CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168 THE RIGHT THING

Danica was overwhelmed. His level gaze was sincere. He was offering her a way out. This man she barely knew. Yet he came all the way from the posh part of town to check if she was okay.

He waited for her at the station. He held her while she cried. She could only remember the sisters doing that for her.

Apart from Magda, since she left the orphanage, no one else has treated her with such kindness. It was a generous offer. Too generous.

And Julio was her problem, not his. She didn’t want to drag him into this mess. She wanted to protect him.

But she had no money.

And Magda was leaving soon, bound for Toronto. Lorenzo is waiting for her answer.

What will he want in return for his help?

Danica knew so little about him. She didn’t even know what he did for a living. All she knew was that the life he led was very different from hers.

“This is just to keep you safe. No strings attached,” he said.

Strings attached?

“I don’t want anything from you,” he clarified, as if he can read her mind.

No strings attached.

She likes him. She more than likes him.

She was a little in love with him, but she understood it was a crush. And yet he was the only person she had told about what happened with Julio.

“Danica, please answer me,” he persisted. His expression was anxious, his eyes wide and open and honest.

He radiated concern. Could she trust him?

Not all men were monsters, were they?

“Yes,” she whispered before she could change her mind.

“Great,” he said, and he sounded relieved.

“What?” Magda snapped, looking at Danica in surprise. “Do you know him?”

“She’ll be safe with me,” he said. “I’ll take good care of her.”

“I want to go, Magda,” Danica whispered.

If she goes, Magda and John would be safe.

Magda lit another cigarette.

“What do you want to do?” Lorenzo turned his attention to Magda, who looked from Danica to him, confounded.

“You haven’t told me what those men want, Danica,” Magda said.

Danica shook her head. “I was...was just protecting myself.”

Even if Magda was just her landlady, she had been very kind to her and so Danica felt she could finally open up to her.

So to Lorenzo and Magda, she gave a detailed explanation about what happened with Julio.

Though she had rented a small apartment at Julio’s house, she had no idea how dubious she was.

In the few weeks she spent there, she got to notice that he was fond of harassing his tenants and since most of the tenants were paupers, some barely had anything, no one dared to stand up against him.

She had tried by all means to avoid him until her rent expires, she was already planning on moving out but then he began to flirt with her.

She didn’t want him flirting with her but he always blocked her path and eyed her as if she was a delicious meal he couldn’t wait to have.

And so one night, he burst into her apartment with the intention of sleeping with her. It seemed he was pretty used to having his way with whoever he wanted.

But Danica didn’t want to give in. She didn’t want her first time to be with a man she didn’t like and was appalled by.

She tried by all means to fight him, she kicked him on the crotch and broke a bottle on his head.

As she fled that night, she heard him yelling that he’d kill her.

She was barely able to get most of her things. That was why she had so little clothes now. It turns out that Julio really held a grudge against her for that night, for he made sure to find her now and even pretended to be the police so he could gain access to her.

Danica knew that if she were ever in that man’s grasp, he would definitely crush her.

“The nerves of that pig!” Lorenzo seethed.

“He deserves to rot in jail.” Magda added.

“I will make sure of that.” Lorenzo assured.

Magda sighed with resignation and turned to Lorenzo. “I don’t want to leave my house,” she said.

“Okay. Close protection it is.” He stood up, long, lean, and impossibly handsome, and fished his iPhone out of his jeans pocket. “I need to make some calls.” He leaves them staring after him as he closed the kitchen door.

**********

*LORENZO*

Tom’s family had a security agency, plus, he could also help me find evidence against Julio, get in touch with the police and put that bastard behind bars as soon as possible.

“What have you got yourself into, Enzo?”He asked when I told him my second request.

“I don’t know, Tom. All I know is I need 24/7 security for a woman and her son.”

“This evening?”

“Yes.”

“You’re bloody lucky I can help you.”

“I know, Tom. I know.”

“I’ll come down myself and bring my best man. Dene Hamilton. I think you’ve met him.”

“Yes. I remember him.”

“See you in an hour.”

Danica stood in the hallway wearing Magda’s son’s anorak and holding two plastic shopping bags.

“Is that everything?” I sounded as bewildered as I feel.

I couldn’t believe this was all she has.

Danica paled and lowered her eyes. I frowned.

The girl had nothing.

She did say she couldn’t go back for her stuff because of Julio.

“Okay,” I offered. “I’ll take those, and let’s go.” She handed me both bags and still won’t look me in the eye. I was astonished at how little they weigh.

“Where are you going?” asked Magda.

“I have a place in the West. We’ll go there for a few days while we work out what’s to be done.”

“Will I see Danica again?”

“I hope so.” But there was no way on earth she’s coming back here while

those bastards are on the loose.

Magda turns to Danica. “Good-bye, sweet girl,” she whispered.

Danica hugged Magda and clung to her.

“Thank you,” she said as tears begin to trickle down her face. “For helping me.”

“Hush, dear girl,” Magda murmured.

She releases her and held her at arm’s length. “You are so strong and brave. Make yourself proud, okay?” She cupped Danica’s face and kissed her cheek.

“Say good-bye to John for me.” Danica’s voice was strained and soft and full of sorrow. And my heart constricted.

Was I doing the right thing?

“We will both miss you. Maybe one day you’ll come to Canada and meet my wonderful man?”

Danica nodded, but she was too choked up to say anything else, and she left through the front door while trying to wipe away her tears. I followed her, holding all that she had in the world.

Outside on the path, Dene Hamilton surveyed the street. Tall, broad- shouldered, with close-cropped black hair, he’s more menacing than his refined gray suit suggests. He was ex-army, like Tom’s dad, and it showed in his alert stance. He’d work in a shift pattern with another bodyguard who would be arriving in the morning.

Tom’s people will safeguard Magda and John around the clock, and they’ll remain until the two of them leave for Canada.

I stopped to shake Hamilton’s hand.

“We’ve got this, Sir Lorenzo.” he said, his dark eyes gleaming beneath the streetlamp as he scanned the road and missed nothing.

“Thank you,” I replied. It still caught me off guard when I was addressed by my title. “You have my number. Contact me if they need anything.”

“Will do, sir.” Hamilton gave me a gracious nod, and I followed Danica . She averted her face when I put my arm around her, perhaps to hide the fact that she was still crying.

Was I doing the right thing?

With a brisk wave to Magda, who was standing on the doorstep, and to Hamilton, I led Danica to the F-Type. I unlock it and hold the passenger door open for her. She hesitated, her expression strained. I reached up to stroke her jaw with the back of my hand.

“I’ve got you.” My tone was gentle, to reassure her. “You’re safe.”

Danica throws her arms around my neck and hugged me hard, totally taking me by surprise.

“Thank you,” she whispered, and before I can respond, she released me and climbed into the car. I ignored the knot in my throat and put both her bags in the boot and climb in beside her.

“This will be an adventure,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. But Danica gazed at me, her eyes brimming with sorrow.

I swallowed.

I was doing the right thing.

Yes.

I was.

But maybe not for the right reasons.

I exhaled, push the ignition, and the engine growled into life.