Chapter 35 (Aura)

I toss and turn all night in the cramped truck seat, managing only fitful moments of sleep. As dawn breaks, I glance over at Enzo. Dark circles shadow his eyes, his jaw tense with exhaustion. He hasn't slept at all.

"You should get some rest," I say softly.

Enzo flashes me a tired smile. "Good morning to you too, sunshine."

I can see right through his attempt at lightheartedness. The events of the past few days weigh heavily on him. Guilt radiates off him in waves, and I feel a confusing mix of sympathy and relief. Part of me is glad he feels remorse for what has happened, but another part aches to see him suffering.

"Did you sleep at all?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

Enzo shakes his head. "Had to keep watch. Make sure we aren't followed."

"I don't think we were," I reassure him. "But I guess we couldn't have known that last night."

Something deeper is troubling him, beyond just lack of sleep. My mind flashes back to the motel bathroom, to Ettore's lifeless body on the floor. Enzo has killed someone he knew, someone he might have even considered a friend at one point. That has to be eating away at him.

"It's not your fault, you know," I say gently. "Any of it. You don't have to punish yourself."

"I'm not punishing myself," Enzo protests. "Just doing what needs to be done to keep us safe."

"I don't blame you," I insist. "For my family, for what happened to me. None of it."

Enzo's eyes meet mine, filled with anguish. "I kept you locked up. I gagged you, tied you up."

"You didn't have a choice," I counter.

"I could have let you go sooner. I didn't."

"But you did let me go," I remind him.

"Yeah, eventually," Enzo mutters. "Sometimes 'eventually' isn't quick enough."

I move closer to him, my voice low. "Should I be the one who's angry? Who blames you?"

"You should," Enzo says bluntly.

Frustration swells up in my chest. "Well, you're the only one blaming anyone here," I snap, punching his shoulder. "Wake up, Enzo."

A grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. "You punch like a girl."

I sigh, shaking my head. "You don't take anything seriously, do you?"

Enzo leans across the center console, gently grasping my chin. "I take you very seriously, Aura."

"Prove it," I challenge.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Get some sleep," I say firmly.

Enzo nods. "I will. But we've got somewhere to go first."

"Where?"

He kisses me softly on the lips. "Somewhere very dangerous. Then maybe we can run off to Alaska and start over."

I make a face. "Alaska? No thanks."

"Where would you rather go?"

I think for a moment. "Japan, maybe. Or Italy."

Enzo chuckles. "Italy's full of gangsters, you know."

"Different gangsters," I argue. "You guys aren't really Italian anyway. You're Americans."

He laughs outright at that. "Fair point. Alright, Japan or Italy it is."

"I don't have a passport," I realize suddenly.

"We can get you one," Enzo assures me with a wink.

His confidence is oddly reassuring. Whatever happens, Enzo seems to have a plan – or at least the ability to figure things out on the fly.

"So where are we really going?" I press. "This dangerous place?"

Enzo's expression turns serious. "Don't worry about that right now. Just think about our future travel plans while I handle the dangerous stuff, okay?"

I open my mouth to argue, then close it again. Despite everything, I trust Enzo. As long as I am with him, I know things will work out somehow.

As we drive, my mind drifts back to the events that have brought us here. None of this is truly Enzo's fault. He may have been involved in my family's deaths, but he didn't give the order. And while he has kept me captive initially, he has also saved me from a far worse fate.

Without Enzo, I'd likely be dead by now. Or worse – trapped in some hellish cycle of abuse as a sex slave for men like Giacomo. The thought makes me shudder.

***

I sit nervously in the passenger seat as Enzo drives us through unfamiliar streets. After about an hour, we pull up to a clean, normal-looking brick row home in a decent neighborhood. My heart races, unsure of what's about to happen.

Enzo turns to me. "Stay back while I approach the steps."

I nod, watching him stride confidently to the front door. He pounds on it loudly, the sound echoing in the quiet street.

The door swings open, revealing an older man with graying hair. His eyes widen in surprise at the sight of Enzo, then flick to me standing behind him.

Before the man can react, Enzo shoves him inside. "Move it, Tommaso."

I quickly follow, locking the door behind us. Enzo manhandles Tommaso into what looks like a living room, pushing him onto a worn sofa.

"Go ahead, reach for that gun," Enzo taunts, a dangerous glint in his eye. "Give me an excuse to kill you and everyone else."

Tommaso's face pales. "You should turn yourself in, Enzo. This won't end well. She's not worth it."

My stomach twists at his words. Am I the "she" he's referring to?

Enzo's lips curl into a wicked smile. "Tell me, Tommaso. You like living?"

The older man sighs, a hint of resignation in his voice. "I got less time than most, but yeah, I'd like to keep breathing."

"Good," Enzo nods. "Because if you don't cooperate, I've got other ways to make you comply. Now, you're gonna call Giacomo and get him over here."

Tommaso's brow furrows. "What are you planning to do?"

"Relax," Enzo says, his tone eerily calm. "I'm not gonna kill him. That wouldn't stop the family from coming after me anyway."

"Then what-"

Enzo cuts him off. "I'm gonna pay him."

With that, Enzo stands and walks over to me.

I stand there, my heart racing as I process what's happening. Enzo turns to me, his eyes intense.

"Get the rope from the car."

I hesitate, searching his face. "Are you really going to pay Giacomo?"

A smirk plays at the corner of his mouth. "That's the plan. But first, we're gonna make Tommaso squirm a bit."

Despite myself, I feel a smile tugging at my lips. I nod and head outside, walking down the block to where we parked. Opening the trunk, I grab the coil of rope and hurry back to the house.

When I return, Enzo's already gagged Tommaso. I hand over the rope, watching as Enzo binds the older man tightly to the chair. Tommaso grunts and struggles, but it's useless.

Enzo steps back, admiring his handiwork. "What's that, old man? Can't quite make out what you're saying."

I glance between them. "What now?"

"Now we let him stew for a bit before he makes that call." Enzo's voice is cool, confident. "Don't worry. He'll do exactly what I say when the time comes."

With that, Enzo turns and walks into the next room. I take one last look at Tommaso, then follow.