The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 152 - One Hundred and Fifty-Two

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Two

Alicia’s POV

The flight to Italy took over twelve hours. We had a layover in New York, then another in Paris, each stop making me more paranoid that Malachi would somehow catch up to us, that he’d be waiting at the next gate with that intense stare and all his explanations.

But he never appeared. We made it through both airports without incident, using the time to stretch our legs and pretend everything was normal.

Sophie barely spoke during the entire journey. Just stared out windows or at her phone, texting Charlotte and Cameron with updates that I’m sure made this whole thing sound like an adventure instead of what it really was. Running. Hiding. Escaping.

We landed in Milan in the early afternoon local time. The sun was bright and warm, completely at odds with how I felt inside. Cassie’s boyfriend David had arranged for a car to pick us up, a sleek black Mercedes with a driver who spoke minimal English but knew exactly where to take us.

The drive to Lake Como took about an hour. I watched the landscape change from urban sprawl to rolling hills to the stunning blue of the lake surrounded by mountains. It was beautiful. The kind of place people came for romantic getaways and dream vacations.

I was here to hide from the man I’d thought I loved.

The villa was even more impressive than the photos David had shown Cassie. Three stories of stone and glass perched on a hillside with views of the lake that probably cost more per night than most people made in a month. Privacy gates, security cameras, a garden that looked like something from a magazine.

Safe. Isolated. Perfect.

"Wow," Sophie said, the first word she’d spoken in hours. "This is where we’re staying?"

"For now," I said. "Until we figure out what’s next."

The driver helped us with our bags and left us at the entrance with a key and instructions in broken English about the alarm system and where to find things. Then he was gone and it was just the three of us standing in this massive villa.

Cassie took charge immediately. "Okay. Let’s get settled. Alicia, you take the master suite. Sophie, pick any of the guest rooms. I’ll take the one near the kitchen so I can make coffee in the morning."

"You don’t have to stay," I told her. "You should go back to David. You’ve already done so much."

"I’m staying for at least a week. Make sure you’re really settled. Besides, David understands. He knows what it’s like to need space from complicated situations."

I didn’t argue. Truth was, I needed her here. Needed someone who knew the full story, who wouldn’t judge me for running, who’d just be there.

We spent the next hour exploring. The villa had everything. Modern kitchen, multiple bathrooms, a library, a media room, even a small gym. The master suite was ridiculous, all floor-to-ceiling windows and a bed big enough for four people and a bathroom with a tub that overlooked the lake.

I set my bag down and immediately felt exhausted. The kind of bone-deep tired that came from running on adrenaline and fear for too long.

My phone buzzed. I’d turned it back on during the layover in Paris to text Cassie’s boyfriend that we’d arrived safely. Now I was regretting it.

Unknown number.

Safe travels?

I stared at the message. How did they know I’d traveled? How did they know anything?

Another text.

Italy is beautiful this time of year. Enjoy your escape while it lasts.

My hands started shaking. Someone knew where I was. Someone was tracking me even here, thousands of miles away from Silver Lake.

I blocked the number. Turned my phone off completely. Removed the SIM card for good measure.

Cassie found me sitting on the bed staring at my now-dead phone.

"What happened?"

"Someone texted me. Knew I was in Italy. Knew I was running."

"Who?"

"I don’t know. Same unknown number that sent me those recordings."

Cassie sat beside me. "Whoever it is, they can’t get to you here. You’re safe. David made sure of it. The villa has security, the property is gated, and no one knows you’re here except him and me."

"And whoever sent those texts."

"They’re just trying to scare you. Don’t let them."

But I was already scared. Scared of Malachi. Scared of whoever was sending these messages. Scared of what would happen if I was found.

"I need to sleep," I said. "I can’t think anymore."

"Sleep. I’ll make dinner later. We’ll figure everything out tomorrow."

I lay down fully clothed and closed my eyes. Exhaustion pulled me under within minutes.

When I woke up, the room was dark and I could smell something cooking. I checked the clock. Eight PM. I’d slept for almost five hours.

