There was no other choice but another plan of action my father had shared. I swept the room with my eyes, desperate to find a weapon of any kind. I wasn’t old enough or tough enough to have a gun. My father wouldn’t allow it.
Besides, I was just a girl, nothing special in the Marichetti house. Another flash of neon lightning and my eyes settled on my brass dolphin statue I’d gotten while on vacation in Sardinia. My good luck charm because I’d seen dolphins that day.
Still shaking, I crawled under the bed, gasping for air as ugly claustrophobia set in.
Breathe. Just breathe.
The little voice inside my head wasn’t helping. I was almost frantic, trying desperately to stay in my hiding place while straining to listen. Every rumble of thunder brought another knot to my stomach. Soon, I was nauseous, almost lightheaded and fearful I’d pass out. That would be better at this point.
Footsteps. Were those footsteps?
I sucked in and held my breath while fisting my hands. There was no mistaking the sound as someone opened the door. Footsteps indicated one person had entered my space. Whoever was in my room stopped, remaining as silent as a church mouse. There was no light, no indication of what he was doing.
My mind was foggy, my chest burning from lack of air while holding my breath. I had to remain quiet. I had to follow instructions.Don’t panic. Don’t breathe. Don’t cry.
Every command my father had issued lingered in my ears. I was trying to be a good girl. When the intruder shifted, taking a couple of steps that seemed as if he was heading for the door, I almost took another breath.
A few seconds passed, sweat sliding down my face and tickling my nose. I was close to freaking out, desperate for air while so terrified I was already at the point of losing my mind.
There was no sudden movement, no indication the intruder had found me.
Until a hand was snapped around my ankle and I was ripped from under the bed.
A sharp scream erupted from my throat as I was tossed onto the bed. The shadow was huge and the person was so strong. Whoever had cornered me had to be a man from his size and strength. Even as the assailant slammed his large hand over my mouth, I reacted not on instinct but on my training, slamming the statue against his head.
“Stupida stronza.”
Stupid bitch. The man was Italian. Now I was furious. No one called me stupid or a bitch, even though the last insult I wore with pride.
I fought him, kicking and screaming as he tried his best to silence the agonizing sound.
His howl indicated anguish and the second he yanked his hand free, I reacted, almost managing to scramble off the bed.
But he was too fast and too strong, slamming me down and using even more weight and pressure to keep me from escaping. When the statue was ripped from my hand and tossed across the room, I prayed the horrific thump would be heard by the security guards.
Tears flooded my eyes when the horrible man leaned over. “Sei una cosina così carina. Mi divertirò un po’ con te.”
You are such a pretty little thing. I’m going to have some fun with you.
His voice was gruff, his accent smooth and one highlighting education instead of street talk. That didn’t matter. I had to get away. When he touched my arm, I shrieked under his hand, the sound nothing more than a muffled moan.
He laughed and rubbed the fingers of his other hand down my arm, Wretched, ugly tears began to fall, my chest heaving as the terror wrapped around me, spiraling my mind in horrible images.
“Non preoccuparti, ti farò sentire davvero bene.”
Don’t worry. I’ll make you feel so good.
The second the horrible man yanked at my pajama top, I shifted enough I managed to bite his other hand.
Another agonizing howl was ripped from his lungs. Before I had a chance to scream, the bastard backhanded me, pitching me off the bed. Stunned, the ambient noise of the room and the sounds of the raging thunderstorm vanished, replaced by a rhythmic roar.
His howl turned into a manic, evil snarl as he jerked me off the floor. But the paralyzing fear was tossed aside, my scream cutting through every noise, reverberating off the walls.
Lights snapped on, blinding me as I struggled to breathe.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The horrible battering of gunfire filled the room and I was dropped like a rock, another hard thud followed by a crushing weight.
