Chapter 18 Runaway Plan [Flashback]
Chapter 18 Runaway Plan [Flashback]
The apartment door nearly came off its hinges when I kicked it open. Cold air followed me in like a pissed-off ghost, wrapping around my rage as I stormed inside.
Steccy was on the couch. Relaxed. Legs stretched out. An open pizza box balanced on her lap. One hand held the remote, the other lifted a greasy slice of pepperoni to her mouth.
“I just almost got punched by a mafia guy, and you’re here... watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S and eating pizza?”
She turned, chewing slowly, raising one eyebrow just slightly. “Yeah? How’d the punch feel? Worth it?”
I nearly threw my shoe at her face.
My footsteps hit the floor hard as I marched to the kitchen, yanked the fridge open, and was met with soda, expired ketchup, and—oh, perfect—ice cream that had fossilized. I slammed the door shut.
“Darius slapped me.”
“Please tell me you hit him back,” she said, tugging a blanket up over her stomach.
“I ran.”
“Okay, that’s like... the coward’s version of hitting back.”
I spun around, hands on my hips. “Why are you even still HERE? The Solenzara people could show up any minute, Steccy. You know who they’re after. And you’re just sitting there, chewing pepperoni like there’s no blood debt hanging around your neck.”
She rolled up the rest of the slice and took another bite. “Look, I’m not facing the mafia on an empty stomach. My brain needs carbs.”
“My brain needs a reason why I nearly became collateral damage because of you.”
“I told you. It’s not entirely my fault—”
“Oh really? You stole money, Steccy. MONEY. For your gambling. For your dumbass crypto. From people who probably give out Valentine’s Day gifts shaped like landmines.”
She let out a long breath, and for the first time tonight, she sounded... less chill. “I didn’t think it’d get this bad, Bree. I thought I could pay it back before anyone noticed.”
I scoffed loud. “What, you think this is a movie? That you can negotiate with mafia like they’re some corporate execs? Jesus.”
I dropped into one of the kitchen chairs, my shoulders slumping. And for a second, my world just... paused. Not out of fear. Out of clarity. I lived with a woman who attracted death the way she ordered takeout.
Steccy looked at me. Then got up, walked over, and sat across from me. She held out a slice of pizza.
“The world’s a mess. But you haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
I didn’t say anything. Then, because I hated that she was right, I took the damn slice. It tasted salty, hot, and just a little too sweet. Like my life right now.
“I left Darius tonight,” I whispered. Barely believing the words as they left my mouth.
Her head snapped up. “For real?”
I nodded. “I can’t do it, Stec. He’s not... he’s not the same guy. Or maybe he never was. And I just finally see it.”
She stayed quiet for a beat. Then nodded slowly. “Okay. We leave.”
I squinted at her. “We?”
“Well, I can’t stay here if you’re gone. And they’ll find you eventually. So we go with my plan.”
“Why are you the calm one when you’re the one in debt, and I’m the one freaking out?”
“Because you’re my little sister. And I’m gonna make us disappear.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You? The one who stole from the mafia?”
She grinned. “Exactly. I’m a pro.”
A laugh slipped out of me—tired and half-hysterical. “We need a plan,” I muttered.
Steccy nodded. “And a new place.”
“And fake names.”
“And maybe... you need a drink.”
I shot her a look. “One sip. If you say the words ‘raspberry vodka’ tonight, I will step on your face.”
She stood, heading for the kitchen. “Deal.”
And that night, somewhere between bad decisions and the threat of being hunted down, I realized something.
I was ready to start over.
Or at least fake it until I could.