Page 109 of When She Unravels
“Vale, is that really you?”
I can’t believe I’m talking to my sister. A ball gets lodged inside my throat, but I force the words past it. “Yes. Gem, it’s me.”
She makes a strangled sound. “Oh, Vale, you’re alive. We were so worried. I haven’t slept a full night since you left, and neither has Cleo. Are you okay? Where are you?”
“I’m fine. How much time do you have until your class starts?”
“Forget the class. I can skip it.”
Damiano places his hand on the small of my back and whispers, “No, she can’t.”
“You can’t skip your class,” I say. “No one can know we talked.”
“You have five minutes,”Ras says, his voice coming out slightly muffled.
“How are you?” I need to know she’s okay before I can talk about anything else.
“Miserable since you left. Mamma’s gotten even more strict, and Cleo’s constantly at war with her. We’re only allowed to leave the house on prearranged outings, and nothing that would put us around a lot of people. Where are you?”
“I’m somewhere safe,” I tell her. “What about the Messeros? Are they still talking about marrying you off to them?”
“I’m engaged.”
My stomach drops. “No.”
“To Rafaele. The contract is already signed, but no date has been set.”
Despair feels like a cold trickle down my back. “How is he?”
“I don’t really know. We met once at that dinner I told you about. He was cold and uninterested. I didn’t think he wanted me, but after you ran, Papà made it happen somehow.”
I bring the heel of my palm to my forehead. “I’m so sorry, Gem.”
“Don’t be. I’m fine. It’s what Mamma always said would happen. Of course, Cleo’s already declared that if she doesn’t like her future husband, she’ll shoot him like you did.”
I huff an amused breath. “She would, wouldn’t she?”
“I told her she’d better have a sharper aim.”
Pinpricks travel up my arms. “What do you mean?”
“Lazaro survived. You know that, right?”
Suddenly, I feel light-headed. I sway for a moment before two hands steady me by my waist.
“Sit down,” Damiano says, leading me to a chair.
“I didn’t know,” I whisper into the phone.
“Why did you do it, Vale?”
There’s no time for lengthy explanations. I shut my eyes. “Lazaro was ordered by Papà to capture and harm an innocent girl, so I helped her get away. Her and I ran together. I’m safe now, but I can’t tell you where I am.”
“I don’t understand,” Gemma says. “Papà wouldn’t ask Lazaro to hurt some random girl. It doesn’t make sense.”
“He would, and he did. I swear on my life that he ordered it. I couldn’t let Lazaro do it.”
There’s a long silence on the other end. “You’re sure? Is someone making you say this?”
