Page 212 of Salvatore

“But heisalive. Take solace in that. Did you recognize anything from the picture they sent?”

“No.”Maybe.

I know Salvatore isn’t at the apartment where I was previously held. The sandstone bricks that housed his shackles seemed vaguely familiar though. Possibly from a property I visited in my childhood. One that didn’t belong to my parents, but my now deceased uncle.

I’m not ready to tell her that, though.

I’m not sure I can trust any of these people anymore.

Sarah watches me…Readsme… “You’re pregnant, right?”

A faint tingle spreads through my abdomen, a quiet reminder of the life I carry. “Yes.”

“But you disagree about Salvatore wanting you involved in his rescue? Do you really think he’s the type to want you risking your life and that of his child?”

I raise my chin. “No, he isn’t that type. But I’m someone who understands he’s never had anyone willing to fight for him before. He riskedeverythingfor me. The least I can do is give a little in return.”

Her eyes sadden. “Ivy, you wouldn’t be giving a little.”

“Well, it’s all I have.” I lower my gaze to the dust-covered vanity. “He doesn’t want to die. And I don’t want to raise this baby without him.”

She’s quiet a moment, the weight of my confession stifling. “Do you want to know what my type is?”

I honestly couldn’t give a rat’s a?—

“I’m someone who believes women are capable of anything,” she continues. “We can be just as lethal as men. Just as covert. Just as brave. I’d never dismiss what you felt was right.” Her hand grazes my shoulder, coasting over the strap of my sundress. “But you need to really think about this. Going against his brothers’ wishes, and moving forward with a plan that doesn’t merely risk your life but is highly likely to end it isn’t something you want to be contemplating when it’s too late.”

She falls quiet, letting me wallow in my thoughts before finally pushing off the vanity. “I need to use the bathroom.” She reaches inside her suit jacket, retrieving a gun from a holster, then a car fob from her pocket. “Can I leave these here with you so they don’t fall into the bowl?”

I stare at her. At the gun. At the fob.

“I’ll only be a minute.” She places the items on the vanity. “I don’t want Abri’s little girl coming in here and getting her hands on a deadly weapon. My reputation is reckless enough as it is.”

Is she baiting me?

“Yeah…” I swallow. “Sure.”

“Thanks.” She strolls for a stall, swinging the door shut behind her as she whistles what sounds like “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé.

“Did you drive here?” I ask. “I thought someone said Cole lived on the other side of the country.”

“We flew in from Portland. The car’s a rental. A shiny black Camaro that runs like a dream.”

My pulse increases as I inch toward Sarah’s belongings, already sensing the slow death that will torment me if I don’t seize this opportunity. “I’ve never driven a Camaro.” A tremor wracks my hand as I slide it over Sarah’s gun, then creep my fingers toward the fob, my gaze locked on her stall as she continues to whistle.

“With a car like that and the speeds it can reach, you can’t afford to second guess yourself. There’s no room to overthink. You have to trust your gut and hang on for the ride.”

She’s not talking about the car.

Not baiting me. She’sencouragingme.

I take a deep breath, pausing a beat to do as she asked—contemplate my future, consider all the eventualities. Then I drag the gun and fob from the vanity and backtrack toward the door.

45

SALVATORE

“I’ll ask again.”Gabriel speaks around a grin as his son watches on, waiting for the cue to punch me again. “Where are you keeping my daughter?”

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