Page 21 of The Bonventi Hitman

"Thank fucking god," I whisper, sitting up and taking a deep breath.

We arrive back at the hotel, and the driver helps Luca up to the suite. He manages one last whiskey before collapsing on the bed.

"Need anything, ma'am?" the driver asks before leaving.

"No, thank you," I say and watch as he exits the room.

I change and slip into bed. My plan is in motion. Tomorrow I contact my handlers. I rub my face and smell Gabriel. His scent still lingers on my hand from where he kissed it.

I close my eyes and briefly see his face before falling asleep.

ANNA - 8

The morning light hits my face and I stir awake. I listen carefully for Luca's breathing and I hear his soft snores.

I carefully slide out of bed, making sure not to wake him.

I quickly pull clothes from the closet, opting for a simple black dress and a pair of flats.

Quietly, I sneak into the kitchen, get dressed as fast as possible and take one quick glance in the mirror before heading to the front door. I don't give a shit what I look like, I just need to get out.

I place one hand on the handle and push down to open it.

"Shit, the fucking key card," I say in a low tone.

I sneak back into the bedroom and stand over Luca sleeping.

I turn to see his jacket flung over a chair. I open up his wallet and remove the key card.

He stirs and my heart drops to the floor. Thankfully he doesn't wake.

I tiptoe out of the room and gently shut the door.

The door clicks as I swipe the key card and I walk out into the hallway. As I stand and wait for the elevator, I keep turning back thinking Luca's going to come running out to stop me.

As I step inside and press the button for the ground floor, I hear a door open. Frantically I press the close button. The doors shut just before I see someone coming out of a different suite.

For the first time since arriving here, I'm alone outside that fucking prison and I feel almost giddy.

When the elevator doors open, I make my way through the hotel lobby, keeping my head down and avoiding eye contact with anyone. When I'm about halfway through the lobby, I hear something that makes me stop dead in my tracks.

"Sofia?"

My chest starts moving up and down rapidly as I look up unsure where the voice came from.

I turn around and see Gabriel approaching. When those damn green eyes meet mine, I can't help but feel a flutter in my chest and a warmth spreading through me again that I can't quite understand.

What is wrong with me?

"Bella, it is you," he says, flashing a dimpled smile. I feel a bit embarrassed by my hurried appearance, but his gaze seems to overlook any flaws I might perceive. "What are you doing down here?"

I can't help but smile back at him as I run my hand through my hair and try to fix it and make myself presentable.

Anna, what the fuck are you doing? This man is terrible. A killer.

"I...I...uh, Luca is upstairs if you're looking for him."

Gabriel stands close to me and I look up at him. He carries the same relaxed look from last night yet somehow more well put together. I see the tattoo subtly peeking out from below his collar bone and in this light it looks like part of a wing or something, I’m not sure.