“Val?” he whispered gently. “Jeans or leggings, you don’t get much choice.”
“L-leggings,” I whispered, my voice weak, my body even weaker, my vision blurred as I tried to focus on the task at hand. “And um, just a T-shirt or something is fine, flip flops.” I reached for a long T-shirt while Sergio grabbed a pair of flip flops.
Sergio frowned, “It’s Chicago, I’m not so sure you want flip flops.”
I swallowed, and found my voice. “I’m on a plane though.”
“Size?” he called over to me, apparently letting me win that one.
“Eight-and-a-half.” I took the flip flops and walked over to the cash register, then nearly burst into tears because I realized I didn’t have any money on me.
Panicked, I let the thought sink in.
I literally had no money.
I mean, I had made money at the flower shop, but I typically just deposited it and used the cash my uncles gave me because they bought me everything.
And my debit card was back in my room.
Because this morning I’d woken up thinking I was getting married and then returning back to my room to change.
Instead, I woke up. Got married. Was swept away in a limo. And was shot at, nearly killed.
And I had no money.
Shame washed over me as I turned around, ready to ask Sergio, but he was already handing his shiny black card to the sales lady.
She swiped.
He signed and thanked her.
And off we went.
Still not talking.
I think a part of me was afraid that if I talked I’d burst into tears or maybe all the screams I’d been holding in would suddenly explode out of my mouth and I wouldn’t stop — screaming that is.
A loud bang had me nearly climbing up Sergio’s body.
“Shh, it’s okay.” He kissed my head. “Someone’s suitcase fell over.”
“Oh,” I croaked. “Sorry, and I’ll pay you back when I get my stuff. I do get my stuff later, right? I mean, if we’re going to Chicago?”
Sergio’s expression grew concerned as he pulled me close and led me to a nearby door. Once we were on the other side, a man in a black suit motioned us over. He typed in a code and escorted us down a long hallway. When we reached the end, he typed in another code, and we were outside.
In front of a private jet.
A huge private jet.
It was black, sleek.
And loud.
“Let’s go.” Sergio handed our luggage to the same man and then grabbed my hand and pulled me up the stairs and into the warmth of the plane.
“Mr. and Mrs. Abandonato,” the captain greeted us with a warm smile. “I’m Captain Parker, I’ll be taking you into Chicago. I’ve been told you want your privacy so there will be no cabin attendant to help you get settled in. My co-pilot and I are only a phone call away.” He pointed to a phone attached to the wall. “If you’ll just get seated, we’ll taxi and take off.”
“Thank you.” Sergio shook his hand.
“My pleasure.” Captain Parker tipped his hat and closed the plane door, then went into the cockpit while I managed to slip out of the jacket Sergio had given me. A chill ran over my arms as anticipation hit me square in the face.
“Val?” Sergio braced my shoulders with his strong hands. “Look at me.”
I was looking at him.
“No, sweetheart, not like that.”
“I am looking at you,” I whispered. “Aren’t I?”
“You’re staring through me, you’re not really here, your thoughts are defiantly not here. We can talk about it, sometimes it helps.”
“I’m fine,” I lied, the smile that tugged at my lips was worthless, as the sting of tears threatened to take over. “Really!”
Sighing, Sergio refused to release me. “Your things are already packed. You won’t be going back to New York. Not until things calm down.”
Funny how it would be the simple fact that I wasn’t going to see the only family I’d ever known that would cause the tears.
I could hide my terror at what I’d seen an hour ago.
I could force a smile through the violence.
But take away what I love — take away my security?
And I was broken.
With a sob, I fell against his chest. “It was so loud!”
“I know.” Sergio rubbed my back. “I know.”
Shivering, I tried climbing into him, craving security. “And they wouldn’t stop and then you just… shot them. That one man… in the head!”
“He felt no pain.”
“I don’t care about his pain!” I yelled. “I care about the fact that we were nearly killed! And for what? Is this normal?”
He didn’t answer.
“Silence isn’t helpful. It makes me assume you get shot at all the time.” I hiccupped and let more tears fall as I jerked away from him and hugged my stomach. “Oh, God! We have to go back! Sergio!” I was beyond hysterical. “What if they go after my uncles? Frank! Dante! We have to warn them, we have to—”
“They already know. They’ll be fine. I’m more worried about your safety than theirs.”