ECHOES OF US | 18+ ✔️

CHAPTER 24

MIA

How does a perfect afternoon unravel so quickly?

'I'll explain when I get there,' were Danté's last words before the line went dead. Just thinking about it sends a chill through me and makes the knot in my stomach tighten. It wasn't just his words—it was the tense edge in his voice, the look on his face when he took that call at lunch. The way he subtly tried to keep me in the restaurant just a little longer after he rushed off.

Something is seriously wrong... trouble is brewing, and I hate every second of being in the dark.

Thankfully, it isn't much trouble picking up the boys a little early, since the school day was nearly over, anyway. The boys ask a few questions, wondering why they are leaving early, but their excitement quickly overshadows any curiosity.

The ride home, though, is different—eerily quiet. Usually, the car buzzes with their chatter about school, soccer, girls, and their never-ending complaints about homework. Today, though, they don't say much, perhaps sensing the tension on my face. Yet, I am thankful for the quietness as I strategize how to approach Maggie.

God...

How do I even tell her she's leaving her home with no explanation?

Right now, all I can do is trust Danté. But deep down, my gut screams that whatever's happening is very serious—maybe even deadly. Danger seems to shadow him, no matter where he goes. His new life is just as chaotic as the old one. But should I even be surprised? He's always been fearless, knowing exactly what he wanted and had a blast living life on the edge. I guess that's part of why I fell for him in the first place.

By the time I step through the front door, the faint scent of lavender drifts from the living room, where Maggie sits at the dining table. Her fingers work rhythmically over a puzzle she started a week ago. Her eyes flick up the moment I enter, and even before the boys rush over to greet her, her head tilts and brows scrunch as she stares at me. After they kiss her cheek and she gives them a soft smile, she quickly gives them permission to play video games in their rooms, her gaze never leaving mine.

I try to steady my voice as I tell her about Danté's call and his urgent request, but I can see the words hit her like a wave. Her face shifts through confusion, fear, and frustration before she finally crumbles, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"First Ray..." her voice cracks, the sound raw. "Now our home... Why do we have to leave?"

I pull her into my arms, feeling her tremble against me. "I'm so sorry, Maggie. I don't have the answers, but we just have to trust Danté right now."

She pulls back slightly, her tear-filled eyes searching mine. "Is it ever gonna stop?"

As soon as we realize Danté might arrive any minute, a sense of urgency crackles through us. We scramble through the house. The sound of drawers opening and zippers tugging fills the silence, while Maggie moves with a quiet intensity. The boys follow us around, asking questions as their wide eyes search for answers. Their curiosity hangs heavy, but she only gives them short, careful answers, her voice calm but clipped, telling them to wait for Danté.

Half an hour later, the house feels weirdly empty, even though we've only packed the essentials. The soft zip of the last bag cuts through the stillness, leaving a heaviness that lingers in the air. It's as if the weight of the unknown has settled over us, suffocating and thick.

When Danté arrives, explaining the situation, I slip into the depth of my thoughts. Old memories resurface, dragging me back to the nightmare when Don DeLuca wanted me dead. The sound of Maggie's quiet sobs as her life is torn apart makes my chest ache, and the thought of never seeing her again only sharpens the pain. Yet, beneath Danté's calm words, something feels off. My gut tells me there's a deeper narrative behind his story. Something he's not sharing—or maybe it's just paranoia creeping in. I hope I'm wrong.