The Italian

I’m exhausted but I can’t sleep. Not after what we have been through for the last four days.

We blew up a car and faked our own deaths.

Enrico’s cousin from New York, Gabriel, has organized a string of strategic plane hopping all across the world as a way for us to escape being found. We are apparently now off the grid and on the last flight before we arrive at our final destination.

This is the ninth plane we have flown on.

I can’t even call Mum because we had to leave our phones in the car. Lorenzo assured me he would let her know that I’m okay. I just hope he didn’t forget. He wouldn’t. I’m sure he wouldn’t.

“Olivia,” Enrico says softly. “You must be exhausted.”

“I’m okay.” I smile softly. I’m really not, though. I just can’t get my head around the fact that we are now officially criminals.

I’m pregnant and on the run, while my fiancé is wanted for cocaine dealing. He’s also in the mafia and, oh my God, this can’t be happening.

What is this life?

I mean, I know I wanted adventure, but this is totally out of control now.

Enrico puts his strong arm around me. “Shh,” he whispers against my temple. “Ol-i-vi-a. It’s going to be okay.”

I smile as I close my eyes. His voice is like a Xanax. It’s calming, deep, and exactly what I need to hear.

“Go to sleep, bella, our baby needs you to rest.”

I snuggle into his shoulder and close my eyes. With Enrico’s lips resting against my forehead, I will myself to sleep.

* * *

I wake with a start as the engine stops, and I look around.

Enrico is standing and gathering my things.

I rub my eyes. “Are we there?”

He smiles down at me. “Yes, my love. We are here.”

“Oh.” I peer out the window and see unfamiliar landscape. “Where exactly is… here?”

“The Caribbean.”

I frown in surprise. Jeez.

The stewardess opens the door, and we make our way out onto the stairs. A black car sits on the tarmac waiting for us. The driver is standing beside it.

He’s wearing a dark suit, and he’s tall, handsome, with dark skin.

He smiles and waves us over. “Hello, there,” he calls.

Enrico bows his head.

I look between them and try to hide my smile. Enrico is used to his staff being super formal around him.

The man rushes to greet us. “My name is Bobby.” He shakes Enrico’s hand and then mine.

“Hello.”

“This is Bella, and I’m Rici.”