“This place is going to collapse around our ears,” I say with a wrinkled nose.
“It's more solid than it looks. It's one of the Fabbri terminals. Goods come in, get sorted and then we redistribute them. The more abandoned the place looks, the less likely someone's going to come in to see what's going on. It keeps us safe, and from having to dump too many bodies in the river.” It's like a few minutes ago he wasn't smacking me in the face and yelling at me. He's proud of this operation.
I shudder to think what the bottom of the river outside the harbor looks like, though. From what I know of the Fabbris, if he says goods, he means drugs and weapons.
We pass a large storage area packed with wooden crates that are obviously new and in good condition. If you get this far when you're not supposed to, you've already seen too much. A truck's being loaded as we walk by.
“Up here.”
Right in the middle of the floor is a spiral staircase that takes us up to a second level. At least it looks to be in better repair than the ones we passed before. Like it won't just snap the moment I put my feet on it.
Our footsteps echo in the large space until we come up onto a platform that oversees the warehouse. It's high up, at least two stories, and it shows me how huge this warehouse actually is. Only parts of it are lit, and those that aren't, disappear into darkness that feels infinite. The warehouse floor is even more of a maze from up here than it seemed from the floor. It's intentional, I'm guessing, to make it harder to attack. Getting me out of here will be like storming a fortress. If anyone can even find me.
I glance at Dario, who's leaning on the thin railing that surrounds the platform, like a king surveying his kingdom. A push could solve all this, if I'm quick. Then again, that's what I thought a gun would do too, and that didn't exactly work. And even if I didn't care about my own safety, I've got a little girl to come home safe to.
I just don't know how yet.
Nicholas and the guards follow us up, and now I've waited too long. There's no way I'll get to Dario before they stop me.
The platform is like a balcony, connected to a building within the building, in a way. When this warehouse was originally in use, I'm guessing that's where the management sat. The windows are tinted, but it's got to be more hospitable than the metal jungle out here. Dario opens the door and sweeps with his hand to indicate for me to go first.
“Principessa mia,” he drawls in his shit Italian and smirks. “It's not the home I've promised, but it will have to do for now. Here, you are safe, no one will find you, and you can't run away. I love you, but I realize I can't trust you. At least not yet. You'll learn.”
I hate that he's right. I made a crap decision, and now I'm paying for it, and worse, Izzy's paying for it. I hope she's okay with Bea and Emily. I know they'll watch her, but it should be me.
And what about the guys? Will they come for me? Can they even figure out where I am?
Nicholas takes up position outside, along with the two guards. Even if I find my way back out, I won't get far.
The inside is disturbingly homey. The walls are painted in a calm terracotta, there are rugs on the floor, an up-to-date kitchen, and a cozy sitting area with leather couches and a massive TV with some game systems connected. There's even a fireplace and a bar. He gives me the tour like it's our bridal suite.
God, the guys can't come to save me soon enough. I have to keep thinking that, otherwise I'm going to lose my mind.
A small corridor extends deeper into the building, but he doesn't take me that way. Instead, he indicates the couches. “Have a seat. We'll be here for a while. There are bedrooms and a bathroom down the hall, if you need them. Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
I shake my head. I can't stomach the idea of anything right now. But… he won't follow me to the bathroom, right? Maybe there's signal in here. “I could use the bathroom.”
He gestures as Nicholas needs his attention. “That way. First on the right.”
Is this a test? He's letting me get away with it? I hurry before he remembers that I still have my phone.
The bathroom is modern, bright and clean. Bathtub, shower, everything in dark tiles and wood. For a warehouse hideout, Dario hasn't spared the expenses. I lock the door behind me, and for the first time, I feel vaguely safe. Not that I doubt his ability to break down the door if I refuse to come out, but for the moment it calms me.