“Chiara! You’re out of control,” she says, cheeks pink, and not from exertion of the workout.
“Hmmm. That’s not a no. I’ll get those secrets outta ya one day, Evie girl.”
I can tell she’s not going to crack; she plays her cards close when it comes to Seb. It’s obvious there’s chemistry between them. Seb’s eyes never leave her when she’s in his line of sight. But who am I to strong-arm her into spilling her secrets when I have my own.
We’ve been running drills for about forty-five minutes when my phone starts chiming from the side of the ring.
I dash over, secretly hoping it might be Raf again. I think I am in fact lovesick.
It’s not him. InsteadNina the Cleanerflashes on the screen.
“Hi, Nina, everything okay…Oh. Really? Raf didn’t mention it…No, no it’s okay. I’ll come home now…No, don’t disturb Raf. He’s got a big day in court…Yes. Just ask them to wait and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“What’s going on?” asks Evie.
“Someone from the utility company turned up. Apparently an electrical line was accidentally cut and they have to check service. Sorry, Coach. I’ve gotta go.”
“All good. Is Avery here?”
“He wasn’t due to be here for another thirty minutes. I’ll just jump in an Uber and message him to meet me back at Raf’s. I don’t really want to keep the utility people waiting.”
“You want me to come with you?”
“No! What for? I am literally getting in an Uber and going straight home,” I say, tapping my details into the app. “Besides, Nina’s there. I won’t be alone.”
She eyes me nervously. “You sure?”
“Positive!” I give her a sweaty hug. “Let’s see if we can organize a girls’ night in the next few weeks. Discuss bachelorette party details. The wedding is only two and a half months away!”
“We all fly out two weeks earlier, so it’s even less than that, really.”
“God, I am so excited! Okay. My driver Tom Jones is here,” I say with a giggle. “See ya soon, girlfriend.”
Exactly twenty minutes later, I arrive home. The utility company van is still parked out front, so the worker must’ve been okay to wait for me. The windows are blacked out so I didn’t see if someone was sitting inside. I notice a big cleaner’s trolley like ones they push around in malls by the front door. Must be Nina’s. Kinda feels a bit excessive for a house clean, but who am I to judge? I’m the lucky bitch who gets to live in a house that gets deep-cleaned weekly.
I enter the code to open the door and walk in. I still haven’t heard back from Avery, which is strange. Hopefully it’s because he’s otherwise occupied between the sheets. He works too hard and deserves to let off some steam. Whoever wins that man’s heart is going to be one very lucky girl.
I drop my bag in the kitchen and call out.
“Nina, I’m home.”
There’s no answer.
I continue walking through the house, making my way down the hallway towards the main living area. I hear the buzz of the vacuum cleaner. She probably can’t hear me. She knows better than to let any strangers into Raf’s house. He’s notoriously private and likes to vet any external companies of individuals not known to him before they’re allowed into the house. Arty’s trial has been all-consuming, though, so it’s likely it’s just slipped his mind.Maybe I should just shoot him a text,I think as I step towards the main living area.
Just as I decide to act on my intuition, a strong arm wraps around my torso like a vice. I instantly go to scream, but my mouth and nose are smothered with a rag.
A pungent smell of chemicals fills my nose.
I try to thrash, but my body feels like it weighs a thousand pounds.
I try to scream again, but it’s useless. I can feel my body going limp. My eyes are heavy. I know it’s daytime, but the light is quickly fading to black.
My last thought before the darkness opens its arms and takes me is Raf and the three words I never got a chance to say.
Unfortunately, the very last voice I hear is not his.
“Yes, Bella Mia. You’re finally home.”
