A Dream of Rome

computer when she hears the ding of a new email. She opens it, and her e

t go, that it would be unprofessional and maybe even dangerous. But her heart

"Reply" and types a single word:

k her up. Just as she's about to give up and head home, she hears a soft knock o

the restaurant. It's a small, intimate place, and they're quickly seated at a tabl

restaurant, her eyes catching on a couple in the corner. They're dressed in fine clothes

of the corner of her eye, and turns to see the couple getting up from their

" she whispers, gr

they reach the exit, the couple is right behind them. Isabella feels a hand on her shoulder, an

hisses, her voice dripping with

ely breathe. She looks at Luca, desperate for

idn't mean to drag you into

the exit. Isabella's blood runs cold as she realizes wh

" one of the men says. "Yo

a with an expression of regret. But there's

ightens up, his shoulders broadening, his eyes hardening. It's lik

s, her voice low and dangerous. "You owe us

igure out what's going on. Who are the

y, Isabella. I never meant for it to come to this.

. What is he talking about? What has he d

pulls out a knife, holding it to Luca's throat. Isabella's bre

"You don't have to do this," he says, his voice s

We both know that's not an option. She's se

ing. What does the woman mean, she's seen too much? And what

n't think, sh

r it. But the woman is fast, and she grabs Isabella's wrist, wrenching it away from the knife. The two of them strugg

growls. "Or things wi

r of her eye, she sees Luca lunge for the woman, tackling her to the ground

Isabella. "We have

into the street, the sounds of the city echoing around them. They run for wh

"I'm so sorry you got caught up in this. I never mean

th questions. "What's going on, Luca? Who a

st, a dark past. And those people, they're from that past. I thought I could leave it all behind,

ng. Luca, the man she thought she knew, is not who she thought he was. But

ow?" she asks, h

d reassuring. "We run," he says. "We

rt over, and this time, I'll be honest with you. No

her, but she knows what her answer is. "Yes," she

l take them far away from everything they've ever k

Luca's eyes are hard as he hands Isabella a small pistol. "Just in case,"

ever held a gun before, and the thought of using it terrifies her

ell. But now, she sees it with new eyes. The glamour and glitter are gone, replaced by a dark underbelly th

es from view, she also feels a pang of sadness. This is the place she grew up, the plac