AllFreeNovel
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Emma has spent the last six months constantly in and out of the hospital, but her heart is failing more rapidly. She is next on the donor list, but without the funds, there will be no surgery. She’s now permanently in the hospital until we raise enough money or…. I hate to think of the alternative.
Me: Dealing and smiling, Em. How are you feeling?
My thumbs fly across the keyboard as I reply.
Emma: Better. When are you coming to visit?
Her reply makes me feel guilty. I haven’t seen her in three days, working double shifts and playing in the early morning hours when the rest of the country is asleep. Those games have high stakes, but the payout makes it worth the risk. It isn’t a game. People literally bet their lives on those underground games, and the last one I left shaken from witnessing that firsthand after one man was shot dead for not paying up, and his wife was taken as payment.
Me: Late shift. I’ll try to swing by tomorrow before work.
I hesitate, then add–Did you take your meds?
Emma: Of course, Fallon. I’m not a baby!
She has no idea the reason I ask is that we aren’t sure when the hospital will stop treatment. We are at the end of our tether with funds, trying to save enough for her surgery.
Me: Never said you were. I need to head back in. I love you, and I’ll see you tomorrow.
Locking my phone, I place it in my pocket as if it is my only lifeline to her. And recently, it has been. Tossing my smoke, I turn for the door. As I open it, I come face to face with Leone Pressutti once more.
FOUR
FALLON
Instinctively, I step back, and he steps forward, stalking me like prey. His lips tug up into a smirk as he notices the fear that I know is evident on my face before I quickly mask it. That same fear makes goosebumps rise on my arms. Everything about this man screams at me to run.
“Lighter?” he asks, causing me to stop like a deer in the headlights for a second. His eyes watch my face as I try to remember what he asked. Suddenly, a hand from behind snakes past me, passing him a lighter, and Milo’s voice comes from behind me, making me flinch.
“So quiet out here,” Milo muses, leaning into me, his breath ghosting across my neck as he passes his boss a lighter. Leone takes it, lights his smoke, and takes a puff. He blows the smoke into the air, but his eyes watch me. Mr. Pressutti tilts his head to the side, observing me, then steps forward. I take another back only to bump into Milo, which makes Mr. Pressutti smile sadistically like he enjoys seeing my fear.
“You seem spooked?” he comments, and I notice the evil glint in his eye. This man is the sort of monster that likes to play with his food or, in my case, his victim. It’s like he wants them to know that their death is imminent and controlled by him.
“No, it’s just a little cold,” I lie easily, shocking myself at how calm I sound despite feeling like I am about to have a heart attack.
“And how about now?” Mr. Pressutti asks, stepping closer. His chest presses against mine, forcing me back against Milo, who is a solid wall behind me. Milo grips my hip to steady me, and I gasp when his huge hand squeezes gently.
“She looks so small between us,” Mr. Pressutti chuckles, drawing back on his smoke. The next second, he moves quicker than my eyes catch. Suddenly, his hand is wrapped around my throat, making me gasp. Yet, he doesn’t squeeze; he just drags me closer. His hand moves to grip my chin, tilting my face up while I remain frozen with fear.
Dipping his head, his lips graze mine with the barest of touches. He forces my lips to part with his thumb, increasing pressure on my jaw. Smoke suddenly fills my mouth, and I gasp before choking on it, gagging for air.
He smiles, moving quickly to grip the back of my neck before dragging me so close I can smell his cologne as he smothers my face against his hard chest, his fingers tangling in my hair.
My hands instinctively press against his jacket, wanting to shove him off. Instead, my hands only tremble, knowing that doing such a thing will get me killed.
His fingers fist my hair, forcing my head back, and I bite back the urge to cry out at the pain of my hair tearing from my scalp at his harsh grip. His eyes search mine for a second.
“You shouldn’t be out in the dark by yourself. You never know who’s lurking in the shadows,” he warns, and I swallow the lump forming in my throat.
“Well, good thing you found me then; you wouldn’t want the boogie man to get your best card dealer,” my voice stutters slightly, and he smiles wickedly.
“No need to fear the boogie man around me. Not even the depths of hell dare whisper my name, for the devil himself quakes at the thought of crossing me.”
My heart beats frantically at his words as I try to figure out what’s going on. When the door suddenly opens, Leone doesn’t move straight away. Instead, he holds my gaze when Marcus’s voice reaches me.
“Fallon?” he calls out. Leone’s eyes seem to darken briefly, and I swallow thickly.
“Is everything alright?” Marcus asks, stepping outside.
