Page 20 of War Within
“I wasn’t aware I had any meetings scheduled for this morning.”
“You don't, sir.”
“Did you get their names?”
“Carmine Gia…something and a Joey Fi—”
He leapt from his chair, marching over to me. “Fioli. Giamagi and Fioli?”
“Yes. Sorry. I never can ge—”
Instantly, he grabbed my wrist tightly. Yanking me into his body. Leaning close to my ear, he exhaled. “I need you to do exactly as I say.”
My mouth fell agape, I began to shake thinking it was me who was in trouble.
“We have to get out of here immediately. We’re going to calmly but quickly go out the back entrance and down the service elevator.”
“What’s going on?”
“Don’t worry about it.” He took a step back, grabbing his phone, tapping furiously. He then snatched his laptop off his desk, shoving it in his bag. He held his briefcase out. “Take this. I have to get some other things.”
Reluctantly, I reached out.
“Take it!”
I jumped, grabbing it. The tone in his voice made it clear trouble was in the building. I was confused, knowing all too well it could not be men who worked with my real boss. He hated Italians.
Clutching the handle tightly, I observed as he raced around the room, snatching drawers open, stuffing hidden items in duffle bags. I glanced back over my shoulder at the sound of shoes in the hallway.
“I hear them in the hall.”
“Come on.”
We left quietly through a hidden exit in his office, taking the service elevator to the parking garage where Indigo was waiting. He grabbed the bags, throwing them in the trunk of a black Jaguar XF. He shoved me into the back seat then slid in after me. Moments later, Indigo jumped into a nearby identical car. We sped out into the sunlight.
Jane was visibly shaking, but I could not tell her what was happening. I did not have a clue, myself. If silence could be deafening, it was. She did not utter a word as she darted her eyes back and forth out the windows.
I busied myself on my phone, texting my family about the men showing up at the office. I did not know Joey personally. I only knewofhim. Carmine and I had a lot of history. Too much. I did not like discussing it.
The driver, used to my lifestyle, appeared nervous and continuously checked his mirrors which concerned me. It did not seem that we were followed at the time, but my driver took a different route to my home, just in case. Suddenly, he made a familiar turn after taking several back roads and we were not far from the house.
Jane sat up straight, recognizing the familiar route. “Why are we going to your house?”
Ignoring her, I leaned forward, watching the driver pull through the gates, coming to a stop in front of my mansion. I jumped out, rushing to the front door. Jackson was already waiting at the door to let us through. I sprinted to the stairs, not realizing Jane was not far behind. To be honest, for the moment I forgot she was in my home at all. I was too focused on getting far away.
I was not running, but there was a past I did not want to be a part of any longer. Right now, my focus was leaving. I threw my bedroom door open, marching to my closet, packing.
“Do you want to tell me what the hell is going on?!” A frantic Jane stood in the middle of my closet, arms stretched out to the side.
“A twenty year saga.” I huffed, shoving the last few garments into a bag. Normally, I was precise about packing neatly or Jackson would do it for me. I was saddened at how my costly outfits were being treated today. “There isn't time for that.” I zipped the suitcase and bags, then carried them into the bedroom. “We have to leave immediately.”
Jackson waited patiently next to the bed. “Can I do anything, sir?”
“Jackson, my brothers are out of town. Have James prepare for departure. We will leave in a few minutes.”
I slid my phone out of my pocket, texting my security for updates on Carmine and Joey’s whereabouts. Carmine alone was one mild concern. Carmine accompanied by someone else, meant something more sinister.
“Okay fine you can just take me home first.” The panic in Jane’s voice was alarming. “Also, I need my purse!”
