Page 83 of Righteous Enforcer
With my heart breaking wide open, I slide from beneath the sheets, careful not to disturb him.
I gather my scattered clothes, dressing in the dark.
In another act I hate myself for, I rifle through Adriano’s wallet, taking nearly all his cash.
I allow myself one final look at him. “I’m sorry,” I mouth.
I slip out of his room and down the hall. I find a small bag I can easily carry and pack it with the essentials.
Then I quietly go to Mirabella’s room.
For a moment, I watch her sleep, but then I pack a few of her things as well.
All I can think is what a terrible mother I am as I lift her out of bed and wrap her in a blanket.
She stirs but doesn't wake, instinctively nestling against my chest. I should leave her.
Adriano can keep her safe. But what will Alessandro do to her?
How will he treat her?
Will Ivan focus on her in his war against Adriano?
I use my phone to order a ride-share to meet me a block away from the compound.
Then I sneak out and down the back hallway. The chances of getting caught are high. But it’s a risk I have to take.
Three years on the run taught me to analyze patterns, find weaknesses.
I know where the guards are and how they move. From our picnic, I know of a door along the wall from which I can slip out to the road.
I move silently through the house. Mirabella still sleeps, but she’s getting heavy.
It’s going to be harder and harder to carry her as we run through life.
I slip through the service entrance and into the darkness outside. I know exactly where the cameras are positioned.
I hug the shadows of the garden wall. Freedom waits on the other side, if I successfully reach it.
The door is rusted, making it hard to open. The squeak it makes seems loud enough to wake the world. But when it’s wide enough, I slip through and move quickly along the road. The car is waiting as I arranged. I secure Mirabella in the backseat, still miraculously asleep.
“Please take me to JFK airport.”
As the driver heads off, I glance out the back window, fully expecting someone to be coming after us. But the road is empty. I’ve done it.
I turn forward, knowing that’s where I need to keep my focus. Forward.
At JFK, I’ll get another car and head to Manhattan to the Port Authority, where I’ll get on a bus. I’m not sure where yet.
I’ll choose the one that is ready to leave as soon as we can board it.
I close my eyes as I imagine Adriano’s anger when he realizes I’m gone, that Mirabella is gone as well.
For a moment, I second-guess my decision.
If he finds me, I have no one left to protect me.
But my choice is between knowing my secret will come out versus a chance I’ll be able to outrun Adriano and Ivan.
