Impossible Odds

23

“Ummm … well, it’s definitely an exciting career path. It would mean a lot of travel—you can’t exactly take pictures of those things here—and wouldn’t it be kind of dangerous too? I certainly never expected something like that from you.” Her words floundered, but her tone remained positive. “It encompasses everything that interests me, and I think it could be my one great passion in life. But like you said, there are drawbacks. I know my parents will hate the idea, and there are definite dangers.” “You can’t always make them happy. I think if it’s your passion, you have to take the risk. Not everyone is able to find something in their lives that they live and breathe for. If you think this could be it for you, I think you should give it a try.” As she spoke, her voice grew stronger, reinforced with conviction. I grinned broadly. “Thanks, Al. I knew I could count on you to understand.” It was misleading to trick her like that, but I needed an unbiased opinion. I realized after hearing her reaction that I’d been leaning toward taking the risk and just needed her unwitting support to reinforce my gut reaction. Yes, being with Primo might be dangerous, but I would always regret not taking that chance. I’d never been the play-it-safe kind of girl, so there was no point in being cautious now. I ended my conversation with Alessia and pulled up my text thread with Primo. Me: I want to come with you. I held my breath, my finger hovering over the phone before I finally hit send. Within seconds, the conversation dots popped up. Primo: That’s more like it. Primo: Can you get out of your apartment alone? Me: I think so. Primo: Meet me at the Applejack diner around the corner from your building in an hour. Me: See you then. Nervous energy pulsated beneath my ribs, vibrating out into my extremities and making my head dangerously dizzy. I had one hour to pack my things for a trip of unknown duration to a mystery location with a man I hardly knew. I had to be insane. Please, sweet baby Jesus, don’t let me live to regret this decision. I crossed myself and leaped from the couch to pack. I assumed we were going to Mexico, so I grabbed my passport and a slew of beach attire, then threw in some slacks and cardigans just in case. I initially set out enough clothes for a month-long hiatus but put most of it back when I decided I didn’t want to show up with sixteen suitcases. It might have looked presumptive. I whittled my wardrobe down to the necessities—I could buy whatever else I needed once I was there. It was tight, but I got it all in one suitcase. Before I lugged it out into the living room, I plopped on the bed and contemplated how I could get out without alerting whoever was monitoring my security cameras. I stared at my doorway for several minutes before I gave up. f**k it. I’ll be gone before they can do anything about it. I wheeled my suitcase out the front door and into the elevator, eager to get to Primo. When I arrived at the diner, he was standing out front, leaning against a black Mercedes. His eyes sparked with possessive pride, making my heart do its impression of a Cirque du Soleil performer. As soon as I was within his reach, I held out my hand and uncurled my fingers to reveal his silver lighter. “I believe this is yours.” He ignored my offering, clasping his hand behind my neck and tugging me in to bring our lips together in a passionate kiss. We moved hungrily, kissing and biting and breathing each other in as if starved from our last encounter. The world melted away when I was with him, and it didn’t matter if the Pope himself was there on the sidewalk to witness our kiss. I lost myself in Primo’s touch, pulling away only when my need for oxygen overruled my maddening desire. “We need to go,” I told him. “They’ll know I’ve left.” He placed one more delicate kiss on my forehead before putting my suitcase in the trunk and helping me into the passenger seat. I tucked the lighter back into my pocket, relieved he hadn’t taken it from me. “Where are we going?” “To a private airport where I’ve chartered a plane.” “Am I allowed to know our final destination?” “Guaymas, Mexico. It’s on the northwestern coast across from Baja California. It’s beautiful there. Unique. Arid with a desert climate, so there are beaches but not much vegetation. The sunsets are breathtaking. Nothing like New York.” He spoke of the area fondly, and I looked forward to seeing it. Mexico was a part of him just like New York was a part of me— seeing the land and its people was just another way to get to know him, and I leaped at the opportunity. The airport was only a twenty-minute drive in Upper Manhattan. Primo drove with confident ease, maneuvering in and out of traffic as if he were born in the city. I got the sense he was adaptable to his surroundings. As he drove, I took out my phone and sent a single text to Alessia. I decided to go for it. Please don’t worry about me. I promise I’ll be safe and will be in touch soon. Love you much, G. Knowing she and my family would panic and try to reach me, I turned off my phone and prayed I’d made the right decision.Chapter 12 Primo Although Giada had said she was coming, I was still somewhat surprised to see her arrive at the diner. It hadn’t escaped me that leaving town with a man she’d only just met was exceptionally risky. I wouldn’t have faulted her if she had reconsidered her decision, as long as it was her decision and not simply pressure from her family. Regardless of whatever turmoil she may have dealt with internally, she marched up to me with a determined set to her jaw and cheeks flushed from the cool evening air. I couldn’t help but kiss her. Taste that bittersweet undercurrent of fear belying the confidence she professed. There was no such thing as courage without fear, and Giada was unquestionably scared and so very, very brave. Would that bravery pay off? Not even I had that answer. Once we were in the car, she shot off a text to someone. There was no way her family could stop us at this point, but I was curious about what she might have told them. “Did you tell anyone you were coming?” “No, not exactly. I texted my cousin a somewhat cryptic message. She’ll figure it out soon enough. I want to make sure she and my family know I wasn’t abducted or anything. I’m sure they’d think the worst if I didn’t.” I appreciated her efforts, but they were futile. Nothing she said would convince them of her safety, and that was the way it should be. Our organizations were not allied, and relations were about to take a steep downward slide into hostile territory. “So,” Giada started coyly.