Page 114 of The Devil's Deal

“Hey! Please stop!” I shout, my pulse quickening.

Finally, the lights flicker off, and thanks to the nearest lamppost, I make out the black sedan.

My heart lurches in my chest. My stomach tightens with knots.

What if whoever is inside isn’t here to help me at all?

I’m no longer excited, my legs held down by cement. My heart races so fast, I can no longer catch my breath. I grip the gun still at my waistband, getting ready to shoot.

The window starts to roll down.

“Hey, miss,” says a woman’s voice. “Do you need help?”

A whoosh of a breath pours from my lungs, and I crouch a little, dropping my palms to my knees with relief.

After I compose myself, I run toward the passenger side, finding a blonde-haired woman, probably in her early fifties.

“Yes, please,” I beg.

“Sure thing. Where are you going?”

“Anywhere but here.”

“You’re not gonna kill me, are you?” she asks with a lighthearted laugh.

“I don’t think so?” I giggle nervously.

“All right, young lady. I’m Laura. Hop in.”

“I’m Chiara. Thank you!” I open the door and rush inside, and then we’re off as I fasten the seat belt.

“You running from someone?” she asks, passing side-long glances at me while juggling to keep her eyes on the road.

“Kind of.” I don’t want to tell her too much in case she gets afraid and kicks me out of the car.

“Well, I’m heading to the city, so hopefully that’s far enough,” she says, the sides of her eyes crinkling as she gets the words out. “I had my son’s engagement party tonight, lucky for you. It’s usually dead here at this time of night.”

“I know,” I scoff. “I was walking a while before you found me.”

“Good thing, too.” She exhales loudly. “Lord knows what kind of creep you could’ve met at this ungodly hour.”

I nod in agreement. “Would it be okay if I used your cell to call my aunt?”

“Of course you can.” She gestures with her head toward the cup holder. “Grab it. The code is seven five seven five.”

“You’re an angel. Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

I quickly pick up the phone, unlock the code, and dial my aunt’s number.

She doesn’t answer.

“Fuck!” I spit out, then am immediately embarrassed to curse in front of a stranger who probably already thinks I’m insane. “Sorry.”

“Shit, honey. I say way worse things than that.” She chuckles, her shoulders bopping up and down a little. “Did she not answer?”

I shake my head with disappointment.

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