Page 132 of Wicked Villain

“What should I do?”

I think for a moment. Nothing really has changed on our end. I expected Corrado to pull some kind of stunt. I never thought it would be this. My refusal to hand over his daughter should encourage him even more to find Moretti. He was just trying to create an easier option today.

“We keep on as we are. I have a feeling he’ll try harder to get Moretti’s help. Things may start moving faster.”

“Agreed. Something more could come up on my end as well.”

“Alright. Report back if anything changes.”

“Absolutely. Speak later.”

He hangs up, and I release a haggard sigh.

Corrado is one hell of a bastard. He’s not getting his daughter back.

Over my fucking dead body.

Chapter

Thirty-One

Allegra

Irest my hands on the wooden table and gaze out at the ferries crossing the river. I’m at the Black Heron, an upscale coffee house overlooking the Hudson. Anushka and I christened it our spot because they do the best cakes and hot chocolates here.

I’m waiting for her to arrive. She got back from her trip to Switzerland last night.

I’m happy to see her, but I’m a nervous wreck.

My nerves have been frazzled since Mama told me her escape plans.

I haven’t stopped thinking about it. And the more I thought, the more nervous I got.

I keep thinking about how we’ll do it and what will happen.

While it’s definitely possible to pull it off, it’s one hell of a dangerous thing to attempt. Maybe if we just had Papa to worry about, it might not be so bad. But Lev?

Jesus.

I don’t know the full extent of his power, but I have a pretty good idea how powerful my husband is. There’s nothing to say that he won’t find us, no matter how cleverly executed Uncle Maurice’s plan is.

Didn’t Lev promise to find me if I ran again? I don’t doubt him.

And now I have more reasons to worry about Lev.

I barely managed to get through the weekend with him without crumbling. We spent the whole time together, getting closer.

He’s in Chicago for the week now.

It will be the first time that he’s been away from me for so long, but I think his absence will be good for me. I need the space and distance apart to process.

Process what a life without him will feel like.

Also, Mama could contact me at any moment and then we’ll have to leave. It will be better if Lev isn’t around when that happens.

A hand waves in front of my face. I blink and realize Anushka is standing right in front of me. I didn’t even see her.

“Girl, you are a million miles away.” Laughing, she pulls out a chair and sits. Then she shakes her head at me. “What were you thinking about? I swear I stood there for at least two minutes talking away. I only just realized you weren’t paying attention when you didn’t answer.”