Page 9 of Darkest Desire

“It’s Sasha.”

She’s quiet for a second before she gasps. “Sasha?”

“I need help.” I rattle off the address of the bodega. “Can you come get me?”

“Of course. What happened?”

“I escaped but I don’t know how long before Denis finds out. He’s going to marry me to… Nico Bernardi.”

“… truly?”

“Yes. Why would I lie about that?” I can’t help but roll my eyes. Natalya always struggled to understand that her younger sisters could be just as smart and capable as her.

“I’m sorry. I’m just surprised. When’s the wedding supposed to take place?”

“A month from now. But if I’m caught, there’s a good chance they’ll speed it up.”

“You’re right. We’re on our way. We’ll be around forty minutes. Stay safe.”

I hang up and hand the phone back to the cashier. “See? No interest in stealing it.”

“Are you ok?” he asks. “Do you need me to call the police?”

I was taught to never involve police in mafia business.

“Is it ok if I wait here? My sister is going to come pick me up.”

“Yeah. Sure. Just don’t steal anything.”

“I’m not going to steal anything,” I snap.

“And while you’re waiting, you can pay for something.”

My mouth drops open. I can’t believe this guy. “I don’t have any money on me. I have nothing. That’s why I needed to borrow your phone. I’m in danger.”

“Then you need to wait outside.”

“I could get hurt out there!”

He shrugs and turns back to the cash register. “Not my problem.”

“I seriously can’t stay?”

“Not if you don’t buy anything. I’ll have to call the cops on you for loitering.”

“Unbelievable,” I mutter. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I’m just trying to keep my business afloat. Now, do I need to call the police or not?”

“Fine. I’ll wait outside. But if I get kidnapped, that’s on you.” All I have on is a light long sleeved shirt and pajama bottoms and my slippers. My shoes are by the front door so I couldn’t get to them – not with my door locked. I never even wear my slippers – my grandma got them for me when she was still alive - but I figured they would be better than running around in bare feet.

I shiver in the cool night air. It’s summertime but that doesn’t mean the nights still don’t get a little chilly.

The road is covered in shadows. Every sound in the distance makes me turn my head with a gasp. I have to wait forty minutes for my sister to get here. I just hope she’ll make it in time.

I can’t leave. Natalya is coming to this address. I have no choice but to wait.

I force my body to lean against the building. Maybe if I have something solid behind me, I’ll feel better. Except it’s only cold on my back, making me feel worse.