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She winces at my grip but doesn’t look away. Her face pales, and I can see the tears gathering in her eyes. “I’m scared, Cassius,” she admits, her voice trembling. “Your world, the bratva…it’s dangerous. I don’t want my daughters growing up surrounded by violence and fear.”
“We can’t change who we are or where we come from. We can’t hide from it either. And whether you like it or not, your daughters are a part of our world now.”
11
ANNALISE
“Time check,” Sienna calls out, and I stop what I’m doing to look down at my watch.
“A little after two in the morning.” I can’t believe time has gone by that fast already.
“Okay.” She nods. “We’re almost done.”
After everything that happened yesterday, one thing became increasingly clear to me. I have to get my daughters out of here before something bad happens. Cassius made me a promise, and as much as I want to believe it, how foolish would I be to trust the words of a member of the bratva?
And not just a member…I fear he and his brothers are running it.
I have to keep them away from my children, and now that Cassius knows the truth, it means we have to go on the run.
The thought is terrifying—constantly running away in an effort to make sure we’re not caught—but I don’t value my own comfort over my daughters’ well-being. Their safety is all that matters to me.
“Should I pack any snacks?” Sienna asks, holding a box of Gina’s favorite snack.
I shake my head. “We won’t have the space. I can always buy them more snacks.”
We won’t have a lot of money, but we’ll have enough. I’ll pull out every loan imaginable if I have to and accept every odd job…whatever it takes.
A whirlwind of frantic movement engulfs the room as Sienna and I hastily gather my belongings. I can’t pack a lot because it would slow me down, so it’s just the bare essentials of what’ll fit in two backpacks I’ll be carrying and then the small ones that the twins can wear.
The air is thick with tension, our breaths shallow and quick, mirroring the urgency of our actions.
Sienna’s hands tremble as she folds clothes into a duffel bag, her eyes darting from one corner of the room to the other. I hate that I’ve put her in this situation. I never should have gone to that masquerade party—even if it did turn out to be the most passionate night of my life.
It wasn’t worth it…none of this was worth it.
I shove another stack of clothes into the bag, filling it to the brim. “This is it.”
“Are you sure you got everything you need?” Sienna asks, her fingers fidgeting with the zipper on the duffel bag. She glances out the window, scanning the dark street below us for any sign of danger. “Once you’re gone, there’s no coming back.”
“I know,” I assure her, forcing a weak smile onto my face. I can feel the weight of her worry pressing down on me, but I know she’s only trying to protect me. Sienna and my girls are the only family I have.
They’re the only family I need.
“Good,” she says, her gaze lingering on the window before returning to me. “The sooner you’re out of here, the better.”
“I wish you would come with me,” I urge her. “It may not be safe for you here, and if I’m not here…”
“I didn’t realize you could offer me such protection.” There’s slight amusement in her words, and she offers me a small grin. She’s trying to lighten the mood. “They’re not after me, Annalise. They’re after the girls. You need to be able to disappear, and the less people you have to do that with, the better.”
Her words make sense, but the thought of leaving my best friend behind…after I just got her back…isn’t one that’s pleasant to me. I reach forward and embrace her in a tight hug. She hugs me back just as tight. This is our goodbye.
“One more thing.” Sienna moves into the kitchen and comes back with a piece of paper.
I frown, but before I can ask her what it is, she’s pushing it into my hands. When I look down, it’s plain as day that it’s a check.
A check for seven thousand dollars.
Immediately, I begin shaking my head and trying to give it back. “No, Sienna. I can’t take this from you.”
