Page 89 of Righteous Enforcer
Any word?
Headed south. I'll handle it.
No matter where she runs, I'll find her. And when I do…
Eva Santoro has betrayed me for the last time.
22
EVA
The rhythm of the train should lull me to sleep, but instead it only hammers home the reality that I'm running again.
Always running.
Mirabella's head rests against my chest, finally surrendering to exhaustion after hours of questions I couldn't properly answer.
Why did we leave Daddy's house?
When can we see him again?
Where are we going?
Paranoia grows with each passing second.
Every face on this train could be an enemy. Every glance in my direction might mean I've been recognized.
Adriano's face haunts me when I close my eyes. The way he looked at me last night, so tender, so trusting. I'd finally convinced him I was worthy of his faith. And now I’ve shattered it. Again.
Almost as soon as I left, I’d been second-guessing my decision to leave.
My choices sit on a scale, tipping from one side to the other.
Stay and face Adriano’s wrath and Alessandro’s punishment or leave and face… who knows what?
The scale dips back and forth.
One minute, I’ve made the right choice and the next, I haven’t.
Ultimately, I couldn't stay. Not with Alessandro's threats hanging over me, not with Ivan's knowing smirk promising exposure of my secrets.
One thing is for sure. Whatever Adriano felt for me dies when he realizes I’ve run. And he’ll come searching for me, especially now that he knows about Mirabella. What will he do when he finds me?
I have to hope he doesn’t find me, which adds to my shame for keeping him and Mirabella apart.
But I’ve made my choice. And now I’m doing all I can to keep me and Mirabella safe.
We got off the D.C. bound bus in Philadelphia.
We took a cab to the train station, where I bought tickets to Miami, but I have no intention of making it to Florida.
I know Adriano has resources to track me. Hopefully, he’ll follow the crumbs I’ve left and not realize it when I get off the train in Atlanta.
The train rocks as we speed through the dark countryside.
By morning, we'll reach Atlanta, and I'll disappear again.
New names, new story, new life.
