Page 92 of Deceitful Oath
I almost run to the elevator and call his name, but a little voice deep inside tells me not to be too hasty. I stand frozen in the hallway, clutching my knife, staring at the unmoving doors.
A thud makes me jump, scooting closer to the kitchen. Another thud and a loud curse have me high-tailing it all the way into the kitchen.
That did not sound like Rafael at all. In fact, that dark morose voice sounded a lot like Vince.
Just as I’m debating my next move and thanking the universe that the power is out, the lights flip back on and the elevator dings.
I panic and stuff myself into the pantry, quietly sliding the door almost fully closed. I peek through a tiny crack, praying Rafael walks in and asks me what the hell I’m doing hiding in the pantry.
The elevator dings again.
My heart drops.
A third ding.
As soon as we got home from the Mancini mansion tonight, Rafael had reset the elevator codes to make sure no one could get in. He was worried that other Mancini family members, courtesy of Vince, would learn the codes and break in. Only his uncles and Enzo have the new code, so whoever is in that elevator isn’t supposed to be here.
Ding.
I feel my pockets for my phone, hoping I can quickly text Rafael, but they’re empty.Of course, it’s on the nightstand in the bedroom.
Ding. Ding.
My breathing becomes shallow. I feel a panic attack coming on with every ding of that damn elevator.
Ding.
Sweat breaks out over my forehead, partly from the cramped closet but mostly from fear. More memories of waking up in that closet in Mancini’s mansion come flooding in, skyrocketing my heartbeat.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
The hammering on the elevator doors mirrors my thudding heartbeat. I clutch my knife to my chest, almost cutting myself in the process. Fear runs up my spine when I hear the doors being forcefully pried apart.
No, no, please. Don’t let him get in.
Somewhere deep in my soul, I know it’s Vince coming back to finish what he started. He had a plan and I ruined it. Now he’s going to make me pay with my life.
My body trembles as I force myself to stay still. I barely breathe when I hear his footsteps echoing off the marble in the entryway.
He’s going to search every inch of this apartment until he finds me. The TV is blaring, there are chips scattered across theliving room floor, a steaming mug of tea sits on the table—of course, he knows I’m here. How could he not?
Heavy footsteps thud down the hallway toward the bedroom. I can hear him throwing doors open and calling my name. Well, not my name exactly—he’s still calling mewaitress, as if I’m not worthy of a name. Anger blooms inside my heart.
I’ve never wanted anyone dead before, but Vince has earned the honor.
I force my brain to work, to think of some sort of survival strategy, but I come up empty. I barely survived my last encounter with Vince—and that was when more players were involved. Who knows what he’ll do to me when it’s just the two of us, face-to-face?
His footsteps echo back up the hallway. I hear him stop as he undoubtedly spots my mess in the living room.
“Come on out, little waitress,” he taunts. “I want to play a little game with you.”
Okay, okay, think brain, think. I have the element of surprise! And I have a knife. I could spring up behind him and stab him. That might work.
I watch through the crack as he slowly walks into the kitchen, looking around. His gaze travels over the pantry door, and I hold my breath, not daring to move an inch. I can see that his hands are empty, but I’m almost positive there’s a gun tucked somewhere in his jacket. He wouldn’t come unarmed.
He circles the island, dangerously close to me.If I throw open the door and spring into action right now, I could probably disarm him.
My heart hammers wildly in my chest and my muscles freeze. I can’t move. I can’t make myself do it. Even after all the pain he’s caused me, I can’t hurt a fellow human.