CHAPTER 14

Jamie packed and unpacked his suit case three times.

Each time, he told himself it was just in case. Just being prepared. Just thinking ahead.

But the truth sat heavy in his chest

I need to leave. I need to get Lucas and run. far away from this place.

California felt impossibly far away—sun-bleached sidewalks, cheap takeout, late-night gaming sessions, the version of himself that hadn’t known what a dungeon smelled like. Or what a dead man looked like with a bullet hole in his head. That version felt like a stranger now.

He zipped the bag halfway. Unzipped it again.

His hands shook.

You convinced Lucas to stay, a voice in his head reminded him cruelly.

You dragged him here.

The guilt was sharp enough to make his chest ache.

When he finally found Lucas later that afternoon, it was by accident—on the terrace overlooking the sea. Lucas was leaning against the railing, sunlight catching in his blond hair, ankle finally free of bandages. He looked… good. Relaxed. Happy.

Jamie almost broke into tears right there.

“Hey,” Lucas said softly, smiling. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

Jamie swallowed. “I’ve just been… busy.”

Lucas frowned. “Busy doing what? You’ve barely touched the bucket list. You were the one pushing for all of this.”

Jamie opened his mouth.

Closed it again.

Because Enzo was there.

Not hovering. Not intruding. Just present. Standing a few feet away, pretending to scroll through his phone while absolutely listening to everything.

Jamie’s heart rate spiked.

Lucas followed his gaze.

“Is he… always around?” Jamie asked

Lucas laughed. “He is… protective I guess.”

“That’s one word for it,”

Jamie leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Luke, have you ever thought about… going home early?”

Lucas stiffened. “What?”

“I mean—just hypothetically,” Jamie rushed on. “Like, if we cut the trip short. Or took a break. Or—”

“Jamie,” Lucas said slowly, confusion creasing his brow. “You begged me to stay. You said this was our chance. Three months. Remember?”

Jamie nodded too fast. “I know. I just—sometimes plans change.”

Lucas studied him more closely now. “Plans dont just change. You’re acting weird. Is everything okay?”

Before Jamie could respond, Enzo spoke calmly from behind them. “Dinner will be ready in an hour.”

The moment shattered.

Lucas turned. “Uh—thanks for the reminder.”

Enzo inclined his head slightly, eyes flicking back to Jamie in a way that made his stomach twist.

When Enzo stepped away, Lucas crossed his arms. “Okay. That was strange.”

Jamie’s thoughts raced. Say something. Say anything.

But the words stuck, trapped behind fear.

“I just miss home,” Jamie said weakly.

Lucas searched his face. “You know you can tell me anything right? Did something happen?”

Jamie almost told him.

The cellar. The cold. Blood. Death. Matteo’s voice.

I always know.

Instead, Jamie shook his head. “No.”

Lucas didn’t look convinced—but before he could press, Matteo appeared at the edge of the terrace, as if summoned by the tension.

“Am I interrupting?” Matteo asked lightly.

Jamie’s pulse spiked instantly.

Lucas smiled politely. “We were just talking.”

“Good,” Matteo said, stepping closer—too close to Jamie. “Jamie, I was looking for you.”

Jamie felt trapped between them. “Yeah?”

“Walk with me.”

It wasn’t a question.

Jamie glanced at Lucas, panic flaring—but Lucas only shrugged, clearly confused, clearly unaware.

“ We will talk later?” Lucas said.

Jamie nodded numbly. “Later.”

As Matteo guided him away, a hand resting briefly at the small of his back, Jamie felt something inside him fracture.

That night, Jamie lay awake again.

He imagined the airport. The relief of boarding a plane. The way his chest might finally loosen once Sicily disappeared beneath the clouds.

I can leave, he thought desperately.

I can take Lucas and go.

But every version of that thought collapsed under the same fear:

What if Matteo doesn’t let me?

A soft knock sounded at his door.

Jamie sat bolt upright.

“Jamie,” Matteo’s voice came quietly through the wood. “May I come in?”

Jamie’s heart pounded. He considered pretending to sleep. Considered locking the door. Considered running.

“Okay,” he said finally.

Matteo entered, calm as ever, closing the door behind him.

“You’re restless,” Matteo said.

Jamie laughed hollowly. “You could say that.”

Matteo studied him for a long moment. “You’ve been thinking about leaving.”

Jamie froze.

“I—”

“You don’t have to deny it,” Matteo continued evenly. “Your body language changes when you lie.”

Jamie’s chest tightened. “I just… need space.”

“From what?” Matteo asked. “Or from whom?”

Jamie met his gaze, fear and frustration spilling over. “From this. From not being able to breathe. From feeling like I’m being watched all the time.”

Matteo stepped closer. “You are being watched.”

Jamie flinched.

“For your safety,” Matteo added smoothly.

Jamie shook his head, voice breaking. “You don’t get it. I’m spiraling. I can’t even talk to my best friend without one of you being there.”

Matteo’s expression softened like he was speaking to a terrified bunny.

“You’re frightened,” he said as if reading a weather report. “That’s understandable.”

Jamie laughed bitterly. “That’s all you have to say?”

Matteo reached out, cupping Jamie’s jaw gently, forcing him to look up. The touch was intimate enough to make Jamie’s breath hitch.

“I spared you,” Matteo said quietly. “I protected you. And I’m still doing so.”

Jamie whispered, “It doesn’t feel like protection.”

Matteo’s eyes darkened. “It will.”

Jamie’s stomach dropped.

“Rest,” Matteo said again, the same word from before. “You’re not leaving. Get those thoughts out of your head.”

The door closed behind him.

Jamie slid down against it, breath coming in shallow gasps, hands trembling as the truth settled in:

He wanted to run.

But he didn’t know if he was allowed to.

If he could.