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My mom pulls me up to my feet.
“No. You are kind, you are beautiful, and you are smart.”
She places a kiss on my head and slowly gets up.
“We don’t have any time left. I’ll get Laura to start packing.”
Her words make me wipe my tears and get up to my feet.
In just under an hour, my mother and Laura are packed and ready to leave. We stand out in the backyard, not sure what to do with ourselves.
“Here,” my mother says, handing me a key. “I rented a truck to take some things to the dump. I don’t think he can trace you guys with the truck.”
My hands quiver as I look at my mother, weakened by her kindness.
I hold her hands. “Mom.”
“You can still come with us,” Laura says, not looking at me, but I can see a hint of tears in her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” is the only reply I can muster.
I reach over and pull my mother in for a tight hug.
“Call me. I want to know you are safe,” she whispers.
“I will.”
I look up at Laura, who is wiping away her tears.
I go to hug her, but she lifts her hands, stopping me.
“You had the chance to choose us for once,” she turns to my mom, looking ahead helplessly. “Just try to stay in one piece,” she adds before she walks away.
My mother watches as Bunny carries Antonio’s unconscious and heavily bandaged body into the car.
I look at her one last time and wave goodbye, promising to call her once we get to a safe place.
“I can drive if you’re not up for it,” Bunny whispers gently before we get into the truck.
“I would appreciate that,” I answer as we get into the car.
As we drive away, I sniff away my tears and look at Antonio, who is in the back of the truck, covered with a blanket my mother gave us. He mumbles something in his sleep.
“Your mother— the Russo’s owe her one,” Bunny says, eyes on the road. “And you too,” he adds.
“Thanks,” I said absent-mindedly, staring back at the man behind me whom I have now chosen twice over my own family.
Chapter Thirty-One
Antonio
Donatello leans over my body with a grim smile on his blurry face.
“W—where is Bunny?” I ask, but no words come out.
“I want the details for the account, Antonio.”
“Alyssa, where is she? Did you hurt her?”
