by Morgan James
My head snapped toward him. “Tunnel?”
“The original part of this church was built back in the late 1600s, before Chicago was officially appointed a city, and they made several additions over the centuries,” he replied conversationally. “In fact, the restaurant across the street is where the old rectory used to be, but it burned down nearly a hundred years ago now. As the city grew outward, the catacombs under the church were established for the residents to bury and honor their dead. Everything back then was connected by underground tunnels, but they’ve been forgotten over the years.”
I knew there were tunnels running under the city, mostly recreational or transport, but this was the first time I’d heard anything about catacombs under the church. If the restaurant somehow connected to an underground tunnel, was it possible...?
“How do you access the catacombs?” I asked.
The priest grasped the pew in front of him and slowly rose his feet. “Come with me.” He led the way deeper into the church to another sturdy oak door. He pulled it open and flipped on a single bulb. “The stairs here lead to the basement. Once down there, the tunnels break off in several directions. The rooms have been locked for decades,” he remarked, “as we have no use for them. We also can’t have people disturbing the dead.”
“Would you mind if I took a look around? I promise I won’t damage anything,” I said when he paused.
He studied me for a moment then finally relented. “I’ll be right here.”
I used the flashlight from my phone to illuminate the steps in front of me as I made my way down to the bottom. As he said, the landing broke off and tunnels veered in several directions. I slowly turned in a circle, eyeing the long, dark tunnels and debating which way to go. Suddenly, the craziness of the situation hit me.
What the hell was I doing?
Jesus. Was I so desperate for answers that I was willing to look for the most ridiculous and sensational solution? I turned and placed my foot on the step to return to the church. As soon as my shoe made contact with the hard stone, the bright light flickered. I froze in place, positive whatever I’d just seen was a malfunction. Though the phone wasn’t new, I’d never had issues with it before. I jiggled the device, but this time the beam of light remained steady and strong. Shaking my head, I took another step. The light flickered once more, and my heart jumped into my throat.
What the fuck was happening here?
I took a step backward as the light flashed off then quickly on again. I held it up, the hairs on the back of my neck standing straight up as I swept my arm in a wide arc. The white light danced as it flickered over the old stone walls of one tunnel, then the next. Suddenly, the light went out completely.
A heartbeat later, it came back full force, seeming to lead me down the tunnel to my right. The light seemed brighter, stronger, and I tentatively took a step in that direction.
I walked several dozen feet until I came to a sealed room. Dropping my gaze to the floor, I noticed the dust and dirt had recently been disturbed. My heart beat frantically in my chest as I grasped the smooth iron handle and shoved the swollen door open. Just beyond a small landing lay a set of stone steps that seemed to descend straight into hell itself. I stood there motionless, staring into the yawning mouth of darkness, wondering with dread what lay at the bottom.
Twenty-Nine
Giuliana
A shiver rocked my body, and my legs instinctively curled tighter into my body. Not like they could get much closer. The box limited my movement in every direction, and agony ripped through me every time I tried to move.
I swore I could feel the air thin as I tried to drag in a deep breath. I was slowly running out of oxygen. How much time did I have left? Tears crept from the corners of my eyes as I pressed my hands to the lid only inches from my face. I couldn’t even get enough leverage to push up on it or kick upward. I ran my fingers over the seams, searching for any weakness in its construction.
I’d been in and out of consciousness, fighting to stay awake and alert. Here in the dark, time had no meaning. Did Matteo plan to come back for me at all? Or did he plan to let me die down here, all alone? I was growing weaker and weaker, staying awake for shorter periods of time. A shudder rolled through me and a sob tore from my throat. No one could help me now. I was locked away somewhere underground where my body would never be found.
I prayed that death would come quickly. The last set of lashes were the hardest I’d endured yet, and my skin was flayed open in several places. Those wouldn’t kill me, though. What I dreaded most was dragging in one breath after another, slowly using up all of the oxygen inside my small tomb until it was gone. I already felt lightheaded. It wouldn’t be long now.
I cried for myself, for Eric, for the life we would never have. It was stupid to use up my reserve of oxygen, but I couldn’t help the great, gasping breaths that heaved in and out of my lungs. I hated Matteo and everything he stood for. I closed my eyes and employed the strategy Johnny had instilled in me years ago.
The darkness of the box dissolved away, and my breathing regulated, my tears slowing as the beach came into focus. Here in my own little world, I knew every blade of grass, every grain of sand. I felt the sun on my face, the wind in my hair. The cool water tickled my toes as the tide lapped gently at my feet. But there was a second presence that hadn’t existed before.
“Daddy!” Tears burned the bridge of my nose as his familiar arms enveloped me, pulling me close. “I missed you so much.”
He stroked one hand over my hair. “I’ve missed you, too, tesoro.”
I leaned away and met his green eyes, so much like my own. If Daddy was here... “Is this Heaven?”
He smiled gently. “It seems that way, doesn’t it?”
Dread settled like lead in my gut. I’d tried so hard to be strong, to keep going, but it hadn’t been enough. Eric was somewhere out there, and I couldn’t even warn him that Matteo was coming for him. I couldn’t do anything at all, because now I would never see him again.
Burrowing my head against Daddy’s shoulder, I vented my frustration, my grief. Through it all, he held me close.
“He took everything from me.” He squeezed my shoulders tighter as my voice broke. “I loved him so much, and...”
I trailed off, and my father gently stroked my back. “Everything will be all right. You’ll see.”
I shook my head against his chest. How could he say that? I’d been betrayed by my own cousin; we’d both been betrayed by people we’d cared about. I pulled back to look at him. “Massimo sold you out.”
An acute look of sorrow entered his eyes. “I know.”
“How could he? He took you from me, and then Matteo—” Choking back a sob, I glanced up at him. “I lost everything. I loved him so much, and now I’ll never see him again.”
“Of course you will, tesoro.” A large palm slipped beneath my chin and lifted my gaze to his. “Your cop is a good man. He loves you very much; I can tell. You will be happy together.”
My father spoke in present tense though we both knew better, and a sad smile lifted my mouth. “I’m so glad we’re together again.”
“I have missed you, piccolina.” He gave a little shake of his head. “But this? This is only temporary.”
“Why?” Panic flared around my heart. “What are you talking about? Why can’t I stay with you?”
He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my forehead before meeting my gaze again. “You’re not ready yet.”
“But—”
Daddy shook his head and placed a heavy hand on my shoulder. “I will always be here, in your heart.”
“No!” Tears welled up, blurring my vision. I couldn’t bear to lose him again, not when I’d just found him. “Daddy—”
“Jules.”
My ears perked up at the sound of my name as it carried toward me on the slight breeze. My brows drew together, and I whipped my head left and right as it came again, closer this time.
“Jules.”
&
nbsp; I shielded my eyes from the glare of the sun as a lone figure strolled along the shore. Each step that closed the distance between us brought the man more into focus.
Eric.
My breath caught, and I took a step toward him before I remembered. I spun back toward my father, tears in my eyes. “Daddy...”
He lifted one hand and cupped my cheek. “Go.”
Pushing myself up on my toes, I kissed his cheek. Tears swam in my eyes as I stared up at him. “I love you.”
“Ti amo.”
With one last watery smile, I ripped myself out of his arms and sprinted across the sand toward Eric.
“Come back to me, Jules.” He stopped and spread his arms wide, a smile on his face as I launched myself toward him.
I’m coming, Eric.
Thirty
Eric
I followed the other officers down the dank, narrow stone steps and paused as Martinez pulled the skeleton key from the bag and inserted it into the lock. The click of the lock disengaging seemed to echo in the narrow space, and I held my breath as the door swung open.
Inside the room, it was completely dark. I don’t know what I was expecting. Even the warehouse had been dimly lit. Here, though, there was nothing, no indication of life whatsoever. The air seemed thick and stale, and the tiny kernel of hope I’d harbored began to dissipate.
Beams from the mens’ flashlights bobbed and weaved as they swept the room. Golden light washed over the wall as one of them lit an ancient looking lantern suspended in a holder on the wall. I froze on the bottom step as I quickly scanned my surroundings. A roughhewn workbench stood against the wall to my right, various implements scattered over its surface. But that wasn’t what made my heart stop.
In the middle of the room sat a pinewood box. It was the only thing of substance in the room—and it could only be here for one reason.
The room went deathly silent, so quiet I swore I could hear the beating of my heart echoing off the stone walls as the men tossed uneasy glances at one other.
I looked at SSA Martinez. “What the fuck is that?”
“Donahue, maybe—”
I shook my head, one hard, fast shake, and the agent’s lips pressed into a firm line. He shot a quick look at Jack, who stood next to me. I didn’t look at him; I couldn’t take my eyes off that Godforsaken box. What the hell was inside? Deep down I knew, and my gut clenched into a tight knot.
In my peripheral vision, I watched Jack give a terse nod.
As if realizing I wasn’t going anywhere, Martinez moved to the far end of the box and accepted the crowbar one of his men extended to him. Two agents stood at the ready, pistols trained on the box, prepared for the worst. Martinez slid the narrow end under the lid and levered upward. The nails screeched loudly as they pulled free of the wood, and I cringed at the sound. Martinez set aside the crowbar and swore softly as he lifted the lid.
My heart clenched and my hands curled into fists as pale skin was revealed an inch at a time. I wavered on my feet, suddenly lightheaded, and I locked my knees to keep from falling. Even from here I could see the dark brown stains on the inside of the lid. Claw marks. My body turned numb, dense as cement, and the light in the room grew intensely bright before fading once more.
I quickly blinked and fought for control as my heart thudded against my ribcage. Everything bottled up inside me felt like it would shatter at any second, and I drew a deep breath, forcing oxygen into my lungs. I had to stay strong.
The two agents holstered their weapons as Martinez dropped to one knee and dipped a hand inside the box. He placed his fingers on Jules’s neck, then looked up at me. I stood frozen, not daring to breathe until he gave me a slight nod. Then my feet were moving of their own volition, and I found myself in front of the box.
I hit my knees, tears of fury burning my eyes. Jules lay inside, curled into the fetal position, one arm tucked protectively over her head. Her skin was riddled with cuts and bruises, stained various shades of red and brown from the blood that had encrusted her skin along with the new wounds that still seeped liquid.
A steel band constricted around my chest as I stared down at her. I felt helpless, so furious that I wanted to rip something apart with my hands. I regretted that Matteo was already dead, because he deserved so much worse for what he’d done to Jules.
“Jules?” I spoke softly. “It’s me, baby—Eric.”
I didn’t dare move her arm; I had no idea what she’d been through, and I didn’t want to risk her trying to fight back. Instead, I gently pressed two fingers to her throat so I could feel her pulse myself. It was there—barely.
My gaze swept over her, and I blinked the moisture from my eyes as I took in the full extent of the damage done to her body. Lacerations and welts riddled her body, from her lower calves to the top of her shoulders. Dressed only in her underwear, there hadn’t even been a fabric buffer between her delicate flesh and whatever implement of torture Capaldi had used. I swallowed hard, wondering if he’d inflicted damage where I couldn’t see. Had she been raped and left for dead? Christ, I couldn’t fathom the thought.
Using my large frame, I turned slightly to block the others’ view of her, though I knew they’d moved away to give us space. I’d heard Martinez call for the medic, so I only had a few more moments with her before they would come take her away.
“I don’t know if you can hear me, sweetheart”—I gently touched her hand where it rested over her head—“but it’s over now. He won’t hurt you anymore.”
I stroked one finger over the back of her hand, taking in the ragged, blood-stained nails. The sight made me physically ill. There wasn’t a single inch of her that wasn’t battered and bruised, and it fucking broke me that I couldn’t even hold her to comfort her. I was furious with myself for not looking harder, finding her sooner. How could I have ever believed, even for a single second, that she would leave me? Had my hesitation done this to her? While I’d been cursing her for her betrayal, she’d been tortured at Capaldi’s hands. What if even those few hours could have made a difference? God, I couldn’t bear to think of it.
“We’re going to take you to the hospital, honey, and get you all fixed up.” I slid my fingers around hers. “Squeeze my hand if you can hear me.”
For several heartbeats I just waited.
Nothing.
Panic welled up, and I ruthlessly pushed it down. I wouldn’t lose her now; I refused to let her give up. Not when we were so close. “Come on, baby. Squeeze my hand. Let me know you’re still in there.”
Nine heartbeats. Ten.
My breathing increased. “Come on, Jules. Fight for me, baby! Squeeze my hand!”
Jack laid a hand on my shoulder. “Donahue—”
I shrugged him off. “No, I—”
Then it happened. So light I almost missed it, her fingers curled around mine.
“Jules!” A relieved breath rushed from my lungs, and I gave her a gentle squeeze back. “Hang in there, sweetheart. I’m here now.”
She’d withdrawn completely, and she was in shock—but she was in there. A shudder rolled through my body. God. How close had I come to losing her? I didn’t even want to contemplate it.
“Sheriff?”
One of Martinez’s men stood off to the side, crowbar in hand. He lifted it toward me. “We’ll need to disassemble the box so we can transport her.”
I nodded but didn’t move. They could work around me; I refused to leave her side. As the man went to work loosening the nails that held the walls together, I spoke quietly to Jules, walking her through each step of what was happening and offering what little comfort I could.
Three sides fell away, leaving only the one I was currently leaned over, holding Jules. “Almost done, sweetheart. We’ll get you out of here soon. I’m going to have to let go of you now.”
I started to pull away but was stopped by the feel of her fingers around mine. My breath caught, and I squeezed back. “Jules?”
Her fingers constricted around mine, and
the arm covering her face twitched. I swept tiny circles over the back of her hand with my thumb. “Just lie still, sweetheart. I won’t go anywhere.”
A tiny whimper left her throat as her arm moved again. It slipped lower, and she tucked it against her chest. Seeing her move, seeing her fight, filled me with hope. I leaned further over the edge of the box and brushed one hand over her hair.
“Wake up for me, baby. Let me see you.”
Her long dark lashes fluttered for a long moment, then fell closed again. Her chest rose on a deep inhale, then, as if it took all the strength in the world, she blinked. Once. Twice. Her eyes were glassy and unfocused, and several heart beats passed as I waited for her to meet my gaze. The sight of her gorgeous green eyes was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
Relief and joy and a feeling I’d never experienced before billowed up inside me. I bit my tongue against the urge to pull her into my arms and bury my head against her throat. Instead, I bowed my head and kissed our hands where they were still joined. I swallowed hard and forced a smile to my lips as I lightly brushed her cheek.
“I’m right here, sweetheart. I’m never leaving you again.”
Thirty-One
Giuliana
A jolt of pain shot through my body, and I jerked awake. This was the first night that I’d slept on my back since I arrived at the hospital, and the sensation felt like a thousand needles pressing against my skin. The nurses made me turn constantly so as to not put pressure on the wounds any more than necessary. As fatigue melted away, I became aware of something else. Someone was in the room.
Curling my fingers into the fabric of the thin blanket, I slowly turned my head toward the darkened corner of the room. A man sat in the standard issue chair, elbows resting on his widespread knees, his head bowed as he stared at his clasped hands. Despite him being hunched over, there was no mistaking his familiar form. As if he felt my gaze on him, his head jerked up, and his dark chocolate eyes met mine.