We’re across the street from a restaurant called Vecoli.
Two men stand outside. One as broad and muscular as a tank. The other a few inches shorter and slimmer, sucking on a cigarette. I’ve never seen them before, but I can tell they’re some of the bad men Dad’s always talking about.
“Nevaeh, get away from the window!” Mom claws at my leg to pull me away.
But one of the men has noticed. He turns his head as if he’s sensed my stare. His eyes seek me out on the busy street. The coldest, hardest eyes I’ve ever seen, almost like they should belong to an animal.
A cold shiver crawls up my spine.
I tear my gaze away and listen to Mom, sitting still, staring straight.
Having no idea that my life is minutes away from changing forever…
ONE
Nevaeh
Thirteen years later…
“We’re making good time.”Mom shoots me a smile. “We’ll be free in no time.”
I can’t bring myself to answer. I’m swaying in between her and Ignazio in the front seat of our getaway sedan. Shoulder to shoulder I’m caged in, stuck in a fog that’s infected my head. I’mliterallygoing through the motions.
The moment itself eludes me. Shock ripples through me as I fail to accept what’s happened: I’m on the run.
Any second now Caelian will wake to find the space next to him in the bed empty. He’ll be furious…beyondfurious. He’ll be homicidally enraged to the point of world destruction. Nothing and no one will stand in his way. He’ll destroy every last thing if it means tracking me down.
Fear quakes inside my lungs while guilt pits my stomach. Can I really blame Cael for his rage?
We made a promise to each other—marital vows. We solidified them with I love yous and shared dreams of the future.
From his point of view, it’ll look like I’ve turned my back on us. I’ve abandoned him and our marriage. I was never in love with him the way he was in love with me…
All things that couldn’t be more false.
But it’s what he’ll think. The conclusions he’ll draw. With me gone, he’ll believe I left him the first chance I got.
“Ignazio, how about you pick a speed and stick to it?” Mom chides through gritted teeth.
I blink to find we’ve traveled another thirty miles. Mom sits beside me, stiff with agitation, while Ignazio is on my other side driving and pretending he doesn’t notice. Their celebratory vibe from earlier has morphed into crankiness.
Ignazio grits his teeth like Mom. “Didn’t you say you’d be fine if you sat up front? You can always sit in the back… or the trunk.”
“In case you forgot, it’s my doing you’re even alive and breathing. If not for me,youwould’ve been the one in that trunk!”
A thick snarl of offense vibrates from Ignazio’s throat. Mom folds her arms and hums antagonistically along. I finally reach my fill and snap at both of them.
“Where are we headed? What are we doing?!”
“You ask that like it matters if you know.” Ignazio sputters out a laugh.
“Don’t speak to my daughter like that.”
“The same daughter you signed away tomydance company?—”
“Yours? Sounds like delusions of grandeur. The company’s Nero’s, not yours. Never has been, never will be.”
“Is that supposed to make it any better that you signed your daughter’s life away?!”
