Entangled With The Mafia

Chapter 19: Leaving For Good

Amelia

I'm packing my bags.

Well, I'm stuck between packing them, then unpacking everything I've folded neatly inside my suitcase. I haven't informed Devon of my decision yet, mostly because I haven't quite decided what to do yet, but if I do decide to quit, he'll understand. He'll have to. This task is impossible, or maybe I'm just not qualified for the job. I'm no spy. I'm just an i***t who thought she'd be a hero, but I was wrong. I'm no match for the underworld.

But then, everything switches, and I'm unpacking again. Aaron. He can't rot in that cell. I know he isn't innocent, I know he's confessed to killing that man, but it was self-defense, even though no jury believed him. I did, though. I believe he's innocent. Everyone deserves a second chance, and my brother is no exception.

It's twenty-three minutes past twelve. I should've been in the lounge four hours ago. I'm not sure if that means I've lost my job, but there's a good chance I have. The Kellers hate tardiness. Also, I haven't been answering Devon's calls, and he's been calling non-stop since six in the morning. I'm sure he wants to know if I made any progress last night, but there was none. He was wrong about everything. Whoever that man he's looking for is hidden well. He doesn't just appear in public. Someone's giving him inaccurate information, and I paid the price for it.

I don't feel grateful to Damien for saving me last night. It was a relief to have that awful man's hands away from my body, but Damien put me in that mess, all for the sake of pleasing his client. I can't believe I was almost r***d last night. When I think back on it, it's like there's a cloud over the whole encounter, like something out of a nightmare. I feel exposed even though I'm fully dressed. I told myself I'd never let any of their clients touch me, but what happened last night went against all my affirmations. I allowed it to happen because I should've left when I had the chance.

But what about Aaron?

He's my brother. Am I being too selfish? How can I go back home to live a normal life when he's in jail? Shouldn't I do everything possible to help him out of this mess? What about me? I can't afford to give parts of myself away like this. I'm not an expert at deception. I thought maybe I'd get to be Yara Huxley for a month, resolve every issue in my life, and then become Amelia George again before anything too serious happened. Aaron would be out; I'd go to college. I thought it was an easy deal, but in the beginning, I never even hesitated. But I never imagined being groped and nearly r***d. That never crossed my mind once, and I can't allow that to happen again.

I zip my suitcase shut and carry it to the living room. I clean the room and throw everything that needs to be thrown out in the bin. I'm cleaning the place up, so I guess I really am doing this. I'm leaving.

The doorbell rings.

I freeze. It must be Devon. He's probably worried about what happened last night, and he came to check up on me. Or maybe he thinks I'm dead already, which is why I'm not answering the phone. I should feel bad about this, but I'm numb. He rings the doorbell again. I turn the doorknob. I'm surprised that it's not Devon glaring at me with his dark eyes.

It's Ethan Keller.

This is incredulous. I'm stunned. What's he doing here? I wrap my hand tightly around the knob so I don't fall because I feel light-headed. He makes his way inside without a word. He stops right at the center of the living room. He looks around the apartment once with a sour expression and a wrinkled nose. I know what he must be thinking. This place looks and smells like a dump.

"How can I help you, Mr. Keller?" I already know why he's here. It's obvious. But he needs to hurry up because I have a bus to catch.

I watch as he eyes my packed bags. "You're leaving?"

"Yes." Why should I bother lying?

He faces me. "I wouldn't be here if Damien hadn't asked. He doesn't want you to leave. You're a trusted employee." He glances at his watch. "Frankly, I don't think you're all that, but he insists."

I smile imperceptibly. "I can't act like a p********e, Mr. Keller. I was almost r***d last night by one of your associates."

"We all know what transpired between you and Mr. Pascual, but the matter has been resolved." His tone is professional and cold. "Risks are a part of any job, Huxley. Your cousin died fighting for us."

"So you're telling me that it'll happen again? And I'm just supposed to go along with this? My job is to be a barmaid."

"You don't get to choose. But, as I said, the matter has been resolved. So, you have no reason to be concerned."

I scoff. "Until when? Until your next associate needs some convincing? I can't put up with it. I'm going back home, and I should have never left." I'm convinced of this now. I should've given Devon's proposal a second thought and made all the right questions. I shouldn't have jumped into it. That was foolish of me.

