Page 53 (1/2)

“I will,” I reply, and I step out of the van and close the door behind me before Ricardo can stop me

I knohat I’ is reckless

But so is my love for Marcello

And I’ll be damned if I let him die out there just because he wanted to protect me

So with uards standing in front of the building

Marcello

I’ve endured sohurts Not just ans My bones I feel like I’ve been pulled through the wringer, and that’s not putting it lightly

Still, I have not given thele clue on the whereabouts of Harper Not that I would know, as they probably escaped the mansion by now It’s either the safe house or someplace else if it was overrun

But I know in my heart she’s safe Ricardo would’ve taken care of that, and that’s all thatthat’s worth it all

What are you talking about, Marcello? You want to see Harper again!

My eyes burst open at the thought I ive up Harper wouldn’t want me to She needs me Our baby needs us

With renewed energy, I wake up Claudio, who’s been in a deep slu us and left us alone “Hey Psst Claudio You awake?”

“Hmm … what do you want, Marcello?” he murmurs, clearly out of it

“Can you do so when he comes back?”

“Like what?” He coughs loudly It doesn’t sound good at all

We’re running out of options “I don’t know Anything”

“Anything …?” he repeats He sounds like he’s about to pass out Maybe I should ask for help It could be the one thing I need to act out my plan A flimsy plan, but a plan nonetheless

“Guard! GUARD!” I yell, looking at the ca some water, or he’ll die! You don’t want either of us to die, believe me Molly will kill you if she finds out!”

I wait and wait, sweat pooling on the small of my back This has to work It just has to “GUARD!”

After a few h the door “What the fuck are you yelling about?!”

“He’s lost consciousness He needs water,” I say, nodding at Claudio, who doesn’t even respond

The guard turns his back tohim This is my only chance