Page 38 of The Butcher's Wife

My phone in the kitchen catches my attention.

I could call Dom, but he already thinks I’m a fool for making such a big deal about the elevator. What about my brothers? Dad?

I clench my hands into fists.

Icould talk to him—the person in the car. Or at least, I’ll get close enough to see his face. I can leave the penthouse. Dom has guns all over the place.

I’ll do it myself.

I march toward the kitchen, aiming for the gun I know is tucked away in one of the drawers. But as I step forward, the elevator dings.

All the courage drains out of me. Icy fear roots me to the spot.

It’s just another empty elevator. It’s on the fritz.

The doors peel apart, and a flash of dark fabric moves behind the sliver of an opening.

I run.

I quietly hurl myself up the stairs and race to the master bedroom. My fingers crash against the lock, clicking it shut, and I dive for the nightstand table to yank out Dom’s gun. With its cold weight in my hand, I hide behind the bed and point it right at the door.

For several minutes, I can barely breathe, listening for any sound.

When nothing happens, I pull my phone out of my back pocket.

“Please,” I whisper to myself as I call Dom. “Please.”

He doesn’t pick up.

I call him three more times, my heart pounding as I strain my ears to listen for movement in the hallway.

He doesn’tfuckingpick up.

My vision blurs with tears as I call Carlo next. He always has men with him and drives fast.

When he picks up on the first ring with a, “What’s up?” I nearly sob with relief.

“Carlo, there’s someone in the house,” I hiss into the receiver. “Please hurry. Dom’s penthouse. Hurry.”

Tires squeal, and a man yells at Carlo.

“Shut the fuck up!” he shouts at them. Then, to me he says, “I’m coming. Where are you hiding?”

“I’m in Dom’s room. Upstairs.”

“I’m not far away. Just hang tight. I’m on my way?—”

The call drops.

My phone rings again, but something in the hallway rustles. I quickly turn off my phone with trembling hands.

Skritch, skritch.

There.

I think?

I can’t tell if my mind’s playing tricks on me, but just as I’m about to turn my phone back on, there’s a dull thud outside the bedroom.