“I drove by at two in the morning to check if your light was on.”
“I know.”
“And the whole time…”
“I’m sorry.” She sits on the coffee table across from me. Close but not touching. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to lie to you. You’ve been so kind, and I…”
“Don’t.” I hold up a hand. “Don’t apologize for the lying and then tell me you’d do it again. Because you would. Wouldn’t you.”
She doesn’t answer.
We sit in silence. Her in Enzo’s shirt. Me on the couch with blankets I picked out because I thought the color might make her smile.
Forty-four names on my list. Not one of them has ever made me feel like this.
“We have to relocate you,” I say finally.
“No.”
“Stevie.”
“No.” She stands. Backs away like I’ve threatened her. “I’m not leaving. Not again. I can’t.”
“You don’t have a choice. You’ve been compromised. The family knows you’re in the area. Whether Enzo told them or not, someone saw you. Someone reported back. It’s only a matter of time before…”
“Enzo is coming back tonight.”
The words hit like a physical blow.
“He said he’d come back. After he handled some things. He’s coming tonight.”
And there it is. The thing underneath her defiance. The thing she’s really fighting for.
Not just her identity. Not just feeling seen.
Him.
She’s in love with him. Maybe both of them. And I’m the one who has to tear it all away.
“If you’re here when he comes back,” I say carefully, “you’re putting him at risk too. If the family finds out he’s been protecting you instead of following orders.”
“Don’t.” Her voice cracks. “Don’t use him against me.”
“I’m not using anything. I’m telling you the truth.” I stand. Face her. “You staying here puts everyone in danger. You, Enzo, Dario. Everyone.”
“Then what am I supposed to do?”
“Disappear. Again. Somewhere new. Somewhere they can’t find you.”
“And just leave? Without saying goodbye? Without telling him.”
“Yes.”
The word is brutal. I know it’s brutal. But it’s also true.
“He’ll come here tonight,” I continue. “He’ll find an empty apartment. He’ll know something happened. And he’ll be safe because he won’t know where you went. Can’t tell anyone what he doesn’t know.”
She’s crying now. Silent tears tracking down her face.
