• CHAPTER FOUR •

KIERA

The sudden screech of tired against wet asphalt snapped me violently back to the present.

We pulled up to a deserted, dimly lit bus stop on the rain slicked edge of the warehouse district. The neon sign above the bench flickered, casting long, skeletal shadows across the pavement.

Lorenzo didn't look at me as the driver put the car in park. He reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a thick, matte black business card with a single address embossed in silver and held it out.

"You have twenty four hours to pack your things and get to this address, Kiera," his deep baritone voice rumbled, cutting through the quiet hum of the engine. "Don't make me come looking for you again."

I stared at the card, my fingers trembling as I snatched it from my grip and tore it. "I hope I never have to see your face again.

A dark, slow smile touched the corner of his lips, but his eyes remained entirely cold, tracking the frantic pulse jumping in my throat. "We shall see," he said, pulling out another card and dropped it in my hand. "We shall see."

"Unlock the fucking door."

The lock clicked. I didn't waste another second, I pushed the door open, stepping out into the biting night air, and slammed it behind me. The sedan immediately accelerated, it's red tailights bleeding into the darkness as it disappeared down the empty avenue.

I stood under the flickering light of the bus stop, my chest heaving as the cold rain began to soak through my thin clothes. My mind was racing, a scream was clawing at my throat aching to let out.

Lorenzo was back.

He had killed Andres.

He had found me. And it was only a matter of time before his men started digging into my life, before they found the apartment, before they found the twins.

With shaking hands, I reached into my pocket and pulled out my burner phone. My thumb hovered over Clara's number before I aggressively talked the screen, pressing the phone to my ear.

I was about to make the craziest, most dangerous decision of my life.

"Selene," she murmured, sleep evident in her tone. "What's up?"

"Clara," I choked out. "Get prepared. Get the kids. We move out in a week."

~~~~~~

It's been exactly a week since I made the decision to move away. I had already contacted Dr. Lee. Leo was already set to be transferred to another hospital in a far away discreet state, while Clara had already packed everything we needed.

I was at the bus stop, waiting for the man I contacted for my fake identity.

Once again, I was running, but this time, much more further.

"You know this was hard to get done within few days," David said as he stepped closer, removing his hood, revealing his face. "Why though?" He arched a brow. "The other one is still good."

"That's a personal business, David," I said as I snatched the files from him. "You just get your job done."

He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Okay okay. Fairs. But you owe me more because this wasn't easy."

I said nothing and reached into my pocket, dragging a fat wad of cash into his outstretched palm. A greedy smile stretched onto his lips. "Ah ah. Nice doing business with you," he then winked. "Odette."

I snarled and turned away, headed back for home.

Six hours.

Six hours left until the train took off.

I needed to get home fast, everything was already prepared, I hadn't seen or heard from Lorenzo. This was good.

By the time I got home, the lock on my apartment door was already broken. Splintered wood hung off the frame, and the heavy smell of expensive cologne and rain choked the small hallway. My heart did a violent, painful kick against my ribs.

I looked around.

There was three cars. All black sedans.

No no no. I began to panic as I feared the worse possible case scenario. Just then a figure stepped out, I slowly turned to see a tall man who looked stiff as a statue staring down at me. "The boss is waiting."

The boss? My eyes widened as the realization dawned on me.

Lorenzo.

I swallowed hard and took two steps inside.

I froze at the sight I met.

Clara was on her knees in the middle of our cramped living room, her shoulders shaking, ugly tears running down her face. Standing right behind her, his large, calloused fingers slowly tracing her jawline was Lorenzo. His coat was slightly damp, and his face was a mask of terrifying calm.

"Kiera, how nice of you to join us,"

"Let her go," I choked out, my hands trembling so hard I had to shove them into my pockets. "Please. She has nothing to do with this."

Lorenzo didn't look at me. His fingers pinched Clara's chin, forcing her to look up. She let out a soft, pathetic sob, her eyes pleading with me to run. But there was nowhere to run. Two of his massive guards had blocked the hallway.

"I need you to answer a question for me," Lorenzo said, his eyes still on Clara.

I swallowed hard. "And that is?"

"Kiera," he turned to face me, his eyes hardening. "Who are the father of your kids?"