But I hadn’t given up yet. Maybe it was best to call him and see if we could meet one more time now that we’d both had a day to cool down.
I reached into my purse, pulling out my phone to request a car, maybe text Fabi for advice. God knew I needed it.
“Hey, guys, turn up the news!” someone shouted.
My hand was still in my purse when I looked up and froze.
A skyscraper filled the screen, smoke pouring from a blown-out window near the top.
My stomach dropped. I pressed my fingers to my lips, breath catching in my throat. If you’re a New Yorker, that kind of image isn’t just unsettling. It rips something open inside you.
“What happened?” someone yelled.
“Just listen!”
The voice of the news anchor came on. “It seems the explosion occurred on the seventy-seventh floor of 214 W 57th Street, which is a luxury condominium. Reports indicate a loud blast, though the cause remains unknown. Paramedics and police are on the scene. John, do we know whose penthouse this might be?” The anchor addressed the reporter who appeared in the frame beside him.
“It’s unconfirmed,” the man replied, the bottom of the skyscraper visible behind him. “But records show there’s one unit per floor in this building. If the explosion was in fact on the seventy-seventh floor, it might belong to Gino Ferraro, a prominent businessman in the city.”
My shock morphed into something colder. The words sank into my skin, filling my veins with ice.
No. Don’t panic.
It was unconfirmed. Even if it was Gino’s penthouse, that didn’t mean Romolo was involved.
He was fine. Hehadto be fine.
I needed to call him. Right now.
The room around me blurred as I stumbled into the hall. My trembling fingers rummaged through my bag, looking for the burner. I pulled up Romolo’s contact and dialed.
It rang. And rang.
No answer.
I tried again, praying that each beep would be the last one and I’d hear his voice. I’d laugh at how scared I'd been. Tell him my heart almost stopped, but it was fine now, everything was fine.
Beep. Beep. Beep.The person you are calling is?—
I hung up and tried again, the swell of panic rising up my throat.
Stay calm. He’s probably just busy.
Beep. Beep. Beep.The person you are calling is not available. Please leave a message after the tone.
“Rom, I just saw the news.” My voice shook. “Please call me back. Or send a text if you’re busy. I need to know you’re okay. Please.”
My thumb tapped against the screen. I covered my face with my hands as anxious waves rolled through my body. If he was in that penthouse when the explosion happened?—
No. Don’t.
I could go there. See if the first responders had more information. It was better than standing and doing nothing.
I turned and froze.
Dad and Jenny were just outside the room I’d run out of. They were watching me. Listening.
Jenny looked nervous. Dad’s expression was grim.