He fixes me a look, and I wonder what came over me to talk to someone like Ethan Keller like that. I seal my lips. I want to leave this place without any trouble. He tilts his head. "The problem is, Miss Huxley, that you signed a one-year contract with us. You can't just pack your bags and leave, not without a 90-day notice."

My heart sinks, and my jaw hits the floor—the contract. I didn't think about it. Dammit, why didn't I bother reading it? 90 days? That's three months. I thought Devon would have it all under control. I never would've guessed that things would end this way

.

He looks pleased with himself. "We'll give you today off, but you better be at work tomorrow. Don't be late."

"I won't come." They can't force me. I don't care what he says. He's trying to intimidate me into working for them again.

"Take note that if you do not adhere to the terms of the contract, there will be consequences." He glances at the watch on his wrist. "You better be in tomorrow."

He leaves without a word, and I hurry to shut the door lest the wind blows in something unpleasant. They must really want me back if Damien sent his own cousin to practically convince me. I should be flattered, but I'm not. I know what they're trying to do. They'll never stop sending me on those 'errands', and there's no way I can complain about it because I don't even know what was written on that damned contract. Theo was right; I did sign a deal with the devil.

Well, Yara Huxley did.

They don't even have my real identity. They have no clue who I really am. Where will they even find me? I'm not Jason's cousin. His name wasn't even Jason, to begin with. I'm going back home, and nothing will stop me. Not the Kellers, not anyone. I have nothing to be afraid of. What will they do; sue me?

Yara Huxley doesn't even exist.

I'm all set and ready to go. There's just one more thing I have to take care of. I take the bag from under the bed. I pop it open. I got Jason's address from Devon, so I'll have to make a turn there someday to hand it to them personally. But sometimes I think, should I? I need this money, too. Now, more than ever. I don't know how much it is, but it would help with the mortgage. How would I live with myself, though, if I used this money that belonged to Jason's real family?

I reopen my duffel bag and shove the notes under all my clothes. I leave the empty bag under the bed. I'll decide all this when I get back. I just need to focus on getting out of this place alive.

I lock the door and tuck the key in my pocket. I'll mail it to Devon later. Right now, I just need to get out of here. I hail a cab and ask him to drive to the station. I'm nervous now, but my decision has been made. As for Aaron, my heart is broken. It really is. I did everything I possibly could to help him, and in any case, I knew he wouldn't be proud of what I was doing. He never wanted this for me. He only wanted the best. I'll see him as soon as I get home.

I buy a ticket and sit on a nearby bench. I'm afraid of looking at my phone, but I think I better call my mother and tell her I'm coming home. I know she hates surprises.

There are over 20 missed calls from Devon. All from last night and at around three in the morning. There's a text message, but I don't open it. I'll deal with him once I'm home and away from this mess. Plus, I didn't sign a contract with him, so I have no obligations.

I'm about to call my mother when a man approaches me, clearing his throat. "Amelia?"

I look up, startled. I haven't heard my real name in a long time. He's around 45, with his hair graying at the temples. He's wearing a long trench coat and a hat. He looks like a secret agent from one of those movies. The sight of him makes my heart beat faster. I don't answer him. I don't want to confirm anything.

"My name is Sam Henry. You need to come with me immediately."

I gulp. "I think you have the wrong person."

"I know who you are. Come with me, Amelia." The man says with urgency. "I know you don't know me, but you can trust me. I'm Devon's supervisor, and I only came here because the matter is urgent. You have to come with me right away."

He mentions Devon, so I know it's safe. "Devon's supervisor? What's this about? Will you tell me what it is?"

"It's about Devon. That's all I can tell you."

I pause. I never even got to tell Devon that I was leaving. How did this man find me here? "How'd you know I was here?"

"Devon told me he knew you'd be leaving. He felt it in his gut."

"Why isn't he here? Why'd he send you?"

"As I said, I can't give you any more details. Anyone could be watching. You'll have to trust me, and I'll take you to him."

"I can't follow you to God knows where without knowing what the issue is. Devon has never mentioned you. How do I know I can trust you?"

He shoves his hands in his pocket. "Devon's in a private clinic. At four in the morning today, he was shot. I can't tell you more about this. You'll have to come with me."

I start hyperventilating. Devon, shot?

This can't be good.