts pop up on my phone.I watch the news, listen to the radio, and there weren’t any stories about kidnapped children recently.
“Be safe,” he whispers and then kisses my lips.“Love you, babe.”The words roll off Luca’s tongue; they sound natural and not the least bit rehearsed.
“Love you, too.”I force out a smile.“I’ll see you later.”I squeeze his hand before following Nikki and Moreno out into the garage.There are several vehicles, and he hits the button to unlock the dark sedan with tinted windows.The lights flash when he hits the button on his key fob, and I head toward the backseat.
Nikki does the same, walking around to the opposite side.
I’m surprised she’s not sitting in the front seat next to Nova’s father.
“You don’t want to sit up front?”I ask, climbing into the backseat.I was hoping for some privacy so I could glance through my phone on the drive over.
Nikki smiles and shakes her head.“I see this guy all the time.I want to get to know my soon-to-be daughter-in-law,” she says and fastens her seatbelt.“By the way, I hope you’ll call me Mom.”
The air rushes out of my lungs, and I force a smile.
Moreno glances in the rearview mirror, watching me as he drives.If I say something wrong, I get the feeling he’ll have no regrets pulling the trigger.
“I must say, I’m surprised by the engagement,” Nikki admits.She’s turned slightly in her seat beside me, her attention entirely on me.“Are you sure you’re not pregnant?”
“We’ve been careful,” I say.“I promise that’s not the reason we’re rushing into this marriage.”
She raises an eyebrow, as if I’ve said exactly what she wants to hear.
“Then why are you rushing this marriage?”Nikki asks, waiting for an explanation.
I don’t know whether I can trust her.She seems genuine, but with Moreno seated up front, I can’t exactly spill the truth to her or ask about the child being held in their basement.
Does she not know what her husband does for a living?
She must know.There are men living under her roof with them.It’s not a typical marriage or family home.
Nikki tilts her head slightly, still waiting for my answer.
“I love your son,” I say, hoping that’s reason enough.
Nikki pushes a strand of her raven hair behind her ear.She’s studying me, but I’m not sure why.Does she think I’m lying to her?
“You hardly know him.How long have you two been together?”Nikki asks.“Why rush the wedding?”
“Because when you’re in love, you know it’s right.Neither of us wants to wait.I know it seems rash, this decision to wed, but we’re both adults.”
Nikki laughs.“Hardly.You’re what—eighteen, nineteen?”she guesses.
“Eighteen,” I say.
“You’re barely an adult.”Nikki glances up front at Moreno.“What would you say if your daughter told you she was getting married?”
He clears his throat, and his jaw tightens.“This isn’t about Nova,” he says and shoots me a glare in the rearview mirror.It’s a warning.
I’m doing what I can to convince Nikki, and she’s Dante’s wife.I can’t even fathom how this is going to go when I have to tell my parents.
