Page 21 of Redemption

“How could he stop?”

“Give me your phone?”

“What?”

She takes it from me, uses the point of her knife to open the sim card tray and snaps it in half. “They would track us.” She hands it back to me. “But all your contacts are still good. Disable the wireless and power it off to be safe.”

We waited until almost dawn, traveling from the heart to the guts of the building. Roque had quite the matrix of tunnels. Romina found one that led under the garage it was full of wires and electric cables. We were carefully not to touch any. Finally, we made it to a metal set of stairs that led to a drainage pipe in a back alley three blocks from the penthouse.

Romina took the gun, going first.

“Now what?” I looked around at the empty streets where dew clung to cars. She grins. “Johnny is a lazy fuck.” She presses the fob key on one of the sets we took and sure enough a car chirps nearby. “Jackpot.”

“I guess Roque owns this building too.” We find the car parked beneath another apartment building, but we can’t get in through the iron gates. There is a keypad though. Romina inspects it.

“Try 0007.”

“Seriously?”

“He has a dorky side.”

She presses the combination and the gates open.

We hurriedly get inside the Tesla and power the engine. “A full tank, too.” Romina then taps the screen and enters an address in Boca, Florida.”

“Florida?”

“Are you ready to meet Tati and Seb?”

I fist pump in the air. “This is so cool. Like meeting every celebrity or character you’ve read about in a book.”

“Buckle up, Chloe. This is real life.”

“I know and it fucking rocks!”

“They might be pissed at me still, but my blood did save Roque and they’ll adore you. They’ll hide us until we can contact Johnny and come up with a plan. Either that or between Seb and Rafe will hire so attorneys that will make us untouchable for a while.”

“We have hours to go. Did I ever tell you about the time Roque tried to give me a sex talk?”

“He did what?”

“I almost died. Seriously….”

10

ROMINA & CHLOE, then ROQUE

Two months later…

“In breaking news, Rumored mob boss Roque Salvatore is expected in court today. Where a grand jury will be hearing charges and the evidence against him for racketeering, attempted murder, and sex trafficking. Salvatore, no stranger to the tabloids, and is often photographed at charity events. There’s already a grassroots social media movement to free the mogul started by housewives. You heard that right; the hashtag #FreeRomeoRoque is trending high. In an unprecedented move, Mr. Salvatore’s attorneys have requested that the hearing be made public. The cameras will be rolling folks. We will bring you all the drama live. For now, stay tuned to WFBV Chicago.”

“Is everything set?” I turn to Romina who looks stunning in her black dress.

“Yes. You saved us, Chloe. It was brilliant what you did.”

I feel the brush spreading across my cheeks. “I loved you before I met you. I dreamed of the three of us as a family.”

Romina places a hand on her belly, “Do you think there’s room for four?”

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