I’m alone.
Chalking it up to potential post-traumatic stress and an overwhelming need for more sleep, I head back upstairs.
I should probably eat, or figure out what to do about Giovanni. He’s the biggest threat; I saw something I shouldn’t have at Wonderland and ended up in that warehouse because of it. Just because I happened to escape doesn’t mean I’m safe from him. He’s going to find out and he’s going to come for me, but I don’t have anywhere to run to, and I think I have $21.63 in my bank account at the moment.
All I want to do is crawl back under my covers and hide there forever.
One more hour wouldn’t hurt…
Still, that feeling of unease doesn’t let up, only growing stronger after I climb back up to my floor. I pause outside of my door, looking over my shoulder, but see nothing out of the ordinary.
The hallway continues down past my door before taking a sharp left. I keep one eye on the shadowy corner as I slip my key into the lock, turning it carefully.
My door cracks open and that’s when they strike. Two men jump out from down the hall, running for me.
Shrieking, I bolt into my apartment, sliding on the hardwood as I try to slam the door shut behind me.
I’m not quick enough.
A steel-toed boot is shoved into the door jamb and it won’t close. I throw all of my weight into pushing them out, but I’m thrown back a second later when the other one charges the door.
The gun.
I meet the man’s gaze for a second before darting for the hallway in a mad dash to reach my bedroom. If I can lock him out then I can?—
He catches me by my hair and I scream. A second later, there’s a gun in my face, courtesy of his friend.
“Ah-ah-ah, none of that now.”
My jaw snaps shut and I struggle in the hold of the first guy, but he’s released my hair in favor of my arms, and his grip is firm. I’m not going anywhere.
“Bella, Bella, Bella, what are we going to do with you?” Giovanni’s Italian drawl fills me with dread, and I fight with renewed passion when I see him waltzing in through the still wide-open front door like he owns the place.
“Remember when you told me you could be a good girl and keep your mouth shut?” he asks, shutting the door to my apartment behind him.
Despite the guy behind me having me locked down, I still struggle when Giovanni steps closer.
“I just want to talk.” Gio holds his hands up innocently before snapping his fingers and pointing to one of the dining room chairs. Obediently, the man with the gun pressed up against my cheeks drops it, holstering it before shoving me into the chair Giovanni pointed to.
Just as soon as I land, I try to spring back up, but Giovanni’s voice stops me again.
“Don’t make me tie you to it.” His voice holds a sharp warning, so, slowly, I sink back down. My eyes dart between the three of them, trying to watch all three at once, but my friend with the gun moves out of sight behind me, and the other goes to stand guard by the door.
Giovanni sighs loudly, taking a seat directly in front of me on the edge of the worn out coffee table, and looks me over. He takes out an expensive looking flask from his suit jacket’s pocket, taking a long swig before offering it to me.
I shake my head while twitching nervously in the chair, my eyes flicking to the clock. It’s almost two.
Lily and Remi will be home soon.
“Now, Bella,” Giovanni starts, and my gaze snaps to him. “It seems you are theonlyliving witness to a raid that took place at one of my warehouses last night.”
I blink back at him in shock.The other girls—they’re dead?
He smiles, leaning forward in his chair. It’s a smile that’s meant to be reassuring, kind even—but his cool eyes give it away, his smile doesn’t touch them. “Now listen up. I’ll make you a deal, okay?” He looks at me expectantly this time, and I manage a slight dip of my chin in response.
“Good.” He grins at me and I have to bite back my glare. “Now you tell me everything you saw and heard last night, and I won’t kill you.” He leans back in his seat, still smiling at me.
I swallow hard.
