Page 127

“Yes, you can.”

I take a deep breath and glance at Clara. I have to keep her safe. “Okay.” Swallowing hard, I lean forward. The smell of blood fills my nose, making me nauseous. I breathe through my mouth, keeping the phone pressed to my ear as I pull Tommaso’s jacket to the side, and the sight of the gun sends a flicker of relief through me.

Maybe we can actually get out of this.

“I have it.” I clasp my trembling fingers around the cold metal.

“Good.” I hear Alex take a deep breath. “Do you remember everything I taught you?”

“Y-yes.” I nod as if he can see me, my fingers quickly flicking the safety off. “I remember—” But then I pause. I weigh the gun in my hand, dread building inside me.

“It’s empty,” I breathe.

“What?”

“There are no bullets in it. It’s—”

Tap… Tap… Tap…

I look forward toward the noise and watch as one of the men drops bullets onto the hood of the car.

“They took the bullets,” I tell Alex, trying to speak through the fear attempting to close up my throat. Alex’s breathing picks up, causing mine to do the same. “What d-do I do?”

It takes him a moment before he says, “I need you to put your phone inside your pocket. Keep it out of sight. It’s the only thing I have to track you with.”

I glance to my side and freeze as Garrett twirls the fob with delight. Clara squeals beside me, hugging her stuffed animal to her chest, and I’m thankful she’s oblivious to everything going on around her. My lips curve into a sad smile. This could be the last time I see her. I stroke my knuckles over her cheek, and she lets out a soft yawn. I lean forward and kiss her temple as she closes her eyes. “I love you, sweet girl.”

“Charlotte?” Alex’s voice is lethal, filled with an untamable chaos.

“O-okay.” I swallow hard, trying to prepare myself for what’s to come, but nothing in this world could ever prepare me for these monsters. “I love you,” I breathe into the phone. “I promise I’ll protect Clara with my life.”

“Fight, baby,” Alex breathes, fear detectable in every syllable. “I need you to fight just until I make it to you.”

“Alex,” I sob, terror overwhelming me.

“I’m coming for you,” he says, a car horn blaring in the background. “And I will find you. Do you hear me? I will find you.”

Tears travel rapidly down my cheeks as I prepare to slide my thumb closer to the red circle. “Hurry,” I whisper right before I end the call. I slip my phone into my pocket and look up, locking eyes with Garrett just as he unlocks the car.

Chapter thirty-two

Alex

“Where the fuck is he?” My heart beats so fast it feels on the verge of jumping out of my chest as my grip tightens around the cold metal handle of my gun, my index finger dangerously close to pulling the trigger. “I’m not asking again!”

“I-I don’t…know,” Gary stammers, sweat dripping down his face. “He only told me to let him know when you arrived and to keep an eye on you. That’s all, I swear!”

I drag my fingers through my hair, my mind envisioning every worst-case scenario that could be happening right now. I grab my phone, swipe to Charlotte’s name, and press it to my ear. It rings… And rings… And rings.

Please pick up the phone, baby.

“The number you’re trying to reach cannot come to the phone—”

“Cazzo!”

I tap down on Eli’s name, and he picks up on the first ring.

“What’s—”