“Keep tabs on Jason. If he does anything to help one of those three fuckers, I want to know immediately.”
“Okay.” Then she mutters, “Ugh, Enzo is here again.”
I swear, Christiano’s little brother and Rosie are going to drive me to drink. Fuck knows why they aren’t a couple.
I let out a heavy sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. “When are the two of you going to drop this fucking act that you don’t like each other and get married?”
“W..hat… can’t… you… li… ne… bad.”
The call ends, and I shake my head as Little Ricky gets in and starts the engine.
“That it for today?” he asks.
“Yes, let’s go home.”
My phone rings, and looking down, I see Laurie’s name and swipe quickly. “Yes,mia piccola farfalla.”
“I… I…” Everything in me turns to ice as she stammers. “I’m s-sorry.” A sob bursts from her, and fear grips my heart.
“Laurie, what happened?”
Little Ricky speeds up, but when I signal for him to move it, he floors the gas.
“I need you,” she squeezes the words out. “Please.”
“I’ll be home soon.” When I can only hear her quivering breaths, I say, “Laurie? Talk to me.”
“I’m s-s-sorry,” she sobs before hanging up.
I quickly bring up the security feed and see Mom in the living room, talking to Pierre. I swipe through the screens, finally finding Laurie sitting on the floor at the foot of the bed, her face pressed into the crook of her arm while she cries fucking hard.
Hit with another wave of intense worry, I dial Mom’s number, and when she answers, I ask, “What happened with Laurie?”
“Nothing.” I see Mom glancing over her shoulder. “She got a message and excused herself. Why?”
“Do me a favor and get Pierre to clear out. I’m on my way home and want to be alone with her.”
“Okay. I’ll just check on her quickly, though.”
“No. Don’t disturb her, Ma. I’ll be there soon.”
We hang up, and I impatiently alternate between watching everyone leave and Laurie’s shoulders jerking as sobs rattle from her while she reads something on her phone I can’t see.
I swear to all that’s holy, if Heather threatened Laurie, she’ll become the first woman I torture to death.
Chapter 21
Laurie
I can’t believe it.
As I read the message again, the heartache tearing through me is too much to bear.
“Laurie!” I hear Adriano call out.
Grabbing hold of the bed, I climb to my feet, my tears come faster while horrible sobs rip through me.
I try to wipe the tears from my cheeks, but they won’t stop falling, and before I can take a step forward, Adriano slams the door open.
