Page 91 of The Hidden Heir

Caroline pulls back, looking slightly confused. “Luca, you mean?”

“Yes. It’s killing me to do this.”

“I know it can’t be easy, and I’m the last person to tell you this, but I think you’re doing the right thing to protect your son. I wish I could do more to help you.”

I shake my head slowly. “You’re already doing so much. You don’t want any of the blowback because Luca will turn this city upside down until he finds me. Just drop us somewhere and go.”

Once we’re driving, I find a sense of calm and clarity. Maybe it’s the city lights or the practically nonexistent traffic, maybe it’s the subtle rumble of the car’s engine, or just my heart beating in pain, not the fear of dying before I see my son grow up, of getting caught while leaving everything behind, of seeing Luca and changing my mind.

“Had it not been for the fact that I haven’t seen him since yesterday, I don’t think I would’ve found the courage to leave,” I tell Caroline.

“He would’ve convinced you to stay.”

“He wouldn’t even have to do anything, I’d just stay.” I sigh deeply. “I don’t know how to explain it.”

“I do. You said it yourself.” She pauses, and I give her a sideways glance. “It’s love, Valentina. It’s that simple.”

I sigh again, relaxing into the warm seat. Michael is back in dreamland for now. He’ll get another jostle when I move him from the car to the motel room, but maybe he’ll be in deep sleep and won’t feel a thing.

“Simple yet so goddamn complicated at the same time. I can’t live like this.”

“I completely understand,” she says, her eyes on the road.

We pull up outside a motel. A neon sign hangs above the entrance, glowing in pink and yellow. Another sign below announces they still have a few rooms available. I can see inside from here—a night clerk dozing off behind the reception desk, a TV on in the background. I turn my phone off and slip it into my pocket, then check my wallet for cash.

Caroline slips me an envelope. “Don’t use your cards yet, not in this area anyway. Use this.”

“Oh, Caroline, I can’t⁠—”

“You kind of have to if you want to stay under the radar,” she reminds me. “Luca will freeze your cards, at least the ones he got you. Do you still have your personal debit card? You used to have one.”

I nod slowly. “Yes.”

“Use that, but don’t use any of the ATMs in the area. Hop in a cab or use the metro line or bus line. Go at least a couple of neighborhoods east of here for any cash withdrawals. It will throw them off your trail. And don’t stay at this motel for too long either. Two nights tops,” she adds. “Then find another. Keep moving.”

“I can’t thank you enough,” I mumble and look in the envelope, the blood draining from my face at the sight of so many hundred-dollar bills. “Oh, my God, this is too much.”

“You’ll need it if you want to leave the state before he finds you. He’s found you before, Valentina.”

“Caroline…”

She smiles softly and caresses my cheek. “I haven’t been the best sister to you, but this is my opportunity to do better. Oh, also take this,” she says and gives me a burner cell. “It’s got my number saved in there. We can keep this line open.”

“We will; I promise.”

“And remember, use cash only. Once you’re in another state, you can pick yourself up, start from scratch. I’d go to Michigan if I were you. Plenty of small towns for you and Michael to disappear into.”

It sounds so sad and final, it breaks me open and I start crying again. Caroline holds me close and stays with me until I’m calm and composed enough to get out of her car and get us checked in.

27

LUCA

My whole body hurts.

I fell asleep on the sofa in my private study. It’s comfortable and dressed in fine leather, but it’s nowhere near adequate to sleep on. I need a few minutes to stretch and figure out what day it is. I may have had too much whiskey last night.

Who could blame me?