Opening the medicine cabinet, I scan the bottles, which, surprisingly, haven’t been touched. Finding the bottle I’m looking for, I pop the cap, and smile when I see the cash rolled together inside. I used to laugh whenever I’d hide money in here, thinking how ludicrous this was, but look who’s laughing now. Sliding my fingers inside, I tug the money out and squeeze it in my clammy hand. I drop the bottle into the sink and close the cabinet.
I don’t want to stay anywhere too long right now, not with just having escaped Matteo. Leaving the bathroom, I walk to the bedroom, my shoes crunching against the floor. The room is destroyed just like the rest of the house, but I make do, finding some clothes and a backpack to shove them in. Tossing everything inside, I sling the pack over my shoulder and walk out. In the kitchen, I find an envelope from a bill on the floor and a pen sitting on the counter.
Part of me had hoped like hell that Zane would be here when I walked through the door, but he wasn’t, and that’s okay. I’ll find him, and we will be reunited again. On the off chance, he does happen to stop by here, I write a note, letting him know I’ve escaped and that I’ll come back here in a few days. Leaving the note on the counter, I walk to the door.
I should probably get rid of the car. Now that I have some cash, I can take the bus or a cab. I start walking down the sidewalk with every intention of passing Alberto’s car, but when I spot two black SUVs coming around the corner, I freeze. Yes, it’s just an SUV, but it’s the speed that it’s coming around the corner. Danger zings through the air, and my gut tells me to run.
The first SUV speeds up, and now I’m certain whoever is driving is coming from me. Springing into action, I rush around the car while unlocking it with the key fob. As fast as I can, I slide into the driver’s seat and start the car. The engine roars to life, and I’m barely able to pull out of the parking spot before they’re catching up with me.
The street is filled with the sounds of tires squealing and cars speeding away. Driving like a Nascar driver, I punch the gas, zooming away from them. Every fiber in my body tenses when I look in the rearview mirror and see that they’re right on my tail.
They could be Matteo’s men, or Christian’s. The least scariest possibility is that they’re Xander’s, I couldn’t see them chasing after me though, not like these cars are. Turning down an alleyway, I drive through two trash cans and make a sharp left back out onto a street. Headlights flash behind me, and I know they’re still there.
Slamming on the gas, I weave through traffic, nearly hitting three cars in the process as I try to get away from them. If they catch me, I’m trapped. It doesn’t matter whose men they are. I’ll be a pawn on one of their chess boards when all I want is to be free. Taking another sharp left, I peer over my shoulder and see only one SUV.
Where did the other… The thought gets lodged in my head and scatters like puzzle pieces shoved off a table when out of nowhere, the second SUV comes barreling down a side street. Its headlights are blinding, and I squint, trying to figure out what they’re doing. It only takes a second to realize they’re heading straight for me. The nose of their car slams into the rear of mine. My teeth clatter together as the impact sends the car into a tailspin.
Tires squeal, and headlights flash in front of the car, making me dizzy. All I can think is to run. With sweaty palms, I reach for the door handle and shove it open. I don’t think about where I’m going, only that I have to get away.
My lungs burn and my heart thunders in my chest. It’s almost the only thing I hear as I dash from the car and out into the street. Crazed, I pause for one second and look over my shoulder just as the sound of car doors opening meets my ears.
“Get the girl, but don’t kill her. I want to be the one to