“I don’t know, honey. Enrico, give me my son now!”
Enrico dropped Matteo into my arms, and I cradled his terrified body in my arms.
“Stefano knows,” Enrico said.
My stomach dropped to my toes and my eyes widened.
“What? How is that possible?” I asked.
“The two of you need to go—now.”
Enrico wrenched my arm toward the door, and I didn’t try to stop him. My mind was at a dead standstill. Stefano knew about my plans? How was that possible? I’d been careful. I’d been quick. I only talked to people I trusted. People I’d been around my entire life who had been loyal to my father and loyal to his wishes.
“How did this happen?” I asked.
“We don’t have time,” Enrico said. “Stefano’s on his way. The two of you need to get as far away from here as possible and quickly.”
“Enrico, you’re hurting me. Stop.”
“Get in the car and get out of here. Now,” he said.
I was clinging to my crying son as he tossed me toward my car. I was torn. I didn’t know if I could trust Enrico. But the panic in his voice and his eyes was unmistakable. He tossed my keys toward me, and I opened the door, then got Matteo situated in his booster chair.
“We need our things,” I said.
“Where are they?” Enrico asked.
“Our closets. Mine and Matteo’s. I uh—”
I looked up into Enrico’s eyes. He nodded.
“Good girl. I know. I’ve got them. Crank up the damn car and get ready. Because once these bags are in your trunk, you’re out of here. Do you hear me?”
I nodded breathlessly and ducked into the car. My son was rubbing tears from his eyes as his hands shook. I felt terrible. Guilty beyond belief. This wasn’t the life I’d promised him. I promised him happiness and butterflies and safety. And now? We were running for our lives. Enrico ran out of the house with our bags grasped firmly in his hands and his gun protruding from the belt of his pants. I opened the trunk and he threw everything in, then shut the door and came around to me.
I sensed Enrico wanted to tell me something, but two black SUVs came to a screeching halt at the back end of the house.
“We’re out of time,” Enrico said as he cocked his gun. “Get out of here.”
“Get in with us,” I said.
“No. I have to hold them off so the two of you can get out of sight. Now go!”
“Enrico! Please!”
I reached for his wrist and tugged at him. I needed him to get in the car. To stay with Matteo and me. It didn’t matter to me that he was in love with me. It didn’t matter to me that he ultimately answered to Stefano because of his position. I trusted Enrico. It was clear he only wanted what was best for myself and Matteo. We would be safe with him. Protected, until we could get to Romeo and figure all of this out. Enrico was my best friend. The man that had been there for the birth of my son. “Please,” I said breathlessly as tears sprang to my eyes.
“You need to get Matteo out of here,” he said as he removed my hand from his wrist. “And Julia?”
“Yes?” I asked, tears streaming down my face.
“All I ever wanted was to do the right thing by you. I love you, Julia.”
He reached his hand through the window and cupped my cheek, allowing the heat of his touch to linger on my skin. He brushed one of my tears away, and I committed him to memory because I knew this was it.
I knew I wouldn’t see him again after this.
“Now go,” he said. “Get Matteo out of here!”