IZ

on the phone. With my entire existence in a whirlwind, I couldn't force my

was going on inside of me. This was a sensation I was all too familiar with. The man I left behind in Venice was solely responsible for turning me int

e was no commitment involved. He never made us truly exclusive. He never even acknowledged me as his girlfriend. So w

sense me. This was the part that saved me every time I was on the cusp of making a bad decision. This part had kept me safe

t was I

child's safety. But no. I had to be the one to jump when I saw the drowning child. Why? Because he reminded me of someon

t sit back and

where it

ng fucke

t a solution," Daniel sai

ook his previous place at the table. "You n

words rendered me stiff

tech department to take down the video. But we don't know how much damage has already bee

for the first time, they were kind enough to take me home even though I had nothing in my name

d mind his way, I had nothing to give him. He didn't ask questions further. Drove me to his home, where his wife

with him, he would do all in his ability to keep me safe. I had no intention of draggi

n, Daniel told me about his sister whom he lost a long time back. She had married the wrong man and by the time Daniel came t

p me because he coul

and before I knew it, my whole li

ree with him. He was a cop.

o get in touch with you. But you know what to do about it," he sa

Joey? You

little longer. She would be delighted to help Lau

e able to pull something like this for too long. The organization I was running from was much more powerful, with far more in-depth reac

ng do you think I'll have to keep my head down this time?" When I entered my bedroom, I took a

owed me int

? That should

rned with my toiletries, tossing the po

d. Grabbed my wallet and checked the money inside. It seemed enough to la

niel took out his own wal

ard had a live wire attached to it

u spend every dime. Simply keep it on standby and use it only when absolutely necessary. One, because it would save

prised. He was a fucking cop for a reason. He was t

e done," with that, he walked out of

table I had, and opened the top cabinet. My sight was filled with several brown cartons. But there was one that stuck out. I stretched my legs and reached for it. I gripped it hard with my fingers and lowe

ter on my way to the back alley, where

expecting me at some roadside bend with those piercing, dark eyes. I wasn't sure what I expected him to do when he eventually caught up to me. Would he punish me for what

compartment and handed me a white envelope after turning off the car. "It has the documents I used to book the room for yo

e to lock it. And, under no circumstances, talk to anyone, especially some

ined me during my

ch. He didn't have to go to such lengths for me. He didn't have to do anything at all. Ye

illed. That'

Or him, for that matter. My heart couldn't take it anymore, and while I probably caught him off guar

and his g

apping around to hug me back. I liked how safe he made me feel. "Like you g

n to false hopes. But the moment was too good to let such pessimism wash over me. I just wanted to belie

tood there for a moment too long, wondering how the hell was I going to spend a whole damn w

get any worse fro

just wishf