Escaping The Mafia King

Hope stayed quiet and glanced away from him. She wanted to say she was enjoying this, but admitting anything would be a betrayal. She couldn't just forget what he was or who he was so easily. The blood might be washed off, but it still stained her mind.

"Hope?" Varys pointed out across the park where a family of ducks paddled through the water. "I brought some bread, let's go feed the ducks. You still like that, right?" the corners of his lip twitched, and he bit his lip as he searched her face.

"You can't feed them that," Hope scolded as she glanced away from him. Damn him for being hopeful. She didn't need to deal with that.

"Huh?" Vary's eyebrows furrowed. "Why not?"

"You'll hurt the ducks," she replied. She glanced around the park again and noticed a tiny shack across the lake. The feed name was proudly displayed across the side in bold red font. "There, you can get food for them there."

Varys nodded and held out his hand to her. "Let's go then."

Go with him? No, she needed to sit down and let her racing mind come to grips with everything. "I'll just sit here." she gestured to a bench. "I need to rest. It's been awhile since I've been this active. You'll be able to see me from there, and you've got the park guarded. It's not like I'm going anywhere."

"You're not a prisoner, Hope. I'm keeping you safe, damn it."

Hope's eyes skittered away from him again. "I want to believe that," she whispered. "Just, get the food. I'll just wait here."

Varys sighed and rifled through his pockets before pulling out his phone. "Here, I have my men on speed-dial. They're watching you, they're keeping you safe, but if anything happens, use this, let them know. I can't guard against everything, but I swear if anything happens to you I'll burn the world to make it right."

His words lit up a fire inside Hope and she stared at the ground so he couldn't see it climb her cheeks. Who talked like that? Still, despite everything, the fact he wanted to be with her so much was touching. "I'll stay right here, I won't move."

into her eyes. "Do you

Hope nodded. "I promise."

soon." His boyish smile took Hope off guard and she found herself melting as she lost

Hopefully, Varys would forgive her for this, and even more hopefully it wasn't locked to just emergency numbers. She flicked the screen until she got to the home button and pulled up the phone app. While Varys was still jogging to the other

do you want?" Snapped the voice on the other end. Max's voice.

hand around a coffee cup and squeezing it to the point of breaking.

His surprise was evident in his voice. "I've been so worried about you, where are

get me. I just need

with very dangerous people. I'm not sure if you understand how bad they are, but you need to tell me where you are so I can keep you safe. I'm not going to have

tell Vincent I'm okay,

swear if you don't tell me you're going to regret it. I'm going to bend

I'm safe where I am. Besides, I have someone far worse than you think chasing me. I can't have you get involved. His name is Ethan." She stopped herself from giving the last name.

you are, Hope," Max interrupted

whispered as she watched Varys reach the feed shack. She only had a matter of time before he turned

through here to protect Vincent. So I know you're calling from a park right now. I'm going to come pick you up and lock you away so no one can hurt you again. You might think you know the people you're with, but

him better than I know you," Hope replied. "Just tell Vincent where

replied on the other end of the line with a scoff. "He's ready to tear the city apart to find you too. We both

and looked up to find Varys' figure again. She frowned as she scanned the