Page 38 of The Villain

She drags her gaze from me to him, then turns to walk away with the boy. I don’t look back at anyone else. Instead, I stalk out of that house and climb into the waiting SUV.

My phone rings as I close the door. I reach into my pocket to take it out and feel a brick drop heavy in my gut. My heart which was calm throughout that interaction with Michael, begins to thud and sweat collects under my arms.

There can only be one meaning when I see this number on my phone.

I slide the bar to answer, trying to prepare myself, feeling so completely powerless. I don’t even say hello before the person on the other end speaks.

“Cassian. It’s Dr.Wade’s office.”

I clear my throat. I can’t form words.

There’s a sigh. “You need to come. Now.”

That’s when the real hell breaks loose.

11

ALLEGRA

Cassian doesn’t return that day. By nighttime, though, Enzo is back. He speaks with several soldiers, only sparing me a glance. Once he’s finished with them, he turns his attention to me. He walks down the center aisle, boots loud, his step confident. His eyes are on me where I stand in the kitchen making myself a cup of tea, trying to keep busy.

I’ve been allowed out of Cassian’s bedroom where they’d made me stay for the first part of the day. They wouldn’t even give me the bags I’d packed so I’d have something to do, and no one will tell me what the hell is going on. For all I know, Cassian could have murdered my brother.

By dinnertime, they finally let me into the kitchen to eat something with a soldier hovering nearby. I guess they’re not taking a chance I’ll grab a butcher knife or something. The hours have crawled by and it’s ten at night.

Enzo quickly scans the kitchen and dismisses the soldier nearby with a jerk of his head.

“Where is he?” I ask, unsure where I stand without Cassian here. I am the enemy, after all.

“He had some business to handle. Have you eaten?”

“What happened to my brother?”

“I suppose he’s fine,” he says.

“Fine apart from being choked?”

He just exhales, expression hard and unyielding. This man is loyal to Cassian. He won’t give me anything.

“Have you eaten?” he repeats.

“I’m fine. When will he be back?”

“When his business is finished. In the meantime, if you’ve eaten, I’ll escort you back to Cassian’s room.”

“Is he coming back tonight?”

“No.” That’s not the answer I expect. He clears his throat and gestures for me to go ahead of him. “Cassian has made sure you’ll be safe,” he adds.

By safe he means locked in, I guess, considering the number of soldiers stationed in the church-house.

“Can I at least have my backpack? It’s just books and an iPad in there. And some toiletries. You can search it. No letter openers. I swear.”

“Where is it?”

I point to where the soldier had dumped my things and follow Enzo who picks up the backpack, raising an eyebrow at the weight. I packed several art history books containing details on churches in Verona as well as my high school textbook which has several chapters devoted to the history of this church. I also have a sketch pad andsome pencils. Although I’m not great at it, I do like drawing.

Enzo sets the backpack on the counter and unzips it.