“You could stay at the B&B!” she says excitedly.
“Really?”
“It’s perfect! The renovation’s not completely finished, but the bathrooms and kitchen are fully functional, and two of the new guest rooms are like, 90% ready. And Mom and Livvie are at Charlie’s in Nob Hill until next week, so you’ll have the place completely to yourself.”
“Oh my God, that would be incredible,” I say, only feeling slightly guilty for my manipulation. “Are you sure it’s okay?”
“Definitely. In fact, I’d feel better knowing the house isn’t empty while they’re gone. Let me go get you the keys.”
This worked out better than I’d even dreamed. She didn’t even make me ask, which was the original plan. The B&B is the perfect hiding spot for Juliana while we figure out her next steps. It’s only for a few days, so we’ll be long gone before Frankie’s mom and sister get back.
Frankie returns a minute later with a set of keys, and I trade her for the baby. Checking my phone, I realize it’s almost time to go pick up Juliana. A rush of adrenaline hits me.
Giving Frankie a hug, I thank her again before begging off with some errands to run.
Elated that phase one of my plan worked without a hitch, I drive downtown to the baby boutique. Parking at the curb in front of a row of shops, I go into the boutique with my shopping bag and return the items I brought—because my cover story has to be verifiable and rock solid. Afterward, I get back in my car and start to drive toward the Bellanti estate.
But I don’t go straight there. Instead, I take a detour to a small café, which isn’t suspicious at all, since it’s almost noon and I barely ate anything at breakfast. And of course a pregnant woman with a growing baby would need no excuse to stop for a bit of refreshment.
This is the part of the plan that hinges entirely on Juliana.
I pull into a spot in the rear lot, parking as close as I can to the back entrance of the café. Then I walk inside, doing my best to act natural and trust in Juliana’s ability to slip away from her captors. My instructions were to find a spot next to the wall covered in succulents, and luckily there are a few empty tables to choose from.
After ordering tea and a scone from the waiter, I scroll mindlessly on my phone to make myself look busy while subtly scanning the café for any sign of her. Five minutes pass. Then ten. My tea goes cool. And then it’s noon on the dot, just like we agreed, and still no Juliana. Fuck.
I have no idea if the plan has been aborted on her end, or if she’s gotten caught on her way here, or worse—and I can’t reach out because her burner phone has a blocked number, and she told me not to try to contact her on it. Eighteen minutes pass and my heart begins to pound wildly. The back of my neck prickles with awareness and all the hairs on my forearms stand up.
Something is wrong.
Getting the strongest urge to get the hell out of there, I force myself to sit a few minutes more. Are Bruno’s men already here, lying in wait for me to leave so they can snatch me? Did Juliana sell me out? What if this whole thing was a setup, and she’s not even coming?”
Jolting to my feet, I knock right into the waiter, who was just approaching my table.
“Shit!” I blurt out. “Sorry, I’m so sorry. I was just—”
Suddenly, I’m aware of someone coming up behind me, too close for comfort.
“Hey, I know I’m late, but something came up and we have to run,” a voice says.
Juliana!
I spin around to find her digging out money for the waiter, waving at the food and drink I’ve left untouched on the table. She’s in sunglasses and a hat, but it’s not much of a disguise.
“This should cover it,” she says, handing a twenty over. “Keep the change. Thanks!”
Hurrying through the café, I squeeze her hand. “I thought something happened to you.”
“I had a little trouble getting out.”
“Were you followed?”
Her quick glance makes my stomach flip. “I don’t know. Where’d you park?”
“Right by the door, like you said.”
“Good. Get in the car and back out of the spot. Then I’ll jump in the back seat and we can floor it.”
I do exactly as she asks, and we make it onto the street as smooth as can be. Once we’re a few blocks away from the café, she leans forward between the two front seats and opens her purse to show me the gun inside.
