“Aw, Mom,” she said, her eyes filling with tears as she leaned forward and threw her arms around me. I squeezed back, wishing she could understand how much I loved her. How I would move heaven and earth to save her, no matter the cost.
“I put us both in this position with my stubborn belief that I was helping,” she said, sniffling. “And now you’re going to have to marry another man you don’t love. Damn it.” Drawing back, she ran her arm under her nose. “And I’m going to have to live in a safehouse with a man I don’t even know. Jesus. Is there any way around this? Maybe I can figure something out—”
“We ran out of options when your father left us broke and homeless, sweetheart,” I said, wishing things were different.
“And when I fucked up. Ugh,” she scoffed. “I really stepped in it.”
“We all make mistakes, and beating yourself up won’t do any good,” I said, cupping her shoulders. “I understand your intention. You’re reckless and impulsive, but you’re also brilliant and resourceful. You were trying to create leverage for us, and I won’t berate you for that.”
Her lips formed a compassionate smile. “I don’t deserve you, Mom. None of us ever did, especially Dad. And now, you’ll have to be married to that monster... I mean, he killed Dad.”
I cleared my throat, aware of the narrative Victor had painted of Michael. “Michael isn’t perfect, but he’s not the man your father painted him to be,” I said. “I knew him when I was young and he was...kind.”
Her eyebrows drew together. “Knew him how, exactly?”
“I...” Swallowing thickly, I debated how much to tell her in the short time we had. “Let’s just say that this morning wasn’t the first time he proposed to me.”
“What?” Alexis shrieked, and I lifted my finger to my lips.
“Shh!”
“I mean, geez, Mom,” she said, her eyes wide. “You almost married Michael Caruso? And I never knew? What the hell?”
“It’s a long story that I’ll tell you when we have more time—”
My phone rang and I lifted it to my ear. “Michael?”
“We’re out of time, stella,” his deep voice said over the phone. “John and Simon will use your ten a.m. meeting to force Alexis into captivity until she supplies the information they want. You can’t stay there any longer, Bianca. I’m sorry.”
I sighed, resigned to my fate. “Okay. I was just updating Alexis on our conversation. I’ll...I’ll marry you, Michael. As long as you take care of Alexis, I’ll do whatever you want. Please, we have to keep her safe.”
I clicked off the phone and harshly rubbed my forehead. “Pack a small bag with essentials only. We’re going to tell your father’s men that we need some fresh air, and Nick is going to pick us up at the Stone Street Deli.”
Her curious eyes roved over my face before she whispered, “You really trust Michael Caruso?”
“I really do.”
“Okay,” she said, tossing off the covers and glancing around the room. “I think all I need are some clothes, toiletries and my laptop.”
“Get them together quickly and meet me downstairs. Don’t arouse suspicion.”
Expelling a long breath, she nodded.
I hugged her again before heading to my bedroom to pack my purse with essentials. After stuffing the purse with my wallet anda small bag full of Victor’s valuables that Alexis had compiled, I trailed down the stairs, trying to look normal in a satiation that was anything but.
“Hey, Mom,” Alexis said, walking down the stairs with a backpack on her back. “I’m going to go work at the coffee shop by the deli.”
“I need some...uh...tampons,” I said, glancing at John as he stood guard by the front door, wearing his usual scowl. “I’ll walk with you. It’s nice outside and I could use the fresh air.”
“We’ll drive you both,” John said, his cold gaze sending a shiver down my spine. “Our meeting is at ten a.m. and several of your husband’s men will be here. It’s important that you’re prompt.”
“I think I can walk five blocks there and back,” I said sweetly. “Or do you have some extra expertise in selecting tampons?”
I took comfort in his obvious discomfort as his cheeks reddened. “No, ma’am. We’ll just have Simon follow you.”
“Absolutely not,” I said, gesturing for Alexis to follow me as I opened the door. “Victor’s tracker app is active on my phone, and you all can monitor that if you wish. Randy has Victor’s phone, and I assume he’s here in the study.” John gave a brief nod. “The app will tell you which block I’m on at all times,” I continued. “Come on, Alexis. Let’s go.”
I walked briskly down the driveway, Alexis following me as we exited through the iron gate at the end. We turned onto the sidewalk, and I glanced back.
