Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
“I think we need to make some alterations.”
“X, I need you to do this.”
A moment passed. I wondered if he’d ended the call. Finally he said, “I’ll set it up for you. Ten o’clock tonight. Once everything is in place, I’ll call you.”
“Thank you.”
“Just try not to get killed.”
“That’s the plan.”
29
COREY
After I talked to Val, I dragged myself to the bed and curled on my side. I alternately dozed and cried, hating that I was so fucking weepy, hating that I’d let myself fall for Dom when I knew better.
My phone rang, disturbing a confusing dream where Dom chased me through a house that was like his but not.
I didn’t recognize the number, but I answered, assuming it might be Vito.
“Hi, Corey. This is X. I’ve got some instructions for you.” It sounded like X, but I’d only spoken with him a few times, and this wasn’t the number he’d called from.
“I don’t recognize this number.”
“It wouldn’t be good to do all my business from the same number.”
That sounded reasonable, but something still felt strange. “I need you to enter the courtyard and come to the back gate. I have guards who will pick you up from there.”
“What? Why?”
“Dom can’t protect you anymore. I’ve had to make other arrangements.”
My head spun, and nausea had me fighting to keep down the little I’d eaten that day. Dom was sending me away. I had broken a promise, but so had he, and I’d only wanted to keep him safe. He was getting rid of me when he was the best person to protect me. “But I thought—”
“I promise you’ll be safe, but we need to pick you up now.” Was this what Vito and Val meant by working something out? Had they helped set this up?
I glanced around the room. “I need some time to pack.”
“Just grab a few things, and we’ll have the rest delivered to you later.”
I had so many questions, like why there was such a rush, but none of them seemed that important when Dom didn’t want me here. He didn’t even want to see me again. It was best for me to leave. If Dom didn’t want me, then being sent away was for the best. “How long before someone is here?”
“Five minutes.”
Why hadn’t he given me longer than that? Was there something he wasn’t telling me? Probably. He didn’t seem like someone who told more than was absolutely necessary. “Okay, I’ll be there.”
I considered texting or calling Val before I left, but what would I say? I stuffed my laptop, charging cords, a change of clothes, and a few other things into my backpack. Then, moving as quietly as I could, I walked to the back of the house.
I heard voices coming from the living room. Dom seemed to be barking out orders. I heard several other men respond. At least I wouldn’t run into Dom. Fighting back tears, I made my way to the back of the house and let myself into the courtyard, trying to be as silent as possible. I pulled the door closed slowly, only letting it latch once it was flush with the frame. If Dom were in the middle of a meeting, maybe he wouldn’t hear. I didn’t want him coming to make sure I was following instructions. Beatrice had the afternoon off, so I didn’t think anyone else would notice my leaving.
I crossed to the back gate of the courtyard. For a moment, I was worried it would be locked, and I would have to go back and get someone to help me, but I was able to turn the lock from the inside. I opened the gate slowly, looking into the alley. It was late afternoon and already growing dark.
A car pulled out from the curb several houses down and began to move toward me.
I realized how vulnerable I was standing there. Why hadn’t I asked more details? Why hadn’t I asked what the car would look like? But Dom had guards watching the house at all times, right? They would know. They would be prepared for me to be picked up.
A shiver ran down my spine, and I paused for a moment, but then the window was rolling down, and a man called out my name, “We’re here for you, Corey.”
I moved toward the car and realized the man was pointing a gun at me. “Don’t move or make a sound.” That voice. It was her. Lisa. I’d really fucked up. I should’ve gone to Dom or called Val. It had been a trap, and I’d fallen right into it, because I was so busy mourning the loss of something I never had.
The man with the gun and another jumped out. The first man ripped off a piece of duct tape and slapped it over my mouth while the first man pulled my arms behind me, pinning them viciously tightly as he wrapped tape around my wrists. I felt something prick my arm and looked to see him depressing a syringe into my arm.