Page 24 of The Devil

“We need to have the cut on your head checked,” he says. “Is there a hospital nearby?”

I glance at the two dead bodies, and then it sinks in that Mr. Oliveira just killed the robbers.

Panic slams hard into my chest as flashes of the robbery, the explosion, and all the gunshots shudder through my mind. My breathing speeds up impossibly fast, and I stare at the blood puddle forming on the floor.

“Foda-se,” Mr. Oliveira mutters, and when he suddenly picks me up bridal style, a whimper escapes me.

He carries me out of the store and to the side of the building. I see the driver in the car, the front of his face all bloody, the sight gruesome.

Mr. Oliveira crouches and sets me down on the ground, then he frames my face with his cool hands and forces me to look at him.

“You’re safe,meu anjo. I’m not going to hurt you.”

I manage to nod, then a sob bursts from me, and I grab hold of his wrist.

He leans down until our faces are a mere inch apart. “I need you to focus for me. Do the security cameras work?”

I nod again, and when I start to move, he helps me to my feet. His hand wraps around the back of my neck, and he sticks close to me as I hurry into the store and behind the counter. I point at the system where the footage from the three cameras is stored on a built-in hard drive.

I watch as Mr. Oliveira erases everything, and when I hear sirens, he darts to me and grabs hold of my shoulders.

“You didn’t see me, Jenna. Understand?”

I nod quickly, then he leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Get the cut on your head checked out.”

Stunned from the kiss, my gaze follows him as he hurries out of the store and gets into his SUV. With screeching tires, he pulls away, leaving me alone.

Slowly, I step backward until I bump into the doorjamb of the storage room, then I spin around and run to the restroom, where I lock myself inside.

The intense trembling returns to my body, and I crouch down, wrapping my arms around my legs while I bow my head.

The terrifying events of the night bombard me, and I begin to cry, my breaths choppy.

Mr. Oliveira killed the four robbers without batting an eye. He moved so fast they didn’t stand a chance. He erased the proof that he was here and left before the police arrived.

I hear Sheriff Barnes shouting, “Is there anyone back here? Jenna?”

I can’t get a word out and continue to cry.

“Come out with your hands up where I can see them,” Sheriff Barnes orders.

Somehow, I manage to climb to my feet and unlock the door. I raise my arms and slowly step out of my hiding place until Sheriff Barnes is able to see me.

“You can lower your arms,” he says as he comes toward me.

I quickly scramble back into the restroom and slam the door shut before locking it again. Sinking to the floor, I’m overcome with a panic attack, and I can’t focus on a single thing.

My vision grows spotty, and I slump to the side as I lose consciousness.

ENZO

I go straight to the motel where everyone is staying, and the instant I bring the SUV to a stop, I jump out and order the nearest guard, “Wipe the vehicle down and get rid of it.”

“Yes, sir,” he replies.

“Which room is Dominik in?” I ask.

“One oh four.”