Page 32 of Haunting the Shadow Man

“Where are we going?” I question him.

“Not much further, just come on and stay fucking quiet,” he snaps, pulling on my hand.

As we go deeper into the maze, I start to panic as it feels like the halls of the prison. My breathing comes out in shallow pants, and I lose my footing, going down hard on my hands and knees. The man comes over to me, raising his hand to strike me when a loud gunshot goes off and he falls dead beside me. A scream claws its way up my throat when the shooter's voice slices through the night.

“You scream and you will suffer worse than any of the whores before you,” Alan sneers with so much disdain that I know the odds of me making it out of this situation alive are slim to none.

Nodding, I place my hand over my mouth to ensure I stay as quiet as possible.

“I knew you could be a good doll. Now come on, we don’t have much time, and I know by now there is a manhunt for you,” Alan says, pulling me up by my arm.

I stumble trying to keep up with him in my heels. We twist and turn so many times that even if I were able to get free, I could never find my way out. Finally, the end comes into view, and I want to run out of the maze. Just as we step through the opening, spotlights come on and a swarm of men are standing there with Vito in front.

“Let her go, Alan,” Vito calls out, holding a gun at his side.

Alan snatches me in front of him, holding a gun under my chin. “We leave, or I kill her right here. You decide!”

Vito cocks an eyebrow. “You let her go, and your death is quick.”

Alan pushes the gun harder under my chin. “You can’t kill me here. My father will bring every agency in the world down on all of your families. I’ve left messages, so he knows where I am.”

Vito shrugs, crossing his arms over his chest. “Mason, did you hear that? His daddy is going to send the Feds to find him.”

Mason steps forward, placing the phone to his ear. “Mr. Davis, this is Mason O’Malley. I’m doing well. I was calling to make sure that you’re enjoying the investment that I and the Kardonis have made in your company over the last twenty-four hours. Yeah, definitely makes for an easier lifestyle. Here is the thing, Mr. Davis. Part of this investment was the reassurance that you would keep your son far away from both families and all those whom we care for. Wait just a moment, let me put you on speaker.”

Mr. Davis starts speaking quickly. “That was the arrangement. Alan has been given explicit instructions to stay far away from everyone in both families.”

Mason gives an exaggerated sigh. “The problem we are having at this moment is your son is currently standing in front of me with a gun under the chin of Vito Kardoni’s fiancé.”

“Alan, what have you done?” Mr. Davies screams over the phone. “Mason, you do what you need to do, and you'll get no backlash from me or mine when it comes to the decisions that are made by the families. Alan, I hope it was all worth it. I just can't keep covering for you. Mason, we shall talk soon.”

“So now, Alan, you have a choice. You can either let go of Loretta and die quickly, or you can drag this out, and when I get my hands on you, I will bleed you for more days than you will ever fucking remember, taking your body apart one piece at a time before I eventually kill you,” Vito demands as his patient's wavering.

I watch, seeing the fear in his eyes and knowing that is the only thing holding him in place. I look out across the field at all the men standing there waiting for the word to go.

“If my only choice is to die tonight, then I will make sure I take her with me. One final doll to add to my collection. And to think it's the most beautiful one of all,” Alan shouts.

I lock eyes with the only man who has ever kept me safe and taken care of me. I could have finally had the family I always wanted. I do the one thing I promised myself I would never do. I tell the man goodbye as I feel Alan's hand tighten around the gun in his hand.

“Thank you, Vito, for giving me the only thing I ever wanted. I will always have your back.” The words are clear as they ring out.

Just as I finish speaking, it feels as if someone has slammed into Alan's back, causing us to fall forward. Alan lands on top of me, and I feel a warm liquid run down the side of my face and neck. The sound of thundering boots comes toward me as I fight to getout from under the weight of the man on top of me and making it difficult to breathe. Between one breath and the next, the weight is removed from my back, and Vito wraps me in his arms. I throw my arms around his neck and sob, finally safe.

Vito pulls my head away from his neck. “You are never allowed to say goodbye like that again. I will not lose you when I just got you. Do you understand me, my Blood Rose?”

All I can do is nod because of the sobs rocking my body. Vito slams his mouth down on mine as he picks me up.

Mason comes over to us with his phone in his hand, looking perplexed. “Vito, I think you might need to see this.”

Vito turns to look at the phone and his eyebrows reach his hairline.

Unknown: Let Vito know that I handled it.

“What the fuck?” Vito grumbles as Andre comes walking over to us.

“What is it, Vito?” Andre asks, looking around nervously. “Mason, was that one of yours that took the shot?”

Mason shakes his head no, and Andre goes white while Vito turns to him smirking.

“It wasn’t his. It was one of ours, and it’s going to come with a price tag I’ll gladly pay.” Vito looks down at me and kisses me softly.

“How about we go home? I’ve had enough of Halloween this year,” he whispers.

“Let’s go!” I smile, laying my head on his chest and allowing my Shadow Man to protect me once again.