He helps me into his suit jacket and buttons it up for me.
Instead of stepping away from me, he brushes his thumb over my cheek and tilts my head up. When he kisses me this time, it takes everything in me not to cry.
I wish my ego could get in the way of my feelings.
But the worst part is that I understand where he's coming from.
He takes my hand in his as we walk back to the hotel. The easiness from before is gone. I want to say something to lighten the mood, but I don't trust myself not to break down.
When we enter the penthouse, I notice that all of the lights are turned off.
But we're not alone inside the room.
Someone has been waiting for our return.
35
DANTE
Iinstinctively place myself before Grace and draw my weapon.
There’s someone inside our room. They’re hunched in a chair and covered in shadows. I can only make out their silhouette.
I turn on the lights. And slowly, I lower my gun.
"Enzo? What are you doing here?" I ask.
He stands and stretches.
“Finally,” he says. “What took you so long?"
"Why were you sitting in the dark?” I ask.
He glances at the gun I’m still holding. “I fell asleep in the chair waiting for you to return. Where were you guys?"
I close the door behind Grace. Under the warm lighting of the room, I can now see all the marks I left on Grace. There are faint purple bruises all over her neck and chest. She avoids my gaze, and I feel like the biggest asshole in the world.
“Anyway,” Enzo continues. "I was going to call you, but it's better that you hear this in person. I…I think I know where Ida is."
I freeze when I hear him say my sister's name.
Grace looks up at me with wide eyes. I take a deep breath before turning to Enzo.
"Say that again, please," I say.
"Look, I don't want to get your hopes up," he says. "It's still guesswork until we have solid proof."
"Just say it one more time," I plead.
He sighs. “I have reason to believe I know where your sister is.”
And I can't help it.
That sentence lands inside my chest like a grenade. Everything in me implodes.
Tears roll down my cheeks. I've been waiting to hear these words for so long. And I was scared to death that I might not ever get to.
Grace takes my hand in hers. Her eyes are glistening too.
