Page 8 of Deadly Devotion

My heart is racing now. Is it him? Has he tracked me here? I duck down, heart pounding in my ears. Every instinct told me to stay hidden, to wait until the man outside moved on. But time was slipping away, and I couldn’t stay in this laundromat forever.

Summoning my courage, I edge toward the door, my steps slow and deliberate. I strain to see through the glass, my heart thudding painfully. The figure outside lingers, peering in as if searching for someone.

Suddenly, the man’s phone rings, breaking the silence. I freeze, my breath catching. The man answers the call with a casual tone that sends relief washing over me like a cool breeze. It isn’t the shooter.

Just then, my stomach rumbles, indicating I need something to eat—or should I say, the baby needs something to eat? “It’s okay, baby,” I whisper to my belly. Mama will get you something to eat soon. Everything is going to be alright.”

Gathering my newfound strength, I carefully exit the laundromat and walk eight more streets to the apartment. I climb the stairs to the third floor and retrieve the key hidden in the dirt of the potted plant next to the front door. Unlocking the door, I slipped inside and quickly shut the door behind me. Planting my palms on either side of the peephole, I peeked outside. I don’t think I was followed, but checking again makes me feel better. Thankfully, I made it home. I kicked off my high heels and entered the kitchen to get the cordless phone.Punching in Sandy’s number, I held my breath until she answered.

“Hello?” Sandy asks tentatively.

“Oh, thank God!” I blurted. “I need you to come home right now. Please hurry, sis.”

“Talia, slow down. What’s going on? Is it the baby?” she asks, her voice getting higher with concern.

“No, the baby is fine. But I saw something at work, and now he’s after me. At least, I think he is. But he’ll find me; I know he will.” A silent tear rolls down my cheek as I plop onto the kitchen chair.

“Who will find you? What happened?” she demands.

I can hear people talking in the background. It sounds like she’s at a restaurant or a bar. In the commotion, I forgot about her date with Nick. “I saw a man get killed tonight while I was working the VIP room. A man shot another man, and I saw it happen,” I whisper, choking on a sob. I relay the details until she knows everything. Sandy is silent, and the background noise grows quieter. I hear a door bang and then street noise. “Sis?”

“Talia, are you okay?”

“Yes. But I need you to come home.”

“Lock the door and close all the blinds. Stay in the apartment and don’t open the door for anyone. I’m going to stop by the club to get your things. I’ll quietly ask some of the girls if they know anything about the man who got killed or the killer. Then we can figure out what to do.”

She hangs up, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I do as she said, bolting the door and closing the blinds. Taking off my workuniform, I rummaged through my dresser drawers until I find my soft grey t-shirt and black jeans. As I got dressed, I decided it was a good idea to pack a bag. No matter the plan Sandy comes up with, I don’t think I should stick around here. I need to lay low for a while until I’m sure that man isn’t looking for me.

Opening all my dresser drawers, I start pulling out clothes and dropping them into my dark green suitcase. Then I collect my toiletries from the bathroom and put them in the suitcase too.

Returning to the living room, I’m too wound up to sit. I pace back and forth a few times before peeking through the closed blinds. I don’t see anyone lurking outside. Then, I double-check the locks on the door.

In the kitchen, I pour myself a glass of water and drink it in one gulp before I realize my stomach is rumbling again. “Okay,” I mumble to my belly. After a handful of crackers and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, my stomach finally settles.

Forcing myself to go sit on the couch, I curl up in the corner, pulling a soft quilt over my legs. Now, all I must do is wait.

Chapter 6

Aleksandr

As I scan the crowded dance floor, Dimitri talks to a cocktail waitress. Everyone here is oblivious to what happened and has no idea that my world was turned upside down. I take a sip of vodka, appreciating the burn as it slides down my throat.

“She doesn’t know much about the missing waitress,” Dimitri says, gulping down the last drops of vodka from his glass. “Tonight is the first time she has met her. Phil isn’t much help either. He said she is the sister of one of the waitresses and started working here three nights ago. That’s all he knows. All the waitresses work for cash tips, so he doesn’t keep addresses on file.”

“Where is the sister?” I ask, frustrated that we’re getting nowhere fast.

“She has the night off. Phil called her, but she didn’t answer.”

“Keep asking around. I’m going to chat with the bartender.” Draining my glass, I walk to the bar, getting the bartender’s attention. He’s a tall, thin, blonde guy flirting with a girl with huge breasts. Sliding a pink martini before her, he excuses himself and directs his attention to me.

“What can I get you?” he asks smoothly, placing a white square cocktail napkin before me.

“Information.”

“It must be my lucky night. Everyone needs information from me.” He places a vodka shot on the crisp white napkin and leans closer. “But for you, Mr. Avilov, it’s free.”

The vodka is doing nothing to ease my tension. The beast inside of me wants revenge. It wants to tear these apart limb by limb until satisfied. “Who needed information from you?” I question through clenched teeth.

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