His compound isn’t far from where the woman mentioned the convent is, so perhaps I can finish him off, then go and get my girl. We’ll drive out of town and head west.
I never stick around once a job's completed, and this time it will be no different. Once I see Sergio taking his last breath, I’ll send Arthur his hands and never look back. All my life, I never thought the time would come where I would want to wal
k away from the Cavalieri or the Tabella, but Arthur has forced my hand.
I would give up everything for Giuliana, and I know the moment I tell her I never stopped looking for her, she’ll change her mind. With her birthday coming up in two days, my gift to her will be her freedom, with me.
And a promise of forever.
Giuliana
“Are you sure you’ll be okay alone?” Jezebel asks. She and her brother, Sergio, stopped earlier, offering to take me the short ride into the main center of San Antonio. It seems I wasn’t too far from town, but walking would’ve probably had me passing out. I haven’t eaten, and I’m exhausted.
“This should be good, thank you,” I assure them.
When they pulled over, I’d never been so glad to see someone in my life. Sergio offered me his phone, told me to call anyone I could think of, but the moment I took it, I realized I didn’t know anyone I could call for help. Lance uses burner phones because of work, so I wouldn’t know his number.
When I asked if they could drop me off at the nearest mall, Sergio’s sister smiled up at me and told me it would be no problem at all. I have my credit card in my rucksack, but I know the moment I use it my father will figure out I’ve escaped, and he’ll be able to trace where I am and what I’m doing.
When I finally exit the vehicle, offering a goodbye to both brother and sister, I turn to figure out what to do next.
“Giuliana.” Jezebel’s voice captures my attention, and I realize she’s out of the car. “Listen, I just asked Sergio, and he’s agreed. Why don’t you stay with us?”
“I’m not sure I’ll be in San Antonio for very long.” I shrug.
“I understand.” She smiles. “But I’d love to have another woman to talk to since Sergio will spend all his time here working. And when we head home, perhaps we can drop you off somewhere. You said you’re from New Orleans, right?”
“I do, but I can’t ask—”
“We’re offering,” she insists with a smile, which has my heart warming. “Please, let us help you?”
I’ve never really had female friends. Someone I could talk to, perhaps even form a friendship with. My exhaustion hits me hard at that moment, and I nod. Needing somewhere safe to stay, I offer her a smile.
“Thank you.”
Jezebel leads me back toward the car, helping me settle in the back seat while she joins Sergio in the front.
“I’m happy to see you accepted our offer,” Sergio tells me with a smirk curling his perfect lips. His dark eyes are penetrating, boring into me, and I find myself intrigued by the handsome man.
For some reason, I'm blushing. Yes, he is handsome, but he’s certainly not rugged and dangerous like Lance. Instead, Sergio has more of a refined taste in clothes, wearing a suit that probably cost as much as his expensive car.
“I don’t know how to thank you both.”
“Please, it’s just us offering a welcome to our home. You can have dinner with us this evening, and we’ll talk about heading toward New Orleans to make sure you’re safely home.” His eyes shimmer with mischief, and I realize I really have no reason to say no. It’s not like I have a boyfriend or someone waiting on me.
“Thank you.” I stare at him for a moment, my gaze burning through his, trying to find the lie in his words, but I find none. Perhaps he is just a good Samaritan. I know I should be careful, but if they can put me up for a few days until I can find a way to Lance, then I can’t deny myself a chance. “I think I can do that until I manage to get in touch with my friend.”
The corner of his mouth quirks into a grin, and he nods. “Good. Jezebel can bring you shopping when I am working,” he asserts, casting a glance at his sister.
“I do love a good shopping trip,” she laughs. “That’s why Sergio never allows me out to a mall on my own, but I take advantage when he’s busy with work. We’ll have some girl time.”
“She’ll spend all my money,” he quips, pulling out onto the road heading away from the city and into the outskirts, where there are beautiful houses with gardens so vast it reminds me of home.
When he turns into a driveway that seems to be a mile long, my breath catches. I’ve never seen a house so modern and classy. Yes, the home I grew up in was beautiful, but it was a fortress of locked doors and shut windows. This is purely glass and steel.
“Your home is beautiful,” I tell them with a smile. As we wind our way closer to the house, I notice the perfectly manicured garden. We come to a stop at the entrance of the two-story building.
“Thank you. It’s not where we live all the time, merely a holiday home, but my sister loves to vacation out here.” His accent is thick when he talks. I note the Spanish lilt easily as he says certain words.