I freeze, my hands pausing on his legs. I don’t know what’s going on, but I know it’s bad.
Aiden nods and I slowly get to my feet, waiting, my hand on his arm. My mind races with possibilities. Is it retribution for Dmitri? Maybe the Assembly has changed their minds? Or one of his brothers is sick? Injured?
The call ends after a few more words. Aiden hangs up, his jaw tense, and shakes his head as he looks at me.
“That was Connor. Willow is gone.”
Epilogue Two
WILLOW
It’s cold outside.
I took one of his jackets. I knew I’d need it. Boston is chilly this time of year. It’s getting even colder now, the sun falling toward the horizon.
The side streets are empty. The chill feels even more present here, where the buildings make a wind tunnel. I pull the jacket tighter. I wish it didn’t smell like him, like earthy pine and some spice I can’t place.
I could wish for a lot of things, but wishing never got me far.
Wishing isn’t going to save me from him.
Connor.
I keep looking over my shoulder, expecting someone behind me, but I don’t see anyone. I don’t seehim.
I have a pretty good knowledge of how mafia men keep their houses secure. I learned well when Dmitri had me. That second year with him, I tried to escape once.
But I was stupid back then. I didn’t know how to live on my own, much less survive after attempting to escape. I was caught within hours, brought right back to Dmitri. He wasn’t happy. But I learned from that attempt, and it taught me where to look.
I knew where to look for openings in the security when I decided I had to leave Connor’s house. I was smart.
But now that I’m free, where the hell am I supposed to go?
Everyone wants me for something. I know that. They all want to use me, now that my husband is dead.Dmitri,I remind myself. His name. He made me call him only “husband.” He liked how it made me sound, subservient and less than him.
Now that he’s dead, I should use his name as much as I can.
I cross another street, huddling deeper into the oversized jacket. I stick my hands in the pockets and feel what little cash I have on me. It’s not much. I only took what I had, what I could grab before I left.
This is crazy. It’s dangerous, but I can’t just stay with Connor. I hug myself and try to bite back tears.
I dip my left hand into my pocket, far down into the bumpy seam. There’s a handful of pills, little ovals I’m budgeting. I grab one and push it into my mouth, palm flat against my lips. I’m so used to the action that by now, I don’t really notice the burn in my throat or the way the pill sticks.
I’m too focused on what I know is coming.
Someone is going to come for me. Someone will punish me, eventually. If I don’t keep going, keep trying to stay away, the world I left will catch up with me. It will find me and make me pay.
So, I can’t stop.
I just have to keep surviving. I have to stay alive, free, until I figure a way out of this mess.
I cut across a street, looking at the lamp on the other side. I tell myself I just have to make it there, right below the yellow light.
I hear a shout.
“Hey! Watch where you’re going!”
My heart contracts painfully in my chest. I can feel it climb up to my throat, threatening to jump right out. I curl my hand into my jacket and walk faster. I don’t think the man recognizes me. He was just yelling at me for jaywalking, but being called out to makes my pulse roar.
