The man to my right turns off the car and removes the keys. I feel hopeless and weak. I should've known better. How could I let this happen? Anxiety courses through me.
“You will not scream.” The man in the passenger seat speaks in a deep, low voice. A voice I don't recognize. Maybe Vincent didn't trust me after all. Maybe they've come to kill me because of Tommy. My heart twists with agonizing pain. Maybe they killed Tommy. It's also possible that Tommy knows. My throat dries up as the man slaps his hand across my face. The slap burns my skin, and it's so forceful that it splits my lip.
“You will answer me!” I hear a faint accent as he yells at me. Russian. My eyes pop open and I stare back at the man.
His lip curls into a sick smirk. “Do you recognize me, Officer Kelly? You should. We know who you are.” I do. I've seen his face before. He's a member of the Russian Bratva not far from here. One of the last times Petrov was seen was on their territory.
Revenge. They're here for revenge. But we didn't kill Petrov.
My eyes widen with fear. Maybe he's still alive.
A sick part of me wishes it were true. I find strength in thinking I'll see him. I want to see his face. My fear and anguish dissolve into nothing but sheer determination.
The hand over my mouth slowly moves away. I wish I could wipe the spit off of my mouth, but I can't. The arm pinning me down doesn't move.
“You're going to listen to me, and answer me when I tell you to.” I stare back at the man who thinks he's calling the shots.
“Yes,” I say obediently. I'm just waiting for my chance.
“You're going to call Tommy,” the man says, staring me in the eyes. “We need one Valetti. And he'll come to you any time you call him. He doesn't tell anyone, just sneaks off to find his bitch in heat.”
“Why?” I ask him in a calm voice. So calm it nearly terrifies me. I don't recognize my own voice.
“Why do you think, sweetheart?” He gives me a twisted smile. “We need to set an example.” He looks at the man holding me and I'm released. I hear more glass fall as the man to my left leaves my side and opens my door. “Be a good girl, and call him.”
I look down at my purse and consider doing just that. But I don't want to lead him to his death. “Don't you want to live?” he asks. If I didn't know I was pregnant, I would never do it. But I have to do what I can to save my baby.
They'll never let you live, a sad voice whispers in my ear. My eyes dart to his. They're dark and full of excitement. I know they're going to kill me. There's nothing I can do to stop them. I turn my head, and see there are two more men standing outside the car. Four men total.
I think back to the alley. There were only three, and I had my gun in my hand aimed at one. I had an advantage there, that I don't, here. My heart stutters in my chest. I'm not going to be okay. I can't do this. And I need to. I can't fail.
I look back at the man as I take out my phone. I have to call Tommy. He's my only hope.
Tommy
I've never been nervous going into Vince's house, never. It's a good sign that Elle opened the door and didn't seem to act any differently. It's funny seeing her with a baby in her arms. She's carrying him around like a pro now.
I open the door and reluctantly take a seat across from Vince. I know this isn't good. All his text said was that we needed to talk. I wonder what happened between Sunday and now. A million possibilities are running through my head. I don't think he'd kill me, not his own blood. Especially not with Elle around. But giving me a head start to run, or telling me to go away and never come back? That thought is a very real possibility.
I don't know how I ever thought I could get away with being with Tonya. I never should've fucked with a cop. I swallow and it hurts my dry throat. I crack my knuckles and try to relax, but I can't. If I had to take it back, I don't think I would. That's the worst part of it all. There was something between us that I'm glad I felt. Even if it left a scar on my heart. I wouldn't change it.
They may think it was wrong. But there was nothing wrong about what we did.
“We gotta talk, Tommy,” Vince says from across his desk. His body is stiff. It's not a good sign. As I open my mouth, my phone goes off. Vince's eyes dart to my pants.
I should've put that shit on silent. I take it out quickly to turn it off and see it's Tonya that's calling. My bad girl. She sure has some real shit timing. I don't know why she's calling me. She shouldn't be. She should know I can't answer. I look Vincent in the eyes and I know that he knows who's calling. I hit the switch to turn it to vibrate and put it on his desk.
The shit part is that I would've answered her. Even though we've said our goodbyes. If I was anywhere other than here, I would've answered.