Page 88 of The Pretender

The truth is, I’m involved with some bad dudes. The organized crime variety. I never meant it to happen, but it did.

Holy fucking shit. I read the sentence again. Balt is in the Mafia?

If I ever have the chance to tell you the full story, and you want to hear it, I will, but I’m leaving because of a mix-up. My boss thinks I took money and he’s hunting me down. He’s found my sister and my personal phone number. It won’t be long before he finds me here. I couldn’t take the chance of endangering you and your family.

I hope he’ll listen to reason and I’ll be able to prove my innocence. I understand if you never want to see or hear from me again, I deserve it, but just know, I care about you. More than I ever expected.

All my love,

Balt.

I plop down in the kitchen chair, staring out the window as the sun starts to push back the darkness.

He left.

He’s a criminal.

And dammit, I think I’m in love with him.

Fucking great. I finally meet a guy with some real potential and this happens. At least it explains why he’s been acting weird the last few days. I thought he was getting tired of me.

The knock on my door startles me, and I gasp before hurrying over to answer it. Maybe he came back. I swing the door open to find my nonna standing there.

“Nonna?”

“Where is Balt?”

“Um… why?”

“Is he here?”

“He’s not.”

“Shoot. That’s what I thought.”

“How do you know that?”

She huffs. “Get dressed. We need to go. I’ll explain on the way.”

“I’m so confused.”

“Listen to me, nipote. Get dressed.”

I nod, backing away from the door. I’ve never heard her sound so firm before, but it’s clear I shouldn’t question her. In my bedroom, I put on jeans and a sweater, and I hear my nonna talking to someone while I get my socks on. When I come out of my bedroom, she’s waiting by the door, holding my coat in her arms.

“Brogan is warming up the truck.” She smiles. “We still have a little time.”

“For what?” I ask, hopping on one foot to get my boot on. “Do you know where Balt is?”

“I have an idea.”

“How did you know he was gone?”

“I saw footprints on the path between your house and the main road.”

“Why were you outside at this time of morning?”

“I am every day. I like the quiet before the day starts. I had a hunch, so I checked the flights, and if he’s going back home, we have about an hour.”