No.
I push away Amber’s memory, as I watch Da’s eyes flutter shut.
Chapter 5
Samantha
Under the bright noon sun, I drive one of Sandro’s golf carts across the island to East Davis Boulevard, park and walk into Island Brew. An iced coffee will be my indulgence for the day.
This place is adorable with its white brick walls, oversized wicker basket lights and giant vine plants hanging from the ceiling. The scent of freshly ground coffee beans and pastries is what heaven smells like, I’m sure of it.
Stepping up to the birch and pink painted bar, I smile at the twenty-something guy, who turns red as a tomato. I pretend not to notice as I order a small vanilla iced coffee. Then find a seat in the back corner and pull out my burner phone. There’s only one person who has the number. The woman protecting the love of my life.
After two rings, Celia picks up. “Buon pomeriggio,Miss Sam.”
My shoulders fall in relief as I quickly analyze her voice. There’s always that second of uncertainty before I hear her tone that I wonder if today will be the day he finds us.
“Hi. How is she today?” I glance around at the dozen or so people scattered around the coffee shop. No one is paying me any attention.
I can hear the smile in her voice as she reassures me. “Just fine, Mama. She is eating lunch right now. Pasta, peas and chicken. You would like to say hi?”
I squeeze my eyes shut. It’s a question because hearing my voice interferes with her peace. She gets fussy and uncooperative. She misses me. And damn, I miss her, too. “Yes,” I whisper, because I also don’t want her to forget me.
Celia puts the call on speaker, and I hear Rona singing Itsy Bitsy Spider in her sweet little voice. “Say hi to Mama,” Celia instructs her.
“Mama!” Rona squeals.
And I choke out a, “Hi, baby.” The iced coffee cup blurs and my face grows hot. Doing this in a public place is not my smartest idea, but the air conditioning lured me in. I’m still not used to the hot, humid air.
I squeeze my eyes shut as she squeals. “Hi, Mama!”
With my eyes closed, I can picture her big, light brown eyes sparkling, that smile that takes up her whole face, two sprigs of dark ponytails on top of her head. “I miss you, Rona. Mommy misses you so so much. Can you catch this kiss I’m sending you?” I make a kiss kiss sound into the phone as salty tears roll into my mouth.
As I snatch some napkins from the holder, I hear the smack of her little bowed lips against the phone speaker and have to hold back a sob. “Mama has to go, but I’ll see you soon. I love you, baby.”
“No go, Mama.” Her voice is rising, desperate. “No go!”
It cracks me open and the grief spills out in the form of snot and tears. I press the napkins against my face as Celiatakes control of the phone again. Glancing around, I notice I’ve attracted a few people’s attention.
“Thank you,” I whisper to her. It’s not just gratitude for her putting Rona on the phone and we both know it. She’s our guardian angel, who saved us from Diablo himself.
I’ve been on the call too long already. I have to go.
“Don’t worry, Miss Sam,” Celia whispers. “This is not forever.”
I can do nothing but nod, but she can’t see me. The lump in my throat is the only thing preventing the sob from rising. I disconnect the call. Six months feels like forever. That’s how long Celia has kept my two-year-old in hiding for me. A quarter of my daughter’s life.
I appreciate what Sandro’s father Giovi LaRocca did for me. Helping me escape New York by giving me an under-the-table job with his son here in Tampa. But I also know that going to him for help has left a trail that Michael will eventually follow.
I need to keep running. I need to get further away. And for that, I need more money. The money Sandro pays me would be plenty, if I wasn’t giving most of it to Celia for a safe place for her and Rona to live. Celia risked her life to help us, it was the least I could do, but it only leaves me with enough for a crappy one-bedroom apartment in a dangerous part of the city.
There was no alternative. I can’t keep Rona with me, can’t even risk going to visit her. He’ll be looking for me, and when he finds me, I won’t lead him to our daughter. I won’t let him have both of us again. Motherhood was forced on me, but that doesn’t change the fact that I will die to protect my child.
I suck down the rest of my iced coffee. It sours in my stomach as my emotions morph from grief to anger. No, hewon’t ever see our daughter again if I can help it. I’ll do everything in my power to keep that promise to her. I have to find a way to make more money. A lot of it and fast. His reach is too far and his resources too many. I can feel time running out for us.
I stop by Flemings Steakhouse and use the credit card Mac gave me to pick up his lunch. By the time I return and park the cart in the garage, Killian is exiting the elevator.
His eyes sweep the garage and immediately lock on me. With one hand shoved in his black cargo pants, his other twirling car keys, he moves toward me with the grace of a panther, wide shoulders and muscles rippling under a black T-shirt.
