Everything he's saying is true, but I can't shake this fear from my bones.
"You're overthinking everything,” he says. "Don't stay stuck in that loop. You can't do everything at once, so let's focus on doing one thing at a time, okay? First, we find your sister at the Balinese club. Second, we figure out how to capture Grace's mother. And after that, we'll deal with the rest."
I nod and exhale slowly. He's right. I can't lose my shit now, not when I'm so close to having everything I ever wanted.
"And for the record, I don't like the idea of you going to Bali on your own," he says. "I'm coming with you."
"I need you to put all of your focus on finding theCosa Nostraprincess," I say. “The Don won’t get off my back until I have that done.”
"I'm capable of multitasking, Dante," he says.
I stare at him.
A plan spins into place, coming together in my head in perfect detail.
"We came to Paris to ask for help," I say. "I can ask the other families to come with me to Bali. We could use their support.”
“Fine,” Enzo says. “I’ll look into hacking into the Skylink database in the meantime. If we can trace all of the players, it will be easier to plan a global raid.”
I exhale again.
"Thank you," I say.
Everything's finally falling into place.
I should be happy about it, but no matter what, I can't shake this fear that has rooted itself deep inside me.
I'm scared to death that it will all slip through my fingers like grains of sand. I'm scared that right before I get everything I ever dreamed about, I will lose it all.
36
GRACE
We flew halfway across the world.
Even though we’re in a tropical paradise with stunning beaches and perfect weather, a permanent crease has settled between Dante's eyebrows.
He’s been lost in thought since Enzo broke the news.
We’re now at a bike rental place in Uluwatu, Bali. Dante picks out a cherry-red bike that reminds me of his Vespa. He brings the helmet to me and places it on my head, strapping it into place.
He’s right in front of me, but it still feels like he's a thousand miles away.
I know that now isn't the right time to be having this conversation, but I just can't take it anymore.
"Is everything okay with us?" I whisper.
He blinks, like he's just waking up from a dream. He looks at me for what feels like the first time in hours.
He runs a hand through his hair and exhales.
"I apologize if I've been acting strange," he says. "I just have a lot on my mind."
I give in to my instincts. I reach for his face and rub my thumb between his eyebrows, smoothing the crease there.
"You're doing a good job, Dante," I say.
"I haven't done anything yet," he says.
