“I know you work for him too, Leo. Please set up the meeting. I’ll plan to go on my usual five a.m. jog in the morning, so if he wants to meet me along the path, that works. Clear your throat if you agree to help me.”
Leo cleared his throat and I expelled a long breath.
“Thank you.”
Clicking off the phone, I tossed it on the bed before removing the gun and placing it on the nightstand. Turning to face Alexis, I observed her shocked expression.
“You’re calling the man who killed dad? His arch rival?”
Striding toward her, I cupped her face and spoke with the seriousness of a woman who had no other choice.
“I’m taking a chance that I can trust him.”
“I don’t see how that’s possible—”
“One day, I’ll explain everything to you. For now, we need to work quickly. Go through all of your father’s drawers and closets. Remove anything valuable—cufflinks and such—and put them in a bag. We’re going to be cut off and need things we can pawn.”
Alexis’s eyes welled with tears. “This is all my fault. I’m so sorry, Mom.”
“Tears won’t help us now, baby girl. I need you to be strong, okay?”
She nodded and got to work while I sat down on the king-sized bed and planned what I was going to say to Michael Caruso after all these years...
Chapter 8
Bianca
After a sleepless night, I snuck into my room and dressed before heading out for my early morning jog. There was a path behind the house that offered privacy, and I relished the cold air as I stepped from the house that was no longer mine. I hadn’t heard back from Leo or Michael, and I had no idea if Michael had even gotten my message.
I began my jog, craving the exercise. A sudden rustle of bushes caused me to turn my head, and I gasped before everything went dark. Someone slipped a bag over my head and I struggled to fight the aggressor.
“Calm down, Bianca,” a deep voice said. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
The man lifted me and I continued to squirm, but it was futile. He was much stronger than me, and shortly thereafter, I was stuffed into a car. I felt the leather beneath me, and then flailed my arms, trying to punch my kidnapper.
“Please don’t make me handcuff you, Bianca,” the man said. “We have a ten-minute drive and then I’ll remove the hood. I promise.”
My breaths exited in short pants as I leaned back against the seat, my fists clenched, ready to strike. True to his word, the man remained still at my side. Although I couldn’t see him, I could feel his presence as he sat beside me.
When the car came to a stop, the leather rustled beside me, and I assumed he was turning to face me. “We’re going to walk inside now. I’ll lead you and tell you when there’s a step, okay?”
“I’m not following you anywhere,” I said through clenched teeth.
His lips fluttered as he expelled a frustrated breath. “Look, if I wanted to hurt you or rape you, I could’ve done so in the last ten minutes. I don’t treat women like that, Bianca—”
“No, you just kidnap and blind them!” I interrupted.
A breathy laugh escaped his lips. “Okay, that’s fair. I promise not to hurt you. Come on.”
He placed my hand in his, and I squeezed, relenting as I allowed him to lead me from the car. We walked slowly until he eventually called, “Step!” and I stepped up onto what seemed like a front porch or patio. The man continued to lead me until I heard a door open and we entered a room.
“For god’s sake, Nick,” a deep voice said, and goosebumps rose on every inch of my skin. “You could’ve at least taken the hood off.”
“Sorry,” my captor said before removing the hood.
I blinked rapidly to focus, already knowing who the voice belonged to. Resting my eyes on his handsome face, I spoke the name that came so naturally to my lips.
“Michael...”
