Page 52 of Always Mine
Tick, Tick, Boom
Marco
Thetortureofherbeing away from me for six years and not having her the way I wanted doesn’t hold a candle to the agony I feel right now. Just knowing she’s mere miles from me in the same city and still not where she’s meant to be, wrapped up in my arms and warming the side of the bed that’s been cold for a very long fucking time, is killing me. When I walked out of her office that morning leaving her to celebrate with her family and friends, I made a promise to give her what she asked for—the time and space to decide if she was prepared to leave the past behind and give me her whole heart so we can see what the future holds together. I went cold turkey on all contact. I didn’t want this to be a decision she felt talked into. I wanted her to choose me. To know without a shadow of a doubt that she and I, together, were the only choice that made sense. I switched back into the only mode I knew to keep me from breaking—I worked hard, trained hard, slept a few hours, and did it all again, hoping a rigorous routine would temper the withdrawal symptoms. Chiara has me driving her all over town to take photos. She’s far more dedicated to her craft than I think her cousin or uncle realized. Most nights, including tonight, she’sstayed in, exhausted from her day’s activities. So far, she hasn’t given me any of the trouble I was expecting from her. Even so, Dallas and Ethan, two of my best and most highly trained guys, have been keeping round-the-clock surveillance on Arabella’s apartment like I promised AJ. As for Avery, my right-hand man at Vault Security, I tasked him with a job I wouldn’t entrust to anyone else. To stay in the shadows and be my eyes and ears to ensure Sophia is always safe and well.
A message pops up in our thread in the encrypted messaging app I created.
Avery:
Boss, she’s on the move. I’m in transit. Appears to be headed to Hell’s Kitchen.
The alarm bells sound. Just a few days ago, AJ and I officially signed the contract to become the new owners of La Rosa. Barring anything going wrong during the cooling off period, within seven days we’ll own the ultra-exclusive bar with a reputation for being a place high-net-worth people who prefer anonymity can come to enjoy a romantic rendezvous, close a deal, or simply drink top-shelf liquor in private. AJ didn’t give me details, but he struck some kind of truce with the Rizzos to ensure the sale went through smoothly. I may have entered the deal without Seb, but the equity it will give me is the key to us gaining full control of Bella Donna. One less noose for Patrick to control.
I hadn’t told Sophia about my new acquisition, but maybe Raf asked her to help with the contract. Why else would she be heading there?
Me:
Did Sophia help you with the paperwork for theLa Rosa deal?
Raf:
Hello, Marco. I’m good, thanks for asking. Glad you appreciate all my help getting the La Rosa deal over the line.
Me:
Just answer the fucking question.
Raf:
No. I took care of it myself.
Me:
Then why the fuck is she headed there now?
I don’t wait for his response. I’ve felt on edge ever since Raf told me about Arty’s connection to the Rizzos. I suspect he’s the one running his mouth to Patrick, who’s still edging to play matchmaker. I grab my leather motorcycle jacket and helmet. I’ve been riding my bike every day since I kissed Sophia goodbye on the cheek weeks ago. Until this very moment, the adrenaline of doing speeds that would send my mother to an early grave is the only thing that’s made me feel alive. Now it pumps for an entirely different reason. It could just be a coincidence, and maybe Sophia is headed there with the girls. I text Evie but there’s no response. Fuck it! As we’ve established, I don’t believe in coincidences. I need to see for myself that Sophia isn’t in danger. Truthfully...I just need to see her.
Me:
Whatever you do, don’t let her out of your fucking sight.
Avery:
Got it.
I tear out of Bella Donna’s underground carpark. The early evening traffic is horrendous. If she’s with Arty like I suspect, thenI might already be too late. Instead of pulling away, I should have doubled down. Infiltrated every crevice where self-doubt lay in wait and obliterated it with my pure need, desire, and devotion. My voice-to-text Bluetooth function in my helmet kicks in:
“Message from Avery: Code red.”
“Fuuuccckkkkk!” I scream into the frigid late afternoon air as I accelerate to more than dangerous speeds. Then I’m weaving in and out of traffic, racing to Midtown like my life depends on it. Because it does. That woman who drives me wild in every sense of the word is the reason my heart beats triple time in my chest. My why. My heart threatens to burst out of my skin at the possibilities of what could go wrong if I don’t get to her on time.
Chapter twenty-nine
Where Is Everyone?
Sophia
Iarriveattheaddress Arty gave me. I’m surprised we’re meeting in Hell’s Kitchen. From what I’ve heard, most of the regular haunts are in the Upper West Side or Upper East Side, but I can see the appeal of this place. A quick Google in the Uber on the way over told me this is an exclusive club that prides itself on offering its guests privacy, and it gives off those vibes. Fairy floss pink strip lighting casts a soft glow on the sign where La Rosa is spelled out in gold letters on a lipstick-red background. The frontage has semi-blacked out windows, so you can see the silhouette of the people inside but can’t see their faces.
