Rhea drifted between them, eyes wide. She pointed to a matte-black emergency box at the back. “Breaker?”
I shook my head as I moved past her. Opening it, I showed there was an old-style push-button wired phone. “This is a secure line. Push the number 5 and it will call a dedicated line that goes only to me.”
“Five? What are the other programmed numbers?”
I let the corner of my lips lift. “There aren’t. Most people would think to dial 911 or press 1 or 0. It’s a mild failsafe, but it’s there. If anyone ever comes into the main house and downstairs and you even remotely think anyone might have found the door,” I said, my voice flat but certain, “you call me on this. For emergencies only. Don’t answer the door for anyone except me, Gavriel, or Harley.”
“But Gavriel doesn’t know about this place.”
I took a deep breath. “He will if something happens to me. I’ll also bring him with me to pull you out when the time comes.”
She nodded in acceptance and swallowed down any fear.
“Come on, I want to show you the security room.” I took her directly across the hall to a wall of screens showing different angles around the house, inside, the stairs to the basement, and lastly to the spot where the hidden door was. Quickly, I gave her a rundown of the system, and when we were done, I asked, “Any questions?”
“Yeah, what’s that door there.”
I swallowed, turning my head to look at it. It was half size and somewhat hidden under the desk. “Something I hope you never have to use.” Turning back to her, I said, “If anyone happens tobreach the door in the basement, go through this door, get on the cart, and hit the green button. It will carry you out of town and to a garage we have out in the hills with a car that has a complete go-bag. I go out there every month to ensure everything runs okay. Once that door opens, a text is sent to me so that I know what happened and can meet you out there as soon as possible.”
She flopped into the chair in front of the screens. “What was Joel running from?”
I took a really large breath and let it out slowly. “I don’t know exactly, but he worked for Don Azzaro. Maybe if he thought shit was going to go south, he wanted to have a backup plan.”
“Upon backup plan, considering the escape hatch.” The muttered statement came out a little snarky, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. She wasn’t wrong.
Taking her hands, I led her back to the living room, where we sat on a cream-colored fabric couch that was like sitting on a fucking cloud. “Are you okay?”
“Yes . . . no. It’s overwhelming.” Rhea leaned back into the cushions and chuckled. “I can’t believe I’m staying in my dead boyfriend’s safe house.”
“Only Dad and I knew this place was here. Despite the concrete walls, Dad filled it with plush furniture, good lighting, a small library of books, and a complete arsenal of weapons, should they be needed. Opposite the dish soap, behind the boxes of cereal, are cases of guns and ammo.” I stood to leave, and she took my hands.
"Thank you," Rhea whispered, her fingers trembling in mine.
"Gav and I are going to do everything we can to fix this, okay?" I assured her.
She nodded, trying to appear brave. "When will I see you again?"
"Soon," I promised, though we both knew it might be a lie. "Try to rest. Love you, Rhea."
“Love you too, Elin.”
AftersecuringRhea,Ifelt a weight lift from my shoulders. She'd be safe there until Rico delivered her new identity.
On the way back, I took the longest, most convoluted route. I had to make sure no one was following me or may have realized where I had secured Rhea. I doubled back a few times, just to make sure the place was still and quiet. Once I was sure I was in the clear, I drove to Gavriel’s penthouse, where he would be waiting. My mind raced with possibilities. Keeping Rhea hidden was only the first step. As long as Don Ezequiel Azzaro and Miguel Juarez lived, she would never be truly free.
I used my keycard to make the elevator go straight up without stopping, leaned back against the wall, and looked at my reflection. The stress was starting to put a line between my eyebrows, and I just looked worn.
What I would give to be able to sleep for like three days.
When the elevator opened to his foyer, Gavriel was pacing the length of the living room.I swear he’s going to wear out the hardwood.
"She's secure," I said as I locked the front door behind me. "Trust me, she’s safe. No one will find her."
He turned, relief washing over his features before darkness settled back in. "My father called. He already knows she's gone. Asked me if I knew where she was. I told him no because I don’t, and he proceeded to threaten me every which way to Sunday. It wasn’t until I told him that I would search for her that he calmed down. He's tearing the city apart looking for her."
"Then we need to end this. Permanently."
"What are you suggesting?" His voice was carefully neutral, but I could see the dangerous gleam in his eyes.
