Page 54 of Reckless Games

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice the car until it was too late. It wasn't speeding, but it caught me off guard, nudging me hard enough to make me stumble. Pain shot through my chest where the bullet wound was. I can’t believe it’s been five months but the ache is still erupts in moments like such. I hissed, clutching my chest as I tried to steady myself.

The car screeched to a halt, and I could hear the driver's door open. "Oh my God, are you alright?" a voice called out, filled with concern. I looked up, ready to wave them off, but froze when I saw who it was.

***

Chapter 30

Angela

“Angela?” The person in front of me exhaled in disbelief. “Are you fucking kidding me?” My mouth fell open, unable to find words for a moment. “What do you think you’re doing? You’re supposed to be resting in the hospital!”

“I… I was… going for a walk,” I blurted out, knowing how ridiculous it sounded.

“For a walk?” Jacob scoffed. “Like a thief?”

“Fine! I couldn’t stay there any longer. It’s making me sick. I had to get out.”

“You could’ve...” He gritted his teeth before sighing. “You could’ve gotten hurt!”

“I’m fine. And will you please stop treating me like a baby?” He shook his head in disappointment before coming to my side and taking my hand, guiding me to his car.

“Where are we going?” I asked, confused.

“You can’t stay out here for long. Lorenzo is still on the lookout for you.” My heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name.

“He knows I’m alive?” I asked, surprised.

“He doesn’t. He just refuses to believe you’re dead. Everyone around him says otherwise, but he’s still got his men searching for you.” Jacob pulled the car onto the main road.

“Then how come he didn’t find us at the hospital? That should’ve been his first target.”

“His men came to the hospital,” Jacob said, taking a sharp right. “A few connections helped me keep your identity hidden.” Connections? Jacob had connections here? Why didn’t I know about that? “Mikhael.” Jacob answered my unspoken question plainly, keeping his eyes on the road.

“Mikhael?” My eyes snapped in his direction to see if I heard right. “As in Mikhael Romano?”

“Yes, Angela. Him.”

“What does he have to do with any of this?”

“He was quite ecstatic to receive the news of his father’s death. Declan actually made his job easier by clearing the way. He called to confirm, asking me to take care of a few things here for him. So I asked for a favor in return.”

“So you and Mikhael are on speaking terms?” Why did I feel betrayed not knowing this?

“Always have been,” Jacob said with a small smirk. “We had something in common, after all. We both despised a man named Nikolai Romano.” I nodded, taking his words in. So that means Jacob definitely had something to do with Mikhael hunting down Nikolai’s shipments every freaking time and getting away with it.

During the ride, my mind wandered back to Lorenzo. He’s looking for me. Could it be because...Stop it, Angela!He’s looking to have your head, not to welcome you with open arms. Lorenzo Martinez never gives second chances. He said so himself way too many times.

“When can we leave Sicily?” I asked Jacob.

“Nikolai had our passports last. I tried searching for them, but it was futile. I’m working on a way out. Until then, we have to stay here and make some arrangements.” Jacob killed the engine in front of a building I had never seen before. It was a small, three-story structure in the middle of nowhere. Isighed, processing all the information, my hand absentmindedly rubbing the rough skin on my other wrist.

“I broke it.”

“Huh?” I turned to face Jacob. He pointed at my wrist, where the chip had been embedded.

“The remote. It slipped out of Sebastian’s pocket during the attack. I got my hands on it before he realized. Don’t worry. We will never have to go through that again,” Jacob said, smiling softly. I returned the smile, feeling a weight lift off my chest. I was no longer a slave to someone’s whims, no longer a tool for their pleasure. I could finally do as I pleased.

As if.

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