Amelia
“I’m telling you, those two in the right corner are Jose’s men,” I whisper to the guard.
“You’re being paranoid. Now stop calling me over here. It looks suspicious,” he says shortly
but quietly before returning to his seat.
I see a gas station ahead and lean forward, asking the driver, “Are we stopping here?” “Yes, for the restroom. Only a ten-minute stop, so don’t be long,” he says.
I sit back, but I don’t look behind me. I don’t need to look back to know Jose’s men are staring
at me. I don’t care if Frankie’s guards think I’m being paranoid. They’ll have the shit kicked out of them when Frankie finds out they’re not taking my worries seriously. It’s so misogynistic, and it will cost me my life.
But I have a plan already. I’m going to call Frankie in the restroom once we stop. They won’t
follow me in there.
I wait until the bus stops completely before I take my bag and get off, heading for the restroom. Frankie’s men follow me, and I enter the bathroom, assured no one else will come in while they’re standing around.
I take out my phone and dial Frankie’s number, but it goes straight to voice mail which confuses me. I know Frankie would be expecting updates from the guards, and me, to know we are traveling safely. The bottom of my stomach drops as I realize that he might have been attacked. I swallow hard and try to think. I need to think like Frankie. Make a decent call that could save my life. Frankie isn’t available to save me, and his thugs aren’t listening… but the police might.
I dial nine-one-one and wait. “Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”
“Hi, yes. There’s been a major accident on the I-ninety-five north. People are hurt, and we
need emergency services to help. It’s after the,” I glance around, “It’s after the gas station threequarters the way between Maryland and New York.”
“Ma’am, what’s your name?” the dispatcher asks.
“Heather,” I lie, “Heather Fernando, and loads of people are hurt and in danger. My phone is
going to die, so please send as many police as possible.”
I hang up and take the gun Frankie gave me out of my purse. I check to make sure it’s loaded and ready. I’m not going to depend on some brain-dead thugs to protect me when they don’t even acknowledge I’m in danger.
I leave the restroom after washing my hands, and they escort me back to the bus. Jose’s men
embark shortly after us, and I meet the one’s eyes. I can see a burning rage inside of him, but don’t avert my gaze.
He passes, and he and his cohort sit back in their seats. Before we know it, the bus is back on
the road, and everything is quiet. I feel uneasy because I know they’ll want to do something before we reach New York. All I can do is wait for the opportunity to escape.
There’s nothing around us. It’s all open roads with bushes and trees. I know I can run if need
be. I wore trainers today, especially for that reason. I’d have to leave my overnight bag, but that doesn’t worry me, it’s only clothes. My phone and my gun are in my purse anyway, and that’s what I need most.
Black smoke billows out the front of the bus, and the driver pulls over. “Something’s wrong,”
he calls. “I’m going to check it out.”
Oh, I know something is wrong. I knew they’d mess with the bus while everyone was in the
restroom. I peek behind me and see them shifting around. They’re getting antsy, so as the bus driver stands up, I call, “I need to pee again. Can I go behind a bush while you’re busy?”
The bus driver sighs. “Fine, but don’t be long. I’m sure I can fix whatever it is in no time, and we need to be back on time.”
I nod and follow the driver off the bus. He calls, “You might as well all stretch your legs while you can.”
I walk toward a nearby bush as everyone disembarks. I glance back to see the two men and Frankie’s two guards walking after me. I can’t help it. I break into a run.
Gunshots and screams ring out in the quiet open air, and I scream as bullets whiz by me, dangerously close.
I run into the trees, snaking my way around them as quickly as I can move. I draw my gun in
case I need to shoot and click the safety off. I go deep into the trees before I find a good spot to hide, panting hard. I check my cell phone, but there’s still no signal out here. Shit, I hope the cops find the bus soon.
I can hear bullets in the distance. Jose’s men and Frankie’s men must be shooting at each other,
which is good because at least they’re not shooting at me or pursuing me.
I get up and start walking to the right so that if they come into the forest, they won’t walk
straight into me. I move quickly, picking my way through the roots and plants, doing my best to be silent. The sound of gunfire has stopped, and I sit down, catching my breath. I hold onto my gun tightly, listening for the slightest sound.
I hear a wailing siren in the distance and realize I now have a new challenge. I need to circle
back to the road and back to the bus so that the police can find me, or I’m going to be stranded out here, possibly with Jose’s men, because I don’t know if Frankie’s men are still alive or not.
If they are, Frankie’s going to kill them later. I told them that those men were following us.
I stand and pick my way back toward the road. I do so as quietly as possible to hear if I’m
being followed or if anyone is near me. The forest is shadier than it was. It must be moving into late afternoon because the shadows are deepening. I don’t even know how long I’ve been out here or how far into the woods I ran.
Suddenly, this doesn’t seem like such a great idea, but, I reassure myself, I am still alive. No thanks to my so-called guards.
I reach into my purse and search, finding the bottle of water I’d taken from the hotel. I open it
and quench my thirst. It’s warm, a little too warm, and I’ve worked up a sweat and thirst from running.
Soon my water is finished, and I regret downing it all. My thoughts turn to Frankie. I keep an
eye on my phone to see if I get a signal again, so I can try to call him and let him know I’m okay. So I can make sure he’s okay.
I swear if they have done anything to him, they can stop worrying about Alessandro because I
will be after them, starting with my ex-Dave.
My legs are getting tired, and my muscles ache. I really need to start running again and get into
shape if I’m going to be a crime boss’s wife. I feel like I’m going to run for my life more than once.
I see red and blue flashing lights up ahead, and that spurs me on, the siren is off, but I can see police cars through the trees. I move quickly, seeing an ambulance as well. I wonder briefly who got shot.
Although, I don’t think I care. I just want to get back to Frankie.
Frankie
As the car pulls up in front of the house, I get out and wince. I pat myself down and find the
source of the injury. A bullet has grazed my arm. Okay, it’s more than a graze. I’ve been shot, but I’m more worried about Amelia. I’m trying to call her, but there’s no answer from her or Johnny and Evander.
I pace up and down Alessandro’s driveway as I try to connect the call, but it’s no use. She’s not in range, or something worse has happened, something I don’t even want to consider.
“Get yourself checked out,” Alessandro says, coming down the stairs to see me. “And get
inside. It isn’t safe outside.”
I follow him back inside, Joel following behind me, and Alessandro summons the nurse he keeps at his home for our mother.
“He might need stitches,” he tells the nurse.
“Did Amelia’s bus arrive on time?” I ask, we’d been held up making sure we didn’t get
followed again, but it should have arrived at midday, half an hour ago.
“No, it hasn’t, but I’ve sent men out to scout where it is,” Alessandro assures me. “We can only wait.”
I’m fidgety as the nurse sews me up, never once giving away how painful it is to have the
needle and thread stitch my skin back together. Once she’s done with the final stitch, she goes off, and
Alessandro brings me a glass of whiskey. “That should dull the pain.”
“I’m not in pain,” I say, taking the whiskey. “Have they called yet? Have they found the bus?” “Calm down, Frankie,” my brother says seriously. “They will find it. It can’t just go missing.” “With the Catalan’s it can,” I point out, standing and going to the window.
Alessandro sits behind his desk, leaning back in his chair. “You care a lot about Amelia. Does she know?”
“I made a promise to keep her safe,” I say. I refuse to admit my true feelings, even to my brother, though I know he doesn’t believe me.
“Yes, you did. You have done so. I’m sure she’s fine, Frankie.” He’s trying to reassure me, but I can’t stop worrying about her. Surely, they’d be within range of a cell tower by now, able to take or make calls.
My phone rings, and I glance at it. The caller ID says New York Police, and my blood runs
cold. I pray it’s a business call. “Hello?” I answer.
“Frankie?” Amelia’s voice comes over the line. She sounds relieved, and therefore, I feel relieved.
“Amelia, are you okay?” I ask quickly. “Why are you with the police?”
“The bus broke down, and there was shooting, but I got away. I don’t know where your men
are.” I feel my temper rising, but I let her continue. “I was brought to the NYPD with the others. Can you come to get me?”
“Which precinct are you at?” I ask her, looking at Alessandro and downing my whiskey.
“Fifty-fourth street,” she says, “Midtown North,” she adds.
“Okay, I’ll be about ten minutes but sit tight and don’t leave with anyone else. I’m coming
personally,” I explain. I hang up and walk toward the door.
“Be careful,” Alessandro warns me, and I wave him off. “You know I will be. I’ll let you know once we’re home.”
Joel follows me, but I shake my head. “It’s fine. Check security at home and make sure it’s
airtight. I’ll be fine collecting her.” “You sure?” Joel asks me.
“Yes,” I nod. “Don’t worry.”
I take the car keys from Ricardo. He’s pulled the blue Mustang around, and I climb in. Revving the engine, I pull off and join the traffic.
I’m observant as I drive, ensuring no one is following me. Luckily, it seems Jose’s men have
backed off for now. I find parking as close to the precinct as possible and walk in, looking around.
Amelia is sitting in the waiting area with a blanket around her shoulders.
“Amelia,” I say, walking toward her. I want to wrap my arms around her, to tell her I love her. I want to kiss her as though it was our last chance.
She looks up at me with big eyes. “Your idiot guards nearly got me killed,” she hisses quietly.
So much for that moment.
I look down at her. “What do you mean?”
“I told them we were being followed. I pointed out the guys to them, but they just said I was
being paranoid. If I hadn’t called nine-one-one for a fake accident, I would have been shot.”
She keeps her voice low, glancing around to ensure none of the other tourists are listening, but they seem to be wrapped up in their own problems.
I sigh. “I’ll deal with them. Let’s get to the house.”
She follows me out of the station, and we move quickly to the car. I don’t open the door for
her, telling her to jump in quickly.
I rejoin the traffic, and as I drive, I keep glancing at her. “You’re sure you’re okay?” I ask.
She nods. “I am. I escaped into the woods and doubled back when I heard the police sirens.
I’m glad you got back unharmed.”
“Not entirely,” I admit. “They followed Rob, too, and I haven’t heard from Heather.” “What do you mean not entirely?” she asks.
I sigh. “I got shot. They tried to take us off the road. I got them first, though, so that’s the end of that… for now.”
“Only for now?” she asks, looking desperate. “You mean they’re going to keep on trying?”
I nod. “I’m afraid so, but Alessandro and I will come up with a plan, don’t worry. I’m just happy you’re safe.”
She scoffs. “You mean because you promised my family that you’d keep me safe.”
I frown, pulling the car up to the house. I turn to her after locking the doors, and my hand
guides her face to look up at me. “I mean, I’m glad you’re safe. I’m glad you’re unharmed. I don’t want you to get hurt because of me. Do I make myself clear?” She nods slowly, her eyes wide.
I can’t help but lean down and gently kiss her lips. I kiss them again and again until she responds and starts kissing me back passionately. She slides her arms around my neck, and I put a hand on her waist. It’s awkward, but she presses herself against me as much as possible, and I can feel the raw emotion emanating from me.
She becomes forceful, kissing me with determination, and I pull away from her, looking into
her eyes.
We breathe heavily, but we don’t say anything. We just sit there, panting, looking at each other,
and I want to tell her how much I love her. I look at her as though I would devour her, and I know she understands.
“I love you with my whole heart, Amelia,” I say roughly. “I would do anything for you. I will
burn this world to the ground to see you safe and happy, I swear it.”
She turns away from me, and it stings. I let her know the truth. It’s her decision now.
I get out of the car and go around, opening the door for her. I lead her up the stairs and into the house. “We’ll stay here while we make a new plan. I’ll have Joel show you to your room. If you want to go outside, use the back garden instead. It’s more secure.”
Amelia nods. “I understand, right now, I’m really tired, so I’m going to head upstairs and get some sleep. I’ll come down later for dinner.”
“Get some rest,” I say. “Try not to stress.” She sighs. “I know. I just feel like a caged bird.” I watch her go upstairs after Joel.