LOGINFor 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
"I'm very sorry," Elena started saying.But the man interrupted her. "Elena? Elena Vitale, is that you?"Elena squinted as she tried to place this man in her mind. But no, she hadn't met anyone like him recently. Yet there was something familiar about his dirty blonde hair and brown eyes...The man
Elena got home much later than she intended to. Joshua had insisted on calling her a cab."It's too late for any buses to still be running, and you really shouldn't walk home by yourself," he had told her.It was a kind gesture, but Elena didn't feel the need to profusely thank him for it. She knew
"Yeah, no problem," Elena said, fully distracted by her patient. "Just be sure to wash it afterwards."Elena hung up the phone so she could more easily bandage the man's head wound. After that was done, she headed for the next car.As she got more focused, Elena prioritized her efforts. She treated
"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







