A wad of cash comes out, as well as what looks to be a fake passport.
Sara shrugs. “Best thing about Luca never paying any mind to me is I had time to prepare for the worst.”
4
SARA
Jude Baranov isnotwhat I expected. Well, kind of.
From the sound of ribs cracking back in that small room, it’s obvious the rumors are right about the man being indestructible. Now that we’re in his car, speeding off to god only knows where, I feel more claustrophobic than I did in that hood. When Jude pulled it off my face to reveal the plastic sheeting set up around the chair I was in, I feel like that’ll forever be etched into my memory.
But yet somehow, I always knew this could be my fate. The moment I realized Luca had his hooks in me two years ago, I knew my end could come before I ever expected it to. Then again, who can ever expect it?
Jude’s jaw is busy at work, the muscles straining as he cracks his neck. I reach out and place a hand on his forearm, which feels like stone beneath the thin layer of jacket he’s wearing.How is he not cold?
It’s winter, and my breath is visible in the car, fogging up my window.
“Hey,” I whisper, lightly squeezing his brick arm, “it’s okay.”
For a second, his face suddenly softens from its hard shell. I haven’t seen him look so…normalin the last twenty-four hours. I hold my breath, sort of unsure what to expect.
“But areyouokay, Sara?” he asks, voice flat. “You do understand what just happened back there?”
I nod slowly, remembering it all.
Jude sighs. “Kristina was using you to put Luca in his place. But I can’t let that happen, angel. Iwon’tlet that happen.” His eyes are dark, his lips twisted as he looks to be in pain even though his focus remains on the road. “And now we need to run, run as far away as we can. It’s not safe here.”
“Do you…do you have family you’re leaving behind?”
For a second, he looks to be in his thoughts more than in the moment, but then he shakes his head.
“No, I don’t. But that’s not the point, angel. We have no choice. I don’t need Kristina chasing after us for the rest of our lives.”
Ourlives?
“That’s no way to live,” he mutters.
It’s quiet, the only sound stemming from the tires breaking through a layer of slushy snow. I have no idea where we’re heading, but we’re skirting through forests and fields, going on to pass small homes huddled together. I shiver, thinking of how warm it must be inside.How safe.
“Why do you work for them?” I question abruptly, but it’s something I’ve been asking myself since the moment Jude showed me anounceof mercy; but haven’t had the courage to get out…not until now.
He gives me a sharp look, one that’s making me nervous and making my arms tighten on my waist.
“I don’t anymore, angel.” His hand clenches around the wheel. “But I once owed them a debt.”
Pushing any further feels like it could go either way, really. He’s unpredictable, and yet there’s something pulling me toward Jude, making me want to know more…
“W-What was the debt?”
His eyes flicker over to me before snapping ahead again. “It doesn’t matter,” he rasps. “It’s been paid back and I’m free to go.”
“Oh,” my voice light, feeling the tension starting to stir. “What do you want to do now? With all your free time, I mean?”
He looks to think on it. “You know, I have not the slightest idea.” But a few seconds later, a smile curls his lips as the thought seems to sink in.
Despite how cold it is outside, I’m warm in here…even comfortable. Maybe a little tired…
Jude spares me a glance as I yawn, doing a double take when he does.