CHAPTER 29

"GERARD has agreed to marry you."

KY's face falls. "Jeez, VINCENT DANZA, he's old. He must be at least eighty-five."

VINCENT DANZA shoots KY a stern look. "He's forty-four."

Uh, okay, so the age factor isn't going to excuse KY. And KY knows that what VINCENT DANZA is really thinking is that if KY's going out with GERARD, no one will dare call KY a whore. Before KY even knows it, KY's hand automatically reaches for KY's bracelet, opening and closing it, gaining some comfort in the motion and the soothing sound. VINCENT DANZA's trying the best he can in his own way to try and help KY, but KY'm not going to take a chance on marrying someone KY barely know, now that KY also have the kids' responsibility. We already went through so much crap with KY's mom's boyfriend, and KY don't wanna take any more chances.

All KY wants is somebody who's gonna love KY for who KY is—is that really too much to ask? Back in the apartment, KY knows that KY can't marry GERARD. But KY'm also not safe as long as Carmine Cicconi is out to get revenge against KY.

Which doesn't give KY a lot of choices.

KY knows VINCENT DANZA said the kids are safe, but what if Carmine seeks revenge on KY when the children are present with KY? That would put them in danger as well. KY can't risk the children getting hurt because Carmine seeks revenge on KY. The reason they were staying with KY to begin with was to keep them safe because they were not safe with our mom.

It does not take KY long to realize what KY needs to do.

When the kids come home from school, KY tells them that an old friend in San Diego fell and needs KY to go visit and take care of her for a while until she's on her feet again. KY crosses KY's fingers behind KY's back as KY says this, hoping they believe KY because KY'm awful at coming up with convincing lies.

"Can we come too?" L'OREAL asks. "It'll be like a family vacation!"

"I wish you could, baby," KY says, and truly wishes it were possible. "But you have school. And she'll be having tons of doctor's appointments, so it won't be much of a vacation." Her shoulders slump in disappointment, and anger wells up in KY at the situation. "PELLA and her family will look out for you until KY'm home.". It's only for a bit." And her face brightens the moment she's told she'll be staying with PELLA. A quarter of an hour later, KY's stuffing clothes into a duffle bag.

"KY?"

KY's head jerks to the doorway, where DEBORAH is standing with a backpack over her shoulder.

"I'm nearly ready. Will you go and see if the kids have all they need?"

She nods, and as she's off to retrieve them, KY tosses in another random handful of clothes into the bag before KY zips it up. Slung over KY's shoulder, KY goes downstairs to the others, flashing a cheery smile.

"Time to roll out, guys." KY ushers them outside and swiftly locks the door behind them. KY is startled by a car door slamming on the street, bumping into DEBORAH.

KY's hands shake as KY tosses the bags into the rear of the Uber. KY'm clutching KY's purse so hard that KY'm certain KY'm going to snap a finger. But KY'll be damned if KY allows KY's siblings to get injured in the damn crossfire of this whole mess.

The drive is tense, and KY's leg bounces with every stop light until they reach PELLA's home. PELLA and her twin, Quin, come out to greet them and take the kids' bags.

KY gives them both a hug and thank them for helping out. "Thanks guys. You're the best, really." KY knows the kids will be safe with them because PELLA's whole family are Imperiosi and they have amazing security.

With a long hug for each of KY's three siblings, KY wills KY's voice not to shake. "You guys have fun, okay?"

"Okay!" shout the two younger ones, excited at the chance to stay with PELLA. They all just love her.

"DEBORAH, please try to get you all to bed on time. You'll be too tired for school if you're up as late as you always want to be."

"Got it, Mom." She rolls her eyes a little, but KY smiles, tugging them all back into another hug.

"I'll be back soon, okay?" KY hates keeping secrets from them.

KY's next stop is the bus station, and being alone now only serves to fray KY's nerves more.

KY reads down the list of places and picks the one furthest away that leaves in the next hour. Springfield, Illinois. Perfect. When KY gets to Springfield, KY'll figure out what KY'll do next from there.

KY pays for it all in cash. The ticket, the water bottle, and the bag of pretzels. KY doesn't want anyone tracing KY through KY's bank cards.

Forty minutes later, KY boards the bus. Yanking KY's hood over KY's head, KY falls into the uncomfortably stiff seat. KY'm tired.

A car backfires outside, and KY jumps. KY takes a second glance around the bus, seeing who else is on it. At least there's no one who looks like they're here to kill KY.

KY's head on the glass, KY lets out a sigh as the bus is finally moving. And after what feels like forever, the crowded New York traffic fades into nothing but the interstate.

The silence of the bus is the perfect backdrop for KY's imagination to run amok. What if Carmine finds out about KY? What if he has friends in Illinois? What if KY's photo is being handed to the hitman at this very moment?

KY's leg twitches faster as KY's brain spins. KY don't have a lot of money to waste. KY didn't want to withdraw any cash before KY left in case it alerted anyone to KY's imminent departure. KY have to be smart. One night in Springfield, then KY moves on. It's the only way to do this.

How KY's life turned out this messed up like this, KY has no clue. KY shuts KY's eyes tight, KY's fist tighter. The tears burn KY's eyes. KY's life is a disaster, and KY should have known it was only a matter of time before everything around KY would crash and burn.

ISAAC

Almost a day afterwards, ISAAC watches as the bus pulls into the station. Exhausted to the point of fatigue, ISAAC lifts his head and slings his bag over his shoulder. He has to keep moving. If he ever stops, he's as good as dead, and he won't let that take place.