I found Cassie and Sophie in the kitchen. Cassie was cooking pasta while Sophie set the table. They looked almost normal, like we were on vacation instead of hiding from my psychotic ex-whatever-he-was.

"You’re awake," Cassie said. "Good timing. Food’s almost ready."

We ate dinner on the terrace overlooking the lake. The view was stunning even in darkness, lights from surrounding towns twinkling like stars. It should have been romantic. Peaceful.

Instead, I felt hollow.

"Alicia," Sophie said quietly. "Are we going to stay here forever?"

"No. Just until I figure things out. Until I know it’s safe."

"Safe from what? From Malachi?"

"From everything. From the Blackwoods. From whoever sent those recordings. From all of it."

"What if Malachi finds us?"

"He won’t. No one knows we’re here."

But even as I said it, I thought about those texts. Someone knew. Someone was watching.

"I miss Charlotte and Cameron," Sophie said. "I know I just met them but they were the first real friends I’ve ever had."

"I know. I’m sorry. You can still text them. Just don’t tell them where we are."

"I already told them Italy."

My stomach dropped. "Sophie—"

"They won’t tell anyone. I trust them."

"You barely know them."

"I know them better than you know Malachi apparently."

The words stung because they were true. I’d thought I knew him. Thought I understood who he was. But those recordings had shown me someone else entirely. Someone cruel. Someone dangerous.

Someone I couldn’t trust.

"I’m sorry," Sophie said, her voice softer. "That was mean. I just. I don’t understand what happened. Yesterday everything seemed okay. Now we’re in Italy and you won’t talk to Malachi and I can’t go home."

"This is about keeping us safe."

"From what? What did he do that was so bad we had to leave the country?"

I pulled out my dead phone. Removed the SIM card I’d tucked in my pocket. Put it back in. Turned the phone on.

Found the recordings. Handed Sophie an earbud.

"Listen to the fourth one. All the way through. Then tell me if you still think we’re overreacting."

She took the earbud. Pressed play. I watched her face change as she listened. Watched the color drain. Watched her hand start to shake.

She made it three minutes before pulling the earbud out.

"That’s really him?"

"Yes."

"Doing that to someone?"

"Yes."

"Oh my god." She looked sick. "I thought. I thought you were just being paranoid or something. But that’s. That’s torture. That’s actual torture."

"I know."

"And he was laughing."

"I know."

Sophie set the earbud down carefully like it might contaminate her. "Okay. Italy makes sense now. We can stay as long as you need."

Cassie reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "You did the right thing. Getting away. Protecting yourself and Sophie. That took courage."

"It doesn’t feel like courage. It feels like running."

"Sometimes running is the bravest thing you can do."

We finished dinner in silence. Cleaned up together. Cassie opened wine and we sat on the terrace watching the lake.

"What’s the plan?" Cassie asked. "Long term?"

"I don’t know. Finalize the divorce with Travis. Figure out where Sophie and I can live. Start over somewhere the Blackwoods can’t find us."

"That’s a lot of starting over."

"I’ve done it before."

"When?"

"When I married Travis. When I left Dark City. I’m good at reinventing myself."

"This is different though. This time you’re running from someone who has resources. Who won’t stop looking."

"Then I’ll keep running. As long as it takes. As far as I need to go."

My phone buzzed. I’d left it on the table. Another unknown number.

Running won’t save you. But it’s fun to watch you try.

I showed the message to Cassie. Her expression darkened.

"Block it."

"I’ve blocked five numbers already. They just use new ones."

"Then turn your phone off. Completely. Get a new number. Cut off all contact."

"What if Sophie needs to reach me? What if there’s an emergency?"

"Then we get you a new phone with a new number that only Sophie and I know. No one else."

It made sense. I should have done it already.

"Tomorrow," I said. "We’ll go into town tomorrow and get new phones. New numbers. Start completely fresh."

"Good. And Alicia? You’re going to be okay. I promise."

I wanted to believe her. Wanted to think that running to Italy and changing phone numbers would be enough to keep me safe from Malachi and whoever else was involved in this.

But deep down, I knew better. Knew that men like Malachi didn’t give up. Didn’t stop until they got what they wanted.

And what he wanted was me.