32
Karina
The plan is in motion.
I’ve already notified Ivy. Aurielo hasn’t told me what park he’s planning on taking me to, but there’s one closest to the hospital. I intend to suggest we head there, let him and Ashton play catch for a bit before Ivy causes a distraction.
Hopefully, it works.
My stomach has been in knots all afternoon.
The day ticks by slowly, and if all goes according to plan, I’ll be out of the city tonight.
No one will know what happened to Ashton or me.
Except for Ivy.
And even she won’t know where we’re going. It’s for her own safety. The less she knows, the better.
She’s dropping off her car near the park and grabbing a rental car to plow into the park’s fire hydrant.
I just hope it works, and I can get Aurielo away from Ashton long enough to run.
“How was work?” Aurielo asks, offering a friendly smile as I see the three of them hanging out in the lobby of the hospital.
“Busy.” It’s the truth.
I still haven’t told him about the other day how a patient died. It’s not that we don’t have kids die on the unit, but Cora, she’d been around so long that I really didn’t think she’d go. At least not so soon.
“Ready for a little fun?” Aurielo asks. Somehow I think the question is more for Ashton than for me.
Francesco grunts under his breath. He doesn’t look the least bit amused about this family outing. As always, he dresses sharply. Today is no different. He’ll stand out at the park, but there’s not much that I can do about that small fact.
Aurielo at least thought to wear jeans and a white dress shirt. He looks undeniably hot.
Ashton clutches Aurielo’s hand until he sees me and runs right for me, throwing his arms around me as I bend down to embrace him with a tight squeeze.
“Mommy!”
“How’s my favorite little man?” I ask. It feels wonderful to know that he’s safe in my arms.
That’s why I have to do this.
Protect him.
At all costs.
“We get to play ball at the park!” Ashton squeals as he clutches my hand.
Together we wander outside of the hospital, and I lead the way, heading toward the park. Aurielo and Francesco follow without much fuss. My hands are sweaty from nervousness.
Ivy’s car is parked on one side of the park, a fire hydrant sits at the opposite end.
Perfect.
I let go of Ashton’s hand after we cross the street, letting him run along the grass into the park.
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Aurielo stalks up beside me.