She clasps my hand, I pull out her gun, and we leave the cells.
I memorized the layout, but Cat knows the estate like the back of her hand.
When a guard strolls by, she shoves me into shadowed niches. And I tuck her to my chest when Nino marches past our hiding spot.
Between my instinct and her brain, we’re a good team.
After a few minutes, I’m behind the wheel of her black Cayenne—her private car when she doesn’t want Danny to drive—as she directs me to a safe house Eduardo gave just to her. Not even Nino has the location.
She promises I’ll come to no harm, and I could get used to someone looking out for me for once.
There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for this woman.
Cat tells me again that, with her father gone, she feels abandoned. Except for maybe Danny, she doesn’t think she can trust anyone in the organization. Someone on the inside killed her father.
I agree with her, and my money’s still on Nino.
“We’ll figure it out.” I lace our fingers together on the center console. “I’m with you. We’ll find them and make them pay.”
The smile she gives me is worth the risk this entails.
If we’re caught, we’re both dead. Finn will slaughter me if I blow up the alliance over Declan’s misguided mission, and Nino won’t forgive Cat for working with me, period.
But we’re together, and that’s enough.
The safe house, a small one-bedroom cottage in a quiet suburb, is an hour outside the city. Faded blue shutters and a tiny porch with a light beckon me in.
Cat gives me the security code.
“I have to get back. No one can know I released you. No one can know you’re here. They’ll kill you.” She caresses my face. “And I’m not going to let that happen.”
Where this woman got her strength, I’ll never know.
Oh, right. Her father.
I press my lips to hers, tasting her salty tears. “Call me when you can.” I hate the thought of her going back to the snake pit, but we both know we don’t have a choice.
As soon as I’ve got the door open, she reverses out.
Inside, I find cozy but simple furnishings. Hardwood floors, beige walls, and an electric fireplace. A kitchen with maple cabinets and quartz countertops. A small island with three barstools. The living room is almost cramped from just a puffy, pale blue couch, coffee table, and one leather club chair, all on top a raglan rug. Two doors off the kitchen lead to a modest bathroom and bedroom.
It’s no fifth-story penthouse with a view of Manhattan, but when you’re hiding from people who want you dead, it might as well be. I’m grateful for the accommodation.
Closing my eyes, I rest my aching head against the steel-reinforced door.
I failed Cat, and she saved me anyway.
As soon as she realized I didn’t kill her father, she didn’t hesitate to aid me in my escape.
Even though I still betrayed her by attempting that jewelry heist. Even though I screwed up.
I was caught in the cross fire of Eduardo Ricci’s murder because I tried to steal a precious family heirloom. I’m a thief and a liar. She wasn’t wrong about that.
Someone set up the perfect snare, left it for me with a pretty bow, and I stepped right into the trap.
Except no one could’ve known I was at the estate or why.
I hadn’t planned my night with Cat, but someone planned Eduardo’s demise.
