Page 174 of Valentino

Oh my God, if Carlo is in here…what does that mean?

Where is Valentino?

“Anna,” Carlo calls again. “Where are you, baby?” I can hear doors opening and closing.

My hands are over my mouth, I’m terrified, he’s here to kill me.

I screw up my face in tears.

“Anna,” I hear, he’s close now. Just outside the door.

I hold my breath. If I stay still enough maybe he won’t find me.

Where’s Valentino? What’s happened?

The door handle jiggles as someone tries to open it.

My God….

“Open the door, Anna,” he calls in a singsong voice. “I know you’re in there.”

The door handle jiggles some more.

I stay silent and still, my breath quivering in fear. He’s killed Valentino, I know he has.

Dear God, please help me.

“Open. The. Fucking. Door,” he screams.

My hands fly up over my face.

Bang. He kicks the door and it nearly comes off its hinges. Bang.

A police siren sounds in the distance.

Dtt, Dtt, Dtt echoes again.

Bang. He kicks the door hard. Bang.

The door flies open and Carlo comes into view; his gun is raised and pointed at me. I hold up my hands to try and protect my face. “Where is he?” he growls.

My eyes search his, he’s still alive.

“Where. Is. He?” he screams in my face, he grabs for me and I struggle to get away from him.

“Don’t touch me,” I cry.

“I’m right here,” Valentino sneers from the doorway, gun raised and pointed at Carlo.

“I’m going to fucking kill you,” Carlo sneers.

“Not if I kill you first.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“I warned you not to touch her,” Carlo spits.

“I warned you first.” Valentino fires once and Carlo goes flying back as a bullet connects.