I want to tell her no, but I can’t be sure. If this is about me, then the answer is to hand me over.
Perhaps that’s my leverage.
I agree to let Maksim kill me if the wedding is canceled.
“Not if I can help it.” I grip the steering wheel as the feeling that Valentina and I are on our own overtakes me. "First, we get somewhere safe. Then we figure out what comes next."
Just a few hours ago, she was talking about driving away from all this. I start to wonder if maybe we should.
I drive on, not sure where I’m heading except north. It’s not a warm beach, but it’s away from Maksim and that’s what matters.
Of course, Alessandro will be furious, first at Maksim for the ambush, then potentially at me for disappearing with his sister.
But what choice did I have? If Maksim had gotten his hands on her…
“How will we call Alessandro to let him know I’m okay?”
“We’ll find a phone somewhere.” I don't mention that I've been waiting, calculating how far we need to be before making that call.
Alessandro needs to know she's safe, but I need time to figure out my next move.
Her head tilts against the window, eyes closing briefly. She looks exhausted.
She’s so strong, but even my fiery Valentina has her limits.
"Almost there," I promise, spotting signs for White Plains.
I find what I'm looking for on the outskirts, a modest two-story hotel with just enough cars in the lot to suggest occupancy without being crowded.
Anonymous.
Forgettable.
Perfect.
I park around back, away from the security cameras I spotted near the entrance.
"Wait here." I step out, scanning the surroundings.
Nothing seems out of place. No suspicious vehicles, no men watching from windows.
I don’t have anything to hide my identity, so I keep my head low as I enter the tiny lobby where a baseball game is playing behind the reception area.
An older woman steps out.
“I need a room for tonight.” I pull out my wallet and the cash tucked away for situations like this.
“I need your information and ID.”
“Kyle Wilson,” I say. “Oh, man…” I look out toward the car. “I left my license in the car.” I set four hundred dollars on the counter. “I’m just here for one night. Any chance?—”
She takes the money and then hands me a key. “Two-oh-six. Second floor.”
I smile, knowing she’ll pocket two or three hundred of that money. “Thank you.”
I return to the car, opening Valentina’s door and offering my hand. “Second floor.”
I link my fingers through hers as if it’s the most normal thing in the world. I tell myself it's for show.
