CHAPTER 165: CHAPTER 165 TO MY KNEES

*LORENZO*

I stood paralyzed in the hallway for what seemed like an age. I was filled with dread, and my blood was thundering in my ears.

Where the fuck was she?

What the hell was she mixed up in?

What do I do?

How could she face those guys on her own?

Fuck it. I have to find her.

Where will she go?

Home.

Downtown.

Yes.

I dashed down the hall to the study and snatch the car keys from my desk, then ran to the front door, stopping only to grab my coat.

I felt sick, my stomach churning.

There was no way those guys were from the police.

When I reached the garage, I pressed the electronic key, expecting the Maybach to open, but instead the Jag beeped to life.

Shit. In my haste I picked up the wrong key.

Fuck it.

I didn’t have time to go back upstairs for the correct key. I clamber into the F-Type Jag and press the ignition. The engine roared to life, and I ease the car forward out of its parking space. The garage doors rise gradually, and I exited to the left onto the street and raced to the end of the road, turning left again. But that was as far as I got.

Traffic was slow because it was Friday afternoon and the beginning of rush hour.

The crowded roads exacerbate my anxiety and did nothing for my temper. I ran through my interaction with the thugs repeatedly, looking for any clues as to what might have happened to Danica.

They looked rough. Danica bolted, so she either knew them or believed they’re from the police, which meant she must have done something wrong.

Oh, Danica. What are you up to?

And where the hell are you?

I hoped that she had gone back her house, because that was where I was headed.

**********

Danica sat on the train nervously fingering the small gold cross that hung around her neck. It was given to her by one of the sisters.

She treasured it. In times of stress, it brought her comfort.

She fiddled with it now and kept repeating her mantra.

Please keep them safe.

Please keep them safe.

Her anxiety was overwhelming. They found her. How?

Did Julio really have such strong connections?

She needed to know that Magda and John are okay. Normally she liked traveling by train, but today it was too slow.

She looked out the window and knew that it would be another twenty minutes before the train got home.

Please hurry.

Her thoughts turn to the boss. At least he was safe, for now. Her heart stuttered.

Lorenzo.

He kissed her.

Twice.

Twice!

He said lovely words. About her. You’re beautiful.

You’re stunning.

And he kissed her!

That’s how I feel.

If circumstances were different, she would be ecstatic. She touched her fingers to her lips. It was a bittersweet moment. Her dreams were finally realized, only to be shattered by Julio.

There was no way she can be involved with the boss. No. Lorenzo. His name was Lorenzo.

She had brought such terrible danger to his home. She had to protect him.

Oh. Her job.

She will be out of a job. Nobody wanted trouble coming to their front door and bad men like Julio threatening them.

What will she do?

She needed to be careful when she returned to Magda’s. She cannot let Julio find her there.

She cannot.

She must protect herself, too.

Fear gripped her throat, and she shuddered. She hugged herself, trying to contain her distress. All her vague hopes and dreams were lost. And in a rare moment of self-pity, she rocked to and fro, trying to find some comfort and alleviate her fear.

Why does the train have to take so long?

It pulls in to a station, and the doors open.

“Please. Please hurry,” Danica whispered, and her fingers find her gold cross once more.

********

*LORENZO*

I sped down the road, my mind hopping from Danica to those men.

Seeing the roughened road from afar, I felt relieved knowing I was near.

I came off the motorway hitting the slip road at fifty miles per hour. I slowed down, but fortunately, the lights at the junction were green, and I cruised through them thankful that I’d brought her home earlier in the week and knew where she lived.

Six minutes later, I pulled up in front of her house, leapt out of the car, and dashed up the short pathway. There were still clumps of snow on the grass and the sad remains of a snowman. The doorbell trills somewhere inside, but there was no response. The house was empty.

Fuck.

Where was she?

Apprehension overwhelmed me. Where could she be? Of course! She’ll be coming here by train.

I’d seen the sign for the station as I’d turned in to Church Walk. I sprinted back down the path and turn right on to the main road. The station was less than two hundred meters on my left.

Thank God it was so close.

As I dashed down the station stairs, I saw a train waiting on the far platform, but it’s heading somewhere else. I stopped and focused my attention. There were only two platforms, and the one I was on was for trains traveling out of town.

All I had to do was wait. An electronic display hanging overhead announces that the next train arrives at 15:07. I checked my watch; it’s 15:03 now.

I leaned against one of the white iron pillars that supported the station roof and wait. There were a few other commuters waiting for the train, too. Most of them, like me, were seeking shelter from the elements. I watched as the frigid wind blows a discarded crisp packet in gusts along the station platform and across the train tracks. But it didn’t hold my attention for long.

Every few seconds I glanced at the empty track, praying for the train to materialize.

Come on. Come on. I will it to arrive.

Finally the train appeared around the bend, and it slowly, oh, so fucking slowly, pulled in to the station and stops. I stood up straight, my stomach churning with anxiety as the doors open and a few people alight from the train.

Twelve of them.

But not Danica.

Fucking hell.

As the train left the station, I checked the electronic sign again. The next train was due in fifteen minutes.

That was not too long. It was a fucking age! Hell.

I was glad that even in my haste to leave the apartment, I remembered my coat. It was bloody cold. I cupped and blew on my hands, stamped my feet, and pulled up my coat collar in an effort to keep warm.

Thrusting my hands into the pockets, I paced up and down the platform while I waited.

My phone buzzed, and for some insane reason I thought it might be Danica, but of course she doesn’t have my number. It was Carla. Whatever she wanted can wait. I ignored the call.

After an intolerable fifteen minutes, the 15:22 train came into view around the bend. It slowed as it approached the station, and after an agonizing minute it stopped

Time suspended.

The doors open, and Danica was the first off the train. Oh, thank God!

Relief nearly brought me to my knees, but just the sight of her calmed me down.