Chapter 7: Closing In

After what seemed like forever, the train began to speed up and shot out of the station, leaving the two men in suits behind. Ella finally sucked in air, leaning back in her seat and trying to get her heart to stop beating out of her chest.

“We lost them for now,” Rome said, taking her hand in his. “But this isn’t over yet.”

“I know. Do you think your dad will have people waiting for us when we get to the next station?”

“It’s a very real possibility. If he thinks there’s a good chance that I’m the one on this train, then, yeah, he won’t stop until he has me back under his lock and key.”

She swallowed hard, wondering what they could do. “If we pull into the next station, and some of his thugs get on, we could just get off.”

“But we won’t have our stuff. And besides, what would we do then? It’s just a game of cat and mouse, and we’re the mice.” He shook his head in defeat.

Ella couldn’t think of anything to do either. The train they were on would take them into France. They’d have to get off at the stop after next to switch trains if they decided to go on with their initial plans. Otherwise, they’d have to purchase additional tickets to stay on, and they’d eventually end up back in Italy, which probably wasn’t a good idea at all.

“Maybe they will give up, since they probably think you’re the one at the airport.”

“Maybe.”

She could tell by the way he said it that he didn’t mean it, though. He didn’t think his dad would ever give up.

They sat there for a long time holding hands and contemplating what to do when Mary and Gus came back and sat down across from them. “Are you two all right?” Mary asked.

“No. Did you see the two henchmen at the station, trying to chase down the train?” Ella asked.

Mary nodded. “Yes, but Gus has an idea.”

“What's that?” Rome asked, perking up for the first time in a long time.

“Well, I was just thinking, we could use your fame to build up some hype and throw your father off of your tracks.”

“How can we do that?” Ella asked, praying this was a good idea that would work.

“I have a friend--Jacques. He is French but I try not to hold that against him.”

“Hey!” Ella said, and Gus chuckled.

“Anyway, despite his heritage, he looks much like you, Rome, my new friend. I thought I could give him a call, get him to go out to some public place with a bunch of his friends who could take some pictures and start posting them, try to build up a viral video, break Twitter and IG, that sort of thing, so that maybe it will get back to your father that you’re in Italy.”

“That’s a good idea,” Ella said, nodding. “But you should have him go to the train station where we saw the car following us so that they’ll think we never left.”

“And have him wear a similar outfit to Rome’s--jeans and a white shirt,” Mary added. “Just in case some of those guys in the hotel lobby were working for his dad.”

“Yeah? You want me to try it, Rome?”

“Sure,” Rome said with a nod. “It can’t hurt, right?”

“Not unless they grab Jacques and do him some trouble, but I will have him bring big, strong friends.”

“Do you think he’ll be willing to do that, though? What will he get out of it?” Ella had to ask.

“Are you kidding? Jacques is a big, big fan of Rome’s. He will be so happy to help him out. Also, he will be so happy to get to pretend to be his idol for a few hours. I will give him a call.” Gus pulled his phone out of his pocket.

“Thanks, Gus. I appreciate it.” Rome reached over and shook his hand.

“It’s no problem. But as soon as I am off of the phone, I would like for you to tell me how it is that your wife is still alive.” He looked at Ella and winked, and she realized for the first time that he had no idea what he’d truly gotten himself into.

Gus stood and walked down the aisle. The train wasn’t very crowded, so he found a secluded spot and started talking to his friend.

“You didn’t tell him?” Ella asked Mary, a small smile on her face.

Mary shrugged. “No. I wasn’t sure you’d want me to. He asked me if you were who he thought you were, and I asked him who he thought you were, and he just laughed.”

“I suppose if we can trust him with everything else, we can trust him with this. Did you tell him where we are going?” Rome asked her.

“I told him our initial plan but not the whole thing. I figured we could just do this one step at a time. He seems fine with it and very trustworthy.” Mary had spent the most time with Gus of the three of them, so Ella was willing to trust her.

A few minutes later, Gus was back. “He is so excited. He can’t wait to make a big stir at the train station. He said he’d keep us posted on how it goes. I told him not to get kidnapped.”

“Solid advice,” Rome said with a nod. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to take that advice ourselves.”

“Hopefully,” Gus said. “This is not what I had in mind when I got up this morning, but it is an adventure, so I am happy for it.”

“That makes one of us,” Ella said, shaking her head.

“Yes. Now, Mrs. Verona. Tell me how it is that you’re alive.”