Mag-log inFor the next five minutes, the only sound was that of Luca vigorously striking keys. Then he muttered a quick, "Yes!" and smiled. He turned the screen so that Massimo could better see it."We're in," Luca reported. "Only temporarily, of course—we've got fifteen minutes maximum."Massimo scanned the
"You know what," Massimo said into his cell phone, forcing his tone to stay casual. "You should clean up your place before you go anywhere.""I suppose I could be more thorough," Luca replied. "I don't like how much dust gets caught on the window's curtains.""Better to take care of that before alle
Massimo heard a car approach. He rushed to the windows, hoping that Elena had called a cab.But he didn't see a cab. Instead, he saw a nondescript black van pull up next to a nearby telephone pole. Massimo frowned.It didn't have any of the usual signage, but Massimo could recognize a repurposed FBI
Elena was so frustrated. Because this was the problem, wasn't it? How was she supposed to trust Massimo when he had been lying and sneaking around behind her back?Wasn't that just what her parents used to do? Wasn't Tyler using similarly ridiculous schemes—albeit with more force—to get her at his s
Elena tried to change directions but found herself at a dead end. Worst of all, the aisles were too cramped for her to slip by her step-mother. There was no way to avoid the woman."Are you ready to leave?"Elena hadn't been ready to hear that deep, steady voice again, but between Massimo and her st
Massimo stared at the fuel gauge, as if that would change the fact that the motorcycle didn't have much gas left. At least the damn thing beeped before it was completely empty—getting stranded on a deserted street with no easy way home truly would be the worst way to end this evening-into-morning ad
He was a mechanic, so he must be well-built. His hands would probably be calloused but gentle—he certainly picked his words carefully, so it would make sense that his actions would be precise, too.He was probably a touch old-fashioned, so maybe he'd wear a proper suit. And maybe, just maybe, he'd w
"Witness protection?" Elena echoed. "When—how—why—"Joshua squeezed her hand again. "I'll pull some strings. You're a civilian, Elena—I'm not going to sit back and watch a crime boss try to kill you."As her senses returned, Elena pulled back her hand. She shook her head."I can't," she insisted."E
Unfortunately, Elena wouldn't let that be the end of it."You're not choosing anything," Elena complained."We've picked out plenty of presents already," Massimo stated."No," Elena chided, "I've made suggestions and you've blindly agreed to them. You haven't picked out anything yourself."Massimo k
"Good thing we took a break," Massimo gritted out. "I would have missed such a perfect gift."Elena doubted Massimo's convictions but let him duck back into the store. For whatever reason, he was done with this trip. Elena knew he would only get more short and annoyed if she protested his decision.







