Beautiful Monster (Dark Lies Duet 2)

A deep breath escapes my lungs, but I can’t look at her. I can’t help but feel as if this is my fault. I knew I shouldn’t have left her alone. There was a weird energy coming from that woman, and yes, I called her to examine Siân before I arrived home. But when you’ve been at this shit as long as I have, you get a sixth sense about these things. I know that, and still, I left her alone.

She could be dead right now.

“Topolina, I don’t need your resistance. We need to leave now.”

Siân stares at me for a moment, and it’s as if she can read the unspoken concern in my voice. She moves slowly at first before sprinting into the bathroom for her toiletries. Then she makes her way to her closet for something else, but I cut her short.

“Leave it. Whatever else we need, we can get once we get to where we’re going.”

Siân nods and slips on a pair of sneakers. Smart girl, I think as I close the overstuffed bag and wait for her by the door. Once she’s ready, she reaches for my hand, and we exit the room, head down to the first level, and out the side entrance to where we keep all of our cars.

I hear Tony behind us, rambling off something I can’t make out. My thoughts are crowded, and while I normally count on him, taking him everywhere with me, I can’t this time. Not if I’m going to keep her safe while I figure out who sent that woman.

“Cristiano. Dove stai andando?” he yells. Christian. Where are you going?

“Sto portando Siân fuori di qui,” I answer without glancing back at him. I’m getting Siân out of here.

We cross the bricked lot with Tony hot on our ass. Opting to be a little more inconspicuous, I snatch the fob to the Mustang from the hook in the garage we never close. It’s nothing fancy and will allow us to get through town without drawing any attention, but it’s also fast enough if we need to get away in a hurry.

I hit the bottom and wait for the headlights to flash. Siân runs for it, and I hit the unlock button for her. Once she’s inside, I finally turn toward Tony.

“I’m coming with you.”

“No,” I blurt. “I need you to stay here, find out everything you can about who she was working for.” I point, then turn away and run to the driver’s side of the Mustang.

“I’ll keep you posted.”

I nod, snatch the door open, and sink in next to my woman. Siân fumbles with her seat belt, hissing when she doesn’t get it the first few times. I place my hand over hers to still her trembling hands.

“Breathe, topolina.”

She makes eye contact with me, mimicking my display of even breaths. She nods rapidly, then successfully fastens herself in, falling back into the seat when I shift the gears and floor the gas.

The ride is quiet except for the sound of cars passing and people out enjoying themselves as we make it through town. Once we get on the autostrada—highway— I pick up speed, flying through the countryside.

The entire way, Siân remains silent, staring out the window. For a moment, she looks peaceful, almost as if she’s reminiscing about a time when everything wasn’t this hectic. I like seeing her like this, despite the fact that it will be short-lived.

Until I can make sense of everything that is going on, she won’t be at peace—I won’t be at peace. None of it makes sense, Siân hasn’t done anything to anyone, and I can’t help wondering if maybe the person who is killing off members of the crime family is behind this.

Did they come for her, in my house, directly under my nose to get at my father and me? To show us that we are indeed on their list and to demonstrate just how resourceful they are. Or is it something else entirely?

Now, I’m starting to think that bringing her back may not have been a good idea. But my greed, my sick need to own her, blinded me. But my need to have her overshadowed my logic. I knew my father would be something we have to worry about, considering he ordered her dead and doesn’t like unfinished business, but now with all the bodies piling up and us being no closer to figuring it out, I regret taking her.

After a while, Siân dozes off. Where we’re headed is hours outside of Milan, a quaint villa that is more touristy than anything else. No one would think to look for us here, out in the open. We’ll still be staffed, staying under the radar, but I want her to be comfortable. I made her a prisoner, but I won’t allow her to be a sitting duck